Travis Tollette played and coached at Bethel (photo: Bethel Athletics).
Saint John’s has announced the addition of Travis Tollette as men’s hockey assistant coach.
Tollette replaces Cory Thorson, who left SJU to become the St. Cloud Youth Hockey Association’s director in June and serve as an advisor for InsideEdge Hockey.
“We are very excited to welcome Travis Tollette to the Johnnie hockey family,” SJU head coach Doug Schueller said in a statement. “He will bring a wealth of knowledge to our hockey program through his experiences playing and coaching at Bethel. It was very important to me to find someone with experience recruiting to a Division III hockey program and Travis has shown great success in that area.
“Travis is well connected in the state of Minnesota and around the junior hockey leagues that we recruit from the most. I am excited to use his contacts within the Minnesota high school hockey communities to help recruit the next class of Johnnie hockey student-athletes.”
A 2013 graduate of Bethel, Tollette recently served as an assistant coach for the Royals for four seasons from 2018 to 2023. In 2021-22, Tollette helped lead Bethel to its first MIAC playoff appearance in 14 years and the Royals became just the second team defeat U.S. National Under-18 Team in the last 20 years on Oct. 15, 2022 (4-2).
Phil Fox had success behind the bench with the NAHL’s New Mexico Ice Wolves (photo: New Mexico Ice Wolves).
Northern Michigan has announced the hiring of NMU alum Phil Fox as an assistant coach for the men’s hockey team.
Fox has spent the past five seasons as the general manager and head coach of the NAHL’s New Mexico Ice Wolves.
“We are excited that Phil, his wife Ricci, and two kids Levi and Bode are coming back home to Marquette,” said Wildcats head coach Dave Shyiak in a statement. “Phil was on the last NMU hockey team that made it to the NCAA tournament, and his passion for the program and community will be valuable for our current players and future recruits. He understands the type of players that fit our program which is important in attaining the success we are all aiming towards.”
In his five seasons with the Ice Wolves, Fox went 137-123-16-12, registered three straight 30-plus win seasons, made the playoffs in two of those three seasons, and was named 2021-22 NAHL coach of the year after leading the Ice Wolves to a franchise-record 38 wins during the regular season and a second-place finish in the South Division.
Before his coaching career, Fox played four years of professional hockey with the Central Hockey League’s Texas Brahmas and Allen Americans and AHL’s Houston Aeros.
Prior to playing professionally, Fox had a four-year career with the Wildcats from 2007 to 2011, including donning the captain’s ‘C’ in 2011. Fox played 155 career games with NMU, scoring 40 goals and 25 assists for 65 points.
Vermont has announced that Danielle Slominski has joined the women’s hockey staff as assistant coach and director of operations.
Slominski served as an assistant coach at Oswego during the 2023-24 campaign.
“We are really excited to welcome Dani to the Vermont women’s hockey family,” said Vermont coach Jim Plumer in a statement. “She is a very dynamic young coach who is going to bring positive energy and experience. I can’t wait to see the impact she is going to have in all aspects of our program, from operations to on-ice coaching and skill development.”
Prior to her time with Oswego, she was a volunteer assistant coach with the New Ulm (Minn.) girls high school hockey program.
During Slominski’s collegiate hockey career at the Wisconsin-Eau Claire, she played in a total of 65 games on defense, collecting 21 total points, only having three career penalties, and a plus-30 rating.
Eric Rud has a long history with the St. Cloud State hockey program (photo: St. Cloud State Athletics).
St. Cloud State has announced the addition of Eric Rud as an assistant coach for the men’s hockey team.
A 25-year veteran of the coaching world with head coaching experience, Rud returns to St. Cloud for the third time after previous stints as an assistant coach with the men’s team from 2005 to 2010 and as the head coach of the women’s team from 2014 to 2019. Rud most recently served as the head coach of the USHL’s Sioux Falls Stampede of the USHL, his second stint as a head coach in the nation’s top junior hockey league.
“I am very excited to bring Eric Rud and his family back home to St. Cloud,” said SCSU head coach Brett Larson in a statement. “In his first time on staff with the Huskies, Eric did some of his best work as a coach while helping our program reach new heights, including recruiting the team’s first Hobey Baker winner. I know St. Cloud is a place where he can come back and help our team accomplish the goals we set each season, because Eric knows the type of players and people we need in our program to remain among the elite in college hockey. His passion for our program and this community will make for a smooth transition back on staff and will allow our program to continue moving forward.”
“Our family could not be more excited to be coming back to the SCSU family,” added Rud. “My wife got her teaching degree from St. Cloud State and our three kids graduated from St. Cloud Tech. We are thrilled to be coming home. I can’t wait to jump in with a great staff and get to work.”
