MINOT, N.D. – Always a title contender, the quest for a 4^th ACHA National Championship begins this weekend for the Minot State men's hockey team.

A new season gets underway with the 4^th-ranked Beavers hosting Arizona State on Saturday and Sunday, September 26 and 27, at the Maysa Arena's Eck Rink. Puck drops at 7:30 p.m. both nights, and it's "Thank You Beaver Fans" weekend with free admission to both games.

"There's a buzz in the air," sixth-year head coach Wyatt Waselenchuk said of the Beavers' opening weekend. "Talking to our fans, our supporters, alumni; I've had some great conversations with so many good people that are really excited. And, obviously, the guys have been chomping at the bit, practicing now for three weeks or so, they're certainly ready to get after it."

Minot State takes on a Sun Devils team (3-2-0 overall) that's already played five games, going 3-1 against San Diego State over the first two weekends of this month before dropping a 3-1 contest against the University of Mary on Monday in Arizona.

Forwards Lucas Dyer and Sheldon Wilson have led the way for the Sun Devils, as Dyer has 4 goals and 2 assists, and Wilson 2 goals and 4 assists through the opening five games.

Arizona State has used 4 goalies in the first five games, with Nathaniel Glenn getting two starts, a win, and boasting a 2.00 goals against average and 94.6 save percentage.

For the Beavers, this weekend will be their first game action of a new season, with the focus being one game at a time, building towards the ACHA National Tournament, which begins March 11 in Maryland Heights, Missouri.

"I'm not one to make predictions," Waselenchuk said. "I'm certainly one that takes it day by day. Tyler (Grimshaw) and Brian (Bauman), our staff here is as focused as we've ever been, as prepared as we've ever been. And you know what? We've got a tremendous group in there. I couldn't be more proud to lead these guys, and at the end of the day, I think we're going to have a great product on the ice."

Leading the way on the ice are several key returners, starting in goal with 1st Team ACHA All-American William Dyke. The 6-foot-6 junior had 20 wins, 4 shutouts, and a 1.56 GAA last season, and in two years in net has 35 career wins, 6 career shutouts, and a 1.61 career GAA at Minot State.

He's joined by team captain Christian Kadolph, a graduate student and defenseman who is No. 2 all-time with 109 career assists for the Beavers. Kadolph also has 27 goals in 144 games at Minot State, and last year netted 3 goals and had 23 assists.

Joining him as one of the team leaders is assistant captain and senior forward Colby Joseph, a returning 2^nd Team ACHA All-American. Joseph led the Beavers with 23 goals last season and added 16 assists, and in 106 games at Minot State has scored 65 career goals and assisted on 39 others.

The third returning ACHA All-American is senior defenseman Matthew Yakubowksi, also a 2^nd Team All-American, who led Minot State with 25 assists and added 3 goals last season. In 113 career games with the Beavers, he has 17 goals and 56 assists.

"The guys we brought back, you can't put a price on experience; having two of our captains back and such a big chunk of our core," Waselenchuk said.

Having a large group of experienced returners made it easier for Waselenchuk and his staff when it came to recruiting, but the Beavers didn't hold back, either, bringing in 8 newcomers, any of whom can make an impact.

"Almost every single one of these guys; captains and leading scorers on teams, and starting goalies," Minot State's coach said. "Everyone we brought in is going to be a big, big piece to what we're doing."

Three key newcomers are freshman defenseman Ty Plaisier from Virden, Manitoba, freshman forward Grady Hoffman from Yorkton, Saskatchewan, and junior forward Trentyn Crane, who transfers after two seasons at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

Plaisier had 8 goals and 50 assists in 2 seasons with the Virden Oil Capitals, while Hoffman had 65 goals and 62 assists in 3 seasons with the Steinbach Pistons.

As for Crane, who brings two years of collegiate experience in Canada with him, he had a goal and 4 assists with the Thunderwolves, and also served as captain for the Canada East U19 team in the 2022-23 World Junior A Challenge.

"I've been thoroughly impressed with every single one of them," Waselenchuk said of the Beavers' 8 new additions. "They're all tremendous young men that have fit in so, so well."

They add depth for a Minot State team that returns to independent play after two seasons in the MCH, where the Beavers won the MCH Tournament title twice.

The move back to independent play will challenge Minot State with an even tougher schedule, which includes a home-and-home series with Niagara, ranked No. 6 in the preseason poll, and road games at No. 2 Adrian, and No. 5 Calvin.

All in preparation for success at the end of the season at the ACHA National Tournament in March, in hopes of hoisting the National Championship trophy for a 4^th time in program history.