University of St. Thomas Athletics
Friday, January 23
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario / GFL Memorial Gardens
6:07 p.m. CST
at
Lake Superior State
Photo by: Abby Bondi
Tommies head to the Soo (Ontario and Michigan)
1/22/2026 2:32:00 PM | Men's Hockey
Men’s Hockey defends its eight-game win streak on the road against Lake Superior State
ST. PAUL, Minn. – #16 St. Thomas (14-7-3, 11-3-2) heads up to Lake Superior State (9-14-1, 6-10-0) having not lost a game since December 5. Its last loss came against the Lakers at home on a Friday night, 5-3. Since then, the Tommies have been one of the hottest teams in the country climbing to their highest ranking in the national polls (#16) and their highest rating in the NPI (13th) in program history. They also enter the weekend in sole possession of first place for the first time this season with a game in hand against second place Augustana.
The Purple have matched their longest win streak in program history (eight games) with sweeps over Northern Michigan, Ferris State, and Bemidji State and single wins over Lake Superior State and Minnesota State. Offensively they have been led by Alex Gaffney with 28 points. Lucas Wahlin added to his team-leading 16 goals with a pair against the Beavers. He became the first Tommie in DI program history to 50 career goals. Chase Cheslock leads with 20 assists, the most by a Tommie defenseman in program history and the most among d-men in the NCAA this season. After a dreadful start on special teams, they have climbed back to a 20.9 PP% and 79.8 PK% after a strong start to 2026.
Lake Superior State is 3-4-0 since defeating the Tommies at Lee & Penny Anderson Arena on December 5. The Lakers are coming off a conference split with Bowling Green in Ohio; they dropped game one 3-1 but came back with a 1-0 victory on Saturday. Rorke Applebee recorded a 35 save shutout to improve his season totals to 8-11-0, 2.46 GAA, and .929 SV%. He was in net for both games against the Toms in December. They do not have a single scorer with 20+ points but do have 10 with 10+ topped by Calem Mangone's 18. Their 19.5 PP% is fifth in the CCHA and their 76.5 PK% is seventh. Lake State holds the all-time series with a 10-8-1 record, they are 4-2-1 in their last seven.
THIS WEEKEND'S GAMES
-Friday night's game has some extra pomp and circumstance due to that fact it is being played at GFL Memorial Gardens in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario at 6:07 pm CST. "The Hound Pound" is the current home of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the OHL. The facility cost around $25 million when it was opened in 2006 and seats 4,928 for hockey.
-Game two returns south of the northern border to Taffy Abel Arena. The Tommies and Lakers will duke it out in Michigan at 5:07 pm CST. The Purple are 9-2-1 on Saturday this season without a loss since October 25.
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.
CCHA TV ON MIDCO SPORTS PLUS
-All St. Thomas home games and CCHA games will be live streamed on Midco Sports Plus.
-Midco Sports Plus provides each subscriber with access to all content and events with the purchase of a monthly or yearly subscription.
-Midco Sports Plus is available on IOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire, and Chromecast.
FORWARD OF THE WEEK & ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Lucas Wahlin earned his second CCHA Forward of the Week this season and fourth of his career after a three-point weekend against Bemidji. He led all conference forwards with two goals and 22:06 minutes on the ice. Wahlin leads the CCHA with 16 goals (three more than the next closest skater) and is third in the conference with 26 points. He is second with 85 shots behind only his teammate, Nathan Pilling. His +11 rating in this season is eighth in the conference.
Lucas Van Vliet earned his third CCHA Rookie of the Week this season with a three-point weekend as well. He added two goals and an assist to pace all conference freshmen. His two power play goals tied him with Alex Gaffney for the St. Thomas lead. He also took the team edge with his third game-winning goal of the season.
WAHLIN FOR HOBEY
Lucas Wahlin is one of the best players in the nation and has been for a couple of seasons now. The third-year captain is in his final year with the Tommies and is the sole nominee for the Hobey Baker Award from St. Thomas. Wahlin has been the foundation for the Tommies during their rise to becoming one of the best programs in the country with production on the ice and an unwavering ability to lead off the ice. The former NA3HL forward has improved relentlessly across his four seasons of college hockey. This season he became the first Tommie in DI program history to surpass 100 points (118 now) and 50 goals (51 now). He is the all-time leader in the "new" CCHA in goals and points. Nationally he ranks sixth with .73 goals per game and 16 total goals and 24th in points per game (1.18).
BIG FIRST YEAR FOR LVV
With Lucas Van Vliet's assist on Quinton Pepper's goal in Mankato on January 10, the freshman forward tallied his 22nd point of the season. Statistically it is the best season by a freshman Tommie in DI history ahead of his captain's 21 points his during the 2022-23 season.
