University of St. Thomas Athletics
Friday, February 9
Sioux Falls, S.D. / Midco Arena
7:07 p.m. Central
at
Augustana
Photo by: Maddie Kranz
Men's Hockey takes first trip to Sioux Falls for non-conference series
2/8/2024 11:57:00 AM | Men's Hockey
The newest member of the CCHA and the soon-to-be member of the CCHA go toe-to-toe for this first time this weekend.
THIS WEEKEND'S GAMES
ON THE RADIO
FLOHOCKEY.TV
TOMMIE TIDBITS
SCOUTING THE VIKINGS
POINT STREAK
STAT RANKINGS
TROTTER THRILLS – EARNS CCHA HONOR
Sophomore Aaron Trotter was named CCHA Goaltender of the Week for the second time this season last week.
Trotter wowed in two games against Minnesota State with multiple highlight reel saves and two assists. He made 35 saves in the Toms' losing effort in overtime on home ice Friday night. The Victoria, British Columbia native shined in game two with 33 saves on 35 shots faced in the 4-2 Tommie win to lock up the season-series victory over the in-state rival Mavs.
The award was Trotter's fifth weekly CCHA honor in his short collegiate career. He was also named the conference Goaltender of the Month for his extraordinary play this past November.
SUPER SIBELL
Jake Sibell leads the CCHA in nearly every goaltending category with his 1.77 goals against average and .936 save percentage (which also leads the nation). His CCHA-only numbers are even more impressive. His 1.53 goals against average and .948 save percentage both lead the conference. The junior netminder has been named CCHA Goaltender of the Week twice this season and Goaltender of the Month on one occasion. He was also named to the Mike Richter Watchlist earlier this season.
TOMMIE HAT TRICK
CCHA PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
CCHA GOALTENDERS OF THE MONTH
DI SCORING RECORD HOLDERS
THE CHASE IS ON
Chase Cheslock will be playing in his ninth and 10th games at the collegiate level after being called in from the USHL at the semester break. He notched his first collegiate point against Michigan Tech. The 6-3 defenseman out of Rogers, Minn. played 30 games across two seasons for the Omaha Lancers and added 13 points. He is the Toms' first NHL draftee after his selection by the New Jersey Devils in the fifth round of the 2023 draft. He was a two-year captain at Rogers High School and also wore the "C" in Omaha. Cheslock played one game for the U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP), the first Tommie to do so.
JANUARY RECAP
DECEMBER RECAP
NOVEMBER RECAP
OCTOBER RECAP
COACH BLASI
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
NON-CONFERENCE
NHL DEVELOPMENT CAMPS
NHL DRAFT PICKS
CAPTAINS
TRANSFERS
PRESEASON CCHA COACHES POLL
St. Thomas was picked fifth in the Preseason CCHA Coaches Poll. The Toms did receive one of the eight first place votes. Michigan Tech finished on top with Northern Michigan and Bowling Green rounding out the top-three. Bemidji State finished four votes in front of the Purple. Minnesota State finished with 45 votes, same as St. Thomas. Ferris State and Lake Superior State rounded out the poll. St. Thomas did not earn any individual player preseason coach awards.
PRESEASON CCHA MEDIA POLL
St. Thomas was picked sixth in the Preseason CCHA Media Poll. Michigan Tech was picked first with 11 of the 16 first place votes with Northern Michigan, Bowling Green, and Minnesota State behind all receiving at least one first place vote. Bemidji State finished one place in front of the Purple with Ferris State and Lake Superior State bringing up the rear. St. Thomas did not earn any individual player preseason media awards.
- The Tommies head to Sioux Falls, S.D. for a battle between the two youngest programs in the CCHA. The games will not count in the conference standings.
- Game one at the brand new Midco Arena is set for a 7:07 p.m. puck drop on Friday night with game two scheduled for 6:07 p.m.
- The Tommies are 13-12-1 overall and 11-7-0 in the CCHA. The Vikings are 8-15-3 overall.
- This is the first battle between the Tommies and Vikings in program history.
ON THE RADIO
- ESPN 1500 is the home of all St. Thomas Men's Hockey games.
- Fans can listen on the radio at 1500 AM, online at https://live.skornorth.com/listen/ or on the Varsity Sports App.
FLOHOCKEY.TV
- All St. Thomas and CCHA games will be live-streamed on FloHockey,tv.
- FloSports provides each subscriber with access to all content and events with the purchase of a monthly or yearly subscription.
- FloSports is available on IOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire, and Chromecast.
