Candace and Nicole take a look at Ann-Renee Desbiens setting a new shutout record, the strengths of Wisconsin and Minnesota, what the Boston College-Boston University split portends in Hockey East, St. Lawrence’s continued early success, and the parity in the CHA.
Candace and Arlan look at Holy Cross moving up and compare the Crusaders to previous teams that have moved up to D-I, try to make sense of the many contenders in the ECAC, look at whether Boston College is the favorite in Hockey East, ponder whether North Dakota or Minnesota-Duluth has an edge in the at-large bid battle, and also debate the strengths and weaknesses of teams in the CHA.
Arlan Marttila returns to discuss the early-season records with Nicole Haase, as well as the jumbled state of the ever-competitive WCHA and the early Patty Kazmaier Award favorites.
Candace returns to Wednesday Women, and she and Nicole look at last week’s tough wins by Wisconsin and Minnesota, Maine’s upset of BC, the races in the CHA and ECAC, and what players have impressed them so far in this young season.
In the first Wednesday Women column of the year, former USCHO women’s columnist Arlan Marrtila discusses the surprises out West with our new columnist, Nicole Haase. They also look at St. Lawrence, preview this weekend’s big games, and discuss scoring. Arlan will periodically appear going forward, as will women’s editor Candace Horgan.
Moving from Boston to Duluth, Minnesota, to take over a storied women’s hockey program that had gone through some turmoil was a daunting task for Maura Crowell. The former associate head coach at Harvard is just the second head coach in Bulldogs women’s hockey history, taking the reins after the university did not renew the … Read more
The late addition of Amanda Kessel back to Minnesota’s lineup gave the Gophers just the jump they needed heading into the playoffs last season, and they rode that momentum to a sixth NCAA title, defeating Boston College in the final. The Gophers graduated a strong senior class, as in addition to Kessel, they lost scoring … Read more
The Minnesota women’s program announced Wednesday the addition of alumna Bethany Brausen as the team’s new assistant coach. Brausen, who competed for the Gophers from 2010 to 2014, fills the open position left by Nadine Muzerall, who recently accepted a position as head coach at Ohio State. “We are so excited to welcome Bethany to … Read more
Alaska-Anchorage announced Wednesday that assistant coach Josh Ciocco is leaving the Seawolves’ program after three seasons for “a job opportunity at Brown,” according to a UAA news release. “This was a difficult decision for me because I put in a lot of work in at UAA and I know we are in the process of … Read more
Defending league regular-season and back-to-back playoff champion Wisconsin is the preseason pick of conference coaches to finish atop the women’s WCHA standings in 2016-17. The Badgers edged out defending national champion Minnesota in the poll of the eight WCHA head coaches. In addition, Wisconsin senior goalie Ann-Renee Desbiens was named preseason Player of the Year … Read more
Nadine Muzerall has been named the fourth head coach in Ohio State women’s history. Muzerall replaces Jenny Potter, who was let go earlier this offseason after several NCAA violations. “Our journey to excellence in women’s ice hockey begins,” said OSU senior associate athletics director Diana Sabau said in a statement. “Nadine Muzerall has earned a … Read more
According to a report in the Grand Forks Herald, Ohio State terminated the contract of women’s hockey coach Jenny Potter after it had reported several violations to the NCAA during Potter’s one-year tenure at the school. The report states that Potter’s NCAA violations included hosting an impermissible official visit for a prospect, recruiting during a … Read more
Boston University announced Thursday the hiring of three new staff members. On coach David Quinn’s staff, Brittany Miller has been hired as the director of hockey operations, Brian Eklund is the new volunteer assistant coach working the team’s goaltenders and Kyle Czech has been named the program’s strength and conditioning coach. After spending the last … Read more
The WCHA on Thursday named longtime New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority executive Katie Million as its next vice president and women’s league commissioner. Million agreed to a three-year contract and will begin her role Sept. 2. She joins the WCHA after a highly-successful 17-year stay in Lake Placid, N.Y., including the last three … Read more
Wisconsin had five players selected, most of any school.
[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000AqK8GjM0loE” g_name=”2016-All-USCHO-Women-s-D-I-teams” f_show_caption=”t” f_show_slidenum=”t” img_title=”casc” pho_credit=”iptc” f_link=”t” f_bbar=”t” fsvis=”f” width=”500″ height=”375″ bgcolor=”#AAAAAA” bgtrans=”t” btype=”old” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” crop=”f” trans=”xfade” tbs=”4000″ f_ap=”t” linkdest=”c” f_fullscreen=”f” f_constrain=”f” twoup=”f” f_topbar=”f” f_bbarbig=”” f_htmllinks=”f” f_enable_embed_btn=”f” f_show_watermark=”f” f_send_to_friend_btn=”f” f_smooth=”f” f_mtrx=”f” f_up=”f” target=”_self” wmds=”llQ6QNgpeC.p1Ucz7U.f3NYMb0ncdQd_zo6TuGVtlgvevPmKXCFQFD4G0sIBHqhSBhs0HA–” ] Players representing 11 schools were named to the All-USCHO Women’s D-I teams today. National champion Minnesota led the way … Read more
She led her team to a better record in every category this year, and fell short in the last game of the season. For becoming only the second coach to lead her team to a 40-win season, and for improving her team in every measurable category, Boston College’s Katie Crowley is the USCHO coach of the year.
The group graduating at schools this spring includes three Patty Kazmaier Award winners, Olympic stars, and players who elevated their programs to national prominence and helped them set records. Gabbi Riggi reports.
She scored the goal in overtime that lifted Minnesota over arch-rival Wisconsin in the first game of the Frozen Four, and then struck against Boston College in the championship. game. Those were two of many goals USCHO rookie of the year Sarah Potomak scored this season.
Facing BC’s top offense, Minnesota knew if needed defense from not just its goalies and defensemen, but the forwards as well for a complete team win.