Ryan Theros found success coaching the NAHL’s Fairbanks Ice Dogs (photo: Fairbanks Ice Dogs).
Alaska has announced the hiring of Ryan Theros as an assistant coach for the Nanooks hockey team.
Theros joins the staff after spending the past two seasons as head coach of the NAHL’s Fairbanks Ice Dogs.
“The Nanook family is excited to welcome Ryan Theros to the staff,” said Nanooks head coach Erik Largen in a statement. “Ryan is a passionate coach who specializes in player development. He’s a proven leader who knows how to build winning teams and strong character. His success with the Fairbanks Ice Dogs and deep roots in the hockey community make him a tremendous addition to our program.”
A native of Two Harbors, Minn., Theros began his coaching career in 2010 with Holy Family Catholic High School. He moved to the NA3HL in 2015, serving as GM and head coach of the Yellowstone Quake for three seasons, leading the team to a 129-23-5 record.
In 2018–19, Theros was named an assistant coach for the USHL’s Waterloo Black Hawks. He then spent two seasons with the NAHL’s Lone Star Brahmas as associate head coach and director of player personnel. After brief stops with Minnesota and a return to Yellowstone, he took over as head coach of the Ice Dogs in 2023. In two seasons behind the bench in Fairbanks, Theros compiled a 59-46 regular-season record. He guided the Ice Dogs to a 37-16 mark in 2024–25, returning the team to the Robertson Cup playoffs before falling in the division semifinals to the Anchorage Wolverines.
“I’m excited to be joining Coach Largen and the Nanooks hockey staff at the University of Alaska Fairbanks,” said Theros. “The program’s proud history, along with the team and community’s blue-collar mentality, is something I’m truly looking forward to being a part of and building upon. It’s an honor to help guide, teach, and mentor our student-athletes both on and off the ice as they pursue a top-tier education and prepare for their futures.
“I also want to thank Rob Proffitt, the Fairbanks Ice Dogs organization, and their incredible fan base. The last couple of seasons have been incredibly special, and the Ice Dogs have become like family. It’s a first-class organization, and I’m grateful to have been a part of it. I look forward to following their continued success.”
Theros played collegiately at NCAA Division III Northland from 2003 to 2006, appearing in 34 games and scoring five goals as a two-way defenseman/forward.
King’s women’s hockey has announced the addition of Jess Michals as an assistant coach.
“I am thrilled to welcome Jess Michals to our coaching staff,” said King’s head coach Quinn La Rock in a statement. “Following a distinguished playing career at the Division III level, Jess brings a wealth of experience and a relentless drive to elevate our program both on and off the ice. Her leadership and commitment to our student-athletes will be pivotal as we continue to build a competitive and cohesive team culture.”
Michals comes to King’s after a successful playing career at Endicott as a forward, appearing in 59 games with 10 points on five goals and five assists. The Gulls went 79-23-7 overall in her time in Beverly, Mass., with two conference championship titles, two NCAA Division III tournament appearances, and four conference playoff appearances.
She also served as a leader for the Gulls women’s hockey team and participated in Endicott’s chapter of The Hidden Opponent, a mental health advocacy group for student-athletes and teams.
“I am excited to join the staff for the women’s ice hockey team at King’s College and cannot wait to get started,” said Michals. “I look forward to bringing my experience of both playing and coaching to King’s women’s ice hockey. I am eager to meet the team and use my leadership skills and prior experiences to help the student-athletes on the team to grow as individuals. Additionally, I will help the student-athletes to be a part of an environment that is positive, competitive, and united.”
In addition to her playing career, Michals brings a solid resume of coaching experience with her to Monarch hockey. She currently coaches for the Boston Kraken, coaching children ages 8-14 for summer practices and tournaments. Michals also had stints with Michals Hockey Academy since July 2016 as a mentor to young athletes and while designing and leading practices with a focus on skills, teamwork, and game strategy. Additionally, she coached for Super Gulls Hockey in both 2023 and 2024 at their prospect camps, primarily as a mentor and official.
Michals was heavily involved in the campus community at Endicott as a manager for the Raymond J. Borque Ice Arena, assisting with daily operations, as a student note taker, and as a game-day staff member. A 2025 graduate with a degree in marketing, she also completed internships with Marchese Sports Therapy, Worcester Railers, and Decor and More.
With King’s, Michals will contribute to all aspects of the team’s operations, including but not limited to scouting, recruiting, practice planning, film evaluation, player development, lineup management, game management, and day-to-day operations.
Ashley Holmes has previous experience at Minnesota and Augsburg (photo: St. Olaf Athletics).
St. Olaf has announced the hiring of Ashley Holmes as an assistant coach for the women’s hockey team.
Holmes joins Johnson’s staff after spending two seasons as the director of operations for the Minnesota women’s hockey team. Prior to that, she served as an assistant coach at fellow MIAC member Augsburg for nine seasons.
“Ashley is the perfect fit for our program,” St. Olaf head coach Tracy Johnson said in a statement. “She brings incredible energy, passion for developing student-athletes, and a commitment to the values of Ole athletics. She also brings a proven track record of success in recruiting and in building programs that compete at the national level. I have no doubt that her experience, work ethic, and ability to connect with players will help take our program to the next level. We are thrilled to have her join the St. Olaf family and can’t wait to see the positive influence she will have on our student-athletes.”
At Minnesota, Holmes managed and organized all aspects of team travel, oversaw all administrative functions of the women’s hockey office, coordinated scheduling of facilities for team practices/functions, and was responsible for video operations, among other responsibilities. The Golden Gophers posted a 56-22-3 (.710) record during Holmes’ two seasons and qualified for the NCAA tournament in both seasons, including a run to the Frozen Four in 2024-25, while finishing both seasons ranked in the top five nationally.
During her nine seasons at Augsburg, Holmes helped the Auggies to a record of 123-73-24 (.614) and eight consecutive MIAC playoff appearances from 2016 to 2023. She was primarily responsible for the team’s defense and coached one two-time All-American, eight all-MIAC selections, seven honorable mention all-MIAC honorees, and one MIAC rookie of the year. Holmes recruited 52 traditional first-year and 11 transfer student-athletes over nine recruiting classes at Augsburg.
Holmes played collegiate hockey at North Dakota, skating in 138 games while earning all-WCHA academic team honors in 2011-12 and WCHA scholar-athlete award honors in 2009-10. She graduated from North Dakota with a bachelor’s degree in biology/pre-medicine and a minor in psychology in 2013 before earning a master of arts in leadership from Augsburg in 2018.
Holmes got her start in coaching as an assistant coach at Alexandria Area High School in 2013-14, helping the program to a Section 6A title and a fifth-place finish in the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) Class A state tournament.
Saint Michael’s men’s hockey coach Damian DiGiulian announced his retirement from college coaching on Friday after 13 years guiding the Purple Knights (photo: Jim Laskarzewski).
Saint Michael’s men’s hockey coach Damian DiGiulian announced his retirement from college coaching on Friday after 13 years guiding the Purple Knights.
DiGiulian departs following a 2024-25 season in which he was named Northeast-10 coach of the year after leading the Purple Knights to the league tournament title.
A national search for his successor will begin soon.
