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Defending Cleary Cup champ Quinnipiac to face defending Whitelaw Cup champ Cornell at 2024 Frozen Apple game Nov. 30 at Madison Square Garden

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Two top ECAC Hockey teams will convene on the storied ice in Manhattan on Saturday, Nov. 30, as Cornell will face Quinnipiac at the 2024 Frozen Apple at Madison Square Garden.

Puck drop between the Bobcats and Big Red is scheduled for 8 p.m. EST, and the game will be broadcast on ESPN+.

With regular-season contests already scheduled on Nov. 22 in Ithaca, N.Y., and Jan. 18 in Hamden, Conn., the meeting in New York City will serve as one of Cornell’s seven nonconference games for the 2024-25 season.

“I’m incredibly excited for this year’s Frozen Apple game at Madison Square Garden,” said Dr. Nicki Moore, Cornell’s director of athletics and physical education, in a statement. “I am eager to see two of the top programs in ECAC Hockey face each other at such a historic venue as they continue their longstanding rivalry. For Mike Schafer, it will be his final trip to the Garden as head coach, and as a driving force behind the annual Thanksgiving series, I know Cornell fans all around the world will cherish the opportunity to celebrate him in person.”

“We’re really excited to get back to Madison Square Garden. Over the years, we’ve tried to bring quality opponents,” added Schafer. “This year with Quinnipiac, obviously a rival in ECAC Hockey but also being a nationally-recognized name across the country as far as their success is concerned, we hope they bring a lot of fans and alumni to Madison Square Garden to make it a tremendous environment once again. We’re excited for our players and are looking forward to come down and play at ‘The World’s Most Famous Arena.'”

Tickets for the game are on sale through bigredtix.com. Fans will be able to choose a section and seats will be assigned best available at time of purchase by the Cornell athletics ticketing office.

“We are really excited to get back to such a great venue and play in front of a large-scale audience,” Quinnipiac director of athletics Greg Amodio said. “Our experience in 2016 was incredible for our university and this night will serve again as a great way to bring together our greater New York City alumni and fans, as well as our Hamden faithful for another milestone night in Quinnipiac hockey.”

“We are very excited to head back to Madison Square Garden and participate in this year’s Frozen Apple,” added Quinnipiac coach Rand Pecknold. “It was a very memorable contest in 2016 and we can’t wait to get back to MSG for another great chapter in our rivalry with Cornell.”

ECAC Hockey commissioner Doug Christiansen said the night will be amazing on several levels.

“Part of playing in ECAC Hockey is having outstanding opportunities on and off the ice, and this matchup at Madison Square Garden is something special for the student-athletes, coaches, students, fans, and alumni,” added ECAC Hockey commissioner Doug Christiansen. “The defending Cleary Cup winner (Quinnipiac) versus the defending Whitelaw Cup champion (Cornell) is a matchup not to be missed. I am looking forward to a great night at ‘The World’s Most Famous Arena.'”

‘Very exciting time’ as Union tabs Clarkson fixture Maci new head coach for Garnet Chargers women’s hockey team

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Tony Maci had been a longtime coach behind the Clarkson bench (photo: Clarkson Athletics).

Tony Maci has been named the next head coach of the Union women’s hockey team.

Earlier this offseason, Maci had been named associate head coach at Clarkson. He takes over for Josh Sciba, who took a job in the PWHL.

“I’m extremely thankful and humbled to have the opportunity to lead the Union College women’s hockey program,” Maci said in a statement. “I’d like to thank president David Harris, vice president for student affairs Annette Diorio, director of athletics Jim McLaughlin, Beth Tiffany, and everyone involved in the search process for giving me the opportunity to come to Schenectady. Throughout this whole process, I kept hearing the same thing about Union College and the campus community, and that was there are great people here. That is something I want to be a part of.”

“We are very happy to welcome someone with Tony’s experience to Union as our next head women’s hockey coach,” McLaughlin added. “His focus on the overall experience and support of student-athletes came through clearly during the interview process. As our program continues to develop and improve, Tony’s track record of success will be an incredible benefit to our players and what they look to achieve both on and off the ice.

“It is a very exciting time for our women’s hockey program, and I look forward to seeing Tony behind the bench this season.”

Maci has spent the last eight years on staff at Clarkson, serving as the top assistant on Matt Desrosiers’ staff before recently earning a promotion to associate head coach. During his time on the bench, the Golden Knights have blossomed into a perennial title contender, winning a pair of Division I national championships in 2017 and 2018, reaching four Frozen Fours and making the NCAA tournament seven times. As the team’s recruiting coordinator and skills coach, Maci has recruited and developed two Patty Kazmaier Award winners, nine AHCA All-Americans and 38 all-ECAC Hockey honorees during his time in Potsdam.

