Holy Cross has announced the hiring of Devan Taylor as an assistant coach for the women’s hockey team.
Taylor comes to Holy Cross after serving as an assistant coach at Colby during the 2019-2020 season, where she helped the Mules to a 15-6-5 overall record and a trip to the NESCAC semifinals.
“I am thrilled to have Devan join our staff,” Holy Cross head coach Katie Lachapelle said in a statement. “She will be a tremendous asset to our program as we continue to grow and improve. I’m excited to see how her experience as a player in Hockey East helps our student-athletes develop both on and off the ice.”
A four-year member of the New Hampshire women’s team from 2015 to 2019, Taylor compiled 50 points on 24 goals and 26 assists during her collegiate career.
“I am extremely excited and proud to join the Holy Cross women’s ice hockey program this year,” Taylor said. “This program is well respected and I know I will learn and grow from the team of coaches around me. I want to thank my family and the friends that have helped me get to where I am now. I believe that my past experience as a Division I hockey player will allow me to relate to our players and push them to the next level. I can’t wait to get things rolling.”
Taylor earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing with a coaching minor from New Hampshire in 2019.
Parker Foo spent three seasons with Union, registering 28 points in 88 games for the Dutchmen (photo: Amanda Lopez/Union Athletics).
Union forward Parker Foo will not be back with the Dutchmen for his senior season in 2020-21 after signing a two-year contract this past week with the KHL’s Kunlun Red Star.
He’ll join older brother and Union alum Spencer Foo (2014-17) in Beijing.
?Hey, Brother! There is an endless road to rediscover!?@spencerfoo is back to #KRS by signing new two-year deal. But that's not all – this season he reunites with his younger brother Parker Foo who has just signed with us for 2 years too! #ChinaHockey#RedStarHockeypic.twitter.com/XtuhuD7laJ
Stephen Wiedler had been with American International since 2015 (photo: RJB Sports/AIC Athletics).
Vermont announced Thursday that Stephen Wiedler will join the coaching staff as an assistant coach for the 2020-21 season.
An assistant coach from 2015 to 2019 at American International, Wiedler earned the title of associate head coach last season. His responsibilities included being the recruiting coordinator, running the penalty kill, and developing the defense.
“We were looking for a coach that was known for having a strong recruiting history, a current global recruiting network and also someone who can teach the modern game,” said first-year Vermont head coach Todd Woodcroft in a statement. “Stephen’s track record, developed over many years nationally but honed specifically at AIC, made it evident he is the coach for this staff. He will work primarily developing our defensemen and our penalty kill and will be our main point of contact for recruiting.
“We interviewed dozens of men and women for this position and without a doubt, Stephen proved to be the ideal fit for UVM hockey.”
Under Wiedler’s tutelage, the AIC defense had great success, allowing a mere 52 goals in 28 Atlantic Hockey games during the 2019-20 campaign, the fewest in AIC’s history, and second-fewest in AHC history. Furthermore, AIC defensemen saw a 275 percent increase in goals scored, a 77 percent increase in assists, and a 95 percent increase in total points during that time.
A key to the defensive success was the team’s penalty kill, which under Wiedler’s direction operated at a program-best 89 percent, making it the fourth-ranked penalty kill in the nation in 2019-20.
“I want to thank (AIC) coach (Eric) Lang for his mentorship, leadership, and friendship over the last five years,” said Wiedler. “When we first sat down as a staff four years ago, he painted a picture of the championship caliber program that AIC hockey was going to become. I leave AIC knowing that we made that vision a reality.”
“Steve has been an integral part of our success here at AIC,” added Lang. “The transformation of our program could not have been accomplished without him. UVM is getting a loyal, dedicated, hardworking coach who cares deeply about the student athletes. I couldn’t be happier for Steve and his family. He will be deeply missed.”
Jack Kelley coached both Colby and Boston University, taking both teams to national prominence during his time behind the respective benches (photo: Ashley L. Conti/Colby Athletics).
Jack Kelley, who coached Boston University to NCAA hockey championships in 1971 and 1972 before being named the first coach and general manager of the New England Whalers, has died.
Kelley was 93.
Born in Malden, Mass., Kelley starred at Belmont High before attending BU, where he led the Terriers to the NCAA finals in 1950 and 1951. He finished his playing career in 1952.
He coached at Colby for seven years beginning in 1955, going 89-51-5, and was named NCAA Coach of the Year in 1962 after leading Colby to the semifinals of the first ECAC hockey tournament at Boston Arena (now Matthews Arena).
