There’s a good chance that when the New York Rangers selected Michigan goaltender Al Montoya with the sixth pick in Saturday’s NHL Entry Draft, they realized that they got more than simply a hockey player. Sure he’s a solid goaltender whose numbers have gotten better in his two seasons at Michigan. And his performance in … Read more
Kris Chucko, headed to Minnesota in the fall, was one of three players taken from the British Columbia Junior League in the first 50 picks of the draft, including his Salmon Arm teammate Travis Zajac and second-round pick Ray Sawada. Chucko, the 24th overall pick by Calgary, was another player whose stock rose quickly since … Read more
When team Managing Partner Wayne Gretzky stepped to the podium to make Phoenix’s first-round selection in the 2004 NHL Draft, the crowd of mostly Carolina Hurricanes fans, draft prospects and their families, stood to salute ‘The Great One’ with a rousing, heartfelt ovation. Just moments later, the reaction changed to agape jaws when Gretzky announced … Read more
At first glance, it might seem that the WCHA was lagging behind in the race to produce NHL-caliber talent. After all, the conference produced just five Central Scouting-ranked players this year, the fewest of any major. In reality, however, the opposite is true. With nearly 50 percent of the WCHA comprised of players from the … Read more
The day the [nl]Minnesota North Stars bolted his home state for Texas was the day a young A.J. Thelen stopped worrying about where he might play some day in the NHL. All he began to care about was getting there. “I have no real favorite now,” said Thelen, a standout defenseman for Michigan State. “Once … Read more
Notre Dame freshman defenseman Wes O’Neill has tried hard to keep in perspective this month’s NHL Entry Draft and his place in it. He’s excited, because it’s one step toward realizing a childhood dream. But he tempered that enthusiasm with the knowledge that it is, indeed, just one step. “It will be an honor to … Read more
Al Montoya is set to become the highest-selected college goaltender in the NHL Draft in four years.
Former Wisconsin forward Alex Leavitt has tentatively settled out of court with the University, ending a lawsuit that alleged his hockey career was derailed by an off-ice incident with coach Mike Eaves during the 2002-03 season. Leavitt had filed a $1 million suit against Eaves, former athletic director Pat Richter, and other members of the … Read more
Minnesota defenseman Keith Ballard, a 2004 Hobey Baker Award finalist, signed today with the Phoenix Coyotes, foregoing his senior season. According to his agent, former Minnesota skater Ben Hankinson, Ballard received a $1.2 million signing bonus, and the rookie maximum of $1.185 million per year for three years. “Keith Ballard was arguably the best defensemen … Read more
The Buffalo Sabres have contacted Minnesota star Thomas Vanek to open contract talks, the Associated Press is reporting. Vanek, the 2003 NCAA tournament Most Outstanding Player, just completed his sophomore season for the Gophers. He was the No. 5 overall pick of the Sabres in the 2003 NHL Draft. Sabres general manager Darcy Regier told … Read more
Wisconsin is down to seven defensemen for next season — and that’s before first-round NHL draft pick Ryan Suter makes his decision on whether to return to school for his sophomore season. Junior-to-be Tom Sawatske has told coach Mike Eaves he’s leaving the team, the Wisconsin State Journal reported Sunday. The paper also reported Suter’s … Read more
There’s something missing in Boston …
The Frozen Four at the FleetCenter, six years ago.
Everything seemed to be falling into place for the Gophers, but something funny happened along the way…
The upstart Badgers left it all in Albany, falling an OT goal short of the Frozen Four, and now look to next year.
Wendell, Darwitz, Stephens explode as Gophers win it all.
Andy Burnes went out giving all he had.
UMD coach Shannon Miller was back at the NCAA women’s Frozen Four on Thursday, but in an entirely unfamiliar role. She was sitting in the back of the press room watching questions being answered instead of taking them herself. UMD has won all three NCAA championships contested but just missed the NCAA cut this time … Read more
ND’s Gill, OSU’s Whiting go way back.
Minnesota women’s coach Laura Halldorson has suspended freshman defenseman Danielle Ashley for the remainder of the 2003-04 season for violating team policies. Ashley played in 26 games for the No. 1 Gophers, scoring two goals and 13 assists for 15 points. She was also the national leader in penalties with 37, all minors. Minnesota had … Read more