Author Archives: Michael Napier

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UAH can’t get going in 5-1 opening loss at Miami

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UAH dropped its season opener on Saturday, falling 5-1 to Miami in Oxford, Ohio.

Austin Beaulieu scored the lone goal for the Chargers, who will look for adjustments after being outshot 38-18 and allowing eight power plays. Game two of the series is Sunday at 2 p.m. CDT.

BOX SCORE

A familiar face was between the pipes for Miami, as Jordan Uhelski, the Chargers’ top netminder the last two seasons, made his first start for the RedHawks as a graduate transfer. It was the first time UAH faced a former Charger.

Uhelski stopped 17 of 18 shots as Miami starts the season 1-0-0.

After a few minutes of feeling each other out, three goals were scored in short order.

Miami started the scoring with a goal at 4:48, as Carter Johnson took the puck down the right side and beat UAH sophomore goaltender Mark Sinclair, who made a career-high 33 saves.

The Chargers responded 60 seconds later. Beaulieu scored UAH’s first goal of the season with a right-wing blast by Uhelski, assisted by Cam Knight and Kurt Gosselin.

The RedHawks regained the lead at 6:30, as Karch Bachman capitalized on a Charger turnover, slipping the puck past an extended Sinclair.

Most of the action was in the Charger end, compounded by three UAH penalties. However, all three were killed to keep UAH in the game after one period.

Things got desperate for UAH early in the second period. Three minutes in, Johnson had a breakaway opportunity for Miami, and Gosselin in pursuit laid a hard hit to Johnson’s head with his shoulder. Gosselin was assessed a game misconduct penalty as Johnson needed a few moments to get up.

Update (11 a.m. 10/7/18): Gosselin has been suspended one game by the WCHA for the contact to the head penalty. He’ll miss Sunday’s game against Miami.

The RedHawks went up 3-1 on the ensuing major power play when Gordie Green put in a rebound at the 4:42 mark.

The Chargers withstood the rest of the penalty, and finally got their first power play. UAH was able to put some pressure on Uhelski in the second period, getting 10 shots on goal, but couldn’t put a dent in the deficit.

UAH couldn’t convert a power play early in the third period, finishing 0-for-2 with the advantage for the night. The Chargers could only muster four shots on goal in the final frame.

With 9:46 remaining, the RedHawks put the game away at 4-1 with a right-point blast by Derek Daschke. Miami added a Grant Hutton goal with 3:06 to go for the final 5-1 score.

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Preview: UAH at Miami

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Where:  Cady Arena, Goggin Ice Center, Oxford, Ohio
When: Saturday, 6:05 p.m. CDT; Sunday, 2 p.m. CDT
Watch: NCHC.tv (subscription required*)

* If you are considering ordering NCHC.tv, consider getting the conference monthly pass. That will include UAH’s games at Colorado College and Denver next weekend.

Charger update: UAH begins its 40th season of hockey with a two-game series at its closest Division I opponent, Miami. It is the Chargers’ 34th season as a varsity program, 20th in the modern Division I era, and sixth in the WCHA.

Last season, UAH had its most wins in eight years, finishing 12-18-13. The Chargers had their best season in the WCHA so far, going 10-16-2 to finish in seventh place. They lost in the WCHA quarterfinals to Northern Michigan in three games, earning their first WCHA playoff win in Game 2.

The Chargers will be trying to win their season opener for only the second time in nine years. The first time was two years ago, when UAH went to Ferris State and swept the Bulldogs in a WCHA series.

UAH will be rolling with senior leadership and an experienced group of defensemen this season, while the offense and goaltending try to step up. Read more in our season preview.

Players to watch (with 2017-18 statistics):
Kurt Gosselin (D, Sr., 5-11-16)
Christian Rajic (F, So., 9-6-15)
Madison Dunn (F, Sr., 5-10-15)
Hans Gorowsky (F, Sr., 5-7-12)
Cam Knight (D, Sr., 0-11-11)
Mark Sinclair (G, So., 3.67 GAA, .876 SV% in 7 GP)
Jake Theut (G, Sr., transfer from Northeastern)

About the RedHawks: Miami had an overall record of 12-20-5 last season. The Redhawks finished last in the eight-team NCHC at 6-14-4, losing in the NCHC quarterfinals in three games to top seed St. Cloud State.

According to the NCHC media preseason poll, Miami is not expected to move up in the standings.

There is one familiar face on the Redhawks’ roster: Jordan Uhelski, who played 32 games at goaltender for UAH last season, transferred to Miami as a graduate. Uhelski was second in UAH’s Division I era (fifth all-time) in goals against average (2.94) and fourth in the D-I era (sixth all-time) in save percentage (.906).

