Michigan State Spartans men's ice hockey
Encyclopedia
The Michigan State Spartans men's ice hockey team is the college ice hockey team that represents Michigan State University
(MSU). The team plays at the Munn Ice Arena
in East Lansing, Michigan
, on the MSU campus. The current head coach
is Tom Anastos
, who took over coaching duties on March 23, 2011, after Rick Comley
announced his retirement. Since the Big Ten Conference
does not yet sponsor Division I ice hockey, Michigan State currently competes in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association
(CCHA). Along with the University of Michigan
and Ohio State University
, it is one of three Big Ten schools in the CCHA.
The MSU ice hockey program has seven CCHA regular season championships and 11 CCHA Tournament
titles. MSU has also won 12 Great Lakes Invitational
titles. The Spartans have been in the NCAA tournament 23 times, with nine Frozen Four appearances and three national titles (1966, 1986
, and 2007
). On April 7, 2007, the Michigan State Spartans won their third Collegiate Championship by beating Boston College 3-1. Their traditional rival
is Michigan
and the teams have played an annual game at the Joe Louis Arena
since 1990.
.
Michigan State finished 0-3 in the 1922 season and picked up its first win during the second season on February 11, 1923, 6-1 over the Lansing Independents. The team did not play the 1923-24 season but returned for the 1924-25 season. The 1924-25 season marked the first time the program had a head coach, John H. Kobs, who also coached the Michigan State Spartans baseball team. Kobs' tenure at Michigan State lasted six season before the team was suspended for 19 seasons. During which time the team compiled a record of 8-18-1.
Harold Paulsen
was hired as the varsity ice hockey coach at Michigan State on August 1, 1948 following the suspension of the hockey programs during the years of the Great Depression
and World War II
. Before recruiting or coaching, Paulsen oversaw the renovation of Demonstration Hall
into an indoor rink with artificial ice-making capabilities. On January 12, 1950, MSU played its first game since 1930, losing to Michigan Tech
6-2. Paulsen struggled through his first two years at Michigan State with a 6-25 record. MSU athletic director Ralph Young felt the hockey program's progress was inadequate and Paulsen resigned. Following the 1951 season, Amo Bessone
accepted the head coaching position at Michigan State University. Bessone would remain at MSU for the next 28 years.
, Denver
, Michigan, Michigan Tech, Minnesota
, and North Dakota as founding members of the Midwest Collegiate Hockey League
(MCHL).
Amo Bessone won his first collegiate hockey game as head coach on November 29, 1951, when the Spartans defeated Ontario Agricultural College
8-2. The Spartans struggled with six losing seasons before Bessone turned things around in his seventh season as coach. In 1957-58, Michigan State enjoyed its first winning season. The following season, Bessone guided MSU to a Big Ten championship and a berth in the NCAA tournament. The tournament was MSU's first NCAA tournament appearance. The Spartans defeated Boston College 4-3 in the semifinals and advanced to the schools's first championship appearance. The Spartans lost the 1959 national championship game in overtime 3-4 to North Dakota. MSU finishes the season 17-6-1. Michigan State became a charter member of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) in 1959. The WCHA was a reincarnation of the loosely affiliated Midwest Collegiate Hockey League and Western Intercollegiate Hockey League that disbanded following the 1957-58 season. Bessone and MSU struggled during the first five seasons of the WCHA. Again, Bessone turned things around with a winning season in 1964-65. The following season, Bessone coached Michigan State to an improbable NCAA National Championship.
MSU began the 1965-66 season 4-10, but rebounded winning 12 of their last 15 games including defeating the defending national champion, Michigan Tech, to win the WCHA playoffs after finishing sixth in the regular season. The win earned MSU a spot in the 1966 NCAA tournament. In the national semifinals, Bessone upset highly-favored Boston University 2-1 with a goal by Spartan forward, Doug Volmar
. In the national championship game, Bessone and the Spartans faced Len Ceglarski
's Clarkson
team that owned the national-best record of 24-2. On March 19, 1966, Michigan State beat top-ranked Clarkson 6-1 victory to give Michigan State is first national championship. Len Ceglarski and Amo Bessone shared the Spencer Penrose Award
as the national coach of the year in 1966. The national title and coaching award cemented Bessone's legacy as a coach. To this day, Bessone's 1966 Michigan State team remains one of the biggest underdog stories in NCAA ice hockey history. The total number of team victories (16) and team winning percentage (.551) is the lowest of any NCAA ice hockey champion. MSU made the NCAA tournament again with a strong WCHA playoff finish in 1967, but lost 2-4 in the national semifinals, a rematch of the 1966 NCAA Tournament against Boston University.
Bessone began the 1970s with six straight winning seasons. During Bessone's time coaching the Spartans the team won MSU won its first Great Lakes Invitational
by defeating Michigan Tech 5-4 on December 28, 1973.
As MSU hockey was building momentum, Munn Ice Arena
opened October 25, 1974, when Michigan State hosted Laurentian
. That same season saw the first sellout crowd in Munn's history when the Spartans defeated North Dakota 6-2. A season later, in 1975-76, Bessone guided MSU to its best WCHA conference record of 20-12-0 before Minnesota knocked MSU out of the WCHA playoffs in 6-7 triple overtime loss. Minnesota, who had finished below Michigan State in the conference, received an NCAA tournament bid instead. Bessone announced his retirement effective at the end of the 1978-79 season after three straight losing seasons. Bessone coached his final game as head coach on March 3, 1979, when the Spartans defeated rival Michigan 5-3.
After Amo Bessone retired from Michigan State University, the MSU Athletic Director, Joseph Kearney, hired Ron Mason
as the Spartans new head coach. Mason was named Spartan head coach on April 1, 1979, and spend the next 23 seasons at Michigan State. It was a rough start in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association for Mason as he compiled a record of 26-46-2 over two seasons. Michigan State joined the Central Collegiate Hockey Association
(CCHA) in 1981 and over the next few seasons Mason turned the hockey program around. The Spartans won CCHA playoff championships the first four straight seasons of the conference in 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985. MSU would win a second national title in 1986 when the Spartans defeated Harvard
6-5.
In 2000 CCHA coaches and athletic directors unanimous voted to renamed the CCHA championship trophy to the Mason Cup
in honor of Ron Mason, who was a key figure in establishing the conference in the early 1970s prior to his tenure at Michigan State. During the 2000-01 season Michigan State finished first in the regular season and advanced through the CCHA Tournament winning the first ever Mason Cup. That same season the Spartans made a Frozen Four appearance by beating Wisconsin
5-1 before losing to North Dakota in the Semifinal game. On October 6, 2001, the Spartans hosted an outdoor game at Spartan Stadium
against rival Michigan known as The Cold War
. The school would set an attendance record for an outdoor hockey game as 74,554 fans attended. The game ended in a 3–3 tie.
Mason lead Michigan State to seven CCHA regular season titles and a conference-record 10 CCHA tournament titles. In addition, MSU under Mason made 19 NCAA tournament appearances during his 23 seasons with the Spartans. He coached MSU to five NCAA Frozen Fours, two National Championship appearances, and one National Championship. Mason coached two Hobey Baker Memorial Award winners, Kip Miller
in 1990 and Ryan Miller
in 2001.
