Michigan Tech head coach Bill Muckalt addresses the media during a press conference Tuesday morning at the MacInnes Student Ice Arena in Houghton. (Photo courtesy of Michigan Tech University)

HOUGHTON — Tuesday morning, Michigan Tech University introduced Bill Muckalt as the 23rd head coach in its hockey program’s history. He had previously been at Michigan Tech as an assistant coach under Mel Pearson from 2011-15 before he left the university to become the head coach of the Tri-City Storm in the United States Hockey League from 2015-17, where he won a Clark Cup in his first season with the team.

He went on from there to return to his alma mater, the University of Michigan from 2017-23, where he served as the lead recruiter. He moved on from Michigan to become the head coach of new NCAA program Lindenwood last season.

Muckalt is excited to be back in the Copper Country.

“(I am) extremely excited,” he said. “I mean, it’s such a special place, rich tradition. It’s an honor.”

He has nothing but fond memories of his time here as an assistant coach.

“People in the Copper Country are amazing,” he said. “They’re really down to earth, extremely loyal, and they have a real sense of community up here. So, those are things from a hockey standpoint, just building back up a brand, speaking about the first time when I got here, just rebuilding it and restoring it, how proud that people are of Michigan Tech and how proud they are of the Husky brand.”

When Pearson was hired in 2011, Muckalt was one of the first people he reached out to in the hopes that he wanted to be a part of the process of returning the Huskies to the national tournament, somewhere the school had not been since 1981.

“Obviously, I think the program is in a lot better shape, the locker room, the facilities, everything,” said Muckalt. “It’s truly an honor and privilege to be back here, and I think the expectation doesn’t change. It’s still the same, win a championship, get in the tournament and try and win the last game of the year. That’s the expectation.”

Prior to the 2024-25 season, the Huskies had made the NCAA Tournament three straight seasons under then-coach Joe Shawhan. When asked if he believed he could get the Huskies back to the tournament quickly, he did not hesitate.

“It’s a belief,” he said. “You have to have a belief in them, and they have to have a belief in themselves that they can achieve that. We have to kind of steer that ship for them and keep them on course at times, or when you’re out and if you’re out in a storm, it’s hard, maybe, to see the land, but you got to get back to the land, and that’s what we’re doing.

“In a parallel to hockey, that championship, it’s not going to be easy. There’s going to be ups and downs, and (we’ve) got to steady the course and right the ship, so to speak. But, I think the part is them going through and learning. We’re growing together on a journey. The good news is we need each other, pick each other up along the way, and pat each other on the back when things are going well.”

Muckalt has faith in the team already assembled.

“We haven’t lost a game yet, so everybody likes their chances,” he said. “Right now, I’m positive (and) optimistic, and I’m going to believe in our players and believe in our staff. We’re going to do everything we can to get better every day.There’s no way that I would put a handicap on this group or us. We’re going to go and try to win the race.”

One thing is for certain, Muckalt is excited to be back in the MacInnes Student Ice Arena for game day.

“There’s so many things I should have pointed out for this press conference that I forgot to touch on. The Mitch’s Misfits bring so much energy,” he said. “Specifically I remember playing Wisconsin here the first weekend we were here, and we beat them and how electric that was. Even just traveling with the Misfits down to Duluth, and just how well the GLI is attended by alumni, so the Mac, there’s no better place to be when the Mac is full, and it’s full all the time.”

Why make the change now?

Michigan Tech’s Vice President for Athletics and Recreation Suzanne Sanregret spoke to the timing of the coaching change.

“I think that if anyone read the comments from Coach Shawhan in the TV6 articles, we just couldn’t come to agreement on an extension of a contract,” she said. “With that being said, and having two assistant coaching positions open, it becomes really difficult to make any of those hires. (I am) really pleased with the work that Coach Shawhan did, but I think it’s time for a change and to move into this new direction.

“With a rapidly changing college hockey landscape, it just felt like the right time to do it, to make the switch.”

Sanregret is excited to bring Muckalt back at this point in time.

“There certainly is an intensity about Bill Muckalt, and just a championship pedigree,” she said. “I think all coaches seem to have that, but his relationships, his connections, his relationships with family, advisors, experience in the USHL, and, I think, in the modern era of where the collegiate landscape is going, he has an ability to work with me, to work toward, toward the requirements, I think, of what college hockey is going to look like in the next few years and already is looking like.”

