Denver forward Trevor Moore was third in team scoring in 2015-16 with 11 goals and 44 points (photo: Candace Horgan).
The Toronto Maple Leafs announced Tuesday that the team has signed Denver forward Trevor Moore to a three-year, entry-level contract.
Moore, who signed as a free agent, will give up his final year of NCAA eligibility.
In 40 games with the Pioneers last season, Moore compiled 44 points (11 goals, 33 assists) and just eight penalty minutes.
He finished tied for sixth in the conference scoring race with 35 points (nine goals, 26 assists) in 31 games.
“We’re very excited for Trevor to be getting this opportunity to skate at the next level and we wish him all the best in Toronto,” said DU coach Jim Montgomery in a statement. “Trevor has been instrumental in helping DU get back to the upper echelon of college hockey these last three years and it’s been a privilege to have coached him. In addition to being a tremendous talent on the ice, Trevor is a great teammate and a wonderful ambassador for our program. We’re pleased that he’s been able to develop to the point that he’s ready to take the next step in his career and look forward to seeing him thrive in the professional ranks in the coming years.”
“I’m very grateful to Coach Montgomery and the staff at Denver for having helped me get to a point that I feel I’m ready to begin my pro career,” added Moore. “It’s definitely bittersweet to be leaving a great program like DU that’s on the verge of winning a national title, but I feel like the time is right for me to begin my career in professional hockey. I wish my teammates and everyone involved with the program nothing but the best. It’s been an honor to wear the Crimson and Gold and I’m proud to be a Pioneer for life.”
In 121 career games at Denver, Moore registered 120 points (47 goals, 73 assists) and was named to the NCHC First All-Star Team and was the conference’s forward of the year during the 2014-15 season. In 2013-14, Moore was named to the NCHC All-Rookie Team.
Zach McKelvie has been elevated to associate head coach at Army West Point.
McKelvie has been an assistant coach at Army since 2014.
“Zach has been an incredible part of our program as a player and a coach,” said Black Knights coach Brian Riley in a statement. “He is very deserving of this title due to his loyalty and dedication to the team. I am privileged to have one of the best young coaches in college hockey on our staff. We are very fortunate to have him here at West Point. As well as overseeing the everyday duties of the program, his primary duties will continue to be working with our defensemen as well as overseeing our penalty killing unit.”
McKelvie returned to West Point in 2014 after winning an ECHL title with the Alaska Aces that spring. He played in 42 games for the Aces, including the playoffs and had four points in the run to the Kelly Cup. He also played for the AHL’s Providence Bruins and Abbotsford Heat and with the Reading Royals of the ECHL.
In college, McKelvie was a two-time Atlantic Hockey First Team selection for the Black Knights on the blueline. He was the captain as a senior and an assistant captain as a junior, and finished his career with 56 points on 14 goals and 42 assists.
McKelvie spent his first of his two years of service as a graduate assistant at West Point before being stationed at Fort Benning, Ga., as an executive officer to train soldiers in basic training. He was granted his release in the fall of 2011 to pursue his career in hockey.
Suffolk announced Monday that women’s hockey will be added as a varsity sport for the 2018-19 season.
Women’s hockey is one of six new sports teams being added at the school.
“This is an exciting time for Suffolk athletics,” said Suffolk director of athletics Cary McConnell in a statement. “To announce today that we are expanding competitive and educational settings for future Rams is a yet another step in Suffolk’s mission to recognize and develop student’s full potential while wearing blue and gold and afterwards.”
The Suffolk men’s team currently competes in the ECAC Northeast.
Legendary Gustavus Adolphus coach Don Roberts died on July 24 after battling degenerative heart disease.
Roberts was 83.
A standout high school athlete in football, basketball, and baseball at Appleton (Minn.) High School, Roberts enrolled at Gustavus in the fall of 1952 where he also played football, basketball and baseball. He graduated in 1956 and joined the Marines where he served until 1959 when he returned to teach and coach at his alma mater.
Roberts served as coach of the Gustavus baseball (1960-64), football (1961-65) and wrestling (1960) teams, while also teaching in the physical education department early in his career. In 1964, athletics director Lloyd Hollingsworth asked Roberts to re-start the men’s hockey program and he accepted even though he had never played or coached hockey.
It was in this unlikely role that Roberts would leave a lasting legacy at Gustavus and in collegiate hockey, retiring in 1997 as the winningest coach in NCAA Division III.
