#matej blumel

[kasperikapanenisbetterthanyou]

hockey team thickness - Dallas Stars 2024 VERSION (roster as of 27.07.2024)

[starscelly]

hi blu! pat pat.

edm@dal 10.19.24

[kitnita]

matěj blümel & radek faksa via dominika faksa's instagram story

[thighlerseguin]

Preseason: DAL @ COL | October 1, 2023 - Matej Blümel 2-3

[ice-ice-lizzie]

during the solar eclipse

[don-lichterman]

NHL Roundup: Pavelski, Oettinger lead Stars over Flyers 5-1

NHL Roundup: Pavelski, Oettinger lead Stars over Flyers 5-1

PHILADELPHIA — Joe Pavelski scored a goal and added two assists and Jake Oettinger recorded 37 saves to lead the Dallas Stars to a 5-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday. Matej Blumel, Esa Lindell, Luke Glendening and Jason Robertson all scored for Dallas, which snapped a two-game losing streak in the first game of a three-game Eastern Conference road swing. “For whatever reason the last…

[dfwnews]

Pavelski, Oettinger lead Sharks over Flyers 5-1

Pavelski, Oettinger lead Sharks over Flyers 5-1

By KEVIN COONEY Associated Press PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Joe Pavelski scored a goal and added two assists and Jake Oettinger recorded 37 saves to lead the Dallas Stars to a 5-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday. Matej Blumel, Esa Lindel, Luke Glendening and Jason Robertson all scored for Dallas, which snapped a two-game losing streak in the first game of a three-game Eastern Conference road…

[puckinginsane]

Tyler and his adopted sons is so cute

[goalhofer]

2020 IIHF World Juniors Players By NHL Rights Team

Montreal: Jordan Harris (U.S.A.), Cole Caufield (U.S.A.), Mattias Norlinder (Sweden) & Alexander Romanov (Russia)

Ottawa: Shane Pinto (U.S.A.), Lassi Thomson (Finland) & Jacob Bernard-Docker (Canada)

Toronto: Nick Robertson (U.S.A.), Mikko Kokkonen (Finland) & Rasmus Sandin (Sweden)

Winnipeg: Ville Heinola (Finland) & David Gustafsson (Sweden)

Calgary: Dustin Wolf (U.S.A.)

Edmonton: Philip Broberg (Sweden), Olivier Rodrigue (Canada), Raphael Lavoie (Canada) & Matej Blumel (Czech Republic)

Vancouver: Toni Utunen (Finland), Nils Hoglander (Sweden), Karel Plasek (Czech Republic) & Vasily Podkolzin (Russia)

Boston: Curtis Hall (U.S.A.), John Beecher (U.S.A.) & Jakub Lauko (Czech Republic)

New York Islanders: Oliver Wahlstrom (U.S.A.) & Jacob Pivonka (U.S.A.)

New York Rangers: Zachary Jones (U.S.A.), K'Andre Miller (U.S.A.), Nils Lundkvist (Sweden), Karl Henriksson (Sweden) & Nico Gross (Switzerland)

Buffalo: Mattias Samuelsson (U.S.A.), Erik Portillo (Sweden), Dylan Cozens (Canada) & Matej Pekar (Czech Republic)

New Jersey: Nikola Pasic (Sweden), Akira Schmid (Switzerland), Kevin Bahl (Canada), Ty Smith (Canada) & Daniil Misyul (Russia)

Philadelphia: Cam York (U.S.A.), Bobby Brink (U.S.A.), Adam Ginning (Sweden) & Egor Zamula (Russia)

Pittsburgh: Calen Addison (Canada)

Washington: Connor McMichael (Canada) & Martin Has (Czech Republic)

Carolina: Jack Drury (U.S.A.), Anttoni Honka (Finland), Lenni Killinen (Finland), Patrik Puistola (Finland) & Dominik Bokk (Germany)

