2024–25 Western Michigan Broncos men's ice hockey season
| 2024–25 Western Michigan Broncos men's ice hockey season | |
|---|---|
 | |
| NCAA Division I National Champion NCHC Regular Season, Champion NCHC Tournament, Champion NCAA Tournament, Champion | |
| Conference | NCHC |
| Home ice | Lawson Arena |
| Rankings | |
| USCHO | #3 |
| USA Hockey | #1 |
| Record | |
| Overall | 34–7–1 |
| Conference | 19–4–1 |
| Home | 18–2–1 |
| Road | 9–4–0 |
| Neutral | 7–1–0 |
| Coaches and captains | |
| Head coach | Pat Ferschweiler |
| Assistant coaches | Jason Herter J. J. Crew Jared Brown |
| Captain(s) | Tim Washe |
| Alternate captain(s) | Alex Bump Matteo Costantini Cam Knuble |
| Western Michigan Broncos men's ice hockey seasons « 2023–24 2025–26 » | |
The 2024–25 Western Michigan Broncos men's ice hockey season was the 51st season of play for the program and 12th in the NCHC. The Broncos represented Western Michigan University in the 2024–25 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season, played their home games at the Lawson Arena and were coached by Pat Ferschweiler in his fourth season. The Broncos won the 2025 NCHC Tournament for the first time in program history, and received the conference's automatic bid to the 2025 NCAA tournament. They won their first national championship in program history.
Season
Departures
| Player | Position | Nationality | Cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacob Bauer | Defenseman |  United States |
Graduation (retired) |
| Carter Berger | Defenseman |  Canada |
Graduation (signed with Hartford Wolf Pack) |
| Trevor Bishop | Forward | United States |
Graduation (retired) |
| Cole Burtch | Forward | Canada |
Transferred to Ferris State |
| Joe Cassetti | Forward | United States |
Graduation (signed with Belfast Giants) |
| Sam Colangelo | Forward | United States |
Graduation (signed with Anaheim Ducks) |
| Cédric Fiedler | Defenseman | United States |
Graduation (signed with Lausanne HC) |
| Zak Galambos | Defenseman | United States |
Graduation (signed with Belfast Giants) |
| Luke Grainger | Forward | Canada |
Graduation (signed with San Jose Barracuda) |
| Chad Hillebrand | Forward | United States |
Graduation (signed with Colorado Eagles) |
| Daniel Hilsendager | Defenseman | Canada |
Graduation (retired) |
| Hugh Larkin | Forward | United States |
Graduation (retired) |
| Oliver MacDonald | Forward | United States |
Graduation (retired) |
| Jacob Napier | Defenseman | United States |
Transferred to Colgate |
| Ethan Phillips | Forward | Canada |
Graduation (retired) |
| Dawson Smith | Goaltender | Canada |
Transferred to Robert Morris |
| Dylan Wendt | Forward | United States |
Signed professional contract (New Jersey Devils) |
Recruiting
| Player | Position | Nationality | Age | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zach Bade | Forward | United States |
21 | Rosemount, MN |
| Connor Brown | Forward | United States |
19 | Estero, FL |
| Robby Drazner | Defenseman | United States |
24 | Buffalo Grove, IL; graduate transfer from Miami |
| Grady Gallatin | Defenseman | United States |
20 | White Bear Lake, MN |
| Iiro Hakkarainen | Forward |  Finland |
20 | Helsinki, FIN |
| Ty Henricks | Forward | United States |
19 | Mission Viejo, CA; selected 183rd overall in 2023 |
| Brian Kramer | Defenseman | United States |
24 | Wexford, PA; graduate transfer from American International |
| Ryan Kusler | Forward | United States |
21 | Battle Creek, MI |
| Tristan Lemyre | Forward | Canada |
22 | Mirabel, QC; transfer from Denver |
| Jack Mesic | Defenseman | United States |
21 | Plymouth, MI; transfer from Ferris State |
| Zach Nehring | Forward | United States |
19 | Minot, ND; selected 82nd overall in 2023 |