The Michigan native added a three-point weekend against Bemidji State and was named CCHA Rookie of the Week for the third time, a program record. Van Vliet's 25 points are fourth in the NCAA among freshman behind Ethan Wyttenbach of Quinnipiac (33), Justin Poirier of Maine (28), and Porter Martone of Michigan State (27). His 1.09 points per game are sixth behind Wyttenback (1.38), Martone (1.35), Poirier (1.22), Gavine McKenna (Penn State, 1.20), and Cole Reschny (North Dakota, 1.20).
BUILDING A WALL EIGHT WINS HIGH
St. Thomas goaltending has seemingly figured things out during this eight-game win streak that dates to December 6. Between the three netminders (Carsen Musser, Will Ingemann, and Aaron Trotter) they have a combined 2.00 GAA and .913 SV%. Musser carried the load with four wins to start the win streak (five now after last weekend). He has a 1.60 GAA and .929 SV% and was also named CCHA Goaltender of the Month in December. Ingemann earned his third career win against Ferris State and Aaron Trotter allowed two goals on 20 shots in a huge win over Minnesota State and then stole a game from Bemidji State with 30 saves on 32 shots.
GRAY JERSEY SUCCESS
The Tommies debuted their alternate gray uniforms on October 12th in a 5-2 loss against then #10 North Dakota. They have not been defeated since with a 4-0-0 record. Stats in their four games since the debut: 5.5 goals per game, 2.5 goals allowed per game, 31 PP%, 81 PK%, +1 in first period, +6 in second, +5 in third. Alex Gaffney and Lucas Wahlin lead with nine points and a +8 rating in gray. Both Will Ingemann and Carsen Musser are 2-0-0 with a 2.50 GAA.
ALL OF THEM CAN SCORE
The Tommies have gotten goals from 18 different players this season. Lucas Wahlin's 16 goals lead the way. Wahlin's .73 goals per game is sixth in the nation and Alex Gaffney's .54 is T-22nd. Gaffney and Van Vliet are each tied for the team lead with five power play goals (T-16th NCAA). Four players have tallied shorthanded goals, while Gaffney and Pilling lead the team (and the nation) with three. Van Vliet also leads with three game-winners. Wahlin, Pilling, and Hayes Hundley each have two game-winning tallies.
SPONGES
Nick Williams leads the Tommies with 45 blocks this season. That mark is 11th in the NCAA. He leads the Toms by 13 blocks over the next guy (Hayes Hundley). As a team, the Purple are T-12th in the nation with 323 blocks (13.5 per game).
POINTS PARITY
-The Tommies have had a different player lead them in points each of their first five seasons of DI play.
460 FOR BLASI
-Head coach, Rico Blasi, won his 450th game on Tuesday, November 11 against St. Cloud State. The now 25-year head coach currently sits 22nd all-time and fourth among active head coaches. His 460 career wins put him three wins away from Murray Armstrong in 21st place, eight from Joe Marsh in 20th, and 12 from Don Vaughan in 19th. Blasi is the fourth winningest coach among active head coaches.
100 FOR WAHLIN
-Lucas Wahlin became the first Tommie to score 100 career points after his three-point burst against the Huskies on Tuesday, November 11. The Tommie captain did so in 109 games at a 0.92 points per game pace.
-25 different players either assisted on a Wahlin goal or scored a goal off a Wahlin assist over the course of the last four seasons.
-Liam Malmquist led each category with 12 assists on Wahlin goals and 15 goals off Wahlin assists.
-At the present day, he has recorded 115 points, 34 more than the next closest Tommie.
CURRENT TOMMIES AGAINST LAKE SUPERIOR STATE
-Lucas Wahlin – 6G-8A-14P
-Luc Laylin – 2G-9A-11P
-Ryan O'Neill – 2G-5A-7P
-Jake Braccini – 4G-2A-6P
-Chase Cheslock – 1G-5A-6P
-Nathan Pilling – 1G-4A-5P
-Mason Poolman – 0G-4A-4P
-Quinton Pepper – 1G-2A-3P
-Lucas Van Vliet – 2G-1A-3P
-Cole Miller – 0G-2A-2P
-Casy Laylin – 0G-2A-2P
-Jase Sofo – 1G-0A-1P
-Caige Sterzer – 1G-0A-1P
-Carsen Peters – 0G-1A-1P
-Aaron Trotter – 5-5-1, 300 saves, 26 GA, 2.40 GAA, .920 SV%, 1 assist
-Carsen Musser – 1-0-0, 27 saves, 60 mins, 1 GA, 1.00 GAA .964 SV%
WHY PLAY WITH FIVE?
-The Tommies led the country in shorthanded goals last season (9) and are right back at it this season with the single most shorties in the country (10), three more than any other team.
