A New Leadership Era
Bemidji State University’s men’s ice hockey program has named three captains for the 2026‑27 season, a move that marks the first time since the 2021‑22 campaign that the Beavers will operate with a shared leadership model.
Oliver Peer, a senior center and native of Burlington, Ontario, will serve as one of the primary voices in the locker room. He topped the team last year with 20 goals and 16 assists, earning All‑CCHA First Team honors and being named a finalist for the league’s Forward of the Year award.
Joining him on the leadership council is junior defenseman Hudson Thornton, who logged a team‑high 24 minutes and 32 seconds of ice time per game and appeared in all 36 contests. Thornton also paced the blue line with 18 points, underscoring his importance on both ends of the rink.
The third captain, Luke Roelofs, is another junior defenseman who has compiled 52 appearances for the Beavers over his first two seasons. Roelofs previously captained the Bismarck Bobcats of the North American Hockey League and has been recognized with CCHA Scholar‑Athlete and All‑Academic Team accolades, as well as AHCA All‑American Scholar status.
Coach Travis Winter highlighted the blend of experience and skill among the trio, noting that their combined leadership should help the team navigate a challenging schedule. Athletic director David Deterding added that the selection reflects the program’s commitment to developing leaders on and off the ice.
Fans can expect a dynamic approach as the Beavers aim to build on recent successes, with the new captaincy group poised to guide the squad toward a strong finish in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association.