2023–24 Minnesota State Mavericks men's ice hockey season
The 2023–24 Minnesota State Mavericks men's ice hockey season was the 55th season of play for the program, 28th at the Division I level, and 3rd in the CCHA . The Mavericks represented Minnesota State University, Mankato in the 2023–24 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season , played their home games at Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center and were coached by Luke Strand in his 1st season.
Season
Due in no small part to the departure of former head coach Mike Hastings to Wisconsin , Minnesota State saw a mass exodus of players in the offseason. The Mavericks ended up losing the top nine scorers from the previous season, leaving Luke Strand a herculean task ahead of him. To make matters worse, last year's starting goaltender, Keenan Rancier, had to have offseason surgery on his hip and would be unavailable for the star of the season.[ 1] Sam Morton having fully recovered from a season-ending knee injury.[ 2]
Even with circumstances going against them, the Mavericks began the season well, sweeping preseason #10 St. Cloud State at home. Unfortunately, Alex Tracy played inconsistently for the rest of October and the team went winless to finish out the month. Things got a little better once the team settled down but one thing became abundant as the season progressed; while the offense appeared to be operating well, led by Morton, the defense was lacking. Minnesota State had been one of the best teams in recent years in terms of shots against per game. Last season the Mavericks had allowed less than 19 attempts on goal per match but now, with all of the changes that the Mavericks had undergone, MSU was surrendering almost 50% more opportunities per game. While the performances of the two netminders was about the same, the increased shot volume resulted in about half a goal against per game more. The first half of the year saw the team swing between good and bad stretches in even amounts to end up at exactly .500 by the winter break.
After the time off, Minnesota State returned looking like a new team. Tracy and Rancier played about as well as they had all season and helped the team run through January with a 5–1–2 record. By the beginning of February, Minnesota State looked primed to capture its 7th consecutive conference title but that's when the team ran out of gas. Over the final five weeks of the season, The goaltending returned to its early-season form and allowed at least three goals in six of eight games. The offense was unable to compensate and Minnesota State lost five games, all in regulation. On the final weekend of the regular season, MSU still had a chance to finish atop the standings but they were shutout in consecutive games by Bemidji State and fell to 4th.
Tracy was given the starting role in the postseason and fulfilled the assignment by stopping 58 of 60 shots from Northern Michigan . The stout goaltending was more than enough to lead the team to a sweep and a trip to the semifinals. Higher-seeded Michigan Tech awaited the Mavericks in the second round but it looked to be MSU that was the better team. Minnesota State held the lead after the first and second periods but both times Tech was able to tie the match. Adam Eisele gave the Mavs their third lead of the game at the 6-minute mark of the third period and brought upon a furious attack from the Huskies to tie the score. Tracy was unable to stop a penalty shot from tying the game with under 5 minutes to play but neither team was able to get