Alaska-Anchorage announced Tuesday that junior forward Andrew Pickering has retired from hockey due to health concerns. “Andrew has sustained two concussions in the last two months and has decided to concentrate on his health and studies,” said UAA coach Dave Shyiak in a statement. “It is unfortunate for Andrew and the Seawolf program as he … Read more
The NHL on Friday announced the cancellation of the Bridgestone NHL Winter Classic and the Sirius XM Hockeytown Winter Festival due to the ongoing lockout of the players by NHL owners. The Great Lakes Invitational, originally scheduled to be played outdoors at Comerica Park on Dec. 27-28, will now be moved indoors to its longstanding … Read more
Two WCHA programs — Colorado College and Wisconsin — that owe a lot to the late Bob Johnson will get an opportunity to pay respect to the coaching great when UW names its ice sheet at the Kohl Center as the “Bob Johnson Rink.” Johnson passed away Nov. 26, 1991, at age 60 in Colorado … Read more
The new on-campus arena at Nebraska-Omaha is a go. According to a UNO press release issued Friday, the University of Nebraska Board of Regents authorized president J.B. Milliken to enter into a letter of intent with developers for the construction of an arena in Omaha. “UNO is very excited about the Regents’ support,” UNO chancellor … Read more
There was much hand-wringing by the North Dakota faithful in fan forums following last Saturday’s 2-1 loss to host Alaska in the championship game of the Brice Alaska Gold Rush. It is rather silly, even if the Nanooks are picked to finish last in the CCHA. If anything, the suspensions and injuries (seven Friday, six … Read more
After a well-documented NCAA ruling that first saw Wisconsin freshman Nic Kerdiles suspended for the entire season and later saw the decision toned down to 10 games, Kerdiles joined Badgers’ coach Mike Eaves at his weekly media conference on Monday. Without taking questions from the assembled media to start, Kerdiles opened with a statement. Dealing … Read more
According to the Wisconsin State Journal, Badgers’ freshman forward Nic Kerdiles will miss the 2012-13 season after the NCAA found he “violated its code of amateurism.” An appeal was filed and on Friday, it was announced that Kerdiles will only miss UW’s first 10 games and will be eligible to play in the Nov. 30 … Read more
WCHA commissioner Bruce McLeod left Alabama-Huntsville last weekend with a clearer picture of the commitment made to its team. The independent program, now coached by Kurt Kleinendorst, added a full-time assistant coach, a hockey-only equipment manager and a director of hockey operations recently. The Von Braun Center, the Chargers’ home rink, also underwent considerable renovations. … Read more
Nicole Bostel has been promoted to Denver’s director of media relations, replacing Erich Bacher, who was named assistant athletics director for public relations at Virginia. Bostel was previously DU’s associate director of media relations.
Nebraska-Omaha officials have proposed to build a 7,500-seat arena at the south end of UNO’s campus that would be the Mavericks’ new home for hockey, basketball and volleyball, according to a report in the Omaha World-Herald. The report states that private donations or partnerships would pay for arena construction costs, which could range anywhere from … Read more
Four teams received first-place votes in this week’s USCHO.com Division I Men’s Poll, but with 46 of 50 No. 1 votes, Minnesota is the new top team in the weekly poll. Minnesota jumps from No. 2 to the top spot, while last week’s No. 1 team, Boston College, falls to No. 3, but did receive … Read more
WCHA referee Pete Friesema was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct early Sunday after he allegedly talked about a bomb at a ticket counter at Anchorage International Airport, the Anchorage Daily News reported. Friesema, 44, pleaded not guilty at a hearing later Sunday, the newspaper reported. He was ordered to stay in Alaska; he is … Read more
The 2012-13 season will be bittersweet for the teams leaving the WCHA, especially for Colorado College coach and alumnus Scott Owens. “For me, it is,” Owens said. “I have been connected to the WCHA as a player and coach for 22 years. I will miss being part of the WCHA. On the other hand, I … Read more
Denver assistant coach David Lassonde has been named an assistant coach for the U.S. National Junior Team that will compete at the upcoming IIHF World Junior Championship from Dec. 26, 2012-Jan. 5, 2013, in Ufa, Russia.
Minnesota and North Dakota each won WCHA hardware last season, but according to the Grand Forks Herald‘s WCHA coaches’ poll, Minnesota is a near-unanimous choice to repeat. Minnesota received 11 first-place votes with North Dakota garnering the other.
According to the Denver Post, Denver forward Larkin Jacobson and goalie Juho Olkinuora have each been suspended four games apiece for separate violations of team rules. The two sophomores will miss the Pioneers’ exhibition game against British Columbia on Oct. 6, as well as the regular-season opener Oct. 19 against Massachusetts-Lowell, Oct. 20 against visiting … Read more
According to a report in the Grand Forks Herald, the Fighting Sioux logo can stay at Ralph Engelstad Arena as the NCAA has reportedly backed off its demand on removing the name and logo from North Dakota’s home rink. The NCAA agreed to the changes after one of its top officials, vice president Bernard Franklin, … Read more
The American Hockey League announced Thursday that Ken Gernander (Minnesota, 1987-91) and Peter White (Michigan State, 1988-92) are two of the four inductees into the AHL Hall of Fame class of 2013. The ceremony will take place Jan. 28, 2013 in Providence, R.I. during the AHL All-Star Classic festivities.
North Dakota on Friday announced additional suspensions for violations of team rules stemming from a Sept. 15 hockey team party. Previous suspensions for the four team captains were announced on Sept. 18. Friday’s suspensions were determined based on additional information gathered during the athletic department’s investigative process, according to a school-issued news release. Sophomores Connor … Read more
Minnesota announced Thursday that freshman forward Connor Reilly will miss the 2012-13 season with a knee injury. Reilly suffered the injury after he slipped and fell awkwardly over the weekend, according to a school-issued news release. He is scheduled to undergo surgery in the near future, although a date has yet to be determined. “I’m … Read more