Mercyhurst men’s coach Rick Gotkin and women’s coach Michael Sisti were each awarded four-year contract extensions by the college today. “We are pleased to be able to guarantee stability in both of our Division I programs,” said Mercyhurst athletic director Pete Russo, “and are very proud of each team’s accomplishments.” Gotkin directed the Lakers to … Read more
The MAAC Hockey League is no more, though the nine member schools will continue to compete together.
The nine MAAC schools claimed their independence. Two former chairs of the Men’s Ice Hockey Committee lead the way.
Holy Cross coach Paul Pearl has resigned to become director of admissions and head hockey coach at Milton (Mass.) Academy, a top-tier prep school. Pearl was the head coach at Holy Cross for eight years, guiding his team to a 116-114-19 record. His brightest moment came in 1998 when Holy Cross captured the inaugural MAAC … Read more
The mother of a former Army player now fighting in Iraq relates her son’s journey.
The WCHA and CCHA led the way with three finalists for the Hobey Baker Award each, and Colorado College has two of the 10 that will be considered for college hockey’s top individual award. Also, the CHA has its first Hobey finalist, Niagara forward Joe Tallari. Colorado College junior forward Peter Sejna and senior defenseman … Read more
Glenn Crane, a junior forward for Holy Cross, died on Monday, December 23, after a long bout with Hodgkin’s disease. He was 21. Crane entered Holy Cross in September of 2000 but played in just four games before being diagnosed with the disease. He underwent treatment and was believed to be in remission entering 2001-02 … Read more
With the top teams trading blows, Elmira overcame a 1-1 tie with No. 7 Williams to remain in first place in the USCHO.com Division III Women’s Poll. The Soaring Eagles topped No. 5 Middlebury 4-2 and improved to 9-2-2 on the season, with both losses coming against a Division I team. No. 2 Bowdoin outscored … Read more
Despite two wins this weekend, Harvard saw its lead over second-place Minnesota-Duluth erode ever so slightly in the USCHO.com Division I Women’s Poll. After a solid 4-0 win over Northeastern, Harvard squeaked out a 2-1 overtime win over No. 6 Providence on Sunday. Harvard received nine of 15 first-place votes, yet leads No. 2 Minnesota-Duluth … Read more
Minnesota-Duluth’s lead in this week’s USCHO.com Division I Women’s Poll slipped to just five points over No. 2 Minnesota, after the Bulldogs won and tied against No. 6 Wisconsin in a weekend set. Minnesota earned a sweep over Ohio State, and vaulted into first place in the WCHA standings. 10 of the 15 first-place votes … Read more
Norwich held onto the top spot in this week’s USCHO.com Division III Men’s Poll, but after that, things got significantly more interesting. Two teams, RIT and St. Norbert, finished tied for the No. 2 slot, while No. 4 Wis.-Superior, the defending national champion, got more first-place votes than either No. 2 winners and finished just … Read more
It seems like every preseason RIT fans are talking about losing an All-American to graduation. Jamie Morris, Pat Staerker, Steve Toll. A look at the ’02-’03 preseason shows nothing different, as RIT tries to find a way to replace three-time first-team All-American and 2002 AHCA College Division Player of the Year Jerry Galway. “Obviously Galway … Read more
Optimism abounds at Mercyhurst, where preparations are well under way for the program’s fourth season. Head coach Michael Sisti’s first recruiting class comes into its senior season having won 61 games; the group makes up half of the team’s 24-player roster. “It’s been a fun ride,” Sisti said. “It’s been fun watching them grow and … Read more
After reaching the NCAA Frozen Four last season, Niagara returns 15 players and brings plenty of optimism for success to the 2002-03 season. First off, however, they have to find a way to replace a couple of big holes. The Purple Eagles lose just six letterwinners but four are significant. Gone are all-time leading scorer … Read more
Defending ECAC West tournament champion, RIT, is the coaches’ preseason choice to claim the regular-season men’s title based upon results of the 2002-03 preseason poll. Meanwhile, Elmira, the 2002 NCAA Division III National Champion, was picked as the preseason favorite in the ECAC West women’s conference. Coaches could not vote for their own team. RIT, … Read more
As the youth movement rips across the MAAC, one coach isn’t overly thrilled. And Canisius coach Brian Cavanaugh won’t pull any punches when he tell you. “We’re a young team,” Cavanaugh said very matter-of-factly. “We graduated pretty much all the name players that people are familiar with and gave us a lot of wins and … Read more
Mercyhurst’s Rick Gotkin got a surprise a week or so ago when he saw the league’s coaches’ poll. His team was once again listed first. “I thought that Quinnipiac, because they were the defending champions and they returned so much, that they’d be favorite,” said Gotkin. Somehow, the other coaches in the league disagreed. “I’m … Read more
A season ago, Holy Cross shocked much of the hockey world by finishing tied for third place, just one season removed from missing the MAAC playoffs entirely. Though eyes were opened by a team that scored at will, particularly on the power play, and shut down opponents with what once was considered a nonexistent defense, … Read more
Shaun Hannah has always been one of the calmest-looking coaches in the MAAC. Though young in age (replaced as the league’s youngest coach this year by Bentley’s Ryan Soderquist), Hannah’s composure has always been his trademark. But talk to Hannah as this season approaches and it’s almost impossible for him to contain his enthusiasm. “Looking … Read more
It seems that whatever question you ask American International coach Gary Wright these days, you get the game answer. What aspect of AIC’s game most needs improvement? “Goal-scoring.” What will it take to get out of the nine through 11 spots and make the playoffs? “Goal-scoring.” Can AIC be effective from the beginning of the … Read more