The action was fast and furious all game long between BU and RIT (photo: Tim Brule).
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Even if the Hockey East championship game didn’t go as planned for the Terriers, it’s how they play now that matters.
Now they’re one win away from a return trip to the Frozen Four.
Macklin Celebrini scored and had an assist to go over 60 points for the season and six different players had goals as the 2nd overall seeded Boston University Terriers pulled away from the Rochester Institute of Technology Tigers 6-3 on Thursday evening at the Denny Sanford Premier Center, advancing to Saturday evening’s regional final.
“Give RIT credit,” said BU coach Jay Pandolfo. “Overall, a great win.”
A slow start, maybe attributing to the bitter aftermath of a 6-2 beatdown at the hands of archrival Boston College in the Hockey East tournament final, was put behind BU quickly after they got some nice early saves from Mathieu Caron while taking control with two first-period goals.
“We started off pretty slow,” said Pandolfo. “Our goaltender was very good.”
After the first 10 minutes in which Boston University was unable to control the puck very much, they were able to break through first when Lane Hutson made a beautiful toe drag move and backhanded the puck past Tommy Scarfone. Ryan Greene doubled the lead 1:05 later with a snipe from the left circle, but RIT was able to get one back late in the first as Elijah Gonsalves roofed one on a power play.
Sam Stevens made it a two-goal game with a goal from the right faceoff dot, but the Tigers answered for the second time as Gianfranco Cassaro scored on a low wrist shot. Needing another goal to take control, Hobey Baker top-10 finalist Celebrini provided that necessary tally as he helped finish a beautiful passing sequence between himself, Dylan Peterson and Nick Zabaneh with his 32nd goal of the season, making it 4-2 after 40 minutes.
Outstanding work by Petey and Zabs leads to Mack's 32nd goal of the season!
“It was a great rush; we had a good breakout,” Celebrini said. “Great passing.”
Jack Harvey added to the lead with an early third-period backhand goal, and Peterson capped the team’s scoring with an empty-net goal with just over four minutes to go. The Tigers added one more to their scoresheet with a Cody Laskosky goal with 56 seconds left.
In the end, the BU talent was just too much for Atlantic Hockey tournament champion RIT, who fought hard but saw their season end with a 27-11-2 record.
“Always tough to lose like this at the end of the year,” said Tigers coach Wayne Wilson. “All the chances we had, I just thought we came up a little short.
“I’m still very proud of our team and what we were able to accomplish this year.”
Caron finished with 28 saves for BU and Scarfone had 27 for RIT.
The Terriers (27-9-2) await the Omaha-Minnesota winner on Saturday at 5:30 PM CT for a spot in the Frozen Four in St. Paul.
Denver players mob Tristan Broz after his double-OT winner eliminated UMass Thursday afternoon (photo: Denver Athletics).
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — The last thing Denver wanted was another long cross-country trip cut short by a first-round NCAA tournament loss.
Tristan Broz made sure the Pioneers get to stick around Western Massachusetts a few more days, with a shot at the Frozen Four. Broz’s goal at 12:28 of double overtime of the NCAA regional semifinals lifted Denver to a 2-1 win over host Massachusetts on Thursday at the Mass Mutual Center.
“It’s been a long journey to get back to this tournament,” Broz said. “We stuck together. There was no real panic in our group. It was a testament to all the guys in the locker room.”
Denver (29-10-3) — desperate to erase memories of last year’s tournament, when they were bounced early by virtue of a 2-0 first-round loss to Cornell — will face either Cornell or Maine in Saturday’s regional final. The Pioneers are in search of their first trip to the Frozen Four since 2022, when they won their ninth NCAA championship.
“We knew we’d have to face a game like this,” Denver coach David Carle said. “You get to this time of year, everyone’s a great team. Inside ice is hard to come by. Goals are hard to come by. I thought both teams were pushed to the limit tonight.”
It was a surprisingly low-scoring affair between two teams known for lighting the lamp. Denver went into the afternoon as the top team in the nation in average goals per game with 4.85. Massachusetts had averaged just under three goals per contest, fourth in Hockey East.
After a 0-0 first period, Denver opened the scoring when Boston Buckberger sent a rocket from the left faceoff circle past UMass goalie Michael Hrabal at 5:12 of the second. Trystan Lemyre fed Buckberger with a nifty no-look backhand from high in the slot to set up the Buckberger’s first NCAA tournament goal.
UMass got that goal back later in the frame when Liam Gorman poked home a loose puck from short range past Denver netminder Matt Davis for Gorman’s first career goal at 12:52. The third period was devoid of scoring.
It was an impressive defensive turnaround for UMass, which was coming off an 8-1 loss to Boston College in the Hockey East semifinals one week earlier.
“We just had to stick to our foundation and our identity,” said UMass defenseman Ryan Ufko. “We know we’re a big, fast team, so that physicality part was something we really preached, and I thought that really helped us.”
Only three penalties were called in regulation — two against UMass and one against the Pioneers. UMass was unable to take advantage of a power play in the second overtime — the only penalty called during extra time.
Hrabal finished with 38 saves, while Davis made 47. UMass held a 28-24 advantage in shots during regulation.
UMass saw its season end at 20-14-3. In an ironic twist, the Minutemen had Denver to thank for their presence in the NCAA tournament — UMass only qualified when the Pioneers beat Omaha 4-1 in the NCHC championship game last week.
“Extremely proud of the way we played tonight,” UMass coach Greg Carvel said. “I know there’s a lot of chatter about whether we deserve to be in the tournament. I didn’t doubt it for a second. I thought we’d give Denver a hell of a game, and we did.”
Shane Soderwall is the USCHO Rookie of the Year after a stellar first season at Curry. (Photo provided by Curry Athletics)
Insane. Unreal. Crazy.
Those words could describe one of the most memorable performances of Shane Soderwall’s rookie college hockey season at Curry.
He made 98 saves, good enough to tie an NCAA record, in a wild tournament battle with eventual national champion Hobart that ended with the Colonels falling 4-3.
“That was a one in a million game for me,” Soderwall said. “Our whole team gave it their all.”
That effort in the NCAA tournament highlights one of the many reasons why Soderwall is the USCHO Rookie of the Year.
“I mean, it’s cool, but it’s also humbling,” Soderwall said. “It goes to show how good our whole team was. We showed up ready every day, and when there is team success, there is going to be individual success as well.”
Soderwall played in 21 games for Curry (21-6-1) during a special 2023-24 campaign, starting 18 times. He made 608 saves, giving up just 33 goals, and fashioned a 1.59 goals against average.
It took him time to adapt as he moved up from junior hockey to the college hockey world.
