The best College Hockey coverage is at CollegeHockeyNews.com https://www.collegehockeynews.com Wed, 29 Jul 2026 19:50:39 +0000 FeedCreator 1.7.2 https://www.collegehockeynews.com/images/design/chn2006-text-180px.png https://www.collegehockeynews.com 0 0 College Hockey News https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2026/07/29_UNHs-Souza-to-Lead-US-.php New Hampshire coach Mike Souza will be the head coach for this year's U.S. Collegiate Selects team at the Spengler Cup. Souza was an assistant on last year's team, which lost the championship game to host Davos.Joining Souza will be Minnesota Duluth's Scott Sandelin and Cornell's Casey Jones.The annual tournament takes place annually in Davos, Switzerland, over the Christmas holiday. Last season, ... Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2026/07/29_Fulton-Named-NCAAs-New-Coordinator.php The NCAA has appointed Jeff Fulton as the national coordinator of men’s ice hockey officials. He is set to begin his new position Sept. 1.Fulton brings more than three decades of experience in collegiate ice hockey officiating and administration to the position.He replaces Frank Cole, who stepped down after 27 years in the position.The national coordinator of officials provides leadership for the... Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2026/07/29_St-Cloud-Adds-Former-Captain.php St. Cloud State has hired Spencer Meier as an assistant coach. He steps into the new staff now led by another alumnus, Nick Oliver. The former Husky captain joins the staff after a one-year pro playing career and two seasons as an assistant coach at Sartell High School.Since 2022, Meier has hosted an annual summer hockey camp for youth which annually services hundreds of aspiring Central Minnesota... Wed, 29 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2026/07/26_Klepov-Forgoes-Michigan-State.php Michigan State's record five first-round picks taken in last month's NHL Draft, is down to four.Incoming freshman Nikita Klepov, who was selected No. 15 overall, has decided to instead sign with Anaheim, the team that selected him.Despite all the eligibility changes in the NCAA, signing an entry-level NHL contract is definitely something that makes you ineligible for college hockey. Klepov, who was... Sun, 26 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2026/07/23_Trapezoids-Hand-Passes-Among.php The NCAA has added the NHL rule regarding where goaltenders are allowed to play the puck behind the net. That was among a handful of rule changes officially adopted today for the upcoming season. The rules had already been approved by the hockey committee earlier in the offseason.The new rule allows for goalies to play the puck behind the goal line only within a trapezoid area directly behind the ... Thu, 23 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2026/07/02_QA-With-St-Cloud-State.php Nick Oliver is a St. Cloud State alum, who was most recently an assistant coach at Wisconsin. He was basically learning he'd get the job while coaching Wisconsin at this past year's Frozen Four. He takes over for Brett Larson, who went to Minnesota.CHN: Welcome to the head coaching fraternity in college hockey — it's a small group. How are things so far?Oliver: At times I've felt like I've been ... Wed, 22 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2026/07/22_OHL-Head-Coach-Joins-Michigan.php Chris Lazary, head coach of the OHL's Saginaw Spirit since 2018, has been hired as a new assistant coach at Michigan. Lazary steps in for Rob Rassey, who left the staff earlier this month to become new head coach at Harvard.Lazary, 44, is an Ontario native, and has never coached or played in the NCAA. He was an assistant coach at York University for one season, 2012-13. Since then he has mainly been... Wed, 22 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2026/07/22_BC-Signs-First-WHL-Player.php Boston College has not dipped its toes that far into the Major Junior ranks yet, but after bringing in two OHL players in the last couple years, the Eagles have committed their first player from the WHL.Matias Vanhanen, who scored 87 points in 62 games for Everett last season, is expected to join BC this coming season. Vanhanen, a native of Nokia, Finland, was selected in the second round, 37th overall... Wed, 22 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2026/07/17_Michigan-AD-Manuel-Remains.php Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel has agreed to a buyout, putting an end to a lengthy saga.The Michigan Board of Regens met last Thursday without discussing Manuel's employment status, according to reports. But it finally became clear that a change was the best course of action. Manuel will remain on the job through the end of the year, while consulting on his replacement.Michigan's athletic... Mon, 20 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2026/07/20_Sandelin-Borek-Get-Contract.php Minnesota Duluth coach Scott Sandelin and Merrimack coach Scott Borek each received contract extensions, it was announced Monday.In addition, North Dakota's Dane Jackson, who returned the program to the Frozen Four in