Players to watch (with 2017-18 statistics):
Gordie Green (F, Jr., 15 goals-18 assists-33 points)
Josh Melnick (F, Sr., 10-19-29)
Grant Hutton (D, Sr., 13-14-27)
Ryan Larkin (G, Jr., 3.12 GAA, .886 SV% in 36 GP)

Series notes

Overall: Miami leads 8-1-0.
At Miami: Miami leads 6-0-0.
Streak: Miami has won the last eight meetings.
First meeting: Oct. 26-27, 1988 in Huntsville. UAH won 5-3, Miami won 7-5.
Last meeting: Feb. 10-11, 2012 in Oxford. Miami won 3-1 and 4-1.

This week in the WCHA: All times are Central. All WCHA home games can be seen on FloHockey.tv.

Saturday, Oct. 6
UAH at Miami, 6:05 p.m.
USA Under-18 Team at Ferris State (exhibition), 4:07 p.m.
Lake Superior State at Merrimack, 6 p.m.
Bowling Green at Mercyhurst, 6:05 p.m.
Lakehead at Bemidji State (exhibition), 6:07 p.m.
Mount Royal at #10 Minnesota State (exhibition), 7:07 p.m.
Alaska at Arizona State, 9:05 p.m.
Colorado College at Alaska Anchorage, 10:05 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 7
UAH at Miami, 2 p.m.
Lethbridge at Ferris State (exhibition), 2:07 p.m.
Lake Superior State at Merrimack, 3 p.m.
Alaska at Arizona State, 5 p.m.
Colorado College at Alaska Anchorage, 7:07 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 9
Bowling Green at #19 Western Michigan, 6:05 p.m.

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Season preview: Chargers look to senior leadership

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The Chargers are coming off another season of growth, reaching 12 overall wins for the first time in eight years. They had their best finish in the WCHA standings, seventh place, and took second-seeded Northern Michigan to three games in the quarterfinals.

“We took good strides last year,” UAH head coach Mike Corbett said. “We’ve continued to make strides in my time here, little by little. Sometimes it’s not as fast as you want it to go, but I think we continue to take positive strides and that’s what we’re looking to do again this year.”

UAH will take the next step in 2018-19, right?

It won’t be easy. The preseason polls have UAH holding steady at best and missing the playoffs (albeit barely) at worst. That’s not stopping Corbett, who enters his sixth season at the helm, from being excited about this year’s team.

“What I really like about our team right now is our leadership group,” Corbett said. “We have John Teets and Kurt Gosselin and Madison Dunn and Hans Gorowsky as our big leadership group as four seniors as four players that we’re going to rely on heavily moving forward. That group has really done a good job all summer.

“We had more guys stay this summer than we have in past years. Those guys did a very good job over the offseason and their training and getting our group all on the same page.”

Here’s a look at the 2018-19 University of Alabama in Huntsville Chargers.

Mark Sinclair

Mark Sinclair (Photo by Doug Eagan/UAH Athletics)

Goaltending

It’s unclear who will be between the pipes when the Chargers open the season Saturday at Miami. Currently, UAH’s two best options are sophomore Mark Sinclair and senior Jake Theut, a graduate transfer from Northeastern.

“Those are going to be our two guys who are going to be battling for playing time,” Corbett said. “Both unproven for the most part, but I have confidence in both of them.”

Sinclair played in seven games last season, starting five, as a backup to Jordan Uhelski (who is now at Miami as a graduate transfer). Sinclair had a 3.67 goals against average and .876 save percentage.

“Sinclair didn’t necessarily have great numbers last year, but as a sophomore he does know what it’s like to be in the WCHA,” Corbett said.

Theut played in only 74 minutes in five games over two seasons at Northeastern. He did get a shutout in his lone start.

“Jake’s a kid who comes in from Northeastern, coming from a winning program, roommates with the Hobey Baker Award winner last year [Adam Gaudette],” Corbett said. “He knows what it is and he brings a very unique perspective into our program, and that’s really helped our guys throughout the preseason. He’s a vocal guy and a good leader in himself.”

UAH’s third goaltender is sophomore Josh Astorino, who did not see playing time last season.

Madison Dunn

Madison Dunn (Photo by Todd Thompson / RiverCat Photography)

Offense

The Chargers were still not one of the more prolific scoring teams last season, finishing seventh in league play at 2.46 goals per game. And that was with the breakout performance of Josh Kestner, who tied UAH’s modern Division I era record for goals in a season with 24.

Kestner and Tyler Poulsen, who had 26 points in 2017-18, are gone, begging the question: Who will be the Chargers’ primary threats with the puck?

“We have to turn around and see who’s going to be to pick up that slack,” Corbett said. “Up front, it’s going to be a little bit by committee. Hans Gorowsky, Madison Dunn, and Christian Rajic have to take their game to another step, another level.”

Gorowsky and Dunn are the senior leaders up front. Each scored five goals last season. Dunn pitched in 10 assists, while Gorowsky showed his mettle on special teams. Rajic scored nine goals in his freshman campaign, including a hat trick against Lake Superior.