“I’d like to thank former athletics directors Steve Yianoukos and Scott Smalling, athletic director Laurel Kane, assistant athletics Director Ben Gaebel and especially head coach Matthew Desrosiers, as well as all of the student athlete and people involved in the Golden Knights women’s hockey program for the support throughout my career at Clarkson University,” Maci said. “This has not been an easy decision to leave the North Country and Clarkson, as it’s a special place for my family. It’s where I met my wife, Sarah, and where all three of our children have been born. It holds a special place in our hearts.”

Maci started his Division I coaching at fellow ECAC school Princeton, where he helped guide the Tigers to the NCAA tournament in 2015-16 with a 22-9-2 record, the most wins in program history at the time. He got his start in the college coaching ranks three years earlier as an assistant coach at Adrian, pushing the young program to a combined 59-15-6 record over three years and its first NCHA regular-season title in 2014-15.

A native of Grosse Ile, Mich., Maci graduated from St. Lawrence in 2005 with a degree in English and was a five-year member of the Saints men’s hockey team.

Maci takes over a Union women’s hockey program that is trending positively, having posted two of the three winningest seasons in the program’s Division I history in the last two years, including a program-record 11 wins in 2022-23. Last season, the team won a program-record four games in a row in December and January, capped by its second win over a nationally-ranked team with a 2-1 OT win at Penn State.

“We are going to be a group that works hard both on and off the ice, as well as in the community,” said Maci. “We will put a premium on player development first so that we can play an exciting skilled brand of hockey, while working hard as exceptional student-athletes in the classroom.”

Before moving to a brand-new facility at Mohawk Harbor in 2025, the Garnet Chargers will begin their final season in Messa Rink on Oct. 4 against RIT after a season-opening series at Robert Morris on Sept. 27-28.

Longtime college hockey coach Murphy named associate head coach with Providence women’s hockey team

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Ben Murphy comes to Providence from RPI (photo: Brett Bosley).

Providence has announced the hiring of Ben Murphy as associate head coach for the women’s hockey team.

With 16 seasons of collegiate coaching experience, Murphy comes to Providence after a stint with RPI’s women’s hockey program in 2023-24. Prior to RPI, Murphy had two stints with the men’s hockey program at Bentley (2009-19 and 2022-23) and spent three seasons with the St. Lawrence men’s program from 2019 to 2022.

At Bentley, Murphy helped guide the Falcons to a program record for wins in a season (19 in 2013-14) and a program record eight-game winning streak during the 2018-19 campaign. Murphy also helped Bentley to back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in program history in 2013-14 and 2014-15. He helped recruit the program’s first NHL draft pick, seven of Bentley’s 100-plus career points scorers, the program’s leader in all major goaltending statistical categories, and the all-time leading scorer for defensemen in school history.

Murphy’s three-year tenure at St. Lawrence included an ECAC Hockey title in 2020-21. He was pivotal in recruiting for the Saints as well as working with the forwards in both skill development and situational/tactical development. He also handled the team’s power play, coordinated pre-scouting reports and helped coordinate program outreach and community service.

Murphy began his coaching career as an assistant with the Wichita Thunder of the CHL (2006-08) and Castleton State (2008-09). He was a four-year member of the hockey program at Maine (2001-05) where he helped lead the Black Bears to four NCAA tournament berths, including two appearances in the national championship game in 2002 and 2005.

Hockey East commissioner Metcalf signs two-year contract extension through 2026-27 college hockey season

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Steve Metcalf has served as Hockey East commissioner since 2020 (photo: New Hampshire Athletics).

Hockey East announced Thursday that Steve Metcalf has received a two-year contract extension to remain commissioner through the 2026-27 season.

“We’re very excited to have Steve leading Hockey East into the future,” said Northeastern’s Jim Madigan, who serves as chair of the executive committee for the men’s league, in a statement. “He navigated us through a global pandemic at the start of his tenure, greatly expanded our external reach to the passionate fans across the league and helped foster a first-class experience for the student-athletes of our member institutions. We look forward to his continued leadership in elevating our great conference.”

“We are pleased to extend Steve’s contract and are appreciative of both his leadership and our growth as a league during his tenure,” added Maine’s Jude Killy, who serves as chair of the executive committee for the women’s league. “Our brand as a league will continue to ascend under his guidance.”

Metcalf enters his fifth season as commissioner of Hockey East in 2024-25, coming off unprecedented success of the 40th anniversary season in 2023-24 which saw a sold-out TD Garden crowd for the men’s championship weekend for the first time since 2005, the most well-attended women’s championship tournament in league history, and record numbers of alumni in both the NHL and PWHL. Last season also resulted in record-setting viewership numbers on both NESN and ESPN for Hockey East games, with over two million fans tuning in throughout the season to watch the nation’s top-ranked teams.

During his time with Hockey East, Metcalf has reemphasized a commitment to the student-athlete experience and has driven new and creative ways for the league to connect with fans across the country through strategic marketing initiatives. He also spearheaded the league’s current partnership with Van Wagner.