But he arrived on campus ready to work, and that made a difference.
“I knew things wouldn’t be handed to me,” Soderwall said. “I came to the rink with a pro mindset and ready to work on the small things. I was fortunate to get a chance to play this year.”
A native of Illinois, he started playing hockey when he was just 5 years old. But he wasn’t only a goalie.
“I started out as a player, but I didn’t like sitting on the bench. I liked being in the net full time. I liked all the action, and being a forward going back to the bench wasn’t my strong suit. I figured why sit on the bench when you can play the whole game.”
Soderwall said the pace of play is one of the biggest appeals of hockey. And that competition aspect? Well, nothing beats it.
“It’s the will to compete, that you want to be that guy that is going to help the team win,” Soderwall said. “My job each game is to not win it, but to give our team the best chance of winning. If I can do that, our odds of winning are good.”
He said one of his keys to success as a goalie is having the right mindset.
“It’s not being too high or too low,” Soderwall said. “It’s being calm out there and showing up ready to help your team win.”
He already has high expectations for next year.
“We’re bringing a large bulk of our team back. I have faith we can be in same spot next year and go even further,” Soderwall said.
Soderwall is part of a talented cast of newcomers being recognized for their contributions this past season.
USCHO All-Rookie Team
F Collin Patterson, Massachusetts-Dartmouth
F Eric Vitale, Utica
F Logan Dombrowsky, St. Norbert
F Landon Parker, Augsburg
F Luke Tchor, Hamilton
F Boyd Stahlbaum, UW-Stout
F Tio D’Addario, Plattsburgh
D Julien Jacob, Adrian
D Bauer Morrissey, Hobart
D Cooper Bertrand, Norwich
G Shane Soderwall, Curry
All-Rookie Team – – Soderwall, Curry; D – Julien Jacob, Adrian; Bauer Morrissey, Hobart; D – Cooper Bertrand – Norwich; F – Eric Vitale, Utica; F – Logan Dombrowsky, St. Norbert; F – Landon Parker, Augsburg; F – Luke Tchor – Hamilton; F – Boyd Stahlbaum – Wisconsin – Stout; F – Tio D’Addario – Plattsburgh; F – Collin Patterson – Massachusetts – Dartmouth
Boston College freshman Will Smith leads the nation in scoring (photo: Meg Kelly).
Providence Regional, March 29-31 Amica Mutual Pavilion, Providence, R.I.
Friday, March 29, 2:00 p.m., ET, ESPNU
No. 1 Boston College (31-5-1) vs. No. 4 Michigan Tech (19-14-6)
Friday, March 29, 5:30 p.m. ET, ESPNews
No. 2 Wisconsin (26-11-2) vs. No. 3 Quinnipiac (26-9-2)
Sunday, March 31, 4:00 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Providence Regional Championship
BOSTON COLLEGE
How they got here: Won Hockey East tournament, 1st in final PairWise
Overall season record: 31-5-1
Top players: F Cutter Gauthier (35-24-59), F Gabe Perreault (18-39-57), F Will Smith (23-44-67), D Eamon Powell (5-27-32), D Lukas Gustafsson (3-10-13), G Jacob Fowler (29-5-1, 2.19 GAA, .925 SV%)
Why they will advance to the Frozen Four: For those of you who have been on Mars for the last six months, in a cave, with your eyes shut and fingers in your ears, the Eagles have won 12 straight and steamrolled their way through the Hockey East tournament by an aggregate score of 19-7. They were four goals better than the nation’s second ranked team, which just happened to be their crosstown rivals.
Why they won’t advance to the Frozen Four: Well, there’s the “any given Sunday” aspect of the NCAA hockey tournament, and an overall No. 1 seed hasn’t won the whole thing since Denver in 2017. Other than that, there are few reasons to bet against Boston College not only making it to St. Paul, but also hoisting the national championship trophy for the first time since 2012.
Wisconsin’s Ben Dexheimer plays the puck in front of Kyle McClellan during a recent game (photo: Tom Lynn).
WISCONSIN
How they got here: At-large bid, 8th in final PairWise
Overall season record: 26-11-2
Top players: F Cruz Lucius (13-21-34), F David Silye (9-23-32), F Simon Tassey (12-16-28), D Ben Dexheimer (5-22-27), G Kyle McClellan (24-11-1, 1.92 GAA, .931 SV%)
Why they will advance to the Frozen Four: Kyle McClellan. He really is that good – unflappable, consistent, excellent, arguably the best goaltender in the tournament. McClellan has the second-best GAA in the country and the nation’s best save percentage. He’s not solely responsible for Wisconsin’s overall team defense – the third-best scoring defense (2.00) and PK (86.8) in the nation – but it sure does help to have that kind of wall in net. The Badgers also have the kind of enthusiasm and confidence that comes from a very successful season under a new coaching staff. Wisconsin finished last in Big Ten play last season with 13 overall wins. That kind of turnaround can fuel a Frozen Four run. Also, they’re well rested, not having played since Mar. 10.
Why they won’t advance to the Frozen Four: This is Wisconsin’s first appearance in the NCAA tournament since 2010, and while the first-year coaching staff carries the muscle memory of recent Frozen Four experiences with Minnesota State, this team does not. Wisconsin was eliminated in a best-of-three Big Ten quarterfinal series by Ohio State, and the Badgers are 6-5 in their last 11 games including that series. They play the defending national champion in their first game in this regional and if they get past Quinnipiac, face either the No. 1 seed in the tournament or a very stoked Michigan Tech team that just beat the No. 1 seed in the tournament. It’s a tough road for a team without tournament experience.
Jacob Quillan celebrates his OT winner that lifted Quinnipiac to a 3-2 win on the road at AIC earlier this season (photo: Rob Rasmussen/P8Photos.com).
QUINNIPIAC
How they got here: At-large bid, 9th in final Pairwise
Overall season record: 26-9-2
Top players: F Collin Graf (22-26–48), F Jacob Quillan (15-29–44), F Mason Marcellus (14-22–36), F Sam Lipkin (15-20–35), G Vinny Duplessis (20-6-2, 1.93 GAA, .918 SV%)
Why they will advance to the Frozen Four: Not winning the ECAC tournament is a common thread through the years for Quinnipiac, but a semifinal exit in last year’s conference postseason did nothing to stop the train from winning the national championship over a field that included Minnesota, Michigan and Boston University. And while this year’s team doesn’t have the same defensive structure as last year’s championship roster, the core and an ultra-talented front line has virtually the same pace of scoring as a team that won the national championship. Also, don’t discount the fact that dropping to a No. 3 seed allowed the Bobcats to play more locally in Providence instead of getting sent out west to possibly play in Sioux Falls.
