MARQUETTE, Mich. - The Northern Michigan University hockey team is back home this weekend as they get set for a four-game homestand, beginning with the Alaska Anchorage Seawolves.
The Wildcats (3-3-0) and the Seawolves (1-3) will battle on Friday, October 21 at 7:07 p.m. and then again on Saturday, October 22 at 6:07 p.m. from the Berry Events Center.
Follow Along
Make sure to follow @NMUHockey on Twitter to get updates throughout the week leading up to the games and for live updates while the 'Cats are on the ice.
Friday, October 21 - vs. Alaska Anchorage at 7:07 PM
Tickets | Live Stats | Watch on FloHockey | Live Audio | Game Notes
Saturday, October 22 - vs. Alaska Anchorage at 6:07 PM
Tickets | Live Stats | Watch on FloHockey | Live Audio | Game Notes
Last Week
The Wildcats traveled to Notre Dame for a series with the No. 14 Fighting Irish. NMU dropped the first game 3-1 and fell short in the series finale, 5-4.
On Friday,
Simon Kjellberg scored the lone Wildcat goal, his first in Green and Gold. On Sunday, the Wildcats got two more Wildcat-firsts from Kristoff Papp and
Connor Eddy.
Andre Ghantous and
Artem Shlaine also found the back of the net.
Atop the Nation
After three weeks, NMU is T-1st in the country in power-play goals (7), and 6th in assists (30) and points (50).
AJ Vanderbeck is T-1st in shorthanded goals (1), T-2nd in goals (4) and game-winning goals (2), and T-6th in points (7). He has the most shots in the nation with 34.
In the Polls
The Wildcats were picked to finish 2nd in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) Coaches' Preseason Poll. NMU received 61 points and two first-place votes.
NMU is currently receiving votes in the USCHO poll and in the USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Poll.
A Look at Alaska Anchorage
The Seawolves are 1-3 on the season after not competing since 2019-20. They are not affiliated with a conference. They started the season hosting Western Michigan, winning the first 3-1 and losing the next 4-1. They then lost to Colorado College 6-2 and 4-1. Last week, the Seawolves beat UNLV in an exhibition series, 8-0 and 2-1.
Connor Marritt and Maxilion Helgeson lead the team with two goals, Derek Hamelin paces with four assists, while Hamelin and Helgesoneach have four points.
Coach Potulny Weekly Preview
Etched in History
With his start in net on October 8, 2022 at Colgate,
Beni Halasz became the first Hungarian-born goaltender to play in an NCAA Division I game. Halasz shined with the opportunity, smothering 27 of 28 shots he faced for his first career win. He also helped kill 6 of 7 penalties in the contest.
Preseason Recognition
AJ Vanderbeck has been selected to the All-CCHA Preseason Team after earning Second Team honors last season. Vanderbeck had 24 goals and 19 assists for 43 points. His 24 goals led the CCHA a season ago.
Freshman forward
Joey Larson has been named the CCHA Preseason Rookie of the Year. Larson received Michigan's Mr. Hockey Award in 2019.
2022-23 Captains
AJ Vanderbeck and
Tanner Vescio will represent the Wildcats with the Captain patch this season. Alternate captains
David Keefer and
Andre Ghantous will also participate in the leadership group.
Roster Breakdown
The 30-man 2022-23 roster consists of eight seniors, ten juniors, two sophomores, one redshirt freshman, and nine true freshmen. Four transfers join the 'Cats this season (
Simon Kjellberg - RPI,
Aiden Gallacher - Michigan State,
Kristof Papp - Michigan State, and
Artem Shlaine - Uconn).
The Wildcats represent the United States, Canada, Hungary, Russia, and Sweden.
Year Six for Coach Grant Potulny
Wildcat head coach
Grant Potulny enters his sixth season behind the Wildcat bench. In five previous seasons with the team, Coach Potulny boasts a 95-80-11 record and has led the team to three 20+ win seasons in his five seasons. Last season, Potulny led his Wildcat squad to a 20-16-1 record, besting Lake Superior State in the CCHA Quarterfinals before falling in the Semifinals. In his first season at the helm, Potulny's team recorded a 25-15-3 season, its first 25-win season since 2001-02 when they advanced to the WCHA Championship game.
A Season Ago
NMU finished last season with a 20-16-1 record. Northern fell at Minnesota State in the CCHA Semifinals to end their season. The Wildcats went on the road in the Quarterfinals to take a best-of-three series from Lake Superior State.
