Matt Smaby celebrates with the USHL’s Waterloo Black Hawks as the team made its way to the deciding Game 5 of the Clark Cup championship finals in 2024-25 (photo: Waterloo Black Hawks).
North Dakota has announced the hiring of former UND captain and defenseman Matt Smaby as the program’s associate head coach.
“We are excited to welcome Matt to our coaching staff,” said Fighting Hawks head coach Dane Jackson in a statement. “Much like his playing days, his teams brought a strong work ethic and tenacity to everything they did, and we are excited to have that in our program. He has succeeded at every level he has played and coached at and knows what it takes to win the right way.”
Smaby returns to North Dakota after a successful four-year run with the USHL’s Waterloo Black Hawks as the organization’s head coach. As the bench boss, he guided the Blackhawks to the postseason in each of his four seasons and won over 100 games in that stretch.
In 2024-25, Smaby led Waterloo on a historic postseason run that included defeating the league’s top regular-season team, the Lincoln Stars, before coming within an overtime goal of winning the second Clark Cup in the organization’s history with a 3-2 series loss to the Muskegon Lumberjacks.
“UND has always been a special place to me,” said Smaby. “My time at UND, both as a student-athlete and a coach, have molded me into the person, coach, father and husband I am today. When I had the chance to sit down with Coach Jackson, what was most evident was his passion and love for UND hockey. Sharing that same passion, our visions aligned for what was needed to bring the program to the top of college hockey. I’m thrilled for the opportunity to work alongside Coach Jackson and the rest of the staff, and I’m anxious to get to work.”
Smaby has also enjoyed success at the international level, working on the coaching staff for Team USA at the World Junior A Challenge over the last three seasons. He won gold as an assistant in 2022 before taking over as head coach and capturing bronze in 2023 and gold once again in 2024.
He got his start in the coaching world at North Dakota, serving as a volunteer assistant coach from 2017 to 2019 while completing his degree. After his time at UND, Smaby got his first full-time coaching position with EC Red Bull Salzburg in Austria where he coached the league’s second-best penalty kill at 85.3%.
Smaby played at UND from 2003-04 through 2005-06 and captained the 2005-06 squad to a berth in the NCAA Frozen Four. After leading the program to a pair of Frozen Four appearances and a WCHA title in his three seasons, Smaby went on to play in 122 games over four years with the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning before winning multiple championships in Europe.
Hosts Jim Connelly, Derek Schooley, and Ed Trefzger review news from the AHCA convention and other offseason updates.
They discuss the highlights of the Frozen Four in St. Louis, notably Western Michigan’s championship win. They delve into the underdog status of Western Michigan, their impressive post-New Year’s performance, and standout coaching strategies.
Another major topic is the NCAA’s shift from the PairWise ranking system to the NCAA Power Index (NPI), aiming to simplify team selections for tournaments. The conversation also touches on the American Hockey Coaches Association Convention, where important updates like reducing the transfer portal window and potential roster limits were discussed.
Additionally, the discussion includes the possibility of NCAA hockey gaining more autonomy and the interest in NCAA coaches for NHL positions.
Lastly, there is a mention of future draft prospects and a nod to the retirements of key figures in college hockey coaching.
Former Cornell goalie Mike Garman spent eight seasons with the USHL’s Chicago Steel (photo: Chicago Steel).
Notre Dame has announced Mike Garman has been named associate head coach of the Fighting Irish hockey team.
Garman arrives in South Bend after eight seasons with the USHL’s Chicago Steel, where he served in a variety of roles during his time with the Steel, including assistant coach, associate head coach, GM and most recently, GM/head coach.
He previously served under Notre Dame head coach Brock Sheahan as an associate head coach from 2019 to 2021, where the duo led the team to a pair of Anderson Cups, awarded to the USHL’s regular-season champions, as well as the 2021 Clark Cup championship. He was promoted to GM in Sheahan’s last season as head coach with the Steel in 2021-22. In addition to the two Anderson Cups, and Clark Cup, the Steel finished first in the USHL’s Eastern Conference in four of Garman’s eight years with the Steel.
“It has always been my plan to bring Mike Garman with me to Notre Dame if/when I became the next Catalino Family Head Hockey Coach,” Sheahan said in a statement. “Mike is, first of all, a great person, a family man, and the type of human I want our student-athletes to be around. He is a brilliant hockey mind, great at developing meaningful relationships, and will be a great support for me in the development of both our team, and each individual player. He will be involved in all areas of our program, running our penalty kill, goalie development, recruiting, and be heavily involved in the individual development of our players.
“I can’t wait to have Mike and his family at Notre Dame. They are a perfect fit for our culture, and he is the right person to help us achieve our vision for Notre Dame hockey.”
Garman succeeded Sheahan as head coach of the Steel following his departure for the AHL’s Chicago Wolves in 2022-23 before Sheahan’s arrival back at Notre Dame in 2023-24. Since taking over the Steel prior to the start of the 2022-23 season, Garman has led the Steel to a record of 86-82-18 and has an overall record of 269-159-50 in his eight seasons with the team.
He coached 31 NHL draft picks and one NHL free agent signing in his eight years with the Steel, including seven first-round picks, two of which were first overall selections (Owen Power 2021/Buffalo and Macklin Celebrini 2024/San Jose). Also, as general manager of the Steel, Garman tendered two future first round NHL picks in 2022-23 (Celebrini and Michael Hage) and coached two eventual Hobey Baker Award winners (Adam Fantilli – 2022-23/Celebrini – 2023-24). Garman also coached 12 NCAA All-American selections.
In his role as both an assistant coach and associate head coach with the Steel, Garman worked with the goaltenders, including current Seattle Kraken prospect Victor Ostman and 2023-24 NCAA East Second Team All-American Ian Shane (Cornell).
