Bentley’s new on-campus arena is scheduled to open in early 2018 (photo: Bentley Athletics).
Bentley has announced plans for a new, on-campus multipurpose arena that will serve as a 2,000-seat venue for the Falcons’ men’s hockey team.
The arena, part of the school’s 10-year capital plan to modernize and expand the Waltham, Mass., campus, will be able to expand to 3,400 seats for large-scale events like concerts, seminars and guest speakers.
Construction is scheduled to begin this fall, with an opening expected in early 2018.
Bentley has played at the John A. Ryan Arena in Watertown, Mass., since 1977.
“I am grateful to the board, our president, leadership team and the many others involved for all their hard work and commitment to this project,” Falcons coach Ryan Soderqust said in a news release. “As the hockey coach, it is a dream come true for me and clearly demonstrates the commitment to and excitement around our evolving Division I hockey program. The new venue pays tribute to all who have played for Bentley, the current team, and it will help us attract talented student-athletes to one of the top universities in the country.”
The arena is scheduled to include an equipment room, weight room and sports medicine center for the Bentley hockey team.
An upper lobby will have a concourse where fans can gather before and after events and during intermissions.
Stephen Mallaro has been named the first head coach at King’s College.
Mallaro, who helped lead Oswego to back-to-back Division III Frozen Four appearances in 2010 and 2011, will lead the new Monarchs program that will start play in 2017-18.
King’s is located in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.
“We are thrilled to welcome Stephen Mallaro as the very first men’s head ice hockey coach at King’s College,” King’s director of athletics Cheryl Ish said in a news release. “Stephen came across as a great fit for King’s the moment he stepped on our campus and that sentiment just grew throughout the entire interview process. His commitment to the Division III philosophy, combined with his experience and a very competitive spirit, resonated with the search committee. I am confident that Stephen will do an outstanding job with our men’s ice hockey program. He will have a busy year ahead in recruiting our first team of student-athletes, but I know he will represent King’s in a first-class manner. We feel confident he is the person with the vision and work ethic to build our program from square-one.
“With Stephen leading the program, we are all excited about this new chapter in King’s College Athletics. We really feel we found an outstanding young coach in Stephen Mallaro and are thrilled he will become a part of the King’s community.”
Mallaro comes to King’s after spending the last two years as an assistant coach at Brockport.
“It’s a dream come true,” Mallaro added. “To be able to start your own program and put your stamp on something is very special. I know the coaching business is not an easy mountain to climb, but with the support of good people, good things will happen. King’s College is a very unique place. The campus is a very tight-knit community where you feel at home and everyone knows one another. The athletic department is fully supportive of the new ice hockey program and everyone I had contact with is excited to bring hockey to King’s. I was very impressed with the people that I met on my visit and the values that they help bring to King’s. I was able to interact with a number of administrators and coaches that are proud to be a part of the King’s College family and that has me excited about joining their family. I would also like to thank Cheryl (Ish) and the search committee for putting their faith in me and giving me this tremendous opportunity.”
As a collegiate player, Mallaro played in 68 games for Oswego and totaled 38 points on 11 goals and 27 assists. He was a First Team All-SUNYAC selection in 2010 and Second Team in 2011.
After graduating from Oswego, Mallaro enjoyed a brief professional playing career in the ECHL with the Elmira Jackals, Trenton Titans and Gwinnett Gladiators. He also had a 10-day stint with the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League.
Mallaro then began his coaching career as a two-year graduate assistant coach at Manhattanville, earning his Master’s degree in Sports Management in 2014, before joining the staff at Brockport.
Minnesota-Duluth has added Duluth native Chris Connolly to the women’s staff as a new assistant coach.
A four-year letter-winner at Boston University from 2008 to 2012, Connolly won an NCAA national title with the Terriers in 2009.
“I’m really excited to announce the hiring of Chris Connolly,” said Bulldogs head coach Maura Crowell in a statement. “Chris has just finished his professional playing career in Europe and is eager to get back to Duluth and make it his home again. He brings his success as a student-athlete and experience playing internationally to our program, and we are happy to welcome him to the Bulldog hockey family.”
Connolly, a graduate of Duluth Marshall High School, comes to UMD with an extensive hockey resume, including a four-year professional hockey career that spanned Finland, Sweden and Germany. Most recently a member of the Iserlohn Roosters of the German Hockey League from 2013 to 2016, Connolly also played for Leksands IF of the Swedish Hockey League in 2014.
A silver medalist with the Finnish Hockey League’s Tappara in 2012-13, Connolly won a Deutschland Cup championship with the United States in 2012.
Amanda Boulier, a former First Team All-ECAC Hockey selection at St. Lawrence, has joined the Yale women’s staff as a new assistant coach.
Boulier played at SLU from 2011 to 2016.
“We are thrilled to welcome Amanda to the Yale hockey family,” said Yale head coach Joakim Flygh in a statement. “Amanda just finished an outstanding hockey career at St. Lawrence and we expect that she will bring the same character and work ethic to coaching as she did as a player the in the ECAC. Amanda will be a great role model for our players at Yale and we all look forward to working with Amanda on a daily basis.”
While playing at St. Lawrence, Boulier helped the team to three seasons with 19 or more wins. That included an ECAC Hockey tournament championship and NCAA quarterfinals appearance in 2012.
She was an ECAC Hockey All-Rookie selection in 2011-12 after totaling 20 points (4-16-20) in her first season. As a sophomore, she earned First Team All-ECAC Hockey honors, totaling 32 points (8-24-32). After missing the 2013-14 season due to injury, she returned to the ice in 2014-15 and earned Third Team All-ECAC Hockey recognition while also serving as the team captain. Boulier finished with six goals and 17 assists for 23 points. This past season, she again served as team captain. She was named Second Team All-ECAC Hockey, finishing with 29 points (10-19-29).
Boulier broke the St. Lawrence program records for career goals and points by a defenseman in the team’s quarterfinal series win over Princeton this past March. She finished her career with 28 goals and 76 assists for 104 points.
In addition to Boulier and Flygh, the Yale coaching staff also includes Rob Morgan, who returns for his second season as associate head coach.
Shane Madolora set numerous records as a goaltender at RIT from 2009 to 2012 (photo: Omar Phillips).
