College Hockey   CC Tigers and USAFA Falcons Hockey

The final Western Collegiate Hockey Association meetings this past weekend in Florida were a bittersweet occasion for Colorado College coach Scott Owens.

It served as the transition for the WCHA-founding Tigers as CC enters the new National Collegiate Hockey Conference it helped form last summer.

”It was not awkward but it was a little sad and a little more business-like (than usual),” Owen said. “The league was already meeting with the new members and the NCHC metearlier in the week.”

The transition affects the WCHA as well. Longtime commissioner Bruce McLeod, who has led the league for 20 years, said this coming season will ‘”probably” be his last, multiple sources have reported.

The NCHC met with all eight schools fully presented – athletic directors, coaches, faculty representatives – on hand for the first time and gave an update on the league office’s progress.

“You can’t believe all the things that need to be done to set up a new league,” Owens said.

The officiating program grabbed plenty of attention on a full slate. The deadline to apply to hockey operations head Joe Novak and supervisors of officials Don Adam to become a league official is May 15.  A system that would hold officials accountable and get them better training si expected.

“I think the fans will be pleased with the changes,” CC athletic director Ken Ralph said.

The league bylaws, postseason tournament and the 18-game TV package with CBS Sports Network also drew praise.

“I could not be more pleased with our first meetings in Naples,” NCHC Commissioner Jim Scherr said. “It was great to get everyone in the same place and on the same page as we prepare for our inaugural season. We have some tremendous individuals at each of our institutions that are highly motivated and very professional. We are just a couple of months from dropping the puck on opening weekend and I could not be more excited to get the season underway.”

The American Hockey Coaches Association annual meetings followed with talk of changing the NCAA regionals from neutral sites to the home arena of the regional top seed sites as last done in 1996. Tweaking the Pairwise rankings was discussed with no action made on either topic.

“About 35 to 40 percent of the Western coaches wanted to look at institutional sites but a lot like the neutrality,” Owens said. “We talked about other ways to help attendance, such as lowering ticket prices and student ticket discounts. I would like to see permanent western sites so fans can plan on attending in advance.”

No rule changes were proposed for the NCAA to consider.

Colorado College honored some it best-ever athletes, including the 1995-96 Tigers hockey team that lost to Michigan in the 1996 NCAA championship game, at its 14^th Hall of Fame banquet Saturday night at Cheyenne Mountain Resort.

“Sixteen years have passed and when we saw each other last night we picked up right where we left off,” captain Eric Rud said. “The reason we had such success because we were CC Tigers. We had a will and goal and we played like proud Tigers that season, we still are proud Tigers and we always will be.”

They were inducted along with Colorado all-time winningest preps basketball coach Guy Gibbs, All-American and academic All-American football player Ryan Haygood, now a prominent civil rights attorney, men’s lacrosse all-time leading scorer Ted Nusbaum, women’s lacrosse and basketball pioneer Michelle Giarrantano Secor and Cheddy Thompson, coach of the 1950 NCAA championship hockey team. Click for more on Haygood and the other inductees here.

“To be included among these athletes as a team is such an honor,” goalie Ryan Bach said.

Coach Don Lucia, now with Minnesota, credited the players for saving the program. There was talk of dissolving the team after the old Broadmoor World Arena was torn down. The team played the next three seasons, including 1995-96, at the Air Force Academy.

“Without them, the World Arena would never have been built,” Lucia said. “My best move was talking coach Scott Owens into staying on for a couple years. In a few years he will be up here being inducted.”

The mood was festive as the Tigers watched the videotape of the loss to Michigan in overtime.

“It’s such an honor to say I played in that game,” said defenseman Paul Johnson, who scored the first goal at the current World Arena. “This night is such a special moment for me and for all of us.”

The 15th Hall of Fame class will be inducted in April 2015.

According to multiple reports, including the Denver Post, former Maine standout and current Dubuque coach Jim Montgomery, 43, is the new Denver coach.

The USHL coach is a former assistant coach at RPI and Notre Dame. A press conference is scheduled for 11 a.m. MT on Monday.

