Past predictors The 2010-11 season ended in an uncharacteristic way for Northern Michigan — in Marquette, after losing two of three to Bowling Green in the first round of the CCHA playoffs. It was just the second time in nine years under coach Walt Kyle that NMU had failed to advance to the CCHA championship … Read more
Bowling Green has accepted the WCHA’s offer of membership for the 2013-14 season, the school announced Tuesday. The school was one of five from the CCHA given an invitation in August to join the WCHA, which is set to lose eight of its current 12 teams when conferences realign in the 2013 offseason. Alaska, Ferris … Read more
If you’re of the mind-set that a college hockey team goes only as far as its goaltender takes it, a few schools have a pretty good outlook at the dawn of the 2011-12 season. Here’s a look at some choices for the top 10 goaltenders in college hockey: No. 10: Sam Brittain, Denver Heading into … Read more
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
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
Former Lake Superior State forward and volunteer coach Doug Laprade will return to the program in 2011-2012 as the Lakers’ new assistant coach. Laprade played for the Lakers from 1987-1991, winning a national championship in 1988 and then becoming a volunteer assistant from 1991-93. “I’m thrilled to be back and coach the team I played … Read more
Denver assistant coach Derek Lalonde has been named the new head coach and general manager of the USHL’s Green Bay Gamblers. Lalonde spent the past five seasons at DU and prior to that was an assistant at Ferris State for four years. “I couldn’t be more excited to be coming to the Green Bay Gamblers,” … Read more
Bowling Green forward Jordan Samuels-Thomas will be transferring to Quinnipiac for the 2012-2013 season, according to Chris Heisbenberg’s NCAA recruiting database. It was announced in April that Samuels-Thomas would not be returning to the Falcons this fall. Samuels-Thomas, a seventh round draft pick of the Atlanta Thrashers in 2009, was Bowling Green’s leading scorer in … Read more
The WCHA announced Wednesday that former conference member Northern Michigan will be re-joining the league starting with the 2013-14 season after being approved for membership in a conference call of league members held earlier today. The Wildcats, who won the Division I national championship in 1991 while a member of the WCHA, were part of … Read more
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
Northern Michigan’s Board of Trustees unanimously approved a proposal for the school’s hockey team to pursue a spot in the WCHA. The vote, as reported by Mining Journal reporter Matt Wellens via Twitter, comes a day ahead of a WCHA meeting in St. Paul, Minn., where adding an additional member is expected to be considered. … Read more
After four seasons as an assistant coach at Lake Superior State, Rich Metro is returning to professional hockey and the team that won two French elite league titles during his six seasons of playing overseas. Metro has been named head coach and general manager of Villard de Lans of League Magnus. “I’m honored that they … Read more
Michigan Tech announced Thursday the addition of Bill Muckalt to the coaching staff as an assistant coach. “I had the opportunity to recruit and coach Bill (at Michigan from 1994-98) and he was an outstanding player,” said MTU head coach Mel Pearson in a press release. “He has a great work ethic and tremendous passion … Read more
The new Huskies coach is a program alum, having been recruited by John MacInnes. Daver Karnosky reports.
Mel Pearson, who spent the last 23 years as an assistant coach at Michigan, is about to lead a team on his own. Pearson has been named head coach at Michigan Tech, his alma mater, the school announced Friday. He will be introduced in a Houghton, Mich., news conference Tuesday. “I’m very excited and grateful … Read more
Alaska-Anchorage assistant coach Ryan McKelvie has been named the head coach at Lake Forest. He replaces Seamus Gregory, who was the interim head coach in 2010-11 after the retirement of longtime coach Tony Fritz. McKelvie, a former Minnesota State player, was the associate head coach of the Wenatchee Wild of the NAHL from 2008 to … Read more
Michigan and Boston College each placed three players on the All-USCHO teams, while Denver, North Dakota, and Wisconsin each placed two players. Leading the way on the first team was the Hobey hat trick of Miami’s Andy Miele (USCHO’s player of the year and the Hobey Baker Award winner), North Dakota’s Matt Frattin, and Boston … Read more
Killing a five-on-three power play at the start of the third period gave the Pioneers the momentum.
Shea Walters’ overtime goal for the Beavers on Thursday was his first score of the season.
Michigan Tech announced Wednesday that head coach Jamie Russell has resigned his position after eight seasons behind the Huskies’ bench. “Jamie is a person of great integrity, and he has worked hard to fulfill the mission of our athletic department and university,” said Michigan Tech AD Suzanne Sanregret in a statement. “We wish him all … Read more