Prior to the 2022-23 season, Metcalf was elected by his peers to become president of the Hockey Commissioners Association and with this appointment also became the chair of the College Hockey, Inc. board. In these roles, he works closely with the NHL on various partnerships to grow and support hockey at all levels.

In Metcalf’s second season in 2021-22, Hockey East televised over 100 games on NESN. In April 2022, Hockey East played host to one of the most successful men’s Frozen Fours in history and announced new media rights agreements with both ESPN and NESN.

The 2020-21 season was undoubtedly one of the most challenging years ever in the world of collegiate sports. Hockey East developed comprehensive COVID-19 protocols that helped the league successfully play more games than any other conference. The season ended with UMass winning its first NCAA national championship in Pittsburgh and the Northeastern women’s team playing in the national championship game in Erie, Pa.

Prior to his tenure at Hockey East, Metcalf spent two decades in athletic administration at New Hampshire, finishing his time there as deputy athletic director. Metcalf was a member of the NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Committee from 2015 to 2020 and served as its chair for his last two years. Previously, Metcalf has also served as chair for the NCAA National Collegiate Women’s Ice Hockey Committee and the NCAA National Collegiate Skiing Committee.

Curry men’s hockey graduate Ochterbeck returns to alma mater as new assistant coach for women’s hockey team

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OCHTERBECK

Alex Ochterbeck has been named assistant coach of the Curry women’s hockey team.

Ochterbeck graduated Summa Cum Laude from Curry in 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Management. He was a standout player for the men’s hockey team from 2018 to 2022.

In his sophomore season, he was named to the CCC second team after being tied for second in the league for goals and tied for fifth for assists. He also was featured on ESPN SportsCenter’s Top 10 as the No. 3 play on Jan. 14, 2020 after scoring a between-the legs-shootout goal.

He finished his career as a Colonel with 67 points in 83 games played.

Ochterbeck also served as a men’s hockey SAAC representative while current women’s hockey head coach Kelly Rider served as the SAAC advisor.

Recently, Ochterbeck has been working in his family’s business, financial advising. He also has spent time volunteering at a local food bank once a week.

Minnesota, Bemidji State to play U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Museum Women’s Face-Off Classic in Lakeville, Minn., on New Year’s Day 2025

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The Lakeville Hasse Arena will be home to the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Museum Women’s Face-Off Classic on New Year’s Day 2025 (photo: lakevillearenas.org).

Minnesota and Bemidji State will battle in the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Museum Women’s Face-Off Classic on Jan. 1, 2025, at 5 p.m. CST, at Lakeville Hasse Arena in Lakeville, Minn.

The teams will battle for the Hall of Fame Game Trophy.

The annual game will raise awareness for the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame Museum in Eveleth, Minn., and showcases women’s college hockey at its highest level.

“Our team is really excited to participate in the Hall of Fame game,” said Gophers coach Brad Frost in a news release. “It’s another opportunity to showcase the highest level of collegiate hockey to the masses. We can’t wait to play in Lakeville.”

“We are thrilled to be a part of the women’s Hall of Fame game and look forward to playing in Lakeville,” added Bemidji State coach Amber Fryklund. “What a great opportunity to inspire the next generation of hockey players by showcasing an NCAA D-I women’s hockey game in the Lakeville community. It will be an exciting experience and environment for the players, fans, and hockey community.”

Lakeville Hockey Association president Dan Klocke is equally excited.

“It is with great excitement and pride that Lakeville is hosting this amazing event showcasing top women’s hockey players,” Klocke said. “Our town is home to a thriving youth hockey program, and we are proud to unveil our newly installed outdoor ice sheet this season. This is a clear indication of Lakeville’s commitment to the sport. Our girls youth program has flourished, thanks to the dedication of the countless community leaders. This event offers a unique chance to link our program with elite level hockey.”

Additional event details and ticket information will be announced in the coming weeks.

After three seasons as assistant coach with Wisconsin-Stout men’s hockey team, Janda leaves for same role at Wisconsin-Eau Claire

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JANDA

Wisconsin-Eau Claire has announced the hiring of Mike Janda as an assistant coach for the men’s hockey team.

Janda joins the Blugolds coaching staff after spending the past three seasons at UW-Stout where he helped the Blue Devils reach their first winning season since 2019 in 2023.

“This is an unreal day for Blugold hockey,” said UWEC head coach Matt Loen in a statement. “Mike is a tremendous coach, recruiter and person and his experiences in youth, junior and college hockey speak for itself. Being familiar with the WIAC made it an easy choice to add Mike to our staff. He will be a huge addition to our program as we chase another national championship.”

Before UW-Stout, Janda spent eight years with the San Jose Jr. Sharks program in San Jose, Calif. With the Jr. Sharks, Janda served as the director of coaches and was also in charge of player development and advancing players on to junior and college hockey. He coached players of all ages with the Jr. Sharks program but primarily focused on 16U and 18U boys teams.

