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Subscribe to USCHO Game of the Week:Clark leaves Providence after freshman season, signs with OHL’s Knights for 2025-26 campaign
The OHL’s London Knights have signed forward Braiden Clark for the 2025-26 season.
Clark recorded a goal and two assists for three points and a plus-4 rating in 16 games during his freshman season in 2024-25 with Providence.
He scored his first collegiate goal against North Dakota on Oct. 12, 2024, and tallied assists against New Hampshire (Nov. 2, 2024) and UMass Lowell (Feb. 24, 2025).
Clark was selected by the Knights in the 13th round (256th overall) of the 2021 OHL Priority Selection.
Defending champion UMass Lowell returning to 2025 Adirondack Winter Invitational, joining Alaska, Clarkson, St. Lawrence in tournament field Nov. 28-29
The New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority has announced the third annual Adirondack Winter Invitational Division I men’s hockey tournament taking place Thanksgiving weekend – Friday, Nov. 28 and Saturday, Nov. 29 – in the Olympic Center’s 1980 Herb Brooks Arena.
UMass Lowell returns as the defending champion while North Country stalwarts Clarkson and St. Lawrence look to keep the trophy in local hands and Alaska is making its first appearance in the tournament.
Each team will play two nonconference games over two days, with the tournament champion determined through an overall points system.
SCHEDULE
Friday, Nov. 28
Alaska vs. St. Lawrence, 4 p.m.
UMass Lowell vs. Clarkson, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 29
UMass Lowell vs. St. Lawrence, 4 p.m.
Alaska vs. Clarkson, 7:30 p.m.
TOURNAMENT HISTORY
Taking place during the first half each team’s season schedule, the Adirondack Winter Invitational provides an opportunity to compete on neutral ice against non-conference opponents. Arizona State won the inaugural Adirondack Winter Invitational title in 2023, followed by UMass Lowell’s narrow victory last year.
TICKETS
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased through the Olympic Center’s event website.
Front office, support staff named for United States Collegiate Select hockey team playing in 2025 Spengler Cup
The United States Collegiate Select hockey team has announced the front office and support staff for the 2025 Spengler Cup.
Steve Metcalf (Hockey East), Sean Hogan (College Hockey Inc.), Chris Meriney (College Hockey Inc.) and Don Lucia (CCHA) will make up the front office, while Josh Penn (UMass), Aaron Leu (Denver), Perry Laskaris (CCHA) and Cameron Boon (Quinnipiac) are on the team’s staff.
The team’s coaching staff was announced earlier this summer with Penn State’s Guy Gadowsky serving as head coach.
The Selects will be the first team of its kind to participate in the 97th edition of the prestigious international event in Davos, Switzerland, this December.
Metcalf, in his sixth season as Hockey East commissioner, will act as the U.S. Collegiate Select’s general manager, while Hogan, the second-year executive director at College Hockey Inc., will be the assistant GM. With the assistance of several NHL scouts and the coaching staff, they will aid in the selection of the 25 student-athletes that will make up the team’s roster.
Joining them in the front office are Meriney, the College Hockey Inc. director of men’s hockey athlete relations, as the director of team operations, and Lucia, the fifth-year CCHA commissioner and hall of fame head coach, will take on a senior advisory role.
A support staff with 70 years of combined college hockey experience includes Penn, longtime UMass director of equipment operations, as the team’s equipment manager, and Leu, Denver’s athletic trainer entering his 22nd season, as the Selects’ athletic trainer. Laskaris, from the CCHA and a former sports information director at Rensselaer, will handle the team’s communications, while Quinnipiac’s Boon has taken on social media manager duties.
All six NCAA men’s hockey conferences are represented in the group with a few positions still to be filled before the team heads to Switzerland.
The U.S. Collegiate Select team will be made up of 25 student-athletes from across NCAA men’s hockey, with each conference being represented. The competition runs from Dec. 26-31, with the six participating teams playing a minimum of two contests apiece. Along with the Selects, host HC Davos, Team Canada, HC Fribourg-Gotteron, Sparta Praha and IFK Helsinki will be taking part in the 2025 edition.
This will be the second time an American-based select team has taken part in the Spengler Cup, following a U.S. squad that won the tournament in 1988.
Former Bowdoin standout Washco returns to Polar Bears as new men’s hockey assistant coach
Bowdoin has announced the hiring of Al Washco as an assistant coach for the men’s hockey team.
Washco returns to Bowdoin following the departure of Sean Walsh, who has accepted a position at Alaska.
A Polar Bear from 2018 to 2023, Washco appeared in 91 games, recording 26 goals and 35 assists. As a senior, he tallied seven goals and 13 assists, helping Bowdoin capture the 2023 NESCAC championship and earn a berth in the NCAA Division III tournament. He graduated that spring with a degree in Government and Legal Studies and a minor in Russian.
After college, Washco pursued a professional career in Europe, competing for the Zweibrücken Hornets (Germany) and Les Bisons de Neuilly-sur-Marne (France) before injuries cut his career short.
Former Northland women’s hockey coach Bobrowski hired for same job with Hamline, ‘has a deep understanding of what it means to be a Piper’
Hamline has named Jake Bobrowski the new head coach for the women’s hockey team.
