The 2024–25 Lake Superior State Lakers men's ice hockey season was the 59th season of play for the program, the 52nd at the Division I level and the 45th in the CCHA. The Lakers represented Lake Superior State University, played their home games at the Taffy Abel Arena and were coached by Damon Whitten in his 11th season.
| 2024–25 Lake Superior State Lakers men's ice hockey season | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Conference | 8th CCHA |
| Home ice | Taffy Abel Arena |
| Rankings | |
| USCHO | NR |
| USA Hockey | NR |
| Record | |
| Overall | 12–20–2 |
| Conference | 10–15–1 |
| Home | 4–10–1 |
| Road | 8–9–1 |
| Neutral | 0–1–0 |
| Coaches and captains | |
| Head coach | Damon Whitten |
| Assistant coaches | Mike York D. J. Goldstein |
| Captain | Grant Hindman |
| Alternate captain(s) | Connor Milburn Dawson Tritt |
| Lake Superior State Lakers men's ice hockey seasons « 2023–24 2025–26 » | |
Season
editLake Superior State had a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde season. Over the first two months, the Lakers put of solid numbers with both the offense and defense working in tandem on most nights. They sat at the top of the conference standings, however, due to their poor marks in non-conference play, the club was still well outside the picture for the NCAA tournament. However, after getting swept by Minnesota State just before the winter break, albeit in two 1-goal decisions, the wins came few and far between.
After averaging nearly 3 goals per game over the first half of the year, the Lakers' scoring dipped to around 2.3 per game after the break. The modest decrease saw the team switch from one that was hovering around .500 to one of the worst in the CCHA. Lake Superior State went 4–11–1 in the back half of the schedule, losing five 1-goal games to sink down to 8th in the standings. While the Lakers were able to make the postseason, they were forced to travel to face Minnesota State for the quarterfinals. After being largely ineffective in the first match, the Lakers fought back and twice gained the lead in the rematch. Unfortunately, they were unable to either and were swept out of postseason play.
While the mounting losses were bad enough for the program, a worse situation was seen in terms of attendance. By season's end, the team reported and aggregate of just over 15,000 for their 15 home games. That averaged out to approximately 1,034 fans per game, which equated to about 30% capacity.[1] These numbers put LSSU 56th out of 64 teams in terms of total attendance but second from the bottom for percent capacity. The only team with worse average attendance for the year was American International who, in part because of their woeful attendance, were playing their final season of Division I hockey this year. To make matters worse, attendance appeared to decline as the season went along with many later games falling well below 1,000 attendees. The situation was so poor that on several occasions the team did not even report the crowd sizes for their home games.
With the financial requirements to operate college athletic increasing, largely due to the new NIL rules, these figures do not bode well for the program. If Lake Superior State wants to operate a competitive team, they will need to reverse their declining attendance before it reaches a cataclysmic level. Fortunately, just after the season the school announced that it had received a recurring annual commitment of $1.5 million from an anonymous benefactor.[2]
Departures
edit| Player | Position | Nationality | Cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Artyom Borshyov | Defenseman |  Belarus | Graduate transfer to Lindenwood |
| Jeremy Gervais | Defenseman |  Canada | Graduation (signed with Huntsville Havoc) |
| William Håkansson | Goaltender |  Sweden | Signed professional contract Tranås AIF |
| Cam Kungle | Defenseman |  United States | Transferred to Merrimack |
| Ethan Langenegger | Goaltender | Canada | Graduate transfer to Clarkson |
| Benito Posa | Forward | United States | Graduation (signed with Fort Wayne Komets) |
| Brett Roloson | Forward | Canada | Transferred to Niagara |
| Ross Roloson | Defenseman | Canada | Transferred to Niagara |
| Harrison Roy | Forward | United States | Graduate transfer to Merrimack |
| Jared Westcott | Forward | United States | Graduation (signed with Wheeling Nailers) |
| Tyler Williams | Forward | United States | Graduation (signed with Knoxville Ice Bears) |
Recruiting
edit| Player | Position | Nationality | Age | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Ahlrik | Forward | Sweden | 21 | Tidaholm, SWE |
| Rorke Applebee | Goaltender | Canada | 21 | Châteauguay, QC |
| Adam Barone | Defenseman | Canada | 21 | Sault Ste. Marie, ON |
| Mike Brown | Defenseman | United States | 23 | Belmont, MA; transfer from Merrimack |
| Tyler Bute | Goaltender | United States | 20 | Winfield, IL; transfer from club team |
| Wilson Dahlheimer | Goaltender | United States | 20 | Monticello, MN |
| Johnny Druskinis | Defenseman | United States | 22 | Plymouth, MI; transfer from Michigan |
| Hadley Hudak | Forward | Canada | 21 | Canton, MI |
