Re: Minnesota State Offseason Thread
Pretty cool new tradition for the Mavs as they enter their 50th season as a program — from msumavericks.com:
Story Links Mankato, Minn. --- On the cusp of beginning its 50th season, the Minnesota State men's hockey program has announced the inaugural induction class to its Legends of Maverick Hockey.
The first five members of Legends of Maverick Hockey will be formally recognized during Minnesota State's season-opening weekend Oct. 12-13 when Boston University comes to town for a pair of nonconference games.
Selected for induction are former head coach Don Brose, Karl Ulrich (a captain on MSU's first team in 1969-70), Steve Forliti (captain on Minnesota State's NCAA DII championship team in 1979-80), Tim Jackman (the first player from Minnesota State to play in the National Hockey League) and current Boston Bruin and two-time Olympian David Backes.
Mike Hastings, who is entering his seventh year as Minnesota State's head coach, said that the celebration of 50 years of Maverick Hockey offered the opportunity to honor "people that have helped us get to where we are as a program."
"We wanted to recognize players, coaches and builders that have made this program special," said Hastings. "Over the course of five decades, Minnesota State Hockey has had many successes. And our Legends of Maverick Hockey program allows us to shed some light on those that have played significant roles in our achievements during this time. We're extremely excited and looking forward to begin the 2018-19 season by celebrating the contributions that Don, Karl, Steve, Tim and David have made in making Maverick Hockey unique."
The first season of Minnesota State men's hockey was 1969-70 and during the course of the past 49 years the Mavericks have amassed a won-loss record of 887-646-153 (.572). The Mavericks, who have won the MacNaughton Cup as Western Collegiate Hockey Association regular season champions three times in the last six years, have made four trips to the NCAA postseason tournament in the last six years. In six years under Hastings, Minnesota State has more wins (151) than any other program in NCAA Division I.