the equalizer and the match seemed destined for overtime. In the waning seconds of the game, Minnesota State won a defensive faceoff but Steven Bellini was unable to clear the puck. A rushed shot from the blueline was stopped by Tracy's pad but deflected up and off the glass. The puck rebounded up and over the net and Jordan Power attempted to knock it out of harm's way with his glove. The Maverick defenseman missed the puck which instead hit him in the helmet and hopped back towards the goal. back towards the goal. Tracy saw the puck at the last moment and appeared to try and head the puck away but it bounced off of his mask and dropped into the goal with just 9 seconds left in the game. Minnesota State was unable to produce a miracle to tie the game and saw their season end on one of the more crazy endings imaginable.[ 3]
Departures
Recruiting
Player
Position
Nationality
Age
Notes
Kaden Bohlsen
Forward
United States 22
Willmar, MN ; transfer from Omaha
Brian Carrabes
Forward
United States 22
North Andover, MA ; transfer from Boston University
Tyler Haskins
Forward
United States 20
Rochester, MN ; transfer from Denver
Brandon Koch
Defenseman
United States 24
Hastings, MN ; graduate transfer from Air Force
Brett Moravec
Forward
Canada 20
Airdrie, AB
Evan Murr
Defenseman
United States 20
Stillwater, MN
Kade Nielsen
Forward
United States 21
Burnsville, MN
Jordan Power
Defenseman
Canada 22
Ottawa, ON ; transfer from Clarkson
Jordan Steinmetz
Forward
United States 24
Chippewa Falls, WI ; graduate transfer from St. Lawrence
Jakob Stender
Defenseman
United States 22
Alexandria, MN
Roster
As of September 18, 2023.[ 4]
No. S/P/C
Player
Class
Pos
Height
Weight
DoB
Hometown
Previous team
NHL rights
3
Brandon Koch Graduate
D 6' 0" (1.83 m)
185 lb (84 kg)
1999-01-18
Hastings, Minnesota Air Force (AHA —
4
Brett Moravec Freshman
F 5' 10" (1.78 m)
176 lb (80 kg)
2003-02-26
Airdrie, Alberta Penticton Vees (BCHL —
5
Mason Wheeler A Sophomore
D 6' 1" (1.85 m)
195 lb (88 kg)
2001-09-29
Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota Tri-City (USHL —
6
Sam Morton C Graduate
F 6' 0" (1.83 m)
177 lb (80 kg)
1999-07-28
Lafayette, Colorado Wenatchee (BCHL —
7
Luc Wilson Sophomore
F 5' 8" (1.73 m)
170 lb (77 kg)
2001-11-22
Duncan, British Columbia Penticton (BCHL —
8
Campbell Cichosz Sophomore
D 6' 0" (1.83 m)
174 lb (79 kg)
2001-08-23
Albert Lea, Minnesota Anchorage (NAHL
—
9
Tanner Edwards Junior
F 6' 0" (1.83 m)
177 lb (80 kg)
2000-03-11
Anchorage, Alaska Muskegon (USHL —
10
Evan Murr Freshman
D 5' 10" (1.78 m)
178 lb (81 kg)
2003-02-27
Stillwater, Minnesota Sioux Falls (USHL —
11
Tyler Haskins Sophomore
F 6' 1" (1.85 m)
170 lb (77 kg)
2003-07-07
Rochester, Minnesota Denver (NCHC —
12
Josh Groll Senior
F 5' 11" (1.8 m)
182 lb (83 kg)
2001-08-09
San Diego, California Michigan (Big Ten —
13
Jordan Power Freshman
D 6' 1" (1.85 m)
187 lb (85 kg)
2001-07-31
Ottawa, Ontario Lincoln (USHL —
14
Kade Nielsen Freshman
F 5' 9" (1.75 m)
170 lb (77 kg)
2002-08-06
Burnsville, Minnesota Chippewa (NAHL —
15
Adam Eisele Sophomore
F 6' 1" (1.85 m)
190 lb (86 kg)
2001-07-11
Lake Elmo, Minnesota Penticton (BCHL —
18
Jakob Stender Freshman
F 5' 11" (1.8 m)
185 lb (84 kg)
2002-08-07
Alexandria, Minnesota Fargo (USHL —
19
Will Hillman Junior
F 6' 2" (1.88 m)
178 lb (81 kg)
2000-11-22
Blaine, Minnesota Youngstown (USHL —
20
Connor Gregga Senior
F 5' 10" (1.78 m)
177 lb (80 kg)
2000-07-24
Markham, Ontario Coquitlam (BCHL —
21
Lucas Sowder Graduate
F 5' 11" (1.8 m)
164 lb (74 kg)
1998-11-15
Trinity, Florida Wenatchee (BCHL —
22