Janda also served as the director of coaches with the California Amateur Hockey Association and Northern California Hockey and has spent five summers working the USA Hockey National Development Camp. Janda has also coached in the NAHL with the Springfield Jr. Blues and the Chippewa Steel.

Prior to coaching, Janda played at the Rochester Institute of Technology, earning his bachelor’s degree in Business Marketing. He also enjoyed success on the ice which included two regular-season conference championships, one postseason conference championship and a trip to the Frozen Four in 2010.

NCHC finalizes 2026-27 conference regular season, playoff format, announces only eight teams make playoffs in 2025, 2026

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The NCHC has finalized the 10-team playoff model the conference will use starting in 2027 when St. Thomas begins NCHC play.

The conference announced back in May that the Tommies will join the NCHC as its 10th team beginning with the 2026-27 season.

All 10 teams will make the NCHC tournament when St. Thomas becomes an official member for the 2026-27 campaign. The NCHC playoffs will take place over three weekends entirely on campus sites, which will first begin with the 2026 NCHC tournament.

Starting in 2027 and beyond, the top five seeds will host the bottom five seeds (No. 1 vs. No. 10, No. 2 vs. No. 9, etc.) in the first round of the NCHC playoffs in a best-of-three series (March 5-7, 2027). The following weekend, the five remaining teams will be re-seeded and three games will take place. The two lowest remaining seeds (now seeds No. 4 and No. 5) will play a single-game quarterfinal on a Friday night (March 12, 2027) at the site of the No. 1 seed. The next night (Saturday, March 13, 2027), both NCHC semifinals will take place with the No. 1 seed hosting the winner of the quarterfinal game and the No. 2 seed welcoming the No. 3 seed.

The NCHC championship game will then take place the next weekend on either Friday or Saturday night (March 19 or 20, 2027), with the highest remaining seed hosting the other semifinal winner. The winner of the NCHC tournament receives an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

The NCHC has also finalized its 10-team scheduling model, which will start in 2026-27. The conference will revert back to “travel partners,” with each member guaranteed to play four games (two home/two away) against their travel partner each regular season. The second two-game series between travel partners will always be on the final weekend of the regular season, alternating locations annually. Travel partners have been identified as follows: Colorado College and Denver, Miami and Western Michigan, Minnesota Duluth and North Dakota, Omaha and Arizona State, and St. Cloud State and St. Thomas.

The NCHC conference schedule will continue to consist of 24 games in the pursuit of the Penrose Cup when St. Thomas joins in 2026-27. Each member will play all other member schools in at least one two-game series each season. In addition to a team’s travel partner, each institution will face two other members in both home and away series (four games) each season on a rotating basis.

Along with finalizing its 10-team playoff model, the NCHC has also adjusted its nine-team playoff format starting with the upcoming 2025 postseason. After initially announcing all nine teams would make the NCHC tournament with the addition of Arizona State, the conference will now only advance the top eight teams to the NCHC playoffs in both 2025 and 2026. Following further discussion with membership, the logistics of playing the No. 8 vs. No. 9 seed play-in game prior to the quarterfinals was determined to be too complicated with travel and put additional strain on student-athletes and staff at a critical time in the season.

The 2025 NCHC tournament will start with best-of-three quarterfinal series from March 14-16, with the top four seeds hosting the bottom four seeds, like in years past. The 2025 NCHC postseason will also be the conference’s last crowning a champion at Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minn., with the final neutral-site NCHC Frozen Faceoff set for March 21-22.

Starting in 2026, the NCHC will move its playoffs entirely to campus sites, as first announced back in December. Like in 2025, only eight teams will make the 2026 NCHC tournament. However, the playoffs will stretch over three weeks, rather than two. The first weekend (March 6-8, 2026) will consist of best-of-three quarterfinal series between the top four seeds and the bottom four seeds. Teams are then re-seeded with the next Saturday (March 14, 2026) featuring both single-game semifinals as the two highest remaining seeds host the other two quarterfinal winners. The championship game will then be the following Friday or Saturday (March 20 or 21, 2026) at the highest remaining seed.

Longtime Adrian men’s hockey coach Krug leaves Bulldogs, takes job as new assistant coach with AHL’s Condors

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Adam Krug served as head coach at Adrian the past 10 seasons (photo: Adrian College Athletics).

The AHL’s Bakersfield Condors announced Thursday that the team has hired Adam Krug as an assistant coach.

Krug spent the past 10 seasons as the head coach and assistant athletic director at Adrian, where he compiled a record of 229-52-14 (.800).

I’d like to thank President Jeffrey Docking, VP Frank Hribar, VP Jim Mahony, athletic director Craig Rainey and the rest of the administration for their support when it comes to my career and Bulldog hockey,” Krug said in a statement. “This has not been an easy decision, to leave Adrian College, as it’s a special place to my family. It’s where I met my wife, Lindsay, and where we’ve raised our three children for the past 10 years.”

