The San Diego State University men’s ice hockey team enters its third year at the ACHA Division 1 level hoping to build off its record-breaking sophomore season.
The Aztecs finished 8-14-1 in 2023-24. While that may seem like a modest record, it was light years ahead of SDSU’s inaugural season with a 1-20-1 mark.
The long road to gaining Division 1 club status for the program was the end goal for head coach Phil Bateman, who stepped down after last season following an eight-year stint (seven years with the COVID-19 pandemic wipeout).
Bateman and assistant coach Clark Oliver compiled 111 wins and a place in notoriety as California’s lone ACHA Division 1 program.
Now the baton has been handed to new head coach Dean Wilson, who faced off a new era in the SDSU program with tryouts Aug. 27-29 at the Kroc Center Ice Arena. The Aztecs face off the new season against Loyola Marymount University in an interdivisional contest Saturday, Sept. 14, at the Kroc Center.
Another home game follows on Sept. 21 against Cal-State Northridge. Both games are slated for 8:30 p.m. starts
A San Diego native, Wilson is obviously excited about taking the reins of a hometown program.
“Absolutely,” he said. “Taking on this new challenge is incredibly exciting, especially since I was born and raised in San Diego. It’s a unique opportunity to help develop an elite college hockey program in my hometown.
“I’ve been familiar with the program for a while and have even coached some of the current players in youth travel hockey. It’s been rewarding to see them grow from their early years in Mites and Midgets to where they are now. When a few returning players reached out to me, suggesting I might be a good fit for the team, it felt like the right time to get involved.”
Top returners for the 2024-25 SDSU season include Marcus Kim (9) and Braden Mayer (61). Photos by Phillip Brents
SDSU scoring leaders Mason Brown, left, and Cameron Ferraz. Photo by Phillip Brents
The SDSU program has made progressive steps upward in recent years. Wilson said he is looking to continue that climb.
“Every coach enters a season with high expectations,” the new Aztec bench boss said. “Our ultimate goal is to be in the top 20 by the end of the season to secure a spot in the ACHA nationals. The team has made significant strides over the past two years, and I plan to build on that foundation. As this is the third year in Division 1, it’s encouraging to see how far the program has come — from winning just one game in the first year to sweeping a few teams and recording back-to-back shutouts last season. We want to keep that momentum going.”
Wilson, 54, attended Granite Hills High School. He later studied at San Jose State University and Bemidji State University.
Hockey has always been an interest, leading to a playing career as an adult.
He played one season of ice hockey at Bemidji State (1992-93). Prior to turning professional, he logged three seasons in the Pacific Southwest Hockey League with the California Hawks (1992-93), San Diego Surf (1992-93) and Bakersfield Oilers (1994-95).
The Hawks won PSHL championships in 1991 and 1993.
Wilson played a smattering of games in the fledgling West Coast Hockey League, suiting up 10 times (three with the Bakersfield Fog and seven with the San Diego Gulls) during the circuit’s maiden 1995-96 season. He had one assist with the Gulls.
Wilson returned to the ice for four games with the Tucson Gila Monsters during the 1997-98 season with one assist.
He hit the ice for seven games (six with the Fresno Falcons and one with the Bakersfield Condors) during the 1998-99 campaign with one goal to his credit (with Fresno).
Wilson closed out his 26-game WCHL stint with five games for the Falcons in 1999-2000.
He might be better known for his roller hockey career which included forays into Roller Hockey International (San Diego Barracudas in 1993 and Sacramento River Rats in 1996), Major League Roller Hockey (Columbus Hawks and Tampa Bay Rollin’ Thunder in 1998) and Team USA (1997, 2001).
Wilson notched 23 goals and 35 points in 19 MLRH games.
Wilson helped the United States capture the gold medal at the 1997 IIHF InLine Hockey World Championship in Anaheim. Team USA defeated Team Canada, 5-4, in the gold medal game. Twelve nations competed with the Americans finishing 7-0.
Coaching the game came next and has led to a 20-plus-year career at the youth, junior high school, high school and college levels.
He served as an assistant coach with the Chino Valley Flames for 2015-16 and 2016-17 high school seasons.
He now serves as director of Hockey Operations at The Rinks-Poway Ice.
“The camaraderie with my teammates is something I’ll always cherish,” he said in reference to his playing days. “I was fortunate to learn from higher-level coaches and played alongside some great player-coaches like Glen Gulutzan, who’s now the assistant coach with the Edmonton Oilers (in the NHL). From them, I not only learned how to be a good player but also what it takes to be a good coach.
“I’m a firm believer in fundamentals and going back to the basics. Discipline is another important aspect of my approach, along with making sure the team maintains a positive attitude every day, even when things aren’t going our way. I also prioritize getting to know the team well enough to tailor our game plan to each player’s strengths. That adaptability is key to maximizing our potential.”
Wilson believes the upcoming 2024-25 edition of the Aztecs could show quite a bit of potential.
“We’ve got some key returners who will be pivotal this season,” the new SDSU head coach said. “Cameron Ferraz, who led the team in scoring with 19 points, and Mason Brown, who topped the team in goals with nine, are both returning. Lucas Bellig, Marcus Kim and Braden Mayer also round out our top five scorers. As for incoming recruits, we have over 20 new guys interested in joining the team, which speaks to the growing interest in our program.”
