Tigers garner commit from Dylan Nolan, former No. 1 pick, longtime NHLer Owen Nolan’s son

Colorado College picked up a son of a longtime NHLer in Dylan Nolan, 16, whose father announced his commitment to the National Collegiate Hockey Conference program on Friday.

Nolan is the son of former 1990 No. 1 overall draft pick Owen Nolan (Quebec Nordiques) who went on to play for the Nords and Colorado Avalanche before joining San Jose, Calgary, Toronto, Phoenix and Minnesota over a career spanning 20 years and 18 NHL seasons.

He retired after playing in Switzerland for the 2010-11 season. The power forward finished with 885 career NHL points (422 goals) with five NHL All-Star Game appearances while winning gold at the Olympics and World championships for Canada.

The younger Nolan, listed at 5-foot-8, 150 pounds, is a lefthanded forward who was part of the national championship LA Jr. Kings 15U AAA team, recording 71 points (39 assists) in 80 games. The San Jose native and 2022 WHL draft pick (Prince Albert) is likely to play for the USHL’s Tri-City Storm next season.

He recorded five points in five games at this past summer’s USA Hockey Selects 16 tournament and has a combined 85 points (47 assists) in 54 games so far this season for the Kings’ 16U AAA and Tier I Elite League teams.

Once he arrives in Colorado Springs, Nolan would be one of four former Jr. Kings to play for the Tigers – Brian Salcido, Brett Sterling and Andreas Vlasopoulos – according to the program’s website.

Here is the image Owen Nolan tweeted on Friday.

Meet the CC freshmen: Cody Bradley, Hunter Fejes

Cody Bradley, the program’s first Florida native. knows a lot of hard work is ahead of him during his college career.

“The biggest adjustment is getting used to the tempo of college hockey,” he said. “As a freshman you just keep your head down and work hard and contribute however you can.”

His father, former NHL standout Brian Bradley, who played 14 years before retiring in 1998 with 503 career points (182 goals, 321 assists), two All-Star selections and seven assists for Canada in the 1988 Winter Olympic Games,  and Cody knew he needed to move on to ready for NCAA hockey.

“Youth hockey in Florida is good up to a point then you need to leave for the north and play juniors,” said the 5-foot-10, center who picked up some valuable experience this summer at the Tampa Bay prospects camp.

Rookie Hunter Fejes, a sixth round draft pick of the Phoenix Coyotes, did his best to make sure he would be ready to contribute as a freshman this season.

He spent the summer working out with fellow Anchorage natives Joey Crabb, Scott Gomez and Tim Wallace, all NHL regulars.

“Crabb showed me the ropes and told me what to expect and look out for,” Fejes said. “He was a great help.”

The center will likely be one of the freshmen getting the chance to contribute right away. He was identified by NHL bloggers as the top Coyotes’ NCAA prospect to watch this season.

The former Shattuck St. Mary’s leading scorer (38 goals) was second in points (78) in 55 games en route to leading the Sabres to their second USA Hockey Tier I Under-18 national championship in a row. They went 50-5-2 in 2011-12. The Sabres also won the national title his junior year.

“I will just work hard and work to earn everything,” he said. “I won’t get anything without earning it first. Hopefully I can contribute right away.”

Sunday reading: Civitarese, Bowling Green, AAPG, Anchorage, UND

Former Tiger David Civitarese, pictured, is profiled by the newspaper that covers his junior team. Not a lot of new info but good background on his days in Okotoks.

The USCHO preseason poll will be released sometime on Monday.

Bowling Green coach Chris Bergeron said recruiting will not be affected by the school’s move from the Central Collegiate Hockey Association to the Western Collegiate Hockey Association next season.

Here is a story on the All-American Prospects Game held Saturday in Buffalo, N.Y.

Here is an excellent feature on former Coyotes coach Bob Francis and his battle for a decent quality of life.

Sullivan Arena, home of the ECHL Alaska Aces and UAA Seawolves, is unable to make ice, at least for the short term. Here are some of UAA’s options including upgrading its practice facility.

The Hockey News weighs in on the North Dakota party that led to suspensions.

American International College added a new assistant coach.

Thursday reading: UND, Fejes, BC, UAH, Duluth, Clarkson videos

Here are details about the aftermath of the North Dakota party that resulted in those suspensions and four minor in possession arrests for some freshmen.

Most Sioux logos may remain at Engelstad Arena according to latest talks with NCAA.