However, everyone will be expected to increase production in some way, according to Corbett. “The guys who got five, need to get eight. The guys who got eight, need to get ten. I want four lines that are going to look the same, and just come at you in waves. It’s going to be all 20, 21 guys being able to contribute and being very hard to play against.”

Adam Wilcox, who scored a couple of goals last season, is the third senior forward. Two juniors, Austin Beaulieu and Brandon Salerno, combined for five goals in 2017-18. In addition to Rajic, there are three sophomores: Andrew Dodson (only played 18 games because of injury), Connor Merkley (two goals), Connor Wood (three assists), and Levi Wunder (two goals).

“The guys coming back, as much as I like them, it’s tough to get points, it’s tough to score goals in our league, and eventually, you’re going to need goals to be able to win games,” Corbett said. “We’re a little bit unproven as far as a consistent, point-producer and who’s going to be that go-to guy for us.”

UAH has four freshmen forwards who could make immediate impacts. Bauer Neudecker comes to Huntsville after a strong second half to last season in the USHL at Sioux City (20 points in 36 games following a trade). Jack Jeffers had 79 points at Markham (OJHL). Tyr Thompson had 46 points in 54 regular-season games at Whitecourt (AJHL). Ben Allen had seven goals and seven assists in 16 games following a trade to Melfort (SJHL).

Kurt Gosselin

Kurt Gosselin (Photo by Todd Thompson/RiverCat Photography)

Defense

While the offense and goaltending are unproven, the defense has plenty of experience. UAH was seventh in the WCHA in goals allowed (3.27 per game) in 2017-18, nearly a half-goal improvement over the year prior.

“We have Kurt Gosselin, who I believe can be an all-league player, John Teets, and Cam Knight, three senior defensemen who are a big part of our program,” Corbett said. “That’s where our experience is on the back line. You have guys like Sean Rappleyea and Connor James who are ready to make a step. We could have five upperclassmen in our six or seven if we choose to do that moving forward into our first weekend.”

Gosselin was UAH’s first all-league selection in 2016-17, earning third-team All-WCHA honors. That season, he showed he can be a threat from the blue line, scoring nine goals to lead the team. Gosselin has 16 career goals at UAH, fifth in the modern Division I era for defensemen, and six more goals would put him on top in that category. He comes into 2018-19 as UAH’s active leading scorer with 43 points.

The team’s second active leading scorer is Knight with 35. He and Gosselin led the Chargers in defenseman assists last year with 11.

Teets blocked 48 shots last season, second only to Gosselin’s 55. UAH was second in the WCHA in blocked shots last year.

Rappleyea and James are juniors. James played in 16 games last season, but Rappleyea did not see action (he played 12 games in his freshman year).

Further, the Chargers have a number of freshmen who Corbett will give playing time right away.

“We’ve also brought in some freshman who I think are going to have to contribute,” Corbett said. “I want them to, and I’m going to throw them in there. I’m the type of guy who throws his freshmen right in there. We didn’t bring them in here not to play them. There’s going to be some competition with Drew Lennon, Dayne Finnson, and Bailey Newton. We have some guys who we’re going to really push. I like our depth back there and the competition we’re going to have.”

Simon Chen rounds out the freshman defenseman group. Teddy Rotenberger is the Chargers’ lone sophomore D-man.

Conclusion

According to Corbett, the chances for success this season boil down to preparation and details. Winning the battles in front of the net will be crucial.

“We’re not going to be the biggest team in the WCHA, so we’ve got to have some fight in our game and tough in the blue paint at both ends. If we can do a good job in those areas, we can keep games close, and score those timely goals. Timely goals are going to be the biggest things in the games that we’re playing.”

Last season, the Chargers had an odd and beastly schedule, with long home stands and even longer road trips, including a Bemidji-to-Alaska trip that covered over two weeks. Corbett said that experience will help the team this season.

“That experience that we had last year, of how to take care of ourselves, how to travel — it’s going to be easier. It’s only going to help us moving forward. Compared to last season, it’s going to be a cakewalk and our boys can handle it pretty good.”

UAH will have a more reasonable schedule this time, with a solo trip to Alaska and no home stand or road swing longer than six games. The Chargers look to take that next positive stride beginning this Saturday and Sunday at Miami (Ohio). The home opening series is Oct. 19 and 20 against Arizona State, followed by the start of WCHA play Oct. 26 and 27 against Lake Superior State at the Von Braun Center.

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Chargers picked 7th and 9th in WCHA preseason polls

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UAH is picked to finish ninth in the WCHA according to the preseason coaches’ poll, while the media expects the Chargers to finish seventh again. The polls were released during Monday’s WCHA preseason media call.

Despite the tempered expectations for the Chargers, head coach Mike Corbett likes what he’s seen so far from his team.

“Sometimes progress is never as fast as you want, but we’re looking to continue taking positive strides for our program this year,” Chargers head coach Mike Corbett said. “I’m excited for our group moving forward.”

