Bobcat Season Preview
Written by: Brian Gornick
Fans of the Bismarck Bobcats are no doubt excited for the upcoming 24-25 season of the
North American Hockey League. Plenty of new faces are joining the team, and with uncertainty
comes an uncertain path through uncharted territory. We wanted to take a deep dive into some of
the new faces with the team, and some of the returning members fans are already familiar with.
One of the biggest changes for the Bobcats is the departure of long-time head coach
Layne Sedevie, who stepped down after 15 years behind the bench to become the program
director of Bismarck Hockey Boosters. Sedevie left behind a lasting legacy in Bismarck,
bringing the franchise its first Robertson Cup Championship. Boasting an overall 451-302-70
record, Sedevie coached over 100 players who have moved on to play Division 1 college hockey.
Sedevie has since been replaced by Bobcat’s legend Garrett Roth, who brings with him
both Division 1 college hockey experience with Bemidji State University and over 10 years of
coaching experience. The all-time Bobcats scoring leader was previously the head coach of the
Wichita Falls/Oklahoma Warriors for the past four seasons. Joining Roth behind the bench is
Alec Rauhauser. A former captain for the Bowling Green State hockey team, Rauhauser brings
further Division 1 hockey experience as well as professional experience playing in the minor
leagues. Bobcats General Manager Niko Kapetonovic believes the team has the best coaching
staff in the league, and that Rauhauser just ending his playing career helps him relate to the
players where most coaches can’t.
Both coaches bring a doctrine of developing players, harkening back to their time at both
the collegiate level and the professional level. That doctrine is prevalent through all aspects of
Bobcats management, from the front office to the players themselves.
“Winning is a byproduct of development, and our main goal is to develop our players to get to
the next level.” Niko Kapetonovic (General Manager)
Kapetonovic also highlighted Mike Gibbons as one of the facilitators for this development-led
team doctrine. Gibbons brings to the Bobcats over 40 years of coaching experience in both the
minor leagues and the collegiate level, and knows many tricks of the trade which the coaching
staff hopes can be passed onto the roster. Speaking of the roster, the Bobcats have much to be
ecstatic about, with a roster primed for another postseason run.
The Bobcats finished the 23-24 season moving onto the second round of the Robertson
Cup Playoffs. Scoring 209 goals, best in the Central Division, much of this was from the play of
forwards Julian Beaumont and Evan Hunter. Both led the team in scoring last season with 50 and
53 points, respectively, and are joining the Bobcats once again to create an explosive top line.
They’re joined by eight other returning players, including defenseman Matthew Rafalski, who
led all Bobcats defenseman last season in scoring with 35 points. More players are also expected
to take a big leap forward going into the season.
“Doll (Kyle) and Kopecky (Jakub) are two guys I believe are primed to take a big step forward
this season in scoring.” Niko Kapetonovic (General Manager).
Doll and Kopecky were both contributors to the Bobcats success, and if both can take the leap
forward this season the team will have a dangerous lineup across all four forward lines.
Scoring was not the only factor in the Bobcats success, as their strong play between the
pipes last season propelled them to second best in the Central Division for goals against. Led by
Klayton Knapp and Stephen Peck, both have left large shoes to fill in the net. Knapp is playing
for the Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs this season, while Peck is playing in the USHL before
joining the Michigan Wolverines. It’ll be a tall order to replicate their production last season, and
that task has been assigned to a trifecta of goalies who the Bobcats hope will pick up where
Knapp and Peck left off.
The first goalie is Tomas Anderson, who boasted a 0.931 save percentage in the MJHL
last season. The Niagara University commit has the most experience in the minor leagues out of
the three, and with an impressive 6’3 height has a frame not normally seen in NAHL goalies.
The next goalie is Vladislav Bryzgalov, who comes from an NHL pedigree from his
father: longtime NHL goalie Ilya Bryzgalov. Bryzgalov also has minor league experience,
appearing in six games last year for the Alberni Valley Bulldogs of the BCHL. Bryzgalov
recently boasted a shutout back on September 15 in the CanAm Challenge against the Notre
Dame Hounds in a 7-0 victory, and should see ample playing time this season.
The final goalie is Kai Wegel, coming from Moorhead High. The Bismarck native in 32
games last season posted a .903 save percentage and a 13-11-1 overall record with Moorhead,
and is in prime condition to learn under Sedevie, who is also taking over the goalie coach
position.
Kapetonovic stated that he and Roth have full confidence in this trio of goalies, and that
all three should see playing time throughout the regular season.
Whether it’s new faces or returners, the Bismarck Bobcats and the rest of the league all
have their sights set on the Robertson Cup. It’s been 14 years since the Robertson Cup has come
to Bismarck, and if the Bobcats are to hoist the cup once again they’ll have to lean on both their
high-scoring returners, and high-potential rookies.
The Bismarck Bobcats begin the regular season on September 20, 2024 against the
Watertown Shamrocks, puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Central Time.