BELOIT, Wis. (WKOW) — Beloit College has signed an agreement for its men’s and women’s hockey teams to play at the Woodman’s Sports and Convention Center in Janesville.

The teams will practice and play games there throughout the 2025-26 season.

“We’re super excited to be at the Woodman’s Center,” said Beloit College men’s ice hockey coach Shane Buckley. “The brand-new rink will be state-of-the-art and a great home for the men’s and women’s ice hockey teams. We look forward to packing the stands for the blue and gold.”

Janesville’s city manager says this partnership is a great example of how the Woodman’s Center is already delivering on its promise to be a regional destination.

For more information about Beloit College Athletics and the upcoming ice hockey season click here.

Boston College coach Greg Brown saw tremendous growth throughout Stiga’s freshman season, when the forward had 30 points (14 goals, 16 assists) in 36 games. He anticipates Stiga will continue to grow as he is leaned on to play a larger role as a sophomore.

“Teddy gives an honest effort every single day,” said Brown, who is also serving as an assistant for the U.S. “He never takes any drill off, and I think having that attitude and that consistent effort really paid off for him last year. I think he had a great season for us at BC and obviously to be able to cap off the World Juniors with the gold-medal game-winning goal is special thing that he’ll never forget.”

Stiga, selected by the Predators in the second round (No. 55) of the 2024 NHL Draft, recognizes the opportunity ahead of him in his second college season. His hockey IQ and skating ability, combined with his aptitude for making plays and finding the back of the net, already bode well for him.

This season, it will be about taking those skills to the next level, and about winning a third straight gold medal at the 2026 World Juniors, which will take place in St. Paul and Minneapolis from Dec. 26-Jan.5.

“I think it’s just kind of about honing in all my skills,” Stiga said. “The start of my college career it was definitely faster paced, but now that I’m used to that I should be able to have a really good start to the year and carry that throughout.

“This summer I’ve just been working on everything — getting bigger, faster, stronger. I know that’s a cliche answer, but it’s what I want and need to do to become a complete player. A better player.”

Peter Schrager could have a role on Monday nights; Comcast executives discuss the NBA on NBC and Peacock; and DIRECTV customers will receive access to the ‘Unlimited’ package of ESPN DTC. Plus additional news about Shannon Sharpe, Danny Parkins, SiriusXM and Mary Wise.

Schrager says he will “probably play some role on Monday nights”

ESPN NFL analyst Peter Schrager said during a recent appearance on the “SI Media” podcast that he will “probably play some role on Monday nights” for ESPN and that he hopes it will be on-site. “I wanted to make a point that I can be on site and be working from the Monday night locales, so I’m going to be doing that a bunch of games,” Schrager said. “Not sure the amount, but I’m hoping to be on site as often as possible and on your screen as much as possible.”

Although he does not know if he will appear on “Countdown” or “NFL Live,” Schrager conveyed that he misses being on the sidelines and would find time in his own schedule to attend games.

Schrager also said that there has not been “a real, concrete conversation yet” on the prospect of him hosting a new show in the 5 PM ET timeslot once occupied by the recently-canceled “Around the Horn,” a possibility reported by Alex Sherman of CNBC earlier in the year. “But if I’m being completely honest, I want to be great. I want to do as much as I possibly can, and my own show would be an absolute dream, and hopefully getting these reps hosting ‘Get Up’ … hopefully that’s a sign that I can do this.”

Peacock price increase could help soften blow of NBA rights fee

Comcast expects its recent $3 per month price increase for Peacock to help soften the financial blow of its new NBA media rights deal, the company’s president Mike Cavanagh said during an earnings call Thursday. Comcast is reportedly paying the league $2.45 billion per annum for the rights under which it will present regular-season and playoff games on NBC and Peacock.

“The impact of this price increase, combined with the strong upfront results … helped position us in the fourth quarter as we launch the NBA and take on higher sports programming expenses, particularly in the first year of the NBA contract when we absorb the full impact of adding these new rights,” Mike Cavanagh, president of Comcast Corporation, said during an earnings call.

Comcast CFO Jason S. Armstrong said the NBA deal is expected to help strengthen Comcast in the second quarter of the year, when it “has historically lacked tentpole sports.” During this year’s recently completed second quarter, Peacock subscribers stayed flat at 41 million.

“Over time, the next few years, we’ll have the opportunity to drive Peacock subscribers higher as we leverage NBA and other content and the [trend] of consumer[s] from the linear ecosystem to the streaming ecosystem continues,” Cavanagh said.

DIRECTV to provide ‘Unlimited’ ESPN DTC package to customers

DIRECTV subscribers will gain access to the “Unlimited” package within the upcoming ESPN direct-to-consumer service for no additional charge, it was announced Thursday. Under the carriage agreement the company reached with Disney last fall — which ended a nearly two-week blackout — it the rights to distribute the ESPN DTC service at no additional cost for its customers.

