Reigning national champion Denver gets 42 first-place votes, earns top spot in ’24-25 preseason USCHO.com Division I Men’s Hockey Poll

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September 23, 2024

Denver celebrates the 2024 national championship (photo: Jim Rosvold/USCHO.com).

Denver, which won its NCAA record 10th national championship in April, garnered 42 first-place votes in this week’s preseason USCHO.com Division I Men’s Hockey Poll.

Boston College sits No. 2 in the poll, getting six first-place votes, while Boston University is third, Michigan State fourth, and North Dakota fifth.

Minnesota, Michigan, Quinnipiac, Cornell and Wisconsin take up ranks six through 10, respectively, with Cornell getting the last two first-place votes.

USCHO.com Preseason Division I Men’s Hockey Poll – Sept. 23, 2024

The rest of the poll, spots 11 through 20, are Colorado College, Maine Providence, UMass, Omaha, St. Cloud State, Western Michigan, Minnesota Duluth, Notre Dame, Arizona State, and Northeastern.

In addition, 21 other teams received votes in this week’s poll.

The USCHO.com Division I Men’s Hockey Poll is compiled weekly and consists of 50 voters, including coaches and media professionals from across the country. Media outlets may republish this poll as long as USCHO.com is credited.

Sacred Heart takes top spot in 2024-25 Atlantic Hockey America preseason coaches poll; Holy Cross’ McLinskey chosen preseason player of year

By USCHO Staff

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September 22, 2024

Holy Cross’ Liam McLinskey figures to be a key player this season for the Crusaders (photo: Thomas Wolf Photography).

Atlantic Hockey America has announced the results of the 2024-25 coaches poll and preseason awards.

2024-25 AHA Preseason Coaches Poll (First-place votes)
1. Sacred Heart 102 (5)
2. RIT 94 (3)
3. Holy Cross 93 (1)
4. AIC 84 (1)
5. Bentley 76
6. Niagara 67 (1)
7. Air Force 57
8. Canisius 45
9. Mercyhurst 36
10. Army West Point 32
11. Robert Morris 29

Preseason All-AHA Team
F: Liam McLinskey – Holy Cross
F: Matteo Giampa – Canisius
F: Matthew Wilde – RIT
D: Chris Hedden – Air Force
D: Mac Gadowsky – Army West Point
G: Thomas Gale – Holy Cross

Preseason AHA Player of the Year: Liam McLinskey – Holy Cross

NCHC supervisor of officials Rutherford, who ‘loved being around the game of hockey,’ passes away at 73

By USCHO Staff

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September 22, 2024

The NCHC is mourning the loss of longtime officiating supervisor Brendan “Brent” Rutherford.

Rutherford passed away peacefully at his home in Sterling Heights, Mich., on Sept. 20 at the age of 73.

Rutherford served as an NCHC supervisor of officials for nine seasons, joining the staff in the conference’s third year of competition in 2015-16 and working through this past 2023-24 campaign.

In all, Rutherford served as an officiating supervisor at the collegiate level for nearly 25 years, including 12 seasons with the CCHA and two with the WCHA.

FULL OBITUARY

“I’ve known Brent for many years and have worked with him in the NCHC the past nine years,” said NCHC director of officiating Mike Schmitt in a statement. “Brent’s love for officiating and mentoring officials was the highest. He loved being around the game of hockey and talking hockey. He would talk about hockey to fans, coaches, players, anyone who wanted to talk.

“His real passion was mentoring the NCHC officials, mostly covering the Western Michigan and Miami series. If he could supervise every weekend he would. He was dedicated to the NCHC and its officials. He will be missed by everyone in the NCHC, as well as college hockey.”

Prior to his supervisory role, Rutherford was an on-ice official in the NCAA for 20 seasons. He was a referee for 18 seasons, splitting his time between the CCHA and WCHA, while also working two years as a linesman. During his time as an on-ice referee, Rutherford was selected to work the playoffs in 12 straight seasons, while advancing to officiate the NCAA tournament twice.

“Those who become officials do so to give back to the game they love. It’s rarely a full-time job and often one of the most criticized,” said NCHC commissioner Heather Weems. “Officials commit their time and energy to uphold the standards of the game and to make the experience better on the ice. Brent was a staple on our NCHC officiating staff as an officiating supervisor and held a passion for hockey he shared almost every weekend behind the scenes. The NCHC appreciates his contributions over many years and offers our deepest sympathy to his family and friends. He will be missed as a mentor and advisor to our officials.”

The NCHC officiating staff will be dedicating the 2024-25 season to Brent. NCHC on-ice officials will also wear helmet stickers with Rutherford’s initials throughout the season.

In addition to his long officiating career, Rutherford also had a successful career in industrial sales. Rutherford, who was born on Nov. 8, 1950, is survived by his sister, Eileen, and brothers, Joseph and Kevin, as well as four nieces and nephews.

A memorial luncheon will be held to remember Brent on Sept. 26 from 1-4 p.m. ET at The Masters in Madison Heights, Mich. Per his wishes, no gathering will be held at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Heart to Heart Hospice Foundation at www.htohhfoundation.org are appreciated by the family.

Michigan State sits atop 2024-25 Big Ten Hockey preseason coaches poll; 12 players comprise preseason all-conference teams

By USCHO Staff

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September 22, 2024

Trey Augustine celebrates Michigan State’s weekend home sweep over Wisconsin last season (photo: Michigan State Athletics).

Defending regular-season champion Michigan State is favored to win the 2024-25 Big Ten championship, according to the Big Ten Hockey coaches preseason poll released on Friday.

Preseason all-Big Ten teams were also selected in voting conducted by conference head coaches.

