2025-26 Hockey

[Millsy]

Bemidji State released their roster yesterday. Interesting note:

Incoming players McClennon (8 games with the AHL Chicago Wolves and one game in the ECHL) and Thornton (49 games in the ECHL and one in the AHL) have pro experience, but cleared the NCAA Clearinghouse.

Bemidji Pioneer Article (paywall): https://www.bemidjipioneer.com/sport...KM5tKXzLFKOozg

Basically, the players were playing U-Sports (college) hockey in Canada. Bemidji threw some darts once they found out that Tennessee was able to get a basketball player that played pro ball overseas (Israel) cleared to play NCAA Basketball.

It will be interesting to see how this all plays out in the next couple of years in regards to the NCAA Settlement......

[SW_Mustang]

What's interesting is that the NCAA never had a full ban on former professionals gaining eligibility - this is one case I know of:

https://montevallofalcons.com/sports...gginbotham/220

He was allowed into the NCAA despite having been paid to play baseball, because he never hired an agent.

That being said - I think it's interesting that Bemidji is one of the first to pursue former pros under the new rules in the entirety of the NCAA.

[njmav1]

I don't see anything wrong with what Bemidji did. It does look a little desperate IMO. Is Serratore getting a little anxious with the decision to opt out of the House settlement? Is he looking at the recruiting classes of BGSU and MTU (CHL heavy) and Mankato (NCHC/B10/Hockey East)? I suppose we'll find out soon enough.

[Millsy]

The Junior Hockey News did quite the hit piece on all of this. I waded over onto their Facebook page to have a discussion, I feel for the players they advise.

https://thejuniorhockeynews.com/the-...kwA0RcxEbNuAQQ

[SW_Mustang]

What is everyone's in-person schedule looking like?

I re-enrolled at MSU, so while I'm far too old to be partying in the student section - I'd like to go to as many as I can since it's my last season with the Mavs. Kinda debating that Omaha road trip, RPI at home and Augustana on the road are a must.

I guess it all depends on how healthy the transportation is this year, and what I end up doing for grad school visits.

[Millsy]

I don't see anything wrong with what Bemidji did. It does look a little desperate IMO. Is Serratore getting a little anxious with the decision to opt out of the House settlement? Is he looking at the recruiting classes of BGSU and MTU (CHL heavy) and Mankato (NCHC/B10/Hockey East)? I suppose we'll find out soon enough.

I thought BSU hit the CHL quite heavily in recruiting, just that several of the recruits are using their overage year in the CHL and coming in next year.

[njmav1]

I thought BSU hit the CHL quite heavily in recruiting, just that several of the recruits are using their overage year in the CHL and coming in next year.

This will be an interesting season for the CCHA. There will be quite a few head coaches (and staff) that are entering their first, second, or third years. I really hope it changes the style of play and makes us a two bid conference.

[Millsy]

FloHockey's Called Up podcast talks about the signing of pro players. Starts at the 32 minute mark. About 10 minutes in length and they were in favor of it in certain cases.

https://www.flohockey.tv/collections...aying=14482549

[Millsy]

Wow, the divide between the CHL and NCAA is heating up. The CHL is discontinuing scout passes to NCAA scouts. They will still be able to attend games, but will have to pay for a ticket. I guess they are upset at some of the "poaching" that some NCAA schools have done, but nothing different than what the CHL has done in the past to NCAA programs.

https://www.grandforksherald.com/spo...r-ncaa-coaches

[Millsy]

Wow, the divide between the CHL and NCAA is heating up. The CHL is discontinuing scout passes to NCAA scouts. They will still be able to attend games, but will have to pay for a ticket. I guess they are upset at some of the "poaching" that some NCAA schools have done, but nothing different than what the CHL has done in the past to NCAA programs.

https://www.grandforksherald.com/spo...r-ncaa-coaches

And now it seems like the CHL is walking it back, somewhat. They are going to leave it up to the clubs who they issue passes to, if anyone. The league itself will not issue league wide passes (if I am understanding the update I read correctly).

[njmav1]

Wow, the divide between the CHL and NCAA is heating up. The CHL is discontinuing scout passes to NCAA scouts. They will still be able to attend games, but will have to pay for a ticket. I guess they are upset at some of the "poaching" that some NCAA schools have done, but nothing different than what the CHL has done in the past to NCAA programs.

https://www.grandforksherald.com/spo...r-ncaa-coaches

I can understand why the CHL would be upset. The players being "poached" are high value targets. They generate a lot of buzz and teams can count on selling more tickets. Now the NCAA stands to gain from that.

[Millsy]

I can understand why the CHL would be upset. The players being "poached" are high value targets. They generate a lot of buzz and teams can count on selling more tickets. Now the NCAA stands to gain from that.

But, for years the CHL was clamoring for the NCAA to open up to it's players. Now that it is happening, they are seeing the other side of the coin in recruiting battles.

[Millsy]

The CCHA has released both the Coaches and Media Preseason Polls and Awards.

2025-26 CCHA Preseason Coaches Poll:
St. Thomas – 72 (3 first-place votes)
Minnesota State – 71 (4)
Michigan Tech – 59 (2)
Augustana – 59
Bowling Green – 58
Bemidji State – 54
Lake Superior State – 38
Ferris State – 33
Northern Michigan – 24

2025-26 Preseason Players of the Year
Lucas Wahlin, UST

2025-26 Preseason Co-Rookie of the Year
Nathan Pilling, UST
Dominik Rymon, BGSU

2025-26 Preseason All-CCHA Team
Lucas Wahlin, UST*
Isaac Gordon, MTU
Stiven Sardarian, MTU
Evan Murr, MSU*
Isa Parekh, BSU
Alex Tracy, MSU

* - Unanimous


2025-26 CCHA Preseason Media Poll:
Minnesota State – 127 (8 first-place votes)
St. Thomas – 115 (2)
Bowling Green – 108 (4)
Michigan Tech – 100
Augustana – 95
Bemidji State – 75
Ferris State – 54
Lake Superior State – 49
Northern Michigan – 33

2025-26 Preseason Media Players of the Year
Alex Tracy, MSU

2025-26 Preseason Media Co-Rookie of the Year
Max Hildenbrand, BSU
Max Vig, BSU

2025-26 Preseason Media All-CCHA Team
Stiven Sardarian, MTU
Lucas Wahlin, UST
Brody Waters, BGSU
Evan Murr, MSU*
Isa Parekh, BSU
Alex Tracy, MSU*

* - Unanimous

[Millsy]

Looks like the door may still be open on foreign student being able to collect money while in college.

https://www.espn.com/womens-college-...l-visa-lawsuit

[crixus]

Alaska Anchorage won their exhibition game last night 12-0 over Briercrest College of Canada. All the Seawolves got playing time in that one which is nice.

The regular season opens October 3rd & 4th against Bemidji State in Anchorage. Go Seawolves!