INCH UPDATE DESK

May 18, 2008
Alaska Tabs Alum Ferguson For Coaching Post

Alaska stayed in-house in its search for a new coach, selecting Dallas Ferguson as the replacement for Doc DelCastillo, who resigned last month after just one season with the Nanooks. Ferguson had assumed interim head coaching duties in the interim.

"This program is very special to me for obvious reasons," said Ferguson, a Wainwright, Alberta, native and four-year letterwinner on defense at Alaska from 1992-96. "I want everyone to know that every last ounce of energy that I have will be put towards this program to make it successful and to make the community, the university and its alumni proud."

Ferguson spent the last four seasons as a Nanooks assistant, the first three under then bench boss Tavis MacMillan. Prior to returning to his alma mater, Ferguson was an assistant coach for the North American Hockey League's Fairbanks Ice Dogs. He also spent four seasons playing professionally.

“I think if he’s given a chance to coach the way he wants to coach, good things are going to happen,” forward Dion Knelsen, who served as a member of the Alaska search committee, told Danny Martin of the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.

May 18, 2008
Bowling Green, Miami Assistants Moving On

Two CCHA programs in addition to Alaska are in the market for assistant coaches. Bowling Green assistant Doug Schueller last week was named head coach at St. John's (Minn.) University. He replaces former Minnesota Duluth standout and 1980 U.S. Olympic hockey team member John Harrington, who left to take a similar post with HC Ambri-Piotta of the Swiss National League. Schueller, who played defense for BGSU from 1997-2001, served under coach Scott Paluch for two seasons.

On the same day St. John's hired Schueller, Miami assistant Jeff Blashill was named head coach and general manager of the United States Hockey League's Indiana Ice. Blashill, a former Ferris State goaltender, spent five seasons in Oxford as an aide to RedHawk coach Enrico Blasi. Prior to his stint with Miami, the Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., native was an assistant at his alma mater for four seasons.

May 13, 2008
Oshie Leaves North Dakota, Signs With St. Louis

North Dakota forward T.J. Oshie has decided to forgo his final season of college eligibility by signing a three-year contract with the St. Louis Blues Tuesday.

"I've never been so excited to lift weights," Oshie told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch's Jeremy Rutherford. "I want to come into camp in the best shape I've been in. Right now, I've only signed a piece of paper. Hopefully I'll have a good summer and have something to show for my signature."

A first-team All-American and Hobey Baker Award finalist in 2008, Oshie led the Fighting Sioux and ranked tied for second in the WCHA in scoring with 45 points in 42 games. In his three seasons at North Dakota, he helped his team to three NCAA Frozen Four appearances and one conference playoff title. During his career, the Warroad, Minn., product scored scored 142 points (59 goals, 83 assists) in 129 career games.

The Blues drafted Oshie in the first round with the 24th overall pick in the 2005 NHL entry draft.

May 6, 2008
BC's Gerbe Signs with Buffalo Sabres

Forward Nathan Gerbe, the nation's leading scorer who this past season led Boston College to the school's third NCAA championship, will skip his final year with the Eagles to sign with the Buffalo Sabres.

Gerbe, an Oxford, Mich., native, scored 133 points (71 goals, 62 assists) in 123 career games for BC, During his recently completed junior season, Gerbe scored 35 goals and added 33 assists for 68 points in 43 games. The first-team All-American selection and 2008 Hobey Baker Award finalist earned Frozen Four Most Outstanding Player honors last month after scoring five goals and adding three assists in the Eagles' wins against North Dakota and Notre Dame.

"We’re very excited for Nathan and his decision to pursue his hockey career with the Buffalo Sabres,” Boston College coach Jerry York said in a prepared statement. “He has had a tremendous influence on our university and, in particular, our team."

The Sabres drafted Gerbe in the fifth round with the 145th overall pick in the 2005 NHL entry draft.

May 1, 2008
Peters announces retirement as CHA commissioner

A season of upheaval for College Hockey America — which started last September when Wayne State announced it was dropping its varsity men's program at the conclusion of the 2007-08 campaign — continued Thursday when commissioner R.H. "Bob" Peters announced his retirement effective June 30.

Peters, who has held the CHA post since 2002, will be replaced by athletic directors from two of the conference's member schools. Niagara's Ed McLaughlin will oversee the men's league on an interim basis, while Mercyhurst's Craig Barnett will do the same for the women's circuit.

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