This Week in Atlantic Hockey: Robert Morris opens ’24-25 season sweeping Miami, knows ‘every game is a different challenge for a young team‘

Last season was version 2.0 of the Robert Morris men’s and women’s hockey teams. Both had to start from almost scratch after the programs were canceled in 2021 but revived for the 2023-24 season. Most of RMU’s players transferred out after the program was shuttered, requiring coach Derek Schooley, in his 20th season at RMU, … Read more

This Week in Atlantic Hockey: Air Force loses opener to Arizona State, rebounds with ‘magical’ game to split with Sun Devils as Blessing stands tall in goal

It was a tale of two games for Air Force last weekend. On Friday, the Falcons opened their season with an 8-1 loss on home ice to 20th-ranked Arizona State. Nothing went right for coach Frank Serratore’s team, which allowed three short-handed breakaway goals in the loss. The Sun Devils tacked on a pair of … Read more

Air Force hockey graduate, Augustana assistant coach Demers, who portrayed ‘how to attack the opportunity to play the greatest sport on earth,’ loses cancer battle at 33

Augustana men’s hockey assistant coach Chad Demers passed away Oct. 3 after a long battle with cancer. He was 33. Demers is survived by his wife Danika and their three kids. “All of our love and support are with the Demers family at this time,” said Augustana head coach Garrett Raboin in a statement. “Chad … Read more

Fomer NHL netminder Roloson joins Niagara men’s hockey staff as director of hockey development for Purple Eagles

Former NHL goaltender Dwayne Roloson has been named a director of hockey development for the Niagara men’s hockey team. “We are excited to welcome Dwayne Roloson to our coaching staff at Niagara,” said Purple Eagles head coach Jason Lammers in a statement. “Dwayne brings a wealth of experience from his impressive NHL career and his … Read more

After pair of seasons as director of operations for Harvard women’s hockey team, Riley moves to same job with Sacred Heart men’s hockey team

Sacred Heart has announced the addition of Mickey Riley as the director of hockey operations for the men’s hockey team. Riley, part of the distinguished Riley hockey family, joins the Pioneers after two years in the same position with the women’s hockey program at Harvard. While at Harvard, Riley coordinated all aspects of team travel … Read more

Former AIC director of hockey operations Finnegan returns to Yellow Jackets for same role after three seasons at UConn

American International has announced the return of Michael Finnegan to the team as director of hockey operations. Finnegan will be responsible for several duties, most notably overseeing the video operations of the team. “We are ecstatic that Mike is back here at AIC,” said AIC coach Eric Lang in a statement. “He’s an incredibly hard, … Read more

Atlantic Hockey America 2024-25 Men’s Hockey Season Preview: New name, same goals for rebranded conference heading into new campaign

The offseason is becoming a thing of the past for most sports, with lots of activity despite no games being played. This was the case with Atlantic Hockey America, which was busy this summer combining Atlantic Hockey (men) and College Hockey America (women) into a single hockey-only conference, Atlantic Hockey America. Michelle Morgan, in her … Read more

College Hockey Inc. hires former Colgate staffer Meriney as new director of men’s hockey athlete relations

College Hockey Inc. has announced that Chris Meriney has been named its director of men’s hockey athlete relations. He will officially begin his duties Oct. 1. Meriney will fill the position previously held by Sean Hogan, who was promoted to executive director in August. “Chris was impressive from our first conversations with him and throughout … Read more

Friendship Four men’s college hockey tournament returning to Belfast in 2025 with Miami, RIT, Sacred Heart, Union; Boston University, Harvard, Quinnipiac, Minnesota Duluth women’s teams to play in 2026

The Odyssey Trust has unveiled plans to continue the Friendship Four and Friendship Series U.S. college hockey tournaments through 2026. Marking 10 years of NCAA hockey in Belfast, games are set to take place at the SSE Arena in Nov. 2025 and Jan. 2026. Founded by the Odyssey Trust and held in Belfast since 2015, … Read more

Sacred Heart takes top spot in 2024-25 Atlantic Hockey America preseason coaches poll; Holy Cross’ McLinskey chosen preseason player of year

Atlantic Hockey America has announced the results of the 2024-25 coaches poll and preseason awards. 2024-25 AHA Preseason Coaches Poll (First-place votes) 1. Sacred Heart 102 (5) 2. RIT 94 (3) 3. Holy Cross 93 (1) 4. AIC 84 (1) 5. Bentley 76 6. Niagara 67 (1) 7. Air Force 57 8. Canisius 45 9. … Read more

Army West Point hockey coach Riley announces ’24-25 will be his last with Black Knights; current associate head coach McKelvie to take over with ’25-26 season

Army West Point head hockey coach Brian Riley has announced that the upcoming 2024-25 season will be his final following 21 years at the helm of the program. Associate head coach Zach McKelvie will take the reins as head coach in 2025-26 as Riley passes the torch to an Army Hockey legend both on and off the ice. McKelvie … Read more

Sacred Heart hires former Army West Point, Colgate, SUNYAC coach Azzano as new assistant coach for Pioneers men’s hockey team

Chris Azzano, who has eight seasons of college hockey coaching experience as well as two in the USHL, has been named assistant coach for the Sacred Heart men’s hockey team. Azzano oversaw goalies at Army West Point in 2023-24 after three seasons on the staff at Colgate. He became a full-time Raiders assistant coach for … Read more

Holy Cross extends Riga through 2028-29 college hockey season, promotes Sommer to associate head coach

Holy Cross and head men’s hockey coach Bill Riga have agreed to a restructured contract that will keep the coach in Worcester, Mass., until 2029. In addition, assistant coach Castan Sommer has been promoted to associate head coach. The Holy Cross program has shown constant improvement during Riga’s three-year tenure, increasing their victory total every … Read more

Atlantic Hockey America tabs McKenney assistant commissioner for operations, Grootenhuis director of communications

Ahead of the 2024-25 season, Atlantic Hockey America has added Cole McKenney as assistant commissioner for operations and Connor Grootenhuis as director of communications. McKenney is responsible for the daily operations for the conference, as well as business operations and travel logistics for officials. “Joining the AHA is an incredible opportunity, and I’m excited to … Read more

Army, Penn State men’s hockey teams slated to play in Capital Hockey Classic event in Washington D.C. in Dec. 2024

Monumental Sports & Entertainment announced Wednesday that the inaugural Capital Hockey Classic – a college hockey double header at Capital One Arena – will debut this winter. Taking place on Thursday, Dec. 12, the first game of the event will feature a contest between Army and Navy’s club hockey teams, followed by a matchup between … Read more

Canisius assistant coach Paille leaves hockey program after five seasons, intends to ‘pursue another coaching opportunity’

Canisius has announced that assistant coach Daniel Paille has left the program to “pursue another coaching opportunity.” Paille, a former first-round pick of the Buffalo Sabres and Stanley Cup champion with the Boston Bruins, was named an assistant coach in August 2021 and prior to his promotion, spent two seasons (2019-21) as a volunteer assistant … Read more

Holy Cross, UMass Lowell, Michigan Tech, Omaha to play in inaugural Coachella Valley Cactus Cup in Palm Springs, Calif., Jan. 3-4, 2025

Acrisure Arena, home to the AHL’s Coachella Valley Firebirds, an affiliate of the NHL’s Seattle Kraken, will host the Coachella Valley Cactus Cup 2025 men’s college hockey series. Holy Cross, UMass Lowell, Michigan Tech and Omaha will play in Palm Springs, Calif., next Jan. 3-4. The event starts Jan. 3 with Holy Cross taking on … Read more