St. Olaf announced Tuesday the hiring of Eddie Effinger as the head coach of the Oles men’s hockey team.
Effinger comes to St. Olaf after spending this past season as the director of hockey operations at Boston University.
He takes over for Cole Workman, who served as interim coach during the 2019-20 season and was not retained.
A forward at Amherst during his playing days, Effinger also spent six seasons as an assistant coach at his alma mater prior to BU.
“We are extremely excited to bring someone with Eddie’s background to the Hill,” St. Olaf athletic director Bowles said in a statement. “Eddie is the perfect fit for St. Olaf. His playing and coaching experience at Amherst, and the time he has spent at Boston University, have prepared him perfectly to lead our men’s hockey program to the level we expect to compete at within the MIAC and nationally.”
At BU, Effinger managed all operational aspects of the men’s hockey program, including travel logistics, video breakdowns, and athletic development. He also assisted head coach Albie O’Connell with fundraising development, alumni relations, recruiting coordination with players across the world, and oversaw academic support, leadership programming, and community outreach.
“I am honored to be joining the St. Olaf family,” Effinger said. “I would like to thank Ryan Bowles and the entire search committee for their leadership and trust in me to lead the men’s hockey program. I am very excited about the potential of our program and am eager to join the St. Olaf community.”
At Amherst, Effinger was a two-time captain and recorded 77 points on 38 goals and 39 assists in 97 games.
After graduating from Amherst, Effinger played one season with the Quad City Mallards of the former Central Hockey League.
Sammy Davis spent five seasons at BU and was a three-time captain for the Terriers (photo: Rich Gagnon).
Boston University captain Sammy Davis has been named the winner of the 2020 Sarah Devens Award.
Presented annually to a player who demonstrates leadership and commitment both on and off the ice, the Devens Award is given as a joint honor between ECAC Hockey and Hockey East and aids a deserving student-athlete with a postgraduate scholarship of $10,000.
The award is named in honor of the former Dartmouth player who died in 1995 prior to her senior year.
“Sammy Davis has been a consummate student-athlete at Boston University for the past five years,” BU coach Brian Durocher said in a statement. “Her conviction to the program and to BU makes her a worthy recipient of the Sarah Devens Award. Sammy’s leadership on the ice, accomplishments in the classroom and tireless efforts throughout the community have set a standard of excellence that is widely recognized. We are all proud of Sammy and congratulate her on being selected as this year’s Sarah Devens Award winner,”
“This means so much to me and it’s an honor to receive an award in Sarah Devens’ name,” added Davis. “I think this award is also a testament to my coaches, teammates, and family. My coaches and teammates pushed me to be the best version of myself every day, not only on the ice but also off the ice. I also have to thank my family for making my dream of playing college hockey a reality. Lastly, to the Devens family, I can’t thank you enough for providing such a wonderful gift every year to college athletes. It truly is amazing. This postgraduate scholarship is going to help me so much and I am forever grateful for your family’s generosity.”
Davis is the first winner from Boston University and just the third player from Hockey East to win the award in its 24-year history, following Vermont’s Taylor Willard in 2018 and Providence’s Karen Thatcher in 2006.
A native of Pembroke, Mass., Davis was a three-time captain of the Terriers and led the team in 2019-20 with 17 goals, 24 assists and 41 points. Her 34 points in league play was third-most of any player in Hockey East and she led the conference in power-play production with six goals, nine assists, and 15 points on the man-advantage, all best in Hockey East.
In the classroom, Davis earned her bachelor’s degree in behavior and health in May 2019 and will graduate this spring with a master’s degree in special education. Through her time at BU, she has maintained a 3.59 GPA while taking a challenging course load and has been named to the Hockey East All-Academic Team four times in her career. Davis has been admitted to the Massachusetts General Hospital doctorate program where she will earn her doctorate in occupational therapy.
An active member of the Boston University community, Davis was committed to community service during her time as a Terrier. She has been involved with the Travis Roy Foundation, which raises money to continue searching for a cure for spinal cord injuries. Davis was also involved with her team’s fundraising efforts for Hockey East’s Skating Strides Against Breast Cancer initiative as well as the Making Strides against Breast Cancer walk that takes place each fall.
The captain also organized efforts for her team to work with The Doc Wayne Foundation to help underprivileged youth in Boston have better access to athletic opportunities in their community.