| Blake Humphrey | Forward | United States | 22 | Syracuse, NY; transfer from Sacred Heart |
| Everett Pietila | Forward | United States | 21 | Howell, MI |
| Grant Riley | Goaltender | United States | 21 | Rochester, NY; transfer from Northeastern |
Roster
editAs of August 14, 2024.[3]
| No. | Nat. | Player | Class | Pos | Height | Weight | DoB | Hometown | Previous team | NHL rights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |
Rorke Applebee | Freshman | G | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | 2003-09-19 | Châteauguay, Quebec | West Kelowna Warriors (BCHL) | — |
| 2 |  |
Bryan Huggins | Junior | D | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 2002-03-26 | Grand Rapids, Michigan | Fargo Force (USHL) | — |
| 3 | |
Mike Brown | Junior (RS) | D | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 202 lb (92 kg) | 2001-04-03 | Belmont, Massachusetts | Merrimack (HEA) | — |
| 4 | |
Jacob Conrad | Freshman (RS) | D | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 2002-05-18 | Green Bay, Wisconsin | Fairbanks Ice Dogs (NAHL) | — |
| 5 | |
Evan Bushy | Sophomore | D | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | 2002-03-26 | Mankato, Minnesota | Trail Smoke Eaters (BCHL) | — |
| 6 | |
Adam Barone | Freshman | D | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 174 lb (79 kg) | 2004-05-06 | Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario | Trail Smoke Eaters (BCHL) | — |
| 7 | |
Branden Piku | Sophomore | F | 5' 8" (1.73 m) | 165 lb (75 kg) | 2002-08-25 | Harrison Township, Michigan | Maryland Black Bears (NAHL) | — |
| 8 | |
Jack Blanchett | Sophomore | F | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 2003-05-12 | Monroe, Michigan | Powell River Kings (BCHL) | — |
| 9 | |
Connor Milburn (A) | Junior | F | 6' 4" (1.93 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 2001-04-11 | Kamloops, British Columbia | Chilliwack Chiefs (BCHL) | — |
| 10 | |
Sasha Teleguine | Junior | F | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 2002-09-17 | North Attleborough, Massachusetts | Chilliwack Chiefs (BCHL) | — |
| 11 | |
Dawson Tritt (A) | Senior | F | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 2000-09-01 | Spokane, Washington | Lone Star Brahmas (NAHL) | — |
| 12 | |
Reagan Milburn | Sophomore | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 2003-02-13 | Kamloops, British Columbia | Vernon Vipers (BCHL) | — |
| 13 | |
Wilson Dahlheimer | Freshman | F | 5' 9" (1.75 m) | 172 lb (78 kg) | 2003-10-09 | Monticello, Minnesota | Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL) | — |
| 14 | |
Nate Schweitzer | Senior | D | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 186 lb (84 kg) | 2002-02-21 | Champlin, Minnesota | Colorado College (NCHC) | — |
| 15 | |
Johnny Druskinis | Sophomore | D | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 2002-04-10 | Plymouth, Michigan | Michigan (Big Ten) | — |
| 16 | |
Blake Humphrey | Junior | F | 5' 8" (1.73 m) | 162 lb (73 kg) | 2002-01-18 | Syracuse, New York | Sacred Heart (AHA) | — |
| 17 | |
Luke Levandowski | Sophomore | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 165 lb (75 kg) | 2002-09-26 | Rosemount, Minnesota | Wisconsin Windigo (NAHL) | — |
| 18 | |
Everett Pietila | Freshman | F | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 2003-09-27 | Howell, Michigan | Wisconsin Windigo (NAHL) | — |
| 19 | |
Joshua Wildauer | Graduate | F | 5' 8" (1.73 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | 1999-06-16 | Dearborn Heights, Michigan | Coquitlam Express (BCHL) | — |
| 20 | |
Grant Hindman (C) | Senior | D | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | 2002-05-16 | Oakland, Michigan | Youngstown Phantoms (USHL) | — |
| 21 | |
Jordan Venegoni | Senior | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 2000-08-16 | Livonia, Michigan | Amarillo Bulls (NAHL) | — |
| 22 |  |
Timo Bakos | Senior | F | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 194 lb (88 kg) | 2000-07-28 | Augsburg, Germany | Starbulls Rosenheim (Oberliga) | — |
| 24 | |
William Ahlrik | Freshman | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 2003-09-25 | Tidaholm, Sweden | Oklahoma Warriors (NAHL) | — |
| 26 | |
Cole Craft | Senior | F | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | 2001-06-29 | North Bay, Ontario | Lincoln Stars (USHL) | — |
| 27 | |
Carter Batchelder | Sophomore | F | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | 2003-02-25 | Savage, Minnesota | Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL) | — |
| 28 | |
John Herrington | Sophomore | D | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 2002-04-19 | Hudson's Hope, British Columbia | Prince George Spruce Kings (BCHL) | — |
| 29 | |
Hadley Hudak | Freshman | F | 6' 4" (1.93 m) | 201 lb (91 kg) | 2003-06-23 | Canton, Michigan | Springfield Jr. Blues (NAHL) | — |
| 30 | |
Easton Hesse | Junior (RS) | G | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | 2000-06-28 | Beaumont, Alberta | Bonnyville Pontiacs (AJHL) | — |
| 31 | |
