Dave Starman analyzes the teams he’s seen in the first weeks of this college hockey season — New Hampshire, Miami, Bowling Green, Michigan, Maine, Michigan State, Ferris State, Notre Dame, Boston University and Wisconsin.
The first full weekend of the regular season provided enough to shake up the USCHO.com Division I Men’s Poll. Michigan moved up two spots to third, and Boston University entered the top 10 after each won a pair of games. The Wolverines swept a series at Bowling Green; the 10th-ranked Terriers won the Ice Breaker … Read more
“We’re coming off a second-place finish and a team that obviously did not perform well in the playoffs,” Michigan State coach Rick Comley said. “That was a disappointment.” That was an understatement. After a hugely disappointing, next-to-last-place finish in 2008-09, Michigan State rebounded last year, earning a bye for the first round of the CCHA … Read more
CCHA coaches and media don’t agree on the order, but they agree on this in preseason polls: Miami and Michigan should be the top two teams in the league this season. Michigan took the top spot in the coaches poll, while Miami led off the media poll. The Wolverines, who return 19 letterwinners from a … Read more
The apparent upcoming addition of Penn State to the Division I men’s picture could be a good thing for college hockey, but that would be if it joins the CCHA, Dave Starman writes.
Corey Tropp has signed with the Buffalo Sabres, forgoing his final season at Michigan State. Tropp, who led the Spartans with 20 goals and 42 points in 37 games last season, is the third player this offseason to leave the team with eligibility remaining. Jeff Petry and Andrew Rowe also signed pro contracts. Related link: … Read more
Damon Whitten will join Michigan Tech as an assistant coach following two years as the director of hockey operations at Michigan State, his alma mater. Whitten, a former assistant coach at Wayne State and Alaska-Anchorage, replaces Chris Tok, who became the head coach of the Austin (Minn.) Bruins of the NAHL. “I am excited to … Read more
Harold Paulsen, the first coach of a reborn Michigan State program in 1950, died Tuesday in Mankato, Minn., the Mankato Free Press reported. He was 91. Related link: Harold Paulsen coaching history Paulsen played for Minnesota from 1938 to 1941, captaining the team in his final season. He helped the Golden Gophers win the AAU … Read more
The NCAA men’s and women’s ice hockey rules committee gets this chance only once every two years, so there’s a little more emphasis to get it right. In the next month, leading up to and through the committee’s meeting June 8-11 in Indianapolis, the dialogue about potential rules changes will lead to debate and then … Read more
Forward Andrew Rowe will bypass his final season at Michigan State after signing with the Philadelphia Flyers organization. Rowe, an undrafted free agent, was an alternate captain as a junior, when he was second on the team with 17 goals and a plus-11 plus/minus rating. Related link: Early departures in the 2010 offseason “It was … Read more
With ticket sales cracking the 100,000 mark, Michigan has suspended the public sale for next season’s game against Michigan State at Michigan Stadium. The Big Chill at the Big House on Dec. 11 has sold more than 100,000 tickets, the school announced Thursday. The remaining tickets have been held for students. Season student tickets for … Read more
Michigan sold nearly 15,000 tickets on the first day of the public sale for the Dec. 11 Big Chill at the Big House at Michigan Stadium, the school announced Wednesday. The school said 7,067 tickets were purchased in the first half-hour that tickets were made available to the general public on Wednesday. In the first … Read more
Using Michigan’s trip to Michigan State as an example, USCHO national columnist Dave Starman writes that going on the road in the playoffs is a different animal.
Miami and Northern Michigan each have two players on the all-CCHA teams released Wednesday. Wildcats forward Mark Olver got more votes than any other player, and he’s joined on the first team by teammate Erik Gustafsson, a defenseman. Olver scored 17 goals and 35 points in 27 league games. Forward Jarod Palmer and goaltender Cody … Read more
Alaska forward Andy Taranto was the only unanimous selection to the CCHA All-Rookie Team. Taranto was selected as the league’s rookie of the month twice and put up 12 goals and 31 points in CCHA play. He’s joined on the rookie team by Nebraska-Omaha forward Terry Broadhurst, Michigan forward Chris Brown, Michigan State defenseman Torey … Read more
He probably wouldn’t tell you this himself, but Michigan State assistant coach Tom Newton has the credentials to be considered for head coaching openings, especially in the CCHA. USCHO’s Dave Starman reports.
If this season’s outdoor games have taught us anything, it’s that when they’re done with regional rivalries, a big chunk of the college hockey country doesn’t pay attention. Dave Starman writes that it’s time to scrap the outdoor idea in favor of more appealing indoor games.
Confirming a long-held rumor, Michigan on Thursday announced that it will host Michigan State outdoors at Michigan Stadium on Dec. 11. Faceoff for the game, dubbed The Big Chill at the Big House, is scheduled for 3 p.m. Eastern. The teams set the international attendance record for a hockey game by drawing 74,544 to Spartan … Read more
Amo Bessone, who coached Michigan State to the 1966 national championship as part of 28 years leading the Spartans, has died in New Mexico. He was 93. He coached 814 games behind the Michigan State bench, second only to Ron Mason’s 974. He started in 1951 and retired in 1979 with a 367-427-20 record at … Read more
The Details Who: Michigan (9-9), No. 13 Michigan State (12-6-2), Michigan Tech (3-14), Rensselaer (9-9-1) When: Tuesday, Dec. 29 and Wednesday, Dec. 30 Where: Joe Louis Arena, Detroit Tickets: Click here (new window) Tuesday’s schedule: Michigan Tech vs. Michigan State, 4 p.m. Eastern; Michigan vs. Rensselaer, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday’s schedule: Semifinal losers, 4 p.m. Eastern; … Read more