TOMMIE TIDBITS
- Rico Blasi moved into 23rd all-time against Minnesota State with 425 career wins
- The Toms are 4-4 in one-goal games this season, the Vikings are 5-6
- The Purple are now 11-0-1 when scoring first
- Cooper Gay's four game-winning goals lead the CCHA – they are also a DI program single season record
- Gay's third goal of last weekend gave him the team lead (11), Mack Byers tied it with an empty-net goal late (11)
- Mack Byers, Cooper Gay, and Ryan O'Neill each tallied three points in the Minnesota State series
- The blocked 23 shots in the game two win over Mankato, their 26 blocked shots in game two win against Northern Michigan were a season high
- Mack Byers became the second DI Tommie to surpass the 50-point plateau (Luke Manning did it earlier this season) – No player has yet tallied 50 points for St. Thomas alone in the current iteration of the program – Lucas Wahlin (46), Mack Byers (44), and Ryan O'Neill (41) are the closest
- Game two against Minnesota State was the Toms' 100th game in DI
- Liam Malmquist is the only DI Tommie with multiple unassisted goals in a single season
- Lucas Wahlin's 24 points have tied the Toms' single-season program record set by Mack Byers last season
- Ryan O'Neill and Lucas Wahlin are the only two players in the CCHA with a 5 point game, both occurred against Ferris State on 12/2/23
- Wahlin's nine shots on goal in that game are tied for the most in a game
- O'Neill and Wahlin are two of the four players this season with four assists in a single game
- The Toms' 20-point showing against the Bulldogs is tied for the most in a game this season
- Their 63 shots on goal against Lindenwood on 10/20 are the most in a game by 15 shots
SCOUTING THE VIKINGS
- Overall record (8-15-3) – The Vikings will become full members of the CCHA in the 2025-26 season. In the two years leading up, they will play each conference member twice each season, alternating home and away. Augustana will not accrue points in the standings or compete for conference championships or on-ice awards until 2025-26.
- One win in last five games, two in last 10 games
- Six of 15 losses by one goal
- Marquee wins against #2 Denver (SOW, officially a tie), Colorado College, and #16 Arizona State
- Fifth year Ryan Naumovski leads the team with 19 points (6G-13A)
- Junior Luke Mobley leads the way with 11 goals
- Two-headed monster in net – Senior Zack Rose 4-5-2 with a 3.32GAA and .908SV% - Freshman Josh Kotai 2-9-1 with a 3.46GAA and .901SV%
- Third goalie, freshman Kayden Hargraves got the nod in game two against Bemidji State – 2-1-0 with a 2.73GAA and .915SV%
- Cooper Gay (3 games)
- Liam Malmquist (2 games)
POINT STREAK
- Ryan O'Neill (5 games)
- Cooper Gay (3 games)
- Liam Malmquist (3 games)
- Luc Laylin (2 games)
- Mack Byers (2 games)
STAT RANKINGS
- Cooper Gay, 4 game winning goals (T-6th in NCAA)
- Jake Sibell, .636 win percentage (17th in NCAA)
- Jake Sibell, 1.77 goals against average (2nd in NCAA)
- Jake Sibell, .936 save percentage (1st in NCAA)
- Mack Byers, 2 shorthanded goals (T-5th in NCAA)
- St. Thomas, 2.65 scoring defense (19th in NCAA)
- St. Thomas, 10.27 PIM/G (14th least in NCAA)
- St. Thomas, 5 shorthanded goals (T-7th in NCAA)
TROTTER THRILLS – EARNS CCHA HONOR
Sophomore Aaron Trotter was named CCHA Goaltender of the Week for the second time this season last week.
Trotter wowed in two games against Minnesota State with multiple highlight reel saves and two assists. He made 35 saves in the Toms' losing effort in overtime on home ice Friday night. The Victoria, British Columbia native shined in game two with 33 saves on 35 shots faced in the 4-2 Tommie win to lock up the season-series victory over the in-state rival Mavs.
The award was Trotter's fifth weekly CCHA honor in his short collegiate career. He was also named the conference Goaltender of the Month for his extraordinary play this past November.
SUPER SIBELL
Jake Sibell leads the CCHA in nearly every goaltending category with his 1.77 goals against average and .936 save percentage (which also leads the nation). His CCHA-only numbers are even more impressive. His 1.53 goals against average and .948 save percentage both lead the conference. The junior netminder has been named CCHA Goaltender of the Week twice this season and Goaltender of the Month on one occasion. He was also named to the Mike Richter Watchlist earlier this season.
