North Dakota forward Jasper Weatherby celebrates one of his goals during his time playing for the Fighting Hawks (photo: Russell Hons).
North Dakota forward Jasper Weatherby will give up his senior season with the Fighting Hawks after signing an entry-level contract Tuesday with the NHL’s San Jose Sharks.
Weatherby, a fourth-round selection (102nd overall) by the Sharks in the 2018 NHL Draft, will report to the club immediately.
“This weekend, we learned that Jasper would be signing a professional contract with the San Jose Sharks,” said North Dakota coach Brad Berry in a statement. “We, of course, want to thank Jasper for his three years at UND as well as being a key part in a group that had a tremendous amount of success especially over his final two seasons. We wish him all the best as he begins his professional career.”
Weatherby appeared in 100 games over his career, scoring 27 goals and adding 20 assists for 47 points and ranking sixth all-time at UND with a .578 faceoff winning percentage. During the 2020-21 season, the Ashland, Ore., native, finished tied for second on UND with 14 goals and fourth with 24 points to help the Fighting Hawks return to the NCAA tournament.
He was named to the NCHC All-Academic Teams in back-to-back years and was one of the conference’s representatives on the College Hockey for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiative.
Chris Ardito and Breanne Wilson-Bennett are new assistant women’s hockey coaches at Union.
Union has announced that Chris Ardito and Breanne Wilson-Bennett have been named assistant women’s hockey coaches.
“I’ve been very fortunate to be surrounded by some great assistant coaches, and I’m really excited to work with Chris and Breanne,” said Union head coach Josh Sciba in a statement. “Going through this process, it was very important to me that our new coaches be energetic about learning and improvement, possess a vast knowledge of the game, have an eagerness to develop/connect with our players in a purposeful way, and have a passion for bringing innovative ideas/perspectives to our staff.”
Ardito brings almost a decade of coaching experience to Union. Ardito spent the last three years at Vermont Academy as the head girl’s hockey coach. Prior to his time in Vermont, he spent eight years as a partner and head instructor at Connecticut Crease, working with goaltenders of all ages and abilities.
Ardito also spent six years with the Yale women’s hockey team, first as a volunteer assistant, and then as their goal and analytics coach.
At the professional level, Ardito served as the GM of the NWHL’s Connecticut Whale and also worked with the St. Louis Blues in analytics within their goalie department.
“I’d like to thank Josh Sciba, Joanne Little, and the rest of the Athletic Department,” said Ardito. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with such a talented group of athletes and dedicated coaching staff. The women’s hockey team has made great strides over the last several years under Josh’s leadership, and I hope to do my part to help the Union women’s hockey program grow.”
Wilson-Bennett comes to Union after spending the last two years as the head of player development at Hyperfit Elite Training Center. She was also the assistant coach of Durham West Lightning Women’s Hockey Association, guiding players through the NCAA recruitment process.
As a player, Wilson-Bennett saw success on the ice at Colgate, serving as assistant captain in 2017-18, and helping guide the Raiders to the 2018 Frozen Four as the national runner-up. Wilson-Bennett was named to the Frozen Four All-Tournament Team and the All-USCHO second team. She ended her collegiate career with 101 points (49 goals, 52 assists) in 147 games.
Wilson-Bennett skated for the Toronto Six of the NWHL during the 2020-21 season. She scored four points (two goals, two assists) in six regular-season games, including the first individual multi-goal game in franchise history, and also recorded two points (goal, assist) in the postseason. In addition, Wilson-Bennett played overseas for the MoDo Hockey Dam of the Swedish Women’s Hockey League, registering 20 points (eight goals, 12 assists) in 21 games.
Prior to her time at Colgate, Wilson-Bennett won a gold medal with the Team Canada U18 team at the 2014 IIHF World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
“I am so excited to be a part of the Union women’s hockey family,” said Wilson-Bennett. “I feel privileged to have the opportunity to work with a coach as knowledgeable and passionate as Josh. I learned so much from him as a player and I know that as a coach I will learn even more. I can’t wait to get on the ice with this wonderful group of young women and I believe they have what it takes to become a winning program.”
“Chris and Breanne are great fits and their values align well with what it means to be a coach at Union College,” Sciba added. “They will not only help our players have fun becoming better people and athletes, but they will help me become a better coach as well. It’s an exciting day for Union women’s hockey.”
