Raymond Brice is a local product who played for MTU and is now a coach with the Huskies (photo: Geoff Miller).
Raymond Brice has been named an assistant coach with the Michigan Tech hockey team.
He began his duties on Sept. 16.
Brice was the captain of the Huskies during the 2019-20 season and appeared in 95 games over his four seasons as a player at Tech.
“It is with pride and excitement that we welcome Ray to the staff,” MTU head coach Joe Shawhan said in a statement. “As a player, he represented a model of expectations that we have for Michigan Tech student-athletes. As a person, he represents the heart of the Copper Country. Ray’s integration will be seamless.”
“I’m super excited to be able to come back to Michigan Tech and work with elite athletes and help continue their development,” added Brice. “Michigan Tech has a rich hockey tradition, and I look forward to helping the program grow and develop in the future. Being able to return in a coaching capacity to a school that I was fortunate to grow up watching and playing for was a no-brainer for me. I’m excited to get going and learn as much as I can from Joe, Tyler, and Jordy, and the players.”
Brice, a local native of Houghton, Mich., tallied 13 goals and 13 assists in his career with the Huskies. He went on to play four seasons and 175 games of professional hockey in the SPHL and ECHL and overseas in Hungary, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
Before accepting his new position with the Huskies, Brice was the head of hockey for TPH Academy in Philadelphia, overseeing all hockey-related activities. He is also the owner of Brice Hockey Development where he runs hockey camps and skill development sessions. He was the head coach for Kenai River Brown Bears’ 16U AAA in the NAPHL during the 2019-20 season and has also been a coach for XCEL Hockey Development and an instructor at the Weekend Warrior Adult Hockey Camp.
Brice holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and has been employed as an engineer since graduating from Tech while also playing pro hockey. He has worked for Systems Control, ENG. INC, and Asplundh Engineering Services.
Tina Ciraulo had served behind the bench of the USPHL’s Metro Jets since 2020 (photo: Jilleen Hays/Metro Jets).
Tina Ciraulo has accepted an assistant coaching position with the Union women’s hockey team.
Ciraulo had been working in the Detroit area with the USPHL’s Metro Jets in many roles since 2020. Most notably, she was the first woman to win a junior hockey game in which she was the head coach when on Nov. 8, 2020, the Metro Jets Development Program defeated the Wooster Oilers 8-2 on the road.
She was also a director of the Metro Jr. Jets girls program, which she helped build up and increase participation every year.
“We want to extend our congratulations to Tina and to Union College,” said Jets GM Justin Quenneville in a statement. “They are getting a valuable piece to a winning culture. She is a hard worker, invested, and has an experienced hockey background proving her value. Much like ‘Mo’ (Adam Morrison) who took a job in the USHL, Tina is deserving of the offers she receives. We are all excited for her and wish her the best.”
During her playing days, Ciraulo played at St. Cloud State from 2001 to 2005, serving as captain her senior season. She compiled 20 goals and 35 assists for 55 points over 134 games with the Huskies.
The Toscano Family Ice Forum opened in Jan. 2023 (photo: UConn Athletics).
Hockey East announced Wednesday that UConn will host the 2025 Hockey East women’s championship game on March 8 at noon.
The title game will once again be broadcast live nationally on ESPNU.
“In 2024, UConn hosted the most-attended Hockey East women’s championship game in league history and provided a first-class experience for the teams, fans, and our partners,” said Hockey East commissioner Steve Metcalf in a statement. “By awarding the 2025 championship game to the Toscano Family Ice Forum before the 2024-25 season begins, we look forward to surpassing those achievements and delivering another premier championship experience for all involved.”
All 10 women’s teams will play in a single-elimination postseason tournament for the Bertagna Trophy. Seeds seven and eight will host seeds 10 and nine, respectively, in the opening round on Feb. 26. The top six seeds will receive a bye into the quarterfinals, scheduled for Feb. 28 and March 1. Following a reseeding, the top two seeds will host the winners of the opening round, while the third seed will host the sixth seed and the fourth seed will host the fifth seed.
The semifinals will be held on March 5 at the sites of the higher seeds, with the championship game then taking place on March 8 at UConn.
The tournament winner will earn the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.
More details, including ticket information, will be provided in the coming weeks.
Kirk Golden has spent the last several years coaching girls hockey in Colorado and in the NA3HL (photo provided by Kirk Golden).
Kirk Golden has been named an assistant coach for the Castleton men’s hockey team.
Golden comes to Castleton after coaching in the NA3HL for four years and scouting in the NAHL for three.
He was an associate coach for the Great Falls Americans in 2020-21, reaching the Frontier Division playoffs finals. Golden was then chosen to turn around the Butte Cobras, taking the helm as head coach and general manager in 2021-22. He helped propel Butte to the Frontier Division playoffs in both 2021-22 and 2022-23, after posting their second and third-highest regular-season win totals in franchise history. During this time, he was also a scout for the Maine Nordiques in the NAHL.
Last season, he was head coach and general manager in the NA3HL for the Austin Ice Bats while scouting for the Corpus Christi Ice Rays in the NAHL.
Golden began in the coaching world working with the Hong Kong Typhoons and Hong Kong Selects youth programs in 2015-16. After returning to his home state of Colorado, he was an assistant coach for Aspen High’s varsity and JV teams (2016-17). The Aspen Junior Hockey program was where he spent the next few years (2017-20) holding multiple titles – skills director, coaching coordinator, head of player development, 16U girls assistant coach, and head coach of both the 19U A and 19U AA girls hockey teams.
After five Colorado state championships, one district championship and national tournament berth, Golden moved into the junior hockey coaching ranks.
Over the years, Golden has coached and developed 75-plus players that went on to play collegiately (50-plus ACHA, 25-plus NCAA).
As a player, Golden won a Tier I national championship his senior year of high school with Shattuck St. Mary’s (teammates with current NHL players Sidney Crosby and Jack Johnson) in 2002-03. After playing two years of Tier II junior hockey in the NAHL (team leading goal scorer 2003-04 with the Lone Star Cavalry), he went on to play NCAA III hockey at Hobart. The Statesmen made the national tournament three of his four years (two semi-final losses, 2006, 2009). Golden was ECAC West all-academic in 2007 and 2009.
Golden went on to play professionally in Germany for one season, France for three, one in Sweden, and one in the Federal Hockey League as well. He also played in the top leagues in Australia, New Zealand, and Hong Kong before stepping to the other side of the bench.
Thor Nelson receives the Mark Rudolph Award and special artwork with his wife Jessica and sons Odin and Thor at his side (photo: NCHC).
