Nicholson continues journey as Atlantic Hockey assistant, hired by Mercyhurst ahead of ’21-22 season

Mercyhurst announced Friday the addition of Matt Nicholson to the Lakers’ men’s hockey coaching staff. “We are all very excited to have Matt join our Mercyhurst hockey family,” Mercyhurst head coach Rick Gotkin said in a statement. “He brings a tremendous amount of experience, working knowledge, and above all professionalism to our team. Having head … Read more

St. Thomas brings aboard former Hamline coach Laylin as new assistant coach for Tommies

St. Thomas has announced the addition of Cory Laylin as a full-time assistant coach as the Tommies prepare for their inaugural Division I season in 2021-22. Laylin enjoyed a standout career with Minnesota and later played 16 seasons professionally. He served as head men’s hockey coach at Hamline the last seven seasons, and coached at … Read more

Former Yale, Sacred Heart assistant Kirtland named to same role at Minnesota State

Minnesota State has announced the hiring of assistant coach Paul Kirtland. Kirtland joins the Mavericks after serving as an assistant coach with Yale in the 2020-21, though Yale did not compete during the season due to COVID. “We are excited to add Paul Kirtland to our coaching staff,” said Mavericks head coach Mike Hastings in … Read more

North Dakota’s Weatherby forgoes senior year of college hockey, signs NHL deal with Sharks

North Dakota forward Jasper Weatherby will give up his senior season with the Fighting Hawks after signing an entry-level contract Tuesday with the NHL’s San Jose Sharks. Weatherby, a fourth-round selection (102nd overall) by the Sharks in the 2018 NHL Draft, will report to the club immediately. “This weekend, we learned that Jasper would be … Read more

Big Ten announces new COVID-19 game rule for upcoming 2021-22 season

The Big Ten announced Monday a new COVID-19 regulation for the 2021-22 season. “In collaboration and communication with the Big Ten Conference Athletic Directors, Chancellors and Presidents, the Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases, and the Sports Medicine Committee – effective today – the conference has determined that if one of its member institutions is … Read more

After three seasons at UConn, Howarth signs AHL contract with IceHogs for ’21-22 season

The AHL’s Rockford IceHogs have signed UConn forward Kale Howarth for the 2021-22 season. Howarth completed his third season with the Huskies last year, scoring five goals and two assists for seven points in 18 games. In 79 career college games, the native of Red Deer, Alta., totaled 34 points (16 goals, 18 assists). “Kale … Read more

Top NHL draft picks Power, Beniers, Johnson all announce return to Michigan for ’21-22 college hockey season

Owen Power, Matty Beniers and Kent Johnson each announced Friday that they will return to Michigan for the 2021-22 season. Power was the No. 1 overall selection in July’s 2021 NHL Draft by Buffalo, while Beniers was selected No. 2 by Seattle and Johnson No. 5 by Columbus. The trio will be joined by three … Read more

Longtime USA Hockey staffer, coach Smith retiring from organization after 25-year career

Ben Smith, who has been part of the USA Hockey staff for the past 25 years, including leading the U.S. Olympic women’s hockey team to the gold medal in the 1998 Olympic Winter Games, is retiring from the organization after a decorated career. “The sport of hockey has done so much for me and I’m … Read more

Penn State adds Morrow to men’s hockey staff for ’21-22 season as volunteer assistant coach

Penn State has announced the hiring of Matt Morrow as a volunteer assistant coach for the men’s hockey team for the upcoming 2021-22 season. Morrow, who earned his master’s degree from Penn State in 2013, returns to State College with over 10 years of coaching experience including two years with the Penn State Ice Lions … Read more

Vermont coach Woodcroft selected as assistant coach for Sweden’s 2022 Olympic hockey team

The Swedish Ice Hockey Association has announced that Vermont head coach Todd Woodcroft has been named an assistant coach with the Swedish national men’s team for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China. “It’s a tremendous honor to be invited to help coach at this winter’s Olympic Games and I appreciate the support of our … Read more

Robert Morris announces new fundraising initiative to reinstate men’s, women’s college hockey teams

The Robert Morris Department of Athletics announced Wednesday the “Hockey Is The Goal” campaign to encourage raising funds to support the reinstatement of the NCAA Division I men’s and women’s hockey programs. No set amount was noted in a university news release. “We’re encouraged by the outpouring of support from fans, donors, alumni and the … Read more

Wisconsin hires local product Addamo as assistant director of men’s hockey operations, video coordinator

The Wisconsin men’s hockey team has announced the addition of Zach Addamo to its staff as assistant director of hockey operations and video coordinator. “To be involved with the program like this in Madison is a dream come true and I can’t wait to get started and do whatever the team needs to win,” Addamo … Read more

Harvard commit Farrell, Niagara commit Sibell collect top junior awards from USA Hockey for ’20-21 season

USA Hockey announced Monday that Sean Farrell has been named the recipient of the 2021 Dave Tyler Junior Player of the Year award as the most outstanding American-born player in junior hockey, and Jake Sibell has been named the 2021 Dave Peterson Goalie of the Year as the top American junior-aged goaltender. Farrell led a … Read more

After time with Red Wings, Naurato returns to Michigan as Wolverines’ new assistant coach

Michigan announced Monday the hiring of former Wolverines forward Brandon Naurato as an assistant coach. Naurato spent the last three seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, serving as a player development consultant. In his role, he worked with both the Red Wings and AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins coaching staffs to implement individual skill development into … Read more

Pastujov forgoes college hockey career at Notre Dame, signs NHL contract with Anaheim

Sasha Pastujov, who was set to begin his freshman season at Notre Dame with the 2021-22 season, has instead signed an NHL contract with the Anaheim Ducks. Selected by Anaheim in the third round (66th overall) of the 2021 NHL Draft, the Bradenton, Fla., native led USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program’s Under-18 Team in … Read more

Esposito, who won national championship with Michigan Tech in 1965, loses battle with pancreatic cancer

Former Michigan Tech goaltender Tony Esposito passed away August 10) at the age of 78 after a brief battle with pancreatic cancer. He was a national champion with the Huskies in 1965, a three-time All-American, a Michigan Tech Sports Hall of Fame inductee, and one of the NHL’s greatest goaltenders. Esposito played for the Huskies … Read more

Lange promoted at Rensselaer, moves from operations coordinator to assistant coach of men’s hockey team

Rensselaer has announced the hiring of Mathias Lange as an assistant coach for the men’s hockey team. A native of Klagenfurt, Austria, Lange moves over from his role as operations coordinator, which he had held since 2019. “I am excited to have Mathias’ promotion to assistant coach,” said Engineers coach Dave Smith in a statement. … Read more