UMass blueliner Kessel leaves Minutemen after junior season, inks NHL deal with St. Louis

Massachusetts junior defenseman Matt Kessel has signed a two-year, entry-level contract with the St. Louis Blues. Kessel will forgo his senior year with UMass. Kessel, a two-time Hockey East all-star and 2021-22 assistant captain, helped the Minutemen to the 2020-21 national championship and back-to-back Hockey East tournament titles (2021 and 2022). The Bloomfield Hills, Mich., … Read more

North Dakota defenseman Sanderson signs NHL contract with Senators, forgoes last two seasons of NCAA eligibility

The Ottawa Senators announced Sunday that the team has signed North Dakota sophomore defenseman Jake Sanderson to a three-year, entry-level contract, effective immediately. In signing with the NHL club, Sanderson gives up his last two years of NCAA eligibility. A native of Whitefish, Mont., Sanderson recently completed his second season with the Fighting Hawks, leading … Read more

Harvard captain Abruzzese signs with NHL’s Maple Leafs, forgoes senior season with Crimson

Harvard junior captain Nick Abruzzese has signed a two-year entry-level contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Abruzzese, a fourth-round selection (124th overall) in the 2019 NHL Draft by Toronto, will forgo his senior season at Harvard. “We would like to congratulate Nick on his signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs,” said Harvard coach Ted Donato … Read more

Previewing the 2022 NCAA hockey tournament, Worcester Regional: Western Michigan, Minnesota, Massachusetts, Northeastern

WORCESTER REGIONAL When: Friday, March 25 & Sunday, March 27 Where: DCU Center, Worcester, Mass. Matchups: Western Michigan vs. Northeastern, March 25, noon, ESPNU; Minnesota vs. Massachusetts, March 25, 6 p.m., ESPNU; championship, March 27, 4 p.m./6:30 p.m., ESPN2 1. WESTERN MICHIGAN How they got here: At-large bid Overall season record: 25-11-1 Top players: F … Read more

Lindenwood University joining NCAA Division I men’s college hockey ranks for 2022-23 season

Lindenwood University announced Thursday that it will add a NCAA Division I men’s ice hockey program beginning in the fall of 2022. This statement comes on the heels of an announcement last month that the university will transition all NCAA athletic programs to the Division I level during a similar timeframe. “This marks an exciting … Read more

Previewing the 2022 NCAA hockey tournament, Allentown Regional: Michigan, Quinnipiac, St. Cloud State, American International

ALLENTOWN REGIONAL When: Friday, March 25 & Sunday, March 27 Where: PPL Center, Allentown, Pa. Matchups: Michigan vs. American International, March 25, 3 p.m., ESPNU; Quinnipiac vs. St. Cloud State, March 25, 8 p.m., ESPNews; championship, March 27, 4 p.m./6:30 p.m., ESPN2 1. MICHIGAN How they got here: Won Big Ten tournament championship Overall season … Read more