2024-25 BIG TEN PRESEASON POLL
1. Michigan State
2. Minnesota
3. Michigan
4. Wisconsin
5. Notre Dame
6. Penn State
7. Ohio State

PRESEASON ALL-BIG TEN FIRST TEAM
Karsen Dorwart, Michigan State, Jr., Forward
Isaac Howard, Michigan State, Jr., Forward
+Jimmy Snuggerud Minnesota, Jr., Forward
Sam Rinzel Minnesota, So., Defenseman
Ben Dexheimer Wisconsin, Jr., Defenseman
+Trey Augustine, Michigan State, So., Goaltender
+ unanimous selection

PRESEASON ALL-BIG TEN SECOND TEAM
T.J. Hughes, Michigan, Jr., Forward
Matthew Wood, Minnesota, Jr., Forward
Aiden Fink, Penn State, So., Forward
Jacob Truscott, Michigan, Gr., Defenseman
Mike Koster, Minnesota, Gr., Defenseman
Tommy Scarfone, Wisconsin, Sr., Goaltender

Defending regular-season champion LIU chosen first in 2024-25 NEWHA preseason coaches poll

By USCHO Staff

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September 22, 2024

LIU sits No. 1 in the 2024-25 NEWHA preseason coaches poll (photo: Adam Rubin).

Long Island, the 2023-24 regular-season champion, has been selected as the preseason favorite to repeat, according to the NEWHA preseason poll in a vote by the NEWHA head coaches.

“It’s exciting to get this kind of recognition going into the season,” said LIU coach Kelly Nash in a statement. “We have a lot of returners, a lot of seniority, in addition to our younger classes eager and ready to contribute to our team. We feel like we have a lot of the right pieces here and its already shown in just the first couple of weeks since they’ve been back. I think it’s safe to say we have some goals leftover from last season that we want to work towards achieving, as well as some new ones at the national level.

“All in all, it’s looking like a fun season ahead of us and we’re ready for it.”

2024-25 NEWHA Preseason Coaches Poll (First-place votes)
1. LIU 47 (5)
2. Stonehill 41 (1)
3. Sacred Heart 37 (2)
4. Saint Anselm 33
5. Franklin Pierce 24
6. Assumption 21
7. Post 13
8. Saint Michael’s 8

Women’s Division I College Hockey: 2024-25 WCHA season preview

By Nicole Haase

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September 20, 2024

Wisconsin and Ohio State have faced off for the past two national titles with each team winning one. The two teams seem destined for a crash course of a rematch, but several ECAC teams as well as Minnesota right here in their own conference hope to have a say in the matter. The Buckeyes had a large fifth-year class graduate, but bring in a number of internationally experienced rookies. Wisconsin and Minnesota have largely intact squads while adding some of the best freshmen in the world. UMD looks for a way to break into the top three while the bottom half of the standings work to figure out how to shake up the conference hierarchy. Their are three new head coaches, though each was already an assistant on the team they’re taking over.

Bemidji State

Last season

4-30-2, 3-24-1 (eighth). Lost to Ohio State in the WCHA quarterfinals.

Key Returners

Sophomores Hailey Armstrong and Riley Reeves

Key Departures

Khloe Lund (graduation)

Most intriguing newcomers

Head coach Amber Fryklund, freshman Julia Zielinska

Prediction

Eighth

Minnesota

Last Season

27-10-2, 19-7-2 (third). Lost to Clarkson in 4 OT in the NCAA quarterfinals.

Key Returners

Redshirt senior Abbey Murphy, junior Josefin Bouveng

Key Departures

Madeline Wethington (graduation)

Most intriguing newcomers

Freshman Chloe Primerano, fifth-year Natálie Mlýnková (Vermont)

Prediction

Third

Minnesota Duluth

Last Season

21-14-4, 15-11-2 (fourth). Lost to Ohio State in the NCAA quarterfinal.

Key Returners

Fifth-year Nina Jobst-Smith, sophomore goalie Ève Gascon

Key Departures

Coach Maura Crowell, goalie Hailey MacLeod (Ohio State), Mannon McMahon (graduation)

Most intriguing newcomer

Freshman Caitlin Kraemer

Prediction

Fourth

Minnesota State

Last Season

13-25, 6-22 (sixth). Lost to Minnesota in the WCHA quarterfinals.

Key Returners

Fifth-year Sydney Langseth, fifth-year Jamie Nelson

Key Departures

Charlotte Akervik (graduation)

Most intriguing newcomer

Head coach Shari Dickerman, Fifth-year Jessie MacPherson (Vermont)

Prediction

Sixth

Ohio State

Last Season

35-4, 26-2 (first). Won their second National Championship.

Key Returners

Fifth-year Makenna Webster, sophomore Joy Dunne

Key Departures

Fifth-years Cayla Barnes and goalie Raygan Kirk (graduation)

Most intriguing newcomer

Freshmen Josie St. Martin and Mira Jungåker

Prediction

First

St. Cloud State

Last Season

17-17-2, 12-14-2 (fifth). Lost to Minnesota Duluth in the WCHA quarterfinals.

Key Returners

Fifth-year goalies Sanni Ahola and Jojo Chobak

Key Departures

Klára Hymlárová (graduation)

Most intriguing newcomer

Freshman Siiri Yrjölä

Prediction

Fifth

St. Thomas

Last Season

10-26-1, 4-23-1 (seventh). Lost to Wisconsin in the WCHA quarterfinals.

Key Returners

Sophomores Ella Boerger and Rylee Bartz

Key Departures

Abby Promersberger and Breja Parent (St. Cloud State)

Most intriguing newcomer

Freshman Nora Sauer

Prediction

Seventh

Wisconsin

Last Season

35-6, 23-5 (second). Lost to Ohio State in the National Championship game.

