Men’s D-I in general
Brion O’Connor, Hockey East’s director of public relations for the past year, will step down from the post effective Sept. 4 to resume his freelance writing career and to spend more time with his young family. “In many aspects, the post at Hockey East was my dream job,” said O’Connor after submitting his formal resignation … Read more
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute announced Tuesday that athletic director Ken Ralph will resign from the post he has held since 2002 in order to accept the position of athletic director at Colorado College. The decision is effective Aug. 16, at which point Rensselaer sports information director Kevin Beattie will assume Ralph’s duties as acting athletic director … Read more
Quinnipiac announced Monday that head men’s ice hockey coach Rand Pecknold has signed a two-year contract extension that will run through the 2011-12 season. PECKNOLD “I am very pleased that Rand Pecknold will continue to serve as our head men’s ice hockey coach,” director of athletics and recreation Jack McDonald said. “He continues to elevate … Read more
It appears that Blaise MacDonald will keep his job as head coach at Mass.-Lowell after a recent arrest for operating under the influence led to an indefinite suspension without pay. According to a statement issued by University athletic director Dana Skinner on Tuesday, MacDonald will be reinstated on Monday, July 23, based on an agreement … Read more
Golden Gopher defenseman Alex Goligoski has decided to forgo his final year of eligibility and has signed a professional contract with the NHL Pittsburgh Penguins. Published reports said that Goligoski has signed a two-year deal, paying $500,000 this season and $600,000 in 2008-09. Alex Goligoski is the second Gopher blueliner to turn pro this offseason … Read more
The Ottawa Senators snagged two underclassmen from the college ranks this week in Michigan State junior Jim McKenzie and 2005 first-round pick Brian Lee out of North Dakota. Lee, a sophomore defenseman, went ninth overall in 2005 and the native of Fargo, N.D., also set career highs in assists (24), points (26) and penalty minutes … Read more
ECAC Hockey announced today the appointment of Ed Krajewski as Assistant Commissioner. Krajewski, a resident of Cohoes, New York, will begin his duties July 10. He replaces Laura Stange, who served three years as Assistant Commissioner. “I am excited that Ed is joining the ECAC Hockey staff,” said Commissioner Steve Hagwell. “Ed’s previous experience in … Read more
Northern Michigan forward Mike Santorelli has signed with the Nashville Predators, and will forgo his senior season with the Wildcats. Santorelli completed his junior season at Northern Michigan in 2006-07, earning a spot on the 2006-07 All-American West Second Team and the All-CCHA First Team. The Vancouver native led the conference in goals (30) and … Read more
Boston College goaltender Cory Schneider announced today that he will forego his senior season with the Eagles to sign with the Vancouver Canucks, according to BC head coach Jerry York. Cory Schneider backstopped Boston College in two consecutive championship losses, but will forgo another try (photo: Melissa Wade.) Schneider, a first-round draft choice of the … Read more
The University of Massachusetts Lowell has suspended men’s hockey coach Blaise MacDonald indefinitely. MacDONALD Published reports said that MacDonald was arrested Friday night by Chelmsford, Mass., police on drunken driving charges and held until Saturday evening, when he was released on his own recognizance. He was arraigned Monday morning. According to the Lowell Sun, MacDonald … Read more
The Yale Corporation has approved a $23.5 million renovation of the historic David S. Ingalls Rink. The project will include the addition of approximately 13,000 square feet of varsity operational space as well as a complete renovation of the current facility. The expanded and enhanced home of Yale hockey will include new men’s and women’s … Read more
The second and final day of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft picked up where Friday left off, with collegiate players continuing to make headlines. A day after a record 11 players with collegiate ties were snatched up in the Draft’s first round, eight more college players became NHL property in Saturday’s second round. Tommy Cross, … Read more
College? Major juniors? European leagues? There are more plausible choices than ever, even for a Swiss prospect. Paula C. Weston reports.
Boston College recruit Tommy Cross’ weekend went from disappointment to elation very quickly Saturday, Jim Connelly finds.
Players Playing the Press After the history-making simulcast of Friday night’s first round, Saturday’s pickings felt a little bit like the day after Christmas — anticlimactic, but with many good deals left. Incoming Minnesota freshman forward Mike Hoeffel was ranked 22nd by the NHL’s Central Scouting Bureau, but became the property of the New Jersey … Read more
Friday was a great day for college hockey. It was equally as great a day, though, for the U.S.A. For the first time in the history of the NHL Entry Draft, two American-born players became the top two overall picks with major junior stud Patrick Kane being chosen No. 1 overall pick by the Chicago … Read more
A Very Popular Guy When John H. McConnell, majority owner of the host Columbus Blue Jackets, addressed the crowd remotely via the big screen in Nationwide Arena, the crowd responded in an unusual manner for Draft-goers: they gave McConnell a prolonged standing ovation. McConnell, a native of West Virginia who built his fortune in the … Read more
Though college hockey seems to present a more and more attractive route to the NHL, not everyone takes that path — even when legendary coach Scotty Bowman says so. Paula C. Weston reports.
Massachusetts-Lowell hockey can look to the future, after a Lowell city council vote all but ended the controversy that has bedeviled the program.
Within the next day or so, the lives of a number of young men will change significantly. Sure, the NHL Entry Draft sees nearly 200 players become “property” of one of the 30 NHL clubs, but the truth is that most of those players still have plenty to prove before they’ll skate in the show. … Read more