During the 2024-25 season, Bobrowski served as the head coach for the Northland women’s team. He had previously been announced as the head coach for Beloit for the 2025-26 season after Northland closed at the end of last season.
“We are thrilled to welcome Jake back to Hamline to serve as our head women’s hockey coach,” said Hamline assistant VP/athletic director Alex Focke in a statement. “He has a deep understanding of what it means to be a Piper. He returns to us with great coaching experience and I am excited to watch him continue to build on the success of our women’s hockey program.”
Bobrowski replaces Whitney Colbert, who stepped down earlier this summer.
“I am humbled and filled with gratitude to be coming home to Hamline,” said Bobrowski. “I want to thank Alex Focke and the team for making this such a first-class process and giving me this opportunity. I would also like to thank my wife Jennifer and family for taking this journey back home to Hamline with me. I look forward to arriving to TRIA Rink with the players and feeling the electricity in the building for the fans to see fast and fun hockey.”
Bobrowski kicked off his collegiate career in 2015-16 as an assistant coach with the Pipers, a position he held for six seasons through 2020-21. He was part of a coaching staff that inherited a program that finished with just six victories in 2014-15 and accumulated an 88-41-14 record over the next six seasons.
Under Bobrowski’s assistance, the Pipers advanced to the NCAA Division III Frozen Four on two occasions. This included a 2018-19 season that saw Hamline reach the national championship game and notch a program record in wins with a 23-4-3 record. This came after a 2017-18 season that saw the Pipers finish 22-5-3, claim a MIAC tournament championship, and advance to their first Frozen Four.
Bobrowski coached six All-Americans throughout his time with the Pipers, which included the AHCA national player of the year in 2019.
Following his time at Hamline, Bobrowski was an assistant coach at Minnesota where he helped coach the Gophers to an NCAA tournament berth after winning the WCHA title. Bobrowski was also the head coach for Elmira and in his first season, took the Soaring Eagles to the conference championship and had the team ranked 10th nationally.
Prior to beginning his coaching career, Bobrowski spent 22 years in law enforcement with the Saint Paul Police Department.
Minnesota women’s hockey team promotes Scott to GM-assistant coach, adds Kearney as director of operations and video analytics
The Minnesota women’s hockey team has announced two staff updates ahead of the 2025-26 season.
Assistant coach Jessica Scott has been promoted to general manager-assistant coach and Ryan Kearney has been hired as director of operations and video analytics.
Scott becomes the first general manager with recruiting/coaching abilities in NCAA women’s college hockey history.
In her time at Minnesota, the Coon Rapids, Minn., native has served as the program’s director of operations from 2019 to 2022 before being promoted to assistant coach. Behind the bench, Scott has helped lead Minnesota to two Frozen Four appearances and one WCHA tournament title.
On the international side, Scott has served as the director of hockey operations for the United States Under-18 Women’s National Team that won silver at the 2022 IIHF World Championships in Madison, Wis., and bronze at the 2023 tournament in Ostersund, Sweden.
“In the constantly evolving landscape of college athletics, staying ahead of the curve is essential,” said Gophers head coach Brad Frost in a statement. “Jess’s experience, insight and approach make her a perfect fit for this role.”
In addition to her on-ice coaching responsibilities, Scott will serve as the program’s recruiting coordinator. She will lead all domestic and international recruiting planning, logistics and evaluations, and organize and execute prospective student-athlete official and unofficial campus visits. Scott will oversee the program’s budget and serve as the liaison with key support units including academics, compliance/financial aid, housing, communications and marketing. She will also serve as a liaison with Dinkytown Athletes to support NIL opportunities for student-athletes.
Kearney joins the Gophers after three seasons at Colgate and working as the director of hockey operations for the women’s hockey team.
“Ryan brings a wealth of experience from his time with Colgate and USA hockey,” said Frost. “He has a great knowledge and understanding of video, analytics and general operations. We are very excited that he has chosen to join our Gopher staff.”
Kearney served on a Colgate staff that helped guide the Raiders to three consecutive 30-plus win seasons, amassing an overall record of 94-22-3. Along the way, Kearney and Colgate added two ECAC Hockey championships, three NCAA tournament appearances and one NCAA Frozen Four appearance in 2024.
In addition to his role at Colgate, the Iowa graduate was a video assistant for the NAHL’s Maryland Black Bears. Kearney has also served as a hockey operations and video coach for USA Hockey’s Girls National Camps since 2023. Prior to these positions, Kearney worked in hockey operations for the USPHL’s Ontario Jr. Reign.
Former Denver national champion, Colorado College assistant coach Mannino named assistant athletic director for NIL with Pioneers
Denver has named 2005 national champion Peter Mannino as its assistant athletic director for name, image and likeness (NIL).
Mannino will lead Denver’s NIL and strategy for the Pioneers’ varsity athletic programs. The position will have a strong focus on building out an academic program with DU’s Daniels College of Business and its Sturm College of Law to educate student-athletes, foster academic collaborations and aid in empowering authentic NIL opportunities for Pioneer student athletes.
