BUFFALO, NY – As the weather turns colder and jackets come back out, there's one team that embraces this time of year more than anyone else: the Buffalo State men's hockey team.

Since taking over the program in 2015, head coach Steve Murphy has established a new standard for Bengals hockey: competitiveness, toughness, and pride. Over his tenure, Murphy has amassed a 117–103–14 record, cementing his place as one of the most successful coaches in program history. This season, the goal remains the same of earning their first conference title in program history.

The Bengals are coming off a strong 2024–25 campaign, finishing 16–11 overall (9–5 SUNYAC), their best mark since 2017–18. The team record earned the third seed in last year's playoffs, where they defeated six-seeded SUNY Canton, 6–4, before falling in the semifinals to eventual SUNYAC Champion-Oswego State Lakers. Returning to postseason play for the first time since 2022–23, the Bengals looks to build on last year's success and take the next step.

A major key to the Buffalo State's rise has been their offensive firepower. The Bengals netted 91 goals last season, their highest total since 2017–18. Leading the charge was junior forward Vadim Kiriakov (Tyumen, Russia/Altay Ust-Kamenogorsk), who tallied 33 points (11 goals, 22 assists) and earned All-SUNYAC Second Team honors. Right behind him, junior Jason Kwestel (Rockaway, NJ/Valley Wildcats) notched 24 points and ten goals and 14 assists. The Bengals will also look for continued growth from junior forward Jake Meure (Fremont, CA/Ogden Mustangs) and sophomore David Tolan (LaVerne, CA/Danbury Hat Tricks), two players who made major strides a year ago.

On the defensive end, the Bengals return their anchor in net in junior goaltender Marcus Cumberworth (Surrey, BC/Olds Grizzlys). Cumberworth started 22 games last season where he finished with a .914 save percentage, a 2.70 goals-against average, and two shutouts. On the blue line, sophomore defenseman Austin Micale (Hamilton, NJ/Nashville Spartans) returns after an impressive 21-point season, just two shy of the program's single-season record for points by a defenseman. Fellow sophomore Andrey Manov (Chelyabinsk, Russa/Blind River Beavers), coming off a SUNYAC All-Rookie campaign, will look to continue his development as a key piece of the Bengals' backline.

The Bengals kicks off its season during Halloween weekend, hosting the annual Buffalo State Bengals Classic featuring Hiram College, Chatham University, and St. John Fisher University at the Ice Arena. The Bengals will open against St. John Fisher on Halloween night, with the winner advancing to the championship game on Saturday, Nov. 1, and the loser competing in the consolation matchup earlier that afternoon. The SUNYAC schedule begins Nov. 14 against Cortland. The season will also feature the debut of Skidmore and the three-time defending NCAA Division III Champion Hobart Statesmen into the conference.

For Murphy and company, the mission remains clear: bring a SUNYAC Championship to Buffalo State. With a roster blending experienced youth and veteran leadership, the Bengals are poised for a 2025–26 season to remember.