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Avs take UMass’ Francesco Dell’Elce

The Colorado Avalanche went back to a familiar place for its first selection in the 2025 NHL draft. Colorado selected Francesco Dell’Elce, a defenseman from the University of Massachusetts, with the No. 77 pick in the third round Saturday. Listed at 6-foot-1 and 179 pounds, the left-shooting Dell’Elce had seven goals and 24 points in […]

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The Colorado Avalanche went back to a familiar place for its first selection in the 2025 NHL draft.

Colorado selected Francesco Dell’Elce, a defenseman from the University of Massachusetts, with the No. 77 pick in the third round Saturday. Listed at 6-foot-1 and 179 pounds, the left-shooting Dell’Elce had seven goals and 24 points in 40 games as a freshman at UMass this past season.

Dell’Elce was named to the Hockey East All-Rookie Team. This was the third year he was eligible for the draft. He turned 20 years old on Monday.

Two of the Avs’ three selections were overage prospects who had been passed over in drafts before. Colorado took multiple overage players a year ago as well, including goalie Ilya Nabokov in the second round and forward Nikita Prischepov in the seventh round.

“I think we’re at a place now where we view older players as players that can make an impact sooner,” Nick Pryor, the club’s director of amateur scouting, said. “(Dell’Elce) is an older guy that we feel is not far off if his game keeps progressing in the right direction. That’s exciting for us.”

Dell’Elce is the third Avs draft pick to play for UMass in the past nine years. Cale Makar was the No. 4 pick in the 2017 draft, and then Taylor Makar was a seventh-round selection in 2020. The Makar brothers played for the Brooks Bandits in the AJHL ahead of the draft before joining UMass.

Colorado’s second pick of the day was Linus Funck, a 6-foot-3 Swedish defenseman, at No. 118 in the fourth round.

Funck, a right-handed shot, had five goals and 28 points in 48 games for Luleå’s U-20 junior team. He was the 39th-ranked European skater in the class by NHL central scouting. He turned 18 on May 10.

“He’s got a really good feel for the puck and puck skills for a bigger body,” Pryor said. “He moves well. Like most, I think his game needs to round out and improve on the defensive side. … He’s exciting for us because he’s big, he’s mobile and he can move the puck.”

The Avs’ final choice of the draft was center Nolan Roed at No. 214 in the seventh round. Roed is a 5-11 center who had 27 goals and 60 points in 61 games for Tri-City in the USHL this past season. He’ll be a freshman at St. Cloud State next year.

“Nolan is a player that keeps getting better and better,” Pryor said. “I think with his scoring touch and competitiveness, he’s going to give himself a chance as long as his development keeps going in the right direction.”



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College Sports

Two ASU Future Commits Invited to USA Hockey Camp

Don’t let anyone tell you that hockey doesn’t belong in the desert, because Tempe, Arizona is quickly becoming a hotbed. Shortly after getting its first-ever first-round draft pick in Cullen Potter, the Sun Devils keep piling up the high-end commits. This time, two ASU commits were invited to USA Hockey’s Selection Camp for the Hlinka […]

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Don’t let anyone tell you that hockey doesn’t belong in the desert, because Tempe, Arizona is quickly becoming a hotbed.

Shortly after getting its first-ever first-round draft pick in Cullen Potter, the Sun Devils keep piling up the high-end commits.

This time, two ASU commits were invited to USA Hockey’s Selection Camp for the Hlinka Gretzky Cup, which occurs every summer.

It’s a prestigious tournament that features the world’s most talented players under the age of 18, and some of the biggest names in the NHL have participated in it over the decades.

Ben Kevan, an ASU commit and second-round NHL Draft pick, participated in last year’s Cup.

This season, defenseman Henry Chmiel, who boasts a large frame for someone his age, will take the ice.

At just 17 years old, he stands 6 feet tall and weighs 212 pounds.

He’s coming off an exceptional career at Shattuck St. Mary’s, a program that’s developed high-end NHL players for years.

