Robert Morris is projected to repeat as champions of the CHA, according to the league’s preseason poll released Tuesday morning.
The Colonials received five of the six first-place votes, with Syracuse receiving the other.
In 2016-17, Robert Morris became the first school other than Mercyhurst to be crowned outright CHA regular-season champions (Wayne State shared the title with Mercyhurst in 2007-08).
Defending national champion, ECAC Hockey regular-season and 2017 league tournament champion Clarkson was selected the team to beat in the 2017 women’s coaches’ preseason poll.
The Golden Knights earned 10 first-place votes and a total of 119 points.
School
Points (First-place votes)
1. Clarkson
119 (10)
2. St. Lawrence
103 (1)
3. Cornell
99 (1)
4. Colgate
88
5. Quinnipiac
85
6. Princeton
82
7. Harvard
61
8. Yale
51
9. Rensselaer
33
10. Dartmouth
29
11. Union
25
12. Brown
17
In addition, the league announced its preseason All-League Team.
Tanner Jaillet is back for his senior season at Denver (photo: Bradley K. Olson).
Returning the majority of last season’s national championship team, Denver was unanimously selected by the media as the favorite to capture the 2017-18 Julie and Spencer Penrose Memorial Cup, awarded to the NCHC regular-season champion, for a second straight year as DU topped the 2017-18 NCHC preseason poll, which was released Tuesday.
The NCHC announced Tuesday the creation of the NCHC Media Excellence Award.
The award will be presented to one member of the media each season in recognition of outstanding media coverage that “conveys the stories of the NCHC and its members, furthers the conference’s brand and/or mission, and promotes the NCHC and its members in a positive manner,” according to a news release.
The inaugural award winner will be announced on March 15, 2018.
With college hockey coverage growing across the country, local, regional and national media members and outlets are eligible for the award. From NCHC team beat writers covering their teams daily, to radio and TV broadcasters calling games, to student reporters and national outlets producing great features, there are many worthy candidates for the NCHC Media Excellence Award each season.
The award will honor a media member who is well-regarded within the conference and college hockey as a whole, and who dedicates at least some of their time to covering the sport. Special consideration may also be given to media members who have covered the conference and/or a member team for many years, or to a media member who has been bestowed with industry awards from other entities in that given year.
NCHC member school sports information directors will submit nominations for the award each season and then also vote on the award at the end of the season to determine the winner from the nominees.
Ohio State has added a trio of coaches to its staff.
Buckeye alums Dustin Carlson and Dave Caruso will serve as the team’s volunteer assistant coach and goaltending consultant, respectively, while Lee Harris is the team’s conditioning coach.
“We are excited to have Dusty, Dave and Lee join our program, and it is especially nice to welcome back two alums,” OSU coach Steve Rohlik said in a statement. “They all add important elements to the development process of our student-athletes.”
Carlson played in 71 games for OSU from 2008 to 2011 and ranks sixth in program history with a career 2.71 GAA. His save percentage of .913 is tied for fifth in program history and he posted two of the top 10 single-season marks (.917 in 2009, .916 in 2010). His 21 wins in 2009, including four shutouts, are the fourth highest for a Buckeye and that season he had 1,014 saves, the fifth highest in a single campaign, and played 2206:15 between the pipes, the fourth-most in a single year for the Buckeyes.
He is currently finishing his degree at Ohio State through the athletics department’s degree completion program.
“Last year was my first year away from the game of hockey and I am grateful to Coach Rohilk and the staff for allowing me to get involved again,” Carlson said in a statement. “I am honored and privileged to be with the program. I look forward to helping the current Buckeyes while I wrap up my degree.”
Caruso was between the pipes for the Buckeyes from 2003 to20 06, playing in 96 games and posting 52 wins, tying for third in program history in career victories. He is the program’s all-time leader in career GAA (2.07), had a program-record 1.97 GAA in 2004 and shares the team’s career shutout record with 11. A two-time All-CCHA Honorable Mention selection, he backstopped the Buckeyes to the 2004 CCHA tournament title and earned a spot on the All-Tournament Team that season. A winner of the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award, he was voted Team MVP by his teammates twice.