A 1997 graduate of Colorado College, Rud was a two-time team captain and two-time WCHA defensive player of the year for the Tigers during his collegiate playing career. He went on to play professional hockey from 1997 to 2002 and served as a player-assistant coach with the ECHL’s Florida Everblades in 1999-2000 and with the WCHL’s Idaho Steelheads from 2000 to 2002. He joined the coaching ranks as an assistant with the USHL’s Cedar Rapids Roughriders from 2002 to 2004 and was an assistant coach at Colorado College in 2004-05.
Rud has worked extensively with the USA Hockey program throughout his career and served as the head coach of the 2008 USA Under-17 team in the Four Nations Cup, the 2009 USA Under-18 team at the Hlinka Cup and the 2022 United States World Junior Challenge team that won a gold medal.
Monumental Sports & Entertainment announced Wednesday that the inaugural Capital Hockey Classic – a college hockey double header at Capital One Arena – will debut this winter.
Taking place on Thursday, Dec. 12, the first game of the event will feature a contest between Army and Navy’s club hockey teams, followed by a matchup between Army and Penn State’s Division I programs.
This celebration of hockey talent from two United States military academies and Penn State will take place in downtown D.C. days before the Army-Navy rivalry football game takes place at Commanders Field on Dec. 14.
“We are ecstatic to be able to welcome college hockey back to Capital One Arena,” said Jim Van Stone, president of business operations and chief commercial officer at MSE, in a news release. “It is an honor to host this college hockey showcase ahead of the iconic Army-Navy football game, giving fans a chance to witness this storied rivalry on the ice and then see two top Division I teams match up against each other. The military is an integral part of our community in the Washington, D.C. area and Monumental Sports & Entertainment has a long history of harnessing the power of sports to make a lasting difference in the lives of those who serve our country.”
Capital One Arena, which previously hosted the 2009 NCAA Frozen Four, serves as the home venue for the NHL’s Washington Capitals. Alongside their ownership organization, MSE, the Capitals have remained committed to growing and improving the game of hockey from youth clinics and camps to community programming to talent development with their AHL affiliate team and 13-time Calder Cup champion Hershey Bears.
Game times, ticketing information, and additional details about the Capital Hockey Classic will be available in the coming months at capitalonearena.com.
Hockey has long been a staple of athletics on the West Point campus of the United States Military Academy, with the hockey program originally forming in 1904. Since then, the program has become one of the most recognizable brands in college hockey with over 1,200 wins to its name across different levels of evolution in the college game. The Riley family has led the program since 1951, when legendary and 1960 gold-medal-winning USA Hockey coach Jack Riley took the reins. From there, his son Rob featured as the head coach from 1986 to 2004 before Rob’s brother, Brian Riley, who now enters his 21st season as head coach, was appointed. Army was a founding member of Atlantic Hockey.
“We are excited to have the opportunity to play in the Capital Hockey Classic against Penn State,” said Brian Riley. “We know that there are a lot of alumni and Army fans in that area so it will be a great opportunity to bring the Army hockey team to an area where we’ve never played. There will be a lot of energy with the Army-Navy football game on Saturday and this will be a great way to start the weekend with Army vs. Penn State on the ice.”
“It’s truly an honor to be a part of the first-ever Capital Hockey Classic,” added Penn State coach Guy Gadowsky. “The Army-Navy football game is a yearly spectacle and to add a hockey component to this special weekend is an awesome opportunity. I’m excited we will be able to spread our Hockey Valley community to the DMV area, an area we haven’t been to yet in our short history, but one with a large alumni base. We know there will be a lot of Blue and White support in D.C. We are.”
Navy competes in Division 1 of the ACHA as a member of the Eastern Collegiate Hockey Association. Navy won the ECHA championship in 2022 and went undefeated in 2023, advancing to the ACHA national tournament each year. Navy is coached by Kevin Rooney, who just completed his eighth season leading the Midshipmen.
“The Navy hockey team is excited to continue the great legacy of the Army-Navy game,” said Rooney. “As the ‘best of the best’ student-athletes and leaders, the rivalry is historic and delivers an extreme level of competition that is only found in an event like this. In addition, it is an incredible opportunity to join with other hockey teams and Navy football to be part of the entire Army-Navy legacy weekend. We will be ready to ‘bring it on’ for this intense hockey weekend at the legendary home venue of the NHL’s Washington Capitals.”
Mercyhurst has announced the addition of Scott Spencer as a new assistant coach for the women’s hockey team.
Spencer is no stranger to Mercyhurst, having spent a year on Mike Sisti’s staff back in 2021-22.
Most recently, Spencer has been the head coach of the Chinese Women’s National Team who competed in the top division of the women’s world championships for the first time in 14 years. Spencer has also led the Chinese Women’s Under-18 team that competed in Division 2A. As part of the Chinese hockey organization, Spencer won two gold medals.
“It is wonderful to welcome Scott back to our program” said Sisti in a statement. “He has a wealth of knowledge and experience to contribute to our players. Scott’s work ethic and passion for the game is outstanding. He is a great addition to our staff.”
