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

2025–26 Ferris State Bulldogs
men's ice hockey season
ConferenceCCHA
Home iceEwigleben Arena
Record
Overall4–12–0
Conference3–7–0
Home2–5–0
Road2–7–0
Coaches and captains
Head coachBrett Riley
Assistant coachesZack Cisek
Justin DeMartino
Gehrig Sarosy
Ferris State Bulldogs men's ice hockey seasons
« 2024–25 2026–27 »

The 2025–26 Ferris State Bulldogs men's ice hockey season will be the 51st season of play for the program and the 40th in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA). The Bulldogs will represent Ferris State University in the 2025–26 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season, play their home games at Ewigleben Arena and br 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]

Departures

Player Position Nationality Cause
Cole Burtch Forward  Canada Transferred to Augustana
Matt Corbet Forward  United States Left Program
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 Left Program
Nick Nardecchia Forward  United States Graduation (retired)
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
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.[2]

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 Senior F 6' 4" (1.93 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 2001-11-11 Vancouver, British Columbia Langley Rivermen (BCHL)
9 Nic Belpedio 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 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 Andrew Noel Junior D 6' 1" (1.85 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 2001-01-02 Maynard, Massachusetts Nanaimo Clippers (BCHL)
21 Tanner Rowe Junior F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 179 lb (81 kg) 2002-08-26 Calumet, Michigan Michigan (Big Ten)
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 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
Bemidji State 4 3 0 1 2 0 1 9 11 8 10 5 4 1 33 29
Bowling Green 4 2 1 1 0 1 0 8 13 10 6 2 3 1 15 17
Augustana 4 2 2 0 0 1 0 7 7 6 8 5 3 0 21 14
Michigan Tech 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 6 9 3 8 5 3 0 28 24
#15 Minnesota State 2 1 1 0 0 1 0 4 6 5 8 4 2 2 21 18
St. Thomas 2 1 1 0 1 0 0 2 5 6 9 3 5 1 32 37
Ferris State 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 3 9 8 1 7 0 17 30
Lake Superior State 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 3 7 8 3 4 1 28 29
Northern Michigan 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 5 10 0 10 0 14 39
Championship: March 20, 2026
† indicates conference regular-season champion (MacNaughton Cup)
* indicates conference tournament champion (Mason Cup)
Rankings: USCHO.com Top 20 Poll; updated November 3, 2025

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. Michigan State* Van Andel ArenaGrand Rapids, Michigan (Great Lakes Semifinal) Midco Sports+       
December 29 TBD vs. Miami / Michigan Tech* Van Andel ArenaGrand Rapids, Michigan (Great Lakes) Midco Sports+       
January 2 8:07 pm at St. Thomas Lee & Penny Anderson ArenaSaint Paul, Minnesota Midco Sports+       
January 3 7:07 pm at St. Thomas Lee & Penny Anderson ArenaSaint Paul, Minnesota Midco Sports+       
January 9 7:07 pm Bowling Green Ewigleben ArenaBig Rapids, Michigan Midco Sports+       
January 10 6:07 pm Bowling Green Ewigleben ArenaBig Rapids, Michigan Midco Sports+       
January 16 8:07 pm at Augustana Midco ArenaSioux Falls, South Dakota Midco Sports+       
January 17 7:07 pm at Augustana Midco ArenaSioux Falls, South Dakota Midco Sports+       
January 30 7:07 pm Minnesota State Ewigleben ArenaBig Rapids, Michigan Midco Sports+       
January 31 6:07 pm Minnesota State Ewigleben ArenaBig Rapids, Michigan Midco Sports+       
February 6 8:07 pm at Bemidji State Sanford CenterBemidji, Minnesota Midco Sports+       
February 7 7:07 pm at Bemidji State Sanford CenterBemidji, Minnesota Midco Sports+       
February 13 7:07 pm Northern Michigan Ewigleben ArenaBig Rapids, Michigan Midco Sports+       
February 14 6:07 pm Northern Michigan Ewigleben ArenaBig Rapids, Michigan Midco Sports+       
February 26 7:07 pm at Lake Superior State Taffy Abel ArenaSault Ste. Marie, Michigan Midco Sports+       
February 27 6:07 pm at Lake Superior State Taffy Abel ArenaSault Ste. Marie, Michigan Midco Sports+       
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from USCHO.com Poll. All times are in Eastern Time.
Source:[3]

Scoring statistics

[4]

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
USA Hockey NR NR NR NR NR

[5]

References

  1. ^ "Ferris State tabs LIU's Riley as its next head coach". USCHO. March 28, 2025. Retrieved March 29, 2025.
  2. ^ "2024-25 Ferris State Hockey Roster". Ferris State Bulldogs. Retrieved August 30, 2025.
  3. ^ "2025-26 Ferris State Ice Hockey Schedule". Ferris State Bulldogs. Retrieved August 29, 2023.
  4. ^ "Ferris State Univ. 2025-2026 Skater Stats". Elite Prospects. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
  5. ^ "USCHO Division I Men's Poll". USCHO.com. Retrieved November 26, 2019.