Jimmy Hayes, who passed away on Monday at the age of 31, played 117 games for Boston College between 2009 and 2011, capturing the national championship in 2010 (photo: Hockey East/Steve Babineau)
According to multiple reports and confirmed by Boston College’s social media account, former Eagles standout Jimmy Hayes died in home in Milton, Mass., on Monday. He was 31 years old.
Hayes was a member of Boston College’s 2010 national championship team before playing 334 games in the National Hockey League. Hayes last played professionally in 2019.
Boston College Hockey is heartbroken over the passing of Jimmy Hayes. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Hayes family. pic.twitter.com/2nL59U6Fgs
According to the Boston Globe, law enforcement and first responders were called to Hayes’s Milton home on Monday morning, where he was pronounced dead. His death is not considered suspicious, though the cause was not immediately available.
Hayes played three seasons for Boston College, amassing 81 points in 117 games, including 21 goals as a junior in the 2010-11 season. In BC’s 2010 national title run, Hayes scored three goals and five points in the four NCAA tournament games.
The hockey world was shocked by the news of his sudden death.
We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former @WBSPenguins forward, Jimmy Hayes.
The Penguins organization sends our thoughts and prayers to Jimmy's family, friends, and former teammates during this extremely difficult time. pic.twitter.com/A6SnLi9oeN
We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Jimmy Hayes.
His warm personality made an immediate impact in the locker room and with our fans. We’re proud of the memories he made in Chicago, including making his NHL debut in 2011. Sending our thoughts and prayers to his family❤️ pic.twitter.com/gP8357luB9
Terrible news on Jimmy Hayes. Terrific guy, very well liked in local hockey circles and beyond. Just crushing news for so many people https://t.co/vJnWMdVyw9
Hayes leaves behind his wife Kristen and two children, Beau (2) and Mac (3 mos.). He also is survived by brother Kevin, himself a BC hockey alum and member of the Philadelphia Flyers, as well as sisters Genevieve, Eileen and Justine, and parents Shelagh and Kevin Sr.
The Big Ten announced Monday a new COVID-19 regulation for the 2021-22 season.
“In collaboration and communication with the Big Ten Conference Athletic Directors, Chancellors and Presidents, the Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases, and the Sports Medicine Committee – effective today – the conference has determined that if one of its member institutions is unable to play a conference contest due to COVID-19, that contest shall be declared a forfeit and will not be rescheduled. That contest shall be considered a loss for the team impacted by COVID-19 and a win for its opponent in the conference standings. If both of the two competing teams are unable to participate in a scheduled Conference competition due to COVID-19 and as a result the competition is unable to occur on the calendar day on which it is scheduled, the competition shall be considered a ‘no contest.'”
Kale Howarth spent three seasons at UConn after being drafted by Columbus in 2017 (photo: Stephen Slade).
The AHL’s Rockford IceHogs have signed UConn forward Kale Howarth for the 2021-22 season.
Howarth completed his third season with the Huskies last year, scoring five goals and two assists for seven points in 18 games.
In 79 career college games, the native of Red Deer, Alta., totaled 34 points (16 goals, 18 assists).
“Kale is a big, strong kid and he is excited to be a part of the organization,” said IceHogs coach Derek King in a statement. “When I spoke with him, he already sounds like a professional and he’s eager to learn. I’m excited for him and I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do on the ice. He’s a big guy with a lot of hockey in him.”
Howarth was selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the fifth round (148th overall) of the 2017 NHL Draft.
“It’s a dream come true to be joining the Blackhawks organization,” said Howarth. “It has been a long journey for me and I’m excited to get going. I’m a big-bodied presence on the ice that likes to create time and space for my teammates. When I come into camp, I want to be a sponge and learn as much as I can.”
Kevin Cole started the Purdue Northwest ACHA program in Indiana from scratch (photo: PNW Athletics).
Norwich has announced the addition of Kevin Cole to the men’s hockey coaching staff.
Cole comes to Norwich after spending multiple years as a head coach at the ACHA level. Most recently, Cole was the head coach at Purdue Northwest in Indiana, where he was the inaugural men’s hockey coach, guiding the Pride through their first two seasons in 2019-20 and 2020-21.
He built the Purdue program from the ground up, including opening PNW’s home rink at the Kube Sports Complex and guiding the program’s move into the ACHA.
“I’m extremely happy to bring Kevin Cole on board to our coaching staff here at Norwich,” said Norwich head coach Cam Ellsworth in a news release. “He has a deep passion for the game of hockey and coaching and he’ll be a valuable addition to join Steve Mattson and I on the staff. I look forward to working with Kevin and Steve this season as we look to build off our recent success.”