He will also be responsible for monitoring the NIL landscape on behalf of the department to help form the evolving direction DU will take to maintain its student athlete academic achievement, its broad-based nationally recognized athletic success and its alignment with university, state, federal and NCAA regulations.
“Throughout the hiring process, it was critical that we pursued an administrator with the passion to support and guide the Pioneers into a new age of intercollegiate athletics, and I’m confident that Peter Mannino is the right individual to lead us forward into the post-House NCAA landscape and internally-managed NIL space,” DU vice chancellor for athletics Josh Berlo said in a statement. “Any time you can bring a former Pio home, it’s special, but in this case, it’s Peter’s fit for the position, intimate knowledge of DU, experience and expertise that set him apart. His desire to develop an entrepreneurial spirit among our student-athletes, partner with faculty, create authentic NIL opportunities while having an ability to keep a pulse on recruiting climates in the evolving NIL environment for us to remain competitive excite me for the future of our department.
“The creation of this position, and Peter’s desire to execute a comprehensive program that benefits our nationally competitive men’s and women’s teams will provide great value to our student-athletes. We will continue to prioritize the student-athlete experience and strive for national athletic prominence, as we have always done, in the Denver way. We’re excited to welcome the Manninos back to DU.”
In February, Denver announced its intention to opt-in to the new landscape of collegiate athletics following the approval of the House v NCAA settlement in June. In 2020, the NCAA deregulated restrictions on student-athletes being able to profit from their own name, image and likeness. This summer, the House v NCAA settlement removed scholarship limits, set roster limits and modified restrictions on NIL to permit schools to be directly involved. The settlement also permits institutions to directly compensate student-athletes through revenue sharing.
“With regard to the evolving world of college athletics, the mission and values of the university have and will continue to stand the test of time. Great coaches and the recruitment of well-rounded student-athletes that fit into our culture are the foundation of a model that was important on our campus all the way back to the late Daniel L. Ritchie’s vision to elevate Denver to Division I,” Berlo said. “While we are evolving and adapting to the new model of college athletics, the model of broad based competitive and academic excellence isn’t changing at DU. I’m confident that we can continue to be successful with increases in scholarships, Alston stipends, as well as authentic and in-house NIL opportunities that include an integration with our academic programs. We won’t compromise who we are, and our ability to prepare student-athletes academically, athletically and most importantly for a life after college while concurrently shining a bright light on our incredible institution.”
A 2008 graduate of DU with a degree in business management, Mannino will be Denver’s administrator responsible for contracts in both the NIL space and will serve as a resource for Denver’s unique approach to the current climate of intercollegiate athletics in conversations with student-athletes, coaches, recruits and parents. Mannino will be responsible for educating both current and prospective student-athletes and their families on the contract and business side of authentic NIL opportunities.
“I am incredibly grateful to Josh Berlo, Josh Boone and the entire committee for having the trust in me to join the athletic administration in this newly created position,” Mannino said. “Joining a department with such a strong culture and winning mentality is truly an honor. In my conversations during the hiring process, I was excited about the department’s commitment to evolve its model of the student-athlete experience and comprehensive athletic success across its programs.
“My family and I are excited to return home to Denver and begin this next chapter, especially at such a pivotal time in college athletics as NIL and revenue sharing reshape the landscape. I’m eager to contribute to the University of Denver’s proud championship tradition and help elevate the experience and success of our student-athletes. Finally, a special thank you to Greg Grauberger and Nancy Sampson for their endless support of my family and the University of Denver.”
As a student-athlete at DU, Mannino was named the 2005 NCAA tournament’s most outstanding player after backstopping the Pioneers in Columbus to their seventh national championship, saving 44 shots in the title game to cap off his freshman season. Mannino still owns the Pioneers’ program record for shutouts with 15 and holds two of the top five longest shutout streaks in program history, including the second longest at 208:42 during the 2005 title run. The Farmington Hills, Mich., native is tied with 2024 NCAA tournament MOP and 2025 alum Matt Davis for the fifth-most wins in program history with 63, while sitting seventh in goalie games played (103), 10th in saves (2,552) and 11th in goals against average (2.35).
After playing collegiately at Denver, Manino’s professional hockey career included NHL stints with the New York Islanders, Atlanta Thrashers and Winnipeg Jets. Mannino also played in the AHL with seven organizations that ended in the 2014-15 campaign with the Binghamton Senators.
After the conclusion of his playing career, Mannino got into coaching, serving stints as an assistant with the USHL’s Chicago Steel (2015-17), Omaha (2017-18), Miami (2018-19) and most recently with Colorado College (2021-25). In between associate head coach stints at Miami and CC, Mannino was the head coach and GM of the USHL’s Des Moines Buccaneers (2019-21), where he planned and scheduled all of the organization’s operations, hired and managed staff, raised over $200,000 for the organization and managed contract negotiations and the execution of those contracts.
Princeton hires former Quinnipiac captain Henningson as Tigers men’s hockey team’s new assistant coach
Dan Henningson has joined the Princeton men’s hockey team as an assistant coach.
Henningson replaces assistant coach Tommy Davis, who has stepped away from collegiate coaching to pursue other professional opportunities.
