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Senior Column | From newbie to ‘Unc’ | Columns | Opinion

Jeez, it’s really hard to put into at most 2,000 words what being with The Daily Collegian has been like. But, here we go. When I committed to Penn State, I knew I was stepping into one of the most prestigious journalism programs in the country. The Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications was a […]

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Jeez, it’s really hard to put into at most 2,000 words what being with The Daily Collegian has been like. But, here we go.

When I committed to Penn State, I knew I was stepping into one of the most prestigious journalism programs in the country. The Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications was a dream opportunity — a place where I could grow, challenge myself, and learn from some of the best minds in the business.

I came in with tunnel vision. At the time, I was sure my path was clear: I was going to be a broadcaster, just like my idols Jim Jackson and Mike “Doc” Emrick. I saw myself calling games, painting pictures with my voice, and delivering excitement to fans the same way they did for me growing up.

So naturally, I joined CommRadio my freshman year, eager to make my mark in sports media. I was young, driven, and full of enthusiasm. But as time went on, something didn’t feel quite right. I still loved sports. I still loved telling stories, but I realized my heart wasn’t in it the way it needed to be if I wanted to succeed long-term.

What I couldn’t deny, though, was how much I loved writing — how putting together a story, shaping a narrative, and finding just the right word gave me a different kind of satisfaction.

So, I pivoted.

I switched my major to digital and print journalism, ready to take on a new challenge. I was excited, but also nervous. I didn’t know if I was “good enough” to make the switch. Breaking into student media wasn’t as easy as I had hoped. I applied to a student-run news outlet early on — one that I won’t name — and got rejected. At the time, it stung. I wondered if I really had what it took. That kind of self-doubt can mess with you.

But then I found The Daily Collegian.

I applied for candidacy at the start of my sophomore year. My first assignment was covering Penn State women’s hockey. I’ll be honest, I didn’t know much about it. The rules, the pace, the key differences from men’s hockey — it was all new to me. It was overwhelming at first, but I was incredibly fortunate to have Michael Quinn by my side. He was patient, encouraging and a great mentor who helped me navigate my first semester with confidence. Without him, I might not have stuck with it.

It didn’t take long for me to fall in love with covering hockey. The game moves fast, but the stories come even faster. The more I wrote, the more I realized I had found my place. That spring, I also started covering another one of my favorite sports: Penn State baseball. I joined a fantastic beat alongside two incredibly talented writers — Zach Karpf and Lyle Alenstein, who quickly became two of my closest friends.

We spent chilly spring evenings in the press box at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, bundled up in hoodies and jackets, scribbling notes with frozen fingers. Whether it was downing dollar dogs or chatting with former coach Rob Cooper postgame, those moments stick with me. They’re the kind of memories you don’t forget.

By the time junior year rolled around, I was more confident in my voice as a writer. I returned to the women’s hockey beat that fall and found myself in awe of the program I was covering. This wasn’t just a good team — it was a dynasty in the making. I got to witness the building blocks of sustained greatness. The consistency, the leadership, the intensity — every game told a story worth writing. I felt lucky to be the one putting those stories into words.

Then came the spring of junior year, and I returned to baseball. This time I teamed up with Zach Karpf, Andrew Deal, and Lexie Linderman. That group made the experience unforgettable. We were a well-oiled machine, bouncing ideas off each other, pushing each other to be better, and laughing through the long games.

And what a season we got to cover — Penn State baseball put together an incredible run that spring, defying expectations and making it all the way to the Big Ten Championship game. Being there for that journey, from the early non-conference matchups to that thrilling postseason stretch, was a privilege. It felt like we had built something special, and the friendships I made on that beat will stay with me long after we’ve all turned in our final stories.

But something was still missing.

Then, finally, came senior year.

After years of climbing the ladder, I earned the chance to cover men’s hockey — the very sport that holds a very special place in my heart. I did it alongside Chase Fisher, Maggie Hardy, and Evan Smith — three people I respect immensely and feel lucky to have worked with. It felt like everything had come full circle. All the late nights, the rewrites, the learning curves, the pressure of deadlines — it all led to this.

