Shaun Millerick spent six seasons as head coach at Franklin Pierce (photo: Franklin Pierce Athletics).
Rivier has announced the hiring of Shaun Millerick as the new men’s hockey head coach.
Millerick takes over for Matt Keating, who coached the Raiders from 2021 to 2023.
Millerick joins Rivier from nearby Franklin Pierce where he served as the head coach of the Ravens’ NCAA Division II men’s hockey team since 2017. He comes to Rivier as the all-time leader in coaching victories (53) at Franklin Pierce.
“I would like to thank director of athletics Jonathan Harper and the entire search committee for providing me with this tremendous opportunity of leading the men’s ice hockey program at Rivier University,” said Millerick in a statement. “I am excited to build a competitive program comprised of talented and hardworking student-athletes who are relentless in the pursuit of academic and athletic success.”
Millerick takes the helm of a program that recently announced it will join the MASCAC as an affiliate member in 2024-25.
“I am incredibly excited to welcome Coach Millerick to Rivier,” said Harper. “His demonstrated dedication to student-athletes as a head coach for the past six seasons will enable Shaun to take the Raiders ice hockey to new heights. We welcome him to Nashua to begin our preparation to compete in the MASCAC.”
The Northeast-10 coach of the year in 2020, Millerick oversaw the two winningest seasons in FPU history (2018-19, 2019-20) and guided the team to a league championship game appearance in 2020. He also mentored three NE-10 players of the year in his five full seasons as head coach.
“Franklin Pierce athletics will always hold a special place in my heart and I’m incredibly grateful for all the student-athletes I’ve been fortunate to coach over the last seven years,” said Millerick.
This past season, Millerick’s team picked up an NE-10 quarterfinals win over Southern New Hampshire, earning a spot in the NE-10 semifinals for just the third time in program history.
In 2019-20, Millerick’s Ravens posted a 16-12-4 record and established the team’s single-season victories record for the second-consecutive campaign. The 2018-19 season saw Franklin Pierce reach a double-digit win total for the first time.
An assistant coach for the Ravens in 2016-17, Millerick also worked within the university’s admissions office as an assistant director and assisted the baseball team prior to being named head coach.
A 2014 graduate of Becker with a degree in Business Administration, Millerick was a two-sport student-athlete for the Hawks, competing in baseball and for the men’s hockey team while captaining both squads.
Brad Fast played at MSU and is now involved in player development (photo: Michigan State Athletics).
Michigan State has announced a pair of coaching staff additions, as Brad Fast stays on as director of player development and Mike Porter joins the Spartans staff as director of player personnel.
“Brad Fast has been a member of two coaching staffs in his time at Michigan State and has been a critical asset to our program in his player development role,” said MSU head coach Adam Nightingale in a news release. “Mike Porter is another Spartan we have added to our staff, and he will be a great asset not only in our day-to-day team operations, but also in our alumni relations.
“We feel really good about our staff – we have a dedicated group in every area supports our student-athletes along their educational and hockey journey.”
Fast, a former Spartan captain, has a considerable background in player development in addition to his own experience as a high-level collegiate player and professional athlete. Previously the director of hockey operations at MSU (2015-19), Fast rejoined the Spartan staff in the summer of 2022 after a year and a half at Honeybaked Hockey Club in the Detroit area where he was the club’s director of athlete development.
The former Spartan defenseman (1999-2003) has been involved in hockey skill development and coaching at every level, from youth hockey through working with professional athletes. He founded the East Lansing-based Elevation Hockey in 2011, a training organization that mentored players of all ages to enhance their skills and performance. He owned and was the head skills coach at Elevation while also serving as the hockey director of the Lansing Hockey Club.
Porter’s duties include the daily oversight of the program budget, team and recruiting travel, and on-campus recruiting activities. He will also be actively involved in alumni engagement, university outreach, community service, and NIL education.
A licensed attorney, Porter spent the last 15 years as a partner at two national law firms where he worked with professional hockey players, coaches and organizations on matters ranging from non-profit formation to professional service and endorsement contracts, and also had a hand in negotiating some of the largest coaching contracts in NHL history.
Porter previously served as an assistant varsity hockey coach at Detroit Catholic Central High School, where he helped his alma mater win six Division I state championships in a 12-year coaching career. He has also served as a scout in the NHL, USHL and BCHL.
Porter graduated from Michigan State in 2003 with a degree in Business Administration – Pre Law and completed his Juris Doctorate degree the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law in May 2006. He was part of Michigan State’s 2001 Frozen Four team as well.
Saint Michael’s has announced the hire of Kevin Salinas as the women’s hockey team’s full-time assistant coach.
Salinas joins the Purple Knights after spending the 2022-23 season as an assistant coach with the USPHL’s Dells Ducks.
“Kevin has varied experiences at the college level and at other hockey levels,” said SMC head coach Chris Donovan. “I believe he can help us move the program forward. I look forward to working with him.”
Salinas was an assistant coach for the Lawrence women’s hockey program during its first two seasons in 2020-21 and 2021-22. Prior to Lawrence, Salinas spent three seasons as an assistant coach with the New England College women’s hockey team.
As a player, Salinas spent time at Aurora when the school was an ACHA school and on the team’s first NCAA Division III squad in 2014-15.
Salinas earned a bachelor’s degree in fitness and health promotion from Aurora in 2017 before completing his master’s degree in business administration at New England College in 2019.
Bennett Hambrook has been named a new assistant coach at Omaha.
He has been serving as the Mavericks’ director of player development since June 2022.
Hambrook spent the previous four seasons as an assistant coach with Hamilton.