For his work with the NCHC officiating program and in his hometown community, NCHC officiating supervisor Thor Nelson has been named the recipient of the 2023-24 Mark Rudolph Officiating Achievement Award.
Nelson was presented with his award at NCHC officiating camp on Sept. 14 in Saint Paul, Minn. NCHC director of officiating Mike Schmitt, a previous Rudolph Award winner himself, bestowed Nelson with his honor, with Nelson’s family, NCHC commissioner Heather Weems and the entire NCHC officiating staff on hand for the recognition.
Nelson joined the NCHC officiating staff as a supervisor for the 2022-23 season, after serving as a linesman in the NHL for nearly 20 years. He quickly acclimated himself in his new role, providing insights to the NCHC officiating staff and offering different ways to provide feedback.
Along with his work as an NCHC supervisor of officials, Nelson has immersed himself in his hometown of Minot, N.D., volunteering for a variety of youth and adaptive sports. He is the state of North Dakota referee-in-chief for USA Hockey, a board of directors member for Prairie Grit Adaptive Sports and involved with the national board of USA Softball.
“The NCHC is lucky to have Thor. He has been a valuable resource for our staff since he started in 2022,” Schmitt said in a statement. “Thor is one of the biggest advocates for youth and the city of Minot, and I’m honored to present him with our Mark Rudolph Award.”
Through his involvement with USA Sled Hockey, Nelson helped bring the men’s and women’s sled hockey teams from the USA and Canada to Minot, N.D., for training camp and games. As referee-in-chief, he also works tirelessly developing youth hockey officials in North Dakota.
Outside of hockey, Nelson is the president for the Minot Girls Fastpitch program and the Minot Storm Fastpitch travel team in North Dakota. With Nelson in charge, participation numbers have grown close to 400 girls in the fastpitch program. He was also instrumental in fundraising for a new building and turf fields for Minot Girls Fastpitch.
While serving as an NHL linesman, Nelson was assigned to work the Stanley Cup playoffs seven seasons and was selected to officiate the 2004 NHL all-star game in Saint Paul. In addition, Nelson officiated both the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. He was forced into an early NHL retirement due to injury.
“Thor has been a great addition to the NCHC officiating staff over the last few years. As a longtime NHL linesman, he has been beneficial to our on-ice officials and has increased officiating expertise and credibility within the conference,” Weems said. “Beyond college hockey, Thor is one of the most selfless people I know. The time and resources he gives to youth and adaptive sports in Minot, as well as his state and national engagement with hockey officiating, are extensive. He is the consummate team player and community advocate.”
Nelson is married to his wife Jessica and resides in Minot, N.D. The couple has four children – sons Thor and Odin and daughters Hannah and Rhone.
The NCHC’s Mark Rudolph Officiating Achievement Award is named in honor of Mark Rudolph, a longtime official and distinguished administrator who resides in Colorado Springs and established USA Hockey’s national officiating program, among many other accomplishments. The award was officially established prior to the 2014-15 season.
Criteria for the Mark Rudolph Award recipient shall be an individual who, through dedicated effort and service, both on and off the ice, has achieved a distinguished accomplishment during the previous NCHC season, and who by his actions has significantly enhanced the NCHC and its officiating program. The award is not necessarily presented annually.
Past NCHC Mark Rudolph Officiating Achievement Award Winners
2013-14 – John Philo
2014-15 – Paul Carnathan
2015-16 – Joe Sullivan
2016-17 – Timm Walsh
2017-18 – Ron Foyt
2018-19 – Justin Hills
2019-20 – Geno Binda
2020-21 – Mike Schmitt
2021-22 – Josh Fenton
2023-24 – Thor Nelson
Miami has announced the addition of Lionel Mauron as assistant to the head coach.
Mauron will also handle program operations.
“I am honored and thrilled to join Miami University,” said Mauron in a statement. “This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of such a storied program and to contribute to writing a new chapter of success, both on and off the ice.”
“We are thrilled to welcome Lio and Sophie to the Miami hockey family,” Miami coach Anthony Noreen added. “Lio has a proven ability to successfully handle various aspects of a hockey program and will be a great asset to our program moving forward.”
Mauron comes to Oxford after serving the last three years as the head coach at Ohio University. In 2023, he was named the ACHA coach of the year and the CSCHL coach of the year. During his time in Athens, Ohio, Mauron led OU to a 72-29-11 record, including 12 wins over ACHA top-5 teams. Mauron’s program made the ACHA national tournament final four in 2023 and again in 2024 after advancing to the quarterfinals in 2022.
A native of Lausanne, Switzerland, Mauron played college hockey for Curry from 2015 to 2019. He also played for the Lausanne Hockey Club (Swiss League), the ECHL’s Jacksonville Icemen and the SPHL’s Knoxville Ice Bears.
Mauron earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from Curry in 2019 and completed his master’s in Coaching Education from Ohio in 2021.
Kirsten Simms will be a key player this season for the Badgers (photo: Tom Lynn).
2024-25 WCHA Coaches Poll (Coaches could not vote for their own team. First-place votes are in parentheses)
1. Wisconsin (5) 46 points
2. Ohio State (2) 43
3. Minnesota (1) 40
4. Minnesota Duluth 31
5. St. Cloud State 25
6. St. Thomas 17
7. Minnesota State 15
8. Bemidji State 7
WCHA Preseason Player of the Year: Kirsten Simms, Jr., D, Wisconsin (3 votes) Others receiving votes: Caroline Harvey, Jr., Wisconsin (2); Abbey Murphy, Sr., Minnesota (2); Casey O’Brien, Wisconsin (1).
WCHA Preseason Rookie of the Year: Chloe Primerano, Minnesota defender (6 votes) Others receiving votes: Mira Jungåker, Ohio State defender (1), Caitlin Kraemer, Minnesota Duluth forward (1)
Preseason All-WCHA Team
F: Kirsten Simms, Jr., Wisconsin
F: Abbey Murphy, Sr., Minnesota
F: Joy Dunne, So., Ohio State
D: Nelli Laitinen, Jr., Minnesota
D: Caroline Harvey, Jr., Wisconsin
G: Ève Gascon, So., Minnesota Duluth
Others receiving votes(listed alphabetically by position):
Forwards – Casey O’Brien, 5th-Yr, Wisconsin; Laila Edwards, Jr., Wisconsin; Natalie Mlynkova, 5th-Yr, Minnesota
Defense – Mira Jungåker, Fr., Ohio State; Nicole Vallario, Sr., St. Thomas; Chloe Primerano, Fr., Minnesota.