This past season at Shattuck, he posted five goals and 20 assists in 55 games.

Chmiel is expected to spend next season in the USHL with the Des Moines Buccaneers, who selected him in the fourth round of the 2024 USHL Futures Draft.

Continuing the trend of young, big-bodied skaters, Jimmy Egan will also be participating.

Currently, Egan stands at 6-foot-2, 187 pounds, and he’ll be playing for the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League next season.

As part of the NCAA-CHL agreement, players are allowed to start their careers in major junior before transitioning to the college ranks.

It’s the perfect trajectory for a young player, especially someone who’s dominated practically everywhere he’s played.

This past season, Egan tore up the U16 AAA ranks with Sioux Falls Power, racking up 45 points in 26 games.

Once Sioux Falls’ season ended, he suited up for three games with the Omaha Lancers of the USHL, though he didn’t score.

Granted, the Lancers were the worst team in the league by far, and Egan’s chances of succeeding were slim.

That’s why, after the season, he committed to playing in Brandon for the 2025-26 campaign before making the jump to college.

It’s a new day for Arizona State hockey, and it’s become a destination for young players who not only want to enjoy the desert weather but also get a high-end education and develop into NHL players.

When you walk through the desert, that’s not a mirage you’re seeing — that’s an ice rink. And it’s leading you to a program that’s building a perennial contender for years to come.

Please follow us on X when you click right here and let us know you’re thoughts on ASU hockey!



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Livvy Dunne calls out New York Times over infamous ‘Sex Sells’ headline

In November 2022, The New York Times published a story, “New Endorsements for College Athletes Resurface an Old Concern: Sex Sells.” The article concerned the growth of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) in women’s college sports and how some female college athletes, based on their large social media followings and conventional attractiveness, were being rewarded […]

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Big inning allows Huskies to rally for win – Duluth News Tribune

LA CROSSE — The Duluth Huskies used an eight-run sixth inning to turn around their game at the La Crosse Loggers and eventually win it 10-9 on Friday night. The Huskies were down 7-2 through five innings before their breakout, which began with four straight hits, including a two-run triple from Nate Novitske. Novitske came […]

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LA CROSSE — The Duluth Huskies used an eight-run sixth inning to turn around their game at the La Crosse Loggers and eventually win it 10-9 on Friday night.

The Huskies were down 7-2 through five innings before their breakout, which began with four straight hits, including a two-run triple from Nate Novitske. Novitske came in on an RBI groundout to make it a one-run game. Trey Craig’s two-run double gave the Huskies the lead and Nate Vargas followed with a two-run homer.

The Loggers pulled a run back in the bottom half of the inning and closed to within one in the eighth, but Huskies closer Danny Hesse worked around a leadoff single to finish off the win.

Vargas led the Huskies, going 3-for-4. He also homered in the second inning. Noah Furcht and Jake Downing recorded two hits apiece.

Proctor native Nick Terhaar allowed two runs on three hits in the fifth inning but was the pitcher of record when the Huskies rallied and earned the win.

Duluth (12-4 second half) will face the Loggers in La Crosse again on Saturday.

Our newsroom occasionally reports stories under a byline of “staff.” Often, the “staff” byline is used when rewriting basic news briefs that originate from official sources, such as a city press release about a road closure, and which require little or no reporting. At times, this byline is used when a news story includes numerous authors or when the story is formed by aggregating previously reported news from various sources. If outside sources are used, it is noted within the story.





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The Granite State’s Trailblazer: Taylor Wenczkowski’s Journey Through Women’s Hockey

Photo via Boston Fleet Taylor Wenczkowski is the only player (to date) to have played in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) who was born in New Hampshire. She spent all of her hockey career in New Hampshire and Boston. She has cemented herself in Boston women’s hockey and has taken a step back to […]

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Taylor Wenczkowski’s

Photo via Boston Fleet

Taylor Wenczkowski is the only player (to date) to have played in the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) who was born in New Hampshire. She spent all of her hockey career in New Hampshire and Boston. She has cemented herself in Boston women’s hockey and has taken a step back to coach and uplift the next wave of trailblazers on the collegiate level for Princeton University’s Women’s ice hockey team. 

