Bowling Green has named Nathan Phillips the team’s director of hockey operations.
“We are thrilled to add Nathan to our staff,” said BGSU coach Ty Eigner in a statement. “He is incredibly intelligent and has tremendous passion for both academics and hockey. His positive impact on our program will be felt on a daily basis.”
Phillips comes to Bowling Green following three seasons as the associate head coach of the Culver Military Academy U16 AAA team. He also served as goaltending coach for the boys and girls programs.
“I am incredibly excited to be joining Bowling Green State University and the Falcon hockey family,” said Phillips. “It is quite an honor to be able to work alongside Ty Eigner, Curtis Carr and Maco Balkovec, who are all genuine people and have great hockey minds. The opportunity to have an impact on the strong culture that Ty has helped build was one that I jumped on immediately.”
Prior to Culver, Phillips was a goalie at Michigan State, seeing action in one game during the 2015-16 season.
Of the eight newcomers joining Niagara for the 2019-20 season, three are transfers, the school announced Thursday.
It’s not known if any will be eligible for the upcoming season.
“All our transfers are still working through the process of getting clearance from the NCAA,” said a Niagara spokesperson. “As it’s still ongoing, we don’t have any updates on their statuses as of yet.”
The three transfers are defensemen Ryan Cook (Merrimack) and Croix Evingson (UMass Lowell) and forward Walker Sommer (Air Force).
Evingson and Sommer played two years previously, while Cook skated three seasons.
Cook appeared in 73 games as a Warrior from 2016 to 2019, registering eight points (three goals, five assists) and 69 penalty minutes.
Evingson, a seventh-round pick (211th overall) of the Winnipeg Jets in the 2017 NHL Draft, played 32 games at UML, tallying eight points (goal, seven assists) from 2017 to 2019.
With Air Force, Sommer saw action in 53 games from 2017 to 2019, compiling 19 points (10 goals, nine assists), including an assist in the 2018 Atlantic Hockey championship win over Robert Morris.
Lauren Wash, a four-year member of the Rensselaer women’s team and 2018 Isobel Cup champion with the NWHL’s Metropolitan Riveters, has joined the Post women’s hockey program as an assistant coach.
At RPI, Wash played in 130 games and registered 24 goals and 23 assists for 47 points. With the Riveters, Wash played in 14 games, tallying two goals and two assists.
“Lauren is going to be bring a lot of energy to the program and a great deal of experience as a Division I player and a professional athlete,” said RPI coach Heath Isaacson in a statement. “She is eager to get to campus to work with the team and continue the progress that has been made in the first three seasons.”
“I’m beyond grateful and excited to jump right into coaching this resilient and evolving team alongside head coach Heath Isaacson,” Wash added. “I feel wholeheartedly excited to contribute to the continuation of building and developing the program, and truly thrilled to be welcomed to work with an outstanding group of young women and hockey players here at Post.”
USA Hockey VP Dave Klasnick died Tuesday at the age of 72 (photo: USA Hockey).
USA Hockey vice president and youth council chair Dave Klasnick passed away on Tuesday after a battle with cancer.
He was 72.
Klasnick, who served on the USA Hockey Board of Directors for the better part of the last 30 years, died at home surrounded by family.
“Dave was one of the most genuine and honest human beings you’ll ever come across,” said USA Hockey president Jim Smith in a statement. “His passion for our sport was unmatched and he will be sorely missed. Our condolences go out to his wife Nancy and the entire Klasnick family.”
Klasnick, who also served on the USA Hockey Foundation Board of Directors for the past 13 years, was involved in many other areas of USA Hockey during his time on the Board, including serving as a district director, as a member of the high school section and on several committees, including nominating, playing rules, and finance and investment.
Visitation will be held at Beinhauer Family Funeral Homes and Cremation Service in McMurray, Pa., on Thursday, Aug. 22 from 4-8 p.m. and on Friday, Aug. 23 from 2-8 p.m. The funeral mass will take place on Saturday, Aug. 24 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Louise de Marillac Catholic Church in Pittsburgh.
Nate Skidmore played 47 games in net at Potsdam from 2015 to 2019 (photo: RPI Athletics).
Rensselaer has named Nate Skidmore a volunteer assistant coach for the 2019-20 season.
