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St. Cloud State Huskies men's ice hockey

College ice hockey program


College ice hockey program

FieldValue
team_nameSt. Cloud State Huskies
team_link[](st-cloud-state-huskies)
current2025–26 St. Cloud State Huskies men's ice hockey season
imageSt. Cloud State Huskies logo.svg
image_size200px
universitySt. Cloud State University
sexmen's
conferenceNational Collegiate Hockey Conference
conference_shortNCHC
locationSt. Cloud, Minnesota
coachBrett Larson
coach_year8th
coach_wins137
coach_losses97
coach_ties22 ()
assistant_coaches
arenaHerb Brooks National Hockey Center
studentsectionDog Pound
NCAArunnerup2021
NCAAfrozenfourDI: 2013, 2021
DIII: 1987
NCAAtourneysDI: 1989, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023
DIII: 1987
conference_tournamentWIHA: 1977
NCHA: 1987
WCHA: 2001
NCHC: 2016, 2023
conference_seasonNCHA: 1987
WCHA: 2013
NCHC: 2014, 2018, 2019
uniform_imageWCHA-Uniform-SCSU.png

DIII: 1987 DIII: 1987 NCHA: 1987 WCHA: 2001 NCHC: 2016, 2023 WCHA: 2013 NCHC: 2014, 2018, 2019

The St. Cloud State Huskies men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I college ice hockey program that represents St. Cloud State University. The Huskies are a member of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference. They play at the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

History

Formation and war years

St. Cloud State Teachers College founded its varsity ice hockey program in 1931, joining several other Minnesota-based schools. After an expectedly poor first season, St. Cloud began dominating their competition under Ludwig Andolsek, the team's second head coach. During the third year, a freshman named Frank Brimsek served as the team's starter. Brimsek was so spectacular in goal that he left after just one season and began a professional career, a rarity for college players at the time. While Brimsek would go on to have a Hall of Fame career, the Huskies didn't appear to miss him and went 25–2 in 1935, posting the best record in the nation. However, because only one of their games was played against a fellow institution, the Huskies weren't considered for the intercollegiate championship.

Andolsek left after his third season and the team struggled in his absence. In the seven years that followed, the team hovered around .500 and were relegated to secondary status. In 1942, due to the United States entry into World War II, St. Cloud suspended many of its athletic programs, which included the ice hockey team. The program was restarted after the war and saw some success, however, because the program was not a member of any conference, the Huskies were occasionally hamstrung by a lack of playing time.

Wink and Basch

In 1956, after changing head coaches five times in ten years, the team hired Jack Wink. The new bench boss stabilized the program and led the Huskies to stellar records in the early 1960s. The team finished the 1962 season undefeated but, as had happened a decade earlier, a reduced schedule following those highs caused the team to fall on hard times by the latter part of the decade. After successive 1-win seasons, Wink was replaced by Charlie Basch who began a rebuild of the program.

Basch took almost twice as long as Wink had to turn the Huskies into consistent winners. Once he did, however, he was able to keep them at the top of their game for much longer. In 1978, the NCAA began sponsoring a Division II tournament. Because St. Cloud was one of the few western teams that did not participate in the NAIA Championship, they were invited to participate in a Western Championship Tournament, which would determine which two teams received bids. St. Cloud State played in the WCT for the first four years of its existence, unfortunately they were never able to win a single match and never received an invitation to the actual tournament.

In 1980, the Huskies finally ended their long run as an independent and helped found the NCHA. Poor results in conference play prevented the team from having a chance at an NCAA bid, a trend that continued as almost all Division II programs dropped down to Division III in 1984.

Swift climb to D-I

John Perpich took over for Basch in 1984 and led the team through two mediocre seasons before the athletic department decided to raise the profile of the program. Perpich stepped aside and allowed legendary Minnesota coach Herb Brooks to take over in 1986. News of the move spurred several prospects to join the program, including NHL draft picks Tony Schmalzbauer and Shorty Forrest. The Huskies went on to win the program's first conference title (tied) and the first conference tournament ever played by the NCHA. Brooks' team was one of the favorites for the national championship despite being a debutant but they were stymied by Oswego State and ended up 3rd in 1987.

