What Does Friday's Announcement Mean for College Hockey?

College Hockey was on full display during the 2017 National Hockey League Entry Draft in Chicago, but not only for the players selected (a total of 60 -- 18 from Big Ten schools).

On Friday, just a few hours prior to the first round of the draft, the NHL, NHLPA and a number of college hockey representatives gathered for an announcement "special to college hockey."

3v3 OT: Should the Big Ten Conference Adopt it?

By Jessi Pierce

As fans of the game, we can all agree that we like to take in some "free hockey" during the season. A last-second goal to push the game into overtime injects another level of excitement in the arena. But push it much past the first overtime -- or god-forbid five -- and things can get a bit stale.

Taking a page from the NHL's newly adopted 3-on-3 overtime rule -- approved by the NHL Board of Governor's earlier this summer -- the NCHC announced a 3-on-3 overtime for its league play, too. The team that wins in the 3-on-3 stanza, which takes place after an original 5-minute, 5-on-5 overtime, will receive an extra point in conference standings.

Should I Stay Or Should I Go Now?: Players Leaving Early

It happens each and every year; the calling of the NHL gets too great for the 19-22 year olds. It becomes even easier to jump ship after a rough and/or disappointing season. Here's a look at which players have opted out of their remaining collegiate days in hopes of an NHL future.

Michigan

Andrew Copp - Junior Forward, Winnipeg Jets
Copp is another Michigan native took off from Ann Arbor for the bigs. He was a fourth round pick by the Winnipeg Jets in 2013. Going so late in the round, I'd be willing to bet the Jets gave him a pretty good offer to make the leap from Michigan. An up and coming team it'd be no surprise if Copp has the opportunity to break into the lineup at some point next season.

Impact: Copp had a breakout season his junior year. He put up a career-best 31 points and was the team's third leading scorer all while wearing the 'C'. He made a noticeable difference on and off the ice. While his loss will be tough, it's not the end all be all for a Michigan squad on the rise.

How Will The NHL Lockout Affect The College Game?

By Jessi Pierce

The inevitable became a reality at 12:01 a.m. Sept. 16.

Hockey fans will be without a professional season — or at least a delayed start — for the second time in eight years with the NHLPA and NHL owners not agreeing to terms for a CBA.

Before I go off on a tangent about the frustrations of losing another season of the professional sport that has to work so hard to gain the attention of fans in the first place, I will start by stating the obvious:

It sucks.

It sucks for the sport of hockey, and mostly it sucks for its fans.

Locking the doors to professional teams and a season of course always begs the question: Will it help enhance the college hockey season as fan focus shifts to the collegiate level in attempts to quench their thirst for the game that was taken away for the year?

I have always been a devout college hockey fan, especially in the years when the state of hockey had no pro team and where the Gophers have always reigned as "Minnesota's Pride On Ice." We already saw NBC Sports Network release a beefed up college hockey schedule for this year as the lockout loomed. The programming will include 24 match-ups — including Wisconsin and Michigan State games — beginning in October in an effort to alleviate TV scheduling lost from an undetermined amount of a missing NHL season.

Yes, that's pretty great for college hockey, and hockey in general, to add more exposure in a season starting in professional turmoil. And on a broad scale, I do think that in areas where an NHL team is based, college games might have a few more seats filled.

Add in the fact that the allure of the NHL to players who might be more likely to jump ship in favor of a signing bonus is now tainted, sure, the NHL lockout has some bright spots in college hockey.

BUT...in the grand scheme of the whole mess, while I would love to see everyone hop on the bandwagon of college hockey for this season, the truth is, the lockout is terrible for the sport overall.

It's a blatant disrespect for fans. Fans whose money is being fought over. Fans who love the game and shell out ticket, merchandise and concession money year after year wanting nothing more than to see and experience the game they love.

How long will the NHL and player's union hold out? In my opinion, probably not the entire 2012-13 season, and it will be a welcome relief when the college teams take to the ice on time in October.

So what do you guys think? In your minds, how will this lockout affect NCAA hockey and the sport beyond this year? Comment, Tweet (@B1GIceHockey) or email us at B1gIceHockey@gmail.com.

Let's hear it!