“The term ‘legendary’ is used too often and frequently with hyperbole, but it is no exaggeration to say that Jack Kelley was a legendary coach, teacher, and friend,” said Colby president David Greene in a statement. “He was a brilliant hockey coach, but his lessons went well beyond the ice. He had a rare combination of toughness and caring that brought out the best in everyone. Many of my favorite moments at Colby have been in the Alfond Rink, watching the game with Coach Kelley and learning more about a game I love in one period than I knew in my lifetime. Just being in his presence was a special gift — it was an opportunity to see into his sparkling soul. I left every encounter with him buoyed and eager to take on a new challenge.
“Jack’s strength came from many places, but the most consistent source was his amazing wife of 67 years, Ginny, who passed away in April. Their partnership and their love for their family were legendary, too. My heart goes out to their children, Paul, David, Nancy, and Mark and their extended families.”
In 1963, Kelley returned to BU and took over as coach after Harry Cleverly resigned.
In 10 seasons at BU, Kelley led the Terriers to a 206-80-8 record. The Terriers won six Beanpot titles and played in four NCAA final fours, culminating with the 1972 squad that won the Beanpot, the ECAC, and the NCAA championship.
After the 1972 season, Kelley joined the Whalers as they began their first season in the World Hockey Association, and led them to the inaugural Avco World Trophy.
Kelley later worked in the Detroit Red Wings’ and Pittsburgh Penguins’ organizations until his retirement in 2001. He was inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in 1993.
In 2015, Colby alumni, parents, and friends created the Jack Kelley Head Coach for Colby Men’s Hockey position in his honor. Colby’s current coach, Blaise MacDonald, is the inaugural coach to hold this title.
“It has been my honor to be the Jack Kelley Head Coach for Colby Men’s Hockey,” said MacDonald. “Kelley’s character and love of the game inspires me to continue the tradition of helping Colby student athletes be outstanding young men, both on and off the ice.
“Meeting Jack Kelley my first year at Colby was meeting one of the giants in the game, both in college and professionally. Having coached at BU for six years, I learned of his legend. His wisdom is the greatest gift I have ever received in my life. To be able to have lunch with him and talk with him weekly and at games was a treasure I am so grateful to have experienced. His love for everything Colby was extraordinary and created a desire for our team and program to be our very best.”
The IIHF has voted to cancel several tournaments for the coming season, with one exception being the 2021 World Junior Championship.
This year’s World Junior event was scheduled to run December 26, 2020 to January 5, 2021, in Edmonton and Red Deer, Alberta, but will instead be played in a “bubble” in Edmonton.
All lower division tournaments in the men’s Under-20 category will be cancelled. The 2021 IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championship will also be cancelled together with all other tournaments in the women’s Under-18 category.
“Requiring each tournament hosts to operate a competition ‘bubble’ is not a practical request for our lower-division tournament organizers, many of whom are already stretched financially from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said IIHF president René Fasel in a statement. “The IIHF does not have the resources necessary to properly supervise the safe operation of these tournaments so that the minimum requirements for COVID-19 health and safety can be met.”
Fasel noted that other financial factors related to testing requirements for incoming players and officials, together with the current travel risks associated with organizing an international tournament, could not be absorbed by either the IIHF or by the host organizer.
The cancellation of those tournaments does not impact the 2021 World Championship or Women’s World Championship. The Under-18 World Championship and all other men’s Under-18 tournaments are also unaffected.
In addition, the IIHF announced that Olympic qualification tournaments are postponed until further notice.
The Division III Championships Committee on Tuesday recommended that, due to COVID-19 concerns, winter and spring 2021 national championship brackets and field sizes not exceed 75 percent of their standard capacity.
For both men’s and women’s hockey, this means no more than nine teams in their respective national tournaments instead of the standard 12.
According to the NCAA, a caveat to the proposal is if a sport’s maximum number of allocated automatic qualifiers surpasses the 75 percent threshold, the championship could expand the field to accommodate each automatic berth. This is consistent with the Division III philosophy of emphasizing conference competition. The committee’s main goal was to preserve access to NCAA championships through automatic qualification.
“This decision was not made lightly,” said Kiki Jacobs, committee chair and the director of athletics at Roger Williams, in a statement. “We concluded this was the best way to provide high-quality championship experiences for student-athletes. Given the obligations to prepare sites and follow the required health protocols, the committee had to make the tough decision to recommend fewer opportunities this year.”
