Lansing Sun

The 1979-80 Michigan State University hockey team, under the leadership of Head Coach Ron Mason, completed a challenging season with an overall record of 14 wins and 24 losses. In the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA), they secured 12 victories against 16 defeats, placing them eighth in the standings.

Throughout the season, the team experienced both triumphs and setbacks. They started strong with a win against Western Michigan on October 19 but faced several tough losses thereafter. Notable victories included a close overtime win against Michigan Tech on November 9 and another against North Dakota on November 24.

Despite these successes, the team struggled to maintain consistent performance throughout their schedule. The season featured numerous closely contested games, including an overtime loss to Ferris State on December 8 and another tight game lost to Minnesota-Duluth in overtime on January 12.

In exhibition play, they managed a victory over the Polish National Team on February 8. However, as they entered into WCHA playoffs in March, they were unable to overcome North Dakota in back-to-back games.

The roster for this season included key players such as Co-Captains Russ Welsh and Ted Huesing. Supporting staff included Assistant Coaches Shawn Walsh and John Mason, along with Student Manager Kurt Lanschwager and Trainer Gayle Robinson.

Coach Ron Mason's guidance was pivotal throughout this demanding season as he led his team through numerous competitive matchups across various states.