WMU Hockey: 15 Players Named to NCHC Academic Honor Roll

Western Michigan Hockey Places 15 Players on NCHC Academic Honor Roll

KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Fifteen members of the Western Michigan University men’s ice hockey team have been recognized on the National Collegiate Hockey Conference (NCHC) Academic Honor Roll, the conference announced on February 11, 2026. Eleven Broncos earned the distinction of NCHC Distinguished Scholar-Athlete, signifying a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher.

The Broncos’ 15 selections represent the second-highest total among NCHC teams. Their eleven Distinguished Scholar-Athletes place them third in the conference in that category.

To qualify for the NCHC Academic Honor Roll, student-athletes must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher while completing at least one full academic year at their current institution. Those achieving a 3.5 GPA or better are additionally recognized as Distinguished Scholar-Athletes.

The Western Michigan players honored on the NCHC Academic Honor Roll are Zach Bade, Cole Crusberg-Roseen, Grady Gallatin, Ryan Kusler, Kirk Laursen, Owen Michaels, Zach Nehring, Zack Sharp, Samuel Sjolund, Grant Slukynsky, Hampton Slukynsky, Garrett Szydlowski, Joona Väisänen, Liam Valente, and Zaccharya Wisdom. Bade, Crusberg-Roseen, Laursen, Michaels, Nehring, Sjolund, Grant Slukynsky, Hampton Slukynsky, Szydlowski, Valente, and Wisdom all achieved Distinguished Scholar-Athlete status.

The NCHC Academic Honor Roll recognizes academic achievement across the conference, highlighting the commitment of student-athletes to success both on and off the ice. While current eligibility requirements exclude freshmen and first-year transfers, those achieving a 3.0 GPA or higher at the conclusion of the 2025-26 academic year will be added to the Honor Roll in the summer. Similarly, those reaching a 3.5 GPA will be designated as Distinguished Scholar-Athletes.

This academic recognition comes on the heels of a successful season for the Broncos, who won their first national championship in 2025 and also secured the NCHC regular season and conference tournament championships that same year. The program, led by head coach Pat Ferschweiler, continues to demonstrate a commitment to both athletic and academic excellence.

Western Michigan University’s men’s ice hockey program has a rich history, beginning in 1973 and joining the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) in 1975. The Broncos first appeared in the NCAA Division I men’s ice hockey tournament in 1986 after winning the CCHA Playoff Tournament. The program has since made nine additional NCAA tournament appearances, including a run to the Frozen Four in 2025.

The Broncos compete at Lawson Arena in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and are known for their dedicated fan base, the Lawson Lunatics. The team’s colors are brown and gold.