Brooks left after the year to return to the NHL, but his time with the team had been a success. The following year, St. Cloud promoted the program to Division I, with Brooks' assistant Craig Dahl taking over. The Huskies continued their rapid ascent with a winning record in 1989 and, due in part to the NCAA's policy of including a non-tradition team in the tournament at the time, St. Cloud made its first appearance in the D-I tournament in 1989.

WCHA

After three years as an independent, St. Cloud joined the WCHA in 1990. Widely regarded as the best conference at the time, the WCHA made it difficult for St. Cloud to compete for a further NCAA bid. In spite of the tough opposition, the Huskies thrived in their new conference and routinely finished in the top half of the standings. There were several near-misses for championships and tournament bids but, at the end of the 20th century, the Huskies finally returned to the national tournament. In three consecutive years, St. Cloud made the NCAA tournament but lost each game they played. The program then declined for a few years and Dahl stepped down after the 2005 season.

Bob Motzko, an alumnus of the team, took over and swiftly turned the team's fortunes. In his first five seasons he led the Huskies to two WCHA championship games. Though the team lost both, the Huskies got their first win in NCAA tournament play. Three years later, Motzko led the team to its first WCHA regular season title and led the Huskies to the Frozen Four.

NCHC

After the deep playoff run, St. Cloud State joined with seven other schools to form the NCHC in response to the Big Ten Conference joining the ice hockey ranks. The new league was built around traditional powerhouses and the Huskies looked right at home, winning the inaugural regular season title. Under Motzko, St. Cloud continued as one of the top teams in the conference, receiving 4 NCAA bids over a five-year span. In 2018, St. Cloud was the #1 team in the nation as it began the tournament but were upset in the first game by Air force.

Motzko left after the year to take over at in-state rival Minnesota and he was replaced by Brett Larson. The Huskies only seemed to get better under their new coach and were again the top-seeded team in 2019. Despite dominating play for most of their opening match, the Huskies were again felled by the lowest-seeded team. After a down year that was curtailed by the COVID-19 pandemic, St. Cloud returned with a strong 2021 and reached the championship game for the first time in its history.

Season-by-season results

Main article: List of St. Cloud State Huskies men's ice hockey seasons

Source:

Records vs. current NCHC teams

As of the completion of the 2023–24 season

SchoolTeamAway ArenaOverall recordWin %Last Result
[](colorado-college)[](colorado-college-tigers-men-s-ice-hockey)[](broadmoor-world-arena-1998) 64–54–9****3-5 L
[](university-of-denver)[](denver-pioneers-men-s-ice-hockey)[](magness-arena) 51–61–7****4-5 OTL
[](miami-university)[](miami-redhawks-men-s-ice-hockey)[](goggin-ice-center) 34–19–6****3-1 W
[](university-of-minnesota-duluth)[](minnesota-duluth-bulldogs-men-s-ice-hockey)[](amsoil-arena) 81–63–10****2-4 L
[](university-of-nebraska-omaha)[](omaha-mavericks-men-s-ice-hockey)[](baxter-arena)29–17–4****1-1 T
[](university-of-north-dakota)[](north-dakota-fighting-hawks-men-s-ice-hockey)[](ralph-engelstad-arena)49–80–18****3-3 T
[](western-michigan-university)[](western-michigan-broncos-men-s-ice-hockey)[](lawson-arena)23–15–5****5-1 W