Most significantly, Davis spent the summer of 2019 abroad in South Africa working with Project Playground. This program works with children with disabilities in areas lacking resources that are necessary to their development by providing an outlet for children to empower themselves to see change in their communities by increasing social interaction, foster problem-solving skills, inspire creativity, empower local leaders to improve their communities, and help children laugh. While with Project Playground, Davis worked alongside occupational therapists to help children develop basic life skills.
Northeastern’s Grant Jozefek celebrates his goal in the Beanpot final against Boston University on Feb. 10, 2020 (photo: Rich Gagnon).
Northeastern forward Grant Jozefek has received a medical hardship waiver from the NCAA and will return for the 2020-21 season with the Huskies.
Jozefek missed 28 games back in 2016-17 and was granted an extra year of eligibility.
“I am extremely excited to learn that Grant will return to Northeastern next year and help lead our team,” said Huskies coach Jim Madigan in a statement. “Grant has been a key member of our program over the last four years and has helped us win three Beanpots, a Hockey East championship and two NCAA appearances. He has established himself as a premier player in Hockey East and the coaching staff is thrilled to have his leadership and offensive abilities on display again next year for the Huskies. We also want to thank Mary Mulvenna and our compliance department. Without them, none of this would have been possible.”
During the 2019-20 season, Jozefek tallied eight goals and 10 assists for 18 points. He scored a goal in the Beanpot title game against Boston University on Feb. 10 and set up the game-winning goal in the first round of the Beanpot against Harvard a week prior.
After two seasons at Connecticut, forward Jordan Timmons will transfer to Robert Morris and will be eligible to play starting with the 2021-22 season.
Timmons announced the move Saturday on Twitter.
I want to thank everyone at UConn for an amazing 2 years but I am excited to announce I will be finishing my athletic and academic career at Robert Morris University. pic.twitter.com/refv3ZuzzT
Scott Perunovich registered six goals and 40 points this season as a junior at Minnesota Duluth, good for second among the country’s blueliners and tenth overall (photo: Jim Rosvold).
Minnesota Duluth junior defenseman Scott Perunovich has been named the winner of the 2020 Hobey Baker Memorial Award.
The native of Hibbing, Minn., became the first defenseman to lead the NCHC in conference scoring this past season, collecting 32 points on four goals and 28 assists in 24 conference games.
“It’s very special and a prestigious award,” said Perunovich on a Zoom video chat Saturday night with media. “Lot of excitement, tears from some people, but just grateful and super fun to have my family here for this.”
Overall, Perunovich tallied six goals and 34 assists for 40 points in 34 games for the Bulldogs. That positioned him tenth in the nation in scoring and second among all defensemen. His 34 assists led all defensemen and was second overall in the nation.
“He is a difference maker, that’s for sure,” said UMD coach Scott Sandelin. “He’s the type of impact player who can take control of a game. He’s had a tremendous season — and a tremendous three-year career here — and is certainly deserving of this award.”
Perunovich was also named the NCHC Player of the Year, NCHC Offensive Defenseman of the Year for the third straight season, First Team All-Conference for the third straight season and an All American for the third straight season.
A communications major at UMD, Perunovich decided to forgo his final year of college hockey and signed a pro contract with the St. Louis Blues last month. St. Louis had selected Perunovich in the second round (45th overall) in the 2017 NHL Draft.
“I just tried to focus on UMD throughout the year,” said Perunovich. “Once the season got canceled, I started to look at the next step, talked it out with my family, and we realized that taking that next step (signing with the Blues) was best for me.”
The sixth Bulldog to win the Hobey, the most of any NCAA school, Perunovich follows in the skates of Tom Kurvers (1984), Bill Watson (1985), Chris Marinucci (1994), Junior Lessard (2004) and Jack Connolly (2012).
This marks the second straight year and third time in four seasons a defenseman has won the Hobey (Massachusetts’ Cale Makar 2019, Denver’s Will Butcher 2017).
Perunovich adds the Hobey Baker to the two national championships UMD won in 2018 and 2019.
“The coaching staff helped get this program to where it is with all the recent success,” Perunovich said. “Getting to the national championship game three times in three years, is not coincidence. I think we’ve turned this program around in the last 10 years or so and we have a bright future ahead of us.”