Why they won’t advance to the Frozen Four: Last year’s team was rock solid from top to bottom, and this year’s team isn’t. Combine that with the Providence pod’s overall strength – Wisconsin was a possible No. 1 seed until it lost the Big Ten regular season championship to Michigan State ahead of its first-round postseason exit against Ohio State and the Bobcats will be lucky to even get out of their first game before facing either the top seed in the entire tournament in Boston College or a rugged, tough CCHA champion Michigan Tech.
Isaac Gordon has been a go-to player this season for Michigan Tech (photo: Michigan Tech Athletics).
MICHIGAN TECH
How they got here: Won CCHA tournament, 32nd in final PairWise
Overall season record: 19-14-6
Top players: G Blake Pietila (18-12-6, 2.28 GAA, .920 SV%); F Isaac Gordon (18-18-36); F Ryland Mosley (18-15-33); F Logan Pietila (11-11-22); F Logan Pietila (13-16-29); D Chase Pietila (3-19-22); F Jack Works (10-10-20)
Why they will advance to the Frozen Four: Blake Pietila. Maybe it feels like you’re re-reading last season’s regional preview, but I assure you, you are not. Even though his numbers aren’t quite as good as they were a season ago when he won the CCHA’s player of the year award and was a Mike Richter Award finalist, Pietila still has the ability to win games for the Huskies when it looks like they are outmatched. Take last weekend’s CCHA title game in Bemidji. The Huskies were outshot by the Beavers 35-27 but aside from a first period Bemidji goal, the fifth-year senior stopped every other shot, including 17 in the third period alone, to carry the Huskies to their first-ever Mason Cup championship. This is one of the reasons why Pietila returned for his fifth year–another shot at making the NCAA tournament. If he’s on his game, he automatically gives the Huskies a chance to beat anybody, and he’s been on his game for most of the second half of the season as Tech has made its run to the NCAAs.
Why they won’t advance to the Frozen Four: Although Pietila gives Tech plenty of insurance any time he is in the crease, the defensive core in front of him has had some growing pains. The combination of freshman, transfers and players who didn’t see much ice time previously came into the season with less than 150 games of college hockey played between them, and nearly all of those belonged to senior Jed Pietila. Although they have gelled as the season has gone on and become a more cohesive unit, there are some heavy-hitting offensive teams in this region, including two of the top 10 scoring offenses in the country. It remains to be seen if the relatively inexperienced defensive core will be able to help keep pucks away from Blake Pietila. If not, it will likely be a quick NCAA tournament exit.
Trey Augustine celebrates Michigan State’s weekend home sweep over Wisconsin earlier this season (photo: Michigan State Athletics).
Maryland Heights Regional, March 29-31 Centene Community Ice Center, Maryland Heights, Mo.
Friday, March 29, 5:00 p.m. ET, ESPNU
No. 1 Michigan St. (24-9-3) vs. No. 4 Western Mich. (21-15-1)
Friday, March 29, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPNU
No. 2 North Dakota (26-11-2) vs. No. 3 Michigan (21-14-3)
Sunday, March 31, 6:30 p.m. ET, ESPN2
Maryland Heights Regional Championship
MICHIGAN STATE
How they got here: Won the Big Ten tournament, 4th in final PairWise
Overall season record: 24-9-3
Top players: F Karsen Dorwart (14-18-32), F Joey Larson (15-16-31), F Gavin O’Connell (14-11-25), D Artyom Levshunov (9-25-34), G Trey Augustine (22-8-2, 2.88 GAA, .918 SV%)
Why they will advance to the Frozen Four: Adam Nightingale credits Michigan State’s sweep at the hands of Boston College early in the season for showing the Spartans what it takes to attain a high level of success – and that lesson certainly took. Michigan State improved in every position as the season progressed and found ways to win against opponents they should beat. They carry momentum from the Big Ten championship into this regional, and they have the sixth-best offense in the nation, something that seems to fly under the radar. They’re battle-tested, motivated, balanced and deep. Nothing rattles them, which could be the one intangible thing that propels them into the Frozen Four.
Why they won’t advance to the Frozen Four: There is one thing that can prevent Michigan State from advancing this weekend, and that’s Michigan State. This is MSU’s first NCAA tournament appearance since 2012, so they lack experience. Also, this is just a tough, tough bracket. Western Michigan is a top-10 team offensively, is 11th nationally in defense and more than decent on special teams. Even if the Spartans get by the Broncos, they’ll face either North Dakota or Michigan, two tournament-tested teams – and the Wolverines would have something to prove in a Big Ten title game rematch.
Jake Livanavage’s first NCAA goal stood as the game winner as North Dakota defeated Minnesota on home ice earlier this season (photo: Russell Hons).
NORTH DAKOTA
How they got here: At-large bid, tied for 6th in final PairWise
Overall season record: 26-11-2
Top players: F Jackson Blake (21-38–59), F Owen McLaughlin (13-25–38), F Cameron Berg (20-17–37), D Jake Livanavage (5-24–39), G Ludvig Persson (21-10-2, 2.47 GAA, .908 SV%)
Why they will advance to the Frozen Four: Blake would be a difference-maker on any college team this season and would be a shoo-in for the Hobey Baker Award if not for a few leading lights in the Boston area. Livanavage has also been exceptional in his freshman season, helping a Fighting Hawks team that has had no real problems scoring.
Why they won’t advance to the Frozen Four: Persson deserves to go far in the NCAA tournament, because he wasn’t the reason Miami was nowhere near it over the past few years, but he missed North Dakota’s last three games. He’s in line to return this week, but UND got pounded by Omaha in the NCHC semifinals and lost four of five games against the Mavericks this season, and lost all four regular-season meetings with Colorado College. Could one or more of the Michigan-based teams in this regional suss out a blueprint through game film?
Gavin Brindley has been a top player this season for the Wolverines (photo: Michigan Photography).
MICHIGAN
How they got here: At-large bid, 10th in final PairWise
Overall season record: 21-14-3
Top players: F Gavin Brindley (24-27-51), F Dylan Duke (22-22-44), Rutger McGroarty (16-36-52), D Seamus Casey (7-38-45), G Jaco Barczewski (18-13-3, 2.83 GAA, .907 SV%)
Why they will advance to the Frozen Four: Michigan has one of the most powerful, creative and explosive offenses in the country, averaging well over four goals per game – with an insane power-play conversion of 35.3%. That alone could power the Wolverines to their third consecutive Frozen Four appearance, but it’s the experience of having been there the last two years that can carry them there. The Wolverine have also shored up their overall team defense in the last month, and even in higher-scoring games, Michigan has found a way to win recently. Six of their last seven games have been decided by a goal, and they’re 5-1 in those games.
