THIS WEEK IN THE WCHA

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1 WESTERN COLLEGIATE HOCKEY ASSOCIATION Bruce M. McLeod Commissioner Carol LaBelle-Ehrhardt Assistant Commissioner of Operations Greg Shepherd Supervisor of Officials Administrative Office Western Collegiate Hockey Association 2211 S. Josephine Street, Room 302 Denver, CO p: f: Doug Spencer Associate Commissioner for Public Relations Western Collegiate Hockey Association 559 D Onofrio Drive, Ste. 103 Madison, WI p: f: dspencer@mailbag.com HOME OF A COLLEGIATE RECORD 37 MEN S NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP TEAMS SINCE , 1953, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1968, 1969, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1997, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2011 MEN S CONFERENCE MEMBERS University of Alaska Anchorage Bemidji State University Colorado College University of Denver Michigan Technological University University of Minnesota University of Minnesota Duluth Minnesota State University University of Nebraska Omaha University of North Dakota St. Cloud State University University of Wisconsin 2013 RED BARON WCHA FINAL FIVE March Xcel Energy Center Saint Paul, MN visit us on the web at: WCHA.COM WCHA.COM/MOBILE February 26, 2013 SECOND TO LAST WEEKEND OF REGULAR SEASON HIGHLIGHTED BY FIVE MARCH 1-2 WCHA SERIES; UW AT UNO, DU AT UM, BSU AT UND, MTU AT SCSU, MSU AT CC ALASKA ANCHORAGE GOES HOME-AND-HOME VS ALASKA FOR GOVERNOR S CUP FRIDAY & SATURDAY; MINNESOTA DULUTH HOSTS ALABAMA-HUNTSVILLE; ST. CLOUD STATE OWNS TWO-POINT LEAD IN RACE FOR REGULAR SEASON TITLE & MACNAUGHTON CUP; FOUR POINTS SEPARATE TOP FIVE TEAMS; EIGHT TEAMS IN HUNT FOR FIRST ROUND WCHA HOME PLAYOFF BERTHS; SEVEN WCHA TEAMS RANKED IN LATEST USCHO.COM DIV. 1 MEN S POLL UM NO. 2, UND NO. 6, SCSU NO. 7, MSU NO. 9, DU NO. 10, UNO NO. 13, UW NO. 16; 2013 RED BARON WCHA FINAL FIVE TICKET PACKAGES CONTINUE ON SALE PLAYOFF CHAMPIONSHIP SET FOR MARCH AT XCEL ENERGY CENTER IN SAINT PAUL MADISON, Wis. The final two weeks of the regular season in the men s Western Collegiate Hockey Association will decide the league champion, the six host teams for the first round of the league playoffs and 11 of the 12 places in the final standings. The intrigue continues this coming weekend of Friday, March 1 and Saturday, March 2 when five twogame conference series headline the action. And all five of those series Wisconsin at Nebraska Omaha, Denver at Minnesota, Bemidji State at North Dakota, Michigan Tech at St. Cloud State and Minnesota State at Colorado College are the only two meetings of the regular season between the two respective clubs. There are still too many scenarios possible to outline what can happen over the final two weeks, but WCHA MEN S STANDINGS Conference Only Overall Pts GP Record Win% GF- GA GP Record Win% GF- GA 1 St. Cloud State Minnesota Nebraska Omaha North Dakota Minnesota State Denver Wisconsin Colorado College Minnesota Duluth Bemidji State Michigan Tech Alaska Anchorage THIS WEEK IN THE WCHA con t Games for Friday, March 1: Wisconsin at Nebraska Omaha (WCHA), 6:37 pm CT; Alabama-Huntsville at Minnesota Duluth (NC), ; Denver at Minnesota (WCHA), ; Bemidji State at North Dakota (WCHA), ; Michigan Tech at St. Cloud State (WCHA), ; Minnesota State at Colorado College (WCHA), 7:37 pm MT; * Alaska Anchorage at Alaska (NC), 7:05 pm AT. *Governor s Cup Games for Saturday, March 2: Alabama-Huntsville at Minnesota Duluth (NC), ; Bemidji State at North Dakota (WCHA), ; Denver at Minnesota (WCHA), ; Michigan Tech at St. Cloud State (WCHA), ; Wisconsin at Nebraska Omaha (WCHA), ; Minnesota State at Colorado College (WCHA), ; * Alaska at Alaska Anchorage (NC), 7:07 pm AT. *Governor s Cup

2 LAST WEEK IN THE WCHA Results of Friday, February 22 Minnesota Duluth 3 at Minnesota 5 (WCHA) St. Cloud State 3 at Colorado College 4 (WCHA) North Dakota 4 at Denver 5 (WCHA) Results of Saturday, February 23 Minnesota Duluth 2 at Minnesota 2 ot (WCHA) * USA Under-18 Team 3 at Nebraska Omaha 2 (EX) North Dakota 6 at Denver 1 (WCHA) St. Cloud State 5 at Colorado College 2 (WCHA) * Rescheduled from 2/21 Results of Sunday, February 24 Penn State 0 at Wisconsin 5 (NC) Results of Monday, February 25 Penn State 3 at Wisconsin 2 ot (NC) UPCOMING IN THE WCHA Games for Friday, March 8 Colorado College at Michigan Tech (WCHA), 7:07 pm ET St. Cloud State at Wisconsin (WCHA), Nebraska Omaha at Minnesota Duluth (WCHA), Minnesota at Bemidji State (WCHA), North Dakota at Minnesota State (WCHA), Alaska Anchorage at Denver (WCHA), 7:37 pm MT Games for Saturday, March 9 Colorado College at Michigan Tech (WCHA), 7:07 pm ET Minnesota at Bemidji State (WCHA), North Dakota at Minnesota State (WCHA), St. Cloud State at Wisconsin (WCHA), Nebraska Omaha at Minnesota Duluth (WCHA), Games for Sunday, March 10 Alaska Anchorage at Denver (WCHA), 12:07 pm MT end of regular season what has been determined is that six of the current top eight teams will get home playoff berths and two will miss out. Alaska Anchorage, Bemidji State, Michigan Tech and Minnesota Duluth will all be on the road for the opening round of the tournament, with the Seawolves being the No. 12 seed. Heading into the weekend, the number of points to guarantee a home-ice clinch is 36 but that can change if Denver and/or Wisconsin drop some points this weekend. The first clinches can come this weekend. In Omaha, Nebraska Omaha ( , WCHA, 30 points) will entertain Wisconsin ( , WCHA, 27 points) at CenturyLink Center Omaha (15,959) on Friday evening at 6:37 pm CT and Saturday night at. In Minneapolis Friday and Saturday, host and defending MacNaughton Cup champion Minnesota (21-6-5, WCHA, 31 points) will go up against Denver ( , WCHA, 27 points) at Mariucci Arena (10,000) in a pair of encounters. At Ralph Engelstad Arena (11,634) in Grand Forks this weekend, North