And what a season to cover.







Waxman senior 2

Evan Smith, Chase Fisher, Maggie Hardy and Adam pose for a photo during Penn State men’s hockey’s game in the NCAA Regionals in Allentown, PA. 




Penn State men’s hockey started as an afterthought. They weren’t the flashy pick. Expectations were low. But week after week, they fought, clawed, and grinded their way through adversity, defying the odds to reach the Frozen Four for the first time in program history. Watching that story unfold from the press box and having the privilege to document it in real time was something I’ll never forget.

The atmosphere at Pegula, the passion of the fans, the resolve of the team — it all added up to a perfect storm. Being a part of it, even in a small way, was surreal.

But here’s the thing: as much as I’ll remember the games, the thrillers, the blowouts, the heartbreakers—the real impact of my time with The Daily Collegian isn’t in the stories I wrote. It’s in the people I met along the way.

I’ll never forget the long days at the table in Willard, when we’d procrastinate more than we’d write — cracking jokes (thank you Dwight “Popeyes” Wu!), arguing over the best food in the HUB (Panda all the way), teasing each other, and the millions of Sporcle’s I’d do. I’m pretty sure I’ve done more Sporcle’s than bylines. Those moments were just as valuable as any article I published. They were a reminder that journalism is a team sport. And I was lucky to be part of one hell of a team.

There were road trips to Washington, D.C., Allentown, and eventually, St. Louis for the Frozen Four. Long hours spent in cramped cars, debating hot takes and blasting music. These weren’t just work trips. They were experiences that bonded us as colleagues and as friends. They were core memories I’ll carry with me forever.

To my editors — Joel Haas, Andrew Buckman, Sam Woloson, Dan Perez, Dan Mader, Liam Wichser, Noah Aberegg, Zach Karpf, Greg Finberg, and Joe Tuman — thank you. Your guidance, patience, and yes, even your brutally honest feedback, helped shape me into the journalist I am today. You challenged me to dig deeper, to polish my writing, and to never settle for “good enough.” You believed in me, even when I wasn’t sure I believed in myself.

To AJ Piazza: I’m gonna be so real, from the first day I met you, proudly sporting that Chicago Bears jersey, I didn’t think you’d end up with your own paragraph. And yet, here we are. We got through Boaz together (somehow), and now look at us — we’re “pooblished.” You were the one person at the Collegian who matched me in pure hockey brainpower, and for that alone, I’ll be forever grateful. Whether it was breaking down line combinations or complaining about power plays, you always got it. You’ve come a long way, and I’m glad I got to see it up close — even if your football team still makes it hard to take you seriously.

To Chase Fisher: You reached out to me hoping to join the Collegian, and somehow that message turned into one of the best friendships I’ve made here. From answering your questions about candidacy to covering games side by side at Pegula, it’s been unreal watching you grow into a total pro. Your hockey knowledge, writing chops, and ability to stay calm under pressure made you an absolute force on the beat. Whether we were workshopping ledes or laughing at whatever chaos was unfolding on the ice, I always knew I had someone I could count on. You didn’t just join the Collegian — you made it better. And I’m lucky I got to be along for the ride.

To Zach Karpf: How on earth did you go from my beat partner to my boss? Still not sure how I feel about that — but hey, here we are. I’ll definitely miss the endless Phillies debates, trying (and mostly failing) to convert you into a hockey guy, and of course, carrying you in Cynthia’s class. You’ve been one of my favorite people to work with and hang with and don’t worry, The Bank is calling our names.

To Andrew Deal: You were the quiet one at first, but it didn’t take long to realize you are one of the sharpest writers at the table. Whether it was grinding through baseball gamers or making dry one-liners that caught everyone off guard, you always brought something to the team. Your consistency, calmness, and low-key humor made every long night at Medlar feel a little easier. I’m glad we got to share a beat — and yes, I’ll miss the sarcasm almost as much as the stories. To quote Dwight, it really is a Deal!