his first season, for the first time in 10 years, received "enhancements" on his original deal.Sandelin, who has won three national championships with the Bulldogs in his 26 seasons ... Mon, 20 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2026/07/02_QA-With-Minnesota-Coach.php Brett Larson was named the new coach at Minnesota earlier this offseason. He comes after a stint as head coach at St. Cloud State. It's the second consecutive job where he'll be following Bob Motzko, who agreed to a departure agreement with the school in March.Larson played and coached previously at Minnesota Duluth. He reached the 2021 national championship game as head coach at St. Cloud.CHN: Congrats... Fri, 17 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2026/07/17_New-Government-Rule-Jeopardizes.php Less than a month after the NCAA approved new age rules that included five years of eligibility for all players, a United States government rule change could eliminate the opportunity for half of college hockey.The pros and cons of the NCAA's new eligibility standards have been well-debated for months. Where it landed — with players being allowed to play for five years — has positives and negatives... Fri, 17 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2026/07/16_Brown-Hires-Peffall-as-Assistant.php New Brown head coach Tom Upton has brought on Tom Peffall as an assistant coach.A native of Ambler, Pa., Peffall was on Mercyhurst's staff since 2022. He was named last year to be the replacement for retiring Mercyhurst coach Rick Gotkin. But Mercyhurst's administration abruptly eliminated the men's hockey program this spring.The 39-year old Peffall had a brief minor-league playing career, then worked... Thu, 16 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2026/07/14_Chun-Renewed-as-Yale-AD.php Yale athletic director Vicky Chun, whose recent contract was set to expire June 30, has been renewed for another five years.Chun's tenure came under scrutiny earlier this year when an internal letter written by former hockey coach Keith Allain was leaked to the media. In it, Allain railed against Chun's leadership, describe a toxic atmosphere within the athletic department.“I am reappointing Vicky... Tue, 14 Jul 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2026/06/27_NHL-Draft-19-Current-Incoming.php Nineteen current and incoming college hockey players were selected in the first round of the NHL Draft, held Friday in Buffalo, a number that obliterates the former record of 11. That number leapt to 109 when the draft was completed Saturday, also a record.Also See: History of College Hockey at the DraftTwelve of the 19 first-rounders played in Major Junior last year, a number that increases to 14... Sat, 27 Jun 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2026/06/24_Michigan-Lands-Dupont-Report.php College hockey’s most-coveted prospect is off the board. Multiple sources have indicated that right-shot defenseman Landon DuPont will join Michigan this fall.The 17-year-old is coming off a 73-point season for the WHL’s Everett Silvertips and is considered one of the top prospects for the 2027 NHL Draft. He was granted exceptional status by the CHL to play a year early as a 15-year-old and was... Wed, 24 Jun 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2026/06/24_2026-NHL-Draft-Preview.php The NHL Draft ain't what it used to be. At least when it comes to NCAA players.Over a period of many years, NCAA players (incoming or otherwise) made a progressively bigger impression at the draft. With the door having opened to Major Junior players, the lines have blurred.Players are going to Major Junior more frequently, perhaps bypassing Junior A leagues that would've kept them NCAA eligible. Those... Wed, 24 Jun 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2026/06/23_NCAA-Approves-New-Age-Eligibility.php After much debate and ballyhoo, the NCAA's Division I Cabinet has ultimately unanimously approved the new age-based eligibility model.The final proposal looks different than what was originally planned earlier this year. That's in large part of the efforts of the college hockey community, which stood to be most drastically affected.The NCAA's new proposal, announced during this year's Frozen Four ... Tue, 23 Jun 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2026/06/23_North-Dakota-Michigan-Continue.php Used to be, you recruit your team from the time players are 16, they sign Letters of Intent, and everyone pretty much knows what's going on by winter or spring before the next season.Like a lot of things, however, nothing is quite the same anymore.Thanks mainly to the opening of eligibility to Major Junior players, not to mention the elimination of Letters of Intent and other factors, the news continues... Tue, 23 Jun 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2026/06/21_Rassey-to-Be-New-Harvard-.php Rob Rassey has been officially named Harvard's next head coach, one week after CHN first reported he had been offered the job.Rassey has spent the last four seasons as an assistant coach at Michigan, where the Wolverines made the Frozen Four three times.Prior