“I am excited to welcome Dan to the Princeton hockey coaching staff,” Tigers head coach Ben Syer said in a statement. “I have watched him grow as a hockey mind from his time as a recruit, through his playing days inside the ECAC and as a professional, and over the past 13 years as a coach. He’s got a passion for coaching and teaching the game and connects with the current player at an elite level. He is no stranger to New Jersey’s hockey scene and will quickly acclimate to his new role on our coaching staff and within our university.
“I am grateful to Tommy Davis for his one year on staff with me, and I know I speak for everyone with Princeton hockey when I thank him for his dedication to his alma mater over the past six years as a coach. I wish him and his family well, and I know they will still be a consistent presence at Baker Rink and will always have a home with our group.”
Henningson and Syer’s relationship goes back almost two decades as Henningson was recruited by Syer while on staff at Quinnipiac. A steady, two-way defenseman, Henningson appeared in 150 games for the Bobcats from 2005 to 2009, recording 67 points (12 goals, 55 assists). He was twice named team MVP and served as an alternate captain his junior year and team captain his senior year. Following the Bobcats’ 2008-09 season, Henningson signed an ATO with Colorado’s AHL affiliate, the Lake Erie Monsters. At the time, he was the fifth Quinnipiac hockey player to sign with an AHL club in program history and he went on to a four-year professional hockey career that included stops in the AHL and ECHL.
In 2009-10, Henningson signed with the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins. He spent time in the ECHL with the Wheeling Nailers, where he was named team captain and MVP, and posted a plus-19 rating. He also played for the Chicago Express and had AHL call-ups with Rockford and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. Henningson ended his professional career in the AHL with the Binghamton Senators in 2012.
“I am excited to be joining Princeton as an assistant coach,” said Henningson. “I want to thank Ben Syer for giving me the opportunity and I look forward to working with the coaching staff. It is a privilege to be part of a hockey program with such rich tradition and a commitment to excellence both on and off the ice. I look forward to helping build on the proud legacy of Princeton hockey and working with our student-athletes to achieve success.”
Following his playing career, Henningson transitioned into coaching, joining the Jersey Hitmen organization. Since 2017, he has served as a head coach and skills director within the organization, including coaching the 16U and 18U teams that consistently rank in the top 25 in the nation.
Halford leaves Wilkes men’s hockey bench after five seasons, takes job as head coach with Stevenson women’s hockey squad
Stevenson has announced the hire of Ben Halford as the next head coach of the Mustangs women’s hockey team.
Halford is no stranger to the MAC as he comes with experience from working most recently with Wilkes as an assistant coach for the past five years.
“We can’t be more excited to have Ben be part of our family here at Stevenson University. He did a great job of separating himself through the interview process with his energy and passion for the game,” said Stevenson associate athletic director Paul Cantabene in a statement. “We believe he’s going to be one of the best young coaches in the Middle Atlantic Conference in the near future. He’s a great teacher of the game and an even better person.”
“I am incredibly honored and excited at the opportunity to lead a new era of hockey at Stevenson,” added Halford. “It was clear from the beginning of this process that the university’s level of commitment to the Mustang hockey program is among the best in the nation. I would like to thank Matt Grimm, Paul Cantabene and the rest of the search committee for their professional, detailed approach. I cannot wait to get started working with our staff and student-athletes.”
Prior to Wilkes, Halford served a five-year stint at Penn State, working as an assistant coach for the women’s hockey team. While he was with the Nittany Lions, the team notched three regular-season CHA titles, two CHA playoff championships, and two NCAA tournament appearances for the first time in program history. He trained the first ever NWHL Draft pick from Penn State and trained the program’s top goaltenders to receive goalie of the year, all-conference accolades, and invitees of the USA High Performance Goaltender Camp.
Halford runs and is the founder of Accelerate Goaltending. The program offers training programs and campus across the United States, working with over 500 goaltenders. For the past six years, the program has been focusing on technique, game tactics, mental approach, and organizational development. The program has had five goaltenders play for Team USA in international competition.
Halford, a goaltender in his playing days, competed in the AHL, ECHL and SPHL following his collegiate career at Princeton, where he was part of the 2018 ECAC Hockey league champion team.
Canton men’s hockey team promotes Versich to associate head coach, Christopher to assistant coach
Canton has announced a pair of coaching staff promotions prior to the start of the 2025-26 season.
Christiano Versich has been promoted from assistant coach to associate head coach, while Trevor Christopher has been elevated from a volunteer to an assistant coach.
“I’m excited to announce a pair of promotions to our SUNY Canton men’s hockey staff this fall,” Roos head coach Alex Boak said in a statement. “These changes strengthen our commitment to excellence and position us well for a successful season.”
Versich has spent the last two seasons as the lead assistant for the Roos in their transition into the SUNYAC. He helped lead the team to eight wins during the 2023-24 season, including winning two of three contests against Route 11 rival Potsdam. The Roos won nine games including six in league play during the 2024-25 season earning a SUNYAC playoff appearance in their first season in the conference.
“Christiano has truly excelled in his role, bringing invaluable knowledge to our forward group and enhancing our power play,” Boak said.
