Ohio State Buckeyes men's ice hockey
Encyclopedia
The Ohio State Buckeyes men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association
(NCAA) Division I college ice hockey
program that represents Ohio State University
. The Buckeyes are a member of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association
(CCHA). They play at Value City Arena
in Columbus, Ohio
.
in 1971. The Buckeyes won the inaugural 1972 CCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament
with a 3-0 win over Saint Louis University
.
One of the team's most successful seasons came in 1997-1998, The Buckeyes moved into new the 17,500-seat Value City Arena
, which replaced the aging and undersized (1,400-seat) OSU Ice Rink. The team finished the 1997-1998 season with an overall record of 27-13-2. They secured an at-large bid to the 1998 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament
. That same season the Buckeyes advanced to the 1998 Frozen Four
and lost in the semifinal game to Boston College 2-5. The 1998 tournament was the program's first and only Frozen Four appearance to date. In 1999 the team advanced to the 1999 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament. Despite a first round elimination with a 2-4 loss to Maine, this marked the first time in school history the team made the NCAA tournament in consecutive seasons.
The time period during the early 2000s was the most successful period in the program's history. Ohio State made the NCAA Post season tournament in 2003, 2004, and 2005. The 2003-2004 season also saw the Buckeyes win the school's second CCHA post season tournament with a 4-2 win over Big Ten and CCHA rival Michigan
. The Buckeyes returned to the NCAA Tournament in 2009, after three seasons when Ohio State received an at-large bid to 2009 NCAA Tournament after a 5th place finish in the CCHA regular season and falling to Alaska
in the CCHA Quarterfinals
. In the 2009 NCAA Tournament the team lost 3-8 to Boston University in the First round.
On March 21, 2011 the Big Ten Conference
announced plans to sponsor men's ice hockey starting in 2013–14 season. Ohio State along with CCHA rivals, University of Michigan and Michigan State University will leave the CCHA to join University of Minnesota and the University of Wisconsin from the WCHA and Penn State, who is elevating their men's and women's American Collegiate Hockey Association
club programs to varsity status, to form a six-team Big Ten Hockey Conference.
. Osiecki was hired in April 2010, he replaces John Markell
behind the OSU bench. Osiecki is a retired NHL player with the Calgary Flames, Ottawa Senators
, Winnipeg Jets and Minnesota North Stars
. He previously served as head coach and GM of the Green Bay Gamblers
(United States Hockey League
) from 1997–2004, and from 2004-2010 was the recruiting coordinator and assistant/defensive coach for the Wisconsin Badgers
.
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
(NCAA) Division I college ice hockey
Ice hockey
Ice hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
program that represents Ohio State University
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
. The Buckeyes are a member of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association
Central Collegiate Hockey Association
The Central Collegiate Hockey Association is a NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey college athletic conference that operates mostly in Michigan and Ohio, although it also has members in Alaska and Indiana. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as a hockey-only conference. It holds its championship...
(CCHA). They play at Value City Arena
Jerome Schottenstein Center
The Value City Arena at the Jerome Schottenstein Center is a multi-purpose arena, located on the campus of The Ohio State University, in Columbus, Ohio, United States...
in Columbus, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
.
History
The Ohio State Buckeyes men's ice hockey program began in 1963, the team played at the new OSU Ice Rink, constructed in 1961. The Buckeyes were a founding member of the CCHACentral Collegiate Hockey Association
The Central Collegiate Hockey Association is a NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey college athletic conference that operates mostly in Michigan and Ohio, although it also has members in Alaska and Indiana. It participates in the NCAA's Division I as a hockey-only conference. It holds its championship...
in 1971. The Buckeyes won the inaugural 1972 CCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament
1972 CCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament
The 1972 CCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament was the first CCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament. It was played between March 3 and March 4, 1972 at St. Louis Arena in St. Louis, Missouri...
with a 3-0 win over Saint Louis University
Saint Louis Billikens
The Saint Louis Billikens are the collegiate athletic teams from Saint Louis University. This NCAA Division I program has teams in soccer, basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, swimming and diving, cross country, tennis, track and field, and field hockey...
.
One of the team's most successful seasons came in 1997-1998, The Buckeyes moved into new the 17,500-seat Value City Arena
Jerome Schottenstein Center
The Value City Arena at the Jerome Schottenstein Center is a multi-purpose arena, located on the campus of The Ohio State University, in Columbus, Ohio, United States...