Following his Ohio State career, Caruso spent six years as a professional goaltender in the Atlanta Thrashers and New Jersey Devils organizations, playing in the AHL and ECHL. He also spent two years as the goalie coach for the Albany Devils in the Devils’ organization. He currently runs Caruso Hockey in Central Ohio, working with all age groups and levels. Caruso earned his Ohio State degree in 2006.
“I am thankful for the opportunity to be involved with the team and be able to give back to the program and university that have given me so much,” Caruso said. “I am excited to learn from the coaches and their vast knowledge of the game. I’d like to thank Coach Rohlik and Ohio State for allowing me to be a part of the program in this way.”
Harris brings a unique hockey and figure skating background to the Buckeyes as the team’s conditioning coach. He focuses on proper body awareness and technique, running the Buckeyes through drills to build on their existing foundation, helping them add new aspects to their skating and fitness. He has worked with players from all ages and skill levels, from youth to the NHL.
Harris was competing internationally for Canada in figure skating and playing Canadian junior hockey by age 17. In 2000, he moved to Hartford, Conn., to focus on his figure skating and he was the 2002 national junior champion and competed in the 2002 Junior World Championships, retiring from competitive figure skating in 2006. His career coaching skating skills started in Hartford and he moved to Columbus in 2011, where he currently runs the Lee Harris Skating System.
Michigan announced its seven-member 2017 Dekers Club Hall of Fame class on Monday.
Jason Boterill, Denny Felsner, Matt Herr, John Madden, Brendan Morrison, Bill Muckalt and Marty Turco join the prestigious group of Michigan hockey alumni.
The seven players will be honored on Friday, Nov. 3, at Yost Ice Arena during U-M’s contest against Ferris State.
The Dekers Blue Line Club is a volunteer, nonprofit organization that has supported the Michigan hockey program since its founding in 1962. The first Hall of Fame Class was inducted in 1964.
Botterill won an NCAA title at Michigan in 1996 and had three Frozen Four appearances during his four-year career. He amassed 186 career points and was named a second-team All-American as a senior during the 1996-97 season. Botterill was drafted in the first round of the 1994 NHL Draft by the Dallas Stars and played seven seasons in the NHL for the Stars, Atlanta Thrashers, Calgary Flames and Buffalo Sabres. He currently serves as the GM of the Sabres.
Felsner finished his Michigan career as Michigan’s all-time career scoring leader with 139 goals. His 261 career points rank second all-time in program history. He was a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award in both 1991 and 1992. Felsner was drafted in the third round of the 1989 NHL Draft by the St. Louis Blues and played four seasons in the NHL, all with the Blues.
Herr helped Michigan win NCAA titles in both 1996 and 1998 and had four Frozen Four appearances during his career. In 1998, Herr was named to the NCAA All-Regional Team. He finished his hockey career for the Wolverines with 133 points and currently ranks second in program history with nine career shorthanded goals. In addition to playing hockey at Michigan, Herr pitched for the Wolverines baseball team and was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 29th round of the 1994 MLB Draft. Herr was drafted in the fourth round of the 1994 NHL Draft by the Washington Capitals, and played four seasons in the NHL for the Capitals, Florida Panthers and Boston Bruins.
Madden led Michigan to an NCAA title in 1996 and three Frozen Four appearances. Over his four-year career at Michigan, he recorded 100 career goals and 180 total points. Madden set the NCAA record for most career shorthanded goals (23), a record that still stands today. During his final season at Michigan, he was a Hobey Baker Award finalist and first-team All-American. Madden went undrafted, but played 13 seasons in the NHL for the New Jersey Devils, Chicago Blackhawks, Minnesota Wild and Florida Panthers. Madden won the Stanley Cup three times during his NHL career, including two with the Devils (2000 and 2003) and one with the Blackhawks (2010).
Morrison, a three-time All-American, became the first Michigan player to win the Hobey Baker Award in 1997. He was named the Most Outstanding Player of the 1996 Frozen Four, a two-time CCHA Player of the Year and a three-time All-CCHA First Team selection. Morrison helped the Wolverines claim four straight CCHA regular-season titles and three tournament crowns.
