Jim ConnellyIf there’s anything you can say about the NHL selecting Raleigh, N.C., as the location for this year’s Entry Draft, the city has some pretty passionate fans. That was extremely obvious on day one. Beginning at 10:30 in the morning, fans were flocking into the RBC Center in its general admission sections. Around the arena … Read more
If the NHL Entry Draft were the Olympics, you might once again hear Al Michaels asking, “Do you believe in miracles?” In a shocker of a first round, a total of seven college or college-bound players were selected, punctuated by Phoenix’s fifth overall selection of Blake Wheeler, who still has another year of high school … Read more
In terms of college hockey’s place at this year’s National Hockey League Entry Draft, right now we’re looking at the power of three. In a year that might be one of the weakest for collegiate first-rounders, three prospects stand head and shoulders above the rest. Michigan goaltender Al Montoya — the top-rated North American goaltender … Read more
Talent floods in from across the seas, and other Friday notes from the NHL Draft in Raleigh, N.C.
Less than 24 hours after USCHO.com first reported that North Dakota head coach Dean Blais was headed to the NHL, the news is official. The Columbus Blue Jackets announced Blais as their associate head coach under newly-appointed head coach Gerard Gallant Friday, one day before this year’s NHL Entry Draft begins in Raleigh, N.C. Blais … Read more
I can remember my first exposure to the NHL Entry Draft. It was 1993 in the hockey hotbed of Old France — Quebec City. I was in Quebec with my godparents, whose son was earmarked as a potential first-round pick. He had just come out of high school having attended one of the better-known prep … Read more
Al Montoya is set to become the highest-selected college goaltender in the NHL Draft in four years.
After a day of meeting among the athletic directors from Atlantic Hockey, there remains little in terms of news to report. The reason: what impact the anticipated expansion of the ECAC might have on Atlantic Hockey. Four Atlantic Hockey teams — Holy Cross, Mercyhurst, Quinnipiac and Sacred Heart — all made presentations for membership to … Read more
We spoke in depth with two Atlantic Hockey coaches about their application for acceptance into the ECAC. Five schools — Holy Cross, Mercyhurst, Niagara, Quinnipiac and Sacred Heart — are making proposals today, and the ECAC will decide whether to add a school, and which one or ones, by July 1. (Also see full story: … Read more
Though the winds of change are blowing for Atlantic Hockey, for the present time things will stay the same. Commissioner Bob DeGregorio confirmed today that the league has chosen not to make any increase in scholarship monies given by member schools for the 2004-05 season. This comes after the athletic directors voted against the increase … Read more
Jim Connelly tells us that it’s quite all right for the Black Bears to feel the sorrow of losing in the title game.
Two years ago, Maine lost the NCAA title in overtime. The Black Bears haven’t forgotten.
The season and careers of six BC seniors come to an end.
This season has been about survival for Denver, and the Pioneers have survived to reach the championship game.
Peter Harrold might think defense first, but the BC blueliner is giving the Eagles another two-way threat.
Boston College’s top trio hasn’t played together much this season — but now that the line of Eaves-Voce-Eaves is on the ice, watch out.
The hockey life of Boston College’s Ben Eaves went from pure pain to amazing jubilation in the matter of 11 seconds, and with that sudden shift his Eagles are heading back to NCAA Frozen Four. Just 11 seconds after returning to the ice after missing three shifts in overtime with dehydration cramps in his right … Read more
Nowhere in Boston College’s master game plan was there a thought of taking a two-week hiatus before the NCAA tournament. With one game played, though, in the Northeast Regional, the break doesn’t seem be having an effect on the number-one seed. After a bit of a slow start, BC used two goals each from young … Read more
When the Providence women struggled early in the season, head coach Bob Deraney went back to the drawing board with his players.
The finish line of the historic Boston Marathon is in front of the Boston Public Library. The finish line of this year’s historic Hockey East marathon was Maine’s Ben Murphy’s stick. The longest game in Hockey East championship history finally came to a close 12 minutes short of midnight Saturday night with Murphy deflecting a … Read more