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Men's Hockey faces Jamestown University

Men's Hockey Lucia Esposito

Men's Hockey Opens 2021-20122 Season at Jamestown

MINOT, N.D. ‒ The men's hockey team travels to Jamestown University tonight as they embark on their journey towards another historic season. 

The Beavers come into this season with targets on their backs‒respectfully‒as they've remained a nationally ranked team since 2009. With two national championship titles, the most recent in 2019, the team looks to tack on a third banner in the Maysa Arena at the end of this season. 

Head coach Wyatt Waselenchuk notes the start of the 2021-2022 hockey season as "a long time coming", he continues, "we were just one game shy last year and it's kind of been that sting, if you will, for the last seven months." The tough loss that ended the Beavers' 2020-2021 season fueled a greater motivation in the team going into this year.

Waselenchuk highlights the newcomers this season. "We're going to have a new goalie in-between the pipes, Jake Anthony. Reece Henry looks like he's gonna be a fantastic pick-up for us, Reid Arnold, Payton Jerome on the back end." The freshman class has been fitting in well both on and off the ice, and coaches are excited to see what they bring to their first collegiate competition this weekend. 

The Beavers' defense holds strong with every defender from last year's roster returning to the ice. Davis Sheldon and Connor Navrot, who played large roles in winning the 2019 national championship, have been key leaders for MSU. "Leaders like them are going to be the ones we certainly look to lead us early on," notes head coach Waselenchuk, "we've got a pretty great class top to bottom." Drew Carter, Eric Soar, and Carter Barley are also noted as players to watch.

Having experience on a championship team, four-year senior Davis Sheldon believes the winning culture that 2019 team had is what the Beavers possess now. "Everyone is getting along well, which is something replicated from the year we won." Sheldon continues, "I'm really looking forward to continuing this journey with this group." Leadership is strong throughout the Minot State men's hockey roster. "We've been fortunate that we have guys coming from all over, and they're all leaders from the teams they come from, and they bring those attributes with them." 

When asked how it felt being two-time national champions,  Sheldon smiles and replies, "we're ready for another one!" Head Coach Wyatt Waselenchuk reflects on his strategy in the run towards another championship season as "humble"; a word he uses to remind his players to stay focused and do all things correctly. "We talk about doing things right from day one. Preparing for a national tournament doesn't happen two weeks before the tournament." Waselenchuk reinforces, "It starts in August. It starts in September. Instilling those good habits right now is everything for us."

The Beavers are set to make an impression tonight at Jamestown University as they take on the Jimmies at the John L. Wilson Arena. Puck drops at 7p.m. CT.
 
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Players Mentioned

Connor Navrot

#44 Connor Navrot

F
6' 3"
Senior
Eric Soar

#6 Eric Soar

D
6' 0"
Junior
Davis Sheldon

#78 Davis Sheldon

F
5' 10"
Senior
Drew Carter

#97 Drew Carter

F
6' 2"
Senior
Carter Barley

#82 Carter Barley

F
6' 2"
Sophomore
Jake Anthony

#37 Jake Anthony

G
6' 1"
Freshman
Payton Jerome

#22 Payton Jerome

D
5' 11"
Freshman
Reid Arnold

#27 Reid Arnold

F
5' 9"
Freshman
Reece Henry

#19 Reece Henry

F
6' 1"
Freshman

Players Mentioned

Connor Navrot

#44 Connor Navrot

6' 3"
Senior
F
Eric Soar

#6 Eric Soar

6' 0"
Junior
D
Davis Sheldon

#78 Davis Sheldon

5' 10"
Senior
F
Drew Carter

#97 Drew Carter

6' 2"
Senior
F
Carter Barley

#82 Carter Barley

6' 2"
Sophomore
F
Jake Anthony

#37 Jake Anthony

6' 1"
Freshman
G
Payton Jerome

#22 Payton Jerome

5' 11"
Freshman
D
Reid Arnold

#27 Reid Arnold

5' 9"
Freshman
F
Reece Henry

#19 Reece Henry

6' 1"
Freshman
F