In his first season at the helm of the hockey program, the Golden Gusties skated to a record of 1-14 before quickly becoming a dominant force in the MIAC, securing 12 of the next 13 league titles. Roberts’ teams also had success on the national stage, where they finished in the top four at the NAIA championships for 10 consecutive years (1968-77).
Gustavus finished second at the NAIA championships three times (1972, 1975, 1977).
After Gustavus joined the NCAA in 1980, the Gusties went on to play in the NCAA national tournament seven times, including an appearance in the Frozen Four in 1982 (where they finished third). Roberts coached the Golden Gusties to an overall record of 532-290-25 in 33 seasons (1964-97) and his teams claimed 13 league titles. His 532 wins currently rank 20th all-time across all divisions of college hockey and sixth in Division III.
Roberts served as the chairman of the board and president of the American Hockey Coaches Association and was a longtime member of the NCAA Rules and Hockey Advisory Committees. He received the John MacInnes Award from the AHCA for lifetime commitment to collegiate hockey in 1993. He was named MIAC Coach of the Year seven times (1973, 1975, 1976, 1984, 1990, 1991, 1993) and in 1975, both the AHCA and NAIA named him the National Coach of the Year.
In 2009, Roberts was recognized for his outstanding service to college hockey by being named the recipient of the Hobey Baker Legends of Hockey Award.
Roberts played a key role in the fundraising and construction of the Gustavus ice arena, which was renamed in his honor in 1998. Now called the Don Roberts Ice Rink, the multi-use space underwent renovations including a new center-ice scoreboard, updated graphics, new boards and a state-of-the art sound system in 2013. Roberts was immortalized in the rink he built on January 10, 2015, when a bust featuring his likeness was unveiled at the spectator entrance to the arena.
A Saint Peter resident for the past six decades, Roberts is survived by his wife, Nancy and children, Gregg, Tim, Mike and Susan.
A private family service will be held this week and a public service celebrating Roberts’ life will be held in Christ Chapel on the Gustavus campus in the very near future.
Massachusetts-Lowell announced Monday the hiring of Troy Thibodeau as the River Hawks’ director of hockey operations.
He joins UMass Lowell after serving one year at Merrimack as video coordinator and director of analytics and replaces Sean Flanagan, who took an assistant coaching position in the spring with Cornell.
His main responsibilities with the River Hawks will include breaking down team video, coordinating team travel and overseeing team compliance and camps.
“Throughout the interview process, he displayed great organizational skills coupled with a strong communication skills,” said UML coach Norm Bazin in a statement. “We feel he will help our organization improve as he accepts the hockey operations position. We feel his eagerness stood out during the interview process.”
“I am extremely excited to be joining the UMass Lowell hockey program,” added Thibodeau. “Coach Bazin and his staff have done a tremendous job creating a winning culture here and I am thrilled to become a part of it.”
Prior to Merrimack, Thibodeau served as an assistant coach at Wentworh Institute of Technology for one season. He also worked as a strength and conditioning volunteer intern at Denver and Florida in 2014.
Thibodeau graduated from Southern Maine in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science. He was a member of the Huskies’ hockey team and baseball team.
Rand Pecknold has led Quinnipiac to the NCAA championship game in both 2013 and 2016 (photo: Melissa Wade).
Quinnipiac has announced that head coach Rand Pecknold has signed a contract extension through the 2020-21 season.
Pecknold was recently named the Spencer Penrose National Coach of the Year as well as the Tim Taylor ECAC Hockey Coach of the Year.
“My wife, Nikki, and I would like to thank John Lahey, Mark Thompson and Greg Amodio for their continued support of the Quinnipiac men’s ice hockey program,” Pecknold said in a news release. “We feel very fortunate to be a part of the Quinnipiac family. We will continue to push our commitment to excellence. We also want to thank the staff and players for all their hard work and contributions to our team’s success both on-and-off the ice.”
Pecknold, who will enter his 23rd season at Quinnipiac for the 2016-17 season, has guided Quinnipiac to four consecutive NCAA tournaments, highlighted by trips to the Frozen Four and national championship game in 2013 and 2016. This past season, Pecknold led the Bobcats to their first Whitelaw Cup as ECAC Hockey tournament champions while also winning the Cleary Cup for the ECAC Hockey regular-season championship for the third time in four seasons.
The Bobcats’ 32-4-7 record in 2015-16 gave Quinnipiac a program record in wins as they were the first team since Michigan in 1997 to finish the season with only four losses.
Overall, Pecknold holds a career record of 446-264-83, with his win total ranking sixth among active head coaches.
New WCHA women’s commissioner Katie Million poses after an introductory press conference July 21 (photo: WCHA).