Corbett cited a leadership group of defensemen Kurt Gosselin (who was third-team all-WCHA in 2017 and received votes for preseason all-WCHA in media poll) and John Teets, and forwards Madison Dunn and Hans Gorowsky. Corbett said more players stayed in Huntsville this summer to prepare than ever before in his tenure, now entering its sixth season.

The questions for UAH are the goaltending, which will be unproven to start, and who will pick up the slack offensively with the departures of Josh Kester (24 goals) and Tyler Poulsen, who “always had timely points that are important in our league,” Corbett said.

Corbett has confidence in the goaltenders who will vie for the No. 1 spot left by Jordan Uhelski, who is now a graduate transfer at Miami. Mark Sinclair played seven games as a freshman last season, and Jake Theut is a graduate transfer from Northeastern.

Timeliness of goals will be crucial for the Chargers to exceed expectations and continue to climb the WCHA standings, according to Corbett.  “It’s going to be attention to detail. We’re a bit unproven on who’s going to score and stop the puck. We have to win battles in front of the nets, we have to have some fight in our game. Timely goals will be the biggest thing.”

UAH begins the 2018-19 season on Oct. 6-7 at Miami. The Chargers have their home opening series Oct. 19-20 against Arizona State.

Minnesota State is picked to win the MacNaughton Cup again in both polls. The Mavericks took seven of the first-place votes by the coaches, with Northern Michigan getting two votes and Michigan Tech one.

The votes were more split in the media poll, with MSU taking 13 of 19 first-place votes, Northern Michigan five, and Bowling Green one. Although NMU took the second-most first-place votes, the Wildcats finished third overall in the media poll.

The media poll was conducted by Geof Morris of UAHHockey.com. The coaches’ poll was conducted by Shane Frederick of the Mankato Free Press.

Three WCHA teams are ranked in the USCHO.com preseason poll. Minnesota State starts the season 10th, with Michigan Tech 18th and Northern Michigan 20th.

2018-19 UAHHockey.com WCHA Preseason Media Poll
First-place votes in parentheses.

  1. Minnesota State (13), 182 points
  2. Bowling Green (1), 159
  3. Northern Michigan (5), 150
  4. Michigan Tech, 133
  5. Bemidji State, 110
  6. Ferris State, 102
  7. UAH, 69
  8. Lake Superior State, 57
  9. Alaska, 47
  10. Alaska Anchorage, 28

Preseason WCHA Player of the Year
Troy Loggins, Sr., F, Northern Michigan

Others receiving votes: Jake Jaremko, So., F, Minnesota State; Marc Michaelis, Jr., F, Minnesota State; Adam Rockwood, Sr., F, Northern Michigan; Atte Tolvanen, Sr., G, Northern Michigan.

Preseason All-WCHA First Team
Marc Michaelis, Jr., F, Minnesota State
Jake Jaremko, Fr., F, Minnesota State
Troy Loggins, Sr., F, Northern Michigan
Alec Rauhauser, Jr., D, Bowling Green
Philip Beaulieu, Jr., D, Northern Michigan
Atte Tolvanen, Sr., G, Northern Michigan

Preseason All-WCHA Second Team
Adam Rockwood, Sr., F, Northern Michigan
Jake Lucchini, Sr., F, Michigan Tech
Darien Craighead, Jr., F, Northern Michigan (tie)
Brandon Kruse, So., F, Bowling Green (tie)
Parker Tuomie, Jr., F, Minnesota State (tie)
Ian Scheid, Jr., D, Minnesota State
Chris Pohlkamp, Sr., D, Bowling Green
Ryan Bednard, Jr., G, Bowling Green

Others receiving votes (listed alphabetically by position): Forwards – Stephen Baylis, Sr., Bowling Green; Jay Dickman, Sr., Bemidji State; Gavin Gould, Jr., Michigan Tech; Jake Jackson, Sr., Michigan Tech; Steven Jandric, So., Alaska; Reggie Lutz, So., Minnesota State; Corey Mackin, Sr., Ferris State. Defensemen – Justin Baudry, Sr., Bemidji State; Kurt Gosselin, Sr., Alabama Huntsville; Ryker Killins, Sr., Ferris State; Mitch Meek, So., Michigan Tech; Nolan Nicholas, Jr., Alaska Anchorage. Goaltenders – Zach Driscoll, So., Bemidji State; Nick Kossoff, Sr., Lake Superior State.


2018-19 Mankato Free Press WCHA Preseason Coaches’ Poll
First-place votes in parentheses.

  1. Minnesota State (7), 88 points
  2. Northern Michigan (2), 80
  3. Bowling Green, 76
  4. Michigan Tech (1), 64
  5. Bemidji State, 54
  6. Ferris State, 49
  7. Lake Superior State, 40
  8. Alaska, 36
  9. UAH, 35
  10. Alaska Anchorage 18

WCHA Preseason Player of the Year
Adam Rockwood, Sr., F, Northern Michigan (4)

Others receiving votes: Jake Jaremko, So., F, Minnesota State (3); Marc Michaelis, Jr., F, Minnesota State (2); Troy Loggins, Sr. F, Northern Michigan (1).

