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The Blugolds finished with an overall record of 11-16-1 and 6-7-1 in the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association, taking fifth place in the conference. In the NCHA playoffs, the Blugolds won their first-round series against Superior and then lost to Stout in overtime of the NCHA Semifinals. Prior to the 2007-08 first-round playoff series victory, the Blugolds had never won a series since joining the NCHA. “We are excited to have Matt Loen on board as the head men’s hockey coach,” Kilgallon said. “He did a tremendous job with the program last season and has what it takes to get the program to the next level. He knows UW-Eau Claire and the community very well and will provide great leadership for the program.” Loen is equally excited about the opportunity to be the Blugolds’ ninth head coach in program history. “I am honored to be the head coach for the Blugold men’s hockey team,” Loen said. “I feel very fortunate to be in the position, and it is a dream come true. I look forward to continuing the process of building a strong program.” Loen is a Blugold alum who played for Ian Perrin in the period from 1991 through 1995. The Spring Lake Park, Minnesota native was the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association Player of the Year for the 1994-95 season. He was a two-time All-NCHA first team pick and also one of only four Blugolds ever named to the American Hockey Coaches Association All-American first team. With that award, he stands in the company of Alex Hicks, Greg Robertson and Mike Schwengler as Blugold AHCA All-Americans. Loen ranks 10th on the school’s all-time scoring list with 120 points on 43 goals and 77 assists. However, he was not a dominant performer until his junior season. In his final two years, he scored 96 points in 54 games including 56 as a senior. That represents the fifth best single season production in school history. Following his Blugold career, Loen spent eight seasons playing professional hockey. He was affiliated with the Madison Monsters and Madison Kodiaks of the UHL, the Milwaukee Admirals of the IHL and the AHL, the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks of the AHL, the Kalamazoo K-Wings of the UHL, the Tacoma Sabercats of the WCHL and the Rockford IceHogs of the UHL. He played over 500 games and compiled over 575 points. He was named the United Hockey League Rookie of the Year in 1995-96 while playing for the Madison Monsters. During his final year as a professional player, he was also an assistant coach with the Rockford IceHogs. He returned to Eau Claire to assist Jean Laforest as a Blugold assistant for one season before helping college teammate Mike Schwengler at Eau Claire Memorial High School during the 2004-05 campaign. He returned to the Blugolds when former head coach Luke Strand took over in 2005-06.
Eight NCHA players named to USCHO.com all-star team Menomonie, Wis. (April 10, 2008) - St. Norbert College goalie Kyle Jones led a parade of eight NCHA players named to the USCHO.com West Region all-star teams. Jones has been selected the USCHO.com National Player of the Year. The North Delta, British Columbia native led the Green Knights to their first national title this season, recording one of the best seasons ever by a Division III goaltender. Jones posted a 1.09 GAA and a .950 save percentage. He set Division III records for shutouts in a season (10) and for a career (25) including shutouts in the Division III semifinals and finals. USCHO.com has also named St. Norbert coach Tim Coghlin National Coach of the Year. Coghlin led the Green Knights to a 27-1-4 record and their first ever national title this season. / story by Chris Lerch, USCHO.com West First TeamGoal — Kyle Jones Sr., St. Norbert West Second TeamGoal — Chad Beiswenger, Jr., UW-Superior Honorable Mention: Tyler Chestnut (St. Thomas), Derek Hanson (UW-Stout), Jared Hummel (Hamline), David Martinson (Gustavus Adolphus), Andrew Panchenko (St. Thomas), Derek Paige (UW-Superior), Quinn Waller (Adrian), Jason Woll (MSOE) West Rookie TeamGoal — Thomas Speer, UW-Stevens Point Honorable Mention: Jared Hummel (Hamline), Rob Johnson (St. Thomas), Josh Swartout (Gustavus Adolphus) D-III Player of the Year: Kyle Jones, St. Norbert Honorable Mention: Rick Cleaver, Norwich D-III Coach of the Year: Tim Coghlin, St. Norbert
St. Norbert's Tim Coghlin Division III coach of the year
After compiling the best regular season record in school history, St. Norbert made NCAA history by winning the championship behind back-to-back shutouts, 3-0 over Norwich in the semifinals and 2-0 over Plattsburgh in the championship game. This had never been done before and their single loss on the season was the lowest of any previous NCAA Division III men's champion. Coghlin, a native of Summerland, British Columbia, has a career record of 322-92-35 in 15 seasons. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point where he captained the Pointers' first national championship team in 1989. He was an assistant coach when UWSP won again in 1993. As a player, Coghlin was a two-time All-American at defense who enjoyed a brief professional career, signing with Vancouver and playing for the Milwaukee Admirals. he also spent a year as a player-coach in England. The Edward Jeremiah Award is named in honor of the great Dartmouth College head coach and was first presented in 1970. The runners-up for this year's Edward Jeremiah Award were Bob Emery of SUNY Plattsburgh and Tim Ceglarski of Elmira College. The Coach of the Year Awards are chosen by members of the American Hockey Coaches Association (AHCA). Winners will receive their awards at the annual AHCA Coach of the Year Banquet, held in conjunction with the AHCA Convention in Naples, FL. This year's banquet is scheduled for Saturday, April 26. The award made it a clean sweep for the Green Knights: the Division III title, Coghlin with the coach of the year award; and goalie Kyle Jones as the player of the year. Coghlin is the seventh NCHA coach to win the award. The most recent was UW-Superior's Dan Stauber in 2002. St. Norbert claims NCAA Division III championship
St. Norbert powers past Norwich in NCAA Frozen Four semi-final
UW-Superior women finish fourth at NCAA championships
Elmira scored two goals in the first period, then iced the game with an empty-net goal in third period. The Yellowjackets (23-6-1) outshot Elmira, 31-26, but could not get a goal past Cara McGurry. Melissa Kunzelman recorded 23 saves for Superior. In the semi-final game, Jessica Zimmerman scored 49 seconds into the overtime period to lift Manhattanville to a 4-3 win. The box score read almost like a mirror through the first three periods, with both teams scoring even strength goals in the second period and two power play goals apiece in the third period. The teams traded goals in the third period with Manhattanville taking a 2-1 lead 2:52 into the period. TheYellowjackets' knotted the score with an unassisted goal by Allie Pullar midway through the stanza. Manahattanville pulled back ahead two minutes later on a goal by Amanda Nonis. Superior sent the game into overtime when Brianne Mosher took a pass from NCHA player of the year Gina Baranzelli with five minutes left in regulation. Rikki Nespor had 15 saves to 34 for Manhattanville's Karine Turmel. SNC's Jones player of the year; 10 NCHA players named All-American
Six different NCHA players from three different men's teams was named to the RBK Hockey Division III men's All-American teams and four players from two schools were named to the women's team. Jones, UW-River Falls Jim Henkemeyer and TJ Dahl, and St. Norbert's Marc Belanger were a West Region first team choice. UW-Stout's Jack Wolgemuth and River Falls' Pat Borgestad were second team selections. UW-Superior's Krista Hakala and Gina Baranzelli and UW-Stevens Point's Nicole Grossman and Jamie Lewandoski were named to the women's West Region first team. Jones earned first team All-American status this season, having been a second team selection as a freshman and again as a sophomore. In 23 games this season, he compiled a stingy 1.18 goals against average and a save percentage of .945. His record was 19-1-3. Over his career, Jones has played in 105 games, going 85-10-8, with a 1.61 GAA and .925 percentage. Earlier this season, it was announced that he had ben selected to play in the annual "Skills Challenge" during the NCAA Division I Men's Frozen Four in Denver, Colo. Belanger led St. Norbert in scoring this season with 23 goals and 22 assists for 45 points. Belanger has scored in 28 of 32 games this season, and ranks seventh at St. Norbert in career scoring with 132 points. Dahl led the Falcons in scoring with 43 points. He scored eight goals and a team-high 35 assists. He scored three power-play goals and two game-winners. Dahl was one of the team's captains. He finished his career with 41 goals and 114 assists for 155 points. He is third all-time in scoring and assists. Dahl was named to last year's AHCA All-American team and to the All-NCHA and All-WIAC first team. He was named the NCHA Player of the Year after the 2007 season. Henkemeyer finished the year with four goals and 24 assists for 28 points. He finished fifth in scoring for the Falcons and was the team's top scoring defenseman. Henkemeyer was one of the team's captains. He finished his career with 18 goals and 50 assists for 68 points. He is eighth all-time in scoring by a defenseman. Henkemeyer was named to the 2007 AHCA All-American team and he was also named to the first All-NCHA and All-WIAC squads. Borgestad finished third in scoring for the Falcons with 23 goals and 36 points. He led the team in goals and was named the team's Most Valuable Player. He scored nine power-play goals and four game-winners. Borgestad finished his career with 52 goals and 39 assists for 91 points. He is 17th in career goals. After the 2007 season he was named to the first All-WIAC team and earned honorable mention to the All-NCHA squad. Wolgemuth scored seven goals and 23 assists for 30 points. The 6-foot, 3-inch defenseman had five power play goals for Stout, which qualifiied to the NCAA playoffs this year for the first time. Wolgemuth was a first team all-conference selection in the WIAC and the NCHA. Lewandowski was a first team All-Northern Collegiate Hockey
Association (NHCA) selection for the first time this past season.
