Western Michigan’s Vince Bellissimo has decided to leave the school after his junior season to enter the professional ranks. A 2002 draftee of the National Hockey League’s Florida Panthers, Bellissimo will begin his career with the San Antonio Rampage of the American Hockey League. “We appreciate Vince’s contribution to the program and wish him the … Read more
Within a college hockey program, it’s a different world from the one most of us see, and the Western Michigan Broncos are no exception.
Brent Walton says he’s a regular guy. His coach agrees. But there’s nothing ordinary about the season the Western Michigan junior is having.
What can you say about a campaign that ended just one puckwidth away from a trip to Joe Louis Arena? “It was a very emotional season for us,” says Western Michigan head coach Jim Culhane. The Broncos had a wild ride in 2003-04, putting together an 8-2-1 midseason streak before running into Michigan, then — … Read more
The most interesting thing about the Broncos so far this year are the preseason remarks of head coach Jim Culhane. “It’s an exciting time at our university; it’s our centennial anniversary. We were founded in 1903, and it’s a very exciting time for us on campus.” Okay. “We have a new president, Dr. Judith Bailey, … Read more
The Western Michigan Broncos continue to be a league enigma. During the 2001-02 season, Lawson Arena was one of the fiercest places to play in the CCHA, and the Broncos defeated six nationally ranked teams at home last year. But early in January, WMU was swept by Ohio State at home — and then the … Read more
IX When the Bronco skated into the box,He marked the edgeOf one of many circles. What to say about a team that flew out of the gate last season, only to stumble through January and limp through February and March? When 2001 began, the Broncos were 14-3-2, and seemed to be riding the hot sticks … Read more
Western Michigan’s Jim Culhane has brought the Broncos back from the depths of the CCHA, thanks in large part to lessons he learned as a player at the school.
Another second-year coach, Jim Culhane, is pleased with the progress his Broncos made last season. “Last year was a very exciting year for us in that we finally made it back to the CCHA tournament with a young team and a young staff. It was the first time in three years that we made it … Read more
Western Michigan head coach Bill Wilkinson, whose last-place team had been the focus of an internal investigation earlier this season, has been relieved of his duties effective immediately, the university announced today. Wilkinson will be replaced on an interim basis by assistant coach Jim Culhane while the search for his successor gets underway. Culhane is … Read more
In the aftermath of a team party which resulted in the arrests and suspensions of sophomores Mark Wilkinson and Steven Rymsha, Western Michigan has suspended its entire hockey team for one game for secondary NCAA violations. The suspensions will be served by all team members in staggered fashion over six games, preventing the need for … Read more
In the wake of their arrests at a house party Saturday night, Western Michigan hockey players Mark Wilkinson and Steven Rymsha have been placed on indefinite suspension, WMU athletic director Kathy Beauregard announced today. Additionally, head coach Bill Wilkinson, Mark Wilkinson’s father, has been temporarily suspended while the matter is under investigation. The arrests took … Read more
Western Michigan goaltender Marc Magliarditi and Maine forward Jamie Thompson have both recently decided to leave their college teams. Magliarditi, CCHA 1996 Rookie of the Year, has decided to go to Spokane, Wash., to play for the Chiefs of the Western Hockey League. “It leaves a big hole to fill,” said Western Michigan coach Bill … Read more