USCHO Spotlight

Augustana men's hockey head coach Garrett Raboin joins hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) discussing challenges and successes of starting a Division I college hockey program from scratch and into its second year. Raboin discusses the unique journey of assembling a team, the benefits brought by the transfer portal, and the impact of a strong goaltender. He also reflects on his coaching influences and experiences, including his role in two gold medal-winning World Junior teams. The conversation touches on building a program culture, the strategic fit within the CCHA, and the advantages of a smaller yet vibrant home arena. Raboin emphasizes the importance of regional and international recruitment and looks ahead to the team's ongoing development and upcoming pivotal games.This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Men's Division I Frozen Four, April 10 and 12 in St. Louis. Get your tickets now at ncaa.com/frozenfour

FloHockey content manager and veteran prospects and NHL analyst Chris Peters joins hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) to recap USA's gold at the 2025 IIHF World Junior Championship and to look at international hockey in general.

USA Hockey assistant executive director of hockey operations and general manager for the 2025 World Junior Championship team John Vanbiesbrouck joins hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) to preview the upcoming IIHF 2025 World Junior Championship in Ottawa.

Michigan State men's hockey head coach Adam Nightingale joins hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger).Nightingale discusses the promising start to the season and the factors contributing to the team's early success. He highlights the unity and depth of the team, his approach upon taking over the program, and the importance of focusing on the present rather than past performances. Nightingale elaborates on the development of key players and addresses areas for improvement and upcoming challenges. Nightingale also comments on broader changes in college hockey recruitment and the impact of Munn Ice Arena renovations on fan engagement. The episode concludes with insights into the support system and camaraderie within Michigan State's athletic department.

College Hockey Inc. executive director Sean Hogan joins hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) to discuss the NCAA decision allowing Canadian major junior athletes to play Division I college hockey, including CHI's efforts in education, his organization's evolving focus, and recruiting from the CHL. Also discussed were the difficulties faced with all of the changes in the sport in the last year or two, and whether D-I hockey can continue to grow in light of that.

Maine head coach Ben Barr joins hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) to talk Black Bears hockey through the early part of the season, transfer portal, recruiting, factors toward recent success, CHL eligibility, pending legislation, rule changes, and series this coming weekend vs. Merrimack.

Rensselaer head coach Dave Smith joins hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) to talk this season's Engineers, their opening weekend at Canisius, recruiting, possible CHL eligibility, the transfer portal, RPI's coming weekend against Niagara, and more.

Arizona State head coach Greg Powers joins hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) to talk Sun Devils hockey, joining the NCHC, eligibility and recruiting for CHL players, roster sizes, and the upcoming home opener series with Michigan.

Vermont athletic director Jeff Schulman, chair of the NCAA men's Division I ice hockey committee joins hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) to talk about the process that went into the selection of this year's championship field of 16, attendance, and discussions about going to on-campus sites in the future.This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Division I Men's Frozen Four, April 11 and 13 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Visit ncaa.com/mfrozenfour

Big Ten Network and ESPN hockey analyst Paul Caponigri joins hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) to talk about the Big Ten playoffs, the evolution of the conference since its founding, and prospects for its teams in the NCAA tournament.This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Division I Men's Frozen Four, April 11 and 13 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Visit ncaa.com/mfrozenfour

Veteran college hockey writer Neil Koepke joins hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) to talk about Michigan State and the Big Ten, including a look at this year's Spartans and a capsule analysis of the rest of this college hockey conference.This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Division I Men's Frozen Four, April 11 and 13 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Visit ncaa.com/mfrozenfour

College hockey analyst Dave Starman joins hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) to talk about the NCHC playoff race, as well as general topics like the discussion of CHL eligibility and fighting in college hockey.This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Division I Men's Frozen Four, April 11 and 13 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Visit ncaa.com/mfrozenfour

College Hockey Inc. executive director Mike Snee joins hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) to address CHL eligibility rumors, women's college hockey and CHI's new director of women's hockey Sadie Lundquist's hiring, continued expansion, educational efforts, and more.This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Division I Men's Frozen Four, April 11 and 13 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Visit ncaa.com/mfrozenfour

Big Ten coordinator of ice hockey officials Steve Piotrowski joins hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) to discuss rules and officiating, including video replay, points of emphasis, and possible rule changes for next season.This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Division I Men's Frozen Four, April 11 and 13 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Visit ncaa.com/mfrozenfour