The recommendation will make its way through the Division III governance structure, including getting feedback from winter and spring sport committees, before the Management and Presidents Councils make a final decision in October.
Following the recommendation of the recently expanded NCAA COVID-19 Medical Advisory Group, all tournament sites will be predetermined in an effort to safely host winter championships. Testing and other sanitation protocol requirements will increase total expenses for winter and spring championships, adding approximately $9 million in additional costs and ultimately were the reason the committee made its recommendation.
Committee members arrived at the recommendation to reduce NCAA championship brackets and field sizes after considering several other cost-saving measures, including those that would have transferred costs to participating schools.
The committee also voted, again, due to COVID-19, to reduce the winter sports contest minimums to 50 percent to reach championships eligibility status in 2021.
The U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame class of 2020 – Dean Blais, Tony Granato, Jenny Potter and Jerry York.
College hockey icons Dean Blais, Tony Granato, Jenny Potter and Jerry York will make up the United States Hockey Hall of Fame class of 2020.
The class of 2020 will be formally enshrined together with the yet-to-be-named class of 2021 at a formal induction in December 2021.
“The class of 2020 is an extraordinary group whose remarkable contributions to our game will be felt for generations to come,” said USA Hockey president Jim Smith in a statement. “As fans, we’ve had the great pleasure of watching them play or guide teams to championships at all levels of the game. We are thrilled to welcome Dean, Tony, Jenny and Jerry to the list of immortals who have so positively impacted our sport.”
BLAIS
Blais, a native of International Falls, Minn., who played at Minnesota 1969-73), also coached at the NCAA level at North Dakota and Omaha.
He was head coach at UND for 10 seasons (1994-2004) where he led the team to two NCAA titles (1997, 2000), seven NCAA tournament appearances, including three Frozen Fours, four WCHA regular-season titles and two WCHA playoff championships.
During his nine campaigns (1980-89) as an assistant coach with UND, he helped the team to a pair of national titles (1982, 1987) and a third-place finish in the 1984 NCAA championship.
He earned the Spencer Penrose Award as the top men’s collegiate coach on two occasions (1997, 2001) and was three times named WCHA Coach of the Year (1997, 1999, 2001).
Blais concluded his coaching career with an eight-year stint at Omaha (2009-17) where he led the program to its first-ever NCAA Frozen Four appearance in 2015 and two NCAA tournament berths overall. He finished with a 146-133-30 mark at UNO and is the school’s all-time winningest coach.
In his 18-year run as a college head coach, Blais finished with a record of 407-246-84 with 14 winning seasons.
GRANATO
Granato, from Downers Grove, Ill., put up 220 points in a prolific four-year career at Wisconsin (1983-87), where he stands today fourth all-time in school history in points and third in goals (100). He was a two-time All-American for the Badgers and a finalist for the 1987 Hobey Baker Award following his 73-point senior season.
A member of the UW Athletics Hall of Fame, Granato was named team MVP as a senior and also earned WCHA Student Athlete of the Year honors.
After 13 seasons coaching in the NHL, Granato was named head coach Wisconsin, a position he continues in today. He was named the 2017 Big Ten Coach of the Year and was a finalist for the Spencer Penrose Award that year as national coach of the year.
POTTER
Potter was an All-American in each of her four NCAA campaigns from 1998 to 2004.
She played one season with Minnesota (1998-99) before finishing her final three years with Minnesota Duluth (1999-00/2002-04).
The two-time WCHA Player of the Year was a three-time finalist for the Patty Kazmaier Award and also a three-time All-WCHA First Team selection.
The Edina, Minn., product helped the Bulldogs to the 2003 national championship, a year in which the team also earned both the WCHA regular-season and playoff titles. She averaged over two points per game in her three-year UMD career, finishing with a school-record 256 points (108 goals, 148 assists) in 102 games.
Potter was inducted into the UMD Athletic Hall of Fame in 2017.
Upon her retirement as a player, Potter served as head coach for two seasons at Trinity and one season at Ohio State.
YORK
The winningest coach in college hockey history, York enters his 49th season as an NCAA Division I head coach in 2020-21 and his 27th campaign guiding Boston College, where he has led the program to four NCAA championships (2001, 2008, 2010, 2012), four national runner-up finishes, and 12 NCAA Frozen Four appearances.
He is the NCAA’s all-time leader in NCAA tournament wins.