Steven Bellini Junior
D 5' 11" (1.8 m)
171 lb (78 kg)
2000-05-23
Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario Tri-City (USHL —
24
Zach Krajnik Junior
F 5' 11" (1.8 m)
174 lb (79 kg)
1999-05-13
Eagle River, Alaska Kenai River (NAHL —
25
Brenden Olson Junior
F 6' 1" (1.85 m)
170 lb (77 kg)
2000-10-18
Eau Claire, Wisconsin Sioux City (USHL —
26
Kaden Bohlsen Senior
F 6' 3" (1.91 m)
192 lb (87 kg)
2001-01-10
Willmar, Minnesota Fargo (USHL —
27
Tony Malinowski A Senior
D 6' 5" (1.96 m)
205 lb (93 kg)
1999-10-15
Clarkston, Michigan Des Moines (USHL —
28
Brian Carrabes Sophomore
F 5' 10" (1.78 m)
170 lb (77 kg)
2001-08-01
North Andover, Massachusetts Sioux City (USHL —
29
Jordan Steinmetz A Graduate
F 5' 8" (1.73 m)
170 lb (77 kg)
1999-01-10
Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin Sioux City (USHL —
32
Andrew Miller Junior (RS )
G 6' 0" (1.83 m)
177 lb (80 kg)
2000-02-10
Boulder, Colorado Fargo (USHL —
33
Alex Tracy Sophomore
G 6' 0" (1.83 m)
187 lb (85 kg)
2001-05-04
Chicago, Illinois Sioux City (USHL —
35
Keenan Rancier Junior
G 6' 2" (1.88 m)
184 lb (83 kg)
2000-06-21
Victoria, British Columbia Minot (NAHL —
Standings
Conference record
Overall record
GP
W
L
T
OTW
OTL
SW
PTS
GF
GA
GP
W
L
T
GF
GA
Bemidji State †24
15
7
2
2
1
2
48 82
64
38
20
16
2
117
111
St. Thomas 24
12
11
1
0
2
0
39 68
62
37
15
20
2
97
105
#19 Michigan Tech *
24
12
10
2
1
2
0
39 63
54
40
19
15
6
109
102
Minnesota State 24
12
10
2
2
1
1
38 73
62
37
18
15
4
111
96
Northern Michigan 24
10
10
4
1
1
2
36 57
67
34
12
16
6
83
105
Bowling Green 24
11
12
1
1
1
1
35 60
69
36
13
22
1
86
116
Lake Superior State 24
11
12
1
2
2
0
34 79
73
38
17
20
1
114
113
Ferris State 24
6
17
1
3
2
1
19 49
80
36
10
24
2
83
125
Augustana ^0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0 0
0
34
12
18
4
90
105
Championship : March 22, 2024† indicates conference regular season champion (MacNaughton Cup ) * indicates conference tournament champion (Mason Cup ) ^ Augustana is playing a transition schedule of 16 games against conference opponents that are not counted in the standings Rankings: USCHO.com Top 20 Poll
Schedule and results
Date
Time
Opponent#
Rank#
Site
TV
Decision
Result
Attendance
Record
Exhibition
October 7
6:07 pm
at Omaha *
Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center • Mankato, Minnesota (Exhibition)FloHockey
Miller
L 0–1 4,145
Regular Season
October 13
7:07 pm
#10 St. Cloud State *
Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center • Mankato, Minnesota FloHockey
Tracy
W 3–2 OT
4,398
1–0–0
October 14
6:07 pm
#10 St. Cloud State *
Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center • Mankato, Minnesota FloHockey
Tracy
W 5–1 4,767
2–0–0
October 20
7:07 pm
Massachusetts *
#19
Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center • Mankato, Minnesota FloHockey
Tracy
L 3–6 4,233
2–1–0
October 21
6:07 pm
Massachusetts *
#19
Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center • Mankato, Minnesota FloHockey
Tracy
L 0–1 4,543
2–2–0
October 27
7:07 pm
at #4 North Dakota *
Ralph Engelstad Arena • Grand Forks, North Dakota Midco
Tracy
L 2–6 11,604
2–3–0
October 28
6:07 pm
at #4 North Dakota *
Ralph Engelstad Arena • Grand Forks, North Dakota Midco
Tracy
T 2–2 OT
11,646
2–3–1
November 10
6:07 pm
at Ferris State
Ewigleben Arena • Big Rapids, Michigan FloHockey
Tracy
W 6–2 1,537
3–3–1 (1–0–0)
November 11
5:07 pm
at Ferris State
Ewigleben Arena • Big Rapids, Michigan FloHockey
Tracy
W 3–2 OT
—
4–3–1 (2–0–0)
November 17
7:07 pm
Bemidji State
Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center • Mankato, Minnesota FloHockey
