Brion O’Connor Director of Public Relations PRESSPRESS Hockey East Association 591 North Ave – #2 RELEASERELEASE Wakefield, MA 01880 Office: (781) 245-2122 Cell: (978) 609-7224 Great Hockey. Guaranteed. [email protected] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: SEPT. 26, 2006 RETURNING STARS GIVE EAGLES PRE-SEASON EDGE Final Four from 2006 league tourney secure top spots among coaches With the likes of towering center Brian Boyle and impenetrable goalie Cory Schneider returning to The Heights, Boston College is the overwhelming favorite in the Hockey East pre-season coaches’ poll. The Eagles garnered eight of a possible nine first-place votes (coaches couldn’t vote for their own team) to easily outdistance their cross-town rivals at Boston University. However, the Terriers, as well as two traditional powerhouses, Maine and New Hampshire, weren’t far behind. BC Coach Jerry York lost only three players form a team last year that came within a whisker of sending the NCAA championship game against Wisconsin into overtime, eventually losing 2-1. A young defensive corps gained considerable experience during the team’s march to the finals, and two swift forward lines ensure that the Eagles will boast plenty of firepower. Meanwhile, the Terriers, the defending Hockey East regular season and tournament champs, may still be playing with something to prove after being knocked out of the NCAAs by BC. Coach Jack Parker, coming off consecutive “Coach of the Year” performances, has battle-tested senior John Curry supplying solid goaltending, and a fleet of relentless forwards, including last year’s Hockey East Rookie of the Year, Brandon Yip. To the north, Maine’s Black Bears, behind a potent offense and 6-foot-7 goalie Ben Bishop, are eager to repeat last year’s impressive run to the Frozen Four, while Coach Dick Umile’s Wildcats hope to find a scoring touch to complement the team’s rugged defense. Many league insiders are curious to see if Providence and Vermont can build on their strong seasons, when the Friars rallied around first-year Coach Tim Army to finished fifth, and the Catamounts made considerable noise in their inaugural Hockey East season. Coach Don “Toot” Cahoon’s Minutemen plan to lean heavily on their veteran forwards and the potential of young netminder Jon Quick. Northeastern Coach Greg Cronin won’t settle for anything less than a return to glory for the Huntington Hounds, which means the Huskies could prove a dangerous opponent. UMass Lowell must overcome the departure of gifted goaltender Peter Vetri, but Coach Blaise MacDonald has a knack for finding diamonds in the rough. Likewise, Merrimack Coach Mark Dennehey’s Warriors have a young-but-talented nucleus to build around, including 12 new recruits. Hockey East Coaches’ Poll, 2006-07 1) Boston College (8) 89 points 2) Boston University 78 3) Maine (2) 75 4) New Hampshire 67 5) Vermont 57 6) Providence College 52 7) Massachusetts 37 8) Northeastern 35 9) UMass Lowell 32 10) Merrimack 18 (*) – Indicates first-place votes. – HockeyEastOnline.com – BOSTON COLLEGE • BOSTON UNIVERSITY • UNIVERSITY of MAINE • UNIVERSITY of MASSACHUSETTS • UMASS LOWELL MERRIMACK COLLEGE • UNIVERSITY of NEW HAMPSHIRE • NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY • PROVIDENCE COLLEGE • UNIVERSITY of VERMONT Brion O’Connor WOMEN’S LEAGUE Director of Public Relations Hockey East Association Phone: (781) 245-2122 PRESS Cell: (978) 609.7224 [email protected] RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: SEPTEMBER 26, 2006 REIGNING CHAMP UNH FAVORED IN COACHES’ POLL Boston schools fill out Top Three; Providence College close behind The University of New Hampshire juggernaut that rumbled to the NCAA championship game last spring is expected to keep rolling during the 2006-07 season, according to the Women’s Hockey East pre-season poll. The Wildcats collected all seven available first- place ballots from league coaches (coaches couldn’t vote for their own team), and for good reason. The ‘Cats bring back reigning Player of the Year Sadie Wright-Ward, Rookie of the Year Samantha Faber, and Coach of the Year Brian McCloskey. Coupled with top-flight netminder Melissa Bourdon and a stingy defense, UNH is primed for another title run. Still, don’t expect Boston College, Boston University, or Providence College to simply hand New Hampshire the championship trophy. BC Coach Tom Mutch’s much-improved Eagles squad knock off perennial powerhouse Providence in last year’s Hockey East tournament, the same BC squad that tamed the Wildcats 3-2 in the regular season for UNH’s only league loss. In what has to be considered a mild surprise, the Terriers of BU snuck by the Providence Friars, despite failing to make the tournament semifinals a year ago. Obviously, Hockey East coaches expect great things from Coach Brian Durocher’s young squad, which features 24 sophomores and freshmen, including All-Rookie Team goalie Allyse Wilcox. That can’t sit well with Coach Bob Deraney’s Friars, who saw their three-year title run snapped by the Eagles. But with only three departures from last year’s 17-14-4 squad, it won’t surprised anyone