Quartet of women’s NCAA D-I teams to play in D1 in DC 2023 event Nov. 24-25 at practice home of NHL’s Capitals

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August 21, 2023

The D1 in DC 2023 women’s hockey event has been announced for Nov. 24-25.

Presented by the Washington Pride women’s junior hockey organization, Cornell, Harvard, Minnesota and St. Thomas will compete in four games at the MedStar Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Va., the practice facility of the NHL’s Washington Capitals.

Harvard plays Minnesota at 1 p.m. EST and Cornell plays St. Thomas at 4 p.m. on Nov. 24, while St. Thomas plays Harvard at 1 p.m. and Minnesota plays Cornell at 4 p.m. the next day.

The event also includes an NCAA opportunities roundtable on Nov. 25 at 11:30 a.m.

For more information, visit the Washington Pride website.

Four members of Gustavus Adolphus women’s hockey team in two-vehicle crash on Minnesota highway; Jones loses life at 19

By USCHO Staff

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August 21, 2023

From left, Jori Jones, Gianna Gasparini, Kayla Bluhm, and Lily Mortenson.

According to the Star Tribune, one member of the national champion Gustavus Adolphus women’s hockey team was killed and three others injured in a two-vehicle collision at an intersection in west-central Minnesota on Sunday afternoon.

Jori Jones, a 19-year-old from Little Canada, Minn., unfortunately lost her life in the crash.

JORI JONES GOFUNDME

The accident occurred about 12:40 p.m. Sunday about 20 miles west of Willmar on Highway 40 at the intersection with Highway 29 in Grace Township, the State Patrol said.

The women’s SUV was heading east on Hwy. 40 and collided with a minivan as it headed south, the patrol said.

One of the drivers failed to obey a stop sign, but the patrol did not specify which one.

All four women were taken by emergency responders to Montevideo Hospital.

The SUV occupants who suffered noncritical injuries were identified as driver Gianna Gasparini, 19, of Lakeville, Minn., Kayla Bluhm, 20, of Chisago City, Minn., and Lily Mortenson, 19, of Champlin, Minn.

All four women were freshmen on the Gustavus Adolphus hockey team, which won the NCAA Division III championship in March.

Also surviving the collision was the minivan’s driver, Brandi Rasmussen, 28, of Benson, Minn.

Reigning national D-III women’s coach of year McNamara leaves Hamilton, named new assistant at Middlebury

By USCHO Staff

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August 21, 2023

Emily McNamara was named the 2023 NESCAC coach of the year at Hamilton and also earned national honors (photo: Hamilton Athletics).

Middlebury has announced the hiring of Emily McNamara as the assistant women’s hockey coach.

A two-time All-NESCAC honoree and former Panthers assistant coach, McNamara rejoins the program after spending the previous 11 seasons as the head coach at Hamilton.

“I am excited for the opportunity to return to Middlebury and work alongside head coach Bill Mandigo,” said McNamara in a statement.

“I am very happy to welcome Emily back to Middlebury,” added Mandigo. “She brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience and will be a tremendous addition to the Middlebury women’s hockey program.”

McNamara was honored for her efforts following the 2022-23 season at Hamilton, garnering both the AHCA and USCHO.com Women’s Division III Coach of the Year accolades.

She was selected as the NESCAC Coach of the Year for the second time in her career, guiding the squad to its first conference championship appearance. McNamara led the Continentals to the NCAA semifinals with a 22-6-2 record, establishing a program mark for victories in a single season.

McNamara amassed a record of 135-95-23 during her time at Hamilton. Her teams set numerous single-season program records, including a Division III-best penalty kill percentage during the 2017-18 season.

McNamara served as an assistant coach on Mandigo’s staff from 2007 to 2011. She helped guide the team to an overall record of 78-20-11, including 50 NESCAC victories. The Panthers captured two conference crowns (2009, 2011) and made three NCAA tournament appearances, advancing to the national semifinals in 2009 and 2011.

McNamara enjoyed an outstanding playing career for the Panthers, helping Middlebury win three straight national titles from 2004 to 2006. She earned a spot on the 2005 NCAA all-tournament team. McNamara helped the Panthers to NESCAC championships in 2005 and 2006, playing in all 116 games on defense. She finished her career with 66 points (22 goals, 44 assists) and helped the team post a 100-13-3 record during her tenure.

McNamara served as a team captain during her senior season and recorded a place on the NESCAC winter all-academic team. She was the 2007 winner of the Captain John Owen Memorial Award for dedication and support of the Middlebury women’s hockey team.

She graduated with a degree in English.

Former Southern Maine women’s hockey assistant Sherman selected new head coach at University of New England

By USCHO Staff

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August 21, 2023

University of New England has announced the hiring of Cassandra Sherman as the new head coach of the women’s hockey team.

“I am thrilled that Cassandra Sherman will be our next women’s hockey coach,” said UNE director of athletics Heather Davis said in a statement. “She rose to the top of our competitive national search process due to her student-athlete-centered philosophy and her unique combination of playing and coaching experience. Our women’s program is primed for even more success and I’m so excited for her to get started.”

Sherman becomes the third head coach in the history of the women’s hockey program, which enters its 12th season in 2023-24.

She replaces David Venditti, who stepped down earlier this summer after coaching at UNE for the last 10 years.

“I am beyond excited and would like to thank Heather Davis, Curt Smyth, the administration, and the hiring committee for the opportunity to become part of the women’s ice hockey team and the UNE community,” said Sherman. “What David Venditti has built at UNE is tremendous, and I am honored to be chosen to take over the role of head coach. I cannot wait to get started.”