Tracy
W 5–1 4,941
5–3–1 (3–0–0)
November 18
6:07 pm
Bemidji State
Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center • Mankato, Minnesota FloHockey
Tracy
L 6–7 5,008
5–4–1 (3–1–0)
November 24
7:07 pm
Michigan Tech
Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center • Mankato, Minnesota FloHockey
Rancier
L 2–3 OT
3,732
5–5–1 (3–2–0)
November 25
6:07 pm
Michigan Tech
Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center • Mankato, Minnesota FloHockey
Tracy
L 2–3 4,023
5–6–1 (3–3–0)
December 1
6:07 pm
at Lake Superior State
Taffy Abel Arena • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan FloHockey
Tracy
T 2–2 SOW
930
5–6–2 (3–3–1)
December 2
5:07 pm
at Lake Superior State
Taffy Abel Arena • Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan FloHockey
Rancier
W 4–3 892
6–6–2 (4–3–1)
December 8
7:07 pm
St. Thomas
Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center • Mankato, Minnesota FloHockey
Tracy
W 3–1 4,557
7–6–2 (5–3–1)
December 9
6:07 pm
at St. Thomas
St. Thomas Ice Arena • Mendota Heights, Minnesota FloHockey
Rancier
L 1–2 1,010
7–7–2 (5–4–1)
December 15
6:07 pm
at Rensselaer *
Houston Field House • Troy, New York ESPN+
Tracy
L 3–4 OT
1,477
7–8–2
December 16
5:07 pm
at Rensselaer *
Houston Field House • Troy, New York ESPN+
Rancier
W 4–2 1,635
8–8–2
January 5
7:07 pm
at Augustana
Denny Sanford Premier Center • Sioux Falls, South Dakota FloHockey , Midco
Tracy
T 3–3 OT
3,211
8–8–3
January 6
6:07 pm
at Augustana
Denny Sanford Premier Center • Sioux Falls, South Dakota FloHockey , Midco
Rancier
W 2–1 3,363
9–8–3
January 12
7:07 pm
Ferris State
Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center • Mankato, Minnesota FloHockey
Rancier
W 4–2 4,244
10–8–3 (6–4–1)
January 13
6:07 pm
Ferris State
Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center • Mankato, Minnesota FloHockey
Tracy
W 4–0 4,615
11–8–3 (7–4–1)
January 19
6:07 pm
at Bowling Green
Slater Family Ice Arena • Bowling Green, Ohio FloHockey
Rancier
L 3–4 2,313
11–9–3 (7–5–1)
January 20
6:07 pm
at Bowling Green
Slater Family Ice Arena • Bowling Green, Ohio FloHockey
Tracy
W 4–1 2,812
12–9–3 (8–5–1)
January 26
7:07 pm
Northern Michigan
Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center • Mankato, Minnesota FloHockey
Tracy
T 2–2 SOL
4,667
12–9–4 (8–5–2)
January 27
6:07 pm
Northern Michigan
Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center • Mankato, Minnesota FloHockey
Tracy
W 4–0 4,981
13–9–4 (9–5–2)
February 2
7:07 pm
at St. Thomas
St. Thomas Ice Arena • Mendota Heights, Minnesota FloHockey
Tracy
W 4–3 OT
1,038
14–9–4 (10–5–2)
February 3
6:07 pm
St. Thomas
Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center • Mankato, Minnesota FloHockey
Tracy
L 2–4 4,973
14–10–4 (10–6–2)
February 9
6:07 pm
at Michigan Tech
MacInnes Student Ice Arena • Houghton, Michigan FloHockey
Tracy
L 1–3 3,704
14–11–4 (10–7–2)
February 10
4:07 pm
at Michigan Tech
MacInnes Student Ice Arena • Houghton, Michigan FloHockey
Tracy
W 4–2 3,773
15–11–4 (11–7–2)
February 23
7:07 pm
Lake Superior State
Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center • Mankato, Minnesota FloHockey
Rancier
L 3–4 4,681
15–12–4 (11–8–2)
February 24
6:07 pm
Lake Superior State
Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center • Mankato, Minnesota FloHockey
Rancier
W 4–3 4,935
16–12–4 (12–8–2)
March 1
7:07 pm
at Bemidji State
Sanford Center • Bemidji, Minnesota FloHockey
Tracy
L 0–6 2,522
16–13–4 (12–9–2)
March 2
6:07 pm
at Bemidji State
Sanford Center • Bemidji, Minnesota FloHockey
