Unproven scorers coming through early for Michigan
A year after players struggled to score, Michigan is seeing goals come from everywhere. Paula C. Weston has This Week in the CCHA.
Men’s D-I: CCHA (Defunct)
Big programs at Michigan State, Ohio State in big transitions
On their way to the Big Ten two years down the road, the Spartans and the Buckeyes are in the middle of rebrandings. Paula C. Weston has This Week in the CCHA.
Yoopers delight: Lake Superior State, Northern Michigan enjoy fast starts
The CCHA’s two teams in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula were busy last weekend making statements of their own, each handling things at home. Paula C. Weston has This Week in the CCHA.
Focusing at the CCHA as it is, not as it will (not) be
You know, I just never thought that it would come to this. I envisioned a day when I would no longer be covering CCHA hockey — a day that I know many of you have also envisioned, with much longing — but I never thought that the end of my CCHA coverage would come because … Read more
Not quite the end of the world as the CCHA knows it in 2011-12
According to people who have time to claim an expertise in such things, the ancient Mayan civilization predicted that 2012 will bring a giant shift for humanity. Some claim that Armageddon is approaching, that when our sun aligns with the center of the Milky Way on the solstice in December 2012, civilization will cease to … Read more
Michigan’s Merrill suspended 12 games by Wolverines
Sophomore Michigan defenseman Jon Merrill has been suspended for the first 12 games of the season due to a violation of team rules. “Jon has an obligation to the team and he did not live up to those responsibilities,” said Michigan coach Red Berenson in a statement. “He needs to be accountable to his teammates … Read more
CCHA coaches, media agree with Notre Dame at No. 1
For just the second time in six years, the coaches and media agree on who should own the No. 1 position in the CCHA’s annual preseason polls. Notre Dame received enough points from the conference’s 11 head coaches and 72 media members to be named the preseason favorite in both polls. In the coaches poll, … Read more
Bowling Green to make decision on WCHA by Oct. 7
Bowling Green’s deadline for deciding on whether it will join the WCHA has been extended to Oct. 7. The original deadline was Sept. 22 after BGSU was one of five CCHA schools invited to join the WCHA on Aug. 25. “We continue to assess our options for hockey conference affiliation and expect to wrap up … Read more
Checking In: Former CCHA commissioner Bill Beagan
In another installment of an occasional series catching up with college hockey personalities past and present, Beagan talks to Matt Mackinder about his experiences in hockey administration.
Western Michigan, St. Cloud State invited to join NCHC
Western Michigan and St. Cloud State have received invitations to join the National Collegiate Hockey Conference, according to a press release issued Wednesday afternoon. “After a thorough and deliberate evaluation process, the National Collegiate Hockey Conference is delighted to extend invitations to St. Cloud State and Western Michigan to become members of what we believe … Read more
Ferris State the latest to accept WCHA invitation, BGSU still undecided
On the heels of Alaska and Lake Superior State accepting invitations to join the WCHA in 2013-2014, Ferris State has also accepted an invitation to join the league. “Hockey is a very important sport to Ferris State University and to our fans,” Ferris State president David Eisler said in a statement. “In joining the WCHA, … Read more
Five CCHA schools offered spots in WCHA; Alaska, Lake Superior State quick to accept
Five CCHA schools have been extended invitations to join the WCHA for the 2013-2014 season, and two have jumped at the opportunity. Alaska, Bowling Green, Ferris State, Lake Superior State and Western Michigan were offered spots Thursday on behalf of the presidents of the six WCHA teams that will comprise the league following the 2012-2013 … Read more
WCHA and CCHA schools meet Tuesday in Chicago
Members of the WCHA and CCHA met jointly Tuesday in Chicago to discuss several matters facing both leagues due to impending college hockey realignment. The agenda included sharing information about each league, engaging in productive discussions about the challenges that each institution and each conference face and seeking common ground to work together for the … Read more
CCHA, WCHA talking merger?
According to a published report in the Sentinel-Tribune, discussions regarding a merger of the CCHA and WCHA were held this past Tuesday in Chicago. Representatives of the two leagues met for “exploratory talks” about a merged 10-team league, CCHA commissioner Fred Pletsch told the publication. Pletsch said the league commissioners will go back to their … Read more
No decisions made after CCHA meeting with Atlantic Hockey schools
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
Broncos name NHL veteran Murray new head coach
Veteran NHL coach Andy Murray has signed a five-year contract to coach Western Michigan, the school announced Tuesday. He replaces Jeff Blashill, who left after one season to become an assistant coach with the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings. The hiring of Murray, who has 20 years of coaching experience in the NHL, comes as the … Read more
CCHA set for ‘exploratory’ Tuesday meeting with 4 Atlantic Hockey teams
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
WCHA set to add Northern Michigan as sixth member for 2013-14
The WCHA is on the verge of adding Northern Michigan to its lineup for the 2013-14 season. Formal approval of the Wildcats’ application for membership will happen next week, the league announced in a statement Friday afternoon. Administrators from the five schools that will remain from the current-day WCHA after formation of the Big Ten … Read more
CCHA intends to remain viable, commissioner says, but has to let events unfold
New commissioner Fred Pletsch says his first priority is “to maintain the solvency of the CCHA brand, which has been around for 40 years.” Paula C. Weston reports.
Commentary: After new conference announcement, what comes next?
They are calling it the “super conference.” Personally, I’ll hold judgment on just how super the new conference featuring North Dakota, Denver, Colorado College, Nebraska-Omaha, Miami and Minnesota-Duluth will be. Notre Dame and another school — quite possibly Western Michigan — might also become members. So you won’t hear that term for the remainder of … Read more