Arcadia has announced the hiring of Ryan Heickert as the new head men’s hockey coach.
Heickert began his duties at Arcadia on April 29 and replaces Patrick Carroll, who was interim head coach for the 2023-24 season.
“I want to thank athletics director Brian Granata, associate AD Michael Hebenstreit and the rest of the search committee for selecting me as the new head coach for the men’s ice hockey program. I am grateful for their confidence in me to lead this program going forward,” Heickert said in a statement. “I feel incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to join the Arcadia athletics team and work with such a talented group of coaches, athletic staff, and students.”
Heickert comes to Arcadia after most recently serving as the head coach at Bryn Athyn for the past three seasons. Heickert oversaw all aspects of the Lions men’s hockey program, including coordinating team travel, scheduling of games and practices and recruiting.
“Throughout our search process, Coach Heickert’s strong leadership and communication qualities stood out,” Granata said. “He is someone that can command a locker room and inspire student-athletes to achieve greatness. We are excited to see him mold our young program into a strong competitor within the Middle Atlantic Conference and Division III ice hockey.”
Prior to his time at Bryn Athyn, Heickert served as an assistant coach at Neumann for three seasons.
“I’m excited to be a part of Arcadia’s hockey program with a front-row seat as this program grows and develops its own identity in the world of NCAA hockey,” Heickert said.
Heickert, an Oshawa, Ont., native, played his college hockey at Neumann and was part of the Knights’ 2009 national championship team. He graduated in 2009 with a degree in athletic training and obtained his master’s degree in sports management from Neumann in 2010.
Wisconsin-Superior has announced that Bre Simon has been named the new head coach of the Yellowjackets women’s hockey team.
Simon becomes the sixth head coach in the program’s history, which dates back to 1998. She replaces Dan Laughlin, who retired in March after 21 years as head coach and 23 years with the program.
“I am honored to be named the new head coach of University of Wisconsin-Superior,” Simon said in a statement. “I am very excited and eager to get started at UWS. I would like to thank (director of athletics) Nick Bursik, the search committee and panel members for the opportunity.
“I am pumped to move back closer to home and join the UWS family. I can’t wait to see what this talented group of young women can accomplish.”
Simon comes to the Yellowjackets after a two-year stint as an assistant coach at Elmira. While there, Simon helped the Soaring Eagles to the NEHC championship game in 2023. This past season, Elmira finished as the national runner-up, falling in the national championship game to UW-River Falls. Elmira had a 44-14-1 record in her two seasons.
Prior to her time at Elmira, Simon spent two years, including one year as co-head coach, of the girls hockey program at Minnesota high school hockey powerhouse Gentry Academy. In her two years, Simon helped Gentry to a 41-11-0 record and two appearances in the Minnesota State High School Hockey Tournament, including one berth in the state championship game.
“We are thrilled to welcome Coach Simon to UW-Superior and Yellowjacket athletics,” said Bursik. “Her commitment to player development and focus on the student-athlete experience was evident throughout the search process. We look forward to her immediate impact and continuing the traditions of Yellowjacket hockey.”
Simon was a decorated college player during her time at Hamline. She is Hamline’s all-time leader in goals (92), assists (93) and points (185). Her 185 points are more than double any other player in program history. She was a three-time CCM/AHCA West First Team All-American and in 2019 won the Laura Hurd Award, which is given to the top player in NCAA Division III women’s hockey.
A native of Elk River, Minn., Simon graduated from Hamline in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science degree in public health.
Her first day at UW-Superior will be May 7, and an introductory press conference for Simon will be held at noon in the Marcovich Wellness Center on the UW-Superior campus.
— Michelle Radzik Morgan (@Commish_Morgan) April 30, 2024
“In my remarks, I thought it was a great way to honor our past with the metaphor of the sunset,” Morgan said by telephone from the American Hockey Coaches Association convention in Naples, Fla. “Tomorrow was going to be a new day.”
After nearly a year of work on new branding and a merger of the men’s Atlantic Hockey Association and the women’s College Hockey America, the unveiling to the league’s stakeholders was set.
“When I started a year ago, there was some discussion and some desire that the directors for both leagues would want to consider or seriously consider moving in the direction of unification into one league,” said Morgan. “But we had to figure out what that looked like.”
During Morgan’s first few months on the job, she looked to have conversations and understand what had taken place historically, or what had been discussed.
Once it was determined what a unified league and merger of two separate organizations might look like, the rebranding process began.
“We really got into this deep, six-month process that was pretty intensive related to branding, and understanding who we are, where we’ve been, what our history is, and what what’s our name going to be, what our colors are going to be, and what does the icon look like,” Morgan said. “Ultimately, landing where we did with Atlantic Hockey America.”
The new branding is a combination of the two former conference names. According to an announcement released on Tuesday by the rechristened conference, “The logo takes a nod from the iconography of the College Hockey America star and the puck from Atlantic Hockey. The motion lines honor the past while pushing toward the future.”
While some coaches and administrators had been part of the rebranding discussions, most got their first look in a meeting of about 80 people on Tuesday morning, starting with a presentation on the process and ending with the reveal video also published on social media.
“There were people that were really comfortable with the current name of their league and identity,” said Morgan. “But I think with all that said with this merging of the two, there was a good, collegial atmosphere amongst the directors to say, ‘Hey, we want what’s best for the entirety of our league and the totality of all of these programs, not just one or the other.'”
“And so I think where we landed is really evidence of truly the merging of two leagues, but not losing the key components of what makes each league so special,” Morgan said.
Going forward, Morgan anticipates a stronger identity for the combined league with the ability to build off the brands of each member institution.
As part of that, each member’s colors will be reflected on uniforms and signage. “It was really important that in true partnership we didn’t lose the identity of the institutions,” Morgan said.