Something in the Water at Penn State?: Former Gopher Max Gardiner Heads to Penn State

By Jessi Pierce

Maybe it's the allure of a brand new arena. Or maybe it's the appeal of putting an unknown team on the map as they forge ahead into unchartered waters in a teams history. Whatever it is, Penn State's doing something right, tabbing their first ever NHL draft pick yesterday with the announcement that Max Gardiner (St. Louis Blues, 2010 3rd Rd.) has committed to PSU.

The highly sought-after recruit has already had a taste of NCAA Div.I action, suiting up with his hometown--and future Penn State Big Ten rival--Minnesota Gophers for the 2010-11 season.

But limited playing time with the Gophs caused the Minnetonka, Minn., native to rethink his options and the forward decided to leave Minnesota in favor of the USHL, where the Dubuque Fighting Saints wasted no time nabbing his rights.

"We had a good conversation and he was disappointed in the ice time he received last year and was concerned about playing time in the upcoming season," said Minnesota coach Don Lucia in a released statement to the press last May. "Leaving assures him of the ice time he is looking for. I am disappointed he is leaving, but I understand his decision and wish him the best of luck."

Seeing action in only 17 games and registering one goal and two assists for Minnesota, the USHL has been a much better option (as the Minnesota program has often be heavily criticized in recent years for grabbing players directly from high school without allowing development in juniors) for the former Skipper who helped lead his team in the 2010 Minnesota State High School Championships.

Now in 21 games, the left-hander has tallied 11 points and has certainly come into his own as of late this season.

Will he make an immediate impact for Penn State? Maybe. Is it a great lock for the Icers/Nittany Lions? Absolutely.

I say only maybe because, while an excellent player in high school, Gardiner really has yet to prove himself at a level beyond that. Struggles at Minnesota didn't necessarily disappear while in juniors as the once power forward still needs time to gain his footing.

Despite that, there is no doubt in my mind, or I am sure many others, that Gardiner will be a sensation on the ice for this Penn State team. Already drawing on the talent of Taylor Holmstrom (Mercyhurst transfer),  Bryce Johnson (St. Cloud State transfer who, like Gardiner opted for USHL after freshman campaign), Gardiner will be able to move around with these two and plenty of others.

The Gardiner news, while not quite on the hot news circuit yet, is sure to gain attention and shift focus on to recruits entering the  PSU hockey organization. The forward committing to Penn State also speaks volumes on this program, with Gardiner being heavily recruited by other Div. I schools such as North Dakota and Western Michigan.

All in all another shocking, and impressive, move for Penn State as the program continues to develop into an elite Div. I contender.

For even more on Max Gardiner, check out the Thank You Terry site. Some great stats and breakdowns.

B1G Player in the Big Leagues: Jack Skille

By Jessi Pierce

There’s no sweeter story than going to play college hockey for your hometown team. It’s the team you grew up cheering for and the team who’s posters and banners most likely hung on your bedroom wall. That’s exactly the sentiments that Jack Skille echoed when I had a chance to chat with the Madison, Wis., native last year.

“Ever since I was a little kid, I wanted to be a Badger,” said Skille, who now suits up for the NHL’s Florida Panthers. “My dad was a Badger and I used to fall asleep at the games when I was a little kid. It was a dream come true the day they offered me that full scholarship and I jumped on it.

"Being able to go home and play in front of my family friends was something truly great."

Making an immediate impact in his freshman campaign, Skille's most noteable impression was seen in the NCAA tournament when his triple-overtime game-winner pushed Wisconsin into the Frozen Four and the enivitable 2006 NCAA Championships.


"That was surreal," Skille said on winning the NCAA title. "I couldn't have asked for a better group of guys. It was a fun team to be a part of and the way [the tournament] was laid out, Green Bay and Milwaukee [for Regionals], if we were going to win a championship, that was going to be our year."

Injury sidelined the dominant forward for the 2006-07 season and following his sophomore year he turned his attention to the pros.

Drafted with the Blackhawks first pick in 2005 among an elite draft class including Sidney Crosby, Bobby Ryan and Jack Johnson, Skille saw ups and downs, jumping between Chicago and its affiliate in Rockford, Ill.

While it looked like Skille may have found his groove with the Blackhawks, even earning a spot on a line between Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews before rostering a permanent spot on the 4th line, a trade sent him away from the Midwest and down to Miami with the Florida Panthers where he currently has registered just six points (2G, 3A) in 31 games.

Check out my previous story and video interview with Jack Skille in USA Hockey Magazine.