Rick Comley was announced as Ron Mason's successor as head ice hockey coach at Michigan State University in March 2002. Comley lead the Spartans to a tournament appearance in 2004, his second season as MSU's head coach. After losing to Northern Michigan
in the 2004 CCHA Tournament the Spartans received an at-large bid to the 2004 NCAA Tournament. Third ranked MSU fell to second seed Minnesota-Duluth in the opening round 0-5.
Comley's Spartans returned to the NCAA Tournament in 2006 after missing the NCAA Tournament in 2005. Comley guided MSU to a second-place CCHA finish in the regular season and a CCHA Mason Cup Championship
in 2006
. Michigan State advanced into the 2006 Tournament with an automatic bid. The Spartans defeated New Hampshire
1-0 before losing to Maine 4-5 in the East Regional Final.
In the 2006-07 season, Michigan State was preseason ranked No. 5, which was MSU's highest preseason ranking since October 2001. The team earned an NCAA Tournament bid after finishing the regular season with a conference record of . Comley led MSU to defeat three higher-ranked teams en route to the national championship including No. 1-ranked Notre Dame
in the Midwest Regional final. In the Frozen Four the team defeated defeated No. 4-ranked Boston College in the National Championship game on April 7, 2007, by a score of 3–1 in a game that saw Michigan State score three unanswered goals in the third period.
In December 2010 the Michigan State Spartans and Michigan Wolverines played a second outdoor game at Michigan Stadium
. The game, known as The Big Chill at the Big House, took place on December 11, 2010. 104,173 fans filled Michigan Stadium and watched as Michigan beat Michigan State 5-0. The attendance broke the 75,000 of the Cold War and 78,000 of the 2010 IIHF World Championship
and set a new attendance record for a hockey game. Later that same season on January 25, 2011, Rick Comley announced that he would retire at the conclusion of the 2010-11 season.
club programs to varsity status. Then-CCHA commissioner Tom Anastos publicly stated that the CCHA would strongly consider adding Penn State
as the conference's 12th member. On March 21, 2011, the Big Ten Conference announced plans to sponsor men's ice hockey starting in 2013–14 season. Michigan State along with CCHA rivals, University of Michigan and Ohio State University will leave the CCHA to join University of Minnesota and the University of Wisconsin from the WCHA and Penn State to form a six-team Big Ten Hockey Conference. Less than a week after the Big Ten's announcement Michigan State announced that former CCHA Commissioner, Tom Anastos would become the 6th head coach in the history of the program. Anastos is a former Spartan hockey player who played for MSU from 1981-85. He is also the former coach at Michigan-Dearborn (NAIA
) from 1987–90, and compiled a 68-37-7 record. He later served as an assistant coach under Ron Mason from 1990-92.
Note: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime Losses
Records as of March 23, 2011.
Spartan center Kip Miller
was the recipient of the 10th Hobey Baker Memorial Award in 1990 after leading the nation in scoring for the second consecutive season with 101 points on 48 goals and 53 assists. A two-time first-team All-Central Collegiate Hockey Association honoree, Miller was recognized as the league's Player of the Year after leading the conference in scoring for the second straight season with 36 goals and 38 assists for 74 points. In MSU's career record books, the two-time first-team All-America selection finished third in goals (116), assists (145) and points (261). He closed out his career among the NCAA's top 25 all-time point producers. Over the course of his four seasons, the Spartans won three CCHA regular season and playoff titles and amassed an impressive 132-45-9 record. The 1989-90 Hockey News/Bauer College Hockey Player of the Year also led the Spartans to their ninth consecutive NCAA tournament appearance as a senior.
In 2001, Michigan State goaltender Ryan Miller backstopped the Spartans into the Frozen Four as the number-one team in the nation. Miller shattered the NCAA record for career shutouts in just his second year of college hockey, with 18 overall. The sophomore's selection made him just the second goaltender ever to win the Hobey Baker. Minnesota netminder Robb Stauber was the first, in 1988. To win the award, Miller edged forwards Brian Gionta of Boston College and Jeff Panzer of North Dakota, who tied for second place in the balloting. The native of East Lansing, Michigan, posted 31 wins with a .950 save percentage and a 1.32 goals against average, leading the nation in all three categories. His 31-5-4 record in 2000-2001 included 10 shutouts to also lead the nation in that statistic. Miller, the CCHA Defensive Player of the Week five times during the season, was previously named a First-Team All-American and CCHA Player of the Year, as well as being a member of the all-conference first team. He holds four league and seven school netminding records. Ryan was a general business management major with a 3.07 grade point average. Off-ice activities for the All-Academic goalie included volunteering with the D.A.R.E. drug-resistance program, reading to elementary-school children and giving tours of the dressing room — sometimes during games. Ryan Miller currently plays for the NHL's Buffalo Sabres
and Kip Miller plays for the Grand Rapids Griffins
of the AHL
.
Note: Italics indicate a player is still an active Spartan.
Team (since 1950)
Team
Michigan State University
Michigan State University is a public research university in East Lansing, Michigan, USA. Founded in 1855, it was the pioneer land-grant institution and served as a model for future land-grant colleges in the United States under the 1862 Morrill Act.MSU pioneered the studies of packaging,...
(MSU). The team plays at the Munn Ice Arena
Munn Ice Arena
Munn Ice Arena is a 6,470-seat hockey-only arena in East Lansing, Michigan on the campus of Michigan State University. It is home to the MSU's ice hockey team...
in East Lansing, Michigan
East Lansing, Michigan
East Lansing is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The city is located directly east of Lansing, Michigan, the state's capital. Most of the city is within Ingham County, though a small portion lies in Clinton County. The population was 48,579 at the time of the 2010 census, an increase from...
, on the MSU campus. The current head coach
Coach (ice hockey)
Coach in ice hockey is the person responsible for directing the team during games and practices, prepares strategy and decides which players will participate in games....
is Tom Anastos
Tom Anastos
Tom Anastos is the head coach of the Michigan State Spartans men's ice hockey team. He was appointed to the post on March 23, 2011, succeeding coach Rick Comley who had announced his resignation earlier that year. Anastos is the 6th head coach in the history of Michigan State's ...
, who took over coaching duties on March 23, 2011, after Rick Comley
Rick Comley
Rick Comley is a former collegiate ice hockey player and former head coach at Michigan State University. Following the 2005-06 season, Comley has an overall coaching record of 768-596-106...
announced his retirement. Since the Big Ten Conference
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
does not yet sponsor Division I ice hockey, Michigan State currently competes in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association
Central Collegiate Hockey Association
The Central Collegiate Hockey Association is a NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey college athletic conference that operates mostly in Michigan and Ohio, although it also has members in Alaska and Indiana. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as a hockey-only conference. It holds its championship...
(CCHA). Along with the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
and Ohio State University
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
, it is one of three Big Ten schools in the CCHA.
The MSU ice hockey program has seven CCHA regular season championships and 11 CCHA Tournament
CCHA Tournament
The CCHA Tournament is the conference tournament for the Central Collegiate Hockey Association . The winner of the tournament receives an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament. The winner of the tournament also receives the Mason Cup, which began in 2001...
titles. MSU has also won 12 Great Lakes Invitational
Great Lakes Invitational
The Great Lakes Invitational is a four-team NCAA men's ice hockey tournament held annually at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit between Christmas and New Year as part of College Hockey at The Joe....
titles. The Spartans have been in the NCAA tournament 23 times, with nine Frozen Four appearances and three national titles (1966, 1986
1986 NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey Tournament
The 1986 NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey Tournament involved 8 schools playing in a 2-game series followed by single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college ice hockey. It began on March 21, 1986, and ended with the championship game on March 29. A...
