Feature stories
College Hockey America will operate for the 2008-2009 season, but beyond that is anyone’s guess. Even interim commissioner Ed McLaughlin doesn’t have all the answers. He has ideas and questions, but nothing concrete. Yet. “We’re at the mercy of the NCAA,” said McLaughlin. After Wayne State eliminated their program at the conclusion of this past … Read more
So final thoughts from the 2008 NHL Entry Draft: College hockey still made out well As bad as the opening round of the Draft might have been for collegians, the final six rounds certainly proved to be fruitful. In all, 62 players who are either currently enrolled in college or will be making their way … Read more
To say that Colin Wilson was excited when he was selected seventh overall in Friday’s opening round of the NHL Entry Draft is probably an understatement. But it was possible that it was later in the first round when Wilson really got excited. Nashville selected Wilson with the seventh pick but also had a second … Read more
The world order of college hockey was partially restored on Saturday morning when the second round of the NHL Entry Draft kicked off at Scotiabank Place, just outside of Ottawa. One day after just four collegians were selected in the opening round of the NHL Draft, down from 11 last season, nine college or college-bound … Read more
When walking into the Scotiabank Place on Saturday, this writer actually admits his confidence in college hockey had been a tiny bit shaken. It wasn’t the fact that only four college players were selected in the opening round on Friday; I’d been there before and seen the 1999 Draft, when there were only three collegians … Read more
If there is any doubt that Colin Wilson’s career at Boston University is over, Wilson’s father, Carey, summed things up in a single sentence. “He’d be prepared to leave tomorrow,” said the elder Wilson, himself an NHL veteran who played 13 years for the Calgary Flames, Hartford Whalers and New York Rangers. Surrounded by a … Read more
Shayne Baylis knew that playing college hockey came with its perks, most notably a chance to complete a four-year degree that he could parlay into a career down the road. Baylis entered Niagara University as a freshman defenseman in 2001 and played 83 games, amassing 16 points and 42 penalty minutes over his career. He … Read more
Last time it took four tries. This time, three. Boston College had to pound on the door in 1998, 1999, and 2000 — suffering a succession of gut-wrenching losses — before finally knocking the thing down in 2001. On this night, history came close to repeating itself as the Eagles shook off disappointments in the … Read more
For the Fighting Irish, a one-goal performance was a familiar narrative that they would have preferred to tell in past tense. At the end of the first half of the season, Notre Dame was averaging 3.50 goals per game; going into their 4-1 title game loss to Boston College, the Irish were averaging 2.93. “We’ve … Read more
Goal or No? About five minutes into the third, it appeared that the Irish made it a one-goal game, scoring to make it 3-2 as the puck went off the skate of Kyle Lawson and dribbled past BC goaltender John Muse. However, the goal was disallowed, due to a supposed kicking motion. According to video … Read more
National scoring leader. National champion. Frozen Four Most Outstanding Player. Boston College winger Nathan Gerbe did it all this season. Well, almost. Anyone want a re-vote for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award? “As much respect as I have for Kevin Porter,” Notre Dame coach Jeff Jackson said, “if they name the Hobey Baker after this … Read more
Coming into this season, Boston College had a big question mark facing them. The Eagles had lost two consecutive national championship games, and junior goaltender Cory Schneider decided to forgo his senior season and sign with the Vancouver Canucks. If Jerry York’s Eagles hoped to contend for the championship again, they would have to rely … Read more
They went through five competitions, and then the fun started. The West won the Frozen Four Skills Challenge 13-6 Friday night at the Pepsi Center, beating the East in the third annual lighthearted event on the eve of the NCAA championship game for seniors who have completed their eligibility. It finished up with penalty shots, … Read more
Three is Nice When Boston College beat North Dakota to advance to their third consecutive national championship game, it set up an interesting symmetry with the second game. The last team to advance to three consecutive national championships was Lake Superior, when Notre Dame coach Jeff Jackson was at the helm. Shootouts This is the … Read more
The best teams with the best athletes converge each year at the Frozen Four. Among those top athletes, goaltenders rank as the most important. Teams live and die with their guy between the pipes. In these Frozen Four semifinals, however, it was mostly die. With the notable exception of Boston College freshman Johnny Muse, the … Read more
Not Your Local Hero Swedish native, freshman Calle Ridderwall, had two goals in Notre Dame’s 5-4 win over Michigan in the semifinal, the opening goal for the Irish and the game-winner in overtime. In 37 previous games, Ridderall had netted just two and was playing on the fourth line in Thursday’s game. After the win, … Read more
Can you blame them for not wanting to leave? The scoreboard overhead shows Irish 5, Wolverines 4. There they are, the fans in Section 120 of the Pepsi Center — the Notre Dame cheering section — the last ones in the seating bowl until the ushers come to shoo them out into the hallway. “They’re … Read more
When Jeff Jackson joined the Fighting Irish staff three years ago, he had hopes of someday getting the hockey tradition at Notre Dame mentioned in the same breath as the football program. “I just love the storied tradition. I’ve always been a huge Knute Rockne fan and obviously some of the great football coaches,” he … Read more
When Boston College’s 2006-07 campaign ended with a disappointing loss against Michigan State in the national title game, BC head coach Jerry York still had a silver lining. At that time, the prospects for the 2007-08 team were extremely high. Standout goaltender Cory Schneider was returning for his senior year. Forwards Brock Bradford and Nathan … Read more
This season’s Michigan squad took a different path to success, courtesy of the blending of young and old. Paula C. Weston reports.