“I have always said that coaching at Saint Michael’s is the ‘sweet spot’ for any coach,” said DiGiulian in a news release. “Our players know what’s most important, they comport themselves in an amazing manner, and they truly cared about one another each year that I have been here. My decision to retire from college coaching was not an easy one, but it is the right one. Simply put, it is time to devote more of my time to watching my own children play sports and participate in their lives, rather than watch someone else’s child play on Friday and Saturday nights.”
Just the third head coach since the program was elevated to varsity status for the 1982-83 season, DiGiulian led Saint Michael’s to 130 wins since 2012-13, including a 77-47-9 NE10 mark. The Purple Knights shared NE10 regular-season titles in 2014-15 and 2016-17 while advancing to the league tournament title game on six occasions, culminating with a 5-1 victory at top-seeded Saint Anselm this past March 1.
“Not many coaches get to say they won their last game and get to leave on their own terms,” said DiGiulian. “I am doing both, and it feels like the perfect time. The team we had this past year was amazing, and the players we won with made it so much more special. They were an amazing group of young men to coach, and I had an incredible staff of women and men to work with. We have left this program in a really good place. The leadership we have, the type of people we’ve recruited, and the culture we have created is in a great position.”
“Under Damian’s leadership, the men’s ice hockey program has exemplified excellence, with student-athletes who have led with character – on the ice, in the classroom, and throughout the community,” added SMC director of athletics Matt Akins. “Reflecting on this past year, it was remarkable to see the Saint Michael’s community rally around this group, recognizing just how special they were. It has been a privilege to work alongside Damian and witness his genuine passion for developing these young men. While he will be deeply missed, his impact on the Saint Michael’s community will be lasting. I am truly happy for him as he embarks on this next chapter.”
Purple Knights who played under DiGiulian found success both on the ice and away from the rink. His student-athletes earned eight major conference athletic honors and 36 all-league accolades while landing another six dozen academic all-conference/all-academic laurels. Saint Michael’s men’s hockey players earned four NE10 scholar-athlete sport excellence awards and two NE10 Elite 24 Awards, and the squad claimed NE10 team academic excellence awards following the 2012-13, 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons.
In 2017, Danny Divis and Justin McKenzie were named the first co-winners of the prestigious Hockey Humanitarian Award. The honor, which lauds college hockey’s finest citizens, led to Divis and McKenzie being featured live on ESPN before throwing out ceremonial first pitches at Fenway Park.
DiGiulian arrived at Saint Michael’s after establishing a prep program at nearby Rice Memorial High School and coaching that team for three seasons (2009-12). He was an assistant coach at Middlebury for a pair of seasons following nine years as an assistant coach at Vermont, all told spending 24 years coaching in the college ranks at all three levels of NCAA hockey.
As he departs Saint Michael’s, DiGiulian is joining three partners to establish leadership development company The Leadership Xchange, aimed at providing leadership development, culture building, and one-on-one coaching to teams, coaches and organizations across all levels of sports and the corporate world.
The second day of the 2025 NHL Draft added 64 selections of college players or committed recruits in rounds two through seven Saturday.
That left the total for the two-day event at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles to 74, of which 14 were from Canadian Hockey League teams. This was the first draft since an NCAA rule change allowed major junior players to play college hockey.
The first college-connected player off the board Saturday was Simon Wang, a defenseman from Oshawa of the OHL who’s committed to play for Boston University next season. He was the 33rd overall pick by San Jose, the first pick of the day, and became the highest Chinese player ever selected in an NHL Draft.
There were 13 selections of college players or recruits in the second round and 13 in the seventh. It finished with center Aidan Park, a Michigan recruit from Green Bay of the USHL, with the penultimate pick by Edmonton (No. 223 overall).
Boston College’s James Hagens was the top college player selected in Friday’s NHL Draft in Los Angeles (Photo: Boston Bruins/x.com)
Boston College’s James Hagens was selected seventh overall by the Boston Bruins, making him the first player with collegiate ties chosen on Friday at the 2025 NHL Draft in Los Angeles.
Ten players linked to college hockey heard their names called from the Peacock Theater stage during Friday’s opening round. The Big Ten led the way with five selections, followed by Hockey East with three and the NCHC with two.
Hagens entered Friday the third-ranked North American-born skater by NHL Central Scouting. As a rookie at Boston College, Hagens averaged a point per game, tallying 11 goals and 26 assists in 37 games in helping the Eagles advance to the NCAA regional finals. He was a member of the United States gold medal-winning World Junior team last winter, scoring five goals and nine points.
Hagens was originally ranked as the top overall North American-born skater in the draft’s preliminary rankings, but fell two spots to third when final rankings were released.
During Friday’s draft, Hagens was interviewed on set by ESPN, during which he said that he is focused on increasing his goal scoring.
“My first two strides off the puck, my explosive speed, that’s what I want to work on this year,” Hagens also told ESPN’s John Buccigross.
Buccigross asked Hagens if he intends to return to Boston College next season. “It’s a talk you have to have with the team,” Hagens said. “I’ll have it in the next couple of days.”
The 2025 NHL Draft is the first since ground-breaking NCAA legislation that allows for Canadian Hockey League players, known to most as Major Juniors, to play college hockey. Defenseman Jackson Smith from Tri-City in the WHL was selected 14th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets. He is committed to play for Penn State this fall.
Center Cole Reschny of Victoria (WHL), a freshman commit to North Dakota, went to Calgary with the 18th overall pick. Reschny registered 92 points, including 26 goals in 62 games for the Royals.
The late first round produced a flurry of college hockey players being drafted. Wisconsin defenseman Logan Hensler went to Ottawa with the 23rd selection. That was followed a pick later when Pittsburgh traded with host Los Angeles, moving up from 31 to 24 where it selected Michigan center William Horcoff.
With the 25th selection, Chicago picked Massachusetts commit Vaclav Nestrasil. He played last season for Muskegon, making him the first USHL selection.
Michigan State freshman-to-be Ryker Lee was taken 26th by Nashville. Last season, he scored 31 goals in 58 games for Madison (USHL).
Two picks later, Boston University defenseman Sascha Boumedienne was selected 28th overall by Winnipeg. A season ago, Boumedienne was the youngest player in college hockey. At No. 29, Chicago traded up to take Mason West (Edina HS), a 2026 Michigan State commit.
While the official total number of players with college ties is 10, that number needs an asterisk as CHL players change the recruiting landscape. An example: Justin Carbonneau, who played this season for Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL), is rumored to be headed to Boston College but has not committed. He was selected 19th overall by St. Louis, and he and any other CHL players remain eligible to play college hockey next season provided they are accepted and enrolled at an NCAA institution when the semester begins.
Arizona State center Cullen Porter was the final selection of round one, heading to the Calgary Flames.
Defenseman Matthew Schaefer of the Erie Otters (OHL) was the first player selected overall by the New York Islanders.
The NHL Draft will continue on Saturday at noon ET (TV: NHL Network, SportsNet, TVA Sports).
Greg Brown (Boston College), Steve Miller (Minnesota), and Garrett Raboin (Augustana) have been named assistant coaches for the 2026 U.S. National Junior Team.