To Lexie Linderman, Lyle Alenstein, Greg Finberg, Maggie Hardy, and Evan Smith: I couldn’t wrap this up without mentioning all of you. Whether it was long nights on the beat, heated group chat debates, or just making me laugh when I needed it most, you each played a real role in making my Collegian experience what it was.







Waxman senior 3

Lyle Alenstein poses for a photo with Adam screaming in the background. 




Lexie, you brought unmatched energy and chaos in the best way. Lyle, your quiet brilliance made you one of the sharpest writers I’ve worked with. Greg, your Wizards takes were somehow both terrible and iconic. Maggie, you were the steady hand every hockey beat needs. And Evan, you showed up, got it done, and made it all look easy. Thank you all — seriously.

The Daily Collegian gave me so much more than bylines. It gave me lifelong friendships, an outlet for my passion, and a genuine understanding of what it means to be a journalist. The thrill of chasing a lead, the nerves before a big interview, the rush of hitting “publish” on a story you’re proud of — those feelings are what I live for. And I found them all here.

Now, as I prepare to leave Penn State behind, I know I’m going to miss it all — the chaos, the caffeine-fueled writing sessions, the last-minute scrambles to update a story after a game goes into overtime. But more than anything, I’m going to miss the people who made it all worth it. The ones who sat beside me through the highs and lows, who pushed me to be better, and who reminded me why I chose this path in the first place.

This chapter is coming to a close, but the memories, lessons, and friendships I’ve made through The Daily Collegian will stick with me wherever I go. I’m proud of what we accomplished, grateful for the journey, and excited for what’s next — even if it’s a little scary.

Here’s to the games we covered, the stories we told, and the friends we made along the way.

Unc out.

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Morgan Price, a HBCU gymnastics national champion, commits to Arkansas

Morgan Price, a six-time national gymnastics champion and trailblazer in HBCU gymnastics, has officially committed to the University of Arkansas. The younger sister of Arkansas star Frankie Price, Morgan will join her sibling after three standout seasons at Fisk University, where she was a founding member of the first-ever women’s gymnastics program at an HBCU. […]

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Morgan Price, a six-time national gymnastics champion and trailblazer in HBCU gymnastics, has officially committed to the University of Arkansas.

The younger sister of Arkansas star Frankie Price, Morgan will join her sibling after three standout seasons at Fisk University, where she was a founding member of the first-ever women’s gymnastics program at an HBCU.

Price’s decision to transfer to Arkansas marks a new chapter in her remarkable career. At Fisk, she dominated the competition with six Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics National Invitational Championship (WCGNIC) titles, including back-to-back all-around crowns in 2024 and 2025, and a sweep of all four apparatus events this season-vault, uneven bars, balance beam, and floor exercise.

She is also the first HBCU gymnast to score a perfect 10, achieving the feat on uneven bars in February 2025, and holds a career-high all-around score of 39.500, earned twice in 2025.

Morgan Price
Photo: College Gym News

Reflecting on her commitment, Morgan Price was excited about joining Arkansas and competing with her sister. “I’m thrilled to join the Gymbacks and continue my gymnastics journey where my sister has already made an impact,” Price said. “This opportunity allows me to challenge myself at a new level and contribute to a program with a rich tradition.”

Her move to Arkansas also underscores her role as an ambassador for HBCU gymnastics and the sport at large. Price has been a vocal advocate for expanding opportunities and visibility for gymnasts from historically Black colleges and universities.

“I want to show that HBCU talent can compete and excel at the highest levels,” she remarked. “Joining Arkansas is a step forward in my career, but I remain committed to uplifting the HBCU gymnastics community.”

Morgan Price’s accolades include being a three-time First Team All-American, Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Amateur Female Athlete of the Year (2024), and HBCU Sports Female Athlete of the Year (2024).

Arkansas gymnastics coach welcomed the commitment, highlighting Price’s exceptional talent and leadership. “Morgan is a phenomenal athlete and competitor,” the coach said. “Her experience and championship pedigree will be invaluable to our team as we prepare for the 2026 season.”