In the 1996 NCAA tournament in Cincinnati, Morrison scored the championship-winning goal 3:35 into overtime to defeat Colorado College 3-2 and give the Wolverines their first NCAA title in 32 years. He concluded his Michigan career with a school-record 284 points. Morrison went on to play 14 seasons in the NHL for the New Jersey Devils, Vancouver Canucks, Anaheim Ducks, Dallas Stars, Washington Capitals, Calgary Flames and Chicago Blackhawks. He finished fifth in the Calder Cup Trophy (rookie of the year) balloting in 1999.
Muckalt led Michigan to two NCAA titles (1996 and 1998) and four Frozen Four appearances. Over his four-year career at Michigan, he posted 105 career goals and 226 total points. Muckalt ranks seventh in program history with 226 points, sixth in goals with 105 and ninth in assists with 121. During his senior season in 1997-98, he was a first team All-American and a Hobey Baker Award finalist. Muckalt was drafted in the ninth round of the 1994 NHL Draft by the Vancouver Canucks and played five seasons in the NHL for the Canucks, New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators and Minnesota Wild.
Muckalt is entering his first season as the associate head coach of the Michigan hockey team.
Turco led Michigan to two NCAA titles (1996 and 1998) and four Frozen Four appearances. He holds Michigan records for career wins (127, an NCAA record), career shutouts (15) and wins in a season (34 in 1995-96). He finished with a career record of 127-28-7. He was a first team All-American in 1997, the 1997 CCHA Goaltender of the Year and the 1995 CCHA Rookie of the Year. In 1998, he was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Frozen Four. Turco was drafted in the fifth round of the 1994 NHL Draft by the Dallas Stars and played 11 seasons in the NHL for the Stars, Chicago Blackhawks and Boston Bruins. He was a three-time NHL All-Star and represented Canada at the 2006 Olympics.
American International College has named Evan Moorhouse as its director of hockey operations.
“Evan has had a seamless transition to our staff,” AIC coach Eric Lang said in a statement. “He has a tremendous knowledge of Western Massachusetts hockey, a great hockey background and understands his role in operations. Evan is very talented in so many areas and he will have a bright future in this industry. We are ecstatic he’s on board with AIC hockey.”
Moorhouse is a 2016 graduate of nearby Westfield State, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in business management. He was a goaltender for the Owls’ hockey program, in addition to being a four-year member of the baseball team.
Upon graduation, he served as an assistant coach with the Westfield State hockey program, focusing on goaltending and daily operations within the program. Beginning in 2013, he joined Stick Time Sports in Agawam, working in hockey operations and as a goaltending consultant. His responsibilities included event and employee management, scheduling and on-ice instruction and evaluation.
Moorhouse’s father, Donnie, is a 1987 graduate of AIC, and was an assistant coach with the program from 1987 to 1990.
“I am extremely fortunate for the opportunity to join this historic hockey program,” Moorhouse added. ”Yellow Jacket tradition runs deep in my family — both my parents are graduates of AIC, which has made me feel connected with the school for a long time. I look forward to being able to contribute to an already remarkable staff while also absorbing some of the tremendous hockey knowledge this experience has to offer.
“It is an exciting time for AIC hockey, and I am thankful and proud to be a part of it moving forward.”
Henrik Borgström posted 22 goals last season as a freshman for national champion Denver (photo: Candace Horgan).
Seven players representing four teams have earned a spot on the 2017-18 NCHC Preseason All-Conference Team.
A total of 30 ballots were submitted by local media members from each school, as well as select national media.
Defending NCAA national champion and NCHC Penrose Cup champion Denver led the way in voting, nabbing four of the seven spots on the team, including three of four forward spots with the third forward spot resulting in a tie.
Minnesota’s Tyler Sheehy was one of two unanimous picks to the Big Ten Preseason Watch List for the 2017-18 season (photo: Jim Rosvold).
Four-time Big Ten champion Minnesota was tabbed the favorite in the 2017-18 Big Ten preseason coaches’ poll, the conference announced on Monday.
School
1. Minnesota
2. Notre Dame
3. Wisconsin
4. Penn State
5. Ohio State
6. Michigan
7. Michigan State
The coaches also selected a 17-member Preseason Watch List, including a pair of unanimous honorees in Wisconsin forward Trent Frederic and Minnesota forward Tyler Sheehy.
