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2020–21 Northern Michigan Wildcats men's ice hockey season
Northern Michigan Wildcats logo
Conference T–5th WCHA
Home ice Berry Events Center
Rankings
USCHO.com NR
USA Today/
US Hockey Magazine
NR
Record
Overall 11–17–1
Conference 6–7–1–2–2–1
Home 4–9–1
Road 7–7–0
Neutral 0–1–0
Coaches and Captains
Head Coach Grant Potulny
Assistant Coaches Bryan Pool
Rob Lehtinen
Captain(s) Joseph Nardi
Alternate captain(s) Ben Newhouse
Northern Michigan Wildcats men's ice hockey seasons
« 2019–20 2021–22 »

The 2020–21 Northern Michigan Wildcats men's ice hockey season was the 45th season of play for the program and the 21st in the WCHA conference. The Wildcats represented Northern Michigan University and were coached by Grant Potulny, in his 4th season.

Season[]

As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic the entire college ice hockey season was delayed. Because the NCAA had previously announced that all winter sports athletes would retain whatever eligibility they possessed through at least the following year, none of Northern Michigan's players would lose a season of play.[1] However, the NCAA also approved a change in its transfer regulations that would allow players to transfer and play immediately rather than having to sit out a season, as the rules previously required.[2]

Northern Michigan began the season poorly. In their first 14 games the team's only wins were against Ferris State, the worst team in the nation. Their 4–10 record included an 8-game losing streak and made it all but impossible for the Wildcats to make the NCAA Tournament without winning their conference championship. The team went through a great deal of changes, including Grant Loven transferring to St. Thomas mid-season and bringing in Rico DiMatteo after the new year.[3] it more than a month before DiMatteo made his first appearance for NMU but, once he did, the Wildcats' season completely turned around. DiMatteo helped Northern Michigan get the first win of the year that wasn't against FSU and then sweep a ranked Bemidji State team the very next weekend.

The team sagged at the end of the regular season, finishing 6th in the conference, and entered the WCHA Tournament with little hope of advancing. NMU gave #13 Bowling Green a surprise in the first game, winning 4–3, but when the Falcons roared back for a 5–0 victory in game two the series looked ready to be over. DiMatteo was shelled in the third game, facing a total of 40 shots in regulation, but he only allowed one by him while the Wildcat offense pumped 5 goals into the net and the team earned a surprising trip to the semifinals. The Wildcats were set against #3 Minnesota State and again pulled off a miraculous upset. The Wildcats fired 4 goals past the top goaltender in the nation and scored 5 in all before the Mavericks could even respond. The next day NMU was looking for the first championship in 29 years and only had Lake Superior State standing in their way. In the first ever postseason meeting between the two upper peninsula teams, Northern Michigan's magic ran out and they surrendered two goals in each period, losing the title game 3–6.

James Miller and John Roberts sat out the season.

Departures[]

Player Position Nationality Cause
Josh Arnold Forward Flag of Canada Canada Left program
Philip Beaulieu Defenseman Flag of the United States United States Graduation (Signed with Iowa Wild)
Darien Craighead Forward Flag of Canada Canada Graduation (Signed with South Carolina Stingrays)
Jarrett Lee Forward Flag of the United States United States Transferred to Minnesota Duluth
Adam Roeder Defenseman Flag of the United States United States Left program
Caleb Schroer Forward Flag of the United States United States Left program
Mitch Slattery Forward Flag of the United States United States Left program
Luke Voltin Forward Flag of the United States United States Graduation
Rylan Yaremko Defenseman/Forward Flag of Canada Canada Transferred to Mount Royal

Recruiting[]

Player Position Nationality Age Notes
Tyrell Boucher Defenseman Flag of Canada Canada 21 Grande Prairie, AB
Mack Byers Forward Flag of the United States United States 21 Long Lake, MN
Mikey Colella Forward Flag of the United States United States 21 Turnersville, NJ
Rico DiMatteo Goaltender Flag of the United States United States 19 Brasher Falls, NY
Colby Enns Defenseman Flag of the United States United States 21 Minot, ND; transfer from Omaha
Tim Erkkila Defenseman Flag of the United States United States 19 Brighton, MI
Alex Frye Defenseman Flag of the United States United States 21 Clarkston, MI; transfer from Alaska Anchorage
Noah Ganske Defenseman Flag of the United States United States 21 Bloomington, MN
Grant Johnson Goaltender Flag of the United States United States 21 Grand Forks, ND
David Keefer Forward Flag of the United States United States 22 Howell, MI; transfer from Michigan State
Ian Malcolmson Forward Flag of the United States United States 21 Waukesha, WI
Connor Marritt Forward Flag of Canada Canada 21 Kelowna, BC
James Miller Defenseman Flag of Canada Canada 21 Spruce Grove, AB
Rylan Van Unen Forward Flag of Canada Canada 21 Kamloops, BC
Brett Willits Forward Flag of the United States United States 21 London, ON