Head coaches

As of the completion of the 2024–25 season

St. Cloud State Huskiescolor=white}};"TenureSt. Cloud State Huskiescolor=white}};"CoachSt. Cloud State Huskiescolor=white}};"YearsSt. Cloud State Huskiescolor=white}};"RecordSt. Cloud State Huskiescolor=white}};"Pct.St. Cloud State Huskiescolor=white}};"TotalsSt. Cloud State Huskiescolor=white}};"18 coachesSt. Cloud State Huskiescolor=white}};"90 seasonsSt. Cloud State Huskiescolor=white}};"1,206–970–143St. Cloud State Huskiescolor=white}};"
1931–1932Ralph Theisen11–7–0
1932–1935Ludwig Andolsek342–4–1
1935–1936Robert DePaul16–5–0
1936–1937Walter Gerzin15–5–0
1937–1938Benedict Vandell14–4–0
1938–1942George Lynch420–15–2
1946–1950, 1951–1952Roland Vandell539–25–2
1950–1951Ray Gasperline15–3–0
1952–1953George Martin18–3–0
1953–1954Brendan McDonald12–2–0
1954–1956Jim Baxter218–4–1
1956–1968Jack Wink1269–69–2
1968–1984Charlie Basch16181–193–7
1984–1986John Perpich230–24–4
1986–1987Herb Brooks125–10–1
1987–2005Craig Dahl18338–309–52
2005–2018Bob Motzko13276–192–49
2018–PresentBrett Larson7137–97–22

Players

Current roster

As of August 13, 2025.

Statistical leaders

Source:

Career points leaders

St. Cloud State Huskiescolor=white}};"PlayerSt. Cloud State Huskiescolor=white}};"YearsSt. Cloud State Huskiescolor=white}};"GPSt. Cloud State Huskiescolor=white}};"GSt. Cloud State Huskiescolor=white}};"ASt. Cloud State Huskiescolor=white}};"PtsSt. Cloud State Huskiescolor=white}};"PIM
2006–20101617910418398
1988–199214878101179130
2007–201115665113178240
1988–19921447399172147
1999–2002119867916584
2012–20161574810515371
2008–20131714210514764
1984–19877670146
1980–19847669145
1999–20031545290142201

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

St. Cloud State Huskiescolor=white}};"PlayerSt. Cloud State Huskiescolor=white}};"YearsSt. Cloud State Huskiescolor=white}};"GPSt. Cloud State Huskiescolor=white}};"MinSt. Cloud State Huskiescolor=white}};"WSt. Cloud State Huskiescolor=white}};"LSt. Cloud State Huskiescolor=white}};"TSt. Cloud State Huskiescolor=white}};"GASt. Cloud State Huskiescolor=white}};"SOSt. Cloud State Huskiescolor=white}};"SV%St. Cloud State Huskiescolor=white}};"GAA
2013–2016884891512931808.9212.21
2005–20077344123724111656.9242.24
2019–202342222120161884.9102.38
1996–2001804585472251829.9192.38
2017–2022146837082441433514.9102.40

Statistics current through the end of the 2023-24 season.

Awards and honors

Hockey Hall of Fame

Source:

  • Frank Brimsek (1966)
  • Herb Brooks (2006)

United States Hockey Hall of Fame

Source:

  • Frank Brimsek (1973)
  • Herb Brooks (1990)

NCAA

Individual awards

Hobey Baker Award

  • Drew LeBlanc: 2013

Tim Taylor Award

  • Andreas Nödl: 2007

All-Americans

AHCA First Team All-Americans

  • 2001–02: Mark Hartigan, F
  • 2012–13: Nick Jensen, D; Drew LeBlanc, F
  • 2013–14: Nic Dowd, F
  • 2016–17: Charlie Lindgren, G; Ethan Prow, D
  • 2017–18: Jimmy Schuldt, D
  • 2018–19: Jimmy Schuldt, D; Patrick Newell, F

AHCA Second Team All-Americans

  • 1992–93: Fred Knipscheer, F
  • 1996–97: Mark Parrish, F
  • 1999–00: Mike Pudlick, D
  • 2000–01: Scott Meyer, G
  • 2005–06: Bobby Goepfert, G
  • 2006–07: Bobby Goepfert, G
  • 2007–08: Ryan Lasch, F
  • 2018–19: Jack Ahcan, D; Blake Lizotte, F
  • 2023–24: Dylan Anhorn, D