Most recently, Sherman was in Florida serving as coach of multiple teams within the Tampa Jr. Lightning club organization and was the co-director of youth hockey at the Palm Beach Skate Zone prior to that.

No stranger to the Maine hockey scene, Sherman spent four seasons (2017-21) as assistant coach at her alma mater, Southern Maine.

In the year after graduating from USM (2016-17), she played professionally for Dusseldorf in Germany’s top women’s hockey league and helped the squad to the division title, totaling seven goals and nine assists over 13 contests. Sherman returned stateside in 2017-18 and played for the CWHL’s Boston Blades.

As a four-year student-athlete at Southern Maine (2012-16), Sherman logged 104 consecutive games as a forward and scored 25 goals to go with 22 assists. She was a two-year captain for the Huskies and had her best season as a senior when she tallied nine goals and 14 points. The North Smithfield, R.I. native earned a bachelor’s degree in recreation and leisure studies.

Sherman assumes control of a Nor’easters program that is three years removed from back-to-back 16-win seasons and has reached conference finals in two of the last three full years.

Chatham men’s hockey assistant Kovachis leaves Cougars after two seasons for same job with Hobart

By USCHO Staff

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August 18, 2023

Hobart has announced that Niko Kovachis has been named an assistant coach for the men’s hockey team.

Kovachis replaces Tom Fiorentino, who accepted an assistant coach position at Bentley.

“I’m excited to have Niko join the Hobart hockey program,” Hobart coach Mark Taylor said in a statement. “He comes from a hockey tree that I respect, be it his junior hockey coaches to his college hockey coaches who have strong ties to myself and Hobart hockey. As a player, he was a great teammate, leader and a very smart skilled defenseman and I know our core will benefit from his input.

“Furthermore, he has already proven himself as a recruiter and coach at the college level, having recruited some league all-stars and helped coach a program to its most successful seasons.”

Kovachis comes to Hobart after spending the last two seasons as an assistant coach at Chatham. He helped run the Cougars’ defense and power plays. Kovachis helped Chatham to a 23-21-7 overall record, including a program-record 14 wins last season. The Cougars made two trips to the UCHC tournament.

Also at Chatham, Kovachis led pre-scout meetings, including XOS video, and created and evaluated game video to assess the team’s strengths and weaknesses. He also assisted with planning and guiding practices.

Kovachis graduated from Niagara in 2019. He was a four-year defenseman on the Purple Eagles’ hockey team, playing for former Hobart assistant coach Jason Lammers and serving as an alternate captain as a senior. That season, Kovachis led Niagara to its first-ever appearance in the Atlantic Hockey championship game.

He played in 125 career games, recording 37 points on 11 goals and 26 assists while blocking 119 shots. Kovachis was named to the Atlantic Hockey all-academic team four times.

Women’s Division I College Hockey: 2023-24 roster updates

By Nicole Haase

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August 17, 2023

The Division I women’s hockey season is just about five weeks away. It was another busy offseason with a lot of movement through the transfer portal as well as coaching changes.

Most every team in the country has experienced changes on their roster beyond graduation and incoming freshman classes. There are also a number of fifth year players.

This is an attempt at putting all that information in one place.

The left side of the table are players transferring in, the left side is players who have transferred out. Teams are listed alphabetically by conference.

The best effort was made to get all this information correct at the time of publishing by compiling info from published rosters and social media, but it is all subject to change. This article will be updated as more information becomes available.

If you spot an error or missing information, email [email protected].

Coaching hires/promotions

Assumption – Head coach Jack Sweeney, assistant coach Delaney Couture
Bemidji State – Assistant coach Amber Fryklund, assistant coach Alexis Joyce
Boston College – Assistant coach Kate Leary
Boston University – Head coach Tara Watchorn, associate head coach Courtney Kessel, assistant coach Megan Myers
Colgate – Assistant coach/director of operations Breanne Wilson-Bennett
Dartmouth – Assistant coach Jason Carter
Franklin Pierce – Assistant coach Michael Nellis
Harvard – Head coach Laura Bellamy, associate head coach Meredith Roth
Lindenwood – Head coach Taylor Wasylk, assistant coach Rhea Coad, assistant coach Arielle DeSmet
Long Island University – Assistant coach Shelly Picard
Mercyhurst – Assistant coach Emily Ach
Merrimack – Assistant coach Danielle Blanchard, assistant coach Stephanie Wood
Minnesota – Associate head coach Greg “Boom” May, assistant coach Mitch Baker, assistant coach Jess Scott
Minnesota Duluth – Assistant coach Emma Sobieck, strength and conditioning coach Chase Engdahl
Penn State – Assistant coach Ben Halford
Princeton – Assistant coach Melissa Samoskevich, assistant coach/Director of Player Development Jamie Lundmark
Rensselaer – Assistant coach Ben Murphy
Robert Morris – Assistant coach Jordan Lipson
Sacred Heart – Assistant coach Abbie Ives
St. Cloud State – Assistant coach Billy Hengen
St. Lawrence – Assistant coach Brittney Gout
St. Michael’s – Assistant coach Kevin Salinas
Stonehill – Head coach Lee-J Mirasolo, assistant coach Kendall Wagner
Syracuse – Goalkeeper coach Nick Harper
Vermont – Associate Head Coach Alex Gettens and assistant coach Victoria Blake

Transfers and Fifth Year Players

CHA

Incoming

Outgoing

Lindenwood

Fifth year returners: Rachel Goff, Gigi Pora, Madilynn Hickey,

Mercyhurst

Olivia Cvar (St. Cloud State)

A.J. Weiss (Syracuse)

Jersey Phillips (Robert Morris)

Alyssa Kawa (Franklin Pierce)

