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2005-06 Canisius Season Preview

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If there’s any theme to the 2005-06 hockey campaign for Canisius, it would be new beginnings.

A year ago, despite having wonderful on-ice success, the Griffs took a major black eye when head coach Brian Cavanaugh was fired after a player revolt. With Cavanaugh out, multiple disciplinary problems ensued that led to the resignation of Canisius athletic director Tim Dillon.

The summer, though, brought winds of change at Canisius. The school began by hiring Bill Maher, a 1989 Canisius graduated who understands the tradition of hockey on the Canisius campus, to replace Dillon as AD. With sights set on building a new future, Maher selected Mercyhurst assistant Dave Smith as head coach.

Since Smith has taken over, the program has done its best to begin to heal. Smith’s crusade early has not been to talk about what great hockey players that he might have, but rather to tell the world that, above all else, Canisius’ hockey team is filled with good guys.

With a reputation changing, Smith and his club will look to repeat on-ice success, hoping to take things an inch farther. Despite finishing tied for second place last year, the Griffs fell at home to Bentley in the first round of the playoffs, making for a far-too-early exit from the postseason.

What’s lost from the successful team of a year ago, though, is significant. Goaltender Bryan Worosz was a stalwart between the pipes. Though he’d always posted good numbers throughout his career, Worosz last year turned heads and was thought of among the upper echelon of goaltenders in a league filled with great duffel bags.

SMITH

SMITH

Replacing Worosz initially will be two rookie goaltenders whom Smith believes can do the job in Ryan Hatch and Dan Griffen. The third goaltender, sophomore Max Buetow, will be sidelined with an injury until at least November 1. Last year Buetow was winless in four decisions.

At the forward position, the Griffs should shine. The top seven scorers from a year ago all return, including rookie sensation Mike Ruberto, who Smith hopes is among a handful of guys who will have breakout seasons.

“Our biggest challenge is to see which one of the pieces to the puzzle can break into the top tier of the league,” said Smith. “We have some potential guys in Michael Cohen, Michael Ruberto, Tim Songin and Joel Kitchen. If they can make it to the top tier of the league, that will allow us to play a couple of different styles.”

What will happen is in the future, as Smith points out. But for today, his job is to continue to make his club the best it can be.

“We have to try to be an everyday champion,” Smith said. “I can’t beat [Mercyhurst] on December 9 until December 9. All we can try to do is figure out what can we do today.”

Defending Champ Denver Leads Preseason USCHO.com/CSTV Poll

USCHO Staff Report
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Defending national champion Denver is the preseason favorite of voters in the USCHO.com/CSTV men’s Division I poll, released Monday.

The Pioneers, who defeated North Dakota 4-1 last April to take their second consecutive national championship, received 17 first-place votes and totaled 662 points to edge out Minnesota, a strong No. 2 with 13 first-place votes and 653 points.

Denver and Minnesota were among six WCHA teams ranked in the newly-expanded top 20, including five in the top 10.

Hockey East favorite and defending champion Boston College was third, picking up two first-place votes. The Eagles were closely trailed by Cornell, the ECACHL’s defending titleist and the preseason pick by the coaches in that conference. CCHA preseason favorite Ohio State came in fifth, with two first-place votes of its own.

Colorado College and North Dakota (one first-place vote) were sixth and seventh, respectively, in the preseason poll after reaching the Frozen Four last season — the first time in NCAA history that four teams from the same conference met in the national semifinals.

Those squads were followed by Michigan, the defending CCHA regular-season and tournament champion, in eighth. New Hampshire finished ninth, and Wisconsin was the WCHA’s fifth team in the top 10, and boasted one first-place vote in the process.

Maine came in 11th, followed by Northern Michigan, Boston University, Dartmouth and Harvard.

Rounding out the top 20 in the poll were Massachusetts-Lowell, Michigan State, Colgate, and then Vermont and Minnesota-Duluth, which tied for the final spot in the rankings.

2005-06 Mercyhurst Season Preview

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As you look around Atlantic Hockey, a lot of teams are faced with the issue of not having a goaltender to turn to. That said, it almost seems unfair that Mercyhurst has four.

That’s right, the defending champs, who this year were picked along with Holy Cross to repeat as champions, have four different goaltenders competing for the job, though there’s no doubt in head coach Rick Gotkin’s mind that one stands out.

“Mike Ella is our goaltender heading into camp,” said Gotkin of his sophomore goaltender who stole the show down the stretch for the Lakers, winning eight of his final nine starts, his only loss coming in a 52-save effort again Boston College in the NCAA tournament. “Really, it’s going to be a wait-and-see thing from there. Mike Ella may never come out of the goal all year. We’re going to just keep evaluating and looking at things.

“Only one guy can play, though, and right now Mike Ella’s our guy.”

The trio that will challenge Ella includes last year’s top goaltender entering camp, Andy Franck, Jordan Wakefield, who returns after taking a year off as a medical redshirt, and rookie Tyler Small, a blue-chip recruit who has as much chance as the others of seeing time in net.

Moving out onto the open ice, Mercyhurst will be forced to replace a large chunk of offensive production that graduated in the form of David Wrigley, Rich Hansen and T.J. Kemp. Though they were the only three big losses, the losses indeed were quite significant as last year the trio accounted for 98 points.

To offset those departures, Mercyhurst will hope for continued success from a handful of forwards, none more important than sophomore Ben Cottreau. Last year’s Atlantic Hockey Rookie of the Year had what Gotkin called an “easy adjustment” to the college game.

“Ben’s very committed to continuing to get better,” said Gotkin. “We have no reason to believe that he won’t be even better this year, and I’d be disappointed if that wasn’t the case.”

On the blueline, Gotkin will have to replace Kemp, who though known for his offensive production, was still one of the best defensive players in the league.

Should all of this come together, Mercyhurst seems like a lock for the Atlantic Hockey title. Truly the only thing that should stand in Mercyhurst’s way in consistency. Last year it seemed that most things happened in streaks, most notably a nine-game winning streak down the stretch. Mercyhurst, though, can’t rely on long winning streaks and must play a consistent game night in and night out in order to head back to the NCAA tournament.

2005-06 Bemidji State Season Preview

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The defending CHA champions, the Bemidji State Beavers, lost some of their firepower from a year ago, but still should post big numbers and finish near the top of the conference standings.

Andrew Murray, last season’s CHA player of the year, graduated and then signed an NHL deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Brendan Cook also received his diploma and is done skating for the Beavers, along with defensemen John Haider and Peter Jonsson.

Last season, BSU won the regular-season CHA title outright and then the league tournament with a win over Alabama-Huntsville in the finals. The Beavers took eventual national champion Denver to overtime in the first round of the NCAA tournament before losing in a heartbreaker.

“This year will be a little bit of a rebuilding year for us,” Bemidji State head coach Tom Serratore said. “It’s a hit losing guys like Murray, Cook, Haider and Jonsson, who are all high-end D-I players, but hopefully the guys coming back will be able to elevate their maturation process and fill some of those holes.”

Bemidji’s top returning scorer is junior Luke Erickson. Classmate Rob Sirianni is also back, as are senior Ryan Huddy and senior captain Jean-Guy Gervais. Last year’s dynamic goaltending duo of Matt Climie and Layne Sedevie returns as well, while Orlando Alamano will seek playing time behind those two.

“Having all three goalies back will make for some great competition among the three,” Serratore said. “They all have their strong suits and are all capable goaltenders.”

Defensively, senior Andrew Martens returns with junior Nathan Schwartzbauer and sophomores Niko Suoraniemi, Riley Weselowski and Dave Deterding. Freshmen Cody Bostock and Finnish imports Anssi Tieranta and Juha Keinanen will also be eased into the lineup.

“I really like our ‘D,'” noted Serratore. “We have a good, young corps with six freshmen and sophomores, one junior and one senior. I really like them and what they all bring.”

Up front, freshmen Tyler Scofield, Travis Winter, Brandon Marino, Mark Soares and Matt Allen all tallied big numbers last year in juniors, but shouldn’t be looked upon to do the same for BSU just yet.

“College hockey is a men’s game,” said Serratore. “You can’t expect freshmen to come in and make an impact right away. I mean, a school like Minnesota with Phil Kessel can rely on a freshman and get away with it, but for us, it’s not a concern if our freshmen make an impact or not. If they do, great and it’s a bonus, but if not, at least they’ll get acclimated to the school’s culture and our systems.”

Winter scored 64 points for St. Cloud Tech High School in 2002-03 and will be just the second native of St. Cloud, Minn., ever to join the BSU program, after Mark Larson in 1992.

“There may not be an immediate impact player in this class, but it will be fun to watch them develop,” Beavers’ assistant coach Ted Belisle said. “We’re losing some great players off of [last] year’s team, but this class has its own identity and will find its own way to contribute to our program.”

The bulk of the freshman forwards were point producers in juniors. Scofield popped in 40 goals a year ago and Marino’s 63 points were good for a tie for ninth in the North American Hockey League scoring race last season. Winter scored 21 goals, Soares 24 and Allen 27 between three teams in British Columbia.

“Brandon is a very smart hockey player who has a tremendous upside with his youth,” Belisle said. “He’ll be exciting to watch develop in our program. Tyler has the tools to become a fan favorite. His speed and scoring ability are going to make him an exciting player to watch. Travis has a great sense for the game of hockey and brings some size that will add to the left side of our lineup and we hope he will help us in the future.”

Luke Erickson (photo: Bemidji State photo services).

Luke Erickson (photo: Bemidji State photo services).

Bemidji State’s schedule this year, of course, includes the 20-game CHA slate, but its nonconference opponents are teams that Serratore said “schedule us for a reason.”

BSU will have a span of 47 days between home games from Oct. 15, when it hosts Minnesota State, to Dec. 2, when it hosts Niagara. Eight of BSU’s first 10 games in 2005-06 will be played on the road. It will mark the most road contests in the first 10 games of a season in school history. Previously, the Beavers had played seven of their first 10 games on the road to open a season in 1970-71 and 1984-85.

The CCHA also factors heavily in BSU’s 2005-06 nonconference, as for the second consecutive year six games against that league are on the schedule. The Beavers cap a two-year battle with Ferris State, traveling to Big Rapids, Mich., Nov. 18-19; play host to Lake Superior State on Dec. 9-10; and travel to Western Michigan on Feb. 10-11.

BSU’s Dec. 9 home game with Lake Superior State will mark the first trip to Bemidji for the Lakers since March 6, 1974, when LSSU downed BSU in the finals of the NAIA national championship. The Beavers and Lakers met for the NAIA national title three times from 1969-74, with BSU winning twice.

Bemidji will also make a two-game foray into the ECAC Hockey League on Dec. 30-31 when the Beavers participate in Vermont’s holiday tournament. The Beavers will tackle Clarkson in the first round, then face off against either Dartmouth or Vermont the following day. BSU has never played Dartmouth or Vermont in its hockey history; those are the only two foes on BSU’s 2005-06 schedule against which the Beavers have not played.

“You look at the league overall and there’s a lot of depth,” Serratore added. “There’s not a lot of breathing room and all the teams look good right now on paper.

“We’ll see what happens.”

2005-06 Alabama-Huntsville Season Preview

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Alabama-Huntsville senior captain Jeremy Schreiber said it best.

“Every year since I’ve been here we’ve been saying, ‘This is the year, this is the year we go all the way.'”

So far, postseason tournament heartbreak has been the common season-ending theme for the Chargers. They’ve been to the finals of the CHA Tournament as recently as last spring, but couldn’t get over the hump against Bemidji State.

Perhaps this year, as Schreiber said, is the year.

“We just want to go out there night in and night out and do as much as we can,” said Schreiber. “We lost a lot of goals from last year, so we’re going to have to dig deep for goals and get guys who used to be third- and fourth-line players to step it up and get some goals for us.”

Jared Ross, Craig Bushey and Bruce Mulherin combined for 58 of UAH’s 106 goals (52%) last year, but Ross and Bushey have moved on to the pro game, leaving the senior Mulherin as the Chargers’ top returning goal-scorer and point-getter.

“Last year’s juniors are going to have to step up and play key roles for us this year,” UAH head coach Doug Ross said. “We’re going to lean on them heavily this year. We’ll have good depth all around and I also think our junior class is ready to play this year. Guys like Grant Sellinger, Brett McConnachie, Shaun Arvai, David Nimmo and Dominik Rozman are ready to take the next step. Even guys like Todd Bentley and Chris Martini, both seniors, look like they’re ready to make more of a contribution. Our team will have a lot of balance and that’s something I think the other coaches in the league will say about their teams as well.

“But one player I’m excited about is sophomore Tyler Hilbert. Tyler is a pretty good player and will probably be our No. 2 centerman [behind Mulherin] and should see more ice than last year.”

Alabama-Huntsville looks steady on the back end as only Ryan Brown and Doug Watkins graduated. Brown stayed in the area and signed a minor pro contract with the Huntsville Havoc of the Southern Professional Hockey League. Back are Schreiber, Jeff Winchester, Arvai, Mike Salekin and sparingly-used blueliners A.J. Larivee and Matt Montes. New on the back end are Christian Beaudry and Scott Kalinchuk.

