Columns, excluding “This Week” columns
Each coach and program have different criteria for what they look for on the recruiting trail. Sure, everyone is looking for talent on the ice, but there’s so much more that goes into a player’s makeup. There are players every program wants, but for up-and-coming teams that may not be able to land those recruits, … Read more
The turmoil of conference restructuring in men’s college hockey largely has not affected the women’s game over the past ten years or so. And while operationally, the shuttering of the men’s WCHA this summer didn’t much change things for the WCHA women, it signaled the end of one era of the league and an interesting opportunity for the future.
After starting the season 2-2-1, Elmira finished the season winning 8 of 10 games including three in the UCHC playoffs leading to their first ever UCHC championship. The playoff wins included a 6-0 quarterfinal home-ice victory over Chatham before the visiting Soaring Eagles knocked off No. 1 seed Utica in triple overtime in the semifinals. … Read more
Congratulations to the Elmira Soaring Eagles!! Elmira took out the two top seeds to earn their first ever UCHC title. We are talking playoffs and a championship won in the UCHC as the 2020-21 season champion was decided on Easter Monday. It was a great playoff week and there were a few other easter eggs … Read more
The UCHC standings are finalizing for the playoffs beginning with quarterfinal action this Wednesday and while some non-conference teams are closing out their abbreviated season, others like Hobart, Skidmore and Trinity are finally playing games to see how they stack up competitively. Here is a recap of all the week’s action: Non-Conference Norwich v. New … Read more
The UCHC standings are heating up as the regular season winds down and Connecticut College pulled off the upset of the weekend with a 2-1 win over previously unbeaten Norwich. Here is a recap of all of the week’s action: Non-Conference Anna Maria v. Plymouth State On Thursday, the visiting AmCats jumped out to an … Read more
A couple of the regional powers, Babson and Norwich, continued their unbeaten ways while the UCHC heats up with Stevenson and Chatham starting to get their game in high gear. Here is the full wrap-up from the busiest weekend so far: Non-Conference Becker v. Southern Maine On Tuesday, the visiting Hawks looked to be on … Read more
Following multiple delays and a 14-day in-room quarantine period, the Norwich Cadets finally and officially kicked off their season last week with three games in four days against in-state rival Castleton. While the season is quite short and there is no conference or national tournament trophy to be won, the team is committed to advancing … Read more
There was big excitement in Waterville, Maine where Colby opened the new Jack Kelley Rink against the University of New England. In Vermont, Castleton did something no team had done in over 400 calendar days and 11 games when they scored a goal against the Cadets, ending an incredible NCAA record. Here is the wrap-up … Read more
While some cancellations continue to COVID, several new teams kicked off play this weekend including Norwich, Nichols, and Connecticut College. Action in the UCHC continued with a mix of tight games and a couple of upsets. Here is a summary from this past weekend’s action: Non-Conference Castleton v. New England College The two NEHC rivals … Read more
Between the end of the 2019-2020 season and the current 2020-2021 season, the COVID dynamic has created a variety of challenges for institutions, coaches, and players alike. While some teams and one conference in the D-III ranks in the east are playing real games, all are looking forward to a more normal hockey season in … Read more
The UCHC has officially commenced conference play and the action did not disappoint across the league games played. Elsewhere there were additional COVID-related postponements, but teams continue to find a way to play out the shortened season. Here is a summary from this past weekend’s action: Anna Maria v. New England College The two teams … Read more
This weekend begins in earnest the six-week season sprint for the UCHC championship as the league commences play as the only conference in the East to do so. With nine teams playing, King’s opted out of the season, the schedule is both condensed and intense in the travel schedule with teams playing eight of the … Read more
A quick breakdown of where each team stands heading into the final two months of the season.
With the NCAA announcing the sites for its men’s Division I Frozen Four through 2026 on Wednesday, there was plenty for fans to be excited about and the ability to build up anticipation (photo: t-mobilearena.com).
After a terrific season, that was unfortunately cut short by the current COVID-19 crisis, the difficult task of selecting three teams for this year’s All-USCHO lists was a very challenging project. Thirteen different teams across the country are represented with multiple players from Geneseo, Norwich, Utica, Wilkes and Wisconsin – Eau Claire. Repeating on the … Read more
Standing at only 5’9” and weighing 175 pounds, freshman Brandon Osmundson played a big game for the Utica Pioneers as he led all freshmen in the country in scoring with 13 goals and 29 assists for 42 points. Osmundson fit right in with the veteran talent at Utica and quickly established himself as a very … Read more
Despite the abrupt end to the college hockey season and cancellation of the NCAA tournament, Utica and their head coach Gary Heenan can take great pride in the many achievements of their team this season despite some early challenges and team chemistry changes. Heenan led the Pioneers through those challenges on the way to the … Read more
Every so often there is a season and individual statistics amidst the trappings of the ultimate team sport that are truly astounding at every level. Such is the case for USCHO Player of the Year Tom Aubrun who completed his senior season for the Cadets riding a nine-game shutout streak and posting 13 shutouts overall … Read more
Editor’s note: At the time of publishing, NCAA quarterfinals were still scheduled to be played and teams were en route to the host universities. Sunday was a historic day in women’s DI hockey as both Ohio State and Princeton won their first-ever conference tournament titles. In the WCHA, Wisconsin, Minnesota and UMD had won all … Read more