The Bentley Falcons had a hard time scoring goals last season, and the loss of two of their top three forwards presents a difficult challenge. Eric Peterson, who was second on the team with 12 goals last season, has graduated, along with linemate Dustin Cloutier (10 goals). Back is sophomore Brett Gensler, who had a … Read more
Rochester Institute of Technology lost its two top scorers but returns a nucleus that was a goal or two away from returning to the NCAA tournament. The departed duo of Andrew Favot and Tyler Brenner combined for 84 points, including 16 power-play goals. But the next seven top point-getters are back, as well as the … Read more
For the second straight season, it looked like the American International Yellow Jackets were going to finish out of the Atlantic Hockey basement. But in the end, Gary Wright’s team couldn’t get over the hump. “The last two years, we dropped into last on the last day of the season,” he said. “That wasn’t an … Read more
Last season Holy Cross posted 17 wins, the most since its dream season of 2005-06. The Crusaders went 10-2-3 down the stretch and made their first appearance in the league semifinals since 2006, giving eventual champion Air Force all it could handle in a 3-2 loss. Holy Cross lost key players at each position, but … Read more
Last year, Niagara entered Atlantic Hockey unsure of where its scoring punch was going to come from. The team had lost a good percentage of its offense. Lo and behold, the senior duo of Paul Zanette and Brian Haczyk went from role players to prime-time stars. They combined for 90 points and Zanette was the … Read more
Two years ago, Army’s line of Owen Mayer, Eric Sefchik and Cody Omilusik was one of the best in Atlantic Hockey. Last season, only Omilusik remained, and he was the Black Knights’ chief offensive weapon, tallying 18 goals. But with Omilusik now gone, coach Brian Riley needs some or all of his large senior class … Read more
Who will be the standout defenseman in college hockey in 2011-12? Jason Karnosky has a list of potential stars.
Robert Morris has announced the hiring of Josh Brown as a volunteer assistant coach with the Colonials’ men’s program. Brown has nearly a decade of coaching experience, most recently as an assistant coach with Northern Arizona’s ACHA Division II team. “We are very excited to add Josh to our staff,” said RMU head coach Derek … Read more
If you’re of the mind-set that a college hockey team goes only as far as its goaltender takes it, a few schools have a pretty good outlook at the dawn of the 2011-12 season. Here’s a look at some choices for the top 10 goaltenders in college hockey: No. 10: Sam Brittain, Denver Heading into … Read more
Canisius could be on the verge of getting a new rink on campus, according to the school’s student newspaper, the Griffin. Canisius and the Buffalo Sabres have started discussions recently regarding the possibility of building a new arena that would double as the Sabres’ practice facility. “I think we’re closer to having a solid discussion,” said Canisius … Read more
Three-time defending regular season champion Rochester Institute of Technology is picked to finish first in the 2011-12 Atlantic Hockey Association preseason coach’s poll, announced at the conference’s annual media day held at Blue Cross Arena, which will again serve as the site of the league’s championship. The Tigers edged playoff champion Air Force by a … Read more
Mike Warde has left his job as an assistant coach at Alabama-Huntsville for a similar job at Army. “We are excited to have Mike back at West Point,” Army head coach Brian Riley said in a statement. “He understands what West Point stands for, the caliber of player we recruit and the exacting standards the … Read more
Niagara volunteer assistant coach Jay McKee has been named an assistant coach with the Rochester Americans of the American Hockey League. After 14 years in the NHL with Buffalo, St. Louis and Pittsburgh, McKee spent the 2010-11 season behind the Niagara bench. “Words can’t express how thankful I am to (NU head coach) Dave Burkholder, … Read more
Castleton State has announced the hiring of Bill Bowes as the new head coach for the women’s hockey team. Bowes, who was an assistant coach at Holy Cross for the past seven seasons, will also take over the Castleton State men’s golf team. Prior to his time at Holy Cross, Bowes was head coach at … Read more
Mercyhurst has named two former players to the Lakers’ coaching staff with Peter Aubry as the team’s new assistant coach and Neil Graham taking the post of volunteer assistant coach. Aubry, a goalie at Mercyhurst from 1998-2002, replaces John Rosso, who took a scouting job with the Tampa Bay Lightning last month. “It’s a wonderful … Read more
Niagara has rounded out its coaching staff with the addition of former Purple Eagles’ defenseman Pat Oliveto as an assistant coach. “I am very pleased to welcome Pat and his family back to the Niagara University community,” Niagara head coach Dave Burkholder said in a press release. “He was a role model on and off … Read more
Mercyhurst has confirmed to USCHO.com that Atlantic Hockey rookie of the year Taylor Holstrom and defenseman Nate Jensen have left the Lakers and will play for Penn State starting with the 2012-2013 season. Both 21-year-olds will play for Penn State’s club team next season and will maintain three seasons of D-I eligibility, according to the … Read more
The meeting between representatives of the CCHA and four Atlantic Hockey schools produced only discussion, according to statements released by both sides. The sides met Tuesday on the Mercyhurst campus in Erie, Pa., amid a changing landscape for Division I men’s college hockey. In 2013, the CCHA will be reduced to six teams — possibly … Read more
The next front in college hockey realignment could involve Atlantic Hockey, and four of its schools are scheduled to meet with the CCHA. Representatives from Canisius, Mercyhurst, Niagara and Robert Morris will meet with CCHA officials on Tuesday for what CCHA commissioner Fred Pletsch called “exploratory discussions.” That meeting will take place in Erie, Pa., … Read more
Former Niagara and Massachusetts-Lowell head coach Blaise MacDonald has been named an assistant coach for Massachusetts. MacDonald replaces Red Gendron, who was named the associate head coach at Yale. “Blaise was unquestionably the best candidate for the position and for our needs,” said UMass head coach Don “Toot” Cahoon in a press release. “He comes … Read more