In the near future, the newly-combined conference will add merchandise and an e-commerce store.
Morgan anticipates benefits resulting from “increased alignment and new partnerships” for its 15 member institutions, especially with only three programs – Mercyhurst, RIT, and Robert Morris – having both men’s and women’s hockey.
“I look at it really as a growth opportunity,” Morgan said. “An exciting time, and a bright future.”
Atlantic Hockey America is the new name for the combined Atlantic Hockey Association and College Hockey America.
The Atlantic Hockey Association and College Hockey America announced Tuesday they will begin competing as a united league under the name Atlantic Hockey America in the 2024-25 season.
The announcement was made at the American Hockey Coaches Association annual convention in Naples, Fla.
Atlantic Hockey has competed as a NCAA Division I men’s ice hockey conference since 2003. College Hockey America began a women’s conference in 2002. The two conferences have shared administrative operations since 2010 but have competed as separate entities until today.
“After nearly a year of work, I’m thrilled to unveil our new brand and graphic identity to signal a new era for our league,” said Atlantic Hockey America commissioner Michelle Morgan. “I’d like to thank our membership for their participation and voice in this process, with special recognition and thanks to the working group that gave countless hours to this endeavor.”
The two leagues bring together a combined 43 years under the Atlantic Hockey America brand.
“Our new identity honors the rich tradition of our past and celebrates the bright future that lies ahead for our member programs,” Morgan said.
Atlantic Hockey America produced a reveal video to introduce the new branding.
AHA’s official statement noted that its new colors – Atlantic Blue and Gold – are a unique combination among Division I ice hockey conferences, while the new logo “takes a nod from the iconography of the College Hockey America star and the puck from Atlantic Hockey. The motion lines honor the past while pushing toward the future.”
The 11-team men’s league consists of Air Force, AIC, Army West Point, Bentley, Canisius, Holy Cross, Mercyhurst, Niagara, RIT, Robert Morris and Sacred Heart. The six-team women’s league features Lindenwood, Mercyhurst, Penn State, RIT, Robert Morris and Syracuse.
Atlantic Hockey America women will welcome Delaware as the seventh member of the conference in 2025-26.
In addition to the rebrand, the two leagues are in the process of finalizing a merger that will allow for operations as one entity beginning with the 2024-25 season.
Mike Kemp has spent 48 years in college hockey (photo: Omaha Athletics).
For his work as an administrator at Omaha and ambassador of college hockey, the NCHC has honored Omaha executive associate athletics director Mike Kemp with the 2024 NCHC Distinguished Service Award.
Kemp is retiring in May after a 48-year career in college athletics as a coach and administrator.
Kemp was bestowed with the award in person on April 29 at the NCHC annual meeting dinner and reception at the Naples Grande Beach Resort. NCHC staff presented Kemp with the award with representatives from the entire membership in attendance.
While Kemp made a massive impact during his coaching career, his move to the ‘front office’ as an administrator was just influential. His biggest contribution to the NCHC, along with helping Omaha be a founding member of the conference, is serving as the director of the NCHC pod. In addition, Kemp has served on the NCHC’s athletic council during the entirety of the conference (11 years).
“We are honored to present Mike with our Distinguished Service Award. He has been an important and influential dignitary in college hockey for many years,” said NCHC commissioner Heather Weems in a statement. “As the first hockey coach at Omaha, he helped put the Mavericks on the map and has only continued to build the program in his administrative role. From serving as chair of the ice hockey championship committee to hosting the NCHC pod, Mike has always had the NCHC’s and college hockey’s best interest at heart.
“He is more than deserving of this award.”
Kemp played a major role in UNO’s Baxter Arena serving as the host venue for the NCHC pod, which was held in Omaha in Dec. 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Kemp oversaw the unprecedented task of playing 38 NCHC games in 21 days with eight teams in one venue – something never done in any college sport – while helping complete it safely and successfully, which it was. From team arrivals, to locker room set-up and rotation, to practice and morning skate schedules, to venue operations and COVID-19 testing, Kemp had a hand in making sure the pod was run smoothly while providing a secure environment for all.
In April 2021, Kemp was awarded the NCHC’s first Commissioner’s Award for his work in hosting and overseeing the NCHC pod.
Kemp also served on the NCAA Ice Hockey Championship Committee for five years from 2017 to 2022, including holding the role of chair for two years in 2021 and 2022. While chair, Kemp and his committee had to hand-select the 2021 NCAA tournament field during the pandemic due to a lack of nonconference games and no PairWise Rankings. He also had to adjust a regional location on short notice in 2021, while ensuring a safe and successful tournament. During his two years as chair, Kemp presented the national championship trophy to UMass (2021) in Pittsburgh and NCHC member Denver (2022) in Boston.
Along with coaching Omaha to its first-ever NCAA tournament appearance in 2006, Kemp also secured Omaha’s first on-campus arena in his position as a UNO administrator. He played a key role in the design and construction of Baxter Arena, which opened in 2015. The Mavericks announced on April 19 that the ice at Baxter Arena would be renamed ‘Kemp Ice’ in honor of their first head coach.
“This is another honor to highlight the impactful career of Mike Kemp.” said Adrian Dowell, vice chancellor-director of athletics at Omaha. “We are very appreciative to the NCHC for appropriately recognizing Mike’s contributions over decades to not only UNO but also the conference and college hockey.”
Kemp has been a part of the Mavericks’ family for 27 years, serving in multiple functions. He has been in his current role as Omaha senior associate AD for events and facilities since being promoted in March of 2019. Prior to that, he was an associate athletic director at UNO for 12 years, moving into that role in 2009 after completing a 12-year run as the program’s first head hockey coach. A member of the Omaha Hockey Hall of Fame and Omaha Sports Hall of Fame, Kemp helped start the Omaha hockey program in 1997, joining the staff in 1996. He now oversees UNO’s hockey program and Baxter Arena in his current position.
