WCHA commissioner to meet with Alaska

A published report in the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner Monday states WCHA commissioner Bruce McLeod will visit Alaska Tuesday to potentially discuss the Nanooks joining the league for the 2013-2014 season. “I haven’t been up there for a long time … and I’m going to get a sense of the program commitment. They’ve been fairly aggressive … Read more

Commentary: After new conference announcement, what comes next?

They are calling it the “super conference.” Personally, I’ll hold judgment on just how super the new conference featuring North Dakota, Denver, Colorado College, Nebraska-Omaha, Miami and Minnesota-Duluth will be. Notre Dame and another school — quite possibly Western Michigan — might also become members. So you won’t hear that term for the remainder of … Read more

Alaska’s Carlson Center to get $3.5 million overhaul

The Carlson Center, home of the Alaska Nanooks, will undergo $3.5 million in renovations as part of the capital budget approved last week by Governor Sean Parnell. “The approval of the funding for the ‘CCRP2’ project is very exciting for the community of Fairbanks,” Alaska head coach Dallas Ferguson said in a statement. “The Carlson … Read more

Alaska gives Ferguson extension through 2016

Alaska head coach Dallas Ferguson has signed a contract extension to stay with the Nanooks’ program through 2016. “Over the past seven years, Dallas has provided Nanook hockey with integrity, stability and exceptional coaching,” said Alaska director of athletics Forrest Karr in a statement. “He has a unique ability to reach student-athletes. They respond in … Read more

Jindra named new assistant at Alaska-Anchorage

Former Notre Dame forward and volunteer assistant coach T.J. Jindra has been hired as the new assistant coach at Alaska-Anchorage. Jindra played for four seasons with the Irish from 2003-07 and served as a volunteer assistant last year. He also coached at Sahhtuck-St. Mary’s prep school. “We are excited for T.J. to join the coaching … Read more

Lake Forest hires McKelvie as coach

Alaska-Anchorage assistant coach Ryan McKelvie has been named the head coach at Lake Forest. He replaces Seamus Gregory, who was the interim head coach in 2010-11 after the retirement of longtime coach Tony Fritz. McKelvie, a former Minnesota State player, was the associate head coach of the Wenatchee Wild of the NAHL from 2008 to … Read more

Three returning nominees among record 25 up for Hockey Humanitarian Award

A record 25 players have been unveiled as the nominees for the 2011 BNY Mellon Wealth Management Hockey Humanitarian Award. The list includes returning nominees Sam Kuzyk of Adrian, Mario Mjelleli of Augsburg and Brigid O’Gorman of Connecticut College. Finalists will be announced in mid-February, with the award scheduled to be presented on Friday, April … Read more

UAH athletics director Harris passes away; Bell named interim director

Jim Harris, the athletics director at Alabama-Huntsville since 1995, suffered a heart attack and passed away Saturday night. Harris was 63. “Jim Harris was the consummate athletic director in that he always put the welfare of the student athlete first,” said UAH president Dr. David Williams. “Jim created a lot of success for our students … Read more

Minnesota-Duluth vaults to top of men’s poll

For the third time in as many weeks, there is a new No. 1-ranked team at the top of the USCHO.com Division I Men’s Poll as Minnesota-Duluth has taken over the top ranking. Last week’s top team, Boston University, drops to No. 2, the place Minnesota-Duluth was a week ago. Maine jumps two spots to … Read more