Lewandowski had five goals and 10 assists this year. Her 15 points
tied for fifth among defensemen in the conference. Four of her five
goals came on the power play. St. Norbert returns to Frozen Four with overtime win over St. Thomas
UW-Superior women defeat Gustavus Adolphus in first round, on to Frozen Four
The Yellowjackets, who are making their second NCAA appearance, advances to their first NCAA Division III Women's Hockey Championship Semifinal in Plattsburgh, New York, where they will meet No. 10 Manhattanville on March 21 at 3:30 ET. Top-ranked Plattsburgh State (N.Y.) will meet Elmira in the other semifinal Gustavus controlled play in the first period as it outshot UW-Superior 11-3. The Yellowjackets had an excellent scoring opportunity early in the period as Stacy Anderson had a breakaway shot saved by Gustie goaltender Breanna Scavo . Both teams skated at a frantic pace until UW-Superior's Brianne Mosher was called for a hooking penalty at 6:19 where the Gusties capitalized on the extra-skater advantage late in the power play. Melissa Mackley threaded a pass cross-ice to Alyssa Saunders where UW-Superior goaltender Melissa Kunzelman made the initial save. Mari Gunderson managed to get her stick on the rebound and put the puck in the empty net as she fell to the ice. The Gusties were 23-0-0 when scoring first this season. Gustavus maintained control of the puck with two more power play chances in the period, but skated into intermission with a 1-0 lead. UW-Superior came out strong in the second period and seized momentum after Gustavus' Lisa Sablak was called for a checking penalty at 8:53. The Gusties killed the penalty, but were unable to clear the puck when Allie Pullar tied the game 1-1 at 11:26. Jamie McClintock and Brittany Dunkel were credited with the assists. Three minutes later the Yellowjackets caught Gustavus in the middle of a line change that resulted on a two-on-zero breakaway. Stacy Anderson hung on to the puck long enough to get Scavo to commit before passing to Shana Katz who found the left side of the net to give UW-Superior a 2-1 lead. The Gusties got a chance late in the period to tie the score as a tripping penalty was called on Kayla Chilstrom at 17:06. UW-Superior's Gina Baranzelli forced a center ice turnover, skated up the left side and fired a shot into the upper left hand corner for her Division III-leading fifth short-handed goal of the season to give the Yellowjackets a 3-1 lead. Gustavus pressured UW-Superior during the third period with 11 shots on goal compared to one shot for the Yellowjackets, but were unable to get the puck past Kunzelman. Gustavus pulled Scavo with 1:25 remaining as the Gustie defenders put shots on net with the hopes of getting a deflection. However, the UW-Superior defense held string. UW-Superior improved to 1-1 in the NCAA tournament, while Gustavus falls to 4-7. The Yellowjackets also notched their first program win over Gustavus, as UW-Superior is 1-9-1 all-time against the Gusties.. / Story by Gustavus Adolphus sports information St. Thomas stops Stout in NCAA first round
With the score tied at 1-1 after two periods, the Tommies (20-6-2) attacked Blue Devil goalie Mike Stone hard. St. Thomas outshot Stout 12-4 over the first 10 minutes of the final stanza and landed a power play goal at the 10 minute mark by Nate Ryan. Ten second later, at 10:10, the Tommies took a two goal lead on a goal by Sean Bryant. The Tommies sealed the deal with an empty net goal by Nick Nelson with just less than a minute left. The game was tied after the first period. The Blue Devils opened the scoring when Derek Hanson scored at the 7:08 mark, with assists by Joel Gaulrapp and Scott Motz. The Tommies knotted the score around the 16 minute mark on a goal by Rob Johnson. The Blue Devils outshot St. Thomas 14-7 in the second period, but couldn't crack one past goalie Tyler Chestnut. St. Thomas outshot Stout, 35-28 on the evening. Stout held a 23-17 lead in shots after two periods. St. Thomas will travel to St. Norbert to play the top seeded Green Knights, Saturday, March 15. UW-Superior receives bid to women's NCAA tournament
The Yellowjackets, a Pool B selection, were the NCHA regular season champions and the O’Brien Cup champions. NCHA Player of the Year Gina Baranzelli leads the conference with 24 goals, while Lindsey LeGree is third with 16. Stacy Anderson has a conference-best 38 points (13g, 25a), while Baranzelli (32) and LeGree (30) are third and fourth, respectively. Goalie Melissa Kunzelman also leads the conference with her .958 save percentage. Superior’s other goalie, Rikki Nespor, and Kunzelman were the only two goalies to be named first team all-NCHA. In addition to Nespor and Kunzelman, Anderson, Baranzelli and Kirsti Hakala were named first team all-conference. Gustavus Adolphus went 18-0 in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC), taking the regular season title. They also went on to win their conference tournament, earning an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament. Four Gusties were named to the MIAC’s all-conference squad. Stephanie Ubl won the Player of the Year award. She was third in the conference in scoring (24 points), third in goals (11), and fourth in assists (13) as a defender. Gustavus’ Kirstin Peterson, Mari Gunderson, and Molly Doyle were also named to the first team. Peterson was second with 14 goals and Gunderson led the league in power play goals. The two teams met earlier this season on Dec. 17 in St. Peter, Minn., when Gustavus took a 2-1 win. Anderson put the Yellowjackets up in the first period, but the Gusties’ Laura Vannelli added the tying goal in the second period, and Lisa Sablak put Gustavus ahead for good in the third. The other half of the tournament bracket consists of Elmira College and Amherst College playing for the chance to play Plattsburgh in the second round. Plattsburgh, as the number one seed, will get a first-round bye and will be hosting the championship round.
St. Norbert, UW-Stout awarded men's NCAA playoff bids
The Blue Devils (18-8-3) will travel to St. Thomas, Wednesday, March 12 at 7 p.m. The Tommies won the automatic berth by defeating Hamline University, 4-1, in the Minnesota Intercollgiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) tournament. The winner advances to play top-seeded St. Norbert College, Saturday, March 15 in Green Bay. Stout and St. Thomas met on Nov. 20, 2007, in St. Paul, Minn, and the two teams played to a 3-3 tie. Stout's Joel Gaulrapp scored with 54 seconds remaining in regulation to forge the tie. Stout won the 2006-07 meeting, 4-3. The sixth ranked Tommies (17-6-2) are making their 13th trip into the NCAA playoffs, while Stout is making their first foray into the Big Dance. Nick Pernula is the Tommie's leading scorer with 39 points (12 goals, 17 assists). Nate Ryan has scored 18 goals to lead the Tommies and has 17 assists. The 11th ranked Blue Devils are led by Derek Hanson with 41 points (21g, 20a). Gaulrapp has 18 goals and 17 assists. The top ranked Green Knights (24-1-4) are currently riding a 26-game unbeaten streak and are coming off a 4-3 overtime win over Stout in the Peters Cup championship game. St. Norbert is led by player of the year goalie Kyle Jones (1.20 GAA, .944 save percentage, 18-1-3 record) and in scoring by Marc Belanger (22g, 20a, 42 pts).In the east region, Trinity (Conn) will be at U Mass-Dartmouth Wednesday, March 12. The winner of that game will play at Elmira, Saturday, March 15. In other Saturday matchups, Manhattanville is at Norwich and Hobart is at Plattsburgh. The Championship round is scheduled for March 22-23 in Lake Placid, NY. St. Norbert downs Stout in overtime in Peters Cup championshipGreen Bay, Wis. (March 8, 2008) -
Marc Belanger scored the overtime game-winner to lift St. Norbert
College to a 4-3 overtime triumph over the University of
Wisconsin-Stout in the championship game of the Northern Collegiate
Hockey Association Peters Cup Playoffs. UW-Superior's wins exciting O'Brien Cup playoffs Superior, Wis. (March 2, 2008) - The NCHA put in a six team O’Brien Cup tournament for the first time this season, and the tournament proved to be extremely exciting, entertaining and unpredictable as host UW-Superior claimed the Cup for the first time ever, ending UW-Stevens Point’s four-year reign. UW-Superior 2, UW-River