Key Returners

Juniors KK Harvey and Laila Edwards

Key Departures

Maddi Wheeler (Ohio State), Chayla Edwards (graduation)

Most intriguing newcomers

Freshmen Emma Venusio and Maggie Scannell

Prediction

Second

Women’s Division I College Hockey: 2024-25 Hockey East season preview

By Nicole Haase

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September 20, 2024

Connecticut won their first conference title last season and I see no reason to think they won’t repeat this year, particularly as they return their stellar goaltending tandem. If they can add some consistent scoring, they’ll be in the driver’s seat. That being said, this is probably one of the most wide open years for this conference in a decade. There’s a ton of opportunity here if someone has the wherewithal to grasp it.

Boston College

Last Season

15-14-7, 13-9-5 (fourth). Lost to Connecticut in the Hockey East semifinals.

Key Returners

Sophomores Sammy Taber and Molly Jordan

Key Departures

Sammy Smigliani (graduation), Sidney Fess (Clarkson)

Most intriguing newcomer

Freshman Alana Devlin

Prediction

Fourth

Boston University

Last Season

14-18-3, 12-14-1 (seventh). Lost to Holy Cross in the opening round of the Hockey East tournament.

Key Returners

Senior goalie Callie Shanahan, sophomore Alex Law

Key Departures

Brooke Disher (Ohio State)

Most intriguing newcomers

Freshman Lola Reid, fifth-year Lindsay Bochna (Providence)

Prediction

Seventh

Connecticut

Last Season

25-8-5, 19-4-4 (first). Earned their first ever NCAA Tournament berth, but lost to Minnesota Duluth in overtime in the opening round.

Key Returners

Fifth-year Jada Habisch, senior goaltenders Tia Chan and Megan Warrener

Key Departures

Coryn Tormala (graduation), Kathryn Stockdale (Quinnipiac)

Most intriguing newcomer

Freshman Claire Murdoch

Prediction

First

Holy Cross

Last Season

8-24-3, 4-20-3 (tenth). Lost to Connecticut in the Hockey East Tournament quarterfinals.

Key Returners

Junior Alexia Moreau, senior Emilie Fortunato

Key Departures

Millie Sirum (Providence), Bryn Saarela (Syracuse)

Most intriguing newcomer

Redshirt freshman Kenzee Hope (St. Cloud State)

Prediction

Tenth

Maine

Last Season

15-18-2, 11-14-2 (eighth). Lost to Merrimack in the opening round of the Hockey East Tournament.

Key Returners

Seniors Mira Seregély and Jamie Grinder

Key Departures

Fifth-years Ida Kuoppala and Ann-Frederique Guay (graduation)

Most intriguing newcomer

Freshman Frederikke Foss

Prediction

Eighth

Merrimack

Last Season

11-22-3, 7-17-3 (ninth). Lost to Northeastern in the Hockey East quarterfinals.

Key Returners

Juniors Calli Hogarth and Sophie McKinley

Key Departures

Celine Tedenby (graduation), Allie Qualley (St. Cloud State)

Most intriguing newcomer

Freshman goalie Margaux Favre

Prediction

Ninth

New Hampshire

Last Season

18-16-2, 14-11-2 (third). Lost to Northeastern in the Hockey East semifinals.

Key Returners

Senior Kira Juodikis, sophomore Sedona Blair

Key Departures

Charli Kettyle (Syracuse), Annie Berry (graduation)

Most intriguing newcomer

Fifth-year Sara Boucher (Mercyhurst)

Prediction

Third

Northeastern

Last Season
25-11-3, 16-8-3 (second). Lost to Connecticut in overtime in the Hockey East championship game.

Key Returners

Senior Skylar Irving, junior Jules Constantinople

Key Departures

Gwyn Philips and Megan Carter (graduation)

Most intriguing newcomers

Freshmen Tuva Kandell and Lisa Jönsson

Prediction

Second

Providence

Last Season

13-17-5, 12-10-5 (fifth). Lost to Boston College in the Hockey East quarterfinals.

Key Returners

Junior Reichen Kirchmair, sophomore Audrey Knapp

Key Departures

Rachel Weiss (graduation), Lindsay Bochna (Boston University)

Most intriguing newcomer

Freshman Jessie Pellerin

Prediction

Sixth

Vermont

Last Season

13-17-5, 11-12-4 (sixth). Lost to New Hampshire in the Hockey East quarterfinals.

Key Returners

Senior Evelyne Blais-Savoie, junior Lara Beecher

Key Departures

Natálie Mlýnková (Minnesota), Jessie MacPherson (Minnesota State)

Most intriguing newcomer

Freshman Oona Havana

Prediction

Fifth

Women’s Division I College Hockey: 2024-25 ECAC season preview

By Nicole Haase

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September 20, 2024

Thanks to the pandemic, this is a particularly interesting year in the ECAC thanks to the presence of the Ivies, who basically have a double senior class. A number of schools graduated players who rewrote their program’s record books. Maybe more than any other conference, ECAC teams took to the portal to round out their rosters and there are dozens of players that left one ECAC school for a conference rival. There were five ECAC teams in last year’s NCAA Tournament and a couple more than felt like they just missed out. Basically, there’s no lack of storylines to get excited about this season and it’s going to be amazing to watch it all play out.

Brown

Last Season
12-17-3, 7-12-3 (eighth). Lost to Colgate in the second round of the ECAC Tournament.

Key Returners

Juniors Jade Iginla and India McDadi

Key Departures

Maya Mangiafico (graduation), Kaley Doyle (Quinnipiac)

Most intriguing newcomer

Freshman Emma Yates

Prediction

Eighth

Colgate

Last Season
32-7-1, 18-4 (first). Lost to Wisconsin in the NCAA Tournament semifinals.