Before Spencer’s short stint at Mercyhurst back in 2021-22, he spent time as the head coach at Lindenwood for five seasons. Prior to his time at Lindenwood, Spencer spent two years at the Pursuit of Excellence Hockey Academy where he was the director of female hockey while also serving as head coach for two Under-19 teams. Spencer has also made coaching stops at Ohio State, Robert Morris, Bemidji State and the NAHL’s North Iowa Outlaws.
“I am excited to return to Mercyhurst and work with Coach Sisti and staff,” Spencer said. “Mercyhurst has always been one of the top programs in the NCAA and being here, you have a chance to compete for national championships every year. My hope is to bring some of my experiences from overseas back to help continue the strong traditions already established here at Mercyhurst.”
Scott graduated from Minot State in 2002 after a four-year playing career. He also earned his master’s degree in sports studies from Bemidji State in 2012.
Augustana players celebrate a home sweep over Bowling Green early in the 2023-24 season (photo: Dave Eggen/Inertia).
The CCHA announced today that Augustana will join the conference as a full member starting in the 2024-25 season, one year ahead of schedule, as recommended by the league’s management council and voted on by the board of directors.
The conference’s Mason Cup playoffs will continue to include eight teams, meaning the ninth-place finisher during the regular season will not qualify for postseason play.
“Augustana has followed through on everything asked of them by our CCHA members and this decision will allow the Vikings to continue to grow their program,” said CCHA commissioner Don Lucia in a statement. “The institution’s support of their hockey program across the board has been impressive and allowing them to compete for the MacNaughton Cup and Mason Cup is a reward for their commitment.”
For the upcoming 2024-25 season, the CCHA will use points percentage to determine standings position due to the scheduling limitations of expediting AU’s membership and the uneven number of conference games being played. While eight teams will be playing a 26-game league schedule, the Vikings have just 16 contests from which to accumulate points towards the MacNaughton Cup and qualification for the Mason Cup playoffs.
“Augustana, led by head coach Garrett Raboin, had a tremendous first year,” Lucia said. “Allowing them to compete in our playoffs is the right thing to do for their student-athletes and program as they move forward as a CCHA member.”
A full-fledged schedule awaits AU in 2025-26, but its ability to compete for not just team success within the league, but also individual conference awards and accolades was a key factor in their early entry. The team could only earn academic recognition in its first season, but will have the opportunity to garner weekly, monthly and year-end honors going forward.
“We couldn’t ask for better news as we get ready to start our second year of Augustana hockey,” said Augustana director of athletics Josh Morton. “We are so appreciative of our colleagues and fellow members in the CCHA. This opportunity is a testament to the work put in by so many at Augustana and our community. Most importantly, it gives Coach Raboin, his staff, and our student-athletes a championship to pursue.”
The Vikings went 12-18-4 in their inaugural 2023-24 season, including a 7-7-2 mark against CCHA foes. Though not officially conference games, Augustana would have accrued 26 points from the 16 contests had they been playing under the guidelines of the upcoming season. Their 1.63 points per game would have seen them finish in a tie for third place.
“We look forward to an elevated excitement that comes with countable points in CCHA competitions and a path forward to the playoffs,” said Raboin. “Our other league members felt that we deserved an opportunity to compete in the playoffs a year early, and we’ll look to continue to add value and represent the CCHA at the highest levels possible. Not only is this a tremendous piece of our build, but our athletes, fans, and community could not be more thrilled.”
Augustana’s Midco Arena opened on Jan. 26, 2024, and hosted 10 contests to close out the 2023-24 campaign. The facility seats 3,082 spectators and includes coaches offices, strength and conditioning, sports medicine, team lounges and locker rooms for various athletic programs at the university.
New Hampshire has named Jim Tortorella as its new director of men’s hockey operations.
Tortorella returns to UNH, where he was an assistant coach for two seasons (1993-95) and an associate head coach for three seasons (2011-2014).
Tortorella spent the last six seasons (2018-24) as an assistant coach at Harvard. He oversaw the defense, penalty killing and recruiting.
In 2017-18, Tortorella was the head coach at Saint Anselm, leading the Hawks to a 17-9-1 record and winning the Northeast-10 championship. The year prior, he served as a volunteer assistant coach at Providence.
Tortorella was the associate head coach at UNH from 2011 to 2014 and previously spent 16 seasons as the head coach at Colby, where he remains the program’s all-time winningest coach with a record of 230-138-33.
Colby was consistently ranked in the top 15 nationally under Tortorella and won the ECAC championship in 1997 for the first time in 30 years. He was twice named the NESCAC coach of the year (2006, 2008) and was also tabbed the New England Sports Writers coach of the year in 2007-08, as well as being a finalist for the national Division III coach of the year three times (1996, 2006, 2008).
Tortorella has also worked with USA Hockey as the director of New England Select Teams player development(1997-2003, 2008-15) and has coached two stints with the United States World Junior Team (1999, 2000). He has also been highly involved with the American Hockey Coaches Association, including serving as the association’s president (2002-03). Tortorella currently holds a master certificate from USA Hockey, the organization’s highest level of coaching education achievement.