In addition, David Lassonde (USA Hockey) was tabbed goaltending coach and Jacob LeRoy (Minnesota) and Travis Winter (Bemidji State) were named video coaches.
The group will work with Bob Motzko (Minnesota) who has previously been named head coach of the 2026 U.S. National Junior Team.
The U.S. enters the 2026 IIHF World Junior Championship – which will be played in Saint Paul and Minneapolis, Minn., from Dec. 26, 2025 – Jan. 5, 2026 — having won gold in the previous two World Juniors.
GREG BROWN
ABOUT BROWN
Greg Brown, a two-time Olympian as a player and the current head men’s hockey coach at Boston College, will serve as an assistant coach for the U.S. National Junior Team for the fourth time.
Brown has helped guide two U.S. National Junior Teams to medals, including gold in 2017 and bronze in 2018. He was also part of the staff of the 2014 squad that finished in fifth place.
A native of Scituate, Mass., Brown has served as head coach at BC the past three seasons, guiding the Eagle to two NCAA tournament appearances, including a spot in the 2024 national title game. The 2024 Spencer Penrose Award recipient as the top coach in NCAA Division I men’s ice hockey led Boston College to both the 2024 Hockey East regular-season and tournament championships.
Brown spent 14 seasons behind the bench for the Eagles from 2004-18 as part of former head coach Jerry York’s staff, helping BC earn national championships in 2008, 2010, and 2012. After eight seasons as an assistant coach, he was elevated to associate head coach following the 2012 NCAA title.
Brown’s coaching career has also included one season (2021-22) as bench boss of the USHL’s Dubuque Fighting Saints and three campaigns (2018-21) as an assistant coach of the NHL’s New York Rangers.
Brown played collegiately at Boston College and went on to compete professionally for 13 seasons, including four campaigns in the NHL. He represented the United States at both the 1988 and 1992 Olympic Winter Games and also played on two U.S. National Junior Teams and three times was a part of the U.S. Men’s National Team at the world championship.
STEVE MILLER
ABOUT MILLER
Steve Miller, associate head coach of the Minnesota men’s hockey team, has influenced significant success both at the collegiate level and on the world stage during his time behind the bench over parts of the last five decades.
Miller has served as an assistant coach for eight previous U.S. National Junior Teams, with six medals to his credit, including gold four times (2025, 2024, 2021, 2017), silver in 2019 and bronze in 2018.
Over his more than 35-year coaching career, which began at Saint Mary’s in 1988-89, and has included stops at Miami, Denver, Providence, Air Force, Ohio State and Minnesota, Miller has three NCAA national titles to his credit, along with numerous conference regular-season and post-season championships, and NCAA tournament appearances.
The Sun Prairie, Wis., native – who was honored with the AHCA Terry Flanagan Award in 2009 recognizing an assistant coach’s career body of work — has coached or recruited more than 25 players who are currently playing in the NHL.
GARRETT RABOIN
ABOUT RABOIN
Garrett Raboin will enter his third season as the head men’s hockey coach at Augustana in 2025-26. He will serve as an assistant coach of the U.S. National Junior Team for the third straight year.
Prior to arriving at Augustana, Raboin spent four seasons as an assistant men’s hockey coach at Minnesota, highlighted by helping the Gophers to the NCAA Frozen Four in 2023. During his time with at Minnesota, the Gophers won the Big Ten championship in 2022, and made three NCAA tournament appearances (2021, 2022, 2023).
Prior to joining the Gophers, Raboin spent six seasons as an assistant men’s hockey coach at his alma mater, St. Cloud State, and helped guide the Huskies to five trips to the NCAA tournament, including a spot in the 2013 Frozen Four, along with three NCHC regular-season championships.
As a player, Raboin was a two-time All-WCHA selection and led St. Cloud State to three NCAA tournament berths. He went on to play professionally in Europe for two seasons.
DAVID LASSONDE
ABOUT LASSONDE
David Lassonde, the national goaltending coach for USA Hockey, has more than 35 years of coaching experience over parts of five decades, including time behind the bench for 16 international events.
Most recently, Lassonde was part of the coaching staff that helped the U.S. to a bronze medal in the 2025 IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship. In addition, he was part of the staff of the gold medal-winning U.S. National Junior Team at both the 2025 and 2024 IIHF World Junior Championships.
He served as an assistant coach for the U.S. Under-18 Men’s National Team at the 2023 IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship where Team USA won gold and was also on the coaching staff for the silver medal-winning U18 squad in 2022 as well as the 2024 team.
The Durham, N.H., native also served as an assistant coach for the U.S. Olympic Men’s Hockey Team at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games; four other U.S. National Junior Teams, including the silver medal-winning 2019 squad and gold medal-winning 2013 team; the 2015 championship-winning U.S. Under-17 Select Team; and the U.S. Under-18 Select Team that finished second at the 2016 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Cup.
Lassonde boasts a 32-year NCAA Division I men’s hockey coaching career that includes stops at Dartmouth, Denver, New Hampshire, Miami and Wisconsin with 20 NCAA tournament berths, including five appearances in the men’s Frozen Four. He was honored with the AHCA Terry Flanagan Award in 2007 recognizing an assistant coach’s career body of work.
JACOB LeROY
ABOUT LEROY
Jacob LeRoy, director of hockey operations for the Minnesota’s men’s hockey team, is serving on the staff of the U.S. National Junior Team for the first time.
The Dublin, Ohio, native joined the Golden Gophers staff ahead of the 2021-22 season, aiding Minnesota to back-to-back Big Ten regular-season championships in his first two seasons with the program. In his four seasons with the Gophers, Minnesota has made four NCAA tournament appearances, including two trips to the NCAA Frozen Four and a spot in the 2023 national championship game.
LeRoy spent four years as a student assistant of hockey operations at Ohio State prior to joining Minnesota. The Buckeyes earned two NCAA tournament berths during his time with the team, including a run to the 2018 Frozen Four.
TRAVIS WINTER
ABOUT WINTER
Travis Winter, associate head coach of the Bemidji State men’s hockey team, is serving on the staff of the U.S. National Junior Team for the first time.
The St. Cloud, Minn., native has been part of the Beavers coaching staff for the last 11 campaigns, including the first eight as assistant coach and the last three as associate head coach.
Previous to his time at BSU, he was the head coach and director of hockey operations for the NAHL’s Aberdeen Wings for one season (2013-14). Prior to that, he spent parts of four seasons (2009-10 to 2012-13) serving as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for the USHL’s Cedar Rapids RoughRiders.
Winter was also a volunteer coach for the Saint John’s men’s hockey team in 2009 and served on the coaching staff of the USA Hockey Select 15 National Camp in 2010.
As player, Winter was a four-year letter-winner (2005-09) for Bemidji State where as a senior, he served as captain and helped the Beavers to the program’s first-ever Frozen Four appearance in 2009.
North Dakota has announced that former UND goaltender Jean-Philippe Lamoureux has been named the program’s director of player personnel and office operations, beginning July 1.