WCHA

Individual awards

Player of the Year

  • Mark Hartigan: 2002
  • Drew LeBlanc: 2013

Outstanding Student-Athlete of the Year

  • Kyle McLaughlin: 1999
  • Drew LeBlanc: 2013

Defensive Player of the Year

  • Nick Jensen: 2013

Freshman of the Year

  • Andreas Nödl: 2007

Coach of the Year

  • Craig Dahl: 1998
  • Bob Motzko: 2006, 2007

Most Valuable Player in tournament

  • Tyler Arnason: 2001

All-Conference Teams

First Team All-WCHA

  • 1990-91: Bret Hedican, D
  • 1992-93: Fred Knipscheer, F
  • 1999-00: Mike Pudlick, D
  • 2000-01: Scott Meyer, G
  • 2001-02: Mark Hartigan, F
  • 2005-06: Bobby Goepfert, G
  • 2006-07: Bobby Goepfert, G; Andrew Gordon, F
  • 2007-08: Ryan Lasch, F
  • 2008-09: Ryan Lasch, F
  • 2012-13: Nick Jensen, D; Drew LeBlanc, F

Second Team All-WCHA

  • 1993-94: Kelly Hultgren, D
  • 1994-95: Kelly Hultgren, D
  • 1996-97: Dave Paradise, F; Matt Cullen, F
  • 1997-98: Brian Leitza, G
  • 1999-00: Scott Meyer, G; Tyler Arnason, F
  • 2000-01: Duvie Wescott, D
  • 2001-02: Dean Weasler, G; Nate DiCasmirro, F
  • 2007-08: Andreas Nödl, F; Garrett Roe, F
  • 2008-09: Garrett Raboin, D
  • 2009-10: Ryan Lasch, F

Third Team All-WCHA

  • 1995–96: Taj Melson, F
  • 1996–97: Sacha Molin, F
  • 1997–98: Josh DeWolf, F
  • 2000–01: Mark Hartigan, F; Brandon Sampair, F
  • 2006–07: Andreas Nödl, F
  • 2008–09: Garrett Roe, F
  • 2009–10: Dan Dunn, G; Garrett Raboin, D; Garrett Roe, F
  • 2010–11: Drew LeBlanc, F
  • 2011–12: Nick Jensen, D

All-WCHA Rookie Team

  • 1991–92: Sandy Gasseau, F
  • 1994–95: Brian Leitza, G
  • 1995–96: Matt Cullen, F
  • 1998–99: Tyler Arnason, F
  • 2001–02: Matt Gens, D; Mike Doyle, F; Peter Szabo, F
  • 2006–07: Andreas Nödl, F; Ryan Lasch, F
  • 2007–08: Garrett Roe, F
  • 2011–12: Andrew Prochno, D

NCHC

Individual awards

Player of the Year

  • Ethan Prow; 2016
  • Jimmy Schuldt; 2019

Rookie of the Year

  • Veeti Miettinen; 2021

Goaltender of the Year

  • Charlie Lindgren; 2016

Forward of the Year

  • Patrick Newell; 2019

Defensive Forward of the Year

  • Nic Dowd; 2014
  • Jami Krannila; 2023

Defenseman of the Year

  • Ethan Prow; 2016

Defensive Defenseman of the Year

  • Will Borgen; 2018
  • Jimmy Schuldt; 2019

Offensive Defenseman of the Year

  • Ethan Prow; 2016

Scholar-Athlete of the Year

  • Nic Dowd; 2014

Sportsmanship Award

  • Nick Oliver; 2015
  • Patrick Newell; 2019
  • Kevin Fitzgerald; 2021
  • Spencer Meier; 2023

Herb Brooks Coach of the Year

  • Bob Motzko; 2014, 2018
  • Brett Larson; 2019

Frozen Faceoff MVP

  • Mikey Eyssimont; 2016
  • Jami Krannila; 2023

All-Conference Teams

First Team All-NCHC

  • 2013–14: Nic Dowd, F
  • 2014–15: Jonny Brodzinski, F
  • 2015–16: Charlie Lindgren, G; Ethan Prow, D
  • 2017–18: Jimmy Schuldt, D
  • 2018–19: Jimmy Schuldt, D; Patrick Newell, F; Ryan Poehling, F; Blake Lizotte, F
  • 2021–22: Nick Perbix, D
  • 2022–23: Jami Krannila, F
  • 2023–24: Dylan Anhorn, D

