Hockey East 2001 All-Academic team

Boston College (10) Ales Dolinar Ben Eaves Brian Gionta Jeff Giuliano** Marty Hughes** Chuck Kobasew Mike Lephart*** Mark McLennan Dan Sulivan*** A.J. Walker** Boston University (2) Colin Sheen** Frantisek Skladany Maine (9) Trapper Clark Todd Jackson Doug Janik Martin Kariya** Peter Metcalf** Don Richardson Eric Turgeon+ Matt Yeats Gray Shaneberger*** UMass-Amherst (9) Markus Helanen Samuli … Read more

Komisarek Goes to Montreal at No. 7

Mike Komisarek says he hasn’t thought too much about the NHL. On Saturday, though, the Montreal Canadiens made him a top-10 pick in the NHL Entry Draft. (Round-by-round picks) Komisarek, a defenseman for Michigan, was taken seventh overall by the Canadiens, and became the first college player taken in this year’s draft. “I’m speechless right … Read more

OSU AD Explains Ganga’s Dismissal

The dismissal of senior-to-be Nick Ganga from the Ohio State program sent shockwaves through the CCHA, and touched off some heated rhetoric. OSU athletic director Andy Geiger has now spoken out in defense of his head coach, John Markell, who made the decision.

AHL’s Lowell Signs USCHO D-III Player of the Year

The AHL Lowell Lock Monsters have signed Norwich all-time leading scorer Keith Aucoin. Aucoin was the 2001 AHCA college division player of the year, and was a first team All-American in both his junior and senior years. Aucoin was also USCHO Division III player of the year as a sophomore and senior. “Signing Keith is … Read more

Lesteberg Steps In at Bemidji

Bemidji State named Jason Lesteberg its new women’s coach Tuesday. He replaces Ruthann Cantile, who resigned following this past season due to personal reasons.

Ostapina Leaves NEC for MSOE

After guiding New England College to its best season in his tenure, including a berth in the NCAA Division III tournament, head coach Mark Ostapina has resigned to become head coach at the Milwaukee College of Engineering.

Miller Adds USA Hockey Award to Growing List

Michigan State goalie Ryan Miller, who recently won the Hobey Baker Award in just his sophomore season, was named winner of the USA Hockey College Player of the Year. He will be among 11 athletes, coaches, officials, administrators and volunteers honored at a banquet June 9 for their “excellence, dedication and contributions to the sport … Read more

Conn. College Names New Women’s Coach

Kristin Steele is Connecticut College’s new women’s coach. She replaces Bernie Cassell, who served as the team’s interim head coach during the 2000-01 season. Steele has spent the last three years as the assistant women’s ice hockey coach and recruiting coordinator at Niagara. She began her collegiate coaching career in 1997 an assistant for the … Read more

Minnesota’s Killewald Diagnosed with Brain Tumor

Minnesota women’s hockey senior goalie Erica Killewald has been diagnosed with a brain tumor and is scheduled to have surgery this week. Killewald was a member of the first recruiting class in the history of the Gopher women’s hockey program, and a key element in building the program. She was one of eight players honored … Read more

2 Weeks After Stem-Cell Transplant, Walsh Progressing Well

Two weeks after undergoing a stem-cell transplant at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Md., Maine head coach Shawn Walsh is “feeling stronger every day” and continuing to make progress in his outpatient treatment. His most recent round of treatments involved a week of chemotherapy, which began May 10, to suppress his immune … Read more

Trio of New D-III Coaches Announced

A trio of new Division III coaching hires were recently announced. Lake Forest has tabbed Susan Bellizzi to lead the women’s program. Bellizzi replaces T.R. Bell, who resigned after the 2000-01 season. The Foresters finished last season with a 10-13-1 overall record, including a 4-11-1 mark and fourth-place finish in the NCHA. It was Lake … Read more

Geneseo Names Hills New Men’s Coach

Geneseo has selected Bowling Green assistant Brian Hills to be its new men’s head coach, USCHO has learned. Hills replaces Paul Duffy, who retired in March after 26 seasons with the Knights. “I am looking forward to the opportunity at Geneseo,” said Hills, “I hope to be able to elevate the program to the top … Read more

Rules Committee Concludes Meetings

Without any monumental changes to deal with, the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Ice Hockey Committee focused on a number of rules tweaks at their annual meetings in New Orleans, which concluded Thursday. In addition, the committee took “no action” on the CHA proposal to allow 4-on-4 play during regular-season conference overtime games. According to Rules … Read more

Fundraiser for Curran Announced

A fundraiser will be held on June 14 to benefit Matt Curran, the Providence junior goaltender who suffered a severe spinal cord injury early Easter morning. The event, organized by Curran’s family and friends to help defer his expenses, will be held at Concannon’s Village in Norwood starting at 7 p.m. It will include food, … Read more

MAAC Discussions Yield Little So Far

No news is exactly that today — no news — as the athletic directors of the 11 MAAC institutions met on a conference call to discuss league issues. According to Ken Taylor, director of ice hockey and special events for the MAAC, there was “no formal approval of anything, just discussion.” Thus the league office is staying tight-lipped on the issues.

ECAC Winds of Change Shift Direction

A late proposal has thrown a curve into the ECAC’s plans to change its postseason tournament format. According to sources, the ECAC, in its plan to include all 12 member teams in the postseason, has moved away from the initial idea of six quarterfinals, and instead will add an extra week of playoffs that will result in a more customary Final Four scenario.

Legendary Murray Murdoch Passes Away at Age 96

Murray Murdoch, the legendary professional hockey player and collegiate coach, passed away today in South Carolina, two days shy of his 97th birthday. Murray Murdoch, in his coaching days. (photo courtesy Yale sports information) Murdoch, the oldest living National Hockey League Player, played 11 seasons with the New York Rangers (1926-37), totalling 84 goals and … Read more