The WCCHA announces today a partnership with Minnesota Hockey Magazine to be our official media partner for the 2018-2019 season. Minnesota Hockey Magazine began covering all things Minnesota Hockey in 1988, and from an original full color print magazine, Minnesota Hockey Magazine has grown with the digital world to now provide both print and online coverage of Minnesota hockey, from youth up through the professional ranks. Minnesota Hockey Magazine now provides content for hockey lovers everywhere via feature articles, video and photos.

As part of the the partnership agreement, Minnesota Hockey Magazine will provide coverage of the WCCHA and collegiate club hockey in both digital and print formats this season, starting with the October College Preview print edition (READ THE WCCHA PREVIEW ARTICLE HERE). Throughout the season, the WCCHA and Minnesota Hockey Magazine will work together to keep readers updated on the latest WCCHA action, as well as a few stories about the collegiate club hockey life.

Help support Minnesota Hockey Magazine and our partnership by signing up to receive the free e-edition of Minnesota Hockey Magazine! Visit minnesotahockeymag.com, scroll down to the bottom and click the subscribe button near the lower right-hand corner.

Commissioner Ryan Donovan on the partnership: “Partnering with Minnesota Hockey Magazine is such an honor for our league, considering the fantastic coverage MHM has provided for the Minnesota Hockey community at all levels. We are excited to have the opportunity to showcase the WCCHA, and more importantly, our teams and players to give readers a window into the collegiate club hockey landscape, particularly here in the upper Midwest.”

Minnesota Hockey Magazine is looking forward to this partnership.  “In many ways, college club hockey is what hockey is all about. These are student athletes passionate about playing the sport they love, all for the sake of the game. Club hockey provides a significant opportunity to continue playing hockey while pursuing a college education without the major commitment of a D1 or D3 player. It is also a major factor in the growth of collegiate hockey, as most varsity programs get their start with club hockey. MHM is proud to partner with the WCCHA and looks forward to providing our readers with regular club hockey news coming out of the WCCHA and its ACHA parent.” – Scott Tiffany, President and CEO, Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

Minnesota Hockey Magazine can be found online at minnesotahockeymag.com and on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube. Follow now to ensure you don’t miss any of the great coverage of the WCCHA and more!

The post MHM Partners With WCCHA appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

Mikey Eyssimont trades Rocky Mountains for the Granite City

DENVER — If it wasn’t exactly the homecoming he necessarily expected, St. Cloud State’s road sweep of Denver University Dec. 11-12 was certainly the triumphant return Huskies freshman forward Mikey Eyssimont had hoped for. The Littleton, Colo. resident played his first two games in his home state in three years since his midget hockey days with the U16 Colorado Thunderbirds and skated off a winner each time.

A 2014 graduate of Chatfield Senior High School,Eyssimont had at least 16 to 18 family members in attendance at Magness Arena each night for SCSU’s 5-2 and 6-2 wins. They were treated to Eyssimont helping to cap off the weekend’s scoring on Saturday by setting up Kalle Kossila’s third goal of the game on a pretty backhanded cross-crease pass with 6:23 to go.

“I haven’t played in front of my mom and dad (George and Nancy) and sister at the same time in over two years,” Eyssimont said. “Just having them all there, and a couple other family members and friends is really special.”

Eyssimont’s sister, Anastasia, is also Mikey’s twin and an elite athlete in her own right. Once a promising gymnast with aspirations to compete for Denver University or the Air Force Academy, Anastasia’s career was cut short by broken elbow and she is now a student a the University of Colorado in Boulder.

An avid outdoorsman, Eyssimont said he loved every second of growing up and playing hockey in Colorado.

“It’s where I met my best friends growing up,” Eyssimont said. “We’re still really close today and a lot of us have played against each other or with each other here in this arena.”

While Eyssimont has already tested out his fishing skills in the Upper Midwest, he has yet try his hand at landing a fish through the ice. It’s something he expects his teammates to rectify at some point this winter.

“There’s a lot of guys that are actually really into it so I’m hoping I can do that,” Eyssimont said. “I’ve done some Walleye fishing in Detroit Lakes, I’ve been up to Minot, N.D. too, so I’ve done a lot of fishing up there.”

The origin of Eyssimont’s journey from the Rocky Mountains to the Granite City cannot be traced to the Denver suburbs but the hockey hotbed known as the Arizona desert, in a tournament Eyssimont played with the Thunderbirds.

St. Cloud State coach Bob Motzko remembers it well.

Mikey Eyssimont positions himself in front of Denver goaltender Tanner Jaillet in the Huskies 5-2 win over the Pioneers on Dec. 12 at Magness Arena in Denver. (Photo by Shannon Valerio /Hockey VIPs Magazine)

“The first time I saw him was in a midget game in Scottsdale and he had five points and I go, ‘That kid can play,'” Motzko said. “He’s the kind of guy we like to get in our program. The sky’s the limit for him.”

Eyssimont appreciated the interest Motzko showed in him and once he visited the St. Cloud State campus, he was sold.

“When I met the coaching staff and toured the school, it just seemed like a really good fit,”Eyssimont said. “What ultimately made me choose St. Cloud was the coaching staff and how they play.”

The next two-plus seasons were spent in the USHL, first with the Fargo Force and then, following a late-season trade last spring, the Sioux Falls Stampede where he played under former North Dakota player and assistant, Cary Eades.

