U.S. College Hockey News

[JMCx4]

Progress continues at Clarksville, Tennessee's F&M Bank Arena construction site, which may someday host an Austin Peay State University NCAA DI ice hockey team. If you choose to believe it.

 

[CrazyEddie20]

Austin Peay State University has an endowment of $22 million, which indicates they have a donor/alumni base that is not particularly wealthy and/or inclined to give money to the school. Fundraising is the entire game when it comes to adding sports to an athletic program. Austin Peay literally doesn't have a pot to piss in. No chance they add Division I hockey.

 

[JMCx4]

From: FloHockey.tv > News

ACHA

FloSports Secures Naming Rights For ACHA National Championships

The ACHA and FloSports have entered into a five-year agreement regarding the naming rights for the ACHA National Championships.

Nov 22, 2022 by FloHockey Staff

The American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA), the governing body for non-NCAA men’s and women’s hockey in the United States, announced that FloSports, a leader in sports streaming and original content, has entered into a five-year agreement regarding the naming rights for the ACHA National Championships. The annual post-season tournament will be called the “ACHA National Championships presented by FloHockey.” ...

The 2023 ACHA National Championships presented by FloHockey will be held at the New England Sports Center (NESC) in Marlborough, Mass. from March 16-21, 2023. ...

 

[JMCx4]

Stick taps & prayers for this young lady's full recovery ...

From: USCHO.com > D-III Women

D-III Women’s West Week 12: Gustavus’ Heather Olinger’s improbable story ...​

By Chris Sugar
-
January 24, 2023

Gustavus’ Heather Olinger

Last weekend, Gustavus swept Saint Benedict, winning 5-2 & 5-1, however, the bigger story was the disastrous career-ending injury suffered by Gusties Senior Defenseman from Prior Lake, Minn. Heather Olinger. Heather was involved in a hit-from-behind, but the hit, which sent her head-first into the boards, caused a C7 fracture and T4 burst fracture. Her spine had to be fused from T1-T6. Fortunately, to her doctor’s surprise, she was able to move all of her extremities (right after the injury occurred in the hospital) and had zero spinal cord or brain injuries and is now currently at home recovering. She will have to wear a full neck and torso brace for three months, but is expected to make a full recovery.

Heather’s friends set up a GoFundMe to hopefully raise some money to help cover the cost of her medical bills. Well, the power of social media came through and multiple outlets promoted her story on Twitter including @DIIIHockeyNews and @KEYCNewsNow, which helped increase traffic to her story. Before the promotion, she had raised approximately $3,500, after the various promotions, the donations skyrocketed to over $28,000 as of 1/23/23! The power of the hockey community came through once again, with players, coaches, and teams from all across D-III women’s hockey and other sports, donating sums of money to help support Heather’s medical expenses. Donations have come from women’s hockey teams in New York, Maine, Michigan, Atlanta, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Canada, and her home state of Minnesota.

Gustavus’ Senior Defenseman Heather Olinger (Photo by Gustavus Sports Information)

Heather commented on the overwhelming support coming her way: “I was so touched when I saw the amount of different teams donating and showing their support. I have no words to describe how amazing it has been to see how close and caring the hockey community is around the country. I will forever be grateful for all the love, support, and prayers”.

If you would like to donate to Heather’s fund and read more, including updates on her condition, click HERE. ...

 

[Rbenj]

Transitioning to Varsity Programs -AAU Hockey
Being these are going to be Varsity programs, it’s a big help, where students/players don’t have to pay Hockey dues and Travel costs.
The caliber of play will obviously not be as good as NCAA D1 or D3, but it’s still great news.

Collegiate Hockey Federation, Amateur Athletic Union joining to launch AAU College Hockey, starting with 2023-24 season - College Hockey | USCHO.com

The Collegiate Hockey Federation (CHF) and the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) will partner to launch AAU College Hockey, a new model of collegiate hockey in

www.uscho.com

 

[JMCx4]

Transitioning to Varsity Programs -AAU Hockey
Being these are going to be Varsity programs, it’s a big help, where students/players don’t have to pay Hockey dues and Travel costs.
The caliber of play will obviously not be as good as NCAA D1 or D3, but it’s still great news.

