Men’s Ice Hockey: Buckeyes reflect on campaign, oseason motivation and roster questions

CODY MACHAN Lantern Reporter machan.12@osu.edu

This story was originally published April 17, and updated for the Buckeye Bound Edition.

Riding high on the momentum of an 8-1 beatdown of Harvard in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament, Ohio State men’s hockey seemed destined for a trip to the Frozen Four on March 26 after scoring in less than two minutes against Quinnipiac in the NCAA Regional Finals.

However, in the blink of an eye, the Bobcats scored twice in 15 seconds to flip the script in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

As the game progressed, Ohio State was unable to find the back of the net again. Quinnipiac added on late, and reality started to set in that the Buckeyes were heading home early.

“I’m really proud of the group,” head coach Steve Rohlik said. “I think we played our best hockey. Unfortunately, it didn’t turn out the way we wanted there against Quinnipiac, but I thought we were certainly the better team both nights.”

Another season came and went in Columbus without Ohio State bringing home the national championship. The Buckeyes have yet to reach the top of the college hockey world in the program’s 60-year history, advancing to two Frozen Fours in 1998 and 2018.

The Buckeyes’ 2022-23 campaign saw no shortage of twists and turns. After an initial 7-1-1 start, Ohio State went on a 2-6 slump in its next eight games, then rebounded to win six straight and finished the regular season on a 4-5-1 note in the final 10 games. In addition to periods of on-the-ice challenges, Ohio State faced controversy off the ice when the team suspended then-senior forward Kamil Sadlocha after Michigan State’s then-senior forward Jagger Joshua accused the Buckeye of saying a racial slur on a Nov. 11, 2022, meeting between the Big Ten foes.

Sadlocha returned to the ice Jan. 4 after the team underwent racial sensitivity, diversity and equity education.

Ohio State advanced to a Big Ten Tournament quarterfinal series win against Penn State and NCAA Tournament victory against Harvard, the Buckeyes’ first since the program’s 2018 Frozen Four run.

The Buckeyes’ 21 wins marked the sixth time in the past seven seasons the program cracked the 20-win mark under Rohlik.

Then-junior forward Patrick Guzzo felt the team was “counted out” and credited confidence and connection for staying together and advancing in the postseason despite outside noise.

“We’re a resilient group,” Guzzo said. “When we were looked at as a team that really couldn’t do it, we kind of just all came together and showed everybody that we can compete with any hockey team we play with, as long as we’re playing the right way.”

As the Buckeyes enter the offseason and look toward the fall, they know for certain many new faces will join the locker room.

Ohio State had 10 seniors and graduates, making up over a third of the roster. Fifthyear forwards Jake Wise and Gustaf Westlund have already jumped to the professional level, with many other futures to be determined for upperclassmen.

Then-sophomore defensemen Mason Lohrei, Cole McWard and goalie Jakub Dobeš won’t return as they chase their NHL dreams.

Heading into their senior seasons, Guzzo and then-junior forward Michael Gildon believe they’re ready to take on the challenge.

“I think it’s a great chance for myself and some other older guys who are staying to really step up and fill those leadership roles,” Gildon said. “The guys that are leaving showed us how to do it, so we’ve just got to continue on that same path. Leadership will change, but the culture overall will not change.”

With many roster spots to fill, Ohio State will likely look to the transfer portal.

Last offseason, the Buckeyes brought in then-senior defenseman Scooter Brickey from Western Michigan, who anchored the defense by blocking 57 shots, tied for the team lead. Then-senior forwards Mark Cheremeta, Matt Cassidy and Wise were also acquired from the portal in past seasons.

“[The transfer portal] certainly is a huge part of it across the board in every sport, and certainly in hockey as well,” Rohlik said. “There’ll be a lot of changes over the next month or so with this. We’ve seen that every year, and it’ll be no different this year.”

So far this offseason, the Buckeyes have lost now-sophomore Tyler Duke and fifth-years James Marooney and C.J. Regula via transfer portal. However, they’ve added five players to the 2023 roster.

Fifth-year Mason Klee, juniors Brent Johnson and Logan Terness, and sophomores

Damien Carfagna and Jake Dunlap are the newest names for Buckeye hockey fans to memorize. Jake Dunlap is joining his older brother, now-senior forward, Joe Dunlap. It’s now easier to see what Ohio State’s roster will look like for the upcoming season, but what’s more certain is Rohlik will be at the helm for his 11th season.

As the Buckeyes continue their search for the elusive national championship next season, Rohlik said he’s as committed as ever to bringing Columbus to the promised land.

“I can’t tell you how fortunate I am to be around so many unbelievable coaches and staff and people here that are involved in this hockey program,” Rohlik said. “It’s an unbelievable university, and I just want to continue to push and grow this place. I’m just really proud to be a part of this.”

See