Kemp is the seventh recipient of the NCHC Distinguished Service Award, which is not necessarily bestowed upon someone annually, but is presented to an individual who has served, supported and promoted the goals and ideals of the NCHC and who, through personal effort and dedication, has enhanced the ability of the Conference and/or its member institutions to provide a positive experience for the student-athletes enrolled at NCHC member institutions.
The inaugural NCHC Distinguished Service Award was presented to Bill Hybl, the chairman and CEO of El Pomar Foundation, in 2016, while former Denver director of athletics Ron Grahame received the honor in 2017. In 2018, Peg Bradley-Doppes, former Denver vice chancellor for athletics, and Brian Faison, former North Dakota director of athletics, were co-honorees, both of whom were heavily involved in the founding of the NCHC, along with 2019 winner Ken Ralph, the former Colorado College director of athletics. The most recent recipient was nine-year NCHC commissioner Josh Fenton, who received it in 2022 following his final season.
Marykate Drinkwater will lead the Rivier women’s hockey team (photo: Western New England Athletics).
Marykate Drinkwater has been selected to lead the Rivier women’s hockey program.
Drinkwater comes to Rivier after serving as a graduate assistant for the Western New England’s women’s hockey program, helping the team to a 17-8-3 overall record and the 2023-24 CCC postseason championship in only its third season of NCAA competition.
“I am thrilled to welcome Marykate to Rivier as our women’s ice hockey head coach,” said Rivier director of athletics Jonathan Harper in a statement. “Coach Drinkwater was a key member of the coaching staff at Western New England that guided the team to a conference championship this past season. Her commitment to the experience of our students was evident during our search process and was built from her own history as a high-level student-athlete at the University of New England. The women’s ice hockey program at Rivier is in great hands under her leadership.”
“I am deeply honored and thrilled to join Rivier University as the new women’s ice hockey head coach,” added Drinkwater. “I would like to thank Jonathan Harper and the entire staff for the opportunity to become part of this amazing program. I am incredibly grateful for the chance to lead and guide these talented student-athletes on their journey to success, both on and off the ice.”
Drinkwater helped the Golden Bears rank in the top-five nationally in both power-play percentage (29.1%) and power-play goal scoring (25) on the way to the league championship and an NCAA Division III women’s hockey championship berth. The well-rounded team also recorded seven shutouts, leading the CCC while ranking 10th in all of NCAA Division III.
Hired as the first assistant coach in team history when the Golden Bears’ program first hit the ice in 2021-22, Drinkwater assisted with practices and games while conducting film review, recruiting, and aiding with administrative duties while pursuing her master’s degree in Sport Leadership and Coaching.
Prior to coaching at the collegiate level, Drinkwater spent four years competing for the University of New England women’s hockey team before graduating in 2020 with a bachelor’s degree in Health, Wellness, and Occupational Studies while earning a minor in Coaching.
With the Nor’easters, Drinkwater competed in 107 games to rank second all-time in team history upon graduating. Academically, she earned All-America Scholar distinction as a senior from the American Hockey Coaches Association and finished with 13 goals and 17 assists for 30 points, logging a career-high 14 in her final campaign with the Nor’easters.
Drinkwater began her coaching career as an assistant coach for the Biddeford (Maine) High School junior varsity and varsity girls’ hockey squads. She has also served as a camp evaluator for USA Hockey and has coached for Iceworks Hockey and the North American Premier Showcase.
The native of Franklin, Mass., spent her last two years of high school at Worcester Academy. During her first two years, she attended Franklin High School where she was a two-time MetroWest Daily News All-Star and served as a team captain her sophomore season.
Drinkwater inherits a team at Rivier that made its first appearance in the ECHA championship game in 2023-24. Next year, the Raiders will make history as one of the founding members of the MASCAC, the newest NCAA Division III women’s hockey conference.
A 25-year veteran behind the bench of Division I college hockey programs, Syer takes the reins of the Tigers after recently concluding his 13th season overall at Cornell and his 12th as associate head coach of the Big Red. His previous 12 seasons as a college coach came while serving as associate head coach and recruiting coordinator at Quinnipiac from 1999 to 2011.
In 2018, Syer was the recipient of the Terry Flanagan Award, presented annually by the American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) to an assistant coach in recognition of his superior body of work over a career.
“I am thrilled to welcome Ben and his family to Princeton and the men’s hockey program,” said Princeton director of athletics John Mack in a statement. “He has a proven track record of recruiting and developing student-athletes and positioning them for success on the ice and in the classroom. He has been part of championship teams throughout his entire coaching career, navigating one of the toughest conferences in college hockey year-in, year-out. Throughout this process, it was evident that Ben possesses the qualities we are looking for in a head men’s ice hockey coach at Princeton. He is a passionate recruiter, an innovative tactician and a commanding leader inside the locker room. Under his guidance, I am confident that Princeton’s best days on the ice are ahead of us.”
Syer’s 13 seasons at Cornell included seven Ivy League championships, three ECAC regular-season titles and one ECAC postseason title which came this past March. Overall, he was part of a Big Red program that qualified for seven NCAA tournaments and reached four regional finals.
Before joining the Big Red, he was on staff during Quinnipiac’s rise into Division I hockey where the Bobcats won the 2002 MAAC championship and reached the NCAA tournament for the first time. In addition, he coached a pair of conference regular-season championship teams at Quinnipiac – one in the MAAC (1998-99) and one in Atlantic Hockey (2004-05). He was on staff with the Bobcats during their move to the ECAC that included a run to the ECAC final in their second season of conference membership in 2006-07.