Dakota (17-9-6, WCHA, 30 points) skates against Bemidji State (6-17-7, WCHA, 16 points) at on Friday night and on Saturday evening. Up at the National Hockey and Event Center (5,371), league-leading St. Cloud State ( , WCHA, 33 points) plays host to Michigan Tech ( , WCHA, 16 points) at on Friday and on Saturday. And out west at Colorado Springs World Arena (7,380), Colorado College ( , WCHA, 22 points) looks to stay in home-ice playoff contention when the Tigers face-off against Minnesota State (20-9-3, WCHA, 29 points) at 7:37 pm MT on March 1 and 7:07 pm MT on March 2. In conference play last weekend (Feb ), Minnesota gained three points in the race while the other two-game series ended in splits. The Golden Gophers skated to a 5-3 victory over Minnesota Duluth last Friday before the two clubs played to a 2-2 (ot) tie on Saturday. Host Denver won 5-4 over North Dakota last Friday before UND came back with a 6-1 victory on Saturday. And Colorado College earned a 4-3 triumph over visiting St. Cloud State last Friday before the Huskies rallied back for a 5-2 decision on Saturday. In non-conference play on Sunday and Monday, Wisconsin split with visiting independent Penn State, winning 5-0 in the series opener before falling 3-2 (ot) in game two. And in exhibition action, Nebraska Omaha fell 3-2 to the USA Under-18 Team on Feb. 23. With 10 of the 12 WCHA men s-member teams having four league games remaining (UAA and UMD have both played 26), St. Cloud State (33 points) has a two-point advantage in the race for the regular season crown and MacNaughton Cup, three points separate the current top four teams, four points lie between the top five and six points separate the top seven. Defending champion Minnesota (31 points) is two points back of SCSU, Nebraska Omaha and North Dakota are tied for third with 30 points each, Minnesota State is fifth with 29, and Denver and Wisconsin share sixth with 27 points apiece. Colorado College stands eighth with 22, Minnesota Duluth is ninth with 21, Bemidji State and Michigan Tech are tied for 10th with 16 each and Alaska Anchorage is 12th with 10 points. The regular season champion in the WCHA is awarded the Mac- Naughton Cup and earns the No. 1 seed for the league s post-season tournament while the top six finishers in the final standings earn the home-ice advantage for the first round of WCHA Playoffs, a best-ofthree series format set for the weekend of Friday-Sunday, March After the first round of league playoffs, the six winning teams will be re-seeded No. 1 through No. 6 according to their regular season finish and advance to the 2013 Red Baron WCHA Final Five, which will be contested Thursday, March 21 through Saturday, March 23 at Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, Minn. The winner of the Red Baron WCHA Final Five receives the Broadmoor Trophy and earns the WCHA s automatic berth into the NCAA tournament. Overall last weekend, home teams went in their six WCHA games. And now, through 146 games of the 168-game conference schedule contested as of Feb. 26, home teams are in league competition for just a.507 winning percentage. Outside the WCHA this Friday and Saturday, Alaska Anchorage and Minnesota Duluth will engage in the final non-conference activity for league-member teams during the regular season. The Seawolves (4-19-7) take on CCHA-member Alaska ( ) in a home-and-home set for the annual Governor s Cup. Friday s game will be played at Carlson Center (4,595) in Fairbanks while Saturday s 7:07 pm AT tilt will be at Sullivan Arena (6,251) in Anchorage. The Bulldogs ( ), meanwhile, will host independent Alabama-Huntsville (3-19-1) at AMSOIL Arena (6,726) at both Friday and Saturday. To date, the WCHA stands (.584) in non-conference play. WCHA-member clubs are (.950) vs the Atlantic Hockey Association (AHA), (.466) against the Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA), (.469) vs ECAC Hockey, (.528) vs the Hockey East Association (HEA), and (.850) vs independents. Minnesota owns the best non-conference record at 8-0-0, followed by Minnesota State at Other non-conference records by team

3 are: Alaska Anchorage (2-1-1), Bemidji State (1-4-1), Colorado College (3-4-1), Denver (5-2-0), Michigan Tech (4-2-0), Minnesota Duluth (2-4-0), Nebraska Omaha (4-4-0), North Dakota (5-3-0), St. Cloud State (3-5-0), and Wisconsin (4-4-0). Looking forward to the final weekend of the regular season coming Friday, March 8 through Sunday, March 10 all 12 WCHA-member teams will be playing league games. Michigan Tech hosts Colorado College, Wisconsin entertains St. Cloud State (@ Veterans Memorial Coliseum), Nebraska Omaha travels to Minnesota Duluth, Minnesota heads to Bemidji State, Minnesota State hosts North Dakota and Denver welcomes Alaska Anchorage (Friday/Sunday). In this week s USCHO.com Division 1 Men s College Hockey Poll issued February 25, seven WCHA-member teams continue to be ranked among the nation s top 20. Minnesota is at No. 2, North Dakota is No. 6, St. Cloud State is No. 7, Minnesota State is No. 9, Denver is No. 10, Nebraska Omaha is No. 13 and Wisconsin is No. 16. And in this week s USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Division 1 Men s College Hockey Poll issued February 25, Minnesota is No. 2, North Dakota is No. 6, Minnesota State is No. 7, St. Cloud State is No. 9, Denver is No. 11 and Nebraska Omaha is No. 15. Wisconsin also received votes. VISIT WCHA.COM/MOBILE FOR LIVE LEAGUE AND NATIONAL SCOREBOARDS, LIVE IN-GAME STATS, BOX SCORES AND STANDINGS The Western Collegiate Hockey Association s official web site wcha. com features fully functional mobile pages where visitors can access live league and national scoreboards, live in-game box scores, complete team and individual statistics, league standings, etc. To access all the latest developments as games are in progress visit RED BARON