MEN’S2014-15 DIRECTORY ALABAMA HUNTSVILLE ALASKA ANCHORAGE ALASKA BEMIDJI STATE BOWLING GREEN FERRIS STATE LAKE SUPERIOR STATE MICHIGAN TECH MINNESOTA STATE NORTHERN MICHIGAN MACNAUGHTON CUP TRADITION STARTS HERE HOME OF A RECORD 37 MEN’S NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS SINCE 1951 WCHA DIRECTORY WCHA.COM & WCHA.COM/MOBILE Western Collegiate Hockey Association Suite C • Minnesota State University, Mankato at Edina 7700 France Avene South, Suite 360 • Edina, MN 55435 Men’s Commissioner • Bill Robertson o 952 818-8879 • m 651 755-5240 • [email protected] Associate Commissioner • Alyssa Bennett o 952 818-8871 • m 651 261-3867 • [email protected] Associate Commissioner for Public Relations • Matt Hodson o 952 818-8872 • m 612 801-2808 • [email protected] Supervisor of Officials • Greg Shepherd BILL o 651 330-5131 • m 303 478-3696 • [email protected] ROBERTSON Assistant to the Commissioner • Jeff Sauer m 720 480-2451 • [email protected] Conference Intern • Samantha Stevenson [email protected] WCHA ON-ICE OFFICIALS SUPERVISOR OF OFFICIALS Greg Shepherd REFEREES Brad Albers (14), Tommy Albindia (9), Mike Elam (22), Pete Friesema (10), Kevin Hall (4), Brady Johnson (11), Brett Klosowski (31), Dan Kovarik (24), Kevin Langseth (17), Justin Brown (5), Bobby Lukkason (27), Jared Moen (14), Butch Mousseaux (12), Chris Perrault (2), Keith Sergott (7), Rodney Tocco (27), Mark Wilkins (23). Part Time: Tony Czech (23), Derek Shepherd (3), Brad Shepherd (33), Tim Walsh (11). LINESMEN at Alabama Huntsville: Steve Clough (52), Benjamin Cobb (45), Ryan Duncan (80), Dave Frost (77), Doug Martinson (85), Cody Smith (78). at Alaska Anchorage & Alaska: Chad Collionder (67), John Conoy (91), Travis Jackson (97), Skip Jantz (96), Sam Pitka (75), Carl Saden (45). at Bemidji State: Justin Hills (83), Tom Lund (37), Matt Ulwilling (79). at Bowling Green & Ferris State: Patrick Bracco (71), Andy Hempel (52), Frank Hempel (87), Joe Hutek (84), TJ Likens (63), Matt Miller (29), John Philo (52), Bruce Vida (82). at Lake Superior State, Michigan Tech & Northern Michigan: Eric Forberg (86), Ryan Gordon (84), Jamie Grace (67), Matt Hampton (51), Dan Juopperi (35), Ed Moberg (34), Paul Tunison (80). at Minnesota State: Matt Anderson (90), Nick Bradshaw (97), Sterling Egan (91), Neil Missling (97), Rick Nelson (53), Sam Shikowsky (89), Matt Tryee (81). 2014-15 MEN’S DIRECTORY THIS IS THE WCHA TRADITION STARTS HERE The men’s Western Collegiate Hockey Association, among the most historic, tradition-rich and successful conferences in all of collegiate athletics, proudly marks it’s 63rd season of competition under the leadership and guidance of new Commissioner Bill Robertson in 2014-15. Founded in 1951 as the Midwest Collegiate Hockey League (MCHL), then re- named the Western Intercollegiate Hockey League (WIHL) in 1953 and then on to the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) in 1959, the league has evolved on numerous occasions over seven decades, always with a mindset of growing the game and assisting developing programs however possible. Today’s men’s WCHA covers a wide, diverse geographical area that encompasses five time zones and more than 4,200 miles, and consists of ten top-quality institutions that offer the best in both educational and athletic environments. The 10 member teams are University of Alabama in Huntsville (Chargers), University of Alaska Anchorage (Seawolves), University of Alaska (Nanooks), Bemidji State University (Beavers), Bowling Green State University (Falcons), Ferris State University (Bulldogs), Lake Superior State University (Lakers), Michigan Technological University (Huskies), Minnesota State University (Mavericks) and Northern Michigan University (Wildcats). No collegiate athletic conference – in any sport – can top the impressive list of national scale accomplishments of the WCHA. Since 1951, member teams have earned a record 37 men’s national championships while finishing as the national runner-up 27 times. The league has produced a record 16 Hobey Baker Memorial Award Winners, has had more than 450 alums go on to the National Hockey League, and boasts of more than 350 All-Americans and 110 Olympians. Just a few of the stars who have worn WCHA team jerseys are the likes of John Mayasich, Bill ‘Red’ Hay, John Matchefts, Bill Reichart and Bill Steenson in the 1950s, Lou Angotti, Gordon ‘Red’ Berenson, Tony Esposito, ‘Huffer’ Christiansen and Keith Magnuson in the 1960s, Curt Giles, Doug Palazzari, Mark Johnson, Bill Nyrop, Tom Ross and Mike Zuke in the 1970s, Chris Chelios, Brett Hull, Tony Hrkac, Tom Kurvers and Bill Watson in the 1980s, Scott Beattie, Brian Bonin, Derek Plante and Brian Swanson in the 1990s, and David Backes, Mark Hartigan, Matt Carle, Dany Heatley, Zach Parise, Jonathan Toews and Thomas Vanek in the 2000s. In the most