In all seriousness, Michigan’s loss is the CCHA’s loss. When a player the caliber of Mike Cammalleri leaves a program early, the entire league feels the absence. Yes, some folks may be happy about the departures of Cammalleri, Mike Komisarek and Michigan State’s Ryan Miller, thinking that this somehow levels the playing field for the … Read more
No one is looking forward to the start of the 2002-03 season more than Mike Kemp. When the season begins, after all, the offseason is officially over. “It’s been an interesting summer for us in Omaha,” said Kemp. “We started out the summer with seven surgeries — four knees, three shoulders — added two new … Read more
The Western Michigan Broncos continue to be a league enigma. During the 2001-02 season, Lawson Arena was one of the fiercest places to play in the CCHA, and the Broncos defeated six nationally ranked teams at home last year. But early in January, WMU was swept by Ohio State at home — and then the … Read more
Rick Comley is gone, but Walt Kyle has returned. And make no mistake about it: Northern Michigan is still the hardest-working team in college hockey. One-Step Success How do you replace the man who built your hockey program from scratch, the only coach in the team’s 29-year history? Well, you don’t. You can’t. But you … Read more
Columbus, Ohio, may be in for a treat this fall. There just may be a team — or two — playing good hockey in Cow-lumbus. Heresy, you say? Blasphemy, you cry? No, really, it could happen. Honest. In the CCHA’s only NHL-Division I college hockey city, both the Blue Jackets and the Buckeyes could be … Read more
Here’s a riddle for you. What happens when the winningest coach in college hockey history steps aside, and you lose the best goaltender the CCHA has ever seen? Why, continued success, of course — if the new head coach has a track record like Rick Comley’s. Denial: Not Just A River In Egypt If you’re … Read more
Thanks to key losses — some expected, others not so much — some are expecting Michigan and Michigan State to retreat, making the CCHA a free-for-all. Not so fast, says Paula C. Weston, who runs down the year that will be in her 2002-03 season preview.
What do you do when your team perennially underperforms while your fanbase grows increasingly restless? Hire a dynamic alumnus of your program who, as an assistant coach with another successful program, made four straight trips to the Frozen Four which culminated in a national championship. Good work, Bowling Green. Very good indeed. A former All-American … Read more
There is nothing like a little recognition to make you feel good. So for that, my sincere thanks to Guy Gadowsky. “This is the first time ever that UAF has not been picked by the media to finish dead-last,” said Gadowsky at CCHA media day. “So with the exception of Paula Weston and Eric Olsen, … Read more
In Oxford, Ohio, the first RedHawk (nee Redskin) alumnus to return as head coach is preaching a sermon he’s justifiably perfected during his brief tenure. “I think for us consistency has got to be number one,” said Enrico Blasi. “In this league, you can’t go three to four games without winning. It just puts you … Read more
As the 2002-03 season begins, there are two things you should know about Laker hockey: Frank Anzalone is in charge, and Matt Violin is for real. When Anzalone returned to Lake State, several players found the atmosphere suddenly inhospitable — which was just fine with Anzalone, who did some housecleaning of his own. “I think … Read more
At a school where Touchdown Jesus shines His blessings upon the football faithful, it’s time Notre Dame hockey fans were rewarded for their loyalty as well. And after years of saying that the Irish hockey program is on the verge of arriving, the Notre Dame coaching staff may just be telling the truth this season. … Read more
Notre Dame has moved the second game of a two-game weekend series with Yale to Allstate Arena in suburban Chicago. The game, to be played Saturday, Jan. 18 at 7:05 (CT), will be the Irish’s first game in Chicago since 1995-96. The game scheduled for Friday, Jan. 17 between Notre Dame and Yale will remain … Read more
Michigan, the reigning regular-season and conference tournament champions, received top billing from both the coaches and media, it was announced at the 2002-03 CCHA Media Day.
Ryan Miller, one of just two goalies ever to win the Hobey Baker Award, will forgo his senior season at Michigan State after agreeing to a two-year contract with the Buffalo Sabres on Monday.
Ryan Miller is ready to forego his senior year to sign with the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres.
Michigan coach Red Berenson is college hockey’s most outspoken critic about players leaving school early. Now two more of his players have done just that.
Michigan forward Mike Cammalleri has agreed to terms with the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings, foregoing his senior year with the Wolverines. “Michael was generally regarded as the best player in college hockey this past season,” said Kings general manager Dave Taylor. “He is a highly skilled, intelligent player who has excelled at all levels of … Read more
Michigan sophomore defenseman Mike Komisarek has decided to sign a pro contract with the NHL’s Montreal Canadiens, passing up his final two seasons of collegiate eligibility. “We’re very disappointed to have Komisarek leave the team at this time,” said Wolverine coach Red Berenson of the 6-foot-4, 242-pound blueliner. “He has had two solid years at … Read more
It’s been said that championships are won in the offseason. If Michigan teammates Mike Cammalleri and Mike Komisarek decide to stay on campus this summer, the Wolverines could prove that next April. While the Los Angeles Kings, who drafted Cammalleri in the second round of last June’s NHL Entry Draft, are content to leave the … Read more