Three Division I men’s college hockey players as well as a head coach from International Falls are preparing to open the 2014-15 regular season this weekend.
Willie Corrin, a defenseman from the Falls, is beginning his junior season playing for the University of Minnesota Duluth.
Corrin, who had a shot on goal in Monday’s 4-2 exhibition victory over Lakehead University, appeared in 24 of UMD’s 36 games his sophomore season when he recorded eight assists.
He said he is looking forward to beginning the regular season Friday in the Ice Breaker Tournament at South Bend, Ind., where the Bulldogs will face top-ranked Minnesota.
“It’s going to be a test right away,” Corrin said. “I think the guys are up for it.”
UMD’s regular-season home opener is set for Oct. 17 against Minnesota State-Mankato at AMSOIL Arena.
Minnesota State is the team the University of Nebraska Omaha will host to open the regular season this Friday. UNO, which lost its exhibition game Monday to the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, 4-0, has both a player and a head coach from the Falls – Matt Youso and Dean Blais.
Youso, a defenseman who was a teammate of Corrin’s in high school and is in his sophomore year of eligibility in college, played in 15 games his freshman season. Blais, who is also Corrin’s uncle, has been UNO’s head coach since 2009.
Being that UNO and UMD are both in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference, Youso and Blais will once again face Corrin four times during the regular season. The Bulldogs last season won three out of four games.
This season, UNO and UMD face each other Nov. 21-22 in Omaha and Feb. 27-28 in Duluth.
Youso’s older brother, Jake, is entering his senior season as a forward for Holy Cross. In 2013-14, Jake Youso played in 35 games and tallied two goals and nine assists.
The Crusaders, who don’t have UNO or UMD on their schedule, open the season at home Friday against Merrimack.
