Penn State plays at Clarkson and at St. Lawrence this weekend (photo: Mark Selders).
We’re back for the 2023-24 season of USCHO Edge. And the beginning of a new season is always a good opportunity for bettors.
As much as we all as college hockey fans want to believe that everyone loves the game that we all love so much, the reality is that it is still a niche sport. And even sports betting sites, known for their ability to properly handicap any sports match, probably don’t have a lot of inside information when it comes to college hockey.
Thus in the early stages of any given season, this is the time to pick out the lines that are slightly askew.
You will actually see most books reducing the number of games this weekend for which they will accept wagers. As of Friday morning, DraftKings only posted six games for Friday night, about half of what the site had in early March during the final weekend of regular-season play. These books understand if they get it wrong, sharp bettors will make them pay.
Let’s take a look at five matchups that USCHO’s writers picked their winners:
No. 1 Boston University (-350) at New Hampshire (+280); o/u 5.5
Certainly the Terriers are an offense that potentially could be explosive and run away with this game. But this BU team also needed overtime to get past Bentley – a team that last year finished in the bottom 10% of the nation – last Saturday.
New Hampshire was one of the strongest finishers to the second half last season and brings back a good amount of scoring. Add in the fact that UNH is a home underdog, a popular early-season betting bias, and this could be the upset of the week waiting to happen.
Still, BU has caused plenty of problems for UNH of late, the last Wildcats win coming in the 2015 season.
Jim
Ed
John
Dan
Chris
Jack
Matt
Paula
Nat'l
Nat'l
HEA
ECAC
AHA
CCHA
NCHC
B1G
Wisconsin (-115) at Bemidji State (-115); o/u 5.5
The line on this game says it all – this is a pure pick ’em. So is there a place where you can find an edge within this non-conference matchup?
Maybe we should look more at the coach than the teams, with Mike Hastings now the boss behind the Wisconsin bench. While Wisconsin and Bemidji don’t have a ton of historical data, Hastings coached plenty of game against Bemidji while at Minnesota State. And though there were some great battles, a season ago, Bemidji State had a 3-1 regular season advantage over the Mavericks.
Is that enough to bet the home Beavers? Tough call. But when you don’t have a ton of historical data to rely on, it’s a decent point to consider.
Jim
Ed
John
Dan
Chris
Jack
Matt
Paula
Nat'l
Nat'l
HEA
ECAC
AHA
CCHA
NCHC
B1G
No. 18 Penn State (-210) at Clarkson (+160); o/u 5.5
This feels like it might be one of those games where early-season bias has skewed the betting line.
Penn State has historically been strong in recent seasons, while Clarkson took a small step back last year after 3-4 strong years. So to make Clarkson a +160 underdog at home opened my eyes.
Am I telling you to bet the house on Clarkson. Heck no. But for two teams that didn’t face one another a year ago, it does seem quite skewed to make Penn State that much of a favorite at this point in the season.
Jim
Ed
John
Dan
Chris
Jack
Matt
Paula
Nat'l
Nat'l
HEA
ECAC
AHA
CCHA
NCHC
B1G
No. 10 St. Cloud State (-110) at Minnesota State (-120); o/u 5.5
There are a lot of questions surrounding this year’s Minnesota State team with new head coach Luke Strand taking over behind the Mavericks bench. Add in the fact that Mike Hastings was able to convince some significant players to transfer with him to Wisconsin, you feel the questions mounting.
But this is another good example of sports books using historical bets to form the line. For the last five seasons, most of the money when Minnesota State plays heads to the Mavericks. That is reason to bump the line toward Minnesota State.
St. Cloud State also dropped its opener to relative unknown (especially in Vegas) St. Thomas and then escaped game two with a 1-0 win. Right now, it feels like the Huskies are significantly undervalued.
Here he have another significant favorite and underdog. This time, though, there is a little more sense to the line making the home team, Minnesota Duluth, a -220 favorite.
The two clubs have only played six times with the all-time series split, 3-3. The most recent matchup was in 2021, a 5-2 Northern Michigan victory in Marquette. Friday’s game, in fact, will be the first time these two have met in Duluth since 2015 when the Bulldogs completed a two-game series sweep.
This game may be one where it is smarter to look at the over/under (currently 5.5 goals) for a bet. If Northern Michigan is to win, they’d like have to keep the AMSOIL Arena crowd out of the game, thus keeping things low scoring. Thus, if you like Northern Michigan, take the under. Like the Bulldogs, you should like the over as well.
Amherst goaltender Natalie Stott makes a save in the 2023 national championship game vs Gustavus. (Photo by Clarus Studios Inc.)
It’s that time of the year again, Division III hockey, specifically, D-III Women’s hockey is back and looking stronger than ever in nearly all facets. Here on the eastern front, we look forward to another fun and competitive year where currently, it’s anyone’s game, not simply a handful of teams anymore. Also in this article, player comments are featured, not just coaches, it’s always enjoyable and insightful to hear from their perspective as well since we’re normally accustomed to only coach-quotes.
CCC
The Commonwealth Coast Conference tends to be wide-open and competitive with it being a toss-up who’s taking the auto-bid in March. Last season, Suffolk earned their first-ever NCAA tournament bid after finishing the year 18-8-2 overall (14-2-2 in conference) after defeating Endicott 2-1 in the CCC championship. However, this is a new year, and they’ll be without their former Head Coach Taylor Wasylk who recently accepted the Lindenwood University (NCAA D1) Head Coach position, all the best to her and her endeavors.
Suffolk defeats Endicott 2-1 to win their first ever CCC title (Photo by Suffolk University Athletics: Mike Broglio)
Suffolk will now be led by newly hired Head Coach Abby Ostrom, Trinity College ‘14, who most recently held the Assistant Coach position at Boston University (NCAA D1). This is her first job as a head coach, so it’ll be interesting to see how she fares with her Suffolk Rams.
Western New England Women’s Hockey. (Photo by Chris Marion Photography)
A team to watch out for in this league in my opinion is Western New England, a team entering their 3rd-year of existence (4th year inc. canceled covid year), who went 7-15-4 in year 1, and then 15-8-3 last season including a signature 3-2 win over Endicott. Head Coach Katie Zimmerman seems to have a good thing going now with her Golden Bears and it’ll be interesting to see if they can improve once again as a young program. According to their roster on the website from last year, they’ll have at least 13 seniors assuming no additions or subtractions, so this veteran-led team is poised for another good year.
Another young program looking to break through is Curry, led by 3rd-year Head Coach Kelly Rider who doubled the year-one team win total this past season. I asked Coach Rider about her plans to continue the improvement the team has showed in their first few years:
“With each year, we add depth with our new players, and our returners have more experience and physical strength. Now that everything isn’t new, we get the opportunity to focus on smaller aspects of the game or skills to enable us to continue to be more and more competitive and improve across statistical categories.”
I also asked Coach Rider about her perspective on the CCC as a whole: “I think the gap between the top and bottom teams in the CCC has always been small and it continues to get smaller. Last year all the seedlings came down to the last couple games of the season. UNE and Suffolk both have new staff, and its Salve’s last year in the league. I think all teams have something to prove and all teams will have a little bit of a different look than last season.”
For some added perspective from the player point-of-view, I asked 5th-year senior goaltender Soleil Archambeault “you’re entering your final year of college hockey, what is it you’d most like to be remembered for at Curry by your coaches and teammates?” To which she answered:
“I’d like to be remembered for making significant contributions to a newer college hockey program to establish a tradition of improving the program every year. I’ve always strived to play the game with integrity and respect to the opponents and officials and being sort of an ambassador for the sport. Being a selfless, cooperative teammate, who always puts the team’s success ahead of personal goals or stats. This, I hope, has been witnessed through my dedication and hard work both on and off the ice and in setting a high standard through my efforts and commitment to the sport, my team, and coaches.”
Soleil Archambeault, #33 of Curry Women’s hockey. (Photo by Curry College Athletics)
Soleil also commented on how her role has changed on the team as she’s gotten older, now specifically, a grad-senior: “As a freshman, my role was to be supportive to the starting goalie and my team, while working hard to earn playing time. Now, as a senior/graduate I find I’m in the position where I can help mentor and develop the younger players, passing on my knowledge and experience to help the team grow and succeed in the long-term. Taking on a leadership role and demonstrating those qualities both on and off the ice, is important to me. I want to inspire my teammates, whom I’ve grown to feel like they’ve become ‘family’, (after all the time we’ve spent together), by my actions and words. This is hopefully evident through how I tutor students, RA, coach minor team goalies, etc. I’ve enjoyed seeing my growth both as a hockey player and a person, realizing how far I’ve come.”
NEHC
The NEHC has been a two-team race as of late, those teams being Norwich & Elmira. Last year, we saw Elmira go 17-0-0 (21-6-0 overall) (played 17/18 conference games due to a canceled game vs Plymouth State) in the regular season, while Norwich went 14-2-2 (19-7-2 overall). However, when it came to the conference tournament, Norwich defeated Elmira 2-0 in the championship game to earn an auto-bid into the NCAA’s where they fell to Colby 5-2 in the first round.
Norwich enters this year without their star player who happened to also be one of the top players in all D3, Ann-Frédérique Guay who transferred to the University of Maine (NCAA D1) for her 5th-year. Guay recorded 46 points last season (19G, 27A) and had 121 over her entire Norwich career. As of today 10/14/23, she has 4 goals in 4 games with her new D1 squad, seems like she hasn’t missed a beat, and everyone should wish her all the well at the top level!
Norwich defeats Southern Maine to advance to the NEHC final where they face #1 seed Elmira (2023) (Photo by Jasmine Olson)
In more current Norwich news, they’ve got a very youthful squad consisting of 8 freshman, 9 sophomore, 4 juniors, & 4 seniors, including star senior goaltender Leocadia Clark. Whatever level of talent these young players have, Head Coach Sophie Leclerc Doherty will utilize it to the highest level.
A major change in the conference comes from Elmira. First-year Head Coach Jake Bobrowski left the team on good terms to return home to Minnesota, so the team enters this season with a new coach at the helm: Greg Haney, Cortland ‘10. Haney, an Upstate, NY native, played three years at SUNY Cortland and was an assistant coach with the men’s team for two seasons after. Haney also was an assistant at Western New England (Men), UW-Stevens Point (Men), Oswego (Women), & Lindenwood (NCAA D1 Women). He then took the head coaching position at Potsdam for three years and now finds himself at the helm of a top D3 program in Elmira. Expect great things from Coach Haney, plenty of experience under his belt from many places East and West at various levels.
NESCAC
Last year, the NESCAC featured four teams in the NCAA tournament, with Amherst (26-4-0 overall, 13-3-0 in conference) being the conference champion receiving the auto-bid, as well as hosting the NCAA Frozen Four. The other three teams were: Hamilton (22-6-2 overall, 12-3-1 in conference), Middlebury (17-8-3 overall, 10-4-2 in conference), & Colby (18-8 overall, 10-6 in conference). Amherst advanced to the NCAA championship game vs Gustavus in which Gustavus defeated the Mammoths 2-1 in a wild three-overtimes.
Amherst wins the NESCAC, defeating Hamilton 5-0 (Photo by Mike Orazzi)
As it usually is, arguably the most competitive league in women’s d3, upset after upset each week showed us how the competition gap is narrowing between the ‘top’ and ‘bottom’ teams. Last year, Amherst only had 4 seniors, most of the team should be returning this year plus any new freshman/transfers. They retain their star goaltender who arguably was the best in D3, Natalie Stott, who by the way, is only a sophomore this year, after posting this stat line her freshman year: 25-4-0 record, 0.95 GAA, .955 Save %, & 14 shutouts… Look for Amherst to be just as good, if not better.
An intriguing development occurred in the offseason as the 2023 AHCA, NESCAC, & USCHO Coach of the Year Emily McNamara, Middlebury ‘07, left Hamilton to take the Assistant Coaching position at her alma mater Middlebury. She joins longtime legendary Head Coach Bill Mandigo (35 years at Middlebury) who we can only assume is nearing the end of his prestigious career and bringing in a great coach who happens to be an alum is an ideal move for the school. Her stock as a coach has never been higher than it is now, seeing what she accomplished at Hamilton last season, so we’ll see how this affects both Middlebury and Hamilton.
As for Hamilton, there’s no reports on who’s being looked at to fill their Head Coaching role, being the NESCAC, they begin their season about a month later than everyone else, so technically they’ve got more time to figure this out, but it can’t be ideal to be entering mid-October without an ‘official’ head coach. Current listed assistant coaches on the roster are Chris Cobb & Kayte Holtz, Bowdoin ‘13. Holtz would make sense as a pick considering her success as a player at Bowdoin (123 points in 4 seasons), and she’s been the assistant at Hamilton since 2013. Also, the fact that it’s mid-October and they’re running out of time.