Maine goalie Jeremy Swayman finished the 2019-20 season with an 18-11-5 record, a 2.07 GAA and a .939 save percentage (photo: Maine Athletics).
Maine junior goaltender Jeremy Swayman has been awarded the 2020 Mike Richter Award, given annually to the best goaltender in NCAA Division I men’s hockey.
Swayman, also named to the CCM/AHCA All-American First Team and a Hobey Hat Trick Finalist, is the fourth player in Hockey East history to collect the award in its seven-year history.
Earlier this year, the Anchorage, Alaska, native was named the 2019-20 Hockey East Player of the Year, the first Maine goaltender to win Hockey East’s top individual honor and the first Black Bear since Spencer Abbott in 2011-12.
During the Hockey East regular season, Swayman led the league in saves (782), save percentage (.932) and tied for the lead in shutouts (3) while his 12 wins in Hockey East tied for second. The junior’s 782 saves in conference action is the 10th most of any goaltender in league history and the highest single-season total since 2010-11.
Swayman’s 2.27 goals-against average in league play was fourth-best among conference netminders.
Overall, Swayman carried a record of 18-11-5 and led the NCAA in saves with 1,099 stops. His save percentage of .939 ranked second among all goaltenders in the nation, while his 2.07 GAA was good for 15th in the country.
A 2017 fourth-round draft choice of the Boston Bruins who signed his entry level contract on March 17, Swayman had 25 games of at least 30 saves this season, including five outings with at least 40 stops.
The Black Bears’ backstop helped his team to the fourth-seed in the Hockey East tournament by posting three shutouts over their final six games of the regular season, including a 48-save shutout in a 1-0 win in the season finale.
Swayman is the first goalie to win Hockey East Player of the Year outright since Northeastern’s Brad Theissen in 2008-09 after Boston College’s Thatcher Demko and UMass Lowell’s Kevin Boyle split the award in 2015-16.
Western Michigan forward Hugh McGing completed his senior season with the Broncos scoring a team-high 35 points in 12 goals and 23 assists during the 2019-20 season (photo: Bradley K. Olson).
Sixteen different schools have players honored as CCM/AHCA Hockey All-Americans for the 2019-20 season.
Minnesota Duluth leads the way with four honorees, followed by three selections from Minnesota State.
Four schools had a pair of honorees.
FIRST TEAM – EAST
F: Morgan Barron, JR, Cornell
F: Jack Dugan, SO, Providence
F: John Leonard, JR, Massachusetts
D: David Farrance, JR, Boston University
D: Jack Rathbone, SO, Harvard
G: Jeremy Swayman, JR, Maine
FIRST TEAM – WEST
F: Jordan Kawaguchi, JR, North Dakota
F: Hugh McGing, SR, Western Michigan
F: Marc Michaelis, SR, Minnesota State
D: Ian Mitchell, JR, Denver
D: Scott Perunovich, JR, Minnesota Duluth
G: Dryden McKay, SO, Minnesota State
SECOND TEAM – EAST
F: Nick Abruzzese, FR. Harvard
F: Jason Cotton, SR, Sacred Heart
F: Tyler Madden, SO, Northeastern
D: Yanni Kaldis, SR, Cornell
D: Mike Lee, SR, Sacred Heart
G: Frank Marotte, SR, Clarkson
SECOND TEAM – WEST
F: Noah Cates, SO, Minnesota Duluth
F: Cole Koepke, SO, Minnesota Duluth
F: Nate Sucese, SR, Penn State
D: Cole Hults., JR, Penn State
D: Connor Mackey, JR, Minnesota State
D: Alec Rauhauser, SR, Bowling Green
G: Hunter Shepard, SR, University of Minnesota Duluth
The All-American teams are sponsored by CCM Hockey and are chosen by members of the American Hockey Coaches Association.
SIMULATION: Connor Mackey tallied the overtime game-winning goal as Minnesota State captured the national championship with a 4-3 victory over North Dakota (File photo: David Faulkner/SPX Sports)
In a game that lived up to its hype, Minnesota State and North Dakota traded bone-crushing blows until Connor Mackey’s goal at 10:32 of overtime ended a thrilling national title game and sent Minnesota State, a team that had never won an NCAA tournament game before this year, to an improbable national title, 4-3.
