Good morning, and thanks for reading College Hockey Insider.
This is the first of two newsletters you’ll get today. Our regular weekend preview will arrive later this morning.
This edition opens with an update on Minnesota State defenseman Sam Court, who has been hospitalized since taking a hit from behind from Lake Superior State’s Raoul Boilard last Saturday. We also break down the suspension the CCHA handed Boilard.
Also in this newsletter:
Notes from the October meeting of the NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey Oversight Committee, including a change to the portal entry window, the new rule uncapping instructional staffs, an ESPN presentation on player tracking and more discussion of extending the season.
Our notebook, with news on Alaska Anchorage’s coaching staff, UMass’ new apparel deal, the CW Network, Michigan’s athletic director search and UNH’s helmet sponsorship.
Minnesota State’s Sam Court releases statement after undergoing neck surgery
The CCHA suspended Lake Superior State freshman Raoul Boilard for four games this week for a hit from behind Saturday night against Minnesota State. Boilard sent Mavericks defenseman Sam Court headfirst into the boards at 19:01 of the second period.
Boilard was given a major penalty for hitting from behind and a game misconduct.
Court was hospitalized after the hit and remained in the hospital this week. He had successful surgery but still faces a lengthy recovery and will miss the rest of the season. He was in his first season with the Mavericks after transferring from Arizona State.
“The CCHA is committed to eliminating dangerous and unnecessary contact from the game,” the league said in a statement. “Player safety remains a priority, and actions that put the health and well-being of another student-athlete at serious risk will be addressed appropriately through the league’s disciplinary process.”
Lake Superior State plays exhibition games against Maryville this weekend, the first of them Thursday night. The suspension applies only to regular-season games, so Boilard was in the lineup Thursday.
Court released a statement through Minnesota State on Thursday:
“Sam was incredibly fortunate,” his agent, Eric Quinlan of Forward Hockey, told College Hockey Insider. “He was millimeters away from a catastrophic outcome, and we’re all grateful he’s able to focus on healing.
“If you know Sam, you know there are no bad days in Sam Court’s world. He’s one of the most positive, upbeat kids I’ve ever been around, and his energy is contagious. Even after a weekend like this, his first instinct was to thank the people who showed up for him and his family. That’s Sam.
“He’s grateful for the support he’s received from his teammates, the medical staff, and the entire Minnesota State community.”
