Moorhead Native Joe Gramer Brings Grit, Leadership to Bemidji State's Youthful Blue Line

BEMIDJI, Minn. — Joe Gramer's path back to northern Minnesota took a few detours through Iowa, Nebraska, and Washington, but the Moorhead native has finally found his home with the Bemidji State Beavers. The junior defenseman, who joined the program this summer after stints in Omaha and the Western Hockey League, is already making his presence felt both on and off the ice.

Gramer's first taste of game action with the Beavers came last Saturday against St. Cloud State, a thrilling 3-2 overtime victory that snapped a seven-game losing streak against the Huskies. For a player who grew up just two and a half hours away, the moment was everything he hoped it would be.

From Moorhead to the WHL and Back

Gramer's hockey journey has been anything but linear. After three semesters at Omaha, he returned to junior hockey with Seattle in the WHL, where he posted three goals and 16 assists in 34 games. His offensive numbers have never been flashy, but his value lies in the intangibles that coaches and teammates notice.

“He's just a tough kid,” head coach Tom Serratore said. “First off, he's a northern Minnesota kid, great fit. You need guys who are the right fit. He's tough, he'll block shots, he'll do whatever it takes. He's one of those guys. To me, he's a substance guy; he's a glue guy. It was a no-brainer for us as far as how he plays, the kind of kid he is and where he's from.”

Filling a Critical Role on a Rebuilt Defense

Bemidji State entered the 2026-27 season needing to replace two-thirds of its blue line, and Gramer is one of six new defensemen on the roster. While returners Maxon Vig and Hudson Thornton anchor the top pairings, the coaching staff looked to Gramer to provide stability and leadership for a youthful group.

“I think I can just be a super steady and reliable presence back there for whoever I'm on the ice with,” Gramer said. “I can calm the game down. Hopefully, for the younger guys, I can be someone they ask questions. Being steady, being reliable, that's my game. That's what I'm trying to bring to this group this year.”

Gramer's offensive production has been modest throughout his career. He recorded five goals and 36 assists in 53 games at Moorhead High School, and just 16 points in 125 USHL games with the Des Moines Buccaneers. But his focus in Seattle was on developing his offensive game without sacrificing the defensive identity that earned him a Division I roster spot.

“It's just puck poise and being comfortable with the puck on my stick,” Gramer said. “It's an area I'm still working on improving every day. But even through one game and through training camp, I feel a lot more comfortable in the offensive zone and making plays all over the ice. I'm still trying to stick to my identity of being hard to play against, but I need to continue developing that side of my game.”

Embracing the Beaver Culture

Before the season began, Gramer got an early introduction to what it means to be a Beaver. He volunteered at the Galen Nagle Memorial Golf Tournament, the program's annual alumni gathering at the Bemidji Town and Country Club, where he shook hands with generations of former players.

“I was really pumped to get up here, get my feet wet in the area,” Gramer said. “You learn super quickly about the culture and tradition here. Everyone who comes back for that is just super pumped to be there. They're all having a good time, telling stories, catching up, and it's guys of all ages. It showed me what it means to be a Beaver and play for this program. It's a good way to get fired up for the season.”

Growing up in Moorhead, Gramer already had a sense of the program's tradition. Now he's determined to uphold that standard for the newcomers around him.

“Even just being from the area, I grew up knowing a little bit about the culture here,” he added. “There's a lot of pride for me in being a Beaver. I feel like I knew a little more about it than some of the other new guys coming in. I want to show that through my actions every day, just what it means to play for the logo and help the new guys live up to that standard.”

Family and Friends Fuel Motivation

One of the biggest perks of playing close to home is the support system. Gramer estimates he'll have at least 20 friends and family members making the trip to Grand Forks this weekend for a home-and-home series against No. 4 North Dakota.

“I've been giving the guys a hard time, asking for their tickets,” Gramer said with a laugh. “I think they're starting to see the trend, and I don't think it's going to stop any time soon. I have a lot of people coming every weekend, especially this one, with it being so close.”

After spending time away in Iowa, Nebraska, and Washington, Gramer has gained a new appreciation for having familiar faces in the stands.

“You realize that it's what this is all about,” he said. “It's something I gained appreciation for last year when I went away, when you don't have all of those familiar faces in the stands watching you. It's really cool to have them there, and it's a motivation factor.”

What's Next for the Beavers

Bemidji State faces a tough test this weekend against North Dakota, but the Beavers are riding momentum from their overtime win over St. Cloud State. For Gramer, the focus remains on steady improvement and helping his team compete at the highest level.

“It was unreal to finally play here at the Sanford Center,” Gramer said. “The fans were great. The whole day you could feel it building up, especially with the women's game here earlier. That was a new experience for me, having them play before us. It was really cool to watch them play. It was just an awesome first game day experience for me.”

With his second college stint underway, Gramer is determined to make the most of it, one steady shift at a time.