Tampa Bay: Max Cajkovic (Slovakia), Hugo Ahnefelt (Sweden) & Nolan Foote (Canada)

Florida: Spencer Knight (U.S.A.), Justin Schutz (Germany) & Grigori Denisenko (Russia)

Detroit: Jesper Eliasson (Sweden), Jonatan Berggren (Sweden), Jared McIsaac (Canada), Joe Veleno (Canada) & Moritz Seider (Germany)

Columbus: Tim Berni (Switzerland), Liam Foudy (Canada), Kirill Marchenko (Russia) & Dmitri Voronkov (Russia)

Nashville: Spencer Stastney (U.S.A.)

Chicago: Alec Regula (U.S.A.), Antti Saarela (Finland) & Michal Teply (Czech Republic)

Minnesota: Alexander Khovanov (Russia)

St. Louis: Joel Hofer (Canada) & Nikita Alexandrov (Russia)

Dallas: Oskar Back (Sweden), Albin Eriksson (Sweden) & Ty Dellandrea (Canada)

Colorado: Justus Annunen (Finland), Sampo Ranta (Finland), Bowen Byram (Canada) & Danil Zharavlyov (Russia)

Vegas: Isaiah Saville (U.S.A.), Ivan Morozov (Russia) & Pavel Dorofeyev (Russia)

Arizona: Ty Emberson (U.S.A.), Matias Maccelli (Finland), Aku Raty (Finland), Victor Soderstrom (Sweden), Valentin Nussbaumer (Switzerland), Barrett Hayton (Canada) & Jan Jenik (Czech Republic)

Anaheim: Trevor Zegras (U.S.A.) & Lukas Dostal (Czech Republic)

Los Angeles: Alex Turcotte (U.S.A.), Arthur Kaliyev (U.S.A.), Kim Nousiainen (Finland), Rasmus Kupari (Finland), Tobias Bjornfot (Sweden), Samuel Fagemo (Sweden), Akil Thomas (Canada), Aidan Dudas (Canada) & Lukas Parik (Czech Republic)

San Jose: Santeri Hatakka (Finland)

[mitchbeck]

CANTLON: CT HOCKEY 2021 OFFSEASON VOL 1

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT -The offseason has begun for the Hartford Wolf Pack and the rest of the AHL, except for the Pacific division, which has a playoff. Teams are very busy planning and signing players and coaches for the upcoming 2021-22 season.

PLAYER AND COACHING MOVEMENT

All of the AHL teams not in the Pacific Division have begun to send players to their respective ECHL teams for some post-season experience. The Toronto Marlies sent four players, Bobby McMann, Jeremy McKenna, Noel Hoefenmayer, and Gordie Green, to the Wichita Thunder. The Colorado Eagles sent Sasha Matala to the Utah Grizzlies. The Ontario Reign sent Nick Boka to the Ft. Wayne Komets while Josh Ingham and Jack Sadek packed their bags for the Greenville Swamp Rabbits. Doyle Somerby of the Tucson Roadrunners heads to the South Carolina Stingrays. The Manitoba Moose sent Peter Kreiger to the Indy Fuel, while the Rochester Americans sent Brendan Warren to the Jacksonville Icemen. Nelson Nogier, Cole Kehler, and C.J. Suess were sent to the Tulsa Oilers.