-They have four players in the top six in the nation and have two of the nation's leading shorthanded goal scorers (Alex Gaffnet and Nathan Pilling).
-Nathan Pilling, Alex Gaffney, Lucas Van Vliet, and Lucas Wahling are four of 17 players in the country with at least two shorthanded goals. Pilling was the fourth Tommie to score multiple SHG in a season, Gaffney was the fifth, Van Vliet was the sixth, and Wahlin did it for the second time against Bemidji State (Malmquist 4, 24-25; Byers 2, 23-24; Wahlin 2, 24-25).
-Gaffney and Pilling's three shorthanded goals this season are tied for the NCAA lead.
-St. Thomas scored a pair of SHG in one game against Providence for the first time in program history. Pilling's first goal at Lee & Penny Anderson Arena was a shorty.
GOING STREAKING
-Lucas Wahlin – 8 game point streak (13 points) – Toms are 8-0-0
-Lucas Van Vliet – 5 game point streak (9 points) – Toms are 5-0-0
-Ryan O'Neill – 3 game point streak
-Nathan Pilling – 3 game point streak
-Chase Cheslock – 2 game point streak
-Schoen – 2 game point streak
MILESTONE WATCH
-Career Points
2025-26 CCHA PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
-Lucas Van Vliet Rookie of the Week (1/20/26)
-Lucas Wahlin Forward of the Week (1/20/26)
-Hayes Hundley Rookie of the Week (1/4/26)
-Lucas Wahlin Forward of the Week (12/15/25)
-Nathan Pilling Rookie of the Week (12/8/25)
-Carsen Musser Goaltender of the Week (12/8/25)
-Lucas Van Vliet Rookie of the Week (12/1/25)
-Nick Williams Defenseman of the Week (12/1/25)
-Lucas Van Vliet Rookie of the Week (11/23/25)
-Alex Gaffney Forward of the Week (10/20/25)
-Chase Cheslock Defenseman of the Week (10/6/25)
2025-26 CCHA PLAYERS OF THE MONTH
-Carsen Musser Goaltender of the Month (1/5/26)
-Chase Cheslock Defenseman of the Month (1/5/26)
-Alex Gaffney Forward of the Month (11/3/25)
JANUARY RECAP
-5-0-0, +13 goal differential
-Swept Bemidji State for the first time in program history with a 5-1 win on Friday and 3-2 win on Saturday.
-Completed the season series with a 4-2 win over Minnesota State on the road. The Tommies are now 2-0 in Mankato since the Mason Cup Final loss.
-Swept Ferris State in a pair of high scoring affairs (5-3 and 8-4)
-Jake Braccini and Lucas Wahlin lead the Toms with four goals
-Lucas Van Vliet's nine points pace the Purple
-Aaron Trotter is 2-0-0 with a 2.00 GAA and .923 SV%
-Carsen Musser is 2-0-0 with a 2.00 GAA and .897 SV%
-Will Ingemann is 1-0-0 with a 4.00 GAA and .789 SV%
-The Toms are 7-20 (35%) on the power play and 25-27 (93%) on the penalty kill.
DECEMBER RECAP
-3-1-0, +4 goal differential
-Swept the Northern Michigan Wildcats on the road, 2-0 and 4-3.
-Split with the Lake State Lakers on home ice. Took game two 4-1 after dropping the opener, 5-3.
-Lucas Wahlin owned December with five goals while Nathan Pilling and Chase Cheslock led the way with six points a piece.
-Carsen Musser was 3-0-0 with a 1.34 GAA and .945 SV%
-Aaron Trotter was 0-1-0 with a 5.20 GAA and .839 SV%
-The Toms were 3-15 (20%) on the power play and 8-11 (73%) on the penalty kill.
NOVEMBER RECAP
-4-1-2, +7 goal differential
-Took five of six points from the Michigan Tech Huskies with a 3-3 shootout win and 2-1 regulation win.
-Came back from down 2-0 to force overtime in game one against Bowling Green and then dominated in game two, 6-2.
-Came back from down 1-0, 3-1, and 4-3 to tie the Vikings, 4-4. The Tommies ultimately fell in the shootout to earn one conference point in hostile territory.
-Finished off their season series with St. Cloud State on Tuesday to sweep the Huskies, 4-3 and 3-1.
-Took down the 18th ranked Mavericks, 4-3 in overtime on the road. Nathan Pilling notched his second game winner of the season.
-Alex Gaffney's six goals and 10 points led the way.
-Will Ingemann was 2-0-1 with a 2.57 GAA and .914 SV%.
-Aaron Trotter was 1-1-0 with a 2.00 GAA and .922 SV%
-Carsen Musser is 1-0-1 with a 2.44 GAA and .922 SV%
-The Toms were 3-25 (12%) on the power play and 18-24 (75%) on the penalty kill.