During his tenure, he led the Bulldogs to eight NCAA tournament appearances, won five NCHA championships and a national championship in 2022. He was a six-time NCHA coach of the year and in 2022, he was awarded the Edward Jeremiah Award as the NCAA Division III coach of the year.

Prior to coaching, Krug was a member of the first Adrian NCAA men’s hockey team during the 2007-08 season where he served as captain. In his two seasons as a player for the Bulldogs, Krug played in 57 total games, totaling 52 goals and 77 assists for 129 total points.

“I’ve always been a college hockey guy and coaching at the professional level was not really on my radar as a route for my career,” said Krug. “Over the past year or two, I’ve had some great opportunities to observe at the NHL level and even interview for a couple of other jobs. These opportunities have piqued my interest and this move seems like the right fit, at the right time. I’m grateful to the Edmonton Oilers organization for their interest in my services, and our family is extremely excited to get to Bakersfield and join Colin Chaulk’s staff and get to work.

“I wish I could call the hundreds of people that made this all possible but there are just so many. So I’m saying thank you to all of the people that we’ve crossed paths with an Adrian College over the last 18 years. The players, our alums, my assistant coaches through the years, their families, our so very passionate fans, our boosters, and everyone else associated with Adrian College and Bulldog hockey ­– thank you. This is forever our home and we look forward to coming back as much as we can in the future.”

Adrian will soon begin a search for a new head coach of the men’s hockey program.

Ferris State, Lake Superior State to play first-ever college hockey game in Traverse City, Mich., in Nov. 2024

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Centre Ice is the former home of the Traverse City North Stars junior hockey team (photo: Matt Mackinder).

Ferris State and Lake Superior State will play in the “2024 Superior Ice Showdown: Traverse City Takeover” on Nov. 16 at Centre Ice Arena in Traverse City, Mich.

Puck drop is set for 6:07 p.m. EDT.

The historic event marks the first time college hockey has been played in Traverse City.

“We’re thrilled to bring Bulldog hockey and the CCHA to Traverse City and look forward to making this event a success,” FSU athletics director Steve Brockelbank said in a statement. “This game will provide us with an opportunity to both showcase our program and university to the fans and all our alumni in the Traverse City area.”

“We are incredibly excited to bring NCAA Division I men’s ice hockey to Traverse City for the very first time,” added LSSU athletic director Tory Lindley. “The Superior Ice Showdown offers a unique opportunity to showcase the talents of our student-athletes in a new setting, and we are proud to share this experience with the vibrant hockey community of Northern Lower Michigan.”

The game, which was originally slated to be LSSU’s home game, will follow the Nov. 15 opener in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.

“We’re excited to play in front of so many Bulldog alumni and fans in the Traverse City arena,” said Ferris State head coach Bob Daniels. “There’s been a strong connection for so many years between Traverse City and Ferris State so we’re looking forward to this experience and thank both the Traverse City Centre Ice Arena and Lake Superior State for making this happen.”

Centre Ice is home to the Detroit Red Wings training camp, NHL Prospect Tournament, Grand Traverse Hockey Association, Traverse City Figure Skating Club, and Traverse City Curling Club. It was also home to the Traverse City Enforcers, Traverse City North Stars and Traverse City Hounds, former junior hockey teams. The arena contains two rinks with a third sheet of ice at Howe Arena in the Grand Traverse County Civic Center.

Ticket information will be announced later this summer.

UMass hires former Lake Superior State director of hockey operations Diehl for same job with Minutemen

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DIEHL

UMass has hired Hunter Diehl as its men’s hockey director of hockey operations, contingent upon the successful completion of a background check.

Diehl comes to UMass from the AHL’s Colorado Eagles where he was the video coach and team services contact from 2023 to 2024.

“I am very excited to welcome Hunter to our program,” said UMass head coach Greg Carvel in a statement. “The director of hockey operations plays an important role in the success of college hockey teams and Hunter’s extensive experience in this position will be a big asset to UMass hockey. Hunter has worked at both the Division I level and at the professional hockey level in operations. Hunter’s transition should be smooth, and I look forward to having him improve how we function as a group.”

While with the Eagles, Diehl was responsible for the team’s video capture and cataloging while also coordinating team travel logistics, budgets and player and staff media appearances.

Prior to his time in professional hockey, Diehl served as the director of hockey operations at his alma mater, Lake Superior State, while earning his Bachelor of Science in Administration/Management from 2020 to 2023. Among his responsibilities, Diehl assisted the coaching staff with video coaching needs, tagging and marking games, operating analytical projects for team analysis and opponent scouting.

Before attending LSSU, Diehl was the assistant general manager and the director of scouting and analytics for the Carolina Jr. Hurricanes. He has also evaluated NCAA undrafted free agents with members of the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings scouting staff.

After two seasons behind bench with Northland women’s hockey team, Hawkins announces departure from LumberJills

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Natasha Hawkins spent two seasons at Northland (photo: Northland Athletics).

