Men’s D-I: Minnesota State

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

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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

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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

Minnesota State’s Morton garners CCHA player, forward of year honors for ’23-24 season, Bemidji State’s Looft top D-man, Beavers’ Sholl takes top goalie

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The CCHA has announced that Minnesota State graduate student Sam Morton has been voted CCHA player and forward of the year. In addition, Bemidji State fifth-year senior Kyle Looft has been voted defenseman of the year and Bemidji State junior goalie Mattias Sholl has been tabbed goaltender of the year. Morton paced all CCHA skaters … Read more

CCHA announces pair of all-conference teams, all-rookie team for 2023-24 college hockey season

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The CCHA has announced its two all-conference teams and one all-rookie team for the 2023-24 season. ALL-CCHA FIRST TEAM Forward: Sam Morton, Sr., Minnesota State Forward: Lleyton Roed, So., Bemidji State Forward: Jared Westcott, Sr., Lake Superior State Defenseman: Kyle Looft, 5th, Bemidji State Defenseman: Eric Pohlkamp, Fr., Bemidji State Goaltender: Mattias Sholl, Jr., Bemidji … Read more

2023-24 CCHA Season Preview: With Minnesota State no longer MacNaughton Cup favorite, league looks tight as ever

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It was an unusually active offseason, at least by CCHA standards. A coaching change at Minnesota State kicked off the summer, with Mike Hastings leaving for Wisconsin and taking four players and most of his coaching staff with him. Then the summer ended with the situation in Bowling Green that saw head coach Ty Eigner … Read more

CCHA announces results of coaches, media preseason polls, individual awards ahead of 2023-24 hockey season

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The CCHA has announced the results of the 2023-24 coaches and media polls and preseason awards chosen by the coaches and media. 2023-24 CCHA Preseason Coaches Poll Michigan Tech – 67 (4 first-place votes) Northern Michigan – 66 (3) Bowling Green – 55 Bemidji State – 49 St. Thomas – 45 (1) Minnesota State – … Read more

Minnesota State adds Wisconsin prep coach McCracken to Mavericks men’s hockey coaching staff

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Minnesota State has announced that Cory McCracken will join the men’s hockey staff as an assistant coach. “Cory brings experience as a head coach as well as a tremendous background in player development and recruiting,” said Mavericks head coach Luke Strand in a statement. “His knowledge base of the player pool is second to none … Read more

Minnesota State adds former AHL staffer Paulsen as new assistant coach for men’s hockey team

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Minnesota State has announced the hiring of Keith Paulsen as an assistant coach for the men’s hockey team. “Keith is a real workhorse,” said Minnesota State head coach Luke Strand in a statement. “His multifaceted background will bring so many qualities for our players and staff. His recent stay in the American Hockey League (with … Read more

Minnesota State’s Furry chosen CCHA student-athlete of year for 2022-23 season

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The CCHA announced Tuesday that Minnesota State senior Brendan Furry is the conference’s 2022-23 student-athlete of the year, as voted on by the faculty athletics representatives from each member school. Given annually, the award is presented to one CCHA student-athlete that performed consistently as a regular member of their CCHA team, displayed outstanding sportsmanship, made … Read more

Well-traveled Ward, who has junior, NCAA, NHL background, named associate head coach at Minnesota State

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Minnesota State has announced the hiring of Troy G. Ward as associate head coach with the Mavericks. Ward comes to Minnesota State after spending the 2022-23 season with the USHL’s Sioux City Musketeers as general manager. “Troy brings an element to our staff that is one of high-end experience,” said Minnesota State head coach Luke … Read more

Longtime Minnesota State assistant Knott passes on Mavericks’ head coach opening

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Minnesota State associate head coach Todd Knott has declined an opportunity to become Minnesota State’s next head men’s hockey coach, according to Mavericks director of athletics Kevin Buisman. Knott, who just finished his 15th season on the Mavericks staff, was elevated to associate head coach in 2018. Earlier this season he was named the Terry … Read more

Minnesota State’s Pavel leaves Mavericks after junior season, signs NHL deal with Avalanche

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Minnesota State junior forward Ondrej Pavel has signed with the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche. In signing the contract, Pavel foregoes his senior season with Minnesota State. Pavel, a Prague, Czech Republic native who appeared in 94 games as a Maverick, recording 18 goals, 23 assists and 41 career points, played on three MacNaughton Cup championship teams, … Read more

Hirose leaves Minnesota State back end after three seasons, inks NHL contract with Canucks

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Minnesota State junior defenseman Akito Hirose has signed with the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks. In signing the NHL deal, Hirose foregoes his senior year in Mankato, Minn. This past season, Hirose finished the season with four goals and 23 assists for 27 points. Additionally, he was a second team all-CCHA member. Hirose, who appeared in 104 … Read more

Minnesota State’s Livingstone signs NHL deal with Predators, foregoes senior year with Mavericks

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Minnesota State junior defenseman Jake Livingstone has signed with the NHL’s Nashville Predators. Livingstone gives up his senior season with the Mavericks. This past year, Livingstone, who was a first team all-CCHA member and the league’s defenseman of the year (an award he also won in 2022), tallied eight goals and 27 assists for 35 … Read more