OCTOBER RECAP
-2-5-1, -7 goal differential
-Won the first game of the season over St. Cloud State on the road, Nathan Pilling scored the game winning goal.
-Dropped a pair to North Dakota, 6-2 and 5-2.
-Split the road series with Air Force, with an 11-2 win in game one and a 6-2 loss in game two.
-Tied on night one at Lee & Penny Anderson Arena and then won the shootout against #15 Providence before dropping game two 7-4.
-Lost to open CCHA play against Mankato, 3-1 at home.
-Alex Gaffney led the Tommies with 11 points (5G-6A) in October.
-Carsen Musser was 1-4-0 with a 5.25 GAA and .831 SV%.
-Aaron Trotter was 1-0-1 with a 2.24 GAA and .929 SV% .
-Will Ingemann was 0-1-0 with a 2.64 GAA and .875 SV%.
-The Toms are 6-31 (19.4%) on the power play and 20-27 (74%) on the penalty kill.
DI SCORING RECORD HOLDERS
-Lucas Wahlin (51), Cooper Gay (35, 2022-25), and Mack Byers (31, 2022-24) round out the top three in DI goals scored.
-Lucas Wahlin (118), Ryan O'Neill (83), and Liam Malmquist (72, 2023-25) make up the top three in career points.
NHL DEVELOPMENT CAMPS
-Bauer Berry (Edmonton Oilers)
-Chase Cheslock (New Jersey Devils)
-Carsen Musser (Utah Mammoth)
-Nathan Pilling (Ottawa Senators)
-Lucas Van Vliet (Vegas Golden Knights)
-Lucas Wahlin (Colorado Avalanche)
NHL DRAFT PICKS
-Bauer Berry was selected as the 218th overall pick in the seventh round of the 2024 NHL draft by the Edmonton Oilers.
-Chase Cheslock was selected as the 154th overall pick of the 2023 NHL draft by the New Jersey Devils and was the first drafted Tommie to commit to the program out of high school.
-Carsen Musser was selected as the 166th overall pick of the 2023 NHL draft by the Utah Mammoth.
-Lucas Van Vliet was selected as the 197th overall pick of the 2024 NHL draft by the Vegas Golden Knights.
IN GOOD COMPANY
-Lucas Wahlin entered the season third in career points in the NCAA among active players. His 92 (now 97) put him above all members of the CCHA and behind only Jeremy Wilmer of Quinnipiac (109) and T.J. Hughes of Michigan (122).
-Wahlin's 35 (now 38) career goals were ninth-most among active players.
-His 57 assists were fourth.
-Aaron Trotter's 78 career games in goal were fifth most in the country.
-Trotter's 26 career wins were tied for 10th.
PRESEASON PUB
-The Tommies were picked to finish in first place in the CCHA coaches' poll for the second consecutive season earlier in September.
-They were also selected second in the media poll for the second year in a row.
-Lucas Wahlin was once again named Preseason Player of the Year by the coaches after his 17-24—41 point season last year. The now senior was selected as team captain for the third-year running last week.
-Newcomer, Nathan Pilling, was named Preseason Rookie of the Year by the conference coaches. He skated in 218 total games across four seasons in the WHL for the Moose Jaw Warriors, Edmonton Oil Kings, and Seattle Thunderbirds… scored 70 career goals, added 56 career assists, and tallied 126 total points in the WHL… coming off a career-best season as assistant captain with the Thunderbirds with 37 goals, 30 assists, and 67 points in 67 games in 2024-25.
COACH BLASI
-Entering fifth season for St. Thomas
-During his 20-year tenure at Miami, 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 Alex Martinez, Jeff Zatkoff, Blake Coleman, and Riley Smith.
-His 460-405-87 record has him 22nd all-time and 4th among active head coaches.
NICE TO MEET YA
St. Thomas returned just 13 players from its breakthrough 2024-25 squad. The Tommies welcome in 15 newcomers into the fold, 10 freshman and five transfers.
-Freshmen
The Purple have matched their longest win streak in program history (eight games) with sweeps over Northern Michigan, Ferris State, and Bemidji State and single wins over Lake Superior State and Minnesota State. Offensively they have been led by Alex Gaffney with 28 points. Lucas Wahlin added to his team-leading 16 goals with a pair against the Beavers. He became the first Tommie in DI program history to 50 career goals. Chase Cheslock leads with 20 assists, the most by a Tommie defenseman in program history and the most among d-men in the NCAA this season. After a dreadful start on special teams, they have climbed back to a 20.9 PP% and 79.8 PK% after a strong start to 2026.