Player's Name
Position
School
Quinn Hughes
D
Michigan
Will Lockwood
F
Michigan
Josh Norris
F
Michigan
Ryan Lindgren
D
Minnesota
Casey Mittelstadt
F
Minnesota
Rem Pitlick
F
Minnesota
Tyler Sheehy
F
Minnesota
Jake Evans
F
Notre Dame
Jordan Gross
D
Notre Dame
Andrew Oglevie
F
Notre Dame
Mason Jobst
F
Ohio State
Matthew Weis
F
Ohio State
Peyton Jones
G
Penn State
Denis Smirnov
F
Penn State
Trent Frederic
F
Wisconsin
Kyle Hayton
G
Wisconsin
Cameron Hughes
F
Wisconsin
Last season, Minnesota claimed its fourth consecutive Big Ten title with 43 points and a conference record of 14-5-1-0 (23-12-3 overall). Conference newcomer Notre Dame was selected second in the preseason poll.
The Boston College men’s and women’s hockey teams moved into newly redesigned and expanded locker rooms inside Conte Forum on Monday.
Through the generosity of many donors and former players, both projects were privately funded.
Lead gifts from Art Bryne (men’s project) and Dave and Janet Griffith (women’s project) made these projects possible.
The redesigned spaces were both enlarged, and now include separate wet and dry locker rooms, coaches’ areas, equipment spaces and lounges. Saunas were also installed in both the men’s and women’s locker rooms. Each student-athlete now has two separate lockers: one for their hockey equipment and one dry space for their personal belongings. The dry lockers include multiple charging stations for the student-athletes’ phones and tech devices.
The Boston College men’s locker room was opened to the players on Monday (photo: John Quackenbos/BC Athletics).
The players’ stalls in the main team rooms include backlit nameplates and LED lights around the foot-locker portion of the stall. Additionally, all of the stalls have their own individual ventilation systems, which are vented through the Conte Forum HVAC system and have individual fans to dry the hockey equipment.
Both lounge spaces include DreamSeat coaches, 90-inch televisions and ping-pong tables. Smart Board teaching stations were installed to allow for game film analysis and X/O instruction.
“I would like to personally thank all of our dedicated and loyal supporters, donors and former student-athletes who reinvested into the Boston College hockey program to make this new locker room an ample home for present, future and former Eagles,” BC men’s coach Jerry York said in a statement. “Every contribution matters to us and is greatly appreciated. It is a perfect reflection of our selfless community and family that we consider the Boston College hockey program. Thank you to all who helped make this possible and be sure to come pay us a visit to take in our new home.”
The BC women’s team revels in its new space inside Conte Forum (photo: John Quackenbos/BC Athletics).
“We’re so fortunate to walk in the door of a brand-new locker room to start the 2017-18 season,” Eagles’ women’s coach Katie Crowley added. “The donors are the reason we were able to build the best locker room in women’s college hockey. Their generosity has been extremely important for our program and this locker room is possible because of them. Our players, past and present, have made this program into one of the best in the country. We are truly honored to step in to this beautiful locker room and represent everyone who has come before and all who are the future of BC women’s hockey.”
Both teams moved into their newly unveiled locker rooms on Monday, with the women’s team seeing the space at noon ahead of their practice, and the men getting a look at their new locker room at 1:15 p.m. before their daily practice.
Jim Madigan will start his seventh season at Northeastern with the 2017-18 campaign (photo: Melissa Wade).
Northeastern announced Monday that Jim Madigan has agreed to a contract extension that will keep him as the Huskies’ head coach through the 2020-21 season.
Madigan was named Northeastern 10th head coach ion July 26, 2011, and enters his seventh season as leader of the Huskies in 2017-18.
During his tenure, Madigan has led Northeastern to its first Hockey East championship since 1988, first NCAA appearance since 2009, seen 11 of his players drafted by NHL teams and had 33 student-athletes named to the Hockey East All-Academic Team. He also worked to establish the Fernie Flaman Endowed Men’s Hockey Coach Fund, the first endowed head coaching fund in university history, which was announced on Aug. 30.
“Our men’s hockey program has put itself in a position to succeed both in Hockey East and nationally for the past several years, led by Coach Madigan and his staff,” said Northeastern director of athletes and recreation Peter Roby in a statement. “The student-athletes that the group recruits created in a shift in the culture of our team and reached levels of success not seen in decades. I’m very pleased to have Jim as our Fernie Flaman Men’s Hockey Coach for years to come.”