The former netminder spent three seasons at Cornell where he finished his career with a 2.21 goals-against average and a .928 save percentage as a junior – ranking second nationally among NCAA Division I netminders for the 2010-11 season. He concluded his career with the Big Red with a .925 save percentage and just 44 goals against in three years.
Following his collegiate career, Garman spent three years playing professionally, both in North America and Europe, before returning to the United States and founding GoaliebyGarman, LLC where he coaches and consults professional, collegiate, junior, and youth hockey players alike on developing their skills in the crease.
At the conclusion of this past season with the Steel, Garman was selected as an assistant coach for the US Under-18 Men’s National Team at the 2025 IIHF Under-18 Men’s World Championship where he helped lead the team to the bronze medal behind an overtime win in Frisco, Tex.
Natálie Mlýnková, who recently wrapped up her NCAA hockey career, joins Nicole Haase and Todd Milewski for an offseason edition of the PodKaz.
Mlýnková played four seasons at Vermont and one at Minnesota, finishing at the Frozen Four in Minneapolis in March. She looks back on moving to North America from Czechia at 16 to play hockey and how the women’s game is evolving in her home country.
That was evident in April when Czechia set an attendance record in hosting the World Championship. Mlýnková talks about playing in that event.
The PodKaz is a production of USCHO.com. Have a question for us? Reach out to Nicole (@NicoleHaase) or Todd (@ToddMilewski) on social media or email [email protected].
Paul Pooley and Jordy Murray are new coaches at Colorado College (photos: Notre Dame Athletics/Michigan Tech Athletics).
Colorado College has announced that Paul Pooley, longtime associate head coach at Notre Dame, and Jordy Murray, assistant coach at Michigan Tech since 2022, have joined the Tiger staff as associate head coach and assistant coach, respectively.
In his 20 seasons (2005-25) as its associate head coach, Pooley helped Notre Dame win three regular-season titles (two CCHA and one Big Ten) and five conference tournament crowns (CCHA in 2007, 2009, 2013 and Big Ten in 2018 and 2019) while advancing to the NCAA tournament 12 times (2007-09, 2011, 2013-14, 2016-19 and 2021-22), including four trips to the Frozen Four (2008, 2011, 2017 and 2018).
“Our search for a candidate to strengthen our championship culture prioritized qualities beyond just technical expertise,” CC head coach Kris Mayotte said in a statement. “Paul’s proven ability to develop elite talent and deliver sustained success stands as a testament to his excellence, but it was his alignment with our vision—to elevate both individuals and the collective program—that solidified his appointment. He brings not only a championship pedigree and an unwavering commitment to player growth but also a profound dedication to fostering meaningful connections. While I am eager to work with Paul, the greatest beneficiaries will be our players. His reputation as a leader of integrity and innovation in hockey is exceptional, and his impact on our program will be great.”
Pooley was involved in all aspects of the Notre Dame program and primarily oversaw the development of the Irish defensemen. He helped run Notre Dame’s special team’s unit with the Fighting Irish finishing the 2021-22 season with the nation’s top-ranked penalty kill (.906), which also marked the top single-season penalty kill percentage in program history.
He joined the Irish staff after spending 11 seasons (1994-2005) as head coach at Providence. During his tenure at Providence, the Friars won the Hockey East title in 1995-96 and appeared in two NCAA tournaments (1996 and 2001). The 2001 Hockey East and New England Coach of the Year and a two-time finalist for the Spencer Penrose Award as the national coach of the year, Pooley was instrumental in the development of four All-America players during his tenure at Providence.
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to join Kris and his staff at Colorado College,” Pooley said. “I was truly impressed by the caliber of the people I met on my visit, from the administration to the coaching staff, and the quality of the facilities and resources available to the student-athletes. I am excited to bring my coaching experience and passion to Colorado College and contribute to the continued success of the program.
As the associate head coach at Lake Superior State from 1992-94, he was instrumental in leading the Lakers to a pair of NCAA Division I national championships in 1992 and 1994 and a runner-up finish in 1993.
A 1984 graduate of Ohio State (cum laude in accounting and marketing), Pooley was one of the CCHA’s top players from 1980 to 1984 and a second-team selection to the conference’s all-decade team of the 1980s. A three-time member of the CCHA’s all-academic team, he took academic All-American honors in 1984. A second-team all-CCHA selection in 1981, he also was selected as the CCHA’s co-rookie of the year that season.
Pooley capped his collegiate career in 1984 as the CCHA player of the year and Bauer’s national player of the year, leading the nation in scoring with 32 goals and 64 assists for 96 points in 41 games. Selected first-team all-CCHA and first team All-American as a senior, Pooley is Ohio State’s all-time leader in goals (114), assists (156) and points (270) and joined the Ohio State Athletic Hall of Fame in 1994.
A native of Exeter, Ont., Pooley and his wife, Kelly, have two children: Scott, who played college hockey at Holy Cross and now plays professionally in Europe, and Taylor, who played women’s soccer at Ball State.
Murray joined the MTU staff after serving as a volunteer assistant coach at Notre Dame during the 2021-22 season. His main responsibilities included recruiting, special teams and player development.
A native of Faribault, Minn., Murray played 119 games for Wisconsin Badgers from 2008 to 2011. He tallied 60 career points with 38 goals and 22 assists, was a member of the 2010 NCAA runner-up team and earned a bachelor’s degree in consumer affairs at Wisconsin.
“In hiring Jordy, we’re adding a rising star whose vision aligns with the future of this program,” Mayotte said. “Jordy has showcased an innate ability to identify talent, nurture skill, and forge relationships—the cornerstones of elite recruiting and player development. Jordy’s addition to complete our staff allows us to continue to enhance how we develop players and compete in the best college hockey league in the country, the NCHC.”
