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After leading USHL’s Force to top regular-season finish, Oliver named new assistant coach at Wisconsin

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Nick Oliver played at St. Cloud State and later returned to serve as an assistant coach for the Huskies (photo: St. Cloud State Athletics).

Nick Oliver, head coach of the USHL’s 2023 regular-season champion Fargo Force, is joining the Wisconsin men’s hockey staff as an assistant coach.

“We are excited to bring Nick and his family to the University of Wisconsin,” Wisconsin head coach Mike Hastings said in a statement. “His depth of experience as a player and a coach will help prepare our young men for success. Nick has earned the reputation as one of the best young coaches in our game through his work ethic and ability to develop meaningful relationships with his players.”

“I’m extremely grateful and honored for the opportunity to be joining the University of Wisconsin men’s hockey program,” Oliver added. “I couldn’t be more excited for the opportunity to work with Coach Hastings, Coach (Todd) Knott and the rest of the UW staff. I’m looking forward to start building relationships with our players and for the opportunity to honor the many people who have come before us in this program. My family and I can’t wait to get to Madison and join the Badger family.”

Spending one year as head coach in Fargo, Oliver led the organization to 40 victories and a league-best 88 points to win the franchise’s first Anderson Cup as USHL regular-season champions. He was recognized for his efforts as USHL coach of the year.

Success continued into the postseason with the Force reaching the Clark Cup Final.

Prior to Fargo, Oliver served as an assistant coach at his alma mater, St. Cloud State, helping the Huskies to an 81-44-9 mark in four seasons.

He also spent time with the USHL’s Sioux Falls Stampede from 2015-18 as an assistant coach and director of scouting.

Oliver’s coaching career began right after his St. Cloud State playing days concluded in 2015. A captain his senior year and alternate captain as a junior, Oliver’s Huskies won the WCHA regular-season title in 2013. The Badgers upset his top-seeded squad in the semifinals at the 2013 WCHA Final Five on their way to the postseason crown in their last year of WCHA play. SCSU reached the school’s first NCAA Frozen Four anyway.

The following season, St. Cloud State won the inaugural NCHC regular-season title during his junior campaign.

Oliver is a 2015 SCSU graduate with a degree in Business Finance.

Big Ten assistant to supervisor of officials Hunt named new CCHA director of officiating

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HUNT

The CCHA announced Thursday that Marco Hunt has been named the conference’s new director of officiating.

Hunt will officially take over on June 1, replacing Kevin Langseth, who is stepping down from the position at the end of May.

“Marco was an outstanding referee who officiated in numerous WCHA Final Fives, NCAA regionals and Frozen Fours,” said CCHA commissioner Don Lucia in a statement. “He understands what is required to be an elite official and will be able to teach and share that knowledge with our current and future officials. I look forward to Marco joining our CCHA staff and assisting him as we prepare for the upcoming season.”

Hunt joins the CCHA after spending the last seven years as the primary assistant to the supervisor of officials with the Big Ten where he assisted in the scheduling for regular-season and postseason games, as well as contributed to the league’s supplementary discipline decisions. In addition, he conducted on-site reviews of game officials, video reviews of significant plays and weekly communication with coaches and officials to aid in improvement and development.

From 1997 to 2017, Hunt was an on-ice official for the WCHA and Big Ten conferences, participating in WCHA Final Five, Big Ten tournament and NCAA tournament games for the final 11 years of his on-ice career. Throughout his career, he officiated in seven Frozen Fours, including 2002, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014 and 2015.

“I am thrilled and excited to begin this new venture in my officiating life,” said Hunt. “The future of the CCHA is very bright, and I am honored to be a part of it and to have a chance to grow with it. My goal to assist the conference in taking an already talented group and help mold it into one of the best officiating staffs in the county.”

Hunt officiated Division III hockey games from 1994 to 2008, including national championship contests in 2006 and 2008. The St. Paul Hockey Officials Association president in 2001, he oversaw more than 200 referees and linesmen, managed schedules and section assignments, as well as recruited and trained new officials.

A native of Woodbury, Minn., Hunt is a 1988 graduate of Bemidji State, where he played four seasons for the Beavers and won a Division III national championship in 1986. He earned his MBA from BSU in 1990.

NCHC announces director of officiating Adam no longer with conference as change made, no reason given

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Former NCHC director of officiating Don Adam (right) presents former NCHC commissioner Josh Fenton his Mark Rudolph Officiating Achievement Award on March 19, 2022 after the Frozen Faceoff (photo: NCHC).

The NCHC has made a change in its director of officiating position as Don Adam is no longer with the conference.

No reason was given in a conference-issued news release.

“On behalf of the NCHC and our member institutions, I want to thank Don Adam for providing vision and leadership over the past decade,” NCHC commissioner Heather Weems said in a statement. “We are building on a solid foundation and look forward to continuing to enhance our officiating program by hiring and retaining the best college officials and maximizing our use of communication and technology.”

Adam has served as the NCHC’s only director of officiating since the conference’s founding, dedicating more than 10 years to the NCHC. During his tenure, Adam oversaw the NCHC’s officiating program, building it from scratch, while hiring an officiating staff and implementing annual officiating camps.