WCHA Preseason Rookie of the Year
Cooper Zech, D, Ferris State (5)

Others receiving votes: Dryden McKay, G, Minnesota State (2); Griffin Loughran, F, Northern Michigan (1); Tim Theocharidis, D, Bowling Green (1); Chris Van Os-Shaw, F, Minnesota State (1).

Preseason All-WCHA Team
Adam Rockwood, Sr., F, Northern Michigan
Marc Michaelis, So., F, Minnesota State
Troy Loggins, Sr., F, Northern Michigan
Alec Rauhauser, Jr., D, Bowling Green
Philip Beaulieu, Jr., D, Northern Michigan
Atte Tolvanen, Sr., G, Northern Michigan

Others receiving votes (listed alphabetically by position): Forwards – Jake Jaremko, So., Minnesota State; Brandon Kruse, So., Bowling Green; Jake Lucchini, Sr., Michigan Tech; Corey Mackin, Sr., Ferris State. Defensemen – Ryker Killins, Sr., Ferris State; Connor Mackey, So., Minnesota State; Ian Scheid, Jr., Minnesota State. Goaltender – Ryan Bednard, Jr., Bowling Green.
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Hoof Beats: Roster breakdown and pro update

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The Chargers have announced the 10 newcomers to the program last week, bringing the total roster to 28 players for the 2018-19 season as preseason practice gets under way.

The newcomers feature eight freshmen and two transfers — Jake Theut from Northeastern and Jesper Öhrvall from Rensselaer — to make up for the nine players lost from last season’s team.

The roster consists of 15 forwards, 10 defensemen, and three goaltenders. The classes are somewhat balanced, with eight seniors, four juniors, eight sophomores, and eight freshmen.

The Chargers return 56 percent of points scored from last season. The top returning point scorer is senior defenseman Kurt Gosselin (16 in 2017-18). The top returning goal scorer is sophomore Christian Rajic, who had nine.

Mark Sinclair, a sophomore, is the only returning goaltender that saw action last season, posting a 3.67 goals against and .876 save percentage, but seeing improvement over the seven games he played. Theut played in two games last season for Northeastern last year.

Pro update: Here’s a rundown of where former Chargers will be applying their wares professionally this season.

Cam Talbot (2007-10) is heading into his sixth NHL season and fourth with Edmonton. Talbot is looking to rebound after posting a below-average goals against average (3.02) and save percentage (.908) last season as the Oilers missed the playoffs.

Josh Kestner (2014-18) earned a contract with the AHL’s Toronto Marlies after his tryout in the spring. After tying a UAH modern Division I-era record with 24 goals last season, he scored a goal in three games with the Marlies.

Tyler Poulsen (2015-18) also got a pro contract after a tryout with the ECHL’s Allen Americans. Poulsen scored a goal for the Americans after a netting 26 points in his final season with the Chargers.

Brennan Saulnier (2014-18) spent three games with the Atlanta Gladiators (ECHL) after scoring nine goals in his senior season at UAH. He signed with the Florida Everblades last month.

Matt Salhany (2013-17) switched ECHL teams for this season. After a goal and two assists in 20 games with South Carolina last season, Salhany signed with the Adirondack Thunder.

Carmine Guerriero (2013-17) is continuing his pro career in France, goaltending for HC Brest. Guerriero split time with five teams in the ECHL last season.

Cody Dion (2010-11) switched teams in the SPHL, signing with the Roanoke Rail Yard Dogs on Aug. 22. Dion spent the bulk of three seasons with Peoria, where he scored 12 regular-season goals and two playoff goals last season.

Cody Campbell (2008-11) is starting his seventh season with Les Ducs d’Angers in France. Last season, he started all 44 games, scoring nine goals and 29 assists for 38 points.

Matti Järvinen (2009-10) is entering his second season with Tappara in his native Finland. He had 23 points in 60 games in the regular season last year and three goals in the playoffs, helping Tappara reach the league championship series again.

Clarke Saunders (2010-12) will play his second season in Slovenia, minding the net again for HDD Jesenice. His club won the Slovenian championship last season. He had a 2.16 goals against average in the regular season and 2.12 GAA in the playoffs.

Latest commitments: The Chargers have secured two commitments for the 2019-20 season.

Adrian Danchenko is a 6-foot-1, 185-pound forward from Palm City, Fla. He played for Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the NAHL the last two seasons, scoring 12 goals in 55 regular-season games last year. He’ll move to the USHL this season, playing for the Dubuque Fighting Saints.

Neutral Zone has Danchenko as a 3.5-star recruit, saying he “has good speed/size combo with vision. Values possession and is tough to defend.”

