The origins of St. Cloud State University Hockey date back to the early 1930's, but it wasn't until the mid-1980's that thoughts of Division I hockey entered the SCSU arena.
Finally, a Division I commitment was made during the 1986-87 season and the Huskies joined as an Independent in '87-88. SCSU then played an Independent schedule for three seasons, highlighted by an NCAA tourney appearance in 1989.
In the fall of 1990, SCSU began playing in the WCHA, finished fifth, and took North Dakota to three games in the first round of the playoffs.
Rebuilding a tradition is a complicated task. Especially when trying to regain the magic that sparked the St. Cloud State dynasties in the 1930's and 1940's. With greats Sam LoPresti, Frank Brimsek, Sergio Gambucci, R.A. Vandell and others, St. Cloud State Teachers College rose to a prominence which provided collegiate hockey with a tremendous boost.
"No institution did more for collegiate hockey in the '30's and '40's than St. Cloud," said Minnesota hockey great John Mariucci.
Two of the most influential and successful individuals in St. Cloud's history are LoPresti and Brimsek. LoPresti played for the Huskies in 1935 and spent two years at UMD. After LoPresti graduated from UMD, he played for the Chicago Black Hawks where he flourished as a goaltender. His NHL career culminated with induction into the United States Hall of Fame.
Brimsek was a member of the 1934 squad and later played goalie for the NHL's Boston Bruins. He earned the nickname 'Mr. Zero' as a rookie for the Bruins when he led the NHL in victories, goals-against average and shutouts, won the Calder Trophy and led the Bruins to victory in the Stanley Cup playoffs. He played nine seasons with the Bruins and one with Chicago before retiring in 1950, and holds the distinction of being the only St. Cloud alumnus to be inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame and the International Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.
There was one major contrast between that era and now - St. Cloud had no indoor rink. Hockey depended on the elements and there was either too much cold, too much snow or not enough cold to preserve the ice. That hurt attendance, said Mariucci, and fan interest was great but sporadic.
The 1950's, 60's and 70's produced five All-Americans in Ronald Gordon ('70), Paul Oberstar ('71), John Fitzsimmons ('73), Pat Sullivan ('74-75) and Dave Reichel ('78, '79).
The 1980's were an introduction to the top four scorers of all-time at SCSU and the beginning of future thoughts of taking Husky hockey to a new level - NCAA Division I. In 1980, longtime coach Charlie Basch led the Huskies into the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association, the inaugural season of the league, and by the time of his retirement, he was the winningest coach in Husky hockey with 181 victories.
Basch was replaced by John Perpich, who had played college hockey under both Glen Sonmor and Herb Brooks at Minnesota. In two seasons, Perpich led the Huskies to back-to-back winning seasons, a 30-24-4 record, and a renewed interest in Husky hockey. He left the Huskies in 1986 to become coach at Ferris State.
Herb Brooks and Craig Dahl then became the one-two coaching punch for SCSU and a new wave of excitement landed on the campus and in the community during the 1986-87 season. Brooks had coached UM to three NCAA titles in seven years, the U.S. Olympic Hockey Team to Gold in 1980, and garnered NHL Coach of the Year honors with the New York Rangers. Dahl had been head coach at UW-River Falls for a season and had also built the Bethel College program.
In Brooks' first and only season as head coach, St. Cloud State broke or tied 45 school records on the way to a 25-10-1 record and a third place finish at the Div. II national championships. As the season progressed so did the excitement and Husky fans filled the Municipal Ice Arena.
During the 1987 session of the Minnesota Legislature, St. Cloud State University proposed an $8.6 million multi-purpose sports facility that would include a hockey arena and football field. And there even was talk of applying for admission into the prestigious Western Collegiate Hockey Association.
The arena proposal was ultimately approved in May, 1987 and St. Cloud was chosen as the location. Doors opened for the first game on Dec. 16, 1989. At the time, the National Hockey Center was a one-of-a-kind - the only facility that featured two Olympic sheets under one roof.
The main rink inside the NHC was named the Brendan J. McDonald Ice Rink in March, 1994. SCSU's president, McDonald was a strong advocate for the move to Division I and had helped gain the funding for the NHC. He passed away in August, 1994.
While construction of the NHC was underway, the Huskies forged their way as an Independent. Craig Dahl took over as head coach in the fall of 1987 and in '88-89, led the Huskies to a 19-16-2 mark and an NCAA tournament invitation.
In '89-90, SCSU opened the NHC with a two wins over Northern Michigan in mid-December, and by the end of the season, the Huskies were No. 2 in the D-I Independent poll behind Alaska Anchorage.
