Todd D. MilewskiMinnesota rebounds after a tough loss, and now Alaska-Anchorage must do the same; Minnesota State and Wisconsin bring out the rookies; and Zach Parise might test his knee in action Friday night after all. Todd D. Milewski rounds up the WCHA.
A former Badger takes program officials to court; Minnesota-Duluth and North Dakota play old-tyme hockey; an NCAA rebuff on instant replay; and exhibitions, exhibitions, exhibitions. Todd D. Milewski opens the season in the WCHA.
The promising start North Dakota put together a year ago ended up amounting only to an appearance at the WCHA Final Five and an appearance in the NCAA tournament, not the victories in each of those competitions that seemed plausible. Things like that happen. Often, there’s a scapegoat — for the Sioux last season, it … Read more
The NCAA legislation on the table that could strip Colorado College and other Division III schools playing at the Division I level of the ability to award scholarships served as something of a wake-up call, a notice that life sometimes drops changes on unsuspecting parties. The lesson, then: Enjoy success while you have it. The … Read more
In the moments before each game, Don Lucia is “scared to death” wondering whether his team will win. But the Minnesota coach will counter claims that his team has to be feeling extraordinary pressure as the first two-time defending national champion in 31 years. “I think winning it doesn’t put any extra pressure on our … Read more
Did Mike Eaves and the rest of the Wisconsin coaching staff know what they were getting themselves into last season? No, Eaves said. “In so many different ways.” It may not have been a reflection of the coaching staff, but the Badgers proved they were in over their heads most nights, winding up with the … Read more
George Gwozdecky looked into the eyes of his players and saw shock and disbelief. Looking back six months later, he’s glad he did. The Denver players never suspected their 2002-03 season would end the way it did — with them falling short of their goals. So when the Pioneers were ousted from the first round … Read more
The refrain is familiar: How is Minnesota State going to deal with losing two big-name scorers? A year ago, it was Tim Jackman and Jerry Cunningham. The Mavericks got along just fine, thank you. Went 17 games without a loss. Tied for second in the WCHA. Made the school’s first trip to the NCAA Division … Read more
The risk a team runs after a successful season is the misguided notion that the next season’s success will be easy to come by. Offseason conditioning and preseason training usually are fueled more by bad memories than good ones. So Minnesota-Duluth coach Scott Sandelin, fresh off the Bulldogs’ first trip to the WCHA Final Five … Read more
Amid the ruin that was the 2002-03 season for Alaska-Anchorage, John Hill offered a bit of perspective. The second-year coach mentioned last year that he thinks the 2004-05 season is when the Seawolves finally will be able to pull it all together. It might have been hard to see that through the destruction of a … Read more
The cyclical nature of mid-major college hockey programs might be coming around to disrupt St. Cloud State’s standing as one of the recent fixtures in the NCAA tournament. Only Michigan and Maine have longer current streaks in the NCAA field, but the Huskies’ four-year run is in danger unless they can: Reverse the downward trend … Read more
Two-time defending national champion Minnesota might come from the WCHA, but winning the league title is a whole different matter, it seems. Todd D. Milewski previews the conference’s 52nd session.
You don’t enter college expecting to play for three different coaches in your four years. The NHL, maybe, but not college, where coaches get the time they need to try to rebuild a program that has lost its way. This season’s seniors at Michigan Tech, however, will be playing for head coach No. 3 as … Read more
June 21-22 NASHVILLE — The following list shows U.S. college players who made the Central Scouting Service’s end of season North American rankings. (I) = Incoming Recruit (*) = No Longer With Team Forwards/Defensemen *NHL Draft Selection* Rank Name Team Pos. Rd. Overall By 3 Thomas Vanek Minnesota LW 1 5 Buffalo 7 Ryan Suter … Read more
June 21-22 NASHVILLE — The following college players or recruits were chosen in the National Hockey League’s 2003 entry draft: (I) = Incoming Recruit Round One Pick NHL Team Name, Pos School (Conference) 5 Buffalo Sabres Thomas Vanek, LW Minnesota (WCHA) 7 Nashville Predators Ryan Suter, D (I) Wisconsin (WCHA) 12 New York Rangers Hugh … Read more
Travis Weber, the Frozen Four all-tournament goaltender last season, is leaving Minnesota for personal reasons, taking another chip off the Gophers’ back-to-back national championship teams. Weber, who stopped 57 of 60 shots in last year’s Frozen Four as a sophomore, made no indication as to the precise reason why he was leaving in a statement … Read more
Paul Martin signed a contract with the NHL’s New Jersey Devils on Friday, leaving two-time defending NCAA champion Minnesota without its most experienced defenseman two months before the season starts. Martin, a second-team All-American for the Gophers last season whose departure had been rumored since he was named to the Frozen Four all-tournament team in … Read more
June 23-24 SUNRISE, Fla. — The following college players or recruits were chosen in the National Hockey League’s entry draft: (I) = Incoming Recruit Round One Pick NHL Team Name, Pos School (Conference) 7 Montreal Canadiens Mike Komisarek, D Michigan (CCHA) 14 Calgary Flames Chuck Kobasew, F Boston College (HEA) 16 Vancouver Canucks R.J. Umberger, … Read more
June 23-24 SUNRISE, Fla. — The following list shows U.S. college players who made the Central Scouting Bureau’s end of season rankings. (I) = Incoming Recruit (*) = U.S. Prep player not yet committed to college Forwards/Defensemen *NHL Draft Selection* Rank Name Team Pos. Rd. Overall By 4 Mike Komisarek Michigan D 1 7 Montreal … Read more
June 22-23 TORONTO, Ont. — The following list shows U.S. college players who made the Central Scouting Service’s end of season rankings. (I) = Incoming Recruit * = No Longer With Team Forwards/Defensemen *NHL Draft Selection* Rank Name Team Pos. Rd. Overall By 3 Ryan Whitney Boston University D 1 5 Pittsburgh 9 Chris Higgins … Read more