After notching 13 points in 14 games to close out the regular season, Eyssimont was the league’s second leading scorer with 16 points (9-7—16) in 12 playoff games and helped lead the Stampede to the 2015 Clark Cup title.

During his 108 game career in Fargo, Eyssimont developed a close friendship with teammate Mason Morelli, whose Nebraska Omaha team visited St. Cloud the week prior to the Denver series. The two spent time together in the offseason in Morelli’s hometown of Minot, N.D.

Eyssimont said he and Morelli, both currently business majors, were always very competitive in practice as teammates and, to a degree, that competitiveness was evident in a game setting as opponents earlier this month at the National Hockey Center.

“I remember I was lining up next to him on a draw and he kind of slashed me in the shin pads,” Eyssimont said. “I gave him one on the top of the skate and he said, ‘Hey Mike that actually hurt.’ I was trying to be as competitive as I could but I actually apologized to him.”

Eyssimont’s assist on Saturday was the 6-foot, 192-pound rookie’s fourth of the season to go with the goal he scored in a 3-1 Halloween win over Miami. While it’s a far cry from the 43 goals and 86 points in 134 games overall in the USHL, Motzko knows what he’s got in the Colorado kid.

“He’s going to be an outstanding college player for us,” Motzko said. “He’s got good, strong size down in the corners, he’s got great vision, a great shot and offense is going to come.”

The post The Colorado kid appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

A hot debate among Minnesota amateur athletics perpetually rages on in Minnesota and it centers around boys high school hockey.  Key to the discussion is  the impact the game is having in developing hockey players and its role to get  them to the next level.  In the October 23rd edition of Let’s Play Hockey Magazine, a compelling discussion regarding the benefits of high school hockey and some of the issues it could resolve to improve the game were examined by hockey experts over nine pages.

There are those that passionately defend the system as one of the largest purveyors of opportunity in this fertile breeding ground that has delivered a large quantity of ‘next level’ players that have moved on to college and even professional careers.  Questions among the debate center around, what is the responsibility of the MSHSL and player development, is the business side of hockey development such as private businesses sabotaging the discussion for financial gain, and what is the role of parents in this discussion.

This topic is too large to be discussed in this space and I personally would like to invite each of our readers to join us for the debut show of “On the Ice” that airs this Saturday from 9am-11am.  The show will be hosted by yours truly and St. Paul Pioneer Press beat writer Chad Graff on Sports Radio 105 The Ticket.

Joining our discussion panel will be former NHL player and current player agent Neil Sheehy, Florida Panthers scout Fred Bandel, and past Minnesota Coaches Association President and current Benilde-St. Margaret’s Red Knight head coach Ken Pauly.  We will look at the topic by addressing it from all angles.  The two hour show will also feature Wild talk with St. Paul Pioneer Press beat writer Chad Graff ,  Fox9 News spots director Jim Rich who will be fresh of the SCSU and U of M men’s hockey game call, and a look at the MIAC and their preview that is underway in Blaine, MN this weekend.  Of course, we will take your calls.

If you are not near a radio log-in and listen at 105theticket.com/.  To catch up on the stories, pick up a paper at your local sporting goods store, arena, or go online to to Let’s Play Hockey by clicking here.

Thank you for joining the show and the discussion.

The post Let the Discussion Begin appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

Ryan Donovan – WCCHA Commissioner

MHM worked this year to give more exposure to college club hockey, an often overlooked segment of what we call the great hockey pyramid.  The WCCHA is alive and well, and with the season now over, MHM wanted to step back and explore the state of college club hockey across the country and right here in MN.  In this Q&A session, we ask Ryan Donovan, Commissioner of the WCCHA conference and member of the ACHA Central region, questions about the growing interest in college club hockey across the country.

Q.  MHM.  Club hockey is a great alternative to varsity college hockey in the US.  Many people don’t understand how well it is organized.  What is the governing body of non-varsity college hockey, what is its role and where do you think it is going?

A.  Ryan.  First and foremost, the premier club hockey – referred to in some circles as “non-varsity” – national governing body is the American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA).  Having officially been founded in 1991, the ACHA governs intercollegiate competition and hosts regional and national competitions for its members.  The ACHA partners with and registers all players with USA Hockey, and is affiliated with other major organizations like the American Hockey Coaches Association.  The ACHA seems to fill a void left in the hockey world due to the constraints on adding teams in the NCAA (whether budgetary or related to Title IX) or the lack of official competition for NAIA schools.  As some of those realities are not likely to change anytime soon, the ACHA is poised to continue to grow and become a bigger player in the collegiate hockey scene.

Q.  MHM.  How big is club hockey in the US and does it offer opportunities for both men and women?

A.  Ryan.  The ACHA has grown from 15 teams in 1991 to 450 today across five divisions – three men’s divisions and two for women.  There are registered teams from 49 of the 50 states, with Hawaii being the only exception.  Here in Minnesota, there are a number of men’s and women’s teams, from large schools like the University of Minnesota (both men’s and women’s) in the Twin Cities to smaller schools like Rainy River Community College in International Falls (women’s – 3 time national champions).  For perspective, however, club hockey tends to be the highest level of play available in most areas of the country.  NCAA programs – both DI and DIII – are somewhat limited to the Midwest and the East.  So, many schools elsewhere have found success fielding ACHA teams.  For example, the University of Arizona routinely sees 3,000 fans at home games, which puts them in the top 25 in attendance for all of college hockey (source: http://www.wildcat.arizona.edu/article/2012/10/arizona-hockey-season-102412). And, yet, it’s the “smaller” programs that really provide the greatest opportunity for college students looking to play competitive, intercollegiate hockey while getting their degree.

