2020–21 Northern Michigan Wildcats
men's ice hockey season
ConferenceT–5th WCHA
Home iceBerry Events Center
Rankings
USCHONR
USA TodayNR
Record
Overall11–17–1
Conference6–7–1–2–2–1
Home4–9–1
Road7–7–0
Neutral0–1–0
Coaches and captains
Head coachGrant Potulny
Assistant coachesByron Pool
Rob Lehtinen
Captain(s)Joseph Nardi
Alternate captain(s)Ben Newhouse
Northern Michigan Wildcats men's ice hockey seasons
« 2019–20 2021–22 »

The 2020–21 Northern Michigan Wildcats men's ice hockey season was the 45th season of play for the program and the 21st in the WCHA conference. The Wildcats represented Northern Michigan University and were coached by Grant Potulny, in his 4th season.

Season

As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic the entire college ice hockey season was delayed. Because the NCAA had previously announced that all winter sports athletes would retain whatever eligibility they possessed through at least the following year, none of Northern Michigan's players would lose a season of play.[1] However, the NCAA also approved a change in its transfer regulations that would allow players to transfer and play immediately rather than having to sit out a season, as the rules previously required.[2]

Northern Michigan began the season poorly. In their first 14 games the team's only wins were against Ferris State, the worst team in the nation. Their 4–10 record included an 8-game losing streak and made it all but impossible for the Wildcats to make the NCAA Tournament without winning their conference championship. The team went through a great deal of changes, including Grant Loven transferring to St. Thomas mid-season and bringing in Rico DiMatteo after the new year.[3] It was more than a month before DiMatteo made his first appearance for NMU but, once he did, the Wildcats' season completely turned around. DiMatteo helped Northern Michigan get the first win of the year that wasn't against FSU and then sweep a ranked Bemidji State team the very next weekend.

The team sagged at the end of the regular season, finishing 6th in the conference, and entered the WCHA Tournament with little hope of advancing. NMU gave #13 Bowling Green a surprise in the first game, winning 4–3, but when the Falcons roared back for a 5–0 victory in game two the series looked ready to be over. DiMatteo was shelled in the third game, facing a total of 40 shots in regulation, but he only allowed one by him while the Wildcat offense pumped 5 goals into the net and the team earned a surprising trip to the semifinals. The Wildcats were set against #3 Minnesota State and again pulled off a miraculous upset. The Wildcats fired 4 goals past the top goaltender in the nation and scored 5 in all before the Mavericks could even respond. The next day NMU was looking for the first championship in 29 years and only had Lake Superior State standing in their way. In the first ever postseason meeting between the two upper peninsula teams, Northern Michigan's magic ran out and they surrendered two goals in each period, losing the title game 3–6.

James Miller and John Roberts sat out the season.

Departures

Player Position Nationality Cause
Josh ArnoldForward CanadaLeft program
Philip BeaulieuDefenseman United StatesGraduation (Signed with Iowa Wild)
Darien CraigheadForward CanadaGraduation (Signed with South Carolina Stingrays)
Jarrett LeeForward United StatesTransferred to Minnesota Duluth
Adam RoederDefenseman United StatesLeft program
Caleb SchroerForward United StatesLeft program
Mitch SlatteryForward United StatesLeft program
Luke VoltinForward United StatesGraduation
Rylan YaremkoDefenseman/Forward CanadaTransferred to Mount Royal

Recruiting

Player Position Nationality Age Notes
Tyrell BoucherDefenseman Canada21Grande Prairie, AB
Mack ByersForward United States21Long Lake, MN
Mikey ColellaForward United States21Turnersville, NJ
Rico DiMatteoGoaltender United States19Brasher Falls, NY
Colby EnnsDefenseman United States21Minot, ND; transfer from Omaha
Tim ErkkilaDefenseman United States19Brighton, MI
Alex FryeDefenseman United States21Clarkston, MI; transfer from Alaska Anchorage
Noah GanskeDefenseman United States21Bloomington, MN
Grant JohnsonGoaltender United States21Grand Forks, ND
David KeeferForward United States22Howell, MI; transfer from Michigan State
Ian MalcolmsonForward United States21Waukesha, WI
Connor MarrittForward Canada21Kelowna, BC
James MillerDefenseman Canada21Spruce Grove, AB
Rylan Van UnenForward Canada21Kamloops, BC
Brett WillitsForward United States21London, ON

Roster

As of March 1, 2021.[4]