Tortorella, a former standout goalie at Maine, began his coaching career at Brunswick High School (1984-87) before moving on to Cony High School, where he was a two-time Maine coach of the year in five seasons.
Carter Krier spent the last four seasons with the USHL’s Fargo Force (photo: Fargo Force).
Carter Krier, who spent the last four seasons on staff with the USHL’s Fargo Force, has joined the Ohio State men’s hockey team as an assistant coach.
“I am very excited to add Carter to our staff,” Ohio State head coach Steve Rohlik said in a statement. “He has done a tremendous job these past four years working for the Fargo Force, including being a part of a championship this past season. His work ethic, drive and passion for the game will be a huge asset for our program.”
Krier began his time with the Force as the team’s goaltending coach for the 2020-21 season and served as assistant coach and goaltending coach the last two campaigns. The Force claimed the Clark Cup as the USHL playoff champion this past spring, won the Anderson Cup in both 2023 and 2024 as the league’s regular-season champion and reached the Clark Cup finals in 2021 and ’23.
During his tenure, Force netminders earned all-USHL and USHL goalie of the year accolades and posted the second-longest shutout streak in USHL playoff history. Eight of the squad’s goalies earned NCAA Division I scholarships. He also served as an assistant coach for Team USA for the World Junior A Challenge, where it earned bronze.
“I am honored for the opportunity to join Coach Rohlik and his staff at the Ohio State University,” Krier said. “I look forward to building a relationship with all of the current players and the program’s alumni. I couldn’t be more excited to get to campus.”
A native of Moorhead, Minn., Krier founded Edge Goaltending, which works to develop goaltenders from across the country. He started his coaching career as director of goaltending development for East Grand Forks Hockey and was an assistant coach/goalie coach for the East Grand Forks Senior High varsity team.
Krier earned his bachelor’s degree in communication from North Dakota in August 2022.
Cary Eades, president of hockey operations-general manager for the Force, spoke on the impact Krier had on their organization’s success.
“Ohio State is getting a real good one in Carter Krier,” Eades said. “All you have to do is look at the success our team had in his four years with us as we made three of four Clark Cup Finals. In particular, the goalies he developed that were key to that success show his impact on our organization. Carter is extremely dedicated and is more than just a ‘goalie coach.’ For example, last season he contributed to the Force PK unit which was No. 1 in the USHL all season long. He’s also very proven in scouting and recruiting young prospects. Carter has a very bright future in the game, and we wish him continued success with Coach Rohlik and the Buckeyes.”
“Laura has been instrumental in the consistent success of UMD women’s hockey,” said Minnesota Duluth director of athletics Forrest Karr in a statement. “She has earned respect throughout the hockey community for her work ethic, hockey knowledge, recruiting and teaching ability. We look forward to supporting the team and staff to ensure that each athlete has a high-quality environment to develop, and helping Laura continue the program’s strong tradition.”
Schuler becomes the third head coach in the 25-year history of one of the most successful programs in all of Division I women’s college hockey after finishing her third consecutive season with the Bulldogs in 2023-24 as an associate head coach. Her return to the UMD bench in 2021-22 helped result in an NCAA championship title game appearance and three straight NCAA tournament berths for the Bulldogs.
A part of six NCAA tournament teams at UMD in all, including three NCAA Frozen Fours and an NCAA championship title in 2010, Schuler has spent a total of 10 seasons on the bench of the Bulldogs over her coaching career in Duluth, and helped those 10 UMD teams to a record of 187-105-29. Schuler not only coached all 13 of the Bulldog’s PWHL draft picks over the past two drafts during her time with the UMD program but has also coached 25 of UMD’s 41 Olympians.
“I am so excited to continue to be a part of this incredible university,” said Schuler. “This program has a proud history in the classroom, in competition and in this great community, and I look forward to building on the legacy of excellence that is UMD women’s hockey. I would also like to thank Chancellor Nies, Athletic Director Karr and the entire search advisory committee for this tremendous opportunity.”
Schuler notably owns an extensive resume of coaching and playing with Hockey Canada, and an international background that has spanned over two decades. Named the head coach of the Canadian National Women’s Hockey Team during the 2015-16 season, Schuler was again tabbed for the job over the 2016-17 season. Schuler was then chosen to lead the Canadian Olympic women’s team in the 2018 Olympics in PyeongChang. Schuler and Team Canada went on to face the United States where Canada took home the silver medal in a 3-2 shootout loss.
Additionally, the Scarborough, Ont., native has spent a decade coaching all three of Hockey Canada’s High Performance programs. She was as an assistant coach with the National Women’s Team in 2010-11 (Four Nations Cup – gold), a head coach of the U-22 National Development Women’s Team in 2011-12 (Meco Cup – silver), an assistant of the Canadian U-18 National Team in 2012-13 (Worlds – gold) and a head coach of the U-18 National Team in 2013-14 (Worlds – gold).