WCHA FINAL FIVE TICKET PACKAGES CONTINUE ON SALE Five-game, all tournament packages for the 2013 Red Baron WCHA Final Five, to be held March at Xcel Energy Center, continue on sale. All tournament packages are $165 and $80 and can be purchased at the Xcel Energy Center Box Office, Ticketmaster Ticket Centers, charge by phone at or online at To charge by phone using Ticketmaster TDD/TTY, call Groups (10+) call Fans can celebrate college hockey with music, interactive games, food, beverages and more at thewcha Fan Fest Friday, March 22 and Saturday, March 23 from 4:30-6:30 pm at the Bud Light Blue Line Bar and Grill (Xcel Energy Center Gate 4). Cheerleaders, mascots and WCHA pep bands will also be present at this event with live music from Uncle Chunk on Friday and Playback on Saturday. The WCHA Fan Fest is free and open to the public. CATCH THE LEAGUE S WEEKLY RADIO SHOW THIS WEEK IN THE WCHA AT WCHA.COM The Western Collegiate Hockey Association is pleased to again provide it s long-running weekly radio show This Week in the WCHA via wcha.com and to interested media outlets. The show is available each Friday at WCHA.com and is also available for electronic distribution. Hosted by Jim Rich and produced by Kevin Falness of the Minnesota Wild Radio Network, This Week in the WCHA runs 6-7 minutes and features key moments and highlights from live game broadcasts, including goals, saves, overtime game-winners, post-game sound clips, a look at upcoming games. WCHA FIRST ROUND PLAYOFF DATES AND TIMES Following are dates and face-off times for WCHA men s-member institutions should they host first round, best-of-three, playoff series in the 2013 WCHA tournament. All times are local. Colorado College Friday, 3/15 7:37 pm Saturday, 3/16 7:07 pm Sunday, 3/17 7:07 pm Denver Friday, 3/15 7:37 pm Saturday, 3/16 7:07 pm Sunday, 3/17 7:07 pm Minnesota Friday, 3/15 7:07 pm Saturday, 3/16 7:07 pm Sunday, 3/17 7:07 pm Minnesota State Friday, 3/15 7:07 pm Saturday, 3/16 7:07 pm Sunday, 3/17 7:07 pm Nebraska Omaha Friday, 3/15 7:37 pm Saturday, 3/16 7:07 p.m Sunday, 3/17 7:07 pm North Dakota Friday, 3/15 7:37 pm Saturday, 3/16 7:07 pm Sunday, 3/17 7:07 pm St. Cloud State Friday, 3/15 7:37 pm Saturday, 3/16 7:07 pm Sunday, 3/17 7:07 pm Wisconsin Friday, 3/15 7:07 pm Saturday, 3/16 7:07 pm. Sunday, 3/17 7:07 pm

4 WCHA ANNOUNCES LIMITED EDITION COMMEMORATIVE MERCHANDISE CAP AND T-SHIRT NOW AVAILABLE AT THEWCHASHOP.COM The men s Western Collegiate Hockey Association, via thewchashop. com, has announced a limited edition commemorative cap and t-shirt to celebrate the storied 61-year history of college hockey s oldest and most successful league. The two items are a commemorative team cap, showcasing the record 37 national championships won by WCHA-member clubs and all current 12 team logos, as well as a commemorative distressed print t-shirt. Both items, produced by M.A. Apparel, are available now at the league s official on-line store thewchashop.com. Item descriptions: WCHA Commemorative Team Logos 37 Cap: Show your league pride with this great cap from M.A. Apparel. All over embroidered 100% polyester pique cap. Adjustable Velcro closure. One size fits most. Showcases all 12 current WCHA team logos and the 37 Championships logo. WCHA Commemorative 37 Distressed Print T-Shirt: This t-shirt from M.A. Apparel features a front chest screen distressed screen print that showcases the 37 Championships logo. Supersoft 65% cotton/35% polyester Tee CONFERENCE RESULTS BY TEAM Alaska Anchorage (28 games): UND (L 1-4, T 3-3 ot); 11/9-10 vs UM (L 0-4, T 2-2 ot); BSU (T 2-2 ot, L 4-5); 11/30-12/1 vs SCSU (L 3-4 ot, W 3-1); MSU (L 1-3, L 0-3); 12/14-15 vs UMD (L 1-5, L 1-2); 1/4-5 vs UW (L 3-5, L 0-1); UM (L 3-5, L 1-7); 1/18-19 vs MSU (T 3-3 ot, L 0-4); UW (L 2-5, L 1-2); 2/1-2 vs CC (T 2-2 ot, T 3-3 ot); MTU (W 5-4, L 1-6); 2/15-16 vs UNO (L 0-3, L 5-6 ot); DU. Bemidji State (28 games): UNO (T 3-3 ot, W 3-2); CC (L 2-3, L 3-6); 11/16-17 vs MTU (L 4-5 ot, L 1-2 ot); 11/23-24 vs UAA (T 2-2 ot, W 5-4); MSU (L 0-3, 1-6); UMD (L 2-4, W 2-1); 12/14-15 vs DU (T 1-1 ot, W 5-1); MTU (L 0-4, T 2-2 ot); 1/25-26 vs UNO (L 3-5, L 1-2); 2/1-2 vs SCSU (L 0-4, L 1-4); UW (T 2-2 ot, L 2-3); 2/15-16 vs UMD (W 4-2, T 1-1 ot); UND; 3/8-9 vs UM. Colorado College (28 games): UW (W 5-4, W 3-0); 11/9-10 vs BSU (W 3-2, W 6-3); 11/16 vs DU (L 5-6); DU (L 2-6); 11/30-12/1 vs UND (W 5-3, L 2-3 ot); 12/7-8 vs UM (L 2-4, T 4-4 ot); SCSU (L 3-5, L 1-3); UNO (L 4-8, L 1-3); UND (W 4-3, L 3-5); 1/18-19 vs UMD (L 2-3, W 5-1); UAA (T 2-2 ot, T 3-3 ot); DU (T 1-1 ot); 2/9 vs DU (W 6-5 ot); 2/22-23 vs SCSU (W 4-3, L 2-5); 3/1-2 vs MSU; MTU. Denver (28 games): 10/26-27 vs MTU (W 5-1, W 5-2); 11/2-3 vs SCSU (L 0-3, W 6-1); MSU (W 4-3, W 3-2); CC (W 6-5); 11/17 vs CC (W 6-2); 11/30-12/1 vs UW (T 1-1 ot, L 1-3); UND (T 2-2 ot, L 3-6); BSU (T 1-1 ot, L 1-5); 1/11-12 vs UNO (W 7-4, T 3-3 ot); SCSU (L 2-5, L 1-5); UMD (W 3-0, W 4-3); 2/8 vs CC (T 1-2 ot); CC (L 5-6 ot); 2/22-23 vs UND (W 5-4, L 1-6); UM; 3/8-10 vs UAA. Michigan Tech (28 games): 10/19-20 vs UM (W 5-3, L 2-3); DU (L 1-5, L 2-5); 11/2-3 vs UNO (L 1-2, L 3-5); BSU (W 5-4 ot, W 2-1 ot); 11/30-12/1 vs UMD (L 3-7, T 4-4 ot); UW (T 1-1 ot, T 3-3 ot); 12/14-15 vs UND (L 1-6, L 1-4); UMD (L 0-1, L 4-5); 1/18-19 vs BSU (W 4-0, T 2-2 ot); UNO (L 3-4, W 2-1 ot); 2/8-9 vs UAA (L 4-5, W 6-1); MSU (L 2-4, L 1-6); SCSU; 3/8-9 vs CC. Minnesota (28 games): MTU (L 3-5, W 3-2); 11/2 vs MSU (W 3-2); MSU (L 3-5); UAA (W 4-0, T 2-2 ot); 11/16-17 vs UW (T 2-2 ot, W 3-1); 11/30-12/1 vs UNO (L 2-3, W 3-2); CC (W 4-2, T 4-4 ot); 1/11-12 vs UAA (W 4-3, W 7-1); 1/18-19 vs UND (W 5-1, T 4-4 ot); 1/25 vs MSU (L 1-2); MSU (W 4-1); SCSU (W 4-2, L 3-4); UW (W 3-2); UW (Soldier Field, Chicago) (L 2-3); 2/22-23 vs UMD (W 5-3, T 2-2 ot); 3/1-2 vs DU; BSU. Minnesota Duluth (28 games): 10/26-27 vs UW (L 0-2, T 2-2 ot); UNO (L 2-3, L 