In addition, York’s teams have also captured 11 Hockey East regular-season titles and nine Hockey East tournament titles.
Over the course of his BC coaching career, York has guided his teams to winning records in 22 of his 26 seasons to date, including in 22 of the past 23 campaigns. He has coached two Hobey Baker Award winners and 18 NHL first-round draft picks.
The Watertown, Mass., native’s coaching career began with two seasons (1968-70) as a graduate assistant at his alma mater, Boston College, before moving to Clarkson where he spent two campaigns as an assistant coach before taking over as head coach of the Golden Knights in 1972 as the youngest head coach in the nation at age 26. In his seven seasons as the bench boss for Clarkson, he led the team to six ECAC playoffs and claimed the 1977 ECAC regular-season title.
On April 10, 1979, York took over as head coach at Bowling Green where he spent the next 15 years. His term with the Falcons included an NCAA title in 1984, two Hobey Baker winners, six NCAA tournament berths, four CCHA regular-season titles, and a CCHA tournament title.
York played at Boston College from 1964 to 1967 where he was a three-year letterman for the Eagles. He led BC to the 1965 Beanpot title and an NCAA runner-up finish. In his final campaign as team captain, York helped the Eagles to a 19-8 record and earned All-America First Team laurels. He was also named team MVP, a member of the All-New England team, and received the Walter Brown Award, which is presented annually to the best American-born college hockey player in New England.
York concluded his college career with 134 points (64 goals, 70 assists) in 81 games.
Among his many highlights, York is enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame (2019), Bowling Green Athletic Hall of Fame (2003) and Boston College Varsity Club Hall of Fame (1982), was honored with the Lester Patrick Trophy in 2010, and earned the Spencer Penrose Award in 1977.
He is the only coach in the history of NCAA hockey to win 1,000 or more games and one of just three coaches in NCAA history to lead two different schools to NCAA titles.
“I think we have another special group of guys here at Cornell,” said Stienburg in a news release. “With that said, I’m trying to take some positives out of this situation and make the most out of my opportunity here in West Kelowna. I came here to win and develop my game further and I think Coach (Simon) Ferguson and the management team here will give me a great opportunity to do that.”
The Halifax, N.S., native was drafted in the third round (63rd overall) by the Colorado Avalanche in the 2019 NHL Draft.
“We are thrilled to have Matthew join the Warriors,” said Ferguson. “There was a reason why NHL teams were so high on Matthew. He plays fast, he plays mean, and he is relentless on loose pucks”.
Last season with the Big Red, Stienburg compiled five goals and 10 points with 45 penalty minutes in 27 games.
David Turco inherits a Manhattanville team that went 10-13-2 during the 2019-20 season (photo: Manhattanville Athletics).
Manhattanville announced Thursday that David Turco has been hired as the fourth head coach in Valiant men’s hockey program history.
Previously, Turco served in the same position for Manhattanville women’s hockey since 2011-12 and earned nine conference tournament berths over his nine seasons on the bench and amassed a program-record 120 victories.
“I am incredibly grateful for the confidence [Manhattanville director of athletics and recreation] Julene Caulfield and Manhattanville College have shown in me to lead our men’s program into the future,” said Turco in a news release. “I have admired what has been built here with both programs since I arrived in 2009. I am excited and looking forward to the opportunity to develop my vision for the men’s program and continue to build upon the culture of success and excellence that already exists here.
“My experience with the women’s program has been a pleasure and has allowed me to develop immensely as a leader and coach. I am taking with me great memories from behind their bench and will undoubtedly be the program’s biggest supporter and fan moving forward.”
In 2019-20, Turco guided the Valiants to a 17-8-3 overall record, including a 13-2-1 mark in UCHC play.
For his efforts, Turco was named the 2019-20 UCHC Coach of the Year and was selected as a Division III CCM/AHCA Women’s Coach of the Year finalist. Additionally, he was named MAC Coach of the Year in 2018-19 after leading the Valiants to the regular-season conference championship.
“David Turco has been a member of the Valiant family for more than a decade and I cannot think of a more deserving person to take over our men’s ice hockey program and continue to guide our student-athletes to success both on the ice and in the classroom,” said Caulfield. “Over the years, he has become a pillar of the Manhattanville community and has continued to tradition of success for our women’s hockey program. We all look forward to his continued success as he moves over to lead our men’s team.”
Turco took over the women’s program prior to the 2011-12 season after serving as an assistant coach with the team since 2009-10.
