Northern Michigan has named Byron Pool as associate head coach and Rob Lehtinen as assistant coach. Pool spent the past seven seasons with the Fargo Force of the USHL and was elevated to associate head coach from assistant coach ahead of the 2014-15 campaign. “Byron Pool has had sustained success in both the USHL and … Read more
The inaugural Ice Vegas Invitational will take place Jan. 5-6, 2018, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, home of the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights. The four-team tournament will feature Arizona State, Boston College, Michigan Tech and Northern Michigan. “Las Vegas is quickly transforming from a purely entertainment mecca to one of the world’s destination locations … Read more
USA Hockey announced Friday that Bob Motzko (St. Cloud State), who guided the U.S. National Junior Team to its fourth-ever gold medal at the 2017 IIHF World Junior Championship in Montreal and Toronto, will return as head coach for the 2018 U.S. National Junior Team. Motzko will be joined by the entire 2017 U.S. coaching … Read more
Grant Potulny was announced Tuesday morning as the third head coach in Northern Michigan. Potulny spent the past eight seasons as an assistant coach at Minnesota, where he helped the Golden Gophers capture six regular-season conference titles and qualify for five NCAA tournaments. “Grant impressed everyone throughout the interview process and truly earned this opportunity,” … Read more
According to TV6 in Marquette, Mich., Marquette County prosecuting attorney Matt Wiese has decided to dismiss the charges of residential mortgage fraud and forgery of a document affecting real property pending against former Northern Michigan coach Walt Kyle. Kyle was fired by NMU last month and then arrested on the fraud charges. “Additional evidence has … Read more
In memory of Larry Heiskanen, the Comley Hockey Scholarship at Northern Michigan has been renamed the Comley-Heiskanen Hockey Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded annually to a member of the NMU hockey team and was originally established in 2001 in honor of former NMU coach Rick Comley’s historic career and 26 years of service to Northern … Read more
The same day Walt Kyle was fired as Northern Michigan’s coach, a report from TV6 in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula revealed Kyle was arrested Friday on fraud charges. The Marquette County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Kyle was arrested and charged with one count of residential mortgage fraud and one count of forgery of documents involving a mortgage … Read more
The school announced that Kyle’s contract wouldn’t be renewed and that it would begin a search for the third head coach in program history.
The CCHA may have dissolved four years ago, but memories live on via the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye.
Northern Michigan announced Monday afternoon that forwards Demico Hannoun and Brett Heikkila will join the Wildcats for the second half of the 2016-17 season. Hannoun played for three teams over the course of five BCHL seasons and suited up for Penticton during the past two seasons, registering 74 points (37 goals, 37 assists) in 90 … Read more
The WCHA announced Monday a one-game suspension for Northern Michigan sophomore forward Troy Loggins. The suspension is a result of Loggins’ interference penalty, which came at the 12:12 mark of the first period in Northern Michigan’s game on Saturday, Dec. 4 at Alaska-Anchorage. Upon review, Loggins made contact with the skater’s head in a manner … Read more
Tony Granato’s first victory as Wisconsin coach came despite a wacky night on special teams. The Badgers scored four power-play goals but allowed two short-handed scores. Northern Michigan had a third-period five-on-three advantage but failed to convert. And Trent Frederic’s first collegiate goal on — what else? — a Wisconsin power play with 8:24 remaining … Read more
On Tuesday, the WCHA announced the results of its coaches and media preseason polls, in addition to preseason All-WCHA Teams, preseason Player of the Year and preseason Rookies of the Year. Bowling Green took the top spot in both polls, while Ferris State’s Gerald Mayhew was tabbed preseason Player of the Year in both. Minnesota … Read more
Adam Rockwood has joined Northern Michigan as a junior transfer from Wisconsin. He will be eligible to compete for the Wildcats beginning in the fall of 2017. Rockwood is currently on campus and will practice with Northern Michigan in 2016-17. “It’s great to pick up a guy of Adam’s talent,” NMU coach Walt Kyle said … Read more
The WCHA announced Tuesday three pivotal changes to take effect for the upcoming 2016-17 season. The changes include the introduction of 3-on-3 overtime and shootout (both if necessary) for regular-season league games, a three-point-per-game structure to the league standings and mandatory NHL nets in all arenas. “The WCHA is committed to evolving and adapting however … Read more
Finlandia is going to have a familiar face leading the team this season as the winningest coach in team history, Joe Burcar, has been hired as the Lions’ new head coach. Burcar replaces Dane Litke, who stepped down for personal reasons earlier this summer after two seasons with the Lions. “I am proud and excited … Read more
Fewer teams will have to travel, which could make for more rested teams as they enter the NCAA tournament.
Starting with the 2016-17 season, the WCHA men’s playoffs — from the quarterfinals through the championship game — will be hosted by the highest remaining seeds at on-campus venues. Starting in 2017 and continuing for at least the next three seasons, the “WCHA Playoffs” will consist of four best-of-three, quarterfinal round series hosted by the … Read more
The WCHA announced its year-end award winners on Thursday and also unveiled three All-WCHA Teams and an All-Rookie Team. Michigan Tech senior co-captain Alex Petan, who led the league in scoring during conference play, was named WCHA Player of Year and Scoring Champion. Minnesota State junior Casey Nelson was tabbed the Defensive Player of the … Read more
The teams play Tuesday and Wednesday in Detroit.