“The NCHC officiating program is a critical part of our conference operations and an area in which the NCHC continues to be a leader in collegiate hockey,” Weems said. “Our high-touch model with officiating supervisors assigned to nearly every game requires extensive communication to ensure consistency across games and throughout the season. The membership believes this model can continue to improve the game experience for student-athletes and fans.”

The conference will begin an expedited search for its new director of officiating immediately.

Well-traveled Ward, who has junior, NCAA, NHL background, named associate head coach at Minnesota State

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WARD

Minnesota State has announced the hiring of Troy G. Ward as associate head coach with the Mavericks.

Ward comes to Minnesota State after spending the 2022-23 season with the USHL’s Sioux City Musketeers as general manager.

“Troy brings an element to our staff that is one of high-end experience,” said Minnesota State head coach Luke Strand in a statement. “He is a very talented coach on and off the ice. Most importantly, however, Troy will be a teacher and servant leader to our players. I am thrilled to be working alongside Troy again.”

“It’s a privilege and an honor to join the Mavericks,” added Ward. “I remember playing against the Mavericks back in the NCHA as both a player and a coach dating back to Coach Don Brose. Maverick hockey is a program of excellence and I look forward to continuing the tradition.”

Ward’s extensive coaching background includes stops in junior, collegiate, and professional hockey.

Owning an undergraduate and master’s degree from UW-Eau Claire, Ward started his career there serving as both an assistant and head coach. After beginning as an assistant for the 1985-86 and 1986-87 seasons, Ward then spent three seasons as the head coach of the BluGolds, picking up 45 wins, including an 18-win season in 1989-90. Those 18 wins were the most single-season wins in program’s history at the time.

From 1990-93, Ward spent time as an assistant coach at Denver. From there, it was on to the USHL, where Ward headed the Dubuque Fighting Saints from 1993 to 1995.

Ward then made the jump to the NHL, spending three years with the Pittsburgh Penguins from 1997 to 2000 as an assistant coach.

From 2002 to 2005, Ward was on the bench at Wisconsin as associate head coach.

Sandwiched around his time at Wisconsin, Ward had two stints in the ECHL, one with the Trenton Titans (2000-01) and a second stop with the Victoria Salmon Kings (2005-06). While with Trenton, Ward captured the North Conference title and was voted the ECHL Coach of the Year.

From 2007 to 2008, Ward was an assistant coach with the Houston Aeros of the AHL, serving as the team’s defensive coordinator, with responsibilities including spearheading the penalty kill. Ward then added front office duties on top of his on-ice coaching duties, as he also served as the Aeros assistant GM from 2008 to 2010.

The experience with the Aeros created another opportunity, as Ward went on to serve as an assistant with the AHL’s Abbotsford Heat from 2010 to 2011 before earning head coaching responsibilities from 2011 to 2014.

Ward was then with the WHL’s Vancouver Giants (2014) and the USHL’s Madison Capitols (2015-16), before taking the helm with the Linz Black Wings (Aug. 2017-Jan. 2019) of the International Central European Hockey League, leading the squad to the semifinals of the EBL in 2018.

More recently, Ward spent time from 2019-2022 as a U.S. amateur scout with the Vancouver Canucks.

UMass Boston removes interim tag from women’s hockey coach Bradley’s title

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Maureen Bradley took over as UMass Boston interim women’s hockey coach in March and now has the full-time job (photo: UMass Boston Athletics).

UMass Boston has announced the appointment of Maureen “Moe” Bradley as the new head women’s hockey coach.

Bradley, who has been serving as the interim head coach since March, will assume her full-time head coaching position immediately.

“I am thrilled that Coach Bradley will be taking over our women’s ice hockey program,” said UMass Boston vice chancellor for athletics and recreation Dr. Jacqueline Schuman in a news release. “As an alumna of the university, Moe knows exactly what it means to be a Beacon student-athlete and brings a special passion and commitment to this program, university, and our department.”

Bradley returned to the harbor campus last year to serve as the lead assistant coach helping to guide the Beacons to an NEHC playoff appearance. Before that, she had coaching stops at Stevenson, Suffolk, and Boston College.

“I would like to thank Dr. Jacqueline Schuman, Stephanie Dollar, Jackie Perez, and the entire search committee for this opportunity,” said Bradley. “As an alumna, I feel a sense of accountability and responsibility for the trajectory of this program. Every decision and action we take will be made with the betterment of our players and program in mind.”

Bradley spent 2018 to 2022 on the coaching staff at Boston College, serving as the goaltending coach (2018-21) and then as the interim assistant coach (2022). While on staff at BC, Bradley helped guide the Eagles to four Hockey East postseason tournaments and two NCAA tournament appearances.

Before BC, Bradley spent one year at Suffolk (2017-18) as a graduate assistant and two years in the same role at Stevenson (2015-17). While at Stevenson, Bradley’s duties included on-ice coaching, recruiting, budgeting, practice planning, team travel, and social media management.

“I deeply believe in the UMass Boston mission,” said Bradley. “The student-athletes in our program are unique and outstanding young women who I am eager to lead and mentor. I am very excited to bring together players who are mutually determined to create a new era and find new heights for the UMB women’s hockey program.”

On the ice, Bradley spent the first two seasons of her collegiate playing career at New Hampshire before transferring to UMass Boston to play her final two seasons and earn her BA in Communications. Bradley also holds master’s degrees in Communication Studies (Stevenson) and Higher Education Administration (Suffolk).

