There is something about Jim Roque that is quintessentially endearing. “I’ve only got 25 guys this year. Last year we carried 29,” said Roque. “I couldn’t, in my heart, cut anyone who wanted to put in the time — there’s no way.” Ah. That’s it. ROQUE Last year, Roque replaced Frank Anzalone as Laker head … Read more
This is an exciting time for Wildcat head coach Walt Kyle. Don’t take my word for it. “As all these guys are, we’re very excited about the start of our year,” said the man himself at Media Day. These are certainly interesting times for Kyle and his staff, entering their fifth season at the helm … Read more
The Bemidji State Beavers are going for a three-peat this season. Calculating their additions and deletions, BSU essentially has the same team of a year ago. Essentially. The Beavers won the CHA’s postseason tournament in 2005 in their home state of Minnesota, and last year in Detroit. Each year, a different goalie was in net … Read more
Willie Mitchell, a 1993 graduate of the University of Western Ontario and a former associate head coach at Wayne State has been named an assistant coach for the Vermont men’s hockey team. Head coach Kevin Sneddon made the announcement today. “I feel very fortunate to be adding another great coach to our program,” Sneddon said. … Read more
Minnesota State’s Kyle Peto, the team’s top-scoring defenseman a year ago, has opted to forego his final year of collegiate eligibility to sign with a European professional team. The Mankato (Minn.) Free Press reported Peto’s departure, with Mavericks head coach Troy Jutting confirming that Peto had signed a contract with a team in the Finnish … Read more
Bemidji State announced the hiring of Steve Sertich as the fourth head women’s ice hockey coach in the eight-year history of the BSU program. “Steve comes from a long line of successful hockey,” Director of Athletics Dr. Steve Goeb said. “He was an Olympian and was an enormous talent as a player. He’s reached that … Read more
Danton Cole has been named assistant hockey coach at Bowling Green State University, BGSU head coach Scott Paluch has announced. Cole replaces Jamie Dumont, who was named associate head coach of the Junior Pirates’ AJHL team. “I couldn’t be more excited about joining Scott and Ron at Bowling Green,” said Cole. “It is a great … Read more
According to a report in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, six former or current Minnesota State Mavericks are currently under investigation for sexual assault after an incident that happened in late February. A young woman stated in a search warrant affadavit that on the night of February 21, she said that a hockey player and another … Read more
One year ago, Bemidji State came within an eyeblink of a colossal upset. With Wisconsin in the Beavers’ sights, Dave Starman asks if this is the year.
Questions Unanswered A few weeks ago, I filed what I expected to me be my last column for 2005-6. I already said my thank you and farewells. However, two key items have developed since then which I felt was necessary to talk about now instead of waiting six months. Unfortunately, there are two questions that … Read more
The St. Louis Blues haved signed Minnesota State junior forward David Backes to a National Hockey League contract beginning for the 2006-07 season. Backes will join the Peoria Rivermen, the Blues’ affiliate in the American Hockey League, for the remainder of the season as an amateur tryout. Financial terms of the deal were not announced. … Read more
First Round, First Times It’s been three years since Wisconsin-Superior has played in the NCAA Tournament. It’s the first time St. Olaf has ever played in the NCAA Tournament. Fittingly, those two teams will square off in the first round of the 2006 NCAA Tournament. The Yellowjackets stunned St. Norbert in the NCHA Playoffs to … Read more
NCAA Tournament Bids on the Line March Madness is upon us. No, not the men’s basketball NCAA Tournament, but the MIAC and NCHA championship games. If anyone from the MIAC wants to be playing in the NCAA Tournament, they will have to win the conference tournament. It doesn’t look as if any team has played … Read more
All Rookie Team and Defensive Awards For years, the SUNYAC has issued first and second All SUNYAC teams as well as Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and Coach of the Year awards. After a suggestion from the coaches, it was felt that there was also a need to name an All Rookie … Read more
Northern Michigan University will host the Wisconsin Badgers for a two-game series on Oct. 6-7 at the Resch Center in Green Bay, Wis. Tickets for Northern Michigan fans will go on sale Monday, NMU athletic director Ken Godfrey said, if the system can be finalized by TicketStar in Green Bay. Tickets will be $15 for … Read more
The Cat Can’t Catch The Bird The Buffalo State Bengals great turnaround season came to an end as they were not able to keep up with the Plattsburgh Cardinals. The first game was as most expected, a tight, hard fought contest with the teams trading goals all the way till the third period. Ben Kemp … Read more
It’s Decided … For Now One of the wildest seasons in SUNYAC history is finally decided, with some positions coming right down to overtime. When all was said and done, the top four were just like last year with Oswego taking the regular season title followed by Geneseo, Fredonia, and Plattsburgh. The Lakers didn’t make … Read more
A Grand Farewell What better way for Oswego to say goodbye to the Romney Field House than with an emotional roller coaster shootout 7-6 victory over archrival Plattsburgh and then blowing out Potsdam, 9-3, to wrap up the sold out weekend. However, it wasn’t easy. Despite the bravado Oswego coach Ed Gosek put on during … Read more
Crank Up The Stress “For all the coaches, I’m sure it’s stressful,” Plattsburgh coach Bob Emery said. I have always written that I believe the SUNYAC playoff system is the best in all of college hockey because it allows for every team-no matter what position they are in-to fight for a spot in the standings … Read more
Bizarro World Last week I mentioned there was perfect symmetry for the start of the second half of conference play as the travel partners squared off coincidentally giving us the match ups of 1st vs. 8th, 2nd vs. 7th, and so on. With that symmetry, one would have expected some of the outcomes to be … Read more