Falls 1 River Falls’ Jenna Scanlon started the scoring five minutes into the second period when she took assists from Jessica Thompson and Brittany Erickson. The Falcons held a 1-0 lead for the rest of the period and most of the third. Desperately in need of a goal, Superior was forced to pull their goalie late, and the move paid off when Brianne Mosher tied the game with 25 seconds remaining. The Yellowjackets’ Teagan Cassan scored 10 minutes into overtime, preventing the upset. Cassi Campbell collected 36 saves for the Falcons while Superior’s Rikki Nespor had 35. Stacy Anderson tallied two assists for Superior. Superior had four power play opportunities, while River Falls had three, none of which either team capitalized on. UW-Stevens Point 4, Lake Forest 0 The Pointers got their first goal eight minutes into the first period when Dana Carothers scored on a power play goal. In the second period, Stevens Point added to their lead with two goals by Jessica Edward, both on assists by Patricia Piskula. Already with a 3-0 lead with just over a minute left in the game, the Pointers added insult to injury when Michelle Sosnowski tacked on her team’s fourth goal of the day. Piskula finished the day with three assists. Between the pipes for Lake Forest, Alyssa Wintermute tallied 36 saves. D’andra Phillips recorded 17 saves on her way to the shutout. UW-River Falls 2, UW-Stevens Point 1 The Falcons scored in the first period on a goal by Kelly Snedeker, while being assisted by Stefanie Schmitz. Just one minute into the second period, Jamie Briski scored for River Falls when she took another assist from Schmitz. The Pointers cut their deficit to one when Michelle Sosnowski scored with seven minutes left in the game, but could not muster another goal the rest of the way. Stevens Point surprisingly out-shot the Falcons, 35-15, but Cassi Campbell saved 34 shots while D’andra Phillips denied 13. UW-Superior 3, Lake Forest College 0 The Yellowjackets started the scoring halfway through the first period when Lindsey LeGree scored her first of two goals on the day. Jasmine Pollock added to their lead one minute later when she took assists from Gina Baranzelli and Brianne Mosher. Superior cooled off the rest of the period and took a 2-0 lead into the locker rooms. LeGree then scored her second goal of the day just two minutes into the second period, giving Superior a 3-0 lead that would hold the rest of the game. Superior got off 34 shots compared to Lake Forest’s 20. Ryann McCarthy recorded nine saves for Lake Forest before they made a goalie switch after one period. Alyssa Wintermute entered the game and tallied 22 saves in 40 minutes of play. Melissa Kunzelman’s shutout featured 20 saves. Jamie McClintock recorded two assists, both of which were to LeGree. Lake Forest 1, UW-Eau Claire 0 Sam Pinsonneault hit the game-winner for the Foresters, 12 minutes into the second overtime period, when she was assisted by Kelsey Finn and Allison Rushing. UW-Eau Claire got 32 shots off while Lake Forest got off 30. Both goalies played terrific games as Danika Porter recorded 29 saves before allowing the game-winner, and Alyssa Wintermute finished the night with 32 saves for Lake Forest. UW River Falls 6, Finlandia University 1 River Falls got a goal eight minutes into the first period by Jenna Scanlon. Stefanie Schmitz then added a goal in the second. One minute after Schmitz’ goal, Kristen Juven added the Falcons’ third. In the third period, the Falcons relentlessly added their fourth goal three minutes into the period when Jamie Briski added her first goal of the day. Finlandia got on the board after that when Brenda Peterson scored, pulling the Lions within three with 13 minutes to play. Briski and Kelly Jensen put an end to all of Finlandia’s comeback hopes when they each scored goals under the five minute mark, closing out a 6-1 victory. Annika Danielson recorded 39 saves for Finlandia while Cassi Campbell tallied 28. St. Norbert, UW-Stout to meet for Peters Cup championship DePere, Wis. (March 1, 2008) - And then there were two. UW-Stout will make their first ever NCHA Peters Cup championship appearance and will meet St. Norbert College, Saturday, March 8 at the Cornerstone Community Center at 7 p.m. Stout, the number three seed, needed overtime to defeat fifth seeded UW-Eau Claire, 3-2, in one semi-final game March 1. St. Norbert only needed one goal, and their defense made that standup in a 1-0 win over St. Scholastica. UW-Stout 3, UW-Eau Claire 2 The Blue Devils got on the board first when Nick Klaren scored just 25 seconds into the second period on assists from Joel Gaulrapp and Jack Wolgemuth. The Blugolds tied the game two minutes later on a goal by Bryan Plaszcz, who was assisted by Andrew Johnson. Still in the second period, Peter Bracker gave Eau Claire the lead when he scored on an assist from Dan Fina. The Blue Devils needed a goal to keep their season alive, and with five minutes remaining in the game, Paul Henderson took an assist from Wolgemuth, knotting the game at two. After 14 minutes of overtime, Stout forward Scott Motz deposited the game-winner in the back of the net to lift his team to the conference championship game. Stout’s goalie, Mike Stone, recorded 26 saves on 28 shots by Eau Claire. Tyler Brigl saved 36 of Stout’s 39 shots. St. Norbert 1, St. Scholastica 0 St. Norbert scored after six minutes of the first period when Brandon Longley scored with the assists credited to Steven Sleep and Tyler Allen. Both teams had four power play opportunities, but neither team could capitalize on them. Tyler Johnson let up the early goal, but was solid from then on, recording 22 saves for the game. St. Scholastica got off 28 shots, all of which were rejected by NCHA Player of the Year Kyle Jones. With the shutout, Jones gained sole possession of the NCAA Division III record for shutouts in a season with eight, and extended his NCAA Division III record for career shutouts to 23.
Baranzelli scored 24 goals in 25 games, and had seven game winning goals, seven power play goals and seven shorthanded goals. The Yellowjackets finished the regular NCHA season at 15-2-1 and 20-4-1 overall. The Yellowjackets will host the three day NCHA tournament Feb. 29-March 2. UW-Stevens Point's Katy Lankey (Sr, Baraboo, Wis) was named the NCHA Scholar-Athlete and UW-Superior's Dan Laughlin was honored as coach of the year for the third time. The entire 2007-08 All-NCHA team is listed below, along with NCHA games-only statistics. The 2007-08 All-Academic Team is available in a PDF format.
2007-08 Women's All-Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) Team
$2007 All-NCHA Honorable Mention @2006 All-NCHA First Team ~2006 All-NCHA Second Team ^2006 All-NCHA Honorable Mention #2005 All-NCHA First Team NCHA Player of the Year: Gina Baranzelli,
UW-Superior Foresters' DeHoey, Green Knights' Jones selected for Frozen Four Skills Challenge
The players who will compete in an East vs. West format were selected by the American Hockey Coaches Association, the NCAA Divison I Men's Ice Hockey committee and NCHAA national office staff. Six position players and two goaltenders of each gender from both regions were chosen and the events will include puck control relay, fastest skater, hardest shot, rapid fire shooting, accuracy shooting and penalty shot. DeHoey enters this weekend's NCHA O'Brien Cup tournament as Lake Forest's all-time leader with 53 goals, 44 assists and 97 career points. She was a first team All-American West selection last year by US College Hockey Online. This season, she has a team-high 24 points on 13 goals and 11 assists. Heading into Saturday's NCHA Peters Cup semifinal against St. Scholastica, Jones has fashioned one of the most decorated careers in Division III hockey history. Jones owns Division III career records for goaltender wins with 82, and his 22 career shutouts are second-most in college hockey history behind Michigan Stat's Ryan Miller. Jones, the 2006 and 2008 NCHA player of the year, currently leads the NCAA Division III in goals against average (1.18) and saves percentage.DeHoey is the only Division III women's player selected and Jones is the only Division III men's player selected The Frozen Four Challenge will begin at 7 p.m. Mountain TIme an dwill be preceded by the Hobey Baker Memorial Award at 5:30 p.m. and the Hockey Humanitarian Award - of which UW-Stout's Jeff DeFrancesca is a finalist - at 6:05 p.m. The Frozen Four Skills Challenge and the Hobey Baker Award will both be shown live on ESPNU.
UW-River Falls' Jamie Briski named women's player of the week
The freshman knocked in her third short-handed goal of the season. The three short-handed goals is a single season Falcon record. Briski helped the Falcons secure a 4-2 victory Saturday afternoon with three of her four points on the weekend with a one goal, two assist performance. She assisted on the first goal and scored the second goal, short-handed. She also picked up an assist on the team’s four goal. She scored the first goal of the game, her 12th goal of the season, on Sunday. Briski leads the Falcons in scoring with 12 goals and 24 points. She has one power-play goal and one game-winner. Also nominated were: UW-Stevens Point forward Michelle Sosnowski (Jr, Plainfield, Ill/Central); Lake Forest defender Kerry Gotowka (West Simsbury, Conn/Westminster); UW-Superior forward Lindsey LeGree (Fr, Sioux City, Iowa) and UW-Eau Claire forward Margaret Campbell (Jr, Plymouth, Minn/Wayzata).
