Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs men's ice hockey

History

Duluth began its ice hockey team in 1930 but suspended the program after two years. Following the Depression and World War II, the Bulldogs revived the team and played as a minor independent before joining the MIAC as a provisional member. Upon full MIAC membership in 1952, Minnesota–Duluth won the conference crown in its first two eligible seasons with a 15–2 league record. After Bob Boyat's single season as head coach, Connie Pleban took over and the Bulldogs won six consecutive MIAC titles without losing a league game. By the early 1960s, Duluth began defeating major programs, and in 1962, under Ralph Romano, the team left the MIAC to play as an independent. After four seasons, the WCHA invited Minnesota–Duluth to join as its eighth member, allowing the conference to hold an eight-team tournament. The Bulldogs struggled initially, earning only two winning seasons in their first 15 WCHA years and not recording a postseason victory until 1971. Mike Sertich became head coach in 1982, and under him UMD made its first NCAA Tournament appearances in 1983, 1984, and 1985. In 1983, the Bulldogs lost to Providence College in a two-game series by scores of 3–7 and 2–3.