The WCHA on Thursday named longtime New York State Olympic Regional Development Authority executive Katie Million as its next vice president and women’s league commissioner.
Million agreed to a three-year contract and will begin her role Sept. 2. She joins the WCHA after a highly-successful 17-year stay in Lake Placid, N.Y., including the last three years as ORDA’s director of events where she oversaw multiple collegiate hockey games and tournaments, including six ECAC men’s championships, five NCAA Division III men’s championships and the 2007 women’s Frozen Four.
“This is an exciting day for the present and future of the WCHA Women’s League, as we welcome a dynamic new commissioner in Katie Million,” said Minnesota-Duluth athletic director Josh Berlo, who served as chair of the league’s six-person search committee, in a statement. “We received a strong, diverse and talented candidate pool for this position. Katie’s passion for celebrating and growing the sport of hockey, along with a proven track record of accelerating exposure, partnerships and revenue through first-rate events and championships, makes her the perfect person at an exciting time in the league’s history. Katie’s relationships and progressive approach will further the WCHA’s role in advancing women’s hockey, while enhancing the championship-level success and unparalleled student-athlete experience that have long been league hallmarks.”
Million becomes the third commissioner in the 17-year history of the WCHA women’s league, following Sara Martin (1999-2014) and Aaron Kemp (2014-16). WCHA men’s commissioner Bill Robertson, who has served in an interim capacity since Kemp’s retirement in February, will continue in that role until Million officially begins.
“I am honored and humbled to be selected as the next WCHA vice president and women’s league commissioner,” added Million. “I am very excited to work with the coaches, administrators and faculty athletics representatives at all of our programs, but most importantly, the student-athletes that make up the top women’s hockey league in the country. I’m looking forward to visiting each of our prestigious universities, cultivating relationships, engaging alumni and building on the WCHA’s illustrious success. Drawing on my experience as director of events for the Olympic Authority in Lake Placid, I am excited to begin work on the league tournament – the WCHA Final Face-Off.
“I will do my very best to serve this association and our student-athletes as women’s league commissioner and continue to promote, grow and build upon its rich tradition.”
Million has served as an adjunct lecturer at Paul Smith’s College in Paul Smiths, N.Y., for the last six years, while she also managed the Venue Communication Center at the Whistler Sliding Centre during the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games. Since 2005, she has managed the Songs at Mirror Lake Music Series – a Lake Placid-based nonprofit, volunteer-based community group she helped create.
She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from Oswego.
But the idea didn’t sit well around college hockey.
“As part of the rules process, the committee has been gathering input from our membership on all of our proposals, including this issue,” Tom Anastos, the committee chair and coach at Michigan State, said in a news release. “While there remains support for some change to our current system, the committee believes that the best course of action at this time is to pause for at least another season to allow for more dialogue, examination and consideration to occur.”
An experimental rule passed by the Playing Rules Oversight Panel will allow for continued use of a three-on-three overtime in regular season games that end in a tie after a five-minute, five-on-five overtime.
It’ll be up to conferences to decide whether to use the experimental format, after which a sudden-death shootout can take place if required. The NCHC elected to use the system last season, and only one of the six games that went to three-on-three overtimes needed a shootout.
As has been the case previously, a game will be considered a tie for the purposes of the Ratings Percentage Index and PairWise Rankings if it remains tied after the initial five-minute, five-on-five overtime. Any decision in a three-on-three overtime or shootout would impact only the conference standings or determine which team advances in an in-season tournament.
Last season, the NHL started using a three-on-three overtime format immediately after ties in regulation.
Also Wednesday, the Playing Rules Oversight Panel approved a measure to require a coach’s challenge for regular season goal reviews related to offsides and too-many-man calls, except during the final two minutes of regulation and in overtime.
Officials are allowed to review offsides at their discretion in the final two minutes and overtime, as well as during postseason tournament games.
A proposal to require officials and players to wear helmets at all times when they’re on the ice (except during the national anthem) also passed. In March, WCHA referee Butch Mousseau died after suffering a head injury when he fell during warmups before a Final Five game. He was not wearing a helmet.
Bemidji State has announced the hiring of Eddie Olczyk as the team’s new assistant coach.
The former NCAA Division I player joins the BSU coaching staff after coaching stops at Division I and Division III programs, including last year at Niagara.
“Eddie has great presence and a great demeanor about him, qualities that have earned him a lot of respect in college hockey as an up-and-coming recruiter,” said BSU coach Tom Serratore in a statement. “He also has a tremendous work ethic. Eddie has spent the last two years as a recruiting coordinator and has developed relationships with coaches all over the United States. He understands the game and what it takes to recruit players who can have an impact and develop in our program.
