2025–26 Ferris State Bulldogs men's ice hockey season

2025–26 Ferris State Bulldogs
men's ice hockey season
Conference8th CCHA
Home iceEwigleben Arena
Rankings
USCHONR
USA HockeyNR
Record
Overall8–27–2
Conference6–18–2
Home3–11–1
Road5–14–1
Neutral0–2–0
Coaches and captains
Head coachBrett Riley
Assistant coachesZack Cisek
Justin DeMartino
Gehrig Sarosy
CaptainGavin Best
Alternate captain(s)Nic Belpedio
Tyler Schleppe
Josh Zary
Ferris State Bulldogs men's ice hockey seasons
« 2024–25 2026–27 »

The 2025–26 Ferris State Bulldogs men's ice hockey season was the 51st season of play for the program and the 40th in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA). The Bulldogs represented Ferris State University in the 2025–26 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season, played their home games at Ewigleben Arena and were coached by Brett Riley in his 1st season.

Season

Following the retirement of Bob Daniels at the end of the '25 season, Ferris State hired Brett Riley as the program's 7th head coach.[1] Riley brought several players with him from Long Island and filled in the rest of the roster of incoming players with transfers. As a result, Ferris State became the first college ice hockey team to play without a true freshman on its roster since the NCAA began permitting first year students on varsity rosters in 1970. Under a new head coach, there was hope that the team's recent string of poor seasons would be reversed. When Ferris State recorded a surprising win over defending national champions, Western Michigan, in the second week of the season, it appeared that the Bulldogs were primed to turn the corner. Unfortunately for FSU, the club was unable to follow up on the signature win. Poor goaltending from the team's two transfers left Martin Lundberg as the best option in goal, however, none of the team's three goalies got much goal support.

Until the end of January, Ferris state averaged exactly 2 goals per game from their offense. However, once February arrived, the team suddenly found its footing. Over the final month of the regular season, Ferris State piled goals into the net, more than doubling their goals per game. While there wasn't enough time left in the campaign to change their position in the standings, the Bulldogs went into the playoffs with momentum on their side. Despite their newfound scoring touch, FSU ran head-first into one of the nation's top defensive teams and were stymied by Minnesota State in the first game. Unwilling to just lay down, Ferris recovered with an outstanding defensive effort in the rematch. Caden Brown's overtime winner gave FSU its second victory of the year over the Mavericks and extended the season for another game. Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, they couldn't hold off MSU for a second match and were overwhelmed by the Mavs in game three.[2]

Departures

Player Position Nationality Cause
Cole Burtch Forward  Canada Transferred to Augustana
Matt Corbet Forward  United States Transferred to Calgary
Nico DeVita Defenseman  United States Graduation (retired)
Jacob Dirks Forward  United States Graduation (retired)
Kaleb Ergang Forward  Canada Graduation (signed with Adirondack Thunder)
Zach Faremouth Forward  United States Graduation (signed with Reading Royals)
Caiden Gault Forward  Canada Transferred to Northern Michigan
Nick Grimaldi Forward  United States Graduation (retired)
Connor McDonough Goaltender  United States Transferred to Massachusetts Boston
Nick Nardecchia Forward  United States Graduation (signed with Wichita Thunder)
Andrew Noel Defenseman  United States Signed professional contract (Cincinnati Cyclones)
Travis Shoudy Defenseman  United States Transferred to Michigan State
Noah West Goaltender  United States Graduation (signed with Kansas City Mavericks)

Recruiting

Player Position Nationality Age Notes
Nic Belpedio Defenseman  United States 23 Skokie, IL; graduate transfer from Colgate
Caden Brown Forward  United States 22 St. Louis, MO; transfer from Ohio State; redshirt
Max Dukovac Forward  United States 23 Aurora, IL; transfer from Miami
Hobie Hedquist Goaltender  United States 22 Heron Lake, MN; transfer from North Dakota
John Lundy Forward  United States 24 Brooklyn, NY; transfer from American International
Jack Mesic Defenseman  United States 22 Plymouth, MI; transfer from Western Michigan
Brian Morse Defenseman  United States 22 Fresno, CA; transfer from Maine; redshirt
Valtteri Piironen Defenseman  Finland 24 Pyhäselkä, FIN; transfer from Long Island
Carter Rapalje Forward  United States 24 Burlington, VT; transfer from Long Island; redshirt
Tanner Rowe Forward  United States 23 Calumet, MI; transfer from Michigan
Noah Rupprecht Goaltender  United States 23 Thief River Falls, MN; transfer from Long Island
Riley Wallack Forward  Canada 24 South Surrey, BC; transfer from Long Island
Josh Zary Forward  Canada 23 Nanaimo, BC; transfer from Long Island