RIT announced Friday that former Tigers’ men’s hockey standout goaltender Shane Madolora will join the RIT women’s staff as an assistant coach for the 2016-17 season.
Madolora will work with the RIT goaltenders, alongside fellow assistant Matt Woodard, assisting head coach Scott McDonald in all aspects of the program. Madolora replaces Lisa Marshall, who is now an assistant coach at Penn State.
“We are proud to welcome Shane back to Rochester and the RIT community,” said McDonald in a news release. “His knowledge and experience of being a former RIT and professional hockey player will be invaluable to our current student-athletes and will certainly help while he is recruiting prospective student-athletes.”
Madolora played three seasons for the Tigers from 2009 to 2012, setting RIT records with a 1.98 GAA, a .932 save percentage and 13 shutouts. He is second among all goaltenders in RIT’s Division I era with 1,727 saves and recorded a microscopic 1.57 GAA and .945 save percentage in the postseason. In his two seasons as the starting goaltender, Madolora was 35-12-12. Overall, he was 36-14-12 with his 36 career wins third most by a RIT netminder at the Division I level.
“I would like to thank (executive athletic director) Lou Spiotti and Scott McDonald for welcoming me back to the RIT family,” added Madolora. “Rochester and RIT have always been a special place for me ever since my first day on campus as a student athlete on the men’s hockey team. I am extremely fortunate for the opportunity to transition from playing professionally in the United States and Europe to coaching at the highest level of NCAA Women’s Ice Hockey.”
Madolora received his bachelor’s degree in business management from RIT in 2012 and also served as a student worker in the athletics office and equipment cage.
After leaving RIT, Madolora played professionally for three seasons in North America with the Stockton Thunder and Las Vegas Wranglers of the ECHL, Fayetteville FireAntz of the Southern Professional Hockey League and Tulsa Oilers of the Central Hockey League. He played the 2014-15 season with Briancon in France and most recently with the Nottingham Panthers of the Elite Ice Hockey League in England and HC Valpellice of Italy in 2015-16.
Ashley Ryan was an offensive catalyst for Elmira during her playing days (photo: Elmira Athletics).
The Northeastern women’s program announced Thursday the hiring of Ashley Ryan as the team’s operations coordinator.
Ryan joins the staff after a standout playing career at Elmira, where she won the 2013 Division III national championship and was named a two-time First Team All-American.
“Ashley is a great addition to our staff,” Northeastern coach Dave Flint said in a statement. “Her energy and passion for hockey, along with her knowledge of the game, will really complement what we have in place here at Northeastern.”
As a senior at Elmira in 2014-15, Ryan racked up 61 points in only 30 games en route to earning the Laura Hurd Award for the top player in Division III women’s hockey. Ryan’s 42 assists broke the Elmira single-season record and tied the NCAA Division III mark for most helpers in a season. She led Elmira in scoring in three of her four collegiate seasons and finished her career with 158 points, which ranks third all-time at the school. Ryan also earned All-Academic distinction from 2012 to 2015 and served as a team captain in 2014-15.
In addition to her on-ice exploits, Ryan has also gained professional experience in a number of different capacities over the years. From 2010 to 2012, Ryan served as an assistant manager in food service with the Rochester Red Wings – the top minor league affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. Ryan also completed a community service project with the Elmira Youth Jackals hockey club from 2011 to 2015, during which time she helped aspiring hockey players develop basic game skills. She then went on to an internship with the Elmira Heights Police Department in 2015 before serving as a resident counselor for the Villa of Hope group home in Rochester.
Ryan earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Sociology and Anthropology from Elmira in 2015.
Jim Montgomery has led Denver to the NCAA tournament in each of the last three seasons (photo: Melissa Wade).
Denver announced Wednesday that head coach Jim Montgomery has signed a multi-year contract extension through the 2020-21 season.
“We couldn’t be more pleased to be signing Jim to this well-earned extension and we’re incredibly excited about the state of our hockey program,” said DU vice chancellor for athletics Peg Bradley-Doppes in a statement. “Jim’s dynamic leadership, technical proficiency and passion for his sport are all unparalleled, as is his dedication to his craft. The style of play he has brought to Denver has definitely reinvigorated the program and we look forward to the Pioneers’ legacy continuing to grow and thrive in the coming years under his leadership.”
Montgomery, who turns 47 on June 30, has amassed a record of 69-40-14 at DU since being named the eighth coach in program history on April 15, 2013. The Montreal native has led the Pioneers to the NCAA tournament in each of his three seasons in the Mile High City, winning the inaugural NCHC championship in 2014, making the Elite Eight in 2015 and leading Denver to its first Frozen Four berth since 2005 earlier this year.
He was named a finalist for the 2016 Herb Brooks Award as NCHC Coach of the Year, as well as the 2016 Spencer Penrose Award as the top bench boss in the nation.
“Pioneer hockey has benefited greatly from the insightful teaching techniques and hockey knowledge Jim has brought to the program over the last three years,” added DU associate vice chancellor for sport supervision and internal operations Ron Grahame. “He has challenged our student-athletes to improve on the ice, while also permitting them to grow academically and as young men off the ice. The University of Denver is once again one of the premier college hockey programs in the country thanks to Coach Montgomery’s guidance and work ethic.”
“I’d like to thank Chancellor [Rebecca] Chopp, the University’s Board of Trustees, Peg, Ron and the entire Division of Athletics and Recreation for the opportunity to continue to build upon the foundation we’ve constructed here these last three years,” said Montgomery. “My family and I are thrilled to be staying here in central Colorado for the foreseeable future and my staff and I are excited to continue our quest to bring an eighth national title to Denver. We truly feel that both the present and the future are incredibly bright for the Pioneers and that the program is set up well for immediate and long-term success.”
Outdoor hockey is returning to Boston for the 2016-17 season with Frozen Fenway 2017, a two-week series of hockey and ice skating events taking place at Fenway Park from Jan. 4-16, 2017.
Frozen Fenway will feature two marquee Hockey East men’s doubleheaders, along with additional college and high school hockey games and a free public skating day for City of Boston residents.
“Outdoor hockey is quickly becoming a staple on Boston’s winter sports calendar and we look forward to joining with Hockey East and the City of Boston to build on that tradition by bringing some of the most accomplished and talented collegiate teams in the country to compete on the ice at Fenway Park,” said Boston Red Sox president Sam Kennedy in a news release.