No. S/P/C Player Class Pos Height Weight DoB Hometown Previous team NHL rights
1 Alberta Nolan Kent Junior G 6' 0" (1.83 m) 196 lb (89 kg) 1998-08-12 Chestermere, Alberta Spruce Grove (AJHL)
2 Michigan Alex Frye Sophomore F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1998-07-27 Clarkston, Michigan Alaska Anchorage (WCHA)
2 Alberta James Miller Freshman D 6' 2" (1.88 m) 188 lb (85 kg) 1998-02-20 Spruce Grove, Alberta Stony Plain (ACHW)
3 North Dakota Colby Enns Sophomore D 6' 2" (1.88 m) 201 lb (91 kg) 1999-09-16 Minot, North Dakota Lincoln (USHL)
4 British Columbia Michael Van Unen Sophomore D 6' 1" (1.85 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1999-02-26 Kamloops, British Columbia Merritt (BCHL)
5 Minnesota Mason Palmer Sophomore D 6' 2" (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1998-11-20 Plymouth, Minnesota Waterloo (USHL)
6 Alberta Tyrell Boucher Freshman D 6' 1" (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1999-06-03 Grande Prairie, Alberta Cowichan Valley Capitals (BCHL)
7 Michigan David Keefer Junior (RS) F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1997-10-21 Brighton, Michigan Michigan State (Big Ten)
8 Michigan Tim Erkkila Freshman D 6' 1" (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2000-11-16 Brighton, Michigan Fairbanks (NAHL)
9 Wisconsin Ian Malcolmson Freshman F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 1999-01-29 Waukesha, Wisconsin Sioux Falls (USHL)
10 Minnesota Ben Newhouse (A) Senior D 5' 8" (1.73 m) 174 lb (79 kg) 1997-06-16 Edina, Minnesota Union (ECAC)
11 California Andre Ghantous Sophomore F 5' 9" (1.75 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1998-12-07 Glendale, California Penticton (BCHL)
12 British Columbia Connor Marritt Freshman F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 174 lb (79 kg) 1999-03-14 Kelowna, British Columbia Vernon (BCHL)
13 New Jersey Mikey Colella Freshman F 5' 7" (1.7 m) 155 lb (70 kg) 1999-06-12 Wenonah, New Jersey Trail (BCHL)
14 California Vincent de Mey Junior F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1997-11-26 Los Angeles, California Muskegon (USHL)
15 British Columbia Rylan Van Unen Freshman F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1999-02-26 Kamloops, British Columbia Merritt (BCHL)
16 New York (state) Griffin Loughran Junior F 5' 7" (1.7 m) 145 lb (66 kg) 1998-11-13 West Seneca, New York Fargo (USHL)
17 North Dakota Grant Johnson Freshman F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1999-04-11 Grand Forks, North Dakota Bismarck (NAHL)
18 Alberta Joseph Nardi (C) Senior F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 178 lb (81 kg) 1997-06-01 Edmonton, Alberta Whitecourt (AJHL)
19 Colorado A. J. Vanderbeck Sophomore (RS) F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1997-09-23 Monument, Colorado Ohio State (Big Ten)
20 Colorado Garrett Klee Junior F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1998-04-11 Morrison, Colorado Waterloo (USHL)
21 Florida Brandon Schultz Senior F 5' 7" (1.7 m) 150 lb (68 kg) 1996-06-15 Estero, Florida Northeastern (HEA)
22 Minnesota Jett Jungels Freshman (RS) F 5' 8" (1.73 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 2000-07-14 Edina, Minnesota Edina (USHS–MN)
23 Minnesota Hank Sorensen Sophomore D 6' 1" (1.85 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1998-06-05 Wayzata, Minnesota Waterloo (USHL)
24 Minnesota Noah Ganske Freshman D 6' 7" (2.01 m) 207 lb (94 kg) 1999-04-21 Bloomington, Minnesota Green Bay (USHL)
25 Ontario Brett Willits Freshman F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 174 lb (79 kg) 1999-03-16 London, Ontario Chilliwack (BCHL)
26 Alberta Ty Readman Junior F 5' 6" (1.68 m) 160 lb (73 kg) 1998-01-05 Edmonton, Alberta Sherwood Park (AJHL)
27 Minnesota Mack Byers Freshman F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 172 lb (78 kg) 1999-02-08 Long Lake, Minnesota Aberdeen (NAHL)
28 Minnesota Tanner Vescio Sophomore D 6' 2" (1.88 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1998-04-14 Blaine, Minnesota Fargo (USHL)
29 Minnesota Grant Loven Junior F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 192 lb (87 kg) 1997-12-21 East Grand Forks, Minnesota Minot (NAHL)
30 British Columbia John Hawthorne Sophomore G 6' 2" (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1998-09-02 Chemainus, British Columbia Alberni Valley (BCHL)
31 Pennsylvania John Roberts Sophomore G 5' 9" (1.75 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1998-12-02 Lansdale, Pennsylvania Bismarck (NAHL)
32 Ontario Connor Ryckman Junior (RS) G 6' 0" (1.83 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1996-09-18 Minesing, Ontario Wisconsin Stevens Point (WIAC)
33 New York (state) Rico DiMatteo Freshman G 6' 3" (1.91 m) 161 lb (73 kg) 2001-01-01 Brasher Falls, New York Lone Star Brahmas (NAHL)

† Grant Loven played 6 games before transferring to St. Thomas.