Key Returners

Fifth-year Kristýna Kaltounková

Key Departures

Coach Greg Fargo (PWHL New York), fifth-year Danielle Serdachny (graduation)

Most intriguing newcomers

Junior Alexis Petford (Stonehill), freshman Alexia Aubin, Head coach Stefan Decosse

Prediction

Third

Clarkson

Last Season
33-5-2, 18-3-1 (second). Lost to Ohio State in the NCAA Tournament semifinals.

Key Returners

Senior Haley Winn, fifth-year Nicole Gosling

Key Departures

Goalie Michelle Pasiechnyk (graduation), Sara Swiderski (Ohio State)

Most intriguing newcomer

Junior Madison Chantler (Quinnipiac)

Prediction

First

Cornell

Last Season

25-8-1, 17-5 (fourth). Lost to Colgate in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament.

Key Returners

Seniors Lily Delianedis and Rory Guilday

Key Departures

2024 Patty Kazmaier Award winner Izzy Daniel (graduation)

Most intriguing newcomer

Freshman Lindzi Avar

Prediction

Second

Dartmouth

Last Season

6-21-3, 3-16-3 (tenth). Lost to Princeton in the opening round of the ECAC tournament.

Key Returners

Senior Laura Fuoco, junior Cally Dixon

Key Departures

Jenna Donohue (Quinnipiac)

Most intriguing newcomer

Head coach Maura Crowell, freshman goalie Michaela Hesová

Prediction

Tenth

Harvard

Last Season

5-23-2, 63-18-1 (twelfth). Lost to Quinnipiac in the opening round of the ECAC tournament.

Key Returners

Senior Alex Pellicci, junior Gwyn Lapp

Key Departures

Shannon Hollands (graduation)

Most intriguing newcomer

Freshman Emily Hamann

Prediction

Eleventh

Princeton

Last Season

14-12-6, 6-10-16 (seventh). Lost to Clarkson in the ECAC quarterfinals.

Key Returners

Senior Issy Wunder, sophomore goalie Uma Corniea

Key Departures

Sarah Fillier and Stephanie Wallace (graduation)

Most intriguing newcomers

Freshmen Lucia DiGirolamo and Mackenzie Alexander

Prediction

Sixth

Quinnipiac

Last Season

25-11-1, 13-9 (fifth). Lost to Cornell in the ECAC quarterfinals.

Key Returners

Fifth-year Kendall Cooper, junior Zoe Uens

Key Departures

Kate Reilly and goalie Logan Angers (graduation), Nina Steigaug (Minnesota Duluth)

Most intriguing newcomer

Freshman goalie Felicia Frank

Prediction

Fifth

RPI

Last Season
13-18-4, 5-16-1 (ninth). Lost to Brown in the opening round of the ECAC tournament.

Key Returners

Sophomore Andrea Trnková, fifth-year Ellie Kaiser

Key Departures

Amanda Rampado and Marah Wagner (graduation)

Most intriguing newcomers

Fifth-year Natalie Tulchinsky (Saint Anselm), freshman Calla Woodcroft

Prediction

Ninth

St. Lawrence

Last Season

28-11, 18-4 (third). Lost to Wisconsin in the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals.

Key Returners

Senior Abby Hustler, junior goalie Emma-Sofie Nordström

Key Departures

Rachel Bjorgan (Merrimack), Mae Batherson and Julia Gosling (graduation)

Most intriguing newcomer

Fifth-year Tori Verbeek (U. of Guelph – USports)

Prediction

Fourth

Yale

Last Season

217-14-1, 12-9-1 (sixth). Lost to St. Lawrence in the ECAC Tournament quarterfinals.

Key Returners

Junior Jordan Ray, senior goalie Pia Dukaric

Key Departures

Elle Hartje (graduation)

Most intriguing newcomer

Freshman Avery Peters

Prediction

Seventh

Union

Last Season

8-25-2, 3-17-2 (eleventh). Lost to Yale in the opening round of the ECAC Tournament.

Key Returners

Sophomore Maddie Leaney, senior goalie Sophie Matsoukas

Key Departures

Riley Walsh (Boston University)

Most intriguing newcomers

Head coach Toni Maci, freshman Klara Kenttälä

Prediction

Twelfth

Women’s Division I College Hockey: 2024-25 AHA season preview

By Nicole Haase

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September 20, 2024

While there was always crossover and shared staff among the men’s Atlantic Hockey Conference and the women’s CHA, things were made much more official this year and the two have combined to be called Atlantic Hockey Association and thus the CHA is now the AHA. The conference will expand to seven teams next year as the University of Delaware joins for the 2025-26 season.

With apologies to the rest of the conference, it seems unlikely that any team will unseat Penn State this season. Even after a relatively down year last season, the Nittany Lions still won the regular season and conference tournament titles. Beyond that, they were close to their first-ever NCAA Tournament win, losing 1-0 in OT to St. Lawrence. That being said, I think Mercyhurst can seriously push them for the top spot and if they both end up in the tournament title game, it’s going to be one heck of a game.

Lindenwood

Last Season

11-19-2, 6-12-2 (fifth). Did not qualify for the conference tournament.

Key Returners

Senior Morgan Nietzke, fifth-year Thea Jørgensen

Key Departures

Sarah Davies (graduation)

Most intriguing newcomer

Sophomore Zsofia Pazmandi (Plattsburgh – DIII)

Prediction

Fourth

Mercyhurst

Last Season

20-17-1, 14-6 (second). Lost to Penn State in the CHA Tournament championship game.