“I’m grateful and excited for my new role within the program and what the future holds for SUNY Canton men’s hockey,” Versich added. “I’m very thankful to Coach Boak and athletic director Randy Sieminski for believing in me and our team. I’m excited to continue to build on the foundation and standard we have set over the last few seasons.”
Christopher, a 2024 graduate of Canton with a bachelor’s degree in health and Fftness Promotion and an associate’s degree in physical therapy assistant, was a four-year defenseman for the Roos. He appeared in 48 total games, registering eight assists over three seasons after the team didn’t play any games during his rookie season due to COVID. He spent the 2024-25 season as a volunteer assistant with the program.
“We are also thrilled to welcome Trevor back to our program after serving as a volunteer,” Boak said. “As an alumnus, Trevor’s familiarity with our culture and his expertise in strength and conditioning, defense, and recruiting will be instrumental in further developing our team.”
“I’m incredibly grateful for this new role within a program that has given so much to me,” Christopher added. “It’s a true honor to help further a culture that my class and generations of alumni have built with pride and passion as we take on this new era.”
Holy Cross associate head coach Sommer added to men’s hockey coaching staff at Quinnipiac
The Quinnipiac men’s hockey team has announced the addition of former Holy Cross associate head coach and Crusaders player Castan Sommer to the coaching staff for the upcoming 2025-26 season.
Sommer spent four seasons on the coaching staff at Holy Cross under head coach Bill Riga, including the final season as associate head coach. Before then, he was an assistant for the WHL’s Seattle Thunderbirds from 2017 to 2021.
“It was difficult to leave a place as special to me as Holy Cross, but my family and I are very excited to come to Quinnipiac,” Sommer said in a statement. “I have heard nothing but great things about Rand, Joe and Justin, and I look forward to learning from them and continuing upon all the success that they have had.”
Sommer joins the Bobcats with a standout resume at Holy Cross, most recently helping Holy Cross to its first AHA regular-season title since 2006. The squad also appeared in a pair of AHA title games, also their first two since the 2006 season.
He mentored at least one player in all three recruiting classes to the AHA all-rookie team and coached a total of 21 players to the all-Atlantic Hockey teams, including a two-time AHA scoring champion, AHA player of the year and Hobey Baker finalist.
Penn State’s Gadowsky to coach U.S. college team at Spengler Cup; Souza (UNH), Lammers (Niagara) named assistants
Penn State’s Guy Gadowsky has been tabbed the head coach for the United States Collegiate Select Team ahead of the 2025 Spengler Cup.
Along with Gadowsky, fellow NCAA bench bosses Mike Souza (New Hampshire) and Jason Lammers (Niagara) will serve as assistants.
“It’s an honor to be on the inaugural staff of the US Collegiate Selects and to be competing in such a prestigious tournament,” said Gadowsky in a news release. “The Spengler Cup will provide an incredible experience for the players selected and will be great for the continued exposure of college hockey outside of the United States.”
For the first time in the 102-year history of the tournament, which dates back to 1923, making it the oldest invitational hockey tournament in the world, a team of top NCAA collegiate players will compete.
Held annually in Davos, Switzerland from December 26-31, 2025, the Spengler Cup is hosted by the Swiss professional team HC Davos with the 2025 rendition marking the 97th all-time tournament. HC Fribourg-Gotteron defeated the Straubing Tigers, 7-2, in last year’s tournament capturing their first Spengler Cup in the process. The hosts, HC Davos, along with Team Canada have each won 16 Spengler Cups, tying for the most by a single club all-time.
The U.S. Collegiate Select team will made up of 25 players, named at a later date, from across NCAA division I men’s hockey, with each conference being represented. Along with the Selects, host HC Davos, Team Canada, HC Fribourg-Gotteron, Sparta Praha and IFK Helsinki will be taking part in the 2025 edition, with the six participating teams playing a minimum of two contests.
Augsburg hires successful NA3HL coach-GM Veen as new assistant coach for Auggies men’s hockey team
Tyler Veen, who has spent the last two seasons as head coach and general manager for the NA3HL’s Rochester Grizzlies, has been named as an assistant coach for the Augsburg men’s hockey team.
Veen replaces Jarrad Vroman, who spent two seasons as the Auggies’ top assistant coach before departing in July to become the new head coach for the Wisconsin-Eau Claire women’s hockey team.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Tyler to our program,” said Augsburg head coach Garrett Hendrickson in a statement. “His experience, passion for the game and commitment to developing hockey players makes him an outstanding addition to our staff. I’m confident he will have an immediate impact both on and off the ice, as we continue to keep a championship culture here at Augsburg.”
Veen spent four seasons on the staff of the Grizzlies, serving as an assistant coach from 2021 to 2023 before being promoted to head coach and general manager in 2023. The Grizzlies were 63-27-4 in Veen’s two seasons as head coach, reaching the NA3HL West Division finals each season and leading the league in advancements to upper levels of junior hockey. In his four years on the coaching staff, the Grizzlies were 134-42-4, winning the NA3HL championship in 2021-22.
Prior to joining the Grizzlies, Veen served as a regional volunteer scout for the USHL’s Fargo Force and as a scout and assistant coach for the NAHL’s Austin Bruins. He also served as a youth hockey coach in East Grand Forks, Minn., for four years.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in business management (athletic coaching minor) from North Dakota in 2020. He also holds a certificate in hockey general management and scouting from Sports Management Worldwide.