Jordan Kawaguchi scored twice for North Dakota, including a tying goal with an extra attacker with just 18.8 seconds left in regulation to send the game to overtime.
But Minnesota State was a resilient team.
After falling behind, 1-0, on Kawaguchi’s first goal in the opening 20, the Mavericks were a strong team in the middle stanza.
Marc Michaelis evened the game at 7:28 of the second and then, less than three minutes later, Parker Tuomie gave Minnesota State its first lead at 10:27.
North Dakota looked like it would need a third-period comeback until Shane Pinto’s goal late in the second turned the game into a 20-minute (plus overtime) contest.
It appeared that Minnesota State was heading towards the national title in regulation when Nathan Smith stole a puck and skated in on a breakaway, scoring with 7:17 remaining. And thought North Dakota peppered the net, Dryden McKay stock tall, making 16 third period saves.
Unfortunately for him, the 17th shot off the stick of Kawaguchi, went in with just 18.8 seconds left forcing the overtime.
Kawaguchi was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, despite playing for the losing team.
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP BOX SCORE Minnesota State 4, North Dakota 3 (OT)
1st: UND, 12:03, J. Kawaguchi (M. Kiersted, G. Mismash); 2nd: MSU, 7:28, M. Michaelis (L. Sowder, R. Zmolek); MSU, 10:27, P. Tuomie (J. McNeely, Michaelis); 16:41, UND S. Pinto (J. Weatherby, W. Michard); 3rd: MSU, 12:43, N. Smith (unassisted); UND, 19:41, Kawaguchi EA (E. Frisch, Kiersted); OT1: MSU, 10:32, C. Mackey (Lutz, Jaremko).
GOALS: MSU 0-2-1-1–4; UND 1-1-1-0–3; SHOTS: MSU 11-16-5-7–39 ; UND 10-9-17-6–42
OFFICIALS: J. Koharski, G. Miller, referees; T. George, B.Bernard, linesmen; T: 3:24
Cole Hults played in 111 straight games in his three years at Penn State (photo: Rich Gagnon).
Penn State junior defenseman Cole Hults will forgo his senior season with the Nittany Lions after agreeing to terms on a two-year, entry-level deal with the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday afternoon.
Hults was originally drafted by the Kings in the fifth round (134th overall) of the 2017 NHL Draft.
“Cole is the highest performing low risk, low maintenance player I’ve ever had the privilege of coaching,” Penn State coach Guy Gadowsky said in a statement. “He is so efficient in everything he does. We are extremely happy for Hultsy and wish him all the success at the next level.”
A finalist for both the Big Ten Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year, Hults tied the Penn State single-season record for points by a defenseman with a career-best 30 this past season (eight goals, 22 assists), a mark good for first in the Big Ten by blueliners and tenth nationally among defensemen.
The native of Stoughton, Wis., didn’t miss a single game since stepping foot on campus in the fall of 2017, playing in 111 consecutive games.
“Penn State has engraved a special place in my heart, and I couldn’t be more proud to be a Nittany Lion,” said Hults. “I’ve built friendships that will last a lifetime and have become a better player and person during my time in Hockey Valley. This is such a special place that I will forever call home and I couldn’t think of a better spot to have spent my collegiate career. We are.”
Amanda Conger excelled on and off the ice in her four years at Saint Anselm (photo: Jim Stankiewicz).
As a senior at St. Anselm in New Hampshire, Amanda Conger has always taken the Benedictine principles of distinguishing one’s life with meaning, leadership and achievement to heart each every day as a student, hockey team captain and this year as an organ donor.
The ultimate gift and selfless act are not something Amanda has ever sought recognition for but now embraces the opportunity to build a needed growing community for organ donation and support of kidney disease awareness.
She will have that platform as the 2020 recipient of the Hockey Humanitarian Award.
“I was astounded when my coach nominated me for the Hockey Humanitarian Award,” said a humbled Conger. “After speaking with a couple of representatives with the committee since and hearing about the multitudes of work others have done, I don’t know that my actions meet that level, but I didn’t donate a kidney to get recognized. I have very strong feelings about all kinds of organ and tissue donation that I think started when my older brother, Matt, donated bone marrow two years ago. I really thought that was a wonderful thing to be a match and being able to help someone find a cure and have a healthy life from something that he had the ability to give.
