Kirklan Irey turns pro, reflects on 'incredible honor' of being Bemidji State's captain
· Yahoo Sports
Mar. 25—BEMIDJI — When looking at the 2025-26 Bemidji State men's hockey roster and coaches, Kirklan Irey has the fourth-longest connection to Bemidji State.
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Head coach Tom Serratore played for the Beavers from 1984-87, then joined the coaching staff in 1999.
Associate head coach Travis Winter, who played for BSU from 2005-09, was named an assistant coach in 2014.
Equipment manager Toby Palmiscno graduated from BSU in 2006. He joined the athletics department shortly after and
worked his 500th game
last season.
And then there's Irey.
Yes, Bemidji State's most recent captain tied himself to the school in 2018 when he committed to the Beavers. It was before Britt Lauritsen was hired as director of athletics. It was before assistant coaches Joe Wegwerth and Jackson Keane were added to the staff.
Irey's connection with his next team didn't take quite as long. On Monday, he signed his first professional contract with the Atlanta Gladiators in the ECHL, three weeks after his BSU career came to a close.
"Ever since I got a call from Tom (Serratore) and Travis (Winter) in 2018 — wow, that's a long time — but ever since I got that call. I was hooked right away," Irey said. "I just saw what they had there. The people who came into the program left the program as mature men. That's what I wanted. That's what I got."
Irey had a goal and nine assists in 36 games as a senior during the 2025-26 season. He had 21 goals and 32 assists in 134 NCAA games over four years with the Beavers.
Irey was the 64th player in BSU's history to be named captain.
"It was an incredible honor to wear the 'C' for the Beavers," Irey said. "Not many guys can say they've played for this program. I'm so proud to have played there, and not only to be a captain but to play there for four years and be a part of this alumni group. I'm honored and I'm very proud."
Irey is the second Beaver to sign a pro contract in as many weeks, following Reilly Funk, who
signed with the Toledo Walleye.
Irey's process, however, played out a little differently after Bemidji State's season ended on March 7.
"The process started right away, and it's stressful," Irey said. "You have to figure out the best spot for you. ... I got a period where I was able to hang out with my buddies in Bemidji for a little longer, which was a big positive for me. It kind of ramped up this last week. Things happen fast."
Irey went home to Bismarck, North Dakota, over the weekend to spend time with family and friends. He flew to Atlanta on Monday to join a Gladiators team that sits in third place in the South Division, already having clinched a playoff berth.
"I think it's just coming here and getting a chance to play right away," Irey said. "Obviously, nothing is guaranteed. I have to work my way into the lineup, but I know it's a good spot. I've heard lots of stories from guys. I think being in the South Division is really nice. I was looking to come out here and venture out to the East Coast. I wanted to get away from home and experience some new things."
Irey's hockey career hasn't taken him outside of the Midwest until now. He played high school hockey at Bismarck Century before joining the Bismarck Bobcats in the North American Hockey League. Irey won the United States Hockey League's Clark Cup in 2022 with the Sioux City Musketeers before enrolling at Bemidji State.
Now, Irey is based in Duluth, Georgia, which is part of the metro Atlanta area.
"I don't think it'll hit me for a bit, honestly," Irey said. "Obviously, you're running off of emotions from the end of the year. I know it was three weeks ago, but you still have those emotions of leaving a school you've been at for four years. I'm coming all this way to a place I haven't been, and it's just different. It won't hit me for a while."