USCHO Spotlight

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by NESN Hockey East play-by-play broadcaster Tyler Murray to preview that conference's single-elimination tournament.This podcast is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Division I Frozen Four, April 6th and 8th, 2023 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. Secure your seats at NCAA.com/mfrozenfour

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by Grand Forks Herald hockey writer Brad Elliott Schlossman to look at the NCHC as that league heads into the last weekend before conference playoffs, and at college hockey at large.This podcast is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Division I Frozen Four, April 6th and 8th, 2023 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. Secure your seats at NCAA.com/mfrozenfour

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by The Rink Live hockey writer Jess Myers to look at the Big Ten as that league heads into the last weekend before conference playoffs.This podcast is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Division I Frozen Four, April 6th and 8th, 2023 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. Secure your seats at NCAA.com/mfrozenfour

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by Minnesota State head coach Mike Hastings, talking the Mavericks and their mid-season turnaround, coming off a bye week, the CCHA, and the upcoming series at Bemidji State.This podcast is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Division I Frozen Four, April 6th and 8th, 2023 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. Secure your seats at NCAA.com/mfrozenfour

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by incoming Atlantic Hockey and College Hockey America commissioner Michelle Morgan, discussing her goals for the leagues and her experience in hockey, NCAA sports, marketing, and administration.This podcast is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Division I Frozen Four, April 6th and 8th, 2023 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. Secure your seats at NCAA.com/mfrozenfour

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by Minnesota Duluth head coach Scott Sandelin, talking this year's Bulldogs, some early-season injuries, the 10th anniversary of the NCHC, modern video and analytics, rule changes, and the upcoming weekend series with Western Michigan.This podcast is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Division I Frozen Four, April 6th and 8th, 2023 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. Secure your seats at NCAA.com/mfrozenfour

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by Hockey East supervisor of officials Brian Murphy. The discussion about college hockey rules and officiating includes goalie interference, contact to the head, hitting from behind, video review, and protocol and faceoff violations.This podcast is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Division I Frozen Four, April 6th and 8th, 2023 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. Secure your seats at NCAA.com/mfrozenfour

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by Harvard head coach Ted Donato. The conversation includes a look at this year's Crimson, ECAC Hockey, bouncing back from a canceled season, and this weekend's games at Yale and Brown.This podcast is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Division I Frozen Four, April 6th and 8th, 2023 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. Secure your seats at NCAA.com/mfrozenfour

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by Ohio State head coach Steve Rohlik to discuss this season's Buckeyes, Big Ten hockey, last weekend's sweep of Michigan State and this coming weekend's series at Michigan.This podcast is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Division I Frozen Four, April 6th and 8th, 2023 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. Secure your seats at NCAA.com/mfrozenfour

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by Alaska Anchorage head coach Matt Shasby to talk about the restart of the Seawolves program, including this year's team, the weekend sweep of UMass Lowell, assembling a team of transfers and recruits, and putting together an independent schedule.This podcast is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Division I Frozen Four, April 6th and 8th, 2023 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. Secure your seats at NCAA.com/mfrozenfour

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by FloHockey senior content creator Chris Peters to preview the U.S. National Junior Team and the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship.This podcast is sponsored by DCU, Digital Federal Credit Union at DCU.org.

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by Western Michigan head coach Pat Ferschweiler to talk about this year's Broncos, the evolution of the game, what he enjoys about the job, this season's NCHC, and the upcoming series at Omaha. This podcast is sponsored by DCU, Digital Federal Credit Union at DCU.org.

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by Michigan State head coach Adam Nightingale to discuss his Spartans' fast start, key players, team culture, renovations to Munn Ice Arena, the Big Ten, and this weekend's series at Penn State.This podcast is sponsored by DCU, Digital Federal Credit Union at DCU.org.

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by Penn State head coach Guy Gadowsky to talk about the Nittany Lions' 8-0 start, the strength of the Big Ten, the atmosphere at Pegula, putting together a non-conference schedule, and this weekend's series at home against Michigan.This podcast is sponsored by DCU, Digital Federal Credit Union at DCU.org.

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by Jess Myers and Brad Schlossman of The Rink Live to relive last weekend's Minnesota-North Dakota series and what's ahead for both teams, plus a look around the NCHC and Big Ten.This podcast is sponsored by DCU, Digital Federal Credit Union at DCU.org.

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by Massachusetts head coach Greg Carvel, talking last weekend's sweep of then-No. 1 Denver, staying at the top of D-I hockey, this year's Minutemen, and this coming weekend's games with Union.This podcast is sponsored by DCU, Digital Federal Credit Union at DCU.org.