Key Returners

Senior Vanessa Upson, fifth-year Chantal Ste-Croix

Key Departures

Sara Boucher (New Hampshire), Olivia Cvar (graduation)

Most intriguing newcomer

Freshman goalie Magdalena Luggin

Prediction

Second

Penn State

Last Season

22-13-3, 14-4-2 (first). Lost to St Lawrence in the first round of the NCAA Tournament.

Key Returners

Junior Tessa Janecke, fifth-years Alyssa Machado and Lyndie Lobdell

Key Departures

Olivia Wallin (UMD), Julie Gough (graduation)

Most intriguing newcomer

Freshman Abby Stonehouse

Prediction

First

Robert Morris

Last Season

15-19-1, 11-8-1 (third). Lost to Mercyhurst in the opening round of the CHA tournament.

Key Returners

Sophomore Alaina Giampietro, fifth-year Allyson Hebert

Key Departures

Emma Gorski, Shailynn Snow (graduation)

Most intriguing newcomer

Fifth-year Veronica Bac (Quinnipiac)

Prediction

Third

RIT

Last Season

13-19-3, 7-2-1 (fourth). Lost to Penn State in the opening round of the CHA tournament.

Key Returners

Senior Kylie Aquaro, junior goalie Sophia Bellina

Key Departures

Lindsay Maloney (graduation)

Most intriguing newcomer

Freshman Ireland Stein

Prediction

Fifth

Syracuse

Last Season

4-14-2, 7-24-3 (sixth). Did not qualify for the CHA Tournament.

Key Returners

Fifth-years Charli Kettyle and Tatum White

Key Departures

Darci Johal (graduation), Sarah Thompson (St. Lawrence)

Most intriguing newcomer

Fifth-year Bryn Saarela (Holy Cross)

Prediction

Sixth

Women’s Division I College Hockey: The PodKaz Episode 21 – Season 2 premiere previews all 44 teams

By Nicole Haase

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September 20, 2024

USCHO’s Nicole Haase (@nicolehaase) and Todd Milewski (@ToddMilewski) are back to launch Season 2 of the PodKaz with a few quick items on all 44 teams before the 2024-25 season begins. Penn State, Colgate, UConn, Long Island and Ohio State are looking to defend conference regular-season championships, and the Buckeyes are going for their third NCAA title in four seasons.

Find The PodKaz on:

Spotify

Spreaker

iHeart
Amazon
Apple

Hilbert women’s hockey team announces assistant coach Knoll promoted to interim head coach, wants to see Hawks program ‘thrive’

By USCHO Staff

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September 18, 2024

Hilbert has announced the promotion of Emma Knoll to interim head coach for the women’s hockey team.

Knoll initially joined the team as a full-time assistant coach and will now be the team’s head coach for the program’s third year. She takes over for Earl Utter.

“I am excited for Emma and our women’s hockey program,” said Hilbert athletic director Tim Seil in a news release. “I look forward to working with her as we continue to grow our program and head into the UCHC for the 2025-26 season.”

Knoll is excited about the opportunity to develop her own coaching style and to share her passion and experiences with the current Hawks roster.

“I am thoroughly excited to be the new head women’s ice hockey coach for Hilbert College,” said Knoll. “I would like to thank Tim Seil and Laura Edholm, and the athletic department as a whole, for this opportunity. I feel I have been given the right tools and immense support from the college to not only grow this program, but have it thrive. I look forward to the upcoming season and many seasons to come.”

Knoll, who brings a variety of playing and coaching experiences to Hilbert, was the first full-time assistant women’s hockey coach.  She will split her time assisting with the organization and oversight of the athletic facilities and events while also working to develop and teach the current Hawks players, as well as recruit outstanding student-athletes to Hilbert.

Since June 2023, Knoll has served as a youth ice hockey instructor and private coach at the Ford Ice Center in Bellevue, Tenn.  During that same time frame, she was the assistant director for the Nashville Wolverines Hockey Club, working with 14U/16U and 19U teams while also coaching the 16U team.

While still competing as an undergraduate for the King’s women’s hockey team, she also worked remotely as scout for Mora IK (Mora, Sweden). She focused on scouting AHL, ECHL, NCAA, Czech Extraliga and Slovak Extraliga hockey players and reported directly to the director of scouting on player research.

Knoll earned a business administration degree with a major in Marketing and a minor in mass communications from King’s in 2023. In addition to competing on skates for three seasons, she also was a member of the Monarchs’ women’s golf team. Over the course of her career, Knoll earned UCHC all-academic honors as well as MAC academic honor roll recognition three consecutive years in addition to being named to the MAC golf sportsmanship team in 2021.

St. John Fisher men’s hockey team, which starts play in 2025-26, adds former Worcester State player Pommerville as top assistant coach

By USCHO Staff

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September 18, 2024

The St. John Fisher men’s hockey program has hired Alex Pommerville as its top assistant coach.

The St. John Fisher program will begin competing next season.

Pommerville, from nearby Macedon, N.Y., played collegiately at Worcester State and went on to play in the SPHL and the ECHL.

“I would like to thank head coach Reid Lesswing and the entire athletics department at St. John Fisher University for giving me the opportunity to join such a prestigious and successful athletics department,” Pommerville said in a statement. “I am very excited to work alongside Coach Lesswing to create a competitive hockey program that develops players on and off the ice. I plan to bring my experience in both collegiate and professional hockey to help our players become better student-athletes while also preparing them for careers after school.”

Pommerville played in 78 games over four collegiate seasons, recording 25 points with eight goals and 17 assists. He was Worcester State’s captain during the 2017-18 season, his senior year.

In the SPHL, Pommerville played for the Huntsville Havoc, Knoxville Ice Bears, Columbus River Dragons and Quad City Storm. He appeared in 92 games and amassed 30 points.

