The Ferris State Bulldogs were a team of veterans in 2010-11. Much of that leadership is gone for the new season, and the ‘Dogs will hope for a fast recovery.

Last year, Ferris State won the first game in the CCHA Quarterfinal Round to arch-rival Western Michigan, but lost games 2 and 3 in Kalamazoo and did not make the NCAA tournament.  Gone are Senior Goaltender Pat Nagle – netminder for 37 of FSU’s 41 games, and 3 of the top 4 scorers from a year ago in Zach Redmond, Mike Fillinger and Mike Embach.  However, Travis Ouellette does return as the Bulldog’s top scorer, and will

Head Coach Bob Daniels (Michigan State class of 1982) will be celebrating his 20th year in Big Rapids.  Daniels holds a 308-350-74 record in his 19 years, is 215-262-62 in CCHA play, and has led the Bulldogs to the NCAA tournament just once.

Ferris State hosted the University Toronto in their season-opening exhibition and gave the Varsity Blues, well… the varsity blues, and whooped them 5-0.  This past weekend, they traveled to St. Lawrence University where they beat the Saints 5-1 on Friday night and 4-2 on Saturday. In addition, Kyle Bonis was tabbed as the first week’s CCHA Offensive player of the week, with a 3-1–4 line on the weekend.

Picked to finish T-7th by the CCHA Media  and 9th by the Coaches, this year’s Bulldogs team will make the long journey to Fairbanks, Alaska for a series against the Nanooks.  Because of that, they get the “bonus games” and will have 4 out of conference series this year.  They’ve already swept St. Lawrence, will host RPI and Colgate in Big Rapids, and will travel to the Catamount Cup where they will take on RIT and host Vermont on their holiday tournament trip.

Ferris State will join Northern Michigan, Alaska, Bowling Green and Lake Superior State in the reformed WCHA in a couple years, but for this year, will be fighting for a first round bye in the CCHA tournament with 7 freshmen on the roster.

Season Prediction:
If you’re planning on a trip to Big Rapids this year, make sure to stop in to Schuberg’s Bar and Grill – the home of the Pabst-Mosa (yes, you read that right) and the Schuburger (Green olives on your burger? Yes, please!). You can thank me later.
Cieling: 6th
Floor: 10th

Additional Coverage:
In Ferris State’s “Countdown to Faceoff” video series: Forwards, Defense, Goalies and Freshmen are featured.