Great Honor for a Great Hockey Player

Bret Hedican and President Potter III

On Saturday night, former Husky Hockey player Bret Hedican became the first Husky player to have his number (#24) retired. Hedican played for the Huskies from 1988-1991 where he was the first SCSU player to earn All-WCHA and helped guide the Huskies to their first-ever NCAA Division I tournament at the end of the 1988-89 season. As a defensemen, Hedican still holds several Husky Hockey records:

• Fifth among SCSU defensemen for career points
• Most points scored by a defenseman in a season with 48 in 1990-91
• Most assists by a defenseman in a season with 30 in 1990-91
• Most goals in a season for a defenseman with 18 in 1990-91 
• Team’s single-game standard for defenders with three goals against Wisconsin on Feb. 15, 1991.

Captain Aaron Marvin and Bret Hedican

After his excellent career with the St. Cloud State Huskies, Hedican went on to have a stellar professional career. Some of his accolades include:

• 1,147 NHL games during his career
• 59 goals, 261 assists and 320 points during his career
• 2006 Stanley Cup winner with the Carolina Hurricanes
• Two Winter Olympic Games as a member of the USA men’s ice hockey team in 1992 (Albertville) and 2006 (Torino)
• Team USA at the World Hockey Championships in 1997, 1999 and 2001

You can read more about this historic moment in Husky Hockey history at the sites below:

• SCSU Men's Hockey Retires Hedican's #24
• Former SCSU star Hedican has number retired

You can see some photos of the event here.

Below is a video tribute to Bret Hedican and his excellent career:

Bret Hedican and wife Kristi Yamaguchi with Coach Dahl

I can't put it any better, so in the words of St. Cloud State President Earl H. Potter III, "As a student-athlete Bret Hedican distinguished himself, the Husky hockey program and the number 24. His accomplishments as a player helped establish our men's hockey program at the Division I level, and his career and life achievements continue to bring great honor to him, his family and his alma mater. Retiring Bret's number 24 jersey is a fitting tribute to a friend and alumnus we hold in great esteem."

Congratulations Bret Hedican!