Pommerville played for the Tulsa Oilers and Norfolk Admirals in the ECHL, tallying 20 points over 81 games.

“We are excited to announce the addition of Alex Pommerville to the Cardinal hockey staff,” Lesswing said. “His eagerness to start recruiting and find the foundational players for St. John Fisher has been energizing. Not to mention his years playing professional hockey along with his passion for development, which will be invaluable to the program. I am impressed with his experience, commitment and proven leadership skills that will undoubtedly connect him with our student-athletes. He will play a major role in developing a successful culture and building a hockey program that St. John Fisher University can be proud of.

“I could not be happier to have Alex as a part of the team and feel honored to watch him grow as a coach.”

Former Michigan Tech captain Brice named new assistant coach for hometown Huskies ahead of ’24-25 college hockey season

By USCHO Staff

-

September 18, 2024

Raymond Brice is a local product who played for MTU and is now a coach with the Huskies (photo: Geoff Miller).

Raymond Brice has been named an assistant coach with the Michigan Tech hockey team.

He began his duties on Sept. 16.

Brice was the captain of the Huskies during the 2019-20 season and appeared in 95 games over his four seasons as a player at Tech.

“It is with pride and excitement that we welcome Ray to the staff,” MTU head coach Joe Shawhan said in a statement. “As a player, he represented a model of expectations that we have for Michigan Tech student-athletes. As a person, he represents the heart of the Copper Country. Ray’s integration will be seamless.”

“I’m super excited to be able to come back to Michigan Tech and work with elite athletes and help continue their development,” added Brice. “Michigan Tech has a rich hockey tradition, and I look forward to helping the program grow and develop in the future. Being able to return in a coaching capacity to a school that I was fortunate to grow up watching and playing for was a no-brainer for me. I’m excited to get going and learn as much as I can from Joe, Tyler, and Jordy, and the players.”

Brice, a local native of Houghton, Mich., tallied 13 goals and 13 assists in his career with the Huskies. He went on to play four seasons and 175 games of professional hockey in the SPHL and ECHL and overseas in Hungary, Germany, and the United Kingdom.

Before accepting his new position with the Huskies, Brice was the head of hockey for TPH Academy in Philadelphia, overseeing all hockey-related activities. He is also the owner of Brice Hockey Development where he runs hockey camps and skill development sessions. He was the head coach for Kenai River Brown Bears’ 16U AAA in the NAPHL during the 2019-20 season and has also been a coach for XCEL Hockey Development and an instructor at the Weekend Warrior Adult Hockey Camp.

Brice holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and has been employed as an engineer since graduating from Tech while also playing pro hockey. He has worked for Systems Control, ENG. INC, and Asplundh Engineering Services.

Former St. Cloud State women’s hockey captain Ciraulo joins Union as new assistant coach for women’s hockey team

By USCHO Staff

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September 18, 2024

Tina Ciraulo had served behind the bench of the USPHL’s Metro Jets since 2020 (photo: Jilleen Hays/Metro Jets).

Tina Ciraulo has accepted an assistant coaching position with the Union women’s hockey team.

Ciraulo had been working in the Detroit area with the USPHL’s Metro Jets in many roles since 2020. Most notably, she was the first woman to win a junior hockey game in which she was the head coach when on Nov. 8, 2020, the Metro Jets Development Program defeated the Wooster Oilers 8-2 on the road.

She was also a director of the Metro Jr. Jets girls program, which she helped build up and increase participation every year.

“We want to extend our congratulations to Tina and to Union College,” said Jets GM Justin Quenneville in a statement. “They are getting a valuable piece to a winning culture. She is a hard worker, invested, and has an experienced hockey background proving her value. Much like ‘Mo’ (Adam Morrison) who took a job in the USHL, Tina is deserving of the offers she receives. We are all excited for her and wish her the best.”

During her playing days, Ciraulo played at St. Cloud State from 2001 to 2005, serving as captain her senior season. She compiled 20 goals and 35 assists for 55 points over 134 games with the Huskies.

UConn’s Toscano Family Ice Forum chosen to host Hockey East women’s championship game on March 8, 2025

By USCHO Staff

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September 18, 2024

The Toscano Family Ice Forum opened in Jan. 2023 (photo: UConn Athletics).

Hockey East announced Wednesday that UConn will host the 2025 Hockey East women’s championship game on March 8 at noon.

The title game will once again be broadcast live nationally on ESPNU.

“In 2024, UConn hosted the most-attended Hockey East women’s championship game in league history and provided a first-class experience for the teams, fans, and our partners,” said Hockey East commissioner Steve Metcalf in a statement. “By awarding the 2025 championship game to the Toscano Family Ice Forum before the 2024-25 season begins, we look forward to surpassing those achievements and delivering another premier championship experience for all involved.”

All 10 women’s teams will play in a single-elimination postseason tournament for the Bertagna Trophy. Seeds seven and eight will host seeds 10 and nine, respectively, in the opening round on Feb. 26. The top six seeds will receive a bye into the quarterfinals, scheduled for Feb. 28 and March 1. Following a reseeding, the top two seeds will host the winners of the opening round, while the third seed will host the sixth seed and the fourth seed will host the fifth seed.

The semifinals will be held on March 5 at the sites of the higher seeds, with the championship game then taking place on March 8 at UConn.

The tournament winner will earn the conference’s automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

More details, including ticket information, will be provided in the coming weeks.

Castleton hires former Hobart player, well-traveled Golden as new assistant coach for Spartans men’s hockey team

By USCHO Staff

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September 17, 2024

Kirk Golden has spent the last several years coaching girls hockey in Colorado and in the NA3HL (photo provided by Kirk Golden).

