NHL News

Stars avoid sweep, beat Red Wings 3-1 (AP)
Maybe it was payback, maybe it was just good fortune. The Dallas Stars aren't going to quibble. All that matters is Tomas Holmstrom's rear end -- and possibly his reputation -- cost the Detroit Red Wings a goal and the Stars took full advantage, avoiding the humiliation of getting swept out of the Western Conference finals.

Defense has Pens on verge of Cup finals (AP)
A little more than two years ago, coach Michel Therrien -- 11 games into his tenure behind the Pittsburgh Penguins bench -- ripped his club for its evident indifference to defense. Now, one win away from the Stanley Cup finals, the hard-nosed taskmaster looks back fondly on the night his club bought into the rough message he sent.

Wild not worried about losing Risebrough (AP)
New Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leipold held his breath while coach Jacques Lemaire weighed his hunger to return against a desire to retire. As for Doug Risebrough? Leipold didn't sound at all worried about losing his general manager, quashing curiosity whether Risebrough would listen if the once-proud Toronto Maple Leafs made a pitch for him to fill their GM vacancy.

US loses to Finland in OT at worlds (AP)
Sami Lepisto's goal at 3:59 of overtime led Finland to a 3-2 victory over the United States on Wednesday night in the world hockey quarterfinals. Lepisto took a pass from Saku Koivu at the point and fired the puck through a crowd and underneath U.S. goalie Robert Esche for the win. Finland advanced to play Russia in the semifinals Friday at Quebec City.

Canada routs Norway in worlds quarters (AP)
Derek Roy scored three goals and added an assist to help defending champion Canada rout Norway 8-2 on Wednesday in the world hockey quarterfinals. Canada will face Sweden, a 3-2 overtime winner earlier Wednesday in Quebec City, in the semifinals Friday in Quebec City. The Canadians beat the Swedes last year in the semifinals in Moscow.

Bruins give F Kobasew 3-year extension (AP)
Chuck Kobasew has a new three-year contract, a nearly healed leg and an optimistic outlook for the Boston Bruins next season. Kobasew, the team's second-leading goal scorer in 2007-08, missed the playoffs with a broken left leg but thinks he could start working out again in about a week. And he doesn't have to worry about where his future will be.

Sharks fire coach Ron Wilson (AP)
Although the San Jose Sharks ended another disappointing playoff run last week, coach Ron Wilson was optimistic about his future. After all, his Sharks had done just about everything a good team can do, except win a Stanley Cup. Wilson's only glaring failure still cost him his job Monday. General manager Doug Wilson fired his coach after the Sharks followed another outstanding regular season with...

Preds sign F Erat to 7-year, $31.5M deal (AP)
The Nashville Predators have signed forward Martin Erat to a seven-year, $31.5 million contract. Erat ranks third on the team in career scoring (253). He joined Nashville in the 2001-02 season after being selected in the 1999 draft. The 26-year-old Czech Republic native has averaged 53 points over the past four seasons with Nashville and had a career-high 23 goals in the 2007-08 season.

Wild coach Lemaire to return next season (AP)
Jacques Lemaire has 11 Stanley Cup championship rings, 500 victories as a coach and is widely considered one of the best coaches in the NHL. Yet despite all he has done as a player, executive and coach, Lemaire still needed a little reassurance from Minnesota general manager Doug Risebrough before deciding to return for an eighth season behind the Wild bench.

Quenneville out as Avalanche coach (AP)
The Colorado Avalanche want to play a faster, more attacking brand of hockey, similar to the style that brought them two Stanley Cup titles. Now, they're looking for a coach who fits that description. Joel Quenneville and the Avalanche mutually decided to end their relationship Friday, a week after Colorado was swept out of the playoffs by the Detroit Red Wings.

College News

Bennett Leaves BU
BOSTON — Sophomore goaltender Brett Bennett will not return to Boston University for the 2008-09 season. "Our staff has decided that we move in a different direction in regards to our goaltending," said Parker. "We wish Brett the best in his future endeavors." Bennett appeared in 31 games this season, making 29 starts. He posted an .888 save percentage and a 2.63 goals against average along ...

BC's Gerbe Forgoes Senior Season
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. — If Boston College is to repeat as National Champions, it will have to do so without arguably the nation's best player. The school announced on Tuesday that senior-to-be Nathan Gerbe will forego his senior season at Boston College and sign an NHL contract with the Buffalo Sabres. Though Gerbe's signing will significantly impact the Eagles offense come October, head coach ...

Peters Retires As CHA Commissioner
DETROIT — R.H. "Bob" Peters has announced his retirement as commissioner of College Hockey America effective June 30, 2008, a position he has held for seven years. "Coach Peters is one of the pillars of college hockey and a hall of fame human being," said Niagara director of athletics Ed McLaughlin, chairman of the CHA Men's Executive Committee. "I feel blessed to have worked with him over ...

Team USA Wins IIHF Tuneup With Sweden
PORTLAND, Maine — The U.S. Men's National Team rolled to a 5-1 victory over Sweden Sunday in its lone tuneup prior to beginning play in the 72nd annual International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship on Friday, May 2, in Halifax, Nova Scotia. "I thought it was a good team effort," said U.S. head coach John Tortorella of a game that featured five different USA goal-scorers. "It was good ...

Down Year? College Ties Few Among Top Players In NHL Scouting Rankings
It's likely that this will be a thin year for U.S. college players in the NHL Entry Draft, at least if you believe the National Hockey League Central Scouting Service (CSS). Just one college or college-bound player ranks in the top 10 among North American-born skaters in the final CSS rankings released on Thursday. Boston University's Colin Wilson ranked 10th on the list that was led by Canadian ...

Junior News

Thunder name coaches and staff
(Albert Lea, MN) The Albert Lea Thunder announced today that the North American Hockey League (NAHL) club has named Paul Willett as the team's first ... - NAHL Albert Lea Thunder

Gamblers make splash at beginning of 2008 USHL Entry Draft
Green Bay (May 14, 2008) - The Green Bay Gamblers started off the 2008 USHL Entry Draft with a bang by selecting forward Michael Forney with the overa... - USHL Green Bay Gamblers

Albert Lea Thunder rolls into NAHL
The North American Hockey League announced today that its Board of Governors has approved the membership application for the Albert Lea (Minnesota) Th... - NAHL Albert Lea Thunder

Chiefs Arrive in Kitchener
The WHL Champion Spokane Chiefs Hockey Club arrived in Kitchener, Ontario today under cloudy skies and had their first look at the Kitchener Auditoriu... - WHL Spokane Chiefs

Storm Draft 16 Players in 2008 Draft
KEARNEY - The United States Hockey League held its annual draft today with twelve teams participating, including Nebraska's Tri-City Storm. The Storm... - USHL Tri-City Storm