Roster

As of August 30, 2025.[3]

No. Nat. Player Class Pos Height Weight DoB Hometown Previous team NHL rights
1 Mason West Freshman (RS) G 6' 1" (1.85 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 2004-10-18 Traverse City, Michigan Peoria Mustangs (NA3HL)
2 Kade Turner Sophomore F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2003-02-04 Calgary, Alberta Okotoks Oilers (BCHL)
3 Logan Heroux Sophomore D 6' 1" (1.85 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2003-05-30 Middletown, New Jersey Shreveport Mudbugs (NAHL)
4 Christopher Lie Sophomore D 5' 10" (1.78 m) 163 lb (74 kg) 2005-07-27 Hamar, Norway Malmö Redhawks J20 (J20 Nationell)
5 Valtteri Piironen Senior D 6' 4" (1.93 m) 201 lb (91 kg) 2001-09-11 Joensuu, Finland Long Island (NCAA)
6 Xavier Jean-Louis Senior D 6' 5" (1.96 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 2001-06-25 Montreal, Quebec Alaska (NCAA)
7 Connor McGrath Senior F 5' 9" (1.75 m) 184 lb (83 kg) 2003-09-04 Leroy, Saskatchewan Humboldt Broncos (SJHL)
8 Tyler Schleppe (A) Senior F 6' 4" (1.93 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 2001-11-11 Vancouver, British Columbia Langley Rivermen (BCHL)
9 Nic Belpedio (A) Graduate D 5' 10" (1.78 m) 194 lb (88 kg) 2001-10-09 Skokie, Illinois Colgate (ECAC)
10 Jack Mesic Junior D 5' 9" (1.75 m) 176 lb (80 kg) 2002-10-18 Plymouth, Michigan Western Michigan (NCHC)
11 Brian Morse Freshman (RS) D 6' 1" (1.85 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 2003-02-06 Fresno, California Maine (HEA)
12 Caden Brown Senior (RS) D 5' 11" (1.8 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2003-06-22 St. Louis, Missouri Ohio State (Big Ten)
13 Josh Zary (A) Senior F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2001-10-15 Nanaimo, British Columbia Long Island (NCAA)
15 Jack Silich Sophomore F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 179 lb (81 kg) 2003-06-20 Long Grove, Illinois Cranbrook Bucks (BCHL)
16 Holden Doell Junior F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2003-12-01 Martensville, Saskatchewan Battlefords North Stars (SJHL)
17 Luke Lisko Sophomore F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 181 lb (82 kg) 2004-05-24 Marine City, Michigan Sherwood Park Crusaders (BCHL)
18 Max Dukovac Junior F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 182 lb (83 kg) 2002-02-19 Aurora, Illinois Miami (NCHC)
19 Max Itagaki Senior F 5' 5" (1.65 m) 155 lb (70 kg) 2002-06-18 Glenview, Illinois Army (AHA)
20 Tanner Rowe Junior F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 179 lb (81 kg) 2002-08-26 Calumet, Michigan Michigan (Big Ten)
21 John Lundy Senior F 5' 9" (1.75 m) 163 lb (74 kg) 2001-04-27 Brooklyn, New York American International (AHA)
22 Emerson Goode Junior F 5' 9" (1.75 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2002-10-16 Anaheim, California Odessa Jackalopes (NAHL)
23 Riley Wallack Senior F 6' 5" (1.96 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 2001-04-05 South Surrey, British Columbia Long Island (NCAA)
24 Conner Brown Sophomore D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2003-12-23 Maplewood, Minnesota Janesville Jets (NAHL)
26 Jacob Badal Senior F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 2001-10-05 Flushing, Michigan Johnstown Tomahawks (NAHL)
27 Gavin Best (C) Senior F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2001-08-24 Richfield, Minnesota Michigan State (Big Ten)
28 Trevor Taulien Junior D 6' 4" (1.93 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 2003-04-14 Crystal Lake, Illinois Odessa Jackalopes (NAHL)
30 Hobie Hedquist Junior G 6' 2" (1.88 m) 192 lb (87 kg) 2003-02-14 Heron Lake, Minnesota North Dakota (NCHC)
31 Noah Rupprecht Junior G 5' 11" (1.8 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2002-06-15 Thief River Falls, Minnesota Long Island (NCAA)
34 Carter Rapalje Junior (RS) F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 2001-08-10 Colorado Springs, Colorado Long Island (NCAA)
55 Martin Lundberg Sophomore G 6' 1" (1.85 m) 172 lb (78 kg) 2005-02-04 Furuberget, Norway Mora IK J20 (J20 Nationell)