Q.  MHM.  Why do you think it has grown so popular so rapidly?

A.  Ryan.  It definitely comes down to demand.  First, we know it’s not easy for NCAA schools – either DI or DIII – to add a sport like hockey, and the NAIA does not have an official competition for hockey.  Thus, some schools turn to the ACHA for their official team.  On the other hand, we see NCAA schools that have students who are not playing varsity but still interested in skating competitively in college.  For these schools and their students, fielding a “second” team through the club or recreational sports department is a no-brainer.

Q.  MHM.  College hockey programs at the varsity level are pretty expensive.  What level of support do the colleges and universities provide these club teams?  Is there a cost to the student athletes?

A.  Ryan.  It very much depends on the school – this is the biggest variable between ACHA teams across the country.  For the most part, ACHA teams are organized as part of a school’s recreational or club sports department, not the athletic department.  In general, these offices only provide some, if any, financial support to the teams. Thus, it’s left up to the team/players to provide the necessary funds for competition, whether through player dues, admissions, fundraising – or most likely, a combination of many things.  Unfortunately, we know hockey is expensive.  Depending on the school, then, players likely pay anywhere from $500-$4000 to participate – some with a contribution from the school, others not.  There are other variables as well, such as ice costs.  Locally, though, I’d say programs here in Minnesota are on the lower end of that range.

Q.  MHM.  What do the game schedules typically look like?  How long is the season, how many games, etc.?  Do they have playoffs and post-season tournaments?

A.  Ryan.  Teams typically play anywhere from 20-35 games.  Unlike the NCAA, the ACHA starts competition pretty early – mid-September for most schools – and runs through the National Tournaments in March.  Most teams play games on the weekends to avoid conflicts with academics.  There is no requirement to participate in a conference, but many teams do.  The Western Collegiate Club Hockey Association (WCCHA), for example, includes member schools from Minnesota and Wisconsin, and plays a full conference schedule and end-of-season tournament.  Teams that earn regional ranking recognition may earn an invitation to ACHA Regionals, which can lead to a birth in the National Tournament.  There is definitely plenty to play for.

Q.  MHM.  How many teams play in the WCCHA and how many are from MN?  What are they?

A.  Ryan.  The WCCHA has had as many as 6 teams from Minnesota, but the current iteration has 3 – the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, St. Cloud State University and the University of St. Thomas.  In addition, the league has two teams from Wisconsin – Wisconsin-Eau Claire and Wisconsin-Madison.  At one time, Minnesota State-Mankato, St. Olaf College and the University of Minnesota-Duluth were members of the WCCHA.

Q.  MHM.  So how many Minnesota colleges or universities have club hockey?

A.  Ryan.  To my knowledge, the following schools have ACHA teams (and if they are in/entering a conference, it is listed):

University of Minnesota (WCCHA)
University of MInnesota-Duluth (NCHL)
Bemidji State University
St. Cloud State University (WCCHA)
University of St. Thomas (WCCHA)
Minnesota State University-Mankato
Winona State University
St. Mary’s University (NCHL)

There are also some schools that are non-ACHA, but still have club teams (this list may not be exhaustive):

Bethel University
St. Olaf College
Carleton College
Macalaester College

In addition, there are also some “border” teams like UW-Superior, UW-Eau Claire, UW-La Crosse, South Dakota State, North Dakota State and (possibly new next year) North Dakota.

Q.  MHM.  Has the membership of the WCCHA changed very often?  Any new teams coming in from MN or other states?

A.  Ryan.  Perhaps one of the pain points of club hockey is consistency.  Because most of these teams are student run, it can be tough for some teams to maintain a certain level year in, year out.  For this reason, we have seen some turnover – something I do my best to help avoid – over our now 11 year history.  At times, members have included teams from the upper peninsula of Michigan and Iowa.  Due to logistics, we will not be adding any new full members for 2014-2015.  However, we are in discussions with a number of interested programs in Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin, and I’m really excited at the possibility of growing the league.

Q.  MHM.  Are there any women’s club hockey teams in MN?  Are they also part of the ACHA structure?

A.  Ryan.  Absolutely – and we have some of the best!  Each division (men’s DI, DII, DIII and women’s DI and DII) has its own leadership and can pass its own competition rules.  I haven’t been very involved with the women’s side, but teams like the University of Minnesota and Rainy River CC have won national championships very recently.  Minnesota-Duluth also has a solid program, and there are teams in North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin that field many players who grew up playing here.

Q.  MHM.  From a competitive point of view, how does the WCCHA stack up against the other Central region conferences and Division II conferences from other regions?  Is there a particularly strong or dominant Division II conference in the US?