Changing landscape of college sports

With the changing landscape of college hockey, from the transfer portal to Name, Image, Likeness, to the addition of players from the branches of the Canadian Hockey League, timing has become something very important.

“I think that if we aren’t nimble, and don’t respond that way, we fall behind and you lose opportunity,” Sanregret said. “I want to set the bar where we can be in the same conversations as several of the higher end institutions and hockey programs. This gives us a shot at it.”

At the same time, Sanregret is proud of how both Pearson and Shawhan set up the hockey program in the past decade-plus.

“Well, first, I think Coach Pearson and Coach Shawhan did incredible work for us,” she said. “I appreciate everything that they’ve done. I think this is just another evolution of the next steps we can’t sit on. We have to keep moving forward, and it’s with a lot of change.

“Coach Pearson gave us national relevancy, again brought the program back. Coach Shawhan enhanced that, continued with that, and now I think there’s an opportunity for Coach Muckalt to continue to raise that bar and that level. It’s going to require us modernizing with where collegiate athletics is today. I can’t wait.”

Michigan Tech head coach Bill Muckalt stands in the team’s locker room after a press conference Tuesday morning at the MacInnes Student Ice Arena in Houghton. (Photo courtesy of Michigan Tech University)

The Edmonton Oilers have taken full control of the Western Conference Final after their 4-1 win over the Dallas Stars in Game 4 on Tuesday night. Edmonton leads the series 3-1 and is one win away from advancing to the Stanley Cup Final for the second consecutive year.

Unfortunately for the Stars, the story of Game 4 was a familiar one. Just like in Game 3, Dallas played well through 40 minutes but trailed going into the third period. As was the case last time out, the Stars ran out of steam in the final frame, throwing just four shots on Stuart Skinner.

One of the heroes of the game for the Oilers was Corey Perry, who became one of five players aged 40 or older to score in a conference finals game. His power-play tally in the second period proved to be the game-winner as the Oilers locked down the Stars late.

Stars vs. Oilers: Scores, schedule, odds, where to watch as Edmonton wins Game 4 to take 3-1 series lead

Chris Bengel

Ryan Nugent-Hopkins also recorded his fourth straight multi-point game of this series, assisting on each of Edmonton’s first two goals. He’s now up to nine points in four games against the Stars, and he has elevated his game after an underwhelming regular season.

A Stars offense that had been so explosive all season has suddenly gone ice cold. Dallas has just two goals in the least three games, and some of its top players have been no-shows in the series. Mikko Rantanen hasn’t scored in seven games, and Matt Duchene and Jamie Benn are stuck on one goal apiece in the playoffs.

Now, we are on the brink of a rematch of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final between the Oilers and Florida Panthers. On Wednesday night, the Panthers will roll into Raleigh with a chance to oust the Hurricanes in Game 5.

For the complete schedule and results for every matchup, follow along right here at CBS Sports.

Eastern Conference Final

(2) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (3) Florida Panthers

Game 1: Panthers 5, Hurricanes 2 | Recap
Game 2: Panthers 5, Hurricanes 0 | Recap
Game 3: Panthers 6, Hurricanes 2 | Recap
Game 4: Hurricanes 3, Panthers 0 | Recap
Game 5: Wednesday, May 28 | 8 p.m. | at CAR | TNT, truTV, Max
*Game 6: Friday, May 30 | 8 p.m. | at FLA | TNT, truTV, Max
*Game 7: Sunday, June 1 | 8 p.m. | at CAR | TNT, truTV, Max

Western Conference Final

(2) Dallas Stars vs. (3) Edmonton Oilers

Game 1: Stars 6, Oilers 3 | Recap
Game 2: Oilers 3, Stars 0 | Recap
Game 3: Oilers 6, Stars 1 | Recap
Game 4: Oilers 4, Stars 1 | Recap
Game 5: Thursday, May 29 | 8 p.m. | at DAL | ESPN/ESPN+
*Game 6: Saturday, May 31 | 8 p.m. | at EDM | ABC/ESPN+
*Game 7: Monday, June 2 | 8 p.m. | at DAL | ESPN/ESPN+

