Defending The Den

A podcast about the @BlackBearsNAHL hosted by @scottywazz

Views and opinions solely of the host and no way reflect opinion of the NAHL or Maryland Black Bears

[Defending The Den @DefendingDenMBB]

Screw it, Here Come The Fish gear

https://t.co/qSqaCsbdEK

[Mike McMahon @MikeMcMahonCHN]

Under the hockey counterproposal, the 5-year clock begins the academic year following a player's 19th birthday or initial college enrollment. Whichever comes first.

Huge win for college hockey. The commissioners worked extremely hard on pushing this proposal.

[Defending The Den @DefendingDenMBB]

#MBBAlumni Tyler Stern has found a new home with SUNY-Geneseo. Congrats to Sterny and best of luck!!

[Defending The Den @DefendingDenMBB]

Josh Frenette is moving onto the @LangleyRivermen for next season. Congrats to Josh and thanks for all you did in Maryland!!

[Defending The Den @DefendingDenMBB]

The Black Bears announced Cody Sweeney as a tender signing. The Iowa native had 10 goals and 19 points in 20 games with the Lincoln Stars 18UAAA program.

[Defending The Den @DefendingDenMBB]

@Nicker32 For sure, you see some teams have academy teams or lower tier teams that the NA teams could benefit from on the monetary side.

[Defending The Den @DefendingDenMBB]

And a little more to the previous post.

East is going to be an odd place next year

[CHL2NCAA @CHL2NCAA]

The Rochester Jr. Americans are folding, closing the book on the franchise after just three seasons in the NAHL.

François Méthot departs to coach the PWHL’s Boston Fleet

The club joined the league as an East Division expansion team for the 2023–24 season.

[Defending The Den @DefendingDenMBB]

@caghockey Talent pools just got more crowded, for sure.

[Defending The Den @DefendingDenMBB]

This means I'm going to have to find new notations to use for the Black Bears record book.

[Defending The Den @DefendingDenMBB]

Interesting note from Junior Hockey dot IO. If the East loses both Maine and Rochester, that's a tough look.

Thanks to @Nicker32 for bringing this up.

[Defending The Den @DefendingDenMBB]

Huh...okay. I remember a couple years back rumors of a west expansion, but thought it'd be closer to California and the PacNW.

That said, decent NCDC markets coming into the NAHL. The divisional alignments are going to be crazy.

[CHL2NCAA @CHL2NCAA]

The NAHL could be getting a serious shake-up. Multiple teams are reportedly in line to join the league through expansion, relocation, and movement from lower tiers. More markets, more opportunity for players.

[Defending The Den @DefendingDenMBB]

One of these days, I'll pitch @JeffMarek to come to Maryland and do a Beyond the Crest on the Black Bears.

Also, take him by the site of the first NCAA hockey game in Baltimore city. Then to the Baltimore Arena where so many Great American Bash events happened.

[Defending The Den @DefendingDenMBB]

@HockeyMSHL Don't think you have the right player. Weiss was the associate HC at Landon, played at Trinity College, and didn't go to the Olympics, as far as I know.

[Defending The Den @DefendingDenMBB]

#MBBAlumni Kim Weiss may be moving to the PWHL as a head coach. She's still behind the bench in Colorado for their Calder Cup run, so the official word may come later, if true.

[PWHL Report @PWHL_Report]

Hearing from multiple sources that PWHL Vegas will be hiring current Colorado Eagles (AHL) assistant coach Kim Weiss as the team’s head coach.

She is currently in the middle of a playoff run with Colorado, so I’d expect this to be announced post-playoffs.

#PWHL

[Defending The Den @DefendingDenMBB]

Officially official for Tanner Duncan to Stonehill.

[NAHL @NAHLHockey]

#NAHL Commitment Alert: @blackbearsnahl alternate captain, Tanner Duncan, has committed to play NCAA DI hockey for @StonehillMIH.

📰: https://t.co/xm4yRxiplO
#CollegeReady

[Defending The Den @DefendingDenMBB]

Nick always brought passion to his broadcasts and made things exciting. One of the guys I enjoyed listening to on away games. All the best going forward, brother.

[Nick Withee @NickWithee_28]

Thank you for the journey ❤️

[Defending The Den @DefendingDenMBB]

#MBBAlumni Tommy Holtby and the Sioux Falls Stampede take home the Clark Cup

[USHL @USHL]

Ladies and Gentlemen, your 2026 Clark Cup Champions 🏆@sfstampede #USHL

[Defending The Den @DefendingDenMBB]

The Maine news isn't surprising. Kind of a shock they made it through this season with their late arena change. Sucks for the community.

Also heard that another East Division team could be next to announced dormancy.

[CLANKO MEDIA @ClankoMedia]

🚨NAHL News:

1-The Maine Nordiques told players they “will not be operating” for 26/27 and released everyone.

2-Meanwhile, the Minnesota Mallards fired their coaching staff AGAIN. That’s now FIVE head coaches in 2 years while going 21-80-5-4.

Great day for the league

[Defending The Den @DefendingDenMBB]

The haze is over...so here are the pictures from the Black Bears championship game thanks to the lovely and talented @JonnyP99

https://t.co/o4LGf84oB3

[Defending The Den @DefendingDenMBB]

A fun night to celebrate the Black Bears championship season. Great turnout for this special team. Well done by the team and Chesepiooc in hosting.

[USA Hockey @usahockey]

Congratulations to the 2026 Robertson Cup Champions, the Maryland Black Bears! 🏆
(📸: @NAHLHockey)