After years of pleading and more than just a few rants from fans and media alike — not to mention players, coaches and administrators — a new ECAC was born during the offseason. Say hello to the ECAC Hockey League (ECACHL). Finally, at long last, we have a conference that is focused on hockey. The … Read more
So, yes, this is UVM’s final season as a member of the only Division I conference it has ever known. Not that the Catamounts are giving it much thought. “We’re really not concerned,” said head coach Kevin Sneddon, “about this being our last year. We are trying to make big strides with our program regardless … Read more
In a season when Rensselaer was expected to make very little noise, it did just the opposite en route to posting 22 victories in 2003-04. Regular-season champ Colgate was the only other ECAC team to break the 20-win plateau. “It was really the year prior to last where we got most of our experience,” explained … Read more
The ECAC and CSTV (College Sports Television) have come to terms on a multi-year television deal, it was announced today at the league’s annual media day. The agreement allows for a number of ECAC Hockey League games to be broadcast throughout the season as well as the tournament championship game in March. “The ECAC Hockey … Read more
The ECAC announced the selections for this year’s preseason all-league teams as chosen by the 12 head coaches and members of the media. Four of the six were on both lists. The ECAC coaches selected forwards Tom Cavanagh (Harvard), Jon Smyth (Colgate) and Lee Stempniak (Dartmouth), defensemen Grant Lewis (Dartmouth) and Noah Welch (Harvard), and … Read more
Dartmouth, with three players on the all-ECAC media preseason team, was tabbed to come in first place by the media in the league’s preseason poll, announced at its Media Day on Tuesday. Cornell, a second-place finisher last season and Frozen Four team in 2003, was tabbed for first place in the coaches poll. Dartmouth and … Read more
Dartmouth forward Hugh Jessiman has decided to return to the Big Green for his junior season, passing up the opportunity to sign with the New York Rangers.
Union athletic director Val Belmonte is resigning to take a position with U.S. Figure Skating in Colorado Springs. The job begins Oct. 1. No replacement has been named. “I am extremely excited for October 1 to arrive,” Belmonte said. “The opportunity to lead one of the premier sport organizations in the world is remarkable — … Read more
Officially ending a four-month process, the ECAC announced today it is adding Quinnipiac to its membership, effective 2005-06. The announcement was officially made today at a news conference on Quinnipiac’s campus. Quinnipiac will be replacing Vermont, which last winter announced its intentions to leave the ECAC for Hockey East following the upcoming season. The ECAC … Read more
L. Butch Bellemore has been named ECAC Men’s Hockey League Supervisor of Officials. Bellemore, a long-time ECAC Officials Observer, begins his duties as Supervisor of Officials immediately. “I am extremely pleased that Butch has agreed to assume the role of men’s league supervisor,” said ECAC commissioner Steve Hagwell. “His strong leadership qualities, professionalism, commitment to … Read more
The ECAC appears to have all but finalized a decision regarding the league’s membership. USCHO has confirmed that Quinnipiac has been recommended for admission, and will get the spot, pending imminent approval by the ECAC’s Policy Committee. However, according to sources, Holy Cross, despite some support among ECAC ADs, is out of contention because it … Read more
The ECAC is down to Quinnipiac and Holy Cross for its choice of new membership to the league. Either, both or neither of the two schools will be chosen, as the ECAC’s Policy Committee makes its final considerations.
The ECAC has not renewed the contract of former Geneseo coach Paul Duffy as Supervisor of Officials, and is actively, and aggressively, seeking a new person to fill the role. “It was a very tough decision,” said ECAC commissioner Steve Hagwell. “Coming out of [the coaches convention in] Naples, I was charged with overseeing personnel … Read more
April 28, 1969 — Edward Paul Donato is born. March 16, 1986 — Donato wins his first Massachusetts high school state championship at powerhouse Catholic Memorial, when his double overtime shot is tipped in by Ed McElaney for a 5-4 win over Medford. He earns Boston Globe Division I Player of the Year honors. March … Read more
Harvard, a school steeped in more tradition than perhaps any in the land, dipped into its illustrious past to announce Ted Donato as the 11th coach of the men’s hockey team. Donato, a former Boston Bruin and the MVP of the 1989 Frozen Four — Harvard’s only national championship season — took the podium at … Read more
ECAC athletic directors and administrators will meet via conference call Tuesday, July 6 to discuss the final decisions on how many schools, if any, will be admitted to the league. If all goes well, an announcement could be made by the end of that week. “We’ve had some very good discussions following our site visits,” … Read more
Nate Leaman, who last week indicated he would remain at Union despite being regarded as a possible candidate for the vacant Harvard head coaching position, confirmed his position Wednesday in a release issued by the school. “I was flattered to be mentioned among several fine candidates for the open head coaching position at Harvard,” said … Read more
Ron Rolston, assistant coach at Boston College and former assistant at Harvard, is no longer a candidate for Harvard’s top job, according to sources close to the situation. That paves the way for Harvard to name former captain Ted Donato its new coach; an announcement is expected shortly. Six candidates were interviewed for the open … Read more
On June 16, Mark Mazzoleni returned to his hometown of Green Bay, Wis., when he resigned from his position as head coach of the Harvard Crimson to become head coach and general manager of the Green Bay Gamblers of the United States Hockey League. In a close-knit community such as college hockey, any event like … Read more
Day 2 of the draft saw some more interesting names come through the draft board. Following up the selection of Chris Bourque from Day 1, two more sons of ex-NHLers were selected on Day 2. One was Providence-bound Trevor Ludwig, son of long-time NHL defenseman Craig Ludwig, by the Dallas Stars. The other was … … Read more