“It is a privilege to represent Princeton University and Princeton athletics while we collectively build upon the strong culture of support and success the institution and its passionate staff and alumni base provide to student-athletes,” Syer said. “I would like to thank John Mack and the search committee for allowing me the opportunity to lead the next chapter of the men’s ice hockey program at Princeton. I also must extend my sincere gratitude to my family for their unconditional support, and also have the greatest appreciation and thanks to Mike Schafer and Rand Pecknold for their mentorship and guidance throughout my career. I look forward to getting started at my new home while building strong relationships with the players, staff and alumni to prepare for this new era of Tiger hockey.”
In addition to his plethora of team success over his coaching career, Syer has coached seven All-Americans and three Hobey Baker Award finalists while also helping guide his players to 42 all-conference honors and 43 all-Ivy selections.
In terms of professional hockey aspirations, Syer has helped coach 23 NHL draft picks and currently has nine former players who have appeared in NHL games. Overall during his time in Ithaca, two-thirds of his Cornell players have graduated and signed professional hockey contracts.
The hallmark of Syer’s teams at Cornell has been defense. Over his 13 years behind the bench with the Big Red, his teams have averaged 2.21 goals allowed-per-game which ranks No. 3 among all Division I programs over the past 13 seasons. This past season, the Big Red led the country in scoring defense, allowing 1.86 goals-per-game as the lone team to average fewer than two goals allowed each night. In his 13 years with the Big Red, Syer has mentored teams to a top-10 ranking in scoring defense nine times and twice has led the country in that statistic (2017-18, 2023-24).
The Big Red have won 20-plus games in six of their last seven seasons on the ice, including back-to-back seasons with 20 or more wins through this past campaign.
Syer has experience leading behind the bench as well, posting a 13-6-4 record as acting head coach with the Big Red over the past three seasons at various times.
In addition to his collegiate coaching experience, Syer served as head coach at USA Hockey Select Festivals since 2016 where he has worked with the top age-group players in the United States. The past two years, he has served as head coach of Team New York at USA Hockey events.
He also has been a guest coach at USA Hockey’s World Junior training camp in 2022 and was a guest coach at development camp with the Washington Capitals in 2018.
Syer has extensive skill development experience at camps and clinics around the country, including S&B Hockey Camps which he co-founded in Ithaca and has run since 2019. He has served as guest lecturer at coaching symposiums run by the AHCA Convention, NCAA Frozen Four, USA Hockey and Washington Capitals.
Off the ice, he is actively involved in his communities where he has volunteered with Salvation Army and Ithaca Youth Hockey. Since 2013, he has participated in the “Racker Rivals” game which annually raises over $100,000 in support of the Racker Center in Ithaca which provides strength-based support for individuals with disabilities and their families in Tompkins, Cortland and Tioga counties.
A native of Kitchener, Ont., Syer graduated from the University of Western Ontario in 1998 with an honors degree in Urban Development. In 2000, he earned a Master’s in Physical Education from Ohio University while also serving as an assistant coach with the club men’s hockey team.
Van Andel Arena is located in downtown Grand Rapids, Mich. (file photo: Matt Mackinder).
The 58th annual Great Lakes Invitational will take place on Dec. 29-30, 2024 at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Mich., and there will be four Michigan-based schools for the 18th time in tournament history.
Michigan Tech and Western Michigan will meet in the first semifinal on Dec. 29 at 3:30 p.m. followed by Michigan State versus Northern Michigan in the nightcap at 7 p.m. The winners will advance to the GLI championship game on Dec. 30 at 7 p.m. with the GLI third-place game taking place prior to the title contest at 3:30 p.m.
Ticket packages for the 58th GLI will go on sale in September at VanAndelArena.com. It will be the third straight year the historic tournament will be staged in Grand Rapids at Van Andel Arena.
Michigan Tech has won the GLI 12 times in 57 tournaments and is the defending winner of the MacInnes Cup. Michigan State has 12 GLI titles in 49 tournaments. Western Michigan won the first GLI at Van Andel Arena in 2022 and will make its seventh all-time appearance. The Broncos have won the tournament four times. Northern Michigan will also be making its seventh appearance and first since 2015.
The GLI was first played in 1965 after the idea for the tournament was conceived and implemented by Michigan Tech coach John MacInnes, Olympia Stadium GM Lincoln Cavalieri and Detroit Red Wings scout Jack Paterson. The tournament has been played at Olympia Stadium (1965-78), Joe Louis Arena (1979–2012, 2014–16), Comerica Park (2013), Little Caesars Arena (2018-19), and Van Andel Arena (2022). COVID-19 canceled the 2020 GLI and teams played a non-tournament showcase-style event in 2021.
Future teams to compete in the GLI against the Huskies and Spartans are Miami and Ferris State in 2025, and Western Michigan and Notre Dame in 2026.
Denver coach David Carle gets the Gatorade bath during the Pioneers’ celebration April 13 in St. Paul, Minn. (photo: Jim Rosvold).
David Carle guided Denver to its second national championship in two years, downing Boston College 2-0 back on April 13 in St. Paul, Minn.
For taking the Pioneers to the top of the college hockey mountain, Carle has been named USCHO.com Coach of the Year for the 2023-24 season in a vote of USCHO.com staff members.
During this past season, his sixth year at the helm of his alma mater, Carle guided the Pioneers to their third NCAA Frozen Four in that time. Denver finished with a 32-9-3 record this season, marking the program’s third consecutive 30-wn campaign—the first time in school history it has reached the threshold in back-to-back-to-back years. It is also the 22nd straight full season where DU has recorded 20 or more victories, extending its “Tenzer” Streak as the longest active stretch in college hockey that dates to 2001-02.
Denver finished second in the NCHC standings during the regular season with 45 points and a 15-7-2 record in conference play. In the postseason, the Pioneers swept Minnesota Duluth in two games in the NCHC quarterfinals before defeating St. Cloud State in the conference semifinals and Omaha in the championship game to pick up their third NCHC Frozen Faceoff championship. Overall, it was DU’s 18 conference tournament title in the team’s 75-season history.