TOMMIE HAT TRICK
- Mack Byers scored three goals against Ferris State on Dec. 2 in the 7-1 win on the road
- Byers hat trick was the first (and only) in DI program history
- He is one of 56 players in the NCAA with three goals in a game this season
- Seven others in the CCHA have recorded a hat trick, Michigan Tech leads all CCHA teams with three hat tricks
CCHA PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
- Luke Manning Forward of the Week (10/9/23)
- Liam Malmquist Forward of the Week (10/23/23)
- Jake Sibell Goaltender of the Week (10/23/23)
- Lucas Wahlin Forward of the Week (11/6/23)
- Aaron Trotter Goaltender of the Week (11/13/23)
- Ryan O'Neill Forward of the Week (12/4/23)
- Jake Sibell Goaltender of the Week (1/15/24)
- Aaron Trotter Goaltender of the Week (2/5/24)
CCHA GOALTENDERS OF THE MONTH
- October – Jake Sibell
- November – Aaron Trotter
DI SCORING RECORD HOLDERS
- Mack Byers (29), Luke Manning (22), Lucas Wahlin (16) and Luc Laylin (16) round out the top three in DI goals scored
- Lucas Wahlin (46), Mack Byers (44), and Ryan O'Neill (41) make up the top three in DI points
THE CHASE IS ON
Chase Cheslock will be playing in his ninth and 10th games at the collegiate level after being called in from the USHL at the semester break. He notched his first collegiate point against Michigan Tech. The 6-3 defenseman out of Rogers, Minn. played 30 games across two seasons for the Omaha Lancers and added 13 points. He is the Toms' first NHL draftee after his selection by the New Jersey Devils in the fifth round of the 2023 draft. He was a two-year captain at Rogers High School and also wore the "C" in Omaha. Cheslock played one game for the U.S. National U18 Team (NTDP), the first Tommie to do so.
JANUARY RECAP
- 3-1-0 record, +4 goal differential
- First sweep of Michigan Tech in program history (4-3 and 3-1), first win on the road in program history at Northern Michigan (3-1)
- Luc Laylin, Lucas Wahlin, Cooper Gay, and Ryan O'Neill each led the way with two goals
- Liam Malmquist (1G 3A) and O'Neill (2G 2A) each finished the month with four points
- Jake Sibell earned his second CCHA Goaltender of the Week (27 saves on 28 shots faced in win over Michigan Tech)
- Exhibition win against Minnesota Duluth (3-1)
DECEMBER RECAP
- 2-4-0 record, -5 goal differential
- Wins against Ferris State (7-1) and Minnesota State (2-1)
- Mack Byers led with four goals (three in program-first hat trick vs Ferris State)
- Lucas Wahlin and Ryan O'Neill led with seven points apiece
- Ryan O'Neill CCHA Forward of the Week (one goal and five assists against Ferris State)
NOVEMBER RECAP
- 5-1-0 record, +11 goal differential
- Longest win streak of DI era (five games, outscored foes 22-9)
- Sweeps of Northern Michigan and Bowling Green, both firsts in program history
- Split with Lake Superior State
- Mack Byers, Liam Malmquist, Lucas Wahlin, and Cooper Gay led with three goals apiece
- Quinton Pepper, Wahlin, and Malmquist led with seven points apiece
- Lucas Wahlin CCHA Forward of the Week (three goals and an assist vs. Northern Michigan), Aaron Trotter CCHA Goaltender of the Week (42 saves, one goal allowed in win vs Bowling Green)
- Aaron Trotter CCHA Goaltender of the Month (3-0-0 record, 90 saves, five goals allowed, .947 SV%, 1.67 GAA)
OCTOBER RECAP
- 2-5-1 record, -5 goal differential
- Wins against #8 St. Cloud State (5-4 OT) and Lindenwood (3-1)
- Luke Manning, Lucas Wahlin, and Cooper Gay led with three goals apiece
- Wahlin led with seven points (3G 4A)
- Luke Manning CCHA Forward of the Week (1G 2A against St. Cloud State), Liam Malmquist CCHA Forward of the Week (3A vs. Lindenwood, Jake Sibell CCHA Goaltender of the Week (1GA 15SV vs Lindenwood)
- Jake Sibell CCHA Goaltender of the Month (1-2-0 record, 64 saves, four goals allowed, .941 SV%, 1.36 GAA)
COACH BLASI
- Entering third season for St. Thomas
- During his 20-year tenure at Miami (Ohio) Blasi was the head coach of 10 NCAA Tournament teams, one national runner-up and one other Frozen Four team
- National Coach of the Year in 2005-06
- Coached one Hobey Baker Award winner (Andy Miele) and 10 Hobey Baker finalists, 10 All-America players, and 25 who went on to play in the NHL, including Stanley Cup Champions Alec Martinez, Jeff Zatkoff, Blake Coleman, and Riley Smith.