, and 2007
2007 NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey Tournament
-Northeast Regional – Manchester, New Hampshire:-West Regional – Denver, Colorado:-Midwest Regional – Grand Rapids, Michigan:-Frozen Four – St...
). On April 7, 2007, the Michigan State Spartans won their third Collegiate Championship by beating Boston College 3-1. Their traditional rival
Michigan–Michigan State ice hockey rivalry
Michigan–Michigan State ice hockey rivalry is a college ice hockey rivalry between Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey and Michigan State Spartans men's ice hockey that is part of the larger intrastate rivalry between the University of Michigan and Michigan State University that exists across a...
is Michigan
Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey
The Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey team is the college ice hockey team that represents the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Earning varsity status in 1922, the program is competing in its 90th season...
and the teams have played an annual game at the Joe Louis Arena
Joe Louis Arena
Joe Louis Arena, nicknamed The Joe and JLA is a hockey arena located at 600 Civic Center Drive in Detroit, Michigan. It is the home of the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League. Completed in 1979 at a cost of $57 million, Joe Louis Arena is named after boxer and former heavyweight...
since 1990.
Early history
The Spartan Ice Hockey program traces its roots back to the first informal varsity team that began in 1922 playing an independent NCAA Division I schedule. On January 11, 1922, Michigan State played its first intercollegiate hockey game, a 1-5 loss to MichiganMichigan Wolverines men's ice hockey
The Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey team is the college ice hockey team that represents the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Earning varsity status in 1922, the program is competing in its 90th season...
.
Michigan State finished 0-3 in the 1922 season and picked up its first win during the second season on February 11, 1923, 6-1 over the Lansing Independents. The team did not play the 1923-24 season but returned for the 1924-25 season. The 1924-25 season marked the first time the program had a head coach, John H. Kobs, who also coached the Michigan State Spartans baseball team. Kobs' tenure at Michigan State lasted six season before the team was suspended for 19 seasons. During which time the team compiled a record of 8-18-1.
Harold Paulsen
Harold Paulsen
Harold W. "Babe" Paulsen was a former collegiate ice hockey player and head coach....
was hired as the varsity ice hockey coach at Michigan State on August 1, 1948 following the suspension of the hockey programs during the years of the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
and World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Before recruiting or coaching, Paulsen oversaw the renovation of Demonstration Hall
Demonstration Hall
Demonstration Hall is a structure on the campus of Michigan State University. It was built in 1928 with offices, classrooms, and a riding arena for the Military Science department as a replacement for the Armory . Exhibitions of agricultural stock and implements were often held here, as well as...
into an indoor rink with artificial ice-making capabilities. On January 12, 1950, MSU played its first game since 1930, losing to Michigan Tech
Michigan Tech Huskies men's ice hockey
The Michigan Tech Huskies men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college ice hockey program that represents Michigan Technological University. The Huskies are a member of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association...
6-2. Paulsen struggled through his first two years at Michigan State with a 6-25 record. MSU athletic director Ralph Young felt the hockey program's progress was inadequate and Paulsen resigned. Following the 1951 season, Amo Bessone
Amo Bessone
Amo Bessone was a collegiate ice hockey player and head coach.Bessone was born in Sagamore, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod, and raised in Springfield, Massachusetts, where he learned to play hockey....
accepted the head coaching position at Michigan State University. Bessone would remain at MSU for the next 28 years.
Amo Bessone era
When Bessone arrived at Michigan State, the ice hockey program was beginning its third full season after being reinstated. That same season, in 1951-52, the Spartans joined Colorado CollegeColorado College Tigers men's ice hockey
The Colorado College Tigers men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college ice hockey program that represents Colorado College. The Tigers are a member of Western Collegiate Hockey Association...
, Denver
Denver Pioneers men's ice hockey
The University of Denver Men's Hockey Program has been playing NCAA Division I hockey since 1949. Pioneer Hockey is one of the most successful hockey programs in the history of collegiate hockey. The Pioneers rank second in all-time NCAA Men's Ice Hockey Championships with 7. Only the University...
, Michigan, Michigan Tech, Minnesota
Minnesota Golden Gophers men's ice hockey
The Minnesota Golden Gophers men's ice hockey team is the college ice hockey team at the Twin Cities campus of the University of Minnesota. They are members of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association and compete in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I ice hockey...
, and North Dakota as founding members of the Midwest Collegiate Hockey League
Western Collegiate Hockey Association
The Western Collegiate Hockey Association is a college athletic conference which operates over a wide area of the Midwestern and Western United States. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as an ice hockey-only conference....
(MCHL).
Amo Bessone won his first collegiate hockey game as head coach on November 29, 1951, when the Spartans defeated Ontario Agricultural College
Ontario Agricultural College
The Ontario Agricultural College originated at the agricultural laboratories of the Toronto Normal School, and was officially founded in 1874 as an associate agricultural college of the University of Toronto...
8-2. The Spartans struggled with six losing seasons before Bessone turned things around in his seventh season as coach. In 1957-58, Michigan State enjoyed its first winning season. The following season, Bessone guided MSU to a Big Ten championship and a berth in the NCAA tournament. The tournament was MSU's first NCAA tournament appearance. The Spartans defeated Boston College 4-3 in the semifinals and advanced to the schools's first championship appearance. The Spartans lost the 1959 national championship game in overtime 3-4 to North Dakota. MSU finishes the season 17-6-1. Michigan State became a charter member of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) in 1959. The WCHA was a reincarnation of the loosely affiliated Midwest Collegiate Hockey League and Western Intercollegiate Hockey League that disbanded following the 1957-58 season. Bessone and MSU struggled during the first five seasons of the WCHA. Again, Bessone turned things around with a winning season in 1964-65. The following season, Bessone coached Michigan State to an improbable NCAA National Championship.
MSU began the 1965-66 season 4-10, but rebounded winning 12 of their last 15 games including defeating the defending national champion, Michigan Tech, to win the WCHA playoffs after finishing sixth in the regular season. The win earned MSU a spot in the 1966 NCAA tournament. In the national semifinals, Bessone upset highly-favored Boston University 2-1 with a goal by Spartan forward, Doug Volmar
Doug Volmar
Doug Steven Volmar is a retired American ice hockey forward who appeared in a total of 62 National Hockey League regular season games with the Detroit Red Wings and Los Angeles Kings in 1970–73...
. In the national championship game, Bessone and the Spartans faced Len Ceglarski
Len Ceglarski
Leonard Stanley Ceglarski is a native of East Walpole, Massachusetts. He was an All-American left wing on Boston College's 1949 NCAA championship team, and was captain of the 1950–51 squad. He was also a member of the U.S. Olympic hockey team that won the silver medal at the 1952 Winter Olympic...
