CCHA 2025-26 Men’s Hockey Season Preview: Potential there for conference ‘to be the tightest the CCHA has ever been’

It’s almost a cliche at this point to point out the parity that exists in the CCHA. Sure, Minnesota State last season won their third MacNaughton Cup in the four seasons since the league was re-formed in 2022, but every year we’ve seen close races for the league title and for home ice in the … Read more

St. Thomas, Minnesota State picked first in CCHA preseason coaches, media polls; individual preseason player awards, teams also announced

The CCHA has announced the results of its coaches and media preseason polls and preseason all-conference teams and preseason individual awards as selected by league coaches and media. 2025-26 CCHA Preseason Coaches Poll St. Thomas – 72 (3 first-place votes) Minnesota State – 71 (4) Michigan Tech – 59 (2) Augustana – 59 Bowling Green … Read more

Great Lakes Invitational returning to Van Andel Arena in 2025 with Michigan Tech, Michigan State, Ferris State, Miami competing for MacInnes Cup

The 59th annual Great Lakes Invitational will take place on Dec. 28-29, 2025 at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Mich. Michigan Tech, Michigan State, Ferris State, and Miami will compete for the MacInnes Cup. Michigan Tech and Miami will meet in the first semifinal on Sunday (Dec. 28) at 3:30 p.m. followed by Michigan … Read more

Michigan Tech hires former Lindenwood assistant, New Hampshire, Minnesota State forward Maass new assistant coach for Huskies

Michigan Tech has named Benton Maass an assistant coach with the Huskies. Maass comes to Houghton after one season as an assistant coach at Lindenwood. He played collegiately at New Hampshire and Minnesota State and appeared in 122 professional games in the AHL and ECHL. “I developed a great relationship with Benton over the past … Read more

Muckalt leaves Lindenwood bench, replaces Shawhan as head coach at Michigan Tech with goal ‘to bring home the MacNaughton Cup and compete in the NCAA tournament’

Michigan Tech has announced that Bill Muckalt has been named the new head hockey coach. Muckalt is the 23rd head coach in program history and returns to Tech after one season as head coach at Lindenwood. Muckalt replaces Joe Shawhan, who has led the Huskies since May 2017. In eight seasons, Shawhan went 154-120-29. “Joe … Read more

CCHA unveils ’24-25 awards as Bemidji State’s Jutting named top defensive forward, Michigan Tech’s Pietila best defensive defenseman, MTU’s Jansson rookie of the year

The CCHA has announced three year-end award winners for the 2024-25 season. Bemidji State’s Jackson Jutting has been named defensive forward of the year, Michigan Tech’s Chase Pietila was voted defensive defenseman of the year and Michigan Tech’s Elias Jansson has claimed rookie of the year honors. Jutting was co-defensive forward of the year last … Read more

CCHA announces all-rookie team, two all-conference teams for 2024-25 college hockey season

The CCHA has announced its all-rookie team and all-CCHA first and second teams for the 2024-25 season. CCHA All-Rookie Team F: Jakub Altrichter, Northern Michigan F: Elias Jansson, Michigan Tech F: Logan Morrell, Michigan Tech D: Rylan Brown, Michigan Tech D: Isa Parekh, Bemidji State G: Rorke Applebee, Lake Superior State All-CCHA First Team F: Liam Malmquist, … Read more

After two seasons with Michigan Tech, Pietila leaves Huskies’ back end, signs NHL deal with Penguins

Michigan Tech sophomore defenseman Chase Pietila has signed a three-year, entry-level NHL contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Pietila was drafted by Pittsburgh in the fourth round (111th overall) of the 2024 NHL Draft and appeared in 76 games for the Huskies over the past two seasons, tallying 44 points on 10 goals and 34 assists. … Read more

Hockey Commissioners Association hands out six monthly men’s honors for Jan. 2025, including three co-players of the month

The Hockey Commissioners Association has announced its men’s hockey monthly award winners for Jan. 2025. The three co-players of the month are Army West Point sophomore defenseman Mac Gadowsky, Arizona State senior forward Ryan Kirwan and Minnesota junior forward Jimmy Snuggerud, rookie of the month is Michigan Tech goaltender Ryan Manzella, and co-goaltenders of the … Read more

Hockey Commissioners Association men’s award winners for December include Robert Morris’ Klimpke, Michigan Tech’s Morrell, Vermont’s Strand, Ohio State’s Eberly

The Hockey Commissioners Association has announced its men’s honorees for the month of December. Robert Morris sophomore forward Tanner Klimpke is the player of the month, co-rookies of the month are Michigan Tech forward Logan Morrell and Vermont’s Max Strand, and Ohio State sophomore Kristoffer Eberly is the goaltender of the month. Klimpke averaged 2.25 … Read more

CCHA 2024-25 Men’s Hockey Season Preview: New-look conference looking at big picture with Augustana joining, St. Thomas leaving in 2026

A true season of transition for the CCHA is set to begin this month. The league has been active in the transfer portal in more ways than one this offseason. The league’s individual programs added players and coaches, yes, but the league itself is also set to have some big roster changes starting this year. … Read more

CCHA announces ‘24-25 preseason all-conference team, player of the year, rookie of the year in votes from league coaches, media

The CCHA has announced the 2024-25 preseason all-CCHA team, player of the year and rookie of the year awards as voted on by the league’s coaches and media. 2024-25 Preseason Players of the Year (Coaches)  Isaac Gordon, Michigan Tech Connor Milburn, Lake Superior State Lucas Wahlin, St. Thomas 2024-25 Preseason Rookie of the Year (Coaches)  … Read more

St. Thomas sits atop 2024-25 CCHA coaches poll, while Tommies share top spot with Bemidji State in CCHA media poll

The CCHA’s 2024-25 coaches and media polls have been announced and St. Thomas has been picked to win the nine-team league by the coaches, while the media has a share of the MacNaughton Cup between the Tommies and defending champion Bemidji State. 2024-25 CCHA Preseason Coaches Poll St. Thomas – 73 (3 first-place votes) Bemidji … Read more

Former Minnesota State, Northern Michigan staffer, St. Thomas grad Synstegaard named CCHA, WCHA assistant commissioner of operations

The CCHA and WCHA announced today the hiring of Byron Synstegaard as assistant commissioner of operations. He joins the respective conference offices bringing six years of administrative experience in sport and event operations. “To borrow a hockey term, Byron’s hiring puts our staffing plan back at ‘full strength’ in the WCHA and CCHA,” said Minnesota … Read more

CCHA assistant commissioner, former WCHA associate commissioner Thibodeau leaves post, takes junior hockey role as SIJHL commissioner

The Superior International Junior Hockey League has announced the hiring of its new commissioner, Dean Thibodeau. Thibodeau joins the league following his time as the assistant commissioner of the CCHA and the associate commissioner of hockey operations with the WCHA. “I appreciated the opportunity to continue my personal and professional growth with the new league … Read more