Behind the defense is arguably the toughest goalie in the CHA in senior Scott Munroe. A year ago, Munroe played in 31 of the team’s 32 games and went 16-10-4 with a sparkling 2.29 goals-against average and an even better .930 save percentage. Obviously, he’s the No. 1 netminder for the Chargers.

“We know we always have Scotty back there and we know what we can expect from him,” Schreiber said. “He’s solid and can steal one for us if we decide to have an off night. He’ll stop the pucks, but with losing Jared and Bushey, we’re going to have to get going at the other end and pop in a few more ourselves.”

Ross also has high praise for Munroe.

“Munroe is our starter, but we also have Marc Narduzzi and a freshman, Jordan Erickson, who have shown they can play,” said Ross. “Last year, Munroe played 95 percent of the time, so Narduzzi and Erickson will try and push him for some time this year.”

Scott Munroe (photo: George Olden).

Scott Munroe (photo: George Olden).

Along with Hilbert, Ross is also anxiously awaiting the arrival of Kalinchuk to game action to see what he is capable of outside of practice.

“Scott’s a kid who’s going to come in and probably make the lineup right away,” Ross observed. “Next year, we’ll be in a rebuilding situation and these young kids need to get ice time now to be ready for next year. Guys like Matt Sweazey, Josh Murray and Kalinchuk are freshmen who will see a good deal of ice and we’ll need them to fill in throughout the season. But the freshmen are going to have to come in and prove themselves as well. Nothing will be handed to them. Freshmen always take time to adjust to the speed and nature of the college game, too.”

Last March, UAH reached the CHA finals, but bowed out to Bemidji State, 3-0. The year before, Wayne State took a 5-3 win in the first round and in 2003 the Chargers lost in overtime to BSU in the tournament semifinals. Even so, Schreiber doesn’t see why this year can’t be a championship year for Alabama-Huntsville.

“They say defense wins championships and we certainly have the defense, so pencil us in there,” noted Schreiber. “Like I had said, every year I’ve been here we’ve said that this is our year. We just need to keep pace with teams like Bemidji, Wayne State and Niagara or even get ahead of them in the standings and we should be fine.”

Overall, it appears with the added depth and the hope that the upperclassmen can compensate for a loss of goal-scoring, that the Chargers have the potential to get out to a quick start in conference play. But a few stretches of their nonconference schedule could make or break their momentum. Alabama-Huntsville travels to Maine to open the season Oct. 21-22 and then to Ohio State Dec. 2-3. They also end the regular season on the road at Bemidji State.

“We have voids to fill, but so does every other team,” explained Ross. “I can’t say it enough, but guys have to step and fill those voids. We’re in good shape regardless and I think have more balance than in other years.”

2005-06 American International Season Preview

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AIC head coach Gary Wright is a hard-working man. Not only does he coach hockey for the Yellow Jackets, he’s also the school’s golf coach.

So when the Atlantic Hockey coaches’ poll picked his Yellow Jackets to finish last this season, he was a bit humbled.

“I’m just glad I don’t coach three sports,” said Wright, whose golf team was also picked to finished last this year.

Though we can’t speak for AIC’s golf program, it’s easy to say that the coaches’ pick in hockey seems to be on the money.

AIC last year graduated its best player, Frank Novello, who happened to be the club’s goaltender. The fact that Novello was one of the best goaltenders in the league according to any coach, and yes, still managed only four wins, speaks volumes about the play in front of him.

The Yellow Jacket defense last year allowed 3.74 goals per game even with Novello, and the offense chipped in only 2.03 goals per game. Without a recruiting class that includes the next Gretzky and Lemieux, there’s little hope for things to improve much.

“There’s certainly a lot of uncertainty,” said Wright about the season ahead and the fact his team will play two freshmen and possibly upperclassman Matt Tourville, who has a total of three career games played, in net.

Even with inexperience at goaltender, Wright doesn’t think that his team is doomed for the league’s cellar. What’s missing, in his opinion, might simply be the knowledge of how to win.

“There’s nothing like winning hockey games to gain some confidence,” said Wright. “If you get through that threshold, you never know.”

One thing that Wright does believe is that his club has depth and experience. A season ago, the Yellow Jackets played anywhere from eight to 10 freshmen every night. With those players and the rest of the team maturing, and the fact that of last year’s top ten scorers only one was a senior, comes some hope.

“We have a little more internal competition that we’ve had,” Wright said. “We’ve got a couple of guys back who had injuries or illnesses last year, so we’re hoping that’s an added bonus.”

The biggest challenge, as Wright puts it, is “offensive proficiency.” Though many of last year’s losses were close games, Wright said that the ability for his club to believe in itself to score goals is what often puts you over the edge.

“Psychologically it’s important for a team, if it’s down, to know it can come back,” said Wright.

If AIC is to break through offensively, it may be necessary for a player like forward C.J. McConnell to step up his game. Last year, McConnell posted only 14 points in 29 games, but has shown signs that he can produce. As a freshman, McConnell scored 13 points and as a sophomore had his best season, notching 12 goals and eight assists. If McConnell or someone like him could push his production into the 25-30 point range, AIC might catch a little bit of offensive fire.

If not, though, look for this to be a long season in Springfield.

Mercyhurst Remains CHA Favorite

USCHO Staff Report
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For the fourth consecutive year, Mercyhurst is the choice of College Hockey America head coaches in the league’s preseason poll.

The Lakers, who received all three possible first-place votes (coaches did not vote for their own teams) recorded nine points in the poll. Mercyhurst, which opens the season fifth in the U.S. College Hockey Online poll, has won the regular-season and tournament titles in each of the past three seasons.

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Wayne State and Niagara both earned six points in the poll to tie for second. The Warriors earned the remaining first-place vote while Niagara was picked second on all three ballots. League newcomer Robert Morris rounded out the voting with three points.

Mercyhurst is led this season by senior captain Samantha Shirley, who has been chosen by league head coaches as the CHA’s preseason player of the year. The top returning scorer in the league from 2004-05 and a second-team All-CHA pick last season, Shirley notched 18 goals and 37 points last season, helping to lead the Lakers to their first NCAA Championship appearance.

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She’s joined at forward on the preseason All-CHA team by junior teammate Stefanie Bourbeau, who also scored 18 goals, while totalling 30 points, last season. She tied for second in the league in both power-play goals (6) and short-handed goals (2).

The third forward is Wayne State junior Laura Monk, a second team All-CHA and all-rookie team member as a freshman in 2003-04. She led the Warriors with 13 goals last season and was sixth in the CHA in scoring with 28 points.

On defense, Mercyhurst junior Ashley Pendleton is the only unanimous choice on the All-CHA preseason squad. A first-team All-CHA selection last season, Pendleton led league blueliners with 14 assists and was second in scoring with 19 points, scoring 10 points on the power play and two on the penalty kill.

Wayne State senior Sarah Campbell tied Pendleton for the league lead among blueliners with 14 assists, a total which was third on the team and 10th in the league. She earned second-team All-CHA honors a year ago.

Rounding out the team is Niagara junior goalie Allison Rutledge. Last season, she posted a 9-6-2 overall record, second best in the league, to go with a 2.21 goals against average and .929 save percentage. Rutledge was named to the league’s all-rookie team in 2004.

The 2005-06 CHA composite schedule features 109 regular-season games, including 24 league contests,for the four conference members, leading up to the 2006 CHA Championship, slated for March 9 and 12, at the Michigan State Fairgrounds Coliseum in Detroit, Mich.

The regular-season schedule gets underway this weekend, with three of the CHA’s four teams getting underway with regular-season games. Mercyhurst, which skated to a 2-2 tie in its exhibition opener Saturday with the Durham Lightning, hosts Minnesota State, Friday and Saturday, at 7 and 2 p.m. EDT. Wayne State opens its season on the road with a pair of games at Bemidji State, Friday and Saturday, at 7:07 and 2:07 p.m. CDT. Robert Morris kicks off its inaugural season on the road with Saturday and Sunday contests at Maine. The opener is slated for 4 p.m. EDT with the series finale scheduled for 1 p.m.

U.S. Completes Sweep

USCHO Staff Report
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The WCHA All-Stars doubled their scoring output in their rematch against the U.S. National Team Saturday night at the DECC, but still fell well short in a 5-2 defeat. Bemidji State sophomore Tara Hiscock and North Dakota sophomore Cami Wooster scored goals for the WCHA. Wooster and UNH alum Tricia Dunn-Luoma ’96, who had two goals for the U.S., earned Player of the Game honors.

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Three players with Harvard connections conspired to put the U.S. up 2-0 in the first period. Junior Caitlin Cahow netted her first career U.S. goal on a slapshot from the high slot at the seven-minute mark. Then at 12:51, Angela Ruggiero ’04 redirected a slapshot from senior Julie Chu for the 2-0 lead.

Hiscock put the WCHA All-Stars on the board with a shot from the low crease as time expired in the first. The U.S. extended its lead back to two when Dunn-Luoma converted on a two-on-one.

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Dunn-Luoma tallied again less than two minutes into the third period when she knocked in a backhanded shot from low in the crease. Recent Minnesota graduate Krissy Wendell upped the U.S. lead at the 10-minute mark, shooting low to the stick-side from her knees.

Wooster scored the second goal for the WCHA All-Stars with eight minutes left to play. The U.S. outshot the WCHA 41-27, including a 23-6 advantage in the third.

The U.S. Women’s National Team will travel to Canada for two games against Team Canada before resuming the Hilton Family Skate to 2006 Tour on Nov. 1, 2005, against the Eastern College Athletic Conference All-Stars at Yale University’s Ingalls Rink.

Women’s Hockey Outside Sources

USCHO Staff Report
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USCHO.com is now providing the most comprehensive web log of women’s college hockey news across the country. Please send article suggestions here (bylined articles within past week only).

*www.bugmenot.com can be a valuable resource for those wishing to avoid site registrations.

New Dogs In The Hunt: BU to make Division I debut in 2005-06
By Elliot Olshansky, CSTV.com, 4/22/05

The Long Road to Turin
By Elliot Olshansky, CSTV.com, 4/18/05

A humanitarian who carries a big stick
By Kevin Armstrong, BC Heights, 4/14/05

BC’s Carlson rewarded for service, heart
By Fluto Shinzawa, Boston Globe, 4/9/05

Sisti makes history
GoErie.com, 4/6/05

Just Wait Until Next Year (or the Year After)
By Jonathan Lehman, Harvard Crimson, 4/6/05

Minnesota Gets Final Tally To Top W. Hockey for NCAA Title
By Jonathan Lehman and John R. Hein, Harvard Crimson, 4/4/05

Vaillancourt?s Clutch Play Brings W. Hockey To Brink of Victory
By John R. Hein, Harvard Crimson, 4/4/05

Rookie Forward Notches Trifecta For W. Hockey
By John R. Hein, Harvard Crimson, 4/4/05

W. Hockey Marches On, Downs St. Lawrence in NCAA Semis
By Jonathan Lehman, Harvard Crimson, 4/4/05

Harvard and Minnesota put on a show at the Whitt

By Elliot Olshansky, CSTV.com, 3/31/05

A stalwart on skates: Kat Sweet helped Harvard return to Frozen Four

By Ira Josephs, Philadelphia Inquirer, 3/29/05

Third time not a charm: Green ends record-tying season
By Tony Hao, The Dartmouth, 3/29/05

U makes it two
By Brian Murphy, Pioneer Press, 3/28/05

Yet again, tough luck for Harvard
By John Doyle, Foster’s Online, 3/28/05

Corriero falls short of goal
By Michael O’Connor, Boston Herald, 3/28/05

Gophers double their treasures
By Chris Lempesis, Minnesota Daily, 3/28/05

Tremendous top line closes the deal before departing
By Chris Lempesis, Minnesota Daily, 3/28/05

Women’s hockey: Gophers 4, Harvard 3
By Judd Zulgad, Star Tribune, 3/28/05

Women’s hockey notes: T-shirts’ mission is accomplished
By Judd Zulgad, Star Tribune, 3/28/05

Harvard women just miss — again
By Barbara Matson, Boston Globe, 3/27/05

Gophers, Harvard match high-scoring lines
By Brian Murphy, Pioneer Press, 3/27/05

Harvard storms to title game
By Barbara Matson, Boston Globe, 3/26/05

Darwitz launches U
By Brian Murphy, Pioneer Press, 3/26/05

Coaches ponder how to draw crowd
By Judd Zulgad, Star Tribune, 3/26/05

Assisting others puts UMD’s Ouellette in elite group
By Christa Lawler, Duluth News Tribune, 3/26/05

WCHA set to claim its first Kazmaier winner
By Brian Murphy, Pioneer Press, 3/26/05

Harvard, Minnesota to play for title
By Kevin Gray, The Union Leader, 3/26/05

Half-Empty Feeling
By Brian Murphy, Pioneer Press, 3/25/05

Halldorson’s job not in danger
By Brian Murphy, Pioneer Press, 3/25/05

Women’s hockey: Gophers have talent to spare
By Judd Zulgad, Star Tribune, 3/25/05

Taking Their Final Shot Together
By John R. Hein, Harvard Crimson, 3/25/05

Stone Returns Home to Alma Mater UNH With Championship Aspirations
By Jonathan Lehman, Harvard Crimson, 3/25/05

Boe Steps Up to the Plate for the Crimson
By Gabriel M. Velez, Harvard Crimson, 3/25/05