“Eddie comes to Bemidji State with high praise from his peers and mentors. We’re excited to have him be part of Beaver hockey.”
Olczyk replaces Ted Belisle, who left the Beavers after 13 years to take a role on the Los Angeles Kings’ scouting staff.
“I am thrilled to be joining the Bemidji State University family,” added Olczyk. “This is an amazing opportunity to work for a fantastic hockey program and University. Bemidji is a special place and I am eager to roll up my sleeves and get to work.
“I want to thank Tom Serratore and Travis Winter for their support during this process. A special thank you also goes out to David Burkholder, Tim Madsen and Niagara University for giving me an opportunity to grow and develop as a coach and individual.”
Prior to his time at Niagara, Olczyk spent one season (2014-15) as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for Utica.
As a player, Olczyk was a four-year letter-winner (2009-2013) at Massachusetts and graduated from UMass in the spring of 2013 with a degree in psychology. Olczyk played for the Bloomington Thunder of the Southern Professional Hockey League, where he logged 54 games during the 2014-15 season.
Playing professionally, he followed in the footsteps of his father, Ed, who played 16 NHL seasons with Chicago, Toronto, Winnipeg, New York Rangers, Los Angeles and Pittsburgh, won a Stanley Cup, and later served as head coach of the Penguins.
The second edition of the Comm Ave Charity Classic raised $55,000 (photo: Dave Arnold).
BOSTON — Boston University and Boston College may have one of the greatest rivalries in college hockey — not to mention two of the strongest programs — yet when the teams work together, they’re even more potent.
For the second year in a row, former players from both sides — mostly all with ties to the NHL — joined forces at Walter Brown Arena in the Comm Ave Charity Classic to raise money for Compassionate Care ALS and, new this year, the Travis Roy Foundation.
Coached by legends Jack Parker and Jerry York, the star-studded teams played in memory of Dick Kelley (former BC assistant athletics director for media relations), Jim Cotter (former BC High School football coach), Ron Perryman (former BC linebacker) and BC alum Richard Armstrong — all whom were diagnosed with ALS and have since passed away. They also played in honor of Pete Frates, a former BC baseball captain who’s battling ALS, and Travis Roy, the former BU hockey player who suffered a spinal cord injury on the ice just 11 seconds into his first shift in 1995.
“It meant a lot [to play in this game],” said Pittsburgh Penguins forward Nick Bonino, who played for BU from 2007 to 2010. “It’s fun to come out and play, but we’re all here for Pete and Travis and how they inspire everyone. We’re happy to be a part of it, we’re happy that we’re allowed to participate with their initiatives, and it’s always fun when you can raise some money and play hockey doing it.”
The newly minted Stanley Cup champion said he felt honored to be out on the ice for a poignant ceremonial puck drop with Roy, and his current Pens teammate Brian Dumoulin (BC 2009-12) was there with Frates.
But standing off to the side were the two individuals who were really at the center of it all — Pat Mullane (BC 2009-13) and Andrew Orpik (BC 2005-09). Mullane, who currently plays in Finland, came up with the plan for CACC after playing in a similar charity event a few years ago run by another former Eagles player, Ryan Shannon.
Mullane said he “was amazed by how it was run, how receptive the players were, how receptive the fans were, and so I said, ‘I have a great hockey community, I’m going to do this.'”
He then reached out to Orpik — who played professionally for two years — and the two have been working together to build CACC into an annual tradition to help foundations close to their heart.
Mullane said he was inspired to connect with an ALS charity because Kelley was a mentor to him while at BC and showed him what it meant to be an athlete there.
“Whether it was in Conte Forum or in a classroom, Dick really stressed being a man for others, being respectful, humble and loyal,” said Mullane. “I learned a lot from him and it was just one of those things — watching him kind of deteriorate was so hard and it was always in the back of my mind that I want to help a guy who has helped me so much.”
Frates also was part of the motivation in creating the event — not only was he a fellow BC athlete, but he has a love for hockey as well. Frates played in high school at St. John’s Prep in Danvers, Mass.
“After practice at Conte, Pete would actually come out and skate with us every once in a while,” said Orpik. “I got to know him just because he was always around — guys on the baseball team and hockey team would hang out. I’ve had a good relationship with him, but when you hear something like that [being diagnosed with ALS] happen to somebody, you always wonder what you can do. So, between Pat and I, this became what we could do to help out.”