Prior to coaching, Hambrook played collegiately at Hamilton, appearing in 69 games and compiling eight assists. He was an alternate captain his sophomore and junior seasons and the team captain in 2016-17 when he helped lead the men’s hockey team to their first 20-win season in school history.
After his senior year, Hambrook was presented with the Jean-Marius Gelas Memorial Award, which is given to a student-athlete who has displayed outstanding development in sportsmanship, leadership, character and athletic ability during their college years. He was also the recipient of the Albert I. Prettyman Unsung Hero award for dedication and determination that inspires and motivates his teammates and the coaching staff.
Hambrook earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Hamilton, and his master’s degree in organizational leadership from Norwich.
Kevin Cole has been named the first head men’s hockey coach at Misericordia.
Cole comes to Misericordia from Norwich where he served as an assistant men’s hockey coach and the head men’s golf coach.
“I am excited to welcome Kevin Cole to Misericordia University as our head men’s ice hockey coach,” said Misericordia director of athletics Chuck Edkins in a statement. “He has proven his ability to recruit, retain and develop high-quality student-athletes. His experience and passion will help establish the Misericordia ice hockey program.”
“I am thankful to coach Edkins and the administration at Misericordia for this opportunity,” added Cole. “I am really excited about the chance to start a new program. Building something from scratch is extremely rewarding and is something that the inaugural team will be able to look back on with pride.”
The Misericordia University administration is equally excited about welcoming Cole to the campus community.
“We are excited about the addition of men’s ice hockey to our varsity athletics offerings and are especially excited about the hiring of Kevin Cole as our first head coach,” said Misericordia president Dr. Dan Myers. “His experience, leadership and enthusiasm will be a tremendous asset to our program.”
“We’re looking forward to getting the word out about Misericordia ice hockey,” said Cole. “The campus atmosphere and the facilities are incredible assets to starting a program.”
A native of Lansing, Mich., Cole earned his bachelor’s degree in human resources and economics from Michigan State and a master’s in organizational leadership from Trine.
Cole served as the inaugural hockey coach at Purdue University Northwest, where he spent two seasons.
Previously, he spent two seasons as the head ACHA hockey coach at Trine.
Northland alum Shane Buckley is returning to his alma mater to lead the LumberJack men’s hockey team.
Buckley takes over for Seamus Gregory, who stepped down in May to become the first head coach at Dubuque.
“The selection process was extremely difficult,” said Northland executive director of intercollegiate athletics Dan Schumacher said in a statement. “There were so many qualified candidates that expressed interest. With that said, Shane came in with a detailed plan of action to lead LumberJack hockey into the future.
“He has a passion for Northland College and the surrounding area, and his coaching and recruiting experience was exactly what we were looking for in a coach.”
Buckley, who graduated from Northland in 2013, returns after five seasons, four of which he spent as head coach for West Virginia University’s ACHA D-I program.
“Words can’t describe how excited I am to return to Northland,” said Buckley. “I have to thank President Chad Dayton, Dan Schumacher, assistant director of athletics Scott Sorenson, and the search committee for giving me the chance to return to a place that I love. I have a definitive vision for LumberJack hockey, and we will do everything we can to make that vision come to life.”
Prior to West Virginia, Buckley worked five seasons as an assistant and head coach at the high school level in Wisconsin for Ashland and Chequamegon/Phillips (Team SEaL).
Originally from Iron Bridge, Ont., Buckley first came to Northland in 2009 after playing two years of junior hockey in northern Ontario. During his time as a LumberJack athlete, he competed for both the hockey and baseball teams, earning multiple academic all-conference awards in both the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference and NCHA.
He graduated from Northland in 2013 with degrees in elementary education and broad field social studies education. Upon earning his degrees, Buckley spent seven years working in various capacities as a teacher, coach, and athletic administrator in Park Falls, Wis., Washburn, Wis., and Morgantown, W.Va. He is also a Level 4 USA Hockey-certified coach.
Greg May spent two seasons behind the Augsburg bench (photo: Kevin Healy for Augsburg University Athletics).
Greg “Boom” May, who led the Augsburg men’s hockey team to two NCAA Division III national tournament berths in his two seasons as head coach, has announced his resignation to accept a position as associate head coach of the Minnesota’s women’s team.
The Gophers also announced Mitch Baker will be an assistant coach and current staff member Jess Scott, who most recently served as an interim assistant coach and as director of operations, will become a full-time assistant coach as well.
“I am excited to add these three incredible people and coaches to our staff. Each of them brings wonderful experience that will help our players and program be the best that it can be,” Minnesota head coach Brad Frost said in a statement. “Boom, Mitch and Jess are all student-athlete focused, believe in a strong culture and will give our players the best opportunity to have a meaningful experience and create champions for life. I want to thank the leadership in our athletic department for supporting our program and providing the resources to have four full-time coaches.”
A 2007 Augsburg graduate, May guided 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. He was 41-15-2 in his two Auggie seasons.
“This decision was a very difficult one, and one that my family and I spent a lot of time on. I am and forever will be an Auggie. These last two years have been two of the greatest years I have had around a team,” May said.
The new position will be May’s second with the Golden Gophers, as he previously served for two seasons (2019-21) as the director of operations for Minnesota’s men’s hockey team. He also served in 2021 as director of athletics and activities at St. Thomas Academy high school, from 2016-19 as boys hockey coach and associate athletic director at the Blake School, and from 2014-16 as the boys’ hockey coach at Farmington (Minn.) High School.
“It is tremendously sad to see Greg go, but he did great things for us during the last two years,” said Augsburg athletic director Jeff Swenson. “He came in during a challenging time for our men’s hockey program and took it to great heights, with MIAC titles and a Frozen Four appearance. We wish him the best of luck at Minnesota. Once an Auggie, always an Auggie.”