Roster[]

As of March 1, 2021.[4]

# S/P/C Player Class Pos Height Weight DoB Hometown Previous team NHL rights
1 Flag of Alberta Kent, NolanNolan Kent Junior G 6' 0" (1.83 m) 196 lb (89 kg) 1998-08-12 Chestermere, Alberta Spruce Grove (AJHL)
2 Flag of Michigan Frye, AlexAlex Frye Sophomore F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1998-07-27 Clarkston, Michigan Alaska Anchorage (WCHA)
2 Flag of Alberta Miller, JamesJames Miller Freshman D 6' 2" (1.88 m) 188 lb (85 kg) 1998-02-20 Spruce Grove, Alberta Stony Plain (ACHW)
3 Flag of North Dakota Enns, ColbyColby Enns Sophomore D 6' 2" (1.88 m) 201 lb (91 kg) 1999-09-16 Minot, North Dakota Lincoln (USHL)
4 Flag of British Columbia Van Unen, MichaelMichael Van Unen Sophomore D 6' 1" (1.85 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1999-02-26 Kamloops, British Columbia Merritt (BCHL)
5 Flag of Minnesota Palmer, MasonMason Palmer Sophomore D 6' 2" (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1998-11-20 Plymouth, Minnesota Waterloo (USHL)
6 Flag of Alberta Boucher, TyrellTyrell Boucher Freshman D 6' 1" (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1999-06-03 Grande Prairie, Alberta Cowichan Valley Capitals (BCHL)
7 Flag of Michigan Keefer, DavidDavid Keefer Junior (RS) F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1997-10-21 Brighton, Michigan Michigan State (Big Ten)
8 Flag of Michigan Erkkila, TimTim Erkkila Freshman D 6' 1" (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2000-11-16 Brighton, Michigan Fairbanks (NAHL)
9 Flag of Wisconsin Malcolmson, IanIan Malcolmson Freshman F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 1999-01-29 Waukesha, Wisconsin Sioux Falls (USHL)
10 Flag of Minnesota Newhouse, BenBen Newhouse (A) Senior D 5' 8" (1.73 m) 174 lb (79 kg) 1997-06-16 Edina, Minnesota Union (ECAC)
11 Flag of California Ghantous, AndreAndre Ghantous Sophomore F 5' 9" (1.75 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1998-12-07 Glendale, California Penticton (BCHL)
12 Flag of British Columbia Marritt, ConnorConnor Marritt Freshman F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 174 lb (79 kg) 1999-03-14 Kelowna, British Columbia Vernon (BCHL)
13 Flag of New Jersey Colella, MikeyMikey Colella Freshman F 5' 7" (1.7 m) 155 lb (70 kg) 1999-06-12 Wenonah, New Jersey Trail (BCHL)
14 Flag of California de Mey, VincentVincent de Mey Junior F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1997-11-26 Los Angeles, California Muskegon (USHL)
15 Flag of British Columbia Van Unen, RylanRylan Van Unen Freshman F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1999-02-26 Kamloops, British Columbia Merritt (BCHL)
16 Flag of New York Loughran, GriffinGriffin Loughran Junior F 5' 7" (1.7 m) 145 lb (66 kg) 1998-11-13 West Seneca, New York Fargo (USHL)
17 Flag of North Dakota Johnson, GrantGrant Johnson Freshman F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 1999-04-11 Grand Forks, North Dakota Bismarck (NAHL)
18 Flag of Alberta Nardi, JosephJoseph Nardi (C) Senior F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 178 lb (81 kg) 1997-06-01 Edmonton, Alberta Whitecourt (AJHL)
19 Flag of Colorado Vanderbeck, A. J.A. J. Vanderbeck Sophomore F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1997-09-23 Monument, Colorado Ohio State (Big Ten)
20 Flag of Colorado Klee, GarrettGarrett Klee Junior F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1998-04-11 Morrison, Colorado Waterloo (USHL)
21 Flag of Florida Schultz, BrandonBrandon Schultz Senior F 5' 7" (1.7 m) 150 lb (68 kg) 1996-06-15 Estero, Florida Northeastern (HEA)
22 Flag of Minnesota Jungels, JettJett Jungels Freshman (RS) F 5' 8" (1.73 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 2000-07-14 Edina, Minnesota Edina (USHS–MN)
23 Flag of Minnesota Sorensen, HankHank Sorensen Sophomore D 6' 1" (1.85 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1998-06-05 Wayzata, Minnesota Waterloo (USHL)
24 Flag of Minnesota Ganske, NoahNoah Ganske Freshman D 6' 7" (2.01 m) 207 lb (94 kg) 1999-04-21 Bloomington, Minnesota Green Bay (USHL)
25 Flag of Ontario Willits, BrettBrett Willits Freshman F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 174 lb (79 kg) 1999-03-16 London, Ontario Chilliwack (BCHL)
26 Flag of Alberta Readman, TyTy Readman Junior F 5' 6" (1.68 m) 160 lb (73 kg) 1998-01-05 Edmonton, Alberta Sherwood Park (AJHL)
27 Flag of Minnesota Byers, MackMack Byers Freshman F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 172 lb (78 kg) 1999-02-08 Long Lake, Minnesota Aberdeen (NAHL)
28 Flag of Minnesota Vescio, TannerTanner Vescio Sophomore D 6' 2" (1.88 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1998-04-14 Blaine, Minnesota Fargo (USHL)
29 Flag of Minnesota Loven , GrantGrant Loven Junior F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 192 lb (87 kg) 1997-12-21 East Grand Forks, Minnesota Minot (NAHL)
30 Flag of British Columbia Hawthorne, JohnJohn Hawthorne Sophomore G 6' 2" (1.88 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 1998-09-02 Chemainus, British Columbia Alberni Valley (BCHL)
31 Flag of Pennsylvania Roberts, JohnJohn Roberts Sophomore G 5' 9" (1.75 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1998-12-02 Lansdale, Pennsylvania Bismarck (NAHL)
32 Flag of Ontario Ryckman, ConnorConnor Ryckman Junior (RS) G 6' 0" (1.83 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1996-09-18 Minesing, Ontario Wisconsin Stevens Point (WIAC)
33 Flag of New York DiMatteo, RicoRico DiMatteo Freshman G 6' 3" (1.91 m) 161 lb (73 kg) 2001-01-01 Brasher Falls, New York Lone Star Brahmas (NAHL)