Northland women’s hockey coach Natasha Hawkins has announced that she is leaving the program.

Hawkins was hired as an assistant in the summer of 2022 before being named the interim head coach the following season and leading the LumberJills to a 5-20-1 record in 2023-24, the team’s best record since the 2019-20 season.

“I want to thank Hawkins for her hard work with the team,” said Northland athletic director Dan Schumacher. “We all wish her the best in her future coaching career.”

A search for a new coach will start immediately.

Former Northern Michigan assistant coach Peruzzi takes similar role with UConn men’s hockey team

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Nick Peruzzi spent the last three seasons behind the bench at Northern Michigan (photo: Northern Michigan Athletics).

UConn has announced the addition of Nick Peruzzi to the men’s hockey coaching staff as an assistant coach and will focus on working with special teams, forwards, and recruiting.

Peruzzi spent the past three years at Northern Michigan where he served as the assistant coach with the hockey program.

“We are thrilled to be adding Nick to our program,” said Huskies head coach Mike Cavanaugh in a news release. “Nick is a tremendous coach who will bring his knowledge and enthusiasm for the game to the rink every day to help our team continue to get better.  He has done a fantastic job in his time at Northern Michigan, and we are looking forward to adding him to our team.”

Prior to his time at Northern Michigan, Peruzzi served as the associate head coach of the USHL’s Lincoln Stars.

A graduate of Walsh College, Peruzzi had stops as an assistant coach and director of scouting for the USHL’s Youngstown Phantoms, NAHL’s Aston Rebels, and Oakland Jr. Grizzlies U16 AAA and U18 AAA teams, and was a scout for the USHL’s Fargo Force.

On top of his experience at the junior hockey level, Peruzzi was a skills and development coach for TPH & Pro Impact, based out of Detroit, since 2016. There he trained numerous AAA, Tier I and Tier II junior players, NCAA and professional athletes during the offseason, focusing especially on individual skill and individual in-game transfer development.

Providence grad, former NHL forward Schaller added to Rivier’s men’s hockey staff as new assistant coach

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SCHALLER

Former NHL forward Tim Schaller has been named an assistant coach for the Rivier men’s hockey team.

Schaller retired from professional hockey in 2023 after 10 seasons playing in the AHL and NHL, including stints with the Buffalo Sabres, Boston Bruins, Vancouver Canucks, and Los Angeles Kings. In 293 career games in the NHL, he posted 60 points (30 goals, 30 assists).

“I am thrilled to welcome Tim to our program as an assistant coach,” said Rivier head coach Shaun Millerick in a statement. “It’s clear he has great passion for the game and is eager to help our student-athletes reach their full potential on and off the ice. His successful playing career speaks for itself and I’m confident he will be able use those experiences and apply them to our program as he transitions to behind the bench.”

“I am very excited to join the coaching staff at Rivier. I can’t wait to share my hockey knowledge and experience with the team,” added Schaller.

Prior to his time in the pros, Schaller played four seasons at Providence, graduating in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in Human Sciences. During his senior campaign, he captained a Friars squad that finished 17-14-7. He recorded a career-high 23 points as the team made its second-straight Hockey East semifinal appearance and was named the Hockey East defensive forward of the year.

He joins the Raiders’ staff before the 2024-25 season in which the program will compete for the first time in the MASCAC.

Saint John’s adds ‘well connected’ former Bethel player, coach Tollette as new assistant coach for Johnnies men’s hockey team

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Travis Tollette played and coached at Bethel (photo: Bethel Athletics).

Saint John’s has announced the addition of Travis Tollette as men’s hockey assistant coach.

Tollette replaces Cory Thorson, who left SJU to become the St. Cloud Youth Hockey Association’s director in June and serve as an advisor for InsideEdge Hockey.

“We are very excited to welcome Travis Tollette to the Johnnie hockey family,” SJU head coach Doug Schueller said in a statement. “He will bring a wealth of knowledge to our hockey program through his experiences playing and coaching at Bethel. It was very important to me to find someone with experience recruiting to a Division III hockey program and Travis has shown great success in that area.

“Travis is well connected in the state of Minnesota and around the junior hockey leagues that we recruit from the most. I am excited to use his contacts within the Minnesota high school hockey communities to help recruit the next class of Johnnie hockey student-athletes.”

A 2013 graduate of Bethel, Tollette recently served as an assistant coach for the Royals for four seasons from 2018 to 2023. In 2021-22, Tollette helped lead Bethel to its first MIAC playoff appearance in 14 years and the Royals became just the second team defeat U.S. National Under-18 Team in the last 20 years on Oct. 15, 2022 (4-2).

Northern Michigan grad Fox back with alma mater as Wildcats’ new men’s hockey assistant coach

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Phil Fox had success behind the bench with the NAHL’s New Mexico Ice Wolves (photo: New Mexico Ice Wolves).

