New season’s NCAA Rules Book changes include an emphasis on modernizing body contact rules and application for the women’s game

There were quite a few rules changes in college hockey before this season and for the first time, the NCAA hosted a webinar with NCAA Secretary-Rules Editor Steve Piotrowski to specifically talk about how those changes and areas of focus would affect women’s college hockey. 

Piotrowski to return as NCAA secretary-rules editor

Steve Piotrowski will return to the position of NCAA secretary-rules editor for men’s and women’s hockey, effective Sept. 1, it was announced this week. He held the position previously from 2008-19. Piotrowski succeeds Jeff Fulton, who was named national coordinator of men’s hockey officials last week. “College hockey has given me tremendous opportunities throughout my … Read more

D-I Cabinet advances age-based eligibility proposal

The Division I Cabinet on Friday continued its review of an age-based eligibility model that could be brought forward for a formal vote as early as the end of this month. As part of ongoing discussions, the Cabinet approved a modification to the proposed model that would start an athlete’s eligibility clock either upon initial … Read more

NCAA replaces PairWise with NCAA Power Index (NPI) for D-I men’s hockey championship tournament selections

At the latest meeting of the NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Oversight Committee, the final vote for championship selection criteria was passed unanimously finalizing the use of the NCAA Power Index (NPI) for the 2025-26 season. The NPI replaces the PairWise, which had been in use since the 2013-14 season. One of the benefits … Read more

McKenna, odds-on favorite as No. 1 pick in 2026 NHL Draft, announces commitment to Penn State for ’25-26 season

Gavin McKenna, the favorite to be the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NHL Draft after racking up the accolades in the WHL the past few seasons with the Medicine Hat Tigers, announced his decision to play the 2025-26 season at Penn State Tuesday night on ESPN’s “SportsCenter.” McKenna picked the Nittany Lions over Michigan … Read more

Tennessee State not fielding men’s hockey team for 2025-26, aiming to move start to 2026-27

After it was first announced in June 2023 that Tennessee State would field an NCAA Division I men’s hockey team for the upcoming 2025-26 season, it appears that will not happen. According to a report in the Tennessean, “uncertainty about a home ice location or practice facilities, a lack of fundraising, and unrest about the … Read more

NCAA Division I hockey players continue to thrive in classroom as both women, men top national average in APR

NCAA Division I hockey student-athletes once again performed above the national average academically, according to the annual Academic Progress Rate (APR) data released this month by the NCAA. The women’s hockey four-year average score from 2020-21 through 2023-24 was 993, while men’s hockey scored 986, placing both among the top six among all women’s and men’s sports, … Read more

NCAA Division I independent men’s hockey teams to compete for inaugural United Collegiate Hockey Cup in March 2026

The Centene Community Ice Center in Maryland Heights, Missouri, will host the United Collegiate Hockey Cup from March 5-7, 2026, bringing together five NCAA Division I men’s hockey programs for a postseason showdown. The event will feature Lindenwood, Alaska, Alaska Anchorage, Long Island and Stonehill. The five-team tournament will include a play-in game, with all … Read more

NCAA Division I Council votes to make major junior players eligible for NCAA hockey with change taking effect Aug. 1, 2025; CHL players still ineligible for D-III hockey

The NCAA Division I council voted Thursday to make Canadian Hockey League (major junior) players eligible for NCAA Division I hockey and those players may start to participate on NCAA Division I hockey teams effective August 1, 2025. Players may participate in the CHL (Ontario Hockey League, Western Hockey League, and Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey … Read more

Kicking off its 100th season, Southern Cal continuing to make waves in ACHA college hockey circles with eyes on exploring potential NCAA opportunities

By Anthony Ciardelli/Special to USCHO.com A college hockey team is celebrating its 100th birthday. It’s held long and heated rivalries, won league titles, competed in national tournaments and played international opponents. You might think this is a storied NCAA Division I hockey program, but it’s not. It’s the University of Southern California’s ACHA hockey team. … Read more

Arizona State gets commitment from WHL player Whitehead, who is aiming to challenge NCAA eligibility rule regarding major junior players

Braxton Whitehead, an Alaska native starting his fourth full season with the WHL’s Regina Pats, has announced his commitment to Arizona State for the 2025-26 season, according to ESPN. Currently, major junior players (OHL, QMJHL, WHL) are not eligible to play NCAA hockey. “[ASU’s] slogan is ‘Be the Tradition’ and I think they love the … Read more

Former Boston College star, 2014 Hobey Baker winner Gaudreau dies in New Jersey traffic accident alongside brother Matthew, who also played at BC

Former Boston College men’s hockey standout and 2014 Hobey Baker award winner Johnny Gaudreau passed away Thursday night after a traffic accident in his native New Jersey. He was 31. Gaudreau’s brother, Matthew, who also played at BC, was killed in the accident as well. He was 29. According to reports, the two were riding … Read more