Fifth year returners: Olivia Cvar, Ena Nystrøm

Penn State

Maggie MacEachern (Colgate)

Kiara Zanon (Ohio State)

Alva Johnsson (LIU)

Olivia Wallin (Minnesota Duluth)

Brianna Brooks (New Hampshire)

Fifth year returners: Alva Johnsson, Julie Gough, Maggie MacEachern

Robert Morris

Alaina Giampietro (Ohio State)

Madison Primeau (Syracuse)

Chace Sperling (St. Cloud State)

Emma Gorski (Merrimack)

Shailynn Snow (St. Lawrence)

Morgan Giannone (St. Lawrence)

Courtney Hall (St. Cloud State)

Chloé Puddifant (St. Lawrence)

Jersey Phillips (Mercyhurst)

Mya Neugent (Bemidji State)

Fifth year returners: Gillian Thompson, Allyson Hebert, Wasyn Rice, Courtney Hall, Jersey Phillips, Shailynn Snow, Chloé Puddifant

Syracuse

A.J. Weiss (Mercyhurst)

Rhea Hicks (Clarkson)

Rachel Teslak (St. Lawrence)

Madison Primeau (Robert Morris)

Kate Holmes (Northeastern)

Sydnee Wilson (Franklin Pierce)

Allie Kelley (Saint Anselm)

Sarah Marchland (St. Lawrence)

Kailey Langefels (Holy Cross)

Mae Batherson (St. Lawrence)

Darci Johal (Holy Cross)

Hannah Johnson (Providence)

Fifth year returners: Kate Holmes, A.J. Weiss, Kailey Langefels, Darci Johal, Rachel Teslak, Marielle McHale, Hailey Uliasz, Allie Kelley

ECAC

Incoming

Outgoing

Brown

Gali Levy (Ohio State)

Clarkson

Dominique Petrie (Harvard)

Emily Wisnewski (Sacred Heart)

Rhea Hicks (Syracuse)

Stephanie Markowski (Ohio State)

Alexie Guay (Boston College)

Fifth year returners: Dominique Petrie, Darcie Lappan, Brooke McQuigge, Alexie Guay

Colgate

Sydney Morrow (Ohio State)

Rachel Golnitz (St. Thomas)

Katie Chan (Cornell)

Annaka Mettler (Boston College)

Lauren Fraser (DIII Colby College)

Jenna Duarte (USports Brock University)

Fifth year returners: Danielle Serdachny, Allyson Simpson, Sydney Bard, Kaitlyn O’Donohoe

Cornell

Katie Chan (Colgate)

Dartmouth

Megan Cornell (St. Thomas)

Jen Costa (Maine)

CC Bowlby (St. Cloud State)

Harvard

Jade Arnone (Boston College)

Princeton

Solveig Neunzert (Minnesota)

RPI

Isabelle Hardy (Providence)

Maddy Peterson (St. Cloud State)

Fifth year returners: Taylor Zahirnyi, MJ Alexander, Isabelle Hardy, Marah Wagner, Amanda Rampado

Quinnipiac

Emerson Jarvis (Ohio State)

Olivia Mobley (Ohio State)

Julia Nearis (Boston University)

Fifth year returners: Logan Angers, Kate Reilly, Alexa Hoskin, Jess Schryver, Julia Nearis, Sadie Peart

St. Lawrence

Sarah Marchland (Syracuse)

Rachel Teslak (Syracuse)

Mae Batherson (Syracuse)

Shailynn Snow (Robert Morris)

Sirena Alvarez (DIII SUNY Canton)

Morgan Giannone (Robert Morris)

Chloe Puddifant (Robert Morris)

Fifth year returners: Mae Batherson, Sirena Alvarez,

Union

No transfers

Yale

Adie Burton (Minnesota)

Hockey East

Incoming

Outgoing

Boston College

Sammy Smigliani (Colgate)

Cayla Barnes (Ohio State)

Jade Arnone (Harvard)

Hannah Bilka (Ohio State)

Annaka Mettler (Colgate)

Alexie Guay (Clarkson)

Fifth year returners: Megan Trimper, Sammy Smigliani,

Boston University

Lilli Welcke (Maine)

Louisa Welcke (Maine)

Fifth year returners: Nadia Mattivi

Connecticut

Stephanie Nevers (Sacred Heart)

Fifth year returners: Camryn Wong, Coryn Tormala, Claire Peterson, Ainsley Svetek,

Holy Cross

Kailey Langefels (Syracuse)

Darci Johal (Syracuse)

Mary Edmonds (Merrimack)

Maine

Adriana Van de Leest (Bemidji State)

Grace Parker (Stonehill)

Julia Bachetti (St. Cloud State)

Lilli Welcke (Boston University)

Abby Latorella (LIU)

Louisa Welcke (Boston University)

Jamie Grinder (Ohio State)

Emma Gurnell (Assumption)

Ann-Frederique Guay (Norwich – DIII)

Fifth year returners: Abby Latorella, Ann-Frederique Guay, Ida Kuoppala

Merrimack

Mary Edmonds (Holy Cross)

Emma Gorski (Robert Morris)

Katie Kaufman (St. Cloud State)

Fifth year returners: Teghan Inglis, Celine Tedenby, Mary Edmonds, Allison Reeb

New Hampshire

Mikah Baptiste (DIII Norwich)	Brianna Brooks (Penn State)
Fifth year returners: Rae Breton, Jada Christian, Mikah Baptiste, Tamara Thierus

Northeastern

Becca Vanstone (Yale)

Kate Holmes (Syracuse)

Fifth year returners: Katy Knoll, Becca Vanstone, Peyton Cullaton, Megan Carter, Gwyn Philips, Peyton Anderson