3-6); UND (T 4-4 ot, L 3-4 ot); 11/23-24 vs SCSU (W 2-1, L 1-5); MTU (W 7-3, T 4-4 ot); 12/7-8 vs BSU (W 4-2, L 1-2); UAA (W 5-1, W 2-1); 1/11-12 vs MTU (W 1-0, W 5-4); CC (W 3-2, L 1-5); 2/1-2 vs DU (L 0-3, L 3-4); 2/8-9 vs MSU (L 2-4, L 1-5); BSU (L 2-4, T 1-1 ot); UM (L 3-5, T 2-2 ot); 3/8-9 vs UNO. Minnesota State (28 games): SCSU (L 1-5, L 1-5); UM (L 2-3); 11/3 vs UM (W 5-3); 11/9-10 vs DU (L 3-4, L 2-3); UW (W 4-2, W 4-2); 11/30-12/1 vs BSU (W 3-0, W 6-1); 12/7-8 vs UAA (W 3-1, W 3-0); UNO (W 6-3, L 1-5); 1/11-12 vs UW (L 3-4 ot, L 0-1 ot); UAA (T 3-3 ot, W 4-0); UM (W 2-1); 1/26 vs UM (L 1-4); UMD (W 4-2, W 5-1); 2/15-16 vs MTU (W 4-2, W 6-1); CC; 3/8-9 vs UND. Nebraska Omaha (28 games): 10/26-27 vs BSU (T 3-3 ot, L 2-3); MTU (W 2-1, W 5-3); 11/10-11 vs UMD (W 3-2, W 6-3); UM (W 3-2, L 2-3); SCSU (W 6-5, L 1-2); 12/14-15 vs MSU (L 3-6, W 5-1); 1/4-5 vs CC (W 8-4, W 3-1); DU (L 4-7, T 3-3 ot); BSU (W 5-3, W 2-1); 2/1-2 vs MTU (W 4-3, L 1-2 ot); 2/8-9 vs UND (L 1-2, L 2-5); UAA (W 3-0, W 6-5 ot); 3/1-2 vs UW; UMD. North Dakota (28 games): 10/26-27 vs UAA (W 4-1, T 3-3 ot); SCSU (W 3-0, L 2-5); 11/16-17 vs UMD (T 4-4 ot, W 4-3 ot); CC (L 3-5, W 3-2 ot); 12/7-8 vs DU (T 2-2 ot, W 6-3); MTU (W 6-1, W 4-1); 1/11-12 vs CC (L 3-4, W 5-3); UM (L 1-5, T 4-4 ot); 1/25-26 vs SCSU (L 1-3, T 2-2 ot); 2/1-2 vs UW (T 1-1 ot, W 4-1); UNO (W 2-1, W 5-2); DU (L 4-5, W 6-1); 3/1-2 vs BSU; MSU. St. Cloud State (28 games): 10/26-27 vs MSU (W 5-1, W 5-1); DU (W 3-0, L 1-6); 11/9-10 vs UND (L 0-3, W 5-2); UMD (L 1-2, W 5-1); UAA (W 4-3 ot, L 1-3); 12/7-8 vs UNO (L 5-6, W 2-1); 12/14-15 vs CC (W 5-3, W 3-1); 1/18-19 vs DU (W 5-2, W 5-1); UND (W 3-1, T 2-2 ot); BSU (W 4-0, W 4-1); 2/8-9 vs UM (L 2-4, W 4-3); CC (L 3-4, W 5-2); 3/1-2 vs MTU; UW. Wisconsin (28 games): UMD (W 2-0, T 2-2 ot); 11/2-3 vs CC (L 4-5 ot, L 0-3); UM (T 2-2 ot, L 1-3); 11/23-24 vs MSU (L 2-4, L 2-4); DU (T 1-1 ot, W 3-1); 12/7-8 vs MTU (T 1-1 ot, T 3-3 ot); UAA (W 5-3, W 1-0); MSU (W 4-3 ot, W 2-1 ot); 1/25-26 vs UAA (W 5-2, W 2-1); UND (T 1-1 ot, L 1-4); 2/8-9 vs BSU (T 2-2 ot, W 3-2); 2/15 vs UM (L 2-3); 2/17 vs UM (@ Soldier Field, Chicago) (W 3-2); UNO; 3/8-9 vs SCSU.

5 CONFERENCE SWEEPS BY TEAM Alaska Anchorage (0). Bemidji State (0). Colorado College (2): Nov. Wisconsin (W 5-4, W 3-0); Nov vs Bemidji State (W 3-2, W 6-3). Denver (4): Oct vs Michigan Tech (W 5-1, W 5-2); Nov. Minnesota State (W 4-3, W 3-2); Nov. Colorado College (W 6-5), Nov. 17 vs Colorado College (W 6-2); Feb. Minnesota Duluth (W 3-0, W 4-3). Michigan Tech (1): Nov. Bemidji State (W 5-4 ot, W 2-1 ot). Minnesota (1): Jan vs Alaska Anchorage (W 4-3, W 7-1). Minnesota Duluth (2): Dec. Alaska Anchorage (W 5-1, W 2-1); Jan vs Michigan Tech (W 1-0, W 5-4). Minnesota State (5): Nov. Wisconsin (W 4-2, W 4-2); Nov. 30-Dec. 1 vs Bemidji State (W 3-0, W 6-1); Dec. 7-8 vs Alaska Anchorage (W 3-1, W 3-0); Feb. Minnesota Duluth (W 4-2, W 5-1); Feb vs MTU (W 4-2, W 6-1). Nebraska Omaha (5): Nov. Michigan Tech (W 2-1, W 5-3); Nov vs Minnesota Duluth (W 3-2, W 6-3); Jan. 4-5 vs Colorado College (W 8-4, W 3-1); Jan. Bemidji State (W 5-3, W 2-1); Feb. UAA (W 3-0, W 6-5 ot). North Dakota (2): Dec. Michigan Tech (W 6-1, W 4-1); Feb. Nebraska Omaha (W 2-1, W 5-2). St. Cloud State (4): Oct vs Minnesota State (W 5-1, W 5-1); Dec vs Colorado College (W 5-3, W 3-1); Jan vs Denver (W 5-2, W 5-1); Feb. Bemidji State (W 4-0, W 4-1). Wisconsin (3): Jan. Alaska Anchorage (W 5-3, W 1-0); Jan. Minnesota State (W 4-3 ot, W 2-1 ot); Jan vs Alaska Anchorage (W 5-2, W 2-1). LONGEST WINNING AND UNBEATEN STREAKS OF BY WCHA TEAM ALL GAMES Alaska Anchorage: Longest Winning Streak (1 game 1-0-0). Longest Unbeaten Streak (3 games 1-0-2). Bemidji State: Longest Winning Streak (1 game 1-0-0). Longest Unbeaten Streak (3 games 2-0-1; 2-0-1). Colorado College: Longest Winning Streak (4 games 4-0-0). Longest Unbeaten Streak (5 games 2-0-3). Denver: Longest Winning Streak (5 games 5-0-0). Longest Unbeaten Streak (5 games 5-0-0; 4-0-1). Michigan Tech: Longest Winning Streak (2 games 2-0-0). Longest Unbeaten Streak (2 games 2-0-0; 0-0-2; 2-0-0; 1-0-1). Minnesota: Longest Winning Streak (6 games 6-0-0). Longest Unbeaten Streak (10 games 8-0-2). Minnesota Duluth: Longest Winning Streak (2 games 2-0-0). Longest Unbeaten Streak (3 games 2-0-1). Minnesota State: Longest Winning Streak (7 games 7-0-0). Longest Unbeaten Streak (7 games 7-0-0). Nebraska Omaha: Longest Winning Streak (7 games 7-0-0). Longest Unbeaten Streak (7 games 7-0-0). North Dakota: Longest Winning Streak (5 games 5-0-0). Longest Unbeaten Streak (7 games 6-0-1). St. Cloud State: Longest Winning Streak (5 games 5-0-0). Longest Unbeaten Streak (6 games 5-0-1). Wisconsin: Longest Winning Streak (7 games 7-0-0). Longest Unbeaten Streak (11 games 8-0-3). THIS WEEK IN THE NATIONAL POLLS USCHO.COM DIV. 1 MEN S COLLEGE HOCKEY POLL Minneapolis, Minn./February 25, 2013 Rk Team (first place votes) Record Pts Last Week 1 Quinnipiac (37) Minnesota (10) Miami (2) Boston College (1) New Hampshire North Dakota St. Cloud State Western Michigan Minnesota State Denver Notre Dame Massachusetts-Lowell Nebraska Omaha Niagara Yale Wisconsin Merrimack Dartmouth Boston University Providence NR others receiving votes: Rensselaer 57, St. Lawrence 36, Union 14, Ferris State 12, Alaska 3, Robert Morris 2. USA TODAY/USA HOCKEY MAGAZINE DIV. 1 MEN S COLLEGE HOCKEY POLL Minneapolis, Minn./February 25, 2013 Rk Team, Pts (1st place) Record Last Week 1 Quinnipiac, 506 (30) Minnesota, 471 (3) Miami, 447 (1) Boston College, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Minnesota State, Western Michigan, St. Cloud State, UMass-Lowell, Denver, Notre Dame, Niagara, Yale, Nebraska Omaha, NR others receiving votes:merrimack College, 24; Providence College, 12; Dartmouth College, 8; Wisconsin, 6; Boston University, 2; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 1.

