Adrian embraces ‘target on us,’ tabbed top squad in NCHA men’s hockey preseason coaches poll

Defending champion Adrian has again been selected as the favorite in the 2023-24 NCHA men’s hockey preseason coaches poll. “It means we have a target on us, which we usually do, whether we’re the preseason favorite or not,” Adrian coach Adam Krug said in a statement. “We’re accustomed to that, and our guys embrace it.” … Read more

Northland grad Buckley returns to LumberJacks as new head coach for men’s hockey team

Northland alum Shane Buckley is returning to his alma mater to lead the LumberJack men’s hockey team. Buckley takes over for Seamus Gregory, who stepped down in May to become the first head coach at Dubuque. “The selection process was extremely difficult,” said Northland executive director of intercollegiate athletics Dan Schumacher said in a statement. … Read more

Former St. Norbert, Alaska Anchorage player Carbery named new head coach of NHL’s Capitals

The Washington Capitals have named Spencer Carbery the team’s head coach. Carbery, 41, becomes the 20th head coach in Capitals franchise history and returns to the organization after spending the last two seasons as an assistant coach with the Toronto Maple Leafs. During his college playing days, Carbery graduated from St. Norbert, where he played … Read more

University of Dubuque starting men’s, women’s NCAA D-III hockey programs for 2023-24 season, anticipating transfers from Finlandia for both teams

The University of Dubuque has announced the addition of men’s and women’s hockey to their NCAA Division III intercollegiate athletics program with competition to begin with the 2023-24 season. UD will be partnering with the Dubuque Ice Arena, which is home to the USHL’s Dubuque Fighting Saints, and with its managing partner, Q Casino, to … Read more

Finlandia closing doors, will not enroll students for 2023-24 school year; Lions had men’s, women’s D-III hockey teams

On Thursday, Finlandia University’s Board of Trustees announced that the school will not enroll students for the 2023-24 academic year. The decision follows months of continuous efforts to find pathways for the university to continue its mission, according to a statement. “I am deeply saddened to announce that due to a combination of demographic changes, … Read more

Adrian’s Spodniak chosen NCHA top player for ’22-23, Bulldogs’ Krug best coach, MSOE’s McCormack top rookie

The CHA men’s conference has announced its 2022-23 season award winners, including player of the year, coach of the year, freshman of the year, the all-conference team, and the all-freshman team. The 2022-23 Player of the Year is Matus Spodniak, a senior forward at Adrian. The Kosice, Slovakia, native not only paced the conference in … Read more

D-III West Weekend Hockey Wrap-Up: Pointers, Bulldogs clinch conference crowns

Two regular-season conference titles were secured over the weekend as UW-Stevens Point and Adrian both sealed the deal on a championship. UW-Stevens Point won its 16th crown on Friday with a 2-1 road win over UW-Superior behind a pair of goals from Fletcher Anderson and will be the top seed in the upcoming WIAC tournament. … Read more

D-III West Weekend Hockey Picks — Feb. 3-4, 2023

February is underway and it’s hard to believe we are just about at that time of the year where conference tournaments and the NCAA tournament are just around the corner. Conference leaders are trying to maintain their success while those below them in the standings are jockeying for the best position possible before the regular … Read more

D-III West Weekend Hockey Picks — Jan. 27-28, 2023

The final weekend of January is here and it’s all conference play across the schedule. Saint John’s and Augsburg play a big MIAC series, with Friday’s game being played outdoors, and nationally ranked UW-Stevens Point faces a big test against UW-Stout, the hottest team in the MIAC at the moment. In the NCHA, St. Norbert … Read more

Any given weekend is theme of D-III West hockey

Any given weekend. That’s the theme of D-III West Hockey this season.  A team can go into a big weekend series ranked in the top 15 in the USCHO D-III men’s national poll and seemingly the favorite only to come away feeling the sting of defeat. The lesson here is that while rankings are great … Read more