Three Stars: October 1-7

3. Joe Battista: Are you Ready for Some Hockey? Some NCAA Varsity Hockey?
(statecollege.com)

Great article, brutal headline.

I've said it before, I'll say it again - even if you don't care at all about Penn State hockey, you're not a human being if you're not ridiculously happy for Joe Battista, the man who is finally seeing his dream of a quarter century materialize.

2. Brandwene returns to alma mater for inaugural season
(The Daily Collegian)

The Josh Brandwene story has always been a little fascinating to me. I remember him coming into the Ice Pavilion as an opposing coach, including his tenure at Delaware, when visits tended to coincide with alumni weekend as both he and Blue Hens assistant John O'Connor are former Icers. Obviously, I knew he was a great defenseman at PSU in the day, although I'm thankfully not old enough to go back that far. And, I'll be honest, once he left the ACHA for the New England prep circuit, I didn't really expect to cross paths with him again. His hiring blindsided me, even though it actually made, and continues to make, perfect sense.

On a related note, it looks like the Collegian has every intention of covering women's hockey for seriously this season, which is great to see.

1. Penn State Hockey Practice
(YouTube)

I more or less ignored the goings-on Friday night - I viewed it more as PR than as important news I needed to drop everything and post about to be perfectly honest - but just to be thorough, the men's team did in fact open official practice with a midnight event. A few hundred people, or roughly 75 percent of the rink's capacity, were there according to PSU media rock star Ben Jones, who is responsible for the above video. Solid crowd, although I'll admit that I cringed when College Hockey News retweeted a photo of a mostly-but-not-completely full Ice Pavilion with the PSU hockey account's description calling it an "awesome turnout." Some Minnesota, Wisconsin or Michigan fan undoubtedly saw that and thinks we're all idiots.

Penn State: Highly-engaged student body for most athletic events, tons of school pride...but not anywhere close to where it needs to be as a hockey school yet. That's my position until it's proven untenable. The good news is that I think it will be at some point over the next couple years.

Best of the Rest

Homecoming parade celebrates all things Penn State
(Centre Daily Times)

Also on Friday evening, the PSU homecoming parade (featuring Terry and Kim Pegula as Grand Marshals) included a float jammed with the men's hockey team decked out in the new home jerseys and yes, Guy Gadowsky on a Zamboni.

Students gobbling up tickets for inaugural season
(Centre Daily Times)

This is sort of a filler article, but I threw it in because it actually gives hard numbers on ticket sales, which passes the interesting-ness test for me.

Student ticket sales indicate he’s right, with 799 five-game packages and 273 full season tickets sold as of last week. (Only season ticket holders from last year were allowed to get them in 2012-13.

Penn State will play this season at the Greenberg Ice Pavilion, which holds 1,350 people. The Nittany Lions have 16 home games and open against American University Oct. 12.

Two of the three student ticket packages, which cost $20, are sold out, and the third had few remaining last week. The five-ticket packages were designed to triple the number of people who get to see games,” said Joe Battista, associate athletic director for ice arena and hockey development.

Battista said the rink will sell 300 standing-room-only tickets for each game. He said there aren’t any plans to change the rink to fit in more people, but he expects it to be loud and provide the team with a definitive home-ice advantage.

2012-13 NCAA Independents Season Preview
(Hockey's Future)

With the season in full swing starting this week, the "preview period" has expired, but not before this one (as well as the several that follow) got their stuff in just under the wire. Because I don't think he gets enough attention, here's a quote on freshman defenseman Luke Juha from Gadowsky contained in this one:

“Luke has a great hockey IQ, a great offensive mind and he sees the ice really well,” Gadowsky said of Juha. “He’s player that’s really fun to watch. And people that really appreciate hockey will love watching him. I think Luke will be a great college defenseman. He likes to control the play from the back end and he just has the desire and the skill that will help us. So we’ll be relying on Luke a lot from the start.”

Quick and Dirty Ice Hockey Primer
(Black Shoe Diaries)

Friend of TYT IcersGuy checks in on BSD with a nice summary of how things stand in our shared domain.

