3 Miami goaltenders hope to solidify the goaltending pipeline

An unusual aspect of the Miami University RedHawks’ goaltending scheme last season saw a first year playing in more games than the two graduate students on the roster.

What’s even more peculiar is that the same goalie, sophomore Bruno Bruveris, is the most tenured goalie for the RedHawks this season.

The differences between last year’s program and now is no secret. A new coaching staff, six transfers and six first-years will occupy the RedHawks bench in the 2024-25 season.

The goaltending situation is no different. Bruveris returns for his second season of collegiate hockey. Logan Neaton and Carter McPhail both moved on from Miami at the end of the 2023-24 season, leaving two available spots for the newcomers to take.

One reminder of the previous program lies in Zach Cisek, an assistant coach who worked with the goaltenders under former head coach Chris Bergeron. Cisek returns for his third season at Miami in 2024-25.

For him, the new staff brings along a huge chance for the program.

“They’ve welcomed me in with open arms, and it’s been really exciting,” Cisek said. “I feel like we’re gonna put a really good product out there this year.”

Bruveris started in 14 out of the 15 games he played in last season. In that time, he compiled a .866 save percentage (SV%) and allowed an average of 4.15 goals per game.

First-year goalies rarely see the ice as much as he did, but with this experience, Bruveris feels confident in his skills going forward.

“It was an honor to play [in] my freshman year so many games,” Bruveris said. “It will give me confidence in myself that I can play at this level.”

The Latvian native remembers last season with disappointment. The new group of goalies this season has set high expectations for themselves.

“Last year obviously wasn’t our best year,” Bruveris said. “This year, we have a brand new goalie group. The standards are set high, and we hope that we accomplish everything together as a goalie group as well.”

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Joining Bruveris this season are first year Ethan Dahlmeir and graduate student Brett Miller.

Dahlmeir chose Miami because he was looking for a fresh start after playing four years at the junior level. Before taking up the Red & White, he played one year with the Des Moines Buccaneers of the United States Hockey League. He played for the St. Cloud Norsemen of the North American Hockey League from 2021-23.

During his year with the Buccaneers, Dahlmeir recorded a .900 SV% and a 2.96 goals against average (GAA). He saw how the Tri-City Storm played under Anthony Noreen, making the decision to commit to the RedHawks this year that much easier.

“He’s a great coach for them, so I think he’s going to be a great coach for Miami,” Dahlmeir said.

With a first year and a sophomore in the goaltending room, the RedHawks needed an older player to bring the plan full circle. Miller, who spent three seasons with the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, proved to be the guy for that.

Miller played in 13 games during his time with RPI, earning a .879 SV% and a 3.84 GAA. He played for Northville High School in the same division as Brighton High School, where Neaton played.

After graduating from RPI, Miller wanted to continue his collegiate career. Cisek got in contact with him and brought him to Miami.

“It’s been super easy since the day I got here,” Miller said. “Everybody was super welcoming [and] super friendly. I think with the amount of new guys we have this year, including the freshmen and the transfers, I’m not the only one in that situation. Everybody’s kind of come together really quickly.”

The goaltending room is brimming with talent. Each player brings with them a skillset from previous years that the RedHawks are hoping to use going forward.

For Cisek, the combination of an older player in Miller and the youth of Bruveris and Dahlmeir makes it difficult to decide a starter.

“This is a really competitive group,” Cisek said. “They’re all a little different. The first thing you notice about Bruno is he’s got really high athleticism. Ethan has always been a guy that’s kept it pretty steady. [Brett] is another guy that when he’s at his best, he’s keeping things really simple.”

The RedHawks won’t announce the starting goaltender until right before the game. With everything the goaltenders bring to the table, the RedHawks look to continue the trend of strong goaltending.

Contributing reporting done by Colin McDonald

@thekethan04

babukc2@miamioh.edu