California Love: Western Michigan’s Golden State septet a tight group
Many of the seven players from California on the Broncos took a similar road to Kalamazoo. Matt Mackinder reports.
Men’s D-I: Western Michigan
TMQ: On schedule strength, conference respect and a tough way to lose
Is Merrimack’s schedule tough enough for the Warriors to be the No. 1 team in the nation? That and more in this week’s edition of Tuesday Morning Quarterback with Jim Connelly and Todd D. Milewski.
TMQ: How far can new No. 1 Merrimack take this run?
The Warriors are likely to be undefeated through two months. Jim Connelly and Todd D. Milewski look at the road ahead in Tuesday Morning Quarterback.
TMQ: A split in the votes for Merrimack; Lowell’s rise; Northern Michigan’s fall
Jim Connelly and Todd D. Milewski run down the hot topics this week in Division I men’s hockey in Tuesday Morning Quarterback.
TMQ: Passing tests and continuing surprises
Boston College is setting itself up for a run in the No. 1 spot, and a number of teams continue their early success. Jim Connelly and Todd D. Milewski discuss in this week’s edition of Tuesday Morning Quarterback.
TMQ: Setback off ice, statement on it in college hockey
Todd: There’s plenty to talk about this week, but events developing Monday have captured our attention. Alabama-Huntsville has announced it will drop its varsity program in favor of a club team to save money. Program boosters have been raising funds to keep the program going, but interim president Malcolm Portera pulled the plug. The writing … Read more
Western Michigan out to build on breakout season despite coaching change
Past predictors In one year, Jeff Blashill — the kid who grew up in Sault Ste. Marie, played in Big Rapids and coached in Oxford — pulled Western Michigan from last place to fourth, and none of it seemed like smoke and mirrors. Somehow, Blashill managed to transform the program’s culture in just one little … Read more
Western Michigan, St. Cloud accept NCHC invites; WCHA ‘disappointed’
Both Western Michigan and St. Cloud State announced Thursday that they have accepted the invitations to join the National Collegiate Hockey Conference for the 2013-2014 season, the inaugural year for the NCHC. The invitations were extended Wednesday and both schools took little time in accepting. “This is a great day for the National Collegiate Hockey … Read more
The next step for Spiros Anastas
Just two years out of college, former Lebanon Valley captain Spiros Anastas continues to build his hockey resume, joining the Western Michigan staff as a volunteer coach this season. Anastas spent last year as an assistant coach at his alma mater, helping the program make the transition from playing in the Division III ECAC West … Read more
Western Michigan, St. Cloud State invited to join NCHC
Western Michigan and St. Cloud State have received invitations to join the National Collegiate Hockey Conference, according to a press release issued Wednesday afternoon. “After a thorough and deliberate evaluation process, the National Collegiate Hockey Conference is delighted to extend invitations to St. Cloud State and Western Michigan to become members of what we believe … Read more
Checking In: Former Western Michigan, Wayne State coach Bill Wilkinson
In the first of an occasional series of stories catching up with college hockey personalities, past and present, Matt Mackinder finds Wilkinson coaching a Spanish team.
‘Energized’ Western Michigan coach Murray crosses college job off bucket list
The Broncos leader says he’s “not here as an old NHL coach looking for a few years.” Paula C. Weston reports.
Broncos name NHL veteran Murray new head coach
Veteran NHL coach Andy Murray has signed a five-year contract to coach Western Michigan, the school announced Tuesday. He replaces Jeff Blashill, who left after one season to become an assistant coach with the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings. The hiring of Murray, who has 20 years of coaching experience in the NHL, comes as the … Read more
WMU’s Blashill leaves Broncos for Red Wings
After an article in the Kalamazoo Gazette earlier this week that said Western Michigan head coach Jeff Blashill may be one and done with the Broncos and could be accepting an assistant coaching position with the Detroit Red Wings, the school made it official Friday in announcing Blashill’s resignation. Blashill led the Broncos this past … Read more
Western Michigan extends Blashill through 2016
Western Michigan has extended USCHO.com national coach of the year Jeff Blashill’s contract through the 2015-16 season. According to a press release issued by WMU, through incentive adjustments, Blashill’s guaranteed compensation will raise to $275,000 annually with the new deal. “I am very excited to strengthen my commitment to Western Michigan University and the Bronco … Read more
Western Michigan’s Blashill gets USCHO nod as top coach
Western Michigan rookie coach Jeff Blashill, who took over a squad that won only eight games the previous year, has been voted as USCHO’s coach of the year. In an amazing turnaround, Blashill took the same squad that had finished in the basement the previous year and coached them to a 19-13-10 record and fourth … Read more
For Denver, resilience keeps coming up in the playoffs
The Pioneers have grown accustomed to falling behind and needing third-period rallies.
Midwest Regional preview: More drama in Green Bay?
North Dakota, Denver, Western Michigan and Rensselaer play in Green Bay, Wis., for a spot in the Frozen Four.
Kuhn finds his place for Western Michigan
In the second half of this season, Western Michigan goaltender Jerry Kuhn has made it look easy. The senior from Southgate, Mich., has been the starter since a 4-1 win over Lake Superior State on Dec. 11, the first contest of WMU’s 14-game unbeaten streak that finally ended with a 3-1 loss to Miami on … Read more
Tuesday Morning Quarterback: Earning the waiting game
The teams that will be sweating out the conference tournaments, waiting to see whether they get into the NCAA tournament, have earned that position, Jim Connelly and Todd D. Milewski write in this week’s edition.