And the race is on. The WCHA looks like a dogfight with four teams within two points of the lead, as the standings tightened after Minnesota swept previously-undefeated North Dakota last weekend. There are plenty of interesting matchups this weekend, which means that things could look very different by Monday. Here’s a look at this … Read more
Allegations of wrongdoing centered around Minnesota head coach Doug Woog intensified over the weekend. The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported Sunday that Woog concealed an illegal payment to a former player from officials in Minnesota’s athletic department, and that then-assistant coach Bill Butters knew about the payment, and hinted at that knowledge to his superiors, but … Read more
This year’s WCHA race, if it stays on the same course, will need a photo finish to determine not only a winner but a last-place team as well. North Dakota is the exception this year; the Fighting Sioux have started strong and lead the league after three weekends of action. But after UND the race … Read more
After a couple of wild weekends of WCHA play, only one team remains undefeated; it looks like the race for the MacNaughton Cup will take the entire year to decide. And that’s great for fans, because each weekend of play will be important. So players, coaches and teams will have to be at the top … Read more
The second weekend of WCHA play is here, and if there’s as much excitement as last week, fans are in for some memorable moments at the rink. Last weekend North Dakota topped Denver twice at their home rink, serving notice of their talent. Colorado College and Minnesota split, as expected; Minnesota dominated play at times … Read more
Challenges. Some people run, while others choose to ignore them. But still others grab hold and work to overcome them. Those folks may conquer, or they may fall short. For Tim Watters and Dean Talafous, the latest challenge is as head coach of a WCHA team — working to get to the top of one … Read more
Minnesota today suspended hockey coach Doug Woog and pulled one scholarship from the program for Woog’s role in obtaining cash to help a former player pay tuition expenses after his eligibility had ended. The decision was announced by men’s athletics director Mark Dienhart at an early-evening news conference at Mariucci Arena. Dienhart said Woog gave … Read more
The University of Minnesota and the NCAA are engaged in an investigation into possible rules infractions, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported Sunday, October 20, 1996. Reportedly Gopher head coach Doug Woog gave co-captain Chris McAlpine $500 after the conclusion of the 1993-94 hockey season, once defenseman McAlpine had used up his hockey eligibility. The money … Read more
Bruce McLeod’s three counts of felony theft will be dropped given good behavior, the AP reported Thursday. McLeod, former Minnesota-Duluth athletic director and WCHA chairman, was charged with three counts of felony theft in relation to $18,000 in misappropriated funds on six checks. Five of the six checks were ruled inadmissible due to a statute … Read more
The WCHA season gets off to a roaring start this weekend with four series, one that features two of the top teams in the league meeting in an early-season battle. Colorado College, the coaches’ pick to win its fourth straight league championship, invades the University of Minnesota, which was picked to finish second by the … Read more
WCHA coaches, in their annual poll, have tabbed Colorado College to win its fourth straight regular season league championship. The Tigers got seven first-place votes. Minnesota, Denver and St. Cloud State, which finished behind CC in that order, each picked up one first-place vote. North Dakota was fifth followed by Minnesota-Duluth, Michigan Tech, Wisconsin, Alaska-Anchorage … Read more
WCHA commissioner Bruce McLeod was charged Friday with felony theft and theft by swindle, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Allegedly McLeod, the former athletic director at Minnesota-Duluth, used money from the university to pay off personal expenses. According to the Star Tribune, the criminal complaint accuses McLeod of depositing over $2,800 of university money … Read more
The 1995-96 WCHA season was another thriller. The Final Five had two overtime games and another one-goal game in the semi-finals. The Broadmoor Trophy made the University of Minnesota, winners of the Trophy in 1993 and 1994, its 1996 resting place. After that Minnesota and MacNaughton Cup champions Colorado College advanced to the NCAA championships. … Read more
Bruce McLeod resigned his position as University of Minnesota-Duluth athletic director Wednesday, citing personal reasons, according to USA Today. Minnesota-Duluth officials named Dr. Patricia Merrier, Duluth’s faculty athletics representative, as interim athletic director for the remainder of the summer. An acting athletic director will be named this fall. “My decision to resign was all mine,” … Read more
The CCHA unanimously accepted Northern Michigan University’s application to return to the conference Monday. The Wildcats entered the CCHA in 1976-77, before leaving for the WCHA. “We are very pleased to be accepted back in the CCHA for the fall of 1997,” said NMU athletic director and head hockey coach Rick Comley. “We [our administration … Read more
Michigan Tech named former Boston Bruins assistant coach Tim Watters to the vacant head coaching position Thursday. Watters, a 13-year National Hockey League veteran, replaces Bob Mancini, who accepted a job at USA Hockey on July 14 after four years behind the Huskies’ bench. “We’re very excited that Tim has chosen to move from the … Read more
USA Hockey has named Bob Mancini and Larry Pedrie to assistant coaching positions for the National Elite Development Program on Tuesday, and also named Scott Monaghan Program Manager. Mancini resigned his head coaching position at Michigan Tech effective immediately to take the position at USA Hockey. While at Michigan Tech, Mancini compiled a 63-80-20 record, … Read more
When Colorado College won the 1995-96 WCHA regular season championships, they became the first team in WCHA history to win three consecutive championships. These three championships followed a long dry spell for Tiger hockey. Colorado College last NCAA championship was in 1957. Since this time, CC managed to finish above .500 in conference only 6 … Read more