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Former Minnesota State, Northern Michigan staffer, St. Thomas grad Synstegaard named CCHA, WCHA assistant commissioner of operations

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The CCHA and WCHA announced today the hiring of Byron Synstegaard as assistant commissioner of operations. He joins the respective conference offices bringing six years of administrative experience in sport and event operations. “To borrow a hockey term, Byron’s hiring puts our staffing plan back at ‘full strength’ in the WCHA and CCHA,” said Minnesota … Read more

Former Bowling Green goalie, Marian goalie coach Nell named new assistant coach, director of hockey operations for Colgate men’s hockey team

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Colgate has announced Chris Nell as the men’s hockey team’s newest assistant coach and director of hockey operations. Nell will serve as the Raiders’ goalie coach. “Chris has rapidly ascended through the goalie coaching ranks, and we are so excited to have him join our staff,” Colgate head coach Mike Harder said in a statement. … Read more

Army West Point hockey coach Riley announces ’24-25 will be his last with Black Knights; current associate head coach McKelvie to take over with ’25-26 season

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Army West Point head hockey coach Brian Riley has announced that the upcoming 2024-25 season will be his final following 21 years at the helm of the program. Associate head coach Zach McKelvie will take the reins as head coach in 2025-26 as Riley passes the torch to an Army Hockey legend both on and off the ice. McKelvie … Read more

Alaska Anchorage names former Lake Superior State assistant hockey coach Pietrangelo to same role with Seawolves

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Alaska Anchorage has announced the addition of Vincent Pietrangelo as the team’s new assistant coach. Pietrangelo is no stranger to college hockey having served as an assistant and head coach in the college ranks since 2015. He spent the 2023-24 season as an assistant coach at Lake Superior State. “We couldn’t be more excited to … Read more

Miami assistant coach Elliott leaves RedHawks bench, moves to ECHL as new assistant coach for Kalamazoo

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The ECHL’s Kalamazoo Wings have announced that Jonathon Elliott has been named a new assistant coach. Elliott comes to Kalamazoo after two years with Miami as director of hockey operations in 2022-23 and an assistant coach last season. Prior to his time with the RedHawks, he spent four seasons as an assistant coach for Saint … Read more

Sacred Heart hires former Army West Point, Colgate, SUNYAC coach Azzano as new assistant coach for Pioneers men’s hockey team

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Chris Azzano, who has eight seasons of college hockey coaching experience as well as two in the USHL, has been named assistant coach for the Sacred Heart men’s hockey team. Azzano oversaw goalies at Army West Point in 2023-24 after three seasons on the staff at Colgate. He became a full-time Raiders assistant coach for … Read more

Clarkson adds Ragno as new men’s hockey assistant coach, Basarab women’s hockey assistant, Clougherty men’s hockey video coach

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Clarkson has announced the addition of Sebastian Ragno to the men’s hockey coaching staff as a new assistant coach. In addition, Cam Basarab has been named an assistant for the Clarkson women’s hockey team. In the summer of 2023, the NCAA expanded the size allowable for college hockey programs from two paid assistants to three … Read more

The Frozen Confines: Big Ten Hockey Series to feature outdoor weekend at Chicago’s Wrigley Field Jan. 3-4, 2025

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The Big Ten and Chicago Cubs announced Thursday plans to host a pair of college hockey doubleheaders at Wrigley Field in Jan. 2025. The event will be known as The Frozen Confines: Big Ten Hockey Series. The Frozen Confines will feature three Big Ten men’s hockey games, plus a WCHA women’s game, the weekend of … Read more

Lawsuit against NCAA, schools seeks to end rule limiting college eligibility for major junior players

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A lawsuit against the NCAA and some Division I men’s schools is asking to end the loss of U.S. college hockey eligibility for players who compete in major juniors. Attorneys for Canadian player Rylan Masterson claimed in a lawsuit filed Monday that the NCAA’s rule taking away eligibility for those who play games in the … Read more

Bemidji State men’s hockey volunteer assistant, video coordinator Wegwerth tabbed new assistant coach with Beavers