Montgomery is Maine’s all-time leading scorer (301 points). Both current DU assistants are expected to be retained.

Montgomery was a favorite to take over in Orono after that Hockey East program fired Tim Whitehead earlier this week. That makes George Gwozdecky, who was fired by Denver earlier this month, the likely leading candidate to take over the Black Bears.

Former Alaska-Anchorage coach John Hill wants his old job back. The other candidates include Air Force associate coach Mike Corbett.

Denver junior Nick Shore has left the program to sign with the Los Angeles Kings.

Yale blanked Quinnipiac 4-0 to claim its first NCAA championship as senior Bulldogs goalie and birthday boy Jeff Malcolm out-performed Hobey finalist Eric Hartzell.

Hobey Baker winner Drew LeBlanc signed with Chicago hours after receiving the award as college hockey’s best player. The SCSU honoree makes it nine WCHA players in the past 12 years to win the sport’s top award. Ben Hanowski moved on to the Flames.

Here is a list, started by the Grand Forks Herald’s Brad Schlossman, that I have added to this morning in an attempt to keep up with the offseason comings and goings.

 NCHC early signings

Denver

Scott Mayfield, so, D, N.Y. Islanders

Juho Olkinuora, so. G, Winnipeg Jets

Nick Shore, jr., F, Los Angeles Kings

Minnesota Duluth
Chris Casto, so, D, Boston Bruins

Nebraska Omaha
Andrej Sustr, jr, D, Tampa Bay Lightning

North Dakota
Derek Forbort, jr, D, Los Angeles Kings

Western Michigan
Dan DeKeyser, jr, D, Detroit Red Wings

Big 10 early signings

Michigan
Jacob Trouba, fr, D, Winnipeg Jets
Jon Merrill, jr, D, New Jersey Devils

Minnesota (four of top 5 scorers)
Mark Alt, jr, D, Philadelphia Flyers

Zach Budish, jr, F, Nashville Predators

Nick Bjugstad, jr, F, Florida Panthers

Nate Schmidt, jr, D, Washington Capitals

Erik Haula, jr, F, Minnesota Wild

Ohio State
Chris Crane, jr, F, San Jose Sharks

NCHC departures (seniors)

Colorado College

Andrew Hamburg, F, ECHL San Francisco

Joe Marciano, D, ECHL Orlando

Rylan Schwartz, F, San Jose Sharks

North Dakota

Corban Knight, F, Florida Panthers

Danny Kristo, F, Montreal Canadiens

Andrew MacWilliam, D, Toronto Maple Leafs

St. Cloud State

Ben Hanowski, F, Calgary Flames

Drew LeBlanc, F, Chicago Blackhawks

Western Michigan

Dane Walters, F, San Jose Sharks

Luke Witkowski, D, Tampa Bay Lightning

Finally, the national semifinals are here. Here is Dave Starman’s scouting report on all four teams.

Capsules on each team follow along with my prediction.

2013 Frozen Four

Consol Energy Center, Pittsburgh

Thursday semifinals

TV: ESPN2

No. 3 Massachusetts-Lowell (28-10-2) vs. No. 15 Yale (20-12-3), 2:30 p.m.

UML resume –Hockey East regular season and playoff champs (both program firsts); Northeast regional winner

Leaders — Scott Wilson, So., F (16g, 21a); Joseph Pendenza, Jr., F (14g, 23a); Derek Arnold, Jr., F (13g, 16a); Riley Wetmore, Sr., F (15g, 11a); Josh Holmstrom, Jr., F (12g, 12a); Chad Ruhwedel, Jr., D (7g, 16a); Christian Folin, Fr., D (6g, 15a); Connor Hellebuyck, Fr. , G (20-2-0, 1.31 goals against, .953 saves percentage).

Yale resume – ECAC third-place finisher; West regional winner

Leaders –  Kenny Agostino, Jr., F (17g, 23a); Andrew Miller, Sr., F (16g, 21a); Antoine Laganiere, Sr., F (14g, 13a); Tommy Fallen, Fr., D (7g, 16a); Jesse Root, Fr., F (11g, 11a); Stu Wilson, Fr., F (9g, 8a); Jeff Malcolm, Sr., G (18-6-2, 2.35 gaa, .916 saves).

