2020–21 Arizona State Sun Devils men's ice hockey season
College ice hockey team season
The 2020–21 Arizona State Sun Devils men's ice hockey season was the 6th season of play for the program at the Division I level. The Sun Devils represented Arizona State University and were coached by Greg Powers , in his 11th season.
Season
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic , the start of the Sun Devils' season was delayed. Due to scheduling problems resulting from the pandemic, Arizona State entered into a scheduling alliance with the Big Ten and would play a conference schedule. The Sun Devils would only participate in regular season games against Big Ten teams, the program would not formally join the conference nor would any of its games be counted in the Big Ten standings. Arizona State would also not be eligible for the Big Ten Tournament .[ 1]
Due to the nature of their agreement, Arizona State played all of its games on the road. That, and playing against stronger competition that previous years, led to the Sun Devils' facing an uphill battle in their pursuit of a second NCAA berth. In ASU's first series of the season they were swept by Michigan but were dealt a serious blow when senior captain and all-time leading goal scorer, Johnny Walker, suffered a knee injury that would keep him out for 6 weeks.[ 2] After another offensively inept series, the Sun Devils suddenly came to life against Wisconsin , taking both games and jumping back into the USCHO rankings.
The team played well in Walker's absence, ending the year with a 4–6–2 record, but when their captain returned the team was in the middle of a string of ranked opponents. For the entire month of January, Arizona State played top-20 teams. When the dust settled, ASU's record had plummeted and the team had virtually no chance of making the national tournament. The team played well over the final three weeks of the season but they couldn't recover from a disastrous 1–7 run.
Departures
Recruiting
Player
Position
Nationality
Age
Notes
Cole Brady
Goaltender
Canada
19
Pickering, ON ; 127th selection in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft
Sean Dhooghe
Forward
United States
21
Aurora, IL ; transfer from Wisconsin
Benji Eckerle
Forward
United States
21
Northville, MI
Chris Grando
Forward
United States
22
Islip, NY ; transfer from Boston College
Tanner Hickey
Defenseman
Canada
21
Leduc, AB ; transfer from Alabama–Huntsville
Matthew Kopperud
Forward
Canada
21
Denver, CO
Carson Kosobud
Defenseman
United States
21
Moorhead, MN
Michael Mancinelli
Forward
United States
19
Northville, MI
Bronson Moore
Goaltender
United States
22
Tempe, AZ ; previously played club hockey
Ryan O'Reilly
Forward
United States
20
Southlake, TX ; 98th selection in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft
Roster
As of January 3, 2021.[ 3]
No.
S/P/C
Player
Class
Pos
Height
Weight
DoB
Hometown
Previous team
NHL rights
2
Connor Stuart
Junior
D
6' 2" (1.88 m)
190 lb (86 kg)
1997-02-12
Phoenix, Arizona
Lone Star (NAHL )
—
3
Gvido Jansons
Senior
D
6' 4" (1.93 m)
210 lb (95 kg)