Second Team All-NCHC

  • 2013–14: Ryan Faragher, G
  • 2015–16: Joey Benik, F; Kalle Kossila, F
  • 2017–18: Mikey Eyssimont, F
  • 2018–19: Dávid Hrenák, G; Jack Ahcan, D
  • 2019–20: Dávid Hrenák, G; Jack Ahcan, D
  • 2020–21: Nick Perbix, D; Veeti Miettinen, F
  • 2021–22: Kevin Fitzgerald, F
  • 2022–23: Jack Peart, D
  • 2023–24: Jack Peart, D

NCHC All-Rookie Team

  • 2013–14: Charlie Lindgren, G
  • 2014–15: Patrick Russell, F
  • 2015–16: Jimmy Schuldt, D; Will Borgen, F
  • 2016–17: Jack Ahcan, D
  • 2017–18: Dávid Hrenák, G; Blake Lizotte, F; Easton Brodzinski, F
  • 2018–19: Nick Perbix, D; Nolan Walker, F
  • 2020–21: Veeti Miettinen, F
  • 2023–24: Isak Posch, G
  • 2024–25: Austin Burnevik, F; Colin Ralph, F

Olympians

This is a list of St. Cloud State alumni were a part of an Olympic team.

St. Cloud State Huskiescolor=white}};"NameSt. Cloud State Huskiescolor=white}};"PositionSt. Cloud State Huskiescolor=white}};"St. Cloud State TenureSt. Cloud State Huskiescolor=white}};"TeamSt. Cloud State Huskiescolor=white}};"YearSt. Cloud State Huskiescolor=white}};"Finish
Bret HedicanDefenseman1988–1991USA USA1992, 20064th, 8th
Mark ParrishRight Wing1995–1997USA USA20068th
Ryan MaloneLeft Wing1999–2003USA USA2010
Garrett RoeLeft Wing2007–2011USA USA20187th
Sam HentgesLeft Wing2018–PresentUSA USA20225th
Nick PerbixDefenseman2018–PresentUSA USA20225th
Patrick RussellRight Wing2013–2015DEN DEN20227th
Oliver LauridsenDefenseman2008–2011DEN DEN20227th

Huskies in the NHL

As of July 1, 2025.