A native of Grand Forks, N.D., Lamoureux played four seasons at UND from 2004 to 2008, helping the Fighting Sioux reach four straight NCAA Frozen Fours and was named a Hobey Baker Award finalist in 2007-08. He currently ranks top-five in program history in games played (111), wins (60), goals-against average (2.14), save percentage (.920), saves (2,656) and shutouts (10).
“We are fired up to welcome Jean-Philippe back to UND to join our program,” said North Dakota coach Dane Jackson in a statement. “To add another former student-athlete to our group who knows the culture and is willing to help pass that on to the next wave of players is exciting and something that is unmeasurable.”
Lamoureux has been crucial in the world of goaltending over the last decade-plus, running JPL Goaltending summer camps each season in Grand Forks since 2012. There, he has worked to develop the next wave of goaltenders through technical and mindset drills while also forging strong relationships with attendees.
On top of a lengthy playing career, Lamoureux also carved out opportunities to begin his coaching and analytical journey, working with Clear Sight Analytics beginning in 2024 while also assisting his coaching staffs while recovering from injuries in 2021 and 2024. He also had the opportunity to work as the goaltending coach during the summer for the Austrian Under-18 Team in 2022.
“I am beyond excited for the opportunity to return to my alma mater,” said Lamoureux. “I think I bring a unique perspective to the coaching staff with my analytics background along with my playing experience. To have another chance to add to the tradition at North Dakota on the staff side is a dream come true.”
A veteran of over 800 professional games, Lamoureux shined in Austria’s top league for the last 14 seasons, as he captured a pair of championships in 2020 and 2022 as well as being named the league’s MVP after posting a league-record .946 save percentage. In those 14 campaigns, Lamoureux never posted a save percentage below .910.
Eight individuals have been elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame class of 2025 in both the player and builder categories.
Of the eight, four have NCAA hockey connections as Jack Parker (Boston University, builder), Jennifer Botterill (Harvard, player), Brianna Decker (Wisconsin, player) and Duncan Keith (Michigan State, player) will be enshrined.
Parker’s coaching career began in 1968, immediately after graduating from Boston University, where he was captain of the Terriers in his final playing season. He returned to Boston University as an assistant coach a year later, becoming head coach in 1973. At BU, his teams won three NCAA titles, while appearing in 24 NCAA tournaments before Parker retired in 2013 after 40 seasons and 897 career wins – all at the same school.
Botterill played her minor hockey (and ringette) growing up in Winnipeg, before playing four seasons at Harvard from 1998-99 to 2002-03. A four-time first team All-ECAC and All-American, she went on to play professional hockey before retiring in 2011. Internationally, Botterill was a member of three gold medal-winning Olympic teams and also won the MVP at the 2001 and 2004 IIHF Women’s World Championships.
“My heart is really full with this honor,” said Botterill. “I appreciate all of the people who have helped me through my career.”
Born in Wisconsin, Decker played minor hockey in both her home state and at Shattuck-St. Mary’s in Minnesota. She played college hockey at Wisconsin from 2009-10 to 2012-13, earning numerous awards, including the Patty Kazmaier Award as the NCAA’s top women’s hockey player. A member of six gold medal-winning U.S. teams at the IIHF Women’s World Championships, she was also a gold medal winner at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games. After a stellar professional career, Decker’s final active game came in 2022 during the Olympic Games in Beijing.
“I didn’t think I would ever get this call,” said Decker. “To be part of the greats that built this game is truly something that is special. I am so thankful.”
Born in Winnipeg, Keith spent two seasons with Michigan State from 2001-02 to 2002-03 before joining the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets, where he won a league championship in 2002-03. Keith made his NHL debut during the 2005-06 season with the Chicago Blackhawks, where he won three Stanley Cups (2010, 2013 and 2015), the Conn Smythe Trophy (2015) and two Norris Trophies (2009-10 and 2013-14).
“I was lucky to play on some really good teams with some great players,” said Keith. “It’s been a journey with many ups and downs, and I want to thank the people who helped me get to this point in my life.”
The four other honorees include Joe Thornton, Zdena Chara, Daniele Sauvageau and Alexander Mogilny.
The 2025 Hockey Hall of Fame induction celebration is scheduled for Nov. 10, in Toronto, preceded by the traditional slate of induction weekend events beginning on Nov. 8, including the annual Hockey Hall of Fame Game hosted by the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Ottawa Hard Rock Hotel and Casino was the site for the 2025 PWHL Draft (photo: PWHL).
The 2025 PWHL Draft was held June 24 in Ottawa, Ont., at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino.
The draft consisted of six rounds and allowed all eight teams to select eligible women’s hockey players from a pool of talent that includes recent collegiate graduates and/or players from other professional leagues.
Of the 48 players selected, 43 played NCAA Division I hockey in 2024-25.
FIRST ROUND
1st overall – New York Sirens, Kristýna Kaltounková, F, Colgate
2nd overall – Boston Fleet, Haley Winn, D, Clarkson
3rd overall – New York Sirens, Casey O’Brien, F, Wisconsin
4th overall – Montréal Victoire, Nicole Gosling, D, Clarkson
5th overall – Ottawa Charge, Rory Guilday, D, Cornell
6th overall – Minnesota Frost, Kendall Cooper, D, Quinnipiac 7th overall – PWHL Vancouver, Michelle Karvinen, F, Frölunda HC
8th overall – PWHL Seattle, Jenna Buglioni, F, Ohio State
SECOND ROUND
9th overall – New York Sirens, Anne Cherkowski, F, Clarkson
10th overall – Boston Fleet, Ella Huber, F, Minnesota
11th overall – Toronto Sceptres, Emma Gentry, F, St. Cloud State
12th overall – Montréal Victoire, Natalie Mlynkova, F, Minnesota 13th overall – Ottawa Charge, Anna Shokhina, F, Dynamo-Neva St. Petersburg
14th overall – Minnesota Frost, Abby Hustler, F, St. Lawrence
15th overall – PWHL Seattle, Hannah Murphy, G, Colgate
16th overall – Toronto Sceptres, Kiara Zanon, F, Ohio State
THIRD ROUND
17th overall – New York Sirens, Makenna Webster, F, Ohio State
18th overall – Boston Fleet, Olivia Mobley, F, Minnesota Duluth
19th overall – PWHL Vancouver, Nina Jobst-Smith, D, Minnesota Duluth
20th overall – Montréal Victoire, Skylar Irving, F, Northeastern
21st overall – Ottawa Charge, Sarah Wozniewicz, F, Wisconsin
22nd overall – Minnesota Frost, Anna Segedi, F, St. Lawrence
23rd overall – Toronto Sceptres, Clara Van Wieren, F, Minnesota Duluth
24th overall – PWHL Seattle, Lily Delianedis, F, Cornell
FOURTH ROUND
25th overall – New York Sirens, Dayle Ross, D, St. Cloud State
26th overall – Boston Fleet, Riley Brengman, D, Ohio State
27th overall – New York Sirens, Maddi Wheeler, F, Ohio State
28th overall – New York Sirens, Callie Shanahan, G, Boston University
29th overall – Ottawa Charge, Peyton Hemp, F, Minnesota
30th overall – Minnesota Frost, Ava Rinker, D, Connecticut
31st overall – PWHL Seattle, Jada Habisch, F, Connecticut
32nd overall – PWHL Vancouver, Brianna Brooks, F, Penn State
FIFTH ROUND
33rd overall – New York Sirens, Anna Bargman, F, Yale
34th overall – Boston Fleet, Abby Newhook, F, Boston College 35th overall – Toronto Sceptres, Sara Hjalmarsson, F, Linköping HC
36th overall – Montréal Victoire, Maya Labad, F, Quinnipiac
37th overall – Ottawa Charge, Sanni Ahola, G, St. Cloud State
38th overall – Minnesota Frost, Vanessa Upson, F, Mercyhurst
39th overall – PWHL Vancouver, Madison Samoskevich, D, Quinnipiac
40th overall – PWHL Seattle, Lyndie Lobdell, D, Penn State
SIXTH ROUND
41st overall – New York Sirens, Kaley Doyle, G, Quinnipiac
42nd overall – Boston Fleet, Amanda Thiele, G, Ohio State
43rd overall – Toronto Sceptres, Hanna Baskin, D, Minnesota Duluth
44th overall – Montréal Victoire, Tamara Giaquinto, D, Boston University 45th overall – Ottawa Charge, Fanuza Kadirova, F, Dynamo-Neva St. Petersburg
46th overall – Minnesota Frost, Brooke Becker, D, Providence
47th overall – PWHL Seattle, Olivia Wallin, F, Minnesota Duluth 48th overall – PWHL Vancouver, Chanreet Bassi, F, University of British Columbia
A random draw determined the first-round order of selection between expansion teams Seattle and Vancouver. The two expansion teams then alternated positions in all subsequent rounds of the draft. The six inaugural teams maintained their order of selection in all six rounds.
