Ferris hockey coaches are looking forward to seeing what type of output they’ll get from all their recruits. As the team is pushing to the season, Logan Stein stands out being the only freshman goaltender on the team.
He is competing this season for a spot as potentially the starting goalie. Stein comes to Ferris for the goalie position alongside junior Roni Salmenkangas and sophomore Carter McPhail.
Stein is joining a number of other freshman Bulldogs such as Sam Skinner, Ben Schultheis, Stepan Pokorny, Antonio Venuto, and Drew Cooper.
Stein had a long road before he traveled to Ferris. He grew up in Suwanee, Georgia. He developed an interest in hockey when his dad took him to watch Atlanta Thrashers play home games. Stein also played in the Atlanta Jr Thrashers Hockey program playing against teams and traveling.
When he was 15, he moved to Detroit and started playing for the Oakland Jr. Grizzlies. During this time, he started making a name for himself, getting drafted into the United States Hockey League.
In the USHL, he posted career bests with a .911 save percentage with 2.33 goals-against average for the Waterloo Blackhawks, Stein was sixth in save percentage in the USHL. The Blackhawks were well in first place in the USHL Western Conference standings with 33-14-2 during the time the season ceased.
Stein also helped Team USA at the World Junior A Challenge in Dawson Creek, British Columbia to a third-place finish last year. Stein had a .920 save percentage in three outings for team USA and competed in the 2020 Biosteel All-American Game. He was also goalie of the week for Jan. 15, 2019.
As an incoming freshman, Stein was also eligible for the NHL draft. Stein was also ranked by the NHL central scouting to be ranked 29th among goaltenders in the Montreal draft.
Coming out of Waterloo earlier this year, Stein has joined the Bulldogs recently and is looking to benefit the team and improve.
“Ferris has always been in my interest in a great school with great coaches,” Stein said.
Coach Daniels explained how much of an impact on someone like Stein can have coming into this organization
“Bulldog hockey is going to experience an improvement. He’s a freshman coming out of the USHL as a competitive top goaltender a year ago. Transferring here, Logan looks like a big potential impact.” Daniels said.
Stein having many accomplishments and praise for coaches does not mean it will be easily obtaining the starting position. The coaches are looking forward to exhibition games the week of Thanksgiving for players.
“As much work as we put in the season, these games give players a chance to play together, demonstrate and compete,” Daniels said.
The first game of men’s hockey season will potentially start Friday, Nov. 27 against Lake Superior State. With all the preparation the team has put in the be able to play it will be interesting to see how Stein can contribute.