Murray played professional hockey for six years (2011-17) in the Swiss Elite League (Swiss-A). He skated for Rapperswil-Jona, Lugano, and the Langnau Tigers while in Switzerland, totaling 61 points on 26 goals and 35 assists in 167 career games.
Following his playing career, Murray was the owner of Murray Performance Training, serving as the co-owner and the lead performance and on-ice development coach at Perfect World Hockey. He furthered his education and earned a Master of Education in Sport and Exercise Science from Minnesota and a Master of Science in Kinesiology from Concordia-Chicago.
Prior to Wisconsin, Murray played six seasons with Shattuck St. Mary’s (2002-08), where he won two U-18 national championships. He also served as Team USA’s captain at the 2006 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament (U18).
“My wife and I are thrilled to join the Colorado College community and be part of such a prestigious hockey program,” Murray said. “From my first conversation with Kris, I was impressed by his vision and the professionalism shown throughout the process. I’m incredibly grateful to him and director of athletics Lesley Irvine for this opportunity and couldn’t be more excited to get to work with the staff and players.”
Murray is the son of retired Western Michigan and NHL head coach Andy Murray. His brother, Brady, played at North Dakota and in the NHL for the Los Angeles Kings, and his sister, Sarah, played at Minnesota Duluth and professionally overseas and is now the girls U19 head coach at Shattuck-St. Mary’s School in Minnesota.
Murray and his wife, Kate, are expecting their first child in August.
Andrew Oglevie played at Notre Dame and then for the AHL’s Rochester Americans (photo: Micheline Veluvolu/Rochester Americans).
Notre Dame has announced Andrew Oglevie as a new assistant coach.
The former Irish forward, also a volunteer assistant coach in 2022-23, returns to Notre Dame after two years at Colorado College.
“I could not be more excited to bring Andrew, and his family back to Notre Dame,” said Notre Dame head coach Brock Sheahan in a statement. “As we went through the hiring process, it became clear to me that he was a perfect fit for what we need in this assistant coach position. His experience recruiting, and developing student-athletes at Colorado College, and his knowledge, passion, and understanding of what it means to be a hockey player and student at Notre Dame were separating factors. Andrew will be involved in all areas of the program, with a focus on player development, and recruiting. I am excited to have Andrew on board, and I know he is going to have an immensely positive impact on each player, and the program moving forward.”
“I’m incredibly honored and excited to return to Notre Dame as an assistant coach,” Oglevie added. “I want to thank Brock Sheahan, Andy Slaggert, Pete Bevacqua and our incredible staff for the opportunity to return to my alma mater. I would also like to thank my family for their unwavering support. Without them, this journey would not be possible.”
During his time with the Tigers, Oglevie helped them to a 39-31-4 record, including a 21-13-3 mark in 2023-24 which marked their best program record in over a decade and most single-season wins since 2010-11.
Oglevie also worked closely overseeing the Tigers’ power-play efforts and individualized player developmental plans and skill sessions, implementing new strategies and boasting the top-ranked faceoff unit at the NCAA Division I level in 2023-24.
As a volunteer assistant coach for the Irish in 2022-23, Oglevie helped oversee the offense and led the team to a home playoff berth in the Big Ten tournament. His role with the program also included an emphasis on individual player development through focus on player habits and technical skills while assisting in the recruiting evaluations of prospective student-athletes.
Prior to coaching, Oglevie spent four seasons of professional hockey with the AHL’s Rochester Americans, amassing 46 points (23 goals, 23 assists) in 95 games, following a three-year collegiate career with the Irish. While in Rochester, he served as an alternate captain during the 2020-21 season, then as an assistant to the coaching staff during his final year under contract in 2021-22.
The former Irish forward appeared in 107 career games at Notre Dame, helping lead the team to the 2018 Frozen Four. In three seasons with the Irish, Oglevie amassed 89 points off 41 goals and 48 assists while picking up numerous honors and awards, including Brian Walsh Offensive Player of the Year (2017-18), academic all-Big Ten and 2018 NCAA Frozen Four all-tournament team. During his Irish career, he also helped lead his team to back-to-back Frozen Four appearances in 2017 and 2018.
A native of Fullerton, Calif., Oglevie returns to South Bend with his wife, Kalleigh, and their daughter Blair. In over five decades of Irish hockey, Oglevie Remains the only Californian to play for the team.
“Notre Dame has had a profound impact on my life, and I’m deeply grateful for the chance to give back and help shape the next generation of Fighting Irish hockey,” Oglevie concluded.
The Centene Community Ice Center in suburban St. Louis will host the United Collegiate Hockey Cup tournament in March 2026 (photo: Centene Community Ice Center).
The Centene Community Ice Center in Maryland Heights, Missouri, will host the United Collegiate Hockey Cup from March 5-7, 2026, bringing together five NCAA Division I men’s hockey programs for a postseason showdown.
The event will feature Lindenwood, Alaska, Alaska Anchorage, Long Island and Stonehill. The five-team tournament will include a play-in game, with all teams guaranteed at least two games over the three-day competition.
This tournament provides these programs with a premier opportunity to compete for a championship — the United Collegiate Hockey Cup — “further elevating the stature of college hockey at the NCAA Division I level,” according to a news release. The winning team will not earn an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.
“We are thrilled to bring this tournament to the St. Louis market,” said Jason Coomer, vice president for intercollegiate athletics at Lindenwood, in a statement. “This event not only provides a competitive platform for our student-athletes but also showcases the growth and quality of independent NCAA hockey programs on a national stage.”
“The passion and dedication of these student-athletes deserves to be highlighted,” added Brock Anundson, director of athletics at Alaska. “This tournament is about creating meaningful postseason opportunities and demonstrating the strength of these hockey programs in the NCAA landscape. We’re grateful to Lindenwood and the St. Louis community for hosting this inaugural event.”
Tickets for the United Collegiate Hockey Cup will go on sale August 1, 2025, and can be purchased at lindenwoodlions.com.