The two Hockey East doubleheaders featuring eight of the premier college hockey programs in New England are scheduled to take place on Jan. 7 and 14. Game times to be announced at a later date:
Saturday, Jan. 7, 2017:
* Boston University vs. Massachusetts
* Boston College vs. Providence
Saturday, Jan. 14, 2017:
* Maine vs. Connecticut
* New Hampshire vs. Northeastern
“Hockey East and our schools could not be more excited to take the ice once again at Fenway Park,” added Hockey East commissioner Joe Bertagna. “Once Frozen Fenway 2017 is complete, all 12 Hockey East schools will have played an outdoor game at Fenway Park, creating once-in-a-lifetime memories for the players, students, alumni and fans.”
Along with the hockey games, Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the city of Boston will host a free public skate for residents to experience Frozen Fenway on Monday, Jan. 16, 2017.
Ticket information, along with additional Frozen Fenway games and events will be announced in the coming months.
Notre Dame recruit Andrew Peeke was selected by Columbus in the second round of the 2016 NHL Draft (photo: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images).
BUFFALO, N.Y. — One day after a record-tying 11 current and future college players were selected in the opening round of the 2016 NHL Draft, college players continued their march to the stage in Saturday’s second round.
While only seven players with college ties were selected in the second round, 50 players became NHL property on Saturday, bringing the grand total for the two days to 61, or about 29 percent of the total selections.
Two incoming freshmen at Notre Dame led the way in the second round. Andrew Peeke, who was the USHL’s scholar athlete of the year last season in Green Bay, was the first collegian selected in the second round, going to Columbus with the 34th overall pick.
Just six picks later, Colorado tabbed Peeke’s Notre Dame teammate Cameron Morrison, a Canadian-born forward who a season ago played in Youngstown in the USHL.
Both players emphasized their reason for choosing Notre Dame over major junior was the school’s strong academics.
“Academics is important to me,” said Peeke. “[Notre Dame] is top 15 school academically.”
“It came down to me deciding that the college route is right for me,” said Morrison, a draft choice of the North Bay Battalion in the Ontario Hockey League who instead chose to go to college. “I feel like I can excel there.”
One day after four Boston University had four current and future players selected in the opening round of the draft, incoming freshman Chad Krys continued the banner weekend for the Terriers when he was selected 45th overall by Chicago.
“I was kind of sitting there expecting not to be picked [for a while],” said Krys, whose stock fell this year with his Central Scouting ranking slipping from 30th in January to 53rd in April. “When I was, I was really excited. It’s a real emotional thing for my parents and all my family.”
Notre Dame recruit Cameron Morrison was selected by Colorado in the second round of the 2016 NHL Draft (photo: Dan Hickling/Hickling Images).
Ryan Lindgren, who will play for Minnesota in the fall, was selected 49th overall by Boston. Lindgren is the brother of former St. Cloud State standout Charlie Lindgren, who plays for Boston’s most hated rival, the Montreal Canadiens.
“We were talking that if I got picked by Boston, there would be a little rivalry there,” Lindgren said. “So it’s pretty cool.”
Wade Allison, who is headed to Western Michigan in the fall, was the 52nd pick, by the Philadelphia Flyers. He played things cool on Saturday, saying he had paid little attention to rankings and draft rumors heading into the weekend.
“I never really put a whole lot of thought into it,” said Allison, who ranked near the top of many categories at the recent NHL Scouting Combine. “It was kind of out of my control. I was just hoping for the best and definitely am very happy to be drafted by Philly.”
Denver forward Dylan Gambrell and Providence incoming forward Kasper Bjorkqvist closed out the second round for collegians. Gambrell went 60th overall by Stanley Cup runner-up San Jose while the Stanley Cup champion Penguins chose Bjorkqvist.
Early in the third round, BU’s three Beanpot rivals — Boston College, Harvard and Northeastern — each had players selected. Adam Fox, who is headed to BC in the fall, was the second goaltender overall and first with college ties taken when he went to Toronto with the first pick of the third round.
Four picks later, Calgary chose Harvard freshman-to-be Adam Fox. And one pick after that, at No. 67, Carolina picked Matt Filipe, who will play for Northeastern in the fall.
Two of the biggest jumpers — players who are selected well in advance of their Central Scouting ranking — were William Lockwood and James Greenway. Lockwood, who will attend Michigan in the fall, was ranked 108th among North American skaters but was chosen 64th by Vancouver. Greenway, who is headed to Wisconsin, was ranked 121st but went to Toronto with the 72nd pick.
Boston University’s Charlie McAvoy was selected in the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft by Boston (photo: Dan Hickling).
There are many different paths players can skate down to get to the NHL, and for Charlie McAvoy, playing college hockey at Boston University has undoubtedly been his calling.
Going into the 2016 NHL Draft, he was the top-ranked college player (sixth overall among North American forwards) by Central Scouting and after his name was called at the First Niagara Center in the first round by his adopted hometown team, that Boston Bruins, he rejoiced. But his enthusiasm for being a Terriers player couldn’t help but shine through.
“It’s crazy,” McAvoy said of the success he and his fellow incoming Terriers players had at Friday’s NHL Draft. Freshmen-to-be Clayton Keller, Dante Fabbro and Kieffer Bellows were all first-round selections on Friday. “We had a lunch today, all of us, and we were talking about it and thinking about it. It’s surreal the class we are coming in with. It’s going to be special.
McAvoy, a 6-foot, 208-pound offensive defenseman, just completed his first year as the youngest player in college hockey (he turned 18 on Dec. 21), tallying 25 points and being named to the Hockey East all-rookie team.
He credited BU for helping him develop into the player he needs to be to reach and maintain a pro career one day.
“I’ve developed from all aspects,” he said. “From a strength and conditioning standpoint, our strength coach Sean [Skahan] did a great job with us this year, and I was able to put on some good muscle. From a hockey standpoint, all of our coaches — coach [David] Quinn, coach [Scott] Young, coach [Albie] O’Connell — all those guys really did a lot for me as a player. They helped me grow mentally and physically on the ice, and they taught me really important things that I needed to know in order to grow and be successful.”
The Long Beach, N.Y., native is a firm believer that the college hockey route is a good option for any up-and-coming player but everyone has a different development curve.