Rancier
L 0–2 2,402
16–14–4 (12–10–2)
CCHA Tournament
March 8
7:07 pm
Northern Michigan *
Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center • Mankato, Minnesota (Quarterfinal Game 1)FloHockey
Tracy
W 2–1 3,084
17–14–4
March 9
6:07 pm
Northern Michigan *
Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center • Mankato, Minnesota (Quarterfinal Game 2)FloHockey
Tracy
W 6–1 3,494
18–14–4
March 16
4:07 pm
at Michigan Tech *
MacInnes Student Ice Arena • Houghton, Michigan (Semifinal)FloHockey
Tracy
L 3–4 3,527
18–15–4
*Non-conference game. # Rankings from USCHO.com Poll . All times are in Central Time . [ 5]
Scoring statistics
Name
Position
Games
Goals
Assists
Points
PIM
Sam Morton LW 37
24
10
34 10
Lucas Sowder LW 33
13
15
28 16
Evan Murr D 37
6
20
26 14
Adam Eisele F 37
8
15
23 16
Brian Carrabes F 36
10
12
22 6
Kaden Bohlsen C 37
11
10
21 52
Josh Groll F 34
7
13
20 15
Luc Wilson F 36
7
12
19 14
Brandon Koch D 34
1
13
14 18
Steven Bellini D 31
3
8
11 20
Jordan Steinmetz F 32
2
9
11 10
Brett Moravec F 27
4
4
8 10
Zach Krajnik C 27
1
6
7 2
Jordan Power D 31
1
6
7 26
Tyler Haskins F 18
4
2
6 2
Will Hillman F 36
2
3
5 12
Mason Wheeler D 37
1
4
5 18
Brenden Olson D 23
3
1
4 10
Connor Gregga F 28
2
2
4 8
Campbell Cichosz D 36
1
3
4 8
Tony Malinowski D 13
0
4
4 4
Jakob Stender D 27
0
4
4 4
Alex Tracy G 28
0
1
1 0
Tanner Edwards C /LW 5
0
0
0 4
Kade Nielsen F 8
0
0
0 0
Keenan Rancier G 12
0
0
0 0
Total
111
175
286
307
[ 6]
Goaltending statistics
Name
Games
Minutes
Wins
Losses
Ties
Goals Against
Saves
Shut Outs
SV % GAA
Alex Tracy 30
1584:17
13
10
4
66
671
2
.910
2.50
Keenan Rancier 13
663:59
5
5
0
27
273
0
.910
2.44
Empty Net
-
11:38
-
-
-
3
-
-
-
-
Total
37
2259:54
18
15
4
96
944
2
.908
2.55
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
22
23
24
25
26 (Final)
USCHO.com
NR
NR
19
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
-
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
–
NR
USA Hockey
NR
NR
20
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
-
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
Note: USCHO did not release a poll in weeks 11 and 25. [ 7] Note: USA Hockey did not release a poll in week 12.
Awards and honors
† incoming freshman
[ 13]
References
^ "MSU's Rancier glad to be contributing after long recovery" . The Free Press . January 12, 2024. Retrieved April 22, 2024 .^ "After battling back from injury, Minnesota State's Sam Morton is flourishing in final college season" . The Rink Live . December 8, 2023. Retrieved April 22, 2024 .^ "Tech Hockey - Minnesota State Highlights - 03.16.24" . Michigan Tech Huskies . March 16, 2024. Retrieved April 22, 2024 .^ "2023-24 Men's Hockey Roster" . Minnesota State Mavericks . Retrieved September 18, 2023 .^ "2023-24 Men's Hockey Schedule" . Minnesota State Mavericks . Retrieved August 24, 2022 .^ "Minnesota State Univ. (Mankato) 2023-2024 Skater Stats" . Elite Prospects . Retrieved March 2, 2020 .^ "USCHO Division I Men's Poll" . USCHO.com . Retrieved November 26, 2019 .^ "CCHA Player of the Year is Sam Morton" . CCHA . March 15, 2024. Retrieved July 4, 2024 .^ "Sam Morton Named CCHA Forward of the Year" . CCHA . March 14, 2024. Retrieved July 4, 2024 .^ "All-CCHA First Team Announced" . CCHA.com . March 11, 2024. Retrieved March 12, 2024 .^ "Six Earn All-CCHA Second Team" . CCHA.com . March 11, 2024. Retrieved March 12, 2024 .^ "CCHA All-Rookie Team Revealed" . CCHA.com . March 11, 2024. Retrieved March 12, 2024 .^ "NCAA player rankings, selections in 2024 NHL Draft" . USCHO.com . Retrieved June 29, 2024 .