“The ability to compete for a championship is an important part of every student-athlete’s experience, and we are excited this event will provide that opportunity for each participating program,” said Dean O’Keefe, director of athletics at Stonehill. “We appreciate the St. Louis community welcoming this inaugural event to their region, and we look forward to Stonehill being part of this Division I post-season tournament.”
David Carle rallies Denver during the 2025 Frozen Four in St, Louis (photo: Jim Rosvold).
Denver announced Monday that men’s hockey coach David Carle has signed a multi-year contract extension.
At the helm of the program for the past seven seasons, Carle has led the Pioneers to 179-74-17 overall record and his career .694 winning percentage is presently the highest all-time among DU hockey coaches. He guided Denver to national championships in 2022 and 2024 and four Frozen Four appearances (2019, 2022, 2024, 2025), joining Murray Armstrong as the only Denver coaches to reach the national semifinal four times in a six-year stretch (no tournament in 2020).
“I am honored to have the university’s support for our hockey program over the last seven years and into the future,” said Carle in a statement. “Without their support and the support of our fans, alumni and donors, nothing that we have accomplished would have been possible. The resources we have established have had a direct impact on the daily lives of current and future Pioneer hockey student-athletes, and we continue to raise the bar for success with these commitments.
“I am grateful for chancellor Jeremy Haefner, chairman John Miller as well as the entire board of trustees and vice chancellor of athletics Josh Berlo for their continued support of and investment in Denver hockey to ensure we maintain our position as the best college program in the country. I’m looking forward to continuing to work with our student-athletes, coaches, administration, alumni, supporters and fans over the coming seasons. Denver is home for me and my family.”
The Denver hockey program continues to be resourced at a high level with support from athletic and university administration and in large part due to record philanthropy and increased revenues. Over the last several years, elevated support for the program included enhanced team travel, full Alston Award benefits for student-athletes, expansion of and investment in the coaching staff, as well as new lighting, seats, boards and glass at Magness Arena to improve the fan experience.
“We are thrilled to have David continue to lead the exceptional legacy that is Denver hockey,” said Berlo. “His dedication and passion are second to none, and we look forward to furthering our partnership and building upon our NCAA-record 10 national championships as the most accomplished college hockey program all-time. The Carle family commitment, along with the support of our university leadership, students, alumni, donors, season-ticket holders and fans, empowers the program to continue to chase competitive and academic excellence year in and year out.”
Along with the extension, Carle is also committing to a multi-year major gift pledge to support current and new initiatives within the hockey program. Carle will be the first Denver athletics head coach to join the department’s Gold Standard Society. His gift will directly support the Murray Armstrong Hockey Student-Athlete Enhancement Fund and the Athletics Excellence Fund.
“Our program is tremendously grateful for the support we have received from our fans, alumni and donors. In today’s changing college athletic landscape, we are grateful for philanthropy and season-ticket holder support more than ever to help our program stay at the highest level,” said Carle. “The legacy of Denver hockey wouldn’t be where it is without the foundation laid by coach Murray Armstrong. My family and I are honored to support the Murray Armstrong Fund and become members of the Gold Standard Society with the signing of this agreement. I would invite others to honor Murray’s legacy and support current and future initiatives of Pioneer hockey at a time when it is as crucial as ever.”
The support by the university, fans, alumni, and donors has led to an unrivalled level of success since the turn of the century. With their 10 national championships being the most all-time, the Pioneers have won five titles, reached eight Frozen Fours, have 19 NCAA tournament appearances and 623 total victories since 1999-2000.
Denver has won at least 20 games in each of the last 23 full seasons, the longest active streak in the NCAA and extending their school-record “Tenzer Streak.” Over the last four years, Denver has won 30 or more games — the longest such stretch in program history and the longest since Michigan in the 1990s (1990-98) — to go along with their three Frozen Four berths and two national championships in that time.
Carle’s 179 wins rank fourth in Denver hockey history, and he is three away from tying Ralph Backstrom for third place on the program’s all-time list. The Pioneers have reached the NCAA tournament in each of the five full seasons with Carle leading the bench, with DU posting a 12-3 record in national tournament outings and making it to four Frozen Fours. Carle owns an 83-49-11 mark in NCHC play and helped DU capture the 2022 and 2023 Penrose Cup as regular-season champions and the 2024 Frozen Faceoff Trophy as conference tournament champions.
Since 2018-19, Carle and the Pioneers own a perfect 7-0-0 record against Big Ten programs and have an 18-7-1 mark against opponents from Hockey East. Against NCAA “Power Four” schools, Denver has a 21-6-1 record in those matchups.
The Anchorage, Alaska, native became the fourth-youngest coach in history to win a D-I national title in 2022 (32 years, five months) and is the youngest ever to win two national championships following the Pioneers’ NCAA-record 10th victory in 2024 (34 years, five months, four days). He is the 20th coach in NCAA history to win multiple national championships and was the first to do so since Scott Sandelin of Minnesota Duluth (2011, 2018, 2019).
This past season in 2024-25, Carle and the Pioneers went 31-12-1 and reached the Frozen Four for the second straight year after opening the campaign with wins in each of its first 12 games—the best start in program history. The season-opening stretch was part of an overall 21-game winning streak that dated back to March 9, 2024 and went through Nov. 16, 2024—the longest across multiple seasons in school history and one shy of tying the longest overall winning streak at Denver (22, Jan. 5-March 16, 1968).
In addition to his responsibilities at DU, Carle has guided the United States National Junior Team in each of the past two years and helped the Americans win consecutive gold medals at the 2024 and 2025 IIHF World Junior Championships. It was the first time that Team USA had won consecutive World Junior Championships and marked the sixth and seventh titles in the country’s history. Carle is the only U.S. coach to win multiple World Juniors, and he and Marshall Johnston in 1977 are the only Denver bench bosses to lead Team USA at the World Junior Championship.