| Zack Sharp | Defenseman | United States |
19 | Naperville, IL |
| Grant Slukynsky | Forward | United States |
22 | Edina, MN; transfer from Northern Michigan |
| Hampton Slukynsky | Goaltender | United States |
19 | Warroad, MN; selected 118th overall in 2023 |
| Joona Väisänen | Defenseman | Finland |
20 | Espoo, FIN |
| Liam Valente | Forward |  Sweden |
21 | Märsta, SWE; transfer from Providence |
Roster
As of September 23, 2024.[1]
| No. | Nat. | Player | Class | Pos | Height | Weight | DoB | Hometown | Previous team | NHL rights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 
|
Kirk Laursen | Junior (RS) | G | 6' 3" (1.91 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 2000-01-02 | Bloomfield Hills, Michigan | Miami (NCHC) | — |
| 2 |
|
Grady Gallatin | Freshman | D | 6' 3" (1.91 m) | 179 lb (81 kg) | 2004-06-07 | White Bear Lake, Minnesota | Janesville Jets (NAHL) | — |
| 3 |
|
Cole Crusberg-Roseen | Sophomore | D | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 184 lb (83 kg) | 2002-04-14 | Stratham, New Hampshire | Lincoln Stars (USHL) | — |
| 4 |
|
Robby Drazner | Graduate | D | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | 2000-02-13 | Buffalo Grove, Illinois | Miami (NCHC) | — |
| 6 |
|
Jack Mesic | Sophomore | D | 5' 9" (1.75 m) | 176 lb (80 kg) | 2002-10-18 | Plymouth, Michigan | Ferris State (CCHA) | — |
| 8 |
|
Zach Nehring | Freshman | F | 6' 3" (1.91 m) | 179 lb (81 kg) | 2005-03-07 | Minot, North Dakota | Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL) | WPG, 82nd overall 2023 |
| 9 |
|
Zach Bade | Freshman | F | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 183 lb (83 kg) | 2003-04-26 | Rosemount, Minnesota | Tri-City Storm (USHL) | — |
| 10 |
|
Zack Sharp | Freshman | D | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 181 lb (82 kg) | 2005-03-29 | Naperville, Illinois | Cedar Rapids RoughRiders (USHL) | — |
| 11 |
|
Ethan Wolthers | Junior | F | 5' 8" (1.73 m) | 155 lb (70 kg) | 2001-07-19 | Valencia, California | Minnesota Wilderness (NAHL) | — |
| 12 |
|
Connor Brown | Freshman | F | 5' 8" (1.73 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 2005-05-03 | Estero, Florida | Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL) | — |
| 13 |
|
Grant Slukynsky | Sophomore | F | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | 2002-03-12 | Edina, Minnesota | Northern Michigan (CCHA) | — |
| 14 |
|
Brian Kramer | Graduate | D | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 2000-07-20 | Wexford, Pennsylvania | American International (AHA) | — |
| 16 |
|
Tim Washe (C) | Graduate | F | 6' 3" (1.91 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | 2001-08-25 | Detroit, Michigan | Nanaimo Clippers (BCHL) | — |
| 17 |
|
Ty Henricks | Freshman | F | 6' 4" (1.93 m) | 216 lb (98 kg) | 2005-06-28 | Mission Viejo, California | Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL) | NYR, 183rd overall 2023 |
| 18 |
|
Wyatt Schingoethe | Senior | F | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 2002-08-03 | Algonquin, Illinois | Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL) | TOR, 195th overall 2020 |
| 19 |
|
Cam Knuble (A) | Graduate | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | 2000-07-23 | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL) | — |
| 20 |
|
Alex Bump (A) | Sophomore | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 194 lb (88 kg) | 2003-11-20 | Burnsville, Minnesota | Tri-City Storm (USHL) | PHI, 133rd overall 2022 |
| 21 |
|
Ryan Kusler | Freshman | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 187 lb (85 kg) | 2003-05-19 | Battle Creek, Michigan | Omaha Lancers (USHL) | — |
| 22 |
|