A.  Ryan.  From an individual talent perspective, the WCCHA is as good as any league in the country – we showed that last year with impressive results at the ACHA D2 All-Star Challenge, which was a tournament featuring conference “all-star” teams.  However, when it comes to regional accolades and results, we’re a bit behind leagues such as the Mid-American Collegiate Hockey Association (MACHA) and the Great Midwest Hockey League (GMHL); the MACHA hosts teams from Iowa, Illinois and Missouri while the GMHL has teams from Michigan and Ohio.  But in general, WCCHA members don’t have the same financial backing as some of the teams they compete against, so it can be an uphill battle.  Yet, teams like St. Cloud State and St. Thomas have shown well in recent seasons and earned trips to Regionals, with St. Thomas coming within a game of a Nationals trip a few years ago.  One thing we see in club hockey is a lot of turnover – not just of players, but of how programs operate.  Because of that, there really is a fair amount of parity.

Q.  MHM.  Have any idea how many MN college students are playing club hockey across the US?

A.  Ryan.  A recent Let’s Play Hockey article did a pretty thorough count – maybe 350 or so between all of the men’s and women’s divisions.  That number speaks volumes as to the opportunity this level of hockey presents to the college student interested in playing competitively.  When I first played club hockey at the University of Minnesota in 2001, there were two men’s teams in Minnesota and one (now defunct) team in Wisconsin.  Since that time, we’ve seen huge growth in the upper Midwest across all divisions, with new teams sprouting up each season.  Of course, high school seniors shouldn’t think they are limited to the teams in Minnesota – in fact, that is the beauty of the ACHA.  There are great programs like Florida Gulf Coast University, Arizona and Arizona State, the University of Oklahoma and more in “non-traditional” locations should a player be looking for a change as they head to college.

Q.  MHM.  DI and DIII varsity programs require a major commitment on the part of a player and almost always require 2 years of junior hockey before they can start college.  That leaves a lot of good high school and some junior players that want to start their college education right away without a competitive outlet for hockey.  Outside of intramurals, it seems like club hockey is a perfect fit for these students.  What kind of student/player is typically interested in playing club hockey and what do you see as the main benefit of competing at this level?  Any downside or challenges they face?

A.  Ryan.  Like we’ve discussed, club hockey fills a void.  Players are often looking for something more competitive than intramurals, but perhaps have decided not to further pursue juniors, NCAA DI or NCAA DIII – good skaters who are just ready to start college.  The commitment is more than intramurals, but generally not quite as high as the varsity squads.  Teams may practice once or twice a week instead of four to five times, leaving ample time to balance school and sport.  Of course, there is plenty of variability in the ACHA – some teams require a commitment similar to a varsity program – but here in Minnesota, club hockey is really about providing an alternative option, not to be in competition with the varsity programs already there.  Probably the biggest downside to the club hockey setup is the cost – in most cases, it passes on to the players.

Q.  MHM.  The best college club hockey players are selected to represent USA Hockey in international competition at the World University Games.  Staff members of MHM have watched WCCHA hockey for the last three years and view it as anywhere from good high school to junior hockey to DIII-lite.  How would you describe the level of play from your perspective and has it changed over the years?

A.  Ryan.  The level of play in our league falls somewhere just below NCAA DIII, but it’s much closer than people might think.  Our teams are often a mix of players with either junior or high school varsity experience.  The quality of play is certainly a step up from the high school level – and not just because older often means bigger, faster and stronger.  It also has gotten better as time has passed and as more teams have been established and grown.  The fact that schools of all sizes have club hockey teams means that players can consider that alongside all of the other things that go into choosing a school; if you want to go to a big school, it doesn’t mean you can’t play competitive hockey just because you may not be able to play on the varsity squad.

Q.  MHM.  You also coached the University of St. Thomas club hockey team this year and recently won the WCCHA conference championship.  How rewarding was this for you, your players and their family and friends?

A.  Ryan.  One of the unique things about club hockey is that in most cases, these are student-run teams.  I know this is the case elsewhere, but at St. Thomas, the team is not directly associated with the very successful DIII team.  Student leadership plays the primary role in all off-ice organization, including things like budgeting, fundraising, scheduling and more.  Some people may not realize the work student leaders put in off the ice to get success on the ice.  A league championship was a great reward for the effort the team put in at every level, both on and off the ice.  The squad had struggled a bit in recent seasons, but the success the players had this year was a reflection of their renewed desire to improve this year and really come together as a team – something I think the families were excited to be a part of as well.

Q.  MHM.  Last couple of questions.  Why should a college student play club hockey and where can a student that is interested in participating find out more about it?

A.  Ryan.  First and foremost, it’s a chance to continue to play competitive hockey while enjoying everything that college has to offer.  When I played, I never saw my commitment to the team as limiting anything else I wanted to do.  Now, as a coach and administrator, I try to be very conscious of that fact – we aren’t trying to compete with NCAA DIII or NCAA DI, and this should be something that stands by itself.  That may not be the same attitude at every ACHA program in the country, but it’s where I think we fit here in Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, etc.  You can go to a big school like Minnesota or small school like St. Thomas and still have that opportunity.

If someone is interested in learning more, I’d encourage them to visit the ACHA’s website at www.achahockey.org or the WCCHA website at www.wccha.com.  The league is also on Facebook and Twitter (@wcchahockey).  Most teams have websites and/or Facebook pages as well, and are often linked from the official school websites.  The information is out there, and not too hard to find.  Finally, I’d be happy to help anyone interested in learning more.