Coyotes draft pick Cooley to return to Minnesota for 2023-24 college hockey season

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Logan Cooley was consistent up front for the Gophers this past season (photo: Molly Kaiser).

Minnesota announced Friday that forward Logan Cooley will return for his sophomore season with the Gophers in 2023-24.

Cooley was the third overall pick of the 2022 NHL Draft by the Arizona Coyotes.

During the 2022-23 season, Cooley collected 22 goals and 38 assists for 60 points in 39 games for Minnesota, earning a nod as one of the Hobey Hat Trick finalists for the 2023 Hobey Baker Award.

He was the Big Ten co-scoring champion and was also named to the All-American West First Team and Second Team All-USCHO.

In addition, Cooley posted seven goals and 14 points for the United States at the 2023 World Junior Championship as Team USA earned bronze. Cooley was also named to the event’s all-star team.

Dubuque tabs local native, Utica assistant Moore as first coach for Spartans women’s hockey team

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MOORE

Dubuque has announced the addition of Dubuque native Madyson Moore as head coach for the Spartans women’s hockey team.

She has been the assistant coach at Utica since Oct. 2021 where her teams had a 43-9-3 record. From 2021 to 2023, Utica compiled three All-Americans, a pair of Laura Hurd Award nominees, 16 UCHC all-conference honors and a record 10 UCHC all-conference honors in 2022-23 including player of the year, goalie of the year, and coach of the year honors. The team also had three UCHC all-tournament players and was ranked No. 12 in the country.

“We are excited to welcome Madyson back to the Dubuque community,” said Dubuque VP of student engagement and intercollegiate athletics Nelson Edmonds in a statement. “Her familiarity with the area and her success as a player and coach all lend themselves to developing opportunities to grow the sport in the region and preparing our young people to give back to the communities that support us.”

Moore split her college playing career between New England College and Norwich and piled up 68 points in 95 games. She was part of the 2014 Norwich team that finished as the national runner-up and had the distinction of scoring a goal in the national title game that year. In 2015, the Cadets advanced into the semifinals. In her years at New England College, she was either first or second on the team in points in both seasons with the Pilgrims.

“I cannot express my excitement for the addition of women’s ice hockey to the University of Dubuque,” said Moore. “Being a native Dubuquer, it gives me such pride to be able to help build this program to its full potential. Growing up as a female hockey player in this town, where the only option was to play with the boys, I am thrilled for the local young girls to see this is something they can be a part of, too. I want to thank president Jeffrey Bullock and vice president of student engagement and intercollegiate athletics Nelson Edmonds for giving me this opportunity, as well as the UD athletic department and campus for welcoming me in. To the city of Dubuque, thank you for having me back and I look forward to seeing you all at our home games.

“UD has shown so much support for this program from the initial announcement to each conversation I had with the university staff during the hiring process. It is one of the main reasons I accepted this position and I look forward to meeting and surpassing the goals we all want to reach. I had the privilege of coaching the last two seasons at Utica University, where each year we broke new program win records, made it to the conference final, were nationally ranked, had 10-plus all-conference players, including player of the year and goalie of the year. We also had three All-Americans with two that went on to be nominated for the Laura Hurd Award. Prior to coaching, I was grateful to have had a successful playing career at Norwich University, where I played in two Frozen Fours with one being the national championship game.”

Prior to Utica, she served as an assistant coach at Plymouth State for the 2020-21 season.

For the 2019-20 season, she was a head girls varsity hockey coach in the Cambridge Public School system in Massachusetts.

She previously spent two seasons as a coach with the ACHA program at McKendree University in Illinois. While primarily an assistant coach, she was also the program’s interim head coach for a brief period during the 2016-17 season.

Moore has also worked with the Northern Cyclones Youth Hockey organization as an assistant coach and academy director, and with the USA Hockey Central District as a coach and evaluator.

She has completed her USA Hockey Coaches’ Education Program Level 1 Certification and is also an NFHS certified coach.

“I understand what it takes to win both as a player and as a coach, and I look to bring that to UD,” Moore said. “I am highly competitive, but one thing I’ve learned throughout my coaching career so far is how vital growth and development are, both as a player and as a human being. With a new program, each day we as a team need to want to get better and be ready to push past our comfort zone so we can build that confidence and skill that will lead us to championships.”

Moore received her Bachelor of Science in Physical Education: Exercise Science from Norwich in 2015 and her Master of Business Administration from McKendree in 2018.

Gregory steps down as Northland men’s hockey coach, named first head coach at Dubuque

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Seamus Gregory most recently coached at Northland (photo: Northland Athletics).

Dubuque has announced the hiring of Seamus Gregory as the school’s first men’s hockey coach.

Gregory most recently was the director of intercollegiate athletics since Jan. 2019 and head men’s hockey coach at Northland from 2014 to 2023. He is the all-time leader for wins in men’s hockey at Northland. His teams qualified for the playoffs six times, and he earned the 2016-17 NCHA coach of the year award.

“Seamus brings a wealth of experiences which will assist in building a championship program that is grounded in our Mission and engaged in our communities,” said Dubuque VP of student engagement and intercollegiate athletics Nelson Edmonds in a statement. “We are excited to welcome him and his family to UD.”