“My teammates still give me some grief for asking them to be part of the Be the Match program when they did a registration event on campus last year, but it just felt like a cause I wanted to be a part of. Later I saw Cameron Ouellette (a future kidney recipient) had put out a plea on the internet for donors, asking interested parties to reach out for an information packet, and I think that is where the process for me really got started.”
That process, which started out during Conger’s junior season with the Hawks, extended into the summer with the actual transplant surgery and continued with her final season of hockey at St. A’s and a burgeoning relationship with her organ recipient and the organ donation community.
“It’s not a short or easy process,” Conger said. “I requested the information packet and then submitted to some testing, figuring that even if I wasn’t a good match, I had tried to help someone. When the results came back as a match, I was excited and anxious about what would happen next. Growing up in a small town in Vermont, you learn to be there for friends and neighbors, and while I didn’t really know the person in need of my kidney, I was ready to donate one of mine to help Cameron live his life.
Conger said the process was a little strange in that she came to know the person in need of the transplant but that he and his family were not allowed to know who the possible donor was until a certain point in the process prior to the actual surgery.
“During the summer, I worked at a local stock car racetrack doing a number of jobs including checking in drivers, friends and family into the facility at the gate,” Conger said. “I actually met Cameron and his family there since he was a driver and they would talk about finding a donor, and hearing about a match and then eventually a planned time to meet the actual donor. It was a little surreal since I knew the whole time but couldn’t tell anyone until the screening process was complete.”
There were additional tests, blood work and an interview panel for Conger to navigate before the surgery was finally approved and scheduled. That process evolved over the balance of her junior hockey season and the surgery finally occurred in the summer of 2019.
“The hardest part was going through the interview session with the transplant team at the University of Vermont Medical Center,” said Conger. “They asked some really hard questions that seemed like they were trying to discourage me and many were the same questions phrased differently by different members of the team. I realized that I could be the perfect match but that didn’t mean I was the right donor. I knew then the transplant team was concerned about me and my future after doing this and that just reinforced everything for me going forward as a donor.”
Conger met Ouellette officially and the surgery was successfully completed last summer. After a brief concern about organ rejection, both patient and donor are doing well and now have bonded through their shared organ and Ouellette’s recovery to good kidney function. They speak on average twice a week and Conger relishes the interactions with her new extended family.
“It was hard coming back from the surgery and trying to get ready for the hockey season,” said Conger. “I think I was only able to lift about five pounds post-operatively when my teammates were going through full pre-season workout. We modified my program and I got back on the ice to start the season wearing a BMX-style protective vest to cover my back area and protect me from contact. It took me a little while to not think about it but I got there pretty quickly and now I only think about it when I see the scar.”
While her last hockey season is in the books, Conger is not stepping away from continued activities in the kidney health awareness space, promotion of the game of hockey or support for other endeavors she supported as a player at St. Anselm.
“I have talked to my coach about doing a game for kidney health and awareness next season,” Conger said. “We couldn’t make it happen this year but I would really love to create some uniforms with the bright, lime green color for a game next year on campus and get the word out on the value of all organ donation, not just kidney donation. I am probably going back to my small town in Vermont where I hope to continue these efforts as well as help coach youth hockey and grow a declining base of players for the girls game. I know I will continue to drive awareness in the organ donation space and will also try to continue to grow a sport that I have loved playing since I was 4 years old.”
Bemidji State’s Charlie Combs battles for the puck in a game against Northern Michigan’s Adam Rockwood, Philip Beaulieu and goaltender Mathias Israelsson back on Dec. 8, 2017 at the Sanford Center in Bemidji, Minn. (photo: Jim Rosvold).
According to the Bemidji Pioneer, Bemidji State forward Charlie Combs will play the 2020-21 season at Michigan State as a graduate transfer.
Combs also took to Twitter to make the announcement.
Thank you to @BSUBeaversMHKY for the past 3 years. A lot of great memories made along the way. I am excited to announce that I will be continuing my college career with @MSU_Hockey#Spartans
Jared Pike is a player AIC coach Eric Lang calls ‘the type of person that will make the Hines family proud’ (photo: RJB Photo).
American International senior forward Jared Pike has been named the winner of the 2019-20 Derek Hines Unsung Hero Award.
