Second Helpings
North Dakota’s top line may be its most productive, but it’s hardly the only source of scoring for the Fighting Sioux. Todd D. Milewski reports.
Men’s D-I: WCHA
UMD Soph Stars Niskanen, Raymond Depart For Pros
Fresh off a stirring though ultimately unsuccessful effort in the WCHA playoffs, Minnesota-Duluth’s prospects for 2007-08 took a substantial hit Friday with the announcement that Matt Niskanen and Mason Raymond have departed for the pros. Both were sophomores and each was named to the All-WCHA first team Thursday. Niskanen, a 6-1, 195-pound defenseman, signed with … Read more
This Week in the WCHA: March 15, 2007
Off The Top Of My Head • It doesn’t seem right, but could it be that one of the most exciting seasons in recent history may end up costing the WCHA in the long run? More on that in a bit … Revisiting Weekend One of the WCHA Playoffs There weren’t a whole lot of … Read more
WCHA Awards Announced, North Dakota’s Duncan Is POTY
A dominating second half of the season put Ryan Duncan at the top of the WCHA scoring charts, and on Thursday it also netted the North Dakota sophomore the league’s player of the year award. Duncan scored 22 goals and 39 points in the 28-game WCHA schedule, and he captured attention with a four-goal, seven-point … Read more
Jutting Extended At Minnesota State
Minnesota State University, Mankato officials have announced that Troy Jutting, head coach of the Maverick men’s hockey program, has reached an agreement in principle on a contract extension that will see him continue on after his current agreement expires on June 30, 2007. A few remaining details will be finalized when Jutting meets with Kevin … Read more
Hobey Baker Finalists Named
The Hobey Baker Foundation announced on Thursday the top ten finalists for the 2007 Hobey Baker Memorial Award, honoring college hockey’s top player. Alphabetically, they are Drew Bagnall, St. Lawrence; David Brown, Notre Dame; John Curry, Boston University; Nathan Davis, Miami University; Ryan Duncan, North Dakota; Eric Ehn, Air Force; Bobby Goepfert, St. Cloud State; … Read more
North Dakota’s Better Half
Just as hope was draining away in North Dakota, Philippe Lamoureux stepped up to help carry the Fighting Sioux to a spectacular second half, Patrick C. Miller says.
This Week in the WCHA: March 8, 2007
Off the Top of My Head • It’s time for the March Madness to really begin, starting with the Final Five. Here’s a complete rundown of this weekend’s matchups. A Complete Rundown No. 10 Alaska-Anchorage at No. 1 Minnesota How they got here: The top-ranked team for much of the season, the Gophers jumped out … Read more
Finding T-Mo
Minnesota State’s Travis Morin might have flown under the national radar for most of his college career, but Dan Myers finds the senior forward vastly appreciated in Mankato.
Tuesday Morning Quarterback: West
While Alaska pulls off the weekend’s biggest playoff upset, it’s bubble-speculation time for Scott Brown as he examines WCHA archrivals on the fringe of the field of 16.
Wintry Mix
With Minnesota on the cusp of the MacNaughton Cup last weekend, St. Cloud State refused to cooperate. The WCHA race will soon be settled, but both teams have made their marks, Scott Brown says.
This Week in the WCHA: March 1, 2007
Off The Top Of My Head Okay, so we know three things for sure: Alaska-Anchorage will finish last, Minnesota-Duluth will finish ninth, and those two will play Minnesota and St. Cloud in the first round of the WCHA playoffs next weekend (though we don’t know who will face who). Get ready for a wild weekend. … Read more
Carnival Atmosphere
After years of frustration, Michigan Tech is turning things around. Todd D. Milewski finds the Huskies on the verge of home ice in the WCHA playoffs and a potential NCAA tournament bid.
Rising Star
Once upon a time, Chris Butler couldn’t even get the attention of junior hockey leagues. Just a few years later, he’s shining with Denver, Jim Stevens finds.
This Week in the WCHA: Feb. 22, 2007
Off The Top Of My Head • Just as I suspected, the tight finish atop the WCHA didn’t pan out last weekend, and now Minnesota is a tie with St. Cloud State away from clinching the MacNaughton Cup. • That doesn’t mean the races are over. Five teams are still mathematically in contention for second … Read more
Wisconsin Men’s Hockey Seniors Leaving A Legacy Of Dedication
As the Wisconsin men’s hockey team enters the last two series of the regular season, there comes a time to look back and look at where the team has come from, how they found their identity and most importantly who took hold of the reins and led the team to its current position.
Minnesota’s Johnson Leads Normal Life Despite Hockey Hype
Even with his 6-feet 4-inch, 222-pound frame, Erik Johnson attracts little attention with his quiet demeanor. Bu the 18-year-old lost any signs of hockey anonymity after the St. Louis Blues selected Johnson with the top pick in last summer’s NHL Entry Draft.
Tuesday Morning Quarterback: West
Notre Dame’s rise to the CCHA summit, a pair of unlikely NCAA tournament contenders in the WCHA, and the precarious state of the CHA — all are fodder for Scott Brown’s musings this week.
This Week in the WCHA: Feb. 15, 2007
Off the Top of My Head Just three weeks left and the standings could get even closer this weekend. Can Minnesota add to its lead? Can St. Cloud keep pace? Only time will tell … Two Crucial Series We should know a lot more about the top of the WCHA standings after this weekend, especially … Read more
This Week in the WCHA: Feb. 8, 2007
Off The Top Of My Head All right, brace yourselves. There is now less than one month until the final week of the WCHA regular season schedule and we have plenty yet to figure out: Will North Dakota hang on to the final home-ice spot? Will teams continue to beat up on each other and … Read more