Iiro Hakkarainen | Freshman | F | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 172 lb (78 kg) | 2004-03-09 | Helsinki, Finland | Fargo Force (USHL) | — |
| 23 |
|
Liam Valente | Junior | F | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 183 lb (83 kg) | 2003-05-23 | Märsta, Sweden | Providence (HEA) | — |
| 24 |
|
Garrett Szydlowski | Sophomore | F | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 2002-06-12 | Detroit, Michigan | Wenatchee Wild (BCHL) | — |
| 25 |
|
Matteo Costantini (A) | Senior | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 192 lb (87 kg) | 2002-08-16 | St. Catharines, Ontario | North Dakota (NCHC) | BUF, 131st overall 2020 |
| 26 |
|
Ean Somoza | Sophomore | F | 6' 3" (1.91 m) | 188 lb (85 kg) | 2003-02-08 | Thousand Oaks, California | Wenatchee Wild (BCHL) | — |
| 27 |
|
Joona Väisänen | Freshman | D | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 176 lb (80 kg) | 2004-07-29 | Espoo, Finland | Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL) | PIT, 175th overall 2024 |
| 29 |
|
Tristan Lemyre | Junior | F | 5' 9" (1.75 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | 2001-01-15 | Mirabel, Quebec | Denver (NCHC) | — |
| 30 |
|
Hampton Slukynsky | Freshman | G | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 2005-07-02 | Warroad, Minnesota | Fargo Force (USHL) | LAK, 118th overall 2023 |
| 31 |
|
Cameron Rowe | Graduate | G | 6' 3" (1.91 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | 2001-06-01 | Wilmette, Illinois | Wisconsin (Big Ten) | — |
| 33 |
|
Samuel Sjölund | Junior | D | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | 2001-05-19 | Stockholm, Sweden | Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL) | DAL, 111th overall 2019 |
| 34 |
|
Owen Michaels | Sophomore | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 2002-05-01 | Detroit, Michigan | Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL) | — |
Standings
| Conference record | Overall record | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | W | L | T | OTW | OTL | SW | PTS | GF | GA | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | |||
| #3 Western Michigan †* | 24 | 19 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 57 | 98 | 51 | 41 | 33 | 7 | 1 | 161 | 84 | ||
| #15 Arizona State | 24 | 14 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 47 | 91 | 69 | 37 | 21 | 14 | 2 | 136 | 103 | ||
| #6 Denver | 24 | 15 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 45 | 89 | 59 | 43 | 31 | 12 | 1 | 174 | 94 | ||
| Omaha | 24 | 14 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 44 | 82 | 69 | 36 | 18 | 17 | 1 | 105 | 99 | ||
| #18 North Dakota | 24 | 14 | 9 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 42 | 81 | 73 | 38 | 21 | 15 | 2 | 120 | 111 | ||
| Colorado College | 24 | 11 | 12 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 32 | 68 | 72 | 37 | 18 | 18 | 1 | 106 | 113 | ||
| Minnesota Duluth | 24 | 9 | 13 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 30 | 63 | 77 | 36 | 13 | 20 | 3 | 99 | 117 | ||
| St. Cloud State | 24 | 7 | 16 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 23 | 53 | 79 | 36 | 14 | 21 | 1 | 79 | 110 | ||
| Miami | 24 | 0 | 23 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 38 | 114 | 34 | 3 | 28 | 3 | 63 | 143 | ||
| Championship: March 22, 2025 † indicates conference regular season champion (Penrose Cup) * indicates conference tournament champion (Frozen Faceoff Championship Trophy) Rankings: USCHO.com Top 20 Poll Updated: April 10, 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||
Schedule and results
| Date | Time | Opponent# | Rank# | Site | TV | Decision | Result | Attendance | Record | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exhibition | |||||||||||