's Clarkson
Clarkson Golden Knights men's ice hockey
The Clarkson Golden Knights Men's Ice Hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college ice hockey program that represents Clarkson University. The Golden Knights are a member of ECAC Hockey...
team that owned the national-best record of 24-2. On March 19, 1966, Michigan State beat top-ranked Clarkson 6-1 victory to give Michigan State is first national championship. Len Ceglarski and Amo Bessone shared the Spencer Penrose Award
Spencer Penrose Award
The Spencer Penrose Award is awarded yearly to the top coach in NCAA Division I men's ice hockey by the American Hockey Coaches Association.The finalists for each year's award comprise the conference Coach of the Year winners from each Division I men's ice hockey conference, plus the coaches of the...
as the national coach of the year in 1966. The national title and coaching award cemented Bessone's legacy as a coach. To this day, Bessone's 1966 Michigan State team remains one of the biggest underdog stories in NCAA ice hockey history. The total number of team victories (16) and team winning percentage (.551) is the lowest of any NCAA ice hockey champion. MSU made the NCAA tournament again with a strong WCHA playoff finish in 1967, but lost 2-4 in the national semifinals, a rematch of the 1966 NCAA Tournament against Boston University.
Bessone began the 1970s with six straight winning seasons. During Bessone's time coaching the Spartans the team won MSU won its first Great Lakes Invitational
Great Lakes Invitational
The Great Lakes Invitational is a four-team NCAA men's ice hockey tournament held annually at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit between Christmas and New Year as part of College Hockey at The Joe....
by defeating Michigan Tech 5-4 on December 28, 1973.
As MSU hockey was building momentum, Munn Ice Arena
Munn Ice Arena
Munn Ice Arena is a 6,470-seat hockey-only arena in East Lansing, Michigan on the campus of Michigan State University. It is home to the MSU's ice hockey team...
opened October 25, 1974, when Michigan State hosted Laurentian
Laurentian University
Laurentian University , was incorporated on March 28, 1960, is a mid-sized bilingual university in Greater Sudbury, Ontario, Canada....
. That same season saw the first sellout crowd in Munn's history when the Spartans defeated North Dakota 6-2. A season later, in 1975-76, Bessone guided MSU to its best WCHA conference record of 20-12-0 before Minnesota knocked MSU out of the WCHA playoffs in 6-7 triple overtime loss. Minnesota, who had finished below Michigan State in the conference, received an NCAA tournament bid instead. Bessone announced his retirement effective at the end of the 1978-79 season after three straight losing seasons. Bessone coached his final game as head coach on March 3, 1979, when the Spartans defeated rival Michigan 5-3.
Ron Mason era
Ron Mason
Ron Mason is a Canadian former ice hockey player, head coach and university executive. As head coach of various universities, notably including Michigan State University , he became the winningest ice hockey coach in NCAA history with 924 career wins...
as the Spartans new head coach. Mason was named Spartan head coach on April 1, 1979, and spend the next 23 seasons at Michigan State. It was a rough start in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association for Mason as he compiled a record of 26-46-2 over two seasons. Michigan State joined the Central Collegiate Hockey Association
Central Collegiate Hockey Association
The Central Collegiate Hockey Association is a NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey college athletic conference that operates mostly in Michigan and Ohio, although it also has members in Alaska and Indiana. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as a hockey-only conference. It holds its championship...
(CCHA) in 1981 and over the next few seasons Mason turned the hockey program around. The Spartans won CCHA playoff championships the first four straight seasons of the conference in 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985. MSU would win a second national title in 1986 when the Spartans defeated Harvard
Harvard Crimson men's ice hockey
The Harvard Crimson men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college ice hockey program that represents Harvard University. The Crimson are a member of ECAC Hockey. They play at the Bright Hockey Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts...
6-5.
In 2000 CCHA coaches and athletic directors unanimous voted to renamed the CCHA championship trophy to the Mason Cup
Mason Cup
The Mason Cup is awarded annually to the champion of the CCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament.On October 3, 2000, a unanimous vote among CCHA head coaches and athletic directors renamed the CCHA championship trophy the Mason Cup in honor of Ron Mason...
in honor of Ron Mason, who was a key figure in establishing the conference in the early 1970s prior to his tenure at Michigan State. During the 2000-01 season Michigan State finished first in the regular season and advanced through the CCHA Tournament winning the first ever Mason Cup. That same season the Spartans made a Frozen Four appearance by beating Wisconsin
Wisconsin Badgers men's ice hockey
The Wisconsin Badgers men's ice hockey team is the college ice hockey team that represents the University of Wisconsin–Madison in Madison, Wisconsin. The team plays at the Kohl Center and is coached by former Badger and NHL player Mike Eaves...
5-1 before losing to North Dakota in the Semifinal game. On October 6, 2001, the Spartans hosted an outdoor game at Spartan Stadium
Spartan Stadium
Spartan Stadium may refer to:* Spartan Stadium , stadium on the campus of Michigan State University* Spartan Stadium , stadium on the campus of San José State University* Spartan Municipal Stadium, stadium in Portsmouth, Ohio...
against rival Michigan known as The Cold War
Cold War (ice hockey)
The Cold War was a college ice hockey game played between U.S. college rivals Michigan State University and the University of Michigan on Saturday, October 6, 2001...
. The school would set an attendance record for an outdoor hockey game as 74,554 fans attended. The game ended in a 3–3 tie.
Mason lead Michigan State to seven CCHA regular season titles and a conference-record 10 CCHA tournament titles. In addition, MSU under Mason made 19 NCAA tournament appearances during his 23 seasons with the Spartans. He coached MSU to five NCAA Frozen Fours, two National Championship appearances, and one National Championship. Mason coached two Hobey Baker Memorial Award winners, Kip Miller
Kip Miller
Kip Charles Miller is a retired American ice hockey forward. He last played for the American Hockey League Grand Rapids Griffins in 2006–07. He was drafted by the Quebec Nordiques as their 4th-round pick in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft, 72nd overall.Miller played college hockey for the Michigan State...
in 1990 and Ryan Miller
Ryan Miller
Ryan Miller is a professional ice hockey goaltender for the Buffalo Sabres.Other people named Ryan Miller:*Ryan Miller , video game designer and author*Ryan Miller , lead singer and guitar player for the band Guster...
in 2001.
Rick Comley
Northern Michigan Wildcats men's ice hockey
The Northern Michigan Wildcats men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college ice hockey program that represents Northern Michigan University. The Wildcats are a member of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association . NMU has won one national title and has...
in the 2004 CCHA Tournament the Spartans received an at-large bid to the 2004 NCAA Tournament. Third ranked MSU fell to second seed Minnesota-Duluth in the opening round 0-5.
Comley's Spartans returned to the NCAA Tournament in 2006 after missing the NCAA Tournament in 2005. Comley guided MSU to a second-place CCHA finish in the regular season and a CCHA Mason Cup Championship
Mason Cup
The Mason Cup is awarded annually to the champion of the CCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament.On October 3, 2000, a unanimous vote among CCHA head coaches and athletic directors renamed the CCHA championship trophy the Mason Cup in honor of Ron Mason...
in 2006
2006 CCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament
- Nebraska-Omaha vs. Bowling Green:- Lake Superior State vs. Western Michigan:- Ferris State vs. Ohio State:- Notre Dame vs. Alaska:- Miami vs. Western Michigan:- Michigan State vs. Alaska:...
. Michigan State advanced into the 2006 Tournament with an automatic bid. The Spartans defeated New Hampshire
New Hampshire Wildcats men's ice hockey
The New Hampshire Wildcats men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college ice hockey program that represents the University of New Hampshire. The Wildcats are a member of Hockey East...