Maine’s men’s hockey team has added John O’Connor to the staff as an assistant coach ahead of the 2025-26 season.
O’Connor comes to Orono after spending the last seven years as the director of player personnel at Mount Saint Charles Hockey Academy in Rhode Island.
During O’Connor’s time at Mount Saint Charles, the Mount won three national championships at the 18U, 14U and 15U levels. Additionally, he has served as a scout for the QMJHL’s Moncton Wildcats since 2024 and the BCHL’s Brooks Bandits since 2022.
For the last two years, O’Connor has also been the northeast regional director for 200×85, a youth hockey company that provides tournaments and development programs for over 80,000 athletes and 4,000 teams.
Prior to Mount Saint Charles, O’Connor was an assistant coach at South Kent School and at Albany Academy. O’Connor also spent time coaching with the Southern Connecticut Stars Youth Hockey Association and Troy-Albany Titans Hockey.
O’Connor played collegiately for Fredonia and earned his bachelor’s degree in legal studies from Fredonia in 2014.
From left, Mikhail Bryan, CJ Kusch, and Caleb Johnson.
Incoming Long Island men’s hockey coach Brendan Riley has introduced his coaching staff for the 2025-26 season.
Mikhail Bryan (assistant coach), CJ Kusch (assistant coach), and Caleb Johnson (director of hockey operations) will join Riley for his first season leading the Sharks.
Bryan comes to Long Island after three successful seasons as an assistant coach at Tufts (2022-25), where he helped lead the Jumbos to their first two NESCAC championship game appearances in consecutive seasons. The 2023-24 team racked up 14 wins, the most in program history.
Prior to Tufts, Bryan worked two seasons at Curry (2020-2022), where he helped lead the program to its first playoff win in more than seven years and recruited the program’s two winningest classes.
“Mikhail is already a proven and successful college hockey coach and recruiter,” said Riley in a statement. “His familiarity with the North American junior leagues and the recruiting process will allow our staff to hit the ground running this offseason.”
Kusch joins LIU from the USHL’s Muskegon Lumberjacks where he worked four seasons as an assistant coach and one season as a video coordinator (2019-25). With Kusch on staff, Muskegon won its first-ever Clark Cup, reached the Eastern Conference Finals three times, and produced 10 NHL draft picks, including two first-round picks.
Kusch also brings previous college hockey experience to the Sharks, having served as the director of hockey operations and video coordinator at Western Michigan during the 2017-18 season.
“CJ adds a great deal of coaching experience to our young staff,” said Riley. “He is a proven winner and has worked with some of the best young talent that our country has to offer. Our players and staff will benefit from his in-depth knowledge and understanding of the game.”
Johnson joins LIU after four seasons in a video and hockey operations role at Minnesota Duluth (2021-25), where the Bulldogs claimed one conference title and one NCAA tournament appearance during his tenure (2022).
“Caleb comes to us from one of the most successful D-I college hockey programs in the last decade,” said Riley. “He brings with him a great wealth of knowledge on what it takes to make a program run smoothly, but also what it takes to a be a nationally contending hockey team. He has an unbelievably strong work ethic and is hungry to move himself up through the coaching ranks.”
The Sharks enter next season on the heels of the most successful season in program history. In 2024-25, LIU set a new program record with 20 wins and went 14-1 at home, compiling the best home record in college hockey. The Sharks finished the season as the highest-ranked independent team in the country.
Brian Idalski helped push St. Cloud State back to national prominence (photo: St. Cloud State Athletics).
St. Cloud State women’s hockey head coach Brian Idalski has been named the first-ever head coach of PWHL Vancouver.
“We are excited for Brian and his future in the PWHL,” said St. Cloud State director of athletics Holly Schreiner in a news release. “It is always great to have Husky connections at that level. We will immediately begin the process to fill Brian’s vacant position.”
“I feel very fortunate to have this opportunity to join an organization and city like Vancouver and want to thank Cara and the league for their trust and belief in me,” added Idalski. “The PWHL has had a huge impact on the global game, and to be a part of that – with expansion helping push it even further forward – is an unbelievable feeling. I’ve been associated with a lot of players across the PWHL, either coaching them personally or against them over the years, so this role brings me full circle with an eagerness to work with the league’s world-class talent. The team that Cara (Morey) has assembled is fantastic and I embrace the challenge that comes with our high expectations.”
The 2022-23 USCHO national coach of the year departs St. Cloud after three seasons in which he helped turn the program around, bringing the Huskies back into national prominence. Under Idalski, SCSU went 50-50-9 and recorded three of its eight highest single-season win totals in program history and set numerous other individual and team records.
In his debut season in 2022-23, Idalski led the Huskies to 18 wins, tying the program record for single season wins. SCSU also established a new record of 36 conference points (reset again in 2023-24 with 39), earning a point from all seven conference opponents for the first time in 13 years. The Huskies finished fifth in the WCHA, their best finish since 2015-16 and first season with a .500 or better record since 2009-10. SCSU received its first national ranking since 2009 and has remained among the country’s top 15 teams consistently ever since.
Also in 2022-23, Idalski was a CCM/AHCA national coach of the year finalist and was named co-WCHA coach of the year. He was the first St. Cloud State hockey coach – men’s or women’s – to be named a national coach of the year and just the second women’s coach ever to earn conference honors.
In 2024-25, Idalski became just the second coach in program history to amass 50 wins and was the first to do so in three seasons or less. He also became the first coach in program history to beat Minnesota on the road (0-60-2 prior) and was just the second coach to post three consecutive 15-plus win seasons.
