The student writers over at the Daily Collegian are gearing up for the imminent start to the school year with an article on this year’s hockey schedule.  An interesting stat that Nick O’Malley points out is that UMass is 4-0-1 against BU when they play in the fall portion of the season.

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The athletic department released the Media Guide/Record Book this past week and I have to say it’s pretty impressive.  Like a lot of schools UMass has stopped actually publishing its media guide and instead just has it available electronically, but that doesn’t mean they didn’t put a lot of work into it.  What I noticed the most versus past editions is much more historical data on the program, from a historical timeline of UMass hockey going back to its founding in 1908 to historical rosters and stats dating back to the early 60s.  It also includes the stats for Minutemen that have played in the NHL and minors.  Overall, a great resource for UMass hockey fans in addition to the media.

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The recent defections of college or college-bound players to the major juniors recently has brought recent attention to this critical issue affecting NCAA hockey.  Indeed we’ve even seen it ourselves with the loss of UMass recruits to the OHL and QMJHL like Vladimir Nikiforov, Zach Phillips, and John Carlson.  It seems like the war of words is beginning to heat up between both sides and I thought I’d share a few links for those interested.

Here’s a Canadian perspective complaining that the CHL is being discredited.  Interesting how the Bob Nicholson of Hockey Canada flat out lies and says that bashing of college hockey by the Canadian leagues isn’t happening when it’s actually occurring quite regularly and even quite recently by London Knight Coach Dale Hunter when he snatched incoming Notre Dame recruit Jarred Tinordi.  Does the name ring a bell?  Hunter, who has a reputation for stealing college bound players, also convinced John Carlson to head north.  Of course what do you expect from a guy who cheap shots guys after goals.

And then from the NCAA side are a couple a great reads from bloggers Bruce Ciskie and his Ciskie Blog on the issues at play in the potential summit of the two sides and Chris Dilks of the Western College Hockey Blog who debunks some CHL claims.  Dilks also suggests the most simple of solutions.  Once a player commits to a US college, the major junior leagues agree not to go after him.  Easy enough, but I for one doubt there’s enough honor on the other side of the border to agree to such a quick fix.