Collegiate Hockey Federation, Amateur Athletic Union joining to launch AAU College Hockey, starting with 2023-24 season - College Hockey | USCHO.com

The Collegiate Hockey Federation (CHF) and the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) will partner to launch AAU College Hockey, a new model of collegiate hockey in

www.uscho.com

"The Collegiate Hockey Federation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, will assume the legal and financial aspects of AAU College Hockey and continue to maintain control of its organizational structure while taking advantage of everything the AAU brings to its student-athletes as the premier governing body across 45 amateur sports and over 770,000 members. ..."

First question I have: Where is the money to operate this CHF non-profit going to come from? And second question: Will the ACHA (and/or any similar existing U.S. collegiate hockey organizations) compete with this AAU initiative, or will they participate in some sort of transformation of this level of amateur hockey? Both answers are key to the presumed success of AAU hockey.

 

[JMCx4]

From: College Hockey Inc.

Monday, February 6, 2023

Paths: British Columbia and NCAA hockey
BCHL remains optimal route to NCAA for B.C. players

By Sean Hogan, Jayson Hajdu and Mike Snee

The development of an aspiring young hockey player rarely occurs in a straight line. Similarly, a player’s development path can sometimes be as jagged as the Rocky Mountains. The latter is not the case in British Columbia, however, where the BCHL has emerged as a tried-and-true stepping stone for British Columbians on their way to NCAA Division I men’s hockey.

In 2022-23 alone, a whopping 311 NCAA Division I men’s hockey players had come directly to college hockey from the BCHL. Nineteen of them are NHL draft picks. Thirteen of them serve as team captain. British Columbia natives like Denver leading scorer Massimo Rizzo (Burnaby), Quinnipiac leading scorer Ethan de Jong (North Vancouver), North Dakota defenseman Chris Jandric (Prince George), and UConn goalie Logan Terness (Burnaby) all honed their skills in the BCHL. ...


Read more at: Paths: British Columbia and NCAA hockey - College Hockey, Inc.

 

[CrazyEddie20]

Transitioning to Varsity Programs -AAU Hockey
Being these are going to be Varsity programs, it’s a big help, where students/players don’t have to pay Hockey dues and Travel costs.
The caliber of play will obviously not be as good as NCAA D1 or D3, but it’s still great news.

Collegiate Hockey Federation, Amateur Athletic Union joining to launch AAU College Hockey, starting with 2023-24 season - College Hockey | USCHO.com

The Collegiate Hockey Federation (CHF) and the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) will partner to launch AAU College Hockey, a new model of collegiate hockey in

www.uscho.com

So the lesser of the two organizations in charge of club hockey is going to just declare its programs to be varsity hockey. Right...

"The Collegiate Hockey Federation, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, will assume the legal and financial aspects of AAU College Hockey and continue to maintain control of its organizational structure while taking advantage of everything the AAU brings to its student-athletes as the premier governing body across 45 amateur sports and over 770,000 members. ..."

First question I have: Where is the money to operate this CHF non-profit going to come from? And second question: Will the ACHA (and/or any similar existing U.S. collegiate hockey organizations) compete with this AAU initiative, or will they participate in some sort of transformation of this level of amateur hockey? Both answers are key to the presumed success of AAU hockey.

The first is a version correct question to be asking.

In addition, they seem to think that this "varsity hockey" won't be play-to-play. Are these schools really just going to cough up the low six figures it takes to operate a team? And if so, where is that money coming from?

To answer your second question: The ACHA will definitely compete with this initiative, because it's already the better level of hockey, as will the NCAA. Do you really think the NCAA wants the AAU encroaching on their turf, especially in what for some schools is a revenue sport?

 

[JMCx4]

@CrazyEddie20 : You did all the thinking for @Rbenj .