1-0 before losing to Maine 4-5 in the East Regional Final.
In the 2006-07 season, Michigan State was preseason ranked No. 5, which was MSU's highest preseason ranking since October 2001. The team earned an NCAA Tournament bid after finishing the regular season with a conference record of . Comley led MSU to defeat three higher-ranked teams en route to the national championship including No. 1-ranked Notre Dame
Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's ice hockey
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's ice hockey team is the college ice hockey team at the University of Notre Dame. The team competes in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association at the NCAA Division I level.- History :...
in the Midwest Regional final. In the Frozen Four the team defeated defeated No. 4-ranked Boston College in the National Championship game on April 7, 2007, by a score of 3–1 in a game that saw Michigan State score three unanswered goals in the third period.
In December 2010 the Michigan State Spartans and Michigan Wolverines played a second outdoor game at Michigan Stadium
Michigan Stadium
Michigan Stadium, nicknamed "The Big House," is the football stadium for the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan Stadium was built in 1927 at a cost of $950,000 and had an original capacity of 72,000. Before playing football at the stadium, the Wolverines played on Ferry Field...
. The game, known as The Big Chill at the Big House, took place on December 11, 2010. 104,173 fans filled Michigan Stadium and watched as Michigan beat Michigan State 5-0. The attendance broke the 75,000 of the Cold War and 78,000 of the 2010 IIHF World Championship
2010 IIHF World Championship
The 2010 IIHF World Championship was the 74th IIHF World Championship, an annual international ice hockey tournament. It took place between 7 and 23 May 2010 in Germany. The games were played in the Lanxess Arena in Cologne, SAP Arena in Mannheim, and one game at Veltins-Arena in Gelsenkirchen...
and set a new attendance record for a hockey game. Later that same season on January 25, 2011, Rick Comley announced that he would retire at the conclusion of the 2010-11 season.
Big Ten Conference
In September 2010 Penn State University announced that the university was elevating its men's and women's American Collegiate Hockey AssociationAmerican Collegiate Hockey Association
The American Collegiate Hockey Association is the national governing body of non-varsity college ice hockey in the U.S. The organization provides structure, regulations, promotes the quality of play, sponsors National Awards and National Tournaments....
club programs to varsity status. Then-CCHA commissioner Tom Anastos publicly stated that the CCHA would strongly consider adding Penn State
Penn State Nittany Lions men's ice hockey
The Penn State Nittany Lions men's ice hockey, also known as the Penn State Icers, is a college ice hockey program that represents the Penn State University...
as the conference's 12th member. On March 21, 2011, the Big Ten Conference announced plans to sponsor men's ice hockey starting in 2013–14 season. Michigan State along with CCHA rivals, University of Michigan and Ohio State University will leave the CCHA to join University of Minnesota and the University of Wisconsin from the WCHA and Penn State to form a six-team Big Ten Hockey Conference. Less than a week after the Big Ten's announcement Michigan State announced that former CCHA Commissioner, Tom Anastos would become the 6th head coach in the history of the program. Anastos is a former Spartan hockey player who played for MSU from 1981-85. He is also the former coach at Michigan-Dearborn (NAIA
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is an athletic association that organizes college and university-level athletic programs. Membership in the NAIA consists of smaller colleges and universities across the United States. The NAIA allows colleges and universities outside the USA...
) from 1987–90, and compiled a 68-37-7 record. He later served as an assistant coach under Ron Mason from 1990-92.
Season-by-season results
This is a partial list of the last five seasons completed by the Spartans. For the full season-by-season history, see Michigan State Spartans men's ice hockey seasonsNote: GP = Games played, W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, OTL = Overtime Losses
Records as of March 23, 2011.
| Season | GP | W | L | T | Finish | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–07 | 43 | 21 | 19 | 3 | 1st, CCHA | Won in NCAA Championship, 3–1 (Boston College) |
| 2007–08 | 42 | 25 | 12 | 5 | 3rd, CCHA | Lost in NCAA West Regional Final, 1–3 (Notre Dame Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's ice hockey The Notre Dame Fighting Irish men's ice hockey team is the college ice hockey team at the University of Notre Dame. The team competes in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association at the NCAA Division I level.- History :... ) |
| 2008–09 | 38 | 10 | 23 | 5 | 11th, CCHA | Lost in CCHA First Round 2009 CCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament - Ohio State vs. Bowling Green:- Northern Michigan vs. Michigan State:- Western Michigan vs. Lake Superior State:- Nebraska-Omaha vs. Ferris State:- Notre Dame vs. Nebraska-Omaha:... , 1–2 (Northern Michigan Northern Michigan Wildcats men's ice hockey The Northern Michigan Wildcats men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college ice hockey program that represents Northern Michigan University. The Wildcats are a member of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association . NMU has won one national title and has... ) |
| 2009–10 | 38 | 19 | 13 | 6 | 2nd, CCHA | Lost in CCHA Quarterfinal 2010 CCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament - Alaska vs. Western Michigan:- Nebraska-Omaha vs. Bowling Green:- Michigan vs. Lake Superior State:- Ohio State vs. Notre Dame:- Miami vs. Ohio State:- Michigan State vs. Michigan:... , 0–2 (Michigan Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey The Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey team is the college ice hockey team that represents the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Earning varsity status in 1922, the program is competing in its 90th season... ) |
| 2010–11 | 38 | 15 | 19 | 4 | 10th, CCHA | Lost in CCHA First Round 2011 CCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament The 2011 CCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament is the 40th CCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament. It was played between March 4 and March 19, 2011 at campus locations and at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. The Miami Redhawks won the tournament and was awarded the Mason Cup... , 0–2 (Alaska Alaska Nanooks men's ice hockey The Alaska Nanooks men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college ice hockey program that represents the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The Nanooks are a member of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association . They play at the Carlson Center in Fairbanks,... ) |
Notable alumni
Over 500 Spartan alumni have gone on to play professionally, including over 60 current and former NHL players and Olympians:- Justin AbdelkaderJustin AbdelkaderJustin Abdelkader is an American ice hockey forward currently playing for the Detroit Red Wings.-College career:On April 7, 2007 Abdelkader scored the game-winning goal in the 2007 NCAA Championship Game against Boston College, securing the NCAA Division 1 National Championship for Michigan State...
- Bryan Adams
- Norm BarnesNorm BarnesNorman Leonard Barnes is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman who played five seasons in the National Hockey League for the Philadelphia Flyers and Hartford Whalers.-External links:...
- David Booth
- Bob Boyd
- Rod Brind'AmourRod Brind'AmourRoderic Jean Brind'Amour is a Canadian former professional ice hockey centre who played 20 seasons in the National Hockey League for the St. Louis Blues, Philadelphia Flyers and Carolina Hurricanes. He captained the Hurricanes to the franchise's first Stanley Cup championship in...
- Jeff BrubakerJeff BrubakerJeffrey Joseph Brubaker is a retired American ice hockey forward....
- Anson CarterAnson CarterAnson Carter is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey right winger of Barbadian descent who last played for HC Lugano in the Swiss Nationalliga A. In the past, he has played for eight different National Hockey League teams, most notably with the Boston Bruins, Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver...