UW-Stevens Point's Sosnowski named women's player of the week
Sosnowski assisted teammate Dana Carothers to put the Pointers up 2-1 on the Foresters, and scored the lone goal in the second period to make it 3-1. After Lake Forest tied the game at 3-3, Sosnowski scored the game winning goal with 3:29 remaining. In Saturday’s win over Lake Forest, the junior scored two early first period goals to give the Pointers a 2-0 lead. Also nominated were: UW-River Falls forward Stefanie Schmitz (So, Farmington, Minn); UW-Superior forward Gina Baranzelli (Sr, Virginia, Minn); and UW-Eau Claire forward Kristin Faber (Fr, Austin, Minn). UW-Eau Claire's Tyler Brigl takes men's
player of the week honors
In the victory, which allowed the Blugolds to move to a fifth place finish, Brigl stopped 19 shots, bringing his save total to 532 on the season. He has saved 90.3 percent of shots faced this year. Brigl’s four shutouts this year is the most in school history. Brigl now has five career shutouts, ranking first among Blugold goalies. Also nominated was: UW-River Falls forward Wade Harstad (Sr, Moorhead, Minn) and UW-Superior forward Brandon Desmet (So, Strathmore, Alaska).
Jones, who was the player of the year during the 2005-06 season, posted a 9-0-3 record in NCHA play, with a goals against average of 1.14. In 734 minutes of play, Jones posted a save percentage of .950. St. Norbert coach Tim Coghlin was named the NCHA men's coach of the year after leading the Green Knights to their seventh consecutive NCHA title. Dustin Cosgrove (Sr, Neepawa, Manitoba) of UW-Superior received the NCHA Scholar-Athlete Award. The 2007-08 team is listed below, along with NCHA-only statistics. The 2007-08 All-Academic Team is available in a PDF format. 2007-08 Men's All-Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) Team
*2007 All-NCHA Honorable Mention @2006 All-NCHA First Team ^2006 All-NCHA Honorable Mention #2005 All-NCHA First Team
NCHA Player of the Year: Kyle Jones, Senior,
St. Norbert College NCHA playoff seeding
tie-breakers listed
UW-Superior's Baranzelli named women's player of the week
Superior’s Baranzelli scored three goals in the Yellowjackets’ sweep last weekend over visiting UW-Stevens Point. The Pointers were 17-0-2 coming into the weekend after 19 games. Baranzelli scored the game-winning goal of Friday night’s game, handing the Pointers their first loss of the season, 3-1. Saturday saw Baranzelli start off the scoring with a power-play goal. The Pointers tied the game late into the third forcing overtime. Baranzelli fought off a defending Pointer for a rebound and secured the 2-1 win for the Jackets three minutes into the overtime period. Also nominated were: UW-River Falls forward Abby Sunderman (So, LeSueur, Minn); UW-Stevens Point defender Sarah Phillips (So, Kelowna, BC); Finlandia University forward Ashley Leitch (Sr, Garden City, Mich); and UW-Eau Claire defender Kelli Johnson (Fr, Farmington, Minn). UW-Stout's Nick Klaren garners men's
player of the week honors
Klaren scored the game opening goal with five minutes left in the first period to put Stout up on St. Norbert, 1-0, Feb. 9. Midway through the third period, Klaren’s second goal of the game, which came on the power play, tied the score at 2-2. Klaren also recorded an assist in the Blue Devils’ 7-0 win over Lake Forest College the night before. Also nominated was: UW-Stevens Point goalie Thomas Speer (Fr, Janesville, Wis/James Madison) and UW-Eau Claire forward Sean Garrity (Sr, North St. Paul, Minn). Lake
Forest's DeHoey, St. Norbert's Jones on ballot for NCAA Frozen Four
Competition
The NCAA announced that voting for the players in the 2008 Frozen Four Skills Challenge began recently online at www.NCAA.com and will run until Feb. 14. Fans will be able to select six position players and two goalies for each gender of the East team and each gender of the West team. The original list of 166 players was trimmed to 66 by the selection committee. Fans can vote for their favorites among the 66 players, which are vying for the 16 spots on each team. The selection committee will take all voting into consideration prior to making its announcement of the final rosters mid-February. DeHoey leads Lake Forest with 10 goals and 19 points this season. The team captain is also the program's career leader with 92 points and 42 assists and tied the school record with her 50th goal on Friday. She was named First Team All-USCHO West after finishing the 2006-07 season with 31 points on 16 goals and 15 assists. Jones leads the NCAA in goals against average with 1.27. For his career, Jones has a 79-10-8 overall record and a 1.68 career GAA. Joens has five shutouts this season and holds the NCAA Division III career shutout record with 20. The Frozen Four Skills Challenge will be held April 11 at the Pepsi Center in Denver and will highlight the Friday Night at the Frozen Four. The night will also include the presentation of the Hobey Baker Memorial Award, the Hockey Humanitarian Award, of which UW-Stout's Jeff DeFrancesca is a finalist, and the announcement of the American Hockey Coaches Association All-American teams.
UW-Stevens Point's Lankey named women's player of the week
Lankey assisted on the first of the game in a 6-1 win over UW-Eau Claire, Feb. 1, then scored a goal in the second period to help the Pointers to the win. In a Feb. 2 3-3 tie with UW-River Falls, Lankey got the Pointers on the board at the 3:38 mark of the second period after trailing 3-0. Stevens Point added two more goals in the third period, including the game-tying goal by Lankey, making this her first multi-goal game of the season. Also nominated were: UW-River Falls goalie Cassie Campbell (Fr, Anchorage, Alaska); and UW-Eau Claire forward Meghan Lorenz (Fr, Minnetonka, Minn). St. Norbert's Kyle Jones tabbed as men's
player of the week
Jones had a banner weekend, leading St. Norbert to a three-point weekend on the road. Jones turned in a 34 save performance in a 1-1 tie with UW-Superior, Feb. 1, with the only goal he allowed shorthanded. Jones also made 29 saves, Feb. 2, in a 3-0 win over St. Scholastica, notching his 20th career shutout and his fifth this season. Jones made 63 saves on 64 shots this weekend with a saves percentage of .984. Jones leads the NCAA in goals against average with 1.29. For his career, Jones has a 78-10-8 overall record and a 1.69 career GAA. Also nominated was: UW-Stout forward Andy Sternberg (So, Duluth, Minn/East); UW-Stevens Point goalie Tom Speer (Fr, Janesville, Wis/James Madison); UW-Eau Claire defenseman John Kearns (Fr, Park Ridge, Ill); and Lake Forest College goalie Scott Campbell (Jr, Bloomfield, Ont). UW-Stout's DeFrancesca finalist for Hockey
Humanitarian Award
The finalists, along with DeFrancesca, listed in alphabetical
order, are: Ryan Adler Jr. Hobart College; William Bruce Sr.