St. Cloud State joined the WCHA in 1990-91, finished fifth in the league, and bowed to UND in the first round of the playoffs. Junior defenseman Bret Hedican was SCSU's first All-WCHA First Team pick. Hedican left the following season to play for the U.S. Olympic Team in Albertville, France and then headed to the NHL where he still plays today. Seniors Jeff Saterdalen and Tim Hanus, meanwhile, became the school's No. 1 & 2 all-time scorers, with 179 and 172 points respectively.
The Huskies posted a 14-21-2 overall record in their second season in the WCHA, and freshman W Sandy Gasseau was named to the WCHA All-Rookie team.
The dream of many was realized in '93-94, when SCSU went 21-13-4, defeated UMD in the first round of the WCHA playoffs at home, beat Wisconsin 3-2 in the semi-finals of the WCHA Final Five, and fell to Minnesota 3-2 (ot) in the championship game. In 1994-95, the Huskies were 17-20-1 overall and were fifth in the WCHA, and earned a first round home playoff berth. Goalie Brian Leitza was named to the WCHA All-Rookie team.
SCSU made its second appearance in the WCHA Final Five in 1995-96, after upsetting Denver in the first round. The Huskies had finished the WCHA regular season in eighth place. SCSU then went on to face Michigan Tech in the Final Five, losing 4-3 (ot). Freshman Matt Cullen was named to the WCHA All-Rookie Team.
In 1996-97, Dahl led SCSU to a 23-13-4 record, third place in the WCHA at 18-10-4, and a second straight trip to the WCHA Final Five. Two players - Matt Cullen and Mark Parrish - left school early to pursue pro careers and both are still in the NHL today.
In 1997-98, SCSU went 22-16-2 overall and played in their third straight Final Five. Dahl was named WCHA Coach of the Year and for the third straight year, the Huskies averaged over 5,000 fans per game (5,593). Sophomore Josh DeWolf signed with New Jersey of the NHL at season's end.
In 1998-99, the Huskies advanced to the WCHA Final Five for the fourth straight season, despite a 16-18-5 overall mark and 7th place league finish. SCSU upset Wisconsin in Madison in the first round, but fell to UM, 5-3, in the Final Five. Senior D Kyle McLaughlin was honored as the WCHA Student-Athlete of the Year.
The 1999-2000 season was a break-through year for SCSU as the Huskies elevated their game to the next level, the NCAA tournament. The season began with several disappointments, but would end in a championship flurry as SCSU made its second-ever NCAA Tournament. At the East Regional in Albany, NY, the Huskies lost 5-3 to BU. The road to the regional had included a fifth straight trip to the Final Five, a school-record-tying 23 wins (23-14-3) and a third place league finish. After going 0-5 in the first five league games, the Huskies went 12-1-2, won a school-record seven straight league games and ran up a school-record 10-game unbeaten streak. Junior Scott Meyer, who started every one of those games, posted five shutouts in 15 starts and went on to set season marks for shutouts, GAA, and saves percentage. Four Huskies turned in 40-point performances, led by sophomore Tyler Arnason (19-30=49), while sophomore defenseman Mike Pudlick became the second Husky to earn First Team All-WCHA honors.
Success and more success followed SCSU in 2000-01. They went a school-record 31-9-1 overall, were No. 5 in the final national poll, and were second in the WCHA at 20-8-0. SCSU also claimed their first-ever Broadmoor Trophy, defeating UND 6-5 (ot) in the Final Five title game, and Tyler Arnason was named tourney MVP. SCSU also gained its second consecutive bid to the NCAAs, receiving a first-round bye as the No. 2 West seed, but the Huskies lost to Michigan, 4-3. Senior Scott Meyer earned All-WCHA First Team and All-American honors while setting five season and four career goaltending records.
In 2001-02, the Huskies continued their pattern of success with a strong 29-11-2 overall record and another second place finish in the WCHA at 19-7-2. SCSU gained its first-ever No. 1 ranking in the Div. 1 polls during the season and held that position for much of the winter. Forward Mark Hartigan firmly established himself as a Husky legend with a school-record 37 goals, 38 assists and 75 points He went on to become the first player in SCSU history to gain WCHA MVP honors, first team All-American status and a spot among the top three finalists for the Hobey Baker award. Other award winners included All-WCHA selections Nate DiCasmirro (F) and Dean Weasler (G) along with a trio selected to the league's All-Rookie squad - Mike Doyle (F), Peter Szabo (F) and Matt Gens (D). To complete the scene, SCSU received its third consecutive bid to the NCAA tournament.