As a player, Schuler competed for Hockey Canada after her collegiate career at Northeastern. She won three gold medals at the World Championships in 1990, 1992 and 1997, two gold medals at the Pacific Rim Championships in 1995 and 1996 and two gold and a silver at the Three Nations Cup in 1996, 1997 and 1999. She was also a member of the 1998 Canadian Olympic team and won a silver medal at the Winter Games.
Schuler began her coaching career in 2001 as the head coach of UMass Boston and later at her alma mater of Northeastern from 2004 to 2008. Schuler became an assistant coach for the Bulldogs originally in 2008 and, over seven seasons, helped lead UMD to three NCAA tournament berths, as well as an NCAA title in 2010. She then spent three seasons at the helm of Dartmouth (2016-2020), with a one-year sabbatical during her tenure to guide the Canadian Olympic team in the 2018 Olympics.
Schuler graduated cum laude from Northeastern in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science Degree from the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.
As the third head coach in program history, Schuler notably has the distinction of having served as an assistant coach for multiple seasons under both of the previous head coaches at UMD – most recently Crowell (2015-23) and Shannon Miller (1999-2015).
Tony Maci has been a fixture behind the Clarkson bench in recent years (photo: Clarkson Athletics).
Clarkson has announced that Tony Maci will be promoted to associate head coach for the women’s hockey team.
“I couldn’t be more happy and excited to have Tony as our associate head coach,” Clarkson head coach Matt Desrosiers said in a statement. “Over his time here at Clarkson, he has been an integral part of two national championships, Frozen Four appearances, and numerous ECAC regular-season and tournament titles. Tony is a proven recruiter and someone that our players and staff know they can rely on in any situation. He has helped develop our players into successful student athletes that are ready to take on whatever challenges that lay ahead after college, whether it be continuing their playing career or stepping into the working world.
“His genuine devotion to our women’s hockey program and all the student-athletes who have worn the green and gold jersey is why he is so deserving of this title.”
Maci has been with the program for the past eight seasons, leading the Knights to two national championships, seven NCAA tournament appearances, and has recruited numerous players that have earned All-American status, won World and Olympic Gold, and now have made their mark in the PWHL.
With Maci on staff, the Knights have compiled 215 victories, earned a pair of ECAC Hockey regular-season titles, won the program’s first three conference championship tournament trophies and have gone 8-4 in NCAA tournament play the past eight seasons.
Maci’s start as a coach at the Division I level was highly successful as he played a significant role in guiding Princeton to the most wins in program history at the time with a 22-9-2 overall record and a berth in the NCAA tournament in 2015-16.
As an assistant coach at Adrian, Maci was involved in nearly every aspect of the Bulldogs’ program. Adrian posted the best win percentage in school history in 2014-15 at 84.6%, with its second 20-plus win season in three seasons.
A native of Grosse Ile, Mich., Maci is a 2005 graduate of St. Lawrence where he was a member of the men’s hockey program.
Becoming the fifth head coach in program history, Decosse boasted a 202-69-20 record during his tenure as an assistant. He served the past nine seasons behind the bench for the Raiders, helping lead Colgate to two NCAA Frozen Fours and four ECAC Hockey championships.
“Coach Decosse has worked tirelessly over the past nine years to help build Colgate women’s hockey into a nationally-recognized program,” said Colgate VP and director of athletics Yariv Amir in a statement. “He has a deep understanding of the culture and values of both Colgate and the women’s hockey program, and he and his family have been pillars in the Hamilton and Colgate communities. We look forward to him continuing to guide our student-athletes to success on and off the ice.”
Decosse took on a number of different roles as an assistant coach, including stints as the director of recruiting, director of player development, and program liaison. Since 2019, he has ushered in five recruiting classes ranked in the top five nationally, according to neutralzone.net, including a 2023 class rated first among all 36 NCAA Division I women’s hockey programs.
“I am honored to have been selected as the new head coach of Colgate women’s hockey,” Decosse said. “Having called Hamilton home for the past nine years, I know how special this place is. The unwavering support and dedication of the staff, faculty, alumni and student-athletes has been instrumental in getting Colgate women’s hockey to where it is today. I am fully committed to preserving that winning culture here in Hamilton while finding new ways to propel the program forward on and off the ice.
“I am grateful to Yariv Amir and the members of the search committee for the opportunity to serve this storied hockey program and university. I also must extend my sincere thanks to my wife, Erin. She has supported me every step of the way in this journey. I also have the greatest appreciation and thanks to Greg Fargo for his mentorship and guidance throughout my career. I am beyond excited to serve a program that has meant so much to me and my family.”
Decosse helped place 23 Colgate student-athletes on ECAC Hockey all-league teams since his first full season as an assistant coach in 2016-17. A total of seven Raiders have reached first-team all-league honors during his tenure, while four student-athletes have been named AWCHA All-Americans. Decosse contributed to the program’s first-ever trip to the NCAA Frozen Four and Colgate’s only national championship appearance in 2018, leading to the nomination of three All-USCHO.com selections. In total, he has coached nine All-USCHO.com Raiders.