Named the ninth Denver hockey head coach in program history on May 25, 2018, Carle was 28 years old at the time of his hire and was youngest head coach in NCAA Division I men’s hockey. He first joined DU as a student assistant coach from 2008-12 and later served four and a half seasons as a full-time assistant coach under Jim Montgomery (2014-18), reaching two Frozen Fours and winning the 2017 national championship.
The University of Denver men’s ice hockey head coach is an endowed position by Richard and Kitzia Goodman. It was the first of five head coaching positions at Denver to be endowed (others include men’s lacrosse, men’s soccer, women’s gymnastics and alpine skiing).
Bowling Green has announced the appointment of Stavros Paskaris as assistant athletics director for development.
Paskaris, who has served as an assistant coach for the BGSU hockey program since 2021, transitions into this new leadership role after nearly two decades of collegiate coaching experience.
“Where some may see a non-traditional fundraising hire, we saw a skill set in relationship-building that was unquestionable,” said Dan Meyer, senior associate athletic director for resource development, in a statement. “In my time observing Stavros as a colleague and coach, his ability to connect with people always stood out—whether it was student-athletes, season ticket holders, or past hockey letterwinners. I’m excited to see that translate into an alumni relations and fundraising role.”
In this new position, Paskaris will oversee a portfolio of fundraising priorities for the BGSU athletic department, including capital projects, scholarship endowments, annual giving, and planned giving. He will also serve as a liaison to head coaches for sport-specific fundraising initiatives, working primarily with baseball, cross country and track and field, men’s and women’s golf, and volleyball.
Additionally, Paskaris will take a lead role in working with lacrosse alumni on a Cochrane Stadium upgrade project for the men’s and women’s soccer programs, which will honor the stadium’s namesake, Mickey Cochrane. He will also serve as a member of the BGSU athletics senior staff.
“Since joining BGSU four years ago, I’ve been continually impressed by the department’s unwavering dedication to its student-athletes and its connection to the entire Bowling Green community,” said Paskaris. “I’m honored and excited to continue my journey at BGSU in this new role and to contribute to the department’s ongoing success in its pursuit of excellence in collegiate athletics. I’m grateful to vice president for athletics strategy Derek van der Merwe and senior associate athletic director for resource development Dan Meyer for their trust and this incredible opportunity.”
Since joining the Falcons hockey coaching staff in May 2021, Paskaris helped guide one of the most productive offensive stretches in program history. In the 2022–23 season, the Falcons averaged 3.42 goals per game in CCHA play—their highest mark since 1998–99.
Before his time at BGSU, Paskaris served as an assistant coach at Dartmouth (2020–21) and Princeton (2014–20), playing a key role in the Tigers’ 2018 ECAC Hockey tournament title and NCAA appearance. He also spent five seasons at Adrian, helping lead the Bulldogs to four NCAA tournament bids and multiple conference championships.
A native of Dearborn, Mich., Paskaris was a four-year standout at Wayne State, where he earned CHA rookie of the year honors in 2005.
Paskaris holds a bachelor’s degree from Wayne State and a master’s degree in sports administration from Ohio University.
The offseason series of PodKaz interview episodes begins with a discussion with Wisconsin-River Falls coach Joe Cranston. It took Cranston 25 seasons to win a Division III NCAA championship with the Falcons, but his team did it in style in 2023-24 with a 31-0 record. They went back to back in 2025, with both championship victories coming at home.
Cranston discusses his journey as a coach, his influences and how he has recruited and developed national player of the year-level talent.
The PodKaz is a production of USCHO.com. Have a question for us? Reach out to Nicole (@NicoleHaase) or Todd (@ToddMilewski) on social media or email [email protected].
Amherst’s 3-2 win over Trinity in Dec. 2022 gave head coach Jack Arena his 500th career win in his 39th season coaching at his alma mater (photo: Amherst Athletics).
“I always thought it would be better to leave a year early than a year late.”
And with that, the longest-tenured active head coach in any sport in the NESCAC, Jack Arena, announced his retirement from coaching.
Arena, who took over as the head men’s hockey coach at Amherst only five months after his 1983 graduation from the institution, steps away after 42 years guiding the Mammoths on the ice.
“I still love the on-ice piece, my relationships with the team and the students, and I love practices more than anything else,” Arena said. “I think it’s all the other stuff that goes along with the job that has become less enjoyable. So it was important to me that I leave while I still enjoyed what I was doing.”
Arena leaves after 41 seasons and 537 wins – the 26th most wins by any men’s ice hockey coach at all levels of NCAA play and the 12th most all-time among Division III coaches. Along the way, Arena’s teams at Amherst won two ECAC championships (1992, 1996), three NESCAC championships (2009, 2012, 2015) and advanced to the Division III Frozen Four twice (2009, 2015).
Arena will continue to work at Amherst in other capacities following his retirement from coaching. His roles will cover talent evaluation and recruiting support for both the men’s and women’s hockey programs as well as coaching development and mentorship.
“Jack has been the heart and soul of the men’s hockey program for over four decades,” Amherst director of athletics Don Faulstick said. “His dedication to the school where he once played, and later led, is deeply impressive. His legacy will live on through the countless lives he’s impacted, both on and off the ice.
“While Jack is retiring from coaching, we are fortunate that he will remain a vital part of our department, continuing to support both hockey programs and serve as a mentor to our coaches. His leadership and influence will continue to shape our future for years to come.”
Arena has been named the ACHA national coach of the year twice and the NESCAC coach of the year three times in his tenure.
More importantly – to the man himself – Arena changed the culture of hockey at his alma mater, focusing on family and valuing teaching even more than winning.
