College Notes: UAH, LIU, Holloway

The University of Alabama Huntsville recently saved their hockey program with a $500,000 fundraising campaign after it has been cancelled the week prior. However, but the Chargers will not be complete when they return to action. Head coach Mike Corbett has resigned from his position with the team, as first reported by WAFF in Alabama. He was not alone either, as assistant Gavin Morgan will also depart. Remaining assistant Lance West has been named acting head coach for the time being. The staff has clearly opted to go out on their own terms, as the school has been transparent that they have not committed to the program beyond next season. And with the Chargers playing in their final WCHA season next year before becoming independent if they cannot find a new home, the future is certainly in doubt. Corbett and company went 2-26-2 this season, so there is only room to improve in 2020-21. However, Alabama Huntsville is now left scrambling to rebuild their staff before the season is scheduled to begin in October.

• The newest team to college hockey is Long Island University-Brooklyn. The school surprised many when it announced in April that it would start a men’s program that would compete right away in 2020-21. LIU has been busy lately, hiring inaugural head coach Brett Riley and adding recruits left and right. However, few expect the Sharks to be competitive right away next season. Yet, Mark Divver reports that the program is putting together a strong schedule for their first season. While LIU will be an independent in their inaugural campaign and likely won’t be able to schedule a full Division I slate of games, Divver notes that the team is expected to play their first game against UMass Lowell and square off with Boston College, Boston University, and Wisconsin as well.
• Speaking of Wisconsin, while almost every member of the 2020 NHL Draft class was negatively impacted by the shortened season, Badgers freshman Dylan Holloway didn’t lose out on any games. His underperforming squad had already been eliminated from the Big Ten Tournament when the college schedule was canceled and were not a candidate to make the NCAA Tournament. Holloway’s season was over and scouts had all the possible data on him, unlike most of his peers. However, Holloway’s season disappointed as his 17 points was just tied for sixth among Wisconsin forwards. Once considered a top-ten pick by many, The Athletic’s draft expert Scott Wheeler ranked Holloway at No. 17 in his final 2020 list. Fortunately for frustrated Badgers fans, Wheeler still believes Holloway is a great talent and should be in line for a breakout next season. He will also undoubtedly be the first college player selected. A top-ten pick? Unlikely.