TMQ: A winning pair in Providence, ECAC Hockey’s strength and realignment readjustment
Here’s our weekly look at big events and big issues around Division I men’s college hockey.
Men’s D-I: St. Cloud State
Frozen Four experience a boon for St. Cloud State, but Huskies turn the page
Forwards Jonny Brodzinski and Kalle Kossila and goaltender Ryan Faragher return to lead the Huskies’ run at another NCAA spot.
Minnesota D-I men’s teams to play for North Star College Cup
The official title to Minnesota’s inaugural Division I men’s tournament that will be staged in January 2014 is the North Star College Cup. The event runs January 24-25, 2014, in St. Paul, Minn., with Minnesota, Minnesota State, Minnesota-Duluth and St. Cloud State all taking part. Bemidji State will not participate in the 2014 event.
New NCHC commissioner Fenton takes reins of league he helped create
Josh Fenton said he has reached out to several commissioners or former commissioners to gauge what the life as a college hockey commissioner entails. Matt Mackinder reports.
Hobey Baker winner LeBlanc to throw out first pitch at Target Field
Drew LeBlanc, the 2013 Hobey Baker Award winner as a senior at St. Cloud State, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch on June 12 at Target Field just prior to the Minnesota Twins-Philadelphia Phillies game that night. The SCSU team will also be honored during a pregame ceremony.
NCHC loses commissioner Scherr to European Games position
The National Collegiate Hockey Conference is losing its first commissioner before it plays its first game. Jim Scherr, who in early 2012 got a 4½-year contract to run the NCHC, is leaving the league to become chief operating officer of the 2015 European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan. The league made the announcement late Friday afternoon, … Read more
Boston College tabs Ayers as Eagles’ new assistant coach
Mike Ayers, former goaltending coach at USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program and goalie at New Hampshire from 2000-2004, has been named the new assistant coach at Boston College. Ayers replaces former associate head coach Mike Cavanaugh, who left BC for the head coaching job at Connecticut. Ayers coached with the NTDP from 2011-13 and … Read more
NCHC commissioner Scherr says link to European job ‘premature’
National Collegiate Hockey Conference commissioner Jim Scherr has been in discussions with organizers of the 2015 European Games about a job with the group, but he said a report that he has accepted the position is premature. Inside the Games reported that Scherr would become the chief operating officer for the organizing committee of the … Read more
Nebraska-Omaha assistant Johnson decides to ‘go in another direction’
Nebraska-Omaha assistant coach Steve Johnson will not be back behind the bench for the 2013-14 season. “Steve had decided to go in another direction with his career and we wish him the best of luck,” said UNO head coach Dean Blais in a statement. “He was a valuable member of our staff and did a … Read more
Detroit signs St. Cloud State junior, top WCHA defender Jensen
The Detroit Red Wings announced Thursday that St. Cloud State junior defenseman Nick Jensen has signed a two-year, entry-level deal. Jensen was originally Detroit’s fifth-round pick in the 2009 NHL draft and played 119 career games with the Huskies, recording 86 points on 15 goals and 71 assists. In 2012-13, Jensen earned First Team All-WCHA … Read more
St. Cloud State renames home rink in honor of Herb Brooks
St. Cloud State announced Wednesday that the National Hockey and Event Center has been renamed the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center. According to a school-issued news release, the university is working with sponsors on commercial naming rights and naming opportunities within the arena. “Just as Herb Brooks saw Division I hockey as important to the … Read more
USCHO awards: Five schools land two players on 2012-13 All-USCHO teams
In 2012, Boston College had four players on the All-USCHO teams. A year later, things were much more spread out. Five teams had two players selected for the 2012-13 All-USCHO teams, with no repeat honorees from last season. Frozen Four semifinalists Massachusetts-Lowell and St. Cloud State were among those teams, along with Boston College, North … Read more
Before LeBlanc heads to the pros, Hobey comes calling
The Hobey Baker Award winner from St. Cloud State has teaching in his future, but hockey is up first. Tyler Buckentine reports.
Drew LeBlanc wins 2013 Hobey Baker Award, is first honoree from St. Cloud State
Drew LeBlanc didn’t reach the national championship game with St. Cloud State, but he picked up one piece of hardware from his trip. LeBlanc was named the 2013 Hobey Baker Award winner on Friday at Consol Energy Center, one day after the Huskies lost to Quinnipiac in the Frozen Four semifinals. [scg_html_ff2013]Tenth nationally in points … Read more
Commentary: The scouting report on Massachusetts-Lowell, Yale, St. Cloud State and Quinnipiac
Dave Starman gets into what makes the Frozen Four teams tick.
For Frozen Four newcomers, wow factor takes many forms
It’s the first time in this spotlight for everyone, and the little things make memories. Jim Connelly reports.
Analysis: Coaches see little separating deep, veteran Quinnipiac, St. Cloud State offenses
The Bobcats and the Huskies face off in the second semifinal Thursday in Pittsburgh. Daver Karnosky reports.
Kurtz joins Penn State athletics office
Longtime St. Cloud State athletics director Dr. Morris Kurtz joined Penn State on April 1 as the school’s special assistant to operations. Kurtz will assist associate athletic director Joe Battista and the NCAA Division I men’s and women’s hockey programs as they move into Pegula Ice Arena and the Big Ten for the 2013-14 season.
After emotional roller coaster, St. Cloud State rides balance into Frozen Four
The Huskies had a nervous day of waiting to see whether they’d make the NCAA tournament, but once they got in they announced their presence. Tyler Buckentine reports.
Commentary: Here’s the lineup I’d pick from the Frozen Four rosters
Dave Starman makes his picks for forward, defense and goaltending from Massachusetts-Lowell, Quinnipiac, St. Cloud State and Yale.