Why they won’t advance to the Frozen Four: This bracket is brutal. If Michigan gets past North Dakota – a big if – they’ll face either Western Michigan or Michigan State. The Broncos are an unknown for Michigan this season, but the Wolverines know the Spartans, a team they’re 1-4 against this season. While the Wolverines can score, they give up on average more than three goals per game and their PK is 40th-best in the nation (78.5%). If their recent defensive improvements don’t carry into this regional, the Wolverines are doomed.
Alex Bump was part of Western Michigan’s offense this season (photo: Ashley Huss).
WESTERN MICHIGAN
How they got here: At-large bid, tied for 13th in final PairWise
Overall season record: 21-15-1
Top players: F Luke Grainger (14-33–47), F Dylan Wendt (23-20–43), F Sam Colangelo (23-19–42), D Zak Galambos (8-12–20), G Cameron Rowe (21-15-1, 2.40 GAA, .905 SV%)
Why they will advance to the Frozen Four: Up front and at the back, this Western Michigan team is led by upperclassmen who have had a hand in the Broncos making the past two NCAA tournaments, as well. If Rowe can show why he has played every minute this season for the Broncos, then who knows how far they could go?
Why they won’t advance to the Frozen Four: The Maryland Heights Regional looks like it may be this year’s hardest to get out of. All four teams will find that, not just a Western team that has lost five of its last eight games.
UW-River Falls wins the 2024 Women’s D-III Ice Hockey National Championship. (Photo via UW-River Falls Athletics)
Our lovely season known as Women’s D-III Hockey has come to an end. The All-American awards for East/West have been announced, now, we’ll announce this year’s USCHO awards!
This was one of the best, if not the best season to date for women’s D-III hockey in terms of seeing an undefeated 31-0-0 UW-River Falls winning the title and an overall level of skill and parity we have gotten to enjoy more and more as the years go on!
Cheers to another amazing season, now to the awards:
First Team
F – Maddie McCollins – Gr. Sr. – UW-River Falls
F – Une Bjelland – Gr. Sr. – Adrian
F – Sophie Rausch – Gr. Sr. – UW-Eau Claire
D – Maya Roy – Sr. – Adrian
D – MaKenna Aure – So. – UW-River Falls
G – Natalie Stott – So. – Amherst
Second Team
F – Megan Goodreau – So. – UW-River Falls
F – Alex Hantge – Sr. – UW-River Falls
F – Livia Brooks – Fr. – Norwich
D – Kathryn Truban – Sr. – Adrian
D – Kendall Wasik – Gr. Sr. – Plattsburgh
G – Katie McCoy – Gr. Sr. – Gustavus
Third Team
F – Hailey Holland – Gr. Sr. – Gustavus
F – Gabrielle Cox – Gr. Sr. – Manhattanville
F – Julia Masotta – Gr. Sr. – Plattsburgh
D – Sophia Coltvet – Sr. – Gustavus
D – Sami Quackenbush – Sr. – Hamilton
G – Jordan O’Connor – Sr. – UW-River Falls
Rookie of the Year
Livia Brooks – Norwich
As a freshman, Livia Brooks played 27 games, she totaled 38 points consisting of 21 goals & 17 assists. She only found the penalty box twice for a total of four minutes. Stellar season and a great outlook ahead for her future career with the Cadets.
Player of the Year
Maddie McCollins – UW-River Falls
As a Graduate Senior, Maddie McCollins wins her second-straight USCHO POTY award as she totaled a stellar 64 points in 31 games. Her points consisted of 33 goals & 31 assists. She ends her River Falls career with 162 points and her Freshman & Sophomore year only totaled 20 points… She had huge years in her final three seasons as a Falcon. What a career and storybook ending, a perfect 31-0-0 season with a national championship.
Coach of the Year
Joe Cranston – UW-River Falls
Head Coach Joe Cranston holds a career record of (stat via USCHO) 492-157-46 (.741). His Falcons posted the best record of a Women’s D-III Hockey team ever (31-0-0). Middlebury also went undefeated in their title run, going 27-0-0, but Cranston topped this by four games.
River Falls was dominate all year long, their rivals UW-Eau Claire giving them their toughest battles, taking them to overtime twice, but they got the job done when needed and got past any adversity they faced all season.
Coach Cranston is one of the best, now, he can add a much-deserved national championship ring to his case and banner to the rink he walks and skates in everyday. Congratulations on a season that won’t be topped for a very long time, if ever.
A Farewell
It was a pleasure writing and covering D-III Women’s hockey for USCHO these past two seasons, but this will be my last. Don’t think I’m leaving the sport (lol), you know where to find me of course. Stay tuned for what I’ve got planned.
Lleyton Roed posted back-to-back 30-point seasons for Bemidji State (photo: Brent Cizek).
Bemidji State sophomore forward Lleyton Roed has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the NHL’s Seattle Kraken, giving up his remaining eligibility.
Roed will report to the AHL’s Coachella Valley Firebirds where he’ll play the remainder of the 2023-24 season.
“I just want to say how grateful I am for the coaching staff and my teammates,” said Roed, a native of White Bear Lake, Minn., in a statement “Tom (Serratore) and the staff gave me an opportunity and helped me get to this point. I also want to thank my teammates for pushing me and supporting me every single day. It obviously is a dream come true to sign an NHL contract and especially with such a great organization. And finally, I want to thank my family for being there for me my entire life. I am proud to say I am a Beaver for life.”
In just two seasons with the Beavers, Roed amassed 61 career points off 27 goals and 34 assists and was the first Beaver to post back-to-back 30-or-more point seasons since Jordan George in 2009-12. In 74 games with the green and white, he compiled the sixth-best point per game average (0.82) among Beavers during BSU’s D-I era.
A Hobey Baker Memorial Award nominee in 2024, Roed was a CCHA forward of the year finalist and all-CCHA first team selection after he led the Beavers in scoring with 30 points (14 goals, 16 assists), finished sixth in the CCHA with 14 goals and helped BSU capture the program’s second MacNaughton Cup as regular-season champions.
“Lleyton has been an elite level player for us ever since he joined the Beavers as a freshman,” said Serratore. “He’s been instrumental to the success the Beavers have had during the last two years and a big reason why we won 20 games and the MacNaughton Cup this year. I am proud of the steps he has taken on and off the ice to achieve his dream of playing professional hockey and excited to see him develop into an NHL player.”