MORE MOVES

Henderson heading to the Pacific Division after eliminating  San Jose on the strength of a two-goal and three-point effort from ex-Pack Danny O’ Regan has sent three players to the Vegas taxi squad in Dylan Sikura and Cody Glass. Henderson will play with the Bakersfield Condors for the Pacific Division post-season title and the John Chick Trophy. The Condors eliminated the San Diego Gulls in OT Monday. Brad Malone, the nephew of former Hartford Whaler, Greg Malone, and the cousin of ex-Pack, Ryan Malone, scored the game-winner. The first AHL player to Europe, David Kase of the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, signs with HC Sparta Prague (Czech Republic-CEL). A former Quinnipiac Bobcat, Karlis Cukste, who played with the San Jose Barracuda (AHL) and the Orlando Solar Bears (ECHL) this past year, heads home to Dynamo Riga (Latvia-KHL). According to the Swedish hockey website, SportsExpressen.se, ex-Pack Dale Weise has signed a deal to be announced shortly with IK Oskarshamn (Sweden-Allsvenskan). Ex-Pack/New York Ranger, Tim Erixon, goes from Växjö HC to  Timrå IK (Sweden-SHL) for next season. Ryan McKiernan (Brunswick School), fresh off winning the  German DEL championship, leaves Eisbaren Berlin to Rogle BK (Sweden-SHL).

COLLEGE NEWS

Former UCONN Husky, Ruslan Iskhakov, moved from TPS Turku (Finland-FEL) to Adler Mannheim (Germany-DEL). Also, in UCONN news, the University announced a new five-year extension for its head coach Mike Cavanaugh and had the groundbreaking for the new 2,600 seats $70 million arena-ready between September 2022-January 2023. The Maine Black Bears selected Ben Barr, the assistant coach from the national champion, UMASS-Amherst, to replace the late Dennis “Red” Gendron over the ex-Bridgeport Sound Tiger (now Islanders) and Maine associate coach for the last six years, Ben Guite. Replacing Barr at UMASS-Amherst is Penn State's assistant coach for the last 10 years, Matt Lindsay. Previously, he was an assistant at Princeton and was a volunteer assistant at Colorado College. He started at Division-III at Hobart College (SUNYAC) and Utica College. Lake Superior St. (NCHC) Damon Whitten’s contract was extended six years. Former Sound Tiger, Peter Mannino, gives up his head coaching job with the Des Moines Buccaneers (USHL) and signs on as an assistant coach with Colorado College (NCHC).

MORE INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Jamie Arniel, the nephew of former New Haven Nighthawk player and Rangers Assistant Coach,  Scott Arniel, leaves EC Bad Nauheim (Germany-DEL-2) and heads to HC Bratislava (Slovakia-IceHL). A trio of ex-Sound Tigers finds themselves on the move. Joey Martin departs Stavanger (Norway-NEL) and will skate next season for EC Graz (Austria-IceHL). Matt Mangene leaves ESV Villacher SV (Austria-iceHL) for EHC Wolfsburg (Germany-DEL). The new head coach there is a former Rangers draft pick, Mike Stewart. Sebastian Collberg exits Löwen Frankfurt (Germany-DEL-2) and returns home to BIK Karlskoga (Sweden-Allsvenskan). Former Wolf Pack and Ranger Steven Kampfer heads from the Boston Bruins to AK Bars Kazan (Russia-KHL). Former QU Bobcat goalie Michael Garteig leaves ERC Ingolstadt (Germany-DEL) and returns to HIFK Helsinki (Finland-FEL). Ex-Wolf Pack, Ville Meskanen, departs Illves Tampere (Finland-FEL) to go to KooKoo (Finland-FEL) next season. Ex-Wolf Pack and Sound Tiger Chris Bourque signs with ERC Ingolstadt (Germany-DEL) for next season, leaving EHC Munich.

ALL KINDS OF NEWS

Nick Dineen (Selects Academy at South Kent Prep), who played with the Amarillo Bulls (NAHL), commits to Stevenson University (UCHC) for next fall. In the fall, the return of the CCHA conference names its regular season and playoff trophy names they will be handing out to the winners in the spring. The playoff title will honor the late CCHA great coach of Michigan State, Ron Mason, with the Mason Cup. The regular season title winner will be awarded the McNaughton Cup. USA Hockey let several coaches go, including Kenny Rausch (Danbury/Immaculate High), the Director of USA Youth Hockey.