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by Arizona State head coach Greg Powers as his Sun Devils open up Mullett Arena with a weekend series against Colgate. We also discuss this year's team, building an independent schedule, and ASU's desire to join a conference.This podcast is sponsored by DCU, Digital Federal Credit Union at DCU.org.

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by Boston University first-year head coach Jay Pandolfo about this year's Terriers and returning to coach at his alma mater after a 15-year NHL playing career and assistant coaching positions at the NHL level.This podcast is sponsored by DCU – Digital Federal Credit Union – at dcu.org

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) take a look at the 10 players named Wednesday as 2022 Hobey Baker Award finalists: Matty Beniers, Bobby Brink, Brian Halonen, Luke Hughes, Devon Levi, Dryden McKay, Ben Meyers, Yaniv Perets, Nathan Smith, and Bobby Trivigno, plus some names that might have been overlooked.This podcast is sponsored by DCU – Digital Federal Credit Union – at dcu.org

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined for a second time this season by Bentley head coach Ryan Soderquist. The Falcons were at or near the top of Atlantic Hockey through the first half of the season, but slumped a bit in the latter part of the season. We discuss the team's turnaround in a weekend sweep at Niagara in Atlantic Hockey's first round, how they worked through adversity on the ice, and look ahead to this weekend's quarterfinal round at American International.This podcast is sponsored by DCU – Digital Federal Credit Union – at dcu.org

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by NCHC commissioner Josh Fenton. The conversation includes the conference's position as college hockey's top league, his departure to the Summit League, three-on-three overtime, realignment, and working with the other five conferences.This podcast is sponsored by DCU – Digital Federal Credit Union – at dcu.org

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by Boston University head coach Albie O'Connell. The conversation includes this season's Terriers and their great run since December, the evolution of the game and coaching, transfers, overtime rules, and the Hockey East playoff race.This podcast is sponsored by DCU – Digital Federal Credit Union – at dcu.org

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by Mercyhurst head coach Rick Gotkin. The conversation includes this season's Lakers, the regular-season race in Atlantic Hockey, transfers, and serving on the NCAA D-I men's ice hockey committee.This podcast is sponsored by DCU – Digital Federal Credit Union – at dcu.org

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by Merrimack head coach Scott Borek. The conversation includes this year's Warriors, Hockey East, recruiting, and coaching today's players.This podcast is sponsored by DCU – Digital Federal Credit Union – at dcu.org

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by Big Ten director of officials and former NCAA secretary–rules editor for men's and women's ice hockey Steve Piotrowski to talk about officiating and rules. This wide-ranging conversation includes recruiting and development of officials, the use of video for evaluation and replay, the challenges officials face as the speed and skill level of the game has increased, and an appraisal of recent rule changes.This podcast is sponsored by DCU – Digital Federal Credit Union – at dcu.org

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by Minnesota State head coach Mike Hastings. The conversation includes this year's Mavericks, the new CCHA, prepping for the Olympics, and this weekend's series with Arizona State.This podcast is sponsored by DCU – Digital Federal Credit Union – at dcu.org

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by New Hampshire head coach Mike Souza. The conversation includes this year's Wildcats, the Hockey East race, coping with COVID, recruiting, and this weekend's series with UConn.This podcast is sponsored by DCU – Digital Federal Credit Union – at dcu.org

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by American International head coach Eric Lang. The conversation includes this year's Yellow Jackets – now in first place in Atlantic Hockey and on a six-game winning streak – AHA's competitiveness and its league championship in Utica, transfers, character, and his mentor, former AIC coach Gary Wright.Here's the link to Bauer's feature on AIC freshman Reggie Millette that was mentioned in the podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B6ymfYS5ZPIThis podcast is sponsored by DCU – Digital Federal Credit Union – at dcu.org

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by Ohio State head coach Steve Rohlik. The conversation includes this year's Buckeyes, high points of the season, the Big Ten's competitiveness, the transfer portal, and dealing with a COVID schedule change this weekend. (Note: since the time this podcast was recorded, the games this weekend with Wisconsin have been rescheduled.)This podcast is sponsored by DCU – Digital Federal Credit Union – at dcu.org

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by NHL draft and prospects writer Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) of @DailyFaceoff and hockeysense.substack.com to preview the 2022 IIHF World Junior Championship.

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by Northern Michigan head coach Grant Potulny. The conversation includes this year's Wildcats, high points of the season, the new CCHA, the transfer portal, and this weekend's series at Lake Superior State.

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by Rochester Institute of Technology head coach Wayne Wilson. The conversation includes Wilson's milestone 400th victory at RIT achieved last weekend at Princeton, this year's Tigers and how they are benefitting from the return of four fifth-year players, pending NCAA legislation that would allow RIT (and Union) athletic scholarships for D-I teams, and the 3v3 overtime rule.

