Archive of USCHO’s blog content
One of the great promises of Big Ten hockey was the additional national exposure the conference could bring in the form of a national television schedule. We’ve seen the commitment made for the conference’s debut season, and it has some impressive elements. The Big Ten and its six teams rolled out the core of their … Read more
Hidden among the typical summertime news, we’ve actually had actual college hockey teams playing actual hockey games. Dartmouth and Quinnipiac have both taken advantage of an NCAA rule that allows teams to make a trip to play foreign competition once every four years. Quinnipiac went to Italy and Switzerland earlier this month for four games … Read more
Michigan State is holding its annual Pro Camp this week in Munn Ice Arena, giving the Spartan alumni a chance to warm up a little before heading to their respective professional destinations. I was able to catch the very end of Wednesday’s skate and lucky enough to run into three of my favorite former Spartans, … Read more
Thirty-two former Wolverines took to the ice in Yost Arena in Friday’s Blue-White game that was free to the public, well attended, spirited. Noah Ruden (2002-06) was in goal for the Blue squad; Steve Shields (1990-94) and Shawn Hunwick (2007-12) split time for the White. Shields, who spent the last two seasons as a volunteer … Read more
The specifications for sites interested in bidding on regionals and Frozen Fours from 2015 to 2018 are out, and one item jumped out to me right away. It appears that the NCAA is considering moving the game dates for the Frozen Four from Thursday and Saturday to Saturday and Monday. That’s listed as a possible … Read more
We reported yesterday that Atlantic Hockey had interest from two schools to replace Connecticut as a 12th member after the Huskies depart for Hockey East at the end of next season. The league would not go on the record on the identity of the schools because neither had formally applied yet. But the cat’s out … Read more
If you’re waiting to hear where the 2015 Frozen Four will be, you’re in for quite a wait. Site selection announcements for NCAA events from 2015 to 2018 are scheduled for December, according to the web site for the coordinated, NCAA-wide bid process. That means the 2015 regional and Frozen Four hosts will have only … Read more
I went .500 in my picks for the semifinals. I will take that. Tonight, we know that a national champion from the ECAC will be crowned and I am happy for that league, its members, its teams. Tonight, we also know that hearts will be broken. The older I get and the longer I cover … Read more
It’s been a long time… and we’re sorry. ECAC Hockey fans are sorry that the league hasn’t put a team in the title game in 23 years. We’re sorry it’s been two dozen seasons since a conference member finished on top. We apologize for being dismissed, marginalized, underrated, ignored, and downright insulted for our opinion, … Read more
Well, my hockey-minded friends, we are down to it. As I’ve said repeatedly, I picked Notre Dame to go all the way in my bracket. Since I was wrong and I am here, though, I figured I’d post some picks with which many people are likely to disagree, especially my Hockey East counterpart, Dave Hendrickson. … Read more
CCHA fans, it’s Monday the week of the Frozen Four and we are without a representative this week in Pittsburgh. Well, unless you count me. I’ll represent. I’ll do so poorly and limit my representation to that which occurs off the ice, but I’ll represent. I was glad I made the trip from Grand Rapids … Read more
PROVIDENCE, R.I. — College hockey fans, take note: It’s time to finally admit it, ECAC Hockey is one very good hockey league right now. Yes, I’m a Hockey East guy. And, yes, if you’ve talked to me in recent years the ECAC has often been my go-to punch line. But I’m ready to step up … Read more
Midwest Regional Final – No. 2 Miami v No. 4 St. Cloud State Matthew: Although six WCHA teams qualified for this year’s NCAA tournament, St. Cloud State finds itself Sunday as the only team from the league still standing and carrying the WCHA flag in this competition. I was very impressed with what the Huskies … Read more
A few interesting notes have surfaced so far in the 2013 NCAA tournament. Here are some that stand out: • For only the second time in 65 tournaments (not counting the first), and for the first time since 1958, the Frozen Four will not include a team that previously won an NCAA Division I championship. … Read more
West Regional final – Grand Rapids, Mich. No. 2 North Dakota vs. No. 4 Yale Matthew: North Dakota was the only WCHA team of the four playing in Friday’s opening day of the NCAA tournament to progress to a regional final, and UND was made to work for its success in a 2-1 triumph over … Read more
So, how’s your bracket doing? Sorry. Judging from the statistics we’re seeing in College Hockey Pickem 2013, that might be a sore subject. The first game of the 2013 NCAA tournament eliminated the team predicted as the national champion on 39 percent of the brackets. Yale’s overtime win over Minnesota also took out 10,339 of … Read more
The issue of the so-called tournament atmosphere surfaces in college hockey around this time every season as we head into NCAA regional weekend. The selection committee switches some matchups, in part, to generate more attendance and, therefore, more buzz in the buildings. But are ticket prices holding some would-be attendees back? If you’re buying through … Read more
Well, my picks last weekend were legendarily bad. Fitting. Last week: 1-2 (.333) Season to date: 130-96-29 (.545) I’m happy to have finished the final CCHA season above .500. This week Having only two CCHA teams in the NCAA tournament in the conference’s final season is disappointing. I have Notre Dame winning the whole thing … Read more
West Regional – Grand Rapids, Mich. No. 4 Yale vs. No. 1 Minnesota Matthew: Yale is perfect so far this season against WCHA opposition – the Bulldogs won at both Denver and Colorado College back around Thanksgiving – and perhaps that ought to ring some alarm bells for Minnesota. The Golden Gophers will be looking … Read more
Last Week: 1-2 On the Season: 143-83-29 (.610) This Week’s Picks: NCAA East Regional March 30-31 No. 4 Canisius vs. No. 1 Quinnipiac A Canisius upset is a trendy pick. The Golden Griffins have been the hottest team in Division I over the last four weeks, while the Bobcats lost in the semifinals of … Read more