Vitt Maintains Role as Solid Backup
By Jonathan Lehman and Gabriel M. Velez, Harvard Crimson, 3/25/05

Boe will stop at nothing
By Barbara Matson, Boston Globe, 3/25/05

Women’s Frozen Four: Minnesota is favored to take it all
By Phil Kincade, Foster’s Daily Democrat, 3/25/05

Familiar nemesis stands in the way of second-straight title
By Chris Lempesis, Minnesota Daily, 3/25/05

Maturi stands by his coach
By Aaron Blake, Minnesota Daily, 3/25/05

Harvard women all business on ice
By Michael O’Connor, Boston Herald, 3/25/05

Women’s hockey teams prep for NCAA tourney
By Tim McCahill, Associated Press, 3/25/05

Close not good enough: Harvard women hungry for national crown
By Michael O’Connor, Boston Herald, 3/24/05

U women’s hockey coach Halldorson might be on the hot seat
By Dean Spiros, Star Tribune, 3/24/05

No Second Chance, But No Regrets
By Elliot Olshansky, CSTV.com. 3/24/05

Frozen out of the Frozen Four
By Christa Lawler, Duluth News Tribune, 3/24/05

State duo forms bond at Harvard
By Chris Casavant, Connecticut Post, 3/24/05

Women’s hockey has historic run
By Daniel Reyes, Daily Campus, 3/24/05

UNH preps for hosting second Women’s Frozen Four
By Al Pike, Foster’s Daily Democrat, 3/23/05

Harvard women hoping for elusive national title
By Phil Kincade, Foster’s Daily Democrat, 3/23/05

St. Lawrence making surprise journey to Durham
By Phil Kincade, Foster’s Daily Democrat, 3/23/05

Frozen Four preview: York native hopes to win Minnesota?s second title
By Matt Quirk, Foster’s Daily Democrat, 3/23/05


SLU women’s hockey team in “Frozen Four’
By Heather Ly, News 10, 3/23/05

Group of five seniors preparing for fourth Frozen Four in four seasons with Minnesota
By Chris Lempesis, Minnesota Daily, 3/23/05

Wall makes grades so she can make games
By Judd Zulgad, Star Tribune, 3/22/05

Corriero Keeps W. Hockey Alive
By Gabriel M. Velez, Harvard Crimson, 3/22/05

Four for Four: Corriero?s Quartet Lifts W. Hockey to Frozen Four
By Jonathan Lehman, Harvard Crimson, 3/21/05

Simply Unstoppable: The Case for Corriero
By John R. Hein, Harvard Crimson, 3/21/05

W. Hockey Wins Battle of Top Penalty Kill Units
By Gabriel M. Velez, Harvard Crimson, 3/21/05

Gophers beat Friars6-1 for fourth-straight Frozen Four berth
By Chris Lempesis, Minnesota Daily, 3/21/05

Harvard freezes out Mercyhurst
By Barbara Matson, Boston Globe, 3/20/05

Dartmouth Comes From Behind to Earn Third Straight Trip
By Greg Fennell, Valley News, 3/20/05

Elmira College falls short
By Michael Sharp, Elmira Star-Gazette, 3/20/05

Sad finish for Cards
By Courtney Lewis, Plattsburgh Press Republican, 3/20/05

Bulldogs’ season ends at quarterfinals
By Christa Lawler, Duluth News Tribune, 3/19/05

Underdog Saints weren’t to be denied
By Kevin Pates, Duluth News Tribune, 3/19/05

Three third-period goals lift Elmira
By Michael Sharp, Elmira Star-Gazette, 3/19/05

Elmira does it again: Old nemesis defeats Cards in NCAA semis
By Courtney Lewis, Plattsburgh Press Republican, 3/19/05

Fast-tempo game puts women in Frozen Four
By Judd Zulgad, Star Tribune, 3/19/05

Gophers advance to Frozen Four
By Jason Williams, Pioneer Press, 3/19/05

Halldorson Calls Current Gopher Team Her Best To Date
By Bob Sansevere, Pioneer Press, 3/19/05

PC’s early goal not enough to top Gophers
By David La Vaque, Providence Journal, 3/19/05

Dartmouth aims at women’s hockey title
By Jim Fennell, The Union Leader, 3/19/05

Harvard faces an obstacle
By Barbara Matson, Boston Globe, 3/19/05

MacLeod ready for NCAAs
By Andy Baggot, Wisconsin State Journal, 3/19/05

Bowdoin hockey programs looking strong for future
By Bob Conn, The Times Record, 3/19/05

Chinks In The Armor: In Hockey East, Providence still rules the roost…for now
By Elliot Olshansky, CollegeSports.com, 3/16/05

Surprises Await?
By Dave De Remer, New England Hockey Journal, 3/16/05

Division III title chase ends here
By Michael Sharp, Elmira Star-Gazette, 3/18/05

Women’s Hockey: Friars aim to stop a juggernaut
By Mike Szostak, Providence Journal, 3/18/05

Trying to shake one brief lapse
By Jason Williams, Pioneer Press, 3/18/05

Women’s hockey: Providence hopes to catch U napping
By Judd Zulgad, Star Tribune, 3/18/05

Conference three-peat nets inaugural trip to NCAAs
By Pat Brown, The Cowl, 3/18/05

‘Dogs are back where they belong
By Christa Lawler, Duluth News Tribune, 3/17/05

Inaugural group set high standards for Cards
By Courtney Lewis, Press Republican, 3/17/05

Rural roots flourish
By Brian Murphy, Pioneer Press, 3/17/05

Car show drives UMD away from DECC, new home ice for playoffs
By Christa Lawler, Duluth News Tribune, 3/17/05

UW treks east for Frozen Four
By Robert Panger, Badger Herald, 3/17/05

UW skates with old foe
By Zach Kukkonen, Daily Cardinal, 3/17/05

Engstrom leading defense
By David McGrath, Badger Herald, 3/16/05

Kazmaier Award headed this way
By Jason Williams, Pioneer Press, 3/15/05

Gophers stars are finalists for women’s award
By Judd Zulgad, Star Tribune, 3/15/05

Athlete of the Week: Ali Boe
By Gabriel M. Velez, Harvard Crimson, 3/15/05

Willing, able target: Gophers confident they can hold their place atop NCAA pyramid
By Brian Murphy, Pioneer Press, 3/14/05

Gopher women prepare for first-round hockey foe
By Rachel Blount, Star Tribune, 3/14/05

Bulldogs to face St. Lawrence
By Christa Lawler, Duluth News Tribune, 3/14/05

Power Play Spurs W. Hockey’s ECAC Tourney Victory
By Jonathan Lehman, Harvard Crimson, 3/14/05

Yale Pushes W. Hockey to OT

By Jonathan Lehman, Harvard Crimson, 3/14/05

Tight Penalty Kill Proves Crucial for W. Hockey

By Gabriel M. Velez, Harvard Crimson, 3/14/05

Vaillancourt?s Pair Propels W. Hockey Into ECAC Final
By Gabriel M. Velez, Harvard Crimson, 3/14/05

This title not the end for Providence
By Barbara Matson, Boston Globe, 3/14/05

Women’s hockey: Friar sextet tops Huskies, gains first-ever NCAA berth
By Dan Hickling, Providence Journal, 3/14/05

Women’s hockey headed to program’s first NCAA tourney
By Mike Constantine, Daily Cardinal, 3/14/05

Edgar gets her own title story

By Kathy Rumleski, London Free Press, 3/14/05

Harvard Prevails In ECACHL Tournament
By David De Remer, New England Hockey Journal, 3/13/05

UW WOMEN’S HOCKEY: Like father, like son
By Andy Baggot, Wisconsin State Journal, 3/13/05

UNH loses a stunner to UConn
By Phil Kincade, Foster’s Sunday Citizen, 3/13/05

UConn tops UNH on Owens OT goal
By Barbara Matson, Boston Globe, 3/13/05

UWSP denied return trip to NCAA Frozen Four
By Nathan Wine, Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune, 3/13/05

W. hockey falls in ECAC semifinals
By Jess Notebaert, Yale Daily News, 3/13/05

UNH women face tough Uconn squad in Hockey East semi-final
By Al Pile, Foster’s Daily Democrat, 3/12/05

Rift dominates trophy talks, Women’s leagues should be united, NWHL boss says
By Lois Kalchman and Ken Campbell, Toronto Star, 3/12/05

Not good enough, eh? Thornhill’s Nicole Corriero is one of the best ? in the U.S.
By Ken Campbell, Toronto Star, 3/11/05

Panthers explode to NESCAC glory
By Tom McCann, Middlebury Campus, 3/11/05

Manitoban helps build Bulldogs
By Glen Dawkins, Winnepeg Sun, 3/11/05

W. Hockey Looks To Defend Title
By Jonathan Lethman, Harvard Crimson, 3/11/05

Clarkson a Lord Stanley to female players
By Eric Duhatschek, Globe and Mail, 3/11/05

Worth The Wait: Yale Brings The Playoffs Home
By Elliot Olshansky, CollegeSports.com, 3/10/05

Generous break readies Gophers for road to repeat
By Chris Lempesis, Minnesota Daily, 3/10/05

Madison siblings grew up skating together and are now living out their UW dreams
By Betsy Golomski, Daily Cardinal, 3/10/05

Women’s hockey gears up for berth
By Clint Robus, Daily Cardinal, 3/10/05

Goals Driven
By David De Remer, New England Hockey Journal, 3/9/05

W. hockey advances to ECAC semifinals for first time
By Jess Notebaert, Yale Daily News, 3/9/05

Top female players face off in Sarnia
By Kathy Rumleski, London Free Press, 3/9/05

Women’s hockey boycott
By Lois Kalchman, Toronto Star, 3/9/05

Hockey gear: made to odor
By Christa Lawler, Duluth News Tribune, 3/8/05

Bill Reynolds: This two-way athlete is one of a kind
By Bill Reynolds, Providence Journal, 3/8/05

Middlebury women’s hockey rolls by Polar Bears, 5-1
By Bob Conn, Times Record, 3/7/05

Harvard’s bid in good hands: Corriero has touch around net
By Barbara Matson, Boston Globe, 3/7/05

W. Hockey’s Corriero Breaks Season Goal Record
By John R. Hein, Harvard Crimson, 3/7/05

W. Hockey Sweeps Clarkson To Advance to ECAC Semis
By Jonathan Lehman, Harvard Crimson, 3/7/05

Gophers make most of overtime
By Jason Williams, Pioneer Press, 3/7/05

Finding a second wind, Bulldogs capture third place
By Christa Lawler, Duluth News Tribune, 3/7/05

Wendell scores in OT for Gophers
By Associated Press, 3/7/05

Women’s hockey: Gophers 3, Wisconsin 2 By Rachel Blount, Star Tribune, 3/7/05

Gophers recover to win WCHA
By Chris Lempesis, Minnesota Daily, 3/7/05

UW falls in dramatic WCHA finale
By Dave McGrath, Badger Herald, 3/7/05

Badgers lose thriller to Gophers
By Mike Constantine, Daily Cardinal, 3/7/05

Wisconsin shows resiliency in last-second comeback
By Robert Panger, Badger Herald, 3/7/05

Bulldogs end Tigers’ season with series sweep
By Clarke Smith, Daily Princetonian, 3/7/05

Savard leads Yale to playoffs
By Marvin Pave, Boston Globe, 3/6/05

UNH women whack BU
By Jim McKenzie, Foster’s Sunday Citizen, 3/6/05

Gophers women cruise
By Jason Williams, Pioneer Press, 3/6/05

Women’s hockey: Gophers 7, Ohio State 1
By Rachel Blount, Star Tribune, 3/6/05

Wisconsin spoils Bulldogs’ bid for WCHA tournament title with overtime win.
By Christa Lawler, Duluth News Tribune, 3/6/05

Low seeds playing tough in WCHA tourney
By Christa Lawler, Duluth News Tribune, 3/5/05

UW women’s hockey: Johnson set on winning WCHA
By the Capital Times, 3/4/05

UMD holds off upset bid by North Dakota
By Christa Lawler, Duluth News Tribune, 3/4/05

Bemidji State no trouble for Gophers
By Jason Williams, Pioneer Press, 3/4/05

WCHA women: Gophers tip Beavers 6-3
By Rachel Blount, Star Tribune, 3/4/05

Gophers rise to the occasion vs. Beavers
By Chris Lempesis, Minnesota Daily, 3/4/05

SCSU women’s hockey: Can’t beat Wisconsin? Try, try, try, try again
By Kevin Allenspach, St. Cloud Times, 3/4/05

Yale women no longer at Witt’s end
By Ben Larrison, New Haven Register, 3/4/05

Elis to host Tigers in tourney
By Jess Notebaert, Yale Daily News, 3/4/05

Tigers to New Haven for first round
By Clarke Smith, Daily Princetonian, 3/4/05

ECAC Playoffs Pit Crimson vs. Clarkson
By Jonathan Lehman, Harvard Crimson, 3/4/05

Banged-up Big Green hosts Colgate in ECACHL quarterfinals
By Tony Hao, The Dartmouth, 3/4/05

Women’s Hockey Tries on Cinderella Slipper
By Andy McPartland, 3/4/05

Quizon builds large reputation
By Bill Norris, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, 3/4/05