TRANSFERS

Goaltender Evan Fear departs Quinnipiac University (ECACHL) and transfers to Northeastern (HE), making 57 school transfers this collegiate off-season and 47 grad transfers. Tobias Fladeby finishes at AIC (AHA) and signs with Tingryds AIF (Sweden-Allsvenskan), making 80 college players sign pro deals in North America and Europe. Emil Öhrvall departs Sacred Heart University (AHA) for BIK Karlskoga (Sweden-Allsvenskan). The Pioneers were his third school in three separate conferences in his collegiate career. Nick Rheaume, the son of ex-Pack/Ranger, Pascal Rhéaume, has committed to UMASS-Lowell (HE) for 2022-23. Rhéaume played with the Prince George Spruce Kings (BCHL) this year. His cousin is Quinnipiac University (ECACHL) transfer goalie Dylan St. Cyr, the son of former New Haven Senators player Gerry. St. Cyr.

COMMITS

Two CT Division-III commits as William Pond (Wilton/CT Roughriders-EHL) heads to Western New England College (CCC). Ponds' Roughrider teammate Connor Sullivan (Brunswick School/CT Jr. Rangers - NCDC) heads to Lake Forest College (NCHA). Joining him at Lake Forest is Mattias Derraugh (Danbury-NAHL), who committed to the Illinois-based school.

IIHF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

The IIHF World Championships are underway in Latvia. There are many familiar names dotting the roster landscape. In Group A, the 3-0 Slovakian team has current Wolf Pack goalie Adam Huska and ex-Pack/Ranger Marek Hrivik. Huska has yet to play, and Hrivik has four points in three games. Slovakia engineered an early upset beating Russia 3-1 on Monday. Denmark has ex-Pack Niklas Jensen, who scored a hat trick in their first game and had a goal and two assists against Great Britain in a 3-2 overtime win Tuesday. Sweden had ex-Pack/Ranger player Oscar Lindberg and ex-Wolf Pack Carl Klingberg. The Czech Republic has ex-Pack and current Rangers defenseman Libor Hajek. They also have Adam, and David Musil, the nephews of former Whalers and Rangers player Bobby Holik. Ex-Pack and current Ranger Filip Chytil and former Beast of New Haven Jaroslav Spacek are the assistant coaches, plus former UCONN Husky recruit Matej Blumel. Belarus has an ex-Sound Tiger, Shane Prince, who has citizenship. Switzerland has a pair of ex-Wolf Pack players in Andres Ambuhl and Raphael Diaz; Great Britain has goalie Jackson Whistle, nephew of former New Haven Nighthawk, Rob Whistle, plus Ben Lake (Sacred Heart University-AHA).

MORE IIHF

In Group B, the US squad features Ryan Donato, the son of ex-Wolf Pack/Sound Tiger, Ted Donato. They also have a  current Ranger, Kevin Rooney, and the nephew of former New Haven Nighthawk, Steve Rooney. Current Ranger, Zac Jones and Tage Thompson (Milford/UCONN), a son of the current Bridgeport Islanders head coach, Brent Thompson. The head coach is former Sound Tigers bench boss Jack Capuano. The team General Manager is current Rangers President/GM, Hartford GM Chris Drury (Trumbull/Fairfield Prep). Canada has shockingly lost its first three games to Latvia, Germany, and the US. Canada has a current Wolf Pack, Braden Schneider, and former Sacred Heart University (AHA)/Sound Tiger product Justin Danforth. Germany has Tom Kuhnhackl of Bridgeport, and Italy has former Ranger Peter Andersson as one of the assistant coaches, and he is the father of ex-Pack, Calle Andersson. HARTFORD WOLF PACK HOME Read the full article

[kitnita]

dallasstars: Czech these guys out! 🇨🇿

[thighlerseguin]

DAL @ PHI | November 13, 2022 - Matěj Blümel 1-0

[glitteryangeltastemaker]

[goalhofer]

