Western Michigan Broncos men's ice hockey

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Western Michigan Broncos
Current season
Western Michigan Broncos athletic logo
UniversityWestern Michigan University
ConferenceNCHC
Head coachPat Ferschweiler
1st season, 0–0–0 (–)
Captain(s)Paul Washe
Alternate captain(s)Kale Bennett
Ethen Frank
Josh Passolt
ArenaLawson Arena
Capacity: 3,667
Surface: 200' x 85'
LocationKalamazoo, Michigan
ColorsBrown and gold[1]
   
NCAA Tournament appearances
Conference Tournament championships
Current uniform
CCHA-Uniform-WMU.png

The Western Michigan Broncos men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I college ice hockey program that represents Western Michigan University. The Broncos are a member of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC). They play at Lawson Arena in Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States.[2]

History[]

The Broncos program began in 1973 and joined the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) for the 1975–76 season. After ten seasons in the league Western Michigan won the 1986 CCHA Playoff Tournament and advanced to the school's first NCAA Division I men's ice hockey tournament in 1986.[3] The 1986 season marked the program's first CCHA Tournament Championship and the program's first bid to the NCAA Tournament.[4] The Broncos entered the tournament in the West Regional against Harvard and lost the two-game aggregate series, being outscored 11–4 by the Crimson.[5]

Western Michigan's next post season appearance came in 1994. Western Michigan received an at-large bid to the 1994 NCAA Division I Tournament and again fell in the first round with a 6–3 loss to Wisconsin.[6]

The Broncos rebounded in the 1995–96 season after a sub-.500 season in 1994–95. Western Michigan received the program's second at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. Western Michigan lost again in the first round to Clarkson 6–1.[7]

Under first-year coach Jeff Blashill, Western Michigan received an at-large bid to the 2011 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament, where they would lose their opening game 3–2 in double overtime to Denver. Denver scored two goals in the last 4:29 of the third period to force overtime.[8]

In 2011–12, for the second consecutive season, Western Michigan had a new head coach and reached the NCAA tournament. Longtime National Hockey League (NHL) coach Andy Murray was named as coach of the Broncos after Blashill left for the Detroit Red Wings.[9] WMU finished tied for second in the CCHA and won the CCHA tournament, thereby receiving an automatic bid into the NCAA tournament.[10] Western Michigan lost in the first round of the tournament 3–1 to No. 1 seed North Dakota.[11]

The Broncos joined the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) starting in the 2013–14 season. The CCHA disbanded after the 2012–13 season, in part due to the addition of men's ice hockey to the Big Ten Conference.

Western Michigan won the 2013 four-team Great Lakes Invitational which was played outdoors at Comerica Park in Detroit. The Broncos defeated No. 3 Michigan 3-2 in overtime in the semifinals, and then claimed the championship by beating Michigan Tech 1-0, also in overtime. WMU won the 2014 Shillelagh Tournament with an 8–2 victory over No. 17 Union. The Broncos also defeated Ohio State in the first round of the tournament, 6–2.

In 2016-17, the Broncos followed up a disappointing 8-25-3 season with an impressive 22-13-5 and a 3rd place finish in the NCHC. Western Michigan was invited to the final Great Lakes Invitational at Joe Louis Arena, where they defeated Michigan Tech in the championship. WMU has been invited to the GLI 5 times dating back to 1977, winning it 3 of those times. The Broncos were defeated in the first round of the 2017 NCAA Division I tournament by Air Force.

Season-by-season results[]

Main article: List of Western Michigan Broncos men's ice hockey seasons

Source:[12]

Coaching[]

All-time coaching records[]

As of the completion of 2020–21 season[12]

Tenure Coach Years Record Pct.
2011–2021 Andy Murray 10 167–156–43 .515
2010–2011 Jeff Blashill 1 19–13–10 .571
1999–2010 Jim Culhane 11† 158–222–48 .425
1982–1999 Bill Wilkinson 17† 313–301–53 .509
1978–1982 Glen Weller 4 64–73–5 .468
1973–1978 Bill Neal 5 91–65–5 .581
Totals 6 coaches 48 seasons 812–830–164 .495

† The 1998–99 season was coached by both Wilkinson and Culhane.