It’ll be interesting to see how Hamilton fares after their program-best run last season, earning an at-large bid into the NCAA tournament, defeating Nazareth 3-1 in round 1, then visiting the 26-4-0 Adrian squad and defeating them 2-0 to earn their way into the final four where they fell to the eventual runner-up Amherst 2-0.
SUNYAC
Here we are once again, the former ECAC-West, then NEWHL, now SUNYAC conference will be reborn once again as we hopefully can keep this conference intact for more than a few years. Plattsburgh went undefeated in the NEWHL in terms of regular-season titles & conference playoff titles, winning all five from 2018-2023. This conference currently consists of Buffalo State, SUNY Canton, Cortland, Morrisville, Oswego, Plattsburgh, & Potsdam.
Plattsburgh wins the NEWHL, defeating Cortland 2-0 (Photo by Gabe Dickens)
Plattsburgh looks to continue its dominance over this conference and return to the NCAA championship game in which they’ve won seven times (‘07, ‘08, ‘14, ‘15, ‘16, ‘17, & ‘19). The team that has seemed to give the Cardinals the most trouble is Cortland, who’s beaten the Cardinals on occasion and taken them to overtime various times including a NEWHL conference championship in which Plattsburgh won in the first minute or two of the first OT period. We’ll see if the Cardinals streak continues.
A team who’s got high hopes for this season is Oswego State, who hired a new Assistant Coach Dani Slominski, UW-Eau Claire ‘23, and has improved immensely under 5th year Head Coach Mark Digby. The team which features 5 seniors, and 10 juniors could really do some good things with that amount of age and veterans on the squad.
A daunting task is at hand for however, Oswego plays 9 road games in their first 11 regular season contests to open the season. These road games include Plattsburgh (1), Cortland (1), Adrian (2), Amherst (1), then when they return home for their 3rd/4th home games of the year, they get to play Plattsburgh twice. Brutal stretch for them, but we’ll see how they fare.
Oswego Women’s hockey 1/7/23 vs SUNY Canton. (Photo by Alexis Fragapane – @shotsbyfrags)
Junior forward Megan Gates, a transfer in her 2nd season with the Lakers, from NCAA D1 Sacred Heart University, commented on the lopsided total of road/home games to begin the season:
“The team is very excited to get this season underway. As many college athletes know, away games and overnight trips can be the best bonding experience for all members of the team. I personally am looking forward to these games against strong opponents in their home arenas. We must overcome the adversity of difficult circumstances to beat these teams at their home ice with hometown fans. We’re beyond excited to see where this season will take us. With the addition of several talented newcomers and a new assistant coach, the team is ready to go with a killer mindset.”
Another program facing coaching changes from both the head coach and assistant coach positions is Morrisville. The program adds a pair of Cortland Red Dragons to the staff. Hiring John Briggs who served as the assistant of the Cortland Women’s team from 2021-2023, this is his first-ever head coaching job. The other addition is Oswego, NY native Monica Cahill, Cortland 23’, who will serve as the assistant coach for the Mustangs in her first ever coaching job. Cahill was a defenseman on the SUNY Cortland Women’s team from 2019-2023. A youthful hiring for both positions, but lots of upside for the program as it’s seen its struggles as of late.
SUNY Morrisville Mustangs Women’s Hockey. (Photo by SUNY Morrisville Athletics)
I asked Coach Cahill about what it’ll be like for her to be facing her former team (Cortland) in her first-ever regular-season home game as a coach:
“I’m really excited for our first home game to be against Cortland! I think it’ll be a good challenge for us seeing that Cortland has finished in the nations’ top ten the past two years. They’ve got a lot of talented girls on that team; I feel lucky enough to have played with them and to have experienced that high level of Division III hockey that everyone is striving for. That being said, I feel very confident in our team here at Morrisville. I don’t think Coach Briggs or I could have asked for a better group of girls both on and off the ice. We’re both excited with the path in which the program is heading in and to open up with a highly competitive game.”
UCHC
Last, but not least, we’ve got the UCHC. Led by the Golden Flyers of Nazareth and Head Coach Chris Baudo, winning the last two conference championships (both regular season & postseason). Nazareth went 22-6-1 last year overall (18-1-1 in conference) and fell in the opening round of the NCAA tournament to Hamilton 3-1. Nazareth’s only a 5th-year program, this is the 6th year of their existence and Coach Baudo has an exceptional record of 94-20-6, winning 20+ games on two occasions and making two NCAA tournaments. The next step for this team is winning an NCAA tournament game.
I spoke with sophomore goaltender Maïka Paquin and asked her what she’s most looking forward to this season now having a season under her belt:
Maïka Paquin, #33 of Nazareth. (Photo by Nazareth University Athletics)
“I’m really excited and feel that having a previous season under my belt gives me the confidence to be more successful and find success with our team. Even though it’s my second year, the goal hasn’t changed. Our goal is still to compete highly in and out of our league in the regular season, win the league title, earn a spot in the NCAA tournament, and make it as far as possible to the national championship.”
Speaking on the youthfulness of a roster that contains an astounding 11 freshman, 9 sophomores, 2 juniors, 3 seniors, 2 5th-year grad-seniors, Paquin said “I think it gives us an advantage, while most people think we might be inexperienced, I think with our speed and composure, we’ll surprise a lot of teams. I also think our culture really helps to shape our team as a whole, everyone has a role and is included. We truly are a family.”
Another team that had a program-best season last year were the Utica Pioneers. Utica finished 22-3-3 overall (17-1-2 in conference), falling to Nazareth in the UCHC conference championship 3-2 in double-overtime. I’ll add that the series between Utica and Nazareth last season were some of the most competitive you’ll ever see, with all games going to overtime, Nazareth winning a reg-season shootout, Nazareth winning in reg-season OT, and Nazareth winning in 2OT.
Utica University Women’s Hockey. (Photo by David Warner/My Little Falls)
Scott Kinville, formerly of the popular 315HockeyLive website, now running his newly formed Central New York Hockey Report (CNY Hockey Report) site, closely follows the Pioneers and gave his insight on the team and how the season could shape out:
“Much like it did last season, it looks like the road to the UCHC championship will go through Nazareth and Utica.
The 2022-23 Utica Pioneers were a team that was built to win that championship. Led by graduate student Georgiana Saltillo (who is the programs second leading all-time scorer), and supported by offensive stars Erica Sloan, Carly Stefanini, Carolyn Whitney, Hailey Modlin, and Maggie Rylott, the Pioneers boasted one of the top offenses in Division III all season long. Utica was in the top fifteen of the USCHO Women’s Division III poll for much of the season and finished the season ranked thirteenth.
It wasn’t just their offense that made Utica a force to be reckoned with in 2022-23. To be a successful hockey team, you must be able to keep the puck out of your own net as well. To go with their prolific offense, Head Coach Dave Clausen’s Pioneers also held one of the conference’s best defenses as well. This was due in large part to the efforts of Pioneers goaltender Angela Hawthorne. She was sensational last season, posting a record of 16-3-3, with a 1.03 GAA, a 0.958 save percentage, and six shutouts.
Georgie Santullo has graduated, but the rest of the core that posted the best record in the program’s history remains. Barring injuries or a disastrous start, the Pioneers should be able to return the favor from last season and knock Nazareth off their perch at the top of the UCHC.”
If you made it to the end, Thanks!
As I said in my West Preseason article, thank you for making it all the way down here if you did, hopefully it didn’t take too many sessions to get through it, but here we are, the start of another season of Division III Women’s hockey! If you’d like to read the west article, CLICK HERE!
USA Hockey announced their roster for two Rivalry Series games against Canada in November and it features 11 current collegiate players, including Wisconsin’s Laila Edwards, who will make her senior national team debut. She is the first Black woman to represent USA on the senior national team.
While several Black women, including Edwards herself, have played on US U18 and U22 teams, none have ever been rostered for a senior team tournament or international game.
Edwards was named Most Valuable Player at the 2022 IIHF Ice Hockey U18 Women’s World Championship after tallying four goals and four assists in five games. In her rookie season at Wisconsin, she amassed 13 goals and 14 assists in 41 games. She scored one of Wisconsin’s three goals in the national semifinal.
Joining Edwards will be current Badger teammates Britta Curl, Lacey Eden, Caroline Harvey and Anna Wilgren.
Ohio State’s Cayla Barnes and Hannah Bilka, Minnesota’s Abbey Murphy, Penn State’s Tessa Janecke, Clarkson’s Haley Winn and Cornell’s Rory Guilday are the other current NCAA players on the roster.
The games are scheduled for Nov. 8 and 11, which is the week the Four Nations Tournament used to take place. Minnesota, Ohio State, Penn State and Wisconsin do not have games scheduled that weekend, but Clarkson and Cornell will have to play without Winn and Guilday while they join Team USA.
Overall, alumnae from 12 NCAA programs are represented on the roster – Boston College, Clarkson, Cornell, Harvard, Lindenwood, Minnesota, Minnesota Duluth, Minnesota State, Northeastern, Ohio State, Penn State and Wisconsin.
USCHO Edge hosts Jim Connelly, Dan Rubin, and Ed Trefzger look at money lines and over/under as well as providing further analysis of five weekend matchups.
This week’s games:
No. 1 Boston University (-350) at New Hampshire (+280); over/under 5.5
Wisconsin (-115) at Bemidji State (-115); o/u 5.5
No. 18 Penn State (-210) at Clarkson (+160); o/u 5.5
No. 10 St. Cloud (-110) at Minnesota State (-120); o/u 5.5
Two current and one former NCAA women’s hockey goalies have made history in the past few months. Minnesota Duluth’s Ève Gascon and Cornell’s Annelies Bergmann, both rookies this season, and Maine alumna Mariah Fujimagari have each broken barriers across hockey, paving the way for even more opportunities for women and girls in the future.
Gascon was the first female player to play midget triple-A hockey in Quebec back in 2018. In March, she followed a path blazed by Manon Rheaume and Charline Labonté to play in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL), where she started two games with the Gatineau Olympiques, earning an overtime loss and a win. The win was the second time a woman has won a QMJHL game. Labonté first did it back in 2001.
She was in rookie camp with the Olympiques, where she more than proved she could handle herself at the level. In five preseason games, she stopped 85 of the 91 shots she faced, giving her a .934 save percentage, which was best among the 10 QMJHL goalies who played more than 200 minutes in preseason.
“It was the greatest experience of my life,” Gascon told the Ottawa Sun after her first start. She took a traditional rookie lap by herself as the team entered the ice to great applause.
“I had chills when the crowd gave me that ovation,” Gascon said in the Sun. “It was the greatest atmosphere I have ever had in hockey. I knew I would have a lot of attention, but …”
That start prompted the first sell out in the Olympiques’ new stadium, where fans chanted her name. The win in her second start earned her the game’s first star.
At Minnesota Duluth, Gascon has had one start – a 12-save shutout against Long Island University last Friday. She and Hailey MacLeod are currently sharing the starting duties while fighting to become the team’s top goalie.
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In April, Bergmann made history by becoming the first woman to play in a regular-season game for a Tier I or II junior hockey team in the United States when she started a game with the NAHL Janesville Jets in April.
As with Gascon, Bergmann started her journey with the Jets through a tryout camp. She excelled in the team’s goaltender camp and was invited to the main tryout camp, where she continued to impress and earned one of four goalie invites to the camp’s all-star game. The Jets gave her an affiliate tag, which led to the start in April.
She made 22 of 24 stops – the two goals were scored on the power play after turnovers at the blue line.
“I always wanted to play in a league that no other girl has. I feel like I put myself out there today and showed that I deserved to be on the ice. It’s incredible. This is what I’ve really been dreaming of since I was little, so to go out there and be able to do this is just indescribable,” Bergmann said at the time.
“I knew it was something bigger than myself. It felt like I was accomplishing something great. It was just a hockey game out there. I wasn’t a girl goalie. I was just another hockey goalie.”
Bergmann was the main goalie for Team USA at the past two U18 World Championships. Still just 17 years old, she accelerated her entrance to Cornell and joined the team this season. The Big Red play their first games this weekend, but Bergmann saw about 50 minutes of ice time in the team’s two exhibition games.
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Fujimagari signed a professional tryout contract with the Kalamazoo Wings, an ECHL affiliate to the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks and begins training camp with the team this week. If she makes the roster, she would be the third woman in ECHL history to sign with a team and the first since 1995.
At 29, she has spent several years playing professional hockey in the US, Slovakia and Sweden. During her summers, she trains at In-Tech High Performance Training in Toronto alongside men who play professionally in the NHL and overseas. Facing that competition day in and day out and training alongside them showed Fujimagari, who prides herself on her work ethic, that she was in a good position to take this opportunity.
