Ferris State Hockey Prepares for Weekend Exhibition Matches

Plymouth, Michigan, October 18, 2025

News Summary

Ferris State University’s hockey team is gearing up for two exhibition matches against Simon Fraser at USA Ice Arena in Plymouth, Michigan this weekend. After finishing a competitive series against Western Michigan with a 1-1 record, the Bulldogs aim for redemption following last year’s loss to Simon Fraser. With a focus on improving defensive strategies and play effectiveness, the team looks ahead to their CCHA season opener against Michigan Tech at the end of the month. Senior Gavin Best leads as team captain this season.

Plymouth, Michigan – Ferris State University’s hockey team is gearing up for a pair of exhibition matches this weekend at Plymouth’s USA Ice Arena. The Bulldogs are set to take on Simon Fraser on Friday at 3 p.m. and again on Saturday at 7 p.m. These exhibition games are a critical part of Ferris State’s preparation for the upcoming Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) season.

The Bulldogs recently finished a weekend series against national champion Western Michigan, ending the series with a 1-1 record. Ferris State secured a hard-fought win of 3-2 in Kalamazoo but fell short with a 6-4 loss in Big Rapids. Coach Brett Riley commented on the competitive nature of Simon Fraser, noting that many players on their roster have had Division I opportunities. He acknowledged the powerhouse National Team Development program, which has a history of producing young talents and future NHL draft picks.

Last year, Ferris State lost to Simon Fraser, and the team is approaching this weekend’s games with a strong intention of seeking redemption. The Bulldogs’ CCHA season opener is set for October 24-25, against Michigan Tech.

Coach Riley has stressed the importance of improvement in several key areas for the Bulldogs as they approach the new season, focusing on defensive zone coverage, forechecking, offensive play, power play, and penalty kill effectiveness. In a move aimed at enhancing competition, contracts have been signed with Western Michigan for future match-ups, and Coach Riley is in the process of finalizing additional contracts that will lead to exciting future games, thus bolstering players’ experiences and preparations.

Currently, Ferris State is facing a two-game losing streak after their season opener alarm against Miami University. In the series finale against Miami, the Bulldogs were unable to gain the upper hand and lost the match 3-1 after trailing early. Josh Zary temporarily tied the game with a power play goal, but Miami quickly regained the lead. In this match, Hobie Hedquist made 24 saves during his debut, while Ferris State managed a disappointing 1-5 on power plays but achieved a perfect 5-5 on penalty kills.

The Bulldogs will host Western Michigan University for a home-and-home series on October 9 and 10, with both games set to start at 7:07 p.m. This season, senior forward Gavin Best has been appointed as team captain, accompanied by alternate captains Nic Belpedio, Josh Zary, and Tyler Schleppe. Best is coming off a commendable prior season where he recorded a scoring line of 10-9-19 and several key multi-point games. Belpedio, who joins the team as a graduate student, brings a wealth of experience and strong defensive capabilities. Zary stands out with a record of 44 goals over the past three seasons, leading the current Bulldogs in this category, while Schleppe enjoyed a career-best season last year.

The leadership changes within the Bulldogs align with the team’s focused strategy aimed at achieving competitive success in this upcoming season.

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Additional Resources

• Big Rapids News: Ferris Hockey Prepares for Plymouth Weekend
• Wikipedia: Ferris State University
• Detroit News: Brett Riley’s Impact on Ferris State Hockey
• Google Search: Ferris State Hockey
• Big Rapids News: Ferris Hockey Team Loses Pair to Miami
• Google Scholar: Ferris State Hockey
• Big Rapids News: Gavin Best Named Ferris Hockey Team Captain
• Encyclopedia Britannica: College Hockey
• Big Rapids News: Special Olympians Prevail at Ferris State Annual Event
• Google News: Ferris State Hockey

Author: STAFF HERE PLYMOUTH WRITER

The PLYMOUTH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPlymouth.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Plymouth, Wayne County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Plymouth Ice Festival, Art in the Park, and the Plymouth Fall Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Plymouth Community Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Plymouth, plus leading businesses in automotive and retail that power the local economy such as Roush Industries and Downtown Plymouth businesses. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HEREGrandRapids.com, HERENorthville.com, and HERENovi.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.