Prior to his time with the Huskies, the Warren, Mich., native won two ZhHL titles in three years between 2019-22 at the helm of the KRS Vanke Rays where he coached recent PWHL Vancouver signees Michela Cava and Hannah Miller. Idalski was also the head coach of the Chinese national women’s team for the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing.
Idalski spent the 2018-19 season as the director of hockey activities at Culver Academy in Culver, Ind., leading the program to its first USA Hockey Tier I national tournament appearance.
No stranger to the WCHA, Idalski spent 10 seasons as the head coach of North Dakota women’s hockey – building the program into a perennial national power. Idalski produced a 169-154-39 (.521) record in Grand Forks with a 124-124-32 mark in conference play, reaching 50 points four times in addition two NCAA tournament appearances, two WCHA tournament finals and seven WCHA quarterfinal series wins. North Dakota finished .500 or better in each of their final seven seasons, going 144-89-25 (.607) overall with a 104-69-23 (.590%) across that span.
Idalski recruited and coached six All-Americans, five WCHA outstanding student-athletes of the year, one WCHA rookie of the year and 25 all-WCHA selections during his tenure at North Dakota. Jocelyne and Monique Lamoureux, Michelle Karvinen and Shelby Amsley-Benzie earned All-American honors under Idalski’s direction while Karvinen was named WCHA rookie of the year in 2011-12. Amsley-Benzie developed into one of the greatest goaltenders in collegiate hockey during her four years with Idalski, earning All-American honors in addition to being named a Patty Kazmaier top-10 finalist. Idalski and his staff’s successful recruitment of the Lamoureux sisters was instrumental in the program’s rapid turnaround as Jocelyne and Monique both earned two All-American nods while the former led the WCHA in scoring as a junior.
North Dakota enjoyed five 20-win seasons under Idalski, finishing below .500 just three times in his tenure with seven winning campaigns. His club earned a reputation for accountability on and off the ice, opportunistic offense and a rugged defense – recording 51 shutouts in his tenure while allowing less than 25 shots on goal per game in four of their final five seasons. All-WCHA forwards Michelle Karvinen, Josefine Jakobsen, Amy Menke and Becca Kohler flourished alongside the All-Americans Jocelyne and Monique Lamoureux. On the defensive end, Idalski helped develop Halli Krzyzaniak into a three-time All-WCHA selection and two-year captain before she became the program’s first-ever NWHL draft pick – taken in the fifth round of the 2016 draft, one spot ahead of Menke.
In addition to his time on the bench in Grand Forks, Idalski served as VP of the American Women’s Hockey Coaches Association and as the governor of the American Hockey Coaches Association.
Idalski spent the 2006-07 season as an assistant coach on the St. Cloud State bench under first-year head coach Jeff Giesen – a season in which the Huskies went 12-18-7, one of only 11 campaigns with double-digit wins in the program’s 25-year history. He led the defenders, coordinated advance scouting and oversaw the Huskies’ recruiting efforts. His recruiting class was headlined by legendary SCSU goaltender Ashley Nixon, who graduated second all-time in saves, fourth in save percentage and fifth in goals against.
Earning his first head coaching role in 2001-02 with Wisconsin-Stevens Point women’s hockey, Idalski quickly established himself as a rising star by going 108-21-11 (.881) in five seasons leading the Pointers. He was named NCHA coach of the year in 2002 and 2005 while being named a finalist for the AHCA national coach of the year award four times, guiding UW-Stevens Point to four NCHA tournament championships and three NCHA regular-season championships. The Pointers made three NCAA tournament appearances under Idalski, appearing in the 2004 national championship game and taking third at the 2006 tournament.
Idalski oversaw four 20-win seasons at Stevens Point and went 58-9-6 (.836%) in conference play, guiding his club to the NCHA’s first-ever undefeated regular season in 2004-05. Three Pointers earned All-American honors under Idalski and 17 added all-NCHA accolades.
First joining the collegiate coaching ranks as an assistant with UW-Stevens Point men’s hockey in 2000-01, Idalski broke into the coaching world in 1999-00 as an assistant on the Columbus Cottonmouths bench in the Central Hockey League.
Idalski enjoyed a long playing career as a defenseman, spending two seasons with Columbus in the CHL and two with the UHL’s Madison Monsters. The gritty blueliner helped Columbus earn the 1998 CHL regular-season and postseason championships as a rookie.
He played his collegiate hockey at UW-Stevens Point, appearing in 97 games and leading the Pointers to a pair of NCAA tournament finals, including the program’s 1993 national championship.
Eddie Effinger and Tyler Lindstrom run a practice for St. Olaf during their time together on the Oles staff (photo: Hannah Robb).
After five seasons as the head coach of the St. Olaf College men’s hockey program, Eddie Effinger has stepped down to accept the head coaching position at Amherst, his alma mater.
Former Oles assistant coach Tyler Lindstrom has been elevated to head coach.
Lindstrom, who has been Effinger’s top assistant coach for the last three seasons, was named Effinger’s successor heading into the 2025-26 season. He is just the seventh head coach for the program since 1958-59.
“Eddie has made a lasting impact on the men’s hockey program during his time on the Hill,” said St. Olaf director of athletics Kelly Mahlum in a news release. “He not only built a nationally-competitive program but also prioritized developing the people around him – his assistant coaches and student-athletes. I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with Eddie over the past five years and wish him and his family all the best in his next chapter.”
During his five seasons at St. Olaf, Effinger led the Oles to a record of 54-49-11 (.522) and four consecutive seasons with double-digit wins after his first season was reduced to two games due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He guided the program to MIAC playoff appearances in each of his four full seasons, including two of the program’s three MIAC playoff titles in 2021-22 and 2023-24, which led to two of the three NCAA tournament appearances in program history. Effinger’s .522 winning percentage is the highest in program history of any coach (minimum three seasons) and the program’s 53 wins over the last four seasons is the highest total for a four-year stretch in program history.
“St. Olaf College and St. Olaf athletics have meant the world to my family and I,” Effinger said. “From our first day on the Hill, the St. Olaf community welcomed and embraced us. I will be forever grateful to the countless individuals that have supported me and our hockey program over the past five years. I want to thank president Susan Rundell Singer, Kelly Mahlum, and Ryan Bowles for the opportunity and their mentorship. Most importantly, I want to thank our current and former players for the impact they have had on the program and me personally.”
“We are thrilled to welcome back Eddie Effinger to Amherst as our new men’s ice hockey coach,” Amherst director of athletics Don Faulstick said. “His success at St. Olaf, combined with the strong foundation he built here as a player and assistant, make him the ideal person to carry forward the legacy of excellence that Jack Arena established over 41 seasons. Our entire department is excited to work with him.”
As a student-athlete at Amherst, Effinger was a two-time captain and recorded 77 points on 38 goals and 39 assists in 97 games. His play helped the program capture NESCAC titles in 2009 and 2012 and post a 74-23-10 (.738) record, resulting in the highest winning percentage over a four-year period in program history.
Effinger was part of two NCAA Tournament teams, including captaining the 2011-12 team that set a program record with 24 wins and advanced to the national semifinals for the first time in school history.
