There have been a lot of tumultuous events regarding Niagara athletics in recent years, and they are well documented. But one thing that has not changed — and will not change for at least a little while — is head hockey coach Dave Burkholder’s presence at the school. Purple Eagles athletic director Ed McLaughlin announced … Read more
Niagara director of athletics Ed McLaughlin has accepted a similar position at Virginia Commonwealth University. McLaughlin has been the head of the NU athletic department for the last six years and during his tenure, McLaughlin has helped make Niagara men’s hockey a perennial contender in the now-defunct CHA and currently in Atlantic Hockey. The Niagara … Read more
Brian Deutsch, a former Robert Morris athletics communications staffer, has been hired by Minnesota as the assistant director of athletic communications. Deutsch will be the primary men’s hockey contact.
Mercyhurst has locked up both its men’s coach Rick Gotkin and women’s coach Mike Sisti through the 2015-16 season as each signed contract extensions Tuesday with the Lakers. Gotkin, who will be entering his 25th season as the head coach at Mercyhurst in 2012-13, has a career record of 434-306-60 (434 wins are 28th all-time) … Read more
First, Quinnipiac coach Rand Pecknold turned down the head coaching job at Massachusetts. Then Friday, Holy Cross head coach Paul Pearl reportedly rejected a job offer from UMass, according to the Worcester Telagram and Gazette. The report states Pearl was offered the position earlier this week. Massachusetts is still in search of a replacement for … Read more
According to a report in the Eagle-Tribune, Merrimack athletic director Glenn Hofmann was placed on paid leave Monday, but school officials won’t say why. Hofmann was hired by the college three years ago and refused to answer questions when approached at his North Andover home last night by the paper. College spokesman Jeffrey Doggett would … Read more
Former Sacred Heart captain Garrett Larson died in a motor vehicle accident over the weekend in his hometown of Rycroft, Alberta. A 2005 graduate of Sacred Heart, Larson was 31 and leaves behind his wife, Jen, and three children, Cohan (5), Chloe (1) and Lilly (one month). Larson played four seasons for the Pioneers from … Read more
Hockey was once in trouble in Pittsburgh, but thanks to Sidney Crosby and the resurgence of the Penguins, Robert Morris has felt a boost. Jim Connelly reports.
Connecticut will leave Atlantic Hockey and join Hockey East for the 2014-15 season, sources told USCHO on Wednesday. Hockey East confirmed the move in a press release Thursday and filled in some details. The Huskies will play league games at the XL Center in Hartford, Conn. Their nonconference games will be at their on-campus arena, … Read more
Blaise MacDonald, who has Division I head coaching experience and has won national championships as a player and an assistant coach, was named Friday as the new head coach at Colby College. MacDonald, a former head coach of Niagara (1996-2000) and Massachusetts-Lowell (2000-11), helped Boston University to a national championship in 1995 as an assistant … Read more
Robert Morris will host the inaugural Pittsburgh College Hockey Invitational on Dec. 28-29 at the CONSOL Energy Center, also the site of the 2013 Frozen Four. Joining the Colonials in the event will be Penn State, Ohio State and Miami. “We are very excited about this new tournament and the opportunity to host it at … Read more
According to an Associated Press report Tuesday, Hockey East’s expansion plans include adding Atlantic Hockey member Connecticut, perhaps as early as the 2013-14 season. The 10-member league, already in the process of adding Notre Dame for 2013, has been looking for a 12th member to ease scheduling problems. Hockey East commissioner Joe Bertagna said that … Read more
Joe Novak could hardly contain his excitement this February while he read the job advertisement for the director of hockey operations at the new National Collegiate Hockey Conference. “As I read the description I saw it was a perfect fit,” he said. “I jumped on it right away. This position is both a great challenge … Read more
The Hockey IntelliGym aims to improve “hockey sense,” and the Falcons’ early returns are promising. Joe Paisley reports.
Minnesota-Duluth’s Jack Connolly has been named the 2012 winner of the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award, presented to the most outstanding senior student-athlete in Division I men’s hockey. Connolly is one of three finalists for the Hobey Baker Award, and he is a three-time WCHA All-Academic selection. “Winning the Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award means a lot … Read more
Air Force has promoted Mike Corbett to associate head coach, the school announced Wednesday. Corbett has been an assistant to Falcons coach Frank Serratore for nine seasons. “Mike has done an outstanding job throughout his tenure at Air Force,” Serratore said in a statement. “He has played a key role in the overall success the … Read more
According to a report in the Hartford Courant, Hockey East representatives visited the Connecticut campus and hockey facilities Thursday, further adding speculation to the rumors that UConn may be joining the conference down the road. “I did have a conversation,” Gov. Dannel Malloy said during an afternoon news conference at the Capitol. “Clearly, the University … Read more
Parker Milner got the shutout for the Eagles, but the Falcons kept BC within reach. Diana C. Nearhos reports from the Northeast Regional.
Niagara sophomore forward Scott Arnold signed an NHL deal with the Phoenix Coyotes on Friday, making him the sixth Purple Eagle to ever sign an NHL contract. “It’s an honor to sign a professional contract,” Arnold said in a news release. “Growing up, I always dreamed of playing in the NHL and now I am … Read more
Boston College enters on a 15-game winning streak, but it’s not the only tournament-tested team in the quadrant. Here’s our Northeast Regional preview of BC, Minnesota-Duluth, Maine and Air Force.