His recruiting classes have also succeeded at the collegiate level with Decosse mentoring seven ECAC Hockey all-rookie selections and two rookies of the year in 2021 and 2023.
“I’m thrilled for Stefan, his family and of course the women’s hockey program that he is being named as the new head coach at Colgate,” said Fargo. “His passion for Colgate, infectious energy, and dedication to our student-athletes have been key ingredients to our recent success, including four straight ECAC championships. Stefan is an exceptional recruiter and a brilliant teacher of our style of play. I can’t wait to see the exciting future he will bring to Colgate. This program is in great hands with Stefan at the helm.”
Decosse has had a hand in more than 150 ECAC Hockey all-academic team honorees, including a program-record 23 in 2022-23. His Raiders have earned national recognition with 34 AHCA All-American scholars and an NCAA Elite 90™ award winner at last year’s Frozen Four. Decosse also mentored a winner of Colgate’s prestigious Barry Goldwater Scholarship in 2024.
Under Decosse’s leadership, 22 Colgate alumni have been drafted into professional women’s hockey leagues. Six Raiders were selected in the 2024 PWHL Draft, the second-most of any collegiate program in the country. Internationally, 12 of Decosse’s Raiders have played for their country’s U18 teams while 13 have suited up on U22 squads. Decosse has also coached eight student-athletes who made national team rosters with an additional five attending international development camps. Three Olympians have played under Decosse in maroon and white.
Decosse was a two-time captain of the Geneseo men’s hockey team where he was named to the SUNYAC all-academic team every year of his career. He later received his Master of Arts at York University in Toronto, printing three papers in peer-reviewed academic publications.
Mike Corbett spent eight seasons behind the bench at Alabama Huntsville (photo: Bradley K. Olson).
Arizona State has announced the hiring of Mike Corbett as assistant coach.
Corbett most recently finished his third season as assistant coach with Quinnipiac. He was instrumental in the Bobcats’ postseason success during his tenure, including the 2023 national championship.
“This is a tremendous day for our program. Mike is a great coach, great recruiter and an unbelievable human being. His experience and success speak for itself and will really help our program as we head into the NCHC,” said Sun Devils coach Greg Powers in a statement. “Mike has been someone I’ve always wanted to work with since we went Division I. His recent success at Quinnipiac in helping them get two Elite Eights and winning a national championship is something I know he wants to bring here to ASU. We got better today… a lot better.”
Before Hamden, he served as an assistant coach at Robert Morris and was the head coach at Alabama Huntsville for eight seasons.
At UAH, he was responsible for rebuilding the program after it was discontinued in 2011 and produced three playoff berths, the program’s first playoff win and win over a top-10 opponent, and multiple all-league selections. Under Corbett’s watch, the program had 46 All-WCHA academic selections, upgraded locker room facilities with two renovations and built a state-of-the-art weight room facility.
Corbett’s initial experience in college hockey came as assistant/associate head coach at Air Force, where he worked for 10 seasons and earned five tournament championships and subsequent NCAA tournament berths.
In addition to numerous years of coaching at the collegiate level, Corbett also has experience with USA Hockey, where he has served as a coach for national festivals for 23 years and will be heading to Switzerland in August as an assistant coach the U17 Team USA Five Nations team.
Corbett graduated with a bachelor’s degree in management from Denver in 1996. As a senior, he was awarded the Daniels School of Business Management leadership award and went on to earn a Master’s of Science in Management in 1998. The two-time alternate captain at Denver was also a 1997 finalist for the NCAA Hockey Humanitarian Award.
Bemidji State has announced that Emma (Terres) Sobieck has returned to the Beavers and will serve as an assistant coach for the women’s hockey team for the 2024-25 season.
Sobieck previously served as an assistant coach from 2020 to 2023 before traveling east to be an assistant coach at Minnesota Duluth during the 2023-24 season.
A former Bemidji State captain (2017-18), Sobieck played 146 games at BSU from 2014 to 2018, amassing 48 points and skating in 145 consecutive games.
Following her collegiate career, she played two seasons professionally in Germany and graduated from Bemidji State with a Bachelor of Science in individualized studies and completed her coaching certificate.
BU’s Macklin Celebrini had a stellar freshman season for the Terriers in 2023-24 (photo: Marcus Snowden).
The San Jose Sharks announced Saturday that the club has signed Boston University forward Macklin Celebrini, the first-overall selection in the 2024 NHL Draft, to a standard, entry-level contract.
Celebrini now gives up his remaining NCAA eligibility.
“Macklin is not only a special player on the ice, but he is a poised, confident and intelligent young man off of it,” said Sharks GM Mike Grier in a statement. “His combination of skills and hockey sense is rare, and we are extremely confident that he is ready to make the transition to being a full time NHL player.