recent 2014 Olympic Winter Games held in Sochi, Russia, 17 former or current WCHA players competed. The group included Gold medal winners Chris Kunitz and Jonathan Toews of Canada, two alums competing for Austria in Thomas Vanek and Andreas Nodl, Ralfs Freibergs for Latvia, and USA team members David Backes, Justin Faulk, Phil Kessel, Paul Martin, Ryan McDonagh, T.J. Oshie, Zach Parise, Joe Pavelski, Paul Stastny, Derek Stepan, Ryan Suter and Blake Wheeler. When it comes to coaching, WCHA teams and players have benefitted from the expertise of some of the best minds in the game. Consider the likes of Murray Armstrong, Amo Bessone, Herb Brooks, Rick Comley, Bob Daniels, Gino Gasparini, Vic Heyliger, Don Lucia, John Mariucci, John MacInnes, Bob Johnson, Jeff Sauer, Mike Sertich, Charles ‘Lefty’ Smith and Doug Woog. Crowds at WCHA-member games are always among the most enthusiastic in all of hockey, with the league drawing in excess of one million fans over 20 consecutive 2014-15 MEN’S DIRECTORY seasons between 1993 and 2013. The WCHA Final Five, the league’s annual playoff championship, has been among the most successful college tournaments in the country, with great crowds and media coverage that has included the tourney being telecast live by FOX Sports North. For 2015, the WCHA Final Five returns to Xcel Energy Center and Saint Paul, after being contested for the first time at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan in 2014. The WCHA Final Five will alternate between those two premier midwestern facilities through 2017. For the second straight season, fans around the world can also watch WCHA-mem- ber team home games live and in HD via the league’s streaming partnership with America ONE Sports. College hockey’s longest running weekly conference radio show, “This Week in the WCHA” has been a fixture for more than 15 seasons, and the league’s official website – WCHA.com and WCHA.com/mobile will continue to bring new features and and developments to fans everywhere. 2015 WCHA FINAL FIVE RETURNS TO XCEL ENERGY CENTER IN ST. PAUL Dear Hockey Fans, This is going to be something. A reunion that will rekindle friendships and memories. A weekend that you start looking forward to months in advance. And one that will just plain make you feel warm and fuzzy all over. Yes, my friends, the WCHA Final Five championship is returning to Saint Paul and Xcel Energy Center for 2015! Fast-paced, family friendly, fun-filled and affordable, this will be a ‘match made in heaven’ and we couldn’t be more excited about getting back together with all of you. And what a setting. The country’s premier hockey facility (wait till you see the new HD LED center-hung video board!) with all its amenities, and a local community, complete with a veritable smorgasbord of great restaurants and taverns, shops, museums and hotels, that work together to create a special tournament atmosphere and embrace the game like no other. On ice, you’ll have four premier teams going head-to-head for the league’s playoff championship, the Broadmoor Trophy and a trip to the NCAA’s. And only at the WCHA Final Five will you have a unique championship Saturday doubleheader that will feature the NHL’s Minnesota Wild engaged in a critical late-season afternoon contest followed by the Final Five tournament title contest that evening. At the Final Five, you can re-live and carry on those great traditions. Wear your favorite jersey or t-shirt. Shake it up during Dance Mania. Bring the whole gang to the WCHA Fan Fest. Stand up and join the pep bands in those rollicking college fight songs. Get selfies or photo the kids with those zany team mascots. With a history and tradition that dates to 1951, the Western Collegiate Hockey Association is home to a record 37 national championship teams, a record 16 Hobey Baker Memorial Award winners, nearly 400 NHL alums and more than 120 Olympians. So you know the product will be top-notch. We hope you’ll plan to join us March 20-21 at the 2015 WCHA Final Five. And sincere thanks to all of you for making this one of the country’s best events for more than 25 years. Sincerely, Bill Robertson, WCHA Commissioner 2014-15 MEN’S DIRECTORY 2014-15 SCHEDULE NOTES WCHA FINAL FIVE BACK AT XCEL ENERGY CENTER IN ST. PAUL MARCH 20-21; 140-GAME RACE FOR LEAGUE TITLE, MACNAUGHTON CUP GETS UNDERWAY OCT. 4-5 AS LSSU AND NEW COACH DAMON WHITTEN HOST MTU; MEMBER TEAM REGULAR SEASON HOME GAMES TO BE STREAMED LIVE AND ON DEMAND VIA AMERICA ONE SPORTS; DEFENDING REGULAR SEASON CHAMP FERRIS STATE BEGINS TITLE DEFENSE OCT. 24-25 VS TECH; UAA HOSTS KENDALL HOCKEY CLASSIC OCT. 10-11; UAH CHARGERS OPEN AT CC OCT. 10-11; ALASKA HOSTS BRICE ALASKA GOAL RUSH OCT. 17-18; NMU HOSTS WISCONSIN IN GREEN BAY OCT. 17-18; LAKERS TO PLAY IN FLORIDA COLLEGE HOCKEY CLASSIC DEC. 26-27; MTU AT GREAT LAKES INVITATIONAL DEC.