“I believe we have built a program here at Northeastern that is poised to compete for Beanpot, conference and national championships year in and year out,” Madigan added. “And I’m very happy to know that we have the opportunity to continue to make strides towards those lofty goals. I’d like to thank Peter Roby and Philly Mantella for providing our team with resources to succeed, and for having faith in my staff and I to lead our program and represent our institution at the highest levels. I couldn’t be more excited to serve as the Fernie Flaman Men’s Hockey Coach well into the future.”
Madigan played for the Huskies from 1981 to 1985 and was an assistant coach at the university from 1986 to 1993. He served as a professional scout for the New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins from 1993 to 2011, winning a Stanley Cup in 2009.
The Huskies are coming off an 18-15-5 season in 2016-17, marking the first time since 1943 that Northeastern has had four straight seasons with a record of .500 or above.
The Erie Sports Commission and Mercyhurst have been chosen to host the 2018 Ice Breaker Tournament.
The event will be hosted at Erie Insurance Arena Oct. 12-13, 2018, and will be the first time an Atlantic Hockey school has played host to the tournament.
Notre Dame, Providence, Miami and Mercyhurst make up the four-team field.
“This is truly an honor for us, especially as the first member of Atlantic Hockey to host the Ice Breaker,” said Mercyhurst coach Rick Gotkin in a statement. “It is a very prestigious event when you can host Notre Dame, Providence, Miami and Mercyhurst, and bring them together in a spectacular facility like the Erie Insurance Arena. It’s going to be a great weekend.”
“We are very excited to start the 2018-19 men’s NCAA hockey season in Erie,” added College Hockey Inc. executive director Mike Snee. “The Ice Breaker Tournament will be a perfect way to celebrate over 30 years of college hockey at Mercyhurst University. It will also be a unique opportunity for fans in northwestern Pennsylvania to see some intriguing schools that don’t make regular visits to Erie.”
The Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine will serve as the event’s title sponsor.
Tickets to the 2018 Ice Breaker Tournament will be available for purchase Thursday, Nov. 22 through the Erie Insurance Arena box office. Weekend passes can be purchased for $49 and provide access to all four games. Day passes will go on sale at a later date.
The 2017 Ice Breaker Tournament will be hosted by Minnesota Duluth from Oct. 6-7, 2017.
Kassidy Sauve of Ohio State was a near-unanimous choice for WCHA Preseason Player of the Year (photo: USCHO.com).
The coaches from the women’s WCHA have picked Minnesota to dethrone Wisconsin and win the regular-season title of a league that has 16 national championships in its 18 years of existence.
School (First-place votes)
Points
1. Minnesota (4)
34
2. Wisconsin (3)
33
3. (tie) Minnesota Duluth
23
3. (tie) Ohio State
23
5. Bemidji State
14
6. St. Cloud State
11
7. Minnesota State
9
Ohio State redshirt junior goalie Kassidy Sauve was tabbed WCHA Preseason Player of the Year with six votes, while Wisconsin sophomore forward Abby Roque earned the other vote.
The WCHA Preseason Rookie of the Year, with four votes, is Minnesota forward Grace Zumwinkle.
Minnesota Duluth forward Ashton Bell, Bemidji State forward Clair DeGeorge and Ohio State forward Emma Maltais all garnered one vote each.
He was living in Summerville, S.C., and was working as a sales manager for McElveen Buick & GMC.
Cadden was born in Edmonton and played in nine games at UND from 1990 to 1992, winning three of them. He later played in the ECHL for Knoxville, Dayton, Peoria, South Carolina and Pee Dee, in the WPHL for Lubbock and a short stint in the AHL with Saint John.
Surviving are his wife, Tammie Henson Cadden; his mother and stepfather, Dave, of Canada; his father of Canada; a daughter, Kourtney A. Cadden of Summerville; two sons, Daniel P. Cadden of Summerville, and Matthew D. Capshaw of Oklahoma City; and a brother, Sean P. Cadden of Canada.
Former Boston College standout Brian Dumoulin skates with the Stanley Cup in June for the second straight year with the Pittsburgh Penguins (photo: Pittsburgh Penguins).
Brian Dumoulin may not be able to win any more NCAA championships — but he might not yet be done claiming Stanley Cups.
