The season may now be over for the UW-Stout Blue Devils men’s hockey team, but it will live on in the record books as one of the best in program history and points toward a bright future for a relatively young squad.
The Blue Devils finished the year 23-6-1, tying their all-time record for wins in a season set in the 2008-09 campaign. That was also the last time the team reached the NCAA Division III Frozen Four.
This season’s Blue Devils racked up two other notable achievements, winning the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference regular season title outright as well as winning the WIAC Tournament. Both were firsts for the program.
Fans packed the Fanetti Community Center through the postseason run and followed the team to the NCAA tournament in Utica, N.Y.
“The support surrounding our hockey program this season was nothing short of incredible and made this run truly special,” Director of Athletics & Recreation Erin Sullivan said. “From our alumni and students to our dedicated staff and faculty, Menomonie youth hockey, and the entire community, the excitement was felt everywhere and for that I am thankful. I am proud of this team and the energy and belief they brought to our university and the Menomonie community.”
The Blue Devils’ season ended in the March 27 national semifinal with a 4-2 loss to the Hobart Statesmen, three-time defending national champions who were riding a 42-game winning streak. UW-Stout was within one goal of Hobart until the final minutes, when the Statesmen scored on an empty net. (Two days later, No. 1-ranked and undefeated Hobart was upset in the championship game, losing 2-1 to Hamilton College.)
UW-Stout’s record-setting achievements bode well for the future, particularly considering the youth of the team. Freshman goalie Sebastian Monaco, who had 36 saves in the final game, was named a 2025-26 CCM/AHCA Men’s Division III All-American. Monaco led the WIAC with a 1.91 goals-against average and .939 save percentage, which ranked fifth in the nation.
The Blue Devils’ scoring leaders for the season were also all underclassmen, including sophomore forward Hayden Stocks, junior forward Nicolas Pigeon and freshman forward Arhip Sidarovich.
Monaco and Stocks were both named to the All-WIAC Team, while Coach Mike MacDonald was honored as WIAC Coach of the Year. Pigeon and senior defenseman Gunner Moore received honorable mention on the All-WIAC Team. In addition, junior defenseman Sam Kroon was named an Elite Scholar-Athlete by the NCAA.
“This season has laid a great foundation, and I'm excited about the future of Stout hockey,” Sullivan said.