Standings

Conference record Overall record
GP W L T OTW OTL SW PTS GF GA GP W L T GF GA
#16 Minnesota State †* 26 14 7 5 1 2 3 51 71 53 38 21 10 7 106 77
#15 St. Thomas 26 15 7 4 2 1 2 50 89 67 37 21 11 5 130 105
#18 Augustana 26 14 8 4 1 2 3 50 72 49 37 22 11 4 109 74
Michigan Tech 26 16 7 3 3 1 0 49 84 59 39 23 13 3 126 106
Bowling Green 26 15 7 4 3 2 1 49 80 59 36 18 11 7 107 88
Bemidji State 26 11 11 4 5 1 3 36 69 68 36 13 19 4 98 103
Lake Superior State 26 8 16 2 1 4 2 31 57 83 36 11 22 3 92 121
Ferris State 26 6 18 2 1 2 1 22 70 100 37 8 27 2 91 138
Northern Michigan 26 3 21 2 0 2 0 13 44 98 34 3 29 2 56 132
Championship: March 20, 2026
† indicates conference regular-season champion (MacNaughton Cup)
* indicates conference tournament champion (Mason Cup)
Rankings: USCHO.com Top 20 Poll; updated March 16, 2026
Source: CCHA

Schedule and results

Date Time Opponent# Rank# Site TV Decision Result Attendance Record
Regular season
October 3 7:05 pm at Miami* Steve Cady ArenaOxford, Ohio RESN Rupprecht L 4–6  2,572 0–1–0
October 4 7:05 pm at Miami* Steve Cady ArenaOxford, Ohio RESN Hedquist L 1–3  2,101 0–2–0
October 9 7:07 pm at #1 Western Michigan* Lawson ArenaKalamazoo, Michigan   Hedquist W 3–2  4,178 1–2–0
October 10 7:07 pm #1 Western Michigan* Ewigleben ArenaBig Rapids, Michigan Midco Sports+ Rupprecht L 4–6  1,943 1–3–0
October 17 3:00 pm vs. Simon Fraser* USA Hockey ArenaPlymouth, Michigan (Exhibition)   Hedquist W 3–2 OT  
October 18 7:00 pm at USNTDP* USA Hockey ArenaPlymouth, Michigan (Exhibition)   Hedquist W 5–0   
October 24 7:07 pm at Michigan Tech MacInnes Student Ice ArenaHoughton, Michigan Midco Sports+ Hedquist L 1–5  3,490 1–4–0 (0–1–0)
October 25 6:07 pm at Michigan Tech MacInnes Student Ice ArenaHoughton, Michigan Midco Sports+ Hedquist L 2–4  3,234 1–5–0 (0–2–0)
October 31 7:07 pm Lindenwood* Ewigleben ArenaBig Rapids, Michigan Midco Sports+ Lundberg L 0–1  1,620 1–6–0
November 1 7:07 pm Lindenwood* Ewigleben ArenaBig Rapids, Michigan Midco Sports+ Lundberg L 2–3  1,710 1–7–0
November 7 7:07 pm Augustana Ewigleben ArenaBig Rapids, Michigan Midco Sports+ Lundberg L 2–4  1,592 1–8–0 (0–3–0)
November 8 6:07 pm Augustana Ewigleben ArenaBig Rapids, Michigan Midco Sports+ Lundberg W 2–0  1,619 2–8–0 (1–3–0)
November 14 7:07 pm at Bowling Green Slater Family Ice ArenaBowling Green, Ohio Midco Sports+ Lundberg L 5–9  2,369 2–9–0 (1–4–0)
November 15 7:07 pm at Bowling Green Slater Family Ice ArenaBowling Green, Ohio Midco Sports+ Lundberg L 2–5  2,835 2–10–0 (1–5–0)
November 21 7:07 pm Lake Superior State Ewigleben ArenaBig Rapids, Michigan Midco Sports+ Lundberg L 1–2  1,738 2–11–0 (1–6–0)
November 22 6:07 pm Lake Superior State Ewigleben ArenaBig Rapids, Michigan Midco Sports+ Rupprecht W 4–3  1,830 3–11–0 (2–6–0)
December 5 8:07 pm at #13 Minnesota State Mayo Clinic Health System Event CenterMankato, Minnesota Midco Sports+ Rupprecht L 1–5  3,888 3–12–0 (2–7–0)
December 6 7:07 pm at #13 Minnesota State Mayo Clinic Health System Event CenterMankato, Minnesota Midco Sports+ Lundberg W 4–1  3,971 4–12–0 (3–7–0)