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NBA’s Charles Barkley rails on NIL, calls NCAA ‘idiots,’ admits to given more money to AU than anyone

Charles Barkley has made it clear where he stands on name, image, and likeness. The “Inside the NBA” analyst doubled down Wednesday at the Regions Tradition Celebrity Pro-Am golf tournament at Greystone in Hoover. “There’s nobody, legal or illegal, who has given more money to Auburn than me,” Barkley told the gathered media. “Let’s get […]

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Charles Barkley has made it clear where he stands on name, image, and likeness.

The “Inside the NBA” analyst doubled down Wednesday at the Regions Tradition Celebrity Pro-Am golf tournament at Greystone in Hoover.

“There’s nobody, legal or illegal, who has given more money to Auburn than me,” Barkley told the gathered media. “Let’s get that out of the way, but the notion I’m gonna give them millions of dollars a year, so Auburn can be good at football and basketball is not gonna happen. …

“Anyone that thinks that is stupid.”

It’s just one of the many issues with college sports right now.

“College athletics is so f—ed up right now,” Barkley said. “I don’t know what they gonna do to fix this thing. The NCAA is just a bunch of idiots who let it get out of control.

“The problem is I don’t know how you put toothpaste back in the tube.”

Barkley echoed his comments he made earlier this month during a guest appearance on “Don’t @ Me with Dan Dakich” on OutKick.com.

“Hey, I love Auburn, I do,” Barkley said during that appearance.

“I’d do anything for Auburn, within reason. But I’m not gonna give Auburn millions of dollars, so we can be good in football or basketball. That doesn’t help my life in any capacity. And let me tell you something, black and broke does not work in any states. Guam, District of Columbia, all 50 states. I never want to be poor and black. That does not work.”

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.





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Jordan Bowers wins national award for women’s gymnastics

(from soonersports.com) NORMAN – Oklahoma senior and NCAA all-around champion Jordan Bowers was named the Honda Sport Award Winner for gymnastics, the Collegiate Women Sports Award (CWSA) announced Tuesday. Bowers is just the sixth Sooner athlete to receive the prestigious award, joining former gymnasts Kelly Garrison (1987, 1988), Maggie Nichols (2019) and Anastasia Webb (2021), […]

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(from soonersports.com)

NORMAN – Oklahoma senior and NCAA all-around champion Jordan Bowers was named the Honda Sport Award Winner for gymnastics, the Collegiate Women Sports Award (CWSA) announced Tuesday.

Bowers is just the sixth Sooner athlete to receive the prestigious award, joining former gymnasts Kelly Garrison (1987, 1988), Maggie Nichols (2019) and Anastasia Webb (2021), and softball’s Keilani Ricketts (2012, 2013) and Jocelyn Alo (2022).

The Honda Sport Award has been presented annually by the CWSA for the past 49 years to the top women athletes in 12 NCAA-sanctioned sports and signifies “the best of the best in collegiate athletics”. The winner of the sport award becomes a finalist for the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year and the prestigious 2025 Honda Cup, which will be presented on CBS Sports Network on June 30 at 6 p.m. CT.

“I am so extremely grateful to be the Honda Award Winner for the sport of gymnastics,” Bowers said. “Winning this award is truly a dream come true and I couldn’t do it without the people who support me the most, and this incredible university I get the pleasure to represent every single day. Thank you to my coaches, teammates and family members who push me to be the best version of myself every day and help me realize I am capable of things I didn’t even think I was capable of.”

Bowers, a two-time Honda Award Finalist, has been one of the most decorated athletes to compete at Oklahoma. A part of three national title teams, Bowers was the 2025 NCAA All-Around Champion, becoming the fourth Sooner in program history to earn the title. She was the 2025 SEC Gymnast of the Year and has been named the conference gymnast of the year for two straight seasons after earning Big 12 Gymnast of the Year in 2024. After conference realignment, Bowers was the only athlete who earned gymnast of the year in two different conferences in back-to-back seasons.

After earning first team All-America honors on all four events and in the all-around, the only athlete in the nation to do so, Bowers finished her career as a 16-time NCAA All-American. She also garnered four All-SEC honors in Oklahoma’s first year in the league.