“Some guys need those four years and some guys grow faster than others like [former Terriers forward] Jack Eichel or [former Boston College defenseman] Noah Hanifin who needed just one,” McAvoy said. “I think that college hockey gives you the chance to grow physically on the ice, and off the ice especially — you’re working toward a degree which is something very special. If you get that degree, no one will ever be able to take that away from you. I think the competition itself is beneficial because you’re playing against older guys who are going to get you ready to play at that next level due to their maturity and strength.”
McAvoy emphasized that the pride on the line in college hockey is like no other.
“Every single Friday and Saturday, no matter who you’re playing, it’s going to be a battle because everyone has a ton of pride for the school they’re playing for,” he said. “It made every game this year really special.”
His favorite memory thus far was hands down the Beanpot tournament.
“I didn’t really know too much about it since I’m not from Boston,” he said, “but a lot of teammates told me just how awesome that tournament is and what an honor it is to play in it. Last year didn’t go the way we wanted it to, but that’s probably the most exciting thing for me looking forward to next year — I want to redeem myself in that tournament.”
McAvoy may be currently living the college dream, but his “a ha” moment realizing that he actually could play pro one day came when he made the National Team Development Program a few years ago.
“When I had the opportunity to play for the national team, I think that’s when things started clicking for me,” McAvoy said. “I had seen how many great players went through there — the alumni, the NHLers — and you think, ‘Wow, I’ve finally separated myself now because I’m in this group of people.'”
His role models? McAvoy wants to follow in the footsteps of players like NTDP and BU alum Kevin Shattenkirk, a defenseman for the St. Louis Blues.
“Shattenkirk is definitely someone I look up to,” he said. “He’s a guy who went to BU, played on the national team, succeeded under coach Quinn and now he’s excelling in the pros, seemingly getting better each year. I’m kind of following in his path and hopefully the next step will be playing against him or maybe even with him in the NHL.”
As one of the top draft picks, the question remains: When will McAvoy leave school to go pro?
“It would be a tough decision, but when that opportunity presents itself and I feel as though I’m ready and the team that drafts me feels I’m ready, it will be something to think about,” he said bluntly. “It won’t be easy, but at the end of the day I want to be a professional hockey player, and if I can make that dream come true, I’m going for it.”
McAvoy exudes enthusiasm and excitement, especially when talking about training with his fellow Terriers players this summer, but the self-proclaimed team “class clown” is serious about continuing to develop offensively.
“The offensive part of my game is something that separates me from a lot of people,” he said. “If I can continue to grow and continue to contribute as much as I can on that side of the puck, it’s just the better of a chance the team is going to have at winning more games.”
With so much ahead of him at such a young age, McAvoy is just taking it all in, one day at a time.
“I am so proud to be a Terrier,” he said. “I love where I’m at, I love the people I play with, the coaches I play for and everything about BU — it’s just really special. It’s been an extraordinary year and I wouldn’t have changed it for the world.”
He admitted between his BU ties and now being property of the Boston Bruins, his allegiances to New York sports may be waning.
“I could never be a Pats fan, though,” McAvoy quipped, referencing the region’s football team.
Still, being able to live out a passion is a dream many people wish to attain, and to fully enjoy the moment while doing so is what life is all about. McAvoy may bleed scarlet and white right now, but one day black and gold will run through his veins, too.
Boston University recruit Clayton Keller was taken by Arizona at No. 7 (photo: Dan Hickling).
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Just weeks after college hockey left its mark on the Stanley Cup playoffs, the college game put another feather in its cap at the NHL Draft.
Eleven current or incoming college players were selected among the first 30 picks Friday at the First Niagara Center.
That tied the mark for the most first-round selections, set in 2007. Of the 30 first-round picks, 12 were Americans, including the first overall selection Auston Matthews, who skipped both college and major junior to play professionally last season in Switzerland.
Boston University led all colleges with four current or future first-round selections, including the top overall college player picked, forward Clayton Keller.
Keller was tabbed seventh overall by Arizona despite finishing the season ranked ninth among North American forwards and defensemen.
Now the question becomes whether Keller will choose to head to Boston University in the fall or head to Windsor in the Ontario Hockey League, the major junior club that holds his draft rights.
The consensus among insiders on Friday is that Keller will head to Boston University to develop — he stands just 5-foot-10 and is underweight for the prototypical NHL player. That’s something Keller himself can’t deny.
“Right now BU is my top choice,” said Keller. “I don’t see that changing.
“[Adding weight is] the biggest thing for me. Getting stronger and putting on a couple of pounds. I think that’s what can make me a dominant player in the NHL some day.”
Three selections after Keller was Tyson Jost, a Canadian-born player headed to defending national champion North Dakota in the fall. Jost was selected by Colorado and joined BU freshman-to-be Dante Fabbro (17th, Nashville) and St. Cloud State incoming freshman Dennis Cholowski (20th, Detroit) as the three Canadian-born players with college ties selected on Friday.
The trio tied the mark for most Canadian-born college players selected in the first round (2007).
Jost and Fabbro, in fact, were teammates last season in Penticton of the BCHL, and sat together during Friday’s draft.
“It’s special because we’ve created a brothership,” Jost said of Fabbro. “It was great to be able to hug him [when my name was called].”
Three players who have already played one year of college were also selected on Friday. BU defenseman Charlie McAvoy was tabbed 14th overall by the Boston Bruins, and a pick later Minnesota selected current Wisconsin forward Luke Kunin with the 15th pick. Connecticut’s Tage Thompson became his school’s first-ever first-round selection when St. Louis picked him at No. 26.
Boston University’s Kieffer Bellows, son of 18-year NHL veteran Brian Bellows, was picked 19th by the New York Islanders, giving BU four current or incoming players picked in the top 19.
Finnish-born Henrik Borgstrom, who will head to Denver in the fall, was the 23rd overall selection by Florida.
Minnesota’s Mr. Hockey Riley Tufte (25th, Dallas), who will head to Minnesota-Duluth in the fall, and Wisconsin freshman-to-be Trent Frederic (29th, Boston) rounded out the picks with college connections.
“It’s not a surprise,” Boston University coach David Quinn said of the 11 college players selected in Friday’s first round. “To be successful in the NHL, you have to work hard consistently, you need to be a good teammate, you need to be a good person, you need to learn how to train, you have to learn how to eat right. All those things factor into it.
