19 games. After just 19 games with Cougar hockey, six-year student Luke Juergensen is handing in the jersey and donning the cap and gown for graduation.
Juergensen transferred to the Cougs this past season from Montana State University. The former Bobcat turned Cougar may have had a short WSU career, but he set himself apart from the herd while he was here.
Goaltender Alexei Kuhl and forward Luke Juergensen wait to take the ice against the Eastern Washington hockey team on Dec. 5 2025.
Immediately joining the top line, scoring four goals and tacking on 14 assists is something not everyone can do, especially someone with one foot in retirement.
“I thought I was done after MSU,” Juergensen said. “Then, I got the chance to play with these guys at WSU. Get one last kick of the can. So, I’m really trying to take it all in.”
As a mechanical engineering major, hockey was not the initial reason Juergensen came to the Palouse.
“We have a good sports science lab here on campus that I am working in,” he said. “That’s what brought me over here.”
Specifically, Juergensen is working in the bat lab, designing baseball bats and getting his feet wet in the sports engineering industry. His dream after college is to work in hockey, designing skates, sticks and the next generation of sports gear.
It did not take long for Juergensen to fit in on the ice. As someone with limited time on the clock, the Cougs were eager to give him one last hurrah.
Luke Juergensen awaiting a face off in a game against the Eastern Washington hockey team on Dec. 5 2025.
“They were so welcoming and wanted me to get one more shot at playing,” Juergensen said. “I’m trying to feel it. Experience all of the emotions rather than trying to be sad one way or the other with it being over.”
Even with the limited ledger, Juergensen still got his fair share of great memories. One remains burned into his mind as a prime example of what he loves about the team.
“That first game against Eastern, when we were down I think two or three going into the third,” he said. “You could really feel the belief in the team and in the locker room. In the past we might have folded or thought it was too big of a mountain. But, everybody locked in and we were able to get a win.”
WSU head coach Johnny Lupinacci only worked with Juergensen for those few games, but that was enough to leave a lasting impact on the former Bobcat. When asked to sum it up, Juergensen kept it simple.
Luke Juergensen stands at the blue line in a game against the Eastern Washington hockey team on Dec. 5 2025.
“I think just commitment,” he said. “Coach [Lupinacci] has been awesome at trying to get everyone into the right head space of ‘team first’ and really focusing on this being a competitive team rather than just a side gig.”
While graduation is a bittersweet goodbye, the Cougs are not rid of Juergensen quite yet. The graduating Coug is coming back to the Palouse next season as an assistant coach for Lupinacci behind the bench.
Still, that is not enough to scratch the itch. Juergensen understands that hockey is something that never leaves you, not in a million years.
“Definitely going to be playing some men’s league for as long as I can,” he said. “I think it’s a lifelong sport. It’s something I’ll be with forever.”