- Danton ColeDanton ColeDanton E. Cole is a retired professional hockey player and current Head Coach at the USA Hockey Under 18 Developmental National Program, who played in the NHL with the Winnipeg Jets, Tampa Bay Lightning, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders, and Chicago Blackhawks...
- Gaye CooleyGaye CooleyGaye Cooley is a Canadian former ice hockey goaltender.After leaving Michigan State University in 1967, Cooley began his professional career in the Eastern Hockey League with the Knoxville Knights and then moved to the International Hockey League with the Port Huron Flags and the Des Moines Oak...
- Jim Cummins
- Jim CunninghamJim Cunningham (ice hockey)James John Cunningham was an American professional ice hockey player...
- Nelson DeBenedetNelson DebenedetNelson Flavio Debenedet is an Italian-American retired ice hockey defenceman.Debenedet began his National Hockey League career with the Detroit Red Wings, playing his last season at top level with the Pittsburgh Penguins.-Career statistics:-External links:...
- Mike DonnellyMike DonnellyMichael Chene Donnelly is a former ice hockey left wing. He played in the National Hockey League with the New York Rangers, Buffalo Sabres, Los Angeles Kings, Dallas Stars, and New York Islanders....
- Bob EssensaBob EssensaRobert Earle Essensa is a Canadian retired professional ice hockey goaltender who spent 12 seasons in the National Hockey League...
- Brad FastBrad FastBrad Fast is a former professional ice hockey defenceman. He spent his amateur career in the British Columbia Hockey League, and was selected in the third round of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft, 84th overall, by the Carolina Hurricanes. He played for ERC Ingolstadt in the German Eishockey League for...
- Norm FosterNorm Foster (ice hockey)Norm Foster is a retired ice hockey goaltender who played for the Boston Bruins.Norm currently resides in Rochester, MI.-Regular season:- References :...
- Don GibsonDon Gibson (ice hockey)Donald Gibson is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player. He played in 14 games with the Vancouver Canucks during the 1990–91 NHL season.-Regular season and playoffs:...
- Brian GlennieBrian GlennieBrian "Blunt" Glennie is a retired professional ice hockey defenceman who played in the NHL from 1969 until 1979. Glennie was a master of the hip-check.-Amateur career:...
- Eugene GraziaEugene GraziaEugene "Gene" Grazia is an American ice hockey player. He won a gold medal at the 1960 Winter Olympics.-External links:*...
- Steve GuollaSteve GuollaStephen Guolla is a Canadian ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League for the San Jose Sharks, Tampa Bay Lightning, Atlanta Thrashers and the New Jersey Devils....
- Adam HallAdam Hall-Playing career:Hall was a member of the United States National Development Team Program, and twice represented the United States at the World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, in 1999 and 2000. He was selected 52nd overall by the Nashville Predators in the second round of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft...
- Mark HamwayMark HamwayMark Hamway is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 53 games in the National Hockey League. He played for the New York Islanders.- External links :...
- Jeff HardingJeff Harding (ice hockey)Jeffrey James Harding is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who played 15 games in the National Hockey League for the Philadelphia Flyers.-Playing career:The Toronto native starred on the St...
- Shawn HeaphyShawn HeaphyShawn Heaphy is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey centre who played in one National Hockey League game for the Calgary Flames during the 1992–93 NHL season.-External links:...
- Shawn HorcoffShawn HorcoffShawn Horcoff is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre and captain for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League . He was selected in the fourth round of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, 99th overall, by the Oilers, the team with which he has spent his entire NHL career...
- Andrew HutchinsonAndrew HutchinsonAndrew Hutchinson is a professional ice hockey defenseman, who is currently playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...
- Bob JohnsonBob Johnson (ice hockey b. 1948)Robert Martin Johnson is a retired professional ice hockey goaltender who played 24 games in the National Hockey League. He played with the Pittsburgh Penguins and St. Louis Blues. His son is Penguins goaltender Brent Johnson.- References :...
- Duncan KeithDuncan KeithDuncan Keith is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who is an alternate captain for the Chicago Blackhawks of the National Hockey League...
- Dale KrentzDale KrentzDale M. Krentz was a professional ice hockey player who played 30 games in the National Hockey League. He played with the Detroit Red Wings.- References :...
- Ken LeiterKen LeiterKenneth Michael Leiter is a retired American professional ice hockey defenseman who played 143 games in the National Hockey League for the New York Islanders and Minnesota North Stars.-External links:...
- John-Michael LilesJohn-Michael LilesJohn-Michael Liles is an American professional ice hockey defenseman currently playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the NHL...
- Chris LuongoChris LuongoChristopher John Luongo , is an American ice hockey coach and former professional ice hockey player. Luongo played in the National Hockey League for the Detroit Red Wings, Ottawa Senators, and New York Islanders.-Playing career:...
- Dan McFallDan McFallDan McFall is a retired professional ice hockey player who played nine games in the National Hockey League. He played for the Winnipeg Jets. He now runs a hockey company out of Burlington, Vermont that organizes various leagues, clinics, and tournaments.- External links :...
- Brian McReynoldsBrian McReynoldsBrian McReynolds is a professional ice hockey player who played for the Los Angeles Kings in the National Hockey League.-External links:...
- Don McSween
- Joby MessierJoby MessierMarcus "Joby" Messier is a professional ice hockey player who played 25 games in the National Hockey League. He played with the New York Rangers.- References :...
- Mitch MessierMitch MessierMitch Ronald Messier is a professional ice hockey player who played 20 games in the National Hockey League. He played with the Minnesota North Stars.- References :...
- Drew MillerDrew MillerAndrew Miller is an American professional ice hockey winger currently playing for the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League ....
- Kelly Miller
- Kevin Miller
- Kip MillerKip MillerKip Charles Miller is a retired American ice hockey forward. He last played for the American Hockey League Grand Rapids Griffins in 2006–07. He was drafted by the Quebec Nordiques as their 4th-round pick in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft, 72nd overall.Miller played college hockey for the Michigan State...
- Ryan MillerRyan MillerRyan Miller is a professional ice hockey goaltender for the Buffalo Sabres.Other people named Ryan Miller:*Ryan Miller , video game designer and author*Ryan Miller , lead singer and guitar player for the band Guster...
- Joe MurphyJoe Murphy (ice hockey)Joseph Patrick Murphy is a former professional hockey right winger. Murphy grew up and played minor hockey in Newmarket, Ontario. Murphy was on the 1990 Edmonton Oilers when they won the Stanley Cup...
- Pat MurrayPat Murray (ice hockey)Patrick E. Murray is a retired professional ice hockey player.-Playing career:Murray was drafted 35th overall by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 1988 NHL Entry Draft from Michigan State Spartans...
- Rem MurrayRem MurrayRaymond Joseph "Rem" Murray is a professional ice hockey left winger who plays for Pustertal-Val Pusteria Wolves in the Serie A.- Draft :...
- Jason MuzzattiJason MuzzattiJason Mark Muzzatti is a former Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender and now head coach of Flint Generals.-Playing career:...
- Dwayne NorrisDwayne NorrisCarl Dwayne Norris is a former professional ice hockey player. He started his hockey career with the St. John's Capitals of the Avalon Junior Hockey League. He left home at the young age of 14 to play with the Notre Dame Hounds. He then went on to play college hockey with Michigan State...