Kirk Golden has been named an assistant coach for the Castleton men’s hockey team.

Golden comes to Castleton after coaching in the NA3HL for four years and scouting in the NAHL for three.

He was an associate coach for the Great Falls Americans in 2020-21, reaching the Frontier Division playoffs finals. Golden was then chosen to turn around the Butte Cobras, taking the helm as head coach and general manager in 2021-22. He helped propel Butte to the Frontier Division playoffs in both 2021-22 and 2022-23, after posting their second and third-highest regular-season win totals in franchise history. During this time, he was also a scout for the Maine Nordiques in the NAHL.

Last season, he was head coach and general manager in the NA3HL for the Austin Ice Bats while scouting for the Corpus Christi Ice Rays in the NAHL.

Golden began in the coaching world working with the Hong Kong Typhoons and Hong Kong Selects youth programs in 2015-16. After returning to his home state of Colorado, he was an assistant coach for Aspen High’s varsity and JV teams (2016-17). The Aspen Junior Hockey program was where he spent the next few years (2017-20) holding multiple titles – skills director, coaching coordinator, head of player development, 16U girls assistant coach, and head coach of both the 19U A and 19U AA girls hockey teams.

After five Colorado state championships, one district championship and national tournament berth, Golden moved into the junior hockey coaching ranks.

Over the years, Golden has coached and developed 75-plus players that went on to play collegiately (50-plus ACHA, 25-plus NCAA).

As a player, Golden won a Tier I national championship his senior year of high school with Shattuck St. Mary’s (teammates with current NHL players Sidney Crosby and Jack Johnson) in 2002-03. After playing two years of Tier II junior hockey in the NAHL (team leading goal scorer 2003-04 with the Lone Star Cavalry), he went on to play NCAA III hockey at Hobart. The Statesmen made the national tournament three of his four years (two semi-final losses, 2006, 2009). Golden was ECAC West all-academic in 2007 and 2009.

Golden went on to play professionally in Germany for one season, France for three, one in Sweden, and one in the Federal Hockey League as well. He also played in the top leagues in Australia, New Zealand, and Hong Kong before stepping to the other side of the bench.

NCHC officiating supervisor Nelson named 2023-24 recipient of Mark Rudolph Officiating Achievement Award

By USCHO Staff

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September 17, 2024

Thor Nelson receives the Mark Rudolph Award and special artwork with his wife Jessica and sons Odin and Thor at his side (photo: NCHC).

For his work with the NCHC officiating program and in his hometown community, NCHC officiating supervisor Thor Nelson has been named the recipient of the 2023-24 Mark Rudolph Officiating Achievement Award.

Nelson was presented with his award at NCHC officiating camp on Sept. 14 in Saint Paul, Minn. NCHC director of officiating Mike Schmitt, a previous Rudolph Award winner himself, bestowed Nelson with his honor, with Nelson’s family, NCHC commissioner Heather Weems and the entire NCHC officiating staff on hand for the recognition.

Nelson joined the NCHC officiating staff as a supervisor for the 2022-23 season, after serving as a linesman in the NHL for nearly 20 years. He quickly acclimated himself in his new role, providing insights to the NCHC officiating staff and offering different ways to provide feedback.

Along with his work as an NCHC supervisor of officials, Nelson has immersed himself in his hometown of Minot, N.D., volunteering for a variety of youth and adaptive sports. He is the state of North Dakota referee-in-chief for USA Hockey, a board of directors member for Prairie Grit Adaptive Sports and involved with the national board of USA Softball.

“The NCHC is lucky to have Thor. He has been a valuable resource for our staff since he started in 2022,” Schmitt said in a statement. “Thor is one of the biggest advocates for youth and the city of Minot, and I’m honored to present him with our Mark Rudolph Award.”

Through his involvement with USA Sled Hockey, Nelson helped bring the men’s and women’s sled hockey teams from the USA and Canada to Minot, N.D., for training camp and games. As referee-in-chief, he also works tirelessly developing youth hockey officials in North Dakota.

Outside of hockey, Nelson is the president for the Minot Girls Fastpitch program and the Minot Storm Fastpitch travel team in North Dakota. With Nelson in charge, participation numbers have grown close to 400 girls in the fastpitch program. He was also instrumental in fundraising for a new building and turf fields for Minot Girls Fastpitch.

While serving as an NHL linesman, Nelson was assigned to work the Stanley Cup playoffs seven seasons and was selected to officiate the 2004 NHL all-star game in Saint Paul. In addition, Nelson officiated both the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver and the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. He was forced into an early NHL retirement due to injury.

“Thor has been a great addition to the NCHC officiating staff over the last few years. As a longtime NHL linesman, he has been beneficial to our on-ice officials and has increased officiating expertise and credibility within the conference,” Weems said. “Beyond college hockey, Thor is one of the most selfless people I know. The time and resources he gives to youth and adaptive sports in Minot, as well as his state and national engagement with hockey officiating, are extensive. He is the consummate team player and community advocate.”

Nelson is married to his wife Jessica and resides in Minot, N.D. The couple has four children – sons Thor and Odin and daughters Hannah and Rhone.

The NCHC’s Mark Rudolph Officiating Achievement Award is named in honor of Mark Rudolph, a longtime official and distinguished administrator who resides in Colorado Springs and established USA Hockey’s national officiating program, among many other accomplishments. The award was officially established prior to the 2014-15 season.

Criteria for the Mark Rudolph Award recipient shall be an individual who, through dedicated effort and service, both on and off the ice, has achieved a distinguished accomplishment during the previous NCHC season, and who by his actions has significantly enhanced the NCHC and its officiating program. The award is not necessarily presented annually.