Since his time at Northland, Gregory has been the lead for many fundraising initiatives which included the Annual Northland College Golf Classic, Varsity Club, and other corporate fundraising opportunities. He was active in the local community and dedicated much of his time and efforts to building the Athletic Department’s relationship in the regional area and beyond.

“It’s an honor to be the first head men’s hockey coach at the University of Dubuque,” Gregory said. “Upon meeting with Nelson and other members of his staff, hearing their vision for the department of athletics, starting hockey, and the support from president (Jeffrey) Bullock to do so, it’s just incredible. They are raising the bar. I look forward to the challenge, and very much excited to contribute to the growth of hockey in the state of Iowa. The Northern Collegiate Hockey Association is a strong conference and one of the best in the country. We have all the support and tools to be successful.

“This would not be possible without the support of family. My wife and I are ecstatic to make Dubuque our new home and raise our children in a growing vibrant community.”

Prior to Gregory’s arrival at Northland, he served as head coach and assistant athletic director at Williston State College in Williston, N.D. He was that program’s inaugural coach and helped start the hockey program at Williston. He led his team to the NJCAA tournament and a national runner-up finish in the program’s first year in 2012.

He guided his team to back-to-back NJCAA national championships and was also named national coach of the year in 2013 and 2014. His director duties included all corporate fundraising and advertising, and he was also the athletic liaison to the Teton Booster Club.

Before Williston, Gregory coached at Lake Forest as head coach from 2010 to 2011 and as an assistant coach from 2008 to 2010.

He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Education, History and Sociology at St. Thomas University in New Brunswick, Canada, in 2003.

NEWHL to become new SUNYAC women’s conference in 2023-24; Canton joining men’s SUNYAC with ’24-25 season

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Women’s hockey will become the 21st sport in the SUNYAC conference beginning with the 2023-24 season.

In addition, Canton will join the SUNYAC as an associate member in men’s hockey starting in 2024-25, bringing the total number of programs to 10 in the conference.

The presidents of the SUNYAC approved both measures on May 8 following recommendations by the conference’s directors of athletics.

The SUNYAC will add women’s hockey by absorbing the NEWHL, which has operated as a single-sport NCAA Division III conference since 2017-18. The league evolved from the former ECAC West conference.

The NEWHL will cease operations on June 30 with the SUNYAC officially taking the reins on July 1.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for the SUNYAC and for our student-athletes to operate under the SUNYAC brand and receive the recognition and services that one of the premier Division III conferences in the NCAA can provide,” said SUNYAC commissioner Tom DiCamillo in a statement.

DiCamillo organized the NEWHL and served as its commissioner since its inception.

The NEWHL consists of seven SUNY institutions, including five core members of the SUNYAC – Buffalo State, Cortland, Oswego, Plattsburgh and Potsdam. Canton and Morrisville will become associate members of the SUNYAC in the sport of women’s hockey. The NEWHL conference schedule, which has been approved through 2026-27, will remain as planned as part of the SUNYAC.

Canton joining the SUNYAC men’s conference will allow for a better scheduling model than the current nine-team format.

The SUNYAC institutions sponsoring men’s hockey include eight full conference members (Brockport, Buffalo State, Cortland, Fredonia, Geneseo, Oswego, Plattsburgh, Potsdam) and one associate member (Morrisville).

Middlebury men’s hockey coach Sinclair steps down, says ‘this is what’s best for me and the program’

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Neil Sinclair watches the action from the Middlebury bench during a game this past season (photo: Middlebury Athletics).

Middlebury men’s hockey head coach Neil Sinclair has stepped down from the helm of the program.

“I have decided to step down as the men’s ice hockey coach at Middlebury College,” said Sinclair in a statement. “This is a decision that I have taken some time to come to, and I know this is what’s best for me and the program. I want to especially thank Jack Ceglarski, Nick Bingaman, Brian Phinney, and Brad Schuler for their work as assistant coaches. I also want to thank my colleagues at Middlebury, and those in the larger hockey community for their support.

“This program has a rich tradition and proud history; I am grateful to have been a part of that tradition.”

Middlebury director of athletics Erin Quinn described Sinclair as “an important part of Middlebury men’s ice hockey,” noting that he was “an impactful player and leader, assistant coach, and head coach.”

“Neil has worked tirelessly in his career to develop a strong team culture and has set the program and players up for success moving forward both on and off the ice,” said Quinn. “He has been a supportive colleague and has led within our department with integrity. We wish Neil the best in his next chapter.”

During his tenure at Middlebury, Sinclair led the Panthers to four NESCAC tournament appearances. He was also the interim head coach during the 2002-03 season after serving as the assistant for three seasons. During the interim year, Sinclair guided the squad to the NCAA semifinals and a 22-5-2 record.

Sinclair also served as an assistant women’s golf coach during his time at Middlebury.

Prior to Middlebury, Sinclair spent 11 years as the head coach at Skidmore, where he earned the 2007 Edward Jeremiah Award for national coach of the year and was tabbed the ECAC East coach of the year. Sinclair also coached at Williams and Middlebury Union High School.

As a student-athlete at Middlebury, Sinclair earned First Team All-American laurels and was a member of the 1991 ECAC championship team.