“I truly look forward to working in such a great organization,” Cole added. “Norwich is a premier university with a rich hockey history. I can’t wait to get started and help contribute to the winning tradition of Norwich hockey.”
Prior to PNW, Cole served as the head coach of Trine’s ACHA hockey program and a skills coach with the NCAA team. He also served as an assistant coach in 2016-17 with Williston State’s ACHA program, helping lead the Tetons to a No. 1 regional ranking and the national tournament in their inaugural season.
Mercyhurst has named Scott Spencer an assistant coach for the Lakers’ women’s hockey team.
Spencer comes to Erie with over 15 years of coaching experience. In 2014, Spencer was named the first ever head coach at Lindenwood and currently holds the top spot for most wins at the school with 42.
“I’m extremely excited to be joining the Mercyhurst program,” Spencer said in a news release. “Mercyhurst has been the gold standard in the CHA for 20 years and I’m grateful for the opportunity Coach (Michael) Sisti, athletic director Brad Davis and assistant athletic director Sue Sweeney have given me. I am looking forward to assisting the program in any way I can to continue national prominence and success.”
“Beth and I are excited to add Scott to our staff,” added Sisti. “A key attribute to the longevity of our program’s success, has been the ability to continue to attract and replace tremendous players and coaches who graduate or move on with new outstanding individuals to fill those areas. Scott has a wealth of experience and a great knowledge of our program and league, so we will be able to hit the ground running. I am eager to welcome our players back and start the season.”
Prior to his time with Lindenwood, Spencer served as the director of female hockey at the Pursuit of Excellence Hockey Academy in Kelowna, B.C. He also has spent time with Ohio State as an assistant coach, Robert Morris as the associate head coach and assistant coach, and Bemidji State in multiple roles.
The 2002 Minot State graduate also spent time with the NAHL’s North Iowa Outlaws and started his coaching career with Bemidji State in 2003 as a graduate assistant with the men’s hockey program.
He graduated from Minot State with a degree in Physical Education and a minor in Coaching. In 2012, he earned his master’s in Sports Studies from Bemidji State.
Saint Anselm has announced the hire of Vinnie Ferrainola as a full-time assistant coach for the women’s hockey team.
Ferrainola comes to the Hawks from Robert Morris, where he served as the director of hockey operations for the Colonials’ women’s hockey team from October 2020 through May 2021.
“I am very excited to welcome Vinnie to the Hilltop,” said Saint Anselm head coach Jen Kindret in a statement. “He brings a wealth of skill and knowledge to this staff, team and institution. He is a tremendous person who is dedicated to putting the student-athletes first and foremost.”
In Pittsburgh, Ferrainola assisted Robert Morris with a variety of team-related responsibilities, including equipment and player management, travel planning, scheduling, video production, community engagement and fundraising.
He is a 2017 graduate of Point Park University with a degree in Communications with an emphasis on Broadcast Production and Media Management.
Owen Power, Matty Beniers and Kent Johnson were all selected in the top five picks of the 2021 NHL Draft and all are returning to Michigan for the 2021-22 season (photos: Power/Adam Sheehan; Beniers/Michigan Photography; Johnson/Jonathan Knight).
Owen Power, Matty Beniers and Kent Johnson each announced Friday that they will return to Michigan for the 2021-22 season.
Power was the No. 1 overall selection in July’s 2021 NHL Draft by Buffalo, while Beniers was selected No. 2 by Seattle and Johnson No. 5 by Columbus.
The trio will be joined by three other first-round selections on the Wolverines roster, including incoming freshmen Luke Hughes (No. 4, New Jersey) and Mackie Samoskevich (No. 24, Florida), junior Johnny Beecher (No. 30, 2019, Boston) and sophomore Brendan Brisson (No. 29, 2020, Vegas), along with five other NHL draft picks.
Power was the top-scoring rookie defenseman in the Big Ten last season with 16 points (three goals, 13 assists) in 26 games. He becomes the first No. 1 overall pick in 15 years (Eric Johnson, Minnesota, 2006) to return to college rather than play in the NHL, according to ESPN.
Selected as the first draft pick of the expansion Kraken, Beniers led the Big Ten in on-ice rating in his freshman campaign with a +21. He scored 10 goals and 14 assists in 24 games and ranked fourth in the NCAA in rookie points per game.