= NHL All-Star teamNHL All-Star]]NHL All-Star]] and NHL All-Star teamHall of Famers]]
St. Cloud State Huskiescolor=#FFFFFF}};"PlayerSt. Cloud State Huskiescolor=#FFFFFF}};"PositionSt. Cloud State Huskiescolor=#FFFFFF}};"Team(s)St. Cloud State Huskiescolor=#FFFFFF}};"YearsSt. Cloud State Huskiescolor=#FFFFFF}};"GamesSt. Cloud State Huskiescolor=#FFFFFF}};"[](stanley-cup)
Jack AhcanDefensemanBOS, Colorado Avalanche2020–Present110
Tyler ArnasonCenterCHI, OTT, COL2001–20094870
Casey BorerDefensemanCAR2007–2010160
Will BorgenDefensemanBUF, SEA, NYR2018–Present2980
Frank BrimsekGoaltender[](boston-bruins)display=inlinewidth=2pxcolor=#FCB514}}''', CHI1938–19505142
Jonny BrodzinskiCenterLAK, SJS, NYR2016–Present2090
Dennis CholowskiDefensemanDET, SEA, WSH, NYI, NJD2018–20231560
Tim ConboyRight WingCAR2007–2010590
Matt CullenCenterANA, FLA, **, NYR, OTT, MIN, NSH, **, OTT1997–20191,5163
Nic DowdCenterLAK, VAN, WSH2015–Present5820
Len EsauCenterTOR, QUE, CGY, EDM1991–1995270
Mikey EyssimontLeft WingWIN, SJS, TBL, SEA2021–Present2130
Jeff FingerDefensemanCOL, TOR2006–20101990
Andrew GordonLeft WingWSH, ANA, VAN2008–2013550
Kevin GravelDefensemanLAK, EDM, TOR, NSH2015–Present1380
Ben HanowskiRight WingCGY2012–2014160
Mark HartiganCenterATL, CBJ, ANA, DET2001–20081020
Bret HedicanDefensemanSTL, VAN, FLA, ****, ANA1991–20091,0391
Matt HendricksCenterCOL, NSH, EDM, WIN, MIN2008–20196070
Joe JensenLeft WingCAR2007–200860
St. Cloud State Huskiescolor=#FFFFFF}};"PlayerSt. Cloud State Huskiescolor=#FFFFFF}};"PositionSt. Cloud State Huskiescolor=#FFFFFF}};"Team(s)St. Cloud State Huskiescolor=#FFFFFF}};"YearsSt. Cloud State Huskiescolor=#FFFFFF}};"GamesSt. Cloud State Huskiescolor=#FFFFFF}};"[](stanley-cup)
Nick JensenDefensemanDET, WSH, OTT2016–Present6330
Fred KnipscheerCenterBOS, STL1993–1996280
Kalle KossilaLeft WingANA2016–2019170
Oliver LauridsenDefensemanPHI2012–2015160
Drew LeBlancCenterCHI2012–201320
Charlie LindgrenGoaltenderMTL, STL, WSH2015–Present1490
Blake LizotteCenterLAK, PIT2018–Present3790
Jon LizotteDefensemanMIN2021–202210
Ryan MaloneRight WingPIT, TBL, NYR2003–20156470
Steve MartinsonRight WingDET, MTL, MNS1987–1992490
Joe MotzkoRight WingCBJ, ****, WSH, ATL2003–2009251
Andreas NödlRight WingPHI, CAR2008–20131830
Mark ParrishRight WingFLA, NYI, LAK, MIN, DAL, TBL, BUF1998–20117220
Nick PerbixDefensemanTBL2022–Present2200
Ryan PoehlingRight WingMTL, PIT, PHI2018–Present2830
Ethan ProwDefensemanBUF2021–202240
Nate RadunsRight WingPHI2008–200910
Patrick RussellRight WingEDM2018–2021590
Jimmy SchuldtDefensemanVGK, SJS2018–Present90
Duvie WestcottDefensemanCBJ2001–20082010

File:TylerArnason.jpg|Tyler Arnason File:CaseyBorer.jpg|Casey Borer File:Will Borgen fight 10-19-22.jpg|Will Borgen File:Jonny Brodzinski Feb 2025.jpg|Jonny Brodzinski File:Matt_Cullen_2017-06-11_1.jpg|Matt Cullen File:Nic Dowd (7525488810).jpg|Nic Dowd File:Mikey Eyssimont 3-31-2025 (cropped).jpg|Mikey Eyssimont File:JeffFinger.jpg|Jeff Finger File:Ben Hanowski.jpg|Ben Hanowski File:Matt Hendricks - Edmonton Oilers.jpg|Matt Hendricks File:Brethedican2.jpg|Bret Hedican File:Defenseman Nick Jensen (cropped).jpg|Nick Jensen File:NYRMalone.jpg|Ryan Malone File:Ryan Poehling - 51706745926 (cropped).jpg|Ryan Poehling

References

References

  1. Myers, Jess. (March 20, 2010). "WCHA: SCSU, NoDak win; Roe injury a scare". [[ESPN.
  2. "National Hockey Center". [[St. Cloud State University]].
  3. "St. Cloud State Huskies Men's Hockey 2020-21 Media Guide". St. Cloud State Huskies.
  4. "2025-26 Men's Hockey Roster". St. Cloud State Huskies.
  5. "Legends of Hockey". Hockey Hall of Fame.
  6. "United States Hockey Hall of Fame". Hockey Central.co.uk.
  7. "Alumni report for St. Cloud State". Hockey DB.
  8. Players are identified as an All-Star if they were selected for the All-Star game at any time in their career.
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