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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