Middlebury will share more information about plans to name the next head men’s hockey coach once it becomes available.

Hood women’s hockey team set to become 12th member of UCHC beginning with 2024-25 season

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Hood College women’s hockey is set to join the UCHC for the 2024-25 season, expanding the UCHC women’s hockey membership to 12 teams.

“It is exciting to see the growth of competitive opportunities for women in ice hockey and we are proud to support the rise with the addition of Hood College to the UCHC,” said UCHC commissioner Chuck Mitrano in a news release. “A strong academic institution with a commitment to the student-athlete experience, Hood is an excellent addition to the UCHC, and we are excited to be part of their history.”

Hood, located in Frederick, Md., is set to begin NCAA women’s hockey play in the 2024-25 season. Josh Funk will serve as Hood’s inaugural head coach after a stint as the director of women’s hockey at the Minnesota Advancement Program. He spent two seasons as head coach at Plymouth State from 2020 to 2022 and the 2019-20 campaign as an assistant coach at Robert Morris.

Joey Kolega was recently named an assistant coach for the Blazers.

“We are excited to have our new women’s ice hockey program join the UCHC and compete alongside the outstanding institutions making up its membership,” said Hood College president Andrea E. Chapdelaine, Ph.D. “The UCHC is a great fit for Hood, alongside other MAC members. We look forward to enhancing existing rivalries and establishing new ones with women’s ice hockey. This will provide our women’s ice hockey student-athletes with exceptional academic and athletic experiences.”

“We’re thankful for Hood College’s women’s ice hockey to gain membership into UCHC when we begin play in 2024-25,” added Dr. Susan Kolb, Hood’s director of athletics. “The UCHC’s membership includes not only some of the top teams in the region, but in all of Division III. We look forward to providing a great student-athlete experience to our future women’s ice hockey student-athletes and cannot wait to begin competition in the UCHC.”

The Blazers will play at Skate Frederick, a two-ice sheet facility located just three miles from campus. Skate Frederick features two NHL regulation rinks as well as a pro shop and snack bar. The rink has year-round hockey and figure skating programs.

In preparation for the inaugural 2024-25 season, Hood has plans to improve the seating, site lines and fan experience, as well as add a new Blazers locker room and team area. Hood will also be adding in signage, logos, and Blazers colors into the arena to create an energetic environment to watch and play NCAA hockey.

Stonehill names former Harvard assistant Mirasolo as new women’s hockey head coach

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Lee-J Mirasolo last spent time at Harvard as an associate coach for the Crimson women’s hockey team (photo: Harvard Athletics).

Stonehill has named Lee-J Mirasolo as the second women’s hockey head coach in the program’s young history.

Mirasolo replaces Tara Watchorn, who was named head coach at Boston University earlier this offseason.

“We are excited to welcome Lee-J Mirasolo to Stonehill as the next head coach of our women’s ice hockey program,” said Stonehill assistant VP and director of athletics Dean O’Keefe in a statement. “Lee-J’s name quickly rose to the top of our search with her experience coaching and playing at the highest levels of women’s college hockey in the Northeast. She brings great energy and passion for the sport and will be a tremendous leader and mentor for our young student-athletes as the program continues to grow and build its culture for success both on and off the ice.”

Mirasolo, the 2021 AHCA assistant coach of the year, brings 13 years of coaching experience in women’s college hockey to Stonehill, the last 12 years at the NCAA Division I level. She most recently served eight years as associate head coach at Harvard, helping the Crimson rebuild from a team that posted five wins in 2016-17 to hosting and winning the ECAC quarterfinals in just three years, before sweeping the Beanpot, Ivy League and ECAC regular-season championships in 2021-22 with a 22-10-1 record overall, including 16-5-1 in the ECAC on their way to an NCAA tournament bid.

Overall at Harvard, she assisted a program that won 94 games over her seven seasons, with six ECAC tournament appearances.

“I am thrilled to be joining the Stonehill women’s ice hockey program and the broader campus community,” said Mirasolo. “Everything I understood Stonehill to be from a distance – supportive, welcoming, and connected – proved to be exactly as it was up close and in person.

“It is obvious that the student-athletes have worked extremely hard to hit the ground running as a program, and I am so fortunate to join and serve them in this endeavor. I am grateful to Dean O’Keefe, Cindy MacDonald, Pauline Dobrowski, and the entire search committee for their belief in me and the vision for the program. I certainly did not arrive at Stonehill on my own, as many coaches, players, family, and friends have taught and supported me along this journey. I am humbled by this opportunity and look forward to the road ahead.”

Prior to her time at Harvard, Mirasolo served four years as assistant coach at Princeton, helping rebuild the Tigers to the national stage by implementing a recruiting plan that spanned North America. She helped Princeton win 52 games over four seasons, with three ECAC tournament appearances, including back-to-back winning campaigns her final two years and a 13-8-1 ECAC mark in 2014-15.

Mirasolo got her collegiate coaching start at UMass Boston for the 2010-11 season, with the Beacons posting a 14-11-1 record overall, including 9-8-1 in the ECAC East, reaching the conference semifinals.

In addition to her assistant coaching stint with the USA Hockey Collegiate Development Team from 2020 to 2022, she coached with USA Hockey Development Camps at the U-18 Select, U-15 and U-14 camps for nine years. Mirasolo started her coaching career at Phillips Academy Andover as an assistant coach for the 2009-10 season.