1997-01-09
Grobiņa, Latvia
Aston (NAHL )
—
4
Jacob Wilson (C )
Senior
D
5' 11" (1.8 m)
185 lb (84 kg)
1997-02-27
Ballwin, Missouri
Sioux City (USHL )
—
7
Johnny Walker (C )
Senior
F
6' 1" (1.85 m)
185 lb (84 kg)
1996-08-21
Phoenix, Arizona
Chicago (USHL )
—
8
Tanner Hickey
Sophomore
D
5' 10" (1.78 m)
170 lb (77 kg)
1999-04-30
Leduc, Alberta
Alabama Huntsville (WCHA )
—
9
Sean Dhooghe
Senior
F
5' 3" (1.6 m)
150 lb (68 kg)
1999-03-09
Aurora, Illinois
Wisconsin (Big Ten )
—
10
Michael Mancinelli
Freshman
F
5' 9" (1.75 m)
185 lb (84 kg)
2001-06-28
Northville, Michigan
Des Moines (USHL )
—
11
Benji Eckerle
Freshman
F
5' 9" (1.75 m)
175 lb (79 kg)
1999-09-24
Northville, Michigan
Tri-City (USHL )
—
13
Chris Grando
Junior (RS )
F
5' 10" (1.78 m)
171 lb (78 kg)
1998-08-22
Islip, New York
Boston College (HEA )
—
15
Carson Kosobud
Freshman
D
6' 0" (1.83 m)
190 lb (86 kg)
1999-06-04
Moorhead, Minnesota
Penticton (BCHL )
—
17
Jacob Semik
Sophomore
D
6' 0" (1.83 m)
180 lb (82 kg)
2000-03-10
Canton, Michigan
Dubuque (USHL )
—
18
Jax Murray
Sophomore
F
5' 9" (1.75 m)
185 lb (84 kg)
1998-12-26
Princeton, Minnesota
Fairbanks (NAHL )
—
19
Jordan Sandhu (A )
Junior
F
5' 7" (1.7 m)
155 lb (70 kg)
1999-05-13
Richmond, British Columbia
Vernon (BCHL )
—
20
Filips Buncis
Senior
F
6' 4" (1.93 m)
220 lb (100 kg)
1997-06-12
Jelgava, Latvia
Johnstown (NAHL )
—
21
Peter Zhong
Sophomore (RS )
F
5' 11" (1.8 m)
175 lb (79 kg)
1998-07-30
Beijing, China
Philadelphia Rebels (NAHL )
—
22
Jack Judson
Sophomore
D
6' 0" (1.83 m)
180 lb (82 kg)
2000-02-26
White Rock, British Columbia
Vernon (BCHL )
—
23
Demetrios Koumontzis
Junior
F
5' 10" (1.78 m)
183 lb (83 kg)
2000-03-24
Scottsdale, Arizona
Edina (USHS–MN )
CGY , 108th overall 2018
25
P. J. Marrocco
Junior
F
5' 8" (1.73 m)
170 lb (77 kg)
1997-08-27
Edmonton, Alberta
Chilliwack (BCHL )
—
28
Matthew Kopperud
Freshman
F
5' 11" (1.8 m)
170 lb (77 kg)
1999-08-04
Denver, Colorado
Dubuque (USHL )
—
29
William Knierim
Senior
F
6' 4" (1.93 m)
225 lb (102 kg)
1998-01-22
Skokie, Illinois
Dubuque (USHL )
—
30
Evan DeBrouwer
Junior
G
6' 3" (1.91 m)
190 lb (86 kg)
1997-01-30
Blenheim, Ontario
Prince George (BCHL )
—
31
Justin Robbins
Sophomore
G
5' 9" (1.75 m)
158 lb (72 kg)
1999-03-10
Alpine, New Jersey
Chicago (USHL )
—
33
Bronson Moore
Junior
G
5' 11" (1.8 m)
161 lb (73 kg)
1997-11-004
Kennewick, Washington
Minnesota (USPHL )
—
34
Cole Brady
Freshman
G
6' 5" (1.96 m)
180 lb (82 kg)
2001-02-12
Pickering, Ontario
Fargo (USHL )
NJD , 127th overall 2019
37
Dominic Garcia (A )
Senior
F
5' 11" (1.8 m)
204 lb (93 kg)
1996-10-30
Las Vegas, Nevada
Aston (NAHL )
—
39
Ryan O'Reilly
Freshman
F
6' 3" (1.91 m)
205 lb (93 kg)
2000-03-21
Southlake, Texas
Green Bay (USHL )
DET , 98th overall 2018
60
Jarrod Gourley
Junior
D
6' 2" (1.88 m)
212 lb (96 kg)
1999-06-29
Calgary, Alberta
Spruce Grove (AJHL )
—
61
James Sanchez
Senior
F
6' 2" (1.88 m)
195 lb (88 kg)
1998-02-25
Northbrook, Illinois
Dubuque (USHL )
—
Standings
Schedule and Results
Date
Time
Opponent#
Rank#
Site
TV
Decision
Result
Attendance
Record
Regular Season
November 14
1:04 PM