to that, Rassey was an assistant at Harvard for Ted Donato, who recently resigned after 22 years as the Crimson's head coach. Rassey was on ... Sun, 21 Jun 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2026/06/06_NCAA-Cabinet-Accepts-Hockey.php The NCAA, two weeks after seeming to reject the concept, has amended its new age eligibility proposal and embraced a counter-proposal forwarded by college hockey officials. The counter-proposal, which is for all sports, helps maintain college hockey's existing ecosystem."On behalf of the entire ice hockey community, we are grateful to the NCAA Division I Cabinet for their willingness to consider ... Sat, 06 Jun 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2026/05/27_NCAA-Turns-Down-Counter-Proposal.php The NCAA has informed college hockey officials that its counter-proposal to new age requirements, have been rejected.The NCAA's new proposal removes all past "delayed enrollment" rules for hockey, and sets a new standard on all sports: All players have five years of eligibility from the time their clock starts ticking, which is the date of "expected" high school graduation, no later than 19 years ... Wed, 27 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2026/05/26_Strand-Agrees-to-Extension.php Minnesota State has extended the contract of coach Luke Strand through the 2032-33 season.Strand, who just completed the third year of the five-year contract he signed when he joined the Mavericks on April 10, 2023, has guided the Mavericks to back-to-back MacNaughton and Mason Cups and appearances in the NCAA Tournament."When Luke Strand first accepted this role, he believed all the elements were... Tue, 26 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2026/05/21_Rules-Committee-Approves-.php A trapezoid for goaltenders and legal hand passes in the defensive zone were among the rule changes approved during this week's meeting of the NCAA Division I ice hockey rules committee.This is the first year the various levels, men's and women's Division I and III, were split into separate committees. All D-I men's rules must be granted final approval by the Division I Men's Ice Hockey Oversight ... Thu, 21 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2026/05/20_Hockey-Community-Rallies-.php College hockey's commissioners are making a final push to the NCAA this week, submitting a counter-proposal that would amend the proposed new age eligibility rules, with the backing of the entire hockey landscape.The NCAA's Division I Cabinet is meeting this Friday to deliberate the final makeup of the new rules. The NCAA's leadership and legal team has proposed a new "5-for-5" rule that would grant... Wed, 20 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2026/05/20_Former-OSU-Center-Miami-.php Former Ohio State player and Miami coach Bill Davidge passed away this week. He was 72 years old.Davidge played at Ohio State before becoming a graduate assistant coach at Miami's burgeoning program, under Steve Cady.Davidge eventually took over for Cady, after receiving a master's degree from the university. He was head coach from 1985-89, going 39-111-3.He continued to reside in Oxford and support... Wed, 20 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2026/05/18_North-Dakota-Adds-Top-Prospect.php North Dakota’s defensive corps will feature another high-end prospect next season following the addition of Carson Carels. The left-shot defenseman announced his commitment to UND just after 9 a.m. on Monday.Carels, 17, is among the top prospects for the 2026 NHL Draft. Keaton Verhoeff is also a consensus top prospect for this year’s draft and is currently expected to return for his sophomore ... Mon, 18 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2026/05/12_MSU-Adds-Another-Projected.php Michigan State’s recruiting class has added another high-end prospect. Left-shot forward Ethan Belchetz committed to the Spartans on Tuesday, giving MSU its latest first-round talent. Belchetz is viewed as a top-10 or top-15 pick on most 2026 draft boards, joining fellow MSU commits Chase Reid, Nikita Klepov and Jack Hextall as first-round hopefuls.Forward Mason West and goaltender Joshua Ravensbergen... Tue, 12 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2026/05/07_Harvards-Donato-Steps-Down.php Harvard coach Ted Donato has decided to step down after 22 seasons on the job.Donato, who also starred with the Crimson and was part of the 1989 national championship team, was 334-292-77 during his time behind the bench. Donato scored two goals in the 1989 national championship game and was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. The Crimson made eight NCAA Tournaments during his coaching... Thu, 07 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2026/05/06_Solutions-Exist-In-Age-Limit.php The latest big news to hit the college hockey landscape, in case you haven't heard by now, is the NCAA's plan to "standardize" its age eligibility rules across sports. The plan will eliminate redshirts, giving everyone five seasons of eligibility over five years, without exceptions except in certain special circumstances (military duty, etc...).The biggest effect, however, will be on hockey, where... Wed, 06 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2026/05/06_Clarkson-Announces-Plan-to.php Clarkson will become the first Division III school playing D-I ECAC hockey to announce plans to opt-in to the NCAA's revenue sharing model, beginning in 2026-27.The decision allows Clarkson to pay up to $20.5 million in revenue share money to players in its two D-I sports, men's and women's hockey. Though realistically Clarkson won't allocate that much, it gives the option to keep up with other programs... Wed, 06 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2026/05/04_Eligibility-Changes-Hot-Topic.php College hockey coaches recently wrapped up their annual convention in Bonita Springs, Fla., a week-long gathering that also includes conference-level meetings.Normally, items on the agenda include things like rule change suggestions, and NCAA Tournament formats. But these are not normal times.Foremost on the agenda was a meeting with NCAA lawyers, who went over the age and eligibility rule changes... Mon, 04 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2026/04/29_Fiddler-Commits-To-Denver.php After landing a commitment from Vancouver (WHL) defenseman Ryan Lin to open April, the Pioneers have made another splash on the blue line to close out the month.DU received a commitment from Blake Fiddler on Wednesday and the right-shot defenseman is expected to join the defending champs in the fall.Fiddler stands at 6-foot-5 and 212 pounds, and he’ll turn 19 in July. He was taken by Seattle in ... Wed, 29 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2026/04/27_Eric-Rud-Named-New-Coach-.php Alaska-Anchorage has named Eric Rud its new coach. Rud, a Colorado College alum, has been an assistant with St. Cloud State the last two years.Rud replaces Matt Shasby, who stepped down two weeks ago."We are excited to welcome Eric Rud to UAA as the next head coach of Seawolf Hockey,” UAA's acting athletic director Tanya Pont said. “UAA hockey is truly unique among collegiate programs, with a ... Mon, 27 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2026/04/24_College-Hockey-Bracing-For.php As if the landscape of college sports hasn't changed enough in recent years, college hockey is bracing for another large shift in the coming weeks.NCAA president Charlie Baker recently said that he will try to get new age/eligibility rules pushed through the Division I Management Council at its May meeting.The rule, intended to be for all sports, would allow five full years of college eligibility, ... Fri, 24 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2026/04/20_Hamilton-Expected-to-be-Next.php Yale has officially named Jeff Hamilton its new head coach, as first reported by College Hockey News on Monday.Hamilton is the program's all-time leading scorer with 174 points in 127 games. He had 80 goals and 94 assists, playing from 1996-2001. Hamilton went on to play 157 NHL games, the sixth-most of any Yale alum.Though a distinguished alum, Hamilton has little coaching experience. He's been running... Mon, 20 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2026/04/20_Big-Names-Come-and-Go-After.php Busy, chaotic, hectic, a whirlwind. Take your pick. It’s hard to summarize the past week in college hockey. Given how easy transferring is now, there's little pause taken to reflect on whether the moves are good or not. They just ... happen.Over 300 NCAA players have entered the transfer portal since it opened last Monday and, as of Sunday, over 150 remain without a new team. Some of those players... Mon, 20 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2026/04/13_The-Hero-in-the-Shadows.php At the end of a game that saw Denver bend but not break, it was apparent that the Pioneers were well versed in what they were doing and how they were going to accomplish it.Denver hasn't always won Frozen Four games the pretty way during its remarkable run, at least on paper, often getting heavily outshot. But there is a method to the madness, keeping shots to the outside, not getting flustered, knowing... Mon, 13 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2026/04/12_Home-Again.php In Denver, at DU's Magness Arena, fans have grown fairly accustomed to tradition — including of course the now-longstanding tradition of winning national championships, a tradition that began with No. 1 in 1958 under Murray Armstrong and that continued on a memorable Saturday evening on the Las Vegas Strip, with the David Carle-led Pios extending their NCAA record total to 11.Tradition implies continuity... Sun, 12 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2026/04/12_The-Neverending-Story.php As skaters took turns hoisting the national championship trophy over their heads, blaring throughout T-Mobile Arena was “All I Do Is Win.”A typical song to play after championships have been won.But the song seemed especially poignant, given that Denver was doing the winning. Because, really, all Denver seems to do is win, win, win, no matter what.It was most aptly put by Paxton Geisel, a Denver... Sun, 12 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2026/04/12_So-Close-And-Then--Heartache.php Wisconsin goaltender Daniel Hauser sat at his stall, goalie pads, jersey and skates still on, as a teammate came up and hugged him.All around the locker room, the rest of the Badgers were doing the same: sitting in their gear, some with towels over their hair, some with their heads in their hands, some with tears.