Williams College; Ethan Cox So. Colgate University; Jeff
DeFrancesca Sr. University of Wisconsin –- Stout; Missy
Elumba Jr. Northeastern University; Jody Heywood Jr. Ohio State
University; Ashley King Sr. Wayne State University; Caralyn Quan
Sr. Williams College The 13th annual recipient of the award will be named at the 2008 NCAA Division I Frozen Four at a ceremony in conjunction with the NCAA Skills Competition and the Hobey Baker Memorial Award on Friday, April 11 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo. BNY Mellon Wealth Management is among the nation's leading wealth managers, with more than two centuries of experience in providing investment management, wealth and estate planning, and private banking and finance services to financially successful individuals and families, their family offices and business enterprises, charitable gift programs, and endowments and foundations. It ranks as one of the top 10 US wealth managers with approximately $170 billion in private client assets and an expansive network of more than 80 offices globally. More information on the history of the award, the 2008 schedule of events and a list of past nominees, finalists and recipients can be found at www.hockeyhumanitarian.org UW-Eau Claire's Faber named women's player of the week
Faber scored the first hat trick of her career in a 7-1 win over Finlandia University, Jan. 25, scoring twice shorthanded and another time on a power play. Faber’s first goal was the eventual game winner. The Blugolds tallied three shorthanded goals in the game, tying a Division III record. Faber is currently tied for the lead in the NCHA in game winning goals (4) and shorthanded goals (3). Also nominated were: UW-River Falls defender Jessie Dyslin (Jr, South St. Paul, Minn); UW-Stevens Point defender Sarah Phillips (So, Kelowna, BC/St. George’s School); UW-Superior forward Gina Baranzelli (Sr, Virginia, Minn); and Lake Forest College defender Kerry Gotowka (Sr, West Simsbury, Conn). Pointers' Pat Lee named as men's player of
the week
Lee got the scoring started for the Pointers with an even-handed goal at 8:31 in the first period and scored what would prove to be the game-winning goal at the 7:05 mark of the second period for his 13th goal of the season. In Saturday’s 2-2 tie with top ranked St. Norbert, Lee assisted teammate Brett Beckfield for the first goal of the evening. Also nominated was: UW-Stout goalie Mike Stone (Sr, West St. Paul, Minn). Finlandia's Peterson named women's player
of the week
Peterson scored a goal in the Lions’ 5-3 win over Concordia-Wis., Jan. 19, then recorded two goals and two assists in the Lions’ 7-2 win over the Falcons, Jan. 20. Also nominated was: UW-River Falls defender Jenna Scanlon (Sr, Apple Valley, Minn); UW-Stevens Point forward Michelle Sosnowski (Jr, Plainfield, Ill/Central); UW-Superior defender Allie Pullar (Fr, Hibbing, Minn); and UW-Eau Claire goalie Danica Porter (Fr, Rosemount, Minn). Falcons' Borgestad repeats as men's player
of the week
The first goal was a power play goal with 3:20 left in the first frame. On the play, TJ Dahl controlled the puck in the slot and fed Derek Hansberry witha tape-to-tape pass. Hansberry rotated to Borgestad for the one-timer. His second goal turned out to be the game winner, coming with 43 seconds left in the second period. Borgestad is tied for the lead in the NCHA in points with his linemates Dahl and Hansberry with 32 points (21-11). Also nominated were: UW-Eau Claire goalie Tyler Brigl (So, Eagan, Minn); UW-Stevens Point forward Pat Lee (So, Schaumberg, Ill); and UW-Stout defender Bobby Kuehl (So, St. Paul, Minn/Johnson). Lake Forest's DeHoey named women's player
of the week
In a 3-2 overtime loss to Bethel University, Jan. 12, DeHoey scored Lake Forest’s first goal, then assisted on the second goal. In a 1-1 tie with second ranked UW-Stevens Point, DeHoey’s power play goal gave the Foresters a 1-0 lead early in the second period. Also nominated was: UW-River Falls forward Jessica Thompson (Fr, Shoreview, Minn/Mounds View); UW-Stevens Point forward Nicole Grossmann (Jr, Lindstrom, Minn/Chisago Lakes) and UW-Eau Claire defenseman Michelle Stohr (So, South St. Paul, Minn). St. Norbert's Boyd named men's player of the week
Boyd scored four goals, including the game winning goals in a 3-2 win over St. Mary’s, Jan. 11 and a 4-3 win over St. Thomas, Jan. 12, and also added an assist. Boyd had two goals and an assist against St. Mary’s and two markers against the fourth ranked Tommies. Boyd has 13 goals on the season. Also nominated were: UW-Eau Claire defenseman Greg Petersen (Jr, Maple Grove, Minn/Totino-Grace) UW-River Falls forward Derek Hansberry (Jr, Arvada, Colo); UW-Stevens Point defenseman Garret Suter (Fr, Madison, Wis./Oregon); and UW-Stout forward Luke Schroeder (Sr, Minneapolis, Minn/Edison). 'Jackets' Baranzelli named women's player of the week
Baranzelli scored her first goal midway through the first period to tie the game, then scored the shorthanded goal five minutes into the second period. Baranzelli scored what would prove to be the eventual game winning goal four minutes later. Also nominated was: UW-River Falls forward Kelly Jenson (Sr, Eden Prairie, Minn). Stevens Point's Speer named men's player of the week
Speer stopped 26 shots in a 5-0 conference win over UW-Eau Claire, Dec. 11, then stopped 25 shots in a 1-1 tie with Finlandia Dec. 15. After the Christmas break, Speer stopped 19 shots in a 2-1 win over Gustavus Adolphus on the Gusties home ice. Also nominated were: UW-Eau Claire forward Nate Smith (So, Clayton, Wis); UW-River Falls forward Patrick Borgestad (Sr, St. Paul, Minn); and UW-Superior forward Kevin Huck (Jr, Rochester, Minn ). River Falls' Scanlon named women's player of the week
Scanlon scored the only goal of the game in a 1-0 win over UW-Eau Claire, Dec. 14, and defensively played a key role in the Falcons' 8-1 win over Augsburg, Dec. 12. Scanlon scored at the six minute mark of the first period against Eau Claire to hand the Blugolds their first conference loss, then helped make the goal stand up. Scanlon was a part of the penalty kill in both games, and neither Augsburg or Eau Claire scored in five power play opportunities. Also nominated was: UW-Eau Claire goalie Lindsay Savat (Fr, Apple Valley, Minn/Jefferson). River Falls' LeBlanc is women's player of the week
LeBlanc scored three goals over the weekend, including two cruicial goals against Lake Forest College, Dec. 7. LeBlanc scored the team's second goal of the game at 6:19 of the third period to give River Falls a 2-0 lead. The Foresters then scored twice to tie the game at 2-2. Le Blanc came back to score the game-winner at 1:13 of overtime to give the Falcons the 3-2 win. Sturday, in a 6-3 win over Concordia-Wis, LeBlanc scored her fifth goal of the season at 15:37 of the second period and it proved to be the game-winner. Also nominated were: Concordia forward Amber Cmejla (Fr, Fond du Lac); UW-Eau Claire forward Beth Dittrich (So, Roseville, Minn); and, UW-Stevens Point forward Trish Piskula (Jr, Antigo, Wis.). St. Norbert's Belanger named men's player of the week
The Green Knights won a pair of games over the weekend, defeating No. 5 UW-Stout, 7-1, and No. 4 UW-River Falls, 5-2. Belanger scored a pair of goals against Stout, including a power play goal, and had a backhanded score over the Falcons. Belanger has scored a point in six consecutive games and has scored in 10 of 11 games this season. Also nominated were: UW-Eau Claire goalie Tyler Brigl (So, Eagan, Minn); UW-River Falls forward Patrick Borgestad (Sr, St. Paul, Minn); UW-Stevens Point goalie Thomas Speer (Fr, Janesville, Wis/James Madison); and UW-Stout forward Luke Schroeder (Sr, Minneapolis, Minn/Edison). Superior's Katz women's player of the week
The diminutive Katz - at 5-foot-1, 105 pounds - tallied six goals and two assists as the Yellowjackets twice blanked Concordia-Wisconsin, 9-0, 3-0. In the first game, Nov. 30, Katz scored her first, second, third and fourth goals of the season and added two assists. Her first two goals were the first two goals of the game and came in the first eight minutes of the game. Her second two goals and the two assists came in the third period. In the second game, Katz scored a goal apiece in the first and second periods. Also nominated were: UW-Eau Claire forward Kristin Faber (Fr, Austin, Minn); UW-Stevens Point forward Katy Lankey (Sr, Baraboo, Wis); and Finlandia goalie Annika Danielson (So, Cokato, Minn). St. Scholastica's Chong is men's player of the week
Chong equalized St. Norbert's goals twice in the game and the Saints forged a 2-2 tie in Green Bay, Wis., Nov. 30. Chong scored midway through the first period to knot the score at one apiece, but St. Norbert took a 2-1 lead out of the first period. Chong scored the game-tying goal four minutes into the third period. Two days later, Chong opened the scoring with a second period unassisted goal in a 2-1 win at Lake Forest. The three goals were his first three goals of the season. Also nominated were: UW-Eau Claire forward Sean Garrity (Sr, North St. Paul, Minn); UW-River Falls goalie Tyler Owens (So, Detroit, Mich); UW-Stevens Point defenseman Tim Manthey (Jr, Anoka, Minn); and UW-Stout defenseman Jack Wolgemuth (Jr, Anchorage, Alaska). Stout's Gaulrapp repeats as men's player of the week
Trailing 3-1 at the start of the third period, Gaulrapp scored two goals in the period to give Stout a 3-3 tie at No. 10-ranked St. Thomas on Nov. 20. He scored five minutes into the period to pull the Blue Devils within one goal, then tied the score with 54 seconds remaining in regulation. Gaulrapp currently ranks in the top five in the NCHA in goals (9, 3rd), assists (8, 5th), points (17, 2nd) and power play goals (4, 2nd).