Statistical leaders[]

Source:[13]

Career points leaders[]

Player Years GP G A Pts PIM
Dan Dorion 1982–1986 157 115 178 293
Paul Polillo 1986–1990 165 82 189 271
Wayne Gagné 1983–1987 162 42 199 241
1986–1990 159 109 125 234
Ross Fitzpatrick 1978–1982 138 100 125 225
1974–1978 129 92 106 198
1983–1987 162 104 91 195
Chris Brooks 1992–1996 147 57 127 184
1983–1986 122 81 102 183
1978–1981 130 82 95 177

Career goaltending leaders[]

GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; SV% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average

Minimum 30 games played

Player Years GP Min W L T GA SO SV% GAA
2011–2015 94 6021 49 38 15 235 7 .909 2.34
Marc Magliarditi 1995–1996 36 2110 23 11 2 91 5 .910 2.59
2019–Present 38 2132 20 13 4 95 0 .908 2.67
2007–2011 63 3528 16 27 3 158 2 .912 2.69
2012–2016 86 4396 25 37 10 202 4 .909 2.76

Statistics current through the start of the 2021-22 season.

Current roster[]

As of September 9, 2021.[14]

No. S/P/C Player Class Pos Height Weight DoB Hometown Previous team NHL rights
3 Illinois Michael Joyaux Senior D 5' 10" (1.78 m) 181 lb (82 kg) 1997-02-13 Bloomingdale, Illinois Youngstown (USHL) —
4 Michigan Cam Knuble Sophomore F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 2000-07-23 Grand Rapids, Michigan Muskegon (USHL) —
6 Michigan Scooter Brickey Junior D 6' 3" (1.91 m) 207 lb (94 kg) 1999-05-27 Burtchville, Michigan Des Moines (USHL) —
7 Michigan Ronnie Attard (A) Junior D 6' 4" (1.93 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1999-03-20 White Lake, Michigan Tri-City (USHL) PHI, 72nd overall 2019
8 Ontario Matteo Pecchia Sophomore F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 192 lb (87 kg) 2000-06-05 Nobleton, Ontario Mississauga (OJHL) —
9 Quebec Luke Grainger Sophomore F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1999-09-03 Montreal, Quebec Hawkesbury (CCHL) —
10 Illinois Chad Hillebrand Sophomore F 6' 4" (1.93 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1999-01-22 Park Ridge, Illinois Green Bay (USHL) —
11 Alberta Rhett Kingston Senior F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1997-11-04 Black Diamond, Alberta Salmon Arm (BCHL) —
12 Florida Cole Gallant Senior F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1998-03-14 Dover, Florida Omaha (USHL) —
13 Ontario Drew Worrad (A) Senior F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 186 lb (84 kg) 1997-06-30 Birr, Ontario Steinbach (MJHL) —
14 Michigan Jason Polin Junior F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 198 lb (90 kg) 1999-06-17 Holt, Michigan Cedar Rapids (USHL) —
15 Saskatchewan Daniel Hilsendager Sophomore D 6' 1" (1.85 m) 202 lb (92 kg) 2000-03-30 Lloydminster, Saskatchewan Omaha (USHL) —
16 Michigan Tim Washe Sophomore F 6' 3" (1.91 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 2001-08-25 Clarkston, Michigan Nanaimo (BCHL) —
17 Switzerland Cédric Fiedler Sophomore D 6' 3" (1.91 m) 204 lb (93 kg) 2001-04-20 Zug, Switzerland Fargo (USHL) —
20 Alberta Jamie Rome Senior F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 211 lb (96 kg) 1998-10-03 Cochrane, Alberta Victoria (BCHL) —
21 Wisconsin Josh Passolt (A) Graduate F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1996-09-13 Hayward, Wisconsin Sioux Falls (USHL) —
22 Michigan Trevor Bishop Sophomore F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1999-01-23 Rochester Hills, Michigan Victoria (BCHL) —
23 Michigan Paul Washe (C) Graduate F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 201 lb (91 kg) 1998-11-27 Clarkston, Michigan Fargo (USHL) —
24 Indiana Aidan Fulp Sophomore D 6' 3" (1.91 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 2000-02-29 Indianapolis, Indiana Dubuque (USHL) —
25 Michigan Jared Kucharek Senior D 6' 4" (1.93 m) 203 lb (92 kg) 1998-05-23 Royal Oak, Michigan Madison (USHL) —
26 Nebraska Ethen Frank (A) Graduate F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1998-02-05 Papillion, Nebraska Lincoln (USHL) —
27 Ontario Ty Glover Sophomore F 6' 3" (1.91 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 2000-10-01 London, Ontario Lincoln (USHL) —
28 Michigan Hugh Larkin Sophomore F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1999-03-27 Livonia, Michigan Austin (NAHL) —
29 Alberta Jarred White Sophomore F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1999-05-21 Edmonton, Alberta Sherwood Park (AJHL) —
30 New York (state) Brandon Bussi Junior G 6' 5" (1.96 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1998-06-25 Sound Beach, New York Muskegon (USHL) —
31 Alberta Ross Hawryluk Sophomore G 6' 4" (1.93 m) 208 lb (94 kg) 2001-03-19 Lloydminster, Alberta Nipawin (SJHL) —
34 Michigan Max Sasson Freshman F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2000-09-05 Birmingham, Michigan Waterloo (USHL) —
35 New Jersey Alex Aslanidis Sophomore G 6' 5" (1.96 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 2001-01-20 Morristown, New Jersey Navan (CCHL) —
Michigan Jacob Bauer Sophomore D 6' 3" (1.91 m) 202 lb (92 kg) 2002-02-25 Milford, Michigan Lincoln (USHL) —
Michigan Xan Gurney Freshman D 6' 3" (1.91 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 2000-05-28 Grosse Ile, Michigan Green Bay (USHL) —
Illinois Wyatt Schingoethe Freshman F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2002-08-03 Algonquin, Illinois Waterloo (USHL) TOR, 195th overall 2020
Minnesota Nick Strom Freshman D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2000-03-21 Dayton, Minnesota Fargo (USHL) —
Michigan Dylan Wendt Freshman F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2001-01-09 Grand Haven, Michigan Muskegon (USHL) —

