The Bemidji State University men’s ice hockey team competes in NCAA Division I as a member of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA). Bemidji State, often abbreviated as ‘BSU’, is a public university located in Bemidji, Minnesota and its men’s hockey program has had a long history of success at various levels of collegiate play. The Beavers made the jump to Division I in 1999 after competing for decades in lower NCAA divisions. Since moving up to Division I, the Bemidji State men’s ice hockey team has become a competitive program within the WCHA and on the national stage.
History of Bemidji State Hockey
The Bemidji State men’s ice hockey program dates back to 1947 when it began competing at the NCAA level. For the first five decades of the program’s existence, the Beavers competed in Division II and Division III. During this period from 1947 to 1998, Bemidji State hockey earned 13 conference championships competing in leagues like the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) and Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association (MCHA).
In 1998-99, Bemidji State made the jump to Division I hockey when it joined College Hockey America (CHA), an upstart Division I conference. The Beavers experienced immediate success, winning the CHA playoffs in their first Division I season. Over the next decade in College Hockey America, the BSU men’s team won two more CHA tournament titles in 2001 and 2002.
Joining the WCHA
In 2010, Bemidji State became one of the founding members of the reorganized WCHA when College Hockey America disbanded as a men’s league. This moved Bemidji into one of the premier hockey conferences in Division I alongside prominent northern schools like Minnesota, Minnesota-Duluth, North Dakota, and Wisconsin.
Since 2010, the Beavers have produced several 20+ win seasons in the ultra-competitive WCHA and secured WCHA Final Five playoff appearances in 2011, 2017, and 2022. They have yet to win a WCHA regular season or playoff championship but have emerged as a respected program within the conference capable of competing with and beating the top teams.
Bemidji State’s Division I Hockey Success
Although Bemidji State is one of the smaller schools in Division I hockey, the men’s ice hockey program has proven it can have success at the highest level of college competition. Some highlights of the Beavers Division I era include:
- In 2009, Bemidji State made a stunning run to the Frozen Four in just their 10th season as a DI program. They remain the lowest seeded team to ever reach the Frozen Four.
- Legendary head coach Tom Serratore has led Bemidji State for their entire Division I era. He earned Spencer Penrose Award as national coach of the year in 2009.
- The Beavers have won six Division I conference playoff championships (1999, 2001, 2002, 2010, 2017, 2022).
- BSU has had 15 players named First or Second Team All-WCHA selections since 2010.
- In 2021-22, Bemidji State recorded their first 20-win season since 2015-16.
Despite being one of college hockey’s smaller schools, Bemidji State has proven capable of competing against the nation’s elite Division I programs. Their style of play based on speed, discipline, and grit has elevated the program’s national profile.
Bemidji State Hockey Players in the NHL
While known primarily as a developmental program, Bemidji State has produced several NHL players during the Division I era, showing the Beavers can develop high-end talent. Some notable BSU alums who went on to NHL careers include:
- Matt Read – Played 10 NHL seasons from 2011 to 2021, mostly with the Philadelphia Flyers.
- Brad Hunt – Currently playing for the Vancouver Canucks, over 200 games of NHL experience.
- Graeme Craig – Drafted by the New York Rangers in 2012, played parts of two NHL seasons.
- Matt Prapavessis – Signed entry level contract with the Dallas Stars in 2016 after completing BSU career.
Other Bemidji State alums who reached the pro ranks in the AHL or ECHL include Mike Montano, Joel Martin, Lars Helminen, Aaron McLeod and more. Coach Serratore and his staff have shown an ability to identify and develop next-level talent in Bemidji’s small town location.
Bemidji State’s Home Arena
The Bemidji State men’s ice hockey team plays its home games on campus at the Sanford Center. The arena has a capacity of 4,700 for hockey games and offers one of college hockey’s more intimate and lively home ice environments.
Originally opened in 1995 as Bemidji Regional Events Center, the arena underwent major renovations in 2010 including the addition of luxury suites, widened concourses and new locker rooms. In September 2015, the building was renamed the Sanford Center after a local naming rights agreement.
Beyond men’s hockey, the Sanford Center is also home to the BSU women’s hockey team and hosts concerts, trade shows, and other community events. The on-campus rink gives Bemidji State hockey top-notch facilities and an energized hometown crowd.
Conclusion
Since making the leap to NCAA Division I in 1999, the Bemidji State men’s ice hockey program has established itself as a competitive team within one of college hockey’s premier conferences. Their style of disciplined and consistent hockey has brought postseason success and an impressive NCAA tournament run in 2009.
Though often overlooked among college hockey’s traditional powers, Bemidji State has proven their Division I chops with conference titles, All-WCHA selections and several players advancing to the NHL. Under the leadership of respected coach Tom Serratore, Bemidji State figures to remain a factor within the WCHA and a team capable of making noise on the national stage when they qualify for the NCAA tournament. For a small public school located off the beaten path in northern Minnesota, competing alongside the nation’s top hockey programs represents a major athletic achievement.