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]
| Western Michigan Broncos men's ice hockey | |
|---|---|
 Current season | |
_logo.svg){kind=logo} | |
| University | Western Michigan University |
| Conference | NCHC |
| Head coach | Pat Ferschweiler 4th season, 70–43–3 (.616) |
| Assistant coaches |
|
| Arena | Lawson Arena Kalamazoo, Michigan |
| Student section | Lawson Lunatics |
| Colors | Brown and gold[1] |
| NCAA Tournament appearances | |
| 1986, 1994, 1996, 2011, 2012, 2017, 2022, 2023, 2024 | |
| Conference Tournament championships | |
| CCHA: 1986, 2012 | |
| Current uniform | |
 | |
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 third-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.
In 2021-2022, Western Michigan had a legendary season for the program under Pat Ferschweiler as head coach. The broncos shared the 2021 Great Lakes Invitational championship by defeating Michigan State. The broncos managed to obtain 26 wins defeating teams the likes of No. 1 Michigan, No. 2 St. Cloud State, and defeated No. 10 North Dakota in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) Semi-Finals to advance their first (NCHC) championship game. Western Michigan clinched their first-ever 1 seed in the NCAA tournament and would win their first-ever playoff game by defeating the Northeastern Huskies to advance to their first ever regional championship appearance. They would be defeated by Minnesota 3-0.
Season-by-season results
Source:[12]
Coaching
All-time coaching records
As of the completion of 2023–24 season[12]
| Tenure | Coach | Years | Record | Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1973–1978 | Bill Neal | 5 | 91–65–5 | .581 |
| 1978–1982 | Glen Weller | 4 | 64–73–5 | .468 |
| 1982–1999 | Bill Wilkinson | 17† | 313–301–53 | .509 |
| 1999–2010 | Jim Culhane | 11† | 158–222–48 | .425 |
| 2010–2011 | Jeff Blashill | 1 | 19–13–10 | .571 |
| 2011–2021 | Andy Murray | 10 | 167–156–43 | .515 |
| 2021–Present | Pat Ferschweiler | 3 | 70–43–3 | .616 |
| Totals | 7 coaches | 51 seasons | 882–873–167 | .502 |
† 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 | |
| Jeff Green | 1986–1990 | 159 | 109 | 125 | 234 | |
| Ross Fitzpatrick | 1978–1982 | 138 | 100 | 125 | 225 | |
| Tim Dunlop | 1974–1978 | 129 | 92 | 106 | 198 | |
| Rob Bryden | 1983–1987 | 162 | 104 | 91 | 195 | |
| Chris Brooks | 1992–1996 | 147 | 57 | 127 | 184 | |
| Troy Thrun | 1983–1986 | 122 | 81 | 102 | 183 | |
| Bob Scurfield | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frank Slubowski | 2011–2015 | 94 | 6021 | 49 | 38 | 15 | 235 | 7 | .909 | 2.34 |
| Cameron Rowe | 2022–Present | 76 | 4496 | 43 | 30 | 2 | 186 | 5 | .904 | 2.48 |
| Marc Magliarditi | 1995–1996 | 36 | 2110 | 23 | 11 | 2 | 91 | 5 | .910 | 2.59 |
| Brandon Bussi | 2019–2022 | 77 | 4467 | 46 | 25 | 5 | 194 | 4 | .912 | 2.61 |
| Jerry Kuhn | 2007–2011 | 63 | 3528 | 16 | 27 | 3 | 158 | 2 | .912 | 2.69 |
Statistics current through the end of the 2023–2024 season.