“We could not be more excited to have Macklin locked in to formally join the Sharks organization for the 2024-25 season.”
Celebrini, an 18-year-old Vancouver, B.C., native, played in 38 NCAA games for the Terriers in 2023-24, recording 64 points (32 goals, 32 assists) along with a plus-25 rating. As a freshman, Celebrini finished second in the NCAA in points per game, ranked second in goals and was third in points. He became the fourth player in collegiate history to achieve a 30-goal, 30-assist campaign and failed to register a point in only six games this past season.
He registered a four-assist game on Nov. 11, a 10-game point streak (nine goals, 13 assists), and in his first 11 games of the season, he notched eight multi-point outings and collected a total of 22 points (nine goals, 13 assists). He helped BU to the Beanpot final, scoring a goal against Northeastern, guided his team to the Hockey East final against Boston College, and helped BU reach the NCAA Frozen Four semifinal.
Celebrini was recognized with several year-end awards and achievements, notably winning the Hobey Baker Award as college hockey’s top player, becoming the fourth freshman in NCAA history and the youngest to ever to be named the recipient of the award. He was named the national rookie of the year, New England rookie of the year, Hockey East player of the year and rookie of the year, and named first team All-American, Hockey East first team all-star, Hockey East all-rookie team, among several other achievements.
During his youth hockey days, Celebrini played with the San Jose Jr. Sharks program during the 2019-20 campaign, collecting 94 points with the 14U AAA team across 54 games (49 goals, 45 assists).
Internationally, he has represented Team Canada at the 2024 World Junior Championship and led the team in scoring with eight points (four goals, four assists) in five games. He also helped Canada to a bronze medal at the 2023 Under-18 World Championship and was named a top-3 player on the team for both tournaments.
Artyom Levshunov posted 35 points in his one and only season with Michigan State in 2023-24 (photo: Michigan State Athletics).
The NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks announced Saturday that the team has agreed to terms with Michigan State defenseman Artyom Levshunov on a three-year, entry-level contract that runs through the 2026-27 season.
The Blackhawks selected Levshunov, who forgoes his remaining NCAA eligibility, with the second overall pick at the 2024 NHL Draft.
“Signing Artyom gives us the opportunity to continue his development in house and take the next step into professional hockey,” said Chicago GM Kyle Davidson in a news release. “He’s a strong two-way defenseman that has all the tools to be a high-end player in the NHL, and we’re excited to continue his growth at the pro level.”
Levshunov, 18, recorded 35 points (nine goals, 26 assists) in 38 games with the Spartans during the 2023-24 campaign, helping the Spartans to both Big Ten regular-season and postseason championships. His 26 assists and 35 points each ranked second on the club.
Among all NCAA blueliners, he shared ninth in points, which was second among all freshmen defensemen, and shared 10th in goals and 12th in assists. Levshunov also earned Big Ten defensive player of the year and freshman of the year honors. Additionally, he was named to the Big Ten first all-star team and the AHCA second All-American team.
Prior to college, Levshunov helped Belarus to a gold medal at the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship Division 1 tournament, posting two assists in five games.
The Zhlobin, Belarus native is the highest-selected Belarusian in NHL Draft history.
Wisconsin-Stevens Point men’s hockey assistant coach Bryan Kromm has been named assistant coach and director of player development for the BCHL’s Trail Smoke Eaters.
Kromm comes to Trail after spending the last three seasons with the Pointers. During that span, the team posted a record of 62-18-7 and qualified for the NCAA tournament twice.
Prior to coaching, Bryan played four seasons with the University of Jamestown (ACHA). He also has ties to the Smoke Eaters history as his father, Rich, was born in Trail and is currently a pro scout with the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks. His grandfather, Bobby Kromm, was part of the Trail Smoke Eaters’ 1961 World Championship team as a player-coach and played for the Smoke Eaters in the WIHL for six seasons.
“I’m thankful for my time in Stevens Point and the amazing people I’ve been able to work with,” said Kromm in a statement. “Coach Krueger and countless others have given me the experience and support I’ve needed to make it to the next level. I’m excited for the opportunity in Trail and look forward to working with young rising stars in such a prestigious league. While developing these young men, I also hope to make an impact in the community and contribute to the already rich history of hockey in Trail.”
Kromm starts his new position in Trail on July 16.
Steve Wiedler runs a practice at Vermont during the 2023-24 season (photo: Vermont Athletics).
Now in its 78th year of serving amateur hockey, the American Hockey Coaches Association begins the 2024-25 season under new leadership.
Vermont men’s head coach Steve Wiedler, formerly the AHCA’s VP for outreach, succeeds Grant Potulny as AHCA president. Potulny recently resigned as head coach at Northern Michigan to take a position as head coach of the AHL’s Hartford Wolfpack. Wiedler begins a three-year term as AHCA president.