 

[Jersey Fan 12]

Transitioning to Varsity Programs -AAU Hockey
Being these are going to be Varsity programs, it’s a big help, where students/players don’t have to pay Hockey dues and Travel costs.
The caliber of play will obviously not be as good as NCAA D1 or D3, but it’s still great news.

Collegiate Hockey Federation, Amateur Athletic Union joining to launch AAU College Hockey, starting with 2023-24 season - College Hockey | USCHO.com

The Collegiate Hockey Federation (CHF) and the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) will partner to launch AAU College Hockey, a new model of collegiate hockey in

www.uscho.com

May be reading this wrong but seems like just another level of bureaucracy looking to get a piece of the pie.

How is this better than the current ACHA?

 

[CrazyEddie20]

May be reading this wrong but seems like just another level of bureaucracy looking to get a piece of the pie.

How is this better than the current ACHA?

It's not.

 

[JMCx4]

From: The American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA) > News

Matus Spodniak of Adrian College Wins Sid Watson Award As 2022-23 AHCA Division III Men’s Player of the Year

MARCH 23, 2023

BEVERLY, MA. – Matus Spodniak, a senior forward from Adrian College, is the recipient of the 2023 Sid Watson Award. The award, voted on by the nation’s Division III head coaches, is presented to the best player at the men’s NCAA Division III level by the American Hockey Coaches Association. The announcement was made on the eve of the NCAA Men's Division III Ice Hockey Championships hosted by Endicott College.

Spodniak, a native of Kosice, Slovakia, has had a standout season for the Adrian College NCAA men's hockey team. He leads the country in scoring with 29 goals on the season, averaging 0.97 goals per game. He also ranks fifth in the country in assists with 27, and leads the country with 56 points and points per game with 1.86. ...


Read more at: Matus Spodniak of Adrian College Wins Sid Watson Award As 2022-23 AHCA Division III Men’s Player of the Year - American Hockey Coaches Association

 

[JMCx4]

From: AHCA Press Releases

Aurora’s Darci Matson is 2023 Laura Hurd Award Winner As AHCA Division III Women’s Player of the Year

MARCH 16, 2023

Darci Matson, a sophomore forward from Aurora University, is the recipient of the 2023 Laura Hurd Award. The award, voted on by the nation's Division III head coaches, is presented to the best player at the NCAA Women's Division III level. Matson is the first player from Aurora to be so honored.

In the 2022-23 season, Matson finished with 31 goals and 34 assists for 65 points and surpassed the 100 point plateau in just her second collegiate season. In two seasons, she has compiled 105 points with 54 goals and 51 assists. She is the Division III leader in points, while also leading in points per game with 2.41, assists (34), assists per game (1.26) and is tied as the leader in goals per game (1.15) and is second overall with the 31 goals scored. She was anmed an AHCA First Team All-American on Thursday as well. ...


Read more at: Aurora’s Darci Matson is 2023 Laura Hurd Award Winner As AHCA Division III Women’s Player of the Year - American Hockey Coaches Association

 

[MMC]

 

[JMCx4]

Our lowly forum is blessed today with not one, but TWO free Cawlidge Hawkey blatant advertisements. When do the pop-ups begin?

 

[AUS Fan]

Brandon Naurato Announced as Head Coach of Michigan Hockey.

Naurato Named Permanent Head Coach of Michigan Hockey - University of Michigan Athletics

Warde Manuel, the University of Michigan's Donald R. Shepherd Director of Athletics, announced Friday (March 31) that Graham Family Head Ice Hockey Coach Bra...

mgoblue.com

 

[RabidBadger]

Brandon Naurato Announced as Head Coach of Michigan Hockey.

Naurato Named Permanent Head Coach of Michigan Hockey - University of Michigan Athletics

Warde Manuel, the University of Michigan's Donald R. Shepherd Director of Athletics, announced Friday (March 31) that Graham Family Head Ice Hockey Coach Bra...

mgoblue.com

Well earned. That program could have gone of the rails for the season after the Pearson scandal. I thought Naurato should have been coach of the year over Motzko ( Pandolfo also would be a good choice).

