MINOT, N.D. – The Minot State hockey family suffered a sad loss as the Beaver men's team captain, Jay Buchholz's father, Tom, recently passed away.

Minot State head men's hockey coach Wyatt Waselenchuk announced the news this week and extended the deepest condolences to captain Jay Buchholz, and his family, during this extremely difficult time.

"Prior to Tom's passing, he and his wife, Carolyn, graciously made one of the largest donations in program history," Waselenchuck added. "His love and care for our team will live on forever with the creation of the Tom and Carolyn Buchholz Beaver Hockey Endowment.

"Jay has meant absolutely everything to not only us, but the hockey community here in Minot for seven years now," Waselenchuk added.

A Fargo native, Buchholz played 4 ½ seasons for the Beavers and spent the last three years as team captain at Minot State after spending two seasons as a player and former captain with the Minot Minotauros during his junior hockey career.

"Jay is the epitome of a tremendous teammate and leader through and through," Waselenchuk said, adding, "we are what we are today as a program because of Jay Buchholz.

"Our hearts ache for Jay and his family at this time, but I know they take solace in the support from so many tremendous people here in Minot, and throughout the entire hockey community."