2020 IIHF World Juniors Czech Republic Roster

Wingers

#3 Jan Sir (H.C. Benatky Nad Jizerou/Liberec)

#11 Adam Raska (Rimouski Oceanic/Frydek-Mistek)

#13 Michal Teply (Winnipeg Ice/Havlickuv Brod)

#22 Vojtech Strondala (H.C. Stadion Litomerice/Ostrava)

#24 Karel Plasek; Jr. (H.C. Kometa Brno/Gottwaldov)

#25 Martin Lang (Kamloops Blazers/Rokycany)

#29 Filip Koffer (Prince George Cougars/Hradec Kralove)

#72 Petr Cajka (Geneve-Servette H.C. U20/Kadan)

#91 Jan Mysak (H.C. Litvinov/Litvinov)

#98 Matej Blumel (H.C. Dynamo Pardubice/Tabor)

Centers

#10 Matej Pekar (Barrie Colts/Turnov)

#15 Jakub Lauko (Providence Bruins/Prague)

#21 Jan Jenik (Hamilton Bulldogs/Nymburk)

#26 Jaromir Pytlik (Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds/Dacice)

Defensemen

#2 Simon Kubicek (Seattle Thunderbirds/Jindruchuv Hradec)

#5 Miroslav Kukla (H.C. Stadion Litomerice/Zdar Nad Sazavou)

#8 Martin Has (KOOVEE/Prague)

#12 Radek Kucerik (Saskatoon Blades/Kyjov)

#23 Ivan Lytvynov (C.E.Z. Motor Ceske Budejovice/Mariupol)

#27 Libor Zabransky (Moose Jaw Warriors/Brno)

Goalies

#1 Lukas Dostal (Ilves/Brno)

#30 Nick Malik (H.C. Frydek-Mistek/Vitkovice)

#33 Lukas Parik (Spokane Chiefs/Neratovice)

[mitchbeck]

CANTLON'S CORNER: AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT...BUT STILL THE SAME