Johnson made his debut with Michigan last season with a four-assist game Nov. 14 against Arizona State. He was second on the team in scoring with 27 points (nine goals, 18 assists) in 26 games.
Ben Smith (middle) led the U.S. to the first-ever gold medal in Olympic women’s hockey history in 1998 (photo: USA Hockey).
Ben Smith, who has been part of the USA Hockey staff for the past 25 years, including leading the U.S. Olympic women’s hockey team to the gold medal in the 1998 Olympic Winter Games, is retiring from the organization after a decorated career.
“The sport of hockey has done so much for me and I’m grateful to have been part of the USA Hockey staff for the last 25 years of my career,” said Smith, a 2017 inductee into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame. “It’s been rewarding to work with so many wonderful athletes and people, and while I’ll miss it, I will certainly be cheering on our teams in retirement and always be keeping up with what’s happening at USA Hockey.”
“Ben has had an enormously positive impact on our organization and the sport overall and we’re grateful for all he’s done,” added USA Hockey executive director Pat Kelleher. “We wish him and his wife, Julie, the very best in retirement.”
Smith was hired by USA Hockey in 1996 as the first full-time U.S. Women’s National Team head coach ahead of the 1998 Olympic Winter Games, which were the first ever to include women’s ice hockey. He served in that capacity for a decade, compiling a 37-7 record in IIHF Women’s World Championship and Olympic competition during his tenure, a span that included two gold medals, six silver medals and one bronze medal.
Following his time as head coach of the women’s national team, he shifted gears and played an important role in player evaluation for USA Hockey in building numerous teams for competition on the world stage, predominantly the U.S. National Junior Team.
Prior to his time at USA Hockey, Smith, who played college hockey at Harvard, was a men’s college hockey coach with stops at UMass, Yale, Boston University, Dartmouth and Northeastern.
Matt Morrow has joined the Penn State men’s hockey coaching staff (photo: Penn State Athletics).
Penn State has announced the hiring of Matt Morrow as a volunteer assistant coach for the men’s hockey team for the upcoming 2021-22 season.
Morrow, who earned his master’s degree from Penn State in 2013, returns to State College with over 10 years of coaching experience including two years with the Penn State Ice Lions of the ACHA, where he served as head coach for the 2012-13 season.
“I’m grateful and humbled for the opportunity to work alongside and learn from Guy Gadowsky, Keith Fisher, Juliano Pagliero, and Alex Dawes,” said Morrow in a statement. “The culture of this hockey program is second to none and I am thrilled to return to Penn State.”
“Matt is a passionate hockey guy with a lot of experience and a love for Penn State,” added Gadowsky. “He will be a great fit with our hockey program.”
Most recently, Morrow was the program director and head coach at the RISE Centre, Inc. and TRC Academy Hockey in Brantford, Ont. Prior to his time in Canada, he spent five seasons as the head coach of the USPHL’s New Hampshire Jr. Monarchs in addition to assistant coach roles with the EHL’s Philadelphia Jr. Flyers and NAHL’s Soo Eagles.
Morrow earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Miami in 2010 prior to enrolling at Penn State, where he earned his MBA in 2013.
Todd Woodcroft completed his first season as head coach at Vermont in 2020-21 (photo: Nich Hall).
The Swedish Ice Hockey Association has announced that Vermont head coach Todd Woodcroft has been named an assistant coach with the Swedish national men’s team for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China.
“It’s a tremendous honor to be invited to help coach at this winter’s Olympic Games and I appreciate the support of our players, staff and the athletic department,” said Woodcroft in a statement. “The opportunity to grow and learn from the best in the world is something that I know will pay dividends for UVM men’s hockey for years to come as our international network continues to expand. I am very grateful for this opportunity and for the support from the UVM community.”
“This is an exciting professional opportunity for Todd and great for our hockey program to again be represented at the Olympic Games,” added Vermont director of athletics Jeff Schulman. “Todd’s international experience and networks have already opened up new geographic recruiting areas and coaching in the Olympics will only enhance the exposure of our program around the world.”
The men’s hockey competition at the 2022 games is slated for February 9-20, 2022. Games will be played at the National Indoor Stadium and the Wukesong Sports Centre in Beijing. The National Indoor Stadium hosted the 2015 IIHF Women’s World Hockey Championships.
Woodcroft has been successful in the past on the international stage.
