There are two major changes to the NEHC this season — one by addition, one by subtraction. For the first time since the mid-1990s, Norwich heads into a season without Mike McShane (Wakefield, Mass.) behind its bench, after the legendary coach with four national championships to his name retired in … [Read more...]
NESCAC 2018-19 season preview
There had never been a season quite like last year’s in the NESCAC. The next six teams after first-place Trinity — Connecticut College, Amherst, Hamilton, Wesleyan, Colby and Williams — all finished within three points of each other. That set up a super-competitive conference tournament, one … [Read more...]
MASCAC 2018-19 season preview
Two straight regular-season titles for Plymouth State. Two straight playoff disappointments. Is this the season the Panthers (19-5-2) can translate their winter success to a run through the MASCAC tournament and a trip back to the NCAAs? They hope so, but they’re not standing pat. Things look … [Read more...]
The Playmakers: Top-end talent returns to New England’s D3 hockey scene
Nick DiNicola knew he was going to get hit. It was the third period of last year’s MASCAC championship game, and his Fitchburg State team was cradling a 1-0 lead over UMass Dartmouth, hoping to become the first team in program history to earn a bid to the NCAA tournament. Before bracing for contact, … [Read more...]
D3 Men: After Salve Regina’s dream run, crowded top emerges in CCC
One bounce. That’s all was needed last year to turn an exceptional season by Salve Regina — and, by extension, the entire Commonwealth Coast Conference — into a championship one. When the hockey stopped in Lake Placid, N.Y., Salve Regina had to make peace with being the first team from the … [Read more...]
Deep Dive: Mike McShane reflects on legacy, tenure at Norwich
When Cam Ellsworth was introduced last month as the new coach at Norwich University, he inherited the reins of a program that has set the bar sky-high for achievement in Division 3. Under Mike McShane (Wakefield, Mass.), Norwich is the national standard for prolonged success. His teams won their … [Read more...]