Men’s D-I in general
It’s typical that the day before the Frozen Four starts, most of the players and coaches are still pretty loose, pretty relaxed, having a lot of fun. Mike Eaves oversees the Badgers’ Wednesday skate at the Bradley Center (photo: Melissa Wade). According to Wisconsin captain Adam Burish, that enjoyment is something that was part of … Read more
No one in the Maine camp is unaware of the task that lies ahead as the Black Bears face off against Wisconsin on what will feel like enemy ice. Maine, though, is no stranger to playing big games as a “road” team on allegedly “neutral” ice. In fact, this is the fifth year in a … Read more
The Minnesota Golden Gophers’ 2006-07 prospects sustained another blow Wednesday with the departure of junior forward Danny Irmen, who renounced his final year of college eligibility to move into the professional ranks. Irmen, a native of Fargo, N.D., signed a contract with the NHL’s Minnesota Wild, team president and general manager Doug Risebrough announced. The … Read more
Appearances Can Be Misleading North Dakota is a team of seeming paradoxes. With more freshmen than any other team in the Frozen Four, the Sioux are the only team making a return appearance to try for the national title. And while there are 13 rookies on the Sioux squad, North Dakota faces the youngest team … Read more
On the eve of their NCAA semifinal contest with North Dakota, the Boston College Eagles are looking to the time-honored trio of goaltending, special teams and intangibles to get them past North Dakota and into the championship game. Key Factor No. 1: Goaltending “You’re never here unless you have a hot goaltender,” BC coach Jerry … Read more
Denver defenseman Matt Carle heads up the 2005-06 Division I men’s All-USCHO awards, announced Monday. The junior, who led NCAA blueliners in scoring this season, is the recipient of USCHO.com national Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year honors. Denver defenseman Matt Carle is the USCHO.com Player of the Year (photo: Melissa … Read more
Last year when the Fighting Sioux returned to North Dakota after losing the NCAA championship game, assistant coach Cary Eades remarked, “We didn’t win a championship, but we won a lot of respect.” For the second straight year, the Sioux are back in the Frozen Four with their sights set firmly on winning an eighth … Read more
The big, punishing, veteran defensemen who carried North Dakota to the Frozen Four in 2005 are long gone. According to some, the group replacing them is less physical, more finesse-oriented and too inexperienced to replace what UND lost last season. So if that’s the case, why is this year’s Sioux team giving up the exact … Read more
Dave Hakstol had a tough act to follow at North Dakota, but Patrick C. Miller says the second-year head coach has succeeded.
With Atlantic Hockey still basking in the glory of Holy Cross’ first-round NCAA upset of Minnesota, the league and its member schools can feel the glow of even more sunshine. Mercyhurst would-be senior defenseman Jamie Hunt became the league’s first-ever early departure for the National Hockey League, signing a contract with the Washington Capitals, USCHO.com … Read more
Sophomore forward Pete MacArthur and a few of his Boston University men’s ice hockey teammates were skating Monday. But they weren’t thinking about the three championships they’d won this past season — the Beanpot, Hockey East regular-season and Hockey East Tournament titles. They weren’t thinking about their 11-game win streak that spanned most of January … Read more
Wisconsin vs. Maine Thursday, 7 p.m. CT, Bradley Center, Milwaukee, Wis. For one team in the second semifinal Thursday in Milwaukee, it’s a chance to reclaim past glories. For the other, it’s a familiar experience. Wisconsin’s season can be parsed neatly into three pieces: an incredible run to the top of the polls, followed by … Read more
Boston College vs. North Dakota Thursday, 2 p.m. CT, Bradley Center, Milwaukee, Wis. If the participants in the first semifinal Thursday in Milwaukee seem familiar, there’s a good reason. Boston College and North Dakota face off for the fifth time in eight years at the Bradley Center, and their contest will be a rematch of … Read more
College hockey’s legions descend upon Milwaukee this week for the Frozen Four. Not a moment too soon, Mike Volonnino has some suggestions on how to make the most of it.
CHA seniors are getting in on the pro act this season, with several signing minor-league deals. NHL-bound or not, Matt Mackinder says pro teams are taking notice.
When asked for a fitting epitaph for his team’s 2005-2006 season, Minnesota’s men’s hockey coach Don Lucia let out a long sigh. “Good question,” Lucia said. “I don’t know. I don’t think I could have one little phrase or one little thing that I can put on it.” When viewing the scope of the Gophers’ … Read more
TSN of Canada is reporting that Cornell junior goaltender David McKee has signed with the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, giving up his final year of collegiate eligibility. McKee had a 2.08 GAA and a .910 save percentage this season. This followed a year in which he was named to the Hobey Hat Trick, with a 1.24 … Read more
The roster for the 2006 NCAA Skills Challenge is now finalized. Below is the list of student-athletes that will be participating in the Challenge. The Challenge takes place at 8:00ET at the Bradley Center on Friday, April 7. It will be preceded by the Hobey Baker and Humanitarian Award ceremonies. Tickets to the event can … Read more
Daniel Winnik, a junior at New Hampshire, has decided to forgo his senior season and sign with the Phoenix Coyotes. Winnik was a ninth-round draft pick of the Coyotes in 2004, the 265th overall pick. “Daniel has developed into one of the top power forwards in the league,” said UNH coach Dick Umile. “We all … Read more
After two days off, the UW men’s hockey team met to practice Wednesday for the first time since its thrilling triple-overtime win against Cornell. No one was ready to say the team had fully recovered. “You can still tell that some of the guys are a little wiped,” head coach Mike Eaves said. “It’ll take … Read more