The award was established by the Hockey Commissioners Association in honor of former Army West Point player Derek Hines (1999-2003), who was killed in the line of duty on Sept. 1, 2005, in Afghanistan.
“It’s an honor to receive such a prestigious award,” Pike said in a statement. “Derek Hines was a champion at the game of life. Winning this award is a reflection of AIC hockey and the culture we have built at this program. Again, I’m completely humbled to receive this award and all that it represents.”
AIC coach Eric Lang, who spent four seasons as an assistant coach at Army, felt that Pike was an outstanding choice for this award.
“I couldn’t think of a better recipient than Jared Pike for the Derek Hines Award,” Lang said. “Having been around the Army West Point community and knowing, from a distance, all that Derek Hines stood for, Jared is the type of person that will make the Hines family proud. Jared encompasses team first, accountability, and commitment in every facet of his life. This is, in my opinion, one of the most prestigious awards in all of college sports. We are very proud of Jared and honored as a program.”
Pike, a four-year letter-winner for AIC, was part of the first recruiting class in Lang’s tenure at AIC. In his 144-game career, he scored 29 goals and added 15 assists for 44 points.
Off the ice, Pike was part of a number of community service initiatives in his tenure at AIC, and was also named an Krampade/American Hockey Coaches Association All-American Scholar in each of his first three seasons for which the award has been given.
“Jared Pike epitomizes everything the Derek Hines Unsung Hero Award embodies,” said AIC associate head coach Stephen Wiedler. “Time and time again, Jared has raised the standard of what it means to be an AIC Yellow Jacket through his competitive fire, accountability, and team-first mentality. We are very proud of Jared for winning this distinguished award.”
The other finalists for this year’s award were Michigan State senior defenseman Brutus Ghafari, Connecticut senior defenseman Wyatt Newpower, Minnesota State senior defenseman Edwin Hookenson, St. Cloud State junior forward Will Hammer and Rensselaer senior defenseman T.J. Samec.
The HCA coordinates the award, with nominations from each of the six Division I men’s hockey conferences.
The selection committee, made up of the six conference media contacts, Lt. Steve Hines, Derek’s father, and Army West Point coach Brian Riley, vote on the winner “who displays exemplary sportsmanship, is supremely competitive, intelligent and extraordinarily conditioned with an unmatched work ethic.”
Jack Olmstead skated in nine games over two seasons for Michigan from 2018 to 2020 (photo: Michigan Photography).
Michigan sophomore forward Jack Olmstead announced on Twitter Thursday that he’ll be transferring to Miami.
Per NCAA transfer rules, Olmstead will sit out the 2020-21 season and will be eligible to play for the RedHawks in 2021-22.
Excited to announce my commitment to play hockey at Miami of Ohio. Thank you to my teammates, coaches, teachers, fans, and friends at the University of Michigan for making these last two years unforgettable. Can’t wait to get going in Oxford! #Brotherhoodpic.twitter.com/IYtem1bHZn
Alaska Anchorage’s Nolan Nicholas was a stalwart on the Seawolves’ back end and also excelled in the classroom and community (photo: UAA Athletics).
Alaska Anchorage defenseman Nolan Nicholas has been selected as the 2019-20 Senior CLASS Award winner.
The award, chosen by a nationwide vote of Division I men’s hockey coaches, national hockey media and fans, is given annually to the most outstanding senior student-athlete in D-I men’s hockey.
Nicholas is the first student-athlete from Alaska Anchorage to win the award.
An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.
To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: classroom, community, character and competition.
“To even appear on a list with such committed students, talented hockey players, and exceptional citizens is truly humbling,” said Nicholas, who served as a team captain and played in all 36 games during the 2019-20 season. “I truly tried every day to put everything I could into my experience as a University of Alaska Anchorage student-athlete. The opportunity gave me lessons in determination, perseverance, dedication and teamwork that I will carry for the rest of my life.
“The experience of playing the game I love, in a place I never in a million years thought I’d ever call home, all while receiving a first-class education, has profoundly impacted me. The support I received along the way from coaches, teammates, friends and family has been instrumental in this achievement, and I am forever indebted.”
Nicholas’ impact with the Seawolves was made immediately after arriving on campus.
As a freshman, he led Alaska Anchorage with 57 blocked shots in 29 games and earned the team’s rookie of the year award. Nicholas was named an alternate captain for both his sophomore and junior seasons while earning a spot on the WCHA All-Academic Team. He was also named a National Strength and Conditioning Association All-American in 2018-19.