“There are a lot of guys who have never made it in the NHL who have NHL ability but come up short in those characteristics. I think [teaching those characteristics], that’s one thing college hockey has done for a long time.”
Wisconsin’s Luke Kunin was selected in the first round of the 2016 NHL Draft by Minnesota (photo: Dan Hickling).
Being cut from his first team — by his own father — is Luke Kunin’s earliest hockey memory. On Friday, however, his newest memory was formed — and one of his dreams came true with his family by his side.
The Wisconsin center was selected 15th overall by the Minnesota Wild in the 2016 NHL Draft.
“It’s a pretty funny story that my dad cut me at a pretty young age,” said Kunin, remembering the fact that his mother made his father sleep on the couch that night. “For him to be there with me, to get a good hug from him was pretty special.”
Kunin — the second-ranked college skater coming into the draft (and 11th overall by NHL Central Scouting) — has built his whole life on the foundation of what he learned from that early “life lesson,” as he calls it.
“Nothing is ever going to be given to you in life,” he said. “You have to work for everything you want to get.”
He credited his father, mother and brother as being a vital support system in helping him get to where he is now — on a path to the NHL and having just wrapped up a standout year as a freshman college hockey player.
“They have been there for me through the whole ride and they’ve sacrificed a lot,” Kunin said. “It will be great for them to be with me through it all.”
Working hard and striving for success are the fundamental traits forming the backbone of Kunin’s character. He’s determined and confident, yet not presumptuous in the least — a lethal combination for any athlete.
Although the draft can be nerve-racking for some, the Chesterfield, Mo., native didn’t feel pressure going into it.
“I think the way I played this year [19 goals, 13 assists with the Badgers], I did everything I could to show the NHL teams what I’m about and what kind of player I am,” he said. “Once the draft is over, it’s exciting to know what team you’re with, but it’s back to work.”
As the second-youngest player in the NCAA in 2015-16, Kunin tied for third in goals among all rookie skaters to make the Big Ten all-freshman team. His 32 points were one shy of tying linemate Grant Besse (selected 147th overall by Anaheim in 2013) for the team lead.
The 18-year-old didn’t take anything for granted, especially his first year playing, growing and learning while on the Badgers.
“Wisconsin was a place I wanted to play since I was a little kid, so just playing against older guys, especially me coming in here as a young guy, made me mature a little quicker,” Kunin said. “I like a challenge, so college hockey is something I wanted to do and I thought I had a pretty good year individually. Strength and conditioning coach Jim Snider really puts in a lot of effort with guys and that’s big for me to get to the next level — to keep getting stronger off the ice. It’s just an all-around great atmosphere.”
The 6-foot, 193-pound forward — with highlight-reel playmaking ability — said there’s always room for improvement.
“I pick something I want to focus on each year and just try to get better at certain things,” he said. “I’m never satisfied with where I’m at; I’m always trying to get better and be the best player I can be.”
Kunin captained the U.S. 2015 Under-18 World Championship team to a gold medal, scoring six goals in seven games. Boston University’s Charlie McAvoy, drafted a pick before Kunin at No. 14, and childhood friend Matthew Tkachuk, the son of former NHLer Keith Tkachuk who was selected sixth overall, also were part of that team.
As much as collegiate and pro careers in hockey have been personal dreams of Kunin’s, the friendships he’s made along the way have made it that much more worthwhile.
“I have a bond and a relationship with those guys that will last a lifetime,” he said in regard to his fellow skaters on Team USA and the Badgers. With Tkachuk, they played together as kids and “being around Matt’s dad Keith, watching him play, and learning the ropes from him was something pretty special.”
The relationship with Kunin’s dad seems to be one of the strongest of them all.
“When I was little, my dad would always share motivational quotes with me that he thought I would like. Whether it was a Michael Jordan one or Wayne Gretzky one, we have always had a pretty special thing going.”
To this day, if Kunin’s father finds an inspirational quote, he’ll send it to Kunin before a game. One of Kunin’s favorites?
“Success doesn’t come to you, you go to it,” he said without hesitation.
The rising sophomore added, “I could sit here all day and rattle off all the ones dad sends to me, but I just think anything for me that’s about being successful is great. I strive to be successful and I will be successful, so whatever it takes for me to get there, that’s what I’m going to do — I truly believe that.”
Boston University’s Charlie McAvoy is the highest ranked college player or recruit for the 2016 NHL Draft according to NHL Central Scouting (photo: Dan and Margaret Hickling).
BUFFALO, N.Y. — If Buffalo Sabres forward and former Boston University standout Jack Eichel happens to attend Friday’s NHL Draft in his new hometown, he might feel very much at home.
One year after being drafted second overall, Eichel has the opportunity to watch as many as four current and future Boston University players become first-round NHL Draft choices.
It’s almost an embarrassment of riches for BU coach David Quinn. A year after four Terriers players were selected in the top 50, BU stands to have current defenseman Charlie McAvoy along with incoming freshmen Kieffer Bellows, Clayton Keller and Dante Fabbro all selected in the top 20 of Friday’s opening round.
The quartet highlights what should be one of the best drafts for U.S. college players in recent years.
Although it is unlikely to have any college players taken near Eichel’s mark of second last year — or in the top five for that matter — final rankings from NHL Central Scouting and the independent group at the International Scouting Service indicate as many as nine current or incoming college players could be first-round picks.
For Quinn, the draft provides some solid marketing and branding for his BU program as he enters his fourth year behind the Terriers bench. But it also places some challenges on his staff.
Any of this year’s quartet or high-end picks from last season like Jakob Forsbacka-Karlsson, who had a stellar year for BU, could be signing professional contracts within a year or sooner if the NHL club wants to secure their draft capital.
“When you do get the high-end draft picks, [you worry about] how long are they staying,” said Quinn. “It’s a juggling act from a recruiting aspect. It does make it difficult. But I’d much rather have that problem than not.”
College hockey is hamstrung by the NHL’s collective bargaining agreement, which allows college players who are drafted to become free agents the summer after graduation, a route currently being sought by reigning Hobey Baker Award winner Jimmy Vesey.
“The CBA really hurts us,” Quinn said. “These [NHL] teams do not want their players to get to their senior year because they run the risk of allowing them to get to free agency.