In addition to his hockey duties, Turco also served as Manhattanville’s inaugural women’s golf head coach from 2012 to 2019.
A 2009 graduate of American International, Turco played four seasons with the Division I Yellow Jackets, serving as team captain as a senior. Over his career, he played in 112 games with 11 goals and 27 assists for 38 career points.
Carmine Guerriero played at Alabama Huntsville from 2013 to 2017 and is now back as an assistant coach for the Chargers (photo: UAH Athletics).
Alabama Huntsville announced recently the hiring of Carmine Guerriero as an assistant coach.
Guerriero, who played for the Chargers from 2013 to 2017, returns to Huntsville after most recently serving as volunteer goalie coach at St. Lawrence.
“I am extremely excited to have Carmine join our staff and return to our program,” UAH head coach Lance West said in a statement. “His attitude and passion for coaching will bring a great energy to the entire program every day. He has an incredible sense of pride for the University and the hockey program which is an example of how we want all our athletes to feel after their college experience at UAH.
“I know our players will benefit a great deal having Carmine as a coach. We are very fortunate to add a young coach who understands and wants to help student-athletes in their development as athletes and young men.”
“As a proud UAH alumnus, I am incredibly excited to be rejoining the program,” Guerriero added. “I am eager to work with and learn from such an experienced coaching staff in Coach West and Coach (Karlis) Zirnis and I look forward to instilling our culture into the program.
“I am grateful for UAH and what it has given to me. I want to be able to give back to the University and I can’t think of a better way to do that than to help lead the team that I once played for. I’d like to thank coach Brekke and the staff at Saint Lawrence for giving me the opportunity to get my foot in the door at the Division I level. With that being said, I cannot wait to get back to Huntsville and be a part of this new beginning. More importantly, I am looking forward to helping this group bring UAH hockey back to where it needs to be.”
A Montreal native, Guerriero set the WCHA record for saves in a game with 76 in the program’s first-ever WCHA playoff game in the 2014-15 season at Michigan Tech.
Following his career in Huntsville, Guerriero played with five ECHL squads in 2017-18 prior to backstopping the French team Albatros de Brest to a regular-season championship in 2018-19.
Additionally in his post-playing career, he served as emergency backup goaltender for the NHL’s Ottawa Senators.
The Chargers coaching staff now features three UAH alums, including West (1995), Zirnis (2003) and now Guerriero (2017).
Wisconsin players celebrate a goal during the 2020 Big Ten tournament (photo: Tealin Robinson/Wisconsin Athletics).
The Hockey Commissioners Association announced Thursday that the start of the 2020-21 NCAA season will be delayed due to the impact of COVID-19.
The statement:
“The eleven Division I men’s and women’s ice hockey conferences, represented by the Hockey Commissioners Association (HCA), are committed to providing memorable experiences for our student-athletes during the upcoming season. The conferences have been working together on plans to return to play with a focus on the health and safety of everyone associated within our campus communities. Due to the impact COVID-19 continues to have across the country and within higher education, the start of competition for the Division I college hockey season will be delayed. Each conference will announce plans for the season individually. We look forward to enjoying the college hockey experience this season.”
Several conferences also released statements Thursday.
“The health and safety of all involved across the campus communities, particularly our student-athletes, is the top priority,” said NCHC commissioner Josh Fenton. “We fully expect NCHC hockey to be back this season. As COVID-19 continues to have an impact on higher education, we have an obligation to host athletic competitions in a safe and responsible manner. We are committed to doing everything we conceivably can to provide competitive experiences that our student-athletes deserve. This delay affords us valuable time to continue formulating plans to start the season successfully.”
“We continue to engage in thorough evaluation and discussion of various options for safely opening the 2020-21 season, both nationally and within the WCHA, as the health and safety of everyone associated with our league is our top priority,” said WCHA commissioner Bill Robertson. “There was a strong desire to open the season as scheduled on October 3, but that is not possible given the realities we are facing. While we are still finalizing plans for our season at this point, we owe it to our student-athletes, coaches, officials and great fans to acknowledge the fact we will not begin play on time.”
“From day one, our discussions have centered around providing our student-athletes safe, meaningful competition opportunities,” WCHA women’s commissioner Jennifer Flowers said. “While our desire was to begin the season as scheduled, our board and the leadership at our member institutions recognize that is not an option given the current climate.
