As BGSU hockey prepares to take the ice again to begin the 2024-25 season, anticipation is mounting.
Bowling Green finds themselves with a mix of seasoned veterans and an outburst of new offensive—all under the leadership of newly appointed head coach and alumni Dennis “Willi” Williams.
The Falcons seek to take on the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) with a freshly sharpened vision and renewed energy. Last season’s challenges and injuries led the Falcons to a 13-22-1 finish where they scored just 86 goals compared to their opponents’ 116.
However, with Williams at the helm, it marks the beginning of a new chapter for Bowling Green hockey.
“It’s exciting times right now for the program,” Williams said at his preseason press conference on Oct. 2. “Last year is last year; it’s done with, we move forward. No different than next year when we come back; it’s a clean slate.”
Dennis “Willi” Williams era begins
In most situations, this season would be written as a transitional period. However, with seniors reaching the end of their time as a Falcon on the ice, they must focus on their ability to grow quickly.
The Falcons face new variables that have come into play—highlighted by a regime change, as Williams takes the reigns to coach the Falcons. Falcon fans are left wondering “Willi” be able to lead the Falcons down the Orange and Brown road of success?
Williams’ ability to turn a team around has been shown in his past, so for some inside of the program, the question may seem to be when rather than will.
Thankfully, “Willi” has kept his core team here at BG, as no players left in the transfer portal.
For this BGSU hockey team, their roster staying mostly similar to last year serves as a constant variable for them as previous players have continued to grow under Williams’ guidance.
“You know, it’s easy, open transfer portal out there for them, but the fact that they stayed together really excites me about working with them,” Williams said.
Confidence in the new era
One of the most impactful veterans on the team, graduate student forward Ethan Scardina, who has seen the program go through a rotating roster and leadership changes, is confident that as Williams has taken over, there has been a shift in what is expected.
“I definitely think our standard has been raised. What you are going to see is we are going to be very hard to play against,” Scardina said. “I think we’ve got a more gritty side to us and more of a hard-working side.”
Scardina has already witnessed the change in his own game.
“I’ve already gotten better from just him coaching us, just learning how to play a professional game of hockey,” he said.
Another impactful Falcon, sophomore goalie Cole Moore, a member of last season’s All-CCHA Rookie team and a three-time CCHA Goaltender of the Week, shares a similar sentiment on the new era.
“Structurally, we’re already in a better place than we were last year,” Moore said.
Falcons to keep an eye on
Senior captain Ryan O’Hara will be looked at to provide leadership along with his on-ice performance.
Last season, the forward recorded 10 goals and eight assists for 18 points through 26 games, leading the Falcons in scoring.
O’Hara does not shy away from showing up in big games either, particularly against the Falcons’ first opponent this season, Mercyhurst. The Oakville, Ontario, native recorded five multi-point games last season, two of which came against the Lakers.
Junior defenseman and captain Dalton Norris will fit right into the new, grittier vision of the Falcons.
Norris recorded five goals and five assists for 10 points through 23 games in last year’s campaign.
Norris ranked third on the team in blocks with 31 last season, which may increase with the new, gritty identity of the Falcons.
“Willi” get it done?
With many core players free from last season’s injury ails and what seems to be a growing level of confidence and trust among each other, the question remains of what fans will see as Williams guides the Falcons into a new season.
“I think what you’re going to see is a relentless group that is very driven. I think they have a lot to prove; they want to prove a lot from the past and show that they’re a team that can compete in the CCHA,” Williams said.
Williams is adamant that the Falcons will fight until the very end.
“They’ll empty the tank; there’s no quit. We won’t quit on games,” he said. “No matter the score, up 5-1, down 5-1, we go to that final buzzer, we have a job to do, we have to perform, and how we can perform is with our work ethic, our tenacity.”
On the matter of “Willi” get it done and what to expect, Scardina stated, “We’ll shock people.”
