By: Ryan Thompson, Assistant AD for Communications
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. - Coming off an 18-19-3 season that saw Davenport finish ranked No. 23 nationally in the ACHA Division I computer rankings, the Panthers enter the new season with an experienced roster and expectations of taking another step forward in hopes of making it back to the national tournament.
The Panthers had 12 newcomers join the program a season ago, making 2025-26 a year of development for a relatively new group. With much of that experience returning, head coach Jeremy Bultema has raised the expectations entering the new campaign.
"After finishing 18-19-3 and ranked #23 last year, we're not looking to just tread water — we're looking to take a real step forward," Bultema said. "Last year was a building year in a lot of ways, with a big group of new faces learning the league on the fly. This year is different. We return more experience than we've had in years, and that experience has to translate into results."
That returning group has already impressed Bultema with its approach throughout the offseason. After navigating significant roster turnover last year, the Panthers used the months following the season to continue developing and preparing for the year ahead.
"Honestly, it's the work ethic this group showed in the offseason," Bultema said. "We brought in numerous new players last year, and that's a lot of turnover to absorb in one season. It would've been easy for that group to take their foot off the gas once the season ended — instead, they doubled down. They put in the time, they put in the work, and you can see it in how they're carrying themselves heading into this year."
Among the returners Bultema expects to take another step are Jack Kelly, Sammy Mielock and Kyler Lowden. Kelly and Mielock provide the Panthers with additional experience up front, while Lowden gives Davenport a strong veteran presence as a goaltender.
"Jack's more prepared this year — a year of experience changes how you see the game, and it shows in him," Bultema said. "Sammy's just a veteran presence at this point; he understands the league and what it takes to compete in it night in and night out."
Bultema also has high expectations for Lowden, who returns after serving as a key piece for the Panthers last season.
"Kyler's ready for an outstanding season," Bultema said. "He's got every tool a goaltender needs, and now it's about our team playing well enough in front of him to let that talent show."
While experience should be one of Davenport's strengths, Bultema identified discipline and defensive play as the two biggest areas in which the Panthers need to improve. Too many self-inflicted mistakes and defensive breakdowns proved costly last season, making those areas a priority throughout the offseason.
"Discipline and defensive play, without question," Bultema said. "That was the difference-maker in a lot of our losses last year — too many mistakes, too many breakdowns we should've cleaned up. It's the number one thing we targeted this offseason, and I like where we're at."
Along with its returning core, Davenport will welcome a group of newcomers looking to contribute immediately. One player Bultema expects to make an early impact is freshman defenseman Ethan Wallace, a 6-foot-4, 215-pound native of Manotick, Ontario.
"Ethan is the name I'd point to," Bultema said. "He's a big, physical defenseman who brings a presence we didn't necessarily have last year, and we expect him to step in and make an impact right away — not down the road, right away."
With more experience throughout the lineup and an offseason focused on correcting last year's weaknesses, the Panthers enter the season expecting to be more competitive from the opening puck drop.
"Our expectation is a more competitive team from night one, a more disciplined team, and a team that's in every game we play," Bultema said. "Anything short of that is a step backward for this program."
The Panthers will face a stiff test right away as they travel to Lake Placid, New York for the ACHA Lake Placid Fall Faceoff. They will play three games in three days against quality opposition from North Carolina State, Lehigh, and Missouri State. Davenport begins this season ranked #24 and the Sunday game pits them against #16 Missouri State at 10:30 AM. All three games will be broadcast by FloHockey. You will need a paid subscription to watch all the action, all season long.
NC State Live Video
Lehigh Live Video
Missouri State Live Video
