| Ohio State Buckeyes men's ice hockey | |
|---|---|
 Current season | |
 | |
| University | Ohio State University |
| Conference | Big Ten |
| Head coach | Steve Rohlik 13th season, 221–177–45 (.550) |
| Assistant coaches |
|
| Arena | Value City Arena Columbus, Ohio |
| Colors | Scarlet and gray[1] |
| NCAA tournament Frozen Four | |
| 1998, 2018 | |
| NCAA tournament appearances | |
| 1998, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2009, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023, 2025 | |
| Conference tournament champions | |
| CCHA: 1972, 2004 | |
| Conference regular season champions | |
| CCHA: 1972 Big Ten: 2019 | |
| Current uniform | |
 | |
TheOhio State Buckeyes men's ice hockey team is anNCAA Division Icollege ice hockey program that representsOhio State University. The Buckeyes are a member of theBig Ten Conference. They play atValue City Arena inColumbus, Ohio.
The Ohio State Buckeyes men's ice hockey program began in 1963, the team played at the newOhio State Ice Rink, constructed in 1961. The Buckeyes were a founding member of theCCHA in 1971. The Buckeyes won the inaugural1972 CCHA men's ice hockey tournament with a 3–0 win overSaint Louis University.[2]
One of the team's most successful seasons came in 1997–1998, the year before the Buckeyes moved into new the 17,500-seatValue City Arena, which replaced the aging and undersized (1,400-seat) Ohio State Ice Rink. The team finished the 1997–1998 season with an overall record of 27–13–2. They secured an at-large bid to the1998 tournament.[3] That same season the Buckeyes advanced to the1998 Frozen Four and lost in the semifinal game toBoston College 5–2.[3] The 1998 tournament was the program's first of two all-time Frozen Four appearances, the other coming in 2018. In 1999 the team advanced to the1999 NCAA tournament. Despite a first round elimination with a 4–2 loss toMaine,[4] this marked the first time in school history the team made the NCAA tournament in consecutive seasons.[5]
The time period during the early 2000s was the most successful period in the program's history. Ohio State made the NCAA Post season tournament in2003,2004, and2005. The 2003–2004 season also saw the Buckeyes win the school's second CCHA post season tournament with a 4–2 win overBig Ten and CCHA rivalMichigan.[6] After three seasons, the Buckeyes returned to the NCAA tournament in 2009,[7] when they received an at-large bid to the2009 NCAA tournament after a 5th-place finish in the CCHA regular season and falling toAlaska in theCCHA Quarterfinals. In the 2009 NCAA tournament the team lost 8–3 toBoston University in the first round.[8] The program was also invited to play in theFrozen Tundra Hockey Classic against Wisconsin on February 11, 2006, which was the second-ever outdoor ice hockey game played between college teams.[9]
On March 21, 2011 theBig Ten Conference announced plans to sponsor men's ice hockey starting in 2013–14 season. Ohio State along with CCHA rivals, Michigan and Michigan State would leave the CCHA to join Minnesota and Wisconsin from the WCHA and Penn State, who would elevate their men's and women'sAmerican Collegiate Hockey Association club programs to varsity status, to form a six-team Big Ten Hockey Conference.[10]
During the first half of the 2011–2012 season, the Buckeyes jumped out to a sizeable lead in the CCHA standings when the team recorded a 10–3–1 conference record.[11] The second half of the season proved much harder for Ohio State when the team recorded an eleven-game winless streak through January and the first half of February. The team broke the streak with a 4–3 win overWestern Michigan,[12] the team's lone win in the second half of the season.[13] The Buckeyes fell from a season high, second-place ranking in January 2012 to 21st place by the end of the regular season.[14][15] In the first round of the2012 CCHA tournament, Ohio State was swept byNotre Dame 2–0 and 4–2 in the best-of-three series.[16]
Despite an up and down 2013–14 season, Ohio State had a good showing in the inauguralBig Ten Hockey tournament. After defeating Michigan State in overtime in the first round, the Buckeyes upset #1 Minnesota 3–1. They ultimately fell 5–4 in overtime in the championship game to the Wisconsin Badgers. Despite missing out on the NCAA tournament, Ohio State would finish the 2013–14 season ranked #20.
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After back to back losing seasons in 2014–15 and 2015–16, Ohio State had their first 20 win season and NCAA tournament berth in 8 years. Led by forwards Nick Schilkey and Mason Jobst, the Buckeyes had the second ranked offense in college hockey and a historically great power play. Ohio State finished third in the Big Ten, their highest finish in the league's four-year history. Despite the successful season, Ohio State did not clinch a tournament berth until Penn State defeated Wisconsin in the 2017 Big Ten tournament, giving the Buckeyes the final at large berth and the 4 seed in the West Regional in Fargo, North Dakota. The Buckeyes faced off against the #2 overall seed, the Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs in the 1st round. A third period comeback sent the game to overtime with the score tied at two. The Bulldogs ended the Buckeyes season on a goal from Willie Raskob at 11:58 of the first overtime.