An AAI Award Finalist, Bowers further cemented herself in the record books at the 2025 NCAA Seattle Regional. In the regional final, she earned not one, not two, but three perfect 10s in the same meet for the second time in her career. When Bowers achieved the feat in 2024, she was one of just five gymnasts to earn three perfect scores in one meet. When she did it for a second time, she became one of one. No other gymnast in NCAA history has earned three perfect 10s in more than one meet. The senior now has 12 career perfect 10s which ranks second all-time in program history.

“I am so proud to be a Sooner and so grateful for every opportunity this university has given me in and out of the classroom,” Bowers continued. “Huge congratulations to my fellow finalists Audrey Davis, Jade Carey and Aleah Finnegan. All of you are such incredible athletes and people and I have been blessed to share this journey and be nominated for this award with all of you. You should all be so proud of yourselves and your careers as well. I am so honored to win such a prestigious award and I thank you all again. Boomer Sooner forever!”

Bowers was chosen by a vote of administrators from over 1,000 NCAA member schools. Finalists included teammate Audrey Davis, Oregon State’s Jade Carey and LSU’s Aleah Finnegan. Bowers will look to become just the second Sooner to win the Honda Cup as Keilani Ricketts won in 2013.

The CWSA, entering its 49th year, has honored the nation’s top NCAA women athletes for their superior athletic skills, leadership, academic excellence and eagerness to participate in community service. Since commencing its partnership in 1986, Honda has provided more than $3.4 million in institutional grants to the universities of the award winners and nominees to support women’s athletics programs.



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Boys prep soccer

It was just a JV game, but it certainly did impress Woodrow Wilson soccer coach Steve Laraba. Four seasons ago, when he needed a goalkeeper for a JV game against perennial power George Washington, freshman Michael Fayiah raised his hand. × This page requires Javascript. Javascript is required for you to be able to read […]

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Boys prep soccer

It was just a JV game, but it certainly did impress Woodrow Wilson soccer coach Steve Laraba.

Four seasons ago, when he needed a goalkeeper for a JV game against perennial power George Washington, freshman Michael Fayiah raised his hand.

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Morehouse College Welcomes Dr. F. DuBois Bowman as Its 13th President

Morehouse College has officially named Dr. F. DuBois Bowman as its 13th president, marking a homecoming for a distinguished leader and proud alumnus. The appointment was announced by the Morehouse Board of Trustees and becomes effective July 15, 2025. Dr. Bowman, a 1992 graduate of Morehouse College, currently serves as dean of the University of […]

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Morehouse College has officially named Dr. F. DuBois Bowman as its 13th president, marking a homecoming for a distinguished leader and proud alumnus. The appointment was announced by the Morehouse Board of Trustees and becomes effective July 15, 2025.

Dr. Bowman, a 1992 graduate of Morehouse College, currently serves as dean of the University of Michigan’s School of Public Health. Under his leadership, the school has significantly expanded its enrollment and research efforts—now supporting over 1,300 students and managing an annual research portfolio exceeding $100 million. His work has focused on pressing health issues, from infectious disease response to health equity, making him one of the nation’s leading voices in public health.

Bowman’s academic path began at Morehouse, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in mathematics. He went on to receive a master’s degree in biostatistics from the University of Michigan, followed by a Ph.D. in biostatistics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. His groundbreaking research has advanced understanding in neuroscience and mental health, contributing to more personalized medical interventions for neurological and psychiatric conditions.

SPH DeanDuBoisBowman 074 Web 15bf43
11/29/18 The School of Public Health Dean F. DuBois Bowman

Beyond his academic accomplishments, Bowman has stayed closely connected to Morehouse. He has led initiatives that create pathways for Morehouse and Spelman students to pursue graduate studies at Michigan, and in 2019, he was awarded the college’s highest alumni honor—the Bennie Trailblazer Award.