Former Northland women’s hockey head coach, St. Scholastica assistant coach Hawkins tabbed new assistant with Mercyhurst
Mercyhurst has announced the hiring of Natasha Hawkins as an assistant coach for the women’s hockey team.
Hawkins joins the Lakers after spending last season as an assistant coach and head of strength and conditioning at St. Scholastica.
“We are very excited to welcome Tasha to our staff,” Lakers head coach Mike Sisti said in a statement. “She joins our program with quality experience, so she can hit the ground running. Trey, Scott, and I are looking forward to working with Tasha this season. We have outstanding individuals from all over the world who bring unique qualities to Mercyhurst and enhance our amazing team chemistry.”
“I’m extremely excited to be joining the Mercyhurst coaching staff,” Hawkins added. “Mercyhurst has such rich history, and I have always admired and respected the staff and players that come through this program. Mercyhurst is built on strong culture and hard work, and I am excited to be a part of that.”
Prior to her time with St. Scholastica, Hawkins led the Northland women’s hockey team in the 2023-24 season after spending the 2022-23 season as an assistant. Her coaching efforts helped the team to their first-ever WIAC playoff win in 2023. As head coach, she achieved the best winning record since 2019 in the 2023-24 season, while overseeing operations, recruiting, and on-ice skill development.
Hawkins played four years at New England College where she earned her bachelor’s degree in kinesiology before obtaining her Master of Science in exercise and sport science at Merrimack.
She began her coaching career at Bentley as a strength and conditioning coach.
Well-traveled Pietrangelo named new assistant coach for Robert Morris men’s hockey team
The Robert Morris men’s hockey team has announced the hiring of Vincent Pietrangelo as an assistant coach for the upcoming 2025-26 season.
The past two seasons, Pietrangelo served as an assistant coach at Lake Superior State (2023-24) and then with Alaska Anchorage in 2024-25.
“I’m very excited and thankful for the opportunity that Coach (Derek) Schooley has given me to join the men’s hockey staff at RMU,” said Pietrangelo in a statement. “I’m eager to help continue the growth of the program and can’t wait to get started.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Vinnie to the Robert Morris University men’s hockey program as our new assistant coach,” added Schooley. “Vinnie brings a wealth of experience from his time as both an assistant and head coach at various levels of college hockey. We believe his passion for the game and commitment to building a winning culture aligns perfectly with the values of RMU athletics, and we are confident he will have a significant impact on our student-athletes both on and off the ice.”
Pietrangelo’s coaching career began in 2015-16 as an assistant coach at Ferris State, where he helped the Bulldogs to a 20-15-6 overall record.
He then served as an assistant coach at Canton, where he was part of a staff that led the Kangaroos to a 14-9-2 overall record, which included a pair of wins over nationally ranked opponents.
Pietrangelo served as the head coach at Arcadia for two seasons (2021-23), leading the Knights to an 11-37-3 record.
Before his coaching career, Pietrangelo played three seasons as a defenseman at Finlandia, where he appeared in 36 games.
Pietrangelo earned his bachelor’s degree in healthcare services administration from Ferris State in 2015 and a master’s degree in Sports Management from Cortland in 2021.
Rule changes for 2025-26 college hockey season include conferences being able to ask for reviews for game misconduct penalties in men’s, women’s hockey
An NCAA Men’s and Women’s Ice Hockey Rules Committee proposal to extend a review option to game misconduct penalties was approved Wednesday for the 2025-26 season.
Last season, a conference was able to request a review by the NCAA secretary-rules editor and national coordinator of officials for possible adjustment. This process was used rarely, but in those instances, it was successful and corrected a handful of decisions.
Committee members think this should extend to the game misconduct penalties, which have a progressive component and essentially the same rationale of fairness to the player.
The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel approved the change today.
PROP approved three other ice hockey proposals for the 2025-26 season:
Face mask penalty
Adjustments to the face mask rule’s penalty structure include:
— A minor penalty for intentionally placing the hand on the mask and pushing the face mask of an opponent.
— A minor penalty for moving an open hand back and forth across an opponent’s face mask (previously a major penalty).
— Major penalty and either a game misconduct or game disqualification at the referee’s discretion for a player grasping and pulling or twisting to control an opponent’s face mask.
Major penalty review options
When the on-ice officials are planning to enforce a major penalty, a replay review must be conducted in games that have instant replay. The panel approved adjusting the rule regarding video reviews of major penalties.
After the review, on-ice officials will have three options:
— Confirm a major penalty.
— Reduce the major penalty to a minor penalty.
— Remove the penalty completely, if warranted by the video review.
Teams are not permitted to challenge the result of the review.
High-sticking the puck
The panel approved clarifying the rule on high-sticking the puck by separating the scoring of a goal (puck may not be played higher than 4 feet, which is the height of the crossbar) and all other plays (puck may not be played higher than above a player’s shoulder, which is defined as that player’s normal standing height). This is an adjustment from last season, when the rule did not include the “player’s normal standing height.”