 

[kneelworm]

Only info I've found is their Facebook page, but Idaho State in Pocatello is planning on icing a ACHA D2 team to begin play 2023-2024. Will play home games and practice in Idaho Falls in the Mountain America Center.

 

[AUS Fan]

Matthew Knies has signed with Toronto. No details.

 

[Rob]

Matthew Knies has signed with Toronto. No details.

Faber signs with the Wild as well.

I wonder if Cooley will stay another season?

 

[AUS Fan]

Faber signs with the Wild as well.

I wonder if Cooley will stay another season?

He should stay another 5 years or so until the 'Yotes build a rink.

 

[JMCx4]

I'm resurrecting this thread to give stick taps to the 2024 American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) National Champions, a group of non-varsity (aka, "club hockey") teams who played passionate & entertaining hockey for 11 days outside St. Louis, MO. Congrats to the 2024 champs in each of 5 Divisions (men's and women's), as well as to their competitors.


TRANSLATIONS ...

• D1 Men's Champion = Adrian Bulldogs (Adrian, MI)
• D2 Men's Champion = Indiana University Hoosiers (Bloomington, IN)
• D3 Men's Champion = Lawrence Technological University (Southfield, MI)
• D1 Women's Champion = Adrian Bulldogs (Adrian, MI)
• D2 Women's Champion = Sioux College Cougars (Sault Ste. Marie, ON)

 

[JMCx4]

From: Northland College Athletics > Women's Ice Hockey

Northland College names Jake Bobrowski as Head Women’s Hockey Coach

8/14/2024 11:02:00 AM

ASHLAND, Wis. – Jake Bobrowski was named the new Head Coach for Northland College Women's Hockey, announced on Wednesday, August 14. Bobrowski becomes the fourth head coach of the program. ...

In the inaugural PWHL season, Bobrowski was an assistant coach to the Walter Cup Champions Minnesota Professional Hockey Team. The prior year, he was the Head Coach at Elmira University where he led the Soaring Eagles to a conference championship and finished the year ranked 10th in the nation. ...

Bobrowski has spent time at the Division I level as an assistant with the University of Minnesota. In his yearlong stint, the Gophers reached the NCAA Tournament after winning the WCHA. Bobrowski coached the Player of the Year Taylor Heise while with Minnesota. ...

Read more at: Northland College names Jake Bobrowski as Head Women’s Hockey Coach - Northland College Athletics

Backstory from THN.

 

[JMCx4]

From: U of Alabama Club Hockey

For Immediate Release [with reference to a May 23, 2034 ACHA press release] ...

ALABAMA HOCKEY AMONG FOUNDING MEMBERS OF NEW ACHA ACCHL MEN’S DIVISION 1 SOUTHEAST CONFERENCE

A new era is set to begin for Alabama Hockey. Seasoned American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Division 1 members, The Alabama Frozen Tide has been granted a path to join a new ACHA Division 1 conference for 2025-2026. The conference will start under the Atlantic Coast Collegiate Hockey League (ACCHL) and has been given preliminary approval by the ACHA to add a Division 1 conference. The ACHA and ACCHL reached a Memorandum of Understanding allowing core members: University of Alabama, NC State University, University of Louisville, and University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill to begin play in the ACHA once the six-team conference requirement is met. The ACCHL conference is focused on bringing together some of the biggest brands in college athletics in the south to compete at the highest level of non-NCAA college hockey in North America.

The ACCHL, along with the founding members, is charged with creating a conference whose members meet that mission and include the following parameters:

• Member of a “Power 5 Conference” with historical and current athletic success, making them an NCAA athletic brand name.
• The top team at their university, meaning there is no NCAA team.
• Currently enjoys widespread fan support. ...

Read more at: https://www.alabamahockeyclub.com/about/new-acchl-conference