It takes three facts to make a truth. — Eugene Manlove Rhodes. One. The Northern Michigan Wildcats return one of the toughest defenses in college hockey. Two. The Wildcats were collectively born under a star lucky enough to award Andrew Contois, their 2004-05 leading goal scorer, a fifth year of NCAA eligibility. Three. NMU’s cluster … Read more
The only true knowledge of things is the knowledge of their causes. — Archbishop Leighton All those who think that Michigan State will emerge a top-tier CCHA team this season, say, “Aye!” Come on. A little enthusiasm here. “I feel good about our hockey team,” says head coach Rick Comley. That’s a big statement from … Read more
History repeats itself because no one was listening the first time. — Anonymous Have you heard the one about the team that can score from nearly anywhere on the ice but allows goals from nearly anywhere as well? Of course you have. It’s the recent history of the Western Michigan Broncos. Anyone following Bronco hockey … Read more
History is not melodrama, even if it usually reads like that. — Robert Penn Warren Ah, Frank. Why did you have to go? We hardly knew ye. So it took a few years for CCHA fans to adjust to the unique coaching and public speaking style of Frank Anzalone. It certainly took this writer more … Read more
We cannot escape history. — Abraham Lincoln Talk about a change in the wind. Michigan captured just one first-place vote in this year’s CCHA preseason coaches’ poll, presumably only because Ohio State head coach John Markell couldn’t vote for his own team to give the Buckeyes the unanimous nod. Sure, OSU returns a killer team … Read more
Seven schools are represented on the second annual CCHA Preseason All-Conference Teams, selected in balloting by league coaches and media and announced Wednesday by the league. Ohio State, led by 2005 CCHA All-Conference Second Team selection Rod Pelley, a senior forward, and senior goaltender Dave Caruso, had four of its players selected. Pelley and Caruso … Read more
Ohio State, which finished second last season in the CCHA regular-season standings and at the Super Six championship, has been anointed as the conference favorite this season. On Tuesday, the league announced that OSU earned the maximum possible 11 first-place votes in the coaches poll (coaches may not vote for their own teams), and also … Read more
After four years of the “Super Six,” the CCHA announced Wednesday that it will return to a four-team format for its 2006 postseason championship, which will be the 25th time the league has held its tournament championship at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit. The change restores the system used in 18 of the 24 years … Read more
Mike Brown of Michigan has decided to give up the remaining two years of his collegiate eligibility to sign with the Vancouver Canucks. “I thought it was my opportunity and the right time for me to have the chance to go, Brown told Antoine Pitts of the Ann Arbor News. “I just want to show … Read more
Andrew Contois, whose collegiate eligibility at Northern Michigan had apparently been exhausted earlier this year, has been granted a final year after a review of the school’s appeal by the NCAA. Contois began his collegiate career at Lake Superior State before transferring to NMU during his freshman year. Previously, the NCAA had counted his time … Read more
Wisconsin has hired Kevin Patrick as an assistant coach. Patrick will assume his duties beginning Aug. 23. Patrick leaves Bowling Green and replaces Troy Ward on the Badger staff under Mike Eaves. “It is a great opportunity to work with the University of Wisconsin hockey program and its history and tradition,” said Patrick. “I am … Read more
Nebraska-Omaha goaltender Chris Holt has decided to forego his junior year of eligibility with the Mavericks to sign a professional contract with the New York Rangers. “We are very excited for Chris,” UNO head coach Mike Kemp said. “Having guys like Chris Holt mature and develop in our program is very gratifying. We wish him … Read more
Jeff Tambellini will give up his senior season at Michigan to sign a professional contract with the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings. “It’s a sad part of the game when money takes over and diverts top players before they can finish school,” said coach Red Berenson. “It has been Jeff Tambellini’s dream to play at the … Read more
Jonathan Sigalet agreed to terms on a contract with the Boston Bruins over the weekend, foregoing his final two years of college eligibility at Bowling Green. Jonathan will join his brother Jordan, who was a senior, in the Bruins organization, who signed a contract with Boston back on Aug. 5. Sigalet was selected in the … Read more
Manon Rheaume has joined the CCHA staff as the Director of Sales and Marketing. “Manon’s sales and marketing experience, unique background in hockey and her passion for the sport are all attributes that will benefit the conference in our ongoing efforts to attract corporate partners and demonstrate to them the tremendous potential of college hockey,” … Read more
The return of the National Hockey League cost Michigan its number-one goaltender Wednesday, as senior-to-be Al Montoya opted to leave school and sign a contract with the New York Rangers. “Al is one of the top goaltending prospects in hockey and we are extremely pleased to have signed him,” said Rangers general manager Glen Sather. … Read more
John Olver has joined the Northern Michigan Wildcat staff as an assistant coach, replacing Dave Shyiak, who left to be the head coach at Alaska-Anchorage. For the past five years (2000-05), Olver was the vice president of hockey operations and head coach of the Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL. His team won the 2004 Kelly … Read more
The Johnstown Chiefs (ECHL) named Frank Anzalone as its new Head Coach. Anzalone becomes the sixth Head Coach in team history. Anzalone, 51, comes to the Chiefs after spending the last four seasons with the Lake Superior Lakers, his second head coaching stint with the school. Anzalone, a Brooklyn N.Y. native, is no stranger to … Read more
Four, not three, bidding committees came away happy when the NCAA Ice Hockey Committee announced the awarding of Frozen Four bids. Washington, D.C., Detroit, St. Paul and Tampa all came away happy, as they were awarded the Frozen Fours between 2009-2012. Washington, D.C., is hosting its first Frozen Four, and got it on its first … Read more
USCHO has confirmed that four cities will be awarded the Frozen Four in an announcement scheduled for this afternoon. Washington, D.C., Detroit, St. Paul and Tampa will be awarded the Frozen Four for the years 2009-2012. The NCAA Ice Hockey Committee was to have only awarded 2009-2011, but decided to add 2012 in this year’s … Read more