- Weldon OlsonWeldon OlsonWeldon Howard "Weldy" Olson is an American ice hockey player. He won a silver medal at the 1956 Winter Olympics and a gold medal at the 1960 Winter Olympics.-External links:*...
- Jeff ParkerJeff Parker (ice hockey)Jeffrey Lee Parker is a former professional ice hockey right wing. He was drafted in the sixth round, 111th overall, by the Buffalo Sabres in the 1982 NHL Entry Draft...
- Lyle PhairLyle PhairLyle Phair is a former professional ice hockey player who played three season for the Los Angeles Kings in the National Hockey League.-External links:...
- Corey PotterCorey PotterCorey Potter is an American ice hockey defenseman, who currently plays for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
- Bobby ReynoldsBobby Reynolds (ice hockey)Bobby Reynolds was a professional ice hockey player who played seven games in the National Hockey League. He played for the Toronto Maple Leafs.- External links :...
- Doug RobertsDoug Roberts (ice hockey)Douglas William Roberts is a retired professional ice hockey player who played 419 games in the National Hockey League and 140 games in the World Hockey Association between 1966 and 1977....
- Ron ScottRon ScottRonald Scott is a retired NHL hockey player. He was a goaltender for the New York Rangers and the Los Angeles Kings in the 1980s early 1990s....
- Craig SimpsonCraig SimpsonCraig Andrew Simpson is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey winger who played 10 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Edmonton Oilers and the Buffalo Sabres...
- Jim Slater
- Bryan SmolinskiBryan SmolinskiBryan Anthony Smolinski is an American professional ice hockey center. The Boston Bruins drafted him 21st overall in 1990. He has played in the National Hockey League for the Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Islanders, Los Angeles Kings, Ottawa Senators, Chicago Blackhawks, Vancouver Canucks and...
- Dean SylvesterDean SylvesterDean Sylvester is an American former professional ice hockey player.Sylverster was drafted by the San Jose Sharks in the 1993 NHL Supplemental Draft and spent three seasons in the International Hockey League with the Kansas City Blades, he also played in the East Coast Hockey League for the Mobile...
- Tom TilleyTom TilleyThomas R. Tilley is a retired professional hockey player who played in the NHL with the St. Louis Blues. He played defense and shot right-handed....
- Tony TuzzolinoTony TuzzolinoAntonino Charles Tuzzolino is an American professional ice hockey center who currently plays for HC Eppan-Appiano of the Italian Serie B...
- Doug VolmarDoug VolmarDoug Steven Volmar is a retired American ice hockey forward who appeared in a total of 62 National Hockey League regular season games with the Detroit Red Wings and Los Angeles Kings in 1970–73...
- Jim WattJim Watt (ice hockey)James Magnus Watt is a retired professional ice hockey goalkeeper who played 1 NHL game with the St. Louis Blues in 1974 but spent most of his time in the minor leagues...
- Mike WattMike Watt (ice hockey)Michael Watt is a former Canadian professional ice hockey player who played for four different National Hockey League teams.-Playing career:...
- Mike Weaver
- Peter White
- Neil Wilkinson
- Jason WoolleyJason WoolleyJason Woolley is a retired Canadian ice hockey defenceman.- Playing career :Woolley attended Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI before the Washington Capitals selected him 61st overall in the 1989 NHL Draft. Woolley's most productive NHL season was his 1998–99 campaign with the Buffalo...
- Mike YorkMike YorkMichael York is an American professional ice hockey left winger currently playing for the Iserlohn Roosters of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga .-Playing career:...
Spartan Hobey Baker winners
The Hobey Baker Memorial Award has been presented annually since 1981 to the outstanding college hockey player in the United States by the Decathlon Athletic Club of Bloomington, Minnesota. The award is named after college hockey great Hobey Baker of Princeton, a member of both the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in Eveleth, Minn., and the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto. Also a standout in football, he is also a member of the National Football Hall of Fame. Baker's brilliant skating and stickhandling abilities allowed him to dominate the college game and lead Princeton to the Intercollegiate League Championship in each of his three years of varsity hockey (1911–14). He added to his physical prowess the exemplary qualities of being a completely unselfish sportsman and an opponent of publicity. Facts about Baker's career often sound more like myths, such as the story of his playing every second of a 73-minute game against Harvard, or the claim that he was penalized just twice during his career, and both times the mere suggestion that he had violated a rule of the game nearly drove him to tears. To date, two Spartans have won the Hobey Baker Memorial Award: Cousins Kip and Ryan Miller.Spartan center Kip Miller
Kip Miller
Kip Charles Miller is a retired American ice hockey forward. He last played for the American Hockey League Grand Rapids Griffins in 2006–07. He was drafted by the Quebec Nordiques as their 4th-round pick in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft, 72nd overall.Miller played college hockey for the Michigan State...
was the recipient of the 10th Hobey Baker Memorial Award in 1990 after leading the nation in scoring for the second consecutive season with 101 points on 48 goals and 53 assists. A two-time first-team All-Central Collegiate Hockey Association honoree, Miller was recognized as the league's Player of the Year after leading the conference in scoring for the second straight season with 36 goals and 38 assists for 74 points. In MSU's career record books, the two-time first-team All-America selection finished third in goals (116), assists (145) and points (261). He closed out his career among the NCAA's top 25 all-time point producers. Over the course of his four seasons, the Spartans won three CCHA regular season and playoff titles and amassed an impressive 132-45-9 record. The 1989-90 Hockey News/Bauer College Hockey Player of the Year also led the Spartans to their ninth consecutive NCAA tournament appearance as a senior.
In 2001, Michigan State goaltender Ryan Miller backstopped the Spartans into the Frozen Four as the number-one team in the nation. Miller shattered the NCAA record for career shutouts in just his second year of college hockey, with 18 overall. The sophomore's selection made him just the second goaltender ever to win the Hobey Baker. Minnesota netminder Robb Stauber was the first, in 1988. To win the award, Miller edged forwards Brian Gionta of Boston College and Jeff Panzer of North Dakota, who tied for second place in the balloting. The native of East Lansing, Michigan, posted 31 wins with a .950 save percentage and a 1.32 goals against average, leading the nation in all three categories. His 31-5-4 record in 2000-2001 included 10 shutouts to also lead the nation in that statistic. Miller, the CCHA Defensive Player of the Week five times during the season, was previously named a First-Team All-American and CCHA Player of the Year, as well as being a member of the all-conference first team. He holds four league and seven school netminding records. Ryan was a general business management major with a 3.07 grade point average. Off-ice activities for the All-Academic goalie included volunteering with the D.A.R.E. drug-resistance program, reading to elementary-school children and giving tours of the dressing room — sometimes during games. Ryan Miller currently plays for the NHL's Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
and Kip Miller plays for the Grand Rapids Griffins
Grand Rapids Griffins
The Grand Rapids Griffins are a professional hockey team in the American Hockey League . They play in Grand Rapids, Michigan at the Van Andel Arena. They are the AHL affiliate to the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League....
of the AHL
American Hockey League
The American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
.
Spartan Hobey Baker finalists
The Spartans have had 14 players among the top 10 candidates for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award, including 1990 winner Kip Miller and 2001 winner Ryan Miller. Goalie Ron Scott was the runner-up to Bowling Green's George McPhee in 1982.- Ron ScottRon ScottRonald Scott is a retired NHL hockey player. He was a goaltender for the New York Rangers and the Los Angeles Kings in the 1980s early 1990s....