Skidmore joins the staff of third-year head coach Dave Smith, along with full-time assistant coaches Scott Moser and Chuck Weber.
A 2019 graduate of Potsdam, Skidmore was a goaltender and four-year member of the Bears hockey program, finishing his career playing 47 games, including 42 starts. He compiled a 14-23-5 overall record, with a 3.35 GAA and a .893 save percentage. Earning the team’s Most Valuable Player Award as a senior, he went 7-14-1 with a 3.40 GAA and a .899 save percentage in 22 games.
Skidmore was a four-year AHCA Academic All-America honoree as well as a Maxcy Molnar Award winner in 2019.
The director of goaltending and head coach at the CanAm Group over the last two summers, Skidmore has spent seven years as a strength and conditioning coach and head instructor at the Palmer Goalie Systems Elite Goalie Campus in Syracuse, N.Y. He also has experience as a coach and evaluator with USA Hockey and strength and conditioning coaching work during his four years at Potsdam, while also interning at Mike Boyle Strength & Conditioning in Boston during the summer of 2017.
A native of Syracuse, Skidmore earned a bachelor’s degree from Potsdam in pre-professional exercise science with a minor in business administration in 2018, before continuing to receive a master’s degree in management and leadership in 2019.
Air Force coach Frank Serratore has named assistant coaches Andy Berg and Joe Doyle associate head coaches (photo: Omar Phillips)
Air Force announced Wednesday the promotion of assistant coaches Andy Berg and Joe Doyle to associate head coaches.
Berg will enter his 13th season with the Falcons in 2019-20. A 2003 academy graduate, Berg served as a graduate assistant in 2003-04 while on active duty. Berg returned to his alma mater in the fall of 2006 and later separated from the Air Force in 2010 after serving seven years. A four-year letterman, he finished his career ranked 12th in career scoring with 142 points (64 goals, 78 assists) in 140 games. He is one of three Falcons to earn all-conference honors all four years, along with Eric Ehn and Andrew Volkening.
Doyle, a 1989 academy graduate, starts his 14th season with the Falcons this fall. After serving with the Falcons twice while on active duty (1994-98 and 2002-06), Doyle returned to his alma mater in Aug. 2013. After retiring from the Air Force, Doyle spent four years as a regional director of the American Development Model for USA Hockey. A four-year letterman for the Falcons (1985-89), Doyle was a four-year letterman at right wing and was part of the first class in Air Force history to post four consecutive winning seasons. He played in 110 games and posted 126 points on 57 goals and 69 assists.
“Winning like we have won over the last 13 years is not easy anywhere let alone at a service academy,” Falcons head coach Frank Serratore said in a statement. “Great recruiting and great coaching are the keys to winning at the college level. The head coach gets way too much credit when things are going good. One man does not make a staff. If you want to credit me for something related to our success, credit me for putting together a great staff. I watch what Andy and Joe contribute to the program on a daily basis and they are two of the very best in the business.
“Both are more than ready to become head coaches when the right opportunity presents itself.”
Ron Grahame will retire in just 11 days’ time (photo: DU Athletics).
Denver athletic Director Ron Grahame has announced his retirement for Sept. 1, 2019.
“Ron Grahame had a tremendous impact on the University of Denver long before I arrived on campus, but I will always be thankful for his leadership and guidance during my first 18 months as a Pioneer,” vice chancellor for athletics, recreation and Ritchie Center operations Karlton Creech said in a statement. “His ability to lead the athletic programs to the success this university has managed over the last few decades, while standing by the integrity Ron practices and preaches everyday makes his career truly amazing and one that sport administrators here and around the country should strive to replicate.
“We will miss Ron greatly, and we look forward to celebrating his 50 years in Crimson and Gold next week. We wish Ron, Charlotte and their family the best in this next chapter of their lives. They will always be Pioneers.”
Creech will announce a reorganization of the division of athletics and recreation next week.
The department will host a retirement party for Grahame on Tuesday, Aug. 27 from 3:30-5 p.m. MST in the Gottesfeld Room on the fourth floor of the Daniel L. Ritchie Center for Sports and Wellness.