NESN play-by-play broadcaster Tyler Murray joins hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) to talk about last weekend's home-and-home series between Boston College and Boston University, their Beanpot rematch, Hockey East this season, and that conference's playoff race.This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Division I Men's Frozen Four, April 11 and 13 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Visit ncaa.com/mfrozenfour

Air Force head coach Frank Serratore joins hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) to talk about reaching his 500th win milestone, the history of the Falcons, recruiting without the transfer portal, Atlantic Hockey, this year's team, and upcoming games.This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Division I Men's Frozen Four, April 11 and 13 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Visit ncaa.com/mfrozenfour

St. Thomas head coach Rico Blasi joins hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) to talk about this season's Tommies, developing a program during the new transfer portal era, cultivating values, a new facility under construction, the CCHA, and more.This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Division I Men's Frozen Four, April 11 and 13 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Visit ncaa.com/mfrozenfour

FloSports senior content creator Chris Peters joins hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) to wrap up the 2024 IIHF World Junior Championship and to take us behind the scenes for Team USA's gold medal, as well as a look at the USNTDP.This episode is sponsored by the NCAA Division I Men's Frozen Four, April 11 and 13 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Visit ncaa.com/mfrozenfour

Grand Forks Herald writer Brad Schlossman joins hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) to discuss what he's learned about what happens behind the scenes with the transfer portal in Division I men's college hockey. We also touch on the possibility of eligibility for players in major junior in light of NIL.Brad's story about the transfer portal in the Grand Forks Herald: https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-hockey/hockey-transfer-portal-action-begins-long-before-you-may-thinkThis episode is sponsored by the NCAA Division I Men's Frozen Four, April 11 and 13 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Visit ncaa.com/mfrozenfour

Maine head coach Ben Barr joins hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) to talk this year's Black Bears, building a culture and work ethic, recruiting, today's players, and areas for improvement.

North Dakota head coach Brad Berry joins hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) to talk this year's Fighting Hawks, building a culture with a lot of rookies and transfers, the current state of the game, the NCHC, and more.

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by St. Cloud State head coach Brett Larson about this year's Huskies, the competitiveness of D-I college hockey, coaching in this era, and the weekend series upcoming with Minnesota Duluth.

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by Boston College head coach Greg Brown to talk about his No. 1-ranked Eagles. The discussion also includes coaching young talent, a look at some of this year's players, and playing some competitive non-conference games.

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by Wisconsin State Journal reporter and USCHO editor emeritus Todd D. Milewski to discuss the team he covers, the Wisconsin Badgers. Topics include the team's play so far after a 7-1 start, the change in culture around the program, whether their No. 5 ranking is warranted, and getting crowds back into the Kohl Center. We also touch on Milewski's article on neck guards.

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by Arizona State head coach Greg Powers to talk about this year's team, the move next year to the NCHC, having the full complement of three assistant coaches, and this weekend's series at Miami.

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by Holy Cross head coach Bill Riga to discuss his Crusaders' 3-0 start, creating an identity, making incremental improvements, the transfer portal, NIL, and the upcoming series at Robert Morris.

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by veteran journalist Neil Koepke – who has over 50 years under his belt covering college hockey – to talk about this year's Michigan State Spartans, Big Ten hockey, and the changing national hockey scene.

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by NESN Hockey East play-by-play broadcaster Tyler Murray to preview that conference's single-elimination tournament.This podcast is sponsored by the NCAA Men’s Division I Frozen Four, April 6th and 8th, 2023 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. Secure your seats at NCAA.com/mfrozenfour

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by Grand Forks Herald hockey writer Brad Elliott Schlossman to look at the NCHC as that league heads into the last weekend before conference playoffs, and at college hockey at large.This podcast is sponsored by the NCAA Men’s Division I Frozen Four, April 6th and 8th, 2023 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. Secure your seats at NCAA.com/mfrozenfour

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by The Rink Live hockey writer Jess Myers to look at the Big Ten as that league heads into the last weekend before conference playoffs.This podcast is sponsored by the NCAA Men’s Division I Frozen Four, April 6th and 8th, 2023 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. Secure your seats at NCAA.com/mfrozenfour

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by Minnesota State head coach Mike Hastings, talking the Mavericks and their mid-season turnaround, coming off a bye week, the CCHA, and the upcoming series at Bemidji State.This podcast is sponsored by the NCAA Men’s Division I Frozen Four, April 6th and 8th, 2023 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. Secure your seats at NCAA.com/mfrozenfour

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by incoming Atlantic Hockey and College Hockey America commissioner Michelle Morgan, discussing her goals for the leagues and her experience in hockey, NCAA sports, marketing, and administration.This podcast is sponsored by the NCAA Men’s Division I Frozen Four, April 6th and 8th, 2023 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. Secure your seats at NCAA.com/mfrozenfour