Dennis Williams has spent seven seasons with the WHL’s Everett Silvertips on the bench at Angel of the Winds Arena (photo: Evan Morud).
Dennis Williams, a gold medal-winning head coach for Canada at the 2023 World Junior Championship and current head coach of the WHL’s Everett Silvertips, has been named head coach at Bowling Green.
Williams, the ninth head coach in Falcons hockey history, will be formally introduced at a press conference on Thursday at 9 a.m.
Williams comes to BGSU after spending seven years as the head coach of the Silvertips of the WHL, including the last three as general manager. Under Williams, Everett earned four U.S. Division titles, three conference regular-season titles and one Western Conference championship. Williams and the Silvertips start the first round of the WHL playoffs on Friday against Vancouver.
He will coach the Silvertips through the conclusion of the playoffs. Williams will officially join BGSU following the end of the Silvertips’ season.
“Dennis Williams is a gold medal-winning coach for Team Canada, one of those most respected coaches in the Canadian hockey system, and one of the top head coaches in the WHL,” said BGSU director of athletics Derek van der Merwe in a statement. “In the two weeks, I have learned that he is highly respected by his peers across this country. He embodies the essence of educational leadership, with a mentorship style that blends discipline, character, persistence, and a commitment to excellence. Wherever he has gone, winning has followed. His true success lies in the development of his players on and off the ice. We have a storied hockey tradition at Bowling Green State University and Dennis has values, knowledge and respect in the industry to position the Falcons for CCHA and NCAA success.”
“Bowling Green State University is excited to welcome Dennis Williams as our head coach of men’s ice hockey,” added BGSU president Rodney K. Rogers. “He is an accomplished, gold medal-winning coach with extensive experience and success in developing the talent of athletes. I want to thank Derek van der Merwe, director of athletics, for his leadership of this national search. We will continue to elevate the rich history and legacy of BGSU hockey at our university and across the region, and I look forward to joining our students, faculty, staff, alumni and community in supporting BGSU hockey in the Slater Family Ice Arena.”
The native of Stratford, Ont., has served as a coach for Hockey Canada, including head coach for the 2023 World Junior Championship (gold medal), an assistant coach for the 2022 World Junior Championship (gold), an assistant at the 2019 Hlinka Gretzky Cup, and head coach for Team Canada Black at the 2018 U17 World Hockey Challenge.
Williams carries 17 years of head coaching experience across junior and college levels, boasting an overall career head coaching record of 544-267-14. His junior hockey career head coaching winning percentage stands at .700 with a career record of 505-217, while with the Silvertips he is currently 283-120 (.702). During his time with Everett, Williams was named Western Conference coach of the year twice (2018, 2020) and U.S. Division coach of the year (2022). He has boasted 11 NHL draftees since 2018 (second-most in the WHL) and 16 of his players have signed pro contracts at the NHL or AHL levels.
Named the fifth head coach in Silvertips franchise history, Williams promptly embarked on a year-long journey which broke the Silvertips record for wins by a first-year head coach (47), earned their third-most points (99) in franchise history, set a new single-season franchise record for goals (246), were second in the league for goal differential (-plus80), and earned eight goals or more in a game on five separate occasions. They broke single-game franchise records for most goals in a game (11) and largest margin of victory (11) in an 11-0 victory at Vancouver, while goaltender Carter Hart earned his second CHL goaltender of the year award, and six different Silvertips were drafted by NHL clubs or signed to NHL or AHL contracts. Williams followed with another 47-win and 99-point season, the Silvertips’ fourth U.S. Division title in five seasons. Goaltender Dustin Wolf was named WHL Western Conference goaltender of the year and CHL scholastic player of the year, while two more Everett players were selected in the NHL Draft in defenseman Gianni Fairbrother (Montreal) and Wolf (Calgary).
The 2019-20 season was cut short by the COVID-19 pandemic, though Williams and the Silvertips secured another remarkable campaign, winning 46 games with 96 standings points for a second-place finish in the division. Three Silvertips were drafted to the NHL following the season: Gage Goncalves (Tampa Bay), Kasper Puutio (Florida) and Ronan Seeley (Carolina). He then guided the Silvertips to their eighth U.S. Division title in the shortened 2021 season, posting a 19-4 (38 points) record and the second-highest points percentage (.826) in the league. Defenseman Olen Zellweger was selected in the NHL Draft 34th overall by the Anaheim Ducks.
With a full slate of games and fans returning to the arena for the 2021-22 season, Williams and the Silvertips assembled one of the greatest seasons in franchise history. Everett clinched their ninth U.S. Division title with a 45-13-5-5 record, clinched the top seed in the Western Conference for just the fifth time in franchise history, eclipsed the 100-point mark for just the third time and scored the most goals as a team in franchise history (280). The team also strung together the longest win streak to start a season (six games) and the longest point streak (18 games) in the team’s 19-year history. Everett netted 79 power-play goals in 2021-22, the most of any WHL team and most in team history since 2006-07.
Despite an injury-riddled season, Williams helped lead the Silvertips back to the postseason in 2022-23 with a 33-32-2-1 team record, placing as the sixth overall seed in the Western Conference. Silvertips captain Jackson Berezowski broke both the career goals record (130; previous record 112) and single-season goals record (48; previously 47) during the season.
In addition to his time with the Silvertips, Williams’ experience includes the USHL’s Bloomington Thunder and NAHL’s Amarillo Bulls. After guiding Bloomington to a 29-24-7 record and fifth place in the Eastern Conference in their expansion season of 2014-15, he led the Thunder in 2015-16 to a 36-18-6 record, an appearance in the Eastern Conference final, and a victory shy of reaching the league’s Clark Cup Finals. He led Amarillo to three consecutive 40-win seasons from 2011-14, amassing a career record of 168-44-2-24 and a points percentage of .756 across four years in the NAHL. He delivered three straight South Division titles, back-to-back and league leading 46-win campaigns, and a Robertson Cup title to Amarillo in 2012-13.
Under Williams, the Bulls shattered a 35-year-old record with 99 points in back-to-back seasons (2011-13) and he was named NAHL coach of the year after the Bulls’ league championship. Williams’ teams in Amarillo led the league in goals from 2011-13 and finished second in the NAHL with 207 goals with a plus-87 goal differential in 2013-14.
During his time in Amarillo and Bloomington, he helped 74 players advance to play in the NCAA Division I ranks and with the Bulls coached seven division all-conference selections, two all-NAHL first team members, one defenseman of the year, and one division all-rookie honoree. With the Thunder, 12 selections were either chosen in the NHL Draft or for rosters at the U17 Ivan Hlinka Memorial Tournament, U18 World Championships, and the Junior A World Challenge. He assisted with community outreach efforts with every one of his Bulls squads containing a community service award recipient, and his team in Bloomington was selected as recipient of the 2016-17 Curt Hammer Community Service Award.