“One of the things that’s always been important to me is to be an example and to try and show these guys … to be human,” Arena said. “Family has always been the most important thing to me and I would bring my kids, when they were very young, around the locker room and sometimes they would come on trips with us. I wanted the teams to see that I was committed to what I was doing (coaching) and I worked as hard as I could at it, but I was a father too, and my family was equally important.”
Arena’s ability to combine family and his hockey program became evident when his oldest son, Patrick Arena, came to Amherst and played for his father. His younger son, Johnny Arena, also attended Amherst and played golf and was a part of the hockey program’s operations team.
It was Patrick who helped drive home a point to his father about just how special Amherst really is.
“At some point during his freshman fall, I asked him, has it been what you expected? And he said, ‘No, it’s been better,'” Jack said. “And it surprised me. I was like, Really, what do you mean? It’s been better? And he said, ‘I had no idea the quality of the people you’re surrounded by here.’ And this is someone who has been surrounded by it their whole life. And then he gets immersed in it, and he’s like, wow, this is even better than I thought.”
ARENA
For Arena, even though the world has changed a lot over his four decades plus at Amherst, what makes the institution special has not.
“Certainly as society’s changed, parts of Amherst have changed with it, but the core of what Amherst has always been is still the core,” he said. “It’s high quality people, intellectually curious, and everyone wants to do well and wants to do well in everything they do. They take pride in what they do.”
Arena, who first came to Amherst in the fall of 1979 after graduating from Milton Academy, is an icon of New England hockey circles.
He was a standout hockey player at Amherst and the Purple & White’s fourth all-time leading scorer, completing his career with 140 points. He capped an outstanding playing career by being selected the Hobey Baker Award winner as the most outstanding Division III collegiate player in the country.
But stats and trophies have never really mattered to Arena.
“Without a doubt, I will miss the interaction with the guys on the team,” Arena said. “The practices are my favorite part. The teaching is still my favorite aspect of the job. I will miss that tremendously.”
A nationwide search for Arena’s replacement will begin immediately.
Mike Young spent four seasons behind the bench at WNE (photo: Western New England Athletics).
Western New England men’s hockey head coach Mike Young has announced his resignation from the program effective March 15, 2025.
Young joined the Golden Bears ahead of the 2021-22 season and led the Western New England team to 21 wins during his tenure as head coach. He also guided the Golden Bears to two Commonwealth Coast Conference playoff appearances.
“Really, no part of me wanted this to end,” said Young in a statement. “At the same time, a big part of me knew it was time. I got to chase my dream for 15 years; some people don’t get to do it for a day. I’ve been extraordinarily lucky. I’m forever thankful to WNE for allowing me to wear the blue and gold, and even more so to the players. You are my family. Forever.”
Over his four years at Western New England, Young led his student-athletes to numerous conference recognitions, including athlete of the week honors, all-conference selections, and All-American scholar distinctions. His initiatives in Hockey Fights Cancer, Pride Night, and the Wounded Warrior Games will leave a lasting impact on the program.
“Coach Young is a dedicated coach who has made a positive impact on the Golden Bears,” said WNE director of athletics and recreation Jenn Kolins. “His contributions to his team as well as the athletics department will be missed, and we all wish Coach Young the best on the next steps of his journey.”
David Sudbrink made an impact on the ice and in the classroom at Fredonia (photo: Fredonia Athletics).
The SUNYAC has recognized Fredonia’s David Sudbrink as its 2025 men’s hockey scholar-athlete of the year.
This award is nominated and voted on by the conference sports information directors. Recipients are at least a sophomore, hold a 3.30 GPA or higher, and display academic and athletic excellence as a starter or significant reserve player.
A forward, Sudbrink scored four goals and collected eight assists for a total of 12 points in 24 games for the Blue Devils this season. The team finished the 2024-25 season with five wins in conference play.
Sudbrink is a public accountancy and finance major with a 4.0 overall GPA. He recently earned the 2025 Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence and the Fredonia State male student-athlete of the year for the highest GPA of a graduating senior in the department.
Sydney Brodt starred at UMD from 2016 to 2020 (photo: Brett Groehler/Minnesota Duluth Athletics).
St. Scholastica has hired Sydney Brodt as the next Saints women’s hockey head coach.
Brodt, a former NCAA Division I hockey player for Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs from 2016 to 2020, was only one of two players in program history to captain the team for three seasons.
“It is a proud day for the College of St. Scholastica as we welcome Coach Sydney Brodt, the new dynamic and driven visionary leader for the Saints Women’s Ice Hockey Team,” said St. Scholastica athletic director Jessica Cherry in a statement. “Coach Brodt brings a bold, gritty and passionate energy that is going to light up Mars Arena. Her coaching talent, relentless work ethic, authentic leadership style and fearlessness make her the right person for the team and the St. Scholastica community. From our very first conversation, I knew Coach Brodt was a unique leader, with fire, focus, toughness and an unwavering commitment to student-athlete excellence. We are excited to open our doors and hearts to Coach Brodt as we are confident she will bring a spark to our program that everyone will feel.”
“I am extremely honored and excited for the opportunity to lead CSS women’s hockey,” added Brodt. “I want to thank Jessica Cherry and the entire search committee for believing in me to lead this program. I am eager to get to work with the student-athletes and build on the program’s strong tradition. I look forward to making Duluth home again, and I can’t wait to join the St. Scholastica community.”
After college, Brodt played professional hockey for five seasons, which included winning the inaugural PWHL Walter Cup with the Minnesota Frost in 2024, playing in the SDHL for two seasons, winning the SM GULD league championship with Frölunda in 2025, and being named SDHL MVP in 2022. Brodt also played for the Minnesota Whitecaps and was the team’s captain during their final season in the PHF in 2022-23.