Women’s CHA preview: New teams, same champ
(USCHO)

The women's team hasn't gotten much love from this season's CHA previews, as everyone I've seen make CHA picks went with an identical sequence (with one single exception breaking ranks and going Robert Morris first over Mercyhurst), one that has the Nittany Lions pegged for last place. I'm not promising anything, but I don't think it will be quite that easy - I happen to believe PSU, Lindenwood and RIT will be pretty close to each other this year.

Top Preseason Storylines (Part I, Part II)
(College Hockey, Inc.)

Penn State and the commonwealth both receive quality mentions from CHI.

@PSUWIHC
(Twitter)

Just ahead of the first games in club history, the new women's ACHA team announced its letter-bearers. I can't think of a more deserving choice for captain than Carly Szyszko, who once played goal for the Lady Icers while both of the team's regular netminders (Heather Rossi and Katie Vaughan) were in Turkey for the 2011 World University Games.

Wait, this guy's a douche? Never
would have guessed.

Things to Watch in 2012-13
(College Hockey News)

This article, while heavy on Penn State content intended to be positive, really bothers me for a couple reasons.

The controversy surrounding its football program and a massive cover-up carried out by a region's most beloved figure still pervade the entire university.

Oh, okay. "Massive cover-up carried out by a region's most beloved figure?" Care to substantiate that statement? Oh right, you can't (and no, Louis Freeh's executive summary doesn't count, sorry).

Forgetting about that (I don't really care to get into it further right now, hockey is my escape from that mess), the whole "PSU hockey opening up under a black cloud" storyline, while it makes for good copy, is complete trash, a construction of lazy journalism. Speaking as someone who communicates with program personnel on a regular basis, I can promise you that The Scandal simply doesn't register in hockey on any substantial level. Other than a few dicey moments last November and December - some public knowledge, some not - I can't point to a single instance where something happened differently than it would have if Jerry Sandusky had never been born (I wish).

CHN did speak with Gadowsky back in July, and therefore had a chance to make that assessment for themselves, but instead were more concerned with generating a story by badgering him into admitting that he cares about his kids. Still think they know more than I do? You're allowed...then again...

Independent and ineligible for postseason play...

Well-researched as always, CHN. You know what I did when I wasn't sure whether PSU was eligible for postseason play? I asked. So did your chief competitor, USCHO, back in April. You, on the other hand, did as you normally do and guessed at it. You want to know why nobody takes you seriously next to USCHO? I've hit on most of it here, but just to summarize: rumor mongering, artificial generation of "controversy," opinion pieces at about a 20-to-1 ratio to news reporting, sloppy fact-checking, douchebag "reporters." I think that about covers it.

Badger Freshman Nic Kerdiles Dealing With NCAA Eligibility Issue
(Bucky's 5th Quarter)

If you're asking me to get teary-eyed when a top recruit of one of PSU's toughest opponents throws his NCAA eligibility into jeopardy by tweeting photos of himself with agents at the NHL Entry Draft...yeah, that's not going to happen.

Merrimack College reaches settlement with Dept. of Education in Title IX probe
(The Mack Report)

Mike McMahon (easily among the best college hockey writers out there) broke the news that Merrimack, which was found to be at a pretty severe Title IX deficiency, may add hockey as one of six women's sports meant to balance things out. Can't say that I approve of how they got there, but hey, more hockey teams. Sweet.

Chargers Show Strong in 12-1 Exhibition Victory
UAH Dominates Again, Shutout Frozen Tide 10-0
(uahchargers.com)

Ever wonder what would happen if an NCAA Division I team (Alabama-Huntsville in this case) played an ACHA Division 3 team (Alabama)? Wonder no more.

In all seriousness, speaking as a fan of an ACHA program that had trouble getting NCAA games for years, much respect to the Chargers for giving Bama the opportunity. Yeah, I know they don't have to worry about game limits as most do and will take any fixtures they can get, but still.

New league for rink at Bowman
(Williamsport Sun-Gazette)

It really fascinates me that they're building an ice rink on a baseball field in Williamsport and leaving it there all winter. Not only that, but it's apparently going to get pretty regular use beyond the Federal Hockey League franchise that just relocated to the city.