“Returning to Morehouse as its 13th president is the honor of a lifetime,” Dr. Bowman shared in a statement. “This institution shaped who I am—instilling a commitment to excellence, justice, and impact. I am excited to partner with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and supporters to build on our legacy and write the next chapter of Morehouse’s transformative story.”

The Board of Trustees expressed strong confidence in Bowman’s leadership. Chairman Willie Woods praised him as a visionary, noting, “Dr. Bowman’s record of academic innovation and his deep dedication to Morehouse make him the ideal choice to lead the College forward.”

His selection comes as Morehouse continues to elevate its national profile, invest in research, and build new opportunities for Black men in higher education. With Bowman at the helm, the college is poised to deepen its commitment to producing leaders who are prepared to make global impact.

As Morehouse turns the page on a new chapter, the institution once again looks to one of its own to guide the way—an embodiment of its motto: “Et Facta Est Lux”—”And there was light.”



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Schlossman: Does Bowling Green have the nation’s top recruiting class? – Grand Forks Herald

GRAND FORKS — There has been a flurry of headlines lately about Bowling Green reeling in the nation’s No. 1 men’s hockey recruiting class for 2025. Neutral Zone, a scouting service, has the Falcons atop its rankings. It has received coverage from across the country. There was a column in the Toledo Blade, a piece […]

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GRAND FORKS — There has been a flurry of headlines lately about Bowling Green reeling in the nation’s No. 1 men’s hockey recruiting class for 2025.

Neutral Zone, a scouting service,

has the Falcons atop

its rankings.

It has received coverage from across the country. There was a column in the

Toledo Blade,

a piece on

Barstool Sports

and it has been a hot topic on social media.

To recap: Bowling Green hired Dennis Williams last year as its new head coach. Williams came from the Canadian Hockey League’s Everett Silvertips. Months after his hire, an NCAA rules change allowed CHL players to retain college eligibility for the first time in decades.

Bowling Green has heavily recruited CHL players with Williams’ connections.

But the question remains: Is this really the best recruiting class in college hockey?

Let’s contextualize it first.

Bowling Green is not winning recruiting battles against the traditional powerhouses of college hockey. The Falcons are recruiting a different type of player than the blue bloods. They’re going after older, experienced players instead of younger NHL prospects.

The Falcons just

announced 10 players

expected to be a part of the freshman class.

Only one of the 10 is an NHL Draft pick — Winnipeg Jets seventh-rounder Connor Levis, who will turn 21 in October.

Eight of the 10 players will enter as undrafted, 21-year-old freshmen. The other, defenseman Mazden Leslie, will be 20. Leslie has been passed over in two drafts, but could be a late pick this summer.

Of course, you don’t need to be a top NHL prospect to be a terrific college hockey player. Several recent NCAA powerhouse teams have been built with few top NHL prospects. Quinnipiac, the 2023 NCAA champion, and Minnesota State, the 2022 runner-up, are great examples.

That’s the model Bowling Green is looking to replicate in this class — older, late bloomers who are not on NHL draft boards. A lot of them are coming off of great seasons in one of the three CHL leagues — the Western Hockey League, Ontario Hockey League or Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League.

But again, is this really the best recruiting class in college hockey?

We’ll find out in a few years.

This year, more than any other in recent history, is hard to project. It’s a period of the great unknown in college hockey.

In the past, it’s been easier to project recruiting classes. There are historical precedents for how players translate based on their junior league, point totals, age and draft position.

We have no recent precedents for how CHL players translate.

If Bowling Green ends up with the best class — or even one of the top — it’s not a case of winning recruiting battles against blue bloods. It means Williams projected that 21-year-olds from the CHL will translate to college hockey — and which ones — better than anyone else.

Omaha is another intriguing case.

The Mavericks, who had success in the NCAA transfer portal the last couple of seasons, are expected to bring in more

transfers from Canadian universities

than anyone.

Like Williams, this also has to do with the coach’s familiarity of the landscape. Head coach Mike Gabinet came to Omaha from Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. His grandfather, Hockey Hall of Famer Clare Drake, was the longtime coach at the University of Alberta.

Most Canadian USports players are former CHLers who opted to take their education package rather than pursue a pro hockey career. So, the majority of them have not been eligible in the past.