“Teams probably err on the side of taking a guy a little earlier than they should. I can’t blame them. When you have an investment in a kid with a high draft pick, you don’t want to lose them. Unfortunately, we suffer for that.”
What the Terriers won’t suffer from, however, is benefiting from the time this year’s draft class spends in a BU uniform. It is led by McAvoy, who was the highest rated of the four by Central Scouting but some feel may have the least upside.
The youngest player in college hockey a year ago, McAvoy proved himself worthy of being called a physical defenseman, something Quinn said will benefit him in the draft.
“One of the things that really impressed me about him was, being as young as he is, how physical he was,” said Quinn. “The physical aspect of college hockey didn’t overwhelm him.
“When you’re 17 years old and playing against guys who are 22, 23 years old, that can be pretty overwhelming. To me, that gives you an idea what type of a player he is.”
Of the incoming BU players, Bellows has the most impressive pedigree. The son of 18-year NHL veteran Brian Bellows, Kieffer Bellows is thought of as one of the better snipers available in this draft.
“I think he’s going to be the finisher and the sniper,” said David Gregory from NHL Central Scouting. “He can play on the wing and he’s very adept at getting open for shooting lanes. He can distribute, but there are not many people that can shoot it like him and finish like him.”
Boston University is hardly the only team whose players have high draft potential. In the final Central Scouting rankings of North American forwards, Wisconsin center Luke Kunin ranked 11th, jumping five spots from the midterm ranking released in January.
Some believe that Tyson Jost, who played last year in Penticton of the BCHL and is scheduled to attend North Dakota in the fall, could have the most professional potential. A teammate of BU freshman-to-be Fabbro, Jost finished the year ranked 16th by Central Scouting.
Minnesota high schooler Riley Tufte, who will be a true freshman for Scott Sandelin at Minnesota-Duluth, was on Central Scouting’s radar all year, ranking 17th in both the midterm and final charts.
Connecticut’s Tage Thompson, who a season ago potted 13 power-play goals for the Huskies, is ranked 20th, no doubt because of his blistering one-time shot that was so effective in his rookie season.
And Dennis Cholowski, the biggest mover among the top college talent, jumped from 48th in Central Scouting’s midterm rankings to 23rd at season’s end. He will head to St. Cloud State in the fall.
Auston Matthews is expected to be just the sixth American selected first overall in the NHL Draft. Matthews went to neither college nor major junior last season, instead opting to play professionally in Switzerland.
The NHL Draft will kick off Friday at 7 p.m. EDT (NBC Sports), with the entire first round completed that evening. It resumes Saturday at 10 a.m. EDT (NHL Network), when rounds two through seven will be selected.
St. Lawrence announced Thursday that Matt Deschamps will join the men’s staff as an assistant coach for the 2016-17 season.
Deschamps spent the last two years in Austria with EC Red Bull Salzburg Hockey Club as the head coach of the RBS U18 team while also serving the club in director and development coordinator roles.
“Matt Deschamps brings a great deal to St. Lawrence University and our hockey program,” said SLU head coach Mark Morris in a statement. “His playing experience, both in college and as a professional, coupled with his passion for teaching and recruiting, will be a great addition to our staff. He is an excellent communicator with a tireless work ethic. He has proven he has the ability to develop players and his energy is infectious. With Matt on board, we look to continue to land quality student-athletes as we build on St. Lawrence’s rich hockey tradition.”
During his time in Austria, Deschamps led Salzburg to two of its most successful seasons at the U18 level. The Red Bulls won an Ernst Bank Junior League championship in 2015 and in 2016, led all EC Red Bull teams with a .741 winning percentage, playing against a U20 team from Switzerland and U18 teams from Finland, Czech Republic, United States and Canada.
Deschamps played his college hockey at Maine, appearing in 111 games for the Black Bears over four seasons from 2001 to 2005. He helped lead Maine to four NCAA tournament appearances, including two trips to the championship game. Deschamps served as an assistant captain as a senior, received the first annual Shawn Walsh Memorial Scholarship and was presented with the Richard Britt Award for Perseverance.
He graduated from Maine in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in public policy, management.
After college, Deschamps attended training camp with the San Jose Sharks in 2005. During a five-year professional career, Deschamps had stops in the American Hockey League and ECHL.
“I feel very fortunate to be joining the St. Lawrence men’s hockey coaching staff,” added Deschamps. “It’s an amazing feeling to be returning to the United States and starting a new chapter with such a great university and community. I’m excited to work with student athletes in such a storied program. I’d like to thank head coach Mark Morris and director of athletics and recreation Bob Durocher for the opportunity.
“I look forward to joining the Skating Saints family.”
Former Massachusetts All-American and career assists leader James Marcou has joined his alma mater as a volunteer assistant coach for the 2016-17 season.
Marcou played for UMass from 2007 to 2010.
“James was a skilled player and an important part of the history of our program,” Minutemen coach Greg Carvel said in a news release. “He’s also shown talent as an aspiring young coach. He brings a unique prospective to our program and we’re excited for James to join us in Amherst.”
Marcou was UMass’ sixth All-American in program history with his AHCA Second-Team nod following his sophomore season (2008-09). His 35 points during the conference campaign tied him for the Hockey East scoring title, the first Minuteman to ever lead the league in points. He finished the year with 47 points on 15 goals and 32 assists. His 32 assists set a then-UMass single-season record, while his 47 points ranked fourth all-time.
“I’m honored to be working under Coach Greg Carvel at my alma mater,” Marcou added. “This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of building a program in Amherst with Ben Barr, Jared DeMichiel and Brennen McHugh. My pride and passion for UMass hockey run deep.”
A two-time All-Hockey East performer and New England Hockey Writers All-Star, Marcou broke his own school record for single-season assists (40) as a junior in 2009-10. Marcou currently ranks No. 4 among UMass’ all-time scorers with 130 points in 111 games played.
Forgoing his senior year, Marcou signed a free agent contract with the San Jose Sharks and played for two and a half seasons before medically retiring.
After nearly 20 years at Bemidji State, Ted Belisle has resigned from his position as assistant coach to join the scouting staff of the Los Angeles Kings.
“This is a great opportunity for Teddy to advance his career at the professional level,” said BSU coach Tom Serratore in a statement. “He has a great eye for talent and is going to do an outstanding job for the L.A. Kings.