A defenseman from Biddeford, Maine, who helped Boston College to two national titles, Dumoulin won his second Stanley Cup in June when his Pittsburgh Penguins outlasted the Nashville Predators in a six-game final.
The Penguins also became the first back-to-back Stanley Cup champion since the 1997-98 Detroit Red Wings.
“It’s special to win it once,” said Dumoulin in August. “Twice is awesome. You dream about it — and to do it, celebrate, and have it on your résumé with the same team again, is very special.”
He contributed a goal and five assists in 25 playoff games to the Pittsburgh repeat effort, one year after notching two goals and six assists in 24 appearances and then bringing the Cup to his home rink in Maine for his first individual day with Lord Stanley’s prize.
“I’ll never forget my two days with the Cup,” he said. “It was a lot of excitement, and a lot of good things come when you win the Cup.”
Dumoulin, 26, won NCAA titles with BC in 2010 and 2012, and earned Hobey Baker Memorial Award finalist status and first-team Hockey East and All-America accolades as a junior. He finished with 11 goals and 83 points in 123 career games with the Eagles, before leaving early to go pro.
Though winning championships at both the NCAA and NHL levels carries a certain degree of satisfaction, Dumoulin explained there are differences between the two.
“In college, you play with your brothers the whole year,” he said. “You live with them; you go to class with them. Winning with those teams meant the world, and created a bond we’ll have the rest of our lives.
“The Cup is more of a grind on us, our families and friends,” added the Penguins’ No. 8. “There’s 20 some-odd games, so emotions get the best of them, too. I’m proud to say I’ve won both national championships and Stanley Cup championships.”
This summer Dumoulin brought the Cup back to the Heights, just as former Penguins blueliner/Eagles alumnus Brooks Orpik did in 2009.
“I brought it to BC in the morning, and to the Spaulding Rehabilitation Center in Charlestown, and then out on the harbor for a boat cruise,” he recalled. “It was cool. I got to see a lot of familiar faces — teachers and people I saw every day — and Coach (Jerry) York was excited.
“I was [at BC] for three years. There’s a lot of special memories, and I still work out and take classes there. It was cool to share it with all of them. I learned a lot at BC, how to be a player and a person, and I’m grateful for that.”
Dumoulin was also part of the largest former NCAA contingent to play on the same Stanley Cup championship team. Also on the Pittsburgh roster this spring were Josh Archibald (Omaha), Nick Bonino (Boston University), Ian Cole (Notre Dame), Ryan Guentzel (Omaha), Ron Hainsey (UMass Lowell), Phil Kessel (Minnesota), Chris Kunitz (Ferris State), Bryan Rust (Notre Dame), Carter Rowney (North Dakota), Chad Ruhwedel (UMass Lowell), Justin Schultz (Wisconsin), Conor Sheary (Massachusetts) and Scott Wilson (UMass Lowell).
The Penguins’ hockey staff included head coach Mike Sullivan (Boston University) and goalie coach Mike Bales (Ohio State), along with assistant general manager Bill Guerin (Boston College).
According to NHL.com, the 6-foot-4 Dumoulin averaged almost 22 minutes per game in the playoffs. He skated a team-high 26 minutes in the Cup-clinching contest in Nashville, while also providing an assist.
“Dumoulin is the one who got the most minutes because he’s a good skater, he sees the play well, he moves the puck,” said Penguins assistant coach Jacques Martin.
Dumoulin spent three seasons with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton in the American Hockey League for current New Jersey Devils head coach John Hynes before becoming a blueline mainstay in Pittsburgh. He has gotten used to sharing a locker room with the likes of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.
“I always try to be one of the guys,” said Dumoulin. “You’re in awe when you first get started practicing with them, and see the things they can do with the puck. You get over it, and want to help them to do those things. They’re great teammates, and you get to go to work with them every day.”
Dumoulin played three years at BC before leaving early to sign a pro deal, but is one class away from getting his bachelor’s degree (photo: Melissa Wade).
Selected by Carolina in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft before being traded to Pittsburgh three years later, Dumoulin starred with the New Hampshire Junior Monarchs and also won two state championships with Biddeford High School before enrolling at BC. He earned a bronze medal with Team USA at the 2011 World Junior Championship, and is on the verge of earning his bachelor’s degree in marketing from BC.
