10 Players with NAHL Connections Win Division I Hockey Championship with Western Michigan University

The Western Michigan Broncos claimed their first National Championship this past weekend and the squad features 10 players with NAHL connections. This historic run began with the Broncos punching their ticket to the Frozen Four for the first time in program history.

Heading into the Frozen Four, the Western Michigan roster featured the most NAHL alumni out of the four teams that made it to St. Louis, Missouri. The Broncos were able to battle through the Fargo Regional with a 2-1 double overtime win against the Minnesota State Mavericks and then a 2-1 victory over UMass Minutemen. 

As the Broncos entered the semifinal round of play, they were faced with the reigning national champions, the University of Denver Pioneers. On Thursday night, Western Michigan defeated Denver in a 3-2 double overtime thriller, and it was in large part of the league’s alumni. Former Corpus Christi IceRay, Brian Kramer, got the scoring started in the first period. The 6’0 blueliner found the back of the net on the man advantage to give the Broncos a 1-0 lead. Following that goal, former skater of the Bismarck Bobcats, Owen Michaels, doubled the lead with an unassisted goal in the last six minutes of play in the second frame. 

The momentum shifted in the third period as the Pioneers potted a pair of goals, the game-tying goal scored by former Minot Minotauro Jared Wright with 2:39 remaining in regulation. Despite numerous chances on both sides, that 2-2 scoreline remained the same through the final minutes of regulation and a scoreless overtime period. Denver won the opening draw in double overtime, however, a Denver turnover in the defensive zone found Owen Michaels who took full advantage, blistering the puck past Matt Davis 26 seconds into overtime. The Broncos’ 3-2 double overtime win set them up for a Saturday night showdown with Boston University for the NCAA title.

The stage was set as the  Broncos faced the Terriers in the final matchup. The red-hot Broncos were hoping to carry their nine-game winning streak into this final contest. Just like Thursday night’s game, NAHL alumni shined bright again in this National Championship game. Former Minnesota Wilderness skater, Cole Crusberg-Roseen, scored the second goal in the contest for the Broncos, giving Western Michigan the 2-1 lead over the Terriers. Heading into the middle frame, the Broncos and Terriers were both able to tally a goal to the scoresheet to make the contest 3-2. In the final period of the matchup, Owen Michaels was the hero again. The second-year skater scored twice and helped to extend the Broncos victory to 6-2.

Michaels was named as the Frozen Four’s Most Outstanding Player. The 22-year-old tallied four goals in the last two games and played a critical role in the Broncos' success on the national stage. The Detroit, Michigan native ends his season with 18 goals, 18 assists, and a +27 rating. He ranks second on his squad in goals and his plus-minus rating. His fellow NAHL alumni, Brian Kramer and Cole Crusberg-Roseen, both sit in the top three of the Broncos squad with their plus-minus rating.

 

Alumni on the Western Michigan Broncos Roster

Grady Gallatin - Janesville Jets, 2023-24

Cole Crusberg-Roseen - Minnesota Wilderness 2021-22

Ryan Kusler - Odessa Jackalopes, 2021-22

Zach Bade - Springfield Jr. Blues, 2021-22

Owen Michaels - Bismarck Bobcats, 2020-22

Ethan Wolthers - Minnesota Wilderness, 2020-22

Jack Mesic - Amarillo Bulls & North Iowa Bulls, 2019-23

Garrett Szydlowski - Maryland Black Bears, 2019-21

Kirk Laursen - New Mexico Ice Wolves, 2019-21

Brian Kramer - Corpus Christi IceRays, 2017-19