6 February 13, 2013 WCHA ANNOUNCES RECORD 115 MEN S AND WOMEN S SCHOLAR-ATHLETES FOR TH ANNUAL CLASS INCLUDES 54 REPEAT HONOREES; SCSU S ANNA DONLAN, DREW LEBLANC ARE FOUR-TIME RECIPIENTS The Western Collegiate Hockey Association, through Commissioner Bruce M. McLeod, Associate Commissioner Sara R. Martin, Michigan Technological University Athletic Director Suzanne Sanregret (Chair, men s league) and University of Minnesota Duluth Faculty Representative Al Mensinger (Chair, women s league) has announced a record total of 115 men s and women s student-athletes that make up the eighth annual group of WCHA Scholar-Athlete Award recipients for The previous record for honorees in one season was 110 in The announcement of our annual WCHA Scholar-Athletes is always a very special time of the year, said McLeod, Martin, Sanregret and Mensinger in a joint statement. It is an opportunity for both the Association and our member teams to publically acknowledge the outstanding accomplishments of these young men and women and pay tribute to the amount of time, hard work and dedication each of them put into their already demanding schedules as student-athletes. Achieving this high honor is a remarkable tribute to every one of them and on behalf of the entire WCHA family, we wish them all the success in the world. The WCHA Scholar-Athlete Award was developed through member team Faculty Representatives and approved by the conference membership beginning with the season. To earn recognition as a WCHA Scholar-Athlete, conference-member student-athletes must have completed at least one year of residency at their present institution prior to the current academic year and must also have a grade-point average of at least 3.50 on a 4.0 scale for the previous two semesters or three quarters, or may qualify if his/her overall GPA is at least 3.50 for all terms at his or her present institution. Over the first eight years of the award, there have been 640 WCHA Scholar-Athlete honorees representing all 12 men s- and all eight women s-member institutions. Fifty-four (54) of this season s 115 men s and women s WCHA Scholar-Athletes are repeat honorees, including two four-time recipients and 21 three-time honorees. Earning the distinguished WCHA Scholar-Athlete honor for the fourth time are St. Cloud State s Anna Donlan ( , 10-11, 11-12, 12-13) and Drew LeBlanc ( , 10-11, 11-12, 12-13), who become only the sixth and seventh student-athletes to ever do so. The other four-time honorees have been Colorado College s Scott McCulloch ( , 06-07, 07-08, 08-09), North Dakota s Chay Genoway ( , 08-09, 09-10, 10-11), Minnesota Duluth s Kenny Reiter ( , 09-10, 10-11, 11-12), and Minnesota State s Jenna Hewitt ( , 07-08, 08-09, 09-10) and Austin Lee ( , 09-10, 10-11, 11-12). Twenty-one (21) of this season s men s and women s honorees have now earned the WCHA Scholar-Athlete award for the third time in their careers. They are, by member team, Alaska Anchorage s Chris Crowell, Bemidji State s Jake Areshenko, Molly Arola, Sadie Lundquist, Brance Orban and Abby Williams, Denver s Shawn Ostrow and Paul Phillips, Michigan Tech s Kevin Genoe, Minnesota Duluth s Aaron Crandall, Audrey Belanger-Cournoyer and Vanessa Thibault, Minnesota State s Tyler Elbrecht, Erika Magnusson and Lauren Smith, North Dakota s Jocelyne Lamoureux, Monique Lamoureux, Mary Loken, Allison Parizek and Jordan Slavin, and St. Cloud State s Callie Dahl. The complete list of 54 repeat honorees for , listed by team, is as follows (****four-time recipient, ***three-time, **two-time): Alaska Anchorage: Matt Bailey* (Jr., F), Chris Crowell*** (Sr., F), Scott Warner* (Sr., D). Bemidji State: Jake Areshenko*** (Sr., D), Molly Arola*** (Sr., F), Allie Duellman* (Jr., D), Sadie Lundquist*** (Sr., F), Aaron McLeod** (Sr., F), Brance Orban*** (Sr., F), Erika Wheelhouse* (Sr., D), Abby Williams*** (Sr., F), Danielle Williams* (Jr., D/F). Denver: Shawn Ostrow*** (Sr., F), Paul Phillips*** (Sr., D). Michigan Tech: Kevin Genoe*** (Sr., G), Brad Stebner* (Jr., D). Minnesota: Bethany Brausen* (Jr., F), Zach Budish* (Jr., F), Nate Condon* (Jr., F). Minnesota Duluth: Audrey Cournoyer*** (Sr., F), Aaron Crandall*** (Jr., G), Luke McManus* (So., D), Vanessa Thibault*** (Sr., F). Minnesota State: Emilia Andersson* (Sr., D), Tyler Elbrecht*** (Sr., D), Evan Karambelas* (Jr., G), Melissa Klippenstein* (Jr., F), Erika Magnusson*** (Sr., D), Kathleen Rogan* (Jr., F), Lauren Smith*** (Sr., F). Nebraska Omaha: Bryce Aneloski* (Sr., D), Zahn Raubenheimer* (Jr., F), Johnnie Searfoss* (Jr., F), Alex Simonson* (Jr., F). North Dakota: Jocelyne Lamoureux*** (Sr., F), Monique Lamoureux*** (Sr., F/D), Mary Loken*** (Sr., F), Allison Parizek*** (Sr., F), Michelle Bonapace-Potvin* (So., G), Dillon Simpson* (Jr., D), Jordan Slavin*** (Sr., D). Ohio State: Madison Marcotte* (Jr., D), Minttu Tuominen* (Sr., F). St. Cloud State: Sydney Burghardt* (Jr., F), Callie Dahl*** (Sr., F), Anna Donlan**** (Sr., G), Nic Dowd* (Jr., F), Julia Gilbert* (Jr., F), Kevin Gravel* (Jr., D), Nick Jensen* (Jr., D), Drew LeBlanc**** (Sr., F), Amanda Monkman* (Jr., D), Amy Olson* (So., F). Wisconsin: Natalie Berg* (Jr., D). In , the first season of the WCHA Scholar-Athlete award, there were 47 men s and women s honorees. In , there were 49 honorees, in there were 79, in there were 71, in there were 80, in there were 90 and in there were 110. WCHA Scholar-Athlete recipients will be honored on-ice at an upcoming home game by their institutions and presented a commemorative plaque WCHA SCHOLAR-ATHLETES BY MEMBER TEAM ****four-time recipient; ***three-time; **two time University of Alaska Anchorage: Matt Bailey* (Jr., F, Oakbank, MB); Chris Crowell*** (Sr., F, Williams Lake, BC); Daniel Naslund (Sr., F, Nykoping, Sweden); Kory Roy (So., F, Anchorage, AK); Quinn Sproule (Jr., D, Hussar, AB); Scott Warner * (Sr., D, Anchorage, AK). Bemidji State University: Jake Areshenko*** (Sr., D, Port Coquitlam, BC); Molly Arola*** (Sr., F, Walker, MN); Phil Brewer (Fr., F, Cambridge, ON); Allie Duellman* (Jr., D, Maplewood, MN); Matt Hartmann (Sr., F, Hugo, MN); Sadie Lundquist*** (Sr., F, Cloquet, MN); Aaron McLeod** (Sr., F, Ottawa, ON); Brance Orban*** (Sr., F, Lethbridge, AB); Matt Prapavessis (So., D, Oakville, ON); Tyler Tosunian (So., F, Whittier, CA); Andrew Walsh (So., G, Dawson Creek, BC); Erika Wheelhouse* (Sr., D, Crookston, MN); Abby Williams*** (Sr., F, Alexandria, MN); Danielle Williams* (Jr., D/F, Waconia, MN); Sam Windle (So., D, Maple Grove, MN); Whitney Wivoda (So., F, Fairbanks, AK). Colorado College: Alexander Krushelnyski (Jr., F, Bloomfield Hills, MI); Eamonn McDermott (Jr., D, Shaker Heights, OH). University of Denver: Larkin Jacobson (So., F, Sioux City, IA); Scott Mayfield (So., D, St. Louis, MO); Shawn Ostrow*** (Sr., F, Calgary, AB); Paul Phillips*** (Sr., D, Darien, IL). Michigan Technological University: Kevin Genoe*** (Sr., G, Qualicum Beach, BC); Tanner Kero (So., F, Hancock, MI); Daniel Sova (Jr., D, Cottage Grove, MN); Brad Stebner* (Jr., D, Fort McMurray, AB). University of Minnesota: Bethany Brausen* (Jr., F, Little Canada, MN); Zach Budish* (Jr., F, Edina, MN); Nate Condon* (Jr., F, Wausau,

