Western Michigan is reloading its entire roster for the 2026-27 season, which is why its freshman focus is split into two parts. This second part will round out a loaded class for the program in hopes of bringing them back to the Frozen Four.
It’s fairly common to take a step back after winning a National Championship, and that’s what happened last season for the Broncos as they failed to make it to the Frozen Four. Head coach Pat Ferschweiler is bringing in a load of freshmen for this upcoming season with the hopes of getting back to the peak of college hockey.
All entry years are from CollegeHockeyNews and are subject to change. Players are listed alphabetically by last name.
Luke McNamara –Center, Fargo Force (USHL)
McNamara played four seasons in the OHL, mostly with the Saginaw Spirit. He made the switch to the USHL last season, where he had a lot more points with the Force than he did with any OHL team.
After joining Kosiba and Fargo, McNamara had 20 goals and 50 points in 62 games.
Frantisek Netusil –Center, Omaha Lancers (USHL)
Netusil played for three teams in his only season in the USHL. He played 17 games for the Green Bay Gamblers, 18 games for the Tri-City Storm, and 16 games for the Omaha Lancers, where he saw his highest point total.
In 16 games for the Lancers, he had eight points, which brought his season total to 17 points.
Dominic Pajkic –Defenseman, Minot Minotauros (NAHL)
Pajkic will be the youngest player on the team next season as he’s the only 2008 birth year. He was playing minor hockey before this past season in the NAHL.
The St. Clair Shores, Michigan native played 41 games last season for Minot and had four goals and 15 points.
Junior Podein –Right Winger, Spruce Grove Saints (BCHL)
Podein is the son of former NHLer Shjon Podein, who played 699 games in the NHL. His sister was also the captain last season for the University of Vermont.
Podein played 33 games last season with Haibock and the Spruce Grove Saints, where he posted six goals and 27 points.
Tommy Prendergast –Left Winger, Okanagan HA Colorado (U-18 AAA)
Although he played four games for the Green Bay Gamblers in the 2022-23 season, Prendergast is the only freshman joining the team without a year of junior hockey under his belt.
In his final U-18 season last year, he had 17 goals and 41 points in 41 games, which was the team lead in points.
Joshua Wiebe –Left Winger, Powell River Kings (BCHL)
Wiebe played his first 37 games last season for the Okotoks Oilers, where he had 25 points. When he was sent to the Powell River Kings, something clicked for him.
In only 14 games for them, he had four goals and 23 points.
Brady Zugec –Left Winger, Fargo Force (USHL)
Last but not least, we have Brady Zugec, who adds to the multiple Fargo Force joining the program next season.
He also spent time last season in Minot with Pajkic. In 54 games last season, he had 11 goals and 26 points.