Additionally, Brodt was a part of Team USA throughout her playing career. In 2016, she was part of the U18 World Championship team and debuted in 2018 with the senior national team and won the 4 Nations Cup. She was also a member of the 2019 and 2021 Women’s World Championship teams. In addition to playing for Team USA, Brodt served as an assistant coach at the 2022 U18 World Championships in Madison, Wis., and helped the team earn a silver medal.
Throughout her professional playing career, she was an assistant coach for Hamline for three seasons. She helped lead Hamline to the MIAC playoffs three seasons in a row and a top-five league finish. Prior to coaching at Hamline, she was an assistant coach for Mounds View High School in Minnesota from 2020 to 2021.
Zeev Buium led the DU offense and defense this season (photo: Tyler Schank/Clarkson Creative Photography).
Denver sophomore defenseman Zeev Buium has been recognized as the USCHO Player of the Year for the 2024-25 season.
Voting was conducted among USCHO.com staff members.
Buium was named a First Team All-American, the NCHC Player of the Year and led all NCAA defensemen in scoring this season with 48 points while ranking second among all skaters with 35 assists. One of two unanimous selections on the NCHC All-Conference First Team, Buium recorded a career-high 13 goals this season and registered multiple points 13 times. He picked up points in 30 of 41 games he played and tallied 38 points (13 goals, 25 assists) in the final 31 outings.
The San Diego, Calif., native, also a Hobey Hat Trick finalist, ranked third on the Pioneers in scoring and blocked shots (50), second in penalty minutes (44), and his plus-17 rating was tied for the fourth highest on the squad.
Named the NCAA Northeast Regional Most Outstanding Player, Buium combined for five points on two goals and three assists in victories against No. 2-seed Providence and No. 1 Boston College on March 28-30 to help Denver secure its second 24straight Frozen Four berth and its sixth trip to the final weekend in the last nine seasons. The rearguard tallied in both outings of regionals to stretch his goal streak to a personal-best three games. Denver eventually fell in double overtime to Western Michigan in the national semifinals.
He helped the United States win its second straight gold medal at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship. Serving as an alternate captain on Team USA, Buium averaged the second-most ice time among all players at the tournament (25:13) and had assists on both the game-tying and overtime-winning goals in the championship final against Finland.
A repeat winner of the NCHC Offensive Defenseman of the Year award in 2024-25, Buium ranks 10th all-time in scoring by a Pioneers blueliner with 98 career points (24 goals, 74 assists).
Buium was picked in the first round (12th overall) by the Minnesota Wild in the NHL Draft in June 2024, two months after helping Denver win its NCAA-record 10th national championship. He signed his entry-level deal with Minnesota last week.
Pat Ferschweiler leads WMU during a practice day at the 2025 Frozen Four in St. Louis (photo: Jim Rosvold).
Western Michigan’s Pat Ferschweiler has been named the unanimous choice for USCHO Coach of the Year for the 2024-25 season.
Voting was conducted by USCHO.com staff members.
The 2024-25 Spencer Penrose Award winner as national coach of the year, Ferschweiler took the Broncos to the Frozen Four for the first time, winning the national championship April 12 by defeating Boston University in St. Louis.
Ferschweiler led WMU to an NCAA-best and Broncos-record 34 wins during the season.
Along with those wins, Ferschweiler has helped lead the Broncos to various program firsts this season. WMU won its first regular-season conference championship in program history while also claiming the school’s first ever NCHC Frozen Faceoff title. The Broncos are just the second team in NCHC history to win the regular-season and tournament championships in the same season.
The Rochester, Minn., native carried that success into the NCAA tournament, as Western Michigan made a program-record fourth straight appearance, winning the Fargo Regional and advancing to the Frozen Four where WMU defeated Denver in double overtime before claiming the NCAA crown over BU.
Ferschweiler was named Western Michigan head coach on Aug. 3, 2021, after spending two seasons as an associate head coach with the program (2019-21). It was his second stint with the Broncos after he spent four years as an assistant coach for the Detroit Red Wings under former WMU head coach Jeff Blashill. Prior to entering the professional coaching ranks, Ferschweiler was an assistant coach/associate head coach for WMU from 2010-14.
The 2024-25 USCHO Player of the Year will be announced Thursday.
Cole Hutson posted 48 points for BU this season (photo: Matt Woolverton).
Boston University freshman defenseman Cole Hutson has been named the USCHO Rookie of the Year for the 2024-25 season.
Voting was conducted by USCHO.com staff members.
This season, the Chicago native won the Tim Taylor Award as the national rookie of the year and was also named a First Team All-American.
Overall, Hutson tallied 14 goals and 34 assists for 48 points in 39 games with the Terriers. He also won gold with the United States at the 2025 World Junior Championship.
Hutson led the Terriers to the Frozen Four after receiving the NCAA Toledo Regional Most Outstanding Player award. The Hockey East Rookie of the Year, New England Rookie of the Year and a Hockey East First Team All-Star, Hutson was also named Beanpot MVP after totaling five points (three goals, two assists), including two goals and two assists in the semifinals and the game-winning goal in the championship game.
Selected in the second round (43rd overall) by the Washington Capitals in the 2024 NHL Draft, Hutson set a USA Hockey NTDP record for career points by a defenseman with 119 (25 goals, 94 assists), including 51 points (15 goals, 36 assists) in 51 games in 2023-24 prior to arriving at BU.
The 2024-25 USCHO Coach of the Year will be announced Wednesday.
From left, Kirsten Simms, Chloe Primerano, Ava McNaughton (photos: Wisconsin Athletics/Minnesota Athletics).
The Hockey Commissioners Association has announced the final women’s hockey monthly honors for the 2024-25 season.
Wisconsin’s Kirsten Simms is player of the month, while Minnesota’s Chloe Primerano is rookie of the month and Wisconsin’s Ava McNaughton is goaltender of the month.