Pete’s younger brother, Andrew Frates, was by his side, not only thankful to be part of CACC, but happy to see Pete smiling alongside Travis Roy watching the game together.
“Pete claims hockey is his favorite sport even though he played Division I baseball,” Andrew said with a laugh. “He just really loves the game so much. One of his favorite moments was when the Bruins won the 2011 Stanley Cup.”
Andrew added: “We love the intimate, community-driven events like this because these people have supported us from day one. BC jumped on board the first day of diagnosis, and we can’t thank the BU community enough for hosting this event and getting involved.”
The Travis Roy Foundation and Compassionate Care ALS benefited from the Comm Ave Charity Classic (photo: Dave Arnold).
BC may have switched it up and won this year (13-8), but money-wise, CACC 2016 was successfully on par with last year’s inaugural event, raising a hefty $55,000. With The Travis Roy Foundation now a part of it (last year it was just for Compassionate Care ALS), the proceeds will be split.
Roy, an inspiration to many in the hockey community and beyond, said it was a no-brainer to come on board with his foundation and said he is “honored to be a part of it.”
“Travis is one of our own, so we wanted to get him involved,” said Mullane. “Hockey is the most giving sport, the most loyal sport, and you often realize how small the hockey world is — everyone knows everyone. So that being said, everyone is very supportive and loyal, so it’s very easy for these guys to come back and give; it’s a special part of the hockey community and culture.”
Calgary Flames winger Johnny Gaudreau (BC 2011-14) expressed the same sentiments.
“I love coming back to Boston; it’s a great city, and it doesn’t get more fun than playing a BC versus BU game,” he said. “It’s a ton of fun for both teams. It’s great to see the guys that you played with and played against.”
Looking to the future, Mullane and Orpik said they hope CACC will grow to eventually fit inside a bigger venue like Agganis Arena, Conte Forum or maybe even the TD Garden. They’re also toying with the idea of expanding it to become more of a Beanpot event including Northeastern and Harvard with their respective charities.
“The sky is the limit,” Mullane said.
The atmosphere at Walter Brown was gratifying for everyone. Mullane and Orpik were organizing raffle auctions and handling every other logistic, often stopping to receive a handshake and a “nice work” nod.
The pros playing connected with old friends and had a no-pressure game. Roy and Frates were proud to be a part of it. And fans from the opposing schools weren’t shouting chants against one another, but instead, little kids lined up against the boards in excitement, holding signs that read “Go BU” on one side and “Go BC” on the other.
The BU-BC rivalry will ignite again during the season, but for at least one day every July, the two programs unite to achieve a common goal. As the saying goes, if you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together.
Jack Roslovic scored 10 goals among 26 points in 2015-16 at Miami (photo: Bradley K. Olson).
Miami freshman forward Jack Roslovic has signed with the Winnipeg Jets, giving up his final three years of NCAA eligibility.
Roslovic tied for the team lead in RedHawks scoring with 26 points (10 goals, 16 assists) in 36 games. He was named NCHC Rookie of the Month in October and was second among Miami players with 10 power-play points.
So excited to sign my first NHL contract with the nhljets. Thank you to everyone who has helped… https://t.co/Lm6HALj7V7
St. Scholastica has named Patricia Elsmore as the women’s team’s new assistant coach.
Elsmore replaces Jessi Flink, who “left last month,” according to a news release
A native of Switzerland, Elsmore was a CSS volunteer assistant from 2010 to 2012 and played college hockey at Minnesota-Duluth from 2001 to 2003 and then 2004-05, where she won two national championships as the starting goaltender for the Bulldogs. At UMD, Elsmore was 44-5-4 with a 1.58 GAA, the second-best GAA in school history for goalies that played at least 25 games.
Elsmore was also part of the Swiss National Team since 1992, playing in many European and World Championships and was the first from Switzerland voted to the All-Star Team at the World Championships in Kitchener, Ont., in 1997.
She also played in the 2006 Winter Olympics for Switzerland.
After four years at Alaska, the husband-wife duo of Corbin and Andrea Schmidt have announced their resignations, with their last official day being July 22.
Corbin is currently the assistant men’s coach and Andrea is the senior woman administrator/assistant athletic director for student-athlete academic services. They will be moving onward to Minnesota for new career opportunities.