“Our primary focus continues to be the health, safety and wellness of our student-athletes, coaches, support staffs, officials and fans. We are actively engaged in the crafting and implementation of a return to play model that includes a new start date, addresses the diverse guidelines our member institutions are operating under and recognizes today’s ever-evolving medical and safety environments.
“This decision comes as our member institutions, which have only recently seen students return to campus, are concentrating on fulfilling their educational mission in the current landscape. Their success in tracking and meeting those challenges, coupled with rapid advances in COVID-19 testing, provide new data that inform our efforts. The league office and membership are working tirelessly to develop protocols allowing us to safely drop the puck on our season. We look forward to announcing a start date as soon as it is reasonable to do so.”
Alex Green posted 30 points in 78 career games on the Cornell blue line (photo: Dave Burbank/Cornell Athletics),
The Tampa Bay Lightning announced Wednesday the signing of Cornell defenseman Alex Green to an NHL entry-level contract starting with the 2020-21 season.
Green, a native of Chicago, will give up his senior season with the Big Red.
“Congratulations to Alex,” Cornell coach Mike Schafer said in a statement. “This is great for him, and we wish him nothing but success with Tampa Bay.”
The Lightning originally selected Green in the fourth round (121st overall) of the 2018 NHL Draft.
Named the ECAC Hockey Best Defensive Defenseman for the 2019-20 season, Green collected seven goals and 16 points in 29 games and also ranked second on the team with 35 blocked shots.
Overall, he tallied 10 goals and 30 points over 78 games with Cornell.
Former WCHA associate commissioner Doug Spencer has been chosen the 2020 recipient of the WCHA Otto Breitenbach Distinguished Service Award.
The Breitenbach Award is presented by the WCHA’s 10 member institutions to individuals who have rendered extraordinary service to the association. Spencer is the 42nd recipient of the award. Among the previous winners are head coaches Herb Brooks, Bob Johnson, John Mariucci and John MacInnes and former commissioners Bruce McLeod, Burt Smith and the award’s namesake, Otto Breitenbach.
Spencer is the second former WCHA publicist to be honored, joining Bob Reid, who served the league from 1953 to 1974.
“We want to congratulate Doug on receiving the prestigious Otto Breitenbach Award,” WCHA commissioner Bill Robertson said in a statement. “Doug’s devotion to both the men’s and women’s WCHA during his long and distinguished career was highlighted by his passion for the league, which was second to none.”
Spencer served the WCHA for 36 years, first as the assistant sports information director at Wisconsin (1982-90) and as the WCHA associate commissioner of public relations (1986-2014).
“I am both humbled and truly honored to have been chosen to receive the WCHA’s Otto Breitenbach Distinguished Service Award,” Spencer said. “There were so many special moments over my four decades with the league it’s impossible to mention them all. But I was fortunate to have worked with many, many legendary coaches, commissioners, referees and administrators. The WCHA, in my opinion, is the best college hockey league in history. And I will always be extremely proud to have been a part of it.”
Spencer coordinated public and media information needs, assisted in the general administration of the annual WCHA Final Five, produced numerous publications for both the men’s and women’s leagues, issued regular press releases and statistics, and maintained the WCHA’s record books.
“As someone who worked with Doug throughout his time with the WCHA, I saw his dedication to the league first-hand,” WCHA supervisor of officials Greg Shepherd said. “Doug worked tirelessly to promote our league and our student-athletes during a time when the WCHA enjoyed some of its greatest success.
“There was no one better at his job.”
Spencer oversaw the initial development and management of the league’s first website and its long-running radio show, “This Week in the WCHA.” He directed promotional efforts associated with the WCHA’s 50th anniversary celebration in 2001-02, including coordinating production of a five-disk DVD series that covered each of the league’s first five decades, a “Top 50 Players in 50 Years” unveiling, a 50-year reunion and reception for league alumni, and all logos, banners and merchandise.
Spencer also traveled to Switzerland and Norway with WCHA all-star teams and assisted in hosting international touring teams from Russia, Finland, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Norway, Sweden and Switzerland.
Spencer’s distinguished career with both the men’s and women’s WCHA included publicity efforts surrounding 25 NCAA championship teams, multiple Hobey Baker Memorial Award and Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award winners, and hundreds of All-Americans and Olympians.
Spencer, who also served as the publicity and publications director for the Amateur Hockey Association of the United States (now USA Hockey) from 1979 to 1982, was honored by the American Hockey Coaches Association in 2015 as the recipient of the annual Jim Fullerton Award.