Goaltender – Amanda Thiele, Gr. Ohio State, Ava McNaughton, So., Wisconsin; Sanni Ahola, 5th-Yr, St. Cloud State.
Mattias Sholl played a steady game all season in 2023-24 for Bemidji State (photo: BSU Photo Services).
The CCHA has announced the 2024-25 preseason all-CCHA team, player of the year and rookie of the year awards as voted on by the league’s coaches and media.
2024-25 Preseason Players of the Year (Coaches)
Isaac Gordon, Michigan Tech
Connor Milburn, Lake Superior State
Lucas Wahlin, St. Thomas
2024-25 Preseason Rookie of the Year (Coaches)
Luke Ashton, Minnesota State
2024-25 Preseason All-CCHA Team (Coaches)
Isaac Gordon, Michigan Tech
Connor Milburn, Lake Superior State
Lucas Wahlin, St. Thomas
Evan Murr, Minnesota State
Chase Pietila, Michigan Tech
Mattias Sholl, Bemidji State
2024-25 Preseason Player of the Year (Media)
Lucas Wahlin, St. Thomas
2024-25 Preseason Rookie of the Year (Media)
Jaksen Panzer, Bemidji State
2024-25 Preseason All-CCHA Team (Media)
Isaac Gordon, Michigan Tech
Connor Milburn, Lake Superior State
Lucas Wahlin, St. Thomas
Evan Murr, Minnesota State
Chase Pietila, Michigan Tech
Mattias Sholl, Bemidji State
Trevor Coykendall and Alex Gettens are the newest additions to the Colgate women’s hockey staff.
New Colgate women’s hockey coach Stefan Decosse has rounded out his staff for the 2024-25 season, hiring Trevor Coykendall earlier this month as an assistant coach and director of hockey operations and Alex Gettens as an assistant coach in August.
A national champion as a student-athlete at Adrian, Coykendall spent the past two years as an assistant with Adrian’s women’s program.
“We are thrilled to welcome Trevor to our coaching staff,” Decosse said in a statement. “He is a person of integrity, has an unrelenting work ethic, and is deeply committed to teaching and developing players. His passion, attention to detail, and national championship pedigree will be invaluable as we continue to strive for excellence at Colgate.”
Coykendall played four seasons with the Bulldogs from 2018 to 2022, culminating in a 2022 national championship where he was named to the all-tournament team. He logged 28 goals and 26 assists for 54 points in 91 games.
Upon graduation with a bachelor’s of science in kinesiology, Coykendall stayed with Adrian as an assistant and strength and conditioning coach with the women’s hockey team. He helped the Bulldogs win back-to-back regular season and playoff conference championships the past two years, also leading Adrian to a Frozen Four this past season.
Coykendall also spent this past summer working at the USA Hockey U15 girls development camp in Oxford, Ohio.
“I’m deeply honored and thrilled to join the Colgate family,” Coykendall said. “Stefan, (assistant coach) Breanne (Wilson-Bennett), and Alex are exceptional leaders, and I’m excited to work alongside them and the talented athletes in our locker room. I’m eager to contribute to this incredible program and community, and I look forward to helping build on the success that has made Colgate the gold standard.”
Gettens joins the squad as an assistant coach after over a decade of leadership experience, most recently serving as an associate head coach with the Vermont women’s hockey team.
“We are thrilled to be welcoming Alex aboard as our new assistant coach,” Decosse said. “Alex’s passion for development and teaching, coupled with his rich coaching experience, make him an ideal fit for our staff. He will not only be a great coach, but also an excellent mentor for our student athletes.”
Gettens spent the past seven years in Burlington, Vt., starting in 2018 as an assistant.
He also spent one season with the Maine women’s hockey team in 2017, helping the Black Bears to one of the most successful seasons in program history. The squad peaked at eighth in the national rankings and were included in the top 10 for six weeks of the season, posting 19 wins (the most-ever recorded in a single season) and winning the school’s first-ever playoff victory.
As the goaltenders coach, Gettens developed an All-League honorable mention netminder that posted a .928 save percentage.
During his collegiate career, Gettens was a student assistant at Vermont during the 2016-17 season, primarily overseeing the goalies. Gettens also spent that year at the USA Hockey U15 and U18 national development camp working as an intern coach, assisting in practice planning, camp curriculum, and daily on-ice drills.
Gettens worked two stints in hockey operations, one with Vermont’s men’s team during 2014-15 and the other on the women’s side from 2014 to 2016. He started his coaching career in 2011 with the St. Paul’s School women’s hockey team, helping the squad to a New England Prep School championship in 2015.
“I’m extremely honored and excited to be joining Stefan, Breanne and the rest of this amazing team and community here at Colgate,” Gettens said. “I look forward to working with this entire group both on and off the ice to uphold and further build on the standard of excellence this program has established.”
Braxton Whitehead is entering his third season with the WHL’s Regina Pats (photo: Keith Hershmiller).
Braxton Whitehead, an Alaska native starting his fourth full season with the WHL’s Regina Pats, has announced his commitment to Arizona State for the 2025-26 season, according to ESPN.
Currently, major junior players (OHL, QMJHL, WHL) are not eligible to play NCAA hockey.
“[ASU’s] slogan is ‘Be the Tradition’ and I think they love the idea of me being a trailblazer throughout all this and paving the way with NCAA and CHL relations,” Whitehead told ESPN. “I’m very hopeful that [the rules] will turn over before the 2025-26 season.”
I am honored to announce my verbal commitment to play D1 hockey at Arizona State University.
The WHL has given me an incredible opportunity to develop as a player, and I couldn’t be more excited for the ‘24-‘25 season with the Regina Pats.
“Anyone who loves hockey and developmental leagues has been watching what’s been happening in the NIL space and in the transfer portal space, trying to imagine if this will have implications on the future of how junior hockey players develop,” WHL commissioner Dan Near added. “I think this could be the first domino to fall in that regard.”
This is the first NCAA commitment for a CHL player since a proposed class action suit was filed against the NCAA and 10 universities last month claiming that the eligibility rules violate antitrust laws. The suit seeks to allow players to play in both major junior and at the NCAA level.
In 195 games with Regina, the 2004-born Whitehead has recorded 38 goals and 56 assists for 94 points with 82 penalty minutes and a minus-17 plus/minus rating.
Nazareth head coach George Roll is retiring at the end of the 2024-25 season (photo: Nazareth Athletics).
George Roll, Nazareth’s only men’s hockey coach in program history, has announced the 2024-25 season will be his last behind the bench.
Roll’s career has spanned 37 seasons, including 28 as a head coach.