Have Mercy: CHA’s Lakers Shooting For NCAA Berth
By Elliot Olshansky, CollegeSports.com, 3/3/05

Crumbling Granite
By Dave De Remer, New England Hockey Journal, 3/3/05

‘Second season’ is now all-inclusive
By Christa Lawler, Duluth News Tribune, 3/3/05

Women’s hockey: Gap between WCHA haves, have nots slims
By Rachel Blount, Star Tribune, 3/3/05

Minnesota?s road to repeat begins tonight at Ridder Arena
By Chris Lempesis, Minnesota Daily, 3/3/05

Gophers’ Wacker mending

By Mike Lowe, Portland Press Herald, 3/3/05

WOMEN’S HOCKEY: New season for Sioux

By Virg Foss, Grand Forks Daily Herald, 3/3/05

Badgers seek 1st ever WCHA championship
By Dave McGrath, Badger Herald, 3/3/05

UW faces familiar foe St. Cloud State Friday
By Betsy Golomski, Daily Cardinal, 3/3/05

Women play for love of game
By Stephanie Myles, The Gazette, 3/3/05

As Season Ends, W. Hockey Looks to Next Year
By Scott Reich, Cornell Daily Sun, 3/3/05

Women’s hockey team begins play in tournament with familiar foe
By Scott King, The Lantern, 3/2/05

Canada sets team for Women’s Worlds
By Canadian Press, 3/1/05

Wendell probably won?t be back after 2006 Olympics
By Chris Lempesis, Minnesota Daily, 3/1/05

No Time for Complacency
By Jonathan Lehman, Harvard Crimson, 3/1/05

UNH women?s hockey season?s still on the brink
By Dan Hickling, Foster’s Daily Democrat, 2/28/05

Just a prelude?
By Christa Lawler, Duluth News Tribune, 2/28/05

Minnesota does the splits, for once: A loss Saturday leads to a Sunday shutout
By Chris Lempesis, Minnesota Daily, 2/28/05

Providence women hang on, edge UNH
By Barbara Matson, Boston Globe, 2/28/05

W. icers upset No. 3 Dartmouth
By Helen Luryi, Brown Daily Herald, 2/28/05

400…And Counting
By Jonathan Lehman, Harvard Crimson, 2/28/05

Ever-Stunning Corriero Nears Single-Season Goals Record
By John R. Hein, Harvard Crimson, 2/28/05

GIFT OF GAB’: Crimson Creates Living Legacy
By Gabriel M. Velez, Harvard Crimson, 2/28/05

Women’s hockey closes season with back-to-back losses
By Tony Hao, The Dartmouth, 2/28/05

Tigers find net 18 times
By Clarke Smith, Daily Princetonian, 2/28/05

Women’s Hockey Drops a Pair
By Ted Nyman, Cornell Daily Sun, 2/28/05

Friars Tie Up Cats
By Jim McKenzie, Foster’s Sunday Citizen, 2/27/05

‘Dogs win opener of 1 vs. 2 showdown
By Christa Lawler, Duluth News Tribune, 2/27/05

Huskies fall 6-3, but retain hope
By Kevin Allenspach, St. Cloud Times, 2/27/05

Ivy title heads to Harvard
By Barbara Matson, Boston Globe, 2/26/05

UMD, Gophers set to renew rivalry
By Christa Lawler, Duluth News Tribune, 2/26/05

Gophers’ Wendell enjoying last laugh
By Bob Sansevere, Pioneer Press, 2/26/05

Sain’t Going Anywhere
By Elliot Olshansky, CollegeSports.com, 2/25/05

No. 2 UMD closes out WCHA season hosting No. 1
By Christa Lawler, Duluth News Tribune, 2/25/05

WOMEN’S HOCKEY: Sioux savor Bemidji trip
By Grand Forks Herald, 2/25/05

Time is now for SCSU women
By Kevin Allenspach, St. Cloud Times, 2/25/05

Council’s NHL lockout solution
By Frances Bula, Vancouver Sun, 2/25/05

Gophers won?t ease up at Minn.-Duluth
By Chris Lempesis, Minnesota Daily, 2/25/05

Weekend a Sweeping Success For Women’s Hockey
By Andy McPartland, Colgate Maroon News, 2/25/05

Johnson?s squad prepares for embattled St. Cloud State squad
By Robert Panger, Badger Herald, 2/25/05

Women’s Hockey Hosts Clarkson
By Ted Nyman, Cornell Daily Sun, 2/25/05

Weekend yields split decision with Eagles
By Pat Brown, The Cowl, 2/24/05

W. Hockey Hopes To Squish Big Green Giant

By Jonathan Lehman, Harvard Crimson, 2/24/05

Collision Course
By Dave De Remer, New England Hockey Journal, 2/24/05

Elis top Princeton to earn home ice
By Jess Notebaert, Yale Daily News, 2/24/05

Niagara’s Riggs has had a lifelong love affair with hockey
By Amy Moritz, Buffalo News, 2/24/05

Hockey slated for season finale at St. Cloud
By Adam Raeder, Daily Cardinal, 2/24/05

W. Goalies Remain Cool in Net
By Ted Nyman, Cornell Daily Sun, 2/24/05

Hockey East losses send women further into hole
By Gayle Simone, Northeastern News, 2/23/05

For w. hockey, it all comes down to tonight

By Jess Notebaert, Yale Daily News, 2/23/05

All-female Stanley Cup idea gets shot down
By CTV.ca News Staff, 2/23/05

Since the Cup runneth nowhere …
By San Diego Union-Tribune, 2/23/05

UMD’s Top Line has the Goals to Challenge Gopher Unit
By John Gilbert, WCHA.com, 2/22/05

Golden Gopher’s Top Line is Top Story Line
By John Gilbert, WCHA.com, 2/22/05

WCHA Women’s Player Feature – Kelly Stephens
By Dominic Ladd, WCHA.com, 2/22/05

Brooks’ ideas carried on
By Rachel Blount, Star Tribune, 2/22/05

Let women play for Stanley Cup, Clarkson says
By Roy MacGregor, Globe and Mail, 2/22/05

Gophers might be ‘two good’ for Kazmaier
By Bruce Brothers, Pioneer Press, 2/22/05

Goalkeeper Horras shouldering load for UW
By Robert Panger, Badger Herald, 2/22/05

A Minnesota monopoly: Gophers? run on state?s top talent continues
By Chris Lempesis, Minnesota Daily, 2/22/05

W. Hockey Battles Saints to Draw
By Abigail M. Baird, Harvard Crimson, 2/22/05

W. Hockey Shuts Down Clarkson on Road

By Jonathan Lehman, Harvard Crimson, 2/22/05

Natural athlete Engstrom might be the best blue-liner in the NCAA
By Mike Scandura, usahockey.com, 2/22/05

Huskies upset No. 8 New Hampshire
By Daniel Reyes, UConn Daily Campus, 2/21/05

Women’s hockey Gophers 3, MSU, Mankato 0By Dean Spiros, Star Tribune, 2/21/05

Sweep gives Gophers WCHA title
By Minnesota Daily, Minnesota Daily, 2/21/05

Women’s hockey holds on against Yale and Princeton
By Tony Hao, The Dartmoth, 2/21/05

W. hockey snags win record, tops Vermont
By Jess Notebaert, Yale Daily News, 2/21/05

Women’s Icers Drop Two
By Scott Reich, Cornell Daily Sun, 2/21/05

Grand Finale for Harvard’s Nicole Corriero
By Elliot Olshansky, CollegeSports.com, 2/18/05

NHL from Mars, NWHL from Venus
By Randy Starkman, Toronto Star, 2/18/05

W. hockey goes for single-season win record

By Jess Notebaert, Yale Daily News, 2/18/05

Women’s Hockey Clinches Playoff Berth
By Andy McPartland, Colgate Maroon News, 2/18/05

Women icers fire into Bemidji State
By Sam Pepper, Daily Cardinal, 2/18/05

Wisconsin trying to stay afloat in ?Land of Lakes
By Dave McGrath, Badger Herald, 2/18/05

Women’s Icers Travel To Mercyhurst for Two Games
By Scott Reich, Cornell Daily Sun, 2/18/05

Friars drop two and return to second in conference
By Pat Brown, The Cowl, 2/17/05

Bear Necessity
By Dave De Remer, New England Hockey Journal, 2/16/05

Seventh Heaven for Harvard
By Barbara Matson, Boston Globe, 2/16/05

Harvard rules
By Steve Moore, Boston Herald, 2/16/05

Lucky Seven
By Dave De Remer, New England Hockey Journal, 2/16/05

W. Hockey Earns Beanpot Glory
By Gabriel M. Velez, Harvard Crimson, 2/16/05

Rookie Vaillancourt Returns in Nick of Time, Leads Offense
By Jonathan Lehman, Harvard Crimson, 2/16/05

Women take down Terriers in consolation game
By Gayle Simone, Northeastern News, 2/16/05

Diminutive defenseman driven by effort, peerless influences
By Mike Scandura, usahockey.com, 2/15/05

Help from the Huskies: St. Cloud State win lifts Minnesota to top of conference standings
By Chris Lempesis, Minnesota Daily, 2/15/05

Captains Lead Women’s Hockey
By Scott Reich, Cornell Daily Sun, 2/15/05

UConn picks up huge sweep
By Daniel Reyes, UConn Daily Campus, 2/14/05

Butsch’s hat trick leads Tigers
By Clarke Smith, Daily Princetonian, 2/14/05

Sweep of Sioux has team back on track
By Chris Lempesis, Minnesota Daily, 2/14/05

Johnson?s squad sweeps Buckeyes
By Robert Panger, Badger Herald, 2/14/05

Women notch emotional weekend sweep
By Max Hooker, Daily Cardinal, 2/14/05

W. Hockey Sweeps Lowly Dutchwomen
By John R. Hein, Harvard Crimson, 2/14/05

W. Hockey Falls to Ivy Foes
By Ted Nyman, Cornell Daily Sun, 2/14/05

W. hockey ties team win mark
By Jess Notebaert, Yale Daily News, 2/14/05

St. Cloud shocks Bulldogs
By Christa Lawler, Duluth News Tribune, 2/13/05

Women’s hockey: Badgers can lock up third place
By Jason McMahon, Capital Times, 2/12/05

Koizumi, Bulldogs sprint past St. Cloud State
By Christa Lawler, Duluth News Tribune, 2/12/05

No. 1 Minnesota’s Kelly Stephens a Top Player for a Reason
By Dave Starman, CollegeSports.com, 2/11/05

No. 3 women’s hockey sets sights on Frozen Four berth
By Tony Hao, The Dartmouth, 2/11/05

Women’s hockey has its hands full
By Daniel Reyes, UConn Daily Campus, 2/11/05

Bulldogs’ Tallus plays many roles
By Christa Lawler, Duluth News Tribune, 2/11/05

Badgers welcome Buckeyes
By Robert Panger, Badger Herald, 2/11/05

W. hockey tries to set win mark
By Jess Notebaert, Yale Daily News, 2/11/05

Women’s Hockey Looks For Wins
By Ted Nyman, Cornell Daily Sun, 2/11/05

St. Jacques rises to challenge
By Joshua Fox, St. Cloud University Chronicle, 2/10/05

Friars use sweep to jump to first in conference
By Pat Brown, The Cowl, 2/10/05

Schedule gives Sioux tough road in WCHA
By Dean Spiros, Star Tribune, 2/10/05

Mixing It Up, Making History with the Big Boys

By Gabriel M. Velez, Harvard Crimson, 2/10/05

Getting Defensive
By David De Remer, New England Hockey Journal, 2/10/05

Matthews Arena massacre
By Gayle Simone, Northeastern News, 2/9/05

Bishop makes goalie bones
By Jeanne O’Neil, The Republican, 2/9/05

For Harvard, a peppery Pot
By Barbara Matson, Boston Globe, 2/9/05

W. Hockey Relies on Third Line
By Jonathan Lehman, Harvard Crimson, 2/9/05

W. Hockey Sends Harvard to Beanpot Finals
By Gabriel M. Velez, Harvard Crimson, 2/9/05

McKenzie, Nichols and Ross team up to supply more than relief for top line
By Chris Lempesis, Minnesota Daily, 2/9/05

UMD’s Vasichek has found scoring touch
By Christa Lawler, Duluth News Tribune, 2/9/05

Munhofen Paces Lady Icers
By Ted Nyman, Cornell Daily Sun, 2/9/05

Fantastic Five Stun Big Green
By Jonathan Lehman Harvard Crimson, 2/8/05

Badgers aiming for NCAAs
By Dave McGrath, Badger Herald, 2/8/05

Minnesota said it experienced a major drop-off in play at St. Cloud State
By Chris Lempesis, Minnesota Daily, 2/7/05

Corriero Goes Out With a Bang?or Five
By John R. Hein, Harvard Crimson, 2/7/05

Women’s hockey rallies to beat Brown, falls to Harvard
By Tony Hao, The Dartmouth, 2/7/05

W. Hockey Upsets No. 2 Big Green
By Gabriel M. Velez, Harvard Crimson, 2/7/05

GIFT OF GAB’: Don’t Overlook Young W. Hockey
By Gabriel M. Velez, Harvard Crimson, 2/7/05

UVM Offers W. Hockey Little Resistance

By Jonathan Lehman, Harvard Crimson, 2/7/05

Tigers split weekend pair at Baker Rink
By Clarke Smith, Daily Princetonian, 2/7/05