Standings

Conference record Overall record
GP W L T OTW OTL 3/SW PTS GF GA GP W L T GF GA
#4 Minnesota State14131011039561527225110046
#14 Lake Superior State *149502202739342919738663
#18 Bowling Green14851020274634312010110867
#10 Bemidji State1485132024423429161038270
Michigan Tech1477010020383530171217863
Northern Michigan14671221204047291117179103
Alabama–Huntsville143110100818492231813180
Ferris State1401310113285925123155103
Alaska0---------0-----
Alaska Anchorage0---------0-----
Championship: March 20, 2021
† indicates conference regular season champion
* indicates conference tournament champion
Rankings: USCHO.com Top 20 Poll

Schedule and Results

DateTimeOpponent#Rank#SiteTVDecisionResultAttendanceRecord
Regular Season
December 16 6:00 PM vs. Ferris State* Berry Events CenterMarquette, Michigan  Ryckman W 5–4  0 1–0–0
December 18 7:07 PM at Michigan Tech* MacInnes Student Ice ArenaHoughton, Michigan  Kent L 3–4 OT 0 1–1–0
December 18 6:07 PM at Michigan Tech* MacInnes Student Ice ArenaHoughton, Michigan  Ryckman L 1–3  0 1–2–0
December 30 3:07 PM at Ferris State* Ewigleben ArenaBig Rapids, Michigan  Ryckman W 6–5 OT 68 2–2–0
January 2 6:07 PM vs. #5 Minnesota State Berry Events CenterMarquette, Michigan  Ryckman L 0–5  0 2–3–0 (0–1–0)
January 3 4:07 PM vs. #5 Minnesota State Berry Events CenterMarquette, Michigan  Kent L 0–4  0 2–4–0 (0–2–0)
January 8 7:07 PM vs. Lake Superior State* Berry Events CenterMarquette, Michigan  Kent L 1–4  0 2–5–0
January 9 6:07 PM vs. Lake Superior State* Berry Events CenterMarquette, Michigan  Kent L 2–3 OT 0 2–6–0
January 15 7:07 PM at #8 Bowling Green* Slater Family Ice ArenaBowling Green, Ohio  Ryckman L 1–5  300 2–7–0
January 16 7:07 PM at #8 Bowling Green* Slater Family Ice ArenaBowling Green, Ohio  Hawthorne L 2–6  300 2–8–0
January 23 4:07 PM at Michigan Tech* MacInnes Student Ice ArenaHoughton, Michigan  Kent L 0–2  200 2–9–0
January 25 5:07 PM vs. #18 Michigan Tech* Berry Events CenterMarquette, Michigan  Kent L 1–4  0 2–10–0
January 29 7:07 PM vs. Ferris State Berry Events CenterMarquette, Michigan  Kent W 5–4  0 3–10–0 (1–2–0)
January 30 6:07 PM vs. Ferris State Berry Events CenterMarquette, Michigan  Kent W 5–3  0 4–10–0 (2–2–0)
February 6 5:00 PM vs. Lake Superior State Taffy Abel ArenaSault Ste. Marie, Michigan  Kent L 4–5 OT 0 4–11–0 (2–3–0)
February 7 3:00 PM vs. Lake Superior State Taffy Abel ArenaSault Ste. Marie, Michigan  DiMatteo W 4–3  0 5–11–0 (3–3–0)
February 12 8:07 PM at #17 Bemidji State Sanford CenterBemidji, Minnesota  DiMatteo W 5–1  90 6–11–0 (4–3–0)
February 13 7:00 PM at #17 Bemidji State Sanford CenterBemidji, Minnesota  DiMatteo W 3–2 OT 90 7–11–0 (5–3–0)
February 16 4:37 PM vs. Alabama–Huntsville Berry Events CenterMarquette, Michigan  DiMatteo L 1–3  0 7–12–0 (5–4–0)
February 17 7:07 PM vs. Alabama–Huntsville Berry Events CenterMarquette, Michigan  DiMatteo W 8–2  0 8–12–0 (6–4–0)
February 20 6:07 PM vs. #14 Bowling Green Berry Events CenterMarquette, Michigan  DiMatteo T 0–0 SOW 250 8–12–1 (6–4–1)
February 21 4:07 PM vs. #14 Bowling Green Berry Events CenterMarquette, Michigan  DiMatteo L 2–6  250 8–13–1 (6–5–1)
February 26 7:07 PM at #20 Michigan Tech MacInnes Student Ice ArenaHoughton, Michigan  DiMatteo L 1–6  300 8–14–1 (6–6–1)
February 27 6:07 PM vs. #20 Michigan Tech* Berry Events CenterMarquette, Michigan  DiMatteo L 2–3 OT 250 8–15–1 (6–7–1)
WCHA Tournament
March 12 7:07 PM at #13 Bowling Green* Slater Family Ice ArenaBowling Green, Ohio (WCHA Quarterfinals Game 1)  DiMatteo W 4–3  630 9–15–1
March 13 7:07 PM at #13 Bowling Green* Slater Family Ice ArenaBowling Green, Ohio (WCHA Quarterfinals Game 1)  DiMatteo L 0–5  630 9–16–1
March 14 5:07 PM at #13 Bowling Green* Slater Family Ice ArenaBowling Green, Ohio (WCHA Quarterfinals Game 1)  DiMatteo W 5–1  630 10–16–1
Northern Michigan Won Series 2–1
March 19 3:07 PM at #3 Minnesota State* Mayo Clinic Health System Event CenterMankato, Minnesota (WCHA Semifinals)  DiMatteo W 5–1  250 11–16–1
March 20 8:07 PM vs. #17 Lake Superior State* Mayo Clinic Health System Event CenterMankato, Minnesota (WCHA Championship)  DiMatteo L 3–6  250 11–17–1
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from USCHO.com Poll. All times are in Eastern Time.