if the Friars bounce back to be in the thick of the title chase. Connecticut Coach Heather Linstad also lost three players, but one was first-team Hockey East All-Star Kaitlyn Shain, a senior goalie who almost single-handedly stole an exhibition game from the USA Olympic team last year. Linstad will rely on junior Josette Severyn and sophomore Brittany Wilson between the pipes, and a veteran squad in front of them. Likewise, Northeastern will have a huge spot to fill with the loss of goaltender Marisa Hourihan. Coach Laura Schuler, however, has plenty of experience on offense, with seven senior forwards, and a defense anchored by senior Theresa Ella. Maine enters the season with a new coach – Lauren Steblen – and a new attitude. Only three players have graduated from last year’s 17-9-6 squad, giving Steblen depth and veteran leadership at each position. Vermont’s Katie Nichols was among the league leaders in save percentage last year, and first-year Coach Tim Bothwell will have to rely heavily on his senior goalie if the Catamounts are to improve on their 3-29-2 record. Women’s Hockey East Coaches Poll, 2006-07 1) New Hampshire (7) 56 points 2) Boston College (1) 50 3) Boston University 41 4) Providence College 38 5) Connecticut 33 6) Northeastern 25 7) Maine 22 8) Vermont 15 (*) – Indicates first-place votes. – HockeyEastOnline.com – BOSTON COLLEGE • BOSTON UNIVERSITY • UNIVERSITY OF CONNECTICUT • UNIVERSITY OF MAINE UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE • NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY • PROVIDENCE COLLEGE • UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT Brion O’Connor Director of Public Relations PRESSPRESS Hockey East Association 591 North Ave – #2 RELEASERELEASE Wakefield, MA 01880 Office: (781) 245-2122 Cell: (978) 609-7224 Great Hockey. Guaranteed. [email protected] FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: SEPTEMBER 26, 2006 HANNAFORD SUPERMARKETS, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH KRAFT FOODS, SPONSORS HOCKEY EAST KIDS’ CLUB BOSTON, Mass. - The Hockey East Association today announced a renewal of a sponsorship with Hannaford Supermarkets, in conjunction with Kraft Foods. The sponsorship centers around the creation of the “Hannaford Hockey East Kids’ Club,” which will provide young Hockey East fans, ages 6-16, access to a variety of offerings, including free admission to college hockey games and special events throughout the New England region. “We are very happy that Hannaford and Kraft will partner with us again this season”, said Hockey East Commis- sioner Joe Bertagna. “Together we enjoyed our inaugural campaign, and we look forward to bringing more enjoy- ment to more families this season.” Open to youth ages six to sixteen, the Hannaford Hockey East Kids’ Club will feature several events during the 2006-07 college hockey season, including “Meet & Greet” autograph sessions with various Hockey East teams and ticket promotions for regular season and quarterfinal playoff games at selected Hockey East campus locations. Hannaford Hockey East Kids’ Club membership information will be available at selected Hannaford Supermarkets throughout New England. Parents will have the chance for their children to join the Hannaford Hockey East Kids’ Club for FREE by purchasing three participating Kraft products that carry a Sensible Solution(tm) flag. Parents can also look for more information about the Hannaford Hockey East Kids’ Club and coupons for Sensible Solution products in the 2006-07 Hannaford Hockey East Kids Club Guide. A great resource for expert and novice Hockey East fans alike, the Guide will feature coaching tips, rules instruction and 2006-07 Hockey East composite schedules, along with a schedule of events open for all Hannaford Hockey East Kids’ Club members. In addition, Kraft and Hannaford will offer “Healthy Eating & Snacking Tips” featuring Kraft Sensible Solution products. These products meet specific “better-for-you” nutrition criteria that have been defined, on a per serving basis, for each category of Kraft products. Copies of the 2006-07 Hannaford Hockey East Kids’ Club Hockey Guide will be available at selected Hannaford Supermarkets, as well as at the home arenas of each Hockey East team, beginning on or around October 15th. Enrollment in the program is open through January 31, 2007. – HockeyEastOnline.com – BOSTON COLLEGE • BOSTON UNIVERSITY • UNIVERSITY of MAINE • UNIVERSITY of MASSACHUSETTS • UMASS LOWELL MERRIMACK COLLEGE • UNIVERSITY of NEW HAMPSHIRE • NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY • PROVIDENCE COLLEGE • UNIVERSITY of VERMONT “The student-athletes at these great institutions are terrific examples of how proper physical fitness and nutrition can help you compete at the highest levels, both on the ice and in the classroom,” said Laurie Hirsch, Director of Health and Wellness, Kraft Foods. “We hope that, together with Hannaford Supermarkets, our support can help remind and encourage youngsters and their parents about the importance of developing healthy lifestyles through physical activity and a balanced diet.” Hannaford Bros.