UAH picked up another 3.5-star goaltender in David Fessenden, who plays for the Northeast Generals of the NAHL. The Parker, Colo., native posted a 3.18 goals against average and .912 save percentage in 35 starts.

Says Neutral Zone: “Huge frame [6-foot-6, 220 pounds] and has consistently improved in the last year. Has faced adversity but has proven resilient. Still a project but has a high ceiling.”

Club team joining SECHC: The new UAH club hockey team will join the South Eastern Collegiate Hockey Conference in the 2019-20 season.

The SECHC is primarily comprised of SEC schools with ACHA Div. III club teams (Arkansas, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vanderbilt), but will be expanding by at least four teams next fall. In addition to UAH, the SECHC has announced that Clemson, Florida State, and Middle Tennessee State will also be joining the league.

Vanderbilt, Middle Tennessee State, Auburn, and Ole Miss are on UAH’s 2018-19 schedule.

For more information on UAH’s club team, visit uahclubhockey.com.

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2018-19 season tickets on sale now

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Season tickets for the 2018-19 UAH hockey campaign are on sale now.

A lower-level, reserved-seat season ticket costs $199 for 16 home games — 14 WCHA conference games and a non-conference series against Arizona State.

FlexTix packages also return for $99. A FlexTix is a booklet of 10 coupons redeemable at the door for individual game tickets at any home game.

Last year’s season ticket holders and Blue Line Club members received renewal brochures last week. The deadline for same-seat season ticket renewals is September 1.

The Blue Line Club is the booster club of UAH hockey. Blue Line Club memberships start at $1,000 and include season tickets, VIP parking at the Von Braun Center, access to the hospitality room and special events, and a tax deduction.

Season tickets and Blue Line Club memberships can be ordered by mailing in the order form or calling 256-UAH-PUCK. Individual game tickets will be available at a later date.

The Chargers have their opening home series on Oct. 19-20 against Arizona State. Special festivities are being planned to celebrate the 40th season of ice hockey at UAH, which began with the original club team that began play in 1979.

The homecoming series is the following weekend, Oct. 26-27 against Lake Superior State to start WCHA play.

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Hoof Beats: OT rules, All American Scholars highlight July

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In case you missed it, here’s a wrap-up of news and notes around UAH and college hockey in July, as the summer off-season drags on.

WCHA gets to keep OT format: The NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panels approved a proposal that will allow conferences to use 3-on-3 and shootout formats after the regular 5-on-5 overtime period to award points in league standings.

This allows the WCHA and NCHC to continue its format of the past two seasons. Each conference game is worth three points, and a game is officially a tie if no one scores during the 5-on-5 overtime, with each team getting a league point. A 5-minute, 3-on-3 sudden death overtime period is played, and if the game is still tied, a sudden death shootout determines which team gets a second league point.

Alternatively, conference may use just a shootout without the 3-on-3 period. The Big Ten uses this format.

Neither format can be used for non-conference games. Only the mandatory five-minute, 5-on-5 overtime is allowed, although 20-minute sudden death overtimes can be used for regular-season tournament games that require a winner.

Earlier this summer, a proposal was pushed to eliminate all formats following the 5-on-5 overtime. Eastern leagues (Hockey East, ECAC, Atlantic Hockey) do not have extra overtime procedures for conference games.

Other NCAA rule updates: The panel also approved the following rule changes:

  • Officials can now review video to determine whether a player may be ejected.
  • Slashing has been redefined: “Any forceful or powerful chop with the stick on an opponent’s body, the opponent’s stick, or on or near the opponent’s hands that, in the judgment of the referee, is not an attempt to play the puck, should be penalized as slashing.”
  • A player coming off the ice must be within five feet of the bench before a substituting player hits the ice.
  • Each team will have one timeout in overtime, regardless of whether a team used its timeout in regulation.
  • Teams can now dress up to 19 skaters, up from 18.
  • A player who catches the puck must place it on the ice for play to continue legally. A minor penalty will be assessed if the player conceals or throws the puck after catching it.
  • Coaches must use a challenge to review goals scored where a potential high stick is involved or if the puck might have touched the netting out of play and leads to a goal.

Beaulieu, Teets named All American Scholars: Sophomore forward Austin Beaulieu and junior defenseman John Teets were named Krampade All American Scholars on Monday by the American Hockey Coaches Association.

All American Scholars earned at least a 3.6 grade-point average each semester and played 40 percent of their school’s games last season. Beaulieu and Teets played all 37 games for the Chargers in 2017-18, each scoring three goals and six assists.

Adeniye commits: Ayodele Adeniye announced his commitment to UAH on July 12. The Columbus, Ohio defenseman is expected to join the Chargers in 2019.

Last season, Adeniye had eight points in 33 games for the Ohio Blue Jackets U18 club. He will play for the Carleton Place Canadians (CCHL), which had current Chargers Andrew Dodson and Connor Merkley and will have UAH commits Peyton Francis and Ryland Mosley.