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by Minnesota Duluth head coach Scott Sandelin, talking this year's Bulldogs, some early-season injuries, the 10th anniversary of the NCHC, modern video and analytics, rule changes, and the upcoming weekend series with Western Michigan.This podcast is sponsored by the NCAA Men’s Division I Frozen Four, April 6th and 8th, 2023 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. Secure your seats at NCAA.com/mfrozenfour

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by Hockey East supervisor of officials Brian Murphy. The discussion about college hockey rules and officiating includes goalie interference, contact to the head, hitting from behind, video review, and protocol and faceoff violations.This podcast is sponsored by the NCAA Men’s Division I Frozen Four, April 6th and 8th, 2023 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. Secure your seats at NCAA.com/mfrozenfour

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by Harvard head coach Ted Donato. The conversation includes a look at this year's Crimson, ECAC Hockey, bouncing back from a canceled season, and this weekend's games at Yale and Brown.This podcast is sponsored by the NCAA Men’s Division I Frozen Four, April 6th and 8th, 2023 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. Secure your seats at NCAA.com/mfrozenfour

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by Ohio State head coach Steve Rohlik to discuss this season's Buckeyes, Big Ten hockey, last weekend's sweep of Michigan State and this coming weekend's series at Michigan.This podcast is sponsored by the NCAA Men’s Division I Frozen Four, April 6th and 8th, 2023 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. Secure your seats at NCAA.com/mfrozenfour

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by Alaska Anchorage head coach Matt Shasby to talk about the restart of the Seawolves program, including this year's team, the weekend sweep of UMass Lowell, assembling a team of transfers and recruits, and putting together an independent schedule.This podcast is sponsored by the NCAA Men’s Division I Frozen Four, April 6th and 8th, 2023 at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida. Secure your seats at NCAA.com/mfrozenfour

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by FloHockey senior content creator Chris Peters to preview the U.S. National Junior Team and the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship.This podcast is sponsored by DCU, Digital Federal Credit Union at DCU.org.

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by Western Michigan head coach Pat Ferschweiler to talk about this year's Broncos, the evolution of the game, what he enjoys about the job, this season's NCHC, and the upcoming series at Omaha. This podcast is sponsored by DCU, Digital Federal Credit Union at DCU.org.

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by Michigan State head coach Adam Nightingale to discuss his Spartans' fast start, key players, team culture, renovations to Munn Ice Arena, the Big Ten, and this weekend's series at Penn State.This podcast is sponsored by DCU, Digital Federal Credit Union at DCU.org.

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by Penn State head coach Guy Gadowsky to talk about the Nittany Lions' 8-0 start, the strength of the Big Ten, the atmosphere at Pegula, putting together a non-conference schedule, and this weekend's series at home against Michigan.This podcast is sponsored by DCU, Digital Federal Credit Union at DCU.org.

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by Jess Myers and Brad Schlossman of The Rink Live to relive last weekend's Minnesota-North Dakota series and what's ahead for both teams, plus a look around the NCHC and Big Ten.This podcast is sponsored by DCU, Digital Federal Credit Union at DCU.org.

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by Massachusetts head coach Greg Carvel, talking last weekend's sweep of then-No. 1 Denver, staying at the top of D-I hockey, this year's Minutemen, and this coming weekend's games with Union.This podcast is sponsored by DCU, Digital Federal Credit Union at DCU.org.

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by Arizona State head coach Greg Powers as his Sun Devils open up Mullett Arena with a weekend series against Colgate. We also discuss this year's team, building an independent schedule, and ASU's desire to join a conference.This podcast is sponsored by DCU, Digital Federal Credit Union at DCU.org.

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) are joined by Boston University first-year head coach Jay Pandolfo about this year's Terriers and returning to coach at his alma mater after a 15-year NHL playing career and assistant coaching positions at the NHL level.This podcast is sponsored by DCU – Digital Federal Credit Union – at dcu.org

Hosts Jim Connelly (@jimmyconnelly) and Ed Trefzger (@EdTrefzger) take a look at the 10 players named Wednesday as 2022 Hobey Baker Award finalists: Matty Beniers, Bobby Brink, Brian Halonen, Luke Hughes, Devon Levi, Dryden McKay, Ben Meyers, Yaniv Perets, Nathan Smith, and Bobby Trivigno, plus some names that might have been overlooked.This podcast is sponsored by DCU – Digital Federal Credit Union – at dcu.org