Breitenbach served as the WCHA’s second commissioner from 1983 to 1994, an era that saw the league produce three national championships (North Dakota- 1987, Wisconsin- 1990 and Northern Michigan- 1991) and five Hobey Baker winners. Breitenbach was oversaw the return of Michigan Tech to the WCHA along with the addition of Northern Michigan, St. Cloud State and Alaska Anchorage. He was also instrumental in the development of the WCHA Final Five postseason tournament.
St. Olaf has announced the addition of Kayla Chilstrom as an assistant coach for the women’s hockey team.
A former player at Wisconsin-Superior, Chilstrom joins the St. Olaf staff following four seasons as an assistant coach at her alma mater.
“We are thrilled to welcome Kayla to our program,” St. Olaf head coach Tracy Johnson said in a statement. “Her positivity and passion for hockey are infectious and, for that, she is an incredible addition to the coaching staff and our team.
“I am confident her experience and work ethic will help propel our program forward and we are excited to welcome her to the Hill.”
Chilstrom has also served as an instructor at the Scott Bjugstad Shooting School and as a player development coach for the Minnesota Ice Cougars.
Prior to returning to her alma mater as an assistant coach, Chilstrom was an assistant coach at Superior High School for five seasons before being elevated to head coach for the 2016-17 season.
As a student-athlete at UW-Superior, Chilstrom helped the Yellowjackets to their first-ever appearance in the national semifinals in 2007-08 and an NCHA conference title that same year. In 102 career games on the blue line, Chilstrom recorded 38 points on 11 goals and 27 assists.
Austin Lemieux skated the past two seasons for Arizona State after redshirting the 2017-18 season.
Arizona State announced Thursday that would-be junior forward Austin Lemieux has retired from hockey to focus on becoming a pro golfer.
“Austin made the decision to stay back East and work on accomplishing his goal of becoming a professional golfer,” Sun Devils coach Greg Powers told The State Press. “He made tremendous contributions to our program and [we] support him in everything he decides to do.”
Lemieux spent the last two seasons playing for the Sun Devils after redshirting for his first year at Arizona State. He scored seven goals and 20 assists for 27 points over 66 games over those two seasons.
According to DK Pittsburgh Sports, Lemieux, the son of legendary NHL star Mario Lemieux, played golf at the amateur level back home in Pennsylvania.
Massachusetts hockey has added forward Garrett Wait as a transfer from Minnesota.
Wait will be a junior with the Minutemen.
“Garrett is another transfer student coming to us from the University of Minnesota where he played the last two seasons,” said UMass coach Greg Carvel in a news release. “Garrett was a proven scorer at the USHL level and we expect him to be an offensive producer for us at UMass. Another forward with good size and skill, Garrett will add to our scoring depth and could be a big addition to our group.”
In two seasons with the Gophers, Wait saw action in 40 games and registered 10 points on three goals and seven assists.
Sacred Heart’s Matt Tugnutt finished sixth in Atlantic Hockey scoring with 30 points last season (photo: Omar Phillips).
Providence will have two graduate transfers and one transfer on its roster for the upcoming 2020-21 season.
Goaltender Anton Martinsson (Alaska) and forward Matt Tugnutt (Sacred Heart) are the graduate transfers, while goaltender Jaxson Stauber (Minnesota State) is the lone transfer and will be a sophomore with the Friars.
Martinsson went 9-10-2 last season with a career-best 2.51 GAA and .919 save percentage. He also posted a 35-save shutout at then-No. 8 Penn State last October and has four career shutouts overall.
An alternate captain in 2019-20 with Sacred Heart, Tugnutt finished sixth in Atlantic Hockey scoring with 30 points (14 goals, 16 assists) and has amassed 30 goals and 42 assists for 72 points in 97 career games. He led the NCAA in short-handed goals (3) during the 2018-19 season.
Stauber left Minnesota State last December and went back to the USHL, leading all goaltenders with a .918 save percentage with the Sioux Falls Stampede. He added a 2.45 GAA in 24 games with Sioux Falls and fashioned a 14-6-4 record and was named an All-USHL Second Team selection in 2019-20.
The MIAC announced Monday that it will postpone all competition until January 2021, including both men’s and women’s hockey.
According to a news release, the delay in competition will grant institutions, staff, and students additional time to adjust to new safety protocols on campus in the COVID-19 era while also allowing for continued testing and treatment developments, which remain a key factor for the return of athletics across the nation.
