North Dakota junior forward Jason Gregoire announced Wednesday that he will forgo his senior year of eligibility next season in order to play professionally. Gregoire was a third-round pick of the New York Islanders in the 2007 NHL draft, but will take advantage of a loophole in the NHL’s collective bargaining agreement that allows him … Read more
Chris Brooks has been hired as the next men’s head coach at Wisconsin-Stevens Point. Brooks becomes the fifth head coach in Pointers history, replacing Wil Nichol, who resigned to accept a front office position in the National Hockey League. “Chris brings over 12 years of proven success as a hockey coach at the collegiate and … Read more
The Atlantic Hockey post-season tournament next spring will have a new format. Starting next March, all 12 teams will be seeded based on the results of the regular season standings with the top four teams getting a bye in the first round. The first round match-ups will then be the fifth seed hosting the 12th … Read more
Scott Sandelin, who guided Minnesota-Duluth to its first national championship last month, has signed a five-year contract extension that will keep him behind the Bulldogs’ bench through the 2016-2017 season. Sandelin will earn an annual salary of $235,000. “We are very pleased with the leadership Scott has provided to our men’s hockey program and are … Read more
Yale senior goaltender Jackee Snikeris has been named the winner of the 2011 Sarah Devens Award. Given as a joint award between ECAC Hockey and Hockey East, the award is presented annually to a player who “demonstrates leadership and commitment both on and off the ice.” Snikeris, the first Yale player to win the award, … Read more
According to a report out of WPTZ in Plattsburgh, N.Y., Middlebury junior forward Jak Knelman has filed a lawsuit against the school and coach Bill Beaney stemming from his dismissal from the team this past January. The suit seeks damages in excess of $75,000 and alleges that Knelman feels he was wrongly booted from the … Read more
Bob Prier has been named the new head coach at Princeton and will be formally introduced at a press conference on Tuesday. Prier had been an assistant coach and associate head coach at St. Lawrence since 2002. “It is my pleasure to announce the appointment of Bob Prier as Princeton’s new head coach of ice … Read more
Former New Hampshire forward James van Riemsdyk has been added to the roster of the U.S. men’s national team that is currently competing at the IIHF World Championship in Kosice and Bratislava, Slovakia. The Philadelphia Flyers’ forward will be making his sixth U.S. national team appearance, having previously competed at three World Junior Championships (2007-2009) … Read more
Mel Pearson, who spent the last 23 years as an assistant coach at Michigan, is about to lead a team on his own. Pearson has been named head coach at Michigan Tech, his alma mater, the school announced Friday. He will be introduced in a Houghton, Mich., news conference Tuesday. “I’m very excited and grateful … Read more
Wisconsin junior forward Jordy Murray has signed a professional contract with the Rapperswil-Jona Lakers of the Swiss National League A and will not return for his final year of collegiate eligibility with the Badgers. “My three years here with the team and coach (Mike) Eaves have been great,” said Murray in a press release. “I’ve … Read more
While he hasn’t signed on the dotted line just yet, Michigan defenseman Brandon Burlon will forego his senior year with the Wolverines and sign an NHL deal with the New Jersey Devils, according to The Wolverine. “It’s just been something that has been brewing in my head for awhile – it’s time for a change,” … Read more
Penn State has announced Keith Fisher and Matt Lindsay will be head coach Guy Gadowsky’s assistant coaches when the Nittany Lions hit the ice in 2012-2013. Fisher and Lindsay were assistant coaches under Gadowsky at Princeton. “Keith Fisher and Matt Lindsay both have excellent work ethic and have proven to be very successful recruiters of … Read more
Alaska-Anchorage assistant coach Ryan McKelvie has been named the head coach at Lake Forest. He replaces Seamus Gregory, who was the interim head coach in 2010-11 after the retirement of longtime coach Tony Fritz. McKelvie, a former Minnesota State player, was the associate head coach of the Wenatchee Wild of the NAHL from 2008 to … Read more
CCHA schools have picked Fred Pletsch to lead the conference through a key period in its history. Pletsch, who has been serving as interim commissioner since March 23 after Tom Anastos became Michigan State’s coach, had the interim tag removed from the title on Monday. He joined the league in 2001 as director of communications, … Read more
The University of Vermont athletic department lost a dear friend on Monday when Frank McIntosh passed away. “Mac,” as he was known, was associated with the Vermont men’s hockey program for 31 years. A native of Burlington, Vt., McIntosh graduated from Burlington High School and attended UVM. His involvement with the Catamounts began in 1978 … Read more
It’s not finalized yet, but a report in the Wisconsin State Journal has Badgers forward Jordy Murray giving up his senior year to sign a pro contract in Switzerland. “I told the (Wisconsin) coaching staff and my teammates that unless something changes in the next couple of days, I’m leaving,” Murray told the paper. “It’s … Read more
USA Hockey announced Wednesday that defenseman Jack Johnson (Michigan) has been added to the 2011 U.S. Men’s National Team that will compete at the International Ice Hockey Federation World Men’s Championship starting Friday in Kosice and Bratislava, Slovakia. Johnson currently plays for the Los Angeles Kings and will be making his ninth Team USA apperance. … Read more
Two more former collegians were added Tuesday to the United States men’s national team that will compete in the World Championship starting this weekend. Former Wisconsin forward Derek Stepan and ex-Badgers’ defenseman Ryan McDonagh, both currently with the New York Rangers will play for Team USA, joining 18 other former college players on the roster. … Read more
New Michigan State coach Tom Anastos has added former Spartan players Kelly Miller and Mike Gilmore to the Spartan coaching staff, and also retained Tom Newton as an assistant coach and Adam Nightingale as the team’s video coordinator. “I’m excited to have our staff in place so that we can really begin to move forward … Read more
A report from the Associated Press says the NCAA has penalized the State University of New York at Potsdam for violations of financial aid rules involving men’s and women’s ice hockey, men’s and women’s lacrosse, women’s volleyball and women’s soccer programs. Penalties in this case include two years probation and a postseason ban. During the … Read more