The post College Club Hockey – Alive and Well, Look into It! appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

The post Mavs Win First WCHA Title appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

The ten finalists were selected by voting from all 59 Division I college hockey head coaches and by online fan balloting at www.hobeybakeraward.com. Next, the 27-member Selection Committee and an additional round of fan balloting (at www.hobeybakeraward.com from March 20-30) will determine this year’s Hobey Baker winner. Criteria for the award include: displaying outstanding skills in all phases of the game, strength of character on and off the ice, sportsmanship and scholastic achievements.

The Hobey Hat Trick (three finalists) will be announced on April 2, 2014 and the Hobey Baker Award winner will be announced Friday, April 11, 2014 from Philadelphia, PA during the NCAA Frozen Four. The award announcement will be televised live on NHL Network or live on the Hobey Baker website at 6:00 p.m. ET. Following, in alphabetical order, is a look at each finalist.

Josh Archibald – University of Nebraska-Omaha, Junior, Forward, Brainerd, Minnesota
A dangerous offensive threat, Archibald becomes the first ever scoring champion of the new NCHC recording 32 points in 24 conference games. Heading into conference championships, he is second in the nation in goal scoring (29) in 37 games. Named First Team all-conference, he’s a finalist for the circuit’s Player of the Year and Forward of the Year.

• Had 29 goals, 14 assists for 43 points in 37 games – had 6 game-winners and 8 power play goals
• General Studies major – regular visitor to Children’s Hospital and Adopt A Family
• Pittsburgh draft pick (6th round) – coach Dean Blais also coached his dad Jim at UND

Greg Carey – St. Lawrence University, Senior, Forward, Hamilton, Ontario
A repeat Hobey Baker top ten finalist, Carey led the nation in goals last year, and this year he leads in assists (39) and power play points (31). Has led the Saints in scoring for four straight years and repeats as scoring champion in the ECAC. His 57 points has him sitting second in the nation. A finalist this year for ECAC Player of the Year and Student-Athlete of the Year.

• Finishes season with 18 goals, 39 assists for 57 points in 38 games – had a 20-game point streak
• History major with 3.68 GPA – All Academic four years
• Member of advisory committee on athletics – participates with Saints Kids Club

Nic Dowd – St. Cloud State University, Senior, Forward, Huntsville, Alabama
Renowned as a solid two-way player, Dowd was a big part of St. Cloud State clinching the first ever NCHC regular season title. Already honored as First Team all-conference, Dowd, captain of the Huskies and tied for the team lead in points, is a finalist for four other league awards: Player of the Year, Forward of the Year, Defensive Forward of the Year and Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

• Has 21 goals, 18 assists for 39 points in 36 games – 10 power play goals tied 5th nation
• Los Angeles draft pick (7th round) – first ever Hobey finalist from Alabama
• Pre-medicine major with 3.61 GPA – works with school’s Student Advisory Council

Ryan Dzingel – Ohio State University, Junior, Forward, Wheaton, Illinois
Led the new Big Ten conference in points with 24 in 20 games; overall, he leads the conference in points, tied for the lead in goals and is second in assists. Among the many offensive categories he tops the circuit in, are power play points with 18. A First Team all-conference performer, Dzingel can dangle with the best of them and had 12 multiple point games.

• Has 20 goals, 23 assists for 43 points in 34 games, tied for 12th in the nation in scoring
• Communications major – Ottawa draft pick (7th round) – Assistant captain
• Active in community events visiting James Cancer Hospital, a Buckeye Buddy and assisting youth hockey teams

Johnny Gaudreau – Boston College, Junior, Forward, Carneys Point, New Jersey
Gaudreau was a Hobey hat trick finalist last year and returns as a top ten finalist. He tops the nation in points and goals averaging almost two points per game with 69 points – the most of any Division I player in three years. The Hockey East scoring champion is a finalist for the conference Player of the Year award and has recorded points in all but two games this year including tieing a Hockey East record with a 31-game point streak (Paul Kariya-Maine).

• Has 32 goals, 37 assists for 69 points in 37 games – 2nd in nation in assists
• Calgary draft pick (4th round) – Communications major
• Has 10 power play goals, tied for fifth in nation – 6 game-winning goals tied 2nd nation

Shayne Gostisbehere – Union College, Junior, Defense, Margate, Florida
(Pronounced GOSS-tiss-bear) The smooth, puck-handling defenseman helped Union to the ECAC regular season title and topped all college hockey players in the Hobey Baker fan ballot. An assistant captain, Gostisbehere ranked eighth in the nation in points by a defenseman (28) and topped the Dutchmen in shots on goal. He’s a finalist for the ECAC Best Defensive Defenseman.

• Has 8 goals, 20 assists for 28 points in 36 games – was 3rd in ECAC in points by defense
• Philadelphia draft pick (3rd round) – History major
• Community work includes serving Thanksgiving meals, trash pickup, book drive

Kevin Hayes – Boston College, Senior, Forward, Dorchester, Massachusetts
A linemate of Gaudreau, Hayes is third in the nation in points and has tripled his goal output from the previous season. His plus-minus of +26 is tied for third in the nation as he continues to average one and a half points per game. Hayes collected points in 12 straight outings mid-season, and was named the MVP of the historic Beanpot Tournament.