Coach Joel Martin, himself an ECHL Hall of Fame goalie, met Fujimagari at a goalie coaching symposium a few years back and was impressed with her, so she was on his radar when it came to putting together a list of possible candidates to take on netminder duties this season. Beyond her on-ice skills, Martin was impressed with Fujimagari’s preparation and how she carries herself off the ice. He’s a proponent of finding not just good players, but good people and he feels like she could be an important part of building the culture of the program.
“I’m just really grateful to Coach [Martin] for identifying certain qualities and skill sets within me as a goalie and as a person to be able to bring me here for training camp for the K-Wings,” Fujimagari said.
For her part, Fujimagari feels like this opportunity is a natural next step in her progression and growth as a goalie. She said she’s learned things at every level and with every team she’s played with that will help her in this tryout.
As a goalie in the SDHL in Sweden last season, she played under their new rules that included body checking. That allowable contact changed the flow and pace of the game pretty significantly from what we normally see in women’s hockey. It puts her in a really good position to transition to the men’s game.
Colorado College goalie Kaidan Mbereko makes a save last season against Minnesota Duluth (photo: Casey B. Gibson).
Many people in and around the college hockey world will tell you that the 2022-23 season was a down one for the NCHC.
On the surface, at least, it’s not hard to see why someone would think that.
The NCHC is 10 years old now, and aside from the 2020 NCAA tournament that never was due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, last season was the first in which the conference had no participants in the Men’s Frozen Four.
Only one NCHC team reached a regional final, and St. Cloud State lost 4-1 to eventual runner-up Minnesota. Denver, the 2022 national champion, was upset in the first round of last year’s regionals as a 1-seed against Cornell.
“I don’t think there’s any hiding from that,” Denver coach David Carle said last week when asked about perceptions of the NCHC coming off a down season. “In the same light as to what our expectation is as a program, it’s the same for our league. To not have representation at the Frozen Four, I think we’re all disappointed by that.
“It wasn’t up to our standard as a conference, and I’m sure that for a lot of people around our league, that didn’t sit well with us all this summer. We’ve had so much success as a league, and the standard is so high that when you have a down year, it stings and I would expect a resurgence from all of us compared to what we saw last year.”
The USCHO.com preseason poll indicates cautious optimism in that regard.
Denver is fourth behind three 2023 Frozen Four qualifiers, with North Dakota seventh and St. Cloud State eighth. Western Michigan being 12th suggests that half the NCHC might make the NCAA tournament again, same as last season.
In the NCHC preseason poll, it’s tight at the top. Denver was picked first for a second consecutive season, but second-place North Dakota got one more first-place vote from pollsters than the Pioneers did. St. Cloud State in third, Western Michigan in fourth and Minnesota Duluth in fifth all got at least one first-place vote, too.
And fair enough, that won’t mean much once NCHC teams start conference play in the coming weeks. Between now and the end of the regular season in March, we’ll learn a lot about how close NCHC teams will be toward finding the right balance between several factors.
“At the end of the day, our league is so strong every year that everybody now, with graduation, guys signing pro and the transfer portal, things look a lot different than they used to be,” North Dakota coach Brad Berry said. “You’re trying to have continuity within your team, with those three things I mentioned, being a part of everyday life in college hockey.
“I don’t know if I’d say our league was down (last season), but I think every individual member institution is trying to build consistency, knowing that you’re going to be facing those three things, and you have to be ready for that. We’re looking at how other leagues are trying to maximize their chances of advancing to Frozen Fours, too, but I know our league is a hard league.”
And that won’t change, but NCHC teams are hoping that their collective absence from last year’s Frozen Four will prove to be a mere aberration. Let’s see, though, shall we?
Noah Laba was a top freshman player last season for Colorado College (photo: Casey B. Gibson).
COLORADO COLLEGE
HEAD COACH: Kris Mayotte (entering his third season at CC) LAST SEASON: 13-22-3 (6-15-3 for 7th in NCHC) KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: F Noah Laba (So., 11g-11a-22pts); F Stanley Cooley (Jr., 6g-14a-20pts); G Kaidan Mbereko (So., 9-16-2, 2.29 GAA, .925 SV%) KEY LOSSES: F Hunter McKown (21g-7a-28pts); D Brian Yoon (1g-14a-15pts); F Matthew Gleason (4g-6a-10pts) KEY ADDITIONS: F Klavs Veinbergs (Lincoln Stars, USHL); F Zaccharya Wisdom (Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, USHL); G Henry Wilder (Boston College transfer) 2023-24 PREDICTION: Colorado College was three wins better last season than it was in 2021-22, and the Tigers were a very tough out. They upset Western Michigan in the first round of the NCHC playoffs, then beat archrival Denver in the conference semifinals. McKown was their top scorer by 10 goals, and he’ll be missed but this will again be a tough CC team to beat. Team chemistry should be good on a Tigers squad that brought in zero transfers last year and only one this time around in Wilder. The prevailing wisdom seems to be having CC picked to finish seventh, but even with a huge piece gone in McKown, I’m giving the Tigers the benefit of the doubt. 2023-24 PREDICTED FINISH: 6th
Shai Buium has had two solid seasons on the Denver back end (photo: DU Athletics).
DENVER
HEAD COACH: David Carle (entering his sixth season at DU) LAST SEASON: 30-10-0 (19-5-0 for 1st in NCHC) KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: F Massimo Rizzo (Jr., 17g-29a-46pts); F Aidan Thompson (So., 10g-22a-32 pts); D Shai Buium (4g-17a-21 pts) KEY LOSSES: F Carter Mazur (22g-15a-37pts); D Mike Benning (13g-21a-34pts); G Magnus Chrona (22-9-0, 2.19 GAA, .916 SV%) KEY ADDITIONS: F Sam Harris (Sioux Falls Stampede, USHL); D Garrett Brown (Waterloo Black Hawks, USHL); D Zeev Buium (U.S. Under-18 Team) 2023-24 PREDICTION: I’ve got Denver first here, partly because I’ve felt in recent years that going against the Pioneers at this point in a season is a bit of a fool’s errand. I can also see why five NCHC teams got first-place votes in the preseason poll. Denver only brings back one of its top four point-producers from last season in Rizzo, and Chrona has left after what felt like a thousand years at DU, but sophomore Matt Davis had a .925 save percentage in 13 appearances last season and could end up being every bit as good as the graduated Swede. Denver won’t like how last season ended, losing to CC in the conference playoffs and then getting dumped out of the NCAA tournament right away by Cornell, but there’s enough here to convince me that this Pioneers team can three-peat as NCHC regular-season champions, and maybe do a lot more than that. 2023-24 PREDICTED FINISH: 1st
John Waldron went for 14 points last season as a Miami freshman (photo: Harrison Barden/Clarkson Creative Photography).
MIAMI
HEAD COACH: Chris Bergeron (entering his fifth season at Miami) LAST SEASON: 8-24-4 (3-18-3 for 8th in NCHC) KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: F Matthew Barbolini (Sr., 10g-15-25pts); F PJ Fletcher (Sr., 5g-10a-15 pts); D Hampus Rydqvist (Sr., 3g-11a-14pts) KEY LOSSES: F Joe Cassetti (10g-5a-15pts); F Red Savage (7g-7a-14pts); G Ludvig Persson (8-19-4, 3.66 GAA, .891 SV%) KEY ADDITIONS: F Ryan Sullivan (Massachusetts transfer); F Raimonds Vitolins (Green Bay Gamblers, USHL); D Spencer Cox (Long Island transfer) 2023-24 PREDICTION: Bergeron hit the transfer portal hard this offseason, bringing in players with a lot of prior NCAA hockey experience. That should help a Miami team that is yet to win 10 games in a season under its current head coach, and the RedHawks have struggled to regain the momentum they last had nearly a decade ago, when they reached the NCAA tournament nine times in 10 years. Miami was a long way adrift at the bottom of the NCHC preseason poll this year (61 points behind seventh-place CC), and as much as we want to see a resurgence from this program, we’re starting to approach believe-it-when-we-see-it territory. 2023-24 PREDICTED FINISH: 8th
Ben Steeves surpassed the 20-goal mark last season for the Bulldogs (photo: Terry Cartie Norton).
MINNESOTA DULUTH
HEAD COACH: Scott Sandelin (entering his 24th season at UMD) LAST SEASON: 16-20-1 (10-14-0 for 5th in NCHC) KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: F Ben Steeves (So., 21g-7a-28pts); F Dominic James (Jr., 10g-18a-28pts); G Matthew Thiessen (Gr., 2.64 GAA, .905 SV%) KEY LOSSES: D Wyatt Kaiser (5g-18a-23pts); D Drew Daschke (2g-14a-16pts); F Jesse Jacques (4g-5a-9pts) KEY ADDITIONS: F Anthony Menghini (Fargo Force, USHL); F Matthew Perkins (Youngstown Phantoms, USHL); D Aaron Pionk (Waterloo Black Hawks, USHL) 2023-24 PREDICTION: Missing last season’s NCAA tournament won’t have been what UMD was looking for after Sandelin’s contract was extended through the 2026-27 season. I think the Bulldogs will be better this time around, and so much of last season’s roster back helps. There are only four freshmen, and I like the level of continuity this squad has now, only a year after there was a lot to replace. The issue is that, although I see an improved UMD team this season, much if not all of the rest of the conference is going to be better, too. 2023-24 PREDICTED FINISH: 5th
Riese Gaber will again be a top player this season for North Dakota (photo: Mark Kuhlmann).
NORTH DAKOTA
HEAD COACH: Brad Berry (entering his ninth season at UND) LAST SEASON: 18-15-6 (10-10-4 for 6th in NCHC) KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: F Jackson Blake (So., 16g-26a-42pts); F Riese Gaber (Sr., 20g-17a-37pts); KEY LOSSES: F Judd Caulfield (10g-9a-19 pts); D Chris Jandric (4g-29a-33pts); G Drew DeRidder (13-9-4, 2.56 GAA, .899 SV%) KEY ADDITIONS: F Jayden Perron (Chicago Steel, USHL); F Cameron Berg (Omaha transfer); G Ludvig Persson (Miami transfer) 2023-24 PREDICTION: Last season was a tale of two halves for a North Dakota team that was picked to finish second in the NCHC. The Fighting Hawks were far more consistent in the second half, but a tough first half came back to bite them, and they missed out on the NCAA tournament. UND has 14 new faces for this season, and that feels like a lot, but the last time the Hawks had that many newcomers, two years ago, they were Penrose Cup winners as the NCHC’s regular season champions. I’ve got the Hawks second again, and I’m very interested to see what Persson will do with his new team, but after what happened last season, this is another wait-and-see pick. 2023-24 PREDICTED FINISH: 2nd
Omaha’s Matt Miller and St. Cloud State’s Chase Brand battle for the puck during a game last February at Baxter Arena (photo: Mark Kuhlmann).
OMAHA
HEAD COACH: Mike Gabinet (entering his seventh season at UNO) LAST SEASON: 19-15-3 (13-9-2 for 3rd in NCHC) KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: F Jack Randl (Gr., 18g-16a-34pts); F Matt Miller (13g-12a-24pts); G Simon Latkoczy (So., 11-6-1, 2.32 GAA, .919 SV%) KEY LOSSES: F Tyler Weiss (6g-21a-27pts); F Cameron Berg (10g-14a-24pts); D Johnny Tychonick (8g-18a-26pts) KEY ADDITIONS: F Jesse Lansdell (Notre Dame transfer); F Tanner Ludtke (Lincoln Stars, USHL); G Seth Eisele (Lake Superior transfer) 2023-24 PREDICTION: Gabinet might’ve been the NCHC’s coach of the year last season if Pat Ferschweiler hadn’t brought Western Michigan above expectations at a similar rate. UNO was a better team last season than many expected, myself included. They’ve since lost several key pieces, though, and I get why the Mavericks get overlooked at this point in a season when the program is still yet to reach the NCHC playoff semifinals. It probably won’t look great that I have them seventh this time, but the middle of the league is such a toss-up that I wouldn’t be surprised if I’m really wrong on this pick. 2023-24 PREDICTED FINISH: 7th
Dominic Basse was strong in net during the 2022-23 season for SCSU (photo: St. Cloud State Athletics).
ST. CLOUD STATE
HEAD COACH: Brett Larson (entering his sixth season at SCSU) LAST SEASON: 25-13-3 (12-9-3 for 4th in NCHC) KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: F Zach Okabe (Gr., 18g-18a-36pts); F Dylan Anhorn (Gr., 5g-20a-25pts); G Dominic Basse (Sr., 11-5-2, 2.30 GAA, .911 SV%) KEY LOSSES: F Jami Krannila (21g-19a-40pts); F Grant Cruikshank (23g-15a-38pts); G Jaxon Castor (14-8-1, 2.01 GAA, .924 SV%) KEY ADDITIONS: F Barrett Hall (Green Bay Gamblers, USHL); F Verner Miettinen (Fargo Force, USHL); D Warren Clark (Steinbach Pistons, MJHL) 2023-24 PREDICTION: St. Cloud State finished the 2022-23 regular season right where we thought the Huskies would, but they were the pride of the NCHC in, for the rest of the conference, a forgettable NCAA tournament. SCSU loses its top two scorers from last season, but there’s a lot to like in terms of what returns. Husky fans will be thrilled with Okabe coming back for his graduate year, and Anhorn was a Hobey Baker Award candidate last season. I think the Huskies will be at least as good this time around. 2023-24 PREDICTED FINISH: 3rd
Luke Grainger will serve as Western Michigan’s captain this season (photo: Ashley Huss).