“It always hurts to lose a member of our Alaska Nanooks staff, but in this case we are losing two at the same time,” Alaska director of athletics Dr. Gary Gray said in a news release. “Although we are saddened to see Andrea and Corbin leave UAF, we are excited for them with their new professional opportunities in Minnesota. Andrea has contributed so much to our student-athletes and our entire department with her expert advising and administrative expertise, and Corbin has contributed greatly to our Nanook hockey program during his time as assistant coach by putting so much effort into his recruiting and coaching.
“We will definitely miss them both.”
In addition to serving as the SWA and student-athlete academic advisor, Andrea also served as the athletic department’s Title IX coordinator and Alaska Nanooks liaison for the Green Dot initiative on campus.
Corbin, a former Nanooks player and UAF graduate (2005), joined the men’s coaching staff under the direction of current head coach Dallas Ferguson in the fall of 2012. Among many responsibilities, Corbin’s main focuses included scheduling community engagements for the team, assisting with recruiting and overseeing the Nanooks’ defensive core.
“I’d like to thank Corbin for his contributions to the Nanook hockey program over the last four seasons,” Nanooks head coach Dallas Ferguson said in a statement. “We’re going to miss his passion for the program and the student-athletes. I’d like to wish him and his family all the best as they transition into new chapters of their lives.”
Minnesota State announced Wednesday that it has applied for admission in the NCHC.
School president Richard Davenport said in a statement that the school has a strong relationship with the WCHA, which it joined in 1999, but needs to be proactive in seeking what’s best for the university.
Davenport said the school believes “that now is the right time to consider all conference affiliation options for our men’s hockey program.”
There was no immediate timeline on when the school would get an answer from the NCHC after what Davenport said was a preliminary step in exploring the school’s future conference affiliation.
WCHA men’s commissioner Bill Robertson responded with a statement:
“I am aware of the current exploration process being undertaken by Minnesota State University, Mankato in regards to conference affiliation. I am deeply disappointed in Minnesota State’s decision to formally apply for membership with another conference; however, I respect and understand the need for MSU President Dr. Richard Davenport and Athletic Director Kevin Buisman to examine options pertaining to their men’s hockey program. I am appreciative to Dr. Davenport for his openness and transparency, and will continue to maintain an open and collaborative dialogue throughout this process.
There is much to be proud of in the men’s WCHA. Beginning with the 2013-14 season, four of the top-15 winningest teams in Division I hockey play in the WCHA – the highest representation of any single conference among the nation’s upper 25 percent of programs. Our past two Defensive Players of the Year made their mark in the National Hockey League this past season, one making the NHL All-Rookie team and the other debuting one week after his collegiate finale. The academic and community-driven accomplishments of our student-athletes continue to amaze and inspire.
I firmly believe that a framework has been created over the last two years that will ensure the WCHA Men’s League remains a premier conference on the ice for years to come, while continuing to provide an exemplary student-athlete experience. This foundation will only grow stronger with the debut of our on-campus postseason format in 2017 and the continued success of each of our 10 programs, including Minnesota State. The WCHA has a valued relationship with Minnesota State University, and I want MSU to be a part of the long-term future and shared excellence of our Men’s League. The League Office will continue to work toward that end.”
NCHC commissioner Josh Fenton later issued a statement:
“Dating back to the conference’s inception, the collective strength of our current membership has always been and will continue to be a priority for the NCHC. The NCHC responded to an inquiry we received from Minnesota State, Mankato regarding conference affiliation. However, and as stated many times before, our collective discussion on the topic of expansion is grounded in how we can maximize the value of our current member institutions. This manner of assessing any membership inquiry will continue to be our focus into the future, regardless of the opportunity presented. We remain guided by strengthening the NCHC and helping to grow the game of college hockey.”
Nebraska-Omaha announced Tuesday that goaltender Kirk Thompson will join the staff this fall as a volunteer assistant coach.
“Kirk was a big part of our team during the last three years and had success both on the ice and in the classroom,” said Omaha coach Dean Blais in a statement. “Kirk will begin work on his Master’s this fall, and we were fortunate to be able to add him as a student assistant.
“Kirk was well-liked by his teammates, and he will be a big help mentoring the three young goaltenders on our roster this season.”
Thompson was a three-year letter winner for the Mavericks, compiling a career record of 14-17-2 in 42 games. He was a three-time NCHC Academic All-Conference selection while majoring in criminology and criminal justice.
Hoar was the head coach of the Hawks since 2007, earning a record of 84-143-15. He earned the ECAC Northeast Coach of the Year award following the 2007-08 season after leading the Hawks to a 12-12-2 record.
Under Hoar’s leadership, Becker earned a spot in the ECAC Northeast tournament six times, including five consecutive seasons from 2007 to 2011.