Prediction: Lowell’s defense does a good job stopping Yale’s transition at the UML blue line with its solid, physical defense. That leads to transition chances for the River Hawks which should prove decisive. UML wins.

No. 9 St. Cloud State (25-15-1) vs. No. 1 Quinnipiac (29-7-5), 6 p.m. MT

SCSU resume – co-Western Collegiate Hockey Association regular-season champion; Midwest regional winner

Leaders – Hobey Baker Hat Trick finalist Drew LeBlanc, Sr., F (13g, 37a); Nic Dowd, Jr., F (14g, 25a); Jonny Brodzinski, Fr., F (22g, 11a); Kalle Kossila, Fr., F (15g, 18a); Ben Hanowski, Sr., F (17g, 14a); Nick Jensen, Jr., D (4g, 27a); Andrew Prochno, So., D (5g, 23a); Ryan Faragher, So., G (24-13-1, 2.22 goals, .916 saves).

Quinnipiac resume –ECAC regular-season champion, East regional winner

Leaders — Hobey Baker Hat Trick finalist Eric Hartzell, Sr., G (29-6-5, 1.55, 9.33); Matthew Peca, So., F (15g, 15g); Jeremy Langlois, Sr., F (12g, 18a); Jordan Samuels-Thomas, Jr., F (16g, 11a); Connor Jones, Jr., F (12g, 14a); Kellen Jones, Jr., F (12g, 14a).

Prediction: It’s strength vs. strength with SCSU’s offense taking on the Bobcat’s defense, led by Hobey hopeful Eric Hartzell. I give the edge to Quinnipiac in the nightcap.

Championship prediction: UMass-Lowell over Quinnipiac.

In other news, former Tiger Rylan Schwartz is living out of a suitcase for the short term in Worcester. He recorded an assist in his pro debut.

Union extended Rick Bennett’s contract through the 2019-20 season. He was an assistant at Union since 2005-06 and became associate head coach  from 2007-11 before being named head coach when Nate Leaman left for Providence.

Wisconsin sophomore forward Brendan Woods (12 points, five goals) signed with the Carolina Hurricanes. The 2012 fifth-round pick recorded 22 points (10 goals) in 75 games for the Badgers so the move was a surprise to coach Mike Eaves, who received word that Mark Zengerle, Michael Mersch and Tyler Barnes will stay for what many expect will be a Big 10 title contender.

The Denver Post is reporting that Denver Pioneers coach George Gwozdecky has left the program after 19 years. According to beat writer Mike Chambers, Gwozdecky did not resign but was forced out with one year remaining on his 12-year contract for lack of NCAA Tournament success and failure to come to terms for an extension.

Chambers said Gwozdecky told him two weeks ago an extension was coming but a Monday meeting went sour.

Here is the Denver Post article, which continues to be updated.

Here is the University of Denver press release ….

DENVER – The University of Denver Division of Athletics and Recreation announced today that men’s head hockey coach George Gwozdecky will leave the hockey post he has held for 19 seasons. A national search will commence immediately for his replacement.

The Pioneers recently finished their final season in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA). Gwozdecky compiled a 443-267-64 record with DU (593-391-85 career), finishing the 2012-13 season 20-14-5 with a conference record of 14-9-5.

“We certainly wish George the best in his future endeavors and we are thankful for his 19 years at the helm of our hockey program,” said Vice Chancellor for Athletics and Recreation Peg Bradley-Doppes. “He certainly had his fair share of success, returning the program to the pinnacle of the collegiate hockey world during our great run in the middle of the previous decade. In addition, he has always run our program with class and professionalism, which has certainly made our fans proud to be Pioneer supporters.

“We must now turn our attention toward a new direction for our hockey program with another innovative coach taking the lead for our inaugural season in the newly formed National Collegiate Hockey Conference.”