Club hockey team dealt five-year ban for violating alcohol policy, hazing
(Central Michigan Life)

Directional Michigan ACHA programs: still horrible at not getting busted for hazing. Back in 2003, it was former Icers rival Eastern getting a four-year hammer, which was eventually reduced to the balance of the 2003-2004 season, as well as a postseason ban in 2004-2005 and probation through 2007. The Eagles, formerly one of the best programs in ACHA D1, haven't been the same since.

Three Stars: August 8-14

3. Cru prepare to make roster
(Sherwood Park News)

Most junior teams are right on the cusp of camps and preseason (in fact, by the next Three Stars, Jonathan Milley's Pembroke Lumber Kings will have played an exhibition game), so before we move forward with tracking the progress of recruits who didn't play major junior, here's one more look back at Jessi Hilton - the recruit that wasn't - and his squad.

"We've got a strong goaltender in Pat Terriss and returning players like Jesse Koch and Jessi Hilton, so expectations are high," [head coach Tim Fragle said]. We want to have a good season this year and finish in that top-four position in the North Division to get home ice."

Hilton stepped up as the team's captain approximately halfway through the season, with the departure of former captain Josh Lee, who was traded to the Fort McMurray Oil Barons.

He'll have big stats to live up to this season, having earned 50 points in his 60 games played, managing 28 goals and 22 assists.

2. Linaker focused on winning
(St. Albert Gazette)

Okay, now we can get on to probably the most informative and comprehensive thing written about a PSU recruit to this point - and it's one of our best, Reed Linaker. He's poised to break almost every St. Albert Steel scoring record, provided he stays healthy, which has been an issue in the past. Here's the big Penn State quote from the article.

“It was pretty much talk to me and sell me it. They offered me a scholarship right way so it was kind of hard not to say no,” said Linaker, who will check out the Penn State campus for the first time in early September. “I had some serious talks with Wisconsin, but I figure going to Penn State would be a pretty cool experience. Obviously I can put my own stamp on the program and maybe be the face of the program with some hard work over the next few years. If I work hard, I have the opportunity to be a go-to guy there, so I love that.”

Oh, and there's this: Linaker has a well-regarded, hockey-playing younger brother, Cole. If PSU wants to get serious with the 1995 birth year, they'll have to keep him away from the WHL's Kelowna Rockets, who own his draft rights (6th round, 2010). But maybe the shot at playing a couple years with his brother turns the tide, who knows.

1. Meet Assistant Coach Keith Fisher
Meet Assistant Coach Matt Lindsay
Meet Director of Hockey Operations Bill Downey
(YouTube)

GoPSUSports has come up with literally five men's hockey articles and one video since the aftermath of Guy Gadowsky's hiring. Three of the articles were announcements - the hirings of the three subjects of these videos, and the Scott Balboni resignation. Another was an admonishment concerning NCAA rules.

So it's nice to finally get some fresh content beyond what's absolutely necessary from the official site, even if it's just 9:28 spread over three interviews. Steve Penstone, incidentally, spent 5:45 with Downey alone, scooped the people who hand out the access by nearly two months, and asked questions that demonstrated knowledge of the subject (the best moment of the three videos was the completely serious "what brings you to Penn State" inquiry at the beginning of the Downey interview).

Why Fisher at the top? Why not?

Best of the Rest

O'Handley pleased after Black Hawks camp
(wcfcourier.com)

One more recruit-related article, this one on 2013 goalie Eamon McAdam's team. Waterloo's USHL entry just completed an orientation camp, and reading between the lines, it doesn't sound like the goalies did too well. Here's head coach/general manager P.K. O'Handley to explain that one.

"As far as the goalies, I liken the goalie position at this time of the year to maybe a golfer who has had the winter off. Now all of a sudden you are thrown into a competitive environment and you're going to struggle from time to time.

"We're going to score because we have more skill. I wouldn't read too much into all the goals we allowed this week. I'm certainly not. We did not put in any form any kind of team defense. It was fairly wide-open out there.

