Kirklan Irey turns pro, reflects on 'incredible honor' of being Bemidji State's captain
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. 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.