Air Force hockey graduate, Augustana assistant coach Demers, who portrayed ‘how to attack the opportunity to play the greatest sport on earth,’ loses cancer battle at 33

Augustana men’s hockey assistant coach Chad Demers passed away Oct. 3 after a long battle with cancer. He was 33. Demers is survived by his wife Danika and their three kids. “All of our love and support are with the Demers family at this time,” said Augustana head coach Garrett Raboin in a statement. “Chad … Read more

Northern Michigan adds Russell, Contois as assistant coaches to round out Shyiak’s staff for 2024-25 college hockey season

Northern Michigan has hired Ben Russell and Andy Contois as assistant coaches beginning with the 2024-25 season. Russell has spent the past few seasons with Cornell, which included one season as an assistant coach and two seasons as the director of hockey operations. “We are really excited about Ben joining our staff and community,” said … Read more

CCHA 2024-25 Men’s Hockey Season Preview: New-look conference looking at big picture with Augustana joining, St. Thomas leaving in 2026

A true season of transition for the CCHA is set to begin this month. The league has been active in the transfer portal in more ways than one this offseason. The league’s individual programs added players and coaches, yes, but the league itself is also set to have some big roster changes starting this year. … Read more

College Hockey Inc. hires former Colgate staffer Meriney as new director of men’s hockey athlete relations

College Hockey Inc. has announced that Chris Meriney has been named its director of men’s hockey athlete relations. He will officially begin his duties Oct. 1. Meriney will fill the position previously held by Sean Hogan, who was promoted to executive director in August. “Chris was impressive from our first conversations with him and throughout … Read more

CCHA announces ‘24-25 preseason all-conference team, player of the year, rookie of the year in votes from league coaches, media

The CCHA has announced the 2024-25 preseason all-CCHA team, player of the year and rookie of the year awards as voted on by the league’s coaches and media. 2024-25 Preseason Players of the Year (Coaches)  Isaac Gordon, Michigan Tech Connor Milburn, Lake Superior State Lucas Wahlin, St. Thomas 2024-25 Preseason Rookie of the Year (Coaches)  … Read more

St. Thomas sits atop 2024-25 CCHA coaches poll, while Tommies share top spot with Bemidji State in CCHA media poll

The CCHA’s 2024-25 coaches and media polls have been announced and St. Thomas has been picked to win the nine-team league by the coaches, while the media has a share of the MacNaughton Cup between the Tommies and defending champion Bemidji State. 2024-25 CCHA Preseason Coaches Poll St. Thomas – 73 (3 first-place votes) Bemidji … Read more

Former Minnesota State, Northern Michigan staffer, St. Thomas grad Synstegaard named CCHA, WCHA assistant commissioner of operations

The CCHA and WCHA announced today the hiring of Byron Synstegaard as assistant commissioner of operations. He joins the respective conference offices bringing six years of administrative experience in sport and event operations. “To borrow a hockey term, Byron’s hiring puts our staffing plan back at ‘full strength’ in the WCHA and CCHA,” said Minnesota … Read more

Bemidji State men’s hockey volunteer assistant, video coordinator Wegwerth tabbed new assistant coach with Beavers

Joe Wegwerth has been promoted to assistant coach with the Bemidji State men’s hockey team for the upcoming 2024-25 season. Wegwerth returns to the BSU staff after previously serving as a volunteer assistant and video coordinator with the program last season. A 2019 graduate of Notre Dame, Wegwerth was a two-time Hockey East academic team … Read more

CCHA assistant commissioner, former WCHA associate commissioner Thibodeau leaves post, takes junior hockey role as SIJHL commissioner

The Superior International Junior Hockey League has announced the hiring of its new commissioner, Dean Thibodeau. Thibodeau joins the league following his time as the assistant commissioner of the CCHA and the associate commissioner of hockey operations with the WCHA. “I appreciated the opportunity to continue my personal and professional growth with the new league … Read more

NCHC finalizes 2026-27 conference regular season, playoff format, announces only eight teams make playoffs in 2025, 2026

The NCHC has finalized the 10-team playoff model the conference will use starting in 2027 when St. Thomas begins NCHC play. The conference announced back in May that the Tommies will join the NCHC as its 10th team beginning with the 2026-27 season. All 10 teams will make the NCHC tournament when St. Thomas becomes an official … Read more

Ferris State, Lake Superior State to play first-ever college hockey game in Traverse City, Mich., in Nov. 2024

Ferris State and Lake Superior State will play in the “2024 Superior Ice Showdown: Traverse City Takeover” on Nov. 16 at Centre Ice Arena in Traverse City, Mich. Puck drop is set for 6:07 p.m. EDT. The historic event marks the first time college hockey has been played in Traverse City. “We’re thrilled to bring … Read more

Augustana to join CCHA year early in 2024-25 as league will adjust standings, have eight of nine teams qualify for conference playoffs

The CCHA announced today that Augustana will join the conference as a full member starting in the 2024-25 season, one year ahead of schedule, as recommended by the league’s management council and voted on by the board of directors. The conference’s Mason Cup playoffs will continue to include eight teams, meaning the ninth-place finisher during the … Read more

Veteran college hockey coach Shyiak returns to Northern Michigan as Wildcats’ new head coach

Former Northern Michigan hockey player Dave Shyiak has been named his alma mater’s fourth head hockey coach. Shyiak takes over for Grant Potulny, who stepped down earlier this month. “I’m thrilled that Dave Shyiak will be returning to campus to lead our hockey program,” Northern Michigan AD Rick Comley said in a statement. “Dave was … Read more

Dartmouth names former Northern Michigan assistant Pool to same role with Big Green men’s hockey team

Dartmouth has announced the hiring of Byron Pool as a new assistant coach for the men’s hockey team. “I would like to welcome Byron and Kay Pool along with their two children, Harper and Curran, to Dartmouth. Their family will be a tremendous addition to the Upper Valley,” said Dartmouth head coach Reid Cashman in a statement. “Byron … Read more