Providence

Hannah Johnson (Syracuse)

Grace Shirley (Wisconsin)

Fifth year returners: Lauren DeBlois, Grace Shirley

Vermont

Fifth year returners: Hailey Burns, Sara Levesque, Lily Humphrey

NEWHA

Incoming

Outgoing

Assumption

Carissa Mudrak (Saint Michael’s)
Sheridan Terrazzano (Post)
Emma Gurnell (Maine)
Kiersten Browning (Post)

Franklin Pierce

Gwen Bowler (Adrian – DIII)

Suzette Faucher (Minnesota State)

Anna Caumo (Maine)

Cailey Mclaughlin (Hamline – DIII)

Alyssa Kawa (Mercyhurst)

Lucy Hanson (Michigan – ACHA)

Maggie Korneta (LIU)

Avery Farrell (St. Cloud State)

Jenna Hartung (St. Thomas)

Sydnee Wilson (Syracuse)

Fifth year returners: Jenna Hartung

LIU

Alva Johnsson (Penn State)

Abby Latorella (Maine)

Maggie Korneta (Franklin Pierce)

Paula Bergström (Minnesota Duluth)

Post

	Emily Racco (SUNY-Cortland – DIII)
	Sadie Storm (Curry – DIII)
	Noel Neumann (New England College – DIII)
	Alexandrea Bednar (Wisconsin Eau Claire – DIII)
	Taylor Holm (Wisconsin Eau Claire – DIII)
	Sheridan Terrazzano (Assumption)
	Kiersten Browning (Assumption)

Sacred Heart

Stephanie Nevers (Connecticut)
Emily Wisnewski (Clarkson)
Kate Helgeson (Quinnipiac)
Fifth year returners: Stephanie Nevers, Emily Wisnewski, Sophie Lupone, Cassandra Nevers

Saint Anselm

Allie Kelley (Syracuse)

Saint Michaels

Carissa Mudrak (Assumpion)

Stonehill

Grace Parker (Maine)

WCHA

Incoming

Outgoing

Bemidji State

Emerald Kelley (Minnesota State)

Adriana Van de Leest (Maine)

Claire Vekich (Minnesota State)

Taylor Larson (St. Cloud State)

Reece Hunt (Minnesota Duluth)

Mya Neugent (Robert Morris)

Ella Anick (St. Cloud State)

Minnesota

Taylor Stewart (Minnesota Duluth)

Olivia King (St. Thomas)

Lucy Morgan (St. Lawrence)

Solveig Neunzert (Princeton)

Fifth year returners: Lucy Morgan, Solveig Neunzert, Taylor Stewart, Madeline Wethington

Minnesota Duluth

Olivia Wallin (Penn State)

Taylor Stewart (Minnesota)

Reece Hunt (Bemidji State)

Paula Bergström (LIU)

Fifth year returners: Reece Hunt, Mannon McMahon

Minnesota State

Claire Vekich (Bemidji State)

Anna Wilgren (Wisconsin)

Mackenzie Bourgerie (St. Cloud State)

Kelsey King (Ohio State)

Suzette Faucher (Franklin Pierce)

Calla Frank (St. Thomas)

Emerald Kelley (Bemidji State)

Fifth year returners: Charlotte Akervik, Kennedy Bobyck, Lyndsey Howard

Ohio State

Kiara Zanon (Penn State)

Alaina Giampietro (Robert Morris)

Olivia Mobley (Quinnipiac)

Emerson Jarvis (Quinnipiac)

Stephanie Markowski (Clarkson)

Sydney Morrow (Colgate)

Cayla Barnes (Boston College)

Gali Levy (Brown)

Hannah Bilka (Boston College)

Jamie Grinder (Maine)

Kelsey King (Minnesota State)

Fifth year returners: Kenzie Hauswirth, Jennifer Gardiner, Kelsey King, Cayla Barnes, Quinn Kuntz

St. Cloud State

Taylor Larson (Bemidji State)

Mackenzie Bourgerie (Minnesota State)

Maddy Peterson (RPI)

Chace Sperling (Robert Morris)

Katie Kaufman (Merrimack)

Julia Bachetti (Maine)

Avery Farrell (Franklin Pierce)

Olivia Cvar (Mercyhurst)

Ella Anick (Bemidji State)

Courtney Hall (Robert Morris)

CC Bowlby (Dartmouth)

Laura Zimmerman (St. Thomas)

Fifth year returners: Addi Scribner, Katie Kaufman, Klára Hymlárová, Taylor Lind, CC Bowlby, Maddy Peterson

St. Thomas

Olivia King (Minnesota)

Jenna Hartung (Franklin Pierce)

Rachel Golnitz (Colgate)

Laura Zimmerman (St. Cloud State)

Calla Frank (Minnesota State)

Fifth year returners: Olivia King, Allie Monrean, Calla Frank

Wisconsin

Anna Wilgren (Minnesota State)

Grace Shirley (Providence)

Fifth year returners: Anna Wilgren, Britta Curl, Chayla Edwards

After stint in NHL, Breiter selected as new Minnesota Duluth women’s hockey director of operations

By USCHO Staff

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August 17, 2023

Mark Breiter spent the 2022-23 season working for the St. Louis Blues (photo: Minnesota Duluth Athletics).

Minnesota Duluth has named Mark Breiter as its next director of women’s hockey operations.

“I’m just excited to be at UMD and be part of the Bulldog family,” said Breiter in a statement. “I just want to thank Coach (Maura) Crowell and the staff for bringing me in, and I am ready to get to work.”