“This team means everything to me,” sophomore Ryan Botterill said. “These are all... Sun, 12 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2026/04/12_Oliver-Officially-Named-Head.php St. Cloud State has named Nick Oliver its new head coach, replacing Brett Larson, who went to Minnesota.CHN reported last week that the job was Oliver's to lose, but an announcement was likely being delayed by Wisconsin's continued participation in the NCAA Tournament. Oliver, a St. Cloud State alum, has been on the Wisconsin staff as an assistant. The Badgers lost the NCAA national championship game... Sun, 12 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2026/04/11_Some-How-Some-Way-Denver.php Hagen Burrows ran through the hallway and into the Denver locker room.“Never a doubt,” he yelled.For Denver, sure, the players always believed, why wouldn’t they?However, after two periods of Saturday’s national championship, it did not look good for the Pioneers. Wisconsin held a 1-0 lead, outshooting Denver 21-5.“I don't think it was as bad as it looked,” Denver coach David Carle said... Sat, 11 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2026/04/11_Wisconsin-Leads-Denver-After.php The Denver Pioneers have done it again.For the third time time in the last five seasons, and a record 11th time overall, the Pioneers defeated Wisconsin 2-1 on Saturday night to claim the national title in Las Vegas.Denver won the game despite getting outshot 31-15. "Unbelievable game," Denver coach David Carle said. "Certainly, we bent but didn't break. Johnny [Hicks] kept us within striking range... Sat, 11 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2026/04/11_Max-Plante-Wins-Hobey-Baker.php Max Plante delivered a season worthy of college hockey’s highest individual honor — and on Friday night in Las Vegas, it was officially recognized.The Minnesota Duluth sophomore forward was named the Hobey Baker Award winner at the Frozen Four, capping a dominant 2025-26 campaign. Plante finished with 52 points — 25 goals and 27 assists — in 40 games, emerging as one of the most dynamic offensive... Sat, 11 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2026/04/11_Trey-Augustine-Wins-The-Richter.php Trey Augustine put a definitive stamp on his season Friday night, earning the Mike Richter Award at the Frozen Four as college hockey’s top goaltender.The Michigan State netminder, who has since joined the Detroit Red Wings organization following the Spartans’ loss to Wisconsin in the regional final, finished the year with a 2.11 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage.According to CHN... Sat, 11 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2026/04/10_NCAA-Leaders-Discuss-the-.php On a sunny, 83 degree afternoon in the middle of the driest desert in North America — hosting, as it were, the NCAA Frozen Four for the first time — eyes and ears of the college hockey world turned to the annual 'State of the Game' press conference.But it doesn't require showing up to this panel to know that the state of college hockey is one of massive transformation. And it felt appropriate ... Fri, 10 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2026/04/10_Unlikely-But-Deserved-Hero.php For Denver, a team lauded with some of the best offensive defensemen in the game, it was almost inevitable that a Pioneer blueliner would eventually net the game-winning goal.Now, with 42 goals coming from Denver’s d-corps, there are plenty of options to choose from. So, guess who it was?Guess again. And again. Once more, for good measure.Still guessing?“It was amazing to see Kent Anderson get... Fri, 10 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2026/04/10_Fate-Was-Cruel-to-Michigan.php This year was going to be different, and for most of it, it was.Michigan has been loaded with talent over the last five years, and made four Frozen Fours. It's been similar in that regard to its opponent Thursday, Denver. But the one thing that Michigan didn't have was a national championship, and as a result, Denver zoomed past the Wolverines for most championships in history.But this year, Michigan... Fri, 10 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000 https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2026/04/10_Been-There-Done-That.php For a moment, Denver goaltender Johnny Hicks — the remarkable, unassuming and undefeated freshman who has written his own story since taking over as the starter in January — looked down and out.Lying motionless on the ice after a high-velocity collision sent Michigan freshman Malcolm Spence barreling over him, Hicks stared up at the ceiling of a suddenly hushed T-Mobile Arena. On the Denver bench... Fri, 10 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000