Mirasolo is a 2008 graduate of Boston College, where she was a four-year member of the Eagles women’s hockey program, serving as captain as a senior. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication and was voted the team’s Unsung Hero for the 2007-08 season and earned Hockey East All-Academic Team honors. Mirasolo helped lead BC to back-to-back 20-win campaigns during her sophomore and junior seasons, a pair of Beanpot championships, and spots in the 2006 Hockey East championship game and 2007 Women’s Frozen Four in Lake Placid.

Wrapping up the season with news from Naples, a look back at the Frozen Four: Weekend Review Season 5 Episode 31

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Hosts Jim Connelly, Derek Schooley, and Ed Trefzger look at news from the coaches’ convention in Naples and look back at the 2023 NCAA Frozen Four in our college hockey podcast’s season finale.

Topics include:

• Quinnipiac’s incredible comeback
• What does the Bobcats’ win say about older teams?
• Is the NCHC ready to add Arizona State?
• Will there be a new home for Miami?
• Binghamton’s goal to join D-I in 2024-25 – Will Atlantic Hockey be the right fit?
• Could change come to the transfer portal?
• Will there be some rule tweaking, even though it’s not a rules update year?
• A focus on branding conferences
• BCHL’s departure from Hockey Canada and its impact
• Who replaces Derek Schooley on the podcast next season?

Subscribe to this college hockey podcast on Apple podcasts, in your favorite podcast app, or on Spreaker.

Find our college hockey podcast archive at USCHO.com/podcasts

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Former UMass Lowell, Canisius assistant Nelson moves to Augustana for same job with first-year Vikings

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NELSON

Augustana has announced the addition of Taylor Nelson to the men’s hockey coaching staff.

Nelson joins the first-year Vikings after spending the past two seasons at UMass Lowell.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome Taylor, his wife Claire, and three young children back to the Midwest,” Augustana head coach Garrett Raboin said in a statement. “He has a tremendous reputation as a player, recruiter and developer of talent. His commitment to team, family, and excitement to build make him a tremendous addition to our men’s hockey program.”

Prior to UMass Lowell, Nelson spent four seasons at Canisius serving as the recruiting coordinator. He also saw responsibility for the penalty kill and goaltender development.

A graduate of Ferris State, Nelson was the goaltender for the Bulldogs while helping them to the Frozen Four in 2012 as a senior. He garnered AHCA/CCM All-America First Team honors for the season in which he held a 21-7-3 record, a 2.10 GAA, .924 save percentage and three shutouts.

Following his graduation, he played in 73 professional games, spending time with the ECHL’s San Francisco Bulls and the CHL’s Wichita Thunder.

He then began his coaching career as a volunteer assistant at Ferris State where he helped with video preparation, goaltending, and scouting reports.

Former UMass Lowell, Quinnipiac goalie, 2005 Hockey East rookie of year Vetri passes away unexpectedly at 37

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VETRI

Former UMass Lowell and Quinnipiac goaltender and 2005 Hockey East rookie of the year Peter Vetri passed away unexpectedly on May 4, 2023.

Vetri was 37.

He was born May 21, 1985 to Kathleen Ross Vetri and Peter J. Vetri. He was raised in Windham, N.H. He had a determined love and commitment to the game of hockey, and he began his journey of passion at Cardigan Mountain School in Canaan, N.H., followed by Lawrence Academy in Groton, Mass. From there, he studied at Williams Lake High School in British Columbia where he played junior hockey for the Williams Lake Timberwolves. Upon returning home to Windham, he graduated from Salem High School.

Vetri was awarded a full athletic scholarship to play Division I hockey at UMass Lowell. He transferred to Quinnipiac for his junior year of 2007-08 and left during his senior year to pursue professional hockey in the SPHL and ECHL. Vetri played for the SPHL’s Twin City Cyclones, ECHL’s Wheeling Nailers, and FHL’s Danbury Whalers.

In 2004-05, Vetri went 13-7-4 with a 2.52 GAA, .912 save percentage and two shutouts.

He then completed his college education at New Hampshire and graduated Cum Laude.

Vetri’s career in sales at Granite Telecommunications, in Quincy, Mass., spanned over 10 years. On multiple occasions, he was awarded Top Sales in his division. He loved his work and was especially proud of the opportunities Granite Telecommunications provided that gave back to the community.

He enjoyed skiing, fishing with his dad, and playing golf. His passion for hockey continued as he coached young players and was part of a men’s league.

According to his obituary, “Pete had a big personality and the ability to light up a room. He made everyone feel special. Those who knew Peter, will always remember his genuine smile, raspy voice, and grander than life personality. Loyalty, friendship, and family were what he valued most in life. Peter was an all or nothing kind of guy. When he loved, he loved hard. When you were his friend, you were his friend, forever.”

Vetri is survived by his parents, Peter and Kathleen Vetri of Franklin, N.H., his fiancé, Alexia Belkina of Quincy, Mass., his sister, Mia Landry, and her significant other, Matthew Silva, along with their two sons, Ajay Landry and Blake Silva. Ajay Landry was Peter’s nephew and also his godson, and Blake Silva, AJay’s brother, was Peter’s nephew, too.