Grahame and his wife Charlotte have been long-time Denver residents, have two sons and are proud grandparents of five. John Grahame was a former NHL goaltender, winning the Stanley Cup in 2004 with the Tampa Bay Lightning, while Jason Grahame played his collegiate hockey at Denver (2003), making him and Ron the first father-son combo in hockey to play for the Pioneers. When John signed with the Bruins, they became just the second father-son goalie tandem to play for the same NHL team.
“It has been my honor to represent the university for more than 40 years as a student-athlete, coach and administrator,” Ron Grahame said in a statement. “During that time, there have been many changes that have afforded me the opportunity to grow as a person for which I’m extremely thankful. Watching this great institution and athletic department grow from what it was in 1969 to what it is today has been truly remarkable.
“There are so many people I would like to thank – too many to mention in this short space. I would like to specifically acknowledge Murray Armstrong, my coach and the man who first brought me to Denver as a student-athlete which began my long association with the University. Jack McDonald, who wanted a former Pioneer on his staff in athletics and took a chance on an old goalie. Peg Bradley-Doppes for all of her unwavering support despite knowing nothing of me or the staff she inherited. Chancellors Dwight Smith, Dan Ritchie, Robert Coombe and Rebecca Chopp who we all owe our thanks for their leadership and guidance. Board of Trustee members Joy Burns, John Miller, KC Gallagher, Cappy Shopneck and Jane Hamilton for their unwavering support for athletics. I also can’t thank my family enough – my wife, Charlotte, and my two sons, John and Jason, for always being there throughout the adventure and growing our family with the wonderful additions of daughter-in-laws Sandra and Niki as well as five grandkids, Jack, Violet, Colton, Knox and Luke.
“It has truly been a privilege to serve the University of Denver and work with so many wonderful staff, coaches and students. I feel fortunate to have been a Pioneer for most of my life and Denver will always be home for the Grahames.”
Grahame played hockey and lacrosse at DU from 1969 to 1973, winning a WCHA championship in 1973, in addition to being named a First Team All-American, WCHA player of the year, university student-athlete of the year and leading the Pioneers to a second-place finish in the NCAA tournament.
His pro hockey career (1973-81) included stops with the WHA’s Houston Aeros (winning a title in 1974), Binghamton Whalers and NHL’s Boston Bruins (Stanley Cup finalist in 1978) and Los Angeles Kings.
From 1982 to 1990, Grahame was an associate hockey coach at Denver and then an assistant at St. Cloud during the 1990-91 season. He went back to DU and served as the assistant AD for operations and compliance from 1993 to 1999.
Inducted into the University of Denver Hall of Fame in 1997, Grahame was then associate athletic director for intercollegiate sport programs from 1999 to 2005.
“Ron Grahame was a great role model for me as a coach at DU,” said former hockey coach Jim Montgomery, now head coach of the NHL’s Dallas Stars. “As my boss, he taught me how to be humble, a great team player on campus, how to lead student-athletes and to trust my instincts. He impacted my life in such a positive fashion that I never wanted to disappoint him with how our team, staff and I represented DU at all times. He made us want to be great by doing things the right way.”
Montgomery’s predecessor, George Gwozdecky, also heaped praise on Grahame.
“Ron was one of the all-time great players at DU, perhaps only behind the legendary Keith Magnuson,” Gwozdecky said. “As a DU athletics administrator, Ron was defined by his unwavering loyalty to the University of Denver, which no one could ever question. Ron had a tremendous impact on the university as a whole, and I wish Ron and his family all the best.”
Grahame served from 2000 to 2004 on the NCAA DI Men’s Ice Hockey Committee, chairing the committee in 2004.
Promoted to senior associate athletic director in 2005, Grahame held that role until 2013 when he was named associate vice chancellor for sports supervision and internal operation. He filled that role until 2016 when he took over as deputy athletic director and later, director of athletics in 2017. That same year, Grahame was given the NCHC Distinguished Service Award.
In 2013, Grahame was selected the recipient of the DU Distinguished Service Award and two years later,
was the honoree of the inaugural recipient of the Unsung Hero Award.
“Ron Grahame is Mr. DU,” said former Denver director of athletics Dr. M. Dianne Murphy. “A standout hockey player, a caring athletics administrator, a wonderful life partner to his wife and a fabulous father to two great guys. Most of all, Ron is a person who truly loves the University of Denver and has served her well. I wish him a great retirement. It is much deserved.”