DIRECTV users already receive the ESPN networks under the existing carriage agreement, making the direct-to-consumer service at least somewhat redundant. The new service, which will be available through the ESPN App, will have enhancements over and above the linear channels. Among the previously reported additions are a “Catch Up to Live” functionality, “Rivals Mode,” and a personalized edition of “SportsCenter.”

“If you buy us through Comcast or Charter or DIRECTV, okay, great,” ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro said at “Off The Record with Andrew Marchand presented by WSC Sports” this past March. “We’re happy with that, but we want you to go to the ESPN App and authenticate because that’s where we’re going to have all of these enhanced experiences, like an integration on betting, an integration on fantasy around live games, commerce integration.”

Plus: Shannon Sharpe, Danny Parkins, SiriusXM, Mary Wise

• Former NFL tight end Shannon Sharpe addressed the news that he will not be returning to ESPN on a recent edition of the “Nightcap” podcast. Sharpe explained that he is “at peace with” it and enjoyed his time with the network, and he thanked his fans for supporting him over the years.
• FS1 host Danny Parkins is back on 670 The Score hosting a 24-hour radiothon to raise money for cancer research. The “Cubs For A Cure Radiothon” aims to raise $1 million to fight cancer and runs through Friday morning.
• SiriusXM registered a 2% year-over-year decline in revenue for the fiscal second quarter to $2.14 billion amid a $21 million reduction in subscriber revenue. The company continues to invest in its audio content, recently announcing a multiyear agreement with Stephen A. Smith under which he will host and executive produce two new shows starting in September.
• Mary Wise, a three-time AVCA coach of the year, is joining ESPN where she will serve as a women’s college volleyball analyst. Wise retired from coaching in February after over three decades at the University of Florida, and she will make her debut on studio coverage from the AVCA First Serve Invitational on Sunday, Aug. 24.

EASTON, Mass. (July 31, 2025) – Stonehill College men’s hockey head coach David Berard has announced the additions of Cam MacDonald and Will Healey to the Skyhawks’ staff for the upcoming 2025-26 season. MacDonald joins the program as an assistant coach, while Healey will serve as Director of Hockey Operations.

“I am excited to welcome Cam and Will to Stonehill,” said Berard. “Both bring valuable experience and knowledge of college hockey to their positions. They will make an immediate positive impact and help us take the next step forward in our development. We are a better program with Cam and Will in it.”

MacDonald arrives in Easton following a successful stint as an assistant coach at Colby College, where he worked under his father, longtime head coach Blaise MacDonald. At Colby, MacDonald played a key role in all aspects of recruiting and was instrumental in the development of individual player skills, particularly focusing on defensemen both in-game and in practice.

He also coordinated the Mules’ power play unit, which finished second in the NESCAC with a 20.3% (15-for-75) conversion rate, and helped lead a defensive unit that ranked third in the conference with just 2.46 goals allowed per game.

Prior to his time at Colby, MacDonald spent three seasons as an assistant coach at Amherst College. There, he managed the recruitment of student-athletes, oversaw skill development, directed defensive play, and prepared opponent scouting reports.

A 2018 graduate of Colby, MacDonald was a standout for the Mules, leading his class in both points and games played. He earned NESCAC All-Sportsmanship Team honors in 2016 and 2018, and was a key contributor to the 2018 NESCAC Championship team that advanced to the NCAA Division III Frozen Four.

Following his collegiate playing career, MacDonald signed professional contracts with the South Carolina Stingrays (ECHL affiliate of the NHL’s Washington Capitals) and the Fayetteville Marksmen (SPHL).

Healey comes to Stonehill after serving as a graduate assistant with the Providence College men’s hockey program. In that role, he was responsible for live Time-on-Ice tagging, video review of challenged plays, and overseeing video operations during practices and goalie sessions.

During his undergraduate years in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Healey served as Director of Operations and Video Coach for the University of New Brunswick men’s hockey team. His responsibilities included coordinating team travel and meals, managing video capture and live tagging, researching and implementing new video software, and supporting coaching staff with video breakdowns, analytics, and recruiting materials.

Healey was part of a record-setting 43-0 undefeated season with UNB in 2024, contributing to back-to-back AUS Championships and USports National Championships.

A 2024 graduate of the University of New Brunswick, Healey also worked at the International Tennis Hall of Fame, where he served as both Player Services Coordinator and Operations Crew Supervisor. His duties included coordinating player logistics, match day services, and overseeing operations for athletes and officials.

MacDonald and Healey join a Skyhawks staff that includes Berard, now entering his second season as head coach, along with assistant coach Brian Rigali and equipment manager Alex Gurley.

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