Icing on the cake
The Aztecs will begin their first season as a member of the Western Collegiate Hockey League, now an 11-member strong playing circuit within the ACHA’s Division 1 men’s sphere of influence.
WCHL members also include Grand Canyon University, Colorado State University, University of Colorado, University of Arizona, University of Nevada-Las Vegas, Arizona State University, Missouri State University, University of Utah, University of Central Oklahoma and University of Oklahoma.
For scheduling purposes only, the WCHL will be divided into two divisions, though standings will be kept in one table. The West Division will be comprised of Arizona State University, Grand Canyon University, San Diego State University, University of Arizona, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and University of Utah. The East Division will be comprised of Colorado State University, Missouri State University, University of Central Oklahoma, University of Colorado and University of Oklahoma.
Central Oklahoma compiled a 26-5-1-0-1 record with 78 points in 33 games to top WCHL teams, followed by UNLV with a 25-6-1-0-1 record and 75 points. Grand Canyon University (19-13-1) tallied 57 points in 33 games while Oklahoma (17-12-0-2) recorded 52 points in 31 games.
Colorado State (17-15-3, 48 points), Utah (16-10-1, 47 points) and Arizona (15-14-1, 45 points) all finished above the 0.500 mark while Colorado (14-14-2, 42 points) finished at the 0.500 mark. Missouri State (13-16-1-0-1, 39 points) and Arizona State (10-19-2-0-1, 32 points) both finished below the 0.500 mark.
Six WCHL teams — Central Oklahoma, UNLV, Missouri State, Grand Canyon, Utah and Arizona — qualified for the 2024 M1 national championship tournament.
UNLV (3-1 in the tournament) finished runner-up to national champion Adrian College (4-0) while Central Oklahoma (2-1) finished with the third-best record following a semifinal loss to UNLV.
Missouri State (1-1) and Grand Canyon (1-1) both recorded one win in the competitive 24-team field while Utah (0-1) and Arizona (0-1) both failed to win a game.
The 2024 M1 Nationals Final Four included Adrian College, UNLV, Central Oklahoma and Ohio University. Adrian defeated Ohio, 3-1, in the first semifinal and UNLV followed with a 6-4 win over Central Oklahoma.
Adrian shut out UNLV, 3-0, in the national championship game.
Justin Stathopoulos had two goals in the semifinal win over Central Oklahoma while Bradley Golant pitched in with a goal and assist. Max Johnson, Tristan Rand and Rob McCollum each scored single goals while Heath Mensch and Mason Kelly each collected two assists. Jaxsen Wyatt, Caleb Strong and Nick Doyle each recorded one assist.
Between the pipes for the Skatin’ Rebels, Vince Benedetto stopped 21 of 25 shots he faced to record the win.
The championship game was hotly contested. There was no scoring in the opening period and Adrian College held a slim 1-0 lead through two periods on a second-period goal by Blake Wideman despite being out-shot 32-19.
Adrian doubled its lead to 2-0 on a power play goal scored by Matteo DiGuilio at 5:02 of the third period. DiGuilio ended scoring with an empty net goal at 19:48 as UNLV finished with a 41-29 edge in shots.
Adrian goaltender Noah Decottignies was the obvious star of the game with a 41-save shutout. He earned honors as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.
Michael Clough of Purdue University was the tournament’s leading scorer with eight points (three goals, five assists) in three games.
UNLV had two players named First Team all-tournament: defenseman Mattias dal Monte and Golant at forward.
UNLV’s Johnson earned second team all-tournament team honors.
All-tournament honorable mention honors were accorded to xx WCHL players: Arizona forward Jack Kurrle, Grand Canyon forward Hunter Schmitz, UNLV forward Jayson Dimizio, UNLV goaltender Benedetto and Utah forward Ethan Light.
FINAL 2023-24 SDSU SCORING
Cameron Ferraz 6 goals, 13 assists – 19 points
Mason Brown 9 goals, 6 assists – 15 points
Marcus Kim 6 goals, 9 assists – 15 points
Braden Mayer 5 goals, 10 assists – 15 points
Lucas Bellig 2 goals, 11 assists – 13 points
Luke Demarais 4 goals, 6 assists – 10 points
Max Kathol 2 goals, 6 assists – 8 points
Sean Yeo 1 goal, 7 assists – 8 points
Kolby Hennessy 5 goals, 2 assists – 7 points
Brandon Grant 3 goals, 3 assists – 6 points
Cam Henderson 2 goals, 4 assists – 6 points
Sean Devaney 3 goals, 2 assists – 5 points
Gavin O’Bryan 2 goals, 3 assists – 5 points
Toby Petrus 2 goals, 2 assists – 4 points
Logan Okanski 2 goals, 1 assist – 3 points
Nolan Conrad 1 goal, 2 assists – 3 points
Patrick Fast 0 goals, 3 assists – 3 points
Connor Hennigan 1 goal, 0 assists – 1 point
Nicholas Grigoropoulos 0 goals, 1 assist – 1 point
Jake Abenojar 0 goals, 1 assist – 1 point
Zachary Stroozas 0 goals, 1 assist – 1 point
Goaltending
Liam Dee 0-0 record, 0.00 GAA, 1.00 SPCT
Garrett Fuller 7-13-1 record, 4.14 GAA, 0.898 SPCT
Brody Hsiao 1-1 record, 4.86 GAA, 0.887 SPCT
Nicholas Heinzle 0-0 record, 9.85 GAA, 0.824 SPCT