The Canton Ice House opened in 2016 (photo: Curry College Athletics).
Curry announced Monday that the men’s hockey team will be moving to the Canton Ice House, effective for the 2019-20 season.
The team previously played at Ulin Rink.
“The Canton Ice House is a top-notch facility and will be a tremendous arena for our players and coaches along with our students, alumni, and friends to watch our Colonels in action,” said Curry director of athletics Vinnie Eruzione in a statement. “This will also give the college an opportunity to explore the possibility of adding an NCAA Division III women’s ice hockey program in the future. I cannot thank president Kenneth Quigley, director of facilities Robert O’Connell, and vice president of finance/CFO David Rosati enough for their hard work and dedication in making this happen.”
“I am excited to be making the CIH the home of Curry Hockey,” added coach TJ Manastersky. “It will provide an unmatched experience for not only our players, but also our students, friends, families, and alumni to come and enjoy home hockey games. This move signals a continued commitment to hockey from Curry College and I am grateful for the opportunity.
“We look forward to building on our proud history and tradition in our new home and building relationships in the CIH and the community of Canton. Exciting college hockey is coming to Canton and we can’t wait to get started.”
“Cory is a very accomplished player, leader, and coach, but most importantly, an amazing human being that will fit seamlessly into our culture,” AIC head coach Eric Lang said in a statement.
“I’m really excited to be joining the AIC hockey family,” added Schneider. “The staff and players have done an incredible job with the program and it is an honor to be a part of it. I’m looking forward to getting the season started.”
Most recently, Schneider served as an assistant coach at UMass Boston, a role he held from August 2017 through the end of the 2018-19 season.
Schneider previously worked as a volunteer assistant coach with the Wentworth Institute of Technology from September 2015 through August 2017.
Schneider was a four-year member of the hockey team at Ohio State from 2008 to 2012, skating in 112 games for the Buckeyes while earning a bachelor of science in business administration.
Selected by his teammates to serve as team captain in his senior season, he earned three selections to the Big Ten All-Academic Team as well as the 2010–11 Big Ten Sportsmanship Award.
In addition, Schneider played professionally for the ECHL’s Fort Wayne Komets and Cincinnati Cyclones and the Fort Worth Brahmas in the CHL.
Goaltender Jack LaFontaine posted 30 wins, a .923 save percentage and a 2.19 GAA last season for the BCHL’s Penticton Vees (photo: Penticton Vees).
Minnesota announced Tuesday that goaltender Jack LaFontaine has been added to the roster for the 2019-20 season.
The BCHL’s top goaltender for the 2018-19 season with the Penticton Vees and a finalist for top goaltender in the Canadian Junior Hockey League, LaFontaine will be immediately eligible to play for the Gophers and will have two years of eligibility remaining.
Prior to joining the Vees, LaFontaine spent two seasons at Michigan, appearing in 22 games and helping the Wolverines reach the 2018 NCAA Frozen Four in St. Paul, Minn.
The Carolina Hurricanes selected LaFontaine in the third round (75th overall) of the 2016 NHL Draft.
North Dakota banners hang inside the Ralph Engelstad Arena in Grand Forks, N.D. prior to a game in the 2014-15 season (photo: Jim Rosvold/USCHO.com).
North Dakota and Ralph Engelstad Arena announced Tuesday that they have agreed to terms on a new long-term 10-year usage agreement extension.
The usage agreement extension will run from July 1, 2020 through Sept. 30, 2030.
The usage agreement is the operating agreement that outlines the operating relationship between UND and Ralph Engelstad Arena relative to UND’s use of the Ralph Engelstad Arena Sports Complex for UND athletics events and activities.
The new agreement extends the terms and conditions in the current usage agreement and mirrors the current usage agreement, which is set to expire on June 30, 2020.
“UND is very grateful for the generosity and support that the Engelstad family and the Engelstad Foundation have shown the university in the past and we look forward to even more productive collaborations in the future,” said UND president Joshua Wynne in a statement.
