The following is an excerpt of “A Few Good Men: The Inside Story of a College Hockey Season,” a book by Dave Hendrickson currently under consideration for publication. December, 1996 Final exams were over. Like any other student, Travis Roy felt relief and satisfaction. He’d done well in both of his courses, one in English … Read more
It isn’t taking long for the mission of the U.S. Junior Developmental program to realize its intended purpose. USA Hockey created the long-needed program last year, and immediately did the right thing by naming former Lake Superior State two-time national champion head coach Jeff Jackson as its director. Not only did this create the first … Read more
Man, I thought, I can’t wait for tonight’s game. Minutes later, I was padding over to the computer. Although the UNH-Merrimack rematch that night proved to be a dud, this still is an exceptional year to be a Hockey East fan. The league is posting an unprecedented 25-7-1 record against non-league foes, four teams are … Read more
Well, no–and no. Two of the top teams in the CCHA play in The College Hockey Showcase this weekend, and six other teams are engaged in conference play that will definitely have some bearing on the CCHA playoffs. No. 1 Michigan State sits on top of the CCHA as well as the college hockey world … Read more
Clarkson gained three points this past weekend, with a tie against Union and a shellacking of Rensselaer. Rensselaer and Princeton were the big losers on the weekend, both getting swept on the road. Union, Vermont, and Dartmouth each gained one point on the weekend. Most teams will take Thanksgiving and play outside the ECAC, but … Read more
Appearances can be deceptive. While Michigan State is at the top of the USCHO poll, Northern Michigan is actually on top of the CCHA. At 6-1-1 in league play, the Wildcats have two more points than Michigan State. They’ve also played one more game. Last week the ‘Cats beat Alaska-Fairbanks, 5-4 and 7-3. This week, … Read more
Okay, maybe only dinosaurs from the sixties can remember that phrase while wearing day-glow bellbottoms and saying, "Groovy!" But it sure fit last week’s action in Hockey East. Until the irresistible force met the immovable object last Sunday — in the form of Providence and UMass-Lowell facing each other after both teams won on Friday … Read more
Former hockey stars Jon Fontas and Ray Patten were inducted into the University of New Hampshire’s Hall of Fame by the UNH 100 Club in ceremonies on Nov. 14. Fontas, a Wildcat from 1974 through 1978, is one of UNH’s top all-time forwards. He ranks as UNH’s sixth-leading career scorer, with 174 points in only … Read more
Roger Grillo won his first game on Friday night when Brent Hoiness scored in overtime to give the Brown Bears a victory over Yale. The next evening, overtime bit Grillo and the Bears as Princeton took the sudden-death victory. Harvard tied Princeton and lost to Yale, while Princeton took three points on the weekend with … Read more
The Hockey East Association has announced its official online presence, located at http://www.hockeyeastonline.com. The Web site, which debuted on Monday, is still under development, but currently carries weekly press releases, standings and statistics. “Our audience wants information on Hockey East with greater speed and convenience than we’ve been able to provide,” said commissioner Joe Bertagna. … Read more
Rick Comley pauses to think before he answers a question. Why did Northern Michigan leave the CCHA for the WCHA in the first place? Comley laughs. “I’m sure for lots of good reasons, when you think back.” The cover of this year’s Wildcats’ media guide says, “Charging back into the CCHA.” Maybe it should read, … Read more
Joe Bertagna believes it when he says he works for all of college hockey. He believed that when the ECAC was signing his paychecks, and he believes it now that he is the commissioner of Hockey East. People who believe that ECAC hockey is a glorious conglomerate of 12 teams — worthy of praise over … Read more
Consistency: n.1. firmness or thickness, as of a liquid 2. agreement; harmony 3. conformity with previous practice. How many CCHA coaches can use this word — in any of its forms — in this week’s preview? John Markell says, "We’re still trying to establish respect, and we do that by playing more consistently." Red Berenson … Read more
League action kicked off this past weekend, and three teams came out perfect. Rensselaer, Yale and Cornell all swept their weekend series, while Princeton won one and tied one. The Engineers disposed of Dartmouth and Vermont, 7-1 and 7-2; Yale dispatched Clarkson and St. Lawrence, 2-1 and 3-0; Cornell took care of Harvard and Brown, … Read more
Who says the hockey offseason is boring? It certainly wasn’t that way in the ECAC, where upheaval has been the buzzword and a complicated labyrinth of movement had the wheels spinning and everybody talking. But with the season finally in full swing, it’s time to reflect upon those changes. It wasn’t just the usual array … Read more
Freshmen netminders Boyd Ballard of Providence and Scott Clemmensen of BC shared league Rookie of the Week honors. On a more depressing note, this column’s 1-900-FAT-HEAD Pick of the Week phone line has been changed to 1-900-CLU-LESS after last week’s 3-6 debacle. After taking the weekend off to be in Ottawa — during which a … Read more
Before the season started, Joe Mallen was realistic. One year earlier, he’d recruited Tim Lovell from Maine after NCAA sanctions put the Black Bears out of postseason action. Lovell had practiced with the Minutemen all year long and been the best player on the ice, but a year without any game action was certain to … Read more
As the clock ticked down in last March’s season-ending setback at the hands of eventual national champion North Dakota in the NCAA Tournament, the seniors on the Cornell hockey team savored their last moments wearing the Red uniform. The underclassmen watched the third period come to an end and started to think about next season. … Read more
Jason Dailey has seen it all. Three years ago, he came into a program mired in mediocrity as the only freshman defenseman. Now, he is co-captain of the two-time defending ECAC champions. How times have changed. Along the way, the senior has become a key to the Red defensive unit. Dailey has a reputation as … Read more
Not surprisingly, Merrimack and Maine — last year’s two hottest teams down the stretch — garnered the league’s weekly awards. Merrimack forward Martin Laroche earned Karhu Player of the Week honors for his three-goal, seven-assist weekend. Maine forward Matthias Trattnig got the Rookie of the Week nod for his two power-play goals against Lowell that … Read more