May played collegiately at Augsburg and was a MIAC all-conference honoree. He graduated from Augsburg with a bachelor’s degree in health education and physical education and went on to earn a master’s degree in education leadership from Concordia-St. Paul.
Baker joins the Gophers staff after serving as the girls U19 head coach at Shattuck-St. Mary’s School in Faribault, Minn., since 2021. Baker wrapped up his two seasons at the helm of the team with a winning percentage of .710, including a USA Hockey high school national championship in 2023.
Prior to his time at Shattuck-St. Mary’s, Baker served as an assistant coach of the women’s hockey team at Union. He joined the program in 2016 and was on staff for roughly five years before leaving for his most recent position at Shattuck-St. Mary’s.
After graduating from Bethel in 2006, Baker remained at his alma mater for another nine years, serving as an assistant coach for the Royals men’s team from 2010 to 2011 and then worked with the women’s team as an assistant coach from 2007 to 2015.
Scott joined the Gophers in 2019 after spending three years as the head coach of the girls’ hockey program at Wayzata (Minn.) High School. She was named the Class AA head coach of the year in 2018 and received back-to-back Section 6AA coach of the year honors in 2018 and 2019. She was elected as president of the Minnesota Girls Hockey Coaches Association in Feb. 2014 and served in the role until May 2018. After joining the Gophers, Scott served as the director of hockey operations for the United States U18 Women’s National Team that won the silver medal at the 2022 U18 IIHF World Championship and bronze in 2023.
Scott graduated from St. Thomas with a degree in sociology in 2004 and added a master of education in sport management from Minnesota in 2022. She played hockey for the Tommies in 2000-01, where she was All-MIAC and holds the school record for goals in a season.
Swenson said that the Augsburg athletic department’s goal is to secure a new coach as quickly as possible, via a national search.
Wisconsin has announced that Kevin Murdock is joining the Badgers men’s hockey team as the team’s new third assistant coach.
Murdock, who spent last season as an assistant coach at Alaska Anchorage and helped revive the program when hired in late 2021, will coach UW’s goaltenders, among his other duties.
“Kevin is a guy who just kept rising to the top when we looked at who we wanted to bring in,” said Wisconsin head coach Mike Hastings in a statement. “He’s hungry, he’s paid his dues, and I like that he’s worked his way up the ranks. I got a chance to spend some time out at a rink with him and was impressed with his eye and how he goes about his business. He’s a great fit for us here at Wisconsin.
“He’ll work with our goaltenders so his combination of playing the position at a high level and developing goaltenders over the last seven years will serve our student-athletes well.”
Since his playing days ended in 2015, Murdock has been on an upward trajectory in the coaching world, starting off with Gilmour Academy in the Midwest Prep Hockey League, then joining the NA3HL’s North Iowa Bulls for three years.
He moved on to become head coach of the NAHL’s Kenai River Brown Bears for 2019-20.
Murdock then returned to the Bulls for the 2021-22 campaign, though this time in the NAHL, to become associate head coach and associate general manager. He departed halfway through the season to take the Alaska Anchorage position.
Murdock’s playing career as a goaltender traveled the NCAA route, with a stop at Minnesota State for a season, before spending three seasons at Lake Superior State. While at LSSU, Murdock posted a .930 save percentage in 23 games during the 2012-13, which stands tied for second in school annals, while his .915 career save percentage shares third-best in school history.
He earned his bachelor’s degree in parks and recreation from LSSU.
Murdock also played professionally in the ECHL with the Fort Wayne Komets and Tulsa Oilers, as well as in the SPHL with the Fayetteville FireAntz.
Western Michigan has announced the addition of Jared Brown as the Broncos’ new assistant coach for the men’s hockey team.
Brown joins the Broncos after spending the last three seasons coaching in the USHL and NAHL. He was most recently on the bench as an assistant coach for the USHL’s Cedar Rapids RoughRiders. Prior to his stint in Cedar Rapids, Brown was the assistant general manager and assistant coach for the NAHL’s New Mexico Ice Wolves.
“I could not be more excited to add Jared Brown to our staff,” WMU head coach Pat Ferschweiler said in a statement. “Jared has an elite offensive mind that will push our players in their skill development and their scoring thoughts. I have implicit trust in Jared and his ability to make our staff and our players better.”
“I am very honored to join the staff at Western Michigan University,” Brown added. “Having the chance to join such an elite university and hockey program is an amazing opportunity for me and my wife, Emma. I am very excited to work with and learn from the entire Western Michigan hockey staff.”
Before joining the Ice Wolves staff, Brown played professionally in the United States and Europe.
He had a standout junior career for the USHL’s Lincoln Stars (2005-07) and then played four years at Northern Michigan. He also spent two years in the NAHL with the Lone Star Cavalry and Santa Fe Roadrunners (2003-05).
After his college career, Brown went on to play 11 years of professional hockey. He collected various accolades throughout his 11-year professional career, including a spot on the CHL All-Rookie team in 2011-12 with the Quad City Mallards. Additionally, he was part of the 2017-18 MAC Budapest championship team in the Erste Liga in Hungary.
Brown holds a bachelor’s degree in health and physical education/fitness from Northern Michigan.
Matthew Kopperud has scored 41 goals over three seasons at Arizona State (photo: Mike Miller/Fighting Irish Media).
For the first time since play began in 2013, the NCHC is expanding with the addition of Arizona State as the ninth member of the conference beginning with the 2024-25 season.