"Plus, I don't think these guys were ready for [former Black Hawk and UMass Minuteman and current Worcester Shark] James Marcou [who participated in the camp] to be barrelling down on them."

Waterloo figures to carry veterans Jay Williams and Eamon McAdam as its top two goalies this year, but Petersen, the Waterloo native, also will factor in when he arrives back.

Big movements on campus
(Pennsylvania Puck)

A new site, Pennsylvania Puck (papuck.com), takes its shot at summarizing PSU's DI program to this point.

The site is launching in the fall, although it's obviously posting articles and it has a pretty active Twitter account (not to mention a pretty flexible definition of "launch"). Semantics aside, I'm intrigued. If it's done right, with a good deal of focus on minor, college and junior hockey, I think it could be a fantastic addition to the internet.

Indians ready for another winter of Snow Days
(indians.com)

Fenway may host UMaine hockey
(Portland Press Herald)

Penn State and Neumann continue to work on the proposed game at Citizens Bank Park, but six other schools are set (or at least reportedly set) to play outdoor games at other baseball stadiums. Michigan-Ohio State at Cleveland's Progressive Field is finally official for January 15th. Eight days prior, a doubleheader of New Hampshire-Maine and Vermont-UMass is everything-but-official for Fenway Park.

Is Joe Paterno Influencing the Climate?
(statecollege.com)

I could not run the same study on Joe Battista's hockey teams when he was coaching cause they never had any down years, show-off that he was.

Yeah, Joe Battista was kind of okay.

The_TimmyC
(yfrog)

Tim Carr's mask continues to just crush it.

2011-2012 Women's Ice Hockey Tickets
(rmu.edu)

Getting into the Lady Icers' season opener at Robert Morris on September 23rd will cost most people $7. If you're in the Pittsburgh area, or even if you're not, get to it.

DII Penn State Plucks DI Assistant to Fill Head Coach Slot(hockeyyall.com)

Because it's a quiet week, I'll pass around this Josh Hand piece one more time. By the way, the origin of the link is truly one of the best college hockey sites out there. It's specific to non-varsity hockey in the south, but since the Ice Lions are actually in the Southeast Region of ACHA D2...basically, it works out quite well for us.

Curtis Carr was once one of the ACHA's most dynamic players at Kent State. Now he's rapidly rising through the coaching ranks.

Carr joins coaching staff at Merrimack College
(ushl.com)

As a general rule, I only give coaching moves involving the Big Ten or CHA a mention here, but I'm definitely willing to make an exception when an ACHA guy quickly moves up the ladder. Carr was a former player (1999-2003) at Kent State, then moved into coaching with the Golden Flashes as an assistant (2003-2004) and head (2004-2006) coach.

Probably as much as any individual, Carr was responsible for KSU's rise from the waste left over from their failed NCAA program - the Icers beat them 65-5 over the first six meetings after the loss of varsity status in 1994, through the 1998-1999 season - into a respectable ACHA entry with two nationals appearances as a player and one more as a head coach.

Since leaving his alma mater, Carr had been with the Youngstown Phantoms for five seasons, rising from an assistant coach with personnel and development responsibilities to head coach and general manager during the 2010-2011 season. Notably, he helped the Phantoms move from their previous home in the Tier II NAHL to the Tier I USHL in 2009. Now he's an assistant with an on-the-rise Hockey East program that went 25-10-4 and made the NCAA tournament last season. Not a terrible career track.

N. Dakota ready to drop Fighting Sioux
(espn.com)

I routinely take jabs at NoDak, but regardless of the circumstances or your opinion of them, you have to feel for the vast majority of Sioux fans who are obviously passionate and well-intentioned (basically, meaning that they like the nickname but aren't racists). I really don't know how I'd react if "Nittany Lions" was suddenly - or not so suddenly, since this has been going on for a couple years, after all - ripped from PSU.

That said, if the Sioux people were of one mind and approving of the nickname, this is never an issue. Miami somehow survived without "Redskins," and UND will be fine as well.