As a senior, Nicholas recorded a team-high 63 blocks and was one of just three players to skate in all 36 games, posting two assists.
“A truly special young man, Nolan exemplifies the best in what it means to be a student-athlete and is very deserving of this prestigious award,” said UAA coach Matt Curley. “Representing our school, program, himself and his family with the utmost integrity, he embodies everything this award represents on and off the ice. The meaning of community, classroom, character and competition cannot be defined without making mention of the characteristics and values Nolan possesses. It has been my honor and privilege to have had the opportunity to work with him the past few years and I am proud to see him earn this recognition.”
Nicholas’ 3.84 cumulative grade-point-average exemplifies his dedication and commitment to his criminal justice major and legal studies minor. Enduring long road trips that span thousands of miles from Anchorage, Nicholas is able to excel in the classroom while also displaying his team captain traits both on and off the ice.
Community outreach programs are also an area where Nicholas prides himself. As a member of the on-campus Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, he helps improve the well-being of his fellow student athletes.
He also served as an ambassador for the University of Alaska Anchorage and is an acting representative for the Athletics Expedited Review Committee. Off campus, Nicholas participates in volunteer events in conjunction with UAA hockey and other youth initiatives to help educate the next generation of hockey fans throughout the community.
“Nolan’s ability to excel in the classroom, on the ice, and in the community should not go unnoticed,” said Senior CLASS Award executive director Erik Miner. “He is a well-rounded ambassador and displays and a daily basis what the Senior CLASS Award represents. His hard work and determination for pursuing excellence are traits that will propel him toward a successful future. We are proud to congratulate Nolan Nicholas and the University of Alaska Anchorage for winning this award.”
Senior CLASS Award First Team All-Americans
Cal Burke, Notre Dame
Hugh McGing, Western Michigan
Cale Morris, Notre Dame
Nolan Nicholas, Alaska Anchorage
Alex Wilkinson, Army West Point
Senior CLASS Award Second Team All-Americans
Devin Brosseau, Clarkson
Haralds Egle, Clarkson
Mitchell Fossier, Maine
Max Humitz, Lake Superior State
Tanner Laczynski, Ohio State
In his freshman season, Alex Newhook totaled 19 goals and 42 points for Boston College (photo: Rich Gagnon).
Boston College freshman forward Alex Newhook has been named the recipient of the 2020 Tim Taylor Award, given annually to the best first-year player in NCAA Division I men’s hockey.
He is the first BC player to win this award and the seventh from Hockey East in the 14 years of the award.
The award is voted on by the nation’s assistant coaches and is named for the former Yale and U.S. Olympic Team head coach.
Newhook finished second among all league players in conference scoring with 15 goals and 18 assists for 33 points in 24 games, while leading the league with a plus-25 rating. His 15 goals were second among all skaters, including four game winners that helped the Eagles to a 17-6-1 record in Hockey East play and the program’s 17th regular-season crown.
A St. John’s, Newfoundland native, Newhook paced all Hockey East freshmen in goals (15), points (33), points per game (1.38), shorthanded goals (1), game-winning goals (4), and on-ice rating (plus-25.) He was also second in faceoff percentage, going 122-105 at the dot for a 53.7 percent efficiency.
Newhook, a Colorado Avalanche prospect, finished the regular season riding a 12-game point streak, picking up 10 goals and 13 assists over the span. Overall, Newhook led the Eagles in scoring with 42 points on 19 goals and 23 assists, including a league-best three short-handed markers. His 42 points were seventh in the NCAA among all skaters.
The runner-up for this year’s award, sponsored by the Hockey Commissioners Association, is Harvard freshman forward Nick Abruzzese.
Hockey East announced Friday that Kate McAfee has been named associate commissioner.
McAfee currently serves as associate athletic director for event management at the University of New Hampshire.
She was appointed a member of the NCAA Women’s Ice Hockey Committee in Nov. 2019.
“I’m thrilled to have Kate join the Hockey East staff,” said incoming Hockey East commissioner Steve Metcalf in a statement. “She brings great experience with all facets of college hockey as well as strong relationships throughout the league and the entire NCAA. Kate brings plenty of championship acumen, having been the championship director of numerous NCAA Regional and Frozen Four championships.”