At St. Olaf, Effinger coached one two-time first team West All-American, one two-time all-USCHO honoree, one USCHO all-rookie selection, eight all-MIAC honorees, six MIAC all-playoff team choices, and the program’s first-ever MIAC defensive player of the year. His teams also excelled academically producing 65 academic all-MIAC honorees, 32 AHCA All-American scholars, 10 academic all-district honorees, and one two-time MIAC Elite 22 Award recipient.
After joining Effinger’s staff prior to the 2022-23 season, Lindstrom has helped St. Olaf to a 42-33-8 (.554) record over the last three seasons, as well as three consecutive MIAC playoff appearances. The Oles have advanced to the semifinals of the MIAC playoffs in each of his three seasons, including the program’s third-ever MIAC playoff title and NCAA tournament appearance in 2023-24. St. Olaf was the runner-up in the MIAC playoffs in 2024-25.
“I am incredibly excited and honored to be named the head coach of St. Olaf men’s hockey,” Lindstrom said. “I’d like to thank Kelly Mahlum for trusting me with this opportunity and look forward to leading our student-athletes in this new role. I truly believe that St. Olaf is the best place to play Division III hockey in the country. The program will continue to compete for championships while offering some of the best educational opportunities in the country. This place is special and will continue to provide elite experiences for our student-athletes.”
During his time at St. Olaf, the program has produced one two-time AHCA first team West All-American, one Sid Watson Award finalist (national player of the year), one MIAC defensive player of the year and one two-time All-USCHO honoree. St. Olaf has also had seven all-MIAC honorees and six MIAC all-playoff team selections in Lindstrom’s three seasons.
“I would like to thank Eddie for everything he has done for me personally and for the St. Olaf program as a whole,” Lindstrom said. “He is a tremendous person and leader who will be missed in our program and across campus. Eddie is also someone who I am fortunate to call a friend and mentor, and I can’t thank him enough for giving me my start in coaching three years ago. He has built the program into what it is today, and I am honored to continue to build on all of the success he has had.”
In addition to the on-ice success, St. Olaf’s program has excelled academically with 25 AHCA All-America scholars, 38 academic all-MIAC honorees, and 12 academic all-district honorees during Lindstrom’s time on staff.
“I am pleased to announce Tyler Lindstrom as the new head coach of our men’s hockey program,” Mahlum said. “Tyler brings an exceptional work ethic, proven coaching expertise, and a strong track record in recruiting top-level talent. He understands and holds the values we carry in Ole athletics, with a clear commitment to both academic and athletic excellence. I am confident he will have a positive impact on our student-athletes, and I am excited to see him continue the program’s upward success.”
Prior to his time on the Hill, Lindstrom played in 100 games over his five-year career at Curry and after graduating from Curry in 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management, worked as a scout for the EHL’s New England Wolves.
Lindstrom went on to earn his MBA in May 2022. Originally from Brooklyn Park, Minn., he played high school hockey at the Breck School. Lindstrom has also coached the 15U/18U teams for the Neponset Valley Rats, served as the program director for Base Elite, and worked as a skills coach for the Minnesota Lakers.
“I can think of no one better or more deserving than Coach Lindstrom to lead the program into the future,” Effinger said. “He is one of the hardest-working and most-talented individuals in college hockey, and the program is in great hands under his leadership. Most importantly, Tyler embodies the values of what it means to be part of the St. Olaf community. I am excited for Coach Lindstrom and the men’s hockey program.”
Erin Connolly played at UW-Eau Claire from 2016 to 2020 (photo: (Wisconsin-Eau Claire Athletics).
Dubuque has announced Erin Connolly as the new women’s hockey coach for the Spartans.
Connolly becomes the university’s second coach in the school’s history. Most recently, she spent five seasons as an assistant coach for the nationally-ranked UW-Eau Claire women’s hockey team (overall 87-26-2, 36-9-1 in conference play). She served the team as its goalie coach for her first three seasons before taking on the assistant coach role ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.
“We look forward to welcoming Erin to the only NCAA women’s collegiate varsity hockey program in the state of Iowa,” said Dubuque VP of student engagement and intercollegiate athletics Nelson Edmonds in a statement. “Her accomplishments as a player and in the classroom have set the bar for being accountable, being a great teammate, and challenging oneself to be their best version. Her dedication to giving back as a coach will serve this program well as we continue to grow and ingrain UD hockey in the regional and national landscape.”
“I am incredibly grateful to president Dr. Travis Frampton, VP of student engagement and intercollegiate athletics Nelson Edmonds, UD administration and the athletic department for the opportunity to lead this growing program,” added Connolly. “The university and the community of Dubuque have so much to offer for our student-athletes, and I’m honored to be part of it. UD is an exciting place to build a competitive program. During my interview I saw a beautiful campus, a university with proven academic excellence and a strong support of Spartans athletics, and a lively hockey community with a premiere ice rink in the ImOn Arena. Thank you to the committee for believing in me. I can’t wait to get started with this group of hardworking student-athletes and showcase competitive hockey in the tri-states.”
Connolly was a standout goaltender while playing for UW-Eau Claire from 2016 to 2020. She was named a CCM/AHCA All-American, WIAC player of the year and WIAC Judy Kruckman Scholar-Athlete as a senior in 2020. She was a four-time member of the All-WIAC first team and helped the Blugolds win O’Brien Cup championships in 2018 and 2019. She helped the Blugolds reach the NCAA tournament in 2018, 2019 and 2020.
Since 2024, she has led Team Wisconsin as the 16U girls head coach, where she developed players while competing in the Minnesota Girls Elite Hockey League. She has been involved in USA Hockey Youth Development since June of 2017 as Wisconsin’s goaltending development coordinator. She also was the director of goaltending from 2022 to 2024 for Valley Sports Academy and YMCA youth programs director in 2021-22.
The Mequon, Wis., native was named Wisconsin’s Ms. Hockey as a senior at Homestead High School in 2016. She was a two-time all-state selection in high school. She received her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology – Human Performance from UW-Eau Claire in 2020 and graduated summa cum laude from the University Honors Program.
Carter Clarke lifts the 2022 NCAA D-III national championship trophy for Adrian (photo: Meghan Abbee).
Adrian has announced the hiring of Carter Clarke as the Bulldogs’ new assistant coach for the men’s hockey team.
Clarke returns to Adrian after spending last season as an assistant coach at Wisconsin-Stout.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Carter back to our program,” Adrian head coach Adam Phillips said in a statement. “He brings a sharp hockey mind, a winning track record, and he will be a tremendous asset to our players and program. I can’t wait to have him on board and get going.”
Clarke began his coaching career at Adrian, serving as director of hockey operations for the men’s hockey team from 2019 to 2024. During his tenure, the Bulldogs captured five conference championships, three Harris Cup championships, three trips to the NCAA Division III Frozen Four and the 2022 NCAA Division III national championship. He later became head coach of Adrian’s ACHA women’s Division I team, leading them to the program’s first-ever national championship with a 30-6-2 record.
In 2024-25, Clarke joined UW-Stout, where the team finished 12-13-2. Under his guidance, the Blue Devils secured victories over several ranked opponents, including No. 14 UW-River Falls and No. 2 St. Norbert, and earned a tie against No. 13 UW-Stevens Point.