• Has 24 goals, 32 assists for 56 points in 37 games – has 6 game-winning goals
• Chicago draft pick (1st round) – Communications major
• Recorded points in 29 of 37 games and Eagles went 24-2-3

CJ Motte – Ferris State University, Junior, Goalie, St. Clair, Michigan
The newly remodeled WCHA found Ferris atop the league thanks to Motte and his nation leading 26 wins. Ferris was ranked in the top five in the country for 15 weeks, propelled by a 16-game unbeaten streak and Motte didn’t lose a game in the first half of the season. A First Team all-conference selection, Motte has helped Ferris to two regular season titles in three years.

• Currently has a record of 26-7-3 with 4 shutouts – .928 save percentage is 10th in nation
• Has a goals against average of 2.19 – honored as WCHA Defensive Player of Week 6 times
• Construction Management major – active in several community causes

Joel Rumpel – University of Wisconsin, Junior, Goalie, Swift Current, Saskatchewan
Coming back from an early season injury, Rumpel turned the Badgers into Big Ten contenders and heads into conference playoffs ranking sixth in the nation in both goals against average and save percentage. Second Team all-conference in the Big Ten, he defined consistency throughout the season becoming the backbone of Wisconsin’s stingy team defense.

• Currently has a record of 19-5-1 with two shutouts – .931 save percentage is 6th in nation
• Has a goals against average of 2.19 – finished second in conference in GAA and SP
• Personal Finance major – Children’s Hospital visits, Adopt-A-Player program

Adam Wilcox – University of Minnesota, Sophomore, Goalie, South St. Paul, Minnesota
Numerous honors have already been awarded to Wilcox including Big Ten Player of the Year, Goalie of the Year and First Team all-conference. Presently sitting third in the nation in goals against average and second in save percentage, he has been instrumental in the Gophers 16-week stay atop the national rankings. In 25 of 33 games played, he allowed two goals or less.

• Currently has a record of 23-4-6 with three shutouts – .934 save percentage is 2nd nation
• Has a goals against average of 1.91 for 3rd in nation – first in Big Ten in GAA and SP
• Has posted top two single season goals against averages in 93-year Gopher history

Hobey Notes

• Nominees by conference: Big 10 – 3, Hockey East – 2, NCHC – 2, ECAC – 2, WCHA – 1
• By class nominees are: Senior 3, Junior 6, Sophomore 1
• By position nominees are: Forward 6, Defense 1, Goalie 3
• By nationality nominees are: U.S. 8 (Minnesota-2, Massachusetts, Michigan, Alabama, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey-1 each), Canada 2 (Saskatchewan, Ontario-1 each)
• Hobey Baker Award Banquet will be held May 29, 2014 in St. Paul, Minnesota
• Visit www.hobeybakeraward.com or on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/TheHobey
• The Hobey Baker website also has the top ten video and in-depth bios

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Hudson Fasching is one of two Minnesotans on Team USA’s preliminary WJC playing roster.
(MHM Photo / Jeff Wegge)

USA Hockey today unveiled its 26-player preliminary roster for the 2014 U.S. National Junior Team that will participate in the International Ice Hockey Federation World Junior Championship Dec. 26, 2013-Jan. 5, 2014, in Malmo, Sweden.

In addition to Gopher coach, and Team USA head coach, Don Lucia, Minnesota is represented by a pair of Gopher players, Hudson Fasching (Burnsville) and Brady Skjei (Lakeville), and St. Cloud State coach Bob Motzko who will serve as one of Lucia’s assistants. Three players remain to be cut from a roster which has been pared from the original 44 players who attended the 2013 U.S. National Junior Evaluation Camp in Lake Placid, N.Y. in August.

The 26 players, including 19 NCAA representatives, will participate in a training camp Dec. 15-18 at the University of Minnesota’s Mariucci Arena in Minneapolis, with preparations continuing in Angelholm, Sweden, before the final 23-man roster is announced on Dec. 23. The Mariucci Arena practices will be open to the public.

The U.S. will play three games before the start of the IIHF World Junior Championship highlighted by a Dec. 17 matchup in Mankato against Minnesota State. Contests in Angelholm vs. Finland on Dec. 20 and Sweden on Dec. 22 will follow.

“We’re excited about the group of players we’ve invited to camp,” said Jim Johannson, general manager of the 2014 U.S. National Junior Team and assistant executive director of hockey operations for USA Hockey. “There will be some tough decisions in getting to the final roster, but that’s certainly a good problem to have.”

2014 Training Camp Roster

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Brothers Casey (L) and Josh (R) Nelson are teammates for just the second time in their hockey careers this season as defensemen for Minnesota State. (Photos courtesy of Minnesota State University Athletics)

If you take a look at the Minnesota State University, Mankato men’s hockey roster, you’ll find three Nelson’s listed. Casey Nelson is a freshman defenseman, Jordan Nelson is a freshman forward and Josh Nelson is a senior defenseman and assistant captain for the team. While Jordan shares the same last name, he’s the odd Nelson out as Casey and Josh are brothers.

The brothers hail from Wisconsin Rapids, Wisc. and took identical paths in reaching their dream of Division I hockey. Both brothers played three seasons in the North American Hockey League, one of the best junior hockey leagues in the country. Josh started out with the Marquette Rangers before playing two seasons with the Fairbanks Ice Dogs, while Casey played for the Alaska Avalanche before ending his junior career with the Johnstown Tomahawks.

There have been many cases where a set of brothers played for the same collegiate program, but not too often do you see brothers playing on the same team at the same time at such a high level. Not only are their parents proud, but probably more relieved that they only have to travel four hours or so to watch their sons play at the same time, as opposed to traveling across the country.