WESTERN MICHIGAN
HEAD COACH: Pat Ferschweiler (entering his third season at WMU) LAST SEASON: 23-15-1 (15-8-1 for 2nd in NCHC) KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: F Luke Grainger (12g-20a-32pts); D Carter Berger (5g-18a-23pts); G Cameron Rowe (Sr., 22-14-1, 2.49 GAA, .884 SV%) KEY LOSSES: F Ryan McAllister (13g-36a-49pts); F Jason Polin (30g-17a-47pts); F Max Sasson (15g-27a-42pts) KEY ADDITIONS: F Alex Bump (Vermont transfer); F Joe Cassetti (Miami transfer); F Sam Colangelo (Northeastern transfer) 2023-24 PREDICTION: Western Michigan has been a fun surprise over the last couple of years, punching above its perceived weight and making Ferschweiler the NCHC’s first non-North Dakota coach of the year since before the pandemic. The 2022-23 Broncos were without their top five point-producers from the previous season, and now they’re without their top three from last winter. Can Western keep the good times rolling? We think so, even if we’re hesitant to put the Broncos as high as they finished last spring. 2023-24 PREDICTED FINISH: 4th
Gustavus Adolphus wins the 2023 D-III Women’s Hockey Championship, defeating Amherst 2-1 in 3OT. (Photo by Jordan Modjeski – Gustavus Adolphus Athletics)
It’s that time of the year again, Division III hockey, specifically, D-III Women’s hockey is back and looking stronger than ever in nearly all facets. Last year we saw our first-ever west-region team Gustavus Adolphus take home their first-ever NCAA title in Amherst, MA. Their road to the title involved a two-overtime 3-2 victory over Plattsburgh in the national semifinals and a triple-overtime 2-1 victory in the national championship over the host team Amherst. We’ve got many things to be excited about on the western side of things including a new program, new coaches, and more!
Before we begin…
To start things off however, we must take time and recognize the unfortunate events that shall be viewed as ‘bigger than hockey’ moments where we must recognize there are more important things in life than hockey, such as life itself.
In the past year, the National Champions Gustavus have needed the thoughts, prayers, & donations of the entire D-III hockey community more than anyone should ever have to. First, Heather Olinger’s near-tragic injury on the ice that could’ve rendered her paralyzed [full article here], and most recently, the Gustavus community tragically lost a member of its team & community, Jori Jones, 19, in a fatal car crash that occurred recently in mid-August 2023 [news article linked here]. Three other team members were in the car, but not seriously injured.
Jori Jones, 19, 2003-2023. Member of the 2023 Division-III National Champion Gustavus Women’s Ice Hockey Team. (Photo by Jordan Modjeski – Gustavus Adolphus Athletics)
This isn’t the most cheerful way to begin celebrating our new season, but certain things are bigger than hockey and should be recognized as such. Don’t take life (or anything for that matter) for granted as it can be taken away at any age, year, month, week, day, minute, or second.
MIAC
We’re in for an interesting year in the MIAC as we’ve got the defending national champs Gustavus looking to remain on top as they went 17-1-0 in conference play last season (27-3-0 overall) and some teams looking to make some noise.
A team to keep an eye on is St. Olaf, who under 4th year Head Coach Tracy Johnson have improved year after year including hosting their first-ever MIAC playoff game last year vs Hamline. Under Johnson, the Ole’s records have been: 0-23-2, 9-17-0, & 14-10-2. She’s won more games in two of her seasons (23) than the Ole’s had won in the previous six seasons combined. Look for them to improve and possibly pull an upset here and there.
The enthusiasm around St. Olaf is high, Coach Johnson commented: “The energy amongst the team has been great. The returners have done an incredible job welcoming the new members of our team and I’m very proud of the culture they continue to uphold. Getting the chance to be on the ice with them in the preseason has been a beneficial change the NCAA made, and we are very excited for the official start of the season!”
St. Olaf Women’s hockey vs St. Scholastica 1/21/23. (Photo by Hannah Robb)
Coach Johnson is also not relying on their past successes, “While we’re eager to build off the momentum we’ve created over the past couple of seasons, we’re not resting on our past successes and know that we need to continue putting in even more work to continue to build. This does not just mean on the ice, but also requires continued investment in the relationships away from the rink. Having a positive team environment is a competitive advantage and it shows in the way they play for each other.”
Augsburg is another team to watch as they continue to challenge Gustavus at the top, handing them their lone MIAC loss last season, winning 3-2 in OT at home. It’s a team that is balanced class-wise, featuring 5 freshmen, 4 sophomores, 6 juniors, & 5 seniors. Only losing five players from the squad that went 14-3-1 in conference and 18-7-2 overall last year, they should be poised to make some noise in the MIAC. Some notable coaching additions for them include:
Elizabeth Bauer – Assistant Coach, UW-Eau Claire ‘20
Nicole Neuberger – Graduate Assistant Coach, UW-Stevens Point ‘22
Other notable coaching additions within the MIAC:
Chad Davis, American International ‘04 – Head Coach: Saint Mary’s University
Jason Gregoire, Concordia College (MN) ‘02 – Head Coach: Concordia College (MN)
NCHA
One of the most entertaining conferences in D3 looks set to have another fun year, including the addition of a new program and the subtraction of a previous one. The departing team Finlandia University is no longer a part of the NCHA after the school announced it would be closing for good and no longer operating. However, replacing them to fill out the league will be the newly formed University of Dubuque located in Dubuque, IA.
The University of Dubuque has a lot of support behind it on both the men’s and women’s sides respectively. The Norwich University ‘15 alum Madyson Moore has been named the first-ever Head Coach for the program that opens their inaugural regular-season against Concordia College (MN) on October 28th on the road.
New University of Dubuque women’s hockey coach Madyson Moore (second from left) and men’s hockey coach Seamus Gregory (second from right) pose with athletic director Nelson Edmonds (left) and university president Jeffrey Bullock during a meet-and-greet event Thursday at Dubuque Ice Arena. (Photo by Paul Misner/University of Dubuque Athletics)
Coach Moore, who spent her last two seasons as the Assistant Coach at Utica University, commented on the opportunity for her to start a new program from scratch and instill her style and values within the program’s culture:
“I’m beyond excited to build this program from the ground up, especially in my hometown. I’m lucky that my first Head Coaching job has brought me back to my family since I’ve been on the east coast for the past 12 years. This opportunity comes with a lot of responsibility to create a positive and competitive culture, to help grow the game more at the youth level and be a part of history as being the first to do so in Iowa. These are the main reasons I took this position, and I can’t wait to get it started this season!”
Things won’t come easy in terms of home-ice advantage for Dubuque though, their schedule features 25 games, only 8 at home, including 1 home game in their first 11 (13 incl. exhibition games) and a few brutal stretches of games. These stretches include a trio of games January 12-14 vs Concordia U. (Wis.), 5 games between December 1-9 vs Aurora (2), Saint Mary’s (1), & College of Saint Benedict (2), to cap it off, they then play 5 games between February 2-10 vs Lake Forest (2), Aurora (1), St. Norbert (2) …
It will be interesting to see how the new program fares as they’ve got a great support system behind them and are investing in the program.
Adrian Women’s Hockey vs Concordia (Wis.) 2023. (Photo by Carly Costello)
The defending NCHA champs Adrian who’ve won 9 regular-season titles in a row & 7 of the last 8 conference championships look to continue their conference-success after losing a lot of veteran leadership including their star goaltender Sophie Goldberg. 6th year Head Coach Shawn Skelly said:
“Each year, we end up losing some really good veteran players. This past year was different as we had a national player of the year nominee in net and a top-3 scorer in the country up front who have moved on along with some other key contributors. With that being said, to be a top program in the country year in and year out, our staff needs to do a great job recruiting pieces to help fill voids in our lineup and we trust that we have done that once again this year. I believe we won’t miss a beat because of our current returning players who are fully capable of continuing our program’s success and excited at the opportunity for bigger roles. The depth within our lineup is something that we are also excited about and believe we shouldn’t miss a beat after losing some key pieces this offseason. It’s our goal to stay atop the NCHA to give us the best chance to get back to the national tournament this season.”
Aurora Women’s Hockey. (Photo by Steve Woltmann)
A program that featured the National Player of the Year and point leader Darci Matson (31G, 33A) looks to get itself back into the NCAA tournament after they earned an auto-bid in 2022, defeating Adrian in the semifinals and St. Norbert in the finals. Head Coach Jackie Kooistra talked about her team’s ability to get back atop the NCHA and her perspective on the conference as a whole:
“The NCHA is really becoming a powerhouse in terms of strength, teams and talent. We’ve got a big mountain to climb, but I think this group is up to the challenge. As long as we stay the course, stay healthy, play as a team, and put our trust in each other, we can do anything we set our mind to. We set our focus on the end game while setting smaller goals weekly to get there! I am confident if we play to our potential this group has an NCAA playoff run in the near future.”
I also asked Coach Kooistra what it’s like to now have a trio of Matson’s on the team, Darci, Molly, & Olivia: “As a team we really are a family. When I first stepped on the AU campus, I was greeted by a young woman who was eager to learn and win some hockey games, Olivia Matson. Olivia and I formed a right bond while we turned this team around. In the process of that her sister Darci wanted to join in on what we were building! Darci has had so much success here under my coaching and the culture we have built that her younger sister Molly is joining us this season to continue the legacy! It is an absolute JOY to coach these incredibly talented young women. Not only are they amazing hockey players…but they are leaders! They’re in it for the right reasons. They make me proud every day and I know they make Mom (Jen) and Dad (Wayne) incredibly proud. As a family, mine has grown close to theirs and we can thank the wonderful sport of Hockey once again for bringing families together!”
WIAC
Last but definitely not least, the WIAC conference always features exciting hockey and two teams who have as of late been finding themselves in the NCAA tournament and winning a few games.
UW-River Falls wins the Cardinal/Panther Classic (2023), defeating Plattsburgh 3-2 and then Middlebury 3-2 in OT (Photo by Nathanael LePage)
The defending conference champions UW-River Falls look to have another successful season after last year going 10-1-1 in conference play & 24-4-1 overall, falling 2-1 in the NCAA quarterfinals to the eventual champion Gustavus. They return some key pieces such as 5th year senior Maddie McCollins, star sophomore defenseman MaKenna Aure, and others of course. What they do lose is their star 5th year goaltender Sami Miller, but they’ve got a senior in Jordan O’Connor who’s ready to go.
The other team who’s competing atop the WIAC is UW-Eau Claire, led by Head Coach Erik Strand who’s won 20+ games in his last 4/5 seasons and made 4 NCAA tournaments in the past six seasons. Coach Strand commented on the feel of his team early on:
“From the few early days we were able to be with our Blugolds this fall, we’re very pleased with what we’ve seen. Our returners have done an excellent job of getting our newest Blugolds prepared and up to speed to start the season. I think we have the potential to push the bar higher again this season. It’s looked like our returners were very busy training this off season and our newest additions are jumping right in with no hesitation. So, we’re very pleased, very excited to get on the ice full time and get the season started!”
UW-Eau Claire’s Coach Erik Strand & team. (Photo by Shane Opatz, UWEC)
Many top teams lost star goaltenders, a few have been mentioned already, UWEC is in the same boat, losing star 5th year senior Stephanie Martin. Coach Strand commented on the goaltending situation:
“Josie Mathison has been working hard for the last three seasons for this opportunity and she certainly wants to take control of the crease this season. So, we want to see if she can take that spot over and control it like her predecessors did before her. We also have Alexa Backmann who became a Blugold to help us win championships too. So, we expect her to push for that responsibility and I think between the two of them, they’ll push each other every day to become better and that should help bolster what we believe is a very deep lineup.”
Look for the WIAC to be competitive as ever and an exciting watch as it always is especially come playoff time!
Enjoy it before it’s over!
If you’ve made it this far, thank you, and I apologize if it took a few sessions to finish it, but it’s time for a new season of Division III hockey! We’ve gotta enjoy it while it’s here because before you know it, it’ll all be over once again.
Chatham has announced that Emily Nettesheim will be joining the Cougars women’s hockey coaching staff as a goalie coach.