| October 5 | 7:00 pm | USNTDP* | #17 | Lawson Arena • Kalamazoo, Michigan (Exhibition) | W 4–1 | ||||||
| Regular Season | |||||||||||
| October 11 | 7:00 pm | Ferris State* | #17 | Lawson Arena • Kalamazoo, Michigan | Rowe | W 4–1 | 3,637 | 1–0–0 | |||
| October 12 | 7:00 pm | at Ferris State* | #17 | Ewigleben Arena • Big Rapids, Michigan | FloHockey | Slukynsky | W 5–1 | 1,112 | 2–0–0 | ||
| October 17 | 7:00 pm | Bowling Green* | #17 | Lawson Arena • Kalamazoo, Michigan | Rowe | W 6–2 | 2,179 | 3–0–0 | |||
| Exhibition | |||||||||||
| October 19 | 6:00 pm | York* | #17 | Lawson Arena • Kalamazoo, Michigan (Exhibition) | Slukynsky | W 8–0 | 1,829 | ||||
| Regular Season | |||||||||||
| October 26 | 7:00 pm | at #2 Boston College* | #14 | Conte Forum • Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts | ESPN+ | Slukynsky | L 2–4 | 7,884 | 3–1–0 | ||
| November 8 | 8:00 pm | at Omaha | #14 | Baxter Arena • Omaha, Nebraska | Rowe | W 2–1 | 6,683 | 4–1–0 (1–0–0) | |||
| November 9 | 8:00 pm | at Omaha | #14 | Baxter Arena • Omaha, Nebraska | Slukynsky | W 4–2 | 7,022 | 5–1–0 (2–0–0) | |||
| November 15 | 7:00 pm | #8 Colorado College | #13 | Lawson Arena • Kalamazoo, Michigan | Rowe | W 3–2 OT | 3,437 | 6–1–0 (3–0–0) | |||
| November 16 | 6:00 pm | #8 Colorado College | #13 | Lawson Arena • Kalamazoo, Michigan | Slukynsky | T 1–1 SOL | 3,966 | 6–1–1 (3–0–1) | |||
| November 22 | 8:00 pm | at Minnesota Duluth | #9 | AMSOIL Arena • Duluth, Minnesota | Rowe | W 5–2 | 5,057 | 7–1–1 (4–0–1) | |||
| November 23 | 6:00 pm | at Minnesota Duluth | #9 | AMSOIL Arena • Duluth, Minnesota | Slukynsky | W 4–1 | 5,831 | 8–1–1 (5–0–1) | |||
| November 29 | 7:00 pm | #6 Michigan* | #7 | Lawson Arena • Kalamazoo, Michigan | Rowe | W 4–1 | 3,974 | 9–1–1 | |||
| November 30 | 7:00 pm | at #6 Michigan* | #7 | Yost Ice Arena • Ann Arbor, Michigan | BTN+ | Slukynsky | L 1–2 | 5,800 | 9–2–1 | ||
| December 6 | 7:00 pm | #2 Denver | #7 | Lawson Arena • Kalamazoo, Michigan | Rowe | W 3–2 | 3,586 | 10–2–1 (6–0–1) | |||
| December 7 | 6:00 pm | #2 Denver | #7 | Lawson Arena • Kalamazoo, Michigan | Slukynsky | L 2–3 | 3,930 | 10–3–1 (6–1–1) | |||
| Great Lakes Invitational | |||||||||||
| December 29 | 3:37 pm | vs. Michigan Tech* | #6 | Van Andel Arena • Grand Rapids, Michigan (Great Lakes Invitational Semifinal) | Midco Sports+ | Rowe | W 4–3 OT | 9,900 | 11–3–1 | ||
| December 30 | 7:00 pm | vs. #1 Michigan State* | #4 | Van Andel Arena • Grand Rapids, Michigan (Great Lakes Invitational Championship) | Midco Sports+ | Rowe | L 1–3 | 6,857 | 11–4–1 | ||
| Regular Season | |||||||||||
| January 3 | 7:00 pm | Alaska Anchorage* | #4 | Lawson Arena • Kalamazoo, Michigan | Rowe | W 4–1 | 2,654 | 12–4–1 | |||
| January 4 | 6:00 pm | Alaska Anchorage* | #4 | Lawson Arena • Kalamazoo, Michigan | Rowe | W 5–2 | 3,033 | 13–4–1 | |||
| January 17 | 8:00 pm | at #14 North Dakota | #4 | Ralph Engelstad Arena • Grand Forks, North Dakota | Midco | Rowe | W 3–2 OT | 11,603 | 14–4–1 (7–1–1) | ||
| January 18 | 7:00 pm | at #14 North Dakota | #4 | Ralph Engelstad Arena • Grand Forks, North Dakota | Midco | Slukynsky | W 5–1 | 11,659 | 15–4–1 (8–1–1) | ||
| January 24 | 7:00 pm | Miami | #3 | Lawson Arena • Kalamazoo, Michigan | Rowe | W 8–3 | 3,595 | 16–4–1 (9–1–1) | |||
| January 25 | 6:00 pm | Miami | #3 | Lawson Arena • Kalamazoo, Michigan | Slukynsky | W 2–0 | 3,840 | 17–4–1 (10–1–1) | |||
| January 31 | 9:00 pm | at Colorado College | #3 | Ed Robson Arena • Colorado Springs, Colorado | CBSSN | Rowe | W 4–1 | 3,541 | 18–4–1 (11–1–1) | ||
| February 1 | 8:00 pm | at Colorado College | #3 | Ed Robson Arena • Colorado Springs, Colorado | Slukynsky | L 2–3 | 3,550 | 18–5–1 (11–2–1) | |||