, which replaced the aging and undersized (1,400-seat) OSU Ice Rink. The team finished the 1997-1998 season with an overall record of 27-13-2. They secured an at-large bid to the 1998 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament
1998 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament
The 1998 NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey Tournament involved 12 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college ice hockey. It began on March 27, 1998, and ended with the championship game on April 4...
. That same season the Buckeyes advanced to the 1998 Frozen Four
1998 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament
The 1998 NCAA Men's Division I Ice Hockey Tournament involved 12 schools playing in single-elimination play to determine the national champion of men's NCAA Division I college ice hockey. It began on March 27, 1998, and ended with the championship game on April 4...
and lost in the semifinal game to Boston College 2-5. The 1998 tournament was the program's first and only Frozen Four appearance to date. In 1999 the team advanced to the 1999 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament. Despite a first round elimination with a 2-4 loss to Maine, this marked the first time in school history the team made the NCAA tournament in consecutive seasons.
The time period during the early 2000s was the most successful period in the program's history. Ohio State made the NCAA Post season tournament in 2003, 2004, and 2005. The 2003-2004 season also saw the Buckeyes win the school's second CCHA post season tournament with a 4-2 win over Big Ten and CCHA rival Michigan
Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey
The Michigan Wolverines men's ice hockey team is the college ice hockey team that represents the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Earning varsity status in 1922, the program is competing in its 90th season...
. The Buckeyes returned to the NCAA Tournament in 2009, after three seasons when Ohio State received an at-large bid to 2009 NCAA Tournament after a 5th place finish in the CCHA regular season and falling to Alaska
Alaska Nanooks men's ice hockey
The Alaska Nanooks men's ice hockey team is a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I college ice hockey program that represents the University of Alaska Fairbanks. The Nanooks are a member of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association . They play at the Carlson Center in Fairbanks,...
in the CCHA Quarterfinals
2009 CCHA Men's Ice Hockey Tournament
- Ohio State vs. Bowling Green:- Northern Michigan vs. Michigan State:- Western Michigan vs. Lake Superior State:- Nebraska-Omaha vs. Ferris State:- Notre Dame vs. Nebraska-Omaha:...
. In the 2009 NCAA Tournament the team lost 3-8 to Boston University in the First round.
On March 21, 2011 the Big Ten Conference
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
announced plans to sponsor men's ice hockey starting in 2013–14 season. Ohio State along with CCHA rivals, University of Michigan and Michigan State University will leave the CCHA to join University of Minnesota and the University of Wisconsin from the WCHA and Penn State, who is elevating their men's and women's American Collegiate Hockey Association
American Collegiate Hockey Association
The American Collegiate Hockey Association is the national governing body of non-varsity college ice hockey in the U.S. The organization provides structure, regulations, promotes the quality of play, sponsors National Awards and National Tournaments....
club programs to varsity status, to form a six-team Big Ten Hockey Conference.
Coaches
The Buckeyes are currently coached by Mark OsieckiMark Osiecki
Mark Anthony Osiecki is an American ice hockey coach and former professional ice hockey player. Osiecki is currently the head coach of the Ohio State University ice hockey team. Osiecki played 93 games in the NHL for the Calgary Flames, Ottawa Senators, Winnipeg Jets and Minnesota North Stars...
. Osiecki was hired in April 2010, he replaces John Markell
John Markell
John Richard Markell is a Canadian former professional ice hockey right winger. He played 55 National Hockey League games: 52 with the Winnipeg Jets, two with the St. Louis Blues and one with the Minnesota North Stars...
behind the OSU bench. Osiecki is a retired NHL player with the Calgary Flames, Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators
The Ottawa Senators are a professional ice hockey team based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
, Winnipeg Jets and Minnesota North Stars
Minnesota North Stars
The Minnesota North Stars were a professional ice hockey team in the National Hockey League for 26 seasons, from 1967 to 1993. The North Stars played their home games at the Met Center in Bloomington, and the team's colors for most of its history were green, yellow, gold and white...
. He previously served as head coach and GM of the Green Bay Gamblers
Green Bay Gamblers
The Green Bay Gamblers are a Tier 1 junior ice hockey team in the East Division of the United States Hockey League. They play in Green Bay, Wisconsin, at the Resch Center.-History:...