The former Boston College player began his coaching career as an assistant at Army West Point, and later served as the head coach at Plattsburgh and Tufts.
“College hockey lost one of the good guys with passing of Steve Hoar,” said Becker assistant vice president and director of athletics Frank Millerick in a statement. “He was a lifelong coach who touched the lives of hundreds of student-athletes from West Point to Plattsburgh to Tufts, and finally, Becker College. He was part of Becker hockey since its inception in 2006 and can truly claim that he built the program from the ground up. Steve’s passion and love for the sport of college hockey and dedication to his players are unmatched.
“He will be dearly missed by me and all who knew him.”
Colgate announced Monday the promotions of Sophie Leclerc to lead assistant coach and Stefan Decosse to assistant coach for the women’s hockey team.
“I’m thrilled about these two promotions and the fact that we are returning two great people on our staff moving forward,” Colgate head coach Greg Fargo said in a statement. “Both Sophie and Stefan came on board a year ago, and the impact was immediately felt by all of us.
“We are keeping two very hard working, passionate and caring people on our team with this news, and everyone is looking forward to having them back in a larger role.”
Leclerc enters her second season at Colgate and Decosse volunteered for the Colgate coaching staff during the 2015-16 season, assisting with all aspects of the program. He helped prepare the daily practice plan, design game strategies, evaluate postgame film and manage the program’s analytical and video efforts.
Decosse currently serves as the co-director for the Colgate Women’s Hockey Elite and Exposure Camps.
Zach Sanford won’t be back with Boston College for his junior season after signing with the Washington Capitals on June 11 (photo: Melissa Wade).
The Washington Capitals announced Monday that they have signed Boston College sophomore forward Zach Sanford to a three-year, entry-level contract.
Sanford will give up his last two years of NCAA eligibility.
He was originally selected by the Capitals in the second round (61st overall) of the 2013 NHL Draft.
Sanford registered 39 points (13 goals, 26 assists) in 41 games with the Eagles last season, leading the team in assists, and ranking third in points and fifth in goals. In addition, Sanford was second on the team in plus/minus (plus-27).
The Salem, Mass., native posted 63 points (20 goals, 43 assists) in 79 career games with Boston College.
Sanford is now the seventh BC player to sign an NHL contract this offseason with eligibility remaining.
An artist’s rendering of a new, on-campus arena at Bentley (photo: Bentley Athletics).
The 2016-17 season will mark special anniversaries for the Bentley Falcons. It’ll be the 40th season of varsity hockey, but it’ll also be the 45th year for the John A. Ryan Arena, the municipally owned rink in Watertown, Mass., that’s been their home since they began play in 1977.
“The arena will give an incredible boost to an already rich student life at Bentley,” Vice President of Student Affairs J. Andrew Shepardson said in a university statement. “Key to that experience will be home hockey games that really are at home. Being able to also offer a wider variety of events, lectures and programs will make campus life even more exciting. Students have been a driving force behind this project, and it is gratifying to see their commitment pay off.”
While jubilation and elation permeates through the Bentley walls, there’s a natural question to ask about what happens next. It’s a two-fold question, equal parts about the future of the Bentley program and about the future of Atlantic Hockey’s eastern teams.
Realignment is a topic of conversation that’s constantly front and center in the college hockey universe. With Notre Dame set to leave Hockey East for the Big Ten, fan speculation centered on which team could replace the Fighting Irish.
The Falcons will be playing in a 2,000-seat arena with both home and road locker rooms, an equipment room, weight room and sports medicine center. Unfortunately for realignment theorists, that falls well short of Hockey East’s minimum seating capacity of 4,000 seats.
Hockey East’s current rinks have capacities all over 4,000 with a couple of noticeable exceptions. But those arenas, like Merrimack’s Lawler Arena, were grandfathered in by meeting certain standard requirements. Additionally, Connecticut was accepted with a home arena on campus with less than 4,000 seats because most of the Huskies games would be played at the XL Center in Hartford while the school worked to upgrade Freitas Ice Forum in Storrs.
So for the time being, Bentley, one of the earliest Atlantic Hockey programs, will remain in the league, providing its conference with a potentially emerging power player in the hockey-rich state of Massachusetts.
It’s no secret that AHC outsiders consider the league, especially the eastern teams, among the “have-nots” in college hockey. As of this year, three schools — American International, Bentley and Sacred Heart — play in municipal rinks. With Bentley poised to position itself with a new building, the question now centers on who might be next.