“From a family perspective it’s very convenient that Casey and I are finally playing in the same part of the country again, let alone the same team” said Josh. “My parents are able to travel to just one destination to see the both of us play, versus when I was in Fairbanks or Casey being in Johnstown.”

Being three years apart in age, the brothers only played together once before this season. It was back at Lincoln High School when Josh was a senior and Casey was a freshman

Over the course of his career as a Maverick, Josh has been a staple on the blue line; a defenseman who is reliable on the back end but also has a great deal of offensive ability able to contribute up front. Casey’s game mirrors Josh’s playing style very closely.

“I look up to him not only as one of the captains, but I like the way he plays,” said Casey, “ I like to somewhat follow how he plays and try to recreate some things to help out with my play.”

While Josh has been out the past few weeks with an injury, Casey has seen increased ice time, including top power play minutes. Much like his brother has played as a Maverick, Casey plays with confidence beyond his years and has been playing like a veteran instead of a rookie. While being brothers on the same team can be great, one might assume there is some brotherly competitiveness that goes on as well.

“I don’t think there is much competitiveness between us as defenseman,” Josh said. “If anything I think we may encourage each other and help the other become more competitive and demanding of ourselves.”

Being the older brother, Josh was instrumental in Casey’s hockey career.

“I gave him advice telling him to be patient waiting for a scholarship, and that if he just keeps working hard and taking care of his job, the rest would eventually fall into place,” said Josh. “I also gave him advice as to what college coaches may want to see out of him, or what he could work on getting to the next level.”

With the success Josh found in hockey, it gave Casey the determination needed to achieve the same goals and reach the ultimate dream.

“He has been a role model for me all through the ranks of hockey” Casey said. “When he went and played juniors, that’s what I wanted to do, when he got the chance to play D1 hockey, I wanted to achieve that very same goal.”

Although Josh is in his final season with the Mavericks, Casey is just getting started and hopes to follow in his brother’s footsteps as a Maverick.

Josh recorded five goals and nine assists from the blue line last season, helping the Mavs to their first NCAA Tournament appearance in ten years. Casey has appeared in all ten games for MSU this year, recording a goal and an assist thus far, while being paired with sophomore defenseman Jon Jutzi on the back end.

“We always have major family support and, if I need anything, he’s who I go to here,” Casey said when asked what their favorite part of being on the same team is.

“Watching him succeed and grow as a person and a player,” Josh replied.

Interestingly enough, both of the Nelson brothers said that their least favorite part of being on the same team is having the same last name.

“He gets the nickname Nelly, and I had to get a new one,” said Casey. “They call me Junior now.”

Casey and Josh may only have a few months left as teammates, but this surely won’t be a season they forget about. Before, they were bonded as brothers for life, but now they are both Mavericks for life.

Republished with permission from The MSU Reporter.

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Gophers F Seth Ambroz, shown in action Nov. 24, 2013 against UMD, scored twice in Minnesota’s 4-1 win over Wisconsin. (MHM Photo / Jeff WeggAmbroz, linemates.

Ambroz-Boyd-Serratore line “breathtaking” in inaugural Big Ten win.

MINNEAPOLIS–Years from now when Seth Ambroz reflects back on his “welcome to Big Ten hockey moment” the story he will be able to tell will be nothing if not unique.

Just 8:15 into Friday night’s first-ever Big Ten hockey conference game at Mariuccia Arena, Ambroz felt the magnitude of its impact delivered by none other than teammate Tom Serratore. After whiffing on his intended target, Wisconsin defenseman Eddie Wittchow, Serratore collided violently with Ambroz as the two converged behind the Badgers’ net leaving Ambroz face down on the ice for a few minutes.

“When Tommy hits, he hits hard and I couldn’t breathe for a while there,” Ambroz said. “I was going northbound on a southbound freeway right there.”

The junior 6’ 3”, 215 lb. forward from New Prague soon recovered and, along with Serratore and fellow linemate Travis Boyd, led Minnesota to a come-from-behind 4-1 win over Wisconsin in the Big Ten’s inaugural contest. The trio combined for four points (2 goals, 2 assists), 11 shots and were a plus-5 on the night.

Not bad for a third line mostly known for its checking ability and playing just its third game together this season. Despite falling victim to Serratore’s miscue, Ambroz says he is having a lot of fun playing with his current linemates who each factored into one of his two goals against the Badgers.

Brothers Mike and Connor Reilly also scored for Minnesota and goaltender Adam Wilcox earned the win with 24 saves.

“I feel like we bring a lot of energy, we’re a pretty physical line, and at the same time we’re able to get pucks to the net and they’ve been going in for us,” Ambroz said of his line which has accounted for 10 points (4-6–10) in its three games as a unit. “We cause turnovers and just kind of do a lot of the little things.”

Little things indeed.

Nearly seven minutes after Minnesota native Joseph LaBate (Eagan) scored the conference’s first-ever goal at 6:31 for a 1-0 Wisconsin lead, and five minutes after his collision, Ambroz tied the game from where he and Serratore met earlier.

Serratore’s sharp-angle shot from the left circle bounced off Wisconsin goaltender Landon Peterson right to Ambroz at the scene of the previous crime. Peterson, who turned aside 42 Gophers shots overall, failed to seal off the post and Ambroz exploited the opening by banking the puck off the back of the knee of the stunned Badgers goalie for his fourth goal of the season.

