Jim ConnellyA season ago, Holy Cross shocked much of the hockey world by finishing tied for third place, just one season removed from missing the MAAC playoffs entirely. Though eyes were opened by a team that scored at will, particularly on the power play, and shut down opponents with what once was considered a nonexistent defense, … Read more
Shaun Hannah has always been one of the calmest-looking coaches in the MAAC. Though young in age (replaced as the league’s youngest coach this year by Bentley’s Ryan Soderquist), Hannah’s composure has always been his trademark. But talk to Hannah as this season approaches and it’s almost impossible for him to contain his enthusiasm. “Looking … Read more
It seems that whatever question you ask American International coach Gary Wright these days, you get the game answer. What aspect of AIC’s game most needs improvement? “Goal-scoring.” What will it take to get out of the nine through 11 spots and make the playoffs? “Goal-scoring.” Can AIC be effective from the beginning of the … Read more
After a last-place finish in the MAAC for two consecutive seasons, Bentley needed one thing more than anything else: a fresh start. And though you can look to the cliche that every team begins the year with a clean slate, the Falcons knew after last season they needed a little more than that. soderquist Thus, … Read more
The 2001-02 season ended with both a flourish and a whimper for Connecticut. After winning an unlikely game at Holy Cross on a last-minute goal to advance to the MAAC final four for the third time in four years, the Huskies were shut out by Mercyhurst in the league semifinals. But though that was likely … Read more
When the MAAC began four years ago, Iona came into the league with diminutive expectations. The club was winless in the season prior, so head coach Frank Bretti did what he felt was necessary: clean house. As a result, the recruiting class of the 1998-99 season became essentially a new team: 18 freshmen. Attrition claimed … Read more
If a year can be dubbed important to the success of a veteran Army program, it is the present one. A club that showed plenty of bright lights a season ago, the Black Knights will have a little extra to play for this upcoming season — home ice in the playoffs. Though Army has never … Read more
Entering its fifth season, the MAAC looks to improve its national profile with aggressive nonconference scheduling. Foremost in carrying the banner for the league will be defending regular-season champion Mercyhurst and 2002 NCAA entrant Quinnipiac. Jim Connelly previews the new year.
The Wonderland of Ice arena in Bridgeport, Conn., isn’t the greatest of buildings for a college hockey team to call home. It’s a bit dark and plenty dingy, and in the last few years even had poor enough ice to halt a college game played there. Maybe that’s part of the reason that Fairfield had … Read more
Though it may be another year for the MAAC, the coaches of the league see little different from the past and have select 2001 and 2002 regular-season champion Mercyhurst as the preseason favorite, according to a poll released today at the league’s media day. Receiving four of 11 first-place votes, Mercyhurst tops the poll that … Read more
The NHL Draft is always good for some surprises, but college hockey fans had to be pretty happy again. USCHO’s Jim Connelly gives his thoughts from Toronto.
Michigan’s Erik Nystrom has big shoes to fill if he wants to follow in dad’s footsteps. Bob was a veteran of 900 NHL games and four Stanley Cups. But after being taken 10th overall in this year’s NHL draft, for now Erik just wants to concentrate on developing in school.
In what was dubbed a weak year in prospects for the 2002 NHL Entry Draft, college hockey took advantage, sending four of its players to the top 14 picks on the draft board, and a total of 14 college or college-bound players in the first two rounds. At the top of the list, in no … Read more
A list of the top college prospects in this weekend’s NHL Draft in Toronto, and the Central Scouting Service’s report for each player. RYAN WHITNEY CSS Mid-season ranking: 4th CSS Final ranking: 3rd BOSTON UNIVERSITY 6-3 1/2, 202 lbs. Defense, Shoots Left Born: February 19, 1983 Ryan is a very strong skater with a long, … Read more
Though it may not receive the attention and the 24-hour media coverage of counterparts in football and basketball, the NHL Entry Draft is still a sports spectacle. Though broadcast in the U.S. as only a minor aside, it surprises no one that across the border in Canada, draft day is a major sports happening. So … Read more
The NCAA Ice Hockey Rules Committee took careful note during the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics and noticed something it wants to add to the college game: speed. They’re not talking about better passing or quicker skating, but rather faster re-starts after whistles. Last week, during its annual meeting in San Francisco, the Committee voted … Read more
There are plenty of unwritten rules in sports. You don’t bunt in baseball to break up a no-hitter. You don’t walk across a player’s putting line in golf. You don’t hoist a three-pointer in basketball with a 20-point lead in the final minutes. Football teams know that there’s no need for a Hail Mary instead … Read more
Dreams simply don’t come true enough in real life. The movies write great scripts, but everyone knows fantasy, storybook endings are reserved for Hollywood. Certainly St. Paul, Minn., is not the stage where one would expect one of these Hollywood-like segments to be filmed. But if I were a producer, I might want to hop … Read more
Head coach Don Lucia has instilled a sense of unity in Minnesota, one reason the Gophers play for the championship Saturday.
It seemed fitting that on the same day the largest crowd in history witnesses an NCAA ice hockey tournament game, NCAA President Cedric Dempsey all but guaranteed the tournament field will expand next year from 12 to 16 teams. It will be the first expansion of the tournament since 1988. “The [NCAA] Management Council will … Read more