The first step in preparing for the next season is setting the team’s leadership and MSU head coach Wyatt Waselenchuk is proud to announce that senior forward Jay Buchholz will be the Beavers captain for the 2024-25 slate, while senior forward Reid Arnold, junior defenseman Logan Rands and junior forward Christian Kadolph will all be assistant captains for Minot State.

“I couldn’t be more excited to have this group leading us for the upcoming season,” MSU’s fourth-year head coach said. “These four young men exemplify everything we stand here for at Minot State. They are fantastic in the classroom, both on and off the ice, and are incredibly well-rounded people. They play hard and do things the right way in every facet. We have a ton of incredible leadership in our locker room with a very veteran team coming back. I know that Jay, Reid, Christian and Logan have the respect of all of their teammates, and we can’t wait for them to carry on the tradition and lead us to new heights.”

One of the team’s assistant captains last season, Buchholz has played in 91 games in three seasons with the Beavers and was part of Minot State’s 2022-23 ACHA National Championship team.

“It is an unbelievable feeling- being named captain and I am just so honored,” Buchholz said. “Looking back the last few years and seeing all the great captains that led this team and made the Beavers who they are today is something I want to follow.”

Jay Buchholz

Fellow senior, Arnold, was an assistant captain last season as well and has played in 109 games in his three-year Beaver career which also includes being part of Minot State’s 2022-23 ACHA National Championship team.

“I’m very honored to be named assistant captain for another year,” said Arnold. “I’m looking forward to leading these guys to another championship season. I’m very excited to get things going to make another run for the Murdoch Cup. The only goal I’ve got for our group is to win; it’s going to take everyone to pull on the same rope to win another championship.”

Also earning an “A” on his jersey for the second straight season is Kadolph, who in two seasons has played in 75 games for the Beavers which includes being part of Minot State’s 2022-23 ACHA National Championship team.

“Being a captain here at Minot State is very honorable, but it’s not as special as putting the Beaver logo on my chest every day,” said Kadolph. “Whether in school, in the community, or simply on the ice, everyone is a leader in their own way, and that’s what makes this group of guys here at Minot State so special. As I continue to grow as a leader, I remind myself of the great responsibility of wearing that emblem. I aim to represent not just myself but also my teammates, coaches, and our supportive community. I am committed to leading by example and facing challenges to help guide this group of young men in the right direction. Pushing the team to reach new heights and building team camaraderie on and off the ice will continue to leave a footprint and a lasting legacy here at Minot State.”

Named an assistant captain for the first time is Rands, a junior defenseman who has played in 58 games in two seasons which includes being part of Minot State’s 2022-23 ACHA National Championship team.

Logan Rands

“Being named as an assistant captain for the Beavers is a huge honor for me,” said Rands. “I am very excited to join our experienced leadership group. Being a leader on this team is a responsibility that I do not take lightly. We have a very special group of players in our locker room who are looking for redemption after a disappointing finish at Nationals last season. I’m ready to embrace this role as a leader and help contribute to the team’s success both on and off the ice!”

The Minot State men’s hockey team is still finalizing its schedule for the 2024-25 season, a season that will feature the Beavers making their debut in the Midwest College Hockey (MCH) league which includes McKendree (Ill.), Illinois State, Midland (Neb.), Jamestown, Mary, Northern Illinois, and Waldorf (Iowa).

Reid Arnold