at #12 Michigan *
#15
Yost Ice Arena • Ann Arbor , Michigan
Debrouwer
L 1–8
80
0–1–0
November 15
5:05 PM
at #12 Michigan *
#15
Yost Ice Arena • Ann Arbor , Michigan
BTN
Brady
L 0–3
72
0–2–0
November 19
4:04 PM
at Michigan State *
Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing , Michigan
BTN
Brady
T 1–1 OT
100
0–2–1
November 20
4:04 PM
at Michigan State *
Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing , Michigan
Debrouwer
L 0–2
100
0–3–1
November 28
6:04 PM
at #14 Wisconsin *
Kohl Center • Madison , Wisconsin
FSW
Brady
W 8–5
0
1–3–1
November 29
3:04 PM
at #14 Wisconsin *
Kohl Center • Madison , Wisconsin
FSW
Debrouwer
W 3–1
0
2–3–1
December 3
5:06 PM
at #16 Notre Dame *
#20
Compton Family Ice Arena • Notre Dame , Indiana
NHL Network
Debrouwer
W 6–3
0
3–3–1
December 7
5:06 PM
at #16 Notre Dame *
#20
Compton Family Ice Arena • Notre Dame , Indiana
NBCSN
Brady
L 4–5
0
3–4–1
December 11
4:04 PM
at Penn State *
#20
Pegula Ice Arena • University Park , Pennsylvania
Debrouwer
L 2–3 OT
184
3–5–1
December 13
12:04 PM
at Penn State *
#20
Pegula Ice Arena • University Park , Pennsylvania
Debrouwer
L 4–5 OT
86
3–6–1
December 17
3:30 PM
at #18 Ohio State *
Value City Arena • Columbus , Ohio
Debrouwer
T 4–4 OT
0
3–6–2
December 18
3:30 PM
at #18 Ohio State *
Value City Arena • Columbus , Ohio
Debrouwer
W 3–2
0
4–6–2
January 3
2:00 PM
at #1 Minnesota *
3M Arena at Mariucci • Minneapolis , Minnesota
Debrouwer
L 1–4
0
4–7–2
January 4
6:05 PM
at #1 Minnesota *
3M Arena at Mariucci • Minneapolis , Minnesota
Debrouwer
L 4–6
0
4–8–2
January 9
4:36 PM
at #18 Notre Dame *
Compton Family Ice Arena • Notre Dame , Indiana
Debrouwer
L 4–5
74
4–9–2
January 10
3:06 PM
at #18 Notre Dame *
Compton Family Ice Arena • Notre Dame , Indiana
Robbins
W 5–3
0
5–9–2
January 16
6:04 PM
at #12 Wisconsin *
Kohl Center • Madison , Wisconsin
FSW
Robbins
L 0–4
0
5–10–2
January 17
5:34 PM
at #12 Wisconsin *
Kohl Center • Madison , Wisconsin
FSW
Debrouwer
L 2–5
0
5–11–2
January 21
5:05 PM
at #2 Minnesota *
3M Arena at Mariucci • Minneapolis , Minnesota
Robbins
L 0–10
0
5–12–2
January 22
2:00 PM
at #2 Minnesota *
3M Arena at Mariucci • Minneapolis , Minnesota
Debrouwer
L 2–10
0
5–13–2
February 4
7:00 PM
vs. USNTDP *
Oceanside Ice Arena • Tempe , Arizona (Exhibition)
Brady
L 3–6
53
February 5
7:00 PM
vs. USNTDP *
Oceanside Ice Arena • Tempe , Arizona (Exhibition)
Brady
W 2–1
69
February 14
1:00 PM
at Michigan State *
Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing , Michigan
Brady
W 3–2
101
6–13–2
February 15
3:00 PM
at Michigan State *
Munn Ice Arena • East Lansing , Michigan
Brady
L 1–2
81
6–14–2
February 26
5:05 PM
at #7 Michigan *
Yost Ice Arena • Ann Arbor , Michigan
Brady
L 1–4
61
6–15–2
February 27
5:04 PM
at #7 Michigan *
Yost Ice Arena • Ann Arbor , Michigan
Brady
T 1–1 OT
71
6–15–3
March 4
3:30 PM
at Ohio State *
Value City Arena • Columbus , Ohio
Brady
L 3–8
60
6–16–3
March 5
3:30 PM
at Ohio State *
Value City Arena • Columbus , Ohio
Brady
W 5–0
74
7–16–3
*Non-conference game. # Rankings from USCHO.com Poll . All times are in Mountain Time .