In 2004, he served on the coaching staff with Team Canada where he won an IIHF World Championship gold medal. He was also an assistant coach for Belarus at the 2006, 2014, and 2016 IIHF World Championships. In 2015, he was an assistant coach with Switzerland at the IIHF World Championships and he served as a special assignment/assistant coach with Sweden at the 2016 World Cup of Hockey. In his most recent senior national team experience, he won a second gold medal at the 2017 IIHF World Championships with Sweden as an assistant coach.
This past season, he served as an assistant coach remotely with the 2021 Sweden national junior team at the IIHF World Junior Championship in Edmonton.
Lila Toczek played and coached at Buffalo State and now moves over to Chatham (photos: Buffalo State Athletics).
Chatham has announced the addition of Lila Toczek as an assistant coach for the women’s hockey team.
Toczek comes to Chatham from Buffalo State. A four-year varsity player, she was named to the SUNYAC All-Academic Team each season and was captain her senior year.
Throughout her undergraduate studies at Buffalo State, Toczek served on the staff at the university’s arena, managing facility usage, game scoring, and sales at the rink’s store.
After graduating, Toczek remained at Buffalo State as a volunteer assistant coach.
Toczek graduated from Buffalo State with Magna Cum Laude honors in 2020 with a degree in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. She will be continuing her academic career at Chatham in the Master of Business Administration program.
Erica Kromm played professionally for the CWHL’s Calgary Inferno (photo: CWHL).
LIU announced Wednesday the addition of Erica Kromm to the women’s hockey coaching staff as an assistant coach.
Kromm, a Long Island native, joins the program after a nine-year professional playing career in Canada and several coaching stints.
“We are incredibly excited to have Erica join our coaching staff,” LIU head coach Rob Morgan said in a statement. “Erica brings a wealth of experience to our young hockey program. She has always been looked upon for her leadership and solid team play at the NCAA and professional level. Erica has learned from many great coaches over the years, and has positively impacted all programs she’s been affiliated with.
“She is going to be a great mentor, teacher, leader and coach for our student athletes. With the addition of Coach Kromm, our team got better today.”
Kromm comes to LIU from Mount Royal University in the Canadian U Sports Division, where she spent two seasons as an assistant coach, in addition to working full-time and playing professionally.
“I’m ecstatic to have the opportunity to work with LIU’s female hockey players and coaching staff,” Kromm said. “Being a Long Island native, LIU is a natural fit and already feels like home. I’m looking forward to helping build upon the teams’ recent success, and to continue making waves at the Division I level.”
Kromm played professionally with the CWHL’s Calgary Inferno and later as a member of the PWHPA. Prior to that, she played for four seasons at Brown from 2007 to 2011. A team captain her senior year, she finished her collegiate career playing in 115 games, collecting 16 goals and 26 assists for 42 points.
“Erica has always been a great student of the game and leader amongst her peers,” said former Brown coach Digit Murphy. “I look fondly upon her years at Brown and how she has grown to be among the best coaches of her generation. Being part of a great hockey lineage, the game is in her blood and she will no doubt add amazing contributions to the LIU program.”
“Erica is one of the best people I have had the pleasure of coaching,” added another former Brown coach, Heather Reinke. “Her hockey IQ is very high, so she will exceed your expectations on on- and off-ice instruction, video breakdown, scouting opponents and identifying prospects. Hockey has been part of Erica’s life since she was born. One of her best characteristics is her personality and passion to develop people around her. This is evident in her leadership and being able to connect with all people.”
As a coach, Kromm has spent time at the highly regarded North American Hockey Academy where she helped prepare prospective student-athletes for their college careers.
Kromm is a third-generation hockey coach. Her grandfather, Bobby Kromm, had a professional coaching career that spanned over 17 years. He was a player-coach for the Trail Smoke Eaters when they won the 1961 World Hockey Championship, and spent three seasons in the NHL as head coach for the Detroit Red Wings. Kromm’s father, Richard, was a professional hockey player for 10 seasons, including stints with the NHL’s Calgary Flames and New York Islanders. Richard, who has also coached and served in various leadership positions at the major junior and professional level, is currently a scout for the Chicago Blackhawks.
Kromm graduated from Brown with a degree in the fields of Commerce, Organizations, and Entrepreneurship, specializing in Sociology and European Medieval History.
The Robert Morris Department of Athletics announced Wednesday the “Hockey Is The Goal” campaign to encourage raising funds to support the reinstatement of the NCAA Division I men’s and women’s hockey programs.