Williams has served Utica (2003-04) and Alabama-Huntsville (2007-08) as an assistant coach and started his head coaching career at the NCAA level with four seasons at Neumann.
Williams has not only proven himself as a solid teacher of the game of hockey, but he has also proven he has the capability to change the direction of a program at the college level. Before being an assistant coach for former Falcons assistant coach Danton Cole at Alabama-Huntsville in 2007-08, Williams was the head coach at Neumann from 2003 to 2006. In just three short years, Williams built the Knights into a powerhouse, going from 3-21-1 the year before he arrived to 17-5-5 in his final season behind the bench. In his three seasons with the Knights, he racked up a 35-32-8 record, which included the school’s two best seasons in program history.
A former right winger for the Falcons, Williams received his bachelor of science degree in sport management from Bowling Green in 2001, graduating cum laude. He later earned a master’s degree in education from BGSU in 2003. During his BGSU career, he appeared in 117 career games, notched 20 points (12 goals, eight assists), and 198 penalty minutes for the Falcons, while also notching two-game winning goals. He was the Howard Brown Coaches Award recipient following the 2000-01 season, recognizing him as the person who best exemplified professional qualities both on and off the ice en route to leading the Falcons to a CCHA semifinal appearance that season. He joined BGSU’s coaching staff as an assistant in 2008 and was named interim head coach for the 2009-10 season.
After his BGSU playing career, he spent the 2001-02 hockey season with the Odessa Jackalopes, a New York Islanders affiliate in the Central Hockey League, and the Cambridge Hornets of OHA’s Major League Hockey, now Allan Cup Hockey.
Tom Serratore has now been named a conference coach of the year eight times (photo: BSU Photo Services).
The CCHA has announced that Bemidji State’s Tom Serratore is the CCHA coach of the year, as voted on by his peers.
Through 23 years at the helm, he has now been named conference coach of the year eight times.
Serratore led the Beavers to their second-ever MacNaughton Cup championship and first since 2017 this season, clearing the field by nine points when it was all said and done, posting a 15-7-2 league record, finishing the regular season on a nine-game unbeaten streak (7-0-2). He notched his eighth 20-win season (20-16-2), which included an 11-game overall unbeaten streak (10-0-1) and a place in the Mason Cup championship game.
Bemidji State boasted a school-record four CCHA first team selections in captain Kyle Looft, Eric Pohlkamp, Lleyton Roed and Mattias Sholl. The Beavers had the CCHA defenseman of the year (Looft), best defensive defenseman (Looft) and goaltender of the year (Sholl), with Kasper Magnussen earning third star in the Mason Cup championship. Looft was twice named defenseman of the month (October and November) and Pohlkamp claimed the honor once (February), while Adam Flammang picked up a forward of the month honor (February). The Beavers also had 19 weekly award-winners, including a team-high four from Looft.
The Beavers went 15-7-0 at home this season, losing just twice at the Sanford Center after Jan. 1. They swept Ferris State in in the Mason Cup quarterfinals, before topping Lake Superior State 4-1 in the semifinals, ultimately falling to Michigan Tech in the title game, 2-1.
Denver’s Massimo Rizzo has been on fire offensively this season for the Pioneers (photo: Jamie Schwaberow/Clarkson Creative Photography).
Springfield Regional, March 28-30 Mass Mutual Center, Springfield, Mass.
Thursday, March 28, 2:00 p.m. Eastern time, ESPN2
No. 1 Denver (28-9-3) vs. No. 4 Massachusetts (20-13-3)
Thursday, March 28, 5:30 p.m. Eastern time, ESPNews
No. 2 Maine (23-11-2) vs. No. 3 Cornell (21-6-6)
Saturday, March 30, 4:00 p.m. Eastern time, ESPN2
Springfield Regional Championship
DENVER
How they got here: Won NCHC tournament, 3rd in final PairWise
Overall season record: 28-9-3
Top players: F Jack Devine (27-28-55), F Massimo Rizzo (10-34–44), F Tristan Broz (14-24–38), D Zeev Buium (11-37–48), G Matt Davis (19-5-3, 2.64 GAA, .905 SV%)
Why they will advance to the Frozen Four: Devine and brothers Zeev and Shai Buium would pose problems for any opponent in this tournament field. The Pioneers have also won seven of their last eight games, and are only two years removed from winning a national championship. It’s easier to picture DU making this year’s Frozen Four than not.
Why they won’t advance to the Frozen Four: Denver ought to brush aside a Massachusetts team that barely got into the tournament, but Maine would be more of a toss-up. Davis also had an .878 save percentage last week at the NCHC Frozen Faceoff; will that figure climb back up in one-and-done situations?
Bradly Nadeau and Josh Nadeau have been go-to players this season for the resurgent Maine team (photos: Anthony DelMonaco).
MAINE
How they got here: At-large bid, 5th in final PairWise
Overall season record: 23-11-2
Top players: F Bradly Nadeau (19-27-46), F Josh Nadeau (18-27-45), F Lynden Breen (9-21-30), D David Breazeale (2-7-9), D Luke Antonacci (0-5-5), G Albin Boija (10-6-1, 2.01, .916 SV%).
Why they will advance to the Frozen Four: The two-time national champion Black Bears (1993, 1999) are playing in the program’s first NCAA Tournament in 12 years, and you better believe their fans — known to travel well — will be itching to pack the Springfield arena.
Why they won’t advance to the Frozen Four: Again, it’s been a dozen years since the Black Bears’ last tourney appearance. They’re playing in a bracket stacked with teams that have been there recently, including national championship winners Denver (2022) and host UMass (2021). The inexperience on the big stage could lead to a quick end for Maine.
Ian Shane has been a rock between the pipes this season for Cornell, earning four ECAC Hockey goaltender of the month honors (photo: Lexi Woodcock/Cornell Athletics).
CORNELL
How they got here: Won the ECAC Tournament, 12th in final Pairwise
Overall season record: 21-6-6
Top players: F Gabriel Seger (14-28–42), F Dalton Bancroft (12-19–31), F Kyle Penney (9-17–26) F Jonathan Castagna (11-14–25), G Ian Shane (21-4-6, 1.70 GAA, .922 SV%)
Why they will advance to the Frozen Four: Cornell would have been a lock for the tournament ahead of the ECAC tournament if the Big Red had the additional six games afforded to non-Ivy League schools, but winning the Whitelaw Cup as the postseason champion sent the Big Red through to the NCAA Tournament as a certified lock. Improving to that degree required a red hot second half, but goalie Ian Shane not receiving consideration for the Richter Award was a criminal robbery. The defense in front of him is solid, and the offense has top-end attackers who can damage an opponent. In a regional based around UMass, it also means the bracket requires Denver to travel far enough east to cause problems for the Pioneers. Get past Maine, which has had its issues in the second half, and Cornell could be a dark horse nobody’s noticing.