Neutral Zone has a 3.5-star rating on Adeniye: “[Adeniye] uses his 6’5” frame to defend. Takes good angles and gets sticks on pucks. Hits and hits often. Smart positionally and makes simple outlets. Athletic player with a solid upside. B grade at NHL Cup.”

Schedule changes: Three home games had their start times changed. The Jan. 19 game against Alaska Anchorage will start at 3 p.m., and the Feb. 8-9 series against Northern Michigan will have the puck drop at 6 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Club team schedule released: The re-launched UAH club hockey team released its 2018-19 season schedule on Monday.

The team, which will compete in ACHA Division 3, will play 17 games. The Chargers will play four home games at the Huntsville IcePlex, opening the season on Oct. 26-27 against UAB. UAH will host Middle Tennessee on Feb. 15-16.

Zirnis joins Nanooks as assistant: Alaska is going from one UAH alum to another on its coaching staff. Karlis Zirnis joined the Nanooks as an assistant for first-year head coach Erik Largen.

Zirnis, who scored 119 points for the Chargers from 1999-2003, was most recently the head coach at Shreveport of the NAHL, leading the junior club to the Robertson Cup championship. He coached for his native Latvia at the 2014 and 2015 World championships and at the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi.

Alaska had former Charger Lance West as interim head coach last season and as an assistant coach for nine years prior. West joined Mike Corbett’s staff at UAH in June after Alaska hired Largen as head coach.

West returns to UAH as assistant coach

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Lance West will be back behind the UAH bench this fall, joining Mike Corbett’s staff as an assistant coach, the school announced Monday.

West was the interim head coach at Alaska last season. He was a finalist to be the permanent head coach, but Alaska hired Erik Largen, who was one of West’s assistants. West was an assistant coach at Alaska under Dallas Ferguson for nine seasons prior.

West played for the Chargers from 1991-95, scoring 113 points in 108 games.

After graduating from UAH in 1995, West served as a volunteer assistant for the Chargers from 1995-1998, when the Chargers captured two Division II national championships. He served as an assistant coach under Doug Ross from 2000 to 2007.

West takes the place of Matt Thomas, who was named director and under-18 coach for the Washington Little Capitals.

Quenneville named club team coach: Mike Quenneville, who played and coached for UAH’s varsity program, will be the head coach of the new club hockey team.

Quenneville was a two-time SECHC and ACHA Div. III Coach of the Year for the club team at Alabama, where he was head coach from 2010-16.

Quenneville played for the Chargers from 1987-89, scoring seven goals and 30 points in 53 games. He was an assistant coach for Doug Ross from 1996-98, during UAH’s two NCAA Division II national championships.

The club team is currently raising funds for its first season this fall.

WCHA gets new streaming deal: The WCHA on Monday announced a multiyear partnership with FloSports to stream every game hosted by a WCHA member institution live and on-demand.

FloSports takes the place of Stretch Internet. To watch WCHA games online, a monthly or annual pro subscription to FloHockey.tv will be required.

Hoof Beats: Teets named Academic All-District; hockey fundraisers set

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John Teets

John Teets (UAH Athletics)

John Teets, a junior majoring in finance with a 4.00 GPA, represents UAH on the 2017-18 Academic All-District
Men’s At-Large Team.

The teams are selected by CoSIDA and presented by Google Cloud. Teets made the first team in District 4, which covers Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Puerto Rico, and South Carolina.

First-team Academic All-District honorees advance to the Academic All-America ballot. First- and second-team Academic All-America honorees will be announced in June.

Teets played in all 37 games for the Chargers this season, scoring three goals and six assists for nine points. One of the goals was on a shorthanded breakaway that proved to be the game winner in UAH’s 4-2 win at Michigan Tech on Oct. 21. Teets was third on the team in blocks with 48.

Larson transfers: Jordan Larson, who missed most of the 2017-18 season with an injury, is transferring to Lakehead University in Ontario.

Larson, who is from Fort Frances, Ontario, moves closer to home after playing only 10 games and scoring two assists in his sophomore season. As a freshman in 2016-17, he played in all 34 games, scoring four goals and 11 points.

Larson will have three years of eligibility in CIS (the Canadian equivalent of the NCAA) and will pursue a kinesiology degree.

Frenchy Open set: The 2018 Frenchy Open, the biggest summer fundraiser for the UAH hockey program is set for June 23 at RTJ at Hampton Cove.

The golf outing fundraiser is presented by Maynards Capital Services and The Select Group.

Registration is $150 per individual and $600 per team. Hole sponsorship is $100.

Raffle prizes, door prizes, a registration gift, and hole-in-one prizes will be given away.

For more information, contact director of hockey operations Tim Flynn: 256-824-2485 or tim.flynn@uah.edu.

Club team begins fundraising: The UAH club hockey team is trying to raise funds to compete this coming season.