“That’s a little bit of a hockey IQ shot,” Minnesota coach Don Lucia said. “I’m sure if you ask him he did it on purpose but it was a good, smart play.”

“It kind of seemed like the goalie lost his footing and I wanted to see what happens,” Ambroz said, confirming Lucia’s assertion. “Coaches talk about throwing pucks at the net from bad angles all the time. I just tried it and was fortunate enough to get a nice bounce and put it in the back of the net.”

Wisconsin coach Mike Eaves, whose 267 career points (94-173–267) rank him at the top of the Badgers’ all-time scoring list, knows a thing or two about a scorers mentality and called Ambroz’s goal “a percentage play.”

“He was playing percentages that [Peterson] was off the post, hit him on the back of the knee and it went in,” Eaves said. “That’s a goal scorer’s goal, they play that percentage.”

Late in the game with Wisconsin surging and Peterson on the bench for an extra attacker trying to cut into Minnesota’s 3-1 lead, Ambroz, with Serratore alongside him, fired a shot into an empty Badger net for his second goal of the game. Lucia, too, was playing the percentages.

“That’s the line we wanted out there,” Lucia said. “They all three kill penalties (Wisconsin’s power play was 0-5 with eight shots on Friday), they’re good defensively and, with how young we are up front, they’re our most veteran group. It was kind of fitting for that line to get the open-net goal tonight.

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UMD’s Caleb Herbert considers his options against North Dakota in UND’s 4-2 win on Nov. 15, 2013 in Grand Forks. (Photo: Erik Classen / UND Athletics)

Grand Forks, ND—The Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs came back from a two-goal third-period deficit to tie North Dakota before UND pulled out a 4-2 win on Friday.

It did not come without controversy, however.

North Dakota’s Michael Parks’ wrap-around shot just 37 seconds into the third period was judged to have not gone in and play continued. A brief review after the next whistle resulted in an initial ruling of no goal but, after a short discussion at the North Dakota bench, referees Derek Shepherd and CJ Beaurline spent nearly ten minutes on a second review and ultimately reversed their decision much to the delight of the anxiously-waiting sellout crowd of 11,810.

And much to the chagrin of the Minnesota-Duluth bench.

“There was no goal on the play. One minute there was no goal on the ice, then they go to the box and there was no goal, then they go to [talk to] the [North Dakota] coaching staff and they go back in to look at it and it’s a goal,” Minnesota-Duluth head coach, Scott Sandelin, said. “I’ve never seen that before.”

Not surprisingly, the view from the North Dakota bench slightly differed from that of UMD’s.

“[The officials] were patient in going back and looking for the video,” North Dakota head coach, Dave Hakstol, says. “I’m not sure if it was available right away. Bottom line, you want to get the call right and that was the right call.”

In a tough, hard-hitting game the Bulldogs were lead by freshman sensation, and leading point scorer, Alex Iafallo and his two point game. This was a homecoming for him as he returned to North Dakota after last season playing just an hour south for the Fargo Force of the USHL where he accumulated 43 points in 50 regular season games.

North Dakota took a 1-0 lead at 17:59 of the game when their scoring leader, Rocco Grimaldi, was able to tap in a rebound of defenseman Dillion Simpson’s shot off a clean face-off win by Jordan Schmaltz. The power-play goal came after a scrum in front of the Duluth net that lead to coincidental penalties with North Dakota already on the power play. This was indicative of the physical nature of game that included a total of 18 penalties.

With the Bulldogs down 2-0 Iafallo took it upon his shoulders to get UMD back into the game when he tallied their first goal at 6:37 of the third with a shot from the left hash mark catching North Dakota goaltender, Clarke Saunders, out of the net. Just 20 seconds later, with Schmaltz in the penalty box for an interference call, Iafallo added to the Bulldogs’ momentum when he assisted on Adam Krause’s goal to knot the game at 2-2.

“It was a tough way to give away a two-goal lead, but I liked our response,” Hakstol said.

Minnesota-Duluth continued to put pressure on North Dakota but Saunders, who stopped 34 UMD shots on the night, came up big. After watching the Bulldogs tie the game from the penalty box Schmaltz was able to redeem himself by scoring the eventual game-winning goal at 10:05 of the third period. His power-play blast from the point made its way through a screen and behind UMD goalie, Aaron Crandall, who finished with 19 saves.

“The power play was just sticking with it. It recovered several pucks and we kept the puck in the zone for a long time and finally Jordan found a line to get it through,” Hakstol said. “We had good net front traffic.”

“Jordan played a real solid game tonight,” he added.

Minnesota-Duluth came into the series with a league-leading the penalty kill of 93.6 percent but North Dakota managed two crucial goals on six power-play attempts.

“They got a couple power-play goals which ended up really being the difference,” Sandelin said. We took a couple undisciplined penalties in the third period when we got back to tie the game and that was the difference in the game. That is how fine a line it is.”

“I thought we played good. I thought we played a great game. We had chances to take the lead, but I thought their goalie played really good,” Sandelin added.

North Dakota’s Stephane Pattyn scored an open net goal at 19:04 for the game’s 4-2 final margin.

No. 20 Minnesota-Duluth will take on No.13 North Dakota again Saturday night at the Ralph Engelstad Arena for a chance to split the series.

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