Nettesheim joins the staff after having played for Trine from 2018 to 2022.
“I am very excited to welcome Emily to our staff,” said Chatham coach Mike O’Grady in a statement. “Her enthusiasm for the sport is contagious. I am excited to have someone with her working knowledge of both the position of goaltending and mental performance within our program. I know she will be a great resource to our goaltenders.”
While at Trine, Nettesheim appeared in 18 games, recording a save percentage of .897 and a goals-against average of 3.59. She graduated in 2022 with a bachelor’s in biology and psychology and a minor in psychology and sport.
After her playing career at Trine, Nettesheim entered coaching with positions as a part-time goalie coach for the Pittsburgh Penguins youth organization and assistant coach for the Pittsburgh Penguins Elite 14U girls.
Nettesheim currently works as a part-time research assistant in UPMC’s department of psychology.
Elizabeth “Biz” Bauer, a former standout women’s hockey player at Wisconsin-Eau Claire, has been named the full-time assistant coach for the Augsburg women’s hockey team.
In addition, Nicole Neuberger, a two-time all-conference collegiate women’s hockey player, has been named as the Augsburg women’s hockey team’s new graduate fellow assistant coach.
A four-year player for NCAA Division III UW-Eau Claire, Bauer helped lead the Blugolds to their first three national tournament berths, two O’Brien Cup tournament championships, and one WIAC championship while posting an overall record of 80-26-9. With 37 career goals and 66 career assists for 103 total points, Bauer holds the program record for assists and ranks second in school history in points. In 2020, Bauer was named a team captain and earned a spot on the CCM Hockey Division III all-America Second team.
Following her career at UW-Eau Claire, Bauer pursued her dream of playing pro hockey and is currently playing in the PWHPA with the Minnesota region ‘Team Adidas.’
“We are extremely excited to add Biz to our staff,” said Augsburg head coach Michelle McAteer in a statement. “Her experiences and success as a player will help our program as we strive to be our best. She has a great hockey IQ that allows her to teach and read the game well. I’m grateful to have a dedicated staff that can offer new insights, and who are passionate about student athlete success.”
Neuberger will assist in all facets of the Auggie women’s hockey program. Graduate fellows gain knowledge in coaching a college program while also recruiting and providing organizational duties for the team. Neuberger is pursuing her master of arts in leadership degree at Augsburg.
Neuberger was a four-year veteran of the Wisconsin-Stevens Point women’s hockey team as a forward/defender, earning all-WIAC first team honors in both the 2020-21 and 2021-22 seasons. Playing in 89 career games, she scored 28 goals with 13 assists for 41 points, including 12 goals and nine assists for 21 points in her senior season. She scored eight power-play goals and had six game-winning goals in her Pointers career.
Since graduating from UW-Stevens Point, Neuberger served as a junior varsity head coach for the Minneapolis girls combined high school team in 2022-23, and as a coach and evaluator for the Minnesota girls’ high school hockey Premier Prep League.
She earned her bachelor’s degree in health promotion and wellness from UW-Stevens Point, earning Dean’s List honors four semesters. She was named as an AHCA/Krampade Divisions II-III all-American scholar in both 2020-21 and 2021-22. At UW-Stevens Point, she also served a strength and conditioning internship in the spring of 2022.
Julian Giantonio has been named the third head coach of the Marian women’s hockey team.
Giantonio joins the Sabres after serving as the head coach at Salem State this past season.
“Congratulations to Julian on his well-deserved hire as the head women’s ice hockey coach,” said Marian director of athletics Tony Draves in a statement. “We’re looking forward to him hitting the ground running on the ice and the recruiting trail. Welcome to Marian, Julian.”
Last season, Giantonio led the Vikings to their winningest season in program history along with a berth in the conference tournament. In the classroom, Salem State had 15 student-athletes earn all-academic recognition.
Giantonio also served as a graduate assistant coach for Western New England’s men’s team from 2020 to 2021.
“I am thrilled to have been selected for this opportunity,” said Gianotonio. “I am eager to contribute my skills and expertise to the success of the Marian women’s ice hockey program. As soon as I stepped on campus and met with Coach Draves, it was easy to see the passion and vision for women’s ice hockey. The excitement around athletics was very visible and I cannot wait o get integrated with the staff. It was an easy decision when I saw the resources that were in place for the student-athletes and staff. I’m really looking forward to working with this talented group of student-athletes and making some noise in the highly competitive NCHA.
“I can’t wait to get started.”
Giantonio brings with him a wealth of hockey knowledge after a long coaching career in ACHA hockey. He served as the bench boss at several prestigious programs including Roosevelt, UCLA, Delaware, and Williston State.
While at ACHA D-I Delaware, the Blue Hens went 47-20-3 over two seasons. The 2016-17 season saw Delaware go 25-9-0, earning Giantonio ESCHL coach of the year honors and a finalist for the ACHA Division I coach of the year. In the two years prior, Giantonio served as an associate head coach at Williston State where he helped lead the Buffaloes to back-to-back NJCAA titles. Williston State had 12 all-Americans, 15 players sign professional contracts, and Frozen Four appearances in both seasons under his leadership.
Giantonio had coaching stops at Everett Prep and Becker to begin his coaching career after a long professional and collegiate playing career.
He began his collegiate career at UMass Boston for two seasons. His first season with the Beacons saw him record 22 points from 10 goals and 12 assists in 24 games played. He then spent two seasons at ACHA D-I Arizona before returning to UMass Boston. In his final two seasons as a Beacon, he skated in 25 games, scoring four goals with nine assists for 13 total points.
He currently holds a certification from USA Hockey as a master level five coach.
Giantonio went on to earn a bachelor of arts degree in history from UMass Boston in 2006. He then earned a master of education in coaching from Greenville in 2016 along with a master of science in leadership from Western New England in 2021.
Hosts Jim Connelly and Ed Trefzger are joined by veteran journalist Neil Koepke – who has over 50 years under his belt covering college hockey – to talk about this year’s Michigan State Spartans, Big Ten hockey, and the changing national college hockey scene.
“Chris was a valuable member of the Viking community as a student-athlete and assistant coach, and we are excited to have him return to Salem State to lead the men’s ice hockey program,” said Salem State athletic director Nicolle Wood in a statement. “Chris’ experiences as a coach and an educator are a great fit for our student-athletes and staff and I expect his contributions to the athletic department will be felt immediately.”
MacInnis will become the program’s sixth head ice hockey coach all-time, and its first since 1981.
A four-year player for the Vikings, MacInnis earned all-MASCAC second team honors as a senior in 2010. A consistent and dynamic scorer, MacInnis was a part of two conference championships, and finished his career with over 100 points.
“I am very excited to be here,” MacInnis said. “I was a player here and a coach in 2015 and 2016 and to be named head coach is really special. Bill O’Neill has been a huge mentor to me personally and to be able to continue his legacy. I couldn’t think of a better place to do it.”
The Vikings won back-to-back MASCAC championships in 2015 and 2016 while MacInnis was a part of O’Neill’s coaching staff.
“I want to continue the legacy of Coach O’Neill,” said MacInnis. “We have a great group of returning players and I want to continue to build on that experience. The players are getting someone who cares passionately about Salem State hockey. As a former player and coach here, I have been a part of very successful teams. I will do the best job that I can to get the players prepared and ready to make a run at the MASCAC title.
“I think that first home game on Nov. 9 is going to be pretty special. Just being on the ice with the guys. I came by when the rink was going up… Just the excitement to be back here and start a new era of Salem State hockey is pretty special.”
MacInnis has served in various coaching, recruiting and player development roles throughout the Boston area, most recently serving as an assistant coach at the Boston Hockey Academy. He gained extensive experience in recruiting and game preparation as the hockey director at the North Shore Hockey Academy and as an assistant with the Northern Cyclones junior hockey program.
He will also serve as the facilities manager for Rockett Arena.
Quinnipiac celebrates Jacob Quillan’s OT winner that gave the Bobcats the 2023 national title with a 3-2 win over Minnesota (photo: Jim Rosvold/USCHO.com).
Last year was a perfect capstone for the ECAC Hockey’s previous era.
The league, once taunted, for its inability to win a national championship since 1989, dominated the national headlines and tied the Big Ten for most teams sent to the NCAA tournament. Four teams in total qualified, of which two won their first-round matchups, and one advanced to the Frozen Four. Of those four teams, every corner of the league’s history – the past, the near-recent, and the present and future – told different stories, the most forward of which was Quinnipiac’s 3-2 win over Minnesota after a stretch pass play scored a goal within the first 10 seconds of a sudden death overtime.
It made the league impossible to ignore. Cornell was considered one of the last two at-large teams in the tournament, but the Big Red eliminated top-seeded Denver in the East Regional and ended the Pioneers’ national championship reign before losing a one-goal game to Boston University.
Harvard, the defending Whitelaw Cup champions, rode its best record since the 2016-2017 season to a sixth NCAA tournament berth since 2015.
Colgate, the dark horse nobody saw coming, won its first conference championship in over 30 years and gave head coach Don Vaughan a long-awaited ring before he walked off into the sunset.
And Quinnipiac, the megalith giant that nearly posted a perfect regular season in conference play, won its first national championship for a coach who never stopped believing in the program he built from its humble, Division II roots.
“It’s a life-changing event for sure,” said Bobcats coach Rand Pecknold of life after the championship. “In terms of notoriety, in 7-11s or airports, once in a blue moon, I’ll get recognized because of college hockey. There have been some crazy places where people just come up to me. Certainly, I had a lot of requests to bring the trophy and to speak at different events. I think I said yes to everything, whether it was as big as throwing a pitch at a Red Sox game or doing the New York Stock Exchange or some of the really small events that I did. It’s all about promoting Quinnipiac, and people love the trophy.
“They all wanted to see the trophy.”
ECAC was everywhere, and the gifts were the perfect retirement presents for Vaughan, who won just under 500 games coaching at Colgate and nowhere else, and for commissioner Steve Hagwell, who championed the league’s breakaway from the ECAC organization as the first and only commissioner.
The era walked off into its sunset as triumphantly as possible, but the ending of one day triggered the start of a new day where ECAC is now living as one of the best conferences in college hockey with new faces and new champions ready to carry its torch.
“The league is strong on the ice,” said new commissioner Doug Christiansen during the league’s media day. “It’s my job to help it grow off the ice – growing the brand, generating new revenue, and at the same time making sure that I’m active and out, trying to be forward thinking so that we can move our league forward as the NCAA has with all the different changes.”
The modern era in college hockey isn’t designed for leagues, programs, staffs, or even individuals to celebrate championships for very long, and the ability to capitalize on any forward momentum is crucial at a time when players are increasingly dictating where and how they want to play. Even by itself, the transfer portal forever changed how players navigate their careers, but combining the freedom of movement with name, image, and likeness – the ever-present NIL abbreviation – makes it difficult for any league to rest on its laurels, let alone one where the end of COVID-era impacts took their toll against six programs that couldn’t necessarily jump all over the same luxuries.
“A lot of things have been altered,” said Cornell coach Mike Schafer. “I don’t think that we’re back to normal [roster balance since COVID], but if you look across the country, how many schools have grad students and are out there recruiting? We can’t do that. You’re bringing in a young guy that takes a year or two to transition, which is part of normal college hockey, but a lot of schools can portal themselves out of mistakes and bring guys that are grad students. That luxury that a lot of schools have had over the Ivy League schools, especially, is about to end, and it’s another year where we’re going to be doing that. You’re not going to have that instant senior class that a lot of schools have had.”
“We do have some depth in that they’re also not all grad transfers,” Clarkson coach Casey Jones added. “We’ve added a couple of juniors in there from the transfer portal, but we have a freshman class of six, which has been pretty consistent for us. We tried to get that six-seven [number of recruits], and we didn’t really switch out of that during the COVID years. If we were able to add three grad students to put our classes at [the larger numbers], we’ve added some players underneath to balance the classes off. We got fortunate in that regard, but we did add some mature players and some older players that should give us some stability up front and give us some depth.”
Navigating the murky waters is a big part of why ECAC is going to change in the future, but it’s unlikely that this year is going to unbalance much of what teams offered in the past. Last year’s top half of the conference didn’t change from the 2022 postseason, and the only real switch was when Clarkson fell out of the top-four. It was replaced by St. Lawrence, which used a white hot second half to move into fourth, but the year begins with many of the same questions that dotted last year’s preseason conversation:
— Can the other Ivy League schools navigate their way towards the top of the conference after finishing last year as the bottom four teams?
— Do the Capital District teams at Rensselaer and Union have the mojo to catch the top tier?
— Will anyone stop Cornell from challenging for that top spot, and can Harvard stay in the lofty position created by a resurgent brand?
— Is this finally the year Quinnipiac tumbles out of the top spot?
