While playing conference alignments have grown more prevalent across leagues and sports, case in point the newly formed CCC, the level of competition under any name or banner is what the real story should be for the teams that formerly competed in the ECAC Northeast. For Endicott coach RJ Tolan and Salve Regina’s Andy Boschetto, … Read more
James LaCour has been hired as the new head coach at Johnson and Wales. LaCour is the fifth head coach in the program’s 23-year history and replaces Erik Noack, who left earlier this offseason to take a similar job at Massachusetts-Dartmouth. “We are excited to have James join our staff as our head men’s ice … Read more
Mike Nepsa and Dan Johansson have joined the Canisius staff for the 2016-17 season. Nepsa will serve as volunteer assistant coach working with the goaltenders and Johansson is the team’s equipment manager. In addition, former volunteer assistant coach David Smith will serve as director of player development/assistant strength and fitness coach with the Griffs. “We … Read more
Massachusetts-Dartmouth announced Friday the appointment of Erik Noack to serve as the fourth head coach of the Corsairs. Noack joins UMass Dartmouth after spending the past 13 seasons as the head men’s coach at Johnson and Wales. Under his leadership, the Wildcats went 148-172-21 and Noack led them to the ECAC Northeast playoffs in 11 … Read more
The ECAC Northeast announced its major award winners and all-conference teams recently. Tyler Beasley from Nichols garnered Player of the Year after averaging over a point per game in 2015-16 and posting 13 goals and 30 points in 25 games. In its first year as a varsity program, Endicott collected the three remaining major awards … Read more
While coach Kevin Swallow has departed last year’s conference champion Nichols team for the same position at the University of New England, the expectations remain the same this season. Parker Burgess takes over in his first head coaching job looking to build on his experience out west as an assistant with St. Thomas. “I really … Read more
Starting in the fall of 2015, Johnson and Wales will offer women’s hockey at the NCAA Division III level. “The popularity of women’s ice hockey continues to grow nationally and New England has some of the greatest high school programs,” said JWU senior VP of administration Marie Bernardo-Sousa in a news release. “JWU is excited … Read more
Still young, still hungry, and until proven otherwise, the best of the bunch in the ECAC Northeast. Such as it is for Nichols, which won both the regular-season and conference tournament titles last year on the way to their second-ever NCAA appearance. The Bison did so with a cast of talented novices – including … Read more
Avoiding the “sophomore slump” is often referred to a player who’s entering his second year after a decent first year. For Nichols’ Kevin Swallow and Curry’s T.J. Manastersky, they will try to avoid the sophomore slump as head coaches. Both had outstanding rookie campaigns in 2012-13, going 17-9-1 and 11-12-4, respectively. “I think every day … Read more
T.J. Manastersky has pondered and plotted and gone through all of the motions, both in his head and on the ice. What to do at even strength, on the power play, on the penalty kill, trailing in the game, leading in the game, you name it. It’s understandable, of course. Manastersky, named the coach at … Read more
R.J. Tolan’s been through it all before. As the Wentworth coach set out on his seventh season at the helm of the Leopards last month, another cloud full of expectations hovered over him. Such is life when you run the ECAC Northeast’s marquee program, one that has a culture and an identity synonymous with … Read more
Teams use early-season tournaments as preparation for the long season.
At Curry College, the expectations are no different than they have been in years past. Last season, the Colonels won the ECAC Northeast tournament championship and earned a berth in the NCAA Division III tournament, and Curry coach Rob Davies believes that success will provide the foundation in creating a stronger team environment. However, Davies … Read more
St. Norbert leads the way with three players on the 2010-2011 All-USCHO D-III teams
According to a report from MyFoxBoston.com, 28 players from the Curry College men’s team were hospitalized for nitrous dioxide exposure following Thursday night’s game in Providence, R.I., against Johnson and Wales. In a letter sent to all Curry students, Curry dean of students Maryellen Kiley said that the nitrous dioxide exposure was caused by a Zamboni. All … Read more
Twelve forwards, two defensemen and two goaltenders make up the group of 16 semifinalists for the Joe Concannon Award. The Award, presented by the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston, is given to the best American-born college hockey player in New England playing at the Division II/III level. “Without a doubt, this season has showcased an … Read more
If they can continue what they started, the Wildcats should be in good shape this season. Johnson and Wales got off to a 2-8 start, but got hot when it counted, knocking off number three seed Suffolk and top-seeded Wentworth to reach the championship game. A five-goal second period was all that kept the Wildcats … Read more
The NCAA men’s and women’s ice hockey rules committee gets this chance only once every two years, so there’s a little more emphasis to get it right. In the next month, leading up to and through the committee’s meeting June 8-11 in Indianapolis, the dialogue about potential rules changes will lead to debate and then … Read more
Erik Noack knows where his Johnson & Wales team is strong. “Our strength is in our forwards, like Dave Notartomaso and Matt McGilvary. We also have forwards who have played college hockey for a couple of years.” McGilvary, a sophomore, led the team in scoring last year, and Notartomaso is a redshirt freshman of whom … Read more
March, it’s the month of March. And if your team is still playing this week it’s a pretty big deal. Conference bragging rights and a chance to play in the national tournament is what it all comes down to before Sunday, March 5th. At the beginning of the year every team had goals set out … Read more