Source:[17]
As of the2021-22 season[18]
| School | Team | Away Arena | Overall record | Win % | Home | Away | Last Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Michigan | Wolverines | Yost Ice Arena | 44–85–14 | .362 | 23–37–6 | 18–43–8 | 3-0 L |
| Michigan State University | Spartans | Munn Ice Arena | 46–89–13 | .350 | 24–36–6 | 17–47–7 | 5-1 W |
| University of Minnesota | Golden Gophers | 3M Arena at Mariucci | 7–30–4 | .225 | 4–9–1 | 2–16–3 | 4-1 L |
| University of Notre Dame | Fighting Irish | Compton Family Ice Arena | 37–36–10 | .512 | 19–16–6 | 15–18–4 | 3-2 L |
| Pennsylvania State University | Nittany Lions | Pegula Ice Arena | 16–10–2 | .593 | 8–5–1 | 7–4–1 | 4-1 W |
| University of Wisconsin–Madison | Badgers | Kohl Center | 17–18–3 | .473 | 8–6–1 | 8–6–2 | 4-3 W |
The Buckeyes are currently coached by Steve Rohlik. He was announced the new head coach on April 24, 2013 shortly after the departure ofMark Osiecki.[19]
As of completion of 2024–25 season[5]
| Tenure | Coach | Years | Record | Pct. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1963–1965 | Tom Bedecki | 2 | 6–14–0 | .300 |
| 1965–1966 | Glen Sonmor | 1 | 9–7–0 | .563 |
| 1966–1970 | Harry Neale | 4 | 49–48–3 | .505 |
| 1970–1972 | Dave Chambers | 2 | 44–14–0 | .759 |
| 1972–1975 | Gerald Walford | 3 | 41–46–4 | .473 |
| 1975–1995 | Jerry Welsh | 20† | 328–381–56 | .465 |
| 1995–2010 | John Markell | 15† | 280–267–56 | .511 |
| 2010–2013 | Mark Osiecki | 3 | 46–50–16 | .482 |
| 2013–present | Steve Rohlik | 12 | 221–177–45 | .550 |
| Totals | 9 coaches | 62 seasons | 1,024–1,004–180 | .505 |
† John Markell coached the final 9 games of the 1994–95 season after Jerry Welsh resigned.
| Player | Years | GP | G | A | Pts | PIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paul Pooley | 1980–1984 | 149 | 114 | 156 | 270 | 165 |
| Ray Meyers | 1970–1974 | 118 | 107 | 126 | 233 | 160 |
| Dave Kobryn | 1980–1984 | 154 | 72 | 151 | 223 | 194 |
| Andy Browne | 1980–1984 | 139 | 104 | 108 | 212 | 134 |
| Paul Tilley | 1976–1980 | 150 | 81 | 131 | 212 | 177 |
| Larry Marson | 1978–1982 | 143 | 82 | 128 | 210 | 49 |
| Bruce Allworth | 1973–1976 | 94 | 71 | 114 | 185 | 222 |
| Rick Brebant | 1984–1987 | 111 | 75 | 108 | 183 | 178 |
| Tom Scanlon | 1976–1980 | 145 | 76 | 101 | 177 | 215 |
| Peter Bartkiewicz | 1969–1973 | 115 | 86 | 88 | 174 | 68 |
| Perry Pooley | 1981–1984 | 152 | 85 | 89 | 174 | 151 |
GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; T = Ties; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; SV% =Save percentage; GAA =Goals against average
minimum 30 games played
| Player | Years | GP | Min | W | L | T | GA | SO | SV% | GAA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dave Caruso | 2002–2006 | 96 | 5640 | 52 | 32 | 9 | 195 | 9 | .919 | 2.07 |
| Brady Hjelle | 2011–2013 | 42 | 2361 | 16 | 18 | 6 | 82 | 5 | .933 | 2.08 |
| Sean Romeo | 2017–2019 | 54 | 3189 | 30 | 17 | 7 | 118 | 5 | .919 | 2.22 |
| Jakub Dobeš | 2021–2023 | 75 | 4405 | 42 | 28 | 5 | 168 | 6 | .926 | 2.29 |
| Tommy Nappier | 2017–2021 | 82 | 4678 | 40 | 30 | 8 | 180 | 8 | .925 | 2.31 |
Statistics current through the end of the 2023–24 season.