James McDonald, a 2020 graduate of Nazareth who has been a fixture of the program after stellar career playing and having coached the Golden Flyers for the past four seasons, will take over the program upon Roll’s retirement.
“I have truly enjoyed my 13 years at Nazareth to see the development, not only of the program, but more importantly of what the players have done upon graduation off the ice — I am proud of the impact they have made after their time at Nazareth,” said Roll in a statement. “It’s hard to walk away because it has been such a positive experience for me and the type of the people we have had in the program, but it is time for a new chapter of Nazareth hockey.
McDONALD
“James McDonald is the right person to continue to lead this program and it’s in great hands.”
Roll was hired in 2012-13 to build the program from the ground up. In 12 seasons, he has compiled a 110-161-32 overall record.
Roll’s coaching career began at Nazareth with a thrilling 3-2 overtime victory over SUNY Geneseo on October 18, 2012 at the Sports Centre at MCC. The veteran coach helped the Golden Flyers to steady improvement as they went from six wins in their first season (2012-13) to eight in the second and 12 in the third season.
During his tenure for the Golden Flyers, Roll has helped coach two AHCA All-Americans in Henry McKinney in 2022-23 and Dominik Gabaj in 2016-17. Gabaj was named the ECAC West player of the year as a senior in 2016-17.
In 2022-23, Roll’s squad delivered its best season ever, as the Golden Flyers went 18-8-2 overall and 14-5-1 in the UCHC to earn the second seed for the conference tournament. Nazareth advanced all the way to the UCHC final, falling to No. 1 Utica 5-3.
The Bowling Green graduate began his head coaching career at Oswego in 1996, coaching for seven season and going 119-77-17. He coached eight years after that at Clarkson before taking over the Nazareth program in 2012-13.
McDonald was a four-year standout as a player for the Golden Flyers who served as team captain in his senior season of 2019-20. He scored a team-best 16 goals that season, including four in a win at Lebanon Valley in 2020. His 105 career games rank third all-time at Nazareth and his 35 career goals is second all-time.
Lucas Wahlin celebrates a goal last season for St. Thomas (photo: St. Thomas Athletics).
The CCHA’s 2024-25 coaches and media polls have been announced and St. Thomas has been picked to win the nine-team league by the coaches, while the media has a share of the MacNaughton Cup between the Tommies and defending champion Bemidji State.
2024-25 CCHA Preseason Coaches Poll
St. Thomas – 73 (3 first-place votes)
Bemidji State – 69 (3)
Michigan Tech – 69 (2)
Minnesota State – 59 (1)
Bowling Green – 50
Lake Superior State – 46
Augustana – 46
Ferris State – 28
Northern Michigan – 26
Coaches were not allowed to vote for their own team and points were awarded on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3 scale.
2024-25 CCHA Preseason Media Poll
Bemidji State – 107 (5 first-place votes)
St. Thomas – 107 (4)
Minnesota State – 94 (2)
Michigan Tech – 92 (1)
Bowling Green – 63
Lake Superior State – 60
Augustana – 52
Northern Michigan – 40
Ferris State – 33
The CCHA media poll was comprised of 12 members of the local and national media, who cover the conference and its teams regularly. Points were awarded on a 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2 basis.
The CCHA preseason awards will be announced on Sept. 16 at 11 a.m. EST.
Zeev Buium was an impact freshman last season for Denver (photo: Martin Gonzalez).
Coming off a record 10th NCAA national championship, Denver has been selected by the media as the favorite to win the NCHC regular season in 2024-25 in the annual preseason media poll.
The 2024-25 campaign marks the third straight season that Denver has landed first in the poll and the fourth time overall (2017). The Pioneers collected 24 of 30 first-place votes and 263 points total to claim the top spot.
North Dakota was picked second in the poll, receiving four first-place votes and 241 points. Colorado College comes in third with 200 points and one first-place vote.
A total of 30 ballots were submitted by local media members from each school, as well as select national media. Points were awarded on a descending scale with a first-place vote worth nine points, a second-place vote worth eight points and so on.
The Division I women’s hockey season is just around the corner. It was another busy offseason with a lot of movement through the transfer portal as well as coaching changes.
Most every team in the country has experienced changes on their roster beyond graduation and incoming freshman classes. There are also a number of fifth year players.
This is an attempt at putting all that information in one place.
The left side of the table are players transferring in, the right side is players who have transferred out. Teams are listed alphabetically by conference.
The best effort was made to get all this information correct at the time of publishing by compiling info from published rosters and social media, but it is all subject to change. Several teams have not posted updated rosters and this article will be updated as more information becomes available.
If you spot an error or missing information, email [email protected].
As a reminder, this offseason the CHA merged with Atlantic Hockey Association to form the Atlantic Hockey America conference.