Sometimes it’s really that simple, even in a year when the Bobcats are defending national champions. The egg hasn’t been cracked, and it likely won’t change until someone upends the apple cart with more than just a single move up or down the standings. It has to be more than just a postseason series win.
The stability within ECAC is real, but the last era is over, and the new ECAC hasn’t even gotten started.
Ryan Bottrill was steady up front as a freshman last season for Brown (photo: Olivia Hokanson).
BROWN
HEAD COACH: Brendan Whittet, entering his 15th season at Brown LAST SEASON: 9-18-3 overall (5-14-3, 20 points, 11th in ECAC) KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: F Ryan Bottrill (So., 6g-15a-21pts); F Jordan Tonelli (Sr., 7g-10a-17pts); D Brett Bliss (Jr., 6g-7a-13pts) KEY LOSSES: D Luke Krys (2g-14a-16pts) ; D James Crossman (9g-3a-12pts); F Cole Quisenberry (5g-7a-12pts); Bradley Cocca (4g-8a-12pts); G Mathieu Caron (8-12-3; 2.49 GAA; .921 SV%) KEY ADDITIONS: F Mike Cataldo (Bonnyville Pontiacs, AJHL); G Stephen Chen (Mercer Chiefs, AAA); G Tyler Shea (Tr., Michigan, Big Ten); F Ryan St. Louis (Tr., Northeastern, Hockey East); G Lawton Zacher (Minot Minotauros, NAHL) 2023-24 PREDICTION: An injury to goalie Mathieu Caron couldn’t have happened at a worse time for Brown last year. The Bears were in eighth place and on the verge of a massive breakout after beating Harvard at home, and holding wins over Merrimack, Union and RPI at the start of January meant they were pistol hot after beating the Crimson. Home ice was a real possibility, and the end of the season felt manageable with the return trip to RPI and Union preceding the long trip to Princeton first before playing Quinnipiac.
The sports gods didn’t apparently like that idea, and felling Caron touched off a tailspin where Brown earned three points over the year’s final eight games. The team tumbled, and in the new era where the first round of the postseason triggered a one-game playoff, the bus was sent as far as humanly possible for a 5-1 loss to Clarkson.
All of that felt like bad luck, and it erased the fact that Bruno had a real shot at hosting that playoff game. It makes it hard to ignore the Bears as a possible factor this year, and head coach Brendan Whittet assembled a roster that recruited to its holes and gaps. Caron, for example, transferred out, as did Luke Krys and Samuli Niinisari, but a number of goalies and defensemen entered the program to compete for slots. Tyler Shea transferred into Brown from Michigan, and the arrival of Ryan St. Louis from Northeastern gives Brown a hopeful up-front replacement for the losses of Nathan Plessis and Cole Quisenberry.
Having goal scorers should keep Brown from losing some early games while figuring out the back end, but not having the top four defensemen from last season or one of the best goalies arguably in the country is a work-in-progress. Luckily, the early game against Yale is a staple for Ivy League teams figuring out the beginning, and a non-conference schedule that includes Holy Cross, LIU and two games against Stonehill should anchor the first half of the season.
If Brown can tread water through those moments, a second half run isn’t out of the question. It’s just a matter of finding the right pieces for that back end. PREDICTED FINISH: 12th
Dustyn McFaul has the ‘C’ this season for Clarkson (photo: Clarkson Athletics).
CLARKSON
HEAD COACH: Casey Jones, entering his 13th season at Clarkson LAST SEASON: 16-17-4 overall (9-10-3, 31 points, sixth in ECAC) KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: F Ayrton Martino (Jr., 9g-29a-38pts); F Mathieu Gosselin (Sr., 14g-19a-33pts); D Noah Beck (Sr., 6g-17a-23pts); G Ethan Haider (16-16-3, 2.51 GAA, .906 SV%) KEY LOSSES: F Alex Campbell (14g-12a-26pts); F Jacob Schmidt-Svejstrup (9g-13a-22pts); F Anthony Callin (11g-8a-19pts) KEY ADDITIONS: G Emmett Croteau (Waterloo Blackhawks, USHL); F Daimon Gardner (Tri City Storm, USHL); D Jack Judson (Tr., Arizona State, D-1 Independent); F Oliver Moberg (Dubuque Fighting Saints, USHL); G Austin Roden (Tr., Providence, Hockey East) 2023-24 PREDICTION: Clarkson opened last season as one of ECAC’s odds-on favorites to win the league. An experienced roster returned enough firepower from championship-caliber teams to make a run at the national tournament, and the burning embers from postseason cancellations over the COVID era left the program with a dangled carrot that hadn’t yet been achieved.
The Golden Knights just never really found their footing, though, and they never truly recovered after starting the season with four straight losses to UNH, Merrimack and Providence, and Mercyhurst. A split against Lake Superior all but ended the mathematical possibility of an at-large bid, and while five straight wins in November helped the team find footing, it also lost too many points to Princeton, Brown, Yale, and St. Lawrence. Plagued by inconsistency, Clarkson entered the postseason without a first-round bye for the first time since 2017, and a second-round trip to Cornell ended the season in straight sets with a pair of losses.
That doesn’t mean the Golden Knights are on the way down, but there are some residual questions worth asking. The preseason coaches poll ranged anywhere from a first-place vote to a fourth-place finish, and the changeover at Colgate left enough non-believers to allow Clarkson to fill the void left by St. Lawrence’s expected drop.
Much of the firepower is still there, but Clarkson needs to develop its trademark consistency in the early non-conference games. Home games against Penn State and Vermont will help, and late October visits from Lake Superior State and Michigan Tech flank a road trip to Merrimack. A holiday trip to Lake Placid for a holiday tournament against Arizona State, Cornell and UMass should add to the fun, and a January swing against Atlantic Hockey should sharpen the iron a bit before the second half kicks into gear.
Clarkson could be in great shape if everything feeds itself in those early months, but another early season stumble could make that first half feel like an up-and-down, hilly climb. It would be great if the road to a bye didn’t hinge on the season-ending road trip to Quinnipiac and Princeton when the first game is against the Bobcats and the second game is the season’s longest trip. PREDICTED FINISH: Third
Carter Gylander looks to again be Colgate’s No. 1 netminder this season (photo: Justin Wolford).
COLGATE
HEAD COACH: Mike Harder, entering his first year at Colgate LAST SEASON: 19-16-5 overall (11-8-3, 36 points, fifth in ECAC) KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: D Nick Anderson (3g-26a-29pts); F Ross Mitton (9g-18a-27pts); F Alex DiPaolo (11g-15a-26pts); F Ethan Manderville (9g-18a-27pts); G Carter Gylander (19-5-5, 2.46 GAA, .914 SV%) KEY LOSSES: F Alex Young (21g-18a-39pts); F Matt Verboon (16g-19a-35pts); F Colton Young (11g-17a-28pts) KEY ADDITIONS: F Niko Rexine (Muskegon Lumberjacks, USHL); D Dom Foglia (Philadelphia Rebels, NAHL); F Ryan Sullivan (Camrose Kodiaks, AJHL); F Jake Schneider (Prince George Spruce Kings, BCHL) 2023-24 PREDICTION: Last year’s Colgate team wasn’t the best team in the league, but winning the 2023 conference championship tournament showcased the very best of why and how the Raiders set the pace for the rest of the league after Quinnipiac ran away with the regular season crown. The team that started hot, slowed down, then finished hot in 2022 kept true to its nature, but a slow start turned into a hot middle of the season. The Raiders still hit their lull, but they caught lightning in a bottle at the right time and found ways to tread water with the right matchups at the right times.
They earned extra points in shootout wins over Cornell, Clarkson and Brown, which in turn allowed Colgate to host 12th place Dartmouth in the first round. A win sent them to St. Lawrence to play a team they swept during the regular season, and even the Quinnipiac matchup in the semifinal wasn’t daunting for a team that was responsible for one of the two losses against the Bobcats in the season.
It was a wonderful run, and it ended with Don Vaughan’s first championship over a 30-plus year career at the university. Colgate went to its first national tournament in nine years, and not even the blowout against Michigan diminished what the team accomplished in what became a swan song.
Now comes the next part. Mike Harder was the logical selection and the right choice to succeed Vaughan after spending the last 10 years as an assistant coach, and the former Raider is a legend in Hamilton, New York. He’s the right fit for building the program to its next stage, but the interim time period might have its growing pains.
He’ll have to find a way to replace 50 goals, and the relatively-small recruiting class means much of the build is going to happen within the team. Carter Gylander returning is a big help in the back, but the Raiders still allowed 109 goals last year, which was fourth most in the conference.
Colgate shouldn’t drop too far down the standings, but asking the Raiders to repeat as conference champions in a league with the top-end, top-flight teams is a tall order. As always, the possibility of a deep run is there, but the team just might not set the pace like it did over the last two seasons. PREDICTED FINISH: Seventh
Cornell goalie Ian Shane figures to be a key cog in the Big Red defense this season (photo: Chip DeLorenzo/Chip Shots Sports Photography).
CORNELL
HEAD COACH: Mike Schafer, entering his 29th season at Cornell LAST SEASON: 21-11-2 overall (15-6-1, 47 points, third in ECAC) KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: F Gabriel Seger (Sr., 7g-23a-30pts); F Dalton Bancroft (So., 9g-12a-21pts); F Nick DeSantis (So, 9g-11a-20pts); G Ian Shane (Jr., 20-10-1, 1.72 GAA, .916 SV%) KEY LOSSES: F Ben Berard (11g-17a-28pts); D Sam Malinski (8g-18a-26pts); F Max Andreev (8g-16a-22pts) KEY ADDITIONS: F Luke Devlin (West Kelowna Warriors, BCHL); D George Fegaras (Muskegon Lumberjacks, USHL); D Hoyt Stanley (Victoria Grizzlies, BCHL); F Ryan Walsh (Cedar Rapids RoughRiders, USHL) 2023-24 PREDICTION: Death, taxes, and Cornell turning over its roster from one year to another with enough talent to make a run at the top of the league.
The Big Red entered this year needing to replace three 20-point scorers without the benefit of the transfer portal, so head coach Mike Schafer did what he does best: recruited talented freshmen who could rebuild the team’s identity. Four of those incoming first years – Luke Devlin, George Fegaras, and Hoyt Stanley – are NHL draft picks, and the large bulk bring the physical tools needed to augment a style that always seems to work.
The returning production makes it easy to slot the new players into the lineup, and Ian Shane’s presence all but guarantees Cleary Cup potential behind an all-everything goalie. It’s about what everyone’s come to expect from Cornell, which has a system that works and a head coach that knows how to execute it.
It’s the one program that’s never been fazed by the Ivy League’s overall restrictions, and the runway won’t really change when the Big Red hit the ice with their Ancient Eight brethren in late October. Minnesota-Duluth’s trip to Lynah Rink is headlining material for college hockey in general, but the next two weeks are against Ivy opponents. That should give enough time for takeoff before the November trip to Quinnipiac and the annual Red Hot Hockey matchup at Madison Square Garden (this year against Boston University).
It’s hard to expect anything less than another solid year out of Cornell, and it really doesn’t require much analysis. Unless something weird happens, the only question is if Quinnipiac regressed enough for the Big Red to catch the front unless, that is, Clarkson and Harvard have the engine to overcome their own perceived mismatches. PREDICTED FINISH: Second
Dartmouth players gather prior to a game last season (photo: Doug Austin).
DARTMOUTH
HEAD COACH: Reid Cashman, entering his third season at Dartmouth LAST SEASON: 5-24-1 overall (4-17-1, 16 points, 12th in ECAC) KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: F Braiden Dorfman (Jr., 7g-10a-17pts); F Luke Haymes (So., 11g-5a-16pts); F Sean Chisholm (Jr., 7g-7a-14pts); G Cooper Black (So., 5-23-1, 3.07 GAA, .899 SV%) KEY LOSSES: D Tanner Palocsik (4g-18a-22pts); F Matt Hubbarde (5g-11a-16pts) KEY ADDITIONS: D Eric Charpentier (New Jersey Jr. Titans, NAHL); G Roan Clarke (Vernon Vipers, BCHL); Oskari Vuorio (Jokerit U-20, Finland) 2023-24 PREDICTION: There were times last year when Dartmouth felt like a spunky upstart ready to take its next step, but earning the occasional win and playing a hard game wasn’t enough to prevent the Big Green from occupying the league’s bottom slot. Like some of the other Ivy League schools, it was all part of a necessary reboot, but anyone who watched Dartmouth couldn’t help but feel like the team left some meat on the bone.
There is something still brewing in New Hampshire, though, and there isn’t much turnover to a roster that’s spent the last two years rebuilding the infrastructure under head coach Reid Cashman. The very real effort transitioned a program out of the COVID era by rewiring its entire genetic code, and the parity and wide-open nature of the league’s bottom half means that a natural progression could easily have the Big Green battling for home ice like what Yale did last year.
