Puck Preview | 2022-23 Ferris State Hockey Season

Big Rapids, Mich. - The 2022-23 Season is just three weeks away, as Ferris State Hockey begins preparations for their 44th NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey campaign. The home opener is exactly one month away with Ferris State opening their home schedule against Michigan Tech (non-conference) and Western Michigan on October 7-8.

SEASON OUTLOOK (Click here to Hear from Head Coach Bob Daniels)

Bulldog Hockey returns to the ice, opening at the Goggin Ice Center on October 1-2, making their first visit since October of 2019 when the Bulldogs split with the Red Hawks. The Bulldogs were picked seventh in the preseason CCHA Coaches Poll, but they also return over 1900 minutes in goaltending from last season, as well as the CCHA Rookie of the Year and a strong core of returning defensemen and talented forwards to the 2022-23 squad. Five double-digit point scorers and 12 skaters that registered career highs in either points or goals also return this season. On defense, the Bulldogs have seven upper classmen and a pair of newcomers locking down an experienced blue line. Ferris State improved their win total by double digits over the previous season and for long stretches, led the nation in shorthanded goals. Ferris State had one of the nation's most productive freshman classes a year ago, tallying 46 points between them. 

SINGLE GAME TICKETS ON SALE MONDAY

2022-23 Single Game tickets will be available to the public beginning this coming Monday (Sept. 12).

THE SCHEDULE (CLICK HERE)

BULLDOGS TO COMPETE IN 57TH ANNUAL GLI IN GRAND RAPIDS

The Ferris State Bulldogs will join Michigan State, Western Michigan and Michigan Tech in Grand Rapids at Van Andel Arena for the 57th Annual Great Lakes Invitational, and the first ever in Grand Rapids. Tickets are already on sale.

Ticket pricing is based on a per-day basis and tickets will be distributed on a mobile device. On-glass tickets are $75, with lower bowl sections for $50 and $40, and student tickets at $20. Upper-level tickets are $30.

The Bulldogs will face Michigan State on the opening day of the GLI on Dec. 27 at 7 p.m. (ET) inside Van Andel Arena with the third-place and championship games in the event slated for Dec. 28. The host of the event is Michigan Tech with Western Michigan also slated to join the Bulldogs, Spartans and Huskies in the field.

THE HOME OPENER

Ferris State opens their home schedule October 7-8 with match ups against Michigan Tech and Western Michigan, both in non-league action. Both games are expected to draw large crowds with the home opener and fans are strongly encouraged to begin buying at the open of business Monday (Sept. 12) to ensure they lock down their seats for the open of the home schedule.

NEW DAWGS (Click Here to Learn More!)

Eight new Bulldogs, seven of them freshmen, join the fold for the 2022-23 season, with four forwards, three defenseman and a goalie now aboard. Canadian forwards Caiden Gault and Connor McGrath were two of Canadian Junior Hockey's top forwards. McGrath racked up 84 points in 56 games for the Humboldt Broncos of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) where he was named the top rookie and forward of the entire Canadian Junior Hockey League (CJHL) circuit. Gault scored 46 goals and was named to the Alberta Junior Hockey League (AJHL) All-League Team and was tops amongst 2002-born AJHL-ers in goals scored. Up front the Bulldogs rounded out their class with some size in 6-4 forward Tyler Schleppe, who scored 56 points in 50 games in the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL), and North American Hockey League (NAHL) standout Jacob Badal who had 62 points in 60 games for the Johnstown Tomahawks. On the blue line, the Bulldogs added the highly skilled Travis Shoudy from the United States Hockey League's (USHL) Cedar Rapids Rough Riders where he generated 33 points in 62 games, as well as the physical Andrew Noel out of the BCHL's Nanaimo program. In goal, Joey Henson joins the program after playing out East with the Philadelphia Jr. Flyers in the Eastern Hockey League (EHL) where he was one of the top performers.

HITTIN' THE PORTAL

Ferris State brought in one transfer to join the 2022-23 Bulldogs, with just his graduate year of eligibility remaining in defenseman Matt Slick. After 121 games and two letter-wearing years with the Holy Cross Crusaders in Atlantic Hockey, the Buffalo, New York native will wear #5 this coming season for the Dawgs. At 6-2 and 216, Slick adds size to an already big Bulldog blue line. He had 28 points on 9 goals with 19 assists for Holy Cross in his career.

THE BENCH BOSS

Head Coach Bob Daniels begins his 31st season behind the Bulldog Bench in 2022-23. After a double-digit win improvement from the previous season, Coach Daniels passed college hockey legends Joe Marsh (St. Lawrence) and Murray Armstrong (Denver) last season and is 17th all-time in NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey in wins as a head coach with 473, all with Ferris State. 

HOW TO FOLLOW THE DAWGS

All fans can watch all CCHA and GLIAC action now by subscribing to FloSports, who is the sole video streaming provider of Ferris State Athletics. Those wishing to subscribe may use this link. SUBSCRIBE TO FLO. On social media, fans can follow along on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok @FerrisHockey, and on Facebook at /ferrishockey.

DAWGS IN THE PROS

More than 30 former Bulldogs continue to excel in professional hockey as the calendar inches closer to the 2022-23 professional seasons. From the National Hockey League to the Bulgarian league, the Bulldogs are scattered across the world map in professional hockey. In the National Hockey League (NHL) Gerry Mayhew continues to thrive, signing his third NHL Contract as he joined the Florida Panthers this summer. He had career bests in goals and points in split time between Philadelphia and Anaheim this past season. Perhaps the biggest  move is Derek Lalonde, former Bulldog assistant, joining the Detroit Red Wings as head coach this past summer after winning two Stanley Cups in Tampa Bay under Jon Cooper. Speaking of Jon Cooper, he's brought aboard former Red Wing bench boss Jeff Blashill, who joins the Lightning as an assistant coach this coming season. Phil Osaer (Goaltending Department Head) remains with the Red Wings, while Brian garlock continues on with Tampa Bay as the Video Coordinator. Chris Kunitz at last check will continue with the Chicago Blackhawks in player development. In the AHL, CJ Motte has returned state-side as he's rejoined the Iowa Wild, where he spent early stretches of his professional career. Seth Appert is in his third year as the man behind the bench of the Rochester Americans (Buffalo affiliate).