Coaching hires/promotions
Assumption – Head coach Joe Grossman
Bemidji State – Head coach Amber Fryklund, assistant coach Emma Sobieck Boston College – Assistant coach Max Gavin Colgate – Head coach Stefan Decosse, assistant coach Alex Gettens, assistant coach and director of hockey operations Trevor Coykendall Dartmouth – Head coach Maura Crowell, assistant coach Tara Connolly Delaware – Head coach Allison Coomey, assistant coach Melissa Samoskevich Harvard – Goaltending coach Cami Kronish Holy Cross – Assistant coach Christina Putigna Maine – Assistant coach McKenna Wesloh Mercyhurst – Assistant coach Scott Spencer, assistant coach Trey Flesch, assistant coach AJ Weiss Merrimack – Assistant coach Tommaso Bucci Minnesota Duluth – Head coach Laura Schuler, assistant coach Ashleigh Brykaliuk, assistant coach Olivia Soares Minnesota State – Head coach Shari Dickerman, assistant coach Mackenzie Bruch, assistant coach Emily Antony Ohio State – Associate head coach James Wisniewski Princeton – Assistant coach Taylor Wenczkowski Post – Head Coach Pat Bingham, assistant coach Shelby Page
Saint Anselm – Head coach Sam Ftorek, assistant coach Jessica Salisbury Saint Michael’s – Head coach Meghan Sweezey, assistant coach Spencer Fascetta St. Cloud State – Assistant coach Noora Räty, assistant coach Emily Ach Stonehill – Assistant coach Aerin Frankel Union – Head coach Toni Maci, assistant coach Shawn Skelly
Vermont – Assistant coach and director of operations Danielle Slominski, assistant coach Kevin Dessart
Transfers and Fifth Year Players
AHA
Incoming
Outgoing
Lindenwood
Josey Dunne (Minnesota)
Sarah Davies (Providence)Olivia Klunowski
Anna LaRose (Maine)
Zsofia Pazmandi (Plattsburgh – DIII)
Fifth year returners: Chloe Corbin, Josey Dunne, Kaitlin Finnegan, Thea Jørgensen, Gigi Pora, Sena Takenaka
Mercyhurst
Tristana Tatur (Minnesota)
Sara Boucher (New Hampshire)
Jorden Mattison (Maine)
Sami Gendron (Syracuse)
Meadow Carman (Brown)
Anna Barrington (St. Mary’s MN – DIII)
Riley Johnson (Adrian College – DIII)
Grace Nelles (Vermont)
Fifth year returners: Meadow Carman, Mary Kromer, Chantal Ste-Croix
Penn State
Lauren Barbro (Minnesota State)
Alexis Bedier (Concordia – USports)
Tiffany Hill (Dartmouth)
Josie Bothun (Bemidji State)
Olivia Wallin (Minnesota Duluth)
Maeve Connolly (Stonehill)
Fifth year returners: Brianna Brooks, Tiffany Hill, Lyndie Lobdell, Alyssa Machado, Annie Spring
RIT
Nicole Ness (St. Cloud State)
Ella Fesette (SUNY-Plattsburgh – DIII)
Fifth year returners: Nicole Ness, Mia Tsilemos
Robert Morris
Lucy Phillips (Quinnipiac)
Ashlyn Ham (Clarkson)
Veronica Bac (Quinnipiac)
Maddy Coene (Providence)
Fifth year returners: Allyson Hebert, Mya Neugent, Jersey Phillips, Maddy Coene, Veronica Bac
Fifth year returners: Caroline Goffredo, Nicole Gosling, Anne Cherkowski, Sidney Fess
Colgate
Alexis Petford (Stonehill)
Kas Betinol (University of British Columbia – USports)
Casey Borgiel (Holy Cross)
Tessa Holk (Quinnipiac)
Sydney Morrow (Minnesota)
Fifth year returners: Kristýna Kaltounková
Cornell
Delaney Fleming (Ohio State)
Dartmouth
Tiffany Hill (Penn State)
Jenna Donohue (Quinnipiac)
Sophie Robinson (UConn)
Harvard
No changes
Princeton
No change
Quinnipiac
Kaley Doyle (Brown)
Lucy Phillips (Robert Morris)
Laurence Frenette (Clarkson)
Veronica Bac (Robert Morris)
Tessa Holk (Colgate)
Madison Chantler (Clarkson)
Jenna Donohue (Dartmouth)
Nina Steingauf (Minnesota Duluth)
Meg Rittenhouse (Colby – DIII)
Mallory Mauracher (Union)
Kathryn Stockdale (Connecticut)
Sami Bowlby (Sacred Heart)
Fifth year returners: Kendall Cooper, Jenna Donohue, Kaley Doyle, Meg Rittenhouse, Maddy Samoskevich, Kathryn Stockdale, Sophie Urban, Maddy Papineau, Jaden Mirek
RPI
Sophie Helgeson (Wisconsin)
Natalie Tulchinsky (Saint Anselm)
Fifth year returners: Sophie Helgeson, Nyah Philip, Magdalena Erbenova, Ellie Kaiser, Natalie Tulchinsky, Taylor Larsen
Claire Tyo (Providence)
Fifth year returners: Melissa Jefferies, Bella Parento, Tori Verbeek, Claire Tyo, Aly McLeod, Anna Segedi, Sarah Thompson, Khristina Bahl
Union
Mallory Mauracher (Quinnipiac)
Riley Walsh (Boston University)
Mikayla Blomquist (Boston University)
Meredith Killian (Bemidji State)
Brigitte McGuire (Connecticut)
Quinn Dunkle (Minnesota Duluth)
Yale
Adie Burton (Minnesota)
Hockey East
Incoming
Outgoing
Boston College
Sidney Fess (Clarkson)
Caroline Goffredo (Clarkson)
Madeline Crowley-Cahill (New Hampshire)
Fifth year returners: Olivia O’Brien, Gaby Roy
Boston University
Maeve Carey (Stonehill)
Brooke Disher (Ohio State)
Riley Walsh (Union)
Jackson Kinsler (Syracuse)
Lindsay Bochna (Providence)
Mikayla Blomquist (Union)
Madison Cardaci (Merrimack)
Andriana Calderone (New Hampshire)
Fifth year returners: Lindsay Bochna, Julia Shaunessy, Tamara Giaquinto
Connecticut
Sophie Robinson (Dartmouth)
Stephanie Nevers (Sacred Heart)
Brigitte McGuire (Union)
Kathryn Stockdale (Quinnipiac)
Fifth year returners: Sophie Robinson, Jada Habisch
Holy Cross
Abby Garvin (St. Thomas)
Mary Edmonds (Merrimack)
Kenzee Hope (St. Cloud State)
Bryn Saarela (Syracuse)
Casey Borgiel (Colgate)
Millie Sirum (Providence)
Maine
Danielle Brunette (Minnesota Duluth)
Anna LaRose (Lindenwood)
Jaidyn Britt (St. Cloud State)
Jorden Mattison (Mercyhurst)
Cora Webber (Saint Anselm)
Ashley Kokavec (Vermont)
Bria Holm (Sacred Heart)
Fifth year returners: Elise Morphy
Merrimack
Madison Cardaci (Boston University)
Ally Qualley (St. Cloud State)
Rachel Bjorgan (St. Lawrence)
Gabi Jones (St. Lawrence)
Fifth year returners: Natalie Nemes, Raice Szott, Gabi Jones, Madison Cardaci, Rachel Bjorgan
New Hampshire
Maddie Crowley-Cahill (Boston College)
Brianna Brooks (Penn State)
Andie Calderone (Boston University)
