NCHC commissioner looks at new job

GRAND FORKS -- The National Collegiate Hockey Conference could be losing its commissioner before the league ever begins play.

Jim Scherr, who was announced as the head of the start-up league 16 months ago, could be leaving the position to become the chief executive officer of the European Games, according to a report by Inside the Games.

Prior to joining the NCHC, Scherr was the chief executive officer of the U.S. Olympic Committee.

University of North Dakota athletic director Brian Faison, the chair of the NCHC board of directors, said he's aware of Scherr's discussions with "another job opportunity," but says nothing has been finalized yet.

"The NCHC board of directors is well aware that commissioner Scherr has been approach with another job opportunity," Faison said in a statement. "The recent published reports that Jim has already accepted a position are erroneous. He has been forthcoming with information regarding a competing bid for his services. Since this is an internal personnel matter, the conference will offer no further comment at this time."

Scherr signed a four-and-a-half year contract that would take him through the 2015-16 season with the NCHC. His base salary is $150,000.

The NCHC is set to begin its inaugural season of play this fall with eight teams -- UND, Miami, Western Michigan, St. Cloud State, Minnesota Duluth, Nebraska Omaha, Denver and Colorado College.

Shyiak responds to allegations

Former Alaska Anchorage coach Dave Shyiak says that allegations that he struck a player with a stick during practice in 2011 "has resulted in irreparable damages including lost opportunity for coaching positions and having family members experience extreme and unnecessary stress and anxiety," according to a report by College Hockey News.

In his statement, Shyiak said: "It is no secret that following my removal as head coach... a small group of UAA hockey alumni and community members have been working to have athletic director Dr. Steve Cobb fired. ... In an apparent effort to discredit Dr. Cobb, a one-page statement was drafted, complete with the Seawolf logo, in which an incident 2½ years ago was falsely summarized. The purpose of the statement was to allege that Dr. Cobb covered up the incident although, in reality, the January 11, 2011 incident was investigated by UAA and deemed to be a non-issue.

"The efforts of this small group of alumni have been horrible misguided. They have damaged my reputation, hurt my family and jeopardized my abilities to obtain new employment. These efforts have also been shortsighted and have affected the integrity of the university."

Shyiak coached eight seasons in Anchorage, compiling a record of 80-177-33.

Johnson resigns at UNO

Grand Forks native Steve Johnson is stepping down as assistant coach at Nebraska-Omaha.

Johnson spent one season with the Mavericks.

"Steve has decided to go in another direction with his career, and we wish him the best of luck," Omaha head coach Dean Blais said. "He was a valuable member of our staff and did a great job working with our players. We'll begin looking for another high-quality coach to fill that position immediately."

Johnson said: "I really enjoyed working with the great group of student-athletes we had. It also was fun to work with the excellent coaching staff at UNO."

Johnson's son, Luke, will be a freshman at UND next season.

Thompson, Tambellini invited to combine

UND recruits Keaton Thompson and Adam Tambellini are among the 100 players invited to the NHL Combine in Toronto.

Both players will come to UND this fall and are expected to be picked in the second to fourth rounds of the draft.

Thompson, a Devils Lake product, is a defenseman who played for the U.S. Under-18 team last season. Tambellini is a forward who played for the Surrey Eagles in the British Columbia Hockey League.

The NHL Draft will be held June 30 in Newark, N.J.