December 12 7:07 pm Michigan Tech Ewigleben ArenaBig Rapids, Michigan Midco Sports+ Lundberg L 2–3  1,507 4–13–0 (3–8–0)
December 13 6:07 pm Michigan Tech Ewigleben ArenaBig Rapids, Michigan Midco Sports+ Lundberg L 2–5  1,834 4–14–0 (3–9–0)
Great Lakes Invitational
December 28 7:00 pm vs. #3 Michigan State* Van Andel ArenaGrand Rapids, Michigan (GLI Semifinal) Midco Sports+ Lundberg L 2–5  7,764 4–15–0
December 29 3:30 pm vs. Miami* Van Andel ArenaGrand Rapids, Michigan (GLI Consolation) Midco Sports+ Hedquist L 1–4  4,435 4–16–0
Regular season
January 2 8:07 pm at St. Thomas Lee & Penny Anderson ArenaSaint Paul, Minnesota Midco Sports+ Lundberg L 3–5  2,078 4–17–0 (3–10–0)
January 3 7:07 pm at St. Thomas Lee & Penny Anderson ArenaSaint Paul, Minnesota Midco Sports+ Hedquist L 4–8  2,258 4–18–0 (3–11–0)
January 9 7:07 pm Bowling Green Ewigleben ArenaBig Rapids, Michigan Midco Sports+ Hedquist L 1–3  1,128 4–19–0 (3–12–0)
January 10 6:07 pm Bowling Green Ewigleben ArenaBig Rapids, Michigan Midco Sports+ Hedquist L 1–5  1,318 4–20–0 (3–13–0)
January 16 8:07 pm at #15 Augustana Midco ArenaSioux Falls, South Dakota Midco Sports+ Hedquist L 0–4  2,597 4–21–0 (3–14–0)
January 17 7:07 pm at #15 Augustana Midco ArenaSioux Falls, South Dakota Midco Sports+ Hedquist L 3–4 OT 2,908 4–22–0 (3–15–0)
January 30 7:07 pm #18 Minnesota State Ewigleben ArenaBig Rapids, Michigan Midco Sports+ Hedquist L 1–6  1,823 4–23–0 (3–16–0)
January 31 6:07 pm #18 Minnesota State Ewigleben ArenaBig Rapids, Michigan Midco Sports+ Rupprecht L 3–4  2,016 4–24–0 (3–17–0)
February 6 8:07 pm at Bemidji State Sanford CenterBemidji, Minnesota Midco Sports+ Lundberg W 6–3  1,593 5–24–0 (4–17–0)
February 7 7:07 pm at Bemidji State Sanford CenterBemidji, Minnesota Midco Sports+ Lundberg L 3–4 OT 1,951 5–25–0 (4–18–0)
February 13 7:07 pm Northern Michigan Ewigleben ArenaBig Rapids, Michigan Midco Sports+ Lundberg T 4–4 SOW 1,867 5–25–1 (4–18–1)
February 14 6:07 pm Northern Michigan Ewigleben ArenaBig Rapids, Michigan Midco Sports+ Lundberg W 6–0  2,026 6–25–1 (5–18–1)
February 26 7:07 pm at Lake Superior State Taffy Abel ArenaSault Ste. Marie, Michigan Midco Sports+ Lundberg W 5–2  611 7–25–1 (6–18–1)
February 27 6:07 pm at Lake Superior State Taffy Abel ArenaSault Ste. Marie, Michigan Midco Sports+ Lundberg T 2–2 SOL 1,601 7–25–2 (6–18–2)
CCHA Tournament
March 6 8:07 pm at #16 Minnesota State* Mayo Clinic Health System Event CenterMankato, Minnesota (CCHA Quarterfinal Game 1) Midco Sports+ Lundberg L 1–5  3,068 7–26–2 (6–18–2)
March 7 7:07 pm at #16 Minnesota State* Mayo Clinic Health System Event CenterMankato, Minnesota (CCHA Quarterfinal Game 2) Midco Sports+ Lundberg W 2–1 OT 2,866 8–26–2 (6–18–2)
March 8 6:07 pm at #16 Minnesota State* Mayo Clinic Health System Event CenterMankato, Minnesota (CCHA Quarterfinal Game 3) Midco Sports+ Lundberg L 0–2  2,065 8–27–2 (6–18–2)
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from USCHO.com Poll. All times are in Eastern Time.
Source:[4]