MIAC winter sport coaches have begun work on building a framework and schedules for a compressed conference season beginning in January, while all MIAC teams will maintain the institutional autonomy to practice, train, and conduct other athletic-related activities throughout the academic year in accordance with NCAA and campus protocols.
In addition to the decision on competition, the MIAC also approved legislation for a five-year eligibility relief package to match NCAA eligibility bylaws and accept all NCAA blanket waivers, allowing student-athletes impacted by COVID-19 to plan their academic paths with maximum flexibility. The legislation is effective immediately and will be in place through the 2024-25 academic year.
The conference granted a similar exception for graduating seniors impacted by COVID-19 this past spring.
Jerry Harding skated in 14 games last season as a freshman at Providence (photo: Providence Athletics).
Massachusetts has added forward Jerry Harding as a transfer from Providence.
“Jerry is another good-sized player who plays a hard and physical style,” UMass coach Greg Carvel said in a statement. “He has tremendous speed that will make him effective within our team’s style of play. Another Massachusetts native, we will rely on Jerry’s tenacity on the ice to bring energy and offense to our team.”
Harding appeared in 14 games as a freshman for the Friars in 2019-20 without recording a point.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NCAA has adjusted several rules that may impact current and prospective student-athletes.
Recruiting Dead Period
The NCAA has instituted a recruiting dead period that is currently scheduled to run through at least the end of September.
During dead periods, college coaches are prohibited from any in-person recruiting, either on- or off-campus, including evaluations. As always, coaches can watch games online to scout prospects. They also may be in contact with prospective student-athletes of appropriate age via phone, email, text, etc., and players entering junior year (grade 11) or older can make verbal commitments to schools.
As of now, there are no changes planned for the National Letter of Intent signing period, which is scheduled to begin on Nov. 11.
Standardized Tests
The NCAA has eliminated the requirement that incoming student-athletes take standardized tests (ACT/SAT) for those student-athletes enrolling in the fall of 2020 or 2021. (Note that some schools may still require standardized tests as part of their admissions process.)
Over the next year, the Division I Committee on Academics plans to review the use of test scores as part of NCAA initial-eligibility standards moving forward.
Initial Eligibility
Prospective student-athletes will still need to meet minimum grade-point averages in NCAA core courses to be eligible for Division I competition as freshmen.
Student-athletes enrolling in a Division I school during the 2021-22 academic year will be academically eligible by earning a 2.3 grade-point average in 16 NCAA-approved core courses. Students who spend some or all of high school in the United States must complete 10 core courses (seven in English, math and science) by the start of their seventh semester in high school (prior to senior year).
The NCAA has altered the way it computes grade-point values for pass/fail courses taken in the 2020-21 academic year. For courses completed with a “pass” grade, the Eligibility Center will apply the credit earned in those courses toward the core-course requirement. If the core GPA would increase by assigning a value of 2.3, that value will be assigned to passed courses. If the 2.3 mark would decrease the student’s overall GPA, the core-course GPA will be calculated based only on courses with assigned letter grades from other terms.
This policy will apply to students from all grade levels who successfully complete NCAA-approved pass/fail core courses in 2020-21.
The Eligibility Center has also extended its policy to not require a separate review of distance, e-learning or hybrid programs offered by schools with NCAA-approved core courses during 2020-21 in response to COVID-19. Students are encouraged to complete their courses as recommended by their school, district or state department of education.
NCAA Customer Service is available to answer specific eligibility questions Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Eastern time at 877-262-1492 (domestic students and Canadian students outside of Quebec) and for international students including Quebec at ncaa.org/contactinternational.
21-Year Old Rule
For the 2020-21 academic year, prospective student-athletes who turn 21 years old during the season (i.e., early 2000 birthdates) will not lose a year of Division I eligibility if they play a junior hockey game after their birthday. Typically, those players would have to enroll full-time in a post-secondary institution in order to retain their four years of Division I eligibility.
Outside Competition
Current student-athletes whose institutions will not be playing hockey during the fall semester will be permitted to participate in non-collegiate, amateur competition i.e. junior hockey on an outside team during the fall 2020 term (subject to school and conference approval). These student-athletes may compete on an outside team while remaining enrolled in their NCAA institution, which typically would not be allowed.
An institution or conference may not provide expenses for such competition and the student-athlete must be in good academic standing. A student-athlete who remains enrolled at the institution may not miss class to participate in outside competition. All competition should adhere to federal, state, local and other applicable guidelines related to COVID-19.