, 1982 - Ron Scott, 1983
- Kelly MillerKelly Miller (hockey)Kelly David Miller is a retired American National Hockey League player. He was one of three Miller brothers who played in the NHL, and is a cousin of current Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller and Ryan's brother Drew Miller who plays for the Detroit Red Wings.Miller is one of ten members of...
, 1985 - Craig SimpsonCraig SimpsonCraig Andrew Simpson is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey winger who played 10 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Pittsburgh Penguins, Edmonton Oilers and the Buffalo Sabres...
, 1985 - Mike DonnellyMike DonnellyMichael Chene Donnelly is a former ice hockey left wing. He played in the National Hockey League with the New York Rangers, Buffalo Sabres, Los Angeles Kings, Dallas Stars, and New York Islanders....
, 1986 - Kip MillerKip MillerKip Charles Miller is a retired American ice hockey forward. He last played for the American Hockey League Grand Rapids Griffins in 2006–07. He was drafted by the Quebec Nordiques as their 4th-round pick in the 1987 NHL Entry Draft, 72nd overall.Miller played college hockey for the Michigan State...
, 1989 - Bobby ReynoldsBobby Reynolds----Robert "Bobby" Thomas Reynolds in Cape Cod, Massachusetts) is an American professional tennis player who resides in Acworth, Georgia.-Professional career:...
, 1989 - Kip Miller, 1990
- Bryan SmolinskiBryan SmolinskiBryan Anthony Smolinski is an American professional ice hockey center. The Boston Bruins drafted him 21st overall in 1990. He has played in the National Hockey League for the Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Islanders, Los Angeles Kings, Ottawa Senators, Chicago Blackhawks, Vancouver Canucks and...
, 1993 - Anson CarterAnson CarterAnson Carter is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey right winger of Barbadian descent who last played for HC Lugano in the Swiss Nationalliga A. In the past, he has played for eight different National Hockey League teams, most notably with the Boston Bruins, Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver...
, 1995 - Chad Alban, 1998
- Mike YorkMike YorkMichael York is an American professional ice hockey left winger currently playing for the Iserlohn Roosters of the Deutsche Eishockey Liga .-Playing career:...
, 1998 - Mike York, 1999
- Shawn HorcoffShawn HorcoffShawn Horcoff is a Canadian professional ice hockey centre and captain for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League . He was selected in the fourth round of the 1998 NHL Entry Draft, 99th overall, by the Oilers, the team with which he has spent his entire NHL career...
, 2000 - Ryan Miller, 2001
- Ryan Miller, 2002
- John-Michael LilesJohn-Michael LilesJohn-Michael Liles is an American professional ice hockey defenseman currently playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs of the NHL...
, 2003 - Jim Slater, 2004
All-time coaching records
| Tenure | Coach | Years | Record | Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011–present | Tom Anastos Tom Anastos Tom Anastos is the head coach of the Michigan State Spartans men's ice hockey team. He was appointed to the post on March 23, 2011, succeeding coach Rick Comley who had announced his resignation earlier that year. Anastos is the 6th head coach in the history of Michigan State's ... |
1 | 0-0-0 | .000 |
| 2002–2011 | Rick Comley Rick Comley Rick Comley is a former collegiate ice hockey player and former head coach at Michigan State University. Following the 2005-06 season, Comley has an overall coaching record of 768-596-106... |
9 | 186-140-39 | .563 |
| 1979–2002 | Ron Mason Ron Mason Ron Mason is a Canadian former ice hockey player, head coach and university executive. As head coach of various universities, notably including Michigan State University , he became the winningest ice hockey coach in NCAA history with 924 career wins... |
23 | 635-270-69 | .687 |
| 1951–1979 | Amo Bessone Amo Bessone Amo Bessone was a collegiate ice hockey player and head coach.Bessone was born in Sagamore, Massachusetts, on Cape Cod, and raised in Springfield, Massachusetts, where he learned to play hockey.... |
28 | 367-427-20 | .463 |
| 1949–1951 | Harold Paulsen Harold Paulsen Harold W. "Babe" Paulsen was a former collegiate ice hockey player and head coach.... |
2 | 6-25-0 | .194 |
| 1925–1931 | John H. Kobs | 6 | 8-18-1 | .315 |
| 1922–1924 | No Coach | 2 | 2-7-0 | .222 |
| Totals | 6 coaches | 70 seasons | 1204-887-129 | .571 |
Program records
The following are the Michigan State school records. Statistics are accurate as of the 2010–11 season.Note: Italics indicate a player is still an active Spartan.
Career
- Most goals in a career: 138 Tom Ross (1972–76)
- Most assists in a career: 186 Tom Ross (1972–76)
- Most points in a career: 324 Tom Ross (1972–76)
- Most penalty minutes in a career: 466 Don Gibson (1986–90)
- Most points in a career, defenseman: 164 Steve Beadle (1986–90)
- Most wins in a career: 83 Jason Muzzatti (1987–91)
- Most shutouts in a career: Ryan Miller
Season
Players- Most goals in a season: 59 Mike Donnelly 1985-86
- Most assists in a season: 60 Pat Murray 1989-90
- Most points in a season: 105 Tom Ross 1975-76
- Most penalty minutes in a season: 167 Don Gibson 1989-90
- Most points in a season, defenseman: 64 Norm Barnes (1973–74)
- Most points in a season, rookie:
- Most wins in a season: 32 Jason Muzzatti (1988–89)
- Most shutouts in a season: 4 Joe Selinger (1958–59)
- Most power play goals in a season (since 1975):
Team (since 1950)
- Most wins in a season: 38 1984-85
- Most WCHA wins in a season: 20 1975-76
- Most overtime games in a season: 11 (1991–92; 1986–87)
- Longest overall unbeaten streak: 22 (Dec. 29, 1984-Feb. 15, 1985)
Game
Player- Most goals in a game: 5 Mike Donnelly vs. Ohio State (Dec. 14, 1985), 5 Tom Ross vs. Notre Dame (Nov. 10, 1973),5 Don Thompson vs. Michigan (Feb 21, 1970), 5 Bob Doyle vs. Ohio (Feb. 17, 1961)
- Most assists in a game: 6 Steve Colp vs. Michigan (Dec. 14, 1974), 6 Daryl Rice vs. Boston College (Dec. 27, 1973), 6 Real Turcotte vs. Ohio (Feb. 17, 1961)
- Most points in a game: 9 Bob Doyle vs. Ohio (Feb. 17, 1961), 9 Real Turcotte vs. Ohio (Feb. 17, 1961)
- Most penalty minutes in a game: 21 Tony Tuzzolino vs. Western Michigan (Oct. 19, 1996)
Team
- Most goals in a game: 18 vs. Ohio State (Dec. 7, 1957)
- Most goals in a period: 8 vs. Ohio State (Dec. 7, 1957, 3rd)
- Most assists in a period: 14 vs. Ferris State (March 3, 1990, 2nd)
- Most penalty minutes in a game: 60 vs. Northeastern (Oct. 15, 1983)
- Most penalty minutes in a period: 53 vs. Ferris State (Dec. 16, 1988, 2nd)