The club, the first at UAH since the original team was upgraded to varsity in 1985, has created a fundraiser at GoFundMe to receive donations.

The funds are needed for  ice rental, uniforms, travel, and other related costs.

Zirnis’s Mudbugs win title: The Shreveport Mudbugs, coached by UAH alumnus Karlis Zirnis, won the Robertson Cup as NAHL champions on Monday.

The Mudbugs defeated the Minot Minotaurs 2-1 in the championship game in Blaine, Minn. The game featured several players committed to WCHA teams.

Zirnis, who scored 119 points in 133 games at UAH from 1999-2003, finished his second season as the Mudbugs’ head coach.

Chargers’ 2018-19 schedule released with 16 home games; season begins Oct. 6

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Christian Rajic

Christian Rajic and the Chargers open WCHA play against Lake Superior for Homecoming on Oct. 26-27. (Photo by Todd Thompson)

UAH and the WCHA released their 2018-19 schedules on Wednesday. The Chargers will play their 34th varsity season and 40th overall with 36 regular-season games, with 16 at home.

The schedule is much more balanced in terms of home and away than last season’s, which had two long road trips and two long home stands. In addition to the 28-game WCHA schedule, UAH will play eight non-conference games against six opponents.

UAH starts the season at their closest NCAA opponent, Miami, in Oxford, Ohio, on Oct. 6-7. The Chargers last faced the Redhawks toward the end of the 2011-12 season, and in the 2010 NCAA Midwest Regional semifinals before that.

UAH visits two more teams from the NCHC in Colorado the following week. First, the Chargers go to Colorado Springs to take on Colorado College on Oct. 12, then visit Denver to play the Pioneers on Oct. 13. UAH head coach Mike Corbett and assistant coach Gavin Morgan are Denver reached the NCAA tournament last season as NCHC tournament champion.

“Once again we have a very tough non-conference schedule,” Corbett said. “We need to be ready to put ourselves in position to help our league with some non-conference wins.”

The Chargers have their home opening series on Oct. 19-20, hosting Arizona State in a non-conference battle of the Sun Belt. Last season, UAH split a series with the Sun Devils in Tempe. ASU, the newest Division I program, is an independent.

Homecoming is the following weekend as UAH faces Lake Superior State to start WCHA play. Michigan Tech, which won the WCHA playoff championship in March, comes to Huntsville on Nov. 2-3 to complete a six-game home stand.

The Chargers make their only trip to Alaska with a visit to Fairbanks on Nov. 16-17. After Thanksgiving, UAH hosts Bowling Green on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, followed by trips to Bemidji State and Michigan Tech heading into the holiday break.

UAH will play in the Catamount Cup at Vermont just before New Year’s. The Chargers will face the host Catamounts on Dec. 28 and NCAA tournament participant Northeastern on Dec. 29. UAH’s only other appearance in the holiday tournament was in the 2009-10 season, when the Chargers finished in third place.

It’s conference play the entire second half of the season. The Chargers begin 2019 hosting Ferris State on Jan. 4-5, then go to Lake Superior State the next week. UAH hosts both Alaska schools to finish off January.

The Chargers will face a tough final stretch. They go to WCHA regular-season champion and NCAA tournament participant Minnesota State on Feb. 1-2, then host WCHA playoff finalist Northern Michigan on Feb. 8-9. After a week off, UAH will need to withstand the Dawg Pound of Ferris State and the Bleacher Creatures of Bowling Green to finish the regular season.

“We have some good rest dates and will have to win some games on the road down the stretch,” Corbett said.

Official releases: UAH | WCHA

2018-19 UAH Hockey Schedule

Home games in bold.
* WCHA game.

Oct. 6-7 at Miami
Oct. 12 at Colorado College
Oct. 13 at Denver
Oct. 19-20 vs. Arizona State
Oct. 26-27 vs. Lake Superior* (Homecoming)
Nov. 2-3 vs. Michigan Tech*
Nov. 16-17 at Alaska*
Dec. 1-2 vs. Bowling Green*
Dec. 7-8 at Bemidji State*
Dec. 14-15 at Michigan Tech*
Dec. 28 at Vermont (Catamount Cup)
Dec. 29 vs. Northeastern (Catamount Cup)
Jan. 4-5 vs. Ferris State*
Jan. 11-12 at Lake Superior*
Jan. 18-19 vs. Alaska Anchorage*
Jan. 25-26 vs. Alaska*
Feb. 1-2 at Minnesota State*
Feb. 8-9 vs. Northern Michigan*
Feb. 22-23 at Ferris State*
March 1-2 at Bowling Green*
March 8-10 WCHA Quarterfinals (best-of-3)
March 15-17 WCHA Semifinals (best-of-3)
March 23 WCHA Championship
March 29-31 NCAA Regionals
April 11 & 13 NCAA Frozen Four (Buffalo)