It’s likely going to happen after a rocky start that includes games against Harvard, Quinnipiac, and Cornell, along with a nonconference game against UConn, a team that could be Hockey East’s dark horse. It’s a far cry from the second half, which opens with a trip to Yale and Brown and ends with a majority of home games against middle-tier or lower-tier teams from a year ago, including a return trip from the Bears and Bulldogs to end the season.
Assuming Dartmouth takes a step forward, that means the Big Green could be rolling into the postseason, and any combination of positive vibes from the first month would accelerate the process. Three teams finished tied for seventh on points last year. If anything breaks, the hole that opens is enough for this team to finally start sliding upwards into those spots. PREDICTED FINISH: Ninth
Joe Miller takes the ice last season (photo: Gil Talbot).
HARVARD
HEAD COACH: Ted Donato, entering his 19th season at Harvard LAST SEASON: 24-8-2 overall (18-4-0, 49 points, second in ECAC) KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: F Joe Miller (So., 13g-15a-28pts); D Ian Moore (Jr., 1g-18a-19pts); F Marek Hejduk (So., 6g-7a-13pts); G Derek Mullahy (5-0-0, 1.70 GAA, .929 SV%) KEY LOSSES: F Sean Farrell (20g-33a-53pts); F Alex Laferriere (21g-21a-42pts); F Matthew Coronato (20g-16a-36pts); F Henry Thrun (7g-24a-31pts); F John Farinacci (5g-15a-20pts); D Ryan Siedem (1g-16a-17pts); G Mitchell Gibson (18-7-2, 2.25 GAA, .919 SV%) KEY ADDITIONS: F Michael Callow (Muskegon Lumberjacks, USHL); D David Hejduk (Wenatchee Wild, BCHL); F Ben McDonald (West Kelowna Warriors, BCHL); D Matthew Morden (Muskegon Lumberjacks, USHL) 2023-24 PREDICTION: Harvard enters this season walking a balance beam between transitioning eras and not dropping too far down the standings. Players that helped the Crimson avoid missing any beats from the COVID era are gone, and success is now falling to players who hypothetically step easily into the roles vacated by those who left.
It’s nearly impossible to predict how all of this falls. Losing virtually all of the top line production from last year is a major negative, but Joe Miller’s logical development slots him into that next phase of the program’s future. Marek Hejduk had 13 points as a first year, but he’ll receive way more opportunities and shifts with Alex Laferriere, Matthew Coronato, and Sean Farrell all signed to NHL franchises.
It would’ve been nice to get more years out of guys with eligibility, but it’s obvious why their NHL teams made sure they didn’t return to college. That’s part of what it is at Harvard, especially over the last couple of years, and it’s why the current crop shouldn’t let the team drop too far.
That said, replacing players in a league where two very talented teams returned a good amount of firepower is going to make it hard to compete for the Cleary Cup. It won’t help that Harvard only plays three of its first dozen games at home, and one of those is against Quinnipiac, which is the defending national champion. It does mean that the Crimson should push forward into the second half of the year as things gel, but it might not translate to as good of a regular season run.
More likely to Harvard is a strong trophy season, especially since the Beanpot means the Quinnipiac road game is the only game the team plays over that weekend in February. A manageable last month, coupled with home games against the North Country and a lone trip to the Capital District, all but means the Crimson could do something like what Colgate did last year – just maybe without the second half cold stretch. PREDICTED FINISH: Fourth
Ian Murphy was a bright spot on offense last season for Princeton (photo: Shelley M. Szwast).
PRINCETON
HEAD COACH: Ron Fogarty, entering his 10th season at Princeton LAST SEASON: 13-19-0 overall (8-14-0, 26 points, T-7th in ECAC) KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: F Ian Murphy (Sr., 15g-15a-30pts); F Brendan Gorman (So., 5g-15a-20pts); F Jack Cronin (Jr., 12g-6a-18pts); D Noah de la Durantaye (Jr., 4g-13a-17pts); G Ethan Pearson (11-9-0, 2.71 GAA, .903 SV%) KEY LOSSES: F Liam Gorman (12g-10a-22pts); D Pito Walton (7g-14a-21pts) KEY ADDITIONS: F Carson Buydens (Lincoln Stars, USHL); D Ian Devlin (Coquitlam Express, BCHL); G Arthur Smith (Lone Star Brahamas, NAHL) 2023-24 PREDICTION: The first glance of ECAC standings made it look like Princeton started the year at the top of the table before backsliding out of home ice advantage in the first round, but the Tigers had played three more games than Colgate and Cornell when they were tied for third at the start of the 2023 calendar year.
Maybe it made the season look like a mirage in a way, but it bears mentioning because Princeton was really a consistent team last year. The Tigers won as many games as Union and RPI, and they came within a puck bounce or two of threatening Clarkson for fifth despite having a roster that was unquestionably finishing its transition out of the ECAC championship era.
The 2018 team that won a banner didn’t finish higher than seventh, which is where the Tigers ultimately slotted last year, but even that team was within a bounce or two of threatening for a top-four spot. Given the way ECAC is going through a shuffle, there’s a good chance, then, that Princeton breaks out of the pack and jumps up towards Harvard for fourth.
The schedule is manageable enough because playing as Quinnipiac’s travel partner means the Bobcats are a home-and-home across a January weekend. The Ivy League’s late start means Harvard opens the year, and the way the Beanpot forces schedule shuffling in February further means the Tigers play a one-off weekend against the Crimson around New Year’s Eve. There really aren’t too many pitfalls, so a team that further develops its core has an opportunity to balance its way forward.
And what of that team? Well, yes, it did lose two of its leading scorers, but adding goaltenders to a stable headlined by one of the league’s best-kept secrets is a huge win. There are also talented bodies coming into the program from the junior level, and the large bulk of production returns. Consider me buying Princeton stock this year. PREDICTED FINISH: Fifth
Sam Lipkin will be a go-to player this season for Quinnipiac (photo: Rob Rasmussen/P8Photos.com).
QUINNIPIAC
HEAD COACH: Rand Pecknold, entering his 30th season at Quinnipiac LAST SEASON: 34-4-3 overall (20-2-0, 60 points, first in ECAC) KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: F Collin Graf (Jr., 21g-38a-59pts); F Sam Lipkin (So., 14g-29a-43pts); F Jacob Quillan (Jr., 19g-19a-38pts) KEY LOSSES: F Ethan de Jong (19g-21a-40pts); D Zach Metsa (9g-28a-37pts); F Skyler Brind’Amour (14g-18a-32pts); F TJ Friedmann (11g-11a-22pts); F Michael Lombardi (10g-12a-22pts); D Jacob Nordqvist (0g-11a-11pts); G Yaniv Perets (34-4-3, 1.49 GAA, .931 SV%) KEY ADDITIONS: F Mason Marcellus (Lincoln Stars, USHL); G Vinny Duplessis (Tr., Boston University, Hockey East); D Cooper Moore (Tr., North Dakota, NCHC); D Davis Pennington (Tr., Omaha, NCHC); F Travis Treloar (Tr., Ohio State, Big Ten) 2023-24 PREDICTION: I somehow predicted Quinnipiac to finish fourth last season, and the Bobcats rewarded me by borderline running the table in conference play before advancing to the Frozen Four and winning their first national championship in program history. I don’t know if Rand Pecknold reads this space – or even cares what’s written about him and his team – but I think I need to wear that one with a big, fat cone on my head.
Maybe this actually is the year that the Bobcats go backwards, but Quinnipiac went 20-2 in ECAC play last year and won its national title after starting the year with a roster that lost one of its starting goaltenders and had to turnover a roster with a dozen-plus departures, including three top scorers.
The story itself won’t change for this year after nine to 10 key contributors from last year’s team left the program. Most graduated, but the replacements all carry the type of experience necessary to compete and win. Goalie Yaniv Perets, the backstop of the championship program, is gone, but he’s replaced by Vinny Duplessis, a transfer from BU that played over 1,000 minutes over a three-year span.
Skyler Brind’Amour, T.J. Friedmann, Joey Cipollone, and Michael Lombardi are gone from the forwards. Zach Metsa and Jacob Nordqvist are off the defensive line. Ethan De Jong graduated. They’re rightfully replaced either by in-house bodies or transfers like Cooper Moore, a former fifth round pick of Detroit who returned home to Connecticut after starting his college career at North Dakota, and Travis Treloar, a two-time 20-point scorer who was on the Ohio State team that lost to Quinnipiac in the NCAA tournament.
That’s not to say there aren’t questions, but a non-conference schedule featuring Boston College, American International, New Hampshire and Maine should provide a good understanding of this team prior to its November matchup with Harvard. Three games against Dartmouth, Brown, and Yale should help lead directly into the Cornell matchup, which is at home, and we’ll know if the matchup with Boston University before Thanksgiving is a preview of the national championship or just a really good way to get ready for turkey dinner.
I made a mistake last year by thinking Quinnipiac would fall behind Cornell, Harvard, and Clarkson. I won’t make that mistake this year. The champs are the champs until someone knocks them out of the postseason. PREDICTED FINISH: First
Sutter Muzzatti enters his sophomore season with the Engineers (photo: Perry Laskaris).
RENSSEALER
HEAD COACH: Dave Smith, entering his seventh season at RPI LAST SEASON: 14-20-1 overall (9-13-0, 26 points, T-7th in ECAC) KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: F Jakob Lee (Sr., 10g-12a-22pts); F Sutter Muzzatti (So., 7g-15a-22pts); F Austin Heidemann (Sr., 10g-10a-20pts); G Jack Watson (13-15-1, 3.08 GAA, .895 SV%) KEY LOSSES: F Ryan Mahshie (15g-7a-22pts); F TJ Walsh (7g-10a-17pts); F Jake Gagnon (6g-10a-16pts) KEY ADDITIONS: F Nathan Sullivan (Camrose Kodiaks, AJHL); F Ryan Brushett (Tr., UMass Lowell, Hockey East); D CJ Regula (Tr., Ohio State, Big Ten) 2023-24 PREDICTION: Last year was supposed to be the year that RPI dropped off and fell off the map after losing far too much production from the 2021-2022 season. The Engineers had about a dozen different spots to slot new players into roles, and the general parity and returning experience around them in the standings meant they weren’t supposed to slide into the expected pack.
What a difference a year makes.
It might still take the team one more year to fully move forward, but head coach Dave Smith matured his roster into a seventh-place finish last year before Yale induced a first round exit in the new single-game elimination format. It’s easy to play “What If?” and ask if the Engineers would have won the series with the old, best-of-three format, but the team moved into the right hole at a time when it easily could have dodge, dived, ducked, dipped, and dodged its way into a first-round road game.
What does all of this mean for this year? It’s hard to tell. The season’s start is a brutal run through New England that includes two games at Maine and games at Boston College and Providence, and the two later games against Northeastern precede Quinnipiac’s visit to Albany. Minnesota State should be better than the Mavericks’ predicted finish in the CCHA, and the second half of the year features the annual Mayor’s Cup nonconference game against Union along with the Princeton-Quinnipiac and Colgate-Cornell road trips.
I would hate to be the team that plays RPI in the playoffs, and RPI is absolutely going to run up the league before it’s too late…don’t hate me for this, but it’s more about what happens around RPI and not an indictment of the actual hockey team. PREDICTED FINISH: Ninth
Luc Salem will serve as St. Lawrence’s captain this season (photo: C A Hill Photo).
ST. LAWRENCE
HEAD COACH: Brent Brekke, entering his fifth season at St. Lawrence LAST SEASON: 17-19-0 overall (12-10-0, 37 points, 4th in ECAC) KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: F Luc Salem (Sr., 10g-17a-27pts); F Ty Naaykens (Jr., 3g-13a-16pts); D Mason Waite (Jr., 3g-13a-16pts); F Jan Lasak (So., 4g-11a-15pts); F Max Dorrington (Sr., 7g-7a-14pts) KEY LOSSES: F Cameron Buhl (9g-9a-18pts); G Emil Zetterquist (17-19-0, 2.64 GAA, .899 SV%) KEY ADDITIONS: G Mason Kucenski (Madison Capitols, USHL); F Gunnar Thoreson (Minnesota Wilderness, NAHL); G Cameron Smith (PAL Junior Islanders, NCDC); G Ben Kraws (Tr., Arizona State, DI-Independent) 2023-24 PREDICTION: St. Lawrence is always going to be a factor in ECAC. Brent Brekke is one of the league’s best coaches, and nearly every major contributor except one or two players returned. The roster was deep enough to produce the team was deep enough last year to produce 16 different players with at least three goals, and significant victories down the stretch boosted the Saints into a first-round bye (see also: a 1-0 win at Cornell and the pair of 4-2 wins over Clarkson).
