For the first time in Cleary University’s history, the Cougars men’s hockey team is ranked nationally.
The team recently captured the 20th spot in the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Division 1 polls and has extended its winning streak to 11 games, the most in Cleary hockey history!
“Most in history” records also include Player of the Week honors. The Wolverine Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) already has named these Cleary athletes as award winners:
• Bennett Sheppard, a junior from Pinckney: Offensive Player of the Week three times so far this season; he also has scored three hat-tricks this season. He already has surpassed his season point total with 29 points and is the fourth Cleary player all-time to earn at least 100 career points.
• Ryan Nickerson, goalie and sophomore from Brighton: Player of the Week three times so far this season; he recorded a 25-save shutout in his season debut.
• Blair Krawchyk, a freshman from Cambridge, Ontario: Offensive Player of the Week
• Dylan Tammadge, a sophomore from Kanata, Ontario: Offensive Player of the Week
• Nick Meyering, goalie and senior from North Muskegon: Defensive Player of the Week; a record of 8-0 for the season so far.
The Cougars improve to 13-1 this season (10 regulation wins, 1 loss, 3 shootout wins). The team is off through Thanksgiving and returns to the ice at 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, when they host the Aquinas College Saints at 140 Ice Den in Howell.
Cleary finished last season with a 20-18 record, their best to date. It also marked the first time the team finished with a .500 record or above and the first time with 20 wins in a single season.
For a complete schedule of upcoming games, visit clearycougars.com/sports/acha/2025-26/schedule.
To review the ACHA rankings, visit www.achahockey.org/m1-rankings.