“Teddy has been a big part of this program for 13 years as a recruiting coordinator and assistant coach and four years before that as a player and captain. His fingerprints are all over this program. He has given his heart and soul to Beaver Hockey and he will be missed.”
Belisle’s duties with the Kings began June 22.
“I have to thank a lot of people for my time at Bemidji State and that starts with Bob Peters and Tom Serratore,” added Belisle. “Bemidji State hockey has been part of my life for the better part of 17 years and I am lucky to have had those two men as my mentors along the way. The thing I will miss most about BSU is the players, but in saying that, eventually we will all be part of the same club as alumni of Beaver hockey.”
Since joining the BSU coaching staff for the 2003-04 season, Belisle has been a part of five CHA regular-season championships, four NCAA tournament appearances, which includes the Beavers’ magical run to the Frozen Four in 2009, four 20-win seasons, three CHA tournament titles, and a North Star College Cup championship.
Belisle played 90 games as a forward for the Beavers from 1997 to 2001, which included serving as the team’s captain in 2000-01, the team’s second season at the NCAA Division I level.
“I’ve always said Bemidji and Bemidji State is a special place for special people,” Belisle stated. “I am thankful for the friends and colleagues I’ve had and earned along the way and I am glad to call this home.”
Minnesota’s Erik Johnson, North Dakota’s Jonathan Toews and Minnesota’s Phil Kessel and Kyle Okposo all were selected in the first seven picks of the 2006 NHL Draft (photos: Minnesota Athletics and North Dakota Athletics).
BUFFALO, N.Y. — When you use the word “generational” in hockey, you’re often using it when you’re talking about talent at the NHL Draft.
A year ago, many called former Boston University forward Jack Eichel “generational,” noting that, especially in the college game, you don’t see too many players who can emerge from college as an 18-year-old and become an NHL superstar.
Eichel’s story is special. But equally as special was a weekend 10 years ago when the draft ventured to Canada’s west coast.
It was in Vancouver where one of college hockey’s greatest days took place. The 2006 NHL Draft featured four college players selected in the top seven, including one player who has gone above and beyond the definition of the word “generational.”
The weekend also highlighted one of college hockey’s best rivalries, Minnesota-North Dakota, at its peak.
In the end, the first round of the 2006 NHL Draft produced the best crop of college players to date and also changed the perception of college hockey for many.
Kessel watch
Minnesota’s Phil Kessel slipped to No. 5 in the 2006 draft (photo: Minnesota Athletics).
As early a year before the 2006 NHL Draft, there was a lot of buzz about Phil Kessel. The game’s top scouts had touted Kessel as a lock as the top pick in 2006.
But when NHL Central Scouting’s midterm rankings came out for the 2006 draft, defenseman Erik Johnson, who had committed to play for Minnesota in the following September, was ranked first among North American skaters.
Kessel was a spot below Johnson. The Minnesota freshman was already making a name for himself in the Twin Cities. He potted 18 goals and 51 points in his freshman campaign, earning him WCHA rookie of the year honors. At the World Junior Championship, Kessel led Team USA in scoring with 11 points.
So despite Johnson’s top ranking, Kessel was still drawing a lot of the attention for his high-profile success in a Gophers jersey.
“Kessel, you just knew this kid was a scorer,” said Wally Shaver, the long-time radio voice of the Gophers. “It was kind of interesting because he had kind of shunned [the University of] Wisconsin, having grown up there his whole life and he decided to come to the ‘U.’
“Everybody knew about this kid. He was one of the top recruits in the nation that year.”
But as his draft year was upon Kessel, there was concern about many things. His maturity was questioned, as was his ability to be a leader. Reports surfaced that teammates on just about every team he played disliked the superstar.
By the time draft day came, Kessel had almost become an undesirable to the St. Louis Blues, the team that held the top selection. The Pittsburgh Penguins, Chicago Blackhawks and Washington Capitals all took a pass on Kessel as well before Boston grabbed him with the fifth selection.
“It was tough sitting through those picks,” Kessel told USCHO at the time.
Blues tab Johnson for reliability
Erik Johnson played one season at Minnesota after being picked first in the 2006 draft (photo: Minnesota Athletics).
After earning the top spot in the midterm rankings, Johnson ended up being the top overall selection in 2006. The St. Louis Blues said they wanted Johnson for his reliability on the blue line, something that has played out in his career.
He lasted only three years in St. Louis before being traded to Colorado, where he is the team’s highest-paid player after signing a seven-year, $42 million contract extension in 2015.
Being the top overall selection, Johnson was in rare air for a collegian. He joined Rick DiPietro as the only college players to be selected with the top pick of the draft.
But on draft day, there was a question whether Johnson would ever arrive in Minnesota.
It wasn’t until the following month when St. Louis general manager John Davidson released a statement saying, “We feel this is a win-win situation for Erik to be going to an excellent hockey program to continue his development. This is beneficial for his career, short term and long term, to play for the Gophers. He will have an opportunity to compete for an NCAA national championship, play in the World Junior Championships and enjoy university life.”
But less than a month after it was revealed Johnson was on his way to the Twin Cities, Kessel announced he was on his way out. Two months after the 2006 draft, Kessel signed with Boston.
Still, Johnson played the following season alongside another top-10 selection, Kyle Okposo, picked seventh by the New York Islanders.
“There was no question with Johnson and Okposo and you could just tell from the first day of practice that these two guys stick out like a sore thumb,” said Shaver. “They were just that much better.
“After the first of the year, things really started to click.”
Overshadowed, Toews ends up on top, solidifies rivalry
Jonathan Toews scored 40 goals in two seasons at North Dakota (photo: North Dakota Athletics).
With Minnesota garnering the bulk of the attention at the 2006 draft, the third overall selection by Chicago was North Dakota’s Jonathan Toews.
Having played a season at North Dakota already, Toews was overshadowed a bit as a rookie because of Kessel. In fact, when it came to freshmen, Toews wasn’t even the top rookie scorer on his team, taking a back seat to T.J. Oshie, who was drafted in 2005, the summer before his arrival in Grand Forks.
But come draft day, Toews had garnered some buzz and as Kessel’s stock had fallen, Toews’ continued to rise. When he was picked third, Toews had gotten the upper hand on Kessel for the first time.