7 WI); Noora Räty (Sr., G, Espoo, Finland); Kyle Rau (So., F, Eden Prairie, MN); Michael Shibrowski (Jr., G, Andover, MN); Kelly Terry (Jr., F, Whitby, ON). University of Minnesota Duluth: Audrey Cournoyer*** (Sr., F, Montreal, QC); Aaron Crandall*** (Jr., G, Lakeville, MN); Justin Crandall (So., F, Lakeville, MN); Jake Hendrickson (Sr., F, Savage, MN); Adam Krause (So., F, Hermantown, MN); Luke McManus* (So., D, Apple Valley, MN); Tim Smith (Jr., D, Superior, WI); Vanessa Thibault*** (Sr., F, Lachine, QC). Minnesota State University, Mankato: Emilia Andersson* (Sr., D, Stockholm, Sweden); Lauren Barnes (Jr., F, Burnsville, MN); Tyler Elbrecht*** (Sr., D, Edwardsville, IL); Chase Grant (So., F, Oklahoma City, OK); Evan Karambelas* (Jr., G, Fort St. John, BC); Melissa Klippenstein* (Jr., F, Neubergthal, MB); Mat Knoll (So., D, Edmonton, AB); Erin Krichiver (So., G, Chicago, IL); Erika Magnusson*** (Sr., D, Fergus Falls, MN); Shelby Moteyunas (So., D, Cicero, NY); Kathleen Rogan* (Jr., F, Vancouver, BC); Kelsie Scott (Jr., F, Souris, MB); Lauren Smith*** (Sr., F, Burnsville, MN); Charlie Thauwald (So., F, Rochester, MN). University of Nebraska Omaha: Bryce Aneloski* (Sr., D, Pekin, IL); John Faulkner (Sr., G, Sarnia, ON); Ryan Massa (So., G, Littleton, CO); Jaycob Megna (So., D, Northbrook, IL); Brock Montpetit (Jr., F, Somerset, WI); Brian O Rourke (So., D, St. Louis, MO); Zahn Raubenheimer* (Jr., F, Smoky Lake, AB); Andrew Schmit (So., F, Grafton, WI); Johnnie Searfoss* (Jr., F, Colleyville, TX); Alex Simonson* (Jr., F, Grand Forks, ND); Andrej Sustr (Jr., D, Plzen, Czech Republic); Ryan Walters (Jr., F, Rosemount, MN). University of North Dakota: Shelby Amsley-Benzie (Fr., G, Warroad, MN); Andrea Dalen (So., F, Honefoss, Norway); Shannon Kaiser (Fr., F, Crookston, MN); Jocelyne Lamoureux*** (Sr., F, Grand Forks, ND); Monique Lamoureux*** (Sr., F/D, Grand Forks, ND); Mary Loken*** (Sr., F, Roseau, MN); Mark MacMillan (So., F, Penticton, BC); Nick Mattson (So., D, Chanhassen, MN); Allison Parizek*** (Sr., F, Minot, ND); Michelle Bonapace-Potvin* (So., G, Royn-Noranda, QC); Dillon Simpson* (Jr., D, Edmonton, AB); Jordan Slavin*** (Sr., D, Erie, CO); Tori Williams (So., D, The Pas, MB). Ohio State University: Becky Allis (Jr., D, West Olive, MI); Stacy Danczak (So., G, Macedonia, OH); Taylor Kuehl (So., F, Minnetrista, MN); Madison Marcotte* (Jr., D, White Bear Lake, MN); Kari Schmitt (So., D, Canton, MI); Sara Schmitt (So., D, Canton, MI); Paige Semenza (Sr., F, Pittston, PA); Kayla Sullivan (So., F, Flower Mound, TX); Kim Theut (Sr., F, Harrison Township, MI); Minttu Tuominen* (Sr., F, Espoo, Finland). St. Cloud State University: Brooks Bertsch (So., F, Dubuque, IA); Sydney Burghardt* (Jr., F, Medicine Hat, AB); Callie Dahl*** (Sr., F, Stillwater, MN); Anna Donlan**** (Sr., G, Hillsboro, WI); Nic Dowd* (Jr., F, Huntsville, AL); Ryan Faragher (So., G, Fort Frances, ON); Julie Friend (So., G, Minnetonka, MN); Julia Gilbert* (Jr., F, Hermantown, MN); Kevin Gravel* (Jr., D, Kingsford, MI); Joey Holka (So., F, Phoenix, AZ); Nick Jensen* (Jr., D, Rogers, MN); Drew LeBlanc**** (Sr., F, Hermantown, MN); Amanda Monkman* (Jr., D, Roseau, MN); David Morley (Fr., F, Richmond Hills, ON); Nick Oliver (So., F, Roseau, MN); Amy Olson* (So., F, Roseau, MN); Joe Phillippi (So., G, Shoreview, MN). University of Wisconsin: Natalie Berg* (Jr., D, Minnetonka, MN); Katy Josephs (So., F, Calgary, AB). February 13, 2013 MEN S HOCKEY FINALISTS ANNOUNCED FOR SENIOR CLASS AWARD GROUP INCLUDES SCSU S BEN HANOWSKI OVERLAND PARK, KS Ten NCAA men s hockey student-athletes who excel both on and off the ice were selected as finalists today for the Senior CLASS Award in collegiate hockey. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division 1 senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence community, classroom, character and competition. The complete list of finalists follows this release. An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities. The finalists were chosen by a media committee from the list of 20 candidates announced in November. Nationwide fan voting begins immediately to help select the winner. Fans are encouraged to vote on thesenior CLASS Award website or on the Senior CLASS Award Facebook fan page through March 25. Fan votes will be combined with media and Division I head coaches votes to determine the winner. The Senior CLASS Award winner will be announced during the 2013 NCAA Frozen Four in Pittsburgh April 11 and 13. For more information on the finalists, visitseniorclassaward.com. Ice Hockey Candidates: Brett Beebe, Western Michigan; Danny Biega, Harvard; Kyle Bonis, Ferris State; Stephen Carew, Air Force; Alex Gerke, Connecticut; Ben Hanowski, St. Cloud State; Brendan Jamison, Robert Morris; Brandon Nunn, Holy Cross; Cheyne Rocha, Army; Steven Spinell, Miami (Ohio). JEFF SAUER NAMED HEAD COACH OF 2014 U.S. PARALYMPIC HOCKEY TEAM 2014 U.S. PARALYMPIC TEAM TO BE ANNOUNCED IN JULY COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. Jeff Sauer (Madison, WI) has been named head coach of the 2014 U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team it was announced on February 14 by USA Hockey. Sauer is currently in his second season serving as head coach of the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team. In April 2012, Sauer guided Team USA to the gold medal at the International Paralympic Committee World Championship in Hamar, Norway. The U.S. will defend its world title this April in Goyang City, Korea, at the 2013 IPC World Championship. Jeff has been a terrific leader for our U.S. National Sled Hockey Team and he was the unquestionable choice for this position, said Dave Ogrean, executive director of USA Hockey. He has a wealth of coaching experience at so many levels and has translated that knowledge to the game of sled hockey. I m excited and honored to be chosen for this position, said Sauer. I have greatly enjoyed the opportunity to be the head coach of the U.S. National Sled Hockey Team these last two seasons and I look forward to seeing this talented group of players through to next year s Paralympic Games in Sochi. The U.S. Paralympic Hockey Team will compete in the 2014 Sochi Paralympic Games March 7-16, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. The U.S. will be defending its gold medal from the 2010 Vancouver Paralympic Games, and seeking its fourth consecutive Paralympic Games medal (2002-gold; 2006-bronze). Sauer has coached a wide array of U.S. teams throughout his career. He was the head coach of the U.S. Men s National Team at the 1995 International Ice Hockey Federation Men s World Championship in Stockholm, Sweden, and at the 1990 Goodwill Games in Seattle, Wash., along with serving as head coach for the U.S. Men s Select Team at the 1989 Pravda Cup in Leningrad, Soviet Union, and at the 1997 Tampere Cup in Tampere, Finland. In addition, Sauer has been deeply involved with the U.S. Deaf Ice Hockey Teams. He will be the head coach of Team USA at the 2013 World Deaf Hockey Championship in Vantaa, Finland this April. Additionally, he has been the head coach of the last three Deaflympic

