MHNet Update lets the GONGSHOW begin

LET THE GONGSHOW BEGIN!

The 2012-13 season is less than one month away. Officials training camp is under way. twitter.com/CCHAhockey/sta…

— CCHA (@CCHAhockey) September 8, 2012

SINGLE GAME AND SEASON TICKETS AVAILABLE

Remember when there used to be a massive waiting list for season tickets?

Any who, season tickets in the north and south end zones are available.  The cost is either $400 or $500 depending on the seat, which is about $18 or $22 per game.  Call the ticket office at (734) 764-0247 or toll-free at (866) 296-6849 to order, or starting September 10 you can buy them online at MGoBlue.com/tickets.

JUNIOR HOCKEY SEASONS KICK OFF

The BCHL kicked off their season last night and it saw Michigan commit Dexter Dancs and the Penticton Vees defeat Chilliwack, 2-1, at the BCHL Showcase.

Dancs had an assist on the Vees first goal and also received a major penalty for fighting in the first period.

The USHL opened the season Friday night, as well, as Dubuque defeated Cedar Rapids, 5-3, in a penalty filled game.  Michigan commit Michael Downing had no points, one shot on goal, a +1 rating, and 16 penalty minutes in the win for the Fighting Saints.  The Saints Twitter feed said:

Mike Downing is a man possessed with the physical game. Three GIANT hits tonight.

— DBQ Fighting Saints (@Fighting_Saints) September 8, 2012

Physical play from a big defenseman?  Yes, please!

The Ontario Junior Hockey League’s season began last night, too, but no Wolverine commits were in action.  However, Hamilton defenseman Spencer Hyman, brother of Michigan forward Zach Hyman, was named captain of the Red Wings, so congrats to him!

GLENDENING, GRIFFINS TO PLAY AT YOST

The Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League announced they will be playing two neutral site preseason games against the Lake Erie Monsters, one of which will be at Yost Ice Arena Sunday, October 7 at 7 p.m.  This will also be a homecoming for former Michigan captain Luke Glendening, who signed with the Griffins at the end of last season.  Ticket information is not yet available, but I’ll be sure to post it when it does.

MADDEN RETIRES

Former Wolverine shorthanded goal scoring machine John Madden retired his on-ice career earlier this week and took a position as an amateur scout with the Montreal Canadiens.  He will be responsible for scouting and evaluation of  college hockey free agent players.  Sounds like a role he might be familiar with as he went undrafted and made a nice little career for himself.

The 39 year old played 898 career games over 13 NHL seasons and had 165 goals and 348 points.  He won three Stanley Cup championships—New Jersey (2000, 2003) and Chicago (2009)—and earned the Frank J. Selke Trophy as the NHL’s top defensive forward in 2001.  He was also a finalist for the Selke in 2003 and 2004.

Madden only saw action in 31 games with Florida last season and recorded three goals.

BOSTON UNIVERSITY HOCKEY IN HOT WATER

Boston University’s “sin bin” just got a whole new meaning after a damning report released earlier this week on their hockey team’s “culture of sexual entitlement.”  The task force was put together after two BU players were charged with sexual assault last season.

The Boston Globe obtained documents with some of the juicy details.  It talks about a party at Agganis Arena after BU’s 2009 NCAA championship where guests were drinking from kegs in the locker room showers and shooting pucks on the ice buck naked. One student who attended the party said guests were having sex in the penalty box.  It truly is the “sin bin” now.

But my favorite part?  This:

Campus police did not find out about the party, nor did BU administrators — until this year, when the task force started asking questions. During interviews with the task force, hockey coach Jack Parker also professed ignorance, at first saying he had never heard about the bash, but later acknowledging he knew of “a few guys drinking in the locker room.”

Could Parker sound a bit more like Jim Tressel there?