by Tyler Kuehl/CHN Reporter (@tjku29)
See all of CHN’s Tournament coverage: articles, brackets, history and more.
Heading into the Fargo Region, Western Michigan is the favorite to come out on top and move on to the Frozen Four for the first time in program history, thanks to having the highest-scoring offense in college hockey.
Led by sophomore Alex Bump, the only player on the Broncos roster with over 40 points, the team has a deep scoring pool, with anyone and everyone being able to step up on any given night — especially its captain, Tim Washe.
Washe’s 15 goals place him second on the team behind Bump, sitting third on the Broncos with 34 points. To some, those numbers might sound rather mundane compared to the top scorers in the country, but given Washe’s path, they are outstanding.
The Detroit native started in Kalamazoo during the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season and was a solid bottom-six asset while players like Ethen Frank, Jason Polin and Max Sasson lit up the scoreboard. Across his first four seasons with the Broncos, Washe scored just 12 goals and 36 points.
However, with so many new faces heading into this season, fourth-year head coach Pat Ferschweiler knew he was going to need someone reliable to lead the team, on and off the ice. That’s why the team named Washe team captain for his final year with the program.
Along with the enhanced leadership role, the 6-foot-3 forward’s game skyrocketed. While he’s played with various linemates, he’s been a consistent threat at both ends of the rink. Along with his clear scoring prowess, he’s one of the top centermen in the NCAA, registering a 63.8 faceoff win percentage.
“I’ve had a lot of time to grow here,” Washe said. “A lot of great players here that have helped me along the way that are now playing professional hockey. So, just learning from them, learning from the coaches. … It’s cool getting better every day.”
His efforts in his own end of the rink led to him being named the NCHC Defensive Forward of the Year — the first Bronco to win the award. He isn’t, however, the first player in program history to be named a conference’s best defensive forward. In fact, Ferschweiler was named the CCHA’s Best Defensive Forward in 1991-92. Dane Walters earned the same honor in 2011-12, the last time Western Michigan won a conference tournament before this year.
Washe says playing like someone under Ferschweiler has allowed him to develop all parts of his game.
“I just try to be a sponge. He’s got a lot of experience,” Washe said. “He’s coached some of the best players, players I grew up watching with [the Detroit Red Wings]. So, I just try to try to learn everything I can from him. What he teaches works. That’s why we’re at where we’re at.”
Ferschweiler has loved Washe’s work ethic throughout his career but stated a slight change in mentality has led to the super senior becoming an offensive weapon.
“The maturity showed in kind of refocusing his aggression and his competitiveness from where we used to be focused on face-offs, defense, these kind of things,” Ferschweiler said. “This year, he’s focused and said, ‘Okay, now I need to help this team in other ways.’ He also needed to help himself in other ways. … He is smart, he does have good hands, and he can really skate. There is offense in the game. He’s allowed himself to show it this year.”
Ferschweiler believes Washe’s game has developed to the point where he’s ready to play pro hockey after his college career wraps up.
With “star” names like Bump and freshman goaltender Hampton Slukynsky on the roster, players like Washe can be kept from the spotlight. Ferschweiler doesn’t believe that.
“You’re placing him on the undercard. I’m not,” Ferschweiler said. “Alex Bump is going to take the star role in scoring because he’s our star player. He’s going to play in the National Hockey League very shortly, but Tim Washe has realized he can contribute because he believes [in himself].”
Washe’s also been a clutch player for WMU. He leads the team with seven game-winning goals, including the overtime winner against Michigan Tech in the Great Lakes Invitational semifinals. The 23-year-old also netted the game-tying goal in the Broncos’ valiant comeback against Denver in the NCHC Frozen Faceoff Final this past Saturday, leading to the team sweeping the regular season and tournament championships.
Washe admits it’s more luck and playing with the right guys than having a “clutch gene.”
“That’s a hard one to answer,” Washe chuckled. “I just think the guys set me up. A lot of good players out there working with, and just some fortunate bounces.”
The Broncos are set to take on Minnesota State in the first round of the Fargo Regional on Thursday, with the winner taking on the winner of Minnesota and Massachusetts. Washe assures that, despite early exits in the previous three trips to the tournament, belief will be the key to them getting over the hump.
“That’s what it comes down to,” Washe said. “We have the talent. The guys in the room are all great. I think just believe in our group. You saw a little bit of that against Denver there. I don’t think there’s a challenge we can’t overcome.”