Women icers sweep weekend, season series
By Mike Constantine, Daily Cardinal, 2/7/05

Badgers sail past visiting Mavericks
By Dave McGrath, Badger Herald, 2/7/05

W. hockey breaks out of dry spell
By Jess Notebaert, Yale Daily News, 2/7/05

Niagara Sweeps Women’s Hockey in Weekend Series
By Scott Reich, Cornell Daily Sun, 2/7/05

Ruggiero can see playing men’s game more
By Jo-Ann Barnes, Detroit Free Press, 2/6/05

Marin, Ouellette lead Bulldogs past Sioux
By Nathan Aamodt, Grand Forks Herald, 2/6/05

UND women’s hockey hopes to catch on like women’s basketball did many years ago
By Kevin Fee and Brad Scholossman, Grand Forks Herald, 2/6/05

Finishing first still part of the numbers game for UMD women
By Christa Lawler, Duluth News Tribune, 2/5/05

Women’s hockey set to host BC in Hocke East showdown
By Daniel Reyers, Daily Campus, 2/4/05

Mavs mosey in to Madison
By Dave McGrath, Badger Herald, 2/4/05

Gophers look to take care of business as they (almost) always do against Huskies
By Chris Lempesis, Minnesota Daily, 2/4/05

Pudsey skates through change
By Joshua Fox, University Chronicle, 2/4/05

Bulldogs seek home-ice fire
By Jess Notebaert, Yale Daily News, 2/4/05

Friars split wild weekend with New Hampshire
By Pat Brown, The Cowl, 2/3/05

No. 2-ranked women’s hockey looks to burn Crimson and Bears
By Dana LaMendola, The Dartmouth, 2/3/05

Hockey Falls to Colgate
By Ted Nyman, Cornell Daily Sun, 2/3/05

Home Rule
By David De Remer, New England Hockey Journal, 2/3/05

Talented senior one of five players up for award for community service work
By Doug Manners, Quinnipiac Chronicle, 2/2/05

Huskies blow lead late, settle for tie
By Gayle Simone, Northeastern News, 2/2/05

MacLeod bringing international experience to UW
By Robert Panger, Badger Herald, 2/2/05

Flurry of Shots Yields W. Hockey Win, Tie
By Karan Lodha, Harvard Crimson, 2/2/05

Tournament format called into question
By Christa Lawler, Duluth News Tribune, 2/2/05

Women’s Hockey Starts Playoff Push at Colgate
By Ted Nyman, Cornell Daily Sun, 2/2/05

Winter wonderland: Gophers fashion perfect record in first month of 2005
By Chris Lempesis, Minnesota Daily, 2/1/05

Boston University women’s recruit stars for a H.S. boys’ hockey team
By Shawn P. Roarke, usahockey.com, 2/1/05

Ruggiero’s history-making effort results in point taken
By Terrell Lester, usahockey.com, 1/31/05

Hawkins’ hat trick nets women tie
By Daniel Reyes, UConn Daily Campus, 1/31/05

SCSU takes 3 points from OSU
By Joshua Fox, St. Cloud University Chronicle, 1/31/05

UNH bounces back against Friars

By Phil Kincade, Laconia Citizen, 1/31/05

Women’s hockey: Gophers 2, Wisconsin 1
By Dean Spiros, Star Tribune, 1/31/05

Adversity-starved Gophers feast in sweep of Wisconsin
By Chris Lempesis, Minnesota Daily, 1/31/05

Newcomer chips in
By Christa Lawler, Duluth News Tribune, 1/31/05

Erratic w. hockey finds extremes
By Jess Notebaert, Yale Daily News, 1/31/05

Gaudiel saves women’s hockey
By Karl Micka-Foos, Daily Princetonian, 1/31/05

Women’s Hockey Drops Pair
By Scott Reich, Cornell Daily Sun, 1/31/05

Economy girl has sights set on collegiate hockey career
By Bill Allmann, Beaver County Times, 1/31/05

By any name, this trio is offensive
By Bob Sansevere, Pioneer Press, 1/30/05

Ouellette’s milestone sends UMD to victory
By Christa Lawler, Duluth News Tribune, 1/30/05

Women’s hockey: Numbers needn’t add up
By Dean Spiros, Star Tribune, 1/29/05

Ruggiero again proves her mettle
By Barbara Matson, Boston Globe, 1/29/05

Historic first
By Kelly Kurt, Associated Press, 1/29/05

College play re-energizes freshman
By Christa Lawler, Duluth News Tribune, 1/29/05

Wisconsin readies for border battle
By Robert Panger, Badger Herald, 1/28/05

No. 4 Badgers have added offense to big, physical defense
By Chris Lempesis, Minnesota Daily, 1/28/05

W. icers return home, look to halt three-game losing streak
By Helen Luryi, Brown Daily Herald, 1/28/05

W. hockey seeks to end slide
By Jess Notebaert, Yale Daily News, 1/28/05

Women’s Hockey Beats UVM, Can’t Stop Big Green
By Andy McPartland, Colgate Maroon News, 1/28/05

Women’s Hockey Heads North
By Scott Reich, Cornell Daily Sun, 1/28/05

RGV meets Tulsa?s Ruggiero
By Todd Mavreles, The Monitor, 1/28/05

Break On Through: Friars Shooting For NCAA Berth
By Elliot Olshanksky, CollegeSports.com, 1/27/05

Ruggiero hits ice with guys
By Gary Graves, USA Today, 1/27/05

Ruggiero, brother team up
By Joanne C. Herstner, Detroit News, 1/27/05

Title quest continues as Friars sweep Huskies
By Pat Brown, The Cowl, 1/27/05

Learning Curve
By Dave De Remer, New England Hockey Journal, 1/26/05

Botterill shakes off concussion

By Donna Spencer, Canadian Press, 1/26/05

Angela Ruggiero to lace ’em up in CHL
By Jo-Ann Barnas, Detroit Free Press, 1/26/05

Providence beats women’s hockey
By Gayle Simone, Northeastern News, 1/26/05

UMD ready to retire first number
By Christa Lawler, Duluth News Tribune, 1/26/05

This Girl Could Teach Hockey’s Big Boys A Thing Or Two
By Joe Henderson, Tampa Tribune, 1/26/05

Brother and sister to play in pro game
By Mark Zwolinksi, Toronto Star, 1/26/05


Female defenseman to skate in CHL game
By Barbara Matson, Boston Globe, 1/26/05

Schmidt Aids Women’s Hockey
By Scott Reich, Cornell Daily Sun, 1/26/05

Reinen working her way back for U, making most of recent opportunities
By Chris Lempesis, Minnesota Daily, 1/26/05

Women’s hockey shooting for playoffs
By Ashley Lamb, Iowa State Daily, 1/26/05

Aloha: Born in Hawaii, well-traveled Koizumi set to disprove many stereotypes
By Mike Scandura, usahockey.com, 1/25/05

Defenceman Angela Ruggiero to play in Central Hockey League game for Tulsa
By Canadian Press, 1/25/05

Badgers prepare for bout with Gophers
By Maria Boncyk, Badger Herald, 1/25/05

Special teams key sweep of Ohio State
By Chris Lempesis, Minnesota Daily, 1/24/05

Women’s hockey sweeps North Dakota
By Betsy Golomski, Daily Cardinal, 1/24/05

UW backups turn in strong showing in place of absent starters
By Dave McGrath, Badger Herald, 1/24/05

Badgers sweep Fighting Sioux in weekend series
By Dave McGrath, Badger Herald, 1/24/05

Women’s hockey crushes Cornell, survives Colgate scare
By Tony Hao, The Dartmouth, 1/24/05

Despite Strong Effort, Women Lose Two Road Games
By Ted Nyman, Cornell Daily Sun, 1/24/05

Rough stuff sullies Bulldogs’ win
By Christa Lawler, Duluth News Tribune, 1/23/05

Ruggiero to play in men’s hockey game
By Associated Press, 1/22/05

Ukrainian ice dreams
By Barbara Matson, Boston Globe, 1/21/05

Unsung defense is focus starting tonight versus Ohio State
By Aaron Blake, Minnesota Daily, 1/21/05

Koizumi now center of attention for Bulldogs
By Christa Lawler, Duluth News Tribune, 1/21/05

Badgers set for WCHA foe Fighting Sioux
By Dave McGrath, Badger Herald, 1/21/05

Newcomer Molly Doyle Making Big Impact on Women’s Hockey Team
By Josh Winter, Gustavus Sports Infomation Office, 1/20/05

CHL’s Tulsa Oilers sign female star
NHL.com, 1/20/05

PC women’s hockey hopes history repeats itself
By Pat Brown, The Cowl, 1/20/05

Women’s Hockey Compiles 0-3-2 Record Over Break
By Scott Reich, Cornell Daily Sun, 1/20/05

UW seeks UND season sweep
By Laura Ferguson, Daily Cardinal, 1/19/05

Women’s hockey ends 9-game losing streak
By Gayle Simone, Northeastern News, 1/19/05

Showing Progress
By David De Remer, New England Hockey Journal, 1/19/05

UW?s Monteleone lightening mood, bringing personality to team
By Robert Panger, Badger Herald, 1/19/05

UMD back on familiar ground: atop WCHA
By Christa Lawler, Duluth News Tribune, 1/19/05

URI will be more like RI if it adopts hockey
By John Gillooly, Providence Journal, 1/19/05

See You In March: Wisconsin Ready To Chase Title
By Elliot Olshansky, CollegeSports.com, 1/18/05

Struggling w. hockey drops two to OSU
By Jess Notebaert, Yale Daily News, 1/18/05

Top Defence Player in the WORLD signed into the NWHL
NWHL, 1/17/05

Early lead slips away in overtime defeat
By Robert Panger, Badger Herald, 1/17/05

UNH women salvage tie with Maine
By Phil Kincade, Foster’s Daily Democrat, 1/16/05

Madison miracle
By Christa Lawler, Duluth News Tribune, 1/16/05

Twin sisters lead Sioux
By Brad Scholossman, Grand Forks Herald, 1/16/05

Merger of Gopher athetic department has been success for women
By Michael Rand, Star Tribune, 1/16/05

Wildcats nip Black Bears
By Phil Kincade, Foster’s Daily Democrat, 1/15/05

Fast forward: Wildcats? Hekle hitting the high notes
By Phil Kincade, Foster’s Daily Democrat, 1/15/05

Badgers shut out Bulldogs
By Christa Lawler, Duluth News Tribune, 1/15/05

The closer (the score), the better (the Bulldogs)
By Christa Lawler, Duluth News Tribune, 1/14/05

W. hockey plays Buckeyes for first time in six years
By Jess Notebaert, Yale Daily News, 1/14/05

Sioux looking for road sweep
Grand Forks Herald, 1/14/05

Turning Up the Heat
By David De Remer, New England Hockey Journal, 1/12/05

Salyards moves into new role in goal
By Christa Lawler, Duluth News Tribune, 1/12/05

Wildcats get back to business against Colgate
By Phli Kincade, Foster’s Daily Democrat, 1/12/05

Women’s Hockey Rips No. 11 Brown, 4-0
By Jonathan Lehman, Harvard Crimson, 1/12/05

Vaillancourt continues impressive rookie campaign with a goal and an assist
By Gabriel M. Velez, Harvard Crimson, 1/12/05

Witt guides Elis’ rise to the top of the conference
By Amanda Ruggeri, Yale Daily News, 1/12/05

Winter Hawks’ team member is nation’s No. 1 goalie
By Jodie Wagner, Palm Beach Post, 1/12/05

Wizards’ Silva learned goaltending the old-fashioned way
By Mike Scandura, usahockey.com, 1/11/05

W. Hockey Sweeps Weekend Pair
By Abigail M. Baird, Harvard Crimson, 1/10/05

Women’s hockey draws split on N.Y. road trip
By Jeff Bernstein, Daily Princetonian, 1/10/05

W. hockey starts 2005 with slump
By Jess Notebaert, Yale Daily News, 1/10/05

Sophomore goalie provides the spark for a hot women’s hockey team
By Jenn Menendez, Portland Press Herald, 1/10/05

UNH women suffer a tie with BC

By Phil Kincade, Foster’s Sunday Citizen, 1/9/05

Women’s hockey continues to dominate competition
By Tony Hao, The Dartmouth, 1/7/05

Incoming goalie has school ties
By Christa Lawler, Duluth News Tribune, 1/7/05

Sioux end holiday break
Grand Forks Herald, 1/7/05

Women’s hockey continues to dominate competition
By Tony Hao, The Dartmouth, 1/7/05

Wildcats fall to No. 2 Dartmouth
By Phil Kincade, Fosters Daily Democrat, 1/6/04

Keady Keeps Them Going
By David De Remer, New England Hockey Journal, 1/5/04

Wildcats get key win over Bulldogs
By Phil Kincade, Fosters Daily Democrat, 1/3/04

Princeton foils Wildcats, 1-1

By Al Pike, Fosters Sunday Citizen, 1/2/04

Losing games, not patience
By Jon Paul Morosi, Albany Times Union, 12/31/04

This party is invitation only
By Barbara Matson, Boston Globe, 12/31/04

Gettings attains goal as Bears’ netminderBy Larry Mahoney, Bangor Daily News, 12/31/04