The Pioneers played in their 33rd national tournament and advanced to their 19th Frozen Four and fifth trip in the last eight years (seven tournament appearances) by winning the NCAA Northeast Regional in Springfield, Mass.
Carle picked up his 126th career victory on Nov. 25 against Yale, surpassing his predecessor, Jim Montgomery, for sole possession of fourth place on the school’s all-time wins list. He coached his 200th game—all at DU—on Dec. 9 at Western Michigan to become just the fifth Pioneers coach to reach the milestone. His .675 winning percentage through the first 200 games was the second-best mark among Denver coaches, as only Murray Armstrong was better through his first 200 at .735 while also winning three national titles.
Overall, Carle owns a 148-62-16 all-time record and his current .690 winning percentage is presently the best among coaches in Denver hockey history. Armstrong is second with a .674 winning percentage.
Carle won his second national title as a head coach and his third overall. He became the fourth-youngest coach in college hockey history to win an NCAA championship in 2022 (32 years, five months, zero days) and also won a title as an assistant on Montgomery’s staff in 2017.
He also won a gold medal as well this season for Team USA at the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship in Sweden in December and January, leading the Americans past the host Swedes in the final for the country’s sixth gold in the last 20 years.
Lennie Childs spent two seasons as an assistant coach with Union (photo: Dominique Del Prete).
After two seasons as an assistant coach for the Union men’s hockey team, Lennie Childs has stepped down to accept the head coach position for the USHL’s Omaha Lancers.
“My time at Union College was nothing short of tremendous,” said Childs in a statement. I thank Coach (Josh) Hauge for giving me the opportunity to grow and work with highly dedicated players every day. My family and I are excited and honored to be named the next head coach of the Omaha Lancers. It is a blue blood program in the USHL with a tradition of developing top young talent.”
Childs helped guide Union to a 30-37-5 record in his two seasons on the bench, which included two first-round home ECAC Hockey playoff games and a trip to the conference quarterfinals this season.
“I want to thank Lennie for everything he contributed to our program,” said Hauge. “We really enjoyed working with him and the energy he brought to the rink every day. We look forward to watching his coaching journey and wish him and his family the best in Omaha.”
Before coming to Schenectady, Childs served as an assistant coach with the USHL’s Des Moines Buccaneers where he primarily led player development, the penalty kill units, and offensive zone production.
Prior to his time with the Buccaneers, Childs spent two seasons with the NAHL’s Janesville Jets as an assistant coach before being promoted to associate head coach in his third season. In addition to player development and working with the defense, he was responsible for camps, recruiting, and the day-to-day operations of the team. Under his coaching, the Jets had one of the best defensive cores in the NAHL, with the second-ranked penalty kill in the 2020-21 season.
During the 2017-18 season, Childs served as the head coach for the USPHL’s Skipjacks Hockey Club where he guided the team to a 27-10-7 record.
Childs played four years of collegiate hockey at Concordia-Wisconsin where he graduated in 2016 with a degree in marketing.
A search for a new assistant coach will begin immediately.
“I am extremely honored and excited to be the next head coach at Lindenwood University,” said Muckalt. “I want to thank Dr. Porter, vice president for intercollegiate athletics Jason Coomer, and all the leadership staff for their vision and commitment to make this hire possible. I also want to take time to acknowledge my family, friends and people that supported me during this process to make it a reality.”
Prior to joining Lindenwood, Muckalt was the associate head coach at Michigan from 2017 to 2023.
“At this time, I feel a real sense of gratitude,” Muckalt said. “Once I was able to visit such a beautiful campus and see all the resources that Lindenwood has to offer, it was a really easy decision for myself and our family. From our university mission statement of serving others, thriving together, doing the right thing and having grit, they were all foundational core values of my coaching philosophy, and I felt an instant connection.”
A press conference will be held at the Centene Community Ice Center on April 25 at 1 p.m. CT to introduce Muckalt and will be open to the public. The introductory press conference will also be live streamed at lindenwoodlions.com.
“We are excited to welcome Coach Muckalt to St. Charles and the Lindenwood family,” said Coomer. “Throughout the search process, Coach Muckalt separated himself from his peers as the right person to lead our young men. It is clear how much he is respected throughout the college and professional hockey community, and we look forward to Bill leading our program.
In his six seasons at Michigan, Muckalt helped 20 players get drafted by NHL teams and was the Wolverines’ lead recruiter during his tenure as associate head coach. Four of the first five draft picks at the 2021 NHL Draft were from Michigan (Owen Power, Matty Beniers, Kent Johnson, Luke Hughes).
“Expectations are high for our program and having someone who has experienced sustained success at various levels and stops was something we were looking for during this process,” said Coomer. “Being the only NCAA Division I hockey program in the state of Missouri, the St. Charles and St. Louis hockey community are excited about what is taking place in our backyard. Without questions, Coach Muckalt will be a great addition to the local hockey scene.”
During the 2022-23 season, Muckalt helped the Wolverines to a 23-12-3 record while clinching the Big Ten championship with a 4-3 win over Minnesota in the B1G championship game. Michigan went to the NCAA Frozen Four that year before eventually losing to Quinnipiac.
The year prior in 2021-22, Michigan also was crowned Big Ten champions after winning the title and finished with a record of 31-10-2, marking their most wins since the 2007-08 season. Muckalt handled recruiting and defensive responsibilities for the Wolverines which ranked ninth in the county allowing only 2.21 goals per game. He also coached Big Ten Medal of Honor winner Nick Blankenburg and seven other Michigan players who signed NHL contracts that season.