As of August 18, 2025.[20]
| No. | Nat. | Player | Class | Pos | Height | Weight | DoB | Hometown | Previous team | NHL rights |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  | Dawson Labre | Freshman | G | 6' 3" (1.91 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 2004-06-22 | Les Cèdres, Quebec | West Kelowna Warriors (BCHL) | — |
| 2 |  | Chris Able | Sophomore | D | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 198 lb (90 kg) | 2004-11-04 | Libertyville, Illinois | Chicago Steel (USHL) | — |
| 5 | | Ethan Straky | Senior | F | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 181 lb (82 kg) | 2003-04-18 | Walnut Creek, California | Colorado College (NCHC) | — |
| 7 | | Chris Romaine | Sophomore | D | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 196 lb (89 kg) | 2004-02-21 | Boston, Massachusetts | Green Bay Gamblers (USHL) | COL, 193rd overall 2022 |
| 8 | | Nathan McBrayer | Junior | D | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 173 lb (78 kg) | 2004-05-11 | Dublin, Ohio | Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL) | — |
| 9 | | Riley Thompson | Junior | F | 6' 3" (1.91 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 2002-08-17 | Orleans, Ontario | Alaska Anchorage (NCAA) | — |
| 10 | | Thomas Weis | Junior | F | 5' 9" (1.75 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | 2002-02-08 | Madison, Wisconsin | Madison Capitols (USHL) | — |
| 11 | | Jake Rozzi | Sophomore | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 183 lb (83 kg) | 2004-01-27 | Kirkland, Quebec | Tri-City Storm (USHL) | — |
| 13 | | Félix Caron | Sophomore | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 168 lb (76 kg) | 2004-12-01 | Terrebonne, Quebec | Rensselaer (ECAC) | — |
| 15 | | Adam Eisele | Graduate | F | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 2001-07-11 | Lake Elmo, Minnesota | Minnesota State (CCHA) | — |
| 16 | | Max Montes | Junior | F | 5' 8" (1.73 m) | 165 lb (75 kg) | 2003-09-01 | Hartland, Wisconsin | Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL) | — |
| 17 | | Landen Gunderson | Freshman | F | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 2004-11-28 | Plymouth, Minnesota | Sioux City Musketeers (USHL) | — |
| 19 |  | James Hong | Sophomore | F | 5' 9" (1.75 m) | 168 lb (76 kg) | 2004-07-02 | Irvine, California | Madison Capitols (USHL) | — |
| 21 | | Bryce Ingles | Freshman | D | 5' 9" (1.75 m) | 181 lb (82 kg) | 2005-06-08 | Clyde, Michigan | Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL) | — |
| 23 | | Davis Burnside | Senior | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 176 lb (80 kg) | 2003-09-22 | Scottsdale, Arizona | Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL) | — |
| 24 | | Niall Crocker | Freshman | F | 6' 4" (1.93 m) | 196 lb (89 kg) | 2004-07-31 | Delta, British Columbia | Prince Albert Raiders (WHL) | — |
| 25 | | Sam Deckhut | Junior | F | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 186 lb (84 kg) | 2002-04-02 | San Diego, California | Sioux City Musketeers (USHL) | — |
| 27 | | Sam McGinley | Junior | D | 6' 3" (1.91 m) | 165 lb (75 kg) | 2002-12-03 | Calgary, Alberta | New Brunswick (AUS) | — |
| 28 | | William Smith | Junior | D | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 193 lb (88 kg) | 2003-03-29 | Toronto, Ontario | Omaha Lancers (USHL) | — |
| 29 | | Ryan Gordon | Junior | F | 6' 0" (1.83 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 2002-05-05 | Duluth, Georgia | Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL) | — |
| 30 | | Sam Hillebrandt | Freshman | G | 6' 1" (1.85 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | 2005-02-21 | Port Huron, Michigan | Barrie Colts (OHL) | — |
| 49 | | Jake Karabela | Freshman | F | 5' 11" (1.8 m) | 187 lb (85 kg) | 2004-03-07 | Guelph, Ontario | Guelph Storm (OHL) | WSH, 149th overall 2022 |
| 60 | | Kristoffer Eberly | Junior | G | 6' 4" (1.93 m) | 208 lb (94 kg) | 2002-12-10 | Pinckney, Michigan | Green Bay Gamblers (USHL) | — |
| 63 | | Nathan Lewis | Sophomore | F | 6' 6" (1.98 m) | 209 lb (95 kg) | 2004-07-27 | Chicago, Illinois | Youngstown Phantoms (USHL) | — |
| 73 | | Broten Sabo | Junior | D | 6' 2" (1.88 m) | 194 lb (88 kg) | 2002-08-09 | Rosemount, Minnesota | Alaska (NCAA) | — |
| 91 | | Jake Dunlap | Senior | F | 5' 9" (1.75 m) | 175 lb (79 kg) | 2001-12-05 | Windham, New Hampshire | New Hampshire (HEA) | — |
AHCA Second Team All-Americans
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The following is a list of people associated with the Ohio State men's ice hockey program who were elected into the Ohio State Buckeyes Hall of Fame.[21]
This is a list of Ohio State alumni who have played on anOlympic team.[18]
| Name | Position | Ohio State Tenure | Team | Year | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andrè Signoretti | Defenseman | 1997–2001 |  ITA | 2006 | 11th |
| Ryan Kesler | Center | 2002–2003 | USA | 2010 |  Silver |
| Matt Tomkins | Goaltender | 2013–2017 | CAN | 2022 | 6th |
As of July 1, 2025.[22]
| =NHL All-Star team | =NHL All-Star[23] | =NHL All-Star[23] andNHL All-Star team | =Hall of Famers |
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One Buckeye played in theWHA.
| Player | Position | Team(s) | Years | Avco Cups |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bill Reed | Defenseman | MIC/BAL,CAC | 1974–1976 | 0 |
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