Vanek Has What It Takes
Current Minnesota coach Don Lucia opened the door to recruiting outside of the Gophers’ home state, and now a native of Austria is ready to bring his star to Lucia’s team.
Men’s D-I: Big Ten
Minnesota Facing Possible Recruiting Violation
Minnesota has reported to its compliance office a possible violation of NCAA rules. The issue is whether a visit by two longtime school representatives, violates provisions against people outside the hockey program itself from contacting recruits.
Inside the Numbers: Analyzing The Outdoor Game
Years in the thinking, months in the making, Saturday’s “Outdoor Game” was a spectacular display of the power and popularity of college hockey in the state of Michigan, and could be a trendsetter in the hockey world at large.
2001-02 Michigan State Season Preview
I Among ten stationary players,The only moving thingWas the eye of the Ryan Miller. You’ve heard the noise. Ryan Miller didn’t deserve the Hobey because of the defense in front of him. Michigan State doesn’t score enough goals. The Spartans play boring hockey. Blah, blah, blah. Sure, they’re ranked No. 1, but Michigan State — … Read more
2001-02 Ohio State Season Preview
IV The blade and the puckAre one.The blade and the puck and R.J. UmbergerAre one. The Buckeyes finished the 2000-01 season with a gritty, three-game, first-round CCHA playoff series against Nebraska-Omaha, losing by the width of two pucks in the very hostile Omaha Civic Center. The memory of those losses — games many Buckeye players … Read more
The Outdoor Game
Saturday’s record-shattering contest between Michigan and Michigan State has been long in the making. “The Outdoor Game,” nee “The Cold War,” opens the CCHA season in a unique way. Paula C. Weston previews the battle.
2001-02 Notre Dame Season Preview
XI They rode from South BendIn their custom coach.Once, a fear pierced them,In that they mistookThe shadow of their equipageFor the foreshadowing of potential victory. Do the Notre Dame Fighting Irish fear success? How else can you explain a team that looks so darned good on paper never living up to its potential? This second … Read more
2001-02 Michigan Season Preview
III Mike Cammalleri flew threw the autumn night.He was a large part of the pantomime. How do the Wolverines do it? Back in 1998, one year after graduating the fabled Michigan Nine, Michigan was a rookie-heavy team with an experienced goaltender, expected to have a respectable rebuilding season. Instead, Michigan won the NCAA championship in … Read more
2001-02 Minnesota Season Preview
Minnesota might have the top returning talent in the WCHA, including the Defensive Player of the Year in Jordan Leopold, but the Gophers could be haunted by their finishes in big games. Can Don Lucia’s squad continue its return to prominence?
2001-02 Wisconsin Season Preview
The question for Wisconsin this season is simple: who’s in goal? Scott Kabotoff and newcomer Bernd Bruckler vie to replace workhorse Graham Melanson, while seven seniors anchor the Badger offense — similarly missing a compatriot in Dany Heatley.
Gophers Still Waiting for Welch
Dan Welch won’t return to school at Minnesota for the start of the 2001-2002 season, but Gophers coach Don Lucia is holding a spot for him — for a while. Welch, expected to join the Gophers after a year hiatus when he was academically ineligible, has not met the requirements to be reinstated in school … Read more
Hilbert Leaves Michigan for Boston
Michigan forward Andy Hilbert is leaving the Wolverines after two seasons to pursue a career in professional hockey.
OSU AD Explains Ganga’s Dismissal
The dismissal of senior-to-be Nick Ganga from the Ohio State program sent shockwaves through the CCHA, and touched off some heated rhetoric. OSU athletic director Andy Geiger has now spoken out in defense of his head coach, John Markell, who made the decision.
Big Man on Campus
As expected, Mike Komisarek went high in the first round at the recent NHL Draft in Sunrise, Fla. The Long Island native stands 6-foot-4, and was already an imposing presence as a freshman for Michigan. Off the ice, he’s prefers to show his unassuming side.
MSU-Michigan Agree to Play Outdoors
Michigan and Michigan State have agreed to take next season’s first meeting outdoors in an attempt to set the world record for hockey attendance, according to the Detroit News.
Ohio State Releases Ganga (correction)
Ohio State has released forward Nick Ganga from the team for undisclosed reasons. Head coach John Markell said the move was a “coaches’ decision” and would not elaborate on details.
Miller Adds USA Hockey Award to Growing List
Michigan State goalie Ryan Miller, who recently won the Hobey Baker Award in just his sophomore season, was named winner of the USA Hockey College Player of the Year. He will be among 11 athletes, coaches, officials, administrators and volunteers honored at a banquet June 9 for their “excellence, dedication and contributions to the sport … Read more
Minnesota’s Killewald Diagnosed with Brain Tumor
Minnesota women’s hockey senior goalie Erica Killewald has been diagnosed with a brain tumor and is scheduled to have surgery this week. Killewald was a member of the first recruiting class in the history of the Gopher women’s hockey program, and a key element in building the program. She was one of eight players honored … Read more
Sauer Contract Not Extended; Still Has 3 Years Left
Despite leading Wisconsin within a game of the Frozen Four, Badgers coach Jeff Sauer did not have his contract extended by the school’s athletic board on Friday.
Jillson Signs with Sharks
Michigan defenseman Jeff Jillson has decided to forego his senior season, and sign a contract with the NHL’s San Jose Sharks.