Farnell joins Miami staff as assistant director of human performance after four years with AHL’s Wranglers
Miami has announced that Gord Farnell has joined the RedHawks staff as assistant director of human performance at the Goggin Ice Center.
Farnell comes to Oxford after four years as the head strength and conditioning coach for the AHL’s Calgary Wranglers.
“We are honored to welcome Gord Farnell and his wife Kennedy to Miami University,” Miami head coach Anthony Noreen said in a statement. “Our program strives to be at the forefront of sports science and player development, and Gord will be an integral part of that mission. With extensive experience in hockey-specific performance and athlete development, he has the expertise and passion to help our players maximize their potential.”
During his time in Calgary (2021-25), Farnell designed and executed strength and conditioning programs for the Wranglers team, tailoring training programs to individual athletes. He also facilitated fitness assessments, collected and analyzed sport science data, collaborated with athletic training staff and coordinated nutrition before and after games.
Farnell was previously a strength and conditioning coach at the University of Alberta from 2015 to 2021. He also served as an assistant strength and conditioning coach at Premier Strength Sport Performance during several summers. Farnell completed internships with the University of Denver (2019), the NHL’s Edmonton Oilers (2018-19), Boston University (2018) and the University of Alberta (2015-16)
“We are excited for Coach Farnell to get started with us here at Miami and the experience he brings with him,” said assistant athletic director for human performance James Carsey. “During the interview process, his knowledge and insight on evaluating his athletes and their prep for competition is very in-depth. I am looking forward to working with him and seeing that process in action, and I am confident of the impact he is going to make right away.”
Farnell is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and a certified professional sport scientist through the National Strength & Conditioning Association. Additionally, he is a certified sports nutritionist according to the International Society of Sports Nutrition and has been certified in levels 1-3 of the Jordan Strength Certification System. He holds two degrees from the University of Alberta, where served for four years as a lab assistant and two years as a teaching assistant: a Bachelor’s of Kinseiology in Sports Performance (2015) and a Master’s of Coaching in Strength and Conditioning (2020).
“I’m honored to join Coach Noreen’s outstanding staff and a program with the tradition and pride of Miami hockey,” Farnell said. “I look forward to supporting a shared vision of excellence and contributing to returning this program to national prominence.”
Minnesota women’s hockey grad Wethington named 2025 winner of $2500 College Hockey Inc. scholarship
Former Minnesota forward Audrey Wethington has been named the 2025 recipient of the annual College Hockey Inc. scholarship, presented by JLG Architects.
Wethington will receive the $2500 postgraduate scholarship given annually to the NCAA men’s or women’s hockey player who helps build the game through their support of the next generation of hockey players.
The scholarship is awarded in honor of JLG founder Lonnie Laffen, a passionate college hockey supporter who passed away in 2020.
A native of Edina, Minn., Wethington appeared in a program-record 175 games for the Golden Gophers from 2020 to 2025, amassing 21 goals and 51 assists for 72 points. She earned her bachelor’s degree in biology in 2023 and a master’s degree in biological sciences in 2025.
In 2024-25, Wethington was named to the CSC Academic All-America first team and was the NCAA Elite 90 Award recipient for women’s hockey with a 4.0 grade-point average. She was also a finalist for the 2024-25 Hockey Humanitarian Award.
Wethington has spent her summers dating back to high school working youth camps such as the Minnesota Girls Hockey Camp, OS Hockey, and Youth Hockey Hub. During the season as a collegian, she stayed involved in the hockey community through the University of Minnesota’s Rink Roots program, visiting local rinks to help run practices.
Wethington also partnered with Next of Can, a Minneapolis-based non-profit organization, to help make hockey more accessible by donating hockey equipment to families in need. Last winter, her efforts supported the Faribault (Minn.) Youth Hockey Association.
For the past three years, Wethington has also volunteered weekly at Masonic Children’s Hospital in Minneapolis.
“We couldn’t be prouder to honor Audrey Wethington with the College Hockey Inc. scholarship,” said College Hockey Inc. executive director Sean Hogan in a statement. “In an exceptionally strong and competitive applicant pool, her candidacy truly stood out. Not only does she excel academically and athletically, but her deep commitment to volunteerism – mentoring youth, organizing community drives, and giving back in countless other ways – truly embodies the spirit of college hockey.”
“JLG is honored to present this year’s College Hockey Inc. scholarship to Audrey Wethington, a strong student-athlete who embodies professional, academic, and athletic excellence on and off the ice,” added Michelle Mongeon Allen, CEO of JLG Architects. “This scholarship is dedicated to empowering the next generation of leaders, and Audrey clearly demonstrates an extraordinary commitment to serving her community, college hockey, and youth programs.”
Wethington will begin medical school at Minnesota this month and plans to pursue a career as an orthopedic surgeon or sports medicine physician.
“I am incredibly grateful to receive the College Hockey Inc. scholarship,” said Wethington. “I fell in love with hockey as a little girl watching the Gophers from the stands and it has shaped every part of who I am. The sport has given me role models, lifelong memories, life lessons, and a platform to pour into the next generation.
“Being recognized with this award means the world to me, and I am committed to continuing to give back to the game and community that have given me so much in this next chapter of my life as a physician.”