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Joe Wegwerth has been promoted to assistant coach with the Bemidji State men’s hockey team for the upcoming 2024-25 season. Wegwerth returns to the BSU staff after previously serving as a volunteer assistant and video coordinator with the program last season. A 2019 graduate of Notre Dame, Wegwerth was a two-time Hockey East academic team … Read more

Former Hobey Baker winner, Boston University All-American Gilroy hired as new assistant coach with Harvard men’s hockey team

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Matt Gilroy will join the Harvard men’s hockey program as an assistant coach. Gilroy begins his collegiate coaching career after a successful stint as an assistant coach with the U.S. National Development Team Program. “We are very excited about the addition of Matt to our program,” said Crimson head coach Ted Donato in a statement. … Read more

Holy Cross extends Riga through 2028-29 college hockey season, promotes Sommer to associate head coach

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Holy Cross and head men’s hockey coach Bill Riga have agreed to a restructured contract that will keep the coach in Worcester, Mass., until 2029. In addition, assistant coach Castan Sommer has been promoted to associate head coach. The Holy Cross program has shown constant improvement during Riga’s three-year tenure, increasing their victory total every … Read more

College Hockey Inc. elevates Hogan from senior director of men’s hockey athlete relations to new executive director

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College Hockey Inc. announced Monday that Sean Hogan will serve as the organization’s new executive director. Hogan was elevated from his previous position of senior director of men’s hockey athlete relations and will begin his new role effective immediately, taking over for Mike Snee, who left earlier this summer for a job in the NHL … Read more

CCHA assistant commissioner, former WCHA associate commissioner Thibodeau leaves post, takes junior hockey role as SIJHL commissioner

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The Superior International Junior Hockey League has announced the hiring of its new commissioner, Dean Thibodeau. Thibodeau joins the league following his time as the assistant commissioner of the CCHA and the associate commissioner of hockey operations with the WCHA. “I appreciated the opportunity to continue my personal and professional growth with the new league … Read more

Atlantic Hockey America tabs McKenney assistant commissioner for operations, Grootenhuis director of communications

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Ahead of the 2024-25 season, Atlantic Hockey America has added Cole McKenney as assistant commissioner for operations and Connor Grootenhuis as director of communications. McKenney is responsible for the daily operations for the conference, as well as business operations and travel logistics for officials. “Joining the AHA is an incredible opportunity, and I’m excited to … Read more

Defending Cleary Cup champ Quinnipiac to face defending Whitelaw Cup champ Cornell at 2024 Frozen Apple game Nov. 30 at Madison Square Garden

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Two top ECAC Hockey teams will convene on the storied ice in Manhattan on Saturday, Nov. 30, as Cornell will face Quinnipiac at the 2024 Frozen Apple at Madison Square Garden. Puck drop between the Bobcats and Big Red is scheduled for 8 p.m. EST, and the game will be broadcast on ESPN+. With regular-season … Read more

Hockey East commissioner Metcalf signs two-year contract extension through 2026-27 college hockey season

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This Week in Hockey East: Incoming commissioner Metcalf ‘respected by all,’ comes in with ‘a proven national reputation’

Hockey East announced Thursday that Steve Metcalf has received a two-year contract extension to remain commissioner through the 2026-27 season. “We’re very excited to have Steve leading Hockey East into the future,” said Northeastern’s Jim Madigan, who serves as chair of the executive committee for the men’s league, in a statement. “He navigated us through … Read more

NCHC finalizes 2026-27 conference regular season, playoff format, announces only eight teams make playoffs in 2025, 2026

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The NCHC has finalized the 10-team playoff model the conference will use starting in 2027 when St. Thomas begins NCHC play. The conference announced back in May that the Tommies will join the NCHC as its 10th team beginning with the 2026-27 season. All 10 teams will make the NCHC tournament when St. Thomas becomes an official … Read more

Ferris State, Lake Superior State to play first-ever college hockey game in Traverse City, Mich., in Nov. 2024

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Ferris State and Lake Superior State will play in the “2024 Superior Ice Showdown: Traverse City Takeover” on Nov. 16 at Centre Ice Arena in Traverse City, Mich. Puck drop is set for 6:07 p.m. EDT. The historic event marks the first time college hockey has been played in Traverse City. “We’re thrilled to bring … Read more