The Ohio State Buckeyes men's ice hockey team is an NCAA Division I college ice hockey program that represents Ohio State University. The Buckeyes are a member of the Big Ten Conference. They play at Value City Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
History The Ohio State Buckeyes men's ice hockey program began in 1963, the team played at the new Ohio State Ice Rink, constructed in 1961. The Buckeyes were a founding member of the CCHA in 1971. The Buckeyes won the inaugural 1972 CCHA men's ice hockey tournament with a 3–0 win over Saint Louis University.
One of the team's most successful seasons came in 1997–1998, the year before the Buckeyes moved into new the 17,500-seat Value 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 the 1998 tournament. That same season the Buckeyes advanced to the 1998 Frozen Four and lost in the semifinal game to Boston College 5–2. 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 the 1999 NCAA tournament. Despite a first round elimination with a 4–2 loss to Maine, this marked the first time in school history the team made the NCAA tournament in consecutive seasons.
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 in 2003, 2004, and 2005. The 2003–2004 season also saw the Buckeyes win the school's second CCHA post season tournament with a 4–2 win over Big Ten and CCHA rival Michigan. After three seasons, the Buckeyes returned to the NCAA tournament in 2009, when they received an at-large bid to the 2009 NCAA tournament after a 5th-place finish in the CCHA regular season and falling to Alaska in the CCHA Quarterfinals. In the 2009 NCAA tournament the team lost 8–3 to Boston University in the first round. The program was also invited to play in the Frozen Tundra Hockey Classic against Wisconsin on February 11, 2006, which was the second-ever outdoor ice hockey game played between college teams.
On March 21, 2011 the Big 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's American Collegiate Hockey Association club programs to varsity status, to form a six-team Big Ten Hockey Conference.
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. 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 over Western Michigan, the team's lone win in the second half of the season. The Buckeyes fell from a season high, second-place ranking in January 2012 to 21st place by the end of the regular season. In the first round of the 2012 CCHA tournament, Ohio State was swept by Notre Dame 2–0 and 4–2 in the best-of-three series.
Despite an up and down 2013–14 season, Ohio State had a good showing in the inaugural Big 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.
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.
Season-by-season results
Source:
Records vs. Big Ten teams As of the 2021-22 season School Team Away Arena Overall record Win % Home Away Last Result 44–85–14 23–37–6 18–43–8 3-0 L 46–89–13 24–36–6 17–47–7 5-1 W 7–30–4 4–9–1 2–16–3 4-1 L 37–36–10 19–16–6 15–18–4 3-2 L 16–10–2 8–5–1 7–4–1 4-1 W 17–18–3 8–6–1 8–6–2 4-3 W
Coaches The Buckeyes are currently coached by Steve Rohlik. He was announced the new head coach on April 24, 2013 shortly after the departure of Mark Osiecki.
All-time coaching records As of completion of 2024–25 season Tenure Coach Years Record Pct. 1963–1965 Tom Bedecki 2 6–14–0 1965–1966 Glen Sonmor 1 9–7–0 1966–1970 Harry Neale 4 49–48–3 1970–1972 Dave Chambers 2 44–14–0 1972–1975 Gerald Walford 3 41–46–4 1975–1995 Jerry Welsh 20† 328–381–56 1995–2010 John Markell 15† 280–267–56 2010–2013 Mark Osiecki 3 46–50–16 2013–present Steve Rohlik 12 221–177–45 Totals 9 coaches 62 seasons 1,024–1,004–180 † John Markell coached the final 9 games of the 1994–95 season after Jerry Welsh resigned.
Statistical leaders
Career points leaders Player Years GP G A Pts PIM 1980–1984 149 114 156 270 165 1970–1974 118 107 126 233 160 1980–1984 154 72 151 223 194 1980–1984 139 104 108 212 134 1976–1980 150 81 131 212 177 1978–1982 143 82 128 210 49 1973–1976 94 71 114 185 222 1984–1987 111 75 108 183 178 1976–1980 145 76 101 177 215 1969–1973 115 86 88 174 68 1981–1984 152 85 89 174 151
Career goaltending leaders
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 2002–2006 96 5640 52 32 9 195 9 .919 2.07 2011–2013 42 2361 16 18 6 82 5 .933 2.08 2017–2019 54 3189 30 17 7 118 5 .919 2.22 2021–2023 75 4405 42 28 5 168 6 .926 2.29 2017–2021 82 4678 40 30 8 180 8 .925 2.31
Statistics current through the end of the 2023–24 season.
Players
Current roster As of August 18, 2025.