Why they won’t advance to the Frozen Four: ECAC wasn’t exactly the strongest conference this year, and winning a regional with both Maine and Denver will require something that the league hasn’t shown this year. UMass is also lurking as the host site, and considering that the Black Bears were a No. 1 seed until a late-season slide puts special emphasis on the difficulty associated with advancing to St. Paul. For a team with seven 20-point scorers, Cornell is also very top heavy on goal scoring with four players with 10-or-more goals, though none have more than 14.
Ryan Ufko has been an impact player this season for UMass (photo: Thom Kendall/UMass Athletics).
MASSACHUSETTS
How they got here: At-large bid, 13th in final PairWise
Overall season record: 20-13-3
Top players: F Taylor Makar (4-5-9), F Lucas Mercuri (8-16-24), F Ryan Lautenbach (10-14-24), D Ryan Ufko (10-16-26), D Scott Morrow (6-24-30), G Michael Hrabal (16-10-1, 2.61, .912 SV%).
Why they will advance to the Frozen Four: Whether they deserve it or not, the Minutemen will enjoy a nifty home-ice advantage in Springfield, a rink only 19.36 miles away from their own. Also, UMass is 8-2-1 against non-conference opponents this year.
Why they won’t advance to the Frozen Four: UMass really struggled down the stretch this season, losing six of their last 10 games. After an 8-1 drubbing at the hands of No. 1 Boston College in the Hockey East semifinals, the Minutemen qualified for the NCAA tournament by the skin of their teeth, only after a lot of things broke their way.
Mirror image results for Coach Taylor means back-to-back championships for Hobart and USCHO Coach of the Year, Mark Taylor (Photo by Kevin Colton – Hobart Athletics)
Coaching the Hobart Statesmen to back-to-back national championships while winning the NEHC and establishing a new consecutive home win-streak at 37 games and counting, has earned Hobart head coach Mark Taylor this year’s USCHO Coach of the Year.
Hobart finished the campaign with an impressive 28-2-1 record including a 16-1-1 record in the New England Hockey Conference while going 17-0-0 on home ice. Their last loss of the season took place on November 11, 2023 against Babson with an overtime tie at Norwich taking place on January 13, 2024 as their loss non-win event. The Statesmen ended the season with a 14-game win streak which included the game of the year in an epic NCAA quarterfinal against Curry that took four overtime periods to decide a winner and advance Hobart to the Frozen Four.
“I didn’t want it to end there for this team,” said Taylor. “We were dominating the game in so many ways and we, the coaches, were running out of things to say as the overtimes progressed. What are you going to say – keep it going boys? They were giving everything, and we couldn’t get a bounce. It was such a relief to get that goal and know this team was going to have a chance to defend their title in the Frozen Four.”
With a win on Thursday against Utica by a 3-1 score and Saturday’s 2-0 shutout of Trinity, the Statesmen became the first team since the 2011 and 2012 St. Norbert Green Knights to win back-to-back national championships. At the press conference following their first tile, Taylor hoped his team could get back there to give players who were unable to play for the title a chance to experience winning one too. Ironically, one of those key players, Matthew Iasenza scored the insurance goal into the empty-net on Saturday night and his teammates celebrated him like it was the game-winning goal.
“We practice something called “Mudita” [A Buddhist Term] here,” stated Taylor. “As good as these guys are on the ice they are better people and closer off it. Mudita is when you can joyfully celebrate others success and you saw that with Iasenza and his teammates after the goal. None of these guys are looking for personal accolades and are thrilled with the team’s success that everyone is a part of whether they are playing or not – everyone supports the team.”
Under Taylor, Hobart has the longest consecutive NCAA appearance streak at nine years, and they have advanced to the Frozen four in five of those winning the past two championships. Not one to rest on current achievements, there is a desire for more.
“A three-peat?” asked Taylor. “We don’t think of it like that but we will do everything we can to be good enough to get back here again next season. It is our goal every year to win games and championships.”
Nicole Haase (@NicoleHaase) and Todd Milewski (@ToddMilewski) look back on the Frozen Four and Ohio State’s second championship in the last three seasons. Plus, thoughts on the Patty Kazmaier Award, New Hampshire as Frozen Four host and the transfer portal.
Lane Hutson is serving as an alternate captain this season for BU (photo: Harris Freeman).
Sioux Falls Regional, March 28-30 Denny Sanford PREMIER Center, Sioux Falls, S.D.
Thursday, March 28, 5:00 p.m. Eastern time, ESPNU
No. 1 Boston U. (26-9-2) vs. No. 4 Rochester Institute of Technology (27-10-2)
Thursday, March 28, 8:30 p.m. Eastern time, ESPNU
No. 2 Minnesota (22-10-5) vs. No. 3 Omaha (23-12-4)
Saturday, March 30, 6:30 p.m. Eastern time, ESPNU
Sioux Falls Regional Championship
BOSTON UNIVERSITY
How they got here: At-large bid, 2nd in final PairWise
Overall season record: 26-9-2
Top players: F Macklin Celebrini (31-28-59), F Luke Tuch (9-19-28), F Quinn Hutson (17-18-35), D Lane Hutson (13-33-46), D Case McCarthy (3-5-8), G Mathieu Caron (26-9-2, 2.33 GAA, .916 SV%)
Why they will advance to the Frozen Four: That Macklin Celebrini is pretty darn good. Averaging 1.91 points per game, the celebrated freshman forward is a scoring threat from anywhere on the ice. Throw in defenseman Lane Hutson and his brother, forward Quinn, and you have a challenge for any defense. Before the Hockey East championship game, BU hadn’t lost in regulation since Jan. 27.
Why they won’t advance to the Frozen Four: Fair or not, the Terriers were sent all the way to Sioux Falls due to the NCAA’s quirky selection process. The long trip and smaller number of fans in attendance (that would certainly be bigger had BU been placed in Springfield or Providence) could affect the Terriers adversely.
Justen Close has had a superb season in 2023-24 for the Gophers (photo: Brad Rempel).