Again, there’s virtually no precedent to predict how these players will translate. If they hit, Gabinet’s play will be the talk of college hockey.

Others are continuing their traditional model in both historical recruiting grounds like the United States Hockey League and in the CHL.

Michigan is targeting the NHL first-round types. It got a commitment from forward Malcolm Spence, a potential first-rounder, this week.

Denver is picking up commitments from mid-round draft picks — Seattle Kraken fifth-rounder Clarke Caswell and Calgary Flames sixth-rounder Eric Jamieson have committed out of the CHL.

North Dakota has gotten a depth player in winger Josh Zakreski and will now start taking swings at top prospects.

Meanwhile, on the other side of Ohio from Bowling Green, there have been few whispers about Miami’s incoming class. But it is shaping up to be quite good.

Only two schools have multiple recruits in the top 15 of the USHL in scoring — Northeastern and Miami.

Miami’s are forward Artemi Nizameyev from Tri-City and forward David Deputy from Muskegon/Omaha. Both tallied 55-plus points this season. Deputy leads the USHL playoffs in goals.

Miami also is expected to bring in forward Ilya Morozov, a potential first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft. Morozov is only 16. He turns 17 in August, so it may be a difficult transition as a rookie, but he’s an impressive prospect.

Goaltender Shikhabutdin Gadzhiev, who has Muskegon in the Clark Cup Final with a .935 playoff save percentage, is headed to Oxford, too. So is Tri-City top-pair defenseman Shaun McEwan.

Miami has not had a class like this in years.

Where does it rank? Again, it’s hard to say.

Neutral Zone weighs the number of players in a class. Having bigger classes helps in the rankings.

Bowling Green has that.

Is it really the best? We’ll look back again in four years and analyze.

NCHC talks about naming playoff trophy

The National Collegiate Hockey Conference named its regular-season championship trophy, the Penrose Cup, before its inaugural season.

It still has not named its playoff trophy.

There was talk about it at the league’s annual meetings earlier this month in Florida. The NCHC was far from a consensus on it, but there appears to be interest in giving it a name.

The most obvious suggestion? The Broadmoor Trophy.

That was the name of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association’s old playoff championship trophy. It went away when the WCHA folded.

It has history, name recognition and the league’s offices are based on the Broadmoor’s campus.

The NCAA men’s hockey transfer portal is set to close at the end of Tuesday, May 13, unless a player has an exemption (like a head coaching change or if he has aid reduced or eliminated).

As of Tuesday afternoon, only one player had entered in the last week — Boston University forward Jack Gorton, who has played three games over the past two seasons.

NCAA coaches are pushing to narrow the window from its current 45-day period to 30 days in the future — a change that makes sense considering the lack of entrants over the last 15 days.

There have been 305 total entrants, which ranks No. 2 in the current portal era.

So far, 163 have committed to new schools. Players can continue to commit to schools after the portal closes for entries.

Many of the players left in the portal were cut from their schools. Sixty-two percent of the forwards or defensemen currently available in the portal had one or zero points last season.

  • Former UND forward Shane Pinto has joined Team USA at the IIHF Men’s World Championship. Pinto registered two assists against Hungary in his first game.
  • Former UND defenseman Troy Stecher made his 2025 Stanley Cup Playoff debut Monday night for the Edmonton Oilers. Edmonton beat Vegas 3-0 to go up 3-1 in the best-of-seven series. Stecher suffered an injury at the end of the regular season and hadn’t played in the playoffs yet.
  • Former UND forward Brad Malone, now the head coach of the Oshawa Generals in the Ontario Hockey League, is in the finals. Oshawa trails London 2-1 in a best-of-seven series.
  • Waterloo and Muskegon split the first two games of the USHL’s Clark Cup Final. Game 3 is Friday in Muskegon. Waterloo is coached by former UND captain Matt Smaby. Muskegon’s associate head coach is former UND forward Colten St. Clair and director of player development is Evan Trupp. Grand Forks native Bauer Berry is on Muskegon.





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