Lake Superior State is 3-4-0 since defeating the Tommies at Lee & Penny Anderson Arena on December 5. The Lakers are coming off a conference split with Bowling Green in Ohio; they dropped game one 3-1 but came back with a 1-0 victory on Saturday. Rorke Applebee recorded a 35 save shutout to improve his season totals to 8-11-0, 2.46 GAA, and .929 SV%. He was in net for both games against the Toms in December. They do not have a single scorer with 20+ points but do have 10 with 10+ topped by Calem Mangone's 18. Their 19.5 PP% is fifth in the CCHA and their 76.5 PK% is seventh. Lake State holds the all-time series with a 10-8-1 record, they are 4-2-1 in their last seven.
THIS WEEKEND'S GAMES
-Friday night's game has some extra pomp and circumstance due to that fact it is being played at GFL Memorial Gardens in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario at 6:07 pm CST. "The Hound Pound" is the current home of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds of the OHL. The facility cost around $25 million when it was opened in 2006 and seats 4,928 for hockey.
-Game two returns south of the northern border to Taffy Abel Arena. The Tommies and Lakers will duke it out in Michigan at 5:07 pm CST. The Purple are 9-2-1 on Saturday this season without a loss since October 25.
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.
CCHA TV ON MIDCO SPORTS PLUS
-All St. Thomas home games and CCHA games will be live streamed on Midco Sports Plus.
-Midco Sports Plus provides each subscriber with access to all content and events with the purchase of a monthly or yearly subscription.
-Midco Sports Plus is available on IOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire, and Chromecast.
FORWARD OF THE WEEK & ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Lucas Wahlin earned his second CCHA Forward of the Week this season and fourth of his career after a three-point weekend against Bemidji. He led all conference forwards with two goals and 22:06 minutes on the ice. Wahlin leads the CCHA with 16 goals (three more than the next closest skater) and is third in the conference with 26 points. He is second with 85 shots behind only his teammate, Nathan Pilling. His +11 rating in this season is eighth in the conference.
Lucas Van Vliet earned his third CCHA Rookie of the Week this season with a three-point weekend as well. He added two goals and an assist to pace all conference freshmen. His two power play goals tied him with Alex Gaffney for the St. Thomas lead. He also took the team edge with his third game-winning goal of the season.
WAHLIN FOR HOBEY
Lucas Wahlin is one of the best players in the nation and has been for a couple of seasons now. The third-year captain is in his final year with the Tommies and is the sole nominee for the Hobey Baker Award from St. Thomas. Wahlin has been the foundation for the Tommies during their rise to becoming one of the best programs in the country with production on the ice and an unwavering ability to lead off the ice. The former NA3HL forward has improved relentlessly across his four seasons of college hockey. This season he became the first Tommie in DI program history to surpass 100 points (118 now) and 50 goals (51 now). He is the all-time leader in the "new" CCHA in goals and points. Nationally he ranks sixth with .73 goals per game and 16 total goals and 24th in points per game (1.18).
BIG FIRST YEAR FOR LVV
With Lucas Van Vliet's assist on Quinton Pepper's goal in Mankato on January 10, the freshman forward tallied his 22nd point of the season. Statistically it is the best season by a freshman Tommie in DI history ahead of his captain's 21 points his during the 2022-23 season.
The Michigan native added a three-point weekend against Bemidji State and was named CCHA Rookie of the Week for the third time, a program record. Van Vliet's 25 points are fourth in the NCAA among freshman behind Ethan Wyttenbach of Quinnipiac (33), Justin Poirier of Maine (28), and Porter Martone of Michigan State (27). His 1.09 points per game are sixth behind Wyttenback (1.38), Martone (1.35), Poirier (1.22), Gavine McKenna (Penn State, 1.20), and Cole Reschny (North Dakota, 1.20).
BUILDING A WALL EIGHT WINS HIGH
St. Thomas goaltending has seemingly figured things out during this eight-game win streak that dates to December 6. Between the three netminders (Carsen Musser, Will Ingemann, and Aaron Trotter) they have a combined 2.00 GAA and .913 SV%. Musser carried the load with four wins to start the win streak (five now after last weekend). He has a 1.60 GAA and .929 SV% and was also named CCHA Goaltender of the Month in December. Ingemann earned his third career win against Ferris State and Aaron Trotter allowed two goals on 20 shots in a huge win over Minnesota State and then stole a game from Bemidji State with 30 saves on 32 shots.
GRAY JERSEY SUCCESS
The Tommies debuted their alternate gray uniforms on October 12th in a 5-2 loss against then #10 North Dakota. They have not been defeated since with a 4-0-0 record. Stats in their four games since the debut: 5.5 goals per game, 2.5 goals allowed per game, 31 PP%, 81 PK%, +1 in first period, +6 in second, +5 in third. Alex Gaffney and Lucas Wahlin lead with nine points and a +8 rating in gray. Both Will Ingemann and Carsen Musser are 2-0-0 with a 2.50 GAA.
