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
Guy Gadowsky is Penn State’s first varsity men’s coach. Gadowsky, who has been head coach at Princeton and Alaska, will lead the Nittany Lions program when it gets started in the 2012-13 season, the school announced on Sunday. He will be formally introduced at a news conference Monday. Minnesota-Duluth’s Scott Sandelin and Wisconsin women’s coach … Read more
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
North Dakota junior forward Brett Hextall has signed an entry-level contract with the Phoenix Coyotes and will forgo his senior season with the Fighting Sioux. Phoenix selected Hextall in the sixth round (159th overall) of the 2008 NHL draft. Hextall tallied 13 goals and 16 assists for a career-high 29 points in 39 games last … Read more
Union wasted no time after the departure of coach Nate Leaman to Providence, naming associate head coach Rick Bennett his successor with the Dutchmen on Friday. Bennett has spent seven seasons at Union, working with defensemen and special teams, managing team video and recruiting. It will be the first head coaching job for Bennett, who … Read more
Not long after being named the Spencer Penrose Award winner as the Division I men’s coach of the year, Nate Leaman is changing his address. Leaman is moving to Providence after leading Union to the school’s first ECAC Hockey regular season championship and first NCAA tournament berth in 2010-11. “We are thrilled to have Nate … Read more
The Grand Forks Herald reports that North Dakota forward Danny Kristo will return for his junior season this fall rather than sign with the Montreal Canadiens. The Canadiens drafted Kristo in the second round in 2008. Kristo is the third non-senior on the UND team to announce this week that he is returning for another … Read more
The Massachusetts-Lowell River Hawks announced their sixth head coach in school history on Thursday, and for the first time they are turning to an alum to lead the program. Norm Bazin, who played for the River Hawks from 1990 through 1994 and was a part of the senior class that led Lowell within a goal … Read more
Jackie Barto, the first coach of women’s hockey at Ohio State, has decided to retire from coaching after 12 seasons with the Buckeyes and 27 years overall. Barto was hired at Ohio State in 1999 to start the women’s hockey program after spending five seasons as the head coach at her alma mater, Providence. “It … Read more
While nothing official has been announced, a report in the Lowell Sun all but confirms Norm Bazin as Massachusetts-Lowell’s next head coach. Blaise MacDonald was let go following this past season. Bazin played for the Riverhawks from 1990-1994 and has previously been an assistant coach at Lowell and Colorado College and most recently, was the … Read more
USA Hockey announced today that Scott Sandelin, Tom Ward and Joe Exter will serve as assistant coaches for the 2012 U.S. National Junior Team. The trio will join head coach Dean Blais behind the bench in leading Team USA at the 2012 International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship Dec. 26, 2011 – Jan. 5, … Read more
North Dakota defenseman Ben Blood announced today that he will return to the Fighting Sioux for his senior season this fall. Blood opted not to sign with the Ottawa Senators, the team that made him a fourth-round draft pick (120th overall) in 2007. Blood appeared in all 44 games for the Fighting Sioux in 2010-11 … Read more
According to a report in the Watertown Daily Times, Clarkson has fired head coach George Roll and assistant coach Greg Drechsel. “We’ve started our national search,” Clarkson athletic director Steve Yianoukos said to the paper. “We’re very committed to hiring the best possible coach to fit the Clarkson University athletic mold. We are committed to … Read more
The New Jersey Devils have signed Union sophomore goaltender Keith Kinkaid to an entry-level contract. Kinkaid appeared in 38 games this past season, posting a 25-10-3 mark with three shutouts and a 1.99 goals-against average. He helped lead the Dutchmen to their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance, making 26 saves in a 2-0 loss against eventual … Read more