† Grant Loven played 6 games before transferring to St. Thomas.

Standings[]

Conference record Overall record
GP W L T OTW OTL 3/SW PTS GF GA GP W L T GF GA
#5 Minnesota State 14 13 1 0 1 1 0 39 56 15 27 22 4 1 96 41
#13 Lake Superior State * 14 9 5 0 2 2 0 27 39 34 29 19 7 3 86 63
#17 Bowling Green 14 8 5 1 0 2 0 27 46 34 31 20 10 1 108 67
#14 Bemidji State 14 8 5 1 3 2 0 24 42 34 29 16 10 3 82 70
Michigan Tech 14 7 7 0 1 0 0 20 38 35 30 17 12 1 78 63
Northern Michigan 14 6 7 1 2 2 1 20 40 47 29 11 17 1 79 103
Alabama–Huntsville 14 3 11 0 1 0 0 8 18 49 22 3 18 1 31 80
Ferris State 14 0 13 1 0 1 1 3 28 59 25 1 23 1 55 103
Alaska 0 - - - - - - - - - 0 - - - - -
Alaska Anchorage 0 - - - - - - - - - 0 - - - - -
Championship: March 20, 2021
† indicates conference regular season champion
* indicates conference tournament champion
Rankings: USCHO.com Top 20 Poll; updated April 3, 2021

Schedule and Results[]

