2001-02 Minnesota-Duluth Season Preview
Scott Sandelin endured a tough year in his debut as Minnesota-Duluth head coach. The Bulldogs let opponents too near the net far too often, something UMD looks to change with a young, puck-moving defense.
Men’s D-I: NCHC
2001-02 St. Cloud Season Preview
St. Cloud may have won its first WCHA tournament title, but the Huskies still feel the sting of an NCAA quarterfinal loss — and the loss of four all-WCHA players. Still, a balanced roster is St. Cloud’s strength as it looks to repeat last year’s success.
2001-02 Colorado College Season Preview
In Scott Owens’ third year at Colorado College, the Tigers may be ready to put the puzzle together. A strong finish, including a double-overtime win in the NCAA tournament, gives Mark Cullen and CC a boost coming into the new year.
2001-02 North Dakota Season Preview
Once again, North Dakota will have to rebound from the loss of key contributors to challenge for the WCHA championship. And that’s the point — Dean Blais and the Sioux have done this before, and may again thanks to the likes of Ryan Bayda, Andy Kollar and Chad Mazurak.
2001-02 Denver Season Preview
With two capable goaltenders, including Wade Dubielewicz, and a solid defense, the Denver Pioneers are ready to move up in the WCHA. Standing between DU and a home playoff berth, however, may be a lack of scoring.
Arnason Departure All But Certain
It’s been four months of speculation, and still nothing has been officially determined. But essentially, the early departure of St. Cloud star Tyler Arnason to the NHL is a done deal. Tyler Arnason turned in another huge performance against North Dakota in the 2001 WCHA title game. Arnason, a senior-to-be, still has not signed a … Read more
Goehring Signs Free-Agent Deal
Karl Goehring, the goaltender who led North Dakota to two straight NCAA championship games and the 2000 national title, signed a free-agent contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Karl Goehring Terms were not disclosed. Goehring, an Apple Valley, Minn., native, was 80-20-13 with a 2.23 goals against average in four years with the Sioux. A … Read more
Westcott Set to Leave St. Cloud
St. Cloud defenseman Duvie Westcott, who just completed his junior season, is on the verge of signing with the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets, according to St. Cloud coach Craig Dahl. Dahl, who is still awaiting word on the future of star forward Tyler Arnason, said the Westcott move caught him by surprise. “I was planning … Read more
Lundbohm Latest to Depart Sioux
North Dakota junior forward Bryan Lundbohm has signed a free agent contract with the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League. Lundbohm finished his career with 56 goals and 124 points in 122 games over three seasons for the Fighting Sioux. He helped the Sioux to the 2000 NCAA Championship and a runner up finish … Read more
Panzer Sings the Blues
Jeff Panzer, the North Dakota star who led the Sioux to the national title game this season, signed a two-year contract with the St. Louis Blues.
Blais Takes Penrose Award as Coach of the Year
For the second time in his seven years at the helm of the North Dakota Fighting Sioux, Dean Blais has been named the Spencer Penrose Award recipient as the nation’s top collegiate hockey coach.
The Day After: Roche Goes Wild
Just a day a after participating in the 2001 NCAA championship game, North Dakota sophomore defenseman Travis Roche was in the line up for the NHL’s Minnesota Wild. Roche (7) upends Boston College’s Brian Gionta in North Dakota’s 3-2 OT loss in Saturday’s title game. “We have signed a young free agent who should develop … Read more
Almost A Miracle
It would have been the Miracle of Albany, but North Dakota’s stirring rally in the 2001 NCAA title game came up just short. Todd D. Milewski writes how the Fighting Sioux fought and lost, but still can hold their heads high.
High Expectations
When you’re the defending national champions, the bar is set high. But North Dakota is used to that pressure — the Sioux deal with it almost every year. Todd D. Milewski reports.
The Other Goaltender
The goalie at one end of the ice had earned just about every possible accolade this year: CCHA Player of the Year, CCHA best goaltender, CCHA Tournament Most Valuable Player, All-CCHA Tournament Team, All-CCHA first team and Hobey Baker Award finalist. As just a sophomore, he’d set an NCAA career shutout mark with 18, 10 … Read more
‘The Guy That Carries Our Team’
So says UND coach Dean Blais, of Hobey Baker finalist Jeff Panzer. Todd D. Milewski reports.
Top UND Recruit Pleads Guilty to Felony
North Dakota’s athletics director said he will talk to the school’s hockey staff after learning prized recruit Brandon Bochenski pleaded guilty to one count of felony aggravated forgery in Anoka County, Minn., on Feb. 26. “I would like to talk to our hockey staff and make sure [Bochenski’s felony] is common knowledge,” UND athletics director … Read more
Commentary: Blais Deserves a Few Breaks
According to Todd D. Milewski, if anyone deserves a few breaks, it’s North Dakota coach Dean Blais.
The Hobey War
The Hobey Baker Memorial Award won’t be handed out until Friday, April 6, but the identity of the winner may be decided this weekend. Dave Hendrickson reviews three of the top candidates in the context of the NCAA regionals.
Prairie Ponderings
When Paula C. Weston headed out to Omaha, Neb., for the Mavericks-Buckeyes CCHA series, she got more than she bargained for. Follow USCHO.com’s CCHA correspondent through one of the Midwest’s hidden jewels.