GROWING UP IN NH/JWHL

Wenczkowski was born in Rochester, New Hampshire. She grew up playing boys hockey in New Hampshire up until her sophomore year of high school, due to the limited options in girls hockey. She said that there has been a substantial growth over the last ten years. She grew up just twenty minutes away from the University of New Hampshire and started attending their games when she was eight years old. She looked up to UNH alumni Sam Faber and Kacey Bellamy. Over time, she fell in love with the school and the hockey program. In her final season at UNH, she was named captain, and as she described it, it was a dream come true.

Photo from Twencz_12 on X.

PHF

Wenczkowski played for the Boston Pride of the PHF/NWHL and won two championships with them. “My first year was really unique as it was the bubble season, but it was really special to be a part of a growing and improving league that allowed me to live out a childhood dream of playing professional hockey.” The back-to-back Isobel Cup champion scored the game-winning goals in both years and cemented herself in Boston Pride history.

Photo Credit: Michelle Jay

PWHL

Wenczkowski only spent one year with the Boston Fleet (known as PWHL Boston at the time), but she was a cherished member and was honored to be a part of the inaugural season. “It’s special to see how many people came out to support us and to see the growth of all of women’s sports.” In her final season playing professional hockey, she scored two goals in eight games during the playoffs for the Fleet.

COACHING/AFTER PLAYING

The chapter on playing professional hockey may have ended for Wenczkowski, but her coaching career has taken off! After her first year with PWHL Boston, she got offered an opportunity to coach at Princeton University. She started to coach during college, her first role was a head coach internship for a U16 team. She started her company, “TW Hockey Academy,” where she runs camps and clinics from the age of four until the collegiate level. “It’s so rewarding to teach the game of hockey and help others achieve their goals.”

HOPES FOR THE FUTURE AND A MESSAGE TO YOUNG PLAYERS

“I hope to see women’s hockey at the pro level continue to sell out NHL arenas and eventually have all the teams playing in front of 20,000 fans every single game…” 

“For younger players, my advice is, you need to enjoy the game and have fun. If you’re putting too much pressure on yourself to succeed, it may hinder your performance. There’s no point in sacrificing yourself and so much time if you aren’t absolutely loving what you do.”


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Gavin McKenna Joins Forces With Sidney Crosby’s Agent As 2026 NHL Draft Prospect Embarks on $700,000 Journey

The hockey world is buzzing as Gavin McKenna, projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, makes a decision that could change everything for future NHL stars. At just 17 years old, McKenna isn’t just grabbing headlines for his jaw-dropping stats and electric potential on ice. He’s rewriting the playbook by ditching the […]

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The hockey world is buzzing as Gavin McKenna, projected No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, makes a decision that could change everything for future NHL stars. At just 17 years old, McKenna isn’t just grabbing headlines for his jaw-dropping stats and electric potential on ice. He’s rewriting the playbook by ditching the Canadian Hockey League for NCAA hockey, committing to Penn State University with NIL compensation reportedly around $700,000.

Why Did Gavin McKenna Choose College Over Junior Hockey?

This move goes way deeper than McKenna’s individual career path. It signals a seismic shift in hockey development that has executives, scouts, and players watching closely.

After his record-breaking campaign with the Medicine Hat Tigers in the Western Hockey League, where he racked up 129 points in just 56 games, McKenna could have easily returned to dominate Canadian junior hockey again. Instead, he’s betting on the college route, bringing a wave of change that reflects the evolving relationship between the NCAA, CHL, and NHL.