Date Time Opponent# Rank# Site TV Decision Result Attendance Record
Regular Season
December 16 6:00 PM vs. Ferris State* Berry Events CenterMarquette, Michigan   Ryckman W 5–4  0 1–0–0
December 18 7:07 PM at Michigan Tech* MacInnes Student Ice ArenaHoughton, Michigan   Kent L 3–4 OT 0 1–1–0
December 18 6:07 PM at Michigan Tech* MacInnes Student Ice ArenaHoughton, Michigan   Ryckman L 1–3  0 1–2–0
December 30 3:07 PM at Ferris State* Ewigleben ArenaBig Rapids, Michigan   Ryckman W 6–5 OT 68 2–2–0
January 2 6:07 PM vs. #5 Minnesota State Berry Events CenterMarquette, Michigan   Ryckman L 0–5  0 2–3–0 (0–1–0)
January 3 4:07 PM vs. #5 Minnesota State Berry Events CenterMarquette, Michigan   Kent L 0–4  0 2–4–0 (0–2–0)
January 8 7:07 PM vs. Lake Superior State* Berry Events CenterMarquette, Michigan   Kent L 1–4  0 2–5–0
January 9 6:07 PM vs. Lake Superior State* Berry Events CenterMarquette, Michigan   Kent L 2–3 OT 0 2–6–0
January 15 7:07 PM at #8 Bowling Green* Slater Family Ice ArenaBowling Green, Ohio   Ryckman L 1–5  300 2–7–0
January 16 7:07 PM at #8 Bowling Green* Slater Family Ice ArenaBowling Green, Ohio   Hawthorne L 2–6  300 2–8–0
January 23 4:07 PM at Michigan Tech* MacInnes Student Ice ArenaHoughton, Michigan   Kent L 0–2  200 2–9–0
January 25 5:07 PM vs. #18 Michigan Tech* Berry Events CenterMarquette, Michigan   Kent L 1–4  0 2–10–0
January 29 7:07 PM vs. Ferris State Berry Events CenterMarquette, Michigan   Kent W 5–4  0 3–10–0 (1–2–0)
January 30 6:07 PM vs. Ferris State Berry Events CenterMarquette, Michigan   Kent W 5–3  0 4–10–0 (2–2–0)
February 6 5:00 PM vs. Lake Superior State Taffy Abel ArenaSault Ste. Marie, Michigan   Kent L 4–5 OT 0 4–11–0 (2–3–0)
February 7 3:00 PM vs. Lake Superior State Taffy Abel ArenaSault Ste. Marie, Michigan   DiMatteo W 4–3  0 5–11–0 (3–3–0)
February 12 8:07 PM at #17 Bemidji State Sanford CenterBemidji, Minnesota   DiMatteo W 5–1  90 6–11–0 (4–3–0)
February 13 7:00 PM at #17 Bemidji State Sanford CenterBemidji, Minnesota   DiMatteo W 3–2 OT 90 7–11–0 (5–3–0)
February 16 4:37 PM vs. Alabama–Huntsville Berry Events CenterMarquette, Michigan   DiMatteo L 1–3  0 7–12–0 (5–4–0)
February 17 7:07 PM vs. Alabama–Huntsville Berry Events CenterMarquette, Michigan   DiMatteo W 8–2  0 8–12–0 (6–4–0)
February 20 6:07 PM vs. #14 Bowling Green Berry Events CenterMarquette, Michigan   DiMatteo T 0–0 SOW 250 8–12–1 (6–4–1)
February 21 4:07 PM vs. #14 Bowling Green Berry Events CenterMarquette, Michigan   DiMatteo L 2–6  250 8–13–1 (6–5–1)
February 26 7:07 PM at #20 Michigan Tech MacInnes Student Ice ArenaHoughton, Michigan   DiMatteo L 1–6  300 8–14–1 (6–6–1)
February 27 6:07 PM vs. #20 Michigan Tech* Berry Events CenterMarquette, Michigan   DiMatteo L 2–3 OT 250 8–15–1 (6–7–1)
WCHA Tournament
March 12 7:07 PM at #13 Bowling Green* Slater Family Ice ArenaBowling Green, Ohio (WCHA Quarterfinals Game 1)   DiMatteo W 4–3  630 9–15–1
March 13 7:07 PM at #13 Bowling Green* Slater Family Ice ArenaBowling Green, Ohio (WCHA Quarterfinals Game 1)   DiMatteo L 0–5  630 9–16–1
March 14 5:07 PM at #13 Bowling Green* Slater Family Ice ArenaBowling Green, Ohio (WCHA Quarterfinals Game 1)   DiMatteo W 5–1  630 10–16–1
Northern Michigan Won Series 2–1
March 19 3:07 PM at #3 Minnesota State* Mayo Clinic Health System Event CenterMankato, Minnesota (WCHA Semifinals)   DiMatteo W 5–1  250 11–16–1
March 20 8:07 PM vs. #17 Lake Superior State* Mayo Clinic Health System Event CenterMankato, Minnesota (WCHA Championship)   DiMatteo L 3–6  250 11–17–1
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from USCHO.com Poll. All times are in Eastern Time.

