News

After NHL rights traded to Pittsburgh from Winnipeg, McGroarty leaves Michigan following sophomore season, signs contract with Penguins

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After two seasons playing for Michigan, forward Rutger McGroarty has signed an entry-level contract with the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins, forgoing his last two seasons of NCAA eligibility. The Penguins acquired McGroarty’s rights on Aug. 22 from the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for forward Brayden Yager. “We had a difficult decision to make with this trade … Read more

Former Minnesota State, Northern Michigan staffer, St. Thomas grad Synstegaard named CCHA, WCHA assistant commissioner of operations

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The CCHA and WCHA announced today the hiring of Byron Synstegaard as assistant commissioner of operations. He joins the respective conference offices bringing six years of administrative experience in sport and event operations. “To borrow a hockey term, Byron’s hiring puts our staffing plan back at ‘full strength’ in the WCHA and CCHA,” said Minnesota … Read more

Former Bowling Green goalie, Marian goalie coach Nell named new assistant coach, director of hockey operations for Colgate men’s hockey team

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Colgate has announced Chris Nell as the men’s hockey team’s newest assistant coach and director of hockey operations. Nell will serve as the Raiders’ goalie coach. “Chris has rapidly ascended through the goalie coaching ranks, and we are so excited to have him join our staff,” Colgate head coach Mike Harder said in a statement. … Read more

Former Gustavus Adolphus women’s hockey player Gasparini charged with reckless driving for 2023 crash that killed teammate Jones

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Gianna Gasparini, the Gustavus Adolphus hockey player who was driving the car during the 2023 crash that killed teammate Jori Jones, was charged with reckless driving, a misdemeanor, on Aug. 16, 2024. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both. Gasparini did not play during the 2023-24 … Read more

Army West Point hockey coach Riley announces ’24-25 will be his last with Black Knights; current associate head coach McKelvie to take over with ’25-26 season

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Army West Point head hockey coach Brian Riley has announced that the upcoming 2024-25 season will be his final following 21 years at the helm of the program. Associate head coach Zach McKelvie will take the reins as head coach in 2025-26 as Riley passes the torch to an Army Hockey legend both on and off the ice. McKelvie … Read more

Alaska Anchorage names former Lake Superior State assistant hockey coach Pietrangelo to same role with Seawolves

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Alaska Anchorage has announced the addition of Vincent Pietrangelo as the team’s new assistant coach. Pietrangelo is no stranger to college hockey having served as an assistant and head coach in the college ranks since 2015. He spent the 2023-24 season as an assistant coach at Lake Superior State. “We couldn’t be more excited to … Read more

Miami assistant coach Elliott leaves RedHawks bench, moves to ECHL as new assistant coach for Kalamazoo

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The ECHL’s Kalamazoo Wings have announced that Jonathon Elliott has been named a new assistant coach. Elliott comes to Kalamazoo after two years with Miami as director of hockey operations in 2022-23 and an assistant coach last season. Prior to his time with the RedHawks, he spent four seasons as an assistant coach for Saint … Read more

Trinity men’s hockey assistant coach, former Bantams women’s hockey star Weiss makes jump to pro hockey, named new video coach for AHL’s Eagles

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The NHL’s Colorado Avalanche has announced today that the organization has named Kim Weiss the video coach of the organization’s AHL affiliate, the Colorado Eagles. Weiss was a guest coach for the Avalanche in 2023-24 where she assisted in the last two Avalanche development camps, part of the 2023 training camp and periodically throughout the 2023-24 regular … Read more

Former Western New England player Radina stays with Golden Bears as men’s hockey team’s new assistant coach

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Former Western New England player Lukas Radina has been named an assistant coach at his alma mater. “Transitioning from a player to a coach at WNEU is exciting,” Radina told USPHLPremier.com. “I’m eager to leverage my on-ice experience and contribute to the team’s development from a new perspective. My NCAA years were a great learning … Read more

After two seasons behind Lawrence men’s hockey bench, Wall leaves for head coaching job with NAHL’s Jets