“I would like to sincerely thank President Wynne for his leadership and willingness to extend the terms of the current usage agreement,” added arena general manager Jody Hodgson. “This extension will allow all of us at UND and the Ralph to continue maximizing the benefit of Mr. and Mrs. Engelstad’s gift for the benefit of UND’s student-athletes, coaches and fans. The usage agreement provides the platform for a mutually beneficial relationship and we’re focused on making the most of the opportunity for all involved.”
Jed Shivers, UND vice president for finance and operations-chief operating officer, noted “the usage agreement extension is a great example of President Wynne’s vision to push the University forward and advance our mutual interests with the Engelstad family and the staff at the arena.”
“We are committed to a positive and productive relationship with UND and we appreciate the productive manner in which they dealt with the usage agreement extension,” said Kris McGarry of the Engelstad Foundation. “The staff at Ralph Engelstad Arena will continue the good work that they do every day to maximize the opportunity provided by my parents for UND and its students, student-athletes and coaches as well as the community of Grand Forks and the citizens of the region. Confirmation of our long-term operating relationship via the usage agreement extension was very important to me and I want to thank President Wynne for his leadership on this issue.”
Ingalls Rink is the home rink to the Yale men’s and women’s hockey programs (photo: Yale Athletics).
Yale’s Ingalls Rink will have a new CheckFlex board system in place for the 2019-20 season.
The new system, which includes seamless acrylic shielding and SoftCap technology, was completed last week. This replaces an older CheckFlex unit with tempered glass.
CheckFlex, the world’s only flexible dasher board system and the one most used by NHL venues, has impact absorption and give that starts at the ice level and carries to the top of the glass. The boards are also known as the most consistent in the business for playability.
“The new boards and glass look terrific, but the most important thing is that they are the safest set of boards on the market,” Yale men’s coach Keith Allain said in a statement. “Our game is an exciting physical game and we would like to keep our young men as safe as possible.”
“It’s crucial to be able to tell our prospects they are going to compete in the safest environment available,” added Bulldogs women’s coach Mark Bolding. “Hockey is an exciting but dangerous game with concussion and shoulder injuries a real risk in our sport, and having the new CheckFlex boards is so important to our program.”
North Dakota’s Amy Menke celebrates a goal against St. Cloud State on Oct. 7, 2016 (photo: Jim Rosvold/USCHO.com)
According to The Rink Live, former members of the defunct North Dakota women’s hockey team have appealed the dismissal of their discrimination lawsuit against the state’s university system.
The former players filed a notice of appeal to the Eighth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in mid-July.
The lawsuit, which hoped to reinstate the team, claimed the university’s decision to cut the women’s hockey program in 2017 violated Title IX.
Minnesota and Minnesota State will play in the annual U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Museum Women’s Face-Off Classic, scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 7, 3:30 p.m. CST, at the Dakotah! Ice Center in Prior Lake, Minn.
“We are thrilled to once again be playing in the Hall of Fame game versus Minnesota State,” said Minnesota coach Brad Frost in a statement. “We know the atmosphere will be great as Division I women’s hockey comes to a community arena in Prior Lake. We look forward to showcasing our great sport to the community of Prior Lake and the surrounding areas.”
The game will raise awareness for the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Museum in Eveleth, Minnesota along with bringing women’s Division I hockey to a local community.
In addition to the college game, there will be a girls high school game between Prior Lake and Rosemount and a girls 12UA and 12UB tournament.
Game proceeds will go to Community Action Partnership of Scott, Carver & Dakota counties plus Greater Mankato Area United Way.
The Prior Lake-Savage Hockey Association, Prior Lake High School and Smoke Signals are helping to support the event.
Additional event details will be announced in coming months.
R.J. Gicewicz has been named an assistant coach at Fredonia.
A St. Lawrence graduate, Gicewicz was forced to quit playing college hockey in 2017 due to an injury but was asked to stay on by his coaches as a student assistant coach and team manager.
He held the position for two seasons before graduating in May 2019 with a bachelor’s of science in psychology and a bachelor’s of arts in liberal arts.
Gicewicz succeeds Reid Lesswing, who joined the Plattsburgh coaching staff of recent hire Steve Moffat.
Chris Grando (right) played two seasons for BC, tallying 25 assists for the Eagles (photo: Melissa Wade).