Northern Michigan has announced the hiring of NMU alum Phil Fox as an assistant coach for the men’s hockey team.

Fox has spent the past five seasons as the general manager and head coach of the NAHL’s New Mexico Ice Wolves.

“We are excited that Phil, his wife Ricci, and two kids Levi and Bode are coming back home to Marquette,” said Wildcats head coach Dave Shyiak in a statement. “Phil was on the last NMU hockey team that made it to the NCAA tournament, and his passion for the program and community will be valuable for our current players and future recruits. He understands the type of players that fit our program which is important in attaining the success we are all aiming towards.”

In his five seasons with the Ice Wolves, Fox went 137-123-16-12, registered three straight 30-plus win seasons, made the playoffs in two of those three seasons, and was named 2021-22 NAHL coach of the year after leading the Ice Wolves to a franchise-record 38 wins during the regular season and a second-place finish in the South Division.

Before his coaching career, Fox played four years of professional hockey with the Central Hockey League’s Texas Brahmas and Allen Americans and AHL’s Houston Aeros.

Prior to playing professionally, Fox had a four-year career with the Wildcats from 2007 to 2011, including donning the captain’s ‘C’ in 2011. Fox played 155 career games with NMU, scoring 40 goals and 25 assists for 65 points.

Oswego women’s hockey assistant Slominski named new assistant coach, director of operations for Vermont women’s hockey team

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SLOMINSKI

Vermont has announced that Danielle Slominski has joined the women’s hockey staff as assistant coach and director of operations.

Slominski served as an assistant coach at Oswego during the 2023-24 campaign.

“We are really excited to welcome Dani to the Vermont women’s hockey family,” said Vermont coach Jim Plumer in a statement. “She is a very dynamic young coach who is going to bring positive energy and experience. I can’t wait to see the impact she is going to have in all aspects of our program, from operations to on-ice coaching and skill development.”

Prior to her time with Oswego, she was a volunteer assistant coach with the New Ulm (Minn.) girls high school hockey program.

During Slominski’s collegiate hockey career at the Wisconsin-Eau Claire, she played in a total of 65 games on defense, collecting 21 total points, only having three career penalties, and a plus-30 rating.

Rud ‘can’t wait to jump in,’ returns to St. Cloud State as new men’s hockey assistant coach

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Eric Rud has a long history with the St. Cloud State hockey program (photo: St. Cloud State Athletics).

St. Cloud State has announced the addition of Eric Rud as an assistant coach for the men’s hockey team.

A 25-year veteran of the coaching world with head coaching experience, Rud returns to St. Cloud for the third time after previous stints as an assistant coach with the men’s team from 2005 to 2010 and as the head coach of the women’s team from 2014 to 2019. Rud most recently served as the head coach of the USHL’s Sioux Falls Stampede of the USHL, his second stint as a head coach in the nation’s top junior hockey league.

“I am very excited to bring Eric Rud and his family back home to St. Cloud,” said SCSU head coach Brett Larson in a statement. “In his first time on staff with the Huskies, Eric did some of his best work as a coach while helping our program reach new heights, including recruiting the team’s first Hobey Baker winner. I know St. Cloud is a place where he can come back and help our team accomplish the goals we set each season, because Eric knows the type of players and people we need in our program to remain among the elite in college hockey. His passion for our program and this community will make for a smooth transition back on staff and will allow our program to continue moving forward.”

“Our family could not be more excited to be coming back to the SCSU family,” added Rud. “My wife got her teaching degree from St. Cloud State and our three kids graduated from St. Cloud Tech. We are thrilled to be coming home. I can’t wait to jump in with a great staff and get to work.”

A 1997 graduate of Colorado College, Rud was a two-time team captain and two-time WCHA defensive player of the year for the Tigers during his collegiate playing career. He went on to play professional hockey from 1997 to 2002 and served as a player-assistant coach with the ECHL’s Florida Everblades in 1999-2000 and with the WCHL’s Idaho Steelheads from 2000 to 2002. He joined the coaching ranks as an assistant with the USHL’s Cedar Rapids Roughriders from 2002 to 2004 and was an assistant coach at Colorado College in 2004-05.

Rud has worked extensively with the USA Hockey program throughout his career and served as the head coach of the 2008 USA Under-17 team in the Four Nations Cup, the 2009 USA Under-18 team at the Hlinka Cup and the 2022 United States World Junior Challenge team that won a gold medal.

Army, Penn State men’s hockey teams slated to play in Capital Hockey Classic event in Washington D.C. in Dec. 2024

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Monumental Sports & Entertainment announced Wednesday that the inaugural Capital Hockey Classic – a college hockey double header at Capital One Arena – will debut this winter.

Taking place on Thursday, Dec. 12, the first game of the event will feature a contest between Army and Navy’s club hockey teams, followed by a matchup between Army and Penn State’s Division I programs.