No set amount was noted in a university news release.
“We’re encouraged by the outpouring of support from fans, donors, alumni and the hockey community the last few weeks,” said RMU VP and director of athletics Chris King in a statement. “We’re confident that collectively we can create a path forward for the eventual return of our NCAA Division I men’s and women’s hockey programs. I would personally like to express my gratitude to all of the individuals who have supported the Pittsburgh College Hockey Foundation and RMU in pursuit of reinstating both teams.”
To encourage support, a hockey reinstatement fund page has been created for pledges and gifts and can be used via the following platform. Gifts and pledges can also be made directly by contacting RMU associate athletic director for development TJ Brown at (412) 397-5960 or via email at [email protected]. Stock gifts, corporate matches and gifts in other forms will also be considered and accepted.
“We’re working to identify partnerships and opportunities that provide viable solutions and a sustainable financial model to support the RMU hockey programs,” King said. “In addition, our primary focus has been, and will continue to be, on supporting the affected student-athletes as they navigate their next steps.”
The overall goal is to raise the necessary funds to cover operating expenses of both programs for two seasons as well as help ensure the programs remain financially sustainable for the long term.
“The Pittsburgh College Hockey Foundation is committed to working with RMU to raise the funds needed to get the Division I men’s and women’s teams back on the ice for the 2022-23 season,” said former RMU women’s hockey player and coach Brianne McLaughlin-Bittle. “Please consider a pledge to support this effort by filling out the pledge form.”
According to the release, interested donors who have not already submitted a signed pledge agreement are asked to contact Brown to receive a copy to fill out and return. RMU will use the pledge, and any income earned on the pledge, to fulfill the intent. In the event that RMU determines in good faith that it is no longer possible for the pledge to serve its intent, the pledge agreement shall be null and void, and any pledge funds already contributed to RMU will be returned to the donor.
Those interested in reserving season tickets for the 2022-23 season should a reinstatement of the programs occur can do so at this link.
Zach Addamo is a Madison native now working for his hometown team (photo: Wisconsin Athletics).
The Wisconsin men’s hockey team has announced the addition of Zach Addamo to its staff as assistant director of hockey operations and video coordinator.
“To be involved with the program like this in Madison is a dream come true and I can’t wait to get started and do whatever the team needs to win,” Addamo said in a news release. “My parents had season tickets while I was growing up, so I’ve pretty much been following the program since I was born.
“I grew up skating pretty close to as early as I could walk. I grew up playing in Madison up to the AAA level and at Edgewood High School.”
The Madison native arrives at Wisconsin after spending last year as the director of hockey operations at Alabama Huntsville. He worked as the Chargers’ video coordinator while also handling logistics for road trips, including meals and hotels.
Prior to UAH, Addamo spent four years working with video in hockey operations with the AHL’s Milwaukee Admirals.
“Zach is a great fit and great addition to our staff,” Badgers coach Tony Granato said. “He’ll be multi-faceted with us, helping with video and our alumni outreach, among other areas.”
Nate Eminger spent the past two seasons coaching junior hockey in the NA3HL (photo: Milwaukee Power).
Concordia (Wis.) has hired Nate Eminger as an assistant coach for the 2021-22 season.
Eminger comes to the Falcons after a two-year stint as the head coach and assistant general manager of the NA3HL’s Milwaukee Power.
“It is great to welcome Nate back home,” Concordia athletic director Rob Barnhill said in a statement. “He has grown as a coach and professional since his time as a CUW student athlete and I expect great things from him.”
A graduate of Concordia, Eminger played three years as a goalie for the ACHA Division II hockey team and studied business management and marketing.
Sean Farrell led the Chicago Steel to a USHL championship, while Jake Sibell did the same for the NAHL’s Aberdeen Wings this past season (photos: Chicago Steel, NAHL).
USA Hockey announced Monday that Sean Farrell has been named the recipient of the 2021 Dave Tyler Junior Player of the Year award as the most outstanding American-born player in junior hockey, and Jake Sibell has been named the 2021 Dave Peterson Goalie of the Year as the top American junior-aged goaltender.
Farrell led a potent offensive attack for the USHL’s Chicago Steel in 2020-21, with 101 points (29 goals, 72 assists) in 53 regular-season games. He also had 10 points, including two goals and eight assists, in eight playoff games.