It’s a question not easily answered in physical buildings. When I talked to Atlantic Hockey commissioner Bob DeGregorio, he lauded both AIC and Sacred Heart while touching upon the new buildings at Bentley and Canisius.
“AIC has a new coach in Eric Lang,” he said, “and the school is using the opportunity for renewed commitment to hockey. They played UMass in Downtown Springfield [at the MassMutual Center], and they’re looking to make some upgrades to their current arena [at the Olympia Ice Center].”
At Sacred Heart, the Pioneers have a coach in CJ Marottolo who’s ingrained in the game’s history in Connecticut. He’s a North Haven native and former star at Choate Rosemary Hall, and he served as an assistant at Yale for 13 years. His steady construction of the Sacred Heart roster made the team one of the toughest outs in Atlantic Hockey over the past couple of years, while making inroads toward the future. Last year, their fan support included road trips to Bentley by their band as the team came within a game of winning a playoff series.
“Sacred Heart is absolutely committed to their hockey program,” DeGregorio said, “and they’re investigating how they can improve. They’re currently conducting a feasibility study if they can have an on-campus rink, but it’s something that’s incredibly early. There’s a lot of questions, where and how it could happen.”
Although Holy Cross’ Hart Center renovation won’t include the hockey rink or bleachers, the sound system is being re-engineered, video boards are being added and offices are being redone.
That leads us back to Bentley and a glittery new building that will vault the Falcons into any and all facilities conversations. It’s been 40 years since the Falcons started playing hockey, and they’ve done it in a building that served them well. Now they start a new day moving toward a new home.
An artist’s rendering shows the outside of a 2,000-seat, on-campus arena at Bentley (photo: Bentley Athletics).
Thursday’s announcement of a new, on-campus home for the Bentley Falcons sent ripples through the college hockey universe. While fans, supporters and alumni rejoiced at the revelation of the multi-purpose arena housing the long-awaited hockey rink, other fans marveled at a small school making a bid to leave behind the sport’s proletariat to join the surrounding aristocracy.
The groundswell of congratulations and support for the move included Atlantic Hockey’s front offices on Massachusetts’ north shore.
“We are incredibly excited about the commitment from Bentley to hockey,” said commissioner Bob DeGregorio. “First, they committed to play Division I hockey [back in 1999], and now they’re making a commitment to make this program a truly great program.”
It’s a watershed moment for the conference. Since chartering for the 1998-99 season as the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, Atlantic Hockey has undergone numerous facelifts and landscape changes.
Of the eight teams that competed in that first year, only four (Holy Cross, Canisius, American International and Sacred Heart) are still in the league. At 11 teams following the departure of Connecticut in 2014, this could stand as a turning point where the league began to shore up its future.
“We have been around for 15 years, but the majority of our programs are some of the younger programs in hockey,” said DeGregorio. “As a league, we developed our strategic plan and part of that was to look at facilities of these teams. We’re seeing the commitment to new ones, with Bentley now joining RIT and Canisius, but we’re also looking at the ongoing improvement of some of the current ones. Whether it’s new lighting or new video boards or improving seating, this is part of the ongoing process of the league and its directors.
“We’re going to continue to get stronger and better [as a conference],” he said. “Overall, we’re moving in the right direction. We’re getting better with more scholarships, with new facilities and with the renovation and updates to our current arenas. The commitment is there. We’re going to remain the youngest dog in the fight compared to the older programs in the other leagues, but [days like this] will help us to keep working toward the goal of winning more games and creating more opportunity.”
One of the factors helping the institutions in their upgrades is a groundswell of support. RIT’s former barn at Ritter Arena was arguably one of the best home-ice advantages in college hockey, culminating with the team’s trip to the NCAA tournament and Frozen Four in 2010. Just over a year later, the school announced plans for the Polisseni Center.
At Bentley, growing support is one of the more noticeable byproducts of the program’s success over the past few years. The team played and won games at both Fenway Park in Boston and the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., sent 17 fan buses to Harvard for a road game, and sold out John A. Ryan Arena, their home since 1977, for the first time last season against the eventual Hockey East champion Northeastern Huskies.
“I can’t speak for RIT,” said DeGregorio, “but I believe their drive was supported by the fans on campus. Hockey is not an inexpensive sport. You can build a gym for a lot cheaper than you can a rink when you factor in making ice, Zambonis and refrigeration.
“It’s a major commitment,” he continued. “Renovation and upgrades are a major commitment. So I’m very thankful that our schools are making this commitment. It’s great to see, and this is the icing on the cake for a world-class institution [like Bentley].”