Round 2

(1) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (3) Florida Panthers

Game 1: Maple Leafs 5, Panthers 4 | Recap
Game 2: Maple Leafs 4, Panthers 3 | Recap
Game 3: Panthers 5, Maple Leafs 4 (OT) | Recap
Game 4: Panthers 2, Maple Leafs 0 | Recap
Game 5: Panthers 6, Maple Leafs 1 | Recap
Game 6: Maple Leafs 2, Panthers 0 | Recap
Game 7: Panthers 6, Maple Leafs 1 | Recap

(1) Washington Capitals vs. (2) Carolina Hurricanes

Game 1: Hurricanes 2, Capitals 1 (OT) | Recap
Game 2: Capitals 3, Hurricanes 1 | Recap
Game 3: Hurricanes 4, Capitals 0 | Recap
Game 4: Hurricanes 5, Capitals 2 | Recap
Game 5: Hurricanes 3, Capitals 1 | Recap

(1) Winnipeg Jets vs. (2) Dallas Stars

Game 1: Stars 3, Jets 2 | Recap
Game 2: Jets 4, Stars 0 | Recap
Game 3: Stars 5, Jets 2 | Recap
Game 4: Stars 3, Jets 1 | Recap
Game 5: Jets 4, Stars 0 | Recap
Game 6: Stars 2, Jets 1 (OT) | Recap

(1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (3) Edmonton Oilers

Game 1: Oilers 4, Golden Knights 2 | Recap
Game 2: Oilers 5, Golden Knights 4 (OT) | Recap
Game 3: Golden Knights 4, Oilers 3 | Recap
Game 4: Oilers 3, Golden Knights 0 | Recap
Game 5: Oilers 1, Golden Knights 0 (OT) | Recap

Round 1

(1) Toronto Maple Leafs vs. (WC1) Ottawa Senators

Game 1: Maple Leafs 6, Senators 2 | Recap
Game 2: Maple Leafs 3, Senators 2 (OT) | Recap
Game 3: Maple Leafs 3, Senators 2 (OT) | Recap
Game 4: Senators 4, Maple Leafs 3 (OT) | Recap
Game 5: Senators 4, Maple Leafs 0 | Recap
Game 6: Maple Leafs 4, Senators 2  | Recap

(2)Tampa Bay Lightning vs. (3) Florida Panthers

Game 1: Panthers 6, Lightning 2 | Recap
Game 2: Panthers 2, Lightning 0 | Recap
Game 3: Lightning 5, Panthers 1 | Recap
Game 4: Panthers 4, Lightning 2 | Recap
Game 5: Panthers 6, Lightning 3 | Recap

(1) Washington Capitals vs. (WC2) Montreal Canadiens

Game 1: Capitals 3, Canadiens 2 (OT) | Recap
Game 2: Capitals 3, Canadiens 1 | Recap
Game 3: Canadiens 6, Capitals 3 | Recap
Game 4: Capitals 5, Canadiens 2 | Recap
Game 5: Capitals 4, Canadiens 1 | Recap

(2) Carolina Hurricanes vs. (3) New Jersey Devils

Game 1: Hurricanes 4, Devils 1 | Recap
Game 2: Hurricanes 3, Devils 1 | Recap
Game 3: Devils 3, Hurricanes 2 (2OT) | Recap
Game 4: Hurricanes 5, Devils 2 | Recap
Game 5: Hurricanes 5, Devils 4 (2OT) | Recap

(1) Winnipeg Jets vs. (WC2) St. Louis Blues

Game 1: Jets 5, Blues 3 | Recap
Game 2: Jets 2, Blues 1 | Recap
Game 3: Blues 7, Jets 2 | Recap
Game 4: Blues 5, Jets 1 | Recap
Game 5: Jets 5, Blues 3 | Recap
Game 6: Blues 5, Jets 2 | Recap
Game 7: Jets 4, Blues 3 (2OT) | Recap

(2) Dallas Stars vs. (3) Colorado Avalanche

Game 1: Avalanche 5, Stars 1 | Recap
Game 2: Stars 4, Avalanche 3 (OT) | Recap
Game 3: Stars 2, Avalanche 1 (OT) | Recap
Game 4: Avalanche 4, Stars 0 | Recap
Game 5: Stars 6, Avalanche 2 | Recap
Game 6: Avalanche 7, Stars 4 | Recap
Game 7: Stars 4, Avalanche 2 | Recap