This celebration of hockey talent from two United States military academies and Penn State will take place in downtown D.C. days before the Army-Navy rivalry football game takes place at Commanders Field on Dec. 14.

“We are ecstatic to be able to welcome college hockey back to Capital One Arena,” said Jim Van Stone, president of business operations and chief commercial officer at MSE, in a news release. “It is an honor to host this college hockey showcase ahead of the iconic Army-Navy football game, giving fans a chance to witness this storied rivalry on the ice and then see two top Division I teams match up against each other. The military is an integral part of our community in the Washington, D.C. area and Monumental Sports & Entertainment has a long history of harnessing the power of sports to make a lasting difference in the lives of those who serve our country.”

Capital One Arena, which previously hosted the 2009 NCAA Frozen Four, serves as the home venue for the NHL’s Washington Capitals. Alongside their ownership organization, MSE, the Capitals have remained committed to growing and improving the game of hockey from youth clinics and camps to community programming to talent development with their AHL affiliate team and 13-time Calder Cup champion Hershey Bears.

Game times, ticketing information, and additional details about the Capital Hockey Classic will be available in the coming months at capitalonearena.com.

Hockey has long been a staple of athletics on the West Point campus of the United States Military Academy, with the hockey program originally forming in 1904. Since then, the program has become one of the most recognizable brands in college hockey with over 1,200 wins to its name across different levels of evolution in the college game. The Riley family has led the program since 1951, when legendary and 1960 gold-medal-winning USA Hockey coach Jack Riley took the reins. From there, his son Rob featured as the head coach from 1986 to 2004 before Rob’s brother, Brian Riley, who now enters his 21st season as head coach, was appointed. Army was a founding member of Atlantic Hockey.

“We are excited to have the opportunity to play in the Capital Hockey Classic against Penn State,” said Brian Riley. “We know that there are a lot of alumni and Army fans in that area so it will be a great opportunity to bring the Army hockey team to an area where we’ve never played. There will be a lot of energy with the Army-Navy football game on Saturday and this will be a great way to start the weekend with Army vs. Penn State on the ice.”

“It’s truly an honor to be a part of the first-ever Capital Hockey Classic,” added Penn State coach Guy Gadowsky. “The Army-Navy football game is a yearly spectacle and to add a hockey component to this special weekend is an awesome opportunity. I’m excited we will be able to spread our Hockey Valley community to the DMV area, an area we haven’t been to yet in our short history, but one with a large alumni base. We know there will be a lot of Blue and White support in D.C. We are.”

Navy competes in Division 1 of the ACHA as a member of the Eastern Collegiate Hockey Association. Navy won the ECHA championship in 2022 and went undefeated in 2023, advancing to the ACHA national tournament each year. Navy is coached by Kevin Rooney, who just completed his eighth season leading the Midshipmen.

“The Navy hockey team is excited to continue the great legacy of the Army-Navy game,” said Rooney. “As the ‘best of the best’ student-athletes and leaders, the rivalry is historic and delivers an extreme level of competition that is only found in an event like this. In addition, it is an incredible opportunity to join with other hockey teams and Navy football to be part of the entire Army-Navy legacy weekend. We will be ready to ‘bring it on’ for this intense hockey weekend at the legendary home venue of the NHL’s Washington Capitals.”

Mercyhurst brings back Spencer for second stint as assistant coach for Lakers women’s hockey team

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SPENCER

Mercyhurst has announced the addition of Scott Spencer as a new assistant coach for the women’s hockey team.

Spencer is no stranger to Mercyhurst, having spent a year on Mike Sisti’s staff back in 2021-22.

Most recently, Spencer has been the head coach of the Chinese Women’s National Team who competed in the top division of the women’s world championships for the first time in 14 years. Spencer has also led the Chinese Women’s Under-18 team that competed in Division 2A. As part of the Chinese hockey organization, Spencer won two gold medals.

“It is wonderful to welcome Scott back to our program” said Sisti in a statement. “He has a wealth of knowledge and experience to contribute to our players. Scott’s work ethic and passion for the game is outstanding. He is a great addition to our staff.”

Before Spencer’s short stint at Mercyhurst back in 2021-22, he spent time as the head coach at Lindenwood for five seasons. Prior to his time at Lindenwood, Spencer spent two years at the Pursuit of Excellence Hockey Academy where he was the director of female hockey while also serving as head coach for two Under-19 teams. Spencer has also made coaching stops at Ohio State, Robert Morris, Bemidji State and the NAHL’s North Iowa Outlaws.

“I am excited to return to Mercyhurst and work with Coach Sisti and staff,” Spencer said. “Mercyhurst has always been one of the top programs in the NCAA and being here, you have a chance to compete for national championships every year. My hope is to bring some of my experiences from overseas back to help continue the strong traditions already established here at Mercyhurst.”

Scott graduated from Minot State in 2002 after a four-year playing career. He also earned his master’s degree in sports studies from Bemidji State in 2012.

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