Scoring statistics

Name Position Games Goals Assists Points PIM
Gavin Best F 37 12 14 26 18
Josh Zary F 36 13 7 20 28
Carter Rapalje F 37 11 9 20 6
Max Itagaki F 28 6 12 18 14
Christopher Lie D 37 1 16 17 10
Tyler Schleppe F 36 6 10 16 37
Xavier Alexandre Jean-Louis D 37 5 10 15 23
Caden Brown C 31 5 9 14 2
John Lundy F 27 5 6 11 23
Max Dukovac F 37 6 4 10 24
Jack Mesic D 37 2 8 10 22
Connor McGrath C 31 2 7 9 16
Riley Wallack F 23 5 3 8 8
Holden Doell F 25 3 4 7 10
Valtteri Piironen D 29 1 6 7 14
Jack Silich F 25 3 3 6 8
Trevor Taulien D 37 1 5 6 64
Emerson Goode C/W 15 2 2 4 6
Tanner Rowe F 39 1 3 4 12
Nic Belpedio D 29 0 4 4 10
Logan Heroux D 32 0 4 4 24
Jacob Badal LW 21 1 2 3 6
Kade Turner D 12 0 1 1 8
Conner Brown D 2 0 0 0 0
Luke Lisko C 2 0 0 0 0
Noah Rupprecht G 5 0 0 0 0
Brian Morse D 12 0 0 0 6
Hobie Hedquist G 13 0 0 0 0
Martin Lundberg G 23 0 0 0 0
Total 91 145 236 409

[5]

Goaltending statistics

Name Games Minutes Wins Losses Ties Goals Against Saves Shut Outs SV % GAA
Hobie Hedquist 13 674:10 1 10 0 45 328 0 .879 4.12
Martin Lundberg 23 1247:37 6 13 2 56 530 2 .904 2.74
Noah Rupprecht 5 277:58 1 4 0 23 130 0 .850 4.96
Empty Net - 37:47 - - - 14 - - - -
Total 37 2236:59 8 27 2 138 1008 2 .880 3.70

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 27 (Final)
USCHO.com NR NR NR RV NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR
USA Hockey NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR

Note: USCHO did not release a poll in week 12.[6]
Note: USA Hockey did not release a poll in week 12.

References

  1. ^ "Ferris State tabs LIU's Riley as its next head coach". USCHO. March 28, 2025. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  2. ^ "Ferris State at Minnesota State Mason Cup Quarterfinal - Game 3 Highlights 3/8/2026". YouTube. Retrieved March 14, 2026.
  3. ^ "2024-25 Ferris State Hockey Roster". Ferris State Bulldogs. Retrieved August 30, 2025.
  4. ^ "2025-26 Ferris State Ice Hockey Schedule". Ferris State Bulldogs. Retrieved March 8, 2026.
  5. ^ "Ferris State Univ. 2025-2026 Skater Stats". Elite Prospects. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  6. ^ "USCHO Division I Men's Poll". USCHO.com. Retrieved November 26, 2019.