Muckalt was responsible for helping five Michigan players get drafted in the first round during the shortened 2020-21 season due to COVID-19. The Wolverines were 15-10-1 in a season where they ranked seventh nationally in offense averaging 3.50 goals per game. Muckalt helped freshman Thomas Bordeleau win the Tim Taylor national rookie of the year award after taking home B1G rookie of the year honors.
Prior to his time at Michigan, Muckalt was the general manager and head coach of the USHL’s Tri-City Storm from 2015 to 17. In his two seasons with Tri-City, Muckalt’s team posted a 49-46-16 record and won its first Clark Cup in franchise history during the 2015-16 season. He became just the fifth coach in Tier I history of the USHL to win a championship in the first season as head coach, joining current Tampa Bay Lightning assistant coach Jeff Blashill.
From 2011 to 2015, Muckalt was an assistant coach at Michigan Tech where he helped the Huskies reach No. 1 in the USCHO.com poll for the first time since 1976. In his final season at Michigan Tech, he helped guide the team to a 29-10-2 record while finishing second in the nation in goals against average (1.80). The Huskies also made the NCAA tournament during the 2014-15 season, the first time since 1981.
Previously, Muckalt held head coaching positions with the NAHL’s New Mexico Mustangs (2010-11), WSHL’s Valencia Flyers (2009-10) and ACHA college team Eastern Michigan (2007-08).
Muckalt spent five years in the NHL, playing with the Vancouver Canucks, New York Islanders, Ottawa Senators and Minnesota Wild. He tallied 97 career points on 40 goals and 57 assists. He retired as a player in 2004.
“I look forward to leading our student athletes to many successes in the classroom, on the ice and in the community,” said Muckalt. “Lindenwood hockey will be relentless, disciplined, cohesive and we will get better together every day. We will build a championship-caliber program. I look forward to reconnecting with so many familiar faces in the St. Louis hockey community as well as developing new relationships. Let’s go Lions.”
A 1998 graduate of Michigan, he was a four-year starter for the Wolverines and part of the 1996 and 1998 national championship teams. Muckalt served as an alternate captain during the 1997-98 season while being honored as part of the 1998 CCHA first all-star team and was named a 1998 West first team All-American.
He received his bachelor’s degree in sports management and communications.
Nicole Haase (@NicoleHaase) and Todd Milewski (@ToddMilewski) review Canada’s win over the U.S. for World Championship gold, with Nicole’s thoughts on the tournament in Utica, New York. Then we have a look at action in the transfer portal and some of the issues behind it. And the final segment looks at the movement toward elevating Michigan’s club program to varsity status.
Macklin Celebrini was an offensive force this season for BU and could be the No. 1 pick in June’s NHL Draft (photo: Matt Woolverton).
Boston University’s Macklin Celebrini came into the 2023-24 season with tremendous hype.
He lived up to the hype, and then some, capping it off with the Hobey Baker Award as the best player in college hockey.
Today, USCHO.com has announced that Celebrini is a dual winner, chosen USCHO.com Rookie of the Year and Player of the Year after a 32-goal, 64-point season over 38 games for the Terriers. He also put up eight points in five games for Canada at the IIHF World Junior Championship.
And he doesn’t turn 18 until two weeks before June’s NHL Draft, an event being held in Las Vegas that could see Celebrini taken with the No. 1 overall selection. He was the youngest player in college hockey this past season.
This season, Celebrini racked up a slew of Hockey East weekly and monthly awards, as well as the Hockey East rookie and Tim Taylor Award as national rookie of the year, New England rookie of the year and Hockey East player of the year. He also led Hockey East in scoring and was named a first team All-American.
The 2023-24 USCHO.com awards were voted on by USCHO.com staff members after the conclusion of the Frozen Four.
The USCHO.com Coach of the Year will be announced Thursday.
The entire 2024 U.S. National Junior Team coaching staff will return in 2025 after winning gold earlier this year. From left, Brett Larson, Travis Culhane, David Carle, Steve Miller, David Lassonde and Garrett Raboin (photo: USA Hockey).
Denver coach David Carle, who guided the 2024 U.S. National Junior Team to the gold medal at the IIHF World Junior Championship, will serve as head coach of the 2025 U.S. National Junior Team.
Having recently completed his sixth season as the head coach of the Pioneers, Carle owns a 148-62-16 (.690) record at DU and has guided the Pioneers to two NCAA national titles in the last three seasons, including this year.
“I’m beyond honored to be asked to represent our country again,” said Carle in a statement. “We have a terrific staff and we’re all excited about the chance to work with the top players in our country, with the goal of winning back-to-back gold medals in the World Juniors for the first time in our nation’s history.”
In addition, Carle will have his entire 2024 gold medal staff back with him for the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship, including assistant coaches Brett Larson (St. Cloud State), Steve Miller (Minnesota), and Garrett Raboin (Augustana), goaltending coach David Lassonde (USA Hockey) and video coach Travis Culhane (Denver).
“We are excited to have our whole coaching staff return, led by David Carle, who is among the most accomplished and highly regarded coaches in our country,” said John Vanbiesbrouck, general manager of the 2025 U.S. National Junior Team and also assistant executive director of hockey operations for USA Hockey. “With so many great teams from around the world, it is never easy to win gold, but it’s a challenge we look forward to and one I know our coaching staff embraces.”
Team USA will play in the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship Dec. 26, 2024 to Jan. 5, 2025, in Ottawa, Ont. The U.S. is in Group A alongside Finland, Canada, Latvia and Germany and will play its preliminary round games at the Canadian Tire Centre. Group B, which includes Sweden, Czechia, Slovakia, Switzerland and Kazakhstan, will play its preliminary round contests at TD Place Arena.
Jacob Fowler was a wall in net this season as a freshman for Boston College (photo: Brody Hannon).