BY: Gerry Cantlon, Howlings HARTFORD, CT - Game on! Well, sort of. On Tuesday afternoon, NHL commissioner, Gary Bettman announced the outline of a plan to "Return-To-Play" that was agreed to between the players, and the league with the final details still being worked on. On March 12, 2020, the NHL paused its season over coronavirus concerns. The league played 85 percent of its 2019-20 regular-season schedule (1,082 of 1,271 games) which began in early October. “At the pause, we committed to resuming play only when it was appropriate and prudent,” Bettman said. “We are hopeful the 'Return-To-Play' plan will allow us to complete the season and award the Stanley Cup in a manner in which the health and safety of our players, on-ice officials, team staff, and associated individuals involved are paramount. Accordingly, an essential component of the Plan is a rigorous, regular schedule of testing. “On the hockey side, the 'Return-To-Play' format reflects the league’s extraordinary competitive balance while honoring the tradition and integrity of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. “The 'Return-To-Play' plan is the result of weeks of constructive dialogue with the National Hockey League Players’ Association and we are grateful for their cooperation. We also thank our consulting health experts and the local, regional, and national authorities who are helping steer us through a complex set of issues.” Here is the framework of the 'Return-To-Play'; Regular Season The 2019-20 regular season has been declared concluded through games of March 11. The 189 games originally scheduled from March 12 – April 4 will not be played. 24 teams will resume play: those teams consist of the top 12 in each Conference on the basis of points percentage as of the games played on March 11. Timeline Since the League’s pause on March 12, the League has been in Phase 1 with teams having been instructed to self-isolate as much as possible. Phase 2 – Early June In early June, it is expected that teams will be permitted to return to home facilities for small groups, voluntary, as well as on-and-off-ice training. Phase 3 – Not Earlier than First Half of July It will not begin any earlier than the first half of July when formal training camps will begin after guidance from medical and civil authorities. Phase 4 – Timing TBD 24 teams in 2 “hub” cities will compete in Seeding Round Robins, a Qualifying Round, and a conference-based Stanley Cup Playoffs. The 2 “hub” cities will be selected from the following: - Chicago, IL - Columbus, OH - Dallas, TX - Edmonton, AB - Las Vegas, NV - Los Angeles, CA - Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN - Pittsburgh, PA - Toronto, ON - Vancouver, BC Each Conference will be assigned a “hub” city with secure hotels, arena, practice facilities, and in-market transportation. Teams will be limited to 50 personnel in the “hub” city with only a small number of support staff permitted to enter the event areas. Timing and sites will be determined at a future date and will be dependent on COVID-19 conditions, testing ability, and government regulations. Competitive Format In each Conference, teams were seeded based on points percentage. Round Robin: The top 4 teams will play for First Round seeding (regular-season overtime rules in effect). Qualifying Round: The remaining 8 teams will play a Best-of-5 series to advance to the First Round (playoff overtime rules in effect) First Round and Second Round: Format (seeding vs. bracket) and series lengths have yet to be determined. Conference Finals and Stanley Cup Final: Best-of-7 series The winners from the Qualifying Round play the top 4 seeds in the First Round. Individual First Round series matchups remain to be determined. City 1 Team Conf. Rank P% Boston Bruins: .714 Tampa Bay Lightning: .657 Washington Capitals: .652 Philadelphia Flyers: .645 Pittsburgh Penguins: .623 Carolina Hurricanes: .596 New York Islanders: .588 Toronto Maple Leafs: .579 Columbus Blue Jackets: .579 Florida Panthers: .565 New York Rangers: .564 Montreal Canadiens: .500 City 1 – Round Robin for Seeding in First Round Boston Bruins Tampa Bay Lightning Washington Capitals Philadelphia Flyers City 1 – Best-of-5 Qualifying Round #5 Pittsburgh Penguins vs. #12 Montreal Canadiens #6 Carolina Hurricanes vs. #11 New York Rangers #7 New York Islanders vs. #10 Florida Panthers #8 Toronto Maple Leafs vs. #9 Columbus Blue Jackets City 2 Team Conf. Rank P% St. Louis Blues: .662 Colorado Avalanche: .657 Vegas Golden Knights: .606 Dallas Stars: .594 Edmonton Oilers: .585 Nashville Predators: .565 Vancouver Canucks: .565 Calgary Flames: .564 Winnipeg Jets: .563 Minnesota Wild: .558 Arizona Coyotes: .529 Chicago Blackhawks: .514 City 2 – Round Robin for Seeding in First Round St. Louis Blues Colorado Avalanche Vegas Golden Knights Dallas Stars City 2 – Best-of-5 Qualifying Round #5 Edmonton Oilers vs. #12 Chicago Blackhawks #6 Nashville Predators vs. #11 Arizona Coyotes #7 Vancouver Canucks vs. #10 Minnesota Wild #8 Calgary Flames vs. #9 Winnipeg Jets NHL Draft The NHL also announced the Draft Lottery system will be held after the conclusion of the Stanley Cup expanded playoff version. PLAYER MOVEMENT UCONN suffered a big loss to their offense for the upcoming hockey season. Ruslan Iskharov, a 2018 Second-Round pick (43rd overall) by the New York Islanders signed a one-year deal to play in Europe with TPS Turku (Finland-FEL). Last season as a sophomore with the Huskies, Iskharov scored nine goals and had 21 points in 32 games, the same numbers as his Freshmen year. It’s the second consecutive year that UCONN has seen a player exit for Europe. Matej Blumel was on campus for three weeks and never played a minute. The Edmonton Oilers draft pick signed a pro deal with HC Litvinov (Czech Republic-CEL). Iskharov's signing makes 30 college players who have turned professional in Europe including 25 underclassmen who have left school early. Springfield’s Donald Audette signs a one-year deal with Lukko Rauma (Finland-FEL) for next year. Kelly Klima, son of former NHL’er Petr Klima, is expected to leave the AHL's Tucson Roadrunners and head back to the Czech Republic and join his twin brother Kevin on HK Hradec Kralove (Czech Republic-CEL) making 20 AHL players heading for Europe next season. 14 of the league's 31 teams have seen at least one player sign in Europe. Brock Beukeboom (Greenwich), the son of former Hartford Wolf Pack assistant coach, Jeff Beukeboom, leaves the Odense Bulldogs (Denmark-DHL) and signs a deal with the Frederikshavn White Hawks (Denmark-DHL) next season. The Bridgeport Sound Tigers should see three new faces at training camp as the parent NY Islanders signed three draft picks to entry-level contracts. They include Felix Bibeau from Chicoutimi (QMJHL) who was a 2019 sixth-round pick (178th overall) while he was with Rouyn-Noranda. Joining him will be Cole Coskey, the Islanders seventh-round pick (209th overall) in the 2019 NHL Draft. Coskey established career-highs in points (80), goals (34) and assists (46) in 62 games last season with the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League. Finally, Blade Jenkins, the Islanders fifth-round pick (134th overall) in the 2018 NHL Draft, scored 40 points (16 goals, 24 assists) in 47 games last season with the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League. The Jackson, Michigan native posted a career-high plus-12 rating in his third season with Saginaw. In 182 career OHL games, Jenkins recorded 143 points (59 goals, 84 assists). Jenkins, the Islanders fifth-round pick (134th overall) in the 2018 NHL Draft, scored 40 points (16 goals, 24 assists) in 47 games last season with the Saginaw Spirit of the Ontario Hockey League. The NAHL Danbury Jr. Hat Tricks got three player commitments in Alex Duncan (Northern Cyclones-NCDC), Hank McDonough (Selects Academy at South Kent Prep U-18), and Jason Kleinhans (Kent School-CTPREP). Three players from Alabama-Huntsville (WCHA) after the program has been terminated, have transferred to other schools. Liam Izyk (Boston College), Tanner Hickey (Arizona St.), and Josh Latta (UMASS-Lowell) who did so two weeks ago prior to the announcement. The Long Island University Sharks announced on Tuesday that the school has named Colgate Assistant Coach, Brett Riley, to lead the newly added men’s hockey program slated to start with the 2020-21 season. “We are excited that Brett is joining our Shark Nation family,” LIU athletics director Dr. William Martinov Jr. said in a statement. “He has great experience with establishing a new program. He is a fantastic recruiter, and he understands the importance of an exceptional student-athlete experience.” Coaching is a major part of Riley’s family hockey tree as three family members have been the head coach at Army West Point over the past 70 years. His grandfather, Jack, coached the Black Knights until 1986 when he was replaced by his son, Rob, Brett’s father. Rob Riley, is currently a scout for the NHL Buffalo Sabres and was replaced by his brother, Brian (Brett’s uncle), in 2004. Bill’s son, Bill Riley Jr., was the head coach at UMass Lowell (HE) from 1969 to 1991. Brett has two cousins that were involved in the college hockey game, Jack (2013-18) and Brendan (2016-20). Both played at Mercyhurst (AHA), while Jack is now an assistant coach at Manhattanville (UCHC). A native of South Hamilton, Mass., Riley graduated from Hobart College (UCHC that was in the ECAC West in those days) in 2014 with a Bachelor’s degree in history. He was a three-time ECAC West All-Academic Team selection in his four-year career with the Statesmen. ECHL There is plenty of speculation that the Montreal Canadians will be fielding an ECHL team in Trois-Rivieres (Three Rivers), Quebec. The brand new $60 million (Canadian) Colisee de Trois-Rivieres is nearing completion, but like everything else, it too has been affected by COVID-19 and it's opening will be delayed until December and not September as was initially hoped. So any team will have to start in 2021-22. The new building will have 4,390 seats and replaces the old Colisee that seated 2,700. That building was constructed in 1938 with 18 all-important corporate loge seats, two loge areas with universal access, and two VIP lounges. The Canadiens are looking to extend their brand throughout Quebec and have all their hockey ops their. They appeal to the francophone fan base and are very much interested. Their practice rink is in Brossard on the South Shore, and their AHL team is in Laval on the North Shore at Place Bell extending it so close to Quebec City 129 kilometers (80 miles) away would stamp the CH further north. The one hitch is they don’t want the ECHL's Newfoundland (St. John’s) Growlers owner Dean MacDonald involved. “The Canadiens are willing to commit to becoming the principal associate for an ECHL team franchise,” said Montreal VP of Hockey Ops and Legal Affairs, John Sedgwick in a letter to the Trois-Rivieres Mayor Jean Lamarche that appeared in a French-language publication Le Nouvelliste Trois-Rivieres on January 16th. In the same piece, France-Margaret Belanger, the Executive VP of Commercial Affairs for the Canadiens, made remarks to Lamarche stating that the Canadiens want to be involved, but the team wanted no affiliation with MacDonald, who helped run the AHL St. John’s IceCaps along with Glenn Stanford, when Montreal was there before the AHL team was moved to Laval. Former NHL’er and local native, Marc-Andre Bergeron, who's the owner of the local independent Can-AM minor league baseball team (the Aigles-Eagles), and a part NASCAR owner, has been hired by MacDonald’s group to work with the facility to become the main tenant. Perhaps they intend on purchasing an existing ECHL franchise and relocating them. That would seem like a logical business decision. Last week, in a virtual meeting, progress seemed to have been made between the city and the representatives to bring minor pro hockey to the new arena. “It was a very cordial meeting. It feels like we are on the same wavelength. It is moving forward. It remains complex as a file since there are catering, events, a ticket office that are involved, in particular, so there are points to be clarified before we can tie it all, except that I am confident that we are going in the right direction,” Bergeron stated. He is being assisted by consultant Mark Weightman, a former Montreal Alouettes executive at this meeting. “I think his presence was appreciated by the City. He can be useful in many sectors, with his experience. He was very involved in today's discussion.” in a story published by Le Nouvelliste Trois Rivieres on May 19th. Lamarche also wants the local college team at UQTR (the University of Quebec at Trois-Rivieres) Patriotes to play in the building, but the 14 home games in Canadian college hockey is not much, so a second major hockey tenant is needed. The QMJHL is available, but they have said the league is not interested in expanding the arena located at the junction of Route 55 and 40 and is 30 kilometers (18.5 miles) from Shawinigan. That Cataractes who had a great rivalry with the former Q team in the city, the Draveurs-Loggers (the first four years were called the Duc-Duke) (1969-1992) would need to be paid a territorial compensation if they went the junior route. The QMJHL Commissioner of 30 years, Gilles Courteau, is a big proponent of the ECHL team in TR as it will allow a first pro step in Quebec for Q players and those who want to take the collegiate route would have UQTR there as well in an article in publication Le Nouvelliste Trois-Rivieres on January 26th. The city of Montreal is 150 kilometers (93 miles) away and it makes perfect sense to have a team close enough to Laval for movement of several Canadiens prospects and injury recalls. Finding several regional owners for an ECHL team in Trois Rivieres should be fairly easy to share the hockey ops and business expenses with the Canadiens with their vast fortune chipping in to make the difference. The ECHL should also find good solid ownership to revive Manchester, NH market, and help complete the 32-32-32 hockey puzzle with the NHL and AHL that has been desired. The local rink, the Jean-Guy Talbot Arena was built in the 1960’s was named for the defenseman who played for the Canadiens from 1955-1967 and played over 1,000 NHL games. Jean Guy-Talbot 87, was the Rangers coach for one season (1977-78), the new Colisee will have a second rink to help local minor hockey. Read the full article