Jim ConnellyBlaise MacDonald returned to his hometown over the summer to coach the UMass-Lowell Riverhawks. In an ironic twist of fate, his first game was against his old team — the Niagara Purple Eagles. The Riverhawks, led by a offensive defense, gave him his first win at Lowell.
The MAAC has experienced a mixed bag in its early action, but Jim Connellysays not to worry. Also: a rundown and analysis of the league’s preseason all-conference squad.
One of the most successful programs in the MAAC’s brief history faces a challenge this year, as graduation has hit Rand Pecknold’s Quinnipiac Braves hard.
Since the 1999 MAAC championship, it’s all been pretty much downhill for Holy Cross. Paul Pearl hopes to change that with the help of his top seven scorers from last season, all of whoom return to bolster the Crusaders’ hopes.
A solid defense and good team discipline will buoy AIC’s hopes in 2001-02, assisted by one more year of experience from MAAC all-rookie teamers Guillaume Caron and Trent Ulmer.
There’ll be no surprises this year out of Iona — at least not if the rest of the MAAC’s been paying attention. Can Frank Bretti’s crew continue its upward swing?
The return of netminder Sean Weaver bodes well for Brian Cavanaugh’s Canisius squad, which also seeks to improve its special teams, a nagging problem last season.
With their top two scorers from a year ago departed, the UConn Huskies will look to sophomore Matt Herhal to hold the door closed on defense.
The MAAC’s almost-there team might be ready to step into the spotlight this season. Netminder Eddy Ferhi anchors Sacred Heart.
With a number of newcomers in the mix, Army coach Rob Riley has high hopes for this year, one season after just holding off AIC for a playoff bid.
Jim Hunt has turned Fairfield hockey upside-down in his one-plus years at the helm. The long-suffering Stags return Rae Metz and Casey Laflamme in their quest to climb the MAAC ladder.
The MAAC need no longer defend its right to an NCAA auto-bid — not after Mercyhurst’s down-to-the-wire performance against Michigan last year. The Lakers return a strong team, but Iona will be there as well. And what about perennial contender Quinnipiac?
Months away from the MAAC’s first-ever NCAA bid, Mercyhurst looks to repeat its success. Louis Goulet and Adam Tackaberry key the Lakers’ chances.
There’s nowhere to go but up for Jim McAdam’s Bentley team. Captain Steve Tobio anchors the Falcons’ efforts.
According to a report in the South End, the Wayne State student newspaper, goaltender Marc Carlson has been diagnosed with testicular cancer and will miss the entire 2001-2002 season.
College hockey has had a storied history that most would like to see repeated. Right at the top of that list was the 2000 NHL Entry Draft. That Saturday afternoon in Calgary saw not one, but two college hockey prospects, Rick DiPietro and Dany Heatley, walk to the stage as the top two draft choices, … Read more
Chuck Kobasew is ranked below some of his fellow freshmen college hockey phenoms in the current CSS report. But with draft day around the corner, Kobasew, fresh off a season filled with accolades, could see his name added to the list of recent BC first-round picks.
As expected, Mike Komisarek went high in the first round at the recent NHL Draft in Sunrise, Fla. The Long Island native stands 6-foot-4, and was already an imposing presence as a freshman for Michigan. Off the ice, he’s prefers to show his unassuming side.
After guiding New England College to its best season in his tenure, including a berth in the NCAA Division III tournament, head coach Mark Ostapina has resigned to become head coach at the Milwaukee College of Engineering.
No news is exactly that today — no news — as the athletic directors of the 11 MAAC institutions met on a conference call to discuss league issues. According to Ken Taylor, director of ice hockey and special events for the MAAC, there was “no formal approval of anything, just discussion.” Thus the league office is staying tight-lipped on the issues.