Hockey Players To Sign Autographs & Take Pics

Big Rapids, Mich. - Ferris State University men's ice hockey players and coaches will be available to sign autographs and take photos as a "Community Celebration" to recognize the Bulldogs' most historic season of hockey will take place on Thursday evening (April 19) at FSU's Jim Wink Arena in Big Rapids.

The public is invited to attend the reception to help honor and celebrate the accomplishments of FSU's NCAA Division I National Runner-Up Team.  The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. (ET) and run until approximately 7 p.m. (ET).

Bulldog Hockey players will greet fans at the beginning of the event and, following a short program, will be on hand to sign autographs.  Team poster signs will be available for autographs or fans can bring their own items.  

Additionally, fans are encouraged to bring their own cameras for any photos with the student-athletes.  Both the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) Regular-Season Championship and NCAA Tournament National Runner-Up Trophies will be on display.

"We're pleased to be able to hold this celebration for all the young kids and Bulldog fans who were either on a bus driving back from Tampa or spending the Easter holiday with their families when the team returned from the Frozen Four," said FSU Athletics Director Perk Weisenburger.  "Our fans deserve this opportunity and Coach (Bob) Daniels and the boys are looking forward to this reception."

Along with the autograph and photo opportunities, both the concession stand and FSU pro shop will be open during the event.

"The Bulldog Hockey team has given this community a lot to celebrate this season," said Big Rapids Mayor Mark Warba.  "Their success reflects well on the university along with the community and this is an opportunity for everyone to say thank you to this team and staff for a job well done. There's a lot to celebrate and this will be a good time had by all."

The most historic season in Bulldog Hockey history came to an end on April 7 in the national championship game at the Frozen Four as the Bulldogs suffered a 4-1 loss to Boston College in the title contest at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.

The Bulldogs' most impressive season in school history came to a close with a 26-12-5 overall record and included a first-ever trip to the Frozen Four and a national runner-up finish under 2011-12 National Coach of the Year Bob Daniels.  

FSU's 26 wins in the 2011-12 campaign are the second-most in school history and the season highlights also included the school's second-ever CCHA Regular-Season Championship and a Midwest Regional crown.

The title game marked the first time in school history any Bulldog team had ever competed in a national championship game.  FSU won or tied 19 of its final 23 games of the season and had an impressive nation-leading 15-game unbeaten streak earlier this season along with a number one national ranking in both polls for two weeks in February.

Ferris State's runner-up finish and final second-place listing in the national polls are both tops all-time in FSU annals.