Men’s D-I: Minnesota

Lucia agrees to contract extension at Minnesota

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Minnesota has agreed to terms on a contract extension with head coach Don Lucia through the 2014-2015 season. “Don is a championship caliber coach and is deserving of this extension,” said Minnesota director of athletics Joel Maturi in a news release. “He has led the University of Minnesota to two national titles and recently battled … Read more

Lucia sees Minnesota as close to higher level of success

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Three seasons removed from their last NCAA tournament appearance, Minnesota’s tournament hopes were crushed last March when they were swept out of the first round of the WCHA playoffs at home by Alaska-Anchorage. If the Gophers are to return to the Final Five and beyond in 2011-12, the path likely will be paved by senior … Read more

Guentzel named associate head coach at Minnesota

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Minnesota has hired Mike Guentzel as associate head coach, bringing him back to a team where he was an assistant from 1994-2008. Guentzel, who also played defense for Minnesota from 1981-1985, was an assistant coach at Nebraska-Omaha last season. “I wanted to hire a Minnesota alumnus, someone who could work with the defensemen and someone … Read more

Assistant coach Hill out at Minnesota

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Minnesota announced late Sunday night that assistant coach John Hill will not return for the 2011-12 season. “I appreciate all the hard work John gave to Gopher hockey,” said Minnesota head coach Don Lucia in a statement. “I wish John nothing but success in the future and thank him for his commitment to Gopher hockey.” … Read more

Report: Big Ten chooses two-week postseason

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The Big Ten will use a two-week postseason format when the league debuts in the 2013-14 season, according to a report. The Wisconsin State Journal reported that the six-team league will award first-round byes to the top two teams in the standings. The third-place team will host the sixth-place team and the fourth-place team will … Read more

Gardiner leaves Gophers to play in USHL

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Minnesota freshman forward Max Gardiner will not be back with the Gophers next fall, choosing to leave the program to play junior hockey in the United States Hockey League with the Dubuque Fighting Saints. Dubuque obtained Gardiner’s rights in this past Monday’s USHL Entry Draft. “We had a good conversation and he was disappointed in … Read more

Big Ten confirms plan to sponsor hockey starting in 2013-14 season

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The Big Ten Conference will recommend to its Council of Presidents/Chancellors that it establish a men’s hockey conference starting in the 2013-14 season, the league announced Monday. The presidents and chancellors must approve sponsoring the sport, and they will get that recommendation forwarded to them in June. The addition of a Penn State program for … Read more

Ness bolts Minnesota for Islanders deal

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Minnesota junior defenseman Aaron Ness has given up his senior season with the Gophers to sign a three-year entry-level contract with the New York Islanders. Ness will report to the Islanders’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, and play out the remainder of the 2010-11 season. “Aaron made tremendous strides this year physically … Read more

As Big Ten prepares to announce plan, CCHA, WCHA commissioners look forward

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It might not rise to the level of certainty of death and taxes, but the likely addition of hockey to the Big Ten Conference lineup has college hockey commissioners doing some advance planning. WCHA commissioner Bruce McLeod said he has heard from Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany and representatives from Wisconsin and Penn State that … Read more

Lucia getting contract extension at Minnesota?

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According to a report in the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Minnesota head coach Don Lucia and the university are in talks to give Lucia a contract extension. Minnesota AD Joel Maturi told the paper that even with the Gophers failing to make the NCAA tournament for the third straight season this year, Lucia’s job was … Read more