Awards and honors
NCAA
Individual awards
Derek Hines Unsung Hero Award Brendon Kearney: 2019
NCAA Scoring Champion Paul Pooley: 1984
All-Americans AHCA First Team All-Americans
1983-84: Paul Pooley, F 1997-98: Hugo Boisvert, F 2012-13: Brady Hjelle, G 2013-14: Ryan Dzingel, F
AHCA Second Team All-Americans
1983-84: Perry Pooley, F 1998-99: Jeff Maund, G; Hugo Boisvert, F 2002-03: R. J. Umberger, F 2009-10: Zac Dalpe, F 2016-17: Mason Jobst, F 2017-18: Tanner Laczysnki, F 2018-19: Mason Jobst, F
CCHA
Individual awards
Player of the Year Paul Pooley: 1984
Perani Cup Brady Hjelle: 2013
Best Defensive Defenseman Doug Andress: 2004
Ilitch Humanitarian Award Mike Betz: 2003
Coach of the Year Jerry Welsh: 1983 John Markell: 1998
Rookie of the Year Paul Pooley: 1981 Brian Loney: 1992 R. J. Umberger: 2001
Terry Flanagan Memorial Award Scott Titus: 2002 Tom Fritsche: 2007
Best Goaltender Mike Betz: 2003 Brady Hjelle: 2013
Tournament Most Valuable Player Bill McKenzie: 1972 Paul Caponigri: 2004
All-Conference Teams First Team All-CCHA
1972–73: Ray Meyers, F 1975–76: Bruce Allworth, F 1978–79: Paul Tilley, F 1980–81: Mike Blake, G; Dan Mandich, D; Brent Morrow, F 1982–83: Andy Browne, F 1983–84: John Dougan, G; Paul Pooley, F 1997–98: Hugo Boisvert, F 1998–99: Jeff Maund, G; Hugo Boisvert, F 2002–03: R. J. Umberger, F 2009–10: Zac Dalpe, F 2012–13: Brady Hjelle, G
Second Team All-CCHA
1972–73: Jim Witherspoon, D 1976–77: Paul Tilley, F 1978–79: Steve Jones, G 1979–80: Steve Jones, G; Brian Jenks, D; Greg Kostenko, D; Rod McNair, D; Larry Marson, F; Paul Tilley, F 1980–81: Paul Pooley, F 1981–82: Larry Marson, F 1982–83: John Dougan, G; Dave Kobryn, F 1983–84: Perry Pooley, F 1984–85: Mike Rousseau, D 1995–96: Tom Sakey, G 1998–99: Andrè Signoretti, D 2002–03: Mike Betz, G 2004–05: Nate Guenin, D; Rod Pelley, F 2006–07: Sean Collins, F 2012–13: Tanner Fritz, F
CCHA All-Rookie Team
1989–90: Glenn Painter, D 1991–92: Brian Loney, F 1996–97: Hugo Boisvert, F 1997–98: Jeff Maund, G 1998–99: Jason Crain, D 2000–01: Dave Steckel, F; R. J. Umberger, F 2004–05: Tom Fritsche, F 2008–09: Matt Bartkowski, D; Zac Dalpe, F 2011–12: Max McCormick, F
Big Ten
Individual awards
Defensive player of the year Sasha Larocque: 2019
Goaltender of the Year Tommy Nappier: 2019 Jakub Dobeš: 2022
Freshman of the Year Jakub Dobeš: 2022
Coach of the Year Steve Rohlik: 2018, 2019, 2025
All-Conference Teams First Team All-Big Ten
2013–14: Ryan Dzingel, F 2015–16: Josh Healey, D 2016–17: Mason Jobst, F 2017–18: Tanner Laczynski, F 2018–19: Tommy Nappier, G 2021–22: Jakub Dobeš, G; Georgii Merkulov, F
Second Team All-Big Ten
2015–16: Nick Schilkey, F 2016–17: Christian Frey, G; Josh Healey, D; Nick Schilkey, F 2017–18: Sean Romeo, G; Sasha Larocque, D; Mason Jobst, F 2018–19: Sasha Larocque, D 2022–23: Mason Lohrei, D; Jake Wise, F 2023–24: Scooter Brickey, D
Big Ten All-Rookie Team
2013–14: Christian Frey, G; Drew Brevig, D; Nick Schilkey, F 2014–15: Matthew Weis, F 2015–16: Mason Jobst, F 2017–18: Tommy Nappier, G 2018–19: Gustaf Westlund, F 2021–22: Jakub Dobeš, G; Mason Lohrei, D; Georgii Merkulov, F
Ohio State Buckeyes Hall of Fame 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.
Hugo Boisvert Jamie Macoun Bill McKenzie Paul Pooley Paul Tilley RJ Umberger Jerry Welsh
Olympians This is a list of Ohio State alumni who have played on an Olympic team.
NamePositionOhio State TenureTeamYearFinish Andrè Signoretti Defenseman 1997–2001 ITA 2006 11th Ryan Kesler Center 2002–2003 USA 2010 Matt Tomkins Goaltender 2013–2017 CAN 2022 6th
Buckeyes in the NHL
As of July 1, 2025. = NHL All-Star team= NHL All-StarPlayers are identified as an All-Star if they were selected for the All-Star game at any time in their career. = NHL All-Star and NHL All-Star team= Hall of Famers
Player Position Team(s) Years Games John AlbertCenterWIN2013–201490Tom AskeyGoaltenderANA1997–199970Mike BalesGoaltenderBOS, OTT1992–1997230Matt BartkowskiDefensemanBOS, VAN, CGY, MIN2010–20212560Mike BlakeGoaltenderLAK1981–1984400Sean CollinsDefensemanWSH2008–2012210Zac DalpeCenterCAR, VAN, BUF, MIN, CBJ, FLA2010–20231680Jakub DobešGoaltenderMTL2024–Present160Ryan DzingelCenterOTT, CBJ, CAR, ARI, SJS2015–20224040Corey ElkinsCenter LAK2009–201030Tanner FritzCenterNYI2017–2019420Anthony GrecoRight wingFLA, NYR2018–202220Nate GueninCenterPHI, PIT, CBJ, ANA, COL2006–20162050Dave GustRight WingCHI2022–202340Cal HeeterGoaltenderPHI2013–201410Dakota JoshuaCenterSTL, VAN2020–Present2410Ryan KeslerCenterVAN, ANA2003–20191,0010Tanner LaczynskiCenterPHI, VGK2020–Present460Mason LohreiDefensemanBOS2023–Present1180