8 Ice Hockey Teams, leading the U.S. to a gold-medal finish at the 2007 Winter Deaflympics in Salt Lake City, Utah. Sauer also is currently a member of USA Hockey s International Council and Disabled Hockey Committee, and is president of the American Hearing Impaired Hockey Association. Sauer s illustrious 31-year NCAA Division 1 college coaching career featured 655 wins (seventh all-time) and two national championships, both of which came during his tenure with the University of Wisconsin (1983, 1990). Sauer led Wisconsin to three NCAA Men s Frozen Four appearances, 12 NCAA tournament berths, six Western Collegiate Hockey Association playoff titles and two WCHA regular-season crowns in 20 seasons as head coach ( ). He also spent 11 years ( ) as head coach of the men s ice hockey team at his alma mater, Colorado College, where he was twice named WCHA Coach of the Year (1972, 1975). In 2011, Sauer was honored with the National Hockey League s Lester Patrick Trophy for his outstanding service to hockey in the United States. In 2000, he was recognized with USA Hockey s Distinguished Achievement Award. He was also named to the Wisconsin Hockey Hall of Fame in 2004 and received the John Snooks Kelly Founders Award from the American Hockey Coaches Association for his contributions to the overall growth and development of the sport of ice hockey in the U.S. Notes:Team USA has won the last three major international events, including the 2009 IPC World Sledge Hockey Championship in Ostrava, Czech Republic; the 2010 Paralympic Games in Vancouver, B.C.; and the 2012 IPC World Sledge Hockey Championship in Hamar, Norway During the season, the U.S. has won a pair of international tournaments; Team USA defeated Canada on Dec. 8 in the championship game of the 2012 World Sledge Hockey Challenge in Calgary, Alberta, and it topped Korea on Jan. 26 in the title game of the 2013 USA Hockey Sled Cup in Indian Trail, NC The management of the U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team is under the direction of USA Hockey s International Council, chaired by Tony Rossi Jim Johannson, assistant executive director of USA Hockey, oversees all hockey operations for the organization and Dan Brennan is the general manager of the 2014 U.S. Paralympic Sled Hockey Team. WCHA GRANTS FULL-TIME MEMBERSHIP TO UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA IN HUNTSVILLE CHARGERS TO BECOME 10TH MEMBER OF MEN S LEAGUE The Western Collegiate Hockey Association men s membership voted January 17 to admit the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) as a full-time men s conference member. The vote of approval was taken after UAH submitted an application for membership and made a formal presentation to a WCHA group of member-team Presidents and Athletic Directors at a meeting held in conjunction with the NCAA Convention in Dallas, Tex. The addition of University of Alabama in Huntsville into college hockey s most historic and successful conference will bring future men s league membership to 10 teams. Their membership will be effective as soon as WCHA men s membership in currently consists of University of Alaska Anchorage, University of Alaska Fairbanks, Bemidji State University, Bowling Green State University, Ferris State University, Lake Superior State University, Michigan Technological University, Minnesota State University, Mankato and Northern Michigan University. In issuing a joint statement on behalf of the Association, Dr. Richard Davenport, President of Minnesota State University, Mankato and Chair of the WCHA President s Group, and Bruce McLeod, Commissioner of the WCHA, said The WCHA is delighted to have reached in principle an agreement to officially welcome University of Alabama in Huntsville into the Association family as a full-time men s member. This is a significant day for the Chargers, the community of Huntsville, the conference itself, and college hockey in general. Growing the game and assisting developing programs however possible has always been a charge of the WCHA and this is another positive evolution in our history. Each of our member institutions are 100% committed to keeping the WCHA among the premier conferences in all of collegiate athletics and our respective ice hockey programs both strong and vibrant. The University of Alabama in Huntsville is a dynamic, top-quality institution with an excellent academic and athletic reputation and without question the Chargers are going to be a great fit and a successful, contributing member. Just as the entire UAH campus and the Huntsville community are exhilarated to now have a welcoming home for their men s hockey program, the WCHA is also extremely proud and gratified to be providing that home. Said University of Alabama in Huntsville President Robert Altenkirch, We re pleased that our ice hockey team is going to have the opportunity to compete and grow in a NCAA Division 1 conference. We believe that our affiliation with the Western Collegiate Hockey Association will be a tremendous boost to our recruiting, scheduling and our ability to be competitive on the ice. We want to thank the WCHA and its member institutions for their confidence in allowing us to be a part of their conference. Their affirmative vote will invigorate our ability to maintain our great hockey tradition. UAH Director of Athletics Dr. E.J. Brophy said, All athletic programs experience special defining moments, and our hockey program s acceptance today into the Western Collegiate Hockey Association is certainly one of those moments. The WCHA is a preeminent hockey conference in America, and I know that our student-athletes, coaches, fans, friends, alums and the people of Huntsville are ecstatic and proud of this giant step for our ice hockey program. The last time we were in a conference, we won the conference tournament and advanced to the NCAA tournament, which will be our immediate and ambitious goal when we begin play in the WCHA. It is a banner day for the Chargers. The men s Western Collegiate Hockey Association, home to a record 37 national championships teams since it s founding in 1951, has been operating as a 12-team conference for the and seasons. Current members are University of Alaska Anchorage, Bemidji State University, Colorado College, University of Denver, Michigan Technological University, University of Minnesota, University of Minnesota Duluth, Minnesota State University, University of Nebraska Omaha, University of North Dakota, St. Cloud State University and University of Wisconsin. On March 21, 2011, the Big Ten Conference announced the formation of a new Division 1 men s college hockey league that would include current WCHA-members Minnesota and Wisconsin and begin play in On July 13, 2012, Colorado College, Denver, Minnesota Duluth, Nebraska Omaha and North Dakota announced they would be leaving the WCHA following the season to form another new league, known as the National Collegiate Hockey Conference, which also begins play in Then on Sept. 22, 2011, St. Cloud State announced they were leaving the WCHA for the NCHC. ABOUT UAH HOCKEY The University of Alabama in Huntsville hockey program has been playing as an NCAA Division I independent since the end of the season following the dissolution of the CHA (College Hockey