Arizona State will join Colorado College, Denver, Miami, Minnesota Duluth, Omaha, North Dakota, St. Cloud State and Western Michigan in composing the NCHC’s membership.
“On behalf of the entire NCHC board, I am thrilled to welcome Arizona State University to the elite conference in college hockey,” said NCHC chair of the board and North Dakota president Andy Armacost in a statement. “ASU’s commitment to excellence on the ice, in the classroom, and in the lives of student-athletes reflects the ideals of the NCHC, and we couldn’t be more pleased to have them as our newest member.”
Arizona State elevated its hockey program to varsity status for the 2015-16 season and has quickly become a nationally competitive program under 15-year head coach Greg Powers. In 2018-19, the Sun Devils earned their first-ever top-10 win while receiving their first national ranking soon after. In only its third full season, ASU secured an at-large berth to the 2019 NCAA tournament, becoming the fastest start-up program ever to qualify for the tournament.
In Feb. 2020, the Sun Devils cracked the top 10 in the national rankings for the first time in program history. ASU was on pace to make a second straight NCAA tournament appearance before it was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Sun Devils still finished with back-to-back 20-win seasons in 2019-20. ASU is coming off an 18-21-0 record this past 2022-23 season, which included wins over top-10 teams North Dakota and Minnesota, as well as a 3-4-0 record against NCHC teams.
“Since the inception of NCAA Division I ice hockey at ASU, we’ve searched for a conference that embodies our commitment to the student-athlete experience, academics, championship performance, and elite competition. After a successful first season at Mullett Arena, the time is right to secure membership within a distinguished conference and we’re thrilled to join the NCHC,” said ASU VP for university athletics Ray Anderson. “This membership further enriches and empowers our commitment to providing the best experience for our students, fans, alumni, and community stakeholders. In exchange, we look forward to hosting our fellow NCHC member institutions and contributing to the standard of excellence set by the conference and its historic programs.”
In the fall of 2022, Arizona State opened Mullett Arena on campus, which serves as the new home for Sun Devil hockey, as well as the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes. Mullett Arena seats 5,000 people for hockey games (942 seats for students), with the NHL adding a $19.7 million annex onto Mullett Arena, which includes state-of-the-art locker rooms, a training room, a strength and conditioning room and more.
ASU averaged more than 4,600 fans per game during its first season at Mullett Arena, ranking 12th nationally in average attendance. Colorado College was the first NCHC team to visit Mullett Arena back on Oct. 21-22, 2022. Mullett Arena can also host concerts and other family events year-round.
Arizona State boasts four alumni who have signed NHL contracts in the last four years, including two (Joey Daccord with Ottawa and Brinson Pasichnuk with San Jose) making NHL debuts. In the classroom, ASU has also seen success with 100 percent graduation success rates in two of the last three seasons. Seven Sun Devils earned Pac-12 winter academic honor roll this past season.
“The NCHC is ecstatic to welcome Arizona State University as a member beginning in the 2024-25 season. Since its inception, the NCHC has been defined by member institutions with a commitment to nationally competitive hockey programs while providing a first-class student-athlete experience. ASU has demonstrated this commitment throughout its program, including the opening of Mullett Arena last fall,” said NCHC commissioner Heather Weems. “As the NCAA Division I landscape continues to change, ASU advances the NCHC’s competitive and fiscal stability while providing a destination trip for NCHC member institutions’ alumni and fans.
“We are also excited to introduce ASU fans and the western U.S. market to the strong traditions of our member institutions and to create new rivalries within the NCHC.”
Although the NCHC is adding a ninth team, the conference will continue to use a 24-game NCHC schedule for each team in 2024-25, as it has done each of its first 10 seasons. However, a new three-year rotation and scheduling model will be implemented beginning with the 2024-25 season.
The new schedule model and rotation consists of three three-team pods based on geography with teams guaranteed to play home and away series against the other two teams in their pod every season (eight games). The three-team pods are Arizona State, Colorado College and Denver; Minnesota Duluth, North Dakota and St. Cloud State; and Miami, Omaha and Western Michigan.
The remaining 16 conference games will be played against the six ‘non-pod’ teams, with four opponents only being played in one series (eight games), home or away, and two ‘non-pod’ opponents being played in both home and away series (eight games). The ‘non-pod’ teams that are played either once or twice in a series will rotate over three seasons. The complete 2024-25 schedule will be released next spring.
The NCHC’s postseason format with nine teams for the 2024-25 season and beyond is still being evaluated and will be finalized and announced in the coming months.
Arizona State is a comprehensive public research university located in Tempe, Ariz. It has an enrollment of 57,588 students on its Tempe campus and is the largest public institution in the country. In total, ASU has 112,171 undergraduate students and 30,445 graduate students, including 62,551 online students. Arizona State has been ranked the No. 1 university in the United States for innovation by U.S. News & World Report for eight straight years. ASU is also the No. 1 public university in the U.S. chosen by international students.
“This will go down as one of the most influential days in the history of Sun Devil hockey. To be accepted as a member into such a tremendous conference like the NCHC with such historic college hockey programs is an honor we will never take for granted,” said Powers. “The ability to develop rivalries in a conference where hockey is paramount to all its members, chase the Penrose Cup, and compete in postseason championships is going to be a welcomed challenge for our student-athletes and fans. We can’t wait to get started and do our part in contributing to the NCHC, the greatest single-sport conference in college athletics.”
Arizona State will become an official member of the NCHC on July 1, 2024.
Niko Kovachis has been named an assistant coach with the Cortland men’s hockey team for the 2023-24 season.
Kovachis joins Cortland from Chatham, where he served as a men’s hockey assistant coach for two seasons.
A 2019 graduate and four-year player at Niagara, Kovachis was named an alternate captain in his senior year. He was also named to the all-academic team four years in a row.
Andrew Sturtz skated three seasons for the Nittany Lions from 2015 to 2018 (USCHO.com file photo).
Penn State has announced the hiring and return of former Nittany Lions forward Andrew Sturtz as assistant coach for the men’s hockey team.
Sturtz will join head coach Guy Gadowsky, associate head coach Keith Fisher and assistant coach Juliano Pagliero in Hockey Valley. He will be involved in all aspects of coaching and recruiting with a strong focus on skill development.
“I am extremely honored and excited to be returning to Penn State as an assistant coach for the men’s ice hockey program,” said Sturtz in a statement. “My time as a student-athlete in Happy Valley truly changed my life and I look forward to working with Coach Gadowsky and his staff to give that same experience to our current and future Nittany Lions. I will embrace the challenges that my new role is going to bring and do my very best to make all Penn Staters proud. WE ARE…”
“We are thrilled to add Andrew Sturtz to our staff,” added Gadowsky. “His statistics at Penn State are extremely impressive: Sturtzy won a B1G championship, is second in plus/minus, second all-time in goals scored, game winning goals, and goals in a season, and as a three-time academic all-B1G member, he was able to complete his degree in three years and sign an NHL contract after his junior season.
“As impressive as that is, Sturtzy’s most important contributions by far occurred off the ice; his infectious personality made a very positive and very big impression on everyone he interacted with at Penn State. I never get tired of hearing teammates, students, professors, and fans alike tell me how much they enjoyed Andrew Sturtz and we are extremely happy to have him back.”
Sturtz, a fan favorite during his time in Hockey Valley from 2015 to 2018, helped lead Penn State to the 2017 Big Ten tournament championship, its first in program history, and its first two NCAA tournament appearances in 2017 and 2018 before signing a two-year, entry-level contract with the Ottawa Senators following his junior season.
The Buffalo, N.Y., native battled multiple injuries during the majority of his five-year professional career and officially announced his retirement this spring. Over parts of three seasons in the AHL, Sturtz played in just 35 games with the Belleville Senators, scoring four goals while adding seven assists for 11 points.
Rejuvenated entering the 2020-21 season with the ECHL’s Rapid City Rush, Sturtz was off to a fast start with 28 points (10 goals, 18 assists) in 33 games before suffering another injury that sidelined him for nearly 18 months before he made yet another comeback this past season.
Sturtz began the year with the Orlando Solar Bears before a trade sent him to the Toledo Walleye, leading the Walleye on a deep playoff run. In 64 total games during the 2022-23 season, Sturtz scored 27 goals while adding 14 assists for 41 points.
Sturtz left Hockey Valley in 2018 as Penn State’s all-time leading goal scorer and just the second Nittany Lion ever to eclipse 100 career points. He currently ranks first all-time in shorthanded goals (9), second in goals (54), seventh in points (104) and 10th in assists (50) while his 0.94 points per game in 111 total games played is good for fourth all-time.
Prior to signing his NHL entry-level contract at the conclusion of the 2017-18 season, he registered 40 points on 14 goals and 26 assists as a junior making him one of just seven players all-time to register a 40-point season as a Nittany Lion. His 22-goal sophomore campaign remains tied for the second-most goals in a single-season all-time while his 26 assists from 2017-18 are tied for the seventh-most in a single-season.
Sturtz completed his bachelor’s degree in Recreation, Parks and Tourism Management in the summer of 2020 while playing professionally in the ECHL.
Andrew Oglevie played at Notre Dame and then for the AHL’s Rochester Americans (photo: Micheline Veluvolu/Rochester Americans).
Andrew Oglevie, an assistant hockey coach at Notre Dame and former player for the Fighting Irish, has been named an assistant coach at Colorado College.
Oglevie spent the 2022-23 season on the Notre Dame bench working for longtime Irish head coach Jeff Jackson. Prior to that, he played 95 games with the AHL’s Rochester Americans, amassing 46 points (23 goals, 23 assists). He served as an alternate captain during the 2020-21 season, then as an assistant to the Rochester coaching staff during his final year under contract in 2021-22.
“I am excited to welcome Andrew and his wife, Kalleigh, to our Tiger family,” CC head coach Kris Mayotte said in a statement. “Andrew stood out among several incredible candidates. His ability to connect, attention to detail and passion for player development were all qualities we were looking for and are strengths of his. He has a great hockey mind having just finished playing and is hungry to make an impact as a coach.
“Our program got better today.”
Oglevie played three years at Notre Dame from 2015 to 2018, collecting 89 points (41 goals, 48 assists) in 107 career games, including a team-best 15 goals while serving as an alternate captain as a junior in 2017-18. He was selected to the NCAA Frozen Four all-tournament team after helping the Fighting Irish advance to the NCAA title game.
As a sophomore, he was named to the 2017 NCAA Northeast Regional all-tournament team after scoring the overtime game-winner in a 3-2 victory over UMass Lowell, sending Notre Dame to the Frozen Four.
Following his junior season at Notre Dame, Oglevie signed two-year, entry-level contract with the Buffalo Sabres. He received a bachelor’s degree in political science and government from Notre Dame in 2020.
“I am excited and grateful to join the storied Tiger Hockey program,” Oglevie said. “I would like to thank Kris Mayotte and (Colorado College VP and director of athletics) Lesley Irvine for the opportunity to be a part of the renowned Colorado College community. I am eager to start working with the coaching staff and student-athletes as we continue the upward trajectory of the program.”
Aidan Spellacy excelled on and off the ice at St. Cloud State and Robert Morris (photo: St. Cloud State Athletics).
With two degrees already completed, former St. Cloud State forward Aidan Spellacy has been selected the recipient of the 2023 NCHC postgraduate scholarship as he embarks on a third.
Spellacy, who plans to attend law school next, is the first Husky to win the scholarship in its eight-year existence.
Spellacy completed his MBA from St. Cloud State this past May. He earned his MBA in management and leadership, finishing with a 3.93 GPA. Prior to attending and playing hockey for St. Cloud State, Spellacy started his college career at Robert Morris, where he received his undergraduate degree in August of 2021. Spellacy finished his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at RMU with a 3.88 GPA while majoring in marketing.
“The NCHC is proud to present Aidan with this year’s postgraduate scholarship. Having already completed two degrees with plans for a Juris Doctorate is quite impressive,” said NCHC commissioner Heather Weems in a statement. “Aidan’s commitment to education and his interest in being a voice for social justice shows he’s a more-than-deserving recipient. Knowing Aidan from my time at St. Cloud State, I am confident he will be a great asset to the legal profession.”
Spellacy has already been accepted to Cleveland State University’s College of Law, where he will begin working toward his Juris Doctorate in the fall of 2023 or fall of 2024.
“I am committed to attending graduate school, specifically law school, because I believe this is the necessary path to set myself up to achieve my goals. I am passionate about social justice and believe that the legal profession is one of the most powerful options to affect real change in our society,” Spellacy wrote in his scholarship nomination. “Through law school, I will have the opportunity to learn from veteran legal professionals who come from all different walks of life. Law school is also a time for me to find my legal niche and explore which type of law I am most passionate about, whether it be in public offices, criminal justice reform, or environmental law. A law degree will give me the credibility and confidence to bring about real change.”
Spellacy was named an NCHC distinguished scholar-athlete this season with a GPA north of 3.5. On the ice in 2022-23, he served as an alternate captain for the Huskies, scoring four goals and tallying 12 points in 35 games, while helping lead SCSU to the Frozen Faceoff title. In his first season with the Huskies in 2021-22, Spellacy dished out an assist in 19 games, with SCSU making the NCAA tournament in both of his seasons.
In three seasons at Robert Morris, he tallied 33 points in 91 games, also serving as an alternate captain as a junior.
Off the ice, Spellacy volunteered with the Frost Bites Special Olympics floor hockey team in St. Cloud, helping coach practices on a weekly basis throughout the 2022-23 season. In the summer of 2022, he served as a marketing intern for ReadySet Surgical in Cleveland, Ohio, while in the summer of 2021, he worked as a financial representative for Northwestern Mutual in Ann Arbor, Mich.
“It’s an honor to receive the NCHC postgraduate scholarship. The NCHC is not only a top-tier conference on the ice, but off it as well,” Spellacy said. “They give their student-athletes the opportunity to succeed on the ice, but also in their post-hockey careers.”
The NCHC’s postgraduate scholarship is funded by a grant from the El Pomar Foundation in Colorado Springs, which has also supported the NCHC by providing its office headquarters on the grounds of the Penrose House and helping cover the cost of the Penrose Cup. Spellacy’s scholarship award amount will be $7,500.
“The NCHC membership is thankful for the continued support of the El Pomar Foundation and its Board of Directors.” Weems said. “Along with our successes on the ice, it is equally as important to celebrate our student-athletes’ successes in the classroom. We are happy to share in this honor with El Pomar.”
To be eligible for the NCHC’s postgraduate scholarship, the student-athlete must be a senior or grad student on the official NCAA hockey roster with at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA, who plans to continue his academic studies beyond his undergraduate degree. The recipient must enroll in a postgraduate degree program within three years of receiving the scholarship to collect the financial aid. The winner is chosen by a vote of the NCHC’s faculty athletics representatives from among the nominees submitted by each school’s FAR.
PREVIOUS NCHC POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
2016 – Gabe Levin, Denver
2017 – Aaron Hadley, WMU and Kirk Thompson, Omaha
2018 – Joel Messner, Omaha
2019 – Ryan Galt, Omaha
2020 – Erich Fear, Denver
2021 – Kale Bennett, Western Michigan
2022 – Jason Smallidge, Omaha
Adam Fantilli and the Michigan Wolverines repeated as Big Ten champs in 2023 (photo: Jim Rosvold/USCHO.com).
Michigan freshman center and Hobey Baker Award winner Adam Fantilli has signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets, forgoing the remainder of his NCAA eligibility. Columbus announced the deal late Saturday morning.
The Blue Jackets selected Fantilli with the third overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft on June 28. He became the fourth Wolverine to be drafted by Columbus and was later joined in the next round by teammate Gavin Brindley to make it five draft picks.
In Columbus, Fantilli will join fellow Michigan alumni defensemen Zach Werenski and Nick Blankenburg and forward Kent Johnson.
Fantilli was the third freshman to win the Hobey Baker Award and led the nation in scoring in 2022-23 averaging 1.81 points per game. A first-team All-American and Tim Taylor National Rookie of the Year, he finished the season with 30 goals and 35 assists in 36 games.
Fantilli was also named USCHO’s player of the year for 2022-23 and first-team All-USCHO.
Fantilli helped Canada win the gold medal at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship and the 2023 IIHF World Championship.
Albie O’Connell moves to Tempe after spending his entire coaching career out east (photo: Sun Devil Hockey).
Arizona State has announced the hiring of Albie O’Connell as associate coach and recruiting coordinator for the men’s hockey team.
O’Connell begins his role with the Sun Devils on July 3.
O’Connell spent a combined eight years at Boston University, working his way up from assistant coach to associate head coach and finally, head coach. While at BU, he was part of seven NCAA tournament appearances, seven Hockey East titles (four regular season, three tournament), five Beanpot titles, three Frozen Fours, and two national championship games.
“The addition of Albie to our staff is a monumental piece for Sun Devil hockey,” Arizona State head coach Greg Powers said in a statement. “In my opinion, Albie is the best recruiter college hockey has seen over the past decade, and his track record of not only evaluating elite talent, but also recruiting and retaining that talent, speaks for itself. He is a guy that could have gone and worked a lot of places in both college and professional hockey, and I am thrilled that he chose to come help take our program to another level.
“In addition to his world-class ability to recruit, he’s a tremendous coach and will bring fresh ideas and energy to our staff and program. We are fired up to get started.”
As a skater at BU, O’Connell played in two Frozen Fours (1996, 1997) and helped the Terriers reach the national championship game and claim a Hockey East title as a sophomore. He and his fellow members of the Class of 1999 are one of only four BU classes to win four Beanpots.
In 149 career games, O’Connell totaled 108 points (42 goals, 66 assists) during his four years playing for Jack Parker. As a senior captain, he led the team in scoring with 39 points (9 goals, 30 assists).
“ASU has it all,” said O’Connell. “I look forward to working together with Greg and his entire staff to build a championship product on and off the ice.
“The high-level operating athletic department has great leadership and a want to support its programs and coaches to be successful. The men’s hockey program also has great leadership under Greg Powers. He started the program and built it to where it is today. The most impressive and attractive motivation to join the staff was his vision for the program. ASU has a campus that is second to none and arguably the best facilities in all of NCAA hockey that will allow elite athletes to continue development in front of an incredible fan base. Mullett Arena is amazing. I am grateful and appreciative to Greg for giving my family the opportunity to join ASU and its hockey program.”
In the last year, O’Connell worked with the NHL’s Montreal Canadiens as an amateur scout. Before Montreal, O’Connell spent five years as the head coach of BU and, before that, was the associate head coach for four seasons.
Before his return to BU, O’Connell spent a decade as a Division I assistant coach throughout the Northeast and established himself as one of the sport’s premier recruiters. Following three-year stints at both Northeastern and Harvard, he spent one season each at Holy Cross and Merrimack after a two-year appointment at Niagara.
The Watertown, Mass., native’s coaching career began at Berkshire Prep School in 2002 before he joined the collegiate coaching ranks the following year at Colby College.
At Harvard, O’Connell worked primarily with the Crimson’s defensemen and special teams. In his first season there, he directed the nation’s top power-play unit, which operated at a 27.3-percent success rate, and helped the Crimson advance to the ECAC championship game.
A fifth-round draft pick of the New York Islanders in 1994, O’Connell played professional hockey for the Pensacola Ice Pilots (ECHL) in 1999-2000, the Basingstoke Bison (British National League) in 2000-01, the Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies (ECHL) in 2001-02 and the Cardiff Devils (BNL) in 2001-02. In 127 pro games, O’Connell posted 54 goals and 78 assists for 132 points.
O’Connell graduated from BU in 1999 with a bachelor’s degree in history.
Players from 30 NCAA schools were selected in the 2023 NHL Draft after Thursday’s second day produced 59 picks of returning players, incoming freshmen or recruits.
Michigan forward Gavin Brindley was the first of eight second-round picks, No. 34 overall by Columbus, when things kicked off on the second day in Nashville, Tenn.
Boston College finished with six players selected to lead NCAA schools. Boston University and Wisconsin had five each.
Adam Fantilli put up phenomenal numbers during his freshman campaign for Michigan (photo: Michigan Photography).
It may have taken one more pick than expected, but when Michigan center Adam Fantilli, the NCAA’s reigning point leader and the 2023 Hobey Baker Award winner, heard his name called from the stage at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, he knew his future home will be in that of his school’s infamous rival.
The Columbus Blue Jackets, home of Michigan’s biggest athletic foe, Ohio State, selected Fantilli third overall, one spot lower than many pundits had him ranked entering the draft. Fantilli led the NCAA with 65 points (30 goals, 35 assists) for Michigan and helped Canada capture gold at both the World Junior and World Championships this year.
Secret to no one, Connor Bedard of the WHL’s Regina Pats was taken No. 1 overall by the Chicago Blackhawks, while Leo Carlsson of Sweden was selected second by the Anaheim Ducks.
College players, though, represented four of the top 10 selections in the first round and nine of the 32 picks overall.
Fantilli was immediately followed to the stage by Boston College incoming freshman Will Smith, selected fourth by the San Jose Sharks. The U.S. National Team Development Program product notched 51 goals and 127 points last season in 60 games for the NTDP and added nine goals and 20 points in the World Under-18 Championship, where Team USA took home gold.
Smith is the highest NHL Draft selection in the storied history of Boston College.
The Washington Capitals, with the eighth overall selection, stuck with both the NTDP and Boston College, selecting right wing Ryan Leonard. Leonard, who will head to the Heights this fall, scored 51 goals and 94 points in 57 games for the NTDP and added eight goals and 17 points in seven games at the World Under-18s.
The college prospects shifted to Europe at the 11th selection as Vancouver selected Tom Willander, a defenseman from Rogle BK in Sweden who is headed to Boston University. In international play, Willander registered three goals and 12 points in 19 games for Team Sweden.
The NHL Draft host Nashville Predators went the college route in selecting Connecticut’s Matthew Wood 15th overall. It is the highest NHL Draft selection in Huskies program history. In his freshman season, Wood notched 11 goals and 34 points in 35 games for the Huskies. It is reported that Wood, college hockey’s younger player last season, will return to Storrs for his sophomore season.
The NTDP continued its strong representation when Oliver Moore, an incoming freshman at Minnesota, was taken 19th overall by Chicago. Moore scored five goals and nine points in seven games at World Under-18s and 75 points in 61 games for the NTDP.
Wisconsin’s Charlie Stramel was the third current collegian selected, heading to the Minnesota Wild with the 21st overall pick. Stramel’s stock dropped over the course of the season when he notched just three goals and 12 points in 33 games for the Badgers. But his draft position, 21 after being ranked the 30th overall North American skater, indicates the Wild have higher hopes for the prospect.
Gabriel Perreault, who last season shattered the NTDP points mark for a single season with 132, was the 23rd overall pick of the New York Rangers. Perreault will head to Boston College in the fall. He is the son of former NHLer Yanic Perreault.
Bradly Nadeau, one of the top offensive players in Canadian junior hockey last season, registering 113 points in 54 games for Penticton in the BCHL, was the final college player selected in the first round, taken 30th overall by Carolina. Nadeau is headed to Maine this season.
The 2023 NHL Draft continues on Thursday beginning at 11 a.m. ET. Rounds 2-7 will be televised in the U.S. on NHL Network and ESPN+.
The Nashville Predators are welcoming Tennessee State to the college hockey ranks (photo: TSU Athletics).
Tennessee State University is set to make history by becoming the first historically black college or university (HBCU) to offer men’s hockey at the collegiate level.
TSU made this groundbreaking announcement at Bridgestone Arena prior to the 2023 NHL Draft on Wednesday. The addition of ice hockey highlights the university’s dedication to fostering diversity, inclusion, and expanding athletic opportunities for students.
“Bringing ice hockey to Tennessee State University is a part of our continued commitment to provide our students with new opportunities and to broaden new interests in areas where they have traditionally had limited or no access,” said TSU president Glenda Glover in a statement. “We appreciate our ongoing partnership with the Nashville Predators which has played a pivotal role in our decision to pursue this historic undertaking, of starting an ice hockey program at TSU, and the first for an HBCU. TSU has a tremendous legacy in athletics. Adding ice hockey to our programs will start a new chapter and build upon that legacy.”
TSU Hockey will commence its inaugural season in 2024, signaling a new era for the university. The team will begin as an ACHA program but aspires to achieve NCAA Division I status for both men’s and women’s sides in the near future. While no specific timeline exists for achieving varsity NCAA status, TSU is committed to building a solid foundation for long-term success.
“Today is a historic day as Tennessee State University, a prestigious HBCU, collaborates with the National Hockey League and the Nashville Predators in an unprecedented partnership,” stated Dr. Mikki Allen, TSU director of athletics. “TSU had been a great partner of the Predators for some time, and we are excited to help them work toward the goal of becoming the first HBCU to field a NCAA Division I college hockey team. President Glover and Dr. Allen are visionaries in their respective positions and should be lauded for continuing to build Nashville into the ultimate hockey town.”
The club hockey program will receive comprehensive oversight under the guidance of the department of athletics, ensuring a well-structured and successful implementation. TSU is currently in the process of hiring a director of club hockey operations, who will be responsible for fundraising, seeking corporate partnerships, recruiting student-athletes, and managing day-to-day operations. In the interim, Assistant AD Nick Guerriero will handle all inquiries related to TSU hockey.
“I am thrilled to embark on this exciting journey with Dr. Allen to promote diversity and excellence in collegiate hockey,” said Guerriero. “We will strive to elevate the program to new heights, establishing a legacy that will inspire future generations. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the development of the program on and off the ice, and I eagerly anticipate the challenges and successes that await us.”
The foray into collegiate ice hockey represents a significant milestone for Tennessee State University and the broader HBCU community. By breaking barriers and creating fresh opportunities, TSU hockey aims to establish a lasting legacy of inclusion, excellence, and athletic accomplishment.
“Together, we celebrate the power of collaboration as we dismantle barriers, diversify the game, and propel hockey into a new era of inclusivity,” Allen remarked. “This partnership serves as a catalyst, driving change and ensuring that the game we love embraces the beauty of diversity. With Tennessee State University, the NHL, and the Nashville Predators working hand in hand, we have the potential to reshape the future of hockey and inspire generations to come. Together, we will forge a path towards a more inclusive and united hockey community.”
To support this initiative, the NHL, NHL Players Association, Nashville Predators, and College Hockey Inc. will play integral roles in the lead-up to the announcement. College Hockey Inc. conducted a feasibility study in 2021, emphasizing the significance of introducing ice hockey at an HBCU to promote diversity and inclusion in sports.
“Introducing hockey at the collegiate level is always exciting but Club Hockey at Tennessee State University is truly special,” said Kevin Westgarth, VP hockey development and strategic collaboration. “Welcoming club hockey at a storied HBCU is a meaningful step in the right direction for the sport and will undoubtedly contribute to the vibrant hockey community and inspire future generations of players.”
The Predators organization has maintained a strong relationship with TSU and began the partnership by joining the university in its Feb. 2020 ‘One Million in One Month’ fundraising campaign as a major contributor. The Nashville-based NHL team has continued to donate to the TSU’s scholarship programs and provide internship and job opportunities through the TSU Career Development Center.
Furthermore, during Black History Month in Feb. 2022, the NHL hosted the Black Hockey History Tour at Hale Stadium, a pivotal step in bringing the sport of hockey to the TSU campus.