Simms’ line of 6-6-12 in six games is reason enough to be this month’s top women’s honoree. But the details are even better: scored GTG on a penalty shot in closing seconds of NCAA championship and then added the OT GWG to give the Badgers their eighth national title under coach Mark Johnson.
Primerano went 1-7-8 with two assists coming in the 3-2 win over Colgate in the regional final.
This year’s National Goalie of the Year, McNaughton was a perfect 6-0-0 in March, leading the Badgers to the NCAA championship. She had numbers of 1.87 and .923 against five ranked teams.
The Hockey Commissioners Association has announced the final men’s hockey monthly honors for the 2024-25 season.
Tim Washe accepts the national championship trophy (photo: Western Michigan Athletics).
Western Michigan captain Tim Washe is player of the month, Boston University’s Cole Hutson is rookie of the month, and Denver’s Matt Davis, Bentley’s Connor Hasley and Minnesota State’s Alex Tracy are co-goaltenders of the month.
Washe captained the Broncos to their first NCAA title, setting up one goal in the semifinals and two in the championship game. His two-month numbers: 6-9-15 (1.36 PPG). He registered a point in 10 of 11 games in this period as WMU went 10-1, including 3-1 in OT games.
Cole Hutson (photo: BU Athletics).
This year’s Tim Taylor National Rookie of the Year, Hutson led the Terriers into the NCAA championship game and enjoyed a spectacular two-month drive. BU went 6-2 with the last six games against NCAA tournament teams. MOP of the Toledo Regional, his line for this period was 4-11-15 in eight games, leading the NCAA in PPG (1.875).
Matt Davis (photo: Denver Athletics).
While his 11-game stats are outstanding, consider this: in three games in the NCAA tournament, Davis had a 1.50 GAA and a save percentage of .956, averaging 38 saves a game. Overall, he was 7-4-0, 2.12 and .930.
Connor Hasley (photo: Bentley Athletics).
Bentley started 5-0 on the strength of Hasley’s netminding. He had three shutouts in that stretch and his only defeat came at the hands of then-No. 1 Boston College, 3-1 (ENG), in Bentley’s NCAA quarterfinal game. His line for March: 1.17 and .957 and 5-1-0.
Alex Tracy (photo: Minnesota State Athletics).
A Mike Richter Award finalist, Tracy was phenomenal, going 4-1, the only loss a 2-1 2OT loss to eventual NCAA champ WMU in the regionals. He ended up 4-1, 1.29 and .952.
Dominick Dawes is the new men’s hockey coach at Norwich, his alma mater (photo: Norwich Athletics).
Norwich has announced the appointment of alumnus Dominick Dawes as the 12th head coach in the 116-year history of the men’s hockey program.
Dawes has accumulated an impressive 240 career wins and a .617 win percentage in addition to helping lead the Cadets to the 2003 national championship as a player.
“My family and I are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to return to Central Vermont and lead the Norwich hockey program,” said Dawes in a statement. “I want to sincerely thank President LtGen Broadmeadow, vice president of student affairs and Commandant BG McCollough [VSM], director of athletics Ed Hockenbury, the search committee, and the Blueline Club for their trust and support. Norwich has been a significant part of my life for the past 25 years, and I’m excited to reconnect with alumni, engage with the Central Vermont community, and work alongside our student-athletes. Our mission is to uphold and build upon the proud tradition of excellence that defines Norwich hockey, on and off the ice. Go Wick!”
Dawes returns to Northfield after spending the last nine seasons behind the bench at Stevenson. In 2016, he was appointed as the first head coach for the inaugural men’s hockey program there, swiftly ushering the fledgling team into a spot in the national rankings. Under his leadership, the Mustangs secured MAC titles in five of his nine seasons, highlighted by the school’s first-ever berth in the NCAA tournament following the recent 2024-25 season.
During his tenure at Stevenson, he successfully recruited and mentored two finalists for the prestigious Sid Watson Award given annually to the Division III national player of the year. His guidance also resulted in three Mustangs being named AHCA All-Americans, in addition to numerous major award winners from the MAC and the UCHC.
Prior to Stevenson, he guided Neumann to a national championship in 2009 and was named the AHCA National Division III Coach of the Year. Dawes accumulated 107 wins during his seven-year tenure at Neumann.
As a member of the Norwich hockey program, he was a key contributor to Cadet teams that reached the Frozen Four three of his four years as a player. His career on the ice includes scoring 47 points in 101 games. Among his most noteworthy moments in maroon and gold was the game-winning goal in the 2003 NCAA quarterfinals against Trinity. The goal capped a furious four-goal third-period 5-4 comeback win that propelled the team to the program’s second national championship.
“I am thrilled that one of Norwich’s own rose to the top of a very competitive search process that reaffirms the strength of our men’s hockey program,” said Hockenbury. “In addition to being a key member of some historically great teams at Norwich, including the 2003 national champions, Dominick stood out as he made clear his love for our institution and vision for where he plans to take the program. He is a talented coach with an impressive record of success at the highest levels of Division III hockey. His broad understanding of the current and ever-changing landscape of college hockey, along with his stellar reputation and his many recruiting connections, will help him continue to attract great student-athletes to our team.
“Dominick will run a quality program that features an exciting brand of hockey, will care for his players both on and off the ice, and will represent the values of Norwich in every way.”
Dawes inherits a Cadet program that clinched a berth in the final NEHC championship game to close the 2024-25 season. As Norwich prepares for the inaugural Little East Conference competition in the upcoming 2025-26 season, the team is headlined by first team all-conference defenseman Cooper Bertrand and second team all-conference goaltender Sami Molu.
“We are fortunate to have Dominick return to Kreitzberg Arena as the leader of our program, and I am proud to welcome him and his wife and kids back to Norwich,” said Hockenbury.
Natálie Mlýnková, who recently wrapped up her NCAA hockey career, joins Nicole Haase and Todd Milewski for an offseason edition of the PodKaz.