ALL OF THEM CAN SCORE
The Tommies have gotten goals from 18 different players this season. Lucas Wahlin's 16 goals lead the way. Wahlin's .73 goals per game is sixth in the nation and Alex Gaffney's .54 is T-22nd. Gaffney and Van Vliet are each tied for the team lead with five power play goals (T-16th NCAA). Four players have tallied shorthanded goals, while Gaffney and Pilling lead the team (and the nation) with three. Van Vliet also leads with three game-winners. Wahlin, Pilling, and Hayes Hundley each have two game-winning tallies.
SPONGES
Nick Williams leads the Tommies with 45 blocks this season. That mark is 11th in the NCAA. He leads the Toms by 13 blocks over the next guy (Hayes Hundley). As a team, the Purple are T-12th in the nation with 323 blocks (13.5 per game).
POINTS PARITY
-The Tommies have had a different player lead them in points each of their first five seasons of DI play.
- Christiano Versich in 2021-22 (15 points)
- Mack Byers in 2022-23 (26 points)
- Lucas Wahlin in 2023-24 (30 points)
- Liam Malmquist in 2024-25 (45 points)
- Alex Gaffney through 24 games in 2025-26 (28 points)
460 FOR BLASI
-Head coach, Rico Blasi, won his 450th game on Tuesday, November 11 against St. Cloud State. The now 25-year head coach currently sits 22nd all-time and fourth among active head coaches. His 460 career wins put him three wins away from Murray Armstrong in 21st place, eight from Joe Marsh in 20th, and 12 from Don Vaughan in 19th. Blasi is the fourth winningest coach among active head coaches.
100 FOR WAHLIN
-Lucas Wahlin became the first Tommie to score 100 career points after his three-point burst against the Huskies on Tuesday, November 11. The Tommie captain did so in 109 games at a 0.92 points per game pace.
-25 different players either assisted on a Wahlin goal or scored a goal off a Wahlin assist over the course of the last four seasons.
-Liam Malmquist led each category with 12 assists on Wahlin goals and 15 goals off Wahlin assists.
-At the present day, he has recorded 115 points, 34 more than the next closest Tommie.
CURRENT TOMMIES AGAINST LAKE SUPERIOR STATE
-Lucas Wahlin – 6G-8A-14P
-Luc Laylin – 2G-9A-11P
-Ryan O'Neill – 2G-5A-7P
-Jake Braccini – 4G-2A-6P
-Chase Cheslock – 1G-5A-6P
-Nathan Pilling – 1G-4A-5P
-Mason Poolman – 0G-4A-4P
-Quinton Pepper – 1G-2A-3P
-Lucas Van Vliet – 2G-1A-3P
-Cole Miller – 0G-2A-2P
-Casy Laylin – 0G-2A-2P
-Jase Sofo – 1G-0A-1P
-Caige Sterzer – 1G-0A-1P
-Carsen Peters – 0G-1A-1P
-Aaron Trotter – 5-5-1, 300 saves, 26 GA, 2.40 GAA, .920 SV%, 1 assist
-Carsen Musser – 1-0-0, 27 saves, 60 mins, 1 GA, 1.00 GAA .964 SV%
WHY PLAY WITH FIVE?
-The Tommies led the country in shorthanded goals last season (9) and are right back at it this season with the single most shorties in the country (10), three more than any other team.
-They have four players in the top six in the nation and have two of the nation's leading shorthanded goal scorers (Alex Gaffnet and Nathan Pilling).
-Nathan Pilling, Alex Gaffney, Lucas Van Vliet, and Lucas Wahling are four of 17 players in the country with at least two shorthanded goals. Pilling was the fourth Tommie to score multiple SHG in a season, Gaffney was the fifth, Van Vliet was the sixth, and Wahlin did it for the second time against Bemidji State (Malmquist 4, 24-25; Byers 2, 23-24; Wahlin 2, 24-25).
-Gaffney and Pilling's three shorthanded goals this season are tied for the NCAA lead.
-St. Thomas scored a pair of SHG in one game against Providence for the first time in program history. Pilling's first goal at Lee & Penny Anderson Arena was a shorty.