The College Hockey Inc. scholarship, presented by JLG Architects, was first awarded in 2020 and is open to any NCAA hockey player (men’s or women’s, any division) who has exhausted their collegiate eligibility. Applications require a written essay on the student-athlete’s contributions to the youth hockey community, which could be accompanied by videos, photos, or other supplemental information.
The winner is selected by a committee made up of representatives from College Hockey Inc. and JLG Architects.
College Hockey Inc. Scholarship Recipients
2020: Breanna Scarpaci, Boston University
2021: Michael Korol, Norwich
2022: Brooke Leone, Augsburg
2023: Stephanie Martin, Wisconsin-Eau Claire
2024: Emma Guzdek, Wilkes
2025: Audrey Wethington, Minnesota
Former Penn State forward Marsh chosen as new assistant coach for Hobart men’s hockey team
Hobart has announced that former Penn State forward Alec Marsh has been named an assistant coach for the men’s hockey team.
Marsh replaces Niko Kovachis, who accepted an assistant coach position earlier this summer at Niagara.
“Certainly, you have to have a high level of hockey ability to play at a program like Penn State, but what surfaced in the hiring process was what got him there, work ethic and character, and those same qualities are what made him achieve there,” Hobart head coach Mark Taylor said in a statement. “Those are qualities that we value highly here at Hobart. From his prior coaches, teammates and current employer, it was clear his teammates loved playing with him, coaches loved coaching him and his current boss hated to see him go but couldn’t be happier for him. That is our type of guy.
“Hockey is a small world and I am excited to add Alec to ours.”
Marsh comes to Hobart after spending the last three years working as head coach and academy director for the New Jersey Rockets. He worked with the 14U, 15U and 16U players, emphasizing skill development and technical understanding. In 2024, he helped the Rockets 14U team reach the national quarterfinals. In 2025, the 16U team advanced to the semifinals of the national tournament.
Marsh directed the full-time development academy, creating age-specific training plans, managing both the on-ice and off-ice curriculum. He also oversaw skill and player development throughout the season while assisting the staff with practice planning and the scouting of opponents.
Marsh graduated from Penn State with a bachelor’s degree in criminology. He was a four-year member of the Nittany Lions hockey team. Marsh played in 132 career games, recording 54 points on 22 goals and 32 assists, and helped guide Penn State to its first Big Ten title in 2016-17 and its first two appearances in the NCAA tournament.
Following graduation, Marsh played three seasons of professional hockey. In his first two years, he played 57 games in the ECHL and the SPHL. Marsh had 27 points on 12 goals and 15 assists with the SPHL’s Fayetteville Marksmen. In 2021-22, he played 50 games for the Coventry Blaze in England.
Kovachis’ departure for Niagara continues a trend of Hobart assistant coaches to the Division I ranks. In fact, Taylor’s last four assistant coaches all have moved straight to Division I assistant roles: Kovachis to Niagara, Tom Fiorentino to Bentley, Mark Phalon to Alaska Anchorage, and Sean Flanagan to UMass Lowell.
“I’ve been fortunate to have good people who made themselves and me better,” Taylor said. “I don’t make a magic phone call, all my guys have earned it. The process is not complicated, do a great job where you are at, while doing that, get better so you keep doing your job even better and you will be fortunate to get an opportunity to advance. I expect and want the same for my coaches as I do for my players.”
Robert Morris elevates women’s hockey team student manager Spuzzillo to Colonials’ new hockey operations coordinator
Robert Morris has announced the return of Sydney Spuzzillo to the women’s hockey staff as the new hockey operations coordinator.
Spuzzillo spent this past season as the team’s student manager, primarily assisting the program from an equipment standpoint, gaining firsthand insight into the team’s operational needs.
“We are thrilled to welcome Sydney back to RMU in this vital role,” said RMU head women’s coach Logan Bittle in a statement. “Her passion for the game, her understanding of our program from her time as a student manager, and her diverse professional experiences make her an ideal fit. Sydney’s dedication to the team and her organizational skills will be invaluable as we continue to strive for excellence both on and off the ice.
“We know she’ll be a tremendous asset to our staff and our student-athletes.”
Her journey in hockey began at the age of 18 when she joined RMU’s ACHA D2 team on campus, where she served as an alternate captain.
Spuzzillo graduated in May 2023 with a double major in Sports Management and Marketing, along with a sales certificate. During her senior year, she served as the hockey operations intern for the Premier Hockey Federation (PHF), with most of her work being remote, culminating in the opportunity to work the championship game in Arizona. After graduation, she gained further experience in the ECHL as a game operations intern with the Wheeling Nailers.
Spuzzillo also has a long-standing connection with the Ohio Hockey Project, where she worked for six years as the director of administrative operations with Bri McLoughlin. This connection ultimately influenced her decision to return to RMU for her master’s degree in Data Analytics, while also rejoining the club hockey team.
On the side, Spuzzillo has demonstrated a commitment to growing the game at the grassroots level, coaching ‘learn to play hockey’ programs at RMU and for the Cleveland Mini Monsters.
“I’m so excited to be back at RMU working with the team again,” said Spuzzillo. “The team welcomed me with open arms into the family and it feels great to come home again.”
