Bemidji State Beavers Hockey: A Legacy of Excellence
Since its inception, the Bemidji State Beavers men's ice hockey program has established a remarkable legacy, becoming synonymous with success and tradition. From dominating the NAIA ranks to making a splash in NCAA Division I, the Beavers have consistently showcased their talent and determination. This article delves into the rich history of the program, highlighting key milestones, championship victories, and the transition to the modern era of college hockey.
Early Years and NAIA Dominance (1946-1992)
The Bemidji State men's ice hockey program began in 1946. From the inaugural 1946-47 season through the 1966-67 season BSU played as an independent member of Division I. In 1968 the team became a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). The program continued to operate as an independent member, now in the NAIA from 1968-69 through the 1979-80 season.
The program's golden era began in the late 1960s and continued throughout the 1970s. Coached by the legendary Bob Peters, the Beavers captured an unprecedented five NAIA national championships in a six-year span. The team secured four consecutive titles from 1967-68 to 1970-71. After International Collegiate Hockey Association rival Lake Superior State finally broke through in 1971-72, the Beavers pocketed their fifth national title in six seasons in 1972-73. These early triumphs laid the foundation for the program's future success and cemented its place among the elite in college hockey. In the earliest days of the men's hockey program, when the paint was still drying inside the John Glas Fieldhouse, Bemidji State claimed the first of its 13 national titles in 1967-68.
Transition to NCAA Division II and Continued Success (1980-1999)
For the 1980-81 season the program joined the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA), in which Bemidji State is a charter member. The Beavers won their third straight NCHA regular season championship in 1983-84 and qualified for the NCAA tournament. In the 1984 tournament BSU won its first NCAA title at the Division II level with BSU sweeping Merrimack in a best-of-three series winning 6-3 and 8-1. Beginning in the following season, the Division II tournament was combined with the NCAA Division III level. The Beavers won the NCHA regular season championship for the third straight season and qualified for the school's first NCAA Division III ice hockey championship. BSU came in second after a 1-5 loss in the finals to RIT. Bemidji State won the first ever NCHA playoff tournament at the conclusion of the 1985-86 season and continued momentum into the NCAA DIII tournament winning the Division III Championship in an 8-5 win over Plattsburgh State. BSU made the NCAA Division III tournament three more times in the 1980s, 1987-1989 but finished fourth once and third twice.
The 1980s saw the emergence of Joel Otto, who would later win the NCAA Division II Hobey Baker Award. Guided by NCAA Division II Hobey Baker Award winner Joel Otto, the 1983-84 men's hockey team completed a 31-0-0 unbeaten season and won the NCAA Division II national title in the process. That run includes a 42-game win streak that extended into the next season and stands as the longest in NCAA hockey history. The 42-game unbeaten streak also counts as the longest in NCAA hockey history. The Beavers defeated Merrimack by scores of 6-3 and 8-1 in the finals to claim the national championship on home ice.
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The Division II Ice Hockey Tournament was reinstated beginning in 1992-93 season and BSU won The Division II championship three straight years 1993-1995. The men's hockey team dominated the competition in the 1990s. The Beavers rattled off three straight NCAA Division II national titles from 1992-93 to 1994-95. In the 1996 championship the Beavers came up short to Alabama-Huntsville. The following season Alabama-Huntsville would get revenge, beating Bemidji State in the 1998 championship game. After a championship hiatus in 1996 that saw the Beavers fall in the finals to Alabama Huntsville -- their biggest rivals of the era with whom they clashed in four national finals -- BSU won its fourth title of the decade in 1997 for its most recent national championship.
Transition to Division I and the Frozen Four Run (1999-2009)
The 2004-05 marked a historic season for the BSU hockey program. The 2008-09 season was the most successful season the team has had at the Division I level. The men's hockey team reached the 2009 Frozen Four in its most historic NCAA Division I season. The Beavers were the No. 16 overall seed and pulled off one of the biggest upsets in tournament history by knocking off Notre Dame. A win over Cornell in the Midwest Regional final punched their ticket to Washington, D.C. as the program appeared in its only Frozen Four to date. The puck is dropped to begin the Frozen Four semifinal game between Bemidji State and Miami in Washington, D.C., on April 9, 2009.
In addition to the on-ice success, in 2008 Bemidji began exploring options to strengthen the program. The CHA had lost many of the original member to programs at Findlay and Wayne State folding and other teams transferring to other college hockey conferences. Travel expenses to remaining members in Huntsville, Alabama, and Western New York and Pennsylvania was also a concern. BSU began looking at the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) as a solution. In a first step the university signed a scheduling agreement against WCHA schools, many within a few hours drive to Bemidji, Minnesota. Other than the WCHA BSU's only option was to end the historic program. In 2009 it was announced the university and city of Bemidji would build a 4,000-5,000 seat state-of-the-art arena to meet WCHA requirements, that the 2,400-seat John S. Glas Field House did not meet. With the news of the Bemidji Regional Events Center BSU applied to join the Western Collegiate Hockey Association in early 2009.
Joining the WCHA and Recent History (2010-Present)
Bemidji State along with University of Nebraska-Omaha (transferring from the CCHA) was accepted into the WCHA as the 11th and 12th members. The Beavers opened WCHA play in the new Bemidji Regional Events Center on October 15, 2010 against North Dakota in a 2-5 loss. Bemidji picked up their first WCHA win at St. Cloud State 3-2 in overtime. Bemidji ended the regular season with a conference record of 8-15-5 as the 10th seed entering the 2011 WCHA Tournament.
With a WCHA Conference record of 20 wins, 6 losses, and 2 ties, The Bemidji State Beavers became WCHA Regular Season Champions at the conclusion of the 2016-2017 season. Bemidji State was one of the seven WCHA members that jointly announced in 2019 that they would leave that league after the 2020-21 season.
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The Beavers are a member of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association and play at Sanford Center in Bemidji, Minnesota, as of the 2010 season, after previously playing at the John S. Bemidji State Hockey Arena - Sanford Center
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