The Pioneers captured two NCAA Championships, three WCHA Regular-Season Titles and four WCHA Playoff Titles during Gwozdecky’s 19-year tenure.

“It has been an honor and a privilege to be the varsity hockey coach at the University of Denver for the past 19 years,” Gwozdecky said. “I’m extremely proud of the work that we have done to continue to build on the great Pioneer hockey tradition. Our consistency of success on the ice and in the classroom over the years has been a focal point of our work and I am very proud of what we have achieved. I will forever cherish the relationships that we have built in the Denver community with our fans, our staff and most importantly our former and current players.  I want to wish them all the best.”

Gwozdecky will address the media in a press conference on Tuesday at 11 a.m. in the Champions Room.

Former Tiger Bill Sweatt was called up to Vancouver on Sunday. He recorded no points in two NHL games last season. He has 29 points (12 goals) in 56 AHL games, which is on pace for his best pro season (46 in 80 games).

Midwest regional

No. 4 seed St. Cloud State 4, No. 2 Miami 1

TOLEDO, Ohio — Freshman forward Joey Benik and junior forward Cory Thorson each scored two goals to help send St. Cloud State to the 2013 Frozen Four with a 4-1 win against Miami on Sunday afternoon at Huntington Center.

Congratulations to UMass-Lowell, coached by former CC assistants Norm Bazin and Jason Lammers.  for reaching its first Frozen Four.  The River Hawks roster includes junior assistant captain Josh Holmstrom of Colorado Springs.

Yale reached its first Frozen Four since 1952 at the expense of Minnesota and then North Dakota.

Here is a good look at North Dakota’s year with a good reminder how much the team lost last offseason and how that affected this past campaign. Here is the Herald’s postgame video.

The Michigan State coach asks the Spartan fans to be more patient while he rebuilds the program. Minnesota looks to next season. One Minnesota columnist says UM coach Don Lucia should be fired.

Midwest regional

No. 4 St. Cloud State 5, No. 1 Notre Dame 1

Freshman forward Joey Benik scored two goals and added an assist and senior forward Ben Hanowski had a goal and an assist to help pace St. Cloud State to a 5-1 win against Notre Dame on Saturday in the NCAA Midwest Regional at Huntington Center.

SCSU scored three in the second period to pull away for a 4-0 lead. The Huskies take on No. 2 Miami, which downed Minnesota State 4-0, a 2 p.m. MT on Sunday.

No. 2 Miami 4, No. 3 seed Minnesota State 0

TOLEDO, Ohio – The Minnesota State Mavericks were defeated by the Miami RedHawks, 4-0, in NCAA Midwest Regional semifinal action on Saturday at Huntington Center in Toledo. Four different players scored for Miami.

West regional

No. 4 Yale 4, No. 2 North Dakota 1

GRAND RAPIDS — Senior forward Corban Knight scored a goal but North Dakota surrendered four goals in the third period and was defeated by Yale, 4-1, in the NCAA West Regional final at Van Andel Arena.

Yale’s Josh Balch scored just his third goal of the season to get the Bulldogs on the board with 7:35 remaining in regulation, and Jesse Root – who scored the overtime winner against Minnesota in Friday’s other semifinal – notched the eventual winner on the power play with just 4:56 remaining.

A goal by Stu Wilson with 2:21 left put Yale up 3-1, and Kenny Agostino rounded out the scoring with an empty netter at the 19:00 mark.

UND opened the scoring 7:22 into the game on senior center Corban Knight’s 16th goal of the season , beating Bulldogs’ goalie Jeff Malcolm (24 saves), who benefited from three goal posts hit by UND.

UND junior Clarke Saunders made 35 saves against an aggressive Yale team that out shot UND 39-25, including a 28-17 edge over the final two periods. It could have been worse if not for 16 blocks by North Dakota.

Last-place Alaska-Anchorage announced Friday that coach Dave Shyiak will not return next season.

His contract expired after this season when the Seawolves went 4-25-7.