| February 7 | 7:00 pm | St. Cloud State | #4 | Lawson Arena • Kalamazoo, Michigan | Rowe | W 4–0 | 3,425 | 19–5–1 (12–2–1) | |||
| February 8 | 6:00 pm | St. Cloud State | #4 | Lawson Arena • Kalamazoo, Michigan | Slukynsky | W 6–1 | 3,572 | 20–5–1 (13–2–1) | |||
| February 14 | 7:00 pm | #20 Omaha | #3 | Lawson Arena • Kalamazoo, Michigan | Rowe | W 5–4 OT | 2,823 | 21–5–1 (14–2–1) | |||
| February 15 | 6:00 pm | #20 Omaha | #3 | Lawson Arena • Kalamazoo, Michigan | Slukynsky | W 6–1 | 3,580 | 22–5–1 (15–2–1) | |||
| February 21 | 9:00 pm | at #12 Arizona State | #3 | Mullett Arena • Tempe, Arizona | Rowe | L 3–5 | 5,323 | 22–6–1 (15–3–1) | |||
| February 22 | 7:00 pm | at #12 Arizona State | #3 | Mullett Arena • Tempe, Arizona | Slukynsky | W 4–3 OT | 5,250 | 23–6–1 (16–3–1) | |||
| February 28 | 7:00 pm | #18 North Dakota | #4 | Lawson Arena • Kalamazoo, Michigan | Slukynsky | W 6–4 | 3,571 | 24–6–1 (17–3–1) | |||
| March 1 | 6:00 pm | #18 North Dakota | #4 | Lawson Arena • Kalamazoo, Michigan | Slukynsky | L 3–4 OT | 3,623 | 24–7–1 (17–4–1) | |||
| March 7 | 7:00 pm | at Miami | #4 | Steve Cady Arena • Oxford, Ohio | Slukynsky | W 8–3 | 1,411 | 25–7–1 (18–4–1) | |||
| March 8 | 7:00 pm | at Miami | #4 | Steve Cady Arena • Oxford, Ohio | Slukynsky | W 5–2 | 2,338 | 26–7–1 (19–4–1) | |||
| NCHC Tournament | |||||||||||
| March 14 | 7:00 pm | St. Cloud State | #3 | Lawson Arena • Kalamazoo, Michigan (Quarterfinal Game 1) | Slukynsky | W 6–2 | 3,553 | 27–7–1 | |||
| March 15 | 6:00 pm | St. Cloud State | #3 | Lawson Arena • Kalamazoo, Michigan (Quarterfinal Game 2) | Slukynsky | W 6–2 | 3,456 | 28–7–1 | |||
| March 21 | 8:30 pm | vs. #17 North Dakota | #3 | Xcel Energy Center • Saint Paul, Minnesota (Semifinal) | CBSSN | Slukynsky | W 4–2 | 7,532 | 29–7–1 | ||
| March 22 | 8:30 pm | vs. #6 Denver | #3 | Xcel Energy Center • Saint Paul, Minnesota (Championship) | CBSSN | Slukynsky | W 4–3 2OT | 5,853 | 30–7–1 | ||
| NCAA Tournament | |||||||||||
| March 27 | 5:00 pm | vs. #14 Minnesota State* | #3 | Scheels Arena • Fargo, North Dakota (Regional Semifinal) | ESPNU | Slukynsky | W 2–1 2OT | 4,817 | 31–7–1 | ||
| March 29 | 5:30 pm | vs. #13 Massachusetts* | #3 | Scheels Arena • Fargo, North Dakota (Regional Final) | ESPNU | Slukynsky | W 2–1 | 4,329 | 32–7–1 | ||
| April 10 | 5:00 pm | vs. #6 Denver* | #3 | Enterprise Center • St. Louis, Missouri (National Semifinal) | ESPN2 | Slukynsky | W 3–2 2OT | 33–7–1 | |||
| April 12 | 7:30 pm | vs. #8 Boston University* | #3 | Enterprise Center • St. Louis, Missouri (National Championship) | ESPN2 | Slukynsky | W 6–2 | 16,953 | 34–7–1 | ||
| *Non-conference game. #Rankings from USCHO.com Poll. All times are in Eastern Time. Source:[2] | |||||||||||
Scoring statistics
Rankings
| Poll | Week | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 (Final) | ||
| USCHO.com | 17 | 17 | 17 | 14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | – | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 (1) | 4 | 3 | 3 (16) | 4 (1) | 4 (1) | 3 | 3 (5) | 3 (5) | ||
| USA Hockey | 15 | 17 | 16 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 11т | 9 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | – | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 (1) | 4 (1) | 5 | 3 | 3 (1) | 3 (1) | ||
Note: USCHO did not release a poll in week 12.[3]
Note: USA Hockey did not release a poll in week 12.
References
- ^ "2024–25 Men's Ice Hockey Roster". Western Michigan Broncos. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
- ^ "Western Michigan 2024-25 Team Schedule". College Hockey Inc. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
- ^ "USCHO Division I Men's Poll". USCHO.com. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