Chuck Weber spent the last seven seasons coaching at RPI (photo: Rensselaer Athletics).
The ECHL’s Iowa Heartlanders have announced that Chuck Weber, a two-time Kelly Cup champion and former ECHL coach of the year, has been named head coach and general manager of the Heartlanders.
Weber joins the Heartlanders after spending the last seven seasons as an assistant coach at Rensselaer.
“My family and I are excited to be joining the Heartlanders family and the community in eastern Iowa,” said Weber in a statement. “We look forward to building upon the success from last season to raise Heartlanders hockey to new heights. Thank you to Michael Devlin, Heartlanders president Matt Getz and our affiliates Minnesota Wild and Iowa Wild for this opportunity. Michael, Matt and the staff have the organization pointed in a great direction and I know the passionate fan base will be proud of the team we put on the ice at Xtream Arena.”
He won a pair of Kelly Cups as head coach of the Cincinnati Cyclones in 2008 and 2010 and has won four championships over stops in the IHL, ECHL and Elite Ice Hockey League.
In 2008, Weber received the John Brophy Award as ECHL coach of the year with Cincinnati. In five seasons as an ECHL head coach (four with Cincinnati, one with Atlanta), he has a 209-127-24 regular-season record and a 45-30 record in the Kelly Cup playoffs. His 45 postseason wins are tied for the seventh most in ECHL history. Weber also has six seasons of AHL coaching experience, including three as a head coach split between Rochester (2010-11) and San Antonio (2011-13).
Josh Luedtke served as St. Cloud State’s captain this past season (photo: St. Cloud State Athletics).
After earning his undergraduate degree at St. Cloud State with plans for a doctorate in dentistry, SCSU defenseman Josh Luedtke has been selected the 2025 recipient of the NCHC’s annual postgraduate scholarship.
Luedtke is only the second Husky to receive the scholarship, with both coming in the last three years (Aidan Spellacy in 2023).
Luedtke completed his bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences from St. Cloud State this past May, finishing with a 3.91 grade-point average. He was named an NCHC distinguished scholar-athlete all four years in school for maintaining at least a 3.5 GPA each season, while collecting CSC academic all-district accolades after his sophomore and junior campaigns. The Minnetonka, Minn., native also earned dean’s list at SCSU all eight semesters for having achieved at least a 3.75 GPA.
Luedtke was tabbed a finalist for the NCHC’s senior scholar-athlete award and the NCHC sportsmanship award for the 2024-25 season. In addition, he was one of 14 nominees for the Hockey Humanitarian Award in 2025.
“The conference is honored to present Josh with this year’s NCHC postgraduate scholarship,” said NCHC commissioner Heather Weems in a news release. “Achieving a high level of success in a difficult biomedical sciences curriculum while leading his hockey team shows the kind of person Josh is. I have no doubt Josh will have success in dental school and will continue to make a difference in his community through his responsive and compassionate approach to patient care.”
On the ice, Luedtke served as team captain for the Huskies in 2024-25 after wearing an ‘A’ as a junior. He finished his college career with 43 points from the blue line in 137 career games. Luedtke scored 12 goals and added 31 assists as a Husky, including three goals and five assists as a senior. The captain blocked 143 shots in his SCSU career, including a career-best 55 this past season, and finished with a plus-24 plus/minus rating. Luedtke also helped SCSU win the 2023 Frozen Faceoff as a sophomore.
Following his college career, Luedtke signed with the ECHL’s Savannah Ghost Pirates, playing in five games to close the season in April.
“During my time at St. Cloud State University, it has solidified my passion for healthcare, particularly in the field of dentistry, where I see the opportunity to utilize team-oriented skills and scientific knowledge in a patient-centered care environment,” Luedtke wrote in his scholarship nomination. “My ultimate dream is to attend dental school and become a practicing dentist who contributes to improving oral health in needy communities.”
Along with his hard work in the classroom and on the ice, Luedtke has consistently given back to his community and abroad. In high school, he volunteered at Be the Change, serving meals to those in need. Last August, Luedtke and teammate Jack Reimann traveled to Hungary as part of Hockey Ministries International, where they helped lead a Christian hockey camp for children. Luedtke also has experience in the medical field, working as a personal care assistant at MRCI for someone with autism.
“Over the years, my faith, heart to serve others, and my experiences have all led me to dentistry. I want to work at it with all my heart to make a difference in people’s lives, changing smiles with purpose and compassion,” Luedtke said.
The NCHC’s postgraduate scholarship is funded by a grant from the El Pomar Foundation in Colorado Springs, which has also supported the NCHC by providing its office headquarters on the grounds of the Penrose House and helping cover the cost of the Penrose Cup, the NCHC’s regular-season trophy. Luedtke’s scholarship amount will be $7,500.
“The NCHC membership is thankful for the continued support of the El Pomar Foundation and its board of directors.” Weems said. “Along with our victories on the ice, it’s also important to recognize our success stories in the classroom. We are happy to share in awarding this honor with El Pomar.”
“I view this opportunity not only as an investment in my education but also as a responsibility to give back to the community through future service and leadership in the dental profession,” Luedtke concluded in his nomination.
To be eligible for the NCHC’s postgraduate scholarship, the student-athlete must be a senior or grad student on his team’s official NCAA hockey roster with at least a 3.5 cumulative grade-point average, who plans to continue his academic studies beyond his undergraduate degree. The recipient must enroll in a postgraduate degree program within three years of receiving the scholarship to collect the financial aid. The winner is chosen by a vote of the NCHC’s faculty athletics representatives from among the nominees submitted by each school’s FAR. Five nominations were submitted in 2025.
PREVIOUS NCHC POSTGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS
2016 – Gabe Levin, Denver
2017 – Aaron Hadley, WMU and Kirk Thompson, Omaha
2018 – Joel Messner, Omaha
2019 – Ryan Galt, Omaha
2020 – Erich Fear, Denver
2021 – Kale Bennett, Western Michigan
2022 – Jason Smallidge, Omaha
2023 – Aidan Spellacy, St. Cloud State
2024 – Kirby Proctor, Omaha
2025 – Josh Luedtke, St. Cloud State
Providence has announced that Jace LeClair has joined the women’s hockey staff as the director of hockey operations.
LeClair graduated from Endicott in May 2025 with a degree in sport management. He brings experience at the collegiate level, having worked most recently as a hockey operations assistant with the Northeastern women’s hockey team during the 2024-25 season. In that role, LeClair managed video operations, oversaw postgame meal coordination, team nutrition and assisted with travel logistics and daily operations.
While completing his undergraduate degree, LeClair served as a student coach for Endicott’s women’s hockey team. His responsibilities included video analysis, content creation for social media and supporting equipment operations such as skate sharpening, locker room setup and inventory management.
LeClair’s background also includes coaching youth hockey through The Hockey Academy, where he ran skills sessions and clinics for players ages 5-18. Additionally, he served as the X-Ice director for the Valley Hockey League at Endicott’s site, where he managed logistics, game-day operations and practice development.
Eight individuals have been elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame class of 2025 in both the player and builder categories.