Breiter spent the last year as the assistant equipment manager for the NHL’s St. Louis Blues. Prior to his stint with the Blues, Breiter was the Minnesota State women’s hockey equipment manager from 2017 through 2022.

“We’re happy to welcome Mark to the staff,” said Crowell, set to enter her ninth season behind the bench in 2023-24. “He has extensive experience in the WCHA and also spent time in the NHL. He will be a great addition and will help us continue to operate at an elite level.”

Breiter earned his Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication from Minnesota State in May 2022.

Vermont women’s hockey promotes Gettens to associate coach, announces former associate coach Koizumi has left for ‘other opportunities,’ hires Blake as new assistant

By USCHO Staff

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August 17, 2023

From left, Alex Gettens, Jess Koizumi, Victoria Blake.

Vermont has announced women’s hockey staffing updates ahead of the 2023-24 season.

Alex Gettens has been promoted to associate head coach while Jess Koizumi has left the Catamounts to pursue other opportunities and Victoria Blake has been hired as an assistant coach to round out Jim Plumer’s staff ahead of his 12th season at Vermont.

“Alex has developed into one of the finest assistant coaches in the game and his promotion to associate head coach reflect his importance to our program,” said Plumer in a statement. “Over the past five years, Alex has had a direct impact on the improvements in our offensive output, our power play and our goaltending. He has stepped up five times and led the team during my absence and our record is 5-0 in those games. He is an integral part of our program, and he has earned the title of associate head coach.”

Koizumi was hired as associate head coach in 2017, overseeing the defense and penalty kill and helping to reset the record book in both categories. During the 2018-19 campaign, UVM had the best penalty kill in the NCAA with an 88.4 percent success rate, a Division I record at UVM. Last season, Vermont gave up 65 goals against in 36 games, setting the program standard in a full season.

“I want to thank Jess Koizumi for the incredible effort she put into our program over the past six years,” said Plumer. “She was a huge part of our transformation into a Hockey East and national contender, and she will be missed both on the ice and in the community. I know she will excel in the next chapter of her life.”

Hobart grad, assistant coach, 2023 D-III national champ Fiorentino named new assistant coach at Bentley

By USCHO Staff

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August 16, 2023

Tom Fiorentino helped Hobart to the 2023 NCAA D-III national championship (photo: Hobart Athletics).

Bentley has announced the hiring of Tom Fiorentino as an assistant coach on the men’s hockey staff.

Fiorentino spent the previous five seasons as an assistant coach at Hobart from 2018 to 2023, helping lead the Statesmen to the 2023 NCAA Division III national championship and an overall record of 29-2-0.

“Tom has established himself as a quality young coach with a great work ethic,” Bentley head coach Andy Jones said in a statement. “His thorough plan and detailed knowledge of the recruiting landscape was impressive in the interview process,” Jones said. “He has been mentored by one of college hockey’s top coaches and he played an integral role in helping Hobart win the Division III national championship this past season. Tom has a passion for development and our players will benefit greatly from his teaching skills. We are thrilled to welcome Tom and his wife Shae to Waltham.”

Overall, Fiorentino helped guide Hobart to a record of 90-21-7 and four berths in the NCAA tournament since 2018.

Fiorentino was a four-year forward with the Hobart hockey team (2010-14). He served as a captain in his senior season and earned the program’s Holden Award for sportsmanship, character and leadership. He graduated from Hobart with a degree in environmental studies and an English minor.

He went on to a professional career in France and the SPHL, where he played for two seasons in each league.

Southern Maine hires coaching veteran Pinchevsky as new men’s hockey head coach, ‘brings contagious energy, positivity, and excitement to the position’

By USCHO Staff

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August 16, 2023

Matt Pinchevsky has been named the next head coach of Southern Maine men’s hockey team.

Pinchevsky, who will officially begin his duties on Aug. 21, replaces Ed Harding, who left the program in June after eight seasons (2015-23) as the head coach after stepping into an interim role halfway through the 2014-15 season.

“I’m very excited to announce the appointment of Matt Pinchevsky as our men’s hockey coach,” said Southern Maine director of athletics Al Bean in a statement. “Matt has a truly outstanding hockey background, is greatly respected in the hockey community by athletes and colleagues alike, and brings contagious energy, positivity, and excitement to the position. I’m confident he will be a tremendous addition to our staff and a fantastic leader for the young men in our program. I’m looking forward to the next era of Husky hockey under Matt’s leadership.”

Pinchevsky spent the past four years with the NAHL’s Maine Nordiques, serving as associate head coach and director of player development from their 2019 inception until partway through the 2021-22 season when he pivoted into the head coach role. During the 2022-23 season, Pinchevsky guided the Nordiques to 33 regular-season wins and an exhibition win against the USA National Under-17 Team.

“I would like to sincerely thank the University of Southern Maine and its athletic department for this incredible opportunity,” said Pinchevsky. “Al and the selection committee have handled everything with such professionalism and detail. I am honored to have been selected and look forward to the bright future ahead for Husky hockey. We will create a culture with competitive drive to instill growth in the classroom, on our ice, and throughout the community. The character and caliber of our student-athletes will represent USM with pride. The opportunity to be surrounded by an athletic department that gives everything they have for its programs and this institution is truly special to be a part of. My family and I are very excited and grateful to be joining our new team.”

Prior to his time with the Nordiques, Pinchevsky served as the director of skill development and associate head coach at the Seacoast Performance Academy from 2018 to 2019 and spent two seasons with the Seacoast Spartans program from 2016 to 2018. Additionally, Pinchevsky was the head coach and general manager of the Portland Jr. Pirates U18 team during the 2015-16 season. He also coached the Metropolitan Junior Hockey League’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Knights in 2014-15, helping the team to a division championship.

