The University of Denver hockey program has hired former Division III goalie Derek Lalonde as an assistant coach. Lalonde, who served in the same capacity at Ferris State in Big Rapids, Mich., the past four seasons, will be George Gwozdecky’s No. 2 assistant behind recruiting coordinator Steve Miller.
“He has proven success in recruiting at this level,” Gwozdecky said of Lalonde, a 1995 graduate of State University of New York College at Cortland. “At Ferris State, he’s been able to win some recruiting battles against what you would consider the marquee schools in the CCHA. He also has a good eye for talent, and knows how to develop that talent.”
Gwozdecky said he received “close to 100” applications for the job and held serious discussions with a number of DU alumni. Lalonde – whose wife, Melissa, is Ferris State’s women’s soccer coach – will start immediately.
“I am honored to be a Pioneer,” Lalonde said in a release.
– Mike Chambers
OLN to air 16 NLL games in 2007
OLN has announced it will broadcast 16 regular-season National Lacrosse League games, beginning in January 2007. The games will be shown mostly on Saturday nights, running every week through mid-April.
Rage signs forward Warriner
The Broomfield-based Rocky Mountain Rage hockey team signed forward Nick Warriner. He played last season with the Laredo Bucks, and was the Rage’s second pick in the Central Hockey League expansion draft. He scored 11 goals and had 14 assists with the Bucks last season, including seven points in the playoffs to help lead Laredo to the CHL championship.