Past NCHC Mark Rudolph Officiating Achievement Award Winners
2013-14 – John Philo
2014-15 – Paul Carnathan
2015-16 – Joe Sullivan
2016-17 – Timm Walsh
2017-18 – Ron Foyt
2018-19 – Justin Hills
2019-20 – Geno Binda
2020-21 – Mike Schmitt
2021-22 – Josh Fenton
2023-24 – Thor Nelson

After success at ACHA level with Ohio, Curry graduate Mauron named to assistant to head coach role with Miami

By USCHO Staff

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September 17, 2024

Miami has announced the addition of Lionel Mauron as assistant to the head coach.

Mauron will also handle program operations.

“I am honored and thrilled to join Miami University,” said Mauron in a statement. “This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of such a storied program and to contribute to writing a new chapter of success, both on and off the ice.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Lio and Sophie to the Miami hockey family,” Miami coach Anthony Noreen added. “Lio has a proven ability to successfully handle various aspects of a hockey program and will be a great asset to our program moving forward.”

Mauron comes to Oxford after serving the last three years as the head coach at Ohio University. In 2023, he was named the ACHA coach of the year and the CSCHL coach of the year. During his time in Athens, Ohio, Mauron led OU to a 72-29-11 record, including 12 wins over ACHA top-5 teams. Mauron’s program made the ACHA national tournament final four in 2023 and again in 2024 after advancing to the quarterfinals in 2022.

A native of Lausanne, Switzerland, Mauron played college hockey for Curry from 2015 to 2019. He also played for the Lausanne Hockey Club (Swiss League), the ECHL’s Jacksonville Icemen and the SPHL’s Knoxville Ice Bears.

Mauron earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from Curry in 2019 and completed his master’s in Coaching Education from Ohio in 2021.

Wisconsin takes No. 1 spot in 2024-25 WCHA preseason women’s hockey poll, Badgers’ Simms chosen preseason player of the year

By USCHO Staff

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September 16, 2024

Kirsten Simms will be a key player this season for the Badgers (photo: Tom Lynn).

2024-25 WCHA Coaches Poll
(Coaches could not vote for their own team. First-place votes are in parentheses)
1. Wisconsin (5) 46 points
2. Ohio State (2) 43
3. Minnesota (1) 40
4. Minnesota Duluth 31
5. St. Cloud State 25
6. St. Thomas 17
7. Minnesota State 15
8. Bemidji State 7

WCHA Preseason Player of the Year: Kirsten Simms, Jr., D, Wisconsin (3 votes)
Others receiving votes: Caroline Harvey, Jr., Wisconsin (2); Abbey Murphy, Sr., Minnesota (2); Casey O’Brien, Wisconsin (1).

WCHA Preseason Rookie of the Year: Chloe Primerano, Minnesota defender (6 votes)
Others receiving votes: Mira Jungåker, Ohio State defender (1), Caitlin Kraemer, Minnesota Duluth forward (1)

Preseason All-WCHA Team
F: Kirsten Simms, Jr., Wisconsin
F: Abbey Murphy, Sr., Minnesota
F: Joy Dunne, So., Ohio State
D: Nelli Laitinen, Jr., Minnesota
D: Caroline Harvey, Jr., Wisconsin
G: Ève Gascon, So., Minnesota Duluth

Others receiving votes (listed alphabetically by position):
Forwards – Casey O’Brien, 5th-Yr, Wisconsin; Laila Edwards, Jr., Wisconsin; Natalie Mlynkova, 5th-Yr, Minnesota
Defense – Mira Jungåker, Fr., Ohio State; Nicole Vallario, Sr., St. Thomas; Chloe Primerano, Fr., Minnesota.
Goaltender – Amanda Thiele, Gr. Ohio State, Ava McNaughton, So., Wisconsin; Sanni Ahola, 5th-Yr, St. Cloud State.

ECAC Hockey reveals 2024-25 women’s preseason poll, preseason all-league selections with Clarkson’s Winn lone unanimous pick

By USCHO Staff

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September 16, 2024

Haley Winn figures to be an impact player yet again on the blue line for Clarkson (photo: Gary Mikel).

ECAC Hockey has announced the results of the preseason women’s hockey poll and preseason all-league selections.

ECAC Hockey Women’s Preseason Poll
1. Clarkson – 113 points (6 first-place votes)
2. Colgate – 109 points (6)
3. Cornell -103 points (2)
4. St. Lawrence – 92 points (1)
5. Quinnipiac – 82 points
6. Yale – 69 points
7. Princeton – 65 points
8. Brown – 47 points
9. RPI – 35 points
10. Harvard – 27 points
11. Dartmouth – 23 points
12. Union – 18 points

ECAC Hockey Women’s Preseason All-League Team
Goaltender – Hannah Murphy – Colgate
Defender- Haley Winn – Clarkson (unanimous)
Defender – Nicole Gosling – Clarkson
Forward – Anne Cherkowski – Clarkson
Forward – Abby Hustler – St. Lawrence
Forward – Lily Delianedis – Cornell

Unanimous selections require 11 votes as coaches cannot vote for their own team or players.

Bemidji State

Minnesota

Minnesota Duluth

Minnesota State

Ohio State

St. Cloud State

St. Thomas

Wisconsin

Boston College

Boston University

Connecticut

Holy Cross

Maine

Merrimack

New Hampshire

Northeastern

Second

Providence

Vermont

Brown

Colgate

Clarkson

Cornell

Dartmouth

Harvard

Princeton

Quinnipiac

RPI

St. Lawrence

Yale

Union

Lindenwood

Mercyhurst

Penn State

Robert Morris

RIT

Syracuse

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