Matt Mackinder

Managing EditorMatt Mackinder has been moving up the USCHO ladder since 1999. He was the arena reporter for Wayne State for the duration of the team's existence (1999-2008), was also the CHA Correspondent from 2005-2010 and is now the site's managing editor.

Smith leaves Wisconsin to sign with Nashville

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Wisconsin forward Craig Smith will forgo his final two years of eligibility to sign with the Nashville Predators, the school announced Thursday. The Predators drafted Smith in the fourth round (98th overall) of the 2009 NHL draft. “We’re excited for Craig,” Wisconsin coach Mike Eaves said in a statement. “The window of opportunity to make … Read more

Amherst women’s team names Johnson assistant coach

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Amherst College has announced the hiring of Tracy Johnson as an assistant coach for the 2011-2012 season. A former defenseman at Boston College from 2006-2010, Johnson joins the Lord Jeffs after serving as an assistant coach at Arlington (Mass.) Catholic High School last year. “I am very excited to welcome Tracy to Amherst,” said Amherst … Read more

Bowdoin brings back Dumont as new assistant

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Jamie Dumont has been named an assistant coach for the Bowdoin men’s team, a team Dumont served as an assistant from 2001-2005. He replaces Jeff Pellegrini, who left to become an assistant coach for the Harvard women’s team. Dumont, a 1998 SUNY-Oswego graduate, has served in several coaching capacities around the globe, including stops at … Read more

Guentzel named associate head coach at Minnesota

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Minnesota has hired Mike Guentzel as associate head coach, bringing him back to a team where he was an assistant from 1994-2008. Guentzel, who also played defense for Minnesota from 1981-1985, was an assistant coach at Nebraska-Omaha last season. “I wanted to hire a Minnesota alumnus, someone who could work with the defensemen and someone … Read more

Hockey East extends Bertagna’s contract three more years

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Hockey East commissioner Joe Bertagna has been given a contract extension through the 2013-14 season. Bertagna, who is already the longest serving commissioner in the conference’s 28-year history, is beginning his 15th year with Hockey East after serving in a similar capacity with the ECAC for 15 years. “This contract extension is well deserved and … Read more

Ohio State adds Exter to coaching staff

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Joe Exter, an assistant coach with the U.S. National Team Development Program the last four years, has been named an assistant coach at Ohio State. “The experience Joe brings from working in college, in the USHL and with USA Hockey will be invaluable to our program,” said OSU head coach Mark Osiecki in a press … Read more

Alaska’s Carlson Center to get $3.5 million overhaul

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The Carlson Center, home of the Alaska Nanooks, will undergo $3.5 million in renovations as part of the capital budget approved last week by Governor Sean Parnell. “The approval of the funding for the ‘CCRP2’ project is very exciting for the community of Fairbanks,” Alaska head coach Dallas Ferguson said in a statement. “The Carlson … Read more

WMU’s Blashill leaves Broncos for Red Wings

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After an article in the Kalamazoo Gazette earlier this week that said Western Michigan head coach Jeff Blashill may be one and done with the Broncos and could be accepting an assistant coaching position with the Detroit Red Wings, the school made it official Friday in announcing Blashill’s resignation. Blashill led the Broncos this past … Read more

After leaving North Dakota, Gregoire inks with Jets

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North Dakota forward Jason Gregoire has signed a contract with the National Hockey League’s Winnipeg Jets. A Winnipeg native, Gregoire elected to forgo his final year of collegiate eligibility in May to pursue his professional career. Gregoire finished his collegiate career with 109 points (57 goals, 52 assists) in 120 career games and his 15 … Read more

Alaska gives Ferguson extension through 2016

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Alaska head coach Dallas Ferguson has signed a contract extension to stay with the Nanooks’ program through 2016. “Over the past seven years, Dallas has provided Nanook hockey with integrity, stability and exceptional coaching,” said Alaska director of athletics Forrest Karr in a statement. “He has a unique ability to reach student-athletes. They respond in … Read more

Roll named first head coach at Nazareth

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Nazareth College, a new Division III team starting play in 2012-2013, has named former Clarkson coach George Roll its first head coach. The announcement was made official at a press conference Thursday. Roll coached at Clarkson from 2003 until this past spring and was also the national D-III coach of the year in 2003 with … Read more

Penn State women apply to CHA

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The Penn State women’s program has officially submitted an application to College Hockey America for admission for the 2012-13 season. “This is s a great time for the CHA,” said CHA commissioner Robert DeGregorio in a statement. “With Penn State’s addition of women’s ice hockey, it was a natural fit for them to apply to … Read more

Berard new assistant with Connecticut

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David Berard has been named an assistant coach at Connecticut, leaving Providence after a 14-year stint with the Friars. “We are extremely fortunate to have someone of his caliber and experience to enhance our program,” Huskies head coach Bruce Marshall said in a statement. “He brings a wealth of knowledge in recruiting and coaching. We … Read more

Fire causes $1 million-plus in damage to Engelstad Arena

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A fire broke out Sunday afternoon in Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks, N.D., causing significant damage to electronic equipment and arena ice. Smoke damage also occurred throughout the building. “From a venue perspective, we’re assessing the damage and attempting to determine the cause of the fire,” arena director of events and marketing Chris Semrau … Read more

Former player Scott new assistant at Cornell

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Former Cornell standout Topher Scott has been named an assistant coach with the Big Red, his alma mater announced Saturday. Scott spent the 2010-11 season as a volunteer assistant coach at Miami. As a four-year letter winner for the Big Red from 2004-08, Scott was a finalist for the Hockey Humanitarian Award and the Lowe’s … Read more

Merrimack’s Dennehy inks two-year extension

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Merrimack head coach Mark Dennehy has signed a two-year contract extension that will keep him as the Warriors’ head coach through the 2018-19 season. “I am humbled and my family is truly grateful for the support and trust that (Merrimack president) Dr. Hopey and (director of athletics) Glenn Hofmann have continued to show in me … Read more