Charli Kettyle (Syracuse)
Sara Boucher (Mercyhurst)
Ava Hills (Saint Anselm)
Autumn Mish (Utica – DIII)
Kyla Bent (Vermont)
Fifth year returners: Chavonne Truter, Andie Calderone, Sara Boucher, Maddie Crowley-Cahill
Northeastern
Jaden Bogden (Clarkson)
Alyssa Antonakis (Sacred Heart)
Katie Davis (Minnesota Duluth)
Fifth year returners: Jaden Bogden, Molly Griffin, Lily Yovetich, Katie Davis
Providence
Millie Sirum (Holy Cross)
Lindsay Bochna (Boston University)
Sarah Davies (Lindenwood)
Maddy Coene (Robert Morris)
Olivia Klunowski (Franklin Pierce)
Claire Tyo (St. Lawrence)
Fifth year returners: Brooke Becker, Millie Sirum
Vermont
Jane Gervais (Wisconsin)
Krista Parkkonen (Minnesota)
Ashley Kokavec (Maine)
Jessie McPherson (Minnesota State)
Josie Hemp (Minnesota)
Natálie Mlýnková (Minnesota)
Kyla Bent (New Hampshire)
Bella Parento (St. Lawrence)
Grace Nelles (Mercyhurst)
Fifth year returners: Maddy Skelton, Grace Nelles, Kyla Bent
NEWHA
Incoming
Outgoing
Assumption
Mikaela Langbacka (St. Michael’s)
Lilly Corso (Endicott College – DIII)
Ella Rago (Endicott College – DIII)
Katelyn Michals (Suffolk – DIII)
Fifth year returners: Mikaela Langbacka
Franklin Pierce
Olivia Klunowski (Providence)
Memphis Mertens (Concordia MN – DIII)
Kylie Huseth (Hamline – DIII)
Fifth year returners:
LIU
Abbie Thompson (Bemidji State)
Tindra Holm (Minnesota Duluht)
Post
Sacred Heart
Sami Bowlby (Quinnipiac)
Iyla Ryskamp (Hamline – DIII)
Bria Holm (Maine)
Macey Merdinian (Gustavus Adolphus – DIII)
Alyssa Antonakis (Northeastern)
Jenna Nikles (Norwich – DIII)
Fifth year returners: Paige McNeil
Saint Anselm
Cora Webber (Maine)
Natalie Tulchinsky (RPI)
Ava Hills (New Hampshire)
Saint Michaels
Mikaela Langbacka (Assumption)
Stonehill
Maeve Connolly (Penn State)
Alexis Petford (Colgate)
Maeve Carey (Boston University)
Fifth year returners: Maeve Connolly
WCHA
Incoming
Outgoing
Bemidji State
Isa Goettl (Minnesota)
McKayla Zilisch (Wisconsin)
Josie Bothun (Penn State)
Meredith Killian (Union)
Fifth year returners: Josie Bothun
Minnesota
Krista Parkkonen (Vermont)
Josey Dunne (Lindenwood)
Natálie Mlýnková (Vermont)
Tristana Tatur (Mercyhurst)
Sydney Morrow (Colgate)
Emily Zumwinkle (Ohio State)
Josie Hemp (Vermont)
Isa Goettl (Bemidji State)
Sadie Lindsay (St. Thomas)
Fifth year returners: Audrey Wethington, Maggie Nicholson, Natalie Mlynkova
Minnesota Duluth
Olivia Mobley (Ohio State)
Hailey MacLeod (Ohio State)
Nina Steingauf (Quinnipiac)
Danielle Brunette (Maine)
Tindra Holm (LIU)
Katie Davis (Northeastern)
Olivia Wallin (Penn State)
Quinn Dunkle (Union)
Devyn Millwater (St. Cloud State)
Fifth year returners: Olivia Wallin, Olivia Mobley, Nina Stiengauf, Clara Van Wieren, Nina Jobst-Smith
Minnesota State
Jessie McPherson (Vermont)
Lauren Barbro (Penn State)
Fifth year returners: Sydney Langseth, Jamie Nelson, Jessie McPherson
Ohio State
Maddi Wheeler (Wisconsin)
Quinn Kuntz (Ohio State)
Emily Zumwinkle (Minnesota)
Olivia Mobley (Minnesota Duluth)
Sara Swiderski (Clarkson)
Delaney Fleming (Cornell)
Brooke Disher (Boston University)
Hailey MacLeod (Minnesota Duluth)
Fifth year returners: Amanda Thiele, Maddi Wheeler, Riley Brengman, Kiara Zanon, Jenna Buglioni, Makenna Webster
St. Cloud State
Ally Qualley (Merrimack)
Kenzee Hope (Holy Cross)
Abby Promersberger (St. Thomas)
Jaidyn Britt (Maine)
Brieja Parent (St. Thomas)
Devyn Millwater (Minnesota Duluth)
Nicole Ness (RIT)
Fifth year returners: Sanni Ahola, Breja Parent, Ally Qualley, Emma Gentry, Avery Myers, Jojo Chobak
St. Thomas
Sadie Lindsay (Minnesota)
Abby Promersberger (St. Cloud State)
Brieja Parent (St. Cloud State)
Kate Haug (Augsburg – DIII)
Fifth year returners: Calla Frank
Wisconsin
Quinn Kuntz (Ohio State)
Maddi Wheeler (Ohio State)
McKayla Zilisch (Bemidji State)
Jane Gervais (Vermont)
Sophie Helgeson (RPI)
Fifth year returners: Katie Kotlowski, Casey O’Brien, Quinn Kuntz
Three different teams are represented on the 2024-25 preseason all-NCHC team, as the conference unveiled the six-man squad selected by media on Tuesday, two days ahead of its annual media day.
Colorado College, Denver and North Dakota each have two players on the team, with two sophomores, two juniors and two seniors composing the squad.
2024-25 NCHC Preseason All-Conference Team
F: Noah Laba, Jr., Colorado College – 30 votes (unanimous)
F: Jack Devine, Sr., Denver – 26
F: Cameron Berg, Sr. North Dakota – 11
D: Zeev Buium, So., Denver – 30 (unanimous)
D: Jake Livanavage, So., North Dakota – 25
G: Kaidan Mbereko, Jr., Colorado College – 22
Media members voted for three forwards, two defensemen and one goaltender on their ballot with each vote worth one point. The top three vote-getters at forward, top two defensemen and highest vote-getting goaltender made up the preseason all-conference team. A total of 30 ballots were submitted by media members covering each team, as well as select national college hockey media.
On Wednesday afternoon, the 2024-25 NCHC preseason poll will be revealed. It will first be counted down on the NCHC’s Twitter account, @TheNCHC, beginning at 3 p.m. EST.
NCHC media day then takes place the following day on Thursday at Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minn., the home of the NCHC Frozen Faceoff. Fans will be able to take part in 2024 NCHC media day by asking questions for student-athletes during ‘Twitter Takeovers’ in the morning, streaming the state of the conference address for free on NCHC.tv and more.
Tessa Janecke compiled 53 points in 2023-24 for the Penn State women’s hockey team (photo: Penn State Athletics).
Atlantic Hockey America has announced the results of the 2024-25 women’s coaches poll and preseason awards.
Coaches could not vote for their own teams or players.