Arizona State announced Friday the addition of transfer Chris Grando from Boston College.
The junior will not play during the 2019-20 season due to NCAA transfer rules.
In his two seasons with the Eagles, Grando recorded nine goals and 16 assists with an 18-point performance during his freshman season. He played in all but two games during his two seasons in Chestnut Hill.
“We are obviously thrilled to add a player of Chris’s talent level,” said head coach Greg Powers. “He had a tremendous freshman year at BC and just needed some new scenery. He has elite speed and work ethic which will be a welcomed addition for us after he redshirts this year due transfer rules.”
During his freshman season, he led BC with three game-winning goals and tied for the team lead with a pair of shorthanded goals.
Michigan announced Friday the hiring of Kris Mayotte as the Wolverines’ new assistant coach.
Mayotte spent the previous four seasons at Providence, where he served as associate head coach the past two seasons. A member of the 2015 national championship coaching staff, Mayotte worked primarily with the Friar goaltenders as well as with the penalty kill unit and handled all aspects of recruiting.
“I am extremely excited with the addition of Kris to our hockey staff,” Michigan head coach Mel Pearson said in a statement. “Kris is a proven winner who will assist us with all aspects of our program. He is a tireless recruiter with an extensive recruiting network. In recent years at Providence, he did outstanding work, especially with the goalies and defensemen. I want to welcome Kris and his wife Juli to the Michigan family.”
“I am honored and humbled to join such a prestigious hockey program and institution,” said Mayotte. “I look forward to helping build on the foundation that the coaching staff has set. There is an exciting future ahead for Michigan hockey and I can’t wait to get started.”
Prior to joining the staff at Providence, Mayotte spent two seasons (2012-14) as an assistant coach at St. Lawrence. Mayotte was the primary recruiter and worked with the goaltenders and penalty kill unit during his time with the Saints. Before St. Lawrence, he was a volunteer assistant coach at Cornell (2011-12) and a full-time goalie coach in Maryland (2010-11).
As a collegian, Mayotte played four seasons at Union (2002-06) as the starting goaltender for the Dutchmen.
After graduation, Mayotte spent five seasons playing professionally in the AHL, ECHL and now-defunct CHL.
Denver announced Thursday that the team has named Corey Wogtech as the Pioneers’ new volunteer assistant coach.
Wogtech has served 11 seasons as a goaltending coach in the NAHL, NCAA, USHL and, most recently, the USA Hockey Boys Select 17 Player Development Camp.
Upon the conclusion of his playing career, which included two years at St. Scholastica, Wogtech joined the NAHL’s St. Louis Bandits as goaltending coach before spending two years in the same role at Omaha and then seven years in the USHL.
“After last season, we determined that we needed a full-time goalie coach on our staff,” DU coach David Carle said in a statement. “Our goalies deserve that level of commitment and instruction from our staff. In Corey, we are getting someone who is very passionate and knowledgeable when it comes to teaching the position. We are excited to add someone of his caliber to the Pioneer family who will make our goalies and program better.”
As a player, Wogtech spent time in eight different leagues during his career, spanning North American and Europe.
“I’m thankful for the opportunity to join the staff at DU,” Wogtech added. “Coach Carle, the University of Denver, and the NCHC’s success speak for themselves. It is a great honor to join such an illustrious staff and I’m excited for the opportunity to work with such a great group of goaltenders.”
Arizona State has named former NHL netminder Eddie Lack its new goaltending coach.
Lack, who last played in the NHL for the New Jersey Devils in 2017-18, played in 143 NHL games over five seasons with the Devils, Vancouver, Carolina and Calgary.
“We are thrilled to add Eddie to our staff,” said ASU coach Greg Powers in a statement. “Eddie has a contagiously positive approach to the game and to life. He will not only benefit our student athletes but our entire staff as well. We couldn’t me more excited to welcome Eddie to Sun Devil hockey.”
“My body won’t allow me to play professional hockey at this time,” Lack tweeted. “I love the game and I’m excited to share some of the knowledge I’ve gained in my professional career.”
Minnesota and Minnesota State will play in the annual U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Museum Women’s Face-Off Classic, scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 7, 3:30 p.m. CST, at the Dakotah! Ice Center in Prior Lake, Minn.