Witt’s youthful age serves her well
By Joy Russo, ESPN.com, 12/31/04

Bielawski provides a spark for Northeastern
By Marvin Pave, Boston Globe, 12/30/04

Young Tigers Earn Their Stripes
By Elliot Olshansky, CollegeSports.com, 12/29/04

Representing New England
With Pride
By David De Remer, New England Hockey Journal, 12/29/04

Spillane’s taking her best shot at BC
By Marvin Pave, Boston Globe, 12/23/04

Goalie is no flake
By Dick Baker, The Republican, 12/22/04

Trying to Rise in Hockey East
By David De Remer, New England Hockey Journal, 12/22/04

Dartmouth’s Piper Knows Plenty Of ‘Tunes’
By Elliot Olshansky, CollegeSports.com, 12/21/04

Minnesota’s Ross Makes Herself At Home
By Elliot Olshansky, CollegeSports.com, 12/16/04

Six Contending Teams Hit Midway Point
By David De Remer, New England Hockey Journal, 12/16/04

Bulldogs mastering the strong finishing
By Christa Lawler, Duluth News Tribune, 12/13/04

Gophers taste defeat, spit it back out
By Bridget Haeg, Minnesota Daily, 12/13/04

W. Hockey Ends 2004 With Loss
By Gabriel M. Velez, Harvard Crimson, 12/13/04

Chasing a golden dream
By Chris Stevenson, Ottawa Sun, 12/13/04

Dartmouth Halts Minnesota’s Streak
By Greg Fennell, Valley News, 12/12/04

UNH women stonewall Harvard
By Phil Kincade, Foster’s Sunday Citizen, 12/12/04

Bulldogs take some hits in win
By Christa Lawler, Duluth News Tribune, 12/12/04

Washington’s Stephens finds home at U
By Chris Matt, Pioneer Press, 12/11/04

Second line gives Bulldogs a spark
By Christa Lawler, Duluth News Tribune, 12/11/04

No. 1 Gophers travel to No. 2 Dartmouth
By Bridget Haeg, Minnesota Daily, 12/10/04

No. 1 will meet No. 2 in women’s hockey
By Dean Spiros, Star Tribune, 12/10/04

Johnson, UW hit road for Mankato
By Dave McGrath, Badger Herald, 12/10/04

Cornell’s Davidson Goes For Gold Medal, Big Red Success
By Elliot Olshanksy, CollegeSports.com, 12/9/04

Sharon Cole stepping out of shadows for Wisconsin
By Robert Panger, Badger Herald, 12/9/04

Duggan, Symington seeing Yale come of age
By Chip Malafronte, Register Staff, 12/9/04

Women’s Hockey Engineers Late Comeback
By Jonathan Lehman, Harvard Crimson, 12/9/04

She’s keeping her head up
By Doug Hastings, Arlington Advocate, 12/9/04

Polar Bears make it look so easy
By Steve Mistler, Portland Press Herald, 12/9/04

Harvard, Dartmouth Trying to Keep Up with West’s Best
By David De Remer, New England Hockey Journal, 12/8/04

Brown’s Link doesn’t play to her size
By Mike Scandura, usahockey.com, 12/8/04

Bulldogs fall in Merci-less rout

By Jess Notebaert, Yale Daily News, 12/8/04

UMD survives tough stretch
By Christa Lawler, Duluth News Tribune, 12/8/04

With family watching, Miller flourishes in rookie season
By Bridget Haeg, Minnesota Daily, 12/7/04

Opinions differ on physical play in women’s hockey
By Dean Spiros, Star Tribune, 12/7/04

Kearns makes history with scholarship
By Chuck Smith, Delco Times, 12/7/04

Testing their mettle
By Barbara Matson, Boston Globe, 12/6/04

UMD sweeps Harvard with OT win
By Dan Hickling, Duluth News Tribune, 12/6/04

OT Loss Concludes Tough Weekend For W. Hockey
By Jonathan Lehman, Harvard Crimson, 12/6/04

Duluth Takes Round 1 From Crimson
By Jonathan Lehman, Harvard Crimson, 12/6/04

Goalie Update Key to Bulldogs’ Success
By Gabriel M. Velez, Harvard Crimson, 12/6/04

W. Hockey Searching For Answers
By John R. Hein, Harvard Crimson, 12/6/04

Tie with top-ranked Gophers boosts Badgers’ confidence
By Cary Dohman, Capital Times, 12/6/04

Horras, UW earn tie
By Matt Queen, Wisconsin State Journal, 12/6/04

Women?s hockey team earns tie against No. 1 Minnesota
By Dave McGrath, Badger Herald, 12/6/04

Gophers take three from Badgers
By Bridget Haeg, Minnesota Daily, 12/6/04

Gaudiel anchors women’s hockey to home win, tie
By Clarke Smith, Daily Princetonian, 12/6/04

Women’s Hockey Sweeps Niagara, Edging Out a Late 4-3 Win Saturday
By Daniel Thomas, Clarkson Integrator, 12/6/04

UNH women outlast UConn
By Phil Kincade, Fosters Daily Democrat, 12/5/04

A growth sport is stunting female coaches
By Barbara Matson, Boston Globe, 12/5/04

Lehrke leads UMD past No. 5 Harvard
By Dan Hickling, Duluth News Tribune, 12/5/04

Sioux finish strong for win
By Nathan Aamodt, Grand Forks Herald, 12/5/04

Switch was no cop out
By Christa Lawler, Duluth News Tribune, 12/4/04

Minnesota heads to Madison to face upstart Badgers team
By Bridget Haeg, Minnesota Daily, 12/3/04

W. Hockey Hosts No. 3 UMD for Two-Game Set
By Abigail M. Baird, Harvard Crimson, 12/3/04

W. Hockey Controls Its Fate in UMD Duel
By John R. Hein, Harvard Crimson, 12/3/04

Lady Ice Badgers set for border battle with Gophers
By Robert Panger, Badger Herald, 12/3/04

W. hockey looks to extend streak
By Jess Notebaert, Yale Daily News, 12/3/04

Season outlook bright for women’s hockey
By Derrick Wong, Bowdon Orient, 12/3/04

No let up in schedule for women
By Dan Reyes, Daily Campus, 12/3/04

W. Hockey Hits the Road
By Scott Reich, Cornell Daily Sun, 12/3/04

W. hockey hosts Colgate, Cornell
By Clarke Smith, Daily Princetonian, 12/3/04

Green Still Spotless
By Greg Fennell, Valley News, 12/2/04

Their own ice age: The Rise of Women’s Hockey
By Bill Lankhof, Toronto Sun, 12/2/04

The girls scout: Wally Kozak leaves no stone unturned in his search for talent
By Bill Lankhof, Toronto Sun, 12/2/04

No. 4 Wisconsin Returns Home To Face No. 1 Minnesota
By Betsy Golomski, The Daily Cardinal, 12/2/04

Sioux Far, Sioux Good
By Elliot Olshanksky, CollegeSports.com, 12/1/04

Dartmouth Looking Out for No. 1
By David De Remer, New England Hockey Journal, 12/1/04

UMD women add four players to 2005-06 team
By Christa Lawler, Duluth News Tribune, 12/1/04

The web log from previous months can be found here:
October-November 2004

Huntsville Noses Bemidji In CHA Preseason Picks

USCHO Staff Report
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Three teams received first-place votes, but Alabama-Huntsville edged Bemidji State as the coaches’ choice atop the 2005-06 College Hockey America preseason poll.

The Chargers, runners-up in the CHA regular season and playoff championship last season, earned three of five possible votes (coaches could not vote for their own teams) and 22 points.

The two-time defending Peters Cup champion (regular season) and last year’s McLeod Trophy winner (tournament), Bemidji State received two first-place votes and tallied 21 points.

Wayne State received the remaining first-place vote and earned 19 points in the voting. The remainder of the poll featured Niagara with 14 points, Robert Morris (eight points) and Air Force (six points).

After posting a pair of shutouts in the CHA championship and four during the 2004-05 campaign, Bemidji State sophomore goalie Matt Climie was selected as the preseason player of the year. En route to a league-best 1.80 goals against average, Climie allowed three or fewer goals in 15 of his 18 decisions while earning CHA All-Rookie honors, followed by being named the most valuable player of the CHA championship.

Alabama-Huntsville senior Jeremy Schreiber and Niagara senior Andrew Lackner are repeat selections on the preseason team, with Schreiber earning a unanimous selection for the third year in a row.

Schreiber is a two-time first-team All-CHA honoree who ranks fifth in career scoring in the league’s annals with 65 points. Last season, he tied for the league lead among defensemen with 23 points, including 21 assists, which led all CHA blueliners.

Lackner, on the other hand, scored 12 points last season and has 33 in 109 career games. He was recognized for anchoring the Purple Eagles’ blueline with his defensive play.

The forwards are led by the league’s top goal-scorer in 2004-05, Alabama-Huntville senior Bruce Mulherin, who scored 24 in 31 games. His 0.77 goals per game were second nationally and he set a CHA record with a .199 shooting percentage.

The 2004 and 2005 CHA rookies of the year round out the forwards with Bemidji State junior Luke Erickson and Wayne State sophomore Stavros Paskaris earning preseason honors for the first time. Erickson was second in the CHA in assists (27) and tied for fifth in scoring (38) last season. He has averaged a point per game in his first two collegiate seasons, scoring 23 goals and 70 points in 70 games.

Paskaris earned league rookie of the year honors last season after leading all CHA freshmen in goals (12), assists (21) and points (33). He also tied for the league lead with five shorthanded points.

Climie was also named to the preseason team in goal heading into his sophomore season. His 1.80 goals against average was the lowest by a CHA netminder since Niagara’s Greg Gardner posted a 1.53 GAA during the 1999-2000 season, which included an NCAA-record 12 shutouts.

2005-06 CHA Coaches’ Poll

Rk Team (1st) Pts
1. Alabama-Huntsville (3) 22
2. Bemidji State (2) 21
3. Wayne State (1) 19
4. Niagara 14
5. Robert Morris 8
6. Air Force 6

Preseason All-CHA Team

Pos Name Year School
F Luke Erickson, Jr., Bemidji State
F Bruce Mulherin, Sr., Alabama-Huntsville
F Stavros Paskaris, So., Wayne State
D Jeremy Schreiber, Sr., Alabama-Huntsville
D Andrew Lackner, Sr., Niagara
G Matt Climie, So., Bemidji State

Preseason Player of the Year
Matt Climie

One Game, Many Different Objectives

By Arlan Marttila
-

Team USA took the first strides in the Hilton Family Skate to 2006 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul against a team of WCHA All-Stars. The objectives heading into the game and the reactions after the USA’s 5-1 victory varied greatly, both between the two teams and individual members.

The result left national team coach Ben Smith less than impressed.

“I’d like to see us complete a pass,” he said.

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Though the ragged play left much to be desired, Smith understood that improvement must come in “small, graduated steps”. He compared the work and adjustments necessary to prepare the team for the Olympic games in Turino, Italy to “a lot of sanding and coats of polyurethane”.

logos/conf-wc.gif

Still, Smith found some aspects of the game encouraging. Natalie Darwitz, in her first game back after sitting out the recent Four Nations Cup with an ankle injury, earned Player of the Game honors for the USA. Darwitz led the team with two goals, including the game’s first goal on her second shift . She finished off a pretty three-way passing sequence with Minnesota line mates Krissy Wendell and Kelly Stephens by redirecting Wendell’s pass behind Bemidji State sophomore Emily Brookshaw.

For her part, Brookshaw played well in stopping 17 of the 19 shots she faced in just under half of the contest. The only other puck to elude her came when Kathleen Kauth fought off a defender and slipped home the rebound of a Courtney Kennedy shot.

The WCHA All-Stars gathered as a team for the first time only two days before the game. That lack of preparation time became obvious on special teams in the second period. When the WCHA went on the power play, they struggled to get the puck out of their own end of the rink. One USA penalty-killing unit after another buzzed the WCHA net shorthanded.

Shortly after junior Riita Schaublin of Minnesota-Duluth replaced Brookshaw in net, Team USA converted three straight power play opportunities for a 5-0 lead, as Stephens, Darwitz, and Katie King tallied the goals. For the period, the WCHA was out shot 17-1.

“Between the second and third period, we set a goal that we wanted to score a goal,” said Minnesota sophomore Bobbi Ross, “and (for the third period) we wanted to shut them out.”

Wisconsin senior Sharon Cole took care of the first objective when she skated in on a partial break and picked the upper right corner on Chanda Gunn. Cole capitalized on a turnover just outside the blue line, eluded a defender, and noticed some space on Gunn’s far side.

“I looked up and saw the shot and thought, ‘I may as well go for it.'”

The WCHA also stepped up their defensive effort and succeeded in shutting out the USA in the final period by holding them to only nine shots.

For the many of the players in the game with Minnesota roots, the game served as a homecoming.

“I love playing in Minnesota and having my family and friends in the crowd,” said Cole, named Player of the Game for the WCHA.

The crowd of 5,739 reserved the loudest cheers for those members of Team USA who earned national championship rings at the University of Minnesota. Smith started all five former Gophers, and they took advantage by notching at least one point each while combining for three goals and six assists.