Foresters' DeHoey women's player of the week
Also nominated were: UW-River Falls defenseman Kacie Anderson (Sr, Salem/Shattuck-St. Mary’s), UW-Stevens Point forward Jessica Edward (So, Sherrard, Ill/Shattuck-St. Mary’s), UW-Superior forward Gina Baranzelli (Sr, Virginia, Minn), and UW-Eau Claire forward Kristin Faber (Fr, Austin, Minn). Falcons' Borgestad named men's player of the week
The 6-2, 205 pounder scored two goals and an assist in Friday’s win. He scored the first goal of the game and added what proved to be the game winner at 7:38 of the third period. It was a power-play goal. On Saturday he scored all three Falcon goals with two coming with the Falcons on the power play. This year he leads the Falcons with 10 goals and is tied for the team lead with 14 points. He has a team-high four power-play goals and one game winner. “It’s quite a feat when you can score five goals against two quality NCHA teams,” said Falcon Coach Steve Freeman. “He has been one of our top all around players at both ends of the rink this season. He is off to a tremendous start.” Also nominated were: UW-Stevens Point forward Brett Beckfeld (Jr, Plymouth, Minn/Armstrong), UW-Stout defenseman Jack Wolgemuth (Jr, Anchorage, Alaska/Dimond), UW-Eau Claire goalie Tyler Brigl (So, Eagan, Minn) and UW-Superior forward Logan Isley (Fr, Bonnyville, Alberta). Finlandia's McLean women's player of the
week
McLean outscored the entire Hamline offense in a 6-2 win on Nov. 10, scoring three goals – two power play goals and a shorthanded goal - and two assists. In a 5-3 loss the following day, McLean tied the game at 1-1, then assisted on the go-ahead goal before Hamline came back with four straight goals. Also nominated were: UW-River Falls goalie Cassi Campbell (Fr, Anchorage, Alaska), UW-Superior forward Stacy Anderson (Layfette, Calif), and UW-Eau Claire defenseman Maddi Hammer (Fr, Owatonna, Minn). Pointer goalie scores three assists, named
men's player of the week
Paulson was credited with the secondary assist on Brett Beckfield's go-ahead goal with five minutes left in the second period that put the Pointers up, 2-1. Paulson got the primary assist on Josh Calleja's goal six minutes into the third period for a 4-1 lead. His third assist came with less than a minute remaining in the game when Paulson passed to Sean Fish, who passed to Chris Conway for an empty net goal. These was the first, second and third assists of Paulson's collegiate career, which so far has consisted of 52 games. At the moment, Paulson is tied with a host of players for 20th in the NCHA in assists with three. Also nominated were: UW-River Falls forward Tyler Czuba (So, Kelowna, BC), UW-Stout forward Derek Hanson (So, Bemidji, Minn), UW-Eau Claire defenseman Bryan Plasczc (So, Apple Valley, Minn) and UW-Superior forward Eric Bausano (Jr, Laurium, Mich). Finlandia's Danielson women's player of the
week
Finlandia defeated Augsburg College by identical 3-0 scores in Houghton, Mich. Danielson, who recorded her first two career shutouts, stopped 23 saves in the Nov. 2 opener, then turned away 19 saves the following day. Also nominated were: UW-River Falls defenseman Kacie Anderson (Sr, Salem, Wis/Shattuck-St. Mary's), UW-Stevens Point goalie d'Andre Phillips (So, Swartz Creek, Mich) UW-Superior forward Gina Baranzelli (Sr, Virginia, Minn) and UW-Eau Claire forward Beth Dittrich (So, Roseville, Minn).
Falcons' Norman tricks way to men's player of the week award
On Saturday night, Norman netted two more goals with both coming in the first period. He is tied for third on the team with six points (5-1), half as many goals as he did all of last season. "Dustin is a threat whenever he has room to shoot the puck," said Falcon coach Steve Freeman. Also nominated were: UW-Stevens Point forward Sean Fish (Jr, Anoka, Minn), UW-Stout forward Jeff Wheeler (Jr, Bainbridge, Wash), UW-Superior forward Andrew MacKenzie (Jr, Terrace Bay, Ont) and UW-Eau Claire goalie Tyler Brigl (So, Eagan, Minn).
Stout's Gaulrapp scores first NCHA player of the week award
Gaulrapp scored Stout's third goal of the game as the Blue Devils took advantage of a five-minute major power play opportunity in a 9-1 win over Northland College, Oct. 26. Gaulrapp added a goal in the third period and also chipped in an assist. In a 6-5 win over Marian College, Gaulrapp scored two first period power play goals. Gaulrapp had three power play goals on the weekend. Also nominated were: UW-River Falls forward Derek Hansberry (Jr, Arvada, Colo.) and UW-Eau Claire forward Sean Garrity (Sr, North St. Paul, Minn). Superior
picked, barely, in women's preseason coaches poll St. Paul, Minn. (October 25, 2007) - Even though UW-Superior got only half as many first place votes as UW-Stevens Point, the Yellowjackets get the nod as the team to beat in the women’s Northern Collegiate Hockey Association this year. The Yellowjackets received two first place votes, but edged out the Pointers – who received four first place votes – by a single point in the NCHA coaches preseason poll. If the coaches are correct, there will be a real dogfight for the top spot this year. Only four points separated Superior from third place UW-River Falls, which received the other first place vote. Lake Forest, which played UW-Superior in the finals of the O’Brien Cup (NCHA playoffs) was picked fourth, Finlandia was picked fifth, UW-Eau Claire sixth and newcomer Concordia University of Wisconsin was picked seventh. UW-Superior (18-6-3, 9-3-3) will have to do battle without Erin Kegley, a two-time NCHA player of the year and four-time all-conference and All-American pick. The Yellowjackets return both goalies, Melissa Kunzelman and Rikki Nespor. Kunzelman was 8-4-1 with a 1.34 GAA and Nespor was 10-2-2 with a 1.77 GAA. Stacy Anderson scored 24 points last year, five goals with 19 assists. UW-Stevens Point (20-7-2, 8-5-2) won their fourth consecutive NCHA tournament and advanced to the NCAA Division III tournament, finishing third. The Pointers return 17 letterwinners from last year’s squad and 86 percent of their scoring. But the Pointers must replace goalie Amy Statz, who posted an NCAA Division III record 68 career wins and 101 games played. UW-River Falls (14-9-4, 9-4-2) returns their top six scorers and 84 percent of their scoring from the 2007 season. Joe Cranston, who is the only coach the Falcons have had, will have to work with a young crew, especially in net where two of the team’s three goalies are freshmen. Last season, the NCHA had three freshman on the all-league team, two of them from River Falls – forwards Cassie LeBlanc and Stefanie Schmitz. Lake Forest (11-7-7, 5-4-6) looks to build on its third place finish in the NCHA tournament. The Foresters return seven of their top eight scorers from 2006-07, including Courtney DeHoey, who broke her own school record with 31 points and 31 USCHO All-American West honors. Also returning si goalie Ryann McCarthy, who ranked seventh in the nation in save percentage and led the NCHA in that category during league play. Finlandia (4-19-2, 0-14-1) returns 16 letterwinners, including goalie Corinne Czekaj, who posted an GAA of 3.21, and their leading scorer, Sara Sleik, who scored 14 goals. UW-Eau Claire (13-10-2, 6-7-2) will be a very young team with only a handful of returning players. The biggest challenge this year will be for the upperclassmen, which includes no seniors, to provide leadership and direction for a strong group of freshmen. Concordia will make their varsity debut this season under coach Jim Ingman, who was an assistant coach at Division I Bemidji State. In the first USCHO.com Division III women's poll, Stevens Point was picked seventh, UW-Superior ninth and UW-River Falls 10th. 2007-08 NCHA Preseason Coaches Poll St. Norbert
gets the nod in men's preseason coaches poll St. Paul, Minn. (October 18, 2007) - With last year's NCHA regular season standings ending in a three-way tie between St. Norbert, UW-River Falls and UW-Stout, it is not surprising that coaches had different opinions when it came to casting their votes in the annual coaches' preseason poll. St. Norbert (25-4-2, 10-3-1) was picked to win their seventh consecutive NCHA title, but the votes were split. St. Norbert received four first place votes. River Falls (21-6-2, 10-3-1) and UW-Superior (20-6-1, 9-4-1) each received a first place vote and upstart St. Scholastica (15-12-2, 6-7-1) got the other two first place markers. But when all of the other votes figured in, River Falls ranked second, Stout (21-5-2, 10-3-1) third, St Scholastica fourth, Superior fifth, UW-Eau Claire (9-14-4, 2-9-3) sixth, UW-Stevens Point (7-18-2, 3-10-1) seventh and Lake Forest College (3-21-3, 0-11-3) eighth. St. Norbert has won NCHA regular season championships in nine of the last 11 years, and will be itching to get back to the NCAA Division III Championships. The Green Knights were eliminated in the semi-finals by eventual national Oswego State, 4-3, in overtime. St. Norbert returns 13 letterwinners from last year's squad, but has 12 freshmen on its roster. Kyle Jones returns for his final year between the pipes and is the NCAA Division III career leader in shutouts with 15. With 66 career wins, Jones is seven wins shy of breaking the all-time Division III record of 72 by Plattsburgh State's Rick Strack from 1978-81. NCHA player of the year TJ Dahl returns to lead River Falls as the Falcons return their top four scorers and 82 percent of their scoring. It will be all new faces in the goal for the Falcons. Gone is AJ Bucchino and every other goalie from last year's roster. Forward Derek Hansberry and defenseman Jim Henkemeyer join Dahl as returning All-Americans. Stout returns four of their top scorers, and two of them are sophomores - Scott Motz and Derek Hanson return as the Blue Devils top scorers. Senior captains Luke Schroeder and Jake Erickson also return. The goal will be in good shape as Stout lists four goalies, including All-American Mike Stone. Stout last season posted their best-ever overall and NCHA records and also had a 14 game winning streak as they were in first place from the first game to the last. St. Scholastica returns to play after making the NCHA finals for the first time, falling to St. Norbert, 3-0. The Saints should be in good shape with the vast majority of the team returning. The Saints graduated only two players, both defensemen, so they return all leading scorers including TJ Tucker and Trevor Geiger and their three goalies. Superior returns their top three scorers in Bradon Desmet, Chris Berry and Corey Stark. The Yellowjackets will be experience d on the defensive end as well, with seven defensemen returning, including All-American Derek Paige. Special teams play must be a key to Superior's season. Eau Claire returns their top four scorers in Sean Garrity, Greg Peterson, Jesse Vesel and Andrew Johnson, and have eight returning juniors and one returning senior. The Blugolds need to replace Ryan Mensing in the goal. Sophomore Tyler Brigl went 3-0-1 last season, but clocked only 282 minutes. Mike Gatzke saw no playing time. Stevens Point will look to first year coach Wil Nichol to turn the ship around. Nichol was a team captain for Stevens Point in 1998 when the Pointers were the NCAA Division III runner-up. Sean Fish returns as the Pointers' leading scorer (13-15-28). Marcus Paulson returns in the goal. Lake Forest looks to regain the form that had the Foresters in the Peter Cup semi-finals three years in a row from 2004-06. Mike Kneeland returns as the Foresters top scoring threat. Kneeland has 53 points in just 42 career games. The goalie tandem of Brandon Kohuch and Scott Campbell than 91 percent of shots on goal over the last two seasons.