(United States Hockey League
United States Hockey League
The United States Hockey League is the top junior ice hockey league in the United States. The USHL has 16 member teams located in the Midwestern United States, consisting of players who are 20 years of age and younger...
) from 1997–2004, and from 2004-2010 was the recruiting coordinator and assistant/defensive coach for the Wisconsin Badgers
Wisconsin Badgers men's ice hockey
The Wisconsin Badgers men's ice hockey team is the college ice hockey team that represents the University of Wisconsin–Madison in Madison, Wisconsin. The team plays at the Kohl Center and is coached by former Badger and NHL player Mike Eaves...
.
All-time coaching records
As of completion of 2010–11 season| Tenure | Coach | Years | Record | Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010–present | Mark Osiecki Mark Osiecki Mark Anthony Osiecki is an American ice hockey coach and former professional ice hockey player. Osiecki is currently the head coach of the Ohio State University ice hockey team. Osiecki played 93 games in the NHL for the Calgary Flames, Ottawa Senators, Winnipeg Jets and Minnesota North Stars... |
1 | 15–18–4 | .459 |
| 1994–2010 | John Markell John Markell John Richard Markell is a Canadian former professional ice hockey right winger. He played 55 National Hockey League games: 52 with the Winnipeg Jets, two with the St. Louis Blues and one with the Minnesota North Stars... |
15 | 280–267–56 | .511 |
| 1975–1995 | Jerry Welsh | 20 | 328–381–56 | .463 |
| 1972–1975 | Gerald Walford | 3 | 41–46–4 | .477 |
| 1970–1972 | Dave Chambers Dave Chambers Dave Chambers is a former Canadian ice hockey coach. He was head coach of the Quebec Nordiques from 1990 to 1992.... |
2 | 44–14–0 | .759 |
| 1966–1970 | Harry Neale Harry Neale Harold Watson Neale is a hockey colour commentator, who currently works for the Buffalo Sabres on the Sabres Hockey Network... |
4 | 49–48–3 | .505 |
| 1965–1966 | Glen Sonmor Glen Sonmor Glen Sonmor is a former professional hockey player, scout and coach.-Early life:In high school, Sonmor played for Moose Jaw and was a multi-sport star; playing point guard in basketball, quarterback in football and left wing in hockey, as well as pitching in semi-pro baseball... |
1 | 9–7–0 | .563 |
| 1963–1965 | Tom Bedecki | 2 | 6–14–0 | .300 |
| Totals | 8 coaches | 48 seasons | 772–795–123 | .493 |
Buckeyes in professional hockey
- Tom AskeyTom AskeyTom Askey is an American professional ice hockey goaltender. He was drafted by the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim as their eighth-round pick, #186 overall, in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft.-Playing career:...
, retired goaltender for the Mighty Ducks of Anaheim and various European pro teams. - Mike BalesMike BalesMichael Raymond Bales is a Canadian professional ice hockey player. A goaltender, he has played for the Boston Bruins and Ottawa Senators in the National Hockey League. He attended the Ohio State University, lettering with the Buckeyes from 1990 to 1992, and was drafted by Boston in the fifth...
, NHLNational Hockey LeagueThe National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
ice hockeyIce hockeyIce hockey, often referred to as hockey, is a team sport played on ice, in which skaters use wooden or composite sticks to shoot a hard rubber puck into their opponent's net. The game is played between two teams of six players each. Five members of each team skate up and down the ice trying to take...
goalie, currently playing for the Straubing TigersStraubing TigersThe Straubing Tigers are a professional men's ice hockey team in the German Ice Hockey League . They play out of Straubing, Germany, and they play their home games at Eisstadion am Pulverturm, which can hold 5,800 spectators....
(DEL). - Mathieu Beaudoin current NHL hockey player with Phoenix CoyotesPhoenix CoyotesThe Phoenix Coyotes are a professional ice hockey team based in Glendale, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They play their home games at Jobing.com Arena....
. - Sean Collins current NHL hockey player for the Washington CapitalsWashington CapitalsThe Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C. They are members of the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Since their founding in 1974, "The Caps" have won one conference championship to reach the 1998 Stanley Cup...
. - Corey ElkinsCorey ElkinsCorey Elkins is an ice hockey center for the HC Pardubice of the Czech Extraliga.-Career statistics:- External links :...
