Wisconsin’s Kohl Center set to reduce on-ice dimensions to NHL-sized 200 feet long by 85 feet wide for 2024-25 college hockey season

The Wisconsin State Building Commission has officially approved the reduction of the size of the Kohl Center ice sheet that will get underway this spring and be ready for the 2024-25 season. The original Olympic-sized rink was designed to be 200 feet long by 97 feet wide and will now undergo construction and be reduced … Read more

‘I will always be a Maverick:’ Longtime Omaha coach, administrator Kemp retiring in May 2024 after 48 years in college athletics

Omaha Hockey Hall of Fame coach and longtime administrator Mike Kemp has announced his retirement from the department effective this May. Kemp arrived at the University of Nebraska Omaha as its first head hockey coach on July 1, 1996. He was elevated to the position of associate athletic director in May 2009 after serving as … Read more

Men’s HCA monthly award winners for December include Maine’s Josh Nadeau, AIC’s Lindberg, Wisconsin’s McClellan

The Hockey Commissioners Association has announced its men’s monthly award winners for December. Maine junior forward Josh Nadeau is the player of the month, while American International freshman forward Alfred Lindberg is the rookie of the month and Wisconsin senior Kyle McClellan the goaltender of the month. Nadeau averaged two points per game with his … Read more

Wisconsin defenseman, Seattle draft pick Jugnauth leaves Badgers to play for WHL’s Winterhawks

Wisconsin sophomore defenseman Tyson Jugnauth has left the Badgers to play for the WHL’s Portland Winterhawks, according to the Wisconsin State Journal. Jugnauth, a fourth-round pick (100th overall) by the Seattle Kraken in the 2022 NHL Draft, was a healthy scratch in three of Wisconsin’s last four games but did return to the lineup for … Read more

Wisconsin collects 32 first-place votes, takes over as No. 1 team in Nov. 13 edition of USCHO.com Division I Men’s Poll

Wisconsin sat idle last weekend, but still picked up 32 first-place votes in this week’s USCHO.com Division I Men’s Poll, moving up two spots in the rankings. North Dakota also moved up two spots, sitting No. 2 this week and collecting nine first-place votes. Denver falls one to No. 3, picking up three first-place votes, … Read more

Wisconsin’s Kohl Center ice to be reduced to NHL dimensions during summer of 2024 or 2025; seating also to be adjusted

Built with an ice sheet 200 feet long by 97 feet wide when originally constructed during what was a wave of Olympic-sized ice sheets in college hockey, the Kohl Center ice will undergo construction and be reduced to NHL dimensions of 200 by 85 feet. “One of the reasons these young men come to the … Read more

2023-24 Big Ten Hockey Season Preview: Minnesota still looks to be top team in conference, but gap closing as rest of teams much improved

The Big Ten made big strides last season, with a 55-21-2 record in nonconference play, the best winning percentage (.718) in D-I interleague play. From top to nearly bottom, Big Ten Hockey was a force to be reckoned with, and four of the conference’s seven teams played their way into the NCAA tournament. As the … Read more

Minnesota favorite to win Big Ten hockey title in 2023 coaches poll, Gophers’ Snuggerud, Notre Dame’s Bischel unanimous preseason all-conference

Minnesota is considered the favorite to capture the 2023-24 Big Ten championship, according to the Big Ten Hockey preseason coaches poll. Preseason all-Big Ten teams were also selected in voting conducted by conference head coaches. PRESEASON ALL-BIG TEN FIRST TEAM Forward Gavin Brindley Michigan So. Forward Jimmy Snuggerud # Minnesota So. Forward Stephen Halliday Ohio … Read more

Alaska Anchorage men’s hockey assistant Murdock leaves Seawolves for same role with Wisconsin

Wisconsin has announced that Kevin Murdock is joining the Badgers men’s hockey team as the team’s new third assistant coach. Murdock, who spent last season as an assistant coach at Alaska Anchorage and helped revive the program when hired in late 2021, will coach UW’s goaltenders, among his other duties. “Kevin is a guy who … Read more

After leading USHL’s Force to top regular-season finish, Oliver named new assistant coach at Wisconsin

Nick Oliver, head coach of the USHL’s 2023 regular-season champion Fargo Force, is joining the Wisconsin men’s hockey staff as an assistant coach. “We are excited to bring Nick and his family to the University of Wisconsin,” Wisconsin head coach Mike Hastings said in a statement. “His depth of experience as a player and a … Read more

After one season as Wisconsin assistant coach, Brandt staying in town as new coach-GM for USHL’s Capitols

Wisconsin assistant coach Andy Brandt has been named the new head coach and general manager of the USHL’s Madison Capitols. Brandt takes over the franchise after spending one season behind the Badgers bench as an assistant coach. Brandt played for Wisconsin’s 2006 NCAA championship team before moving on to a professional playing and coaching career. … Read more

With Warren off to NFL’s Bears, longtime MLB executive, Emmy winner Petitti named new Big Ten commissioner

The Big Ten has announced that Tony Petitti has been named the seventh commissioner of the conference. He will begin his tenure on May 15. Petitti replaces Kevin Warren, whose final day with the Big Ten is today, April 14. Warren has been named president and chief executive officer of the NFL’s Chicago Bears. Petitti … Read more

Minnesota’s Knies tabbed Big Ten player of year, Michigan’s Fantilli top freshman, Notre Dame’s Bischel best goaltender

The Big Ten has announced the hockey individual award winners and all-Big Ten teams. Voting was conducted by conference coaches and a media panel. PLAYER OF THE YEAR Matthew Knies, So., F, MINN DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR Brock Faber, Jr., D, MINN GOALTENDER OF THE YEAR Ryan Bischel, Sr., G, ND FRESHMAN OF THE … Read more

Wisconsin blueliner Ceulemans signs with Blue Jackets, forgoes junior, senior seasons with Badgers

The Columbus Blue Jackets have signed Wisconsin sophomore defenseman Corson Ceulemans to an entry-level contract. In signing the NHL deal, Ceulemans gives up his junior and senior seasons with the Badgers. A 2021 first-round pick (25th overall) at the 2021 NHL Draft, Ceulemans also signed an AHL tryout contract with the Cleveland Monsters, the Blue … Read more

Wisconsin men’s hockey coach Granato done after seven seasons, 105-129-16 record with Badgers

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Wisconsin head coach Tony Granato will not return for the 2023-24 season. Granato just completed his seventh season behind the Badgers’ bench. “Coach Granato is a great Badger, and no one is more passionate about Wisconsin hockey or the University of Wisconsin than he is,” Wisconsin director of athletics Chris McIntosh said in a statement. … Read more

This Week in Big Ten Hockey: Wacky regular season means conference playoffs shaping up to be anybody’s call

After a hotly contested regular season, the first round of the Big Ten playoffs begins this week and it’s nearly impossible to predict who will advance to the semifinals. First-place Minnesota gets a first-round bye. The quarterfinal best-of-three series has No. 7 Wisconsin at No. 2 Michigan, No. 6 Penn State at No. 3 Ohio … Read more

This Week in Big Ten Hockey: After Minnesota crowned regular-season champs, rest of conference standings still in flux

Heading into the final weekend of regular-season Big Ten play, we know two things for sure about conference playoff seedings: Minnesota has the first-round bye and Wisconsin travels for that first week of playoff action. Where the Badgers are going, though, remains a mystery for a few days more. First things first. Congratulations to the … Read more