Though some members of Team USA have been playing together for years, they are still getting acquainted with some of their newer teammates. Players like Liz Keady and Rush Zimmerman have recently joined the top national team, trying to make an impact and ensuring a spot on the final Olympic roster. The training schedule doesn’t leave that much time for socializing.

“We’re doing two sessions a day,” Darwitz said.

Stephens said the team tries to throw in an icebreaker now and then. But overall, most of the learning centers on hockey.

“We’re focused on learning our systems,” she said.

Even as they adjust to new teammates, they enjoyed the chance to play against others with whom they recently shared a locker room.

Darwitz said, “It was fun – we’d give each other little smirks on the ice. It was good to see them.”

Hockey East Women’s Coaches Favor UNH

USCHO Staff Report
-

For the second year in a row, New Hampshire is the preseason favorite in the Hockey East coaches’ poll. The Wildcats, who have won or shared the last two regular season titles but have never won the postseason title, hope this year’s team’s NCAA aspirations will be realized with only one senior graduated from last season’s roster.

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Three-time defending postseason champion Providence was picked second and Boston College was picked third, each for the second straight season. The Friars shared the league regular season title with UNH last season and the Eagles placed fourth in the conference.

Connecticut, last season’s postseason runner-up, placed in a tie for fourth in the poll with Maine. The Huskies’ exceptional results in 2004-05 came despite the coaches picking them fifth in last season’s preseason poll. UConn graduates a number of players from the program’s inaugural class, but the team still returns the league’s Rookie of the Year Jaclyn Hawkins and All-League goalie Kaitlyn Shain. Maine placed fifth last season after being voted fourth in the preseason poll.

Rounding out the poll was Northeastern, who placed sixth in the poll for the third straight season. Only last season did that prediction come true — the Huskies placed fourth in the league two seasons ago. Vermont, who comes over from Hockey East, and new program Boston University placed seventh and eighth, respectively, to round out the poll.

Eagles Top Split Vote In Hockey East Poll

USCHO Staff Report
-

The Boston College Eagles, winners of a league-best 10 regular-season titles, are again the pick of Hockey East coaches to top the standings this season, but if a split decision among the voters is any indication, the race may be wide-open.

New Hampshire actually earned the most first-place votes (four) among the conference’s 10 coaches, and was the only one of the five teams cluttered at the top of the preseason poll that did not lose a significant underclassman from its roster. Two coaches picked the Eagles, two picked the Maine Black Bears and two went for the Boston University Terriers.

Demonstrating the wide variance in opinions, even with its two first-place votes, BU had to settle for a predicted fifth-place finish.

No coach was confident enough in the veteran-laden Massachusetts-Lowell River Hawks to pick them to finish first, but there was enough sentiment from the group to have them slotted in a tie for third with Maine. The last time the River Hawks finished as high as third was when they wound up second in 1995-96.

Fresh off a fourth-place finish in the ECACHL last year, new entry Vermont is considered strong enough to finish sixth in Hockey East this year. The poll rounds out with Massachusetts in seventh, Providence in eighth, a new-look Northeastern team in ninth and Merrimack 10th.

The Eagles have now been picked to finish first overall six times in the last eight seasons, and have claimed three straight first-place finishes in a row.

2005-06 Hockey East Preseason Coaches’ Poll

Rk Team (1st) Pts
1. Boston College (2) 82
2. New Hampshire (4) 79
3. Maine (2) 71
3. Massachusetts-Lowell 71
5. Boston University (2) 67
6. Vermont 47
7. Massachusetts 42
8. Providence 33
9. Northeastern 30
10. Merrimack 18

ECACHL Names All-Star Team

USCHO Staff Report
-

The ECAC Hockey League has named its all-star team which will face the 2005-06 U.S. Women’s National Team on Tuesday, November 1. The game will take place at Ingalls Rink in New Haven, Conn., at 7:30 p.m.

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The game marks the third of 11 games for Team USA on The Hilton Family Skate to 2006 Tour, presented by The Hilton Family of Hotels.

The ECACHL All-Star Team will be coached by Harvard head coach Katey Stone and her assistants Claudia Asano and Michelle McAteer. The team was selected by the all-star coaching staff with input from all 11 league coaches.

Twenty-one players will represent the league with three players each from Brown, Colgate, Harvard, Princeton, St. Lawrence and Yale. Cornell, Dartmouth and Quinnipiac have one player each.

Tickets are available through the Yale Athletics Ticket Office. Call 203-432-1400 for more information.

Team Roster

Hayley Moore, So., F, Brown, Wakefield, Mass.
Becky Irvine, Sr., F, Colgate, Lakeview, N.S.
Allison Paiano, Sr., F, Colgate, Orleans, Ont.
Jennifer Munhofen, Sr., F, Cornell, Alpharetta, Ga.
Tiffany Hagge, Sr., F, Dartmouth, Coon Rapids, Mich.
Katie Johnston, Jr., F, Harvard, Sudbury, Ont.
Jennifer Sifers, Jr., F, Harvard, Stratford, Conn.
Kim Pearce, Jr., F, Princeton, Ottawa, Ont.
Sabrina Harbec, So., F, St. Lawrence, St. Hubert, Que.
Emilie Berlinquette, Sr., F, St. Lawrence, Ottawa, Ont.
Kristin Savard, Jr., F, Yale, Framingham, Mass.
Deena Caplette, Sr., F, Yale, Winnipeg, Man.
Ashlee Drover, Sr., D, Brown, Bay Roberts, Nfld.
Myria Heihuis, Sr., D, Brown, Chatham, Ont.
Tara French, Jr., D, Colgate, Truro, N.S.
Dina McCumber, Jr., D, Princeton, North Tonawanda, N.
Karrah Stephen, So., D, Quinnipiac, Edmonton, Alb.
Annie Guay, So., D, St. Lawrence, Rouyn-Noranda, Que.
Ali Boe, Sr., G, Harvard, Edina, Minn.
Roxanne Gaudiel, Sr., G, Princeton, Venice, Fla.
Sarah Love, Sr., G, Yale, Bayfield, Ont.

Lakers, Crusaders Co-Faves In Atlantic Hockey

By
-

Mercyhurst and Holy Cross have been tabbed the preseason favorites in Atlantic Hockey, according to the preseason coaches’ poll released Wednesday at the league’s annual media day.

The Lakers and the Crusaders received 59 points apiece, with Mercyhurst obtaining four first-place votes to Holy Cross’ three.

Sacred Heart, which led the Atlantic Hockey standings for much of the season a year ago before falling in the final weeks, was chosen third with 49 points and collected the final first-place vote. Rounding out the top five were Canisius (40 points) and Connecticut (29 points).

Bentley (23 points), Army (18 points) and American International (11 points) were picked for positions six through eight, respectively.

Mercyhurst began last year’s playoff as the third seed and won its first-ever Atlantic Hockey tournament crown, having twice captured the title as a member of the MAAC. The Lakers nearly upset top-seeded Boston College in the first round of the NCAA tournament last March, dropping a 5-4 decision.

Holy Cross, the 2004 Atlantic Hockey tournament champion, will host the semifinals and finals of the 2006 tournament at the Hart Center with the semifinals on Friday, March 17 and the finals set for Saturday, March 18. The quarterfinal round will be Saturday, March 11 at the site of the highest seed.

Mercyhurst kicks off the 2005-06 season with a nonconference weekend series against the Michigan Tech Huskies starting on Friday, October 7. The Atlantic Hockey slate will kick off Friday, October 28 with three games on tap. Army will travel to Holy Cross, Canisius will battle Sacred Heart and Connecticut will take on Mercyhurst.

Caught In The Controversy

By Patrick C. Miller
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Before committing to attend the University of North Dakota, T.J. Oshie knew almost nothing about the 30-plus year controversy surrounding the school’s use of the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo.

But as a result of the NCAA policy issued in August that penalized UND and 14 other schools for using American Indian nicknames, mascots and imagery that it considers “hostile and abusive,” Oshie and his father, Tim, find themselves unexpectedly embroiled in the issue.

T.J. (in a Warroad Warriors shirt) and father Tim Oshie (photo: Patrick C. Miller).

T.J. (in a Warroad Warriors shirt) and father Tim Oshie (photo: Patrick C. Miller).

Tim Oshie is five-eighths Ojibwe (Chippewa) and T.J., a freshman forward for UND, is just over a quarter Ojibwe. As with many current and former UND athletes, T.J. would like to see UND continue the tradition of using its current nickname. And that’s about all he’ll say on the subject.

However, the situation is different for his father, whose family roots run deep with the Ojibwe tribe in the Warroad, Minn., area. The Oshies and their relatives also have a long tradition of playing hockey for the local high school team, the Warroad Warriors.

“I’ve thought about this issue a lot because I work for the Indian Education Department of the Warroad School District,” Tim Oshie said. “I’m proud of the fact that my son is a member of the Fighting Sioux family and, academically, part of the University of North Dakota.”

Because Warroad High School uses an Indian-related nickname and a logo that depicts an Native American warrior, it’s no stranger to the controversy surrounding the practice of athletic teams using these names and images. But to Oshie, the issue serves to trivialize and hide the real problems of American Indians.

“I’m Native American, and I work in the trenches with Native American kids,” he said. “There’s a lack of dedication to the education process for the kids that live on the reservations. Another problem is alcoholism, which leads to the demise of the family. Those are the issues that are very pertinent to me that I would rather help pursue than worrying about a mascot’s name.”

In 2001, the Minnesota Indian Education Association passed a resolution against UND’s use of the Fighting Sioux nickname and logo.

“It’s kind of hard for me because that’s who I work for,” Oshie said. “I’m pretty torn on the whole issue. But I think the bottom line in my heart is that the University of North Dakota is helping Native American students by getting them into the medical field and getting more Native Americans involved in college.”

As one of the first members of his family to attend college, Oshie is a strong believer in the power of education for American Indian children.

“We need to focus more of our time and our efforts on these kids to keep them in school and get them on the path to success,” he said. “Our kids need to be educated. When I ask many students about their aspirations in life, they say, ‘I want to work in the casino and have four or five kids by the time I’m 20.’ It’s unbelievable. There’s no vision of going away to school to better yourself. We need to stop these generational deficiencies.

“Those are the issues that should be looked at rather than taking away something that T.J.’s so proud of, that his teammates are proud of and a guy like Ginny (Gordon) Christian, who played back at UND with Ralph Engelstad, are proud of.”

Oshie thinks the NCAA’s policy goes too far and unfairly labels UND. “In my mind, I feel the words ‘hostile and abusive’ are very serious accusations,” he said.

Perhaps what bothers him most about the American Indian name and mascot issue is that it creates divisiveness between races.

“My father taught me as a little boy and as a man that you have to have compassion in your heart and you have to forgive,” Oshie said. “You’ve got to get along with each other. You have to coexist. We’re all God’s children.

“I wish more people had the vision that he had. That’s not saying that you can’t be passionate about what you believe in, but you have to have forgiveness, you have to belong.”

North Dakota Appeal Denied By NCAA

USCHO Staff Report
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Statement by NCAA Senior Vice-President for Governance and Membership Bernard Franklin on University of North Dakota Review:

“The NCAA staff review committee has retained the University of North Dakota on the list of colleges and universities subject to restrictions on the use of Native American mascots, names and imagery at NCAA championships.

“In its review of the particular circumstances regarding the University of North Dakota, the NCAA staff review committee noted the university did not have the support of the three federally recognized Sioux tribes of North Dakota. One primary, but not exclusive, consideration in the review process is documentation that a ‘namesake’ tribe has formally approved of the use of the mascot, name and imagery by the institution.

“Information the NCAA received from the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and the Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux Tribe clearly indicates both tribes oppose the university’s use of the “Fighting Sioux” nickname and imagery. Several requests made by the NCAA to the Spirit Lake Tribe for clarification on its position went unanswered. Additionally, the Board of Directors of the United Tribes of North Dakota, with representatives of the five federally recognized tribes with a presence in the state, including the three Sioux tribes, unanimously passed a resolution supporting the NCAA decision to ban the use of Native American mascots, nicknames and imagery at NCAA championships.

“Although the University of North Dakota maintained that its logo and nickname are used with consummate respect, the position of the namesake tribes and those affected by the hostile or abusive environment that the nickname and logo create take precedence. The decision of a namesake sovereign tribe, regarding when and how its name and imagery can be used, must be respected even when others may not agree.

“However, the university will be allowed to host the Men’s Division I Ice Hockey Championship, West regional, on March 24-25, 2006 at Ralph Engelstad Arena without altering its current contract. This decision was made because it is not reasonable to cover up or remove all of the Native American imagery in the arena, and the restriction was adopted by the Executive Committee after the contract was awarded to the university. The University of North Dakota will be restricted from hosting future championships in that arena.

“The NCAA position on the use of Native American mascots, names and imagery has not changed, and the NCAA remains committed to ensuring an atmosphere of respect and sensitivity for all who participate in and attend our championships.

“The University of North Dakota can file an appeal with the NCAA Executive Committee. This appeal must be submitted in writing. Requests for reviews from other institutions will be handled on a case-by-case basis.”

WCHA All-Stars Ready to Face U.S. Women’s National Team

USCHO Staff Report
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In the final weekend before the start of the college season, an All-Star team of WCHA Players will face the 2005-06 U.S. Women’s National Team in a two-game series to lead off the Hilton Family Skate to 2006 Tour. The pre-Olympic tour begins Friday Sept. 30 at the XCel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minn. and continues Oct. 1 at the DECC in Duluth, Minn. Both games begin at 7 p.m. CT, and the first game will be televised on CSTV.