USCHO.com has announced its three all-USCHO teams for the just-completed 2023-24 college hockey season.
Voting was conducted after the conclusion of the Frozen Four by USCHO.com staff members.
From left, Macklin Celebrini, Cutter Gauthier, Will Smith, Lane Hutson, Zeev Buium, Jacob Fowler.
First All-USCHO Team
F Macklin Celebrini, Boston University*
F Cutter Gauthier, Boston College*
F Will Smith, Boston College
D Lane Hutson, Boston University*
D Zeev Buium, Denver
G Jacob Fowler, Boston College
From left, Jackson Blake, Jack Devine. Gavin Brindley, Ryan Ufko, Artyom Levshunov, Kyle McClellan.
Second All-USCHO Team
F Jackson Blake, North Dakota
F Jack Devine, Denver
F Gavin Brindley, Michigan
D Ryan Ufko, Massachusetts
D Artyom Levshunov, Michigan State
G Kyle McClellan, Wisconsin
From left, Ryan Leonard. Collin Graf, Gabe Perreault, Seamus Casey, Gianfranco Cassaro, Ian Shane.
Third All-USCHO Team
F Ryan Leonard, Boston College
F Collin Graf, Quinnipiac
F Gabe Perreault, Boston College
D Seamus Casey, Michigan
D Gianfranco Cassaro, RIT
G Ian Shane, Cornell
*Unanimous selection
On Wednesday, USCHO.com will announce its rookie of the year and player of the year with the coach of the year announced Thursday.
Tristan Broz was twice an overtime hero in the 2024 NCAA tournament for Denver (photo: Jamie Schwaberow/Clarkson Creative Photography).
Denver junior forward Tristan Broz has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins beginning in 2024-25.
He will spend the remainder of the 2023-24 campaign with the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins on an amateur tryout.
Broz registered career highs this past season with 16 goals, 24 assists and 40 points. He finished tied for third on the Pioneers in goals and was fourth in points while helping the program win its NCAA-record 10th national championship last weekend.
The Bloomington, Minn., native was third on Denver with four game-winning goals and scored twice in overtime during the NCAA tournament, the first Pioneer ever to accomplish the feat and earned all-tournament honors for both the Frozen Four and Northeast Regional. He tallied in double-overtime on March 28 in the regional semifinals against Massachusetts in the longest tournament game in DU hockey history and also scored in extra time in the national semifinals on April 11 versus Boston University.
Broz was Denver’s top-line center for much of the final eight weeks of the campaign and recorded 19 points (seven goals, 12 assists) in the last 17 games. He finished the year with a plus-20 rating and nine power-play points (two goals, seven assists) as well.
He matched a career high with four points twice in 2023-24, recording two goals and two assists on Jan. 6 vs. Niagara and had a goal and personal-best three assists on Feb. 24 against Miami. He had 11 multi-point outings during the campaign, including a three-point performance with a trio of helpers on March 2 at St. Cloud State.
He tied a career long with a five-game point streak from Nov. 17-Dec. 1, 2023 (three goals, five assists) and set a personal-high assist streak with a four-game run from Nov. 17-25, 2023. Broz appeared in his 100th collegiate game on Jan. 26 at North Dakota and finished his NCAA career with 79 points on 32 goals and 47 assists in 119 career games.
Beginning his collegiate tenure at Minnesota, Broz transferred to Denver in the summer of 2022 after posting 11 points (five goals, six assists) and helping the Gophers reach the Frozen Four in 2021-22. He posted then-career highs the next season with the Pioneers by registering 10 goals and 18 assists in 2022-23.
He tallied his first career overtime goal and first game-winner at Denver on Dec. 9, 2022 at Minnesota Duluth and had a goal and three assists on Dec. 17, 2022 vs. Lindenwood. Broz recorded a career-high four goals — including his final three coming consecutively in the third period — on Jan. 14, 2023 vs. Miami for the first four-goal game by a Denver player since Kevin Doell on Feb. 21, 2003 vs. Michigan Tech.
Broz was selected by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the second round (58th overall) of the 2021 NHL Draft.
Sean Behrens proved to be a stalwart on the back end over his three seasons with Denver (photo: Jamie Schwaberow/Clarkson Creative Photography).
Denver junior defenseman Sean Behrens has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the NHL’s Colorado Avalanche beginning in 2024-25.
He will spend the remainder of the 2023-24 campaign with the AHL’s Colorado Eagles on an amateur tryout.
Behrens recorded career highs this past season with four goals and 27 assists for 31 points while appearing in all 44 games. He tallied the first two game-winning goals of his career during the campaign and finished third among DU defensemen in both assists and points.
A two-time national champion, Behrens helped the Pioneers win the NCAA title in 2022 as a freshman and the program’s record-breaking 10th trophy last week as a junior.
The 2023-24 NCHC defensive defenseman of the year and an all-NCHC honorable mention for a second consecutive season, Behrens paced the Pioneers with 70 blocked shots — the most by a Denver player since Will Butcher had 82 and Adam Plant had 80 in 2016-17. He also finished second on the squad with 53 penalty minutes and was second with a plus-25 plus-minus rating.
The Barrington, Ill., native went on career-long seven-game assist streak (10 assists) early in the season from Oct. 8-Nov. 4, which fell one shy of matching his personal-best point run. He tied a career high with three assists/points to start the stretch on Oct. 8 at Alaska. Behrens had seven multi-point outings during the campaign.
Behrens appeared in his 100th career game on Feb. 24 against Miami and contributed a pair of assists in the contest. He scored his first career game-winner on March 2 at St. Cloud State and also tallied the game-decided marker while also adding a helper and a plus-3 rating in Game 2 of the NCHC quarterfinals on March 16 vs. Minnesota Duluth.