MINNESOTA
How they got here: At-large bid, tied for 6th in final PairWise
Overall season record: 22-10-5
Top players: F Bryce Brodzinski (13-19-32), F Rhett Pitlick (19-16-35), Jimmy Snuggerud (21-13-34), D Sam Rinzel (2-25-27), G Justen Close (21-9-5, 2.33 GAA, .923 SV%)
Why they will advance to the Frozen Four: The Golden Gophers are a team that shouldn’t be underestimated. They made Frozen Four appearances in 2022 and 2023, losing the title game in OT to Quinnipiac last year. They were hot in the second half of the Big Ten season, with the best record (7-2-1) of any B1G team in the last 10 games of the regular season. They ran into a Michigan team that had their number in B1G playoff action, but that means that gave Minnesota a two-week break to heal up and prepare for this tournament. Their offense is as good as any in the country, and Justen Close is the real deal in net.
Why they won’t advance to the Frozen Four: The Gophers have a difficult time putting together back-to-back wins. It was what mired them in the middle of the Big Ten standings early in the season, and it’s what prevented them finishing higher than third. Like every team in the Big Ten except for Wisconsin, Minnesota’s penalty killing is average, and that could be a factor with unfamiliar officials and opponents. Their first opponent is a red-hot Omaha team. Should they survive that game, they’ll face either the No. 2 team in the country or the team that just beat the No. 2 team in the country.
Tanner Ludtke helped Omaha down Colorado College in the NCHC quarterfinals two weekends ago (photo: Mark Kuhlmann).
OMAHA
How they got here: At-large bid, tied for 10th in final PairWise
Overall season record: 23-12-4
Top players: F Tanner Ludtke (11-17–28), F Jack Randl (13-12–25), F Zach Urdahl (13-12–25), D Griffin Ludtke (4-23–27), G Simon Latkoczy (19-11-3, 2.67 GAA, .912 SV%)
Why they will advance to the Frozen Four: Before falling to Denver in the NCHC championship game, Omaha was one of the hottest teams in all of college hockey. The Mavericks would break a school record for wins in a single season if they get back to St. Paul, and they should have a huge fan presence in Sioux Falls, at a tournament they’re hosting.
Why they won’t advance to the Frozen Four: Minnesota has a greater NCAA tournament pedigree than the Mavericks, and it’s very possible neither of those teams wins this regional. Boston University appears to be on a mission. I’d be less concerned about how Omaha could slow itself down, than I’d be about what Minnesota or BU could do to expedite the Mavericks crashing out.
Carter Wilkie has been an offensive catalyst this season for RIT (photo: Caroline Sherman/RIT Athletics).
ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
How they got here: Won Atlantic Hockey tournament, 21st in final PairWise
Overall season record: 27-10-2
Top players: F Carter Wilkie (16-25–41), F Elijah Gonsalves (19-18–37), F Matthew Wilde (19-15–34), D Gianfranco Cassaro (17-19–36), G Tommy Scarfone (25-8-2, 2.18 GAA, .928 SV%)
Why they will advance to the Frozen Four:
Because Atlantic Hockey typically sends only its champion to the NCAA tournament, that team enters the tourney on a roll and that’s true of the Tigers, who have won seven in a row and outscored their opposition 26-6 in the AHA tournament. RIT is the oldest team in NCAA Men’s Division I with one of the top goalies in the country in Scarfone, and Cassaro leads all NCAA D-I defensemen with 17 goals. Despite low seedings, AHA teams are 4-4 in the first round since 2015. RIT coach Wayne Wilson guided the Tigers to the Frozen Four in 2010. His teams are 3-3 overall in the NCAA tournament including 2-1 in the first round.
Why they won’t advance to the Frozen Four:
As the 15th overall seed, the Tigers have one of the toughest paths to St. Paul, going up against a Boston University team that’s still smarting from its convincing loss to Boston College in the Hockey East final. And while Atlantic Hockey teams are 4-4 in the past eight opening rounds, the league is 0-3 most recently. RIT has no NHL draft picks on its roster; the Terriers have 13 as well as 13 for Minnesota and five for Omaha.
Boston College sophomore Cutter Gauthier has been an offensive spark plug this season for the Eagles (photo: John Quackenbos).
The Gridiron Club of Greater Boston announced Wednesday that Boston College sophomore forward Cutter Gauthier is the recipient of the 72nd Walter Brown Award, presented annually to the best American-born NCAA Division I college hockey player in New England.
Going into the NCAA tournament quarterfinal round, Gauthier leads the nation both in goals with 35 and game-winning goals with 10. He has also amassed 24 assists, and his 59 points place him second in the country in overall scoring. Gauthier was a first team Hockey East all-star and is one of 10 candidates for the 2024 Hobey Baker Award. He was also a key contributor in the United States’ gold medal triumph at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship.
He was drafted with the fifth overall pick by the Philadelphia Flyers in the first round of the 2022 NHL Draft, and his rights were subsequently traded to the Anaheim Ducks.
The 31-5-1 Eagles won both the Hockey East regular-season and playoff championships. Top-ranked in the nation, they face 19-14-6 Michigan Tech in the first game of the Providence Regional on March 29.
“The Gridiron Club of Greater Boston has made an excellent selection in Cutter Gauthier for the Walter Brown Award,” said BC coach Greg Brown in a statement. “Cutter has been dominant on the ice in all areas of the game. He leads the country in goals scored, plays on both the power play and penalty kill, and does this night in and night out while playing against the opponents’ top line. Cutter has been an excellent role model for his teammates, driving the intensity level in practice and elevating each of the players around him. Cutter is as diligent with his schoolwork as he is on the ice. He supports a number of community services initiatives including the New England Jumbos, BC Hockey Toy Drive, and the BC ‘Stuff the Truck’ Food Drive. Along with his teammates, he also supports Team Impact and his Team Impact teammate, Josh Bello.
“In short, Cutter is an outstanding representative of himself, his family, and Boston College. Walter Brown would be proud.”
The two other finalists from the field of 26 semifinalists were Boston University sophomore Lane Hutson and Boston College freshman Will Smith.
The nation’s oldest nationally-recognized college hockey honor, the Walter Brown Award was established in 1953 by the members of the 1933 Massachusetts Rangers, the first American team ever to win the World Championship Tournament. Brown coached the Rangers to the title in Prague, Czechoslovakia, where the team defeated Canada 2-1 in overtime in the championship game.
The Walter Brown Award will be presented at the New England Hockey Writers’ annual event on April 23 at Prince Restaurant in Saugus, Mass.
Nicole Haase (@NicoleHaase) and Todd Milewski (@ToddMilewski) look back on the Frozen Four and Ohio State’s second championship in the last three seasons. Plus, thoughts on the Patty Kazmaier Award, New Hampshire as Frozen Four host and the transfer portal.