“Every year, it gets harder to go back, but you just suck it up and do it,” he said. “I’ve got one more class to go.”
He also participated in the Commonwealth Avenue Classic between BC and Boston University hockey alumni at BU’s Walter Brown Arena in July. The annual event raised nearly $65,000, with proceeds benefiting Compassionate Care ALS.
“It was a blast,” said Dumoulin, who signed a six-year, $24.6 million contract with Pittsburgh over the summer. “I saw a lot of old teammates. It was so much fun, and it raised money for a good cause.”
Concerning the future, Dumoulin was due to report to training camp with the Penguins in mid-September. He spent summer in the Boston area, taking some time off to hit the beach while also getting his new house in order. He also skated and worked out at his alma mater in preparation for a chance at a third consecutive Cup with Pittsburgh.
“I like to go back early, see the guys and get settled,” he said. “It’s one thing to go all the way. There’s not much time for rest and relaxation, but that’s a good problem to have.”
Northeastern announced Monday that women’s coach Dave Flint has agreed to a contract extension that will keep him at the school through the 2020-21 season.
“Coach Flint’s body of work over the last eight years has resulted in a return to national prominence for our women’s ice hockey team,” said Northeastern director of athletics Peter Roby in a news release. “He and his staff have recruited world-class student-athletes who have taken our program to new heights both on and off the ice, and I am thrilled to know that he will remain our head coach moving forward.”
In eight seasons behind the bench, Flint has guided Northeastern a 156-103-28 overall record (.592 winning percentage), including a 99-59-16 mark in Hockey East play (.615 winning percentage). Flint has coached the Huskies to two Women’s Beanpot titles (2012, 2013), the Hockey East regular-season championship (2012), the program’s first-ever NCAA tournament berth (2016), and garnered Hockey East Co-Coach of the Year and All-New England Coach of the Year accolades in 2012.
“Since I became the head coach in 2008, Northeastern has become my home,” added Flint. “I am very proud of what our student-athletes have accomplished, both during their time at Northeastern and their successes professionally after graduation. I would like to thank Peter Roby for allowing me to stay at Northeastern into the future, and I look forward to helping our team work towards its ultimate goal of capturing a national championship.”
In 2015-16, Flint helped Northeastern to its winningest season in program history (28-9-1) as the Huskies reached the NCAA tournament for the first time.
Under Flint’s tutelage, senior Kendall Coyne was named the 2016 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award winner as the top player in NCAA Division I women’s hockey after leading the nation in goals (50), goals per game (1.35), points per game (2.27), shorthanded goals (5) and hat tricks (5).
Olympic bronze medalist Florence Schelling graduated as the program’s all-time leader in career GAA (1.74) and save percentage (.940), while goaltender Chloe Desjardins finished her career as NU’s all-time leader in games played (104) and total saves (2,808).
In only his third full season behind the bench, Flint helped the Huskies capture their first Women’s Beanpot title in 14 years in 2012. Northeastern then repeated as the Beanpot champion in 2013, earning the program’s 16th crown-the most among the four competing schools.
Since 2005, Flint has also been a member of the USA Hockey staff. In 2008, he was appointed the goaltending coach and advisor for the women’s national program, where he evaluated and instructed goaltenders at all levels. He was on staff for the U.S. National Team that won the silver medal at the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver, as well as the gold medal-winning team at the 2008 World Championship in Harbin, China. Flint also served as an assistant coach to the U.S. Select Team that participated in the Four Nations Cup in 2009.
The Robert Morris women’s program has added Liam Cavanagh to its staff as director of hockey operations.
Cavanagh is a 2017 graduate of Acadia University in Canada, where earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and marketing.
“Liam is an excellent addition to our staff [and] we are excited he is able to join us for the ’17-18 18 season,” said RMU head coach Paul Colontino in a statement. “Along with a wonderful enthusiasm and passion for the game, Liam brings a great set of skills and experience to the position that compliment our staff perfectly.”
He studied abroad at UMass Boston from 2015 to 2017, earning his master’s degree in data analytics while serving as director of hockey operations for the Beacons for two seasons.
During the 2015-16 season, Cavanagh was part of the staff that helped UMass Boston to its first conference regular season and tournament titles since 1982 and the program’s first NCAA Frozen Four appearance.