The rearguard was named to the 2024 NCAA Frozen Four all-tournament team after registering an assist in each contest, including in the overtime-winning goal against Boston University in the national semifinals on April 11. In the national championship game, he added another assist and had a career-best five blocked shots against Boston College — the second-highest scoring team in the nation this season. Throughout the year, he blocked four shots in a game six times.
Behrens finishes his collegiate career with 81 points in 112 games. He buried 10 goals while his 71 assists rank tied for 11th all-time by a DU defenseman in school history.
One of four Pioneers named to the NCHC all-rookie team in 2021-22, Behrens opened his collegiate career with a five-game assist/point streak (seven assists) from Oct. 8-22, 2021. We went on a career-long eight-game point streak from Jan. 15-Feb. 5, 2022 (two goals, 10 assists), which at the time was the longest by a freshman defenseman in NCHC history and tied for the longest by any blueliner in conference history with Minnesota Duluth’s Andy Welinski in 2013-14 (surpassed by DU’s Zeev Buium in 2023-24).
He finished his freshman campaign with 29 points (three goals, 26 assists) in 37 games and added 21 points (three goals, 18 assists) in 31 contests as a sophomore. He was named to the United States roster for both the 2022 and 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship and helped the Americans win a bronze medal as a sophomore in 2023 in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, Canada.
Behrens was selected by the Colorado Avalanche prior to his freshman season at DU in the second round (61st overall) of the 2021 NHL Draft.
The Danbury Ice Arena is home to the Western Connecticut State men’s and women’s hockey teams (photo: WestConn Athletics).
Western Connecticut State has added seven new NCAA team sports, including men’s and women’s hockey at the NCAA Division III level.
“In keeping with its tradition of relentless pursuit of excellence and growth, Western Connecticut State University is set to unveil plans to expand its NCAA sports lineup, introducing seven new teams over the next two years,” Western Connecticut director of athletics Lori Mazza said in a statement. “The addition of new intercollegiate sports will increase the total number of intercollegiate teams at WestConn to 23. The additions include women’s golf, men’s and women’s ice hockey, and both indoor and outdoor track & field for men and women. The recruitment of athletes for these teams will commence immediately.”
The men’s hockey team, currently playing successfully at the ACHA level, will step up to join the NCAA and compete in the inaugural season within the LEC, starting to compete in the 2025-26 season. The women’s team will start at the ACHA level in fall 2024, with plans to achieve NCAA status by 2026-27.
Both teams will use the Danbury Ice Arena near the Midtown campus for practice and home games.
“As we usher in a new chapter for WestConn athletics, we’re excited about the enhanced opportunities awaiting our community,” Mazza said. “Given the growing interest from prospective and current students in these sports, we are eager to not only fulfill this demand, but also to help further boost enrollment at our university. It’s the perfect moment to expand into sports such as ice hockey, track and field, and women’s golf. We’re committed to sustaining a dynamic and competitive sports program, bolstered by ongoing strategic support from our administration, ensuring that athletics continue to be a pillar of the student experience here. We appreciate our community partners, and look forward to the future of WestConn athletics, our university, and our community.”
The NCAA Division III Management Council took action this week to support expanding the football championship bracket from 32 to 40 teams and to change the championship access ratio for all team sports to 1:6.
This means men’s hockey will go from a 12-team tournament to a 14-team tournament and women’s hockey from 11 teams to 12 teams.
In addition, there will also be a single at-large pool for bids, combining the previously used Pools B and C.
Additionally, the council approved the use of the NCAA Power Index for selection of at-large berths to team sports championships. The changes will go into effect starting with 2024 fall championships.
David Ciancio has excelled on and off the ice for Saint Michael’s (photo: Jim Laskarzewski).
Saint Michael’s junior David Ciancio has been named the Northeast-10 Conference Sport Excellence Award winner for his sport.
Ciancio becomes the sixth member of his program over the past 15 years voted the top men’s hockey scholar-athlete in the NE10. He is the second Purple Knight in as many years so honored, after current senior Marshall Murphy landed the accolade for 2022-23.
Ciancio adds to a postseason awards list that includes New England Hockey Writers Association (NEHWA) Division II/III All-Star, NE10 co-defensive player of the year, NE10 all-conference first team, and NE10 academic all-conference. The captain totaled eight goals and 11 assists in 29 games, tying for third in the NE10 in power-play goals (6), and blocked 68 shots as a veteran defenseman. The 2022-23 NE10 Elite 24 Award winner, Ciancio has a 3.85 cumulative grade-point average as a business administration and accounting double major. Ciancio is a five-time NE10 academic honor roll qualifier and earned a 2022-23 Division 2 Athletics Directors Association (D2 ADA) academic achievement award.
NE10 Sport Excellence Award winners are chosen by a vote of committee of athletic administrators and faculty athletic representatives. To be eligible for selection, a student-athlete must have met and/or exceeded the following minimum requirements: 1) participated in at least half of the team’s competitions and be either a starter or significant contributor; 2) achieved a 3.30 cumulative GPA; and 3) completed at least one academic year at their current institution.
“We really got into this deep, six-month process that was pretty intensive related to branding, and understanding who we are, where we’ve been, what our history is, and what what’s our name going to be, what our colors are going to be, and what does the icon look like,” Morgan said. “Ultimately, landing where we did with Atlantic Hockey America.”
Nicole Haase (@NicoleHaase) and Todd Milewski (@ToddMilewski) review Canada’s win over the U.S. for World Championship gold, with Nicole’s thoughts on the tournament in Utica, New York. Then we have a look at action in the transfer portal and some of the issues behind it. And the final segment looks at the movement toward elevating Michigan’s club program to varsity status.
The NCAA Division III Management Council took action this week to support expanding the football championship bracket from 32 to 40 teams and to change the championship access ratio for all team sports to 1:6.
