Bemidji State Hockey looks for players to step up

Matt Read leaves big shoes to fill

By: Jordan George and Travis Bosch

The Bemidji State Beavers hockey team will have their hands full next year, when they will try and compete for a national championship without star forward Matt Read.



Matt Read Poised to make a pass

 Matt Read, two-time all American senior, has been a big part of the teams success over the past four years. He has led the beavers in scoring three of the four years, contributed to three conference championships, two NCAA tournament births, and a historic frozen four appearance. “He (Read) was a big part of our program here and he will go down as one of the best players to ever wear the green n white.” Stated Tom Serratore, head coach of the team. Read signed with professional contract with the Philadelphia Flyers of the National Hockey League. With Read gone, Serratore is looking for players to step up and help fill the role Read left behind. “There is big shoes to fill, and we will have to wait and see who steps up their game.”

Serratore points to his junior class led by Brad Hunt to take on the task.  “Hunt has been here for three years now and has learned a lot. He has the ability to lead his junior class and team to a championship.” For this junior class championships are nothing new. “These juniors have experience on winning championships, they will set the bar for the underclassmen.” This will be one of the beaver’s most challenging tasks it has ever faced. “It is never easy to lose a superstar to the NHL, but things happen in this game and we as a staff are confident these six juniors can lead to us greatness.”

Although this program relies heavily on upper classman, the beavers have some pretty talented recruits coming in who can chip in and make the program better. “We have six players coming into our beaver hockey family next year who will all get the chance to help this program out.” Serratore stated. He highlights Mitch Cain’s name, who is expected to get drafted in the NHL, according to NHL Central Scouting.



Bemidji State getting ready to take on their opponents

Mitch Cain, a native of Fort Francis, Ontario, is supposed to get drafted in this year’s 2011 NHL entry draft. He finished off a marvelous year with the Des Moines Buccaneers of the USHL (United States Hockey League) where he was third on his team in scoring with 27 points (19 goals) in 52 games. “Mitch is electric in the way he plays the game,” Said Serratore. “ He can take you out of your seat every time he is on the ice.” With most of the scoring coming from Read, the two-time coach of the year finalist is expecting Cain to deliver. “We are very pleased to have this type of player come to Bemidji State, the expectations are high for him (Cain) and we are hoping he can come in and help produce in the scoring department.”

With such a rich tradition here at Bemidji State, the fans have no doubt that this team will be in contention yet again. Todd Melrose, a long time fan of the beavers said, “This program has accepted just about every challenge it has been given and has exceeded expectations.”

The Beavers will be back in action next year at the Sanford Center where they play host in an exhibition game against the Regina Cougars on October 2^nd. For further details you can go to http://www.bsubeavers.com/