While with the Beacons, Cavanagh not only worked in the traditional operations role of team film analysis, program organization and equipment, he also produced promotional materials to elevate the profile of UMass Boston men’s hockey and was part of the Beacons’ bench staff.
“I am very thankful for the opportunity Coach Colontino has given me to work with an extremely talented group of coaches and hockey professionals on our staff here at RMU,” added Cavanagh. “With a sharp core group of upperclassmen returning alongside the addition of some fresh young talent in our lineup, I am excited to see what we can produce here at Robert Morris in the coming years to build upon the momentum that has been developed over the past few seasons.”
A native of Nova Scotia, Cavanagh was also the founder and CEO of apparel company Flo Hockey, a clothing company that focused on charitable efforts rather than profit-making. Cavanagh participated in similar efforts as a volunteer with the Boys and Girls Club and Special Olympics while attending UMass Boston.
The NCHC Board of Directors recently approved the move to make Xcel Energy Center the future home of the NCHC Frozen Faceoff. The conference and Xcel Energy Center have agreed to a five-year contract for the home of the NHL’s Minnesota Wild to host the Frozen Faceoff through 2022.
The NCHC Frozen Faceoff is the culmination of the NCHC Tournament, with the two semifinals taking place on Friday followed by the third-place game and championship on Saturday. This season’s Frozen Faceoff will take place on March 16-17, 2018.
Ticket renewals and general on-sale information about the 2018 event will be announced in the coming weeks. Ticket buyers from the 2017 Frozen Faceoff will have priority and the first opportunity to purchase tickets for the 2018 Frozen Faceoff in Xcel Energy Center.
“The NCHC is excited about our new partnership with Xcel Energy Center and Minnesota Sports and Entertainment,” NCHC commissioner Josh Fenton said in a statement. “Regarded as one of the country’s best hockey venues, along with being familiar to many of our passionate fans, we believe the Frozen Faceoff at Xcel Energy Center will provide a great experience for our student-athletes and fans.”
The Xcel Energy Center has a capacity of 18,568 with four seating levels.
“Xcel Energy Center is tremendously excited to be bringing the NCHC Frozen Faceoff to Saint Paul,” added Xcel Energy Center VP-GM Jack Larson. “Our goal is to deliver the best fan experience possible and truly showcase an exciting weekend of high-level collegiate hockey.”
The NCHC has also partnered with Visit Saint Paul to help provide hockey fans with a fun and positive experience in the city while attending the Frozen Faceoff.
The Target Center will not host the 2018 NCHC Frozen Faceoff, as it had since 2014 (photo: Ryan Coleman/d3photography.com).
The Target Center and the NCHC announced Thursday that the parties have reached a mutual and amicable agreement to waive the final year of their existing contract, which had the 2018 NCHC Frozen Faceoff tournament scheduled to take place at the arena.
“Target Center is proud to have been a part of one of the country’s top college hockey tournaments,” said Target Center VP-GM Steve Mattson in a statement. “We wish the NCHC well in their future endeavors.”
With the help of Target Center and the city of Minneapolis, the newly-formed college hockey conference tournament grew each year from its inaugural event in March of 2014, culminating this past season with four of the top-15 nationally ranked college hockey teams battling for the title.
“The NCHC is extremely appreciative for all the support and effort that has been put forth by Target Center’s staff, along with the city of Minneapolis, over the Frozen Faceoff tournament’s four-year history,” NCHC commissioner Josh Fenton added.
Drew Melanson (25) posted 43 points over 100 games at Rensselaer (photo: Shelley M. Szwast).
In addition to the nine members of the Boston University incoming class, Drew Melanson has joined the Terriers as a graduate transfer after spending the past three seasons at Rensselaer.
As a graduate transfer, Melanson is eligible to play immediately.
“High-end speed and a guy who has always had the ability to score,” said BU coach David Quinn in a statement. “He had a good career at RPI and he’s going to give us some maturity and some leadership. He will absolutely increase our team speed.”
Melanson picked up 43 points on 17 goals and 26 assists in 100 games with the Engineers. He was named to 2014-15 ECAC Hockey All-Rookie Team after leading RPI in scoring with 20 points (nine goals, 11 assists).
