Joe Gramer, a 'meat-and-potatoes' defenseman, eager to join Beavers' blue line

May 14—BEMIDJI — Joe Gramer knows what kind of player he is. He knows what kind of style the Bemidji State men's hockey team plays.

Even before he arrives on campus in the fall, the junior defenseman already sounds like a Beaver.

"I'm hard to play against, a meat-and-potatoes kind of guy," Gramer said. "The hard-working culture at Bemidji is perfect for me."

Gramer, a Moorhead native, is one of four transfer additions BSU has committed so far. The 6-foot, 196-pound, left-shot defenseman played his first two seasons of college hockey at Omaha in the NCHC. Now, he's headed back to northern Minnesota to finish his career as a student-athlete.

"It's huge for me. Playing close to home is something I've grown to appreciate," Gramer said. "When I went into the portal, it was definitely a priority of mine. Landing at Bemidji is pretty sweet, especially to have family come for every game in Bemidji."

Gramer verbalized his commitment to Bemidji State on April 27. It came after he went back to junior hockey in the middle of his sophomore year at Omaha.

After two seasons in the United States Hockey League with Des Moines, Gramer enrolled for his freshman season in 2024. He played in 33 games and recorded four assists. He had one more assist in his sophomore season before exercising his last year of junior eligibility.

"I like to take care of the defensive side of the game first," Gramer said. "Being good in the D-zone and being hard to play against is my bread and butter, it's how I shine in this game. But there's some offense in my game as well. I'm a pass-first defenseman who can create some secondary offense in the lineup. I have a well-rounded game, and I think that's something I added to my game going back to juniors in the Western Hockey League this year."

During Gramer's freshman season, the NCAA amended its eligibility rules, allowing Canadian Hockey League players from the WHL, Ontario Hockey League and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League to play in the NCAA. Because Gramer doesn't turn 21 until July 14, he was young enough to claim an open overage spot with the Seattle Thunderbirds to finish the 2025-26 season.

"I had a great experience and I'm super grateful for Seattle," Gramer said. "It was just what my game needed. I was able to establish myself defensively and carve out a reliable role in college hockey, but going back to juniors allowed me to add some offense and puck poise. It was huge for me, and it was all new to me."

With Seattle, Gramer had one goal and 14 assists in 29 regular-season games. He also scored two goals and two assists in five postseason games, which followed a frightening moment in his hockey career.

On Jan 17, Gramer

suffered a head-first hit into the boards

and was knocked unconscious. He was stretchered off the ice and admitted to a local hospital.

"It was a scary, flukey incident," Gramer said. "I got hit in my off switch and I got knocked out. I was sent to the hospital that night, but once I got to the hospital and woke up, there were no negative side effects. I felt pretty normal that night and felt good. I was able to get back on the ice a couple of days after. I went into concussion protocol for two weeks after just to be smart about it, but I feel fine. There's no lingering side effects or anything like that."