[5]

Scoring Statistics[]

Name Position Games Goals Assists Points PIM
Nardi, JosephJoseph Nardi LW 29 12 21 33 0
Ghantous, AndréAndré Ghantous RW 25 10 18 28 16
Vanderbeck, A. J.A. J. Vanderbeck F 29 14 13 27 22
Loughran, GriffinGriffin Loughran F 16 5 10 15 38
Van Unen, MichaelMichael Van Unen D 29 3 11 14 47
de Mey, VincentVincent de Mey F 26 7 5 12 16
Schultz, BrandonBrandon Schultz C/LW 25 5 7 12 14
Frye, AlexAlex Frye C 25 5 6 11 14
Keefer, DavidDavid Keefer RW 28 2 9 11 8
Colella, MikeyMikey Colella F 24 4 3 7 13
Newhouse, BenBen Newhouse D 29 2 5 7 6
Erkkila, TimTim Erkkila D 27 1 5 6 8
Enns, ColbyColby Enns D 26 3 2 5 23
Marritt, ConnorConnor Marritt F 29 0 4 4 8
Klee, GarrettGarrett Klee F 26 3 0 3 10
Sorensen, HankHank Sorensen D 15 0 3 3 53
Readman, TyTy Readman C 23 1 1 2 4
Vescio, TannerTanner Vescio D 5 0 2 2 2
Byers, MackMack Byers LW 10 0 2 2 2
Ganske, NoahNoah Ganske D 15 0 2 2 14
Jungels, JettJett Jungels F 12 1 0 1 2
Van Unen, RylanRylan Van Unen F 19 1 0 1 8
Palmer, MasonMason Palmer D 23 0 1 1 8
Johnson, GrantGrant Johnson F 1 0 0 0 0
Hawthorne, JohnJohn Hawthorne G 4 0 0 0 0
Willits, BrettBrett Willits C 4 0 0 0 0
Ryckman, ConnorConnor Ryckman G 5 0 0 0 0
Loven, GrantGrant Loven C 6 0 0 0 29
Kent, NolanNolan Kent G 10 0 0 0 0
Boucher, TyrellTyrell Boucher D 10 0 0 0 2
DiMatteo, RicoRico DiMatteo G 14 0 0 0 0
Malcolmson, IanIan Malcolmson F 15 0 0 0 0
Bench - - - - - 8
Total 79 130 209 377

[6]

Goaltending statistics[]

Name Games Minutes Wins Losses Ties Goals Against Saves Shut Outs SV % GAA
DiMatteo, RicoRico DiMatteo 14 823 7 6 1 39 391 1 .909 2.84
Kent, NolanNolan Kent 10 589 2 7 0 32 248 0 .886 3.26
Hawthorne, JohnJohn Hawthorne 4 130 0 1 0 10 68 0 .872 4.59
Ryckman, ConnorConnor Ryckman 5 207 2 3 0 18 99 0 .846 5.21
Empty Net - 16 - - - 4 - - - -
Total 29 1767 11 17 1 103 806 1 .887 3.50

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 (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
USA Today NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR

[7]

Awards and honors[]

Player Award Ref
André Ghantous WCHA Scoring Champion
Joseph Nardi WCHA Second Team [8]
André Ghantous WCHA Third Team [8]
Rico DiMatteo WCHA Rookie Team [8]

References[]

  1. NCAA approves blanket waiver for 2020 fall sports athletes to retain year of eligibility. CBS Sports (August 21, 2020). Retrieved on January 25, 2021.
  2. DI Council grants waiver to allow transfer student-athletes to compete immediately. NCAA (December 16, 2020). Retrieved on January 25, 2021.
  3. College Commitment: DiMatteo to play at Northern Michigan University. Lone Star Brahmas (January 4, 2021). Retrieved on March 21, 2021.
  4. 2020–21 Men's Ice Hockey Roster. Northern Michigan University Wildcats.
  5. Northern Michigan Wildcats (Men) 2020-2021 Schedule and Results. College Hockey Stats. Retrieved on December 5, 2019.
  6. "Northern Michigan Univ. 2020-2021 Skater Stats", Elite Prospects. Retrieved on March 2, 2020. 
  7. "USCHO Division I Men's Poll", USCHO.com. Retrieved on December 6, 2019. 
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 WCHA Announces 2020-21 All-League Teams (March 10, 2021). Retrieved on April 8, 2021.
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