“I’d like to thank Steve Metcalf for giving me the opportunity to be part of such a strong and successful league,” added McAfee. “I’m excited to utilize my passion of the game for the betterment of Hockey East, its member institutions, and especially the student-athletes, and to have the opportunity to continue to make impactful changes in the college hockey landscape.”
She will begin her Hockey East duties later this spring.
In her current role, McAfee is the on-site administrator for multiple intercollegiate athletics events at UNH, including men’s and women’s hockey, football, field hockey, men’s soccer and women’s lacrosse.
McAfee served as the tournament manager for the 2016 women’s Frozen Four, assistant tournament manager for the NCAA men’s hockey regional five times between 2011 and 2019, and was a quarterfinal site representative for the NCAA women’s tournament in 2018 and 2019.
A Hampton Falls, N.H., native, McAfee was a field hockey and lacrosse letter-winner at Western New England College, where she earned a bachelor of arts degree in history in May 2000.
McAfee earned a master of science in kinesiology sport studies degree from UNH in May 2017.
SIMULATION: Hobey Hat Trick finalist Jordan Kawaguchi scored in a fantastic goaltending display as North Dakota advanced, 2-1, over Ohio State. The Fighting Hawks will face Minnesota State in Saturday’s national title game. (File photo: Bradley K. Olson)
USCHO, with the assistance of the talents of a message board member, “Fighting Sioux 23,” is running a postseason simulation of all tournament games. The following is the summary of simulations for the national semifinals that would have been played on Thursday in Detroit.
North Dakota 2, Ohio State 1
Hobey Hat Trick finalist Jordan Kawaguchi scored and goaltender Adam Scheel was outstanding as North Dakota outlasted Cinderella team Ohio State, 2-1, to advance to Saturday’s national title game where they will take on Minnesota State.
Kawaguchi’s goal in the first was the only tally of the opening period as the Fighting Hawks jumped to the early lead.
The second was a period of fireworks.
Westin Michaud gave the Hawks a two-goal lead but late in the frame Ronnie Hein one-timed a pass that beat Scheel to cut the lead to 2-1.
The Buckeyes nearly evened the game late in the second on a two-on-one with Carson Meyer and Quinn Preston, two guys no goaltender would want to see. But Scheel robber Meyer with a glove save to maintain the one-goal lead.
The third period was more of a chess match than a wide-open affair and despite a 7-6 shot advantage for Ohio State, the Buckeyes couldn’t draw the equalizer giving North Dakota a berth in the national title game.
Minnesota State 4, Boston College 2
Nicholas Rivera scored twice, including an empty-net goal late to seal a victory, as Minnesota State, appearing in its first-ever Frozen Four advanced past Boston College in Thursday’s first semifinal, 4-2.
The Mavericks never trailed in the game, jumping to a 2-0 lead and then fending off furious comeback attempt by the Eagles, searching for their first national title since 2012.
Minnesota State scored the first period’s only goal when Connor Mackey redirected a pass from Rivera past Eagles netminder Spencer Knight.
In the second Rivera expanded the lead on his first goal before BC’s Julius Mattila brought BC back within one. The Eagles had a late onslaught but Mike Hardman’s shot beat netminder Dryden McKay hit the post.
That set up wild third period.
Marc Michaelis continued his torrid NCAA tournament by expanding the lead to 3-1 before BC threw forward an offensive onslaught.
The Eagles posted the next nine shots, the final of which was a rebound that David Cotton buried to close the lead to one at 3-2.
Back and forth hockey dictated late, but with Knight pulled and less than a minute remaining, Rivera’s empty netter set off the long-awaited celebration for Minnesota State fans.
Aapeli Räsänen played in 99 games over three seasons for Boston College (photo: Rich Gagnon).
According to SB Nation, Boston College junior defenseman Aapeli Räsänen has elected to sign a pro deal with KalPa in his native Finland and give up his senior season with the Eagles.
During the 2019-20 season, Räsänen compiled 11 goals and 24 points in 34 games.
In three seasons with BC in 99 games, the native of Tampere, Finland, had 20 goals and 27 assists for 47 points.
Räsänen was also selected by the Edmonton Oilers in the sixth round (153rd overall) of the 2016 NHL Draft.