Pinchevsky’s 15-year coaching career also includes helping build and establish the Selects Academy at the South Kent School (2011-2014), serving as head coach of several East Coast Selects teams (2011-2018), and a head coaching stint within the Florida Alliance AAA program (2008-2012).

Pinchevsky graduated from Curry in 2007 with his bachelor’s degree in communications and was a member of the hockey team.

In addition to his coaching experience, Pinchevsky has taken part in professional development opportunities through programs such as the National Hockey League Coaches’ Association (NHLCA) BIPOC Mentorship and the NHL Bruins Diversity and Inclusion Scouting Mentorship.

Franklin Pierce tabs EHL, NAHL coach Fusco as Ravens’ new men’s hockey bench boss

By USCHO Staff

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August 16, 2023

Franklin Pierce has hired Joshua Fusco as head coach of the men’s hockey team, the school announced on social media Tuesday.

Fusco takes over for Shaun Millerick, who left the Ravens to take the head coaching job at Rivier.

Fusco spent the last four years as head coach and general manager of the EHL’s Team Maryland. He also served as assistant coach for the NAHL’s Maryland Black Bears.

He also served as an assistant at ACHA Division II Scranton for two seasons.

This past season, FPU advanced to the Northeast-10 semifinals for just the third time in program history, finishing 11-20-2.

St. Cloud State graduate Hengen named to Huskies women’s hockey team’s staff as new assistant coach

By USCHO Staff

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August 14, 2023

Billy Hengen has experience coaching in the Minnesota prep ranks (photo: provided by Billy Hengen).

St. Cloud State has announced the addition of Billy Hengen to the women’s hockey team’s coaching staff as an assistant coach.

Hengen has previous experience with head coaching stints at Gentry Academy, the Minnesota Blades, Providence Academy and the Academy of Holy Angels.

He is also a 2006 St. Cloud State graduate.

“We’re extremely excited to add someone with Billy’s experience and tradition of success to our program,” said SCSU head coach Brian Idalski in a statement. “Billy brings a great passion for not only hockey, but St. Cloud State hockey. He is a welcome addition to our staff and will be a phenomenal resource of knowledge and skill development for our athletes.”

Hengen graduated in 2006 following a four-year playing career under longtime Huskies coach Bob Motzko, closing his career with 79 points on 24 goals and 55 assists across 119 games. He led the Huskies in assists and points per game over his final three seasons while earning WCHA all-academic honors in 2005-06.

Augsburg promotes assistant Hendrickson to serve as new men’s hockey head coach, just sixth since 1959

By USCHO Staff

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August 12, 2023

Garrett Hendrickson, who has served on the coaching staff for Augsburg men’s hockey teams that have qualified for the NCAA Division III national tournament each of the last two seasons, has been named the program’s new head coach.

Hendrickson served as a full-time assistant coach for the last two seasons under former head coach Greg “Boom” May, who left Augsburg in July to accept a position as associate head coach for the Minnesota’s women’s hockey team.

“I’m really honored to be the next head coach at Augsburg. I don’t take it lightly, knowing what a historic program it is and what the past head coaches have done to get the program where it is today,” Hendrickson said in a news release. “I’m very excited to continue to build on what we have accomplished the past two seasons. I believe we have a very special group that can continue to have success. This group knows what it takes to win. They know that if we stick to our process, continue to grow as a team and get better every day, the success will come and we will have a shot at the end.”

Hendrickson becomes just the sixth head coach in the modern history of Augsburg’s men’s hockey program (1959-present), joining a fraternity that includes Ed Saugestad (1959-96), Mark Wick (interim head coach in 1990-91, co-head coach with Saugestad from 1993-95), Mike Schwartz (1996-2006), Chris Brown (2006-2021) and May (2021-23).

“Garrett has been a part of a championship coaching staff the last two years and has proven his effectiveness, not only in leading the hockey program, but also in being a part of the Augsburg athletics family,” said Augsburg athletic director Jeff Swenson. “He’s an excellent and tireless recruiter, a skilled coach, and I believe he will be a great fit for Augsburg.”

As part of May’s coaching staff, Hendrickson helped guide the Auggies to the MIAC regular-season championship and the NCAA Division III national semifinals in the 2021-22 season, and the MIAC playoff title and a national playoff berth in 2022-23. Augsburg was 41-15-2 overall and 24-7-1 in MIAC play the last two seasons.

“The last two seasons I had the pleasure of working with ‘Boom,’ we believed in a lot of the same things when it comes to hockey and team culture. I learned a ton from him, Hendrickson said. “I plan to continue on what we’ve done thus far. But with every head coach, there comes some change. But overall, I believe for this group of players that it will be a seamless transition. I can’t wait to get started.”

A native of Virginia, Minn., Hendrickson played collegiately as a forward at Concordia (Minn.), earning all-MIAC honorable mention honors in 2013-14, 2014-15 and 2016-17, while earning MIAC all-rookie team honors in 2013-14. An alternate captain his senior year, Hendrickson played in 100 career games for the Cobbers, scoring 26 goals with 45 assists for 71 points.

Hendrickson was a communications major at Concordia.

Due to ‘significant confusion,’ NCAA removes video review of too many players on ice after goal scored

By USCHO Staff

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August 11, 2023

Having too many players on the ice when a goal is scored on the ensuing play has been removed from the list of plays that can be reviewed by video in NCAA men’s and women’s hockey for the 2023-24 season.

The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel approved this proposal during a video conference call Thursday.

According to the NCAA announcement, NCAA Men’s and Women’s Ice Hockey Rules Committee members made the recommendation due to significant confusion with several parts of the rule last season, namely the threshold of a “gained advantage.”