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by Michigan head coach Mel Pearson. The conversation includes the Wolverines' strong start, the unique aspects of coaching a team loaded with top NHL prospects, roster management and recruiting, facing teams with older players, and this weekend's games with Notre Dame.

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by Northeastern coach Jerry Keefe. The conversation includes the season this far, his transition from assistant to head coach this summer, navigating the transfer and fifth year player situation, Hockey East, and the venerable Matthews Arena.

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by Penn State head coach Guy Gadowsky. The conversation includes a review of this year's team, the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame game win over North Dakota last weekend in Nashville, getting fans back into Pegula Ice Arena, and expanding the Big Ten and D-I hockey in general.

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by Providence head coach Nate Leaman. The discussion includes a look at the Friars' 5-2 start, how transfers and fifth-year players are affecting college hockey, mentoring assistant coaches, and this weekend's games with New Hampshire.

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by Bentley head coach Ryan Soderquist, fresh off the Falcons' 6-2 win over then-No. 6 Boston College. Topics include how this year's team is coming together, the transfer portal, Atlantic Hockey, and the overall college hockey landscape.

Michigan Tech head coach Joe Shawhan joins hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) to talk about his Huskies team, which swept then-No. 13 Wisconsin on the road last weekend. The discussion includes this year's MTU squad, frank opinions about transfer rules, and the new CCHA.

Arizona State head coach Greg Powers joins hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) to talk all things Sun Devils hockey. Topics include last weekend's split with UMass Lowell and this weekend's games at Denver, being road warriors during last year's COVID-shortened season, building a non-conference schedule, the new arena to open next season, and about coaching philosophies.

In the opening segment, hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) catch us up on offseason and preseason news, including the USCHO.com Division I men's ice hockey preseason poll, transfers and fifth-year players, needing homes for new programs, the cancellation and work toward resurrection of Robert Morris hockey, and the implications of name, image, and likeness on college hockey.In the second segment, Jim and Ed are joined by College Hockey Inc. executive director Mike Snee and Aaron Wilbur, founder and CEO of The Coaches Site, to preview next week's Virtual Coaches Clinic (https://collegehockeyincclinic.com).

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) of Hockey Sense with Chris Peters and Todd Milewski (@ToddMilewski), USCHO.com editor emeritus and writer for the Wisconsin State Journal and madison.com.In a free-flowing conversation, they wrap up Thursday night's Frozen Four semifinal games between St. Cloud State and Minnesota State and between UMass and Minnesota Duluth and look ahead at the Minutemen-Huskies final on Saturday.

Hockey writer Chris Peters (@chrismpeters) from hockeysense.substack.com joins hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) to preview the 2021 NCAA men's D-I ice hockey semifinals between Minnesota State and St. Cloud State and between UMass and Minnesota Duluth.

ESPN's John Buccigross joins hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) to preview this weekend's NCAA D-I men's ice hockey regionals.Buccigross will have the play-by-play in the Bridgeport regional and in the Frozen Four in Pittsburgh alongside Barry Melrose and Colby Cohen.

No men's D-I hockey conference was more impacted by COVID-19 than ECAC Hockey, which saw eight of its 12 teams elect not to play this season. Commissioner Steve Hagwell joins hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) for a wide-ranging discussion, including how the remaining four teams have adapted, what short- and long-term outcomes there may be from pandemic protocols and student-athlete transfers, about the 2020-21 overtime changes, room for future growth of college hockey, and his conference's NCAA bid prospects.

American International clinched its third consecutive Atlantic Hockey regular season championship – no small feat for a team that few had heard of five years ago. Head coach Eric Lang joins hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) to talk about the growth of the "Gonzaga" of college hockey, a team that lost 10 seniors but which didn't skip a beat, the recovery of Eric Otto from cancer, mentoring others, and keeping sharp in a season filled with cancellations and pauses.

Last weekend, North Dakota clinched the NCHC regular season trophy, the Penrose Cup. Fighting Hawks head coach Brad Berry joins hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) to talk about this year's team, the competitiveness and rivalries in the conference, keeping talented seniors for four seasons, and the challenges of a single-elimination Frozen Faceoff this season.

With a commitment to making this season's tournament happen, the NCAA men's D-I ice hockey committee has had a lot on its plate. Committee chair Mike Kemp, associate athletic director at Omaha, joins hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) to answer questions about the 2021 tournament, including selecting the field of 16, whether there will be fans allowed at the regionals and the Frozen Four, and replacing Manchester as a host for a regional.