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While not officially announced by the school, Lawrence men’s hockey coach Brett Wall has been named head coach of the NAHL’s Janesville Jets. Wall, who played at Lake Superior State, had been with the Vikings since the 2022-23 season. He graduated with a BS in Sports Recreation and Management from LSSU in 2013. “I’m excited … Read more

Sacred Heart hires former Army West Point, Colgate, SUNYAC coach Azzano as new assistant coach for Pioneers men’s hockey team

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Chris Azzano, who has eight seasons of college hockey coaching experience as well as two in the USHL, has been named assistant coach for the Sacred Heart men’s hockey team. Azzano oversaw goalies at Army West Point in 2023-24 after three seasons on the staff at Colgate. He became a full-time Raiders assistant coach for … Read more

Clarkson adds Ragno as new men’s hockey assistant coach, Basarab women’s hockey assistant, Clougherty men’s hockey video coach

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Clarkson has announced the addition of Sebastian Ragno to the men’s hockey coaching staff as a new assistant coach. In addition, Cam Basarab has been named an assistant for the Clarkson women’s hockey team. In the summer of 2023, the NCAA expanded the size allowable for college hockey programs from two paid assistants to three … Read more

Lake Forest women’s hockey coach Wilson departing after six seasons, taking job as NCAA Division I assistant

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Lake Forest women’s hockey coach Jennifer Wilson announced Thursday that she will be resigning to accept an opportunity as an NCAA Division I assistant at an unnamed school. Wilson has coached the Foresters for six seasons and compiled an overall record of 77-57-10 and an NCHA mark of 56-25-7. Lake Forest qualified for the NCHA … Read more

Former Franklin Pierce, UMass Boston men’s hockey player Foley named new assistant coach at Fredonia

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Fredonia has announced the addition of Conor Foley as an assistant coach for the men’s hockey team. Foley played 115 games over five seasons with Franklin Pierce and UMass Boston, finishing his career with 113 points from 2019 to 2024. He was a captain his senior year at Franklin Pierce while also winning the league’s … Read more

Northland tabs coaching veteran Bobrowski new head coach for women’s hockey team

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Jake Bobrowski has been named the new head coach for the Northland women’s hockey team. Bobrowski, who becomes the fourth head coach of the program, takes over for Natasha Hawkins, who left the program in July. “Northland women’s hockey is excited for a new era, with new leadership in Jake Bobrowski,” said Northland athletic director … Read more

The Frozen Confines: Big Ten Hockey Series to feature outdoor weekend at Chicago’s Wrigley Field Jan. 3-4, 2025

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The Big Ten and Chicago Cubs announced Thursday plans to host a pair of college hockey doubleheaders at Wrigley Field in Jan. 2025. The event will be known as The Frozen Confines: Big Ten Hockey Series. The Frozen Confines will feature three Big Ten men’s hockey games, plus a WCHA women’s game, the weekend of … Read more

Lawsuit against NCAA, schools seeks to end rule limiting college eligibility for major junior players

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A lawsuit against the NCAA and some Division I men’s schools is asking to end the loss of U.S. college hockey eligibility for players who compete in major juniors. Attorneys for Canadian player Rylan Masterson claimed in a lawsuit filed Monday that the NCAA’s rule taking away eligibility for those who play games in the … Read more

Former Adrian men’s hockey assistant Phillips tabbed third head coach in Bulldogs team history

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Adrian has announced the hiring of Adam Phillips as head coach of the Bulldogs men’s hockey team. Phillips will serve as the program’s third head coach in program history, taking over for Adam Krug, who left for an assistant coaching job with the AHL’s Bakersfield Condors in July. “Adrian College is very excited that Adam … Read more

Vermont State Castleton women’s hockey graduate assistant Fascetta hired as new assistant coach with Saint Michael’s

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Saint Michael’s has announced the hire of Spencer Fascetta as the women’s hockey program’s full-time assistant coach. Fascetta arrives at Saint Michael’s from Vermont State Castleton, where he served the past two years as a women’s hockey graduate assistant coach under Saint Michael’s alumnus Tim McAuliffe. Fascetta was responsible for recruiting, scouting, special teams, practice … Read more