“Despite attempted education during the 2022-23 season, rules committee members think the rule is better managed by the on-ice officials and should not be part of the instant-replay criteria,” reads the NCAA announcement. “In many cases, this rule led to longer reviews and more incorrect outcomes.”

The NCAA Men’s and Women’s Ice Hockey Rules Committee has issued a clarification to the video replay criteria to make clear the scope of a review.

This is intended to reduce confusion regarding reviews and what is allowed to be reviewed when the process is initiated.

For example, when officials are reviewing a goal that is scored and a team challenges for an offside infraction, officials are to review the offside play but not the entire play.

CT Ice tournament returning for 2023-24 season, will again include UConn, Quinnipiac, Sacred Heart, Yale

By USCHO Staff

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August 11, 2023

Quinnipiac and UConn will once again be part of the CT Ice tournament next January (photo: UConn Athletics).

In partnership with the four Division I men’s hockey teams – Connecticut, Quinnipiac, Sacred Heart and Yale, the CT Ice tournament will return for the fourth season in 2023-24 and continue through the 2025-26 season.

The fourth edition of the annual tournament runs Jan. 26-27, 2024 at the XL Center in Hartford and will be hosted by UConn while being broadcast by SNY.

Sacred Heart will then host the tournament in the 2024-25 season followed by Yale for the 2025-26 season.

The four teams will square off in a two-round, four-game tournament with semi-final games beginning on Friday and the championship round taking place on Saturday. The reigning national champion Bobcats return to defend their title as CT Ice champions. The Bobcats have won back-to-back titles, including last year’s championship on their home ice at M&T Bank Arena in Hamden, Conn.

All four games will be broadcast in the tri-state area live on SNY with more broadcast information, including game times and streaming platforms, at a future date.

Ticket information will be announced at a future date as well. Fans with questions about tickets can contact each school’s respective box office.

St. Lawrence adds former Bentley goaltending coach Doomany as assistant coach for Saints ahead of ’23-24 season

By USCHO Staff

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August 11, 2023

St. Lawrence has announced the hiring of assistant coach Cam Doomany to complete the Skating Saints coaching staff for the 2023-24 season.

Doomany joins the team after spending two seasons as the goaltending coach at Bentley.

“We are extremely excited to have Cam joining our staff,” said SLU head coach Brent Brekke in a statement. “Cam is an energetic coach with a very good hockey mind. His background in working with goaltenders and the knowledge of the position is outstanding and we can’t wait to get started.”

Doomany has spent the last eight years as the director of goaltending development and marketing manager for Stop It Goaltending in Boston, and in that time, he has worked with many collegiate and professional athletes.

He has also worked as a goaltending evaluator for USA Hockey since 2017 and has been a goaltending coach with Phillips Andover Academy, the Valley Jr. Warriors, and the North Shore Hockey Academy during his career.

“It’s an honor to be welcomed into the St. Lawrence hockey family,” said Doomany. “I am excited for the opportunity to work alongside such an ambitious staff. In meeting coach Brekke, Hill, and Aikens, it’s obvious how hard they work to build a winning culture every day on and off the ice. I look forward to contributing to the culture that the team has established.”

Doomany holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Merrimack.

Former Minnesota women’s hockey captain, Ohio State assistant West named director of hockey operations at Colorado College

By USCHO Staff

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August 11, 2023

Emily West was part of a national championship team at Minnesota (photo: Minnesota Athletics).

Colorado College has announced that Emily West has joined the program as the director of hockey operations.

West, a Colorado Springs native, returns to her hometown after serving as an assistant coach for the Ohio State women’s hockey program for three seasons. She helped lead the Buckeyes to their first NCAA Division I title in 2022.

“Emily is joining our staff with an incredible resume both as a player and a coach,” CC coach Kris Mayotte said in a statement. “She was a part of a National Championship staff at Ohio State as well as a captain at the University of Minnesota. She has a passion for development, but also has the experience of winning at the highest level. We are very open about our desire to be a championship program, and adding Emily allows to take another step toward our goal.”

Prior to joining the Ohio State staff, West served as the American Development Model manager for female hockey at USA Hockey, a position she held from 2017 to 2019. She worked with local hockey associations and programs nationwide to support age-appropriate training, competition and long-term athlete development.

West’s extensive hockey-playing background includes participation in multiple USA Hockey Women’s National Team camps while attending Minnesota, where she was a two-time captain of the Gophers women’s hockey team and a Patty Kazmaier Award top-10 finalist in 2010.

West helped the Gophers win two conference titles and a NCAA Division I national championship in 2012, finishing her playing career with 158 points (82 goals, 76 assists) in 154 games.

She graduated from Minnesota in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in biology, society and environment.

Boston University women’s hockey assistant Ostrom tabbed new head coach at Suffolk

By USCHO Staff

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August 10, 2023

Abby Ostrom has been named the new head coach of the Suffolk women’s hockey team.

Ostrom takes over as the second-ever head coach for the Rams, replacing Taylor Wasylk, who was named head coach at Lindenwood after leading Suffolk to its first CCC crown and NCAA appearance in program history.

Ostrom had been working on Boston University’s staff in various roles since Sept. 2019, most recently as assistant coach.

“The search committee was very impressed with Abby’s vision for the program,” Suffolk director of athletics Cary McConnell said in a statement. “I was specifically excited about her enthusiasm for Suffolk and her excitement and passion for what this challenge holds for her. Her experience at both the Division I and Division III levels have her well positioned to take the Suffolk women’s ice hockey program to the next level.”