The timing couldn’t be more perfect. Until recently, NCAA rules blocked players from Canadian junior teams from suiting up for Division I hockey. That barrier crumbled last November when the NCAA made its landmark NIL ruling, opening the door for CHL players to compete in U.S. college hockey.

The new rule kicks in this August, and McKenna stands as one of the first marquee prospects to jump on this opportunity. His choice isn’t just making history; it’s a ringing endorsement of college hockey as a legitimate path for elite prospects.

“Both options were great, but I just think going to college, being in such a great conference, it’ll really challenge me and prepare me,” McKenna said.

What Does McKenna’s Star-Power Agent Bring to the Table?

McKenna’s journey gets even more intriguing when you look at who’s steering his career. He’s teamed up with legendary NHL agent Pat Brisson, the same power broker who guided first-overall picks Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, and John Tavares to stardom. Brisson and rising CAA agent Matt Williams now have their hands full managing someone many consider hockey’s next generational talent.

For McKenna, picking Penn State over CHL powerhouses or even other top NCAA programs like Michigan State, who reportedly dangled $200,000 to $300,000 in NIL money, wasn’t purely about the cash. Development played a huge role.

College hockey throws younger players into battles against older, stronger, more experienced competition, especially in a brutal conference like the Big Ten. It’s a similar strategy as recent top picks like Auston Matthews (who played in Switzerland before the draft) and Macklin Celebrini (who starred at Boston University) used to sharpen their games before jumping to the NHL.

McKenna gets a chance to fine-tune his skills against top-tier competition before making his professional leap.

How Does This Set Up McKenna’s NHL Future?

That leap to the pros looks virtually guaranteed. If McKenna gets selected first overall in 2026 as everyone expects, he’ll likely step straight into an NHL lineup, following the blueprint of countless top picks before him.

McKenna would also join exclusive company, becoming just the fourth winger in the past 15 years to go first overall, alongside Nail Yakupov (2012, Alexis Lafreniere (2020), and Juraj Slafkovsky (2022). But unlike those three, McKenna is already generating the kind of early buzz and excitement usually reserved for franchise centers like Connor McDavid and Auston Matthews.

Meanwhile, Canadian hockey officials are taking McKenna’s decision in stride. While many fans and league executives would have loved to see him continue tearing up the CHL, the Ontario Hockey League and other circuits are staying calm. OHL Commissioner Bryan Crawford has acknowledged McKenna’s choice and is reportedly working with him and his representation moving forward.

McKenna’s move to Penn State represents more than one player changing paths. It’s the first major test of how the new NCAA rules will reshape hockey development, potentially opening floodgates for other elite prospects to consider college hockey as a serious alternative to traditional junior routes.





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2 Penn State women’s hockey players invited to USA Hockey U19 Camp | Penn State Women’s Hockey News

Two of Penn State’s newest players will compete for a spot on Team USA’s U19 team. Defenseman Sophie Morrow and forward Mikah Keller received invites to the USA Hockey U19 Camp. 𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐩: USA Hockey U19 Camp for Sophie Morrow & Mikah Keller 🇺🇸 🏒 #WeAre pic.twitter.com/IOQ9ZihVit — Penn State Women’s Hockey (@PennStateWHKY) July 17, […]

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Two of Penn State’s newest players will compete for a spot on Team USA’s U19 team.

Defenseman Sophie Morrow and forward Mikah Keller received invites to the USA Hockey U19 Camp.

Morrow is coming off a strong season from the blue line, tallying 35 points across 46 games for Shattuck St. Mary’s Prep.

Keller was a point-scoring machine before starting her collegiate career. Across 24 games in her final season, she totaled 18 goals and 35 points.

The Nittany Lions are no strangers to international competition as Morrow and Keller will look to join the likes of Tessa Janecke and Nicole Hall, who’ve previously competed for their respective countries.

MORE HOCKEY COVERAGE


Penn State women’s hockey players to watch for upcoming 2025-26 season

The doors at Pegula Ice Arena aren’t open yet, but it’s not too early to start thinking abou…

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