9 America). The program was dropped back to club status for a brief stint in the spring of 2012, and then revived a short time later. The program struggled to fill a schedule, as previously scheduled teams dropped UAH upon the canceling of the program. Known as the Hockey Capital of the South, UAH has been playing NCAA hockey since The program won two NCAA Division II Championships in the mid-1990 s, before Div. II hockey was dropped. The program has seen massive facility upgrades, as well as a new coaching staff with professional experience and high expectations. UAH has made an appearance in six NCAA Tournaments and is currently the only D1 hockey program without a home in For a history of UAH hockey, visit: sports/2011/11/10/mhockey_ aspx?path=mhockey. FAN BALLOTING OPEN FOR 2013 HOBEY BAKER MEMORIAL AWARD St. Paul, Minn. As second half play continues in college hockey, fans of the game can help determine the winner of the 2013 Hobey Baker Award. Awarded annually to college hockey s top player, the Hobey Baker s highly popular fan-voting phase opened on January 7. Visit the Hobey Baker website: Click on the Vote for Hobey icon and follow the prompts to make your selection from this year s outstanding crop of 77 college hockey players. This first phase of fan balloting runs through March 10. Phase two of fan balloting will begin on March 22 from the list of Top Ten Hobey Baker finalists. The fans vote accounts for a full 1 percent of the total ballot in each phase in selecting this year s award recipient. Award criteria include candidates emulating the exceptional character traits exhibited by the award s namesake, Hobey Baker. An American super-hero, Baker was a World War I fighter pilot and was known as America s greatest amateur athlete in his day, excelling at hockey and football at Princeton. Award candidates must demonstrate strength of character both on and off the ice, contribute to the integrity of his team and display outstanding skills in all phases of the game. Consideration should be given to scholastic achievement and sportsmanship. Key Hobey Baker announcement dates for 2013 include: Top Ten list of candidates - March 21; Hobey Hat Trick of three finalists - April 3; Hobey Baker Award announcement - April 12. The 2013 Hobey Baker Award winner will be announced from a field of three Hobey Hat Trick finalists on Friday, April 12, 2013 during the NCAA Frozen Four Championships in Pittsburgh, Pa. The 33rd annual award announcement honoring college hockey s top player will be televised live. For more info please visit TICKETS ON SALE FOR 2013 NCAA MEN S ICE HOCKEY REGIONALS, FROZEN FOUR hosted by Bowling Green, will have first-round start times of 1:30 pm and 5 pm ET on March 30, while the regional final will be 4 pm ET on March 31. Tickets for the three-game package are $75. Tickets for the West regional at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Mich., hosted by Michigan, are on sale for $65. The first-round contests are at 2 pm and 5:30 pm ET on March 29, while the regional final is set for 4 pm ET on March 30. Tickets for all sites can be purchased by visiting the respective arena box office, calling (800) or online at frozenfour. If any of the host schools are selected to participate in the 2013 Div. 1 Men s Ice Hockey Championship, they will be assigned to their host site. Times for regional contests are subject to change. Tickets for the NCAA Men s Frozen Four, set for April at CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pa., went on sale Dec. 10. Reserved all session tickets for both semifinals and the championship game are $200 and can be purchased by visiting NCAA.com/tickets, stopping by the CONSOL Energy Center Ticket Office or calling (800) The Men s Frozen Four has sold out 16 of the last 20 years and is expected to do so again this year. The CONSOL Energy Center, home of the NHL s Pittsburgh Penguins, has a seating capacity of 18,387. WCHA UNVEILS NEW MOBILE WEBSITE FOR SEASON AT WCHA.COM/MOBILE The WCHA announced an all-new mobile website for the season that includes significant updates and upgrades to the previous platform. The men s and women s mobile site, launched at the same url as before ( includes more visually appealing pages, a better navigation system and improved mobile box scores among other changes. The many upgrades include: More visually appealing league and member team home pages with images included to promote the top stories Better navigation system including easy links to each member team s home page from a menu at top of each page Individual mobile player statistics pages that are accessible from team and league stats pages, press releases and game stories Improved mobile press release presentation that now includes images and the ability for people to share via social media Improved mobile game story presentation with images now included and the ability for embedding potential video. Mobile game stories can also now be shared via social media Significant changes to mobile box scores with the addition of all game data, including all player and team stats. Previous box scores were all text-based. The new version uses an accordion format for accessing different game stats categories. WCHA.com, the official website of the 61-year-old WCHA, includes TheWCHAShop.com as the league s on-line merchandise store and WCHA.com/mobile. They are joint ventures of the WCHA and SportDesigns.com, featuring a statistical partnership with CollegeHockeyStats. net. Tickets for the 2013 Div. 1 Men s Ice Hockey Championship regional rounds and finals are on sale. Northeast regional tickets, to be held at the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, N.H., and hosted by UNH, are available for $75. Start times for first-round games are 4:30 pm and 8 pm ET on March 29, while the regional final is at 6:30 pm ET on March 30. Start times for the East regional at the Dunkin Donuts Center in Providence, R.I., hosted by Brown, will be 5:30 pm and 9 pm ET for first-round games on March 30, with the regional final scheduled for 6:30 pm ET on March 31. Tickets for the three-game package are $75. The Midwest regional at the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio,