Hood College women’s hockey is set to join the UCHC for the 2024-25 season, expanding the UCHC women’s hockey membership to 12 teams.
“It is exciting to see the growth of competitive opportunities for women in ice hockey and we are proud to support the rise with the addition of Hood College to the UCHC,” said UCHC commissioner Chuck Mitrano in a news release. “A strong academic institution with a commitment to the student-athlete experience, Hood is an excellent addition to the UCHC, and we are excited to be part of their history.”
Hood, located in Frederick, Md., is set to begin NCAA women’s hockey play in the 2024-25 season. Josh Funk will serve as Hood’s inaugural head coach after a stint as the director of women’s hockey at the Minnesota Advancement Program. He spent two seasons as head coach at Plymouth State from 2020 to 2022 and the 2019-20 campaign as an assistant coach at Robert Morris.
Joey Kolega was recently named an assistant coach for the Blazers.
“We are excited to have our new women’s ice hockey program join the UCHC and compete alongside the outstanding institutions making up its membership,” said Hood College president Andrea E. Chapdelaine, Ph.D. “The UCHC is a great fit for Hood, alongside other MAC members. We look forward to enhancing existing rivalries and establishing new ones with women’s ice hockey. This will provide our women’s ice hockey student-athletes with exceptional academic and athletic experiences.”
“We’re thankful for Hood College’s women’s ice hockey to gain membership into UCHC when we begin play in 2024-25,” added Dr. Susan Kolb, Hood’s director of athletics. “The UCHC’s membership includes not only some of the top teams in the region, but in all of Division III. We look forward to providing a great student-athlete experience to our future women’s ice hockey student-athletes and cannot wait to begin competition in the UCHC.”
The Blazers will play at Skate Frederick, a two-ice sheet facility located just three miles from campus. Skate Frederick features two NHL regulation rinks as well as a pro shop and snack bar. The rink has year-round hockey and figure skating programs.
In preparation for the inaugural 2024-25 season, Hood has plans to improve the seating, site lines and fan experience, as well as add a new Blazers locker room and team area. Hood will also be adding in signage, logos, and Blazers colors into the arena to create an energetic environment to watch and play NCAA hockey.
“We are excited to welcome Lee-J Mirasolo to Stonehill as the next head coach of our women’s ice hockey program,” said Stonehill assistant VP and director of athletics Dean O’Keefe in a statement. “Lee-J’s name quickly rose to the top of our search with her experience coaching and playing at the highest levels of women’s college hockey in the Northeast. She brings great energy and passion for the sport and will be a tremendous leader and mentor for our young student-athletes as the program continues to grow and build its culture for success both on and off the ice.”
Mirasolo, the 2021 AHCA assistant coach of the year, brings 13 years of coaching experience in women’s college hockey to Stonehill, the last 12 years at the NCAA Division I level. She most recently served eight years as associate head coach at Harvard, helping the Crimson rebuild from a team that posted five wins in 2016-17 to hosting and winning the ECAC quarterfinals in just three years, before sweeping the Beanpot, Ivy League and ECAC regular-season championships in 2021-22 with a 22-10-1 record overall, including 16-5-1 in the ECAC on their way to an NCAA tournament bid.
Overall at Harvard, she assisted a program that won 94 games over her seven seasons, with six ECAC tournament appearances.
“I am thrilled to be joining the Stonehill women’s ice hockey program and the broader campus community,” said Mirasolo. “Everything I understood Stonehill to be from a distance – supportive, welcoming, and connected – proved to be exactly as it was up close and in person.
“It is obvious that the student-athletes have worked extremely hard to hit the ground running as a program, and I am so fortunate to join and serve them in this endeavor. I am grateful to Dean O’Keefe, Cindy MacDonald, Pauline Dobrowski, and the entire search committee for their belief in me and the vision for the program. I certainly did not arrive at Stonehill on my own, as many coaches, players, family, and friends have taught and supported me along this journey. I am humbled by this opportunity and look forward to the road ahead.”
Prior to her time at Harvard, Mirasolo served four years as assistant coach at Princeton, helping rebuild the Tigers to the national stage by implementing a recruiting plan that spanned North America. She helped Princeton win 52 games over four seasons, with three ECAC tournament appearances, including back-to-back winning campaigns her final two years and a 13-8-1 ECAC mark in 2014-15.
Mirasolo got her collegiate coaching start at UMass Boston for the 2010-11 season, with the Beacons posting a 14-11-1 record overall, including 9-8-1 in the ECAC East, reaching the conference semifinals.
In addition to her assistant coaching stint with the USA Hockey Collegiate Development Team from 2020 to 2022, she coached with USA Hockey Development Camps at the U-18 Select, U-15 and U-14 camps for nine years. Mirasolo started her coaching career at Phillips Academy Andover as an assistant coach for the 2009-10 season.
Mirasolo is a 2008 graduate of Boston College, where she was a four-year member of the Eagles women’s hockey program, serving as captain as a senior. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication and was voted the team’s Unsung Hero for the 2007-08 season and earned Hockey East All-Academic Team honors. Mirasolo helped lead BC to back-to-back 20-win campaigns during her sophomore and junior seasons, a pair of Beanpot championships, and spots in the 2006 Hockey East championship game and 2007 Women’s Frozen Four in Lake Placid.
Hosts Jim Connelly, Derek Schooley, and Ed Trefzger look at news from the coaches’ convention in Naples and look back at the 2023 NCAA Frozen Four in our college hockey podcast’s season finale.
Topics include:
• Quinnipiac’s incredible comeback
• What does the Bobcats’ win say about older teams?
• Is the NCHC ready to add Arizona State?
• Will there be a new home for Miami?
• Binghamton’s goal to join D-I in 2024-25 – Will Atlantic Hockey be the right fit?
• Could change come to the transfer portal?
• Will there be some rule tweaking, even though it’s not a rules update year?
• A focus on branding conferences
• BCHL’s departure from Hockey Canada and its impact
• Who replaces Derek Schooley on the podcast next season?
Augustana has announced the addition of Taylor Nelson to the men’s hockey coaching staff.
Nelson joins the first-year Vikings after spending the past two seasons at UMass Lowell.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome Taylor, his wife Claire, and three young children back to the Midwest,” Augustana head coach Garrett Raboin said in a statement. “He has a tremendous reputation as a player, recruiter and developer of talent. His commitment to team, family, and excitement to build make him a tremendous addition to our men’s hockey program.”
Prior to UMass Lowell, Nelson spent four seasons at Canisius serving as the recruiting coordinator. He also saw responsibility for the penalty kill and goaltender development.
A graduate of Ferris State, Nelson was the goaltender for the Bulldogs while helping them to the Frozen Four in 2012 as a senior. He garnered AHCA/CCM All-America First Team honors for the season in which he held a 21-7-3 record, a 2.10 GAA, .924 save percentage and three shutouts.
Following his graduation, he played in 73 professional games, spending time with the ECHL’s San Francisco Bulls and the CHL’s Wichita Thunder.
He then began his coaching career as a volunteer assistant at Ferris State where he helped with video preparation, goaltending, and scouting reports.
Former UMass Lowell and Quinnipiac goaltender and 2005 Hockey East rookie of the year Peter Vetri passed away unexpectedly on May 4, 2023.
Vetri was 37.
He was born May 21, 1985 to Kathleen Ross Vetri and Peter J. Vetri. He was raised in Windham, N.H. He had a determined love and commitment to the game of hockey, and he began his journey of passion at Cardigan Mountain School in Canaan, N.H., followed by Lawrence Academy in Groton, Mass. From there, he studied at Williams Lake High School in British Columbia where he played junior hockey for the Williams Lake Timberwolves. Upon returning home to Windham, he graduated from Salem High School.
Vetri was awarded a full athletic scholarship to play Division I hockey at UMass Lowell. He transferred to Quinnipiac for his junior year of 2007-08 and left during his senior year to pursue professional hockey in the SPHL and ECHL. Vetri played for the SPHL’s Twin City Cyclones, ECHL’s Wheeling Nailers, and FHL’s Danbury Whalers.
In 2004-05, Vetri went 13-7-4 with a 2.52 GAA, .912 save percentage and two shutouts.
He then completed his college education at New Hampshire and graduated Cum Laude.
Vetri’s career in sales at Granite Telecommunications, in Quincy, Mass., spanned over 10 years. On multiple occasions, he was awarded Top Sales in his division. He loved his work and was especially proud of the opportunities Granite Telecommunications provided that gave back to the community.
He enjoyed skiing, fishing with his dad, and playing golf. His passion for hockey continued as he coached young players and was part of a men’s league.
According to his obituary, “Pete had a big personality and the ability to light up a room. He made everyone feel special. Those who knew Peter, will always remember his genuine smile, raspy voice, and grander than life personality. Loyalty, friendship, and family were what he valued most in life. Peter was an all or nothing kind of guy. When he loved, he loved hard. When you were his friend, you were his friend, forever.”
Vetri is survived by his parents, Peter and Kathleen Vetri of Franklin, N.H., his fiancé, Alexia Belkina of Quincy, Mass., his sister, Mia Landry, and her significant other, Matthew Silva, along with their two sons, Ajay Landry and Blake Silva. Ajay Landry was Peter’s nephew and also his godson, and Blake Silva, AJay’s brother, was Peter’s nephew, too.
Calling hours will be held on May 11, from 4-7 p.m., at the Carrier Funeral Home, 38 Range Road, Windham, N.H. 03087. A funeral mass will be celebrated on May 12 at 10 a.m. at St. Matthew’s Parish, 2 Searles Road, Windham, N.H.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Vetri’s memory to Boston Children’s Hospital, the beneficiary of Granite Telecommunications annual Saving by Shaving event.
Dana Borges draws up a play for Colgate players (USCHO.com file photo).
Arizona State has announced the hiring of Dana Borges to an assistant coach/player development role.
Borges most recently finished his second season as associate head coach at Colgate, helping the Raiders to their first ECAC Hockey championship in 33 years and first NCAA tournament appearance since 2014-15.
“I couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome Dana into the Sun Devil hockey family,” said ASU head coach Greg Powers in a news release. “The body of work that Dana put in at Colgate helping guide them to some of their best hockey in the past two decades speaks for itself. His character, work ethic, and all-encompassing ability to improve every aspect of any program he’s a part of is why I really targeted Dana for this position.
“Dana is a budding superstar in the coaching profession, and we are instantly better with him now being on our staff alongside associate coach Alex Hicks and another assistant coach hire expected to be finalized in May.”
En route to one of the most successful Colgate seasons in the last decade, the Raiders defeated eventual 2023 NCAA champions Quinnipiac two times in 2022-23.
Borges was hired to Colgate’s squad as an assistant coach ahead of the 2018-19 season and elevated to associate head coach prior to the start of the 2021-22 season. He also served as the Raiders volunteer assistant coach for the 2016-17 season.
“Sun Devil hockey possesses all the necessary qualities to continually be a top program in the country,” Borges said. “The passion, trust, and commitment to excellence was evident the moment I began speaking with Coach Powers. ASU provides an environment focused on the wholistic development of the student-athletes to thrive in all areas of their life. Being in position to attract and develop the very best student-athletes in the world to this type of environment is such an exciting opportunity. Coach Powers and his staff have made unprecedented achievements in such a short amount of time.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to help build upon these successes and begin my journey to ‘Be The Tradition.'”
Before coming to Colgate, Borges was with Alaska Anchorage as an assistant coach from June 2018 through August 2018. Prior to Anchorage, Borges spent the 2017-18 season at Williams as an assistant coach.
Getting his start in collegiate coaching, Borges spent two seasons as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Stonehill. The Skyhawks went 42-25-8 over his two and a half seasons as an assistant, winning three straight NE-10 regular season titles and the 2016 Northeast-10 conference championship.
From 2009 to 2013, Borges played with the Skyhawks where he served as captain for his junior and senior seasons. Borges was named the Northeast-10 Man of the Year in 2013 as well as a Capital One All-American. He was also awarded the Father Jack McCarthy Award and Edward E. Martin Outstanding Student-Athlete Award from Stonehill as well as finishing as a semifinalist for the Joseph Concannon Award, which is annually given to the top Division II/Division III American-born hockey player in New England.
On the ice, Borges recorded 29 goals and 58 assists for 87 career points with Stonehill, including a career-high 15 goals and 22 assists for 37 points his senior season.
After his successful collegiate career at Stonehill, Borges played professionally for one season with the Evry Peaux Rouges in France.
Borges graduated Magna Cum Laude from Stonehill in 2013 with a degree in sociology.
Josh Funk has been named the first women’s hockey head coach at Hood College.
The NCAA Division III Blazers will take the ice for the first time in the 2024-25 academic year.
“I am extremely honored and excited to be named the first head coach of women’s ice hockey at Hood College,” said Funk in a news release. “Throughout the interview process, it was very clear the passion and dedication Hood has regarding starting and growing women’s ice hockey, and how invested they are in developing a competitive identity. The energy on campus is exhilarating. I want to thank Dr. Susan Kolb, director of athletics, and Dr. Andrea Chapdelaine, Hood College president, for this incredible opportunity. I look forward to getting out right away to start the recruiting process throughout the U.S. and internationally.”
FUNK
Funk arrives in Frederick, Md., after a stint as the director of women’s hockey at the Minnesota Advancement Program.
“We had a large, experienced candidate pool in our search for our first women’s ice hockey coach, which supports our excitement from the campus and community,” said Kolb. “Knowing the intricacies of starting a program, it was important that we selected a candidate who had the connections for recruiting, the experience as a head coach and the passion to develop our women’s ice hockey program. Josh exhibited those characteristics we were looking for, and I am excited about the impact he will make on our hockey program, as well as our athletic department.”
Funk served as the head coach at Plymouth State from 2020 to 2022.
Prior to Plymouth State, Funk was an assistant coach for the women’s program at Robert Morris. His career also includes stops at Albert Lea (Minn.) High School, St. Catherine (Minn.) University, Sugar Land (Tex.) Imperials (NA3HL) and Miami (Ohio) University while he also filled numerous roles with Minnesota Hockey CCM High Performance programs. He is a USA Hockey Level 4 coach.
He got his start in coaching as a student assistant for the Gustavus Adolphus men’s hockey program as a senior.
Funk graduated from Gustavus Adolphus in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in Coaching.
Wisconsin alum Andy Brandt spent the 2022-23 season as an assistant coach for the Badgers (photo: Wisconsin Athletics).
Wisconsin assistant coach Andy Brandt has been named the new head coach and general manager of the USHL’s Madison Capitols.
Brandt takes over the franchise after spending one season behind the Badgers bench as an assistant coach.
Brandt played for Wisconsin’s 2006 NCAA championship team before moving on to a professional playing and coaching career.
Before spending last season on UW’s coaching staff, Brandt spent the five years as associate head coach at St. Norbert. He helped lead the Green Knights to the 2018 NCAA Division III championship in his first year back in Wisconsin.
Prior to his tenure with the Green Knights, Brandt spent time as head coach and general manager of the ECHL’s Atlanta Gladiators. He served as interim head coach of what was then the Gwinnett Gladiators in 2014-15 before taking the reins of the Atlanta Gladiators for the 2015-16 season. He joined the staff as an assistant coach for the 2013-14 season, after playing parts of six seasons with Gwinnett, along with AHL stints for Lake Erie, Manitoba and Abbotsford. He also played part of one season for Victoria of the ECHL.
He played in a team-record 357 games with Gwinnett, tallying 76 goals and 192 points. He also served as an alternate captain from 2007 to 2012, before becoming captain for the 2012-13 campaign.
As a Badger, Brandt skated from 2003 to 2007 and scored five goals and 14 points in 130 games played. He was voted the Jim Santulli 7th Man Award winner by Badger fans for both the 2004-05 and 2006-07 seasons.
Brandt joins a Madison organization that is led by president Andrew Joudrey, a former Badger teammate of Brandt’s, including the 2006 NCAA title season. The Capitols ownership group includes former Badgers Ryan Suter and Tom Sagissor.
Brandt also takes over for former Badger Tom Gilbert, a 10-year NHL veteran who finished out the 2022-23 season as interim head coach and general manager of the Capitols. Like Joudrey, the All-American Gilbert was a 2006 NCAA champion teammate of Brandt’s.
Luke Regner, a 2017 Wisconsin graduate, is returning to Madison as the men’s hockey director of hockey operations.
“We are excited to add Luke to our men’s hockey family,” Wisconsin coach Mike Hastings said in a statement. “He brings a depth of experience at his position and the passion of what it is to be a Badger.”
Regner spent the past four seasons in a similar role with Minnesota State men’s hockey under Hastings.
Among Regner’s duties at MSU, he coordinated team travel and community relations, while also doing video game breakdown and pre-scouting of opponents.
While a student at Wisconsin, Regner spent four seasons helping with men’s hockey in various capacities, including video, recruiting and statistics. He also helped as a video assistant for UW football.
After graduating from UW, Regner worked as hockey operations coordinator at Robert Morris for two years before moving on to Minnesota State.
Matt Woodard has been part of two Atlantic Hockey championships with the Yellow Jackets (photo: AIC Athletics).
American International has announced the promotion of Matthew Woodard to the position of associate head coach.
“[Matt Woodard] has been an incredible addition to our staff,” AIC head coach Eric Lang said in a statement. “Matt is thorough, organized, and a meticulous recruiter. Our student-athletes are better because Matt is involved in their lives. An AIC grad, Matt is a true Yellow Jacket.”
Woodard expressed gratitude for Lang’s decision to promote him.
“I’m extremely grateful for Eric Lang’s decision to promote me to the associate position,” said Woodard. “The support from him and the rest of this staff has no doubt helped bring the best out of me. I love this group and being surrounded by unbelievable people.
“I’d also like to thank our administration for their continued support and helping this decision come to fruition. Lastly, I’d like to thank my wife Rhonwen for her love and support. There are a lot of hours spent away from each other during the grind of a season, and she is always there to support and push me to be the best version of myself.”
Woodard recently completed his third season as an assistant coach, having helped lead his alma mater to the team’s fifth consecutive winning season. Woodard has run AIC’s defense and penalty kill, and in 2022-23, the Yellow Jackets led Atlantic Hockey in goals allowed with just 99 across 39 games, a 2.54 goals-against average. Additionally, he has helped to lead the recruiting process for the Yellow Jackets.
Beyond his time at AIC, Woodard previously coached women’s ice hockey at Dartmouth, Yale, and the Rochester Institute of Technology. With RIT, he helped lead the Tigers to two College Hockey America titles.
Woodard, who graduated from AIC with degrees in Criminal Justice and Psychology, competed in 133 games for the Yellow Jackets, notching six goals and 23 assists for 29 points from the blueline from 2005 top 2009, including playing for Lang when he was the graduate assistant coach from 2006 to 2008. In 2006-07, Woodard had his best season statistically, with four goals and seven assists for 11 points, all career highs.
The UCHC has announced it will expand its men’s membership to 12 with Misericordia University joining the league in 2024-25.
“Misericordia has a comprehensive and very competitive athletics program across the board,” said UCHC commissioner Chuck Mitrano in a statement. “We are excited to be part of their history with the addition of men’s ice hockey and what is sure to be another competitive program that provides quality experiences for their student-athletes and UCHC peers.”
Misericordia has a population of 2,000 students and is located in Dallas, Pa. As a private, Catholic institution founded by the Sisters of Mercy, Misericordia emphasizes collaborative and hands-on learning as well as co-curricular activities provided by engaged faculty and staff.
“We welcome the opportunity to join the United Collegiate Hockey Conference as we look forward to our first season of men’s ice hockey in 2024-25,” said Dr. Dan Myers, Misericordia president. “Misericordia University is committed to expanding opportunities for our student-athletes and the UCHC provides an opportunity for our men’s ice hockey team to compete in the MAC and beyond.”
Athletically, Misericordia has achieved success as a member of the MAC Freedom Conference. Most recently, the MU women’s soccer team achieved the No. 1 ranking in the nation in 2022 and advanced to the Elite 8 of the NCAA tournament, and the Cougars baseball team won 10 straight MAC Freedom titles from 2011 to 2021.
The Cougars will play and practice at the Toyota SportsPlex in nearby Wilkes-Barre, Pa., with fellow UCHC rival Wilkes. The facility is the practice home of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins, the AHL affiliate of the Pittsburgh Penguins. In addition to the Toyota SportsPlex, the team will also have the opportunity to practice at Mohegan Sun Arena in Wilkes-Barre Township, the 8,300-seat venue that is the home of the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins.
“We are excited about the chance to join many of our fellow MAC institutions as a member of the United Collegiate Hockey Conference,” said Chuck Edkins, director of athletics at Misericordia. “In addition, we look forward to renewing some rivalries with conference rivals from the past and creating new rivalries with institutions from other regions. Membership in the UCHC will have significant, positive impact on the delivery of our men’s ice hockey program.”
Ryan Soderquist spent 21 seasons behind the bench at his alma mater, Bentley (photo: Bentley Athletics).
Ryan Soderquist is out as Bentley’s head coach, having announced he will leave the program on June 30.
Soderquist tweeted a statement this morning.
Thank you @BentleyHockey for last 26 years. I am extremely proud of what we all accomplished together and look forward to the growth of the program. Daughters Cora/Madelyn and loving wife Jess, whom have been by my side every step, love you. I will forever bleed blue and black!!
For the 2022-23 season, Soderquist’s 21st season behind the bench at his alma mater, the Falcons finished 11-21-2 overall (8-16-2 Atlantic Hockey).
“I have had the pleasure of watching Coach Soderquist grow as player and as head coach,” said Bentley vice president for student sffairs J. Andrew Shepardson. “I appreciate everything he has done to grow the program and I wish him and his family the very best. I am confident Bentley Falcons hockey will thrive long into the future thanks to Coach Soderquist.”
A three-time coach of the year (Atlantic Hockey, 2009 and 2012, MAAC, 2003), Soderquist is the winningest coach in program history with 277 career victories. He is one of just 18 active NCAA coaches to have surpassed the 250-win milestone.
Overall, Soderquist was 277-377-85 at Bentley. Of his 21 seasons, just six were at or above the .500 mark.
A national search for a replacement will begin immediately.
Don Vaughan goes over strategy with Colgate players (photo: Mark DiOrio).
After 30 years behind the Colgate bench, head coach Don Vaughan has announced he is retiring.
Vaughan, the nation’s third-longest tenured Division I head men’s hockey coach, has been at the helm of the Raiders since 1992. He leaves with 470 victories, making him the winningest coach in program history. Overall, Vaughan went 470-504-123 with Colgate.
His feats include six 20-win seasons, four NCAA tournament berths, and two ECAC Coach of the Year awards.
“It has been a privilege for me to have served as head coach of the Colgate men’s hockey program for 30 years,” said Vaughan in a statement. “It is hard to believe that so many years have passed since Colgate athletic director Mark Murphy gave a young assistant coach this opportunity in 1992.
“In all of these years, I never once looked at Colgate hockey as my program. I was simply the mantle holder and I have had so much help along the way. I am so very fortunate to have worked alongside so many wonderful and talented administrators, assistant coaches, staff, and colleagues. Thank you to our alumni and Silver Puck members as well as Silver Puck president Jerry Quill. Your support over many years has always amazed me.”
Vaughan’s announcement comes on the heels of an unforgettable postseason run after guiding Colgate to its first ECAC Hockey championship since 1990. Vaughan’s Raiders knocked off No. 2 Quinnipiac 2-1 in double-overtime in the semifinals before beating No. 6 Harvard in the championship, marking the first tournament title during Vaughan’s tenure.
“Don has been a wonderful coach and leader at Colgate for over 30 years,” said Colgate president Brian W. Casey. “He has pursued and achieved both athletics success and academic excellence for his teams and student-athletes. He has been a model of what Colgate seeks in our head coaches.”
Under Vaughan’s leadership, men’s hockey has continued to focus on graduating individuals committed to good citizenship and sportsmanship. The program seeks not only the championship trophy, but the best and brightest undergraduates to hoist it.
Vaughan has developed and mentored more than 200 academic all-ECAC members, 56 all-ECAC Hockey honors, seven All-Americans, five Hobey Baker Award finalists, three Colgate 1819 award winners, two ECAC Hockey players of the year, one NHL Stanley Cup winner, an ECAC scholar-athlete of the year, and one Hockey Humanitarian Award winner.
“Don has exemplified Colgate and Colgate hockey over the past 30 years,” said Colgate interim vice president and athletics director Yariv Amir. “He, and his staff, have recruited and mentored exceptional student-athletes that have excelled both on the ice and in the classroom. He has led a program that is active within the Hamilton community and turned first Starr Rink, and later the Class of 1965 Arena, into a gathering place for both the Colgate and Hamilton communities.”
Vaughan has coached 36 Raiders who went on to be drafted in the NHL — or were drafted prior to coming to Colgate. The 2022-23 team includes two NHL draftees in forward Alex Young and goalie Carter Gylander.
Another 34 Colgate players who were coached by Vaughan signed with NHL teams after graduating. They include Andy McDonald, who won a Stanley Cup with the Anaheim Ducks.
The most recent Colgate alumnus to sign with an NHL team was Bobby McMann, who made his debut with the Toronto Maple Leafs earlier this season.
Vaughan is stepping down from a post he’s held since the 1992-93 season, when the Raiders played in the Starr Rink and Colgate was under the leadership of president Neil R. Grabois.
One of Vaughan’s most impressive achievements was leading the program to the ECAC Hockey tournament on a near-annual basis. In his three decades at the helm, Colgate made 27 appearances in the playoffs and reached the ECAC championship weekend on 14 occasions.
In his final season, Colgate hosted the first round of the playoffs, a one-game knockout contest against Dartmouth. The Raiders prevailed in a 5-3 victory.
It would be Vaughan’s final game at the Class of 1965 Arena.
The win over the Big Green set up a best-of-three quarterfinals on the road against St. Lawrence. The Raiders swept the series, setting the stage for the team’s championship run in Lake Placid.
“I am proud of the work we have done here with so many people past and present,” said Vaughan. “The time is right. It has always been my intention that when the time comes for retirement that I leave the program in a good place. The program is poised to continue to challenge for more championships in the future.”
In the 2017-18 season, the Raiders made their 24th ECAC Hockey tournament appearance, which was Vaughan’s 25th season as coach. In that same season, the team defeated Brown 2-1, giving Vaughan his 400th career win at Colgate. At the time, he became only the 24th coach in Division I NCAA ice hockey history to reach the milestone.
In 2016-17, he guided Colgate to its 1,000th win in program history, becoming the eighth ECAC Hockey program and 23rd team in college hockey history to pull off the feat.
In 2013-14 and 2014-15, the Raiders had back-to-back 20 win seasons, earning a national ranking that was as high as No. 4 in both polls in 2014-15. The team reached to the ECAC championship game in both seasons and advanced to the NCAA tournament in 2013-14.
Vaughan’s Colgate career includes a stint as interim athletics director, a role he filled during the 2003-04 season, which required him to step away from the team.
A two-time ECAC Hockey coach of the year, Vaughan first led Colgate to national prominence during the 1999-00 season when he coached the Raiders to the NCAA East Regional and a final ranking of No. 9 in the USA Today/American Hockey Magazine national poll. Vaughan’s effort in leading his team to 24 victories earned him his first ECAC coach of the year accolade.
In 2004, Vaughan was presented with a Silver Puck Award by Colgate’s Silver Puck Club for his work with the Raider hockey program, before adding to his accolades in 2005 by being honored with the Maroon Citation for his record of service to the university.
On Nov. 11, 2007, Colgate announced the creation of the Donald F. Vaughan Endowed Coaching Chair for Men’s Ice Hockey. Vaughan at the time was the only active coach in Division I men’s hockey to have an endowment in his name.
A 1984 graduate of St. Lawrence, Vaughan played three seasons for the Saints after earning All-America status in his only season at Canton College. While with the Saints, Vaughan tallied 41 goals and 49 assists for 90 points in 96 games as a center.
In 1983, Vaughan and St. Lawrence earned an NCAA tournament appearance and first-place finish in the ECAC’s West Region.
He graduated from St. Lawrence in 1984 with a bachelor’s degree in economics, later earning a master’s degree in general studies in 1987.
Vaughan, a native of Almonte, Ont., and his wife Mariel have two children, Mark of Dublin, Ireland, and Maria of Albany, N.Y.
“As my father often said, ‘You can grow old, just don’t ever grow up,” said Vaughan. “Mariel and I are looking forward to the next chapter and enjoying a quieter life here in the Hamilton and Colgate communities.”
A national search for the next coach will begin immediately.
The University of Dubuque has announced the addition of men’s and women’s hockey to their NCAA Division III intercollegiate athletics program with competition to begin with the 2023-24 season.
UD will be partnering with the Dubuque Ice Arena, which is home to the USHL’s Dubuque Fighting Saints, and with its managing partner, Q Casino, to utilize the facility for practices and competitions. Both Spartans teams will be a member of the NCHA conference.
“We are excited about the partnerships and relationships which have been developed to offer this opportunity to our student-athletes,” said Nelson Edmonds, vice president of student engagement and intercollegiate athletics at the University of Dubuque, in a statement. “For a short time in 2008, ice hockey was a club sport at UD and we have always envisioned offering this collegiate experience to our student-athletes, parents, and to all our UD constituents and the Dubuque community.”
According to a news release, “UD expects this will provide a competitive and enrichening engagement opportunity for many prospective students, and anticipate a large cadre of student-athletes who will transfer from Finlandia University of Hancock, Mich., which recently announced their closure at the end of this academic year.”
“Through a series of conversations with the Finlandia athletic administration, as well as in partnership with our campus and community partners, we were able to provide the support needed to their student-athletes and their hockey program,” added Edmonds. “We are excited to combine the history of Finlandia University hockey, the passion for hockey in the Dubuque community, and the re-imagining of adding a competitive NCAA program. We look forward to welcoming our incoming students from Finlandia as they become our newest Spartans.”
“On behalf of the Dubuque Racing Association, Q Casino, Schmitt Island Development Corporation and our partners with the city of Dubuque, we are excited to support the University of Dubuque to bring college hockey to our community,” said Alex Dixon, president and CEO of DRA and Q Casino. “Thank you to UD for stepping up and making this happen.”
Bob Broshous, vice president for enrollment and dean of admission, chimed in on the Finlandia situation.
“We are excited to welcome transfer students from Finlandia University,” Broshous said. “We are transfer friendly, and making every effort to meet their academic, and financial needs to make it possible for them to attend the University of Dubuque. In addition to welcoming transfer students, we also have places in the class for first-year students who want to compete for a place on the men’s and women’s hockey teams for this fall. It is not too late to apply for admission for fall 2023.”
Adam Fantilli popped 30 goals this season for Michigan (photo: Michigan Photography).
Michigan freshman forward Adam Fantilli has been named the USCHO.com Player of the Year for the 2022-23 season, adding to his previous USCHO.com Rookie of the Year honor announced Thursday.
Voters for the award were comprised of the full USCHO.com editorial staff.
The honor comes on the heels of Fantilli being named the Hobey Baker Award winner, Tim Taylor National Rookie of the Year winner, being awarded first team all-American honors, Big Ten freshman of the year, Big Ten tournament most outstanding player, first team all-Big Ten, and making the Big Ten all-rookie team and NCAA all-regional team.
A native of Nobleton, Ont., Fantilli finished the season leading the nation in scoring with 65 points (30 goals, 35 assists) in 36 games, averaging 1.81 points per game, 0.83 goals per game and 0.98 assists per game.
Fantilli is considered a top prospect for the upcoming NHL Draft, which will be held in Nashville June 28-29.
Quinnipiac coach Rand Pecknold celebrates the Bobcats’ 2023 national championship April 8 in Tampa (photo: Jim Rosvold).
After leading Quinnipiac to the 2023 national championship, Rand Pecknold has been named the USCHO.com Coach of the Year.
Voters were comprised of the full USCHO.com editorial staff.
Pecknold was also named the ECAC Hockey coach of the year for the 2022-23 season.
Pecknold led the Bobcats to a 34-4-3 campaign, tying the program’s record for most in a regular season. This included a 15-0-1 record at M&T Bank Arena, the program’s first unbeaten home regular season in its Division I history. He also crossed the 600-win plateau and is the only active Division I head coach with that accomplishment.
Overall, Pecknold is 615-337-103 over 29 seasons behind the Bobcats’ bench.
Erik Largen led Alaska to 22 wins in 2022-23, the team’s most wins in more than 20 years (photo: Miles Jordan).
Alaska coach Erik Largen has agreed to a new five-year extension that will keep him behind the Nanooks bench through the 2027-28 season.
Largen just completed his fifth season as the head coach of Alaska in 2022-23. In their second straight season as a full-time Division I independent, the Nanooks posted their most successful season since 2001-02, grabbing a final record of 22-10-2, tying the third-most wins in program history and posting the most wins since the 2001-02 season when they went 22-12-3 (15-10-3 CCHA) under Guy Gadowsky.
“I would like to thank Dr. Brock Anundson, UAF chancellor Dr. Dan White and president Pat Pitney for their continued support of our hockey program,” said Largen in a statement. “We still have things we want to accomplish as a program and I’m excited to continue working towards great things with our staff and student-athletes. It has been an honor to lead this program and I look forward to building on the great traditions of Nanooks hockey both on and off the ice.”
“Today is another great day for the University of Alaska and Nanooks hockey as we announce the extension of Coach Largen’s contract,” added Anundson, “As a proven leader for our program and his student-athletes, Erik has shown that his incredible dedication and vision for the future of Alaska Nanooks hockey will pave our path to success for years to come. Under Erik’s guidance, the program has risen to one of the top-ranked teams in the NCAA. I know with Erik at the helm, we will continue to solidify the championship culture he has put in place and that Nanook Nation has established here in Fairbanks. Additionally, Associate Head Coach Chris Brown and staff have allowed us to create one of the best support teams in NCAA Division I hockey, which adds tremendous value to our student-athlete experience. We’re excited to get to work in the success that lies ahead for Alaska Nanooks hockey.”
Alongside the record number of wins, the Nanooks made a strong push for the postseason down the stretch. Their run began in December with the return of the Alaska Airlines Governor’s Cup and the return of games against Alaska Anchorage. The Nanooks grabbed their 12th-straight Governor’s Cup over UAA, going 6-0 against their in-state rivals, including two come-from-behind 4-3 OT wins in late January.
Their 20-game stretch to end the season also included road-wins at then-No. 19 Notre Dame on Dec. 31, 2022 and their first-ever win at Magness Arena on Jan. 6, 2023 against then-No. 1 Denver. They’d end up splitting both of those series, giving them two of their three losses in their final 20 games. Alaska also completed a four-game season-sweep of Arizona State, defeated Lindenwood in their first-ever matchup, and took three of four from Lomg Island, going 17-3-0 down the stretch and posting a 15-1-0 record against fellow independent teams.
On Feb. 6, 2023, after a home sweep of the Sun Devils, the Nanooks earned a top-20 ranking in the USCHO.com Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Poll — their first media poll appearance since the 2014-15 season. They’d end the season ranked No. 15 in both the USCHO.com Poll and the USA Today/USA Hockey Poll and ranked 14th in the PairWise Rankings, just missing out on the NCAA tournament.
“We are delighted to have Erik signed on to continue leading our path to an elite hockey program at Alaska,” White said. “We have a rich tradition of Division I hockey. And while there are many factors that will power our drive to championship hockey, it starts with the high-quality leadership Erik provides the Nanooks.”
The Big Ten has announced that Tony Petitti has been named the seventh commissioner of the conference.
He will begin his tenure on May 15.
Petitti replaces Kevin Warren, whose final day with the Big Ten is today, April 14. Warren has been named president and chief executive officer of the NFL’s Chicago Bears.
Petitti served as deputy commissioner and chief operating officer of Major League Baseball and president and chief executive officer of MLB Network.
A 14-time national sports Emmy Award winner, Petitti has held senior executive roles at CBS Sports and ABC Sports overseeing rights acquisition deals for a variety of sports leagues and collegiate and professional sports events, including the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, regular season men’s basketball, college football, NFL, PGA Tour, the Masters, U.S. Open tennis championships, and the Little League World Series, as well as leading in the creation of the Bowl Championship Series to determine college football’s national champion.
The search for the seventh Big Ten commissioner was led by the Big Ten Council of Presidents and Chancellors’ Executive Search Committee. Maryland president Darryll J. Pines served as chair alongside Minnesota president Joan Gabel, Ohio State president Kristina M. Johnson, and chair of the Council of Presidents and Chancellors and Illinois chancellor Robert Jones.
“I would like to thank all the candidates who spent time with us during the commissioner search process as each illustrated outstanding leadership qualities and a breadth of experience,” Pines said in a statement. “The Big Ten Conference is in an extraordinary position of strength. Tony’s capabilities to navigate the complexities of changing marketplace environments, history as a collaborative leader, and passion for academics and collegiate athletics made him the right leader, at the right time, for the Big Ten Conference.”
TurnkeyZRG, a leading talent recruitment firm in sports, entertainment, music, and media assisted the Big Ten Conference Council of Presidents and Chancellors. TurnkeyZRG conducted a comprehensive and inclusive recruitment process that delivered a diverse slate of potential candidates from within collegiate athletics, professional sports, media, government and more.
“We are at a time in collegiate athletics that we need leaders with innovative forethought, the highest principles, and a spirit of fairness and partnership,” Jones said. “Tony brings a dynamic style of leadership and impeccable integrity to the conference. The entire Council of Presidents and Chancellors is thrilled to have him serve as the seventh commissioner in Big Ten Conference history.”
The 14 current Big Ten Conference member institutions, in addition to the two new members who will join the conference in 2024, participated in the interview process and the final selection of Petitti.
“At this important and transformational time in collegiate athletics, it is truly my great honor to be chosen by the Council of Presidents and Chancellors as the commissioner of the Big Ten Conference,” Petitti said. “I am energized to work alongside the best athletics directors, coaches, conference staff and board in the country as – together – we continue to elevate the academic and athletic experiences and resources for our 14, soon-to-be 16, world-class universities with nearly 10,000 incredible student-athletes. Thank you to the extraordinary people and places that have led me to this next challenge in my career. I am ready to get to work for the Big Ten Conference community.”
Most recently, Petitti was recruited by Liberty Media and The Baupost Group to serve as an advisor to evaluate sports and media properties.
As deputy commissioner and chief operating officer for Major League Baseball (2014-20), Petitti was involved in all aspects of MLB, including leading broadcast and digital media, special events (All-Star Game, Home Run Derby, MLB postseason scheduling and operations), MLB Network, MLB social media, consumer products and licensing, marketing, youth development, international, and security.
He closely collaborated with 30 MLB team owners and presidents, and key business and operational partners to incorporate ideas and feedback to improve the creation and execution of strategic initiatives. Petitti also participated on MLB’s Competition Committee.
As president and CEO of MLB Network (2008-14), Petitti led the imagination, creation, buildout and launch of MLB Network in 50 million homes which, at the time, was the largest launch of a cable network in history. Petitti’s vision touched every aspect of content and operations including programming, on-air talent, production team, studio creation, and supporting facilities.
Prior to MLB, Petitti was the executive vice president of CBS Sports (2002-08) and was an integral part of the network’s NFL coverage. He led the sports programming division and had added responsibility as executive producer for all CBS Sports telecasts.
From left, Jacob Quillan, Adam Fantilli, Drew Commesso, and Jaxon Castor (photos: Rob Rasmussen, Michigan Photography, Matt Woolverton, St. Cloud State Athletics).
The Hockey Commissioners Association has announced its men’s monthly honorees for March-April performances.
Quinnipiac sophomore forward Jacob Quillan is the player of the month, Michigan freshman forward Adam Fantilli is the rookie of the month, and Boston University junior Drew Commesso and St. Cloud State senior Jaxon Castor are co-goaltenders of the month.
Quillan scored the season’s most important goal, the overtime game-winner in the NCAA championship game to lift QU over Minnesota 3-2 just 10 seconds into the extra frame. He had seven goals and nine points in seven games for the Bobcats and had two game-winning goals in that span.
Named the recipient of both the Hobey Baker Award and Tim Taylor Award (national rookie of the year) on April 7, Fantilli went 10-5-15 in seven games for Michigan.
Commesso got hot at the right time, winning seven straight and finishing 7-1-0 in the March-April period. He had a 1.96 GAA and a save percentage of .928 in leading the Terriers into the Frozen Four in Tampa.
Castor led SCSU into the NCAA tournament with a 4-2-0 record in this period, two of the wins being shutouts. His impressive numbers: 1.67 GAA and a save percentage of .936.
Adam Fantilli put up phenomenal numbers during his freshman campaign for Michigan (photo: Michigan Photography).
Michigan freshman forward Adam Fantilli has been named the USCHO.com Rookie of the Year for the 2022-23 season.
Voters for the award were comprised of the full USCHO.com editorial staff.
The honor comes on the heels of Fantilli being named the Hobey Baker Award winner and the Tim Taylor National Rookie of the Year winner.
Fantilli finished the season leading the nation in scoring with 65 points (30 goals, 35 assists) in 36 games, averaging 1.81 points per game, 0.83 goals per game and 0.98 assists per game.
The native of Nobleton, Ont., also earned first team all-American honors, Big Ten freshman of the year, Big Ten tournament most outstanding player, first team all-Big Ten, Big Ten all-rookie team and NCAA all-regional team.
Fantilli is considered a top prospect for the upcoming NHL Draft, which will be held in Nashville June 28-29.