[ 4]
Scoring Statistics
Name
Position
Games
Goals
Assists
Points
PIM
Matthew Kopperud
F
25
13
6
19
8
James Sanchez
LW
26
5
11
16
8
Chris Grando
LW
25
6
8
14
6
Johnny Walker
RW
16
4
10
14
21
Ryan O'Reilly
RW /C
23
3
10
13
8
Jacob Semik
D
25
1
10
11
4
Michael Mancinelli
C
26
6
4
10
8
Jax Murray
F
22
5
5
10
0
Demetrios Koumontzis
LW
22
4
6
10
14
Willie Knierim
RW
18
5
4
9
12
Benji Eckerle
F
25
4
5
9
14
Jacob Wilson
D
22
1
7
8
12
Jack Judson
D
26
1
7
8
14
Jordan Sandhu
C
26
2
5
7
6
P. J. Marrocco
F
24
1
4
5
0
Sean Dhooghe
RW
20
2
2
4
2
Jarrod Gourley
D
22
2
2
4
10
Tanner Hickey
D
26
1
3
4
8
Dominic Garcia
F
24
2
0
2
0
Evan Debrouwer
G
16
0
2
2
0
Gvido Jansons
D
26
0
2
2
34
Bronson Moore
G
1
0
0
0
0
Filips Buncis
C
2
0
0
0
0
Justin Robbins
G
3
0
0
0
0
Peter Zhong
LW
4
0
0
0
0
Connor Stuart
D /F
5
0
0
0
0
Carson Kosobud
D
10
0
0
0
2
Cole Brady
G
13
0
0
0
0
Bench
-
-
-
-
-
8
Total
68
113
181
199
[ 5]
Goaltending statistics
Name
Games
Minutes
Wins
Losses
Ties
Goals Against
Saves
Shut Outs
SV %
GAA
Cole Brady
13
635
3
5
2
35
354
1
.910
3.31
Evan Debrouwer
16
827
3
9
1
57
454
0
.888
4.13
Justin Robbins
3
96
1
2
0
10
51
0
.836
6.23
Bronson Moore
1
13
0
0
0
2
6
0
.750
8.75
Empty Net
-
7
-
-
-
2
-
-
-
-
Total
26
1580
7
16
3
106
865
1
.891
4.02
Rankings
Poll
Week
Pre
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21 (Final)
USCHO.com
15
NR
NR
20
20
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
-
NR
USA Today
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
NR
USCHO did not release a poll in week 20. [ 6]
Players drafted into the NHL
† incoming freshman [ 7]
References
^ "ASU/Big Ten Agree to Schedule Arrangement for 2020-21" . Arizona State Sun Devils . October 6, 2020. Retrieved February 5, 2021 .
^ "Not Dead Yet, ASU Hockey Looking for Late Season Push" . Sports 260 Arizona . January 12, 2021. Retrieved March 15, 2021 .
^ "2020–21 Men's Ice Hockey Roster" . Arizona State University. Retrieved July 25, 2018 .
^ "Arizona State Sun Devils (Men) 2020-2021 Schedule and Results" . College Hockey Stats . Retrieved December 5, 2019 .
^ "Arizona State Univ. 2020-2021 Skater Stats" . Elite Prospects . Retrieved June 20, 2020 .
^ "USCHO Division I Men's Poll" . USCHO.com . Retrieved November 26, 2019 .
^ "NCAA player rankings, selections in 2021 NHL Draft" . USCHO.com . Retrieved July 24, 2021 .