1. St. Norbert College (4) 25-4-2, 10-3-1 2. UW-River Falls (1) 21-6-2, 10-3-1 3. UW-Stout 21-5-2, 10-3-1 4. College of St. Scholastica (2) 15-12-2, 6-7-1 5. UW-Superior (1) 20-6-1, 9-4-1 6. UW-Eau Claire 9-14-4, 2-9-3 7. UW-Stevens Point 7-18-2, 3-10-1 8. Lake Forest College 3-21-3, 0-11-3 ( ) first place votes
Four NCHA
men's teams in Top 15 of first poll St. Paul, Minn. (October 16, 2007) - Four NCHA men's teams, and all three 2006-07 tri-champions, were listed in the first USCHO.com Division III men's poll. St. Norbert, UW-River Falls and UW-Stout, last year's champions, were joined by UW-Superior in the Top 15. St. Norbert, which advanced to the NCAA Division III Men's Ice Hockey Championships, was ranked second, while River Falls was ranked sixth and Stout ranked 12th. Superior was ranked ninth. Defending Division III champion Oswego got the nod as the team to beat, with 18 first place votes. Middlebury got the other first place vote and ranked third. St. Scholastica and UW-Stevens Point received votes. The NCHA men's schedule opens Friday, Oct. 26 when Lake Forest College is at MSOE at 7 p.m. and Stout hosts Northland College at 7:30 p.m. River Falls, St. Scholastica and UW-Eau Claire open the following night. St. Norbert gets underway Tuesday, Oct. 30 when they host Lawrence University. Matt Loen named as UW-Eau
Claire interim coach Eau Claire, Wis. (August 24, 2007) - A familiar face will lead the UW-Eau Claire men’s ice hockey team for the 2007-08 season. Matt Loen, who has been an assistant to Luke Strand the past two years, has been named the interim head coach for the upcoming season, Director of Athletics Scott Kilgallon has announced. Strand submitted his resignation last Friday after two years as the Blugold head coach to take an assistant coaching position with the Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League. Like Strand, Loen is a Blugold alum, having played for Ian Perrin in the period from 1991 through 1995. The Spring Lake Park, Minnesota native was the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association Player of the Year for the 1994-95 season. He was a two-time All-NCHA first team pick and also one of only four Blugolds ever named to the American Hockey Coaches Association All-American first team. With that award, he stands in the company of Alex Hicks, Greg Robertson and Mike Schwengler as Blugold AHCA All-Americans. Loen ranks 10th on the school’s all-time scoring list with 120 points on 43 goals and 77 assists. However, he was not a dominant performer until his junior season. In his final two years, he scored 96 points in 54 games including 56 as a senior. That represents the fifth best single season production in school history. Following his Blugold career, Loen spent eight seasons playing professional hockey. He was affiliated with the Madison Monsters and Madison Kodiaks of the UHL, the Milwaukee Admirals of the IHL and the AHL, the Cincinnati Mighty Ducks of the AHL, the Kalamazoo K-Wings of the UHL, the Tacoma Sabercats of the WCHL and the Rockford IceHogs of the UHL. He played over 500 games and compiled over 575 points. He was named the United Hockey League Rookie of the Year in 1995-96 while playing for the Madison Monsters. During his final year as a professional player, he was also an assistant coach with the Rockford IceHogs. He returned to Eau Claire to assist Jean Laforest as a Blugold assistant for one season before helping college teammate Mike Schwengler at Eau Claire Memorial High School during the 2004-05 campaign. He returned to the Blugolds when Strand took over in 2005-06. “In the best interest of our student-athletes and the recruits that Luke and Matt have brought here for the upcoming season, Matt is the right person to move this program forward in the coming year,” said Kilgallon. “I’m very confident in Matt’s coaching ability and his work ethic.” Kilgallon indicated that “A national search for a permanent head coach will begin immediately after the 2007-08 season.”
Blugolds' Luke Strand heads to
Houston Aeros Eau Claire, Wis. (August 22, 2007) - After just two years as the UW-Eau Claire head men’s ice hockey coach, Luke Strand has resigned to take a position with the Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League. Strand will join former Blugold player and coach Troy Ward as one of two assistants with the Aeros under Kevin Constantine who was hired as head coach May 29. Strand, like Ward a former Blugold player and coach himself, has been working at Ward’s Hockey and Sons Camp the past two weeks in Faribault, Minnesota. Ward was named an Aeros’ assistant coach on July 31. He had been on Constantine’s staff with the Pittsburgh Penguins in the late 1990s. Strand replaced Jean LaForest as the Blugolds’ eighth head coach two years ago, and after struggling to a 2-21-4 mark his first season, improved to 9-14-4 this past season. The improvement the team made over the course of last season was evident in the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association playoffs where the Blugolds lost to conference co-champion St. Norbert College, 3-1 and 4-3, in the best of three opening-round series. Strand was a Blugold player from 1993-97 when Ian Perrin was head coach. He then spent two years with the Madison Monsters and one with the Madison Kodiaks as a player before joining the coaching staff at St. Norbert College under head coach Tim Coghlin. Prior to coming to Eau Claire, Strand had a two-year stint as head coach of the Green Bay Gamblers of the United States Hockey League. An Eau Claire native who played his prep hockey under Tom Kuklinski at North High School, Strand is joining an Aeros team that is the primary development affiliate of the Minnesota Wild. The Aeros are in the West Division of the Western Conference of the AHL along with the Chicago Wolves, Iowa Stars, Milwaukee Admirals, Peoria Rivermen, Quad Cities Flames, Rockford IceHogs and San Antonio Rampage. With Strand’s late resignation, Director of
Athletics Scott Kilgallon indicated that the university will move
as quickly as possible to find the best possible replacement for
the Blugold men’s ice hockey squad. Pointers tab Nichol to
lead men's program Stevens Point, Wis. (May 23, 2007) - A national search for the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point men’s ice hockey coach resulted in finding the perfect candidate just four blocks away. Wil Nichol, a former UW-Stevens Point player who has coached the Stevens Point Area Senior High School boys’ hockey team the past two years, has been selected as the fourth coach in the Pointers’ 26-year hockey history. Nichol, 33, takes over a UW-Stevens Point program that has one of the deepest traditions in Division III hockey with four national championships and two runner-up finishes in nine national tournament appearances. “I expect excellence,” Nichol said. “I expect it academically, in the community and on the ice. I will do everything I can to uphold the great tradition of this program and hopefully add to it.” “Based on Wil’s coaching experiences, his passion for Pointer hockey, this university and the Stevens Point community in general, he was a natural choice,” UW-Stevens Point Athletics Director Frank O’Brien said. Nichol was a defenseman for the Pointers from 1994-98 and captained UW-Stevens Point’s NCAA Division III runner-up team in 1998 under former coach Joe Baldarotta, who recently resigned after 16 seasons. Nichol played in all 121 possible career games with the Pointers, totaling five goals and 20 assists. “There’s nothing to describe the feeling I have right now,” said the Madison native, who attended Madison West High School. “It’s a huge honor. To coach at your alma mater, a team that you bled for, a university that you love and a community that you consider home, I don’t know how to put that into words.” Most recently, Nichol coached Stevens Point Area Senior High to a pair of WIAA state tournament appearances and a 46-3 record over two seasons. The Panthers became the first team to complete an undefeated Wisconsin Valley Conference season, accomplishing the feat in both of Nichol’s seasons with 16-0 league records each year. He spent the 1998-99 season as a student assistant coach with the Pointers and completed his degree in English. While at UW-Stevens Point, Nichol received the Chancellor’s Leadership Award and the athletic department’s citizenship award. Nichol was then a graduate assistant coach for two seasons at Miami University (Ohio), earning a master’s degree in Physical Education, Health and Sports Studies. Nichol was an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for one season with the Chicago Steel of the United States Hockey League before assuming head coach and general manager roles for the IMG Academy Midget AAA team in Bradenton, Fla. the following year. He returned to Chicago as the head coach and general manager for two seasons in 2003-05 and became the only rookie coach in USHL history to land league coach of the year honors after taking the Steel from ninth place to their only regular season Eastern Conference title in franchise history. Nichol coached 30 players who went on to play Division I college hockey. He has also served as a head coach and assistant coach at several USA Hockey festivals for select 15, 16 and 17 players. Nichol has assisted with numerous hockey camps, including those at Miami and UW-Stevens Point. Ninnemann named