GOING STREAKING
-Lucas Wahlin – 8 game point streak (13 points) – Toms are 8-0-0
-Lucas Van Vliet – 5 game point streak (9 points) – Toms are 5-0-0
-Ryan O'Neill – 3 game point streak
-Nathan Pilling – 3 game point streak
-Chase Cheslock – 2 game point streak
-Schoen – 2 game point streak
MILESTONE WATCH
-Career Points
- Lucas Wahlin is 7 away from 125
- Ryan O'Neill is 17 away from 100
- Luc Laylin is 7 away from tying Ethan Gauer's program record (142)
- Cole Miller is the next closest to 100, he is at 92 and would be the ninth in program history
2025-26 CCHA PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
-Lucas Van Vliet Rookie of the Week (1/20/26)
-Lucas Wahlin Forward of the Week (1/20/26)
-Hayes Hundley Rookie of the Week (1/4/26)
-Lucas Wahlin Forward of the Week (12/15/25)
-Nathan Pilling Rookie of the Week (12/8/25)
-Carsen Musser Goaltender of the Week (12/8/25)
-Lucas Van Vliet Rookie of the Week (12/1/25)
-Nick Williams Defenseman of the Week (12/1/25)
-Lucas Van Vliet Rookie of the Week (11/23/25)
-Alex Gaffney Forward of the Week (10/20/25)
-Chase Cheslock Defenseman of the Week (10/6/25)
2025-26 CCHA PLAYERS OF THE MONTH
-Carsen Musser Goaltender of the Month (1/5/26)
-Chase Cheslock Defenseman of the Month (1/5/26)
-Alex Gaffney Forward of the Month (11/3/25)
JANUARY RECAP
-5-0-0, +13 goal differential
-Swept Bemidji State for the first time in program history with a 5-1 win on Friday and 3-2 win on Saturday.
-Completed the season series with a 4-2 win over Minnesota State on the road. The Tommies are now 2-0 in Mankato since the Mason Cup Final loss.
-Swept Ferris State in a pair of high scoring affairs (5-3 and 8-4)
-Jake Braccini and Lucas Wahlin lead the Toms with four goals
-Lucas Van Vliet's nine points pace the Purple
-Aaron Trotter is 2-0-0 with a 2.00 GAA and .923 SV%
-Carsen Musser is 2-0-0 with a 2.00 GAA and .897 SV%
-Will Ingemann is 1-0-0 with a 4.00 GAA and .789 SV%
-The Toms are 7-20 (35%) on the power play and 25-27 (93%) on the penalty kill.
DECEMBER RECAP
-3-1-0, +4 goal differential
-Swept the Northern Michigan Wildcats on the road, 2-0 and 4-3.
-Split with the Lake State Lakers on home ice. Took game two 4-1 after dropping the opener, 5-3.
-Lucas Wahlin owned December with five goals while Nathan Pilling and Chase Cheslock led the way with six points a piece.
-Carsen Musser was 3-0-0 with a 1.34 GAA and .945 SV%
-Aaron Trotter was 0-1-0 with a 5.20 GAA and .839 SV%
-The Toms were 3-15 (20%) on the power play and 8-11 (73%) on the penalty kill.
NOVEMBER RECAP
-4-1-2, +7 goal differential
-Took five of six points from the Michigan Tech Huskies with a 3-3 shootout win and 2-1 regulation win.
-Came back from down 2-0 to force overtime in game one against Bowling Green and then dominated in game two, 6-2.
-Came back from down 1-0, 3-1, and 4-3 to tie the Vikings, 4-4. The Tommies ultimately fell in the shootout to earn one conference point in hostile territory.
-Finished off their season series with St. Cloud State on Tuesday to sweep the Huskies, 4-3 and 3-1.
-Took down the 18th ranked Mavericks, 4-3 in overtime on the road. Nathan Pilling notched his second game winner of the season.
-Alex Gaffney's six goals and 10 points led the way.
-Will Ingemann was 2-0-1 with a 2.57 GAA and .914 SV%.
-Aaron Trotter was 1-1-0 with a 2.00 GAA and .922 SV%
-Carsen Musser is 1-0-1 with a 2.44 GAA and .922 SV%
-The Toms were 3-25 (12%) on the power play and 18-24 (75%) on the penalty kill.
OCTOBER RECAP
-2-5-1, -7 goal differential
-Won the first game of the season over St. Cloud State on the road, Nathan Pilling scored the game winning goal.
-Dropped a pair to North Dakota, 6-2 and 5-2.
-Split the road series with Air Force, with an 11-2 win in game one and a 6-2 loss in game two.
-Tied on night one at Lee & Penny Anderson Arena and then won the shootout against #15 Providence before dropping game two 7-4.
-Lost to open CCHA play against Mankato, 3-1 at home.
-Alex Gaffney led the Tommies with 11 points (5G-6A) in October.
-Carsen Musser was 1-4-0 with a 5.25 GAA and .831 SV%.
-Aaron Trotter was 1-0-1 with a 2.24 GAA and .929 SV% .
-Will Ingemann was 0-1-0 with a 2.64 GAA and .875 SV%.
-The Toms are 6-31 (19.4%) on the power play and 20-27 (74%) on the penalty kill.
DI SCORING RECORD HOLDERS
-Lucas Wahlin (51), Cooper Gay (35, 2022-25), and Mack Byers (31, 2022-24) round out the top three in DI goals scored.