2024-25 AHA Preseason Coaches Poll (First-place votes)
1. Penn State (5) 30
2. Mercyhurst (1) 26
3. Robert Morris 22
4. RIT 16
5. Syracuse 13
5. Lindenwood 13
AHA Coaches Preseason Player of the Year (Votes)
Tessa Janecke, Jr., F, Penn State (5) Others receiving votes: Morgan Neitzke, Sr., F, Lindenwood
Coaches Preseason All-AHA Team (Votes)
Forwards
Tessa Janecke, Jr., Penn State (5)
Morgan Neitzke, Sr., Lindenwood (5)
Alaina Giampietro, So., Robert Morris (5) Others receiving votes: Mya Vaslet, Sr., Penn State; Vanessa Upson, Sr., Mercyhurst; Thea Johansson, Jr., Mercyhurst
Defensemen
Sydney Pedersen, Sr., Mercyhurst (4)
Lyndie Lobdell, Sr., Penn State (4) Others receiving votes: Emma Pickering, Jr., RIT (3); Megan McKay, Jr., Mercyhurst
Goaltender
Katie DeSa, Jr., Penn State (4) Others receiving votes: Sophia Bellina, Sr., RIT (2)
Taylor Wenczkowski played four years at UNH (photo: Vincent DeJana).
Taylor Wenczkowski has joined the Princeton women’s hockey staff as an assistant coach ahead of the 2024-25 season.
“I am honored to join the Princeton staff and coach at such a prestigious university,” Wenczkowski said in a statement. “The combination of academics and elite athletics set the university apart. I am excited to work alongside Cara and Jamie (Lundmark) with our team of elite and high-caliber women and to compete for championships. I look forward to sharing my passion to the next generation.”
Wenczkowski spent the 2023-24 season playing for PWHL Boston in the league’s inaugural season. Prior to the PWHL, she played three years in the Premier Hockey Federation for the Boston Pride, winning back-to-back Isobel Cups as the league champion in 2021 and 2022. Wenczkowski scored the game-winning goal in both championship games and earned MVP honors in 2022.
“We are so excited to have Taylor join our staff at Princeton,” Tigers head coach Cara Morey said. “She has played hockey at the highest level professionally and can bring perspective to our players who also aspire to play in the PWHL one day. Taylor has a great understanding of the game and has already had a successful career in player development. We are grateful she chose Princeton to begin her college coaching career, and we are confident Taylor will continue to elevate our program into the national spotlight.”
In 2021, Wenczkowski launched TW Hockey Academy to focus on player development in the Greater Boston area with a vision to teach, challenge, and develop the next generation of elite hockey players by creating a highly skilled and challenging performance development program of high-speed game-specific skills and situations.
Wenczkowski played collegiately at New Hampshire, serving as team captain her senior season. In 2019, she was named the team’s MVP and was a member of the Hockey East all-star team.
Prior to college, Wenczkowski played in the JWHL for the Boston Shamrocks for three seasons. She was also a member of the USA Under-18 Select Team in 2013 and 2014.
NCAA hockey alums Matt Cullen, Brianna Decker and Kevin Stevens will be enshrined into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame as the class of 2024.
The trio will be joined by Frederic McLaughlin and the gold medal-winning 2002 Paralympic sled hockey team.
“The impact of the class of 2024 spans across the sport and each honoree is reflective of the extraordinary contributions necessary to earn the highest honor in American hockey,” said USA Hockey president Mike Trimboli in a statement. “Their stories are all unique and have positively impacted so many. We very much look forward to enshrining the class in December.”
The U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame induction celebration, which will feature the formal enshrinement of the class of 2024 and also include the presentation of the NHL’s Lester Patrick Trophy, will be held Dec. 4, 2024, in Pittsburgh. Additional details will be provided later this month.
A three-time Stanley Cup champion, Cullen (Moorhead, Minn.) had an extraordinary playing career that included 21 seasons in the NHL with eight different clubs. He is one of just two American-born players ever to compete in 1,500 or more regular-season games in the NHL.
Always reliable, Cullen recorded 731 career regular-season points (266 goals, 465 assists) in the NHL over 1,516 games, and tallied 58 points (19 goals, 39 assists) in 132 playoff games.
Drafted 35th overall by Anaheim in the 1996 NHL Draft, Cullen spent six seasons with the Ducks to start his NHL journey.
He was traded to the Florida Panthers on Jan. 20, 2003, and played one season with the Panthers before signing with the Carolina Hurricanes as a free agent on Aug. 5, 2004.
Cullen recorded an NHL career-high 25 goals during the regular season for Carolina and contributed 18 points (four goals, 14 assists) in the Stanley Cup Playoffs to help the Hurricanes win the Cup, including two assists in a 3-1 victory in Game 7 against the Edmonton Oilers in the Final.
He signed a four-year contract as a free agent with the New York Rangers before the 2006-07 season, but after one year was traded back to Carolina. He spent two more full seasons with the Hurricanes before he was traded to the Ottawa Senators for the final 21 games of the 2009-10 season.
Cullen returned home to play for the Minnesota Wild, playing three seasons (2010-2013), before joining the Nashville Predators on a two-year contract before the 2013-14 campaign.
The forward joined his eighth NHL team when he signed with the Pittsburgh Penguins on Aug. 6, 2015. In 2015-16, he recorded 32 points (16 goals, 16 assists) in 82 regular-season games, won 55.7 percent of his face-offs and scored three shorthanded goals. Cullen had six points (four goals, two assists) in 24 playoff games, including two game-winning goals, to help Pittsburgh win the Cup.
In 2016-17, Cullen finished with 31 points (13 goals, 18 assists) in 72 regular-season games, before contributing nine points (two goals, seven assists) in 25 playoff games to help the Penguins repeat as Stanley Cup champions.
He returned to the Wild in 2017-18 and then signed as a free agent with the Penguins for his 21st and final NHL season in 2018-19.
Cullen spent the 2004-05 NHL lockout season competing in Italy with Cortina.
Prior to his professional career, Cullen played two seasons of college hockey at St. Cloud State and totaled 86 points (27 goals, 59 assists) in 75 games. He was inducted into the St. Cloud State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2023, and had his No. 9 jersey retired, becoming just the second Husky to receive the honor.
Cullen represented the United States on the international stage on five occasions, highlighted by helping the U.S. to the bronze medal in the 2004 IIHF Men’s World Championship. He also competed in the Men’s World Championship in 1998, 1999 and 2003 and was a member of Team USA for the 1996 IIHF World Junior Championship.
Always with a passion to help others, Cullen and his wife Bridget founded the Cullen Children’s Foundation in 2003, an organization dedicated to financially assisting children’s healthcare organizations within the Fargo-Moorhead area.
An Olympic gold medalist, NCAA champion and eight-time world champion as a player, Decker (Dousman, Wis.) had a remarkable on-ice career, and today continues to positively impact the game as a coach at Shattuck-St. Mary’s and with Team USA on the international stage.
A three-time Olympian, Decker helped the U.S. to gold at the 2018 Games in PyeongChang, South Korea, and silver at both the 2014 Games in Sochi, Russia, and 2022 Games in Beijing, China.
She also played an integral role in helping the U.S. win gold on six occasions at the IIHF Women’s World Championship (2011, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019) and silver twice (2012, 2021). She was named the MVP of the 2017 event and also earned the directorate award as the tournament’s best forward that year.
She also helped the U.S. earn gold at the first two IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championships in 2008 and 2009.
Over her 15-year career with the U.S. Women’s National Team program, she played in 147 games and tallied 170 career points, including 81 goals and 89 assists. A two-time recipient of the USA Hockey Bob Allen Women’s Player of the Year Award, she is third in U.S. history in career points (68) at the IIHF Women’s World Championship and fourth all-time in assists (40).
During her four-year collegiate career at Wisconsin (2009-13), Decker was named the 2012 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award winner as the top player in NCAA Division I women’s ice hockey, earned All-America honors in 2011, 2012 and 2013, and helped the Badgers win the NCAA national championship in 2011. She recorded 244 career points, including 115 goals, both which stand second all-time at UW.
Decker also played professionally in the CWHL, NWHL and PWHPA between 2014-21. She is a two-time NWHL Most Valuable Player with the Boston Pride and helped the team win the league’s inaugural Isobel Cup in 2015-16.
Decker began her coaching career near the end of her playing career, serving as an assistant coach for the U.S. Under-18 Women’s National Team for the IIHF Under-18 Women’s World Championship on four occasions. She helped guide Team USA to gold in 2024 and 2020, silver in 2019 and bronze in 2023.
Off the ice, she launched the Brianna Decker Endowment for Girls Hockey within The USA Hockey Foundation in 2019 to provide grants to 8U and 10U hockey programs across the country to help increase girls hockey participation.
A two-time Stanley Cup champion, Stevens (Pembroke, Mass.) spent over 15 seasons playing in the NHL. A dominant power forward, “Artie” as he is fondly known, has inspired many, not only through his remarkable comeback from a devastating facial injury in 1993, but also through the resilience and dedication he has shown in overcoming substance abuse and his subsequent advocacy for addiction awareness and support.
His esteemed NHL career included 11 campaigns competing for the Pittsburgh Penguins, including both to start and end his career. He also spent time with the Boston Bruins, Los Angeles Kings, New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers.
After playing 16 games with Pittsburgh in 1987-88 and 24 in 1988-89, he broke into the lineup full-time in 1989-90. The following season he contributed 86 points (40 goals, 46 assists) in 80 regular-season games and 33 points (17 goals, 16 assists) in 24 playoff games to help the Penguins to their first Stanley Cup title.
In playing an out-sized role in leading Pittsburgh to its second straight Stanley Cup, Stevens registered a career-high 123 points (54 goals, 69 assists) in 1991-92 as an alternate captain to set an NHL regular-season record for most points by an American-born player. A Hart trophy finalist that season, he finished second in the league overall in points, only behind teammate Mario Lemieux.
During the 1992-93 season, he had his second straight 100-point season, finishing the year with 111 points, including 55 goals, the most ever recorded by an American-born player. That record stood for 29 years before being eclipsed by Auston Matthews in 2022.
All total during his NHL career, Stevens amassed 726 points (329 goals, 397 assists) in 874 career regular-season games and added 106 points (46 goals, 60 assists) in 103 playoff contests.
Stevens represented the U.S. on the international stage on four occasions, including as a member of the 1988 U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team. He also played in three IIHF Men’s World Championships (1987, 1990, 1996), helping Team USA to a bronze medal as captain in 1996.
Over his four-year career competing at Boston College (1983-87), Stevens helped the Eagles reach the NCAA tournament each season and recorded 170 points (71 goals, 99 assists) in 158 career games. The 1987 All-American and two-time captain was inducted into the Boston College Varsity Club Hall of Fame in 2021.
Since hanging up his skates in 2002, Stevens has worked for the Pittsburgh Penguins where today he serves as a special assignment scout with the organization.
Buoyed by his own experiences, Stevens created Power Forward in 2018, a non-profit organization that assists others struggling with addiction.
NOTES: U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame inductees are chosen on the basis of extraordinary contribution to the sport of hockey in the United States. The U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame was incorporated in 1969 and inducted its first class in 1973. The class of 2024 will be the 52nd installed to the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame. To date, there are 205 enshrinees.
Providence has announced that Joel Beal has been promoted to associate head coach and Theresa Feaster has been elevated to general manager and director of hockey operations.
Beal enters his sixth season at Providence after being hired on Sept. 3, 2019. Beal works primarily with the Friars’ penalty kill unit, the defense corps and assists on the recruiting trail. The penalty kill units have finished in the top 20 in each of Beal’s first five seasons at Providence.
Prior to Providence, Beal spent the 2018-19 season at Miami where he was involved with the RedHawks’ recruiting efforts and on-ice development. He previously spent five seasons, two as an associate head coach, with the Sacred Heart men’s hockey program where he worked in all elements of player development.
Beal returned to his alma mater, Union, for two seasons from 2011 to 2013 as an assistant coach where he helped guide the Dutchmen to an ECAC title and NCAA regional final appearance in 2012-13. A four-year letterman for the Dutchmen from 2001 to 2005, Beal served as an alternate captain his final two seasons and amassed 27 goals and 74 assists in 135 career games.
Feaster, a Summa Cum Laude graduate of Providence with a B.A. in History and a Business Studies Certificate, is entering her 13th season with the Friars and first as the GM and director of hockey operations. Since being named coordinator of hockey Operations in 2016, Feaster has been responsible for providing video/statistical support and analysis for the coaching staff, scouting, as well as overseeing team travel.
Feaster began working for Nate Leaman and his staff during the 2012-13 season, tracking time-on-ice and other in-game statistics while also serving as coordinator of the team’s involvement with Team IMPACT. Feaster has been a key part of six NCAA tournament appearances, two Frozen Four berths and one national championship during her time at Providence. She also served as video coach for the 2021 gold medal-winning U.S. National Junior Team at the IIHF World Junior Championship as well as the U.S. National Junior Team at the 2022 World Junior Championship.
This is an attempt at putting all that information in one place.
