Wayne State University will discontinue sponsorship of the men’s hockey program at the end of the current academic year. The decision, approved by the WSU Board of Governors today, was necessary due to continuing reductions in state appropriations to higher education. “Anytime you eliminate a program, it is a very difficult move. We exhausted every … Read more
BOSTON — Commissioner Joe Bertagna of the Hockey East Association announced the preseason women’s coaches poll on Tuesday afternoon at the conference’s annual media day held in Banners Restaurant at the TD Banknorth Garden in Boston. The New Hampshire Wildcats, who have won the last two Hockey East regular-season and tournament championships, earned six of … Read more
ALBANY, N.Y. — St. Lawrence, which has finished among the top three teams in the regular-season standings each year since 2000-01, is the team to beat in the 2007-08 regular season, according to voting by the League coaches as part of the pre-season polls and all-League team. The Saints, led by head coach Paul Flanagan, … Read more
Westfield State College has announced the hiring of Jerry Keefe as the head coach of its men’s ice hockey team. Keefe’s college career was at Providence and he played professionally for five years. He was an assistant coach at Mass.-Boston last season, and coached the U.S. Select Under 17 team at the National Festival in … Read more
University of North Dakota athletic director Tom Buning was placed on an indefinite leave of absence Monday at his own request. Phil Harmeson, UND’s vice president of general administration who oversees the athletic department, could not say when or if Buning would resume his duties. He also said that under State Board of Higher Education … Read more
In the past nine months, Notre Dame has put up some impressive numbers: 32 regular season victories, 143 goals scored, a 1.7 goals-against average and five weeks as the top-ranked team in the nation.
Scott Harlow, who spent seven productive years as the head coach of the Stonehill College hockey team, has resigned, athletic director Paula Sullivan announced this week. Harlow, who led the Skyhawks to a school-record tying 14 wins on two separate occasions, most recently in 2005-06 season, departs with 67 overall wins, the most in school … Read more
After taking the Fighting Sioux to three Frozen Fours in his first three seasons, the University of North Dakota on Tuesday signed men’s hockey coach Dave Hakstol to a five-year contract. “We’re fortunate to have the stability for our program and the opportunity to focus on what we really need to do,” Hakstol said. “We … Read more
The 2008 College Hockey America Men’s Tournament will be hosted by Niagara University, as announced by the league office Tuesday. The three-day tournament, which kicks off March 14, will be played at the newly-renovated Dwyer Arena one week after the campus hosts the Women’s CHA Tournament. “We are extremely excited to have both the men’s … Read more
Former Yale coach Tim Taylor was named an assistant coach Friday for USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program. Taylor also was head coach of the 1994 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team. TAYLOR “Tim Taylor is one of the most respected American coaches of our time,” said Jim Johannson, assistant executive director of hockey operations … Read more
Peter G. Souris, a 2001 graduate of the University of New Hampshire and the school’s associate director of media relations, has been hired as Hockey East’s new director of public relations. Souris replaces another UNH graduate, Brion O’Connor, who served in the position for the past year. “I couldn’t be happier with the addition of … Read more
Golden Gopher forward/defenseman Jim O’Brien has decided to forgo his final three years of college hockey eligibility and has left the University of Minnesota men’s hockey team to play for Seattle Thunderbirds of the Western Hockey League. “I think Jim and his family have made a decision that they believe is in his best interests,” … Read more
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