Current roster
As of August 2, 2023.[14]
| No. | S/P/C | Player | Class | Pos | Height | Weight | DoB | Hometown | Previous team | NHL rights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Kirk Laursen | Sophomore (RS) | G | 6' 3" (1.91 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 2000-01-02 | Bloomfield Hills, Michigan | Miami (NCHC) | — |
| 2 | | Jacob Bauer | Senior | D | 6' 3" (1.91 m) | 202 lb (92 kg) | 2002-02-25 | Milford, Michigan | Lincoln (USHL) | — |
| 3 |  | Cole Crusberg-Roseen | Freshman | D | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 184 lb (83 kg) | 2002-04-14 | Stratham, New Hampshire | Lincoln (USHL) | — |
| 4 |  | Zak Galambos | Graduate | D | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 1997-05-27 | Walnut Creek, California | American International (AHA) | — |
| 6 |  | Jacob Napier | Freshman | D | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | 2003-03-31 | Lancaster, New York | Fargo (USHL) | — |
| 8 | | Joe Cassetti | Graduate | F | 6' 4" (1.93 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | 1999-02-28 | Pleasanton, California | Miami (NCHC) | — |
| 9 |  | Luke Grainger | Senior | F | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 1999-09-03 | Montreal, Quebec | Hawkesbury (CCHL) | — |
| 10 |  | Chad Hillebrand | Senior | F | 6' 4" (1.93 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | 1999-01-22 | Park Ridge, Illinois | Green Bay (USHL) | — |
| 11 | | Ethan Wolthers | Sophomore | F | 5' 8" (1.73 m) | 155 lb (70 kg) | 2001-07-19 | Valencia, California | Minnesota Wilderness (NAHL) | — |
| 12 |  | Sam Colangelo | Senior | F | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | 2001-12-26 | Stoneham, Massachusetts | Northeastern (HEA) | ANA, 36th overall 2020 |
| 13 | | Oliver MacDonald | Senior | F | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 2000-11-07 | Grosse Pointe, Michigan | UMass (HEA) | — |
| 15 |  | Daniel Hilsendager | Senior | D | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | 2000-03-30 | Lloydminster, Saskatchewan | Omaha (USHL) | — |
| 16 | | Tim Washe | Senior | F | 6' 3" (1.91 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | 2001-08-25 | Detroit, Michigan | Nanaimo (BCHL) | — |
| 17 |  | Cédric Fiedler | Senior | D | 6' 3" (1.91 m) | 204 lb (93 kg) | 2001-04-20 | Zug, Switzerland | Fargo (USHL) | — |
| 18 | | Wyatt Schingoethe | Junior | F | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 2002-08-03 | Algonquin, Illinois | Waterloo (USHL) | TOR, 195th overall 2020 |
| 19 | | Cam Knuble | Senior | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | 2000-07-23 | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Muskegon (USHL) | — |
| 22 | | Trevor Bishop | Senior | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 1999-01-23 | Rochester Hills, Michigan | Victoria (BCHL) | — |
| 23 |  | Carter Berger | Graduate | D | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 1999-09-17 | North Vancouver, British Columbia | UConn (HEA) | FLA, 106th overall 2019 |
| 24 | | Garrett Szydlowski | Freshman | F | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 2002-06-12 | Detroit, Michigan | Wenatchee (BCHL) | — |
| 25 |  | Matteo Costantini | Junior | 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 | Freshman | F | 6' 3" (1.91 m) | 188 lb (85 kg) | 2003-02-08 | Thousand Oaks, California | Wenatchee (BCHL) | — |
| 27 | | Cole Burtch | Sophomore | F | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | 2001-01-11 | Markham, Ontario | Cedar Rapids (USHL) | — |