“Phil Kessel had so much hype coming in and Toews almost got overlooked,” said Brad Elliott Schlossman, North Dakota’s beat writer for the Grand Forks Herald. “I remember Michael Farber from Sports Illustrated coming to Grand Forks for the Sioux-Gophers series. And his story was going to be all about Phil Kessel.
“I remember telling him that some scouts are saying that this Toews kid could be just as good as Kessel.”
On the NHL ice, that has proven to be true. Toews has been a stalwart with Chicago and at age 20 was named captain, one of the youngest in NHL history.
As captain, Toews has led the Blackhawks to three Stanley Cup titles, and internationally he has won six gold medals for Team Canada, two at the Olympics, one at the World Championship and three at the junior level (two Under-20 and one Under-17).
Back in Grand Forks, the 2006-07 rivalry between North Dakota and Minnesota — even without Kessel — was one for the ages. For the Gophers, you had Johnson and Okposo on the ice, as well as David Fischer, who was also selected in the first round, 20th by Montreal. And on the other side, you had Toews in his sophomore campaign with Oshie and Ryan Duncan, that season’s Hobey Baker Award winner and WCHA player of the year.
“[North Dakota] had a whole slew of good guys on that [2006-07] team,” said Minnesota broadcaster Shaver. “The guys always got up for it, there was no question.”
After an exciting regular season matchup of the foes, swept in the Twin Cities by the then-Fighting Sioux, Minnesota exacted revenge on the bigger stage, getting a 3-2 overtime win in front of 19,463 screaming fans in the WCHA title game.
North Dakota had the last laugh, however, a week later. After Minnesota eked past Air Force 4-3 in the opener of the NCAA tournament (one year after the famous OT loss for Minnesota to Holy Cross) and North Dakota took care of Michigan 8-5, the rivals — and some of the best talent to play in this rivalry — met for one last time in the West Regional final.
More than 11,000 packed the Pepsi Center in Denver for the game and both Minnesota and North Dakota delivered, with the then-Fighting Sioux emerging on a Chris Porter overtime goal to advance to the Frozen Four.
North Dakota lost to Boston College in the national semifinals, and Michigan State was the eventual national champion. But that afternoon in Denver provided the last time that the top-end talent from the 2006 draft was on display.
New CBA means quicker exits
Early departures had been a factor in the early part of the 2000s in college hockey. Some of the best talent who were ready for the NHL left college before their four years of eligibility were up.
But after the NHL lockout in 2005, a new collective bargaining agreement between the league and the NHL Players Association accelerated the matriculation of top-end college talent into the pro ranks.
The 2005 CBA included language that allowed drafted college (or incoming college) players to become free agents in the summer after their senior season, similar to what is happening right now with Harvard’s Jimmy Vesey. NHL teams poached most of their top-end draft picks long before graduation.
Kessel, of course, never returned for that 2006-07 season. Johnson and Toews signed NHL contracts after their 2007 campaigns ended. Okposo stuck around for two months of the 2007-08 season before signing with the Islanders.
Only Fischer lasted all four years at Minnesota; he never did end up signing with the Canadiens. He was invited to Vancouver’s training camp in 2010 but was cut and never played an NHL game before retiring in 2015.
You can point to the new CBA, the success of players like Toews, Johnson and Kessel, or many other factors. But since that 2006 draft, early departures from college have been at a record pace, topped this season by a record 38 players forgoing college eligibility for the pros.
“[North Dakota] lost five guys early this summer,” said Schlossman. “Ten years ago, they also lost five guys. The next year they lost Toews and Brian Lee early.
“There was a lot of panic about that, but at the same time, coaches now are realizing when you have a guy like Jonathan Toews come through your program, you have to plan that he’s going to leave early.
“When he does go to the NHL after two years, it’s not necessarily a hindrance for your team.
“The MVP of the Frozen Four this year was Drake Caggiula. The reason he knew what UND was, was because he watched Jonathan Toews in the World Juniors. The MVP of the Frozen Four was in college in part because of Jonathan Toews. His legacy has attracted more good players to come to the college level.”
The new North Dakota logo was unveiled on June 22.
North Dakota has unveiled a logo and wordmark for the Fighting Hawks nickname.
“This is an outstanding day for the University of North Dakota and UND athletics,” said UND president Ed Schafer in a statement. “We are thrilled to introduce a champion logo and wordmark for North Dakota’s teams, our champion Fighting Hawks athletics program.”
Created by SME Branding after a significant amount of up-front input and a number of waves of concept testing that included members from stakeholder groups, the logo features a hawk embedded in a Kelly green ND and a distinctive wordmark that proclaims “North Dakota Fighting Hawks.”
“SME spent time on campus and on the phone at the beginning of the semester, listening to what a lot of people — students, student athletes, coaches and others in Athletics, faculty, staff, alumni, community members, representatives of UND’s American Indian programs — had to say about our university, our athletics programs, our region and our state,” added Schafer. “They did an excellent job of translating what they heard — that we have a long and proud championship tradition, that we are determined and persevere on the playing field, that we are proud of our state and our heritage, that we are progressive and moving forward — and using that input to shape the newest logo and wordmark for the future of UND athletics.”
“We are excited to start using this logo and wordmark,” UND athletic director Brian Faison noted in a statement. “We will begin using it immediately, but it will take a while to transition everything to the new logo. Many of the uniforms are already ordered, so it will take some time to change it out. But you’ll begin seeing it this fall on the football helmets, for example, as we usher in this new era in UND athletics.”
UND is planning an Aug. 13 merchandise launch event.
Ian McCoshen was a Boston College-best plus-30 in 2015-16 (photo: Melissa Wade).
While not confirmed or made official by Boston College or the Florida Panthers, Ian McCoshen has apparently signed with the NHL club, giving up his senior season with the Eagles.
In an Instagram post Monday, McCoshen himself confirmed as much.
A photo posted by @ianmccoshen3 on Jun 20, 2016 at 11:22am PDT
The Sun Sentinel reports the deal is for three years.
McCoshen, who was Florida’s second-round pick (31st overall) in 2013, helped BC to a 28-8-5 record, a Beanpot championship and a berth in the Frozen Four, while also scoring six goals and 15 assists in 40 regular-season games to go with a team-best plus-30 rating.
He also led the Eagles with 86 penalty minutes and 63 blocked shots.
