College hockey teams are expecting major budget crunches due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Because of that, some teams have already started canceling nonconference road trips that require a flight .
Holy Cross has called off its trip to Arizona State. Boston College and Northeastern are expecting St. Cloud State to pull out of its Boston trip, where it was scheduled to play those teams once. And Boston University is having discussions about moving its series at Northern Michigan.
A lot of other cancellations are being discussed at other programs, too.
With the anticipation that a number of nonconference games are going to be called off, college hockey commissioners and College Hockey Inc., are setting up a database to try to help teams find more local games.
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The database will show which teams have openings on which dates.
The expectation is that a number of schools will use it to find games against opponents where they can bus and save money.
It's likely going to be a bit of an unconventional college hockey season, but leagues and schools are preparing to do whatever they can to fill out schedules. It may take some outside-the-box thinking to make this season work. So, it's a good sign that the college hockey world is starting to do just that.
SCSU nearing hire
St. Cloud State is getting close to hiring its new assistant coach to replace the retiring Mike Gibbons.
Barring any unforeseen developments, the job is expected to go to Western Michigan assistant coach Dave Shyiak. With the Broncos, Shyiak coached the defensemen and the penalty kill. Gibbons was the defensive coach for the Huskies in recent seasons.
Shyiak has a long history at the Division-I level.
He has been at Western Michigan since 2014. Prior to that, he spent eight years as the head coach of Alaska Anchorage. He also spent 10 years as an assistant at Northern Michigan, where he played college hockey for four years.
Shyiak's move would create another assistant coach opening in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference.
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Minnesota Duluth is searching for a replacement for Jason Herter, who stepped down at the end of the season.
Dartmouth narrows search
Dartmouth has narrowed down candidates for its open head coaching position.
According to College Hockey News , Dartmouth will hold interviews this week and next week over video conferencing.
College Hockey News says that Dartmouth alum Ben Lovejoy is believed to be a leading candidate. College Hockey News lists Dartmouth alum Tanner Glass, Norwich head coach Cam Ellsworth, BU assistant Paul Pearl and Washington Capitals assistant Reid Cashman as finalists.
UND aces APR score
The NCAA announced Academic Progress Rate scores this week.
UND posted a 981 multi-year score and a perfect 1,000 for the 2018-19 season.
College programs must stay above 930 to avoid penalties from the NCAA.
“Since APR has taken on greater significance, this year’s achievements by our athletic programs are that much more important,” UND athletic director Bill Chaves said. “I want to commend our student-athletes, coaches and staff for their diligence in making this a daily priority.”