Farrell intended to play for Harvard University in 2020-21, but returned to play for the Steel for a second season after the university canceled its hockey season. His talents helped Chicago win its second straight Anderson Cup as the league’s top regular-season team and also the Clark Cup championship as the USHL playoff champion.
Set to head to Harvard in 2021-22. Farrell was named the 2020-21 USHL Player of the Year and also earned All-USHL First Team honors. He became just the 23rd player to score 100 points or more in the USHL since 1979 when the league first formed, and is the first player to do so since Kevin Roy accomplished the feat during the 2011-12 season.
The Montreal Canadiens selected Farrell in the fourth round (124th overall) of the 2020 NHL Draft.
The Dave Tyler Junior Player of the Year Award is presented annually to the most outstanding American-born player in junior hockey. The honor is named after Dave Tyler, who served on the USA Hockey Board of Directors for 32 years and played an instrumental role in the development and growth of junior hockey in the United States.
Sibell had a season for the NAHL record books in 2020-21. The Niagara commit played in his second season with the Aberdeen Wings, and helped the team capture the NAHL regular-season championship.
Named NAHL Most Valuable Player and also to the All-NAHL First Team, Sibell recorded multiple single-season records this year. He appeared in 47 games during the 2020-21 campaign and set an NAHL single-season record with 43 wins, posting a 43-2-1 record. He also set NAHL single-season records for goals-against average (1.19) and save percentage (.952), while his 11 shutouts tied the NAHL single-season record.
The Dave Peterson Goalie of the Year Award is selected from a pool of goaltenders who play at the junior level each year. The award is named in honor of the late Dave Peterson, a passionate leader of goaltender development, who twice coached the U.S. Olympic men’s hockey team.
Former Michigan forward Brandon Naurato spent the past three years working in player development with the Detroit Red Wings (photo: Detroit Red Wings).
Michigan announced Monday the hiring of former Wolverines forward Brandon Naurato as an assistant coach.
Naurato spent the last three seasons with the Detroit Red Wings, serving as a player development consultant. In his role, he worked with both the Red Wings and AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins coaching staffs to implement individual skill development into the team identity. Year-long individualized plans for each player, team tactics and the identification of current trends through analytics and video analysis were focus areas for Naurato during the season.
“I’m extremely excited to welcome Brandon, his wife Sarah along with their children back to the University of Michigan,” Wolverines head coach Mel Pearson said in a statement. “Brandon will bring a cutting-edge skill development component that is critical to today’s student-athletes as they pursue on ice excellence. He is a ‘think outside the box’ type coach whose goals are to help each individual reach his potential. His past experience working with the Detroit Red Wings and NHL players will greatly benefit our student-athletes.
“I can’t wait to get to work with Brandon and Billy Muckalt as we embark on what should be another exciting season of Michigan hockey.”
“It is an honor to have earned the opportunity to come back to Michigan and work with Mel, Billy, and the rest of the hockey staff,” Naurato added. “The life lessons and relationships that were built during my years in Ann Arbor as a player have helped shape who I am as a person today, and I can’t wait to get started. I am grateful to Coach Pearson and Warde Manuel for the new position and opportunity have a positive impact on all of our student-athletes as players and more importantly, people.”
Naurato played four years at Michigan from 2005 to 2009, making the NCAA tournament all four years. In 130 career games, he scored 32 goals and 32 assists for 64 points. He helped the Wolverines to the CCHA championship in 2008, leading to a Frozen Four appearance.
Following his collegiate career, he played four years in the pros, making stops at Stockton (ECHL), Toledo (ECHL), Port Huron (IHL), Fort Wayne (CHL) and Dayton (CHL).
Sasha Pastujov spent the past two seasons with the U.S. National Team Development Program in Plymouth, Mich. (photo: Rena Laverty/USA Hockey).
Sasha Pastujov, who was set to begin his freshman season at Notre Dame with the 2021-22 season, has instead signed an NHL contract with the Anaheim Ducks.
Selected by Anaheim in the third round (66th overall) of the 2021 NHL Draft, the Bradenton, Fla., native led USA Hockey’s National Team Development Program’s Under-18 Team in scoring with 65 points (30 goals, 35 assists) and ranked third with a plus-20 rating in 41 games in 2020-21.
He also set the NTDP’s all-time record with a 21-game point streak from Dec. 16, 2020 to Mar. 27, 2021 (14 goals, 23 assists, plus-16).
Pastujov’s major junior rights are held by the OHL’s Guelph Storm.