Midwest regional

No. 2 North Dakota 2, No. 3 Niagara 1

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — North Dakota’s Andrew MacWilliam and Danny Kristo scored 63 seconds apart to put North Dakota ahead 2-1 early in the third period.

No. 4 Yale 3, No. 1 Minnesota 2 OT

GRAND RAPIDS — Nate Schmidt and Zach Budish each scored a goal in the third period but Minnesota was defeated by Yale, 3-2, in overtime in the opening game of the NCAA West Regional at Van Andel Arena on Friday when Jesse Root scored in an NCAA Tournament nine seconds into the extra frame.

Northeast regional

No. 2 New Hampshire 5, No. 3 Denver 2

MANCHESTER, N.H. — New Hampshire cored four unanswered to pull away from Denver in the final two periods.

No. 1 UMass-Lowell 6, No. 4 Wisconsin 1

MANCHESTER, N.H. — Freshman forward Nic Kerdiles scored a power-play goal but the Wisconsin Badgers were defeated by the UMass Lowell River Hawks, 6-1, on Friday in the first game of the NCAA Northeast Regional at Verizon Wireless Arena.

Here is a look at the Northeast regional which involves three Colorado Springs-area players. A record five CS players, including UMass-Lowell junior Josh Holmstrom, pictured, play in the NCAAs on Friday.

Here is the Post’s Denver-New Hampshire preview, how the Pioneers followed the same practice schedule they used in 2004; a look at the success of putting brothers Nick and Quentin Shore on the same line; and Post writer Adrian Dater returns to his home state.

Here is the TV/video stream schedule for this weekend.

The West regional is previewed and here are five players in Grand Rapids, Mich. to watch.

Here are plenty of  links to articles on North Dakota and its first-round opponent Niagara. Here are the beat writer’s article, which includes worries about poor attendance in Grand Rapids wit no Michigan teams in the NCAAs this year . Western Michigan finished No. 16 in the Pairwise rankings and missed because of the Canisius AQ. Michigan fell short of an AQ in the final CCHA championship game to Notre Dame. It is the first time in 22 years the Wolverines are not in the NCAAs.

The Midwest regional is previewed. Boston College has a smooth path ahead of it at the East regional.

USCHO produced some thorough regional previews: East, Northeast, Midwest, and West.

Here is the Mankato Free Press’ look at first-round foe Miami and a larger piece on coach Mike Hastings.

Ten storylines to look for this weekend. Here are some predictions: Goal Gophers,

The annual call for NCAA Tournament games at the top seed’s home arenas is made. Here is a look at the trend of regionalization for the NCAA now affecting hockey.

Here are the pairings:

The dates, sites, times and pairings with WCHA teams bolded follows:

Northeast Regional, March 29-30
Verizon Wireless Arena, Manchester, New Hampshire

Friday, March 29, 4:30 p.m. Eastern time
No. 1 Massachusetts-Lowell (26-10-2) vs. No. 4 Wisconsin (22-12-7)

Friday, March 29, 8 p.m. 
No. 2 New Hampshire (19-11-7) vs. No. 3 Denver (20-13-5)

Men’s Frozen Four, April 11 and 13
CONSOL Energy Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Thursday, April 11, 4:30 and 8 p.m. Eastern time, ESPN2/WatchESPN (order of games TBD)
East Regional Champion vs. Midwest Regional Champion
Northeast Regional Champion vs. West Regional Champion

Saturday, April 13, 7 p.m. Eastern time, ESPN/WatchESPN

National Championship

Two of the three Minnesota State players injured against Wisconsin last Thursday are cleared to play this weekend.

Wisconsin is 21-5-5 since Nic Kerdiles joined the team following his 10-game NCAA suspension.

Here is a video preview of the North Dakota-Niagara NCAA Tournament game by the Grand Forks Herald.

Michigan’s Jon Merrill has left the program to sign with the Devils.

Here is a look at the NCAA Midwest regional in Toledo, the West regional in Grand Rapids, Mich. and the history of other first-round match-ups.

Here is the national/regional  TV/video stream schedule for the tournament.

David Quinn was hired to take over the Boston University program.