-Lucas Wahlin (118), Ryan O'Neill (83), and Liam Malmquist (72, 2023-25) make up the top three in career points.
NHL DEVELOPMENT CAMPS
-Bauer Berry (Edmonton Oilers)
-Chase Cheslock (New Jersey Devils)
-Carsen Musser (Utah Mammoth)
-Nathan Pilling (Ottawa Senators)
-Lucas Van Vliet (Vegas Golden Knights)
-Lucas Wahlin (Colorado Avalanche)
NHL DRAFT PICKS
-Bauer Berry was selected as the 218th overall pick in the seventh round of the 2024 NHL draft by the Edmonton Oilers.
-Chase Cheslock was selected as the 154th overall pick of the 2023 NHL draft by the New Jersey Devils and was the first drafted Tommie to commit to the program out of high school.
-Carsen Musser was selected as the 166th overall pick of the 2023 NHL draft by the Utah Mammoth.
-Lucas Van Vliet was selected as the 197th overall pick of the 2024 NHL draft by the Vegas Golden Knights.
IN GOOD COMPANY
-Lucas Wahlin entered the season third in career points in the NCAA among active players. His 92 (now 97) put him above all members of the CCHA and behind only Jeremy Wilmer of Quinnipiac (109) and T.J. Hughes of Michigan (122).
-Wahlin's 35 (now 38) career goals were ninth-most among active players.
-His 57 assists were fourth.
-Aaron Trotter's 78 career games in goal were fifth most in the country.
-Trotter's 26 career wins were tied for 10th.
PRESEASON PUB
-The Tommies were picked to finish in first place in the CCHA coaches' poll for the second consecutive season earlier in September.
-They were also selected second in the media poll for the second year in a row.
-Lucas Wahlin was once again named Preseason Player of the Year by the coaches after his 17-24—41 point season last year. The now senior was selected as team captain for the third-year running last week.
-Newcomer, Nathan Pilling, was named Preseason Rookie of the Year by the conference coaches. He skated in 218 total games across four seasons in the WHL for the Moose Jaw Warriors, Edmonton Oil Kings, and Seattle Thunderbirds… scored 70 career goals, added 56 career assists, and tallied 126 total points in the WHL… coming off a career-best season as assistant captain with the Thunderbirds with 37 goals, 30 assists, and 67 points in 67 games in 2024-25.
COACH BLASI
-Entering fifth season for St. Thomas
-During his 20-year tenure at Miami, 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 Alex Martinez, Jeff Zatkoff, Blake Coleman, and Riley Smith.
-His 460-405-87 record has him 22nd all-time and 4th among active head coaches.
NICE TO MEET YA
St. Thomas returned just 13 players from its breakthrough 2024-25 squad. The Tommies welcome in 15 newcomers into the fold, 10 freshman and five transfers.
-Freshmen
- Bauer Berry | 6-4 | Defenseman | Grand Forks, N.D. | Muskegon (USHL)
- Josh Giuliani | 6-1 | Forward | Plymouth, Minn. | Dubuque (USHL)
- Hayes Hundley | 6-3 | Defenseman | Upper Arlington, Ohio | Fargo (USHL)
- Will Ingemann | 5-11 | Goaltender | Plymouth, Minn. | Penticton (BCHL)
- Colton Jamieson | 6-0 | Defenseman | Hudson, Wis. | Madison (USHL)
- Attila Lippai | 5-9 | Forward | St. Paul, Minn. | Tri-City (USHL)
- Nathan Pilling | 6-4 | Forward | Calgary, Alta. | Seattle (WHL)
- Sam Ranallo | 5-10 | Forward | Rogers, Minn. | Cranbrook (BCHL)
- Luke Schelter | 6-2 | Forward | Centennial, Colo. | Fargo (USHL)
- Lucas Van Vliet | 6-2 | Forward | Livonia, Mich. | Dubuque (USHL)
- Alex Gaffney | 5-9 | Forward | West Orange, N.J. | Harvard (NCAA)
- Dylan Godbout | 5-11 | Forward | Woodbury, Minn. | Ohio State (NCAA)
- Carsen Musser | 6-4 | Goaltender | Fairmont, Minn. | Colorado (NCAA)
- Charlie Schoen | 5-10 | Forward | Andover, Minn. | Arizona State (NCAA)
- Nick Williams | 5-9 | Defenseman | Edina, Minn, | Michigan Tech (NCAA)
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/ Men's HockeyTommie Men's Hockey 2025 Intro Video
Wednesday, November 12
Press Conference: Rico Blasi January 27th 2025
Monday, January 27
St. Thomas Men's Hockey 2023-24 Intro Video
Friday, October 27
Rico Blasi Pre-Season Press Conference, September 26th, 2022
Friday, October 21