[5]

Scoring statistics

Name Position Games Goals Assists Points PIM
Joseph NardiLW291221330
André GhantousRW2510182816
A. J. VanderbeckF2914132722
Griffin LoughranF165101538
Michael Van UnenD293111447
Vincent de MeyF26751216
Brandon SchultzC/LW25571214
Alex FryeC25561114
David KeeferRW2829118
Mikey ColellaF2443713
Ben NewhouseD292576
Tim ErkkilaD271568
Colby EnnsD2632523
Connor MarrittF290448
Garrett KleeF2630310
Hank SorensenD1503353
Ty ReadmanC231124
Tanner VescioD50222
Mack ByersLW100222
Noah GanskeD1502214
Jett JungelsF121012
Rylan Van UnenF191018
Mason PalmerD230118
Grant JohnsonF10000
John HawthorneG40000
Brett WillitsC40000
Connor RyckmanG50000
Grant LovenC600029
Nolan KentG100000
Tyrell BoucherD100002
Rico DiMatteoG140000
Ian MalcolmsonF150000
Bench-----8
Total79130209377

[6]

Goaltending statistics

Name Games Minutes Wins Losses Ties Goals Against Saves Shut Outs SV % GAA
Rico DiMatteo14823761393911.9092.84
Nolan Kent10589270322480.8863.26
John Hawthorne413001010680.8724.59
Connor Ryckman520723018990.8465.21
Empty Net-16---4----
Total291767111711038061.8873.50

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 (Final)
USCHO.com NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR - NR
USA Today NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR

USCHO did not release a poll in week 20.[7]

Awards and honors

Player Award Ref
André Ghantous WCHA Scoring Champion
Joseph Nardi WCHA Second Team [8]
André Ghantous WCHA Third Team [8]
Rico DiMatteo WCHA Rookie Team [8]

References

  1. "NCAA approves blanket waiver for 2020 fall sports athletes to retain year of eligibility". CBS Sports. August 21, 2020. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  2. "DI Council grants waiver to allow transfer student-athletes to compete immediately". NCAA. December 16, 2020. Retrieved January 25, 2021.
  3. "College Commitment: DiMatteo to play at Northern Michigan University". Lone Star Brahmas. January 4, 2021. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  4. "2020–21 Men's Ice Hockey Roster". Northern Michigan University Wildcats. Retrieved July 31, 2018.
  5. "Northern Michigan Wildcats (Men) 2020-2021 Schedule and Results". College Hockey Stats. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
  6. "Northern Michigan Univ. 2020-2021 Skater Stats". Elite Prospects. Retrieved March 2, 2020.
  7. "USCHO Division I Men's Poll". USCHO.com. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
  8. 1 2 3 "WCHA Announces 2020-21 All-League Teams". WCHA.com. March 10, 2021. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
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