Grant Riley | Sophomore (RS) | G | 6' 4" (1.93 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | 2002-08-28 | Rochester, New York | Northeastern (HEA) | — |
| 35 | |
Tyler Bute | Sophomore | G | 5' 10" (1.78 m) | 150 lb (68 kg) | 2004-07-02 | Winfield, Illinois | Lake Superior State (ACHA) | — |
Standings
edit| Conference record | Overall record | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | W | L | T | OTW | OTL | SW | PTS | PCT ^ | GF | GA | GP | W | L | T | GF | GA | ||
| #14 Minnesota State †* | 26 | 18 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 56 | .718 | 77 | 37 | 39 | 27 | 9 | 3 | 113 | 58 | |
| Augustana | 16 | 9 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 30 | .625 | 48 | 37 | 35 | 18 | 13 | 4 | 97 | 75 | |
| St. Thomas | 26 | 13 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 42 | .564 | 76 | 66 | 38 | 19 | 14 | 5 | 111 | 101 | |
| Bowling Green | 26 | 12 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 43 | .551 | 69 | 63 | 36 | 18 | 14 | 4 | 90 | 85 | |
| Michigan Tech | 26 | 12 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 40 | .513 | 75 | 69 | 36 | 16 | 17 | 3 | 95 | 96 | |
| Ferris State | 26 | 12 | 13 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 36 | .462 | 74 | 81 | 36 | 13 | 20 | 3 | 89 | 128 | |
| Bemidji State | 26 | 10 | 12 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 36 | .462 | 63 | 78 | 38 | 15 | 18 | 5 | 93 | 114 | |
| Lake Superior State | 26 | 10 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 35 | .449 | 71 | 76 | 36 | 12 | 22 | 2 | 93 | 115 | |
| Northern Michigan | 26 | 4 | 20 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 16 | .205 | 42 | 88 | 34 | 5 | 27 | 2 | 55 | 115 | |
| Championship: March 21, 2025 † indicates conference regular-season champion (MacNaughton Cup) * indicates conference tournament champion (Mason Cup) ^ Because Augustana played a transition schedule of 16 games against conference opponents, winning percentage was used to determine conference position. Rankings: USCHO.com Top 20 Poll | ||||||||||||||||||
Schedule and results
editScoring statistics
edit| Name | Position | Games | Goals | Assists | Points | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connor Millburn | F | 28 | 9 | 14 | 23 | 14 |
| Timo Bakos | F | 34 | 10 | 12 | 22 | 6 |
| Sasha Teleguine | F | 32 | 14 | 5 | 19 | 34 |
| John Herrington | C | 36 | 4 | 14 | 18 | 18 |
| Nate Schweitzer | D | 34 | 3 | 15 | 18 | 42 |
| Dawson Tritt | F | 33 | 7 | 10 | 17 | 33 |
| Branden Piku | F | 34 | 9 | 7 | 16 | 24 |
| Luke Levandowski | F | 34 | 5 | 9 | 14 | 4 |
| Evan Bushy | D | 33 | 0 | 14 | 14 | 8 |
| Reagan Milburn | F | 24 | 7 | 5 | 12 | 18 |
| William Ahlrik | C | 35 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 24 |
| John Druskinis | D | 36 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 30 |
| Jacob Conrad | D | 28 | 6 | 4 | 10 | 4 |
| Jordan Venegoni | F | 28 | 0 | 9 | 9 | 6 |
| Blake Humphrey | C | 30 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 2 |
| Carter Batchelder | C | 26 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 10 |
| Grant Hindman | D | 36 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 30 |
| Bryan Huggins | D | 32 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 12 |
| Everett Pietila | F | 25 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 10 |
| Wilson Dahlheimer | F | 20 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Mike Brown | D | 30 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 47 |
| Easton Hesse | G | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Adam Barone | D | 17 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| Tyler Bute | G | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Grant Riley | G | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jack Blanchett | D | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Joshua Wildauer | C | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Hadley Hudak | F | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Rorke Applebee | G | 31 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Total | 93 | 160 | 253 | 410 |
Goaltending statistics
editRankings
edit| 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 | 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 or 26.[6]
Note: USA Hockey did not release a poll in week 12.
Awards and honors
edit| Player | Award | Ref |
|---|---|---|
| Rorke Applebee | CCHA All-Rookie Team | [7] |
References
edit- ↑ "Men's Division I Hockey Attendance: 2024-2025". USCHO. Retrieved March 26, 2025.
- ↑ "Lake Superior State announces recurring $1.5 million commitment for Lakers hockey from anonymous benefactor". USCHO. March 28, 2025. Retrieved March 28, 2025.
- ↑ "2024-25 Lake Superior State Hockey Roster". Lake Superior State Lakers. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
- ↑ "2024-25 Lake Superior State Hockey Schedule". Lake Superior State Lakers. Retrieved August 21, 2023.
- ↑ "Lake Superior State Univ. 2024-2025 Skater Stats". Elite Prospects. Retrieved July 8, 2020.
- ↑ "USCHO Division I Men's Poll". USCHO.com. Retrieved November 26, 2019.
- ↑ "All-CCHA First Team Announced". CCHA.com. March 11, 2025. Retrieved March 11, 2025.