CC incoming freshman defenseman Peter Stoykewych, an Atlanta draft pick, is excited about the possible Thrashers move to Manitoba, his home province.

Nebraska-Omaha is bringing in eight freshmen this fall to replace six graduating seniors.

SCSU is getting a close look from a high school defenseman. Here is St. Cloud’s 2011-12 schedule.

The Islanders have a short time to sign two college players, including North Dakota’s Jason Gregoire, who talked to the Grand Forks Herald as well.

Here’s more commentary about Wisconsin’s policy against playing North Dakota in nonconference games.

Former Tiger Nate Prosser is an example of the Wild trying to develop their homegrown players.

The NCAA released its Academic Progress rating report for the 2009-10 and the graduation rate for CC went up a tick. College hockey in general does well and the penalty-free Tigers are no exception: 2004-05, 994;  2005-06,  985;  2006-07, 986; 2007-08, 983;  2008-09, 983;  2009-10, 988

The Gophers new captain hopes the team will bond this summer.

While this will likely have no effect on CC, this may be of interest to some fans. The junior college hockey ranks have grown to 11 teams with the recent announcement that Williston (N.D.) State College will start a men’s program to begin play starting this 2011-12 season.  The team will play mostly Junior B teams from Montana and Saskatchewan since six of the U.S. teams are back East.

The nearest potential NJCAA rivals are in Hibbing, Minn. and Bottineau, N.D., where current King Dustin Penner got his collegiate start.  He had 36 points (22 goals) in 38 games before signing with Maine, which lost to Denver in the 2004 title game.

There also appears to be some non-NJCAA schools that have club teams as well. Regardless, a few more college scholarships for hockey players is a good thing.

Speaking of scholarships, the Atlantic Hockey Association reportedly voted down a proposal to increase its scholarships from 12 to 15. The NCAA allows 18. With a 7-5 vote (eight required to pass), there is clearly a desire for more scholarships.

How would this affect CC? Not directly. But it could mean some AHA teams may be looking to move on to the CCHA, which would be happy to add some upstate New York squads, if things shake out as bad as some predict. Of course, a shakeup in the AHA ranks would affect Air Force.