, current NHL hockey player/left wing with Los Angeles KingsLos Angeles KingsThe Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
. - Tom FritscheTom FritscheTom "Buzz" Fritsche is an American ice hockey forward currently playing for the Tulsa Oilers of the Central Hockey League. Tom is the younger brother of Dan Fritsche who plays for the Genève-Servette HC of the Swiss National League A.-Playing career:Fritsche was drafted 47th overall in the 2005...
, 2nd round draft choice, currently with the Lake Erie MonstersLake Erie MonstersThe Lake Erie Monsters are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They began play in the 2007–08 AHL season at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio...
(AHLAmerican Hockey LeagueThe American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
). - Nate GueninNate GueninNathaniel Lawrence Guenin is an American professional ice hockey defenseman who currently plays for the Anaheim Ducks organization of the National Hockey League .-Playing career:...
, current NHL player with the Columbus Blue JacketsColumbus Blue JacketsThe Columbus Blue Jackets are a professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Ohio, United States. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
. - Ryan KeslerRyan KeslerRyan James Kesler is an American professional ice hockey center for the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League . He serves as an alternate captain for the Canucks during home games. Selected in the first round, 23rd overall by the Vancouver Canucks in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft, Kesler has...
, current NHL hockey player with the Vancouver CanucksVancouver CanucksThe Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
. - Jamie MacounJamie MacounJamie Neil Macoun is a retired professional ice hockey defenceman who played parts of seventeen seasons in the National Hockey League....
, longtime veteran ice hockey defencemanDefenceman (ice hockey)Defence in ice hockey is a player position whose primary responsibility is to prevent the opposing team from scoring...
in the NHL. - Jeff MadillJeff MadillJeff Madill is a retired ice hockey right winger. He was drafted by the New Jersey Devils in the 1987 NHL Supplemental Draft....
, retired NHL player with the New Jersey DevilsNew Jersey DevilsThe New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
. - Bill McKenzieBill McKenzieWilliam Ian McKenzie is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played for the Detroit Red Wings, Kansas City Scouts, and Colorado Rockies in the National Hockey League .-Awards:...
, retired NHL goaltender. - Éric MelocheEric MelocheÉric Meloche is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who currently plays for the Straubing Tigers of the German Deutsche Eishockey Liga . He is the son of former player Gilles Meloche.-Playing career:...
, current professional hockey player with the Straubing TigersStraubing TigersThe Straubing Tigers are a professional men's ice hockey team in the German Ice Hockey League . They play out of Straubing, Germany, and they play their home games at Eisstadion am Pulverturm, which can hold 5,800 spectators....
(DEL). - Kevin MontgomeryKevin Montgomery (ice hockey)Kevin Montgomery is an American ice hockey player who currently plays for the Oklahoma City Barons of the American Hockey League while under contract to the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...
current NHL draft choice, currently with the Lake Erie MonstersLake Erie MonstersThe Lake Erie Monsters are a professional ice hockey team in the American Hockey League. They began play in the 2007–08 AHL season at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio...
(AHLAmerican Hockey LeagueThe American Hockey League is a 30-team professional ice hockey league based in the United States and Canada that serves as the primary developmental circuit for the National Hockey League...
). - Rod PelleyRod PelleyRod Pelley is a Canadian ice hockey centre who currently plays for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League.-Playing career:He scored his first NHL goal on November 8, 2007 against Martin Biron of the Philadelphia Flyers...
, currently playing for the New Jersey DevilsNew Jersey DevilsThe New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
in the NHL. - Dave SteckelDave SteckelDavid Steckel is an American professional ice hockey center currently playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the National Hockey League.-Playing career:...
, current ice hockey player in the NHL for the New Jersey DevilsNew Jersey DevilsThe New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey, United States. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
. - Tyson StrachanTyson StrachanTyson Strachan is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Florida Panthers. He was drafted by the Carolina Hurricanes in the fifth round, 137th overall, in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft.-Playing career:...
, current NHL player/defenseman with the St. Louis Blues. - R.J. Umberger, current ice hockey player/center in the NHL for the Columbus Blue JacketsColumbus Blue JacketsThe Columbus Blue Jackets are a professional ice hockey team based in Columbus, Ohio, United States. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
. - Jim WitherspoonJim WitherspoonJames Witherspoon is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman that played for the Los Angeles Kings in the National Hockey League .-External links:...
, retired NHL player/defenseman with the Los Angeles KingsLos Angeles KingsThe Los Angeles Kings are a professional ice hockey team based in Los Angeles, California. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League...
.