Calling hours will be held on May 11, from 4-7 p.m., at the Carrier Funeral Home, 38 Range Road, Windham, N.H. 03087. A funeral mass will be celebrated on May 12 at 10 a.m. at St. Matthew’s Parish, 2 Searles Road, Windham, N.H.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Vetri’s memory to Boston Children’s Hospital, the beneficiary of Granite Telecommunications annual Saving by Shaving event.

Colgate assistant coach Borges moves to Arizona State for similar role with Sun Devils

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Dana Borges draws up a play for Colgate players (USCHO.com file photo).

Arizona State has announced the hiring of Dana Borges to an assistant coach/player development role.

Borges most recently finished his second season as associate head coach at Colgate, helping the Raiders to their first ECAC Hockey championship in 33 years and first NCAA tournament appearance since 2014-15.

“I couldn’t be more thrilled to welcome Dana into the Sun Devil hockey family,” said ASU head coach Greg Powers in a news release. “The body of work that Dana put in at Colgate helping guide them to some of their best hockey in the past two decades speaks for itself. His character, work ethic, and all-encompassing ability to improve every aspect of any program he’s a part of is why I really targeted Dana for this position.

“Dana is a budding superstar in the coaching profession, and we are instantly better with him now being on our staff alongside associate coach Alex Hicks and another assistant coach hire expected to be finalized in May.”

En route to one of the most successful Colgate seasons in the last decade, the Raiders defeated eventual 2023 NCAA champions Quinnipiac two times in 2022-23.

Borges was hired to Colgate’s squad as an assistant coach ahead of the 2018-19 season and elevated to associate head coach prior to the start of the 2021-22 season. He also served as the Raiders volunteer assistant coach for the 2016-17 season.

“Sun Devil hockey possesses all the necessary qualities to continually be a top program in the country,” Borges said. “The passion, trust, and commitment to excellence was evident the moment I began speaking with Coach Powers. ASU provides an environment focused on the wholistic development of the student-athletes to thrive in all areas of their life. Being in position to attract and develop the very best student-athletes in the world to this type of environment is such an exciting opportunity. Coach Powers and his staff have made unprecedented achievements in such a short amount of time.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to help build upon these successes and begin my journey to ‘Be The Tradition.'”

Before coming to Colgate, Borges was with Alaska Anchorage as an assistant coach from June 2018 through August 2018. Prior to Anchorage, Borges spent the 2017-18 season at Williams as an assistant coach.

Getting his start in collegiate coaching, Borges spent two seasons as an assistant coach at his alma mater, Stonehill. The Skyhawks went 42-25-8 over his two and a half seasons as an assistant, winning three straight NE-10 regular season titles and the 2016 Northeast-10 conference championship.

From 2009 to 2013, Borges played with the Skyhawks where he served as captain for his junior and senior seasons. Borges was named the Northeast-10 Man of the Year in 2013 as well as a Capital One All-American. He was also awarded the Father Jack McCarthy Award and Edward E. Martin Outstanding Student-Athlete Award from Stonehill as well as finishing as a semifinalist for the Joseph Concannon Award, which is annually given to the top Division II/Division III American-born hockey player in New England.

On the ice, Borges recorded 29 goals and 58 assists for 87 career points with Stonehill, including a career-high 15 goals and 22 assists for 37 points his senior season.

After his successful collegiate career at Stonehill, Borges played professionally for one season with the Evry Peaux Rouges in France.

Borges graduated Magna Cum Laude from Stonehill in 2013 with a degree in sociology.

Hood College to start women’s hockey program for ’24-25 season; former Plymouth State coach Funk named first bench boss

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Josh Funk has been named the first women’s hockey head coach at Hood College.

The NCAA Division III Blazers will take the ice for the first time in the 2024-25 academic year.

“I am extremely honored and excited to be named the first head coach of women’s ice hockey at Hood College,” said Funk in a news release. “Throughout the interview process, it was very clear the passion and dedication Hood has regarding starting and growing women’s ice hockey, and how invested they are in developing a competitive identity. The energy on campus is exhilarating. I want to thank Dr. Susan Kolb, director of athletics, and Dr. Andrea Chapdelaine, Hood College president, for this incredible opportunity. I look forward to getting out right away to start the recruiting process throughout the U.S. and internationally.”

FUNK

Funk arrives in Frederick, Md., after a stint as the director of women’s hockey at the Minnesota Advancement Program.

“We had a large, experienced candidate pool in our search for our first women’s ice hockey coach, which supports our excitement from the campus and community,” said Kolb. “Knowing the intricacies of starting a program, it was important that we selected a candidate who had the connections for recruiting, the experience as a head coach and the passion to develop our women’s ice hockey program. Josh exhibited those characteristics we were looking for, and I am excited about the impact he will make on our hockey program, as well as our athletic department.”

Funk served as the head coach at Plymouth State from 2020 to 2022.

Prior to Plymouth State, Funk was an assistant coach for the women’s program at Robert Morris. His career also includes stops at Albert Lea (Minn.) High School, St. Catherine (Minn.) University, Sugar Land (Tex.) Imperials (NA3HL) and Miami (Ohio) University while he also filled numerous roles with Minnesota Hockey CCM High Performance programs. He is a USA Hockey Level 4 coach.

