2004-05 ECAC Season Preview

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

2004-05 Vermont Season Preview

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

2004-05 Rensselaer Season Preview

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

ECAC Signs TV Deal

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

Two Dartmouth Players Lead ECAC Teams

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, Cornell Split ECAC Vote

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

Belmonte Resigns as Union AD

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

Quinnipiac Officially Admitted to ECAC

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

ECAC Names New Supervisor of Officials

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

ECAC to Take Quinnipiac?

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

Holy Cross, Quinnipiac Remain in ECAC Hunt

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.

ECAC Seeking New Supervisor of Officials

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

Ted Donato: Through The Years

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

Donato Takes Over At Harvard

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 In Final Stages on Possible Expansion

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

Leaman Confirms He’ll Remain At Union

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

Harvard Zeroes In on Donato

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

Exclusive: USCHO Goes In-Depth With Mark Mazzoleni

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

A Who’s Who, Day 2

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