- 425 career wins (23rd all-time / seventh among active head coaches, 29 wins behind Scott Sandelin for sixth)
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
- First trip to the brand new Midco Arena to play Augustana (8-15-3) Feb. 9-10
- The only four-game homestand of the season with CCHA series against Bowling Green (8-16-0, 6-8-0) Feb. 16-17 and Bemidji State (9-14-1, 8-7-1) Feb. 23-24
- Final series of the season at Michigan Tech (11-11-5, 8-7-1) Mar. 1-2
NON-CONFERENCE
- The Toms are 2-5-1 with two games remaining on the non-conference schedule. The split with #8 St. Cloud State to open the season in two one-goal games. Next came two losses against the #2 Golden Gophers (6-5 OT loss at Xcel Energy Center, 3-0 loss at Mariucci) and then a 3-1 win and 4-4 tie against Lindenwood. After 12 conference games the Toms returned to out of conference competition with two defeats in Vermont. Of their 12 remaining games, two are against future CCHA foe Augustana on Feb. 9-10.
- St. Thomas has a -9 goal differential in eight non-con games.
- The Tommies played four games against ranked non-con opponents, they were 1-3-0 with two one-goal losses.
- 1-1-1 home record, 1-3-0 away record, 0-1-0 neutral site record
NHL DEVELOPMENT CAMPS
- Chase Cheslock (New Jersey Devils)
- Ryder Donovan (Vegas Golden Knights)
- Aaron Trotter (Washington Capitals)
NHL DRAFT PICKS
- Ryder Donovan was selected as the 110th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2019 NHL Draft by the Vegas Golden Knights.
- Chase Cheslock was selected as the 154th overall pick in the fifth round of the 2023 NHL Draft by the New Jersey Devils.
CAPTAINS
- Sophomore Lucas Wahlin wears the "C" for coach Rico Blasi's squad. Wahlin, a Woodbury, Minn. native, finished with 21 points in 26 games last season while battling injury. He played for three teams over three seasons in both the NAHL and USHL before finding a home in St. Paul.
- Seniors Luke Manning and Mack Byers don the "A" this season. Both are one-time transfers, Manning from Air Force and Byers from Northern Michigan. Manning played nine games for the D-III Tommies and has 38 points in two-plus seasons for the D-I Toms. Byers led the team with 26 points in his first season with the Purple last year.
- All three captains are from Minnesota.
TRANSFERS
- James Marooney played at Ohio State for four seasons. The defenseman played 80 games for the Buckeyes in four seasons and added five points in 26 games last year for the third-place Big Ten team.
- Matthew Gleason appeared in 70 games for Colorado College over two full seasons before joining the Tommies. He was a two-time member of the All-Academic team in the NCHC.
- Jake Ratzlaff played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers before a brief stint with the Madison Capitols last year. He was a highly touted hockey recruit coming out of high school but opted to play on the gridiron.
- Noah Prokop is a two-time transfer. He played two seasons in Omaha before making the change to play with Gleason at Colorado College. He is a four-time All-Academic team selection.
- Liam Malmquist is also a transfer from Wisconsin, but he played two seasons of college hockey. He tallied 16 points in 68 games for the Badgers and was a selection to the Big Ten All-Academic team.
- Ryder Donovan played with Malmquist in Madison. The Duluth, Minn. native was drafted by the Vegas Golden Knights in the fourth round of the 2019 draft. He played 89 games for the Badgers and took a break from hockey for the 2022-23 season before returning with the Tommies.
- Jake Sibell transferred from the Purple Eagles of Niagara University. Over two seasons in New York he played in 13 games with a 2-7-1 record.
- All but one of the Toms' seven transfers (Noah Prokop from Highlands Ranch, Colo.) is a native of Minnesota.
PRESEASON CCHA COACHES POLL
St. Thomas was picked fifth in the Preseason CCHA Coaches Poll. The Toms did receive one of the eight first place votes. Michigan Tech finished on top with Northern Michigan and Bowling Green rounding out the top-three. Bemidji State finished four votes in front of the Purple. Minnesota State finished with 45 votes, same as St. Thomas. Ferris State and Lake Superior State rounded out the poll. St. Thomas did not earn any individual player preseason coach awards.
PRESEASON CCHA MEDIA POLL
St. Thomas was picked sixth in the Preseason CCHA Media Poll. Michigan Tech was picked first with 11 of the 16 first place votes with Northern Michigan, Bowling Green, and Minnesota State behind all receiving at least one first place vote. Bemidji State finished one place in front of the Purple with Ferris State and Lake Superior State bringing up the rear. St. Thomas did not earn any individual player preseason media awards.
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