CC freshman forward Hunter Fejes (referred to as Samuel Fejes, his legal name) is the top Phoenix prospect to watch in the NCAA according to Hockey’s Future.

A BC freshman dropped out of school over academics.

USCHO staffer wins the Hockey East media award.

Alabama-Huntsville has a new coach. The Chargers have a relatively decent schedule until Jan. 1 when it can manage only one series, on the road, each month.

Minnesota Duluth will need this freshman, Austin Farley, to start off his college career well to make up for a lot of lost points production due to graduation.

Here is the Knights beat writer’s blog and the top 10 videos from the previous season to help CC fans become acquainted with Clarkson.

Here is Ben Sexton’s 3OT playoff game winner against RPI from last season.

Friday reading: Gross, Fejes, Duluth, UND, WMU, Tech

Pine Creek HS graduate Taylor Gross, far left, models the new Penn State hockey home uniform. The captain of the women’s hockey team is joined by former CC standout Guy Gadowsky, the men’s head coach, third from left.

Incoming Tigers freshman Hunter Fejes is one of the rookies to watch this season according to this North Dakota blogger.

Senior forward Mike Seidel will need to have a good year producing those hard-work points to help Minnesota-Duluth remain a league contender after losing Hobey Baker winner Jack Connolly to graduation.

Here is the 2012-13 schedule for the CHL expansion franchise Denver Cutthroats, which includes a couple former Denver Pioneers. While checking out the home games, keep in mind that former Tiger Brian McMillin plays for the Allen Americans.

Western Michigan added a goalie for this season.

North Dakota’s beat writer explains the team’s TV broadcast deals for this season and next.

Freshman forward Blake Tatchell will need to step in and step up to replace the offense lost to graduation for Alaska-Anchorage.

The Mining Gazette offers a detailed first look at the Michigan Tech Huskies, who have high hopes after reaching the WCHA Final Five last season at the expense of the Tigers. Junior defenseman Daniel Sova will be a big reason (excuse the pun) why Tech fans have such high expectations.

Tuesday reading: SCSU, Fejes, Slavin, Bjugstad, Crabb, Duluth

St. Cloud State’s logo reportedly played a role in landing a Canadiens fan as a commit.

Incoming freshman forward Hunter Fejes showed the Coyotes why they drafted him in the NHL franchise’s recent development camp.

2013 defenseman signee Jaccob Slavin also did well in the Carolina camp.

Minnesota’s Nick Bjugstad will decide over the next couple weeks after an impressive showing at the Panthers’ development camp according to the team’s new beat writer:

“Panthers prospect Nick Bjugstad firmly denied that the Panthers had made him any contract offers or that he had turned down any (that a source told me yesterday). He will talk to his family about his decision in the coming days and hopes to decide over the next two weeks. Bjugstad has looked like a man among boys at this camp.”

Alex Ovechkin may be the most famous Washington Capital, but the depth of the organization springs, in part, from the U.S. National Team Development Program where four players, including former Tiger Joey Crabb, got their starts.

The Wisconsin State Journal points out Mike Eaves‘ connection to the top three  NHL free agents.

Former Denver player Drew Shore is in a battle for one of the three open forward spots with the Panthers.

Former Minnesota-Duluth standout Mason Raymond re-signed with the Canucks on Monday.

Penn State coach Guy Gadowsky, a former CC standout, was interviewed by the Pipeline Show. Here is the info as edited by a PSU fan blog with links to the full audio.

The Quebec junior league will find it harder to lure Americans away from the NCAA.

North Dakota women’s coach Brian Idalski received a contract extension with a base salary of $116,777.

In the pros: Johnson, McElhinney, Prosser, Testwuide

North Charleston, SC – The South Carolina Stingrays and Head Coach/Director of Hockey Operations Spencer Carbery announced today that forward Anthony Maiani has been traded to the Chicago Express in exchange for former Tigers forward Tyler Johnson.

Johnson, 22, skated in 20 games for the Express netting three goals and three assists for six points. Currently in his rookie year, the Cloquet, Minnesota, native spent four seasons at Colorado College recording 82 points (45g, 37a) in 154 games.

Maiani, 22, appeared in 23 games with the Stingrays adding two goals and five assists for seven points.

Former Tiger Curtis McElhinney recorded a win for Phoenix, 4-2 over Minnesota. Nate Prosser played for the Wild.

Mike Testwuide scored the game-winner in Adirondack’s 2-1 win over Albany in overtime.