(1) Vegas Golden Knights vs. (WC1) Minnesota Wild

Game 1: Golden Knights 4, Wild 2 | Recap
Game 2: Wild 5, Golden Knights 2 | Recap
Game 3: Wild 5, Golden Knights 2 | Recap
Game 4: Golden Knights 4, Wild 3 (OT) | Recap
Game 5: Golden Knights 3, Wild 2 (OT) | Recap
Game 6: Golden Knights 3, Wild 2 | Recap

(2) Los Angeles Kings vs. (3) Edmonton Oilers

Game 1: Kings 6, Oilers 5 | Recap
Game 2: Kings 6, Oilers 2 | Recap
Game 3: Oilers 7, Kings 4 | Recap
Game 4: Oilers 4, Kings 3 (OT) | Recap
Game 5: Oilers 3, Kings 1 | Recap
Game 6: Oilers 6, Kings 4 | Recap 

We cannot leave well enough alone, now can we? As a society, we love to meddle and consume ourselves with other people’s business, mostly because we cannot stomach the lives we are currently leading. It is the sad state of existence in today’s world, so the wonderful world of NIL shall be no different. Man, have we opened up another can of worms with this serious allegation on it now?

Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart told Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports “that collectives are striking deals with high school recruits to keep and gain their commitments — paying them as much as $20,000 a month in this unregulated market. If they de-commit, they are being asked to return the compensation.” So a top college football recruit can make $100,000 over a semester for being loyal?

This is not about Georgia getting or not getting someone. It is all about the entire system being established on a house of cards with an even flimsier foundation. It is why Deloitte is setting up a college sports clearinghouse for NIL called “NIL Go”. This is to make sure every NIL deal is legit. Dellenger does a far better job of explaining what all is going on in this with his latest for Yahoo.

This feels like NIL is becoming part of the FDIC, but who knows what each collective is trying to do.

Ten-time All-American gymnast eMjae Frazier transferred from Cal to Florida Tuesday. The New Jersey native will compete in the Orange and Blue for her senior season.

So thankful to join the fam!!!

— emjae frazier (@EmjaeFrazier) May 27, 2025

Career Highlights

Frazier has three perfect 10.0s in her career. She was the first to ever score a 10 on floor for Cal, which she first accomplished in her freshman year. In the second week of the 2024 season, Frazier achieved a 10 on beam, becoming the first Bear to score perfectly on two events. She also holds the three highest all-around scores in Cal history.

In 2024, the Bears placed second in the NCAA National Championship Finals, its highest finish in program history. The Gators placed fourth, while LSU won the national title for the first time. At that competition, Frazier shared the highest all-around score of the meet with Haleigh Bryant of LSU.

In Cal’s first year in the ACC, Frazier received five all-conference honors after earning six in the Pac-12. She was also a member of the 2025 ACC Championship team.

“eMjae comes to us with a wealth of competitive and leadership experience,” Florida head coach Jenny Rowland said. “We can’t wait to see her make an impact in Orange and Blue both on and off the floor this season!”

The Gators eliminated the Bears in the regional finals in Tuscaloosa in April, ending Cal’s season and Frazier’s time with the squad. She did not qualify for any individual events at the national championship despite finishing the year prior as the No. 3 all-around gymnast in the NCAA.

The Transfer

On April 21, Frazier announced on Instagram that she would graduate after three years at Cal. She said she would use her final year of eligibility while pursuing a master’s degree.

She now joins Selena Harris-Miranda — who transferred to Florida from UCLA after the 2024 season — on the east coast in their senior seasons. Frazier’s all-around talent can help fill the hole left behind from Gator graduates Leanne Wong and Victoria Nguyen.

The news of Frazier’s flip to Florida comes days after she tumbled across the graduation stage at the University of California, Berkley.

Thank you University of California, Berkeley, Class of 2025! pic.twitter.com/bY8AIfVFWj

— emjae frazier (@EmjaeFrazier) May 24, 2025

More change is to be made at Cal, as it lost its co-head coaches to Clemson on May 12. After being with the Bears since 2012, husband and wife Justin Howell and Elisabeth Crandall-Howell replace Amy Smith in the Tigers’ third season.