| 28 | | Hugh Larkin | Senior | F | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 205 lb (93 kg) | 1999-03-27 | Livonia, Michigan | Austin (NAHL) | — |
| 29 |  | Ethan Phillips | Graduate | F | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 160 lb (73 kg) | 2001-05-07 | Dartmouth, Nova Scotia | Boston University (HEA) | DET, 97th overall 2019 |
| 30 |  | Dawson Smith | Freshman | G | 6' 4" (1.93 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | 2003-02-17 | Whitehorse, Yukon | La Ronge (SJHL) | — |
| 31 | | Cameron Rowe | Senior | G | 6' 3" (1.91 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | 2001-06-01 | Wilmette, Illinois | Wisconsin (Big Ten) | — |
| 33 |  | Samuel Sjölund | Sophomore | D | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | 2001-05-19 | Stockholm, Sweden | Dubuque (USHL) | DAL, 111th overall 2019 |
| 34 | | Owen Michaels | Freshman | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 2002-05-01 | Detroit, Michigan | Dubuque (USHL) | — |
| 37 | | Dylan Wendt | Junior | F | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 2001-01-09 | Grand Haven, Michigan | Muskegon (USHL) | — |
Awards and honors
All-Americans
- 1985–86: Wayne Gagné, D; Dan Dorion, F
- 1986–87: Wayne Gagné, F
- 2019–20: Hugh McGing, F
- 2020–21: Ronnie Attard, D
- 2021–22: Ronnie Attard, D
AHCA Second Team All-Americans
- 1983–84: Dan Dorion, F
- 1985–86: Bill Horn, G
- 1995–96: Marc Magliarditi, G
- 2000–01: Mike Bishai, F
- 2011–12: Danny DeKeyser, D
- 2012–13: Danny DeKeyser, D
- 2021–22: Ethen Frank, F
- 2022–23: Jason Polin, F
CCHA
Individual awards
All-Conference teams
- 1976–77: Tim Dunlop, F
- 1980–81: Ross Fitzpatrick, F
- 1983–84: Dan Dorion, F
- 1985–86: Wayne Gagné, D; Dan Dorion, F
- 1986–87: Wayne Gagné, D
- 1987–88: Paul Polillo, F
- 1991–92: Keith Jones, G
- 1995–96: Marc Magliarditi, G
- 2012–13: Danny DeKeyser, D
- 1977–78: Bernie Saunders, F; Paul Cappuccio, F
- 1979–80: Bob Scurfield, F
- 1985–86: Chris MacDonald, F; Stu Burnie, F
- 1986–87: Bill Horn, G; Rob Bryden, F
- 1987–88: Mike Posma, D; Ron Hoover, F
- 1990–91: Mike Eastwood, F
- 1995–96: Jeremy Brown, F
- 1996–97: Joe Corvo, D
- 1999–00: David Gove, F
- 2000–01: Mike Bishai, F; David Gove, F
- 2004–05: Brent Walton, F
- 2008–09: Patrick Galivan, F
- 2011–12: Danny DeKeyser, D; Matt Tennyson, D
- 2012–13: Frank Slubowski, G; Luke Witkowski, D
- 1991–92: Chris Belanger, D
- 1992–93: Scott Chartier, D; Chris Brooks, F
- 1994–95: Steve Duke, D
- 1995–96: Marc Magliarditi, G; Joe Corvo, D
- 1996–97: Daryl Andrews, D
- 2001–02: Patrick Dwyer, F
- 2002–03: Vince Bellissimo, F
- 2006–07: Mark Letestu, F
- 2010–11: Danny DeKeyser, D; Chase Balisy, F
- 2011–12: Frank Slubowski, G; Garrett Haar, D
- 2012–13: Kenney Morrison, D
NCHC
Individual awards
All-Conference teams
- 2019–20: Hugh McGing, F
- 2020–21: Ronnie Attard, D
- 2021–22: Ronnie Attard, D; Ethen Frank, F
- 2022–23: Jason Polin, F
- 2013–14: Chase Balisy, F
- 2016–17: Sheldon Dries, F
- 2018–19: Hugh McGing, F
- 2019–20: Ronnie Attard, D
- 2021–22: Drew Worrad, F
- 2023–24: Luke Grainger, F
- 2016–17: Ben Blacker, G
- 2019–20: Ronnie Attard, D
- 2022–23: Ryan McAllister, F
- 2023–24: Alex Bump, F
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]
- Dan Dorion (1998)
- Ross Fitzpatrick (2004)
- Wayne Gagné (2001)
- Rob Hodge (2008)
- Harry Lawson (1990)
- Jamal Mayers (2014)
- Bernie Saunders (1994)
- Neil Smith (1991)
- Danny Dekeyser (2024)
Broncos in the NHL
As of July 1, 2023
| = NHL All-Star team | = NHL All-Star[16] | = NHL All-Star[16] 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.[17]
Source:[18]