Massachusetts-Lowell turns on the jets, while New Hampshire and Boston University head in the opposite direction; meanwhile, Northeastern pulls off the upset of the season in Hockey East, and Massachusetts fights out of a slump. Dave Hendrickson reports.
With an announcement commissioner Joe Bertagna characterized as “probably one of the worst-kept secrets,” Hockey East officially welcomed the University of Vermont to the league Thursday. Both the Catamounts men’s and women’s hockey teams will begin play in the 2005-2006 season. The announcement was made three weeks to the day after Vermont got the ball … Read more
Hockey East athletic directors will discuss today (Tuesday) Vermont’s application to Hockey East. It is unknown at this time whether a formal vote will be taken yet, though it isn’t likely. Recently, HEA commissioner Joe Bertagna said Vermont would be allowed a chance to give a formal presentation, which hasn’t yet occurred. Last week, Vermont … Read more
A strong look at the legend of BU’s coach of 30 years, though more hockey context would have been nice.
Massachusetts sophomore forward Chris Capraro has temporarily left the team and his future is uncertain. Capraro did not play at the Sheraton/Banknorth Classic last weekend and won’t play against Massachusetts-Lowell this weekend. Details beyond that are still unclear. UMass coach Toot Cahoon hasn’t formally suspended Capraro and the coach has declined comment, but said Capraro’s … Read more
Dave Hendrickson takes a hard look at Hockey East’s performance in the holiday tourneys, stacks up the league in the newly-released PairWise Rankings, and addresses a question of geographic bias for good measure.
Boston University hockey coach Jack Parker, first on the all-time wins list among active coaches with 685 victories in 30-plus seasons, will be spotlighted by College Sports Television in its next installment of “Coach.” The new installment will air Friday, Jan. 2 at 7 p.m. (ET). CSTV began its Coach series earlier this year, beginning … Read more
The Great Lakes Invitational has compiled a fair amount of recognition in its 39 years, building the reputation of a tournament that players watch and yearn to play in. But for some, the International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship, taking place in Finland this year, presents an even better opportunity. Seven players from three … Read more
Mike Morris’ first half has been a microcosm of Northeastern’s. The first-round draftee has just one goal, but things are looking up on Huntington Ave.
Joe Exter never considered himself a big fan of Pittsburgh Penguins owner/player Mario Lemieux. But that may have changed last night. Less than 10 months after the former Merrimack captain suffered a near fatal head injury in the Hockey East playoffs, the 25-year-old goaltender signed his first professional contract last night to play for the … Read more
Connecticut Ice Arena, Storrs, Conn., Dec. 28-29 Air Force vs. Sacred Heart, 2 ET Sunday Bentley at Connecticut, 5:15 ET Sunday Consolation, 2 ET Monday Championship, 5:15 ET Monday Television: None. Air Force (7-8-1) Players to Watch: F Spanky Leonard, Sr. (6-9–15); G Mike Polidor, Sr. (6-7-1, 2.90, .893). Noteable: Air Force and Sacred Heart … Read more
Joe Louis Arena, Detroit, Dec. 27-28 Boston College vs. Michigan, 2:30 ET Saturday Michigan Tech vs. Michigan State, 6:05 ET Saturday Consolation, 12:35 ET Sunday Championship, 4:05 ET Sunday Television: All games on Fox Sports Detroit (DirecTV Ch. 636). Boston College Players to Watch: F Ben Eaves, Sr. (3-18–21); F Tony Voce, Sr. (14-6–20); G … Read more
Houston Fieldhouse, Troy, N.Y., Dec. 28-29 Northeastern vs. Colgate, 4 ET Sunday Mercyhurst at Rensselaer, 7 ET Sunday Consolation, 4 ET Monday Championship, 7 ET Monday Television: None. Colgate (7-6-2) Players to Watch: LW Jon Smyth, Soph. (11-7–18); C Kyle Wilson, Soph. (6-11–17); F Kyle Doyle, Sr. (8-8–16). Noteable: Jon Smyth, the team leader with … Read more
Dunkin’ Donuts Coffee Pot Dunkin’ Donuts Arena, Providence, R.I., Dec. 27-28 St. Cloud State vs. Harvard, 5 ET Saturday Providence vs. Clarkson, 8 ET Saturday Consolation, 5 ET Sunday Championship, 8 ET CT Sunday Television: Sunday’s games on local Providence cable, Cox-3. Clarkson (6-6-3) Jeff Genovy and Chris Blight lead the Golden Knights into the … Read more
TECO Arena, Estero, Fla., Dec. 27-28 Notre Dame vs. Cornell, 4:05 ET Saturday Ohio State vs. Maine, 7:05 ET Saturday Consolation, 1:05 ET Sunday Championship, 4:35 ET Sunday Television: CSTV (DirecTV Ch. 610), all games except the consolation. No. 15 Cornell (4-2-5) Players to Watch: F Matt Moulson, Soph. (7-11–18); F Ryan Vesce, Sr. (6-10–16); … Read more
Hockey East has long been dominated by a small circle of powerhouse programs — but there’s a team knocking on the door.
Kohl Center, Madison, Wis., Dec. 27-28 Massachusetts-Lowell vs. Ferris State, 4:30 p.m. CT Saturday Union vs. Wisconsin, 7:30 p.m. CT Saturday Consolation, 4:30 p.m. CT Sunday Championship, 7:30 p.m. CT Sunday Television: Both Wisconsin games will be televised on Fox Sports Wisconsin (DirecTV Ch. 642). Ferris State (6-8-2) Players to Watch: C Brett Smith, Sr. … Read more
Gutterson Fieldhouse, Burlington, Vt., Dec. 27-28 Massachusetts vs. Dartmouth, 4 ET Saturday Minnesota State at Vermont, 7 ET Saturday Minnesota State vs. Dartmouth, 4 ET Sunday Massachusetts at Vermont, 7 ET Sunday Television: None. No. 14 Dartmouth (4-2-4) Players to Watch: F Hugh Jessiman, Soph. (6-5–11); F Lee Stempniak, Jr. (7-2–9). Notable: This tournament switches … Read more
Mariucci Arena, Minneapolis, Dec. 20-21 New Hampshire vs. Miami, 4:05 CT Saturday Princeton at Minnesota, 7:05 CT Saturday New Hampshire/Miami vs. Princeton, 4:05 CT Sunday New Hampshire/Miami vs. Minnesota, 7:05 CT Sunday Television: Fox Sports Minnesota (DirecTV Ch. 641). Derek Edwardson, the nation’s leading scorer, brings first-place Miami to Minneapolis. No. 13 Miami (10-6-2) Players … Read more
The University of Vermont has written a letter of inquiry to Hockey East, looking to gain membership into the conference for men’s and women’s hockey. Vermont has been a member of the ECAC since upgrading the program to Division I almost 30 years ago. No timeline or format for discussions has been announced. Hockey East … Read more