Men’s D-II/III in general
No one could have predicted the magical playoff run St. Olaf made last season. In their final regular-season games of the year, the Oles tied Hamline, then, were swept by St. Mary’s before heading into the playoffs. Obviously, it didn’t matter much to St. Olaf as it made it all the way to the first … Read more
Entering his first season as coach of the Vikings, Mike Szkodzinski is more than excited about the prospects of the Lawrence program. “It’s an opportunity to create an atmosphere based on great pride and character,” he said. “This is a school with great academics and an athletic director who is fully supportive. This is something … Read more
The Lions enter their third season in the MCHA hoping to continue the progress they have made in their first two. Following up a fourth place finish in their inaugural season with a third place finish last year, Finlandia returns every single player from last season which is reason enough to instill hope in head … Read more
Commonly overshadowed by the NCHA and MIAC, the MCHA is a conference looking to fully establish itself not only in the West Region, but nationally. In terms of recognition, Milwaukee School of Engineering carried the league on its back last season. Finishing with a 21-5-1 record, including victories over Lake Forest and Babson and a … Read more
Quite frankly, there isn’t much to suggest the two-time defending MCHA Champions won’t make it three in a row this season. Whether it’s in net, on defense or at forward, the Raiders are loaded. A major difference this season, however, is that between the two-time defending league champion status and the NCAA talk swirling about … Read more
As Steve Fabiili enters his second season as head coach of the Lumberjacks, it’s clear his program has nowhere to go but up. The Lumberjacks have posted a record of 17-106-4 over the past five seasons, and have been firmly planted in the MCHA cellar. Northland’s attempt to forget the past and focus on the … Read more
After taking over an undermanned program three years ago, head coach Jasen Wise has been able to turn the Sabres into one of the most formidable teams in the MCHA. With no losses to graduation following last season, it’s reasonable to assume Marian may continue their climb up the MCHA ladder. Leading the cast of … Read more
The Golden Eagles are only two seasons removed from back-to-back MCHA tournament championships. After falling on harder times over the past to years, Minnesota-Crookston will attempt to get back to the top with vastly revamped lineup. The Golden Eagles will welcome 21 new faces to this season’s lineup. Good news, however, is that three of … Read more
Ron Fogarty, assistant coach at Bowling Green, has been named the first head men’s ice hockey coach in the history of Adrian College. “To say that we are thrilled to attract Ron Fogarty to this position is an understatement,” said Adrian College athletic director Mike Duffy. “We have been excited about the construction of our … Read more
For the second time in less than a week, the MCHA is announcing expansion of the league. Adrian College, which announced in late September that it will add men’s and women’s D-III hockey in the 2007-08 season, was unanimously approved today to join the MCHA for next season. The conference added Concordia University, Wisconsin to … Read more
Eighteen Division II/III schools placed players on the 2006-2007 USCHO Pre-Season Division II/III All-USCHO Teams. National champion Middlebury leads with three players named to the team. Four schools placed two players each: national runner-up St. Norbert, ECAC East champion Norwich, Augsburg and Wisconsin-Stevens Point. The All-USCHO teams are selected by the USCHO staff. Complete All-USCHO … Read more
The MCHA has accepted Concordia University, Wisconsin as the newest member of the conference, beginning with the 2007-08 season. The school also announced the hiring of Tony Hrkac as head coach. Hrkac’s career includes a 1987 NCAA National Championship while competing at North Dakota and the Hobey Baker Award as the NCAA’s top Division I … Read more
Only a 2-2 tie in the final game of the season kept the Pointers from locking up home ice in the playoffs last year. For Stevens Point to improve on what ultimately ended up being a fifth place finish, they must find a way to be more consistent. For example, last season the Pointers posted … Read more
Last year, all the talk leading into the season was about the numerous coaching changes, including the defending champions. This year, there are again coaching changes, this time with two schools, though one is a return of a longtime coach, and again one involves the defending champions. However, the talk leading into this season is … Read more
It is all about attitude this year at Lebanon Valley. Well, actually trying to change an attitude to be specific. It is no secret that the Flying Dutchmen have struggled since joining the ECAC West two years ago. While they were competitive in almost every league game last season, something would usually transpire late in … Read more
If things fall correctly for the Yellowjackets, 2006-07 could be a season of destiny. Having a history of playoff success, as well as being the last NCHA team to win a national title, Superior is bound to be mindful of the opportunity to play for a national championship on home ice. That’s a long way … Read more
In a league that seems bent on making things as convoluted as possible, it’s only fitting that the defending champions were the ones who had to bear the most significant losses to graduation. Eleven players are gone from last season’s Green Knight roster, eight of whom were forwards. Most notable is the departure of team … Read more
Since starting the Utica hockey team six years ago, coach Gary Heenan has built his team around a tough, hard-nosed defensive style of play that has earned the Pioneers a regular season title and two trips to the league playoffs. But with the changing of emphasis in the NCAA rules comes a change in philosophy … Read more
All the talk recently has been centered around Matt Zeman not returning to Fredonia. Sure, that’s a big loss for the Blue Devils, but there are still a lot of very good players on this team. The talk should really be centered around their goaltending, because they have nobody returning from last year. They start … Read more
Last season certainly ended with a bang for the ECAC West. After years of only being able to send one team to the NCAA playoffs, a rules change and expansion of the playoffs enabled the ECAC West to qualify three teams last spring, with two making it all the way to the semifinal round. Elmira, … Read more