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Mark Johnson, the 1980 Olympic gold medalist and Wisconsin head coach, will lead the WCHA All-Stars. He will be assisted by by Minnesota state assistant Ruthann Kragh and St. Cloud assistant Jeff Giesen. The team was selected by the all-star team coaching staff with input from all eight league coaches.

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Twenty players representing all eight teams have been selected for the all-star team. Four players from Wisconsin and three players from both Minnesota and Minnesota Duluth make up the team along with two players each from Bemidji State, Minnesota State, North Dakota and Ohio State.

The U.S. Women’s National Team roster includes eight players with WCHA ties. Minnesota Duluth’s Jenny Potter, a two-time Olympian, and is joined by Minnesota State’s Shari Vogt, who is making her first apperance on the U.S. National Team while Minnesota’s Krissy Wendell, Natalie Darwitz, and Courtney Kennedy were members of the 2002 U.S. Olympic team. Minnesota’s Kelly Stephens and Winny Brodt and Wisconsin’s Molly Engstrom round out the WCHA’s representatives.

The Hilton Family Skate to 2006 Tour includes 11 games in 10 cities as the U.S. Women’s National Team prepares for the 2006 Olympic Winter Games in Torino, Italy. During the Tour,the team will face collegiate all-star teams from the ECACHL and Hockey East.

Tickets to the opening game of the Hilton Family Skate to 2006 Tour on Friday, Sept. 30 at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul are available through ticketmaster by calling 612/989-5151, visiting www.ticketmaster.com and at the Xcel Energy Center box office. For group rates, call 651/312-3486. For Saturday’s game in Duluth, tickets are available at the DECC box office, www.ticketmaster.com, ticketmaster charge-by-phone, 612/989-5151, or at any local Younkers store. Prices are $10 for adults and $5 for youth at the Xcel Center and $13 for adults and $11 for youth at the DECC.

2005 WCHA All-Star Team Roster

Emily Brookshaw, So., G, Bemidji State
Riitta Schaublin, Jr., G, Minnesota Duluth
Ashely Albrecht, Sr., D, Minnesota
Chelsey Brodt, Sr., D, Minnesota
Rachel Drazan, So., D, Minnesota Duluth
Amber Bowman, Jr., D, Ohio State
Kelly Stewart, Sr., D, St. Cloud State
Bobbi Jo Slusar, Jr., D, Wisconsin
Tara Hiscock, So., F, Bemidji State
Bobbi Ross, So., F, Minnesota
Jessica Koizumi, So., F, Minnesota Duluth
Kristina Bunker, So., F, Minnesota State
Amanda Stohr, So., F, Minnesota State
Cami Wooster, So., F, North Dakota
Cara Wooster, So., F, North Dakota
Jana Harrigan, Sr., F, Ohio State
Ashley Stewart, Sr., F, St. Cloud State
Sara Bauer, Jr., F, Wisconsin
Sharon Cole, Sr., F, Wisconsin

Making All The Right Moves

By Patrick C. Miller
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If Hollywood made a movie about T.J. Oshie’s hockey career, would anyone believe it?

Three years ago, the 18-year-old North Dakota freshman was a West Coast kid hoping to follow in the footsteps of his relatives who played for the storied Warriors high school hockey team in Warroad, Minn.

oshie

oshie

Today, the 5-11, 185-pound forward is a 2005 first-round draft pick of the NHL St. Louis Blues and one of the primary reasons why UND’s class of incoming freshmen is considered one of the best in college hockey. Fighting Sioux defensemen Brian Lee (Ottawa Senators) and Joe Finley (Washington Capitals) were also first-round picks in the 2005 NHL draft.

Former Sioux player Cary Eades, now UND’s assistant coach, was the head coach at Warroad when Oshie and his father Tim moved from the Seattle area to Minnesota in 2002 with the goal of making T.J. a better hockey player.

“When he first arrived, he hadn’t skated a lot. He was more of a roller hockey player with good stick- and puck-handling skills,” said Eades. “I remember watching him the first two weeks of practice and wondering whether or not he’d make our varsity.”

When he steps on to the ice at Ralph Engelstad Arena Oct. 2 for UND’s season-opening exhibition game against Manitoba, Oshie will begin another chapter in his career, one that he hopes will prepare him to move from the ranks of college amateurs to NHL professionals.

“It’s so much easier to get bigger and stronger here and become a better hockey player,” Oshie said of his decision to attend UND. “There’s such a great atmosphere. In a way, it’s like pro hockey because we get a good amount of fans.”

The remarkable aspect of Oshie’s rise from relative obscurity into the ranks of the nation’s elite young hockey players is his role in engineering it beginning at age 10. To understand how that happened, it helps to understand his family’s heritage and background.

Tim Oshie’s family is Ojibwe (Chippewa) and from a tribe with roots in the Warroad area. His parents were born and raised in Warroad. As a baby, Tim lived in the town for a short time before his family moved to Anoka, Minn. When he was in eighth grade, his family moved to Everett, Wash., near Seattle. There, he attended college, played basketball, got married, started a family and ran a successful business as a sports promoter.

T.J. grew up listening to stories about the Oshies and their relatives who were among the hockey legends of the Warroad Warriors. Tim’s father Buster, his stepfather Richard and his uncle Max starred for Warroad. His cousins Henry Boucha and Gary Sargent played there and went on to careers in the NHL. T.J.’s grandfather told his grandchildren about Ojibwe culture and entertained them with traditional Ojibwe songs and drumming.

In the winter of 1995, Tim Oshie and his family spent a week in Warroad while attending his grandmother’s funeral. They stayed with Boucha, who played hockey for Warroad before going on to play with the U.S. National Team and the 1972 silver medal-winning U.S. Olympic team. Between 1971 and 1977, the teams he played for in the NHL included the Detroit Red Wings, the Minnesota North Stars and the Colorado Rockies.

eades

eades

It didn’t take long for young T.J. to see the advantages that a town like Warroad offered a budding hockey player. Boucha remembers Tim and Tina Oshie arriving with their three children late at night after a long train trip from Washington. They checked out the skating rink in Boucha’s back yard, ate and went to bed around 3 or 4 in the morning.

“Tim and the boys were up on my outdoor rink before sunrise,” Boucha recalled. “It was about 30 below and we had three feet of snow. They thought it was great.”

In the Seattle area, ice time was expensive and very limited. But in Warroad, then-Warriors hockey coach Eades told the Oshies that they could skate in the high school arena for free from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“Every day from 9 to 3, T.J. dragged us to the rink and all of our family was out there skating,” Tim remembered. “I think that’s where the love of Warroad was instilled upon us. The town is so rich in tradition with all its hockey legends. Because of my family — my uncles, my father, my cousin Henry — it was very special being in that arena.”

That experience convinced T.J. that to become the hockey player he wanted to be, he needed to live in Warroad and play for the Warriors. But it wasn’t that easy. His parents had successful businesses, family and friends in Washington. Although T.J. frequently talked to his father about moving to Warroad, it wasn’t until 2002 that Tim seriously considered the idea.

As T.J. explained, “Around my second year in bantams, I didn’t really think the competition was there. I felt like I could become a lot better hockey player if I moved to Warroad — Hockeytown, USA — as opposed to Stanwood, Wash., where I was the only hockey player in my whole school.”

Tim has nothing but praise for the coaches in Washington who helped his son become the player he is today. But there was no disguising the fact that when it came to developing hockey players, Washington wasn’t Minnesota and it wasn’t Canada, either.

“My last year in Washington, we had only two bantam teams in the state tournament, and that was everyone in the whole state. Our parents were our only fans,” T.J. said.

Playing against Canadian teams just across the border made Tim realize how good his son could become under different circumstances.

“That was T.J.’s saving grace. Even though he played in Seattle, he played in a league that was in Vancouver, B.C. Some of the best players in North America are from British Columbia,” Tim said. “He would hang with these guys, even though they were bigger, stronger and faster. But it was just the fact that they had so many more resources and could skate every day that made them better.”

While in Washington to operate summer hockey camps, Boucha had the opportunity to watch T.J. play. He was impressed with what he saw.

“With T.J.’s vision on the ice and his competitiveness — even playing against kids twice his size — you could tell right then and there that he had a gift,” Boucha said. “He’s just a natural athlete and has that uncanny instinct that will help him make it in the NHL.”

In July 2002, the Oshies returned to Warroad for a two-week vacation. T.J. attended a hockey camp there and an Ojibwe powwow. Boucha arranged for a medicine man to conduct the traditional Ojibwe naming ceremony for Tim and his children, which is similar to the Christian practice of baptism.

But T.J. wasn’t an infant. He was 15 when he received his Ojibwe name of Keeway Gaboo, which means “coming home.” To Boucha it was a sign. While living in Idaho in the late ’70s, he said the Great Spirit used a golden eagle as a messenger to tell him to return home to Warroad.

“Henry told me that it was also my calling to come back home,” Tim said. “He said the Spirit that spoke to him wanted me to come back with my son. Native Americans are very spiritual in that respect.

“He really wanted both of us to come back, not only because T.J. wanted to play hockey, but also because he wanted us to be part of the rich culture and traditions of the Ojibwe that are part of our family.”

And so, a month later, Tim and T.J. moved back to Warroad with no guarantees of what the future might hold. Tim didn’t have a job until he went to work for the Minnesota Indian Education Association a few weeks after arriving in Warroad.

T.J. Oshie waits for a shift at a UND captain's practice (photos: Patrick C. Miller).

T.J. Oshie waits for a shift at a UND captain’s practice (photos: Patrick C. Miller).

T.J. was a sophomore at Warroad High School and went out for the Warriors hockey team under the watchful eye of Eades, who considered him an unknown quantity. Despite being the all-time leading scorer of the Seattle Junior Hockey Association, Eades said, “Some didn’t consider him that good of a youth hockey player.”

Nonetheless, he made the team as a fourth-line wing. When a first-line wing went down with an injury during the opening game of the season, Eades moved Oshie into the position.

“He never looked back,” Eades said. “By the end of the season, he was All-State and helped us to a state championship.”

Eades calls Oshie “a tremendous athlete” who would excel at almost any sport he chose to play. Between the increased ice time at Warroad and Oshie’s outstanding work ethic, he improved by leaps and bounds.

“Even on our mandatory day off, T.J. would find a way to get into the arena. I had to tell him to get off the ice,” Eades said. “It typifies the type of player he is. He really, truly enjoys the game, and that’s evident in his play.”

T.J. admitted that he wasn’t a good skater in Washington. “Coming out here, we skated every day for the whole season,” he said. “I got a lot of confidence in my skating, got a better stride and got a little bit faster. I think that really helped me make the jump up to the next level.”

By the time his three years at Warroad ended, Oshie captained the school to a second state championship as a senior and became the Warriors’ all-time leading scorer with 104 goals and 137 assists. All-tournament, all-conference, all-state and MVP honors followed.

After Minnesota’s high school season ended, Oshie played 11 games for the Sioux Falls (S.D.) USHL Stampede and attended the NHL Combine Camp in Toronto. Heading into the 2005 NHL draft, he was listed 43rd among North American player prospects by NHL Central Scouting.

On July 30, the day of the draft, T.J. was in Rogers, Minn., attending a hockey camp, Tim was in Warroad and his mother was in Washington (the couple separated in 2000 and divorced in 2002). All were following the draft over the Internet. But when St. Louis used its first-round pick to select T.J. as the 24th player overall, T.J. was on the phone with a friend and missed it.

“I jumped up when I heard Warroad High School,” Tim said. “I didn’t hear the rest. I ran outside and called T.J. right away. It was really a neat day, a magical day.”

While T.J. had no idea that he would be selected so high in the draft, Tim said, “I had an inclination that he could go in the first round from a few scouts who called me in the weeks prior to the draft. They were very impressed at his presentation at the combine camps, not only his skills, but his interviews.”

Of Oshie’s potential, Eades said, “Nobody knows what his top end is right now.”

But one thing is certain. As an NHL first-round selection, how long Oshie stays at UND before turning pro will be the subject of endless speculation. Right now, neither he nor his father is thinking about that.

“I would hope that he’d stay at UND four years and get his degree and then move on to the next part of his life,” Tim said. “But if the St. Louis Blues feel that he’s ready to make the jump, he obviously has to look at that opportunity. Right now, the focal point is on being here and doing everything he can for the university — academically and athletically.”

On a young team, Eades said UND will need consistent contributions from its 13-member freshman class. But he believes the same qualities that made Oshie an outstanding player at Warroad and attracted the attention of the NHL will serve the Sioux well.

“He’s a hound dog for hunting the puck down,” he said. “North Dakota has always been known for its great work ethic. He’ll be another in a long line of examples that lead us in that direction.”

Kroleski Named Interim Cortland Women’s Coach

USCHO Staff Report
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Jen Kroleski has been named the interim head women’s coach at Cortland following the resignation of Kim Hokanson for personal reasons. Kroleski was the assistant to Hokanson last season.

Kroleski graduated from Hamilton in 2003 and coached for one year at the National Sports Academy before coming to Cortland as an assistant last season.

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