as women's coach at UW-Stevens Point Stevens Point, Wis. (May 8, 2007) - After leading the UW-Stevens Point women’s hockey team to its second straight NCAA Division III Frozen Four appearance this past March, Ann Ninnemann has been named the school’s full-time head coach. Ninnemann, who coached the 2006-07 season on an interim basis, guided the Pointers to a 20-7-2 overall record and a third place finish at the Frozen Four. UW-Stevens Point was nationally ranked every week during the season and won the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association playoff championships with a dramatic 3-2 double overtime win at UW-Superior. The Pointers also beat second-ranked Gustavus Adolphus 4-1 in the NCAA quarterfinals before eventually defeating Amherst (Mass.) 4-3 in overtime in the national third place game. “Ann did a terrific job this past season and we’re very excited she will be coaching our team on a full-time basis,” UW-Stevens Point athletic director Frank O’Brien said. “Ann is the perfect choice to maintain the high level of success our women’s hockey program has established.” “I’m definitely excited to be back,” Ninnemann said. “I’m comfortable here and I feel like I belong. I learned every day this past season and I’m ready to continue leading this program.” The Pointers have made three Frozen Four appearances in the past four seasons and own one of the best records among all Division III teams over the past six years with a 128-28-13 record since Ninnemann joined the program as a player in 2001-02. “The first year exceeded my expectations, but the whole transition phase was easier than I thought it would be,” Ninnemann said. “I attribute a lot of that to the girls and how hard they worked.” Ninnemann, a Rosemount, Minn. native, was the school’s first women’s hockey All-American in 2001-02 and captained the Pointers for three straight seasons from 2002-05. She totaled 55 goals and 69 assists for 124 points while never missing a game during her career and ranking second all-time in goals and points. The 24-year old Ninnemann was an assistant coach for the Pointers’ national third place team in 2005-06 before accepting the interim position in August. She also is an assistant coach for UW-Stevens Point’s softball team, which is 32-8 overall and qualified for the NCAA Division III tournament.
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Menomonie, Wis.
Menomonie, Wis. (February 25, 2008) - UW-River Falls
forward Jamie Briski (Fr, Chisolm,
Minn/Hibbing-Chisolm) was named the NCHA women's player of
the week after scoring four points over the weekend in a regular
season ending split with UW-Eau Claire.
Menomonie, Wis. (February 18, 2008) - UW-Stevens Point
forward Michelle Sosnowski (Jr, Plainfield, Ill)
led the fourth ranked Pointers to a 5-3 win over Lake Forest and
was named the NCHA women’s player of the week.
Menomonie, Wis. (February 18, 2008) - UW-Eau Claire goalie
Tyler Brigl (So, Eagan, Minn) posted his fourth
straight shutout as the Blugolds defeated UW-Stevens Point and was
named the NCHA player of the week.
Menomonie, Wis. (February 11, 2008) - UW-Stout forward
Nick Klaren (Jr, West St. Paul, Minn) scored two
goals in leading Stout to a 3-3 tie with top-ranked St. Norbert and
was named the NCHA player of the week.
Menomonie, Wis. (February 4, 2008) - UW-Stevens Point
forward Katy Lankey (Sr, Baraboo, Wis) tallied
three goals and an assist and was named the NCHA women's player of
the week.
Menomonie, Wis. (January 29, 2008) - UW-Stout defenseman
Jeff DeFrancesca (Sr, Mt. Prospect, Ill) was one
of eight finalists for the Hockey Humanitarian Award, presented by
BNY Mellon Wealth Management. The award is presented annually to
college hockey’s finest citizen.
Menomonie, Wis. (January 28, 2008) - UW-Eau Claire forward
Kristin Faber (Fr, Austin, Minn) tied an NCAA
Division III record when she scored two shorthanded goals in a game
last weekend and was named the NCHA women's player of the
week.
Menomonie, Wis. (January 28, 2008) - UW-Stevens Point
forward Pat Lee (So, Schaumberg, Ill) scored two
goals in the Pointers’ 4-2 win over Lake Forest and was named
the NCHA player of the week.
Menomonie, Wis. (January 21, 2008) - Finlandia University
forward Brenda Peterson (Sr, Calumet, Mich) racked
up five points in two wins over the weekend and was named the NCHA
women's player of the week.
Menomonie, Wis. (January 21, 2008) - UW-River Falls
forward Patrick Borgestad (Sr, St. Paul, Minn)
scored two goals in the Falcons’ 4-3 win at rival UW-Stout
and was named the NCHA player of the week for the second time this
season.
Menomonie, Wis. (January 14, 2008) - St. Norbert forward
Matt Boyd (So, St. Albert, Alberta, Canada) had a
five point weekend in the Green Knights’ two overtime wins
this weekend and was named the NCHA player of the week.
Menomonie, Wis. (January 7, 2008) - UW-Stevens Point
goalie Tom Speer (Fr, Janesville, Wis/James
Madison) has allowed only two goals over the last three
games and recorded his fourth shutout of the season in going 2-0-1
and was named the NCHA player of the week.
Menomonie, Wis. (December 17, 2007) - UW-River Falls
forward Jenna Scanlon (Sr, Apple Valley, Minn)
helped the Falcons extend their winning streak to four games last
week and was named the NCHA women's player of the week.
Menomonie, Wis. (December 10, 2007) - UW-River Falls
forward Cassie LeBlanc (So, Anoka, Minn) helped
the Falcons to two NCHA home wins last weekend and was named the
NCHA women's player of the week.
Menomonie, Wis. (December 10, 2007) - St. Norbert forward
Marc Belanger (Sr, Nanaimo, BC) scored three goals
on the weekend over two top five ranked teams and was named the
NCHA men's player of the week.
Menomonie, Wis. (December 3, 2007) - UW-Superior forward
Shana Katz (Fr, San Jose, Calif) scored eight
points in two games over the weekend and was named the NCHA women's
player of the week.
Menomonie, Wis. (December 3, 2007) - St. Scholastica
forward Jordan Chong (So, North Vancouver, BC)
scored three of the Saints' four goals on the weekend and was named
the NCHA men's player of the week.
Menomonie, Wis. (November 26, 2007) - UW-Stout forward
Joel Gaulrapp (So, Owatonna, Minn) scored two
goals in the third period to give the Blue Devils a tie with St.
Thomas last week. Gaulrapp was named the NCHA player of the week
for the second time this season.
Menomonie, Wis. (November 12, 2007) - Finlandia University
forward Katelyn McLean (Fr, Houghton, Mich) was
named the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) women's
player of the week after scoring four goals and three assists as
the Lions split a pair of games with Hamline
University.
Menomonie, Wis. (November 12, 2007) - While it is unusual
for a goalie to get an assist, it is not uncommon, but UW-Stevens
Point's Marcus Paulson (Jr, Eden Prairie, Minn)
made it ridiculous when he was credited with three assists in a 4-2
win at 10th ranked St. Thomas, Nov. 9. And, by the way, Paulson
also made 39 saves, including 17 in the third period to stash away
the win. Paulson has been named the Northern Collegiate Hockey
Association (NCHA) player of the week.
Menomonie, Wis. (November 5, 2007) - Finlandia University
goalie Annika Danielson (So, Cokato, Minn) was
named the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association (NCHA) women's
player of the week after leading the Lions to two shuout wins last
weekend.
Menomonie, Wis. (November 5, 2007) - Forward
Dustin Norman (Jr, South Delta, B.C.) scored five
goals in UW-River Falls' 7-0 win over Augsburg on Friday and a 5-4
win over Hamline on Saturday. Against Augsburg, Norman recorded his
first career hat trick. He scored a goal in each period including
the game-winner in the first period and was named the Northern
Collegiate Hockey Association's (NCHA) player of the
week.
