The USA beats Sweden in OT on worlds; new CCHA team has been added
Adam Gaudette (Ottawa Senators) scored the winning goal with: 12 seconds left in overtime in Team USA’s 3-2 victory over Sweden on Saturday morning in the preliminary round of the World Hockey Championship in Tampere, Finland.
Gaudette added another goal and an assist, Nate Schmidt (Vegas Golden Knights) scored a goal and Jeremy Swayman (Boston Bruins) made 20 saves for the U.S. team, which has former Detroit Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill as assistant coach.
University of Michigan’s Luke Hughes (plus-1/19: 48 ice time) and Thomas Bordeleau (13:28) were scoreless. Ann Arbor’s Austin Watson (9:04) was also scoreless.
USA returns to the ice on Monday against the Czech Republic (NHL Network, 9:20, ET)
New CCHA team
Augustana University will be a member of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association when it launches its Division I men’s program 2023-24.
CCHA’s board voted unanimously to include the Vikings as the league’s ninth member.
Current CCHA members are Bemidji State, Bowling Green, Ferris State, Lake Superior State, Michigan Tech, Minnesota State, Northern Michigan and St. Louis. Thomas.
Augustana competes in the Division II Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference in his other sports. The school has said it hopes to move all sports to Division I by 2030.
“CCHA supports the continued growth of college hockey and (is) pleased to accept Augustana University as our ninth member,” said CCHA Commissioner Don Lucia. “Sioux Falls is a proven hockey community and the commitment that Augustana University makes to Division I hockey is impressive.”
Augustana broke ground last fall in a 3,000-seat hockey arena and last month announced the hiring of his head coach, Minnesota assistant Garrett Raboin.
Augustana will play a series of two matches against each of the other CCHA members 2023-24 and 2024-25 before playing a complete league schedule starting 2025-26.
Spagnuolo taken in the WHL draft
A hockey player from Michigan was selected in the Western Hockey League’s US Priority Draft, where 44 players were taken in the two-round draft.
Grand Blanc’s Zach Spagnuolo from the Dallas Stars Elite 14U was selected by the Victoria Royals with the 38th overall pick.
“Zach is primarily a center that controls the middle of the ice well and is hard to beat in the faceoff circle,” said Ed Fowler, Royal’s chief of staff. “He is effective in all areas in all three zones. He is a hard worker who uses his size, power and athleticism to his advantage.”
Also in the draft was the son of former Detroit Red Wings defender Brad Stuart. Jake Stuart was selected second overall by Brandon Wheat Kings.
History was written in the 13th round of the WHL Prospects Draft, when the Vancouver Giants used the 268th overall selection to name Chloe Primerano – the first female skater to be selected in the Canadian Hockey League selection.
Primerano (North Vancouver, BC) skated in 30 games with the Burnaby Winter Club U15 Prep last season and recorded 19 points (2G-17A).