Awards and honors[]

All-Americans[]

AHCA First Team All-Americans

AHCA Second Team All-Americans

CCHA[]

Individual Awards[]

All-Conference Teams[]

First Team All-CCHA

Second Team All-CCHA

CCHA All-Rookie Team

NCHC[]

Individual Awards[]

All-Conference Teams[]

First Team All-NCHC

Second Team All-NCHC

NCHC All-Rookie Team

Western Michigan Broncos Hall of Fame[]

The following is a list of people associated with the Western Michigan men's ice hockey program who were elected into the Western Michigan University Athletic Hall of Fame.[15]

Broncos in the NHL[]

Source:[16]

= NHL All-Star Team = NHL All-Star[17] = NHL All-Star[17] and NHL All-Star Team = Hall of Famers

‡Scott Foster played 14 minutes for the Blackhawks after being signed to a 1-day contract as an emergency backup due to injury.[18]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Western Michigan University Official Athletics Style Guide (PDF). February 17, 2017. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
  2. ^ "Wmu Men's Hockey Team Page :: USCHO.com :: U.S. College Hockey Online". USCHO.com. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
  3. ^ "Statistics :: USCHO.com :: U.S. College Hockey Online". USCHO.com. Retrieved 2013-06-11.
  4. ^ http://www.ccha.com/the_ccha/ccha_history_and_records.aspx
  5. ^ [1] Archived June 26, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ "1994 NCAA Tournament". Inside College Hockey. Retrieved 2013-06-11.
  7. ^ "1996 NCAA Tournament". Inside College Hockey. Retrieved 2013-06-11.
  8. ^ Holt, Adam. "Late rally, Zucker's double-OT winner send Denver past Western Michigan". uscho.com. Retrieved 16 January 2012.
  9. ^ AP Staff (July 26, 2011). "Former NHL coach Andy Murray hired by Western Michigan". USA Today. Retrieved April 30, 2012.
  10. ^ Drew, David (March 17, 2012). "Western Michigan is CCHA Tournament champ after 3-2 win over Michigan". Kalamazoo Gazette. Retrieved April 30, 2012.
  11. ^ AP Staff (March 24, 2012). "North Dakota 3, Western Michigan 1: Broncos ousted in first round of NCAA hockey tournament". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved April 30, 2012.
  12. ^ Jump up to: a b "2015-16 WMU HOCKEY RECORD BOOK" (PDF). Western Michigan Broncos. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
  13. ^ "Hockey - Career/Season Point Leaders". Western Michigan Broncos. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
  14. ^ "WMU Hockey – 2020–21 Men's Ice Hockey Roster". Western Michigan University Athletics. Retrieved July 27, 2017.
  15. ^ "Hall of Fame" (PDF). Western Michigan Broncos. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
  16. ^ "Alumni report for Western Michigan University". Hockey DB. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
  17. ^ Jump up to: a b Players are identified as an All-Star if they were selected for the All-Star game at any time in their career.
  18. ^ "Scott Foster: Accountant makes NHL debut in goal for Chicago Blackhawks". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on March 30, 2018. Retrieved March 30, 2018.

External links[]

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