Minnesota has reported to its compliance office a possible violation of NCAA rules. The issue is whether a visit by two longtime school representatives, violates provisions against people outside the hockey program itself from contacting recruits.
A number of WCHA teams are off to flying starts, not the least of which being Alaska-Anchorage. No, the Seawolves are not 2-0 like many of their bretheren, but they did go 1-0-1 in front of a large and lively home crowd, as new coach John Hill made his debut. That, the replay rule debate, and more is a click away.
Wisconsin eyes the days-old world attendance record; St. Cloud shows its fleetness of foot; and Sioux fans have a literery gift to enjoy. Todd D. Milewski opens the WCHA season.
Engelstad Arena has served as a cozy home for some very thrilling moments in North Dakota history. Now, thanks to another gracious contribution from its namesake, the new Englestad Arena opens its doors this weekend, raising the bar for modern hockey buildings.
Bruce McLeod was awarded a new contract by the WCHA that will keep him on as commissioner through at least 2006. McLeod, the former athletic director at Minnesota-Duluth has been at the helm for eight seasons.
Scott Sandelin endured a tough year in his debut as Minnesota-Duluth head coach. The Bulldogs let opponents too near the net far too often, something UMD looks to change with a young, puck-moving defense.
WCHA coaches selected Colorado College as the team to beat in this year’s race for the MacNaughton Cup. Minnesota, North Dakota, St. Cloud State and Denver rounded out the top five.
St. Cloud may have won its first WCHA tournament title, but the Huskies still feel the sting of an NCAA quarterfinal loss — and the loss of four all-WCHA players. Still, a balanced roster is St. Cloud’s strength as it looks to repeat last year’s success.
In Scott Owens’ third year at Colorado College, the Tigers may be ready to put the puzzle together. A strong finish, including a double-overtime win in the NCAA tournament, gives Mark Cullen and CC a boost coming into the new year.
This time, Mike Sertich will be there from the start. The Michigan Tech head coach, who leads the Huskies for his first full season after replacing Tim Watters last year, will count on senior Paul Cabana to buoy the MTU attack.
Minnesota might have the top returning talent in the WCHA, including the Defensive Player of the Year in Jordan Leopold, but the Gophers could be haunted by their finishes in big games. Can Don Lucia’s squad continue its return to prominence?
Troy Jutting knows well that the college hockey season doesn’t open with the drop of the puck in October, and it doesn’t start with practice in September. It starts the day after the previous season ends because you can’t take summers off in the collegiate game anymore. Your opponents are going to come back stronger … Read more
The WCHA put a record five teams into the 2001 national tournament, including two of the four bye teams, but only runner-up North Dakota made it through to the Frozen Four. The league which sports more NCAA champions than all others combined looks to better its already-impressive effort this season.
The question for Wisconsin this season is simple: who’s in goal? Scott Kabotoff and newcomer Bernd Bruckler vie to replace workhorse Graham Melanson, while seven seniors anchor the Badger offense — similarly missing a compatriot in Dany Heatley.
Once again, North Dakota will have to rebound from the loss of key contributors to challenge for the WCHA championship. And that’s the point — Dean Blais and the Sioux have done this before, and may again thanks to the likes of Ryan Bayda, Andy Kollar and Chad Mazurak.
There’s a new coach in Anchorage, and if he has his way, you’ll hardly recognize the Seawolves. John Hill looks to install an up-tempo game at UAA as he tries to instill a winning tradition.
With two capable goaltenders, including Wade Dubielewicz, and a solid defense, the Denver Pioneers are ready to move up in the WCHA. Standing between DU and a home playoff berth, however, may be a lack of scoring.
Dan Welch won’t return to school at Minnesota for the start of the 2001-2002 season, but Gophers coach Don Lucia is holding a spot for him — for a while. Welch, expected to join the Gophers after a year hiatus when he was academically ineligible, has not met the requirements to be reinstated in school … Read more
It’s been four months of speculation, and still nothing has been officially determined. But essentially, the early departure of St. Cloud star Tyler Arnason to the NHL is a done deal. Tyler Arnason turned in another huge performance against North Dakota in the 2001 WCHA title game. Arnason, a senior-to-be, still has not signed a … Read more
Despite leading Wisconsin within a game of the Frozen Four, Badgers coach Jeff Sauer did not have his contract extended by the school’s athletic board on Friday.