Laura Halldorson, who built the University of Minnesota women’s hockey program into a national powerhouse, announced Friday that she is stepping down as head coach of the Golden Gophers after 11 years at the helm. One of the most successful women’s hockey coaches in the nation and the only one to lead a program to … Read more
Denver forward Geoff Paukovich has decided to forgo his final year of college hockey eligibility and has signed a professional contract with the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League. Terms of Paukovich’s three-year entry level contract were not disclosed. Geoff Paukovich will forgo his senior season (photo: Jason Waldowski.) “We are happy for Geoff … Read more
The contract of head men’s hockey coach Seth Appert has been extended for two years by Rensselaer. Appert’s agreement runs through the 2011-12 season. APPERT “In just one year Seth has become an important member of the Rensselaer community with a very positive influence across the campus,” said president Shirley Ann Jackson in making the … Read more
Sophomore defenseman Keith Seabrook (Delta, British Columbia) has left Denver to begin his professional career and forfeited his remaining three years of college hockey eligibility, DU head coach George Gwozdecky announced Monday. Seabrook has signed a major junior A contract with the Calgary Hitmen of the Western Hockey League. “Keith and his family felt the … Read more
Mercyhurst College has promoted Craig Barnett to be the school’s new athletic director effective August 31. Barnett replaces long-time Athletic Director Pete Russo, who announced his retirement on June 22 and will leave the position on August 31. “We are very pleased that Craig has agreed to lead the athletic department at Mercyhurst,” said Mercyhurst … Read more
Brion O’Connor, Hockey East’s director of public relations for the past year, will step down from the post effective Sept. 4 to resume his freelance writing career and to spend more time with his young family. “In many aspects, the post at Hockey East was my dream job,” said O’Connor after submitting his formal resignation … Read more
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute announced Tuesday that athletic director Ken Ralph will resign from the post he has held since 2002 in order to accept the position of athletic director at Colorado College. The decision is effective Aug. 16, at which point Rensselaer sports information director Kevin Beattie will assume Ralph’s duties as acting athletic director … Read more
Quinnipiac announced Monday that head men’s ice hockey coach Rand Pecknold has signed a two-year contract extension that will run through the 2011-12 season. PECKNOLD “I am very pleased that Rand Pecknold will continue to serve as our head men’s ice hockey coach,” director of athletics and recreation Jack McDonald said. “He continues to elevate … Read more
The ECAC announced Monday that Jeffrey Fulton of the Rochester suburb of Penfield, N.Y. — an ice hockey official with more than 30 years officiating experience — has been named an ECAC Coordinator of Ice Hockey Officials. “The ECAC is excited to welcome Jeff Fulton as our newest Hockey Coordinator” said ECAC commissioner Rudy Keeling. … Read more
Phil Roy has been named as the new men’s ice hockey coach at Neumann College. Previously, Roy was an assistant coach during the last two seasons at ECAC West rival Hobart College. ROY “We are very excited to welcome Phil and his family to our Neumann College family,” said Neumann College athletics director Chuck Sack. … Read more
Westfield State College today announced the return of men’s ice hockey as a varsity sport for the 2008-2009 academic year. The sport will return to varsity status after a 20-year hiatus. Westfield State had suspended the sport in 1989 because of budget constraints. “This is an exciting opportunity for our student-athletes,” said Westfield State athletics … Read more
Brad Holt of Dover, N.H., has been named head men’s ice hockey coach at the University of New England. UNE Director of Athletics Kim Allen made the official announcement this morning. HOLT Holt brings a diverse hockey background to the position. Currently, he serves as coach and on-ice director of The Clinic hosted by Bowdoin … Read more
It appears that Blaise MacDonald will keep his job as head coach at Mass.-Lowell after a recent arrest for operating under the influence led to an indefinite suspension without pay. According to a statement issued by University athletic director Dana Skinner on Tuesday, MacDonald will be reinstated on Monday, July 23, based on an agreement … Read more
Golden Gopher defenseman Alex Goligoski has decided to forgo his final year of eligibility and has signed a professional contract with the NHL Pittsburgh Penguins. Published reports said that Goligoski has signed a two-year deal, paying $500,000 this season and $600,000 in 2008-09. Alex Goligoski is the second Gopher blueliner to turn pro this offseason … Read more
The Ottawa Senators snagged two underclassmen from the college ranks this week in Michigan State junior Jim McKenzie and 2005 first-round pick Brian Lee out of North Dakota. Lee, a sophomore defenseman, went ninth overall in 2005 and the native of Fargo, N.D., also set career highs in assists (24), points (26) and penalty minutes … Read more
ECAC Hockey announced today the appointment of Ed Krajewski as Assistant Commissioner. Krajewski, a resident of Cohoes, New York, will begin his duties July 10. He replaces Laura Stange, who served three years as Assistant Commissioner. “I am excited that Ed is joining the ECAC Hockey staff,” said Commissioner Steve Hagwell. “Ed’s previous experience in … Read more
Northern Michigan forward Mike Santorelli has signed with the Nashville Predators, and will forgo his senior season with the Wildcats. Santorelli completed his junior season at Northern Michigan in 2006-07, earning a spot on the 2006-07 All-American West Second Team and the All-CCHA First Team. The Vancouver native led the conference in goals (30) and … Read more
Boston College goaltender Cory Schneider announced today that he will forego his senior season with the Eagles to sign with the Vancouver Canucks, according to BC head coach Jerry York. Cory Schneider backstopped Boston College in two consecutive championship losses, but will forgo another try (photo: Melissa Wade.) Schneider, a first-round draft choice of the … Read more
The University of Massachusetts Lowell has suspended men’s hockey coach Blaise MacDonald indefinitely. MacDONALD Published reports said that MacDonald was arrested Friday night by Chelmsford, Mass., police on drunken driving charges and held until Saturday evening, when he was released on his own recognizance. He was arraigned Monday morning. According to the Lowell Sun, MacDonald … Read more
The NCAA Men’s and Women’s Ice Hockey Rules Committee determined its intention to use the two-referee, one-linesman officiating system for all levels of play starting in 2008-09 and set its points of emphasis for the coming season during its annual meeting June 5-7 in Indianapolis. The committee believes a consistent officiating system will enhance training … Read more