He got his start in coaching as a student assistant for the Gustavus Adolphus men’s hockey program as a senior.

Funk graduated from Gustavus Adolphus in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology with a minor in Coaching.

After one season as Wisconsin assistant coach, Brandt staying in town as new coach-GM for USHL’s Capitols

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Wisconsin alum Andy Brandt spent the 2022-23 season as an assistant coach for the Badgers (photo: Wisconsin Athletics).

Wisconsin assistant coach Andy Brandt has been named the new head coach and general manager of the USHL’s Madison Capitols.

Brandt takes over the franchise after spending one season behind the Badgers bench as an assistant coach.

Brandt played for Wisconsin’s 2006 NCAA championship team before moving on to a professional playing and coaching career.

Before spending last season on UW’s coaching staff, Brandt spent the five years as associate head coach at St. Norbert. He helped lead the Green Knights to the 2018 NCAA Division III championship in his first year back in Wisconsin.

Prior to his tenure with the Green Knights, Brandt spent time as head coach and general manager of the ECHL’s Atlanta Gladiators. He served as interim head coach of what was then the Gwinnett Gladiators in 2014-15 before taking the reins of the Atlanta Gladiators for the 2015-16 season. He joined the staff as an assistant coach for the 2013-14 season, after playing parts of six seasons with Gwinnett, along with AHL stints for Lake Erie, Manitoba and Abbotsford. He also played part of one season for Victoria of the ECHL.

He played in a team-record 357 games with Gwinnett, tallying 76 goals and 192 points. He also served as an alternate captain from 2007 to 2012, before becoming captain for the 2012-13 campaign.

As a Badger, Brandt skated from 2003 to 2007 and scored five goals and 14 points in 130 games played. He was voted the Jim Santulli 7th Man Award winner by Badger fans for both the 2004-05 and 2006-07 seasons.

Brandt joins a Madison organization that is led by president Andrew Joudrey, a former Badger teammate of Brandt’s, including the 2006 NCAA title season. The Capitols ownership group includes former Badgers Ryan Suter and Tom Sagissor.

Brandt also takes over for former Badger Tom Gilbert, a 10-year NHL veteran who finished out the 2022-23 season as interim head coach and general manager of the Capitols. Like Joudrey, the All-American Gilbert was a 2006 NCAA champion teammate of Brandt’s.

Wisconsin hires former Minnesota State director of hockey operations Regner for similar role with Badgers

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REGNER

Luke Regner, a 2017 Wisconsin graduate, is returning to Madison as the men’s hockey director of hockey operations.

“We are excited to add Luke to our men’s hockey family,” Wisconsin coach Mike Hastings said in a statement. “He brings a depth of experience at his position and the passion of what it is to be a Badger.”

Regner spent the past four seasons in a similar role with Minnesota State men’s hockey under Hastings.

Among Regner’s duties at MSU, he coordinated team travel and community relations, while also doing video game breakdown and pre-scouting of opponents.

While a student at Wisconsin, Regner spent four seasons helping with men’s hockey in various capacities, including video, recruiting and statistics. He also helped as a video assistant for UW football.

After graduating from UW, Regner worked as hockey operations coordinator at Robert Morris for two years before moving on to Minnesota State.

American International promotes assistant Woodard to associate head coach role

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Matt Woodard has been part of two Atlantic Hockey championships with the Yellow Jackets (photo: AIC Athletics).

American International has announced the promotion of Matthew Woodard to the position of associate head coach.

“[Matt Woodard] has been an incredible addition to our staff,” AIC head coach Eric Lang said in a statement. “Matt is thorough, organized, and a meticulous recruiter. Our student-athletes are better because Matt is involved in their lives. An AIC grad, Matt is a true Yellow Jacket.”

Woodard expressed gratitude for Lang’s decision to promote him.

“I’m extremely grateful for Eric Lang’s decision to promote me to the associate position,” said Woodard. “The support from him and the rest of this staff has no doubt helped bring the best out of me. I love this group and being surrounded by unbelievable people.

“I’d also like to thank our administration for their continued support and helping this decision come to fruition. Lastly, I’d like to thank my wife Rhonwen for her love and support. There are a lot of hours spent away from each other during the grind of a season, and she is always there to support and push me to be the best version of myself.”

Woodard recently completed his third season as an assistant coach, having helped lead his alma mater to the team’s fifth consecutive winning season. Woodard has run AIC’s defense and penalty kill, and in 2022-23, the Yellow Jackets led Atlantic Hockey in goals allowed with just 99 across 39 games, a 2.54 goals-against average. Additionally, he has helped to lead the recruiting process for the Yellow Jackets.

Beyond his time at AIC, Woodard previously coached women’s ice hockey at Dartmouth, Yale, and the Rochester Institute of Technology. With RIT, he helped lead the Tigers to two College Hockey America titles.

Woodard, who graduated from AIC with degrees in Criminal Justice and Psychology, competed in 133 games for the Yellow Jackets, notching six goals and 23 assists for 29 points from the blueline from 2005 top 2009, including playing for Lang when he was the graduate assistant coach from 2006 to 2008. In 2006-07, Woodard had his best season statistically, with four goals and seven assists for 11 points, all career highs.

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