(Ann Arbor, MI) – Concordia men's hockey is preparing to begin their season this Friday. The Cardinals went 6-6 last year in a pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign, setting a new school record for single-season wins despite the short season. Head coach David Wohlberg enters his 3rd season at the helm of the program, returning 20 players and adding 10 talented newcomers.
2020 Season Review
Concordia finished with a 6-6 overall record last season, going 3-4 in WHAC play. Due to the pandemic, the team's season did not start until January when they earned an 8-6 season-opening win over Rochester. The Cardinals won 3 of their last 4 games heading into the playoffs, earning the #3 seed in the WHAC and traveling to #2 Aquinas. CUAA jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the game, but the Saints came back to force overtime and claimed a narrow 3-2 win.
2021 Schedule Outlook
Concordia starts the season with a 2-game series against Western Michigan on September 24-25. The Cardinals will then begin October with a series versus Concordia-Wisconsin on October 1-2. WHAC conference play starts October 8-9 with 2 games against Aquinas. CUAA will play a series against Toledo before returning to WHAC play with home-and-home matchups against Cleary and Indiana Tech to close the month.
November begins with a WHAC series against UM-Dearborn. After 2 games against Lawrence Tech, the final series will be against Rochester on November 19-20. The Cardinals will play 2 games apiece against Aquinas and Grand Valley State in December to close out the 2021 calendar year.
The month of January begins with a 2-game series against Kent State. The Cardinals then return to conference play with matchups against Cleary, Indiana Tech, and UM-Dearborn to close out the month. In February, the season concludes with home-and-home matchups versus Lawrence Tech and Rochester.
All teams will qualify for the WHAC conference playoffs on February 18-20. The winner will receive an automatic berth to nationals.
Concordia Personnel
Senior goalkeeper Elijah Gibbons returns after notching 2 wins with a 2.12 GAA and a .946 save percentage. Senior forward Abel Christians returns after leading the team in points with 8 goals and 7 assists. Senior forward Hunter Kepple comes back after tying for the team high with 8 goals along with 6 assists.
Senior defender Tyler Groth is back after notching 4 goals (2 GWG) and 5 assists. Senior forward Thomas Hendry comes back after scoring 2 goals and 4 assists. Senior forward Tristan Waechter notched 4 goals and an assist last year.
Senior forward Jacob Culp had 2 assists last season. Senior Riley Wagner recorded a goal last year. Senior forward Austin Smith competed as well last year while senior forward Evan Daldin returns after being unable to play last season.
Junior forward Kyle Hebner recorded 4 goals and 7 assists while tying for a team-high +7 last season. Junior forward Jacob Gerace had 4 assists last season. Junior forward Michael Brannan picked up a goal last year.
Sophomore forward Quinn Bieniek recorded 4 goals and 8 assists last season while tying for the team lead with a plus-minus of +7. Sophomore forward Brandon Troyer picked up 2 goals and 8 assists. Sophomore forward Tyler Bieniek had 3 goals and 5 assists.
Sophomore defenseman Jack Geraghty notched 3 assists. Sophomore defenseman Brandon Kucera had a goal and an assist. Sophomore defenseman Benjamin Jones played his position well while finishing +2. Sophomore goalkeeper Stephen Ward-Brown picked up 2 wins with a 3.33 GAA and .861 save percentage.
Head coach David Wohlberg has added 10 newcomers this year: current men's lacrosse goalkeeper junior Joseph Loria, and freshmen Anthony Seykora, Brayden Tayles, Brenden Murray, Carson Ediger, Derek Hebner, Griffin Briquelet, Joseph Nagle, Liam Kenney, and Trevor Swazey.
2020 Team Stats
Connect with the Cardinals
To stay up to date with the most recent information and news throughout the season, follow the Concordia Men's Hockey team on their social media platforms. The Cardinals are on Twitter and Instagram (@CUAA_MHockey).