“First and foremost, I would like to thank director of athletics Cary (McConnell), associate athletic director Adam Skaggs, and the Suffolk University athletic department for trusting me to take over this young, successful program,” Ostrom added. “I want to thank Taylor (Wasylk) for her continued guidance throughout this transition, as well as my family, friends, network of mentors and colleagues who supported me throughout this process.

“I am extremely excited to join the Suffolk University community as the next head coach of women’s hockey. Coach Wasylk did a tremendous job putting the program on the map within the CCC and NCAA by recruiting tremendous student-athletes. I am excited to work with them and take the program to the next level.”

Across town at Boston University, Ostrom served as director of operations from 2019 before being elevated to assistant coach in 2022. Over four years with the Terriers, she was responsible for all aspects of team video in addition to the day-to-day operations of the program.

BU was not Ostrom’s first stint as an assistant coach in college hockey, as she served in that same role over four seasons at her alma mater, Trinity, from 2015 to 2019.

Ostrom’s coaching resume began as the director of men’s hockey operations and assistant softball coach at Skidmore in 2014-15. She also gained knowledge as a coaching intern with the USA Hockey National Development Camp in Minnesota for the U15 and U18 squads in the summers of 2015 and 2016, respectively, before working as a skills coach for the U18 group at the 2017 camp.

Additionally, Ostrom graduated from the WeCoach NCAA Women’s Coaches academy in the summer of 2019.

A 2014 graduate of Trinity with a bachelor’s degree in American studies and a master’s in public policy and law, Ostrom was a two-sport star, lettering in hockey and softball.

On the ice, she totaled 21 goals and 17 assists for 38 points over 80 games. Her name is etched second in the Trinity record book for game-winning goals (4) in a single season. She helped the Bantams qualify for the NESCAC women’s hockey championship tournament each winter.

Saint Mary’s women’s hockey coach Murray steps down to take same role at Shattuck-St. Mary’s Prep School

By USCHO Staff

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August 10, 2023

Sara Murray had a winning record behind the bench at Saint Mary’s (photo: Chris Ebert).

Saint Mary’s announced Tuesday that Sarah Murray has stepped down as the head women’s hockey coach to accept a position as the head girls hockey coach at her high school alma mater, Shattuck-St. Mary’s.

“We are happy for Sarah and she will be greatly missed,” said SMU athletic director Brian Sisson said in a statement. “We are extremely grateful for all that she has done and given to this program these past four-plus years. Sarah has helped elevate our women’s hockey program and, most importantly, has had a profound impact on our women’s hockey student-athletes. We look forward to finding our next leader of Cardinal women’s hockey.”

Murray spent four seasons at the helm for the Cardinals, compiling a 25-30-7 overall record, including two trips to the MIAC playoffs. The Cardinals enjoyed their best season under Murray in 2021-22, when they finished 13-10-2 — the most wins since the 2003-04 campaign.

“Making the decision to leave Saint Mary’s was extremely difficult,” said Murray, who won four national titles as a player — two while at Shattuck-St. Mary’s and two at Minnesota Duluth — and coached the Unified Korean National Team at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics. “I’m forever grateful to Brian Sisson and Saint Mary’s University for giving me the opportunity to start my college coaching career at such an amazing place. I couldn’t have asked for a better team or staff.

“It was a great four years packed with memorable moments, and I know this season will be another incredible one — I cannot wait to see what the returners and incoming freshmen can do. And while it is truly heartbreaking to leave, I’m excited to start the next chapter of my coaching career at Shattuck-St. Mary’s Prep School this upcoming season.”

A search for Murray’s replacement will begin immediately.

One-time Bruins draft pick, former Ferris State blueliner Clarke named new assistant coach for Norwich men’s hockey team

By USCHO Staff

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August 8, 2023

Cam Clarke has been named an assistant coach with the Norwich men’s hockey team.

Clarke has also been named Norwich’s head men’s golf coach.

“It is an honor to be chosen as the next head men’s golf coach in addition to being named an assistant men’s hockey coach,” said Clarke in a statement. “Thank you to President Anarumo, director of athletics Ed Hockenbury, head men’s hockey coach Cam Ellsworth, and members of the search committee. I am looking forward to building on the successful restart of the golf team and helping to continue the consistent success of the nationally ranked Cadet hockey program.”

“Cam Clarke is an excellent fit as both our head men’s golf coach and assistant men’s hockey coach,” added Hockenbury. “He was a very successful athlete in both golf and hockey, having played hockey in college and professionally, and he continues play golf competitively today. Cam’s values align with ours in Norwich athletics, and we are fortunate to have him join our coaching staff. Our student-athletes in both sports will certainly benefit from his experience and we look forward to seeing his impact both on the course and the ice.”

Clarke was drafted by the Boston Bruins in the fifth round (136th overall) of the 2016 NHL Draft. He then went on to play at Ferris State where he earned a bachelor’s degree in finance. After leaving Ferris State, Clarke played three seasons in the ECHL for the Wichita Thunder and Toledo Walleye.

“My family and I are excited to be joining Norwich University and having the opportunity to be both the head men’s golf coach as well as working with the Cadet men’s hockey program,” said Clarke.

Coaching hires/promotions

Transfers and Fifth Year Players

CHA

Incoming

Outgoing

Lindenwood

Mercyhurst

Penn State

Robert Morris

Syracuse

ECAC

Incoming

Outgoing

Brown

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Colgate

Cornell

Dartmouth

Harvard

Princeton

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Boston College

Boston University

Connecticut

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Maine

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New Hampshire

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Assumption

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Suzette Faucher (Minnesota State)

Cailey Mclaughlin (Hamline – DIII)

LIU

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Bemidji State

Minnesota

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