The most interesting thing about the Broncos so far this year are the preseason remarks of head coach Jim Culhane. “It’s an exciting time at our university; it’s our centennial anniversary. We were founded in 1903, and it’s a very exciting time for us on campus.” Okay. “We have a new president, Dr. Judith Bailey, … Read more
The 2002-03 season was something of a disappointment for the Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks. Picked to finish fifth in both the coaches and media preseason CCHA polls, the Mavs finished 10th and ended their season with two quick losses to Ohio State in the opening round of league playoffs. “Certainly, we underachieved last year tremendously,” says head … Read more
Those who criticized the University of North Dakota for its nonconference schedule last season might be surprised at who was in their corner. Early last season, Fighting Sioux coach Dean Blais received a gift from Ralph Engelstad, the late UND hockey benefactor. "It doesn’t do you any good to play top-caliber teams if you don’t … Read more
The promising start North Dakota put together a year ago ended up amounting only to an appearance at the WCHA Final Five and an appearance in the NCAA tournament, not the victories in each of those competitions that seemed plausible. Things like that happen. Often, there’s a scapegoat — for the Sioux last season, it … Read more
The NCAA legislation on the table that could strip Colorado College and other Division III schools playing at the Division I level of the ability to award scholarships served as something of a wake-up call, a notice that life sometimes drops changes on unsuspecting parties. The lesson, then: Enjoy success while you have it. The … Read more
George Gwozdecky looked into the eyes of his players and saw shock and disbelief. Looking back six months later, he’s glad he did. The Denver players never suspected their 2002-03 season would end the way it did — with them falling short of their goals. So when the Pioneers were ousted from the first round … Read more
The risk a team runs after a successful season is the misguided notion that the next season’s success will be easy to come by. Offseason conditioning and preseason training usually are fueled more by bad memories than good ones. So Minnesota-Duluth coach Scott Sandelin, fresh off the Bulldogs’ first trip to the WCHA Final Five … Read more
The cyclical nature of mid-major college hockey programs might be coming around to disrupt St. Cloud State’s standing as one of the recent fixtures in the NCAA tournament. Only Michigan and Maine have longer current streaks in the NCAA field, but the Huskies’ four-year run is in danger unless they can: Reverse the downward trend … Read more
Athletic directors from seven of the eight schools affected by the Division III proposal to eliminate athletic scholarships for members playing a Division I sport, met to plan their opposition to the proposal on the campus of Rensselaer. Those attending were Sean Frazier (Clarkson), Joel Nielsen (Colorado College), Betty Powell (Hartwick), Tom Calder (Johns Hopkins), … Read more
What programs are leading the way in recruiting and accolades?
Two stars of the CCHA have decided to forgoe their remaining years of eligibility to sign contracts with NHL teams. Nebraska-Omaha goaltender Dan Ellis has decided to forego his senior year of eligibility with the Mavericks to sign a professional contract with the Dallas Stars while Ohio State forward Ryan Kesler has decided to forgoe … Read more
Rensselaer president Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson released the strongest statement yet in response to pending legislation that would eliminate the ability of Division III institution from awarding athletic scholarships in Division I sports. “If it is approved, this proposal could place Rensselaer’s well-respected hockey tradition in jeopardy, and hamper the ability of ice hockey players … Read more
The Division I future of four of the nation’s most storied programs has been threatened by a proposal that has swept through Division III. As part of a sweeping reform package, the Division III President’s Council has recommended a proposal that would eliminate the ability for Division III schools that “play up” in one sport … Read more
WCHA associate commissioner Sara Martin affirmed that written league policy did not guarantee Minnesota-Duluth coach Shannon Miller a tape of the Minnesota-Wisconsin semifinal during the women’s WCHA Final Five tournament in March, despite Miller’s claims last week that she had been victimized by league officials after waiting until 1:15 a.m. the morning of the final … Read more
Minnesota-Duluth women’s coach Shannon Miller will serve a one game suspension to open the 2003-04 season. The decision was made by the WCHA and the league’s Executive Committee. According to the WCHA, the suspension comes as a result of “unsportsmanlike conduct” during the league’s Final Five tournament in March 2003. Miller will miss the season … Read more
North Dakota goaltender Jake Brandt has been arrested for theft in his hometown of Roseau, Minn. According to police, Brandt stole $200 worth of “pull tabs” from a local bar. His first court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 6. WDAZ-TV Channel 8 in Grand Forks, N.D., quotes Sioux coach Dean Blais as saying, “Brandt is … Read more
North Dakota beat the clock on Dean Blais’ deadline for a contract extension, and the Sioux coach now has a deal that runs through the 2006-07 season. Blais, who set a July 1 deadline for the school to give him an extension or see him leave when his current contract expires after the 2003-04 season, … Read more
St. Cloud State’s roster has taken a severe hit this offseason, with forward Jonathan Lehun the latest to tell the Huskies he won’t be back next season. Lehun, who figured to play a larger role in the Huskies offense as a sophomore because the team lost three of its four top scorers from a year … Read more
The first day of the 2003 NHL Draft was filled with plenty of surprises, some pleasant and some not so pleasant. Zach Parise’s day was definitely falling into the latter category. Thought by many to be a solid top 10 selection, 16 picks went by the board without Parise hearing his name called. Zach Parise … Read more
The WCHA has voted unanimously to admit North Dakota’s women’s team beginning with the 2004-05 season. The addition of the Sioux brings the number of women’s WCHA teams to eight and marks the first expansion of the four-year-old league. North Dakota joins Bemidji State, Minnesota, Minnesota-Duluth, MSU-Mankato, Ohio State, St. Cloud State and Wisconsin as … Read more