The search for a new coach at the BG has come to an end, as it was announced this morning that Chris Bergeron will be taking over for the 2010-11 season. 

Former BG coach, Jerry York won his fourth national title last night as his Boston College Eagles defeated Wisconsin 5-0.

Former BG coach and current Boston College hockey coach Jerry York will look to win his fourth national championship starting at 7 p.m. this evening. 

While it's been 26 years since BG won a national title, and over two decades since the Falcons made an NCAA tournament, they'll be well represented in this years Frozen Four which kicks off Thursday afternoon.

Jordan Samuels-Thomas has been named one of three finalists for the Central Collegiate Hockey Association CCM Rookie of the Year award.

"JST" led the team this year with 11 goals and 25 points, tying Tomas Petruska for the team assists lead with 14.

A 7th round draft pick of the Atlanta Thrashers in 2009, he was third in the CCHA in scoring by a freshman, and was named CCM/CCHA rookie of the week on Nov. 16.

The other two finalists for the award are Andy Taranto of Alaska and Chris Brown of Michigan.

Tomas Petruska has signed an Amature Tryout Contract with the Las Vegas Wranglers of the East Coast Hockey League, the ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Phoenix Coyotes.

This past year was the best of Petruska's career, as he finished second on the team in goals (10) and points (24), while tying for the team lead in assists with 14. He alse led the team with 127 shots.

Petruska will join former teammate Jimmy Spratt, who is also on the Wranglers. Despite only starting eight games for the Wranglers this year, Spratt has been the team's best goalie, posting a 5-1-1 record with a 2.58 goals-against average and a .928 save percent.

 

After wrapping up a stellar season, it has been announced that senior forward Tomas Petruska finished fifth in the Hobey Baker fan vote, receiving more than 11,000 votes.

Petruksa set a career high this season in goals (10), assists (14) and points (24). He has also shown that he is not afraid to shoot, as he posted a team high 127 shots, 38 more than David Solway, who was second on the team.

He also posted one of the better plus/minus ratings on the team, going -7 on the year, which tied him with Ian Ruel for second on the team among players who suited up for at least 30 games.

Petruska was also great in the shootout this year, scoring on two of his four attempts, both of which were game winners.

The final 10 nominees for the award will be announced on March 18, which the fan vote counting for one percent of the final decision. The winner of the award will be announced April 9 at the Frozen Four in Detriot, Mich.

(from bgsufalcons.com)

A day after teammate Kyle Page signed to play with the Toledo Walleye (ECHL) it was announced that another BGSU Falcon would get his shot at playing professional hockey. Kai Kantola had signed a Amateur Tryout Contract (ATO) with the Norfolk Tide, the American Hockey League affiliate of the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning.

Kantola comes off a senior campaign where he scored 12 points (5g, 7a) for the Falcons. Of his five goals, three were scored on the power play. As the season progressed, Kantola improved in the goal scoring column having scored four of his five goals from Jan. 3 on. All of his goals this season were scored in games decided by one goal or less. He had his most consistent stretch of games scoring a point in four straight matches between Nov. 6 and Nov. 14 (1-3--4) including a goal against Ferris State (Nov. 7) in a 3-2 loss. Against the then No.1 Miami RedHawks, Kantola posted his tenth multiple point game when he scored a power-play goal and an assist in a 3-2 Falcon loss. He also blocked a career-high 14 shots this season.

After the signing was confirmed, BGSU Falcons interim head coach Dennis Williams said, "Kai has always kept his feet moving and moves the puck well. He has got some great size and speed and with all that together, he can definitely use that to his advantage moving on as a professional hockey player."

Kantola finished his career with Bowling Green recording an assist in the team's 6-1 loss to Nebraska-Omaha in the finale game of the CCHA Tournament's first round action between the Falcons and the Mavericks. He leaves Bowling Green having played in 135 games, scored 28 goals, 26 assists (54 points) and notched 13 power-play goals over his four year career.

After Kantola's signing, the Falcons have now sent two of its seniors of to play or tryout for a professional team. Yesterday, Kyle Page signed with the nearby Toledo Walleye of the ECHL and is expected to be in action in the team's game in Trenton, N.J. for the Walleye's game against the Devils.

"It's nice from our stand point (BGSU) to see us prepare players for their professional careers and its great to see people interested in our players," said Williams. "They both certainly deserve it."

Former BG captain Kyle Page has signed with the Toledo Walleye of the ECHL. Page, a CCHA scholar-athlete this past season, posted a career-high three goals and 14 assists in his final collegiate season.

"I'm very proud that everything Kyle has brought to this team and the program," said interim head coach Dennis Williams of the signing. "It really attributes to the type of player that he is. Being able to sign to a team that close to home is going to put him a very nice spot and he will do well for them."

Today, the Central Collegiate Hockey Association announced the all-rookie team, and BG forward Jordan Samuels-Thomas was among nine CCHA freshman to be named honorable mention.

Samuels-Thomas led the team with 11 goals and 25 points and finished in a tie for first in assists with 14. He also had one of the best plus/minus ratings on the team, going -3 on the year.

The All-Freshman team consists of Andy Taranto of Alaska, Terry Broadhurst of Nebraska-Omaha, Chris Brown of Michigan, Torey Krug of Michigan State, Joe Hartman of Miami and Mike Johnson of Notre Dame. A total of 15 CCHA rookies were named to the 22nd edition of the team.