“I want to thank Forrest Karr, Brett Petersen, Joe Bertagna, and the rest of the AHCA membership for this opportunity,” said Wiedler in a news release. “The AHCA has played a major role in shaping countless coaching careers as well as molding the landscape of hockey in the United States. I’m honored to play a role within that eco system and excited to aid in the growth of our game.”
Also beginning new duties is Forrest Karr. The director of athletics at Minnesota Duluth, Karr starts his tenure as AHCA executive director, becoming just the second person to hold the title since 1991. Joe Bertagna, who served as executive director for the past 33 years, begins a new job today as AHCA media director.
“Thank you to Joe Bertagna for ensuring a smooth transition and to the AHCA officers, governors and members for such a warm welcome over the last few months,” said Karr. “I look forward to helping the women’s and men’s coaches take the association in the direction they choose to go and continuing to advocate for the sport.”
Providing some continuity for the AHCA will be secretary-treasurer Brett Petersen of Gustavus Adolphus. A longtime AHCA officer, Petersen returns for his third year in this position. He completed a 24-year coaching career at Gustavus last year and now serves as director of club sports.
2024-25 AHCA Officers, Governors and Staff
President: Steve Wiedler, Vermont
VP, Men’s Issues: Andy Slaggert, Notre Dame
VP, Women’s Issues: Grant Kimball, Yale
VP, Convention Planning: Zach McKelvie, Army West Point
VP, Membership: Ann Ninnemann, UW-Stevens Point
VP, Outreach: Maura Crowell, Dartmouth
VP, Sponsorships: Rico Blasi, St. Thomas
Past-President: Casey Jones, Cornell
2024-25 AHCA Governors
Mare MacDougall-Bari, St. Lawrence
Max Gavin, Boston College
Jeff Giesen, Minnesota State
Roger Grillo, USA Hockey
Sean Hogan, College Hockey Inc.
Sadie Lundqust, College Hockey Inc.
Drew Michals, Holy Cross
Eric Sorenson, UMass Lowell
Chris Schultz, Geneseo
Holley Tyng, Colby
Sean Walsh, Southern New Hampshire
2024-25 AHCA Staff
Executive Director: Forrest Karr, Minnesota Duluth
Secretary-Treasurer: Brett Petersen, Gustavus Adolphus
Media Director: Joe Bertagna
Membership Administrator: Kathy Bertagna
Elmira has announced the addition of Jimmy Poreda as an assistant coach for the women’s hockey coaching staff ahead of the 2024-25 season.
Poreda joins the team after playing in Finland, the SPHL, ECHL and AHL the last four years.
“We’re extremely excited to welcome Jimmy to Elmira,” said Elmira head coach Greg Haney in a statement. “Jimmy’s loyalty and ability to build relationships, coupled with his knowledge of the game makes him a perfect fit for our program and campus-community.”
A goaltender in his playing career, Poreda makes the transition to coaching after appearing in 77 games over his four-year professional career. Poreda spent the majority of his pro career playing in Orlando in the ECHL and Knoxville and Macon in the SPHL.
“I am very honored to join Coach Haney behind the bench at Elmira College,” said Poreda. “The passion and excitement around this program is undeniable. I look forward to continuing to build on the winning tradition here at Elmira.”
Prior to his time in the professional ranks, Poreda spent four seasons at Plattsburgh (2017-21), where he was a three-time AHCA All-American scholar.
His senior season was spent playing professional hockey in Finland due COVID-19 cancelling the SUNYAC season.
Neil Mulcahy, a 1987 Plattsburgh State graduate and former men’s hockey player, has been hired as the new assistant men’s hockey coach for the Cardinals.
Most recently, Mulcahy worked with the EHL’s American Hockey Academy and the Boston Jr. Terriers, serving as the team’s assistant GM and the associate head coach during the 2023-24 season. He held a variety of administrative duties with the team while also helping with the evaluation and development of the athletes.
“We are really excited to bring Neil back to Cardinal Country and add him to the coaching staff,” said Plattsburgh head coach Steve Moffat in a statement. “He bleeds Cardinal red. He is a terrific coach that understands the modern game and knows what it takes to be successful. He is outstanding with individual and team video. Neil has been involved with player development throughout his career and our team and players will benefit from his knowledge and experience.”
Prior to the EHL, he was the assistant hockey coach, recruiter and operations at Southern New Hampshire for the men’s hockey program, where he served as the recruit coordinator for prospective student-athletes and presented video analysis breakdown and data analytics to team and individuals.
After working for Verizon as a customer service specialist in the Boston area of for nearly 25 years, Mulcahy returned to hockey as the Middlesex Black Bears Jr. Prep head coach for their men’s hockey team in 2016. As the head coach, he managed successful recruitment efforts, attracting top talent to the program while also promoting academic success among student-athletes with study halls, tutoring, and progress monitoring.
Mulcahy graduated from Plattsburgh in 1987 with of a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. He was also a member of the men’s hockey team, serving as a captain of 1986-87 team that advanced to the NCAA championship, accumulating 109 points from 1983 to 1987.