Based on all of that, it’s perfectly reasonable to expect St. Lawrence to earn another top-four spot and battle for a coveted first round bye seed in the ECAC postseason this year, but actually getting to that point should depend on several different factors. Even if the Saints stay exactly the same, the swirling winds around them are going to change, and the fact that they broke into the top four with a worse overall record than fifth-seeded Colgate was more dependent on the new-age mathematics of the modern era.
It didn’t hurt, either, that Clarkson dropped to sixth when it was supposed to contend for a league championship, but beyond debating the merits of a three-point, shootout structure, the fact remains that St. Lawrence did all the right things to gain a top-four spot.
The only question is if it can catch the right lightning in a bottle for a second time. Emil Zetterquist’s departure from playing thousands of minutes for the program created a well-expected hole, but Ben Kraws is a well-traveled goalie that won 12 games for Arizona State in 2021-2022 after starting his career with Miami. His last year of eligibility should help patch the position over until either Mason Kucenski or Camerson Smith, who posted a 2.23 GAA with a .940 save percentage last year in juniors, takes over.
Other than that, SLU is basically back, and Gunnar Thoreson, a former 60-point scorer in juniors, already looks like a logical current or future replacement for Cameron Buhl.
Couple it all with a schedule that’s backloaded with brutal weekends, and it stands to reason that the Saints will march their way right back into the ECAC mix. The fact that their year ends by going Cornell-Colgate on the road, Quinnipiac-Princeton at home, Harvard-Dartmouth on the road, Colgate-Cornell at home, and Princeton-Quinnipiac on the road is enough to maybe knock them down a couple of pegs into the end, though. PREDICTED FINISH: Sixth
Union players celebrate a goal in the Garnet Chargers’ 6-0 win over Army this past Sunday (photo: Army West Point Athletics).
UNION
HEAD COACH: Josh Hauge, entering his second season at Union LAST SEASON: 14-19-2 overall (8-13-1, 26 points, T-7th in ECAC) KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: D John Prokop (So., 4g-19a-23pts); F Nate Hanley (So., 5g-16a-21pts); F Tyler Watkins (Sr., 9g-10a-19pts); F Josh Nixon (Jr., 11g-5a-16pts); D Cal Mell (So., 3g-12a-15pts) KEY LOSSES: G Connor Murphy (12-17-1, 3.34 GAA, .888 SV%) KEY ADDITIONS: F Eli Pilosof (Pickering Panthers, OJHL); D Joey Potter (Fairbanks Ice Dogs, NAHL); G Aksel Reid (Springfield Jr. Blues, NAHL); F Cole Kodsi (Tr., Bentley University, Atlantic Hockey) 2023-24 PREDICTION: Union is a lot like a rebranded label this year where the newly-named Garnet Chargers are looking for the new look with that same great taste. This is a team that lost virtually nobody from its stat sheet or line chart – Nic Petruolo was the only transfer out of Schenectady that had considerable playing time in the program besides Chris Theodore, who transferred into Union from Atlantic Hockey’s AIC before leaving after his senior season this past year – and a team with its young leadership should at least ruffle some feathers during this year’s hockey season.
Is it enough to gain traction for something more than a first-round home game? That’s hard to tell, and it’s hard to judge much from last year because Josh Hauge was in his first year. Some of the losses might be attributable to growing pains for a young team learning how to gel with one another, so giving the entire program a chance to take a step forward is going to be fun to watch.
The opening game win over Army West Point was a statement, but there will be more to learn about Union when it hosts Connecticut at the end of October. The schedule to start the year is frisky in favor of the Garnet Chargers (almost typed Dutchmen there…sorry, there’s a learning curve for everyone), so there’s no way to count them out until we see what happens in those opening weeks. PREDICTED FINISH: Eighth
Bayard Hall will be an anchor on the Yale blue line this season (photo: Steve Musco).
YALE
HEAD COACH: Keith Allain, entering his 18th season at Yale LAST SEASON: 8-20-4 overall (6-14-2, 22 points, 10th in ECAC) KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: F Ian Carpentier (Sr., 9g-8a-17pts); F David Chen (So., 8g-7a-15pts); F Briggs Gammill (4g-10a-14pts); F Reilly Connors (Sr., 7g-5a-12pts); D Bayard Hall (So., 2g-4a-6pts); G Luke Pearson (Jr., 5-9-4, 2.42 GAA, .918 SV%); G Nathan Reid (3-7-0, 2.88 GAA, .909 SV%) KEY LOSSES: F Cole Donhauser (6g-7a-13pts); D Brandon Tabakin (2g-4a-6pts); D Michael Young (0g-5a-5pts); D Ryan Carmichael (2g-0a-2pts) KEY ADDITIONS: F David Andreychuk (Northeast Generals, NAHL); D Rhys Bentham (Cranbrook Bucks, BCHL); D Owen Forester (Milton Menace, OJHL) 2023-24 PREDICTION: Last year’s season in New Haven can be summarized along a very specific line of demarcation at the holiday break: anything prior to the Christmas-New Year’s Eve timeframe was essentially a loss with five points earned strictly from the first game’s win over Brown and the last game’s shootout win over Clarkson, and anything after the first of the year was a ridiculously competitive team that found its juice after resetting and looking internally at what worked and what failed.
I honestly remember talking to Keith Allain around the time that Yale had the overtime exhibition loss to the United States National Team Development Program. For four-plus games, the Bulldogs hadn’t scored, but they’d internally analyzed what happened by simply going back to the original starting point. It was a very serious inflection point, and from that moment, Yale started playing significantly better by beating Army, tying Merrimack, beating RPI and sweeping a home weekend against Clarkson and St. Lawrence.
Even down the stretch, a 4-0 win over Princeton and a 4-2 win over Colgate wasn’t anything to ignore, and of all those first round matchups, the No. 10 seed walked into Albany and soundly grabbed a 4-1 win before getting swept by Quinnipiac one round later.
An upward trajectory should have Yale in the hunt for home ice advantage, and with the right amount of risers and shakers in the league, the Bulldogs should decisively grab some wins where they’re decidedly overlooked by experts. As is the case with Ivy League schools, the front-loaded conference schedule is a trial-by-fire before a two-game swing out to Denver to play the Pioneers, but the December nonconference schedule against LIU, Merrimack, LIU again, and Boston University should show what Yale has to do to grab its next brass ring.
Nobody should be sleeping on Yale this year, and it looks like the post-COVID rebuild is both balanced and ready to swing into a second gear. Whether or not that allows the team to revisit its top echelon status yet is a debate, but pity the team that sees the Bulldogs slot into their postseason matchup, regardless of location. PREDICTED FINISH: 10th
Justen Close emerged as Minnesota’s No. 1 goaltender last season (photo: Minnesota Athletics).
The Big Ten made big strides last season, with a 55-21-2 record in nonconference play, the best winning percentage (.718) in D-I interleague play.
From top to nearly bottom, Big Ten Hockey was a force to be reckoned with, and four of the conference’s seven teams played their way into the NCAA tournament.
As the tournament unfolded, it was clear that the path to the national championship went through the Big Ten – “through” being the operative term.
To win their first-ever national championship last April, Quinnipiac first went through Michigan in a 5-2 semifinal match before toppling Minnesota 3-2 in overtime in the title game.
The Wolverines and Golden Gophers each made their second consecutive Frozen Four appearances last season. In 2022, both teams bowed out in semifinal action.
Minnesota coach Bob Motzko said his veterans know what it takes to play the last weekend of the season.
“They’ve been to two Frozen Fours, three straight tournaments,” said Motzko with this caveat: “We’ve got to get back in the tournament.”
“That is the fight. We can talk April all we want, but we have to take care of October first. Those are the games that help set you up to get into that thing.”
Given the talent that Minnesota is returning this season, there’s little doubt that the Gophers will work their way into the NCAA tournament next March, but will they run away with the Big Ten regular season title like they did last year?
Chasing Minnesota
The Big Ten coaches voted Minnesota No. 1 in their preseason poll for one very good reason: the Golden Gophers return nearly intact the team that everyone in B1G Hockey was chasing last year. One-third of the 18 players honored by the league in preseason are Golden Gophers.
Last year, the Gophers finished Big Ten play 19 points ahead of second-place Michigan, and they did that with 10 freshmen. Nine of last year’s rookies are returning.
“That’s a third of our team that is a year older,” said Motzko. “We’re way more efficient than we were a year ago at the start. Our communication’s on. It’s kind of more lively right now because we have more of a veteran group. There’s been an uptick in our start. I hope that carries through.”
And everyone else?
While Minnesota was running away with last year’s Big Ten title, five other conference teams beat spent the season beating each other up. Four points separated second-place Michigan from Michigan State and Penn State, who tied for fifth. In between were Ohio State and Notre Dame.
Like the Gophers, the Wolverines return a veteran team loaded with talent. Picked second in the preseason poll, Michigan may also be better for having last year’s Frozen Four experience.
Coach Brandon Naurato said that the Wolverines learned a valuable lesson in their 5-2 semifinal loss to Quinnipiac. Michigan had the second-best offense nationally last season but the 43rd-best defense.
Said Naurato, “We’re trying to clean up some stuff defensively and take more pride in that and be hard away from the puck.”
Picked third in the preseason poll, Michigan State gained respect for improvements under Adam Nightingale last year. Nightingale said that the Spartans are striving to build on that progress, which saw Michigan State finish above last place for the first time in two seasons, only the second time since 2015-16.
“One of the reasons we have a little bit of momentum is that our guys improved last year,” said Nightingale. “You can feel it. It’s exciting.”
With 10 freshmen and five transfers, half the Spartan team is new.
“I think the biggest task in any sport for any coach is trying to get the group to become a team,” said Nightingale. “We really like the group. They’re a competitive group. We wanted to add some speed and we felt like we’ve added some speed.”
Picked fourth, Notre Dame also welcomes many new faces this season. While the Fighting Irish are always solid defensively, coach Jeff Jackson hopes that newcomers will add depth to offense.
“We’re going to have seven, potentially eight freshmen in the lineup,” said Jackson. “Our young guys have given us more speed and energy early on.”
Ohio State is another team with many new faces. The Buckeyes, picked to finish last, have eight freshmen and seven transfers.
“I think they’re willing to put the work in,” said OSU coach Steve Rohlik. “To me, that’s the thing I look forward to. We’re just going to get better as the year goes on. I think we’ve got to be relentless.”
Penn State coach Guy Gadowsky is looking for the Nittany Lions to build on progress they made last season after two disappointing years.
“We’re saying it’s going to be a great year,” said Gadowsky, whose Nittany Lions were picked to finish sixth. “We’re either going to put it all together and have another precedent-setting season or we’re going to prepare to have a precedent-setting season. Either way, it’s going to be good.”
Not last, perhaps, and certainly not least
Mike Hastings became Wisconsin’s head coach after Tony Granato was let go at the end of last season, and the buzz surrounding Wisconsin hockey at the start of the year is justified. Hastings has posted winning seasons everywhere he’s served as head coach.
That may be one reason why the Badgers – who’d only had two winning seasons in Granato’s seven-year tenure – were picked to finish fifth by Big Ten coaches this season.
Hastings said there is another.
“The cupboards aren’t bare here,” said Hastings. “There’s good hockey players in this program.”
Hastings is optimistic about the season.
“I see a group of young men that want to get better,” he said. “They’re willing to do the work. We’re just trying to break down some barriers on how hard they have to work to be successful every day.
“I like the group. I think that they’re willing. I also like that they’re selfless and they care about their teammates.”
Gavin Brindley looks to be a top player this season for the Wolverines (photo: Michigan Photography).
MICHIGAN
HEAD COACH: Brandon Naurato (second season) LAST SEASON: 26-12-3, 12-10-2 B1G (2nd) KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: F Gavin Brindley (So., 12-26—38), T.J. Hughes (So., 13-23—36), Frank Nazar (So., 2-5—7), Rutger McGroarty (So., 18-21—39); D Seamus Casey (So., 8-21—29), Steven Holtz (Sr., 1-6—7), Jacob Truscott (Sr., 4-12—16) KEY LOSSES: F Adam Fantilli (30-35—65), Mackie Samoskevich (20-23—43); D Luke Hughes (10-38—48), G Erik Portillo (25-11-2, 3.00 GAA, .908 SV%) KEY ADDITIONS: F Nick Moldenhauer (USHL), Garrett Schifsky (USHL); D Tyler Duke (Ohio State), Marshall Warren (Boston College); G Andrew Albano (Norwich), Jacob Barczewski (Canisius) 2023-24 PREDICTION: The Wolverines were the most exciting team to watch in all of college hockey last season. Fast, high-scoring, and able to come from behind – and having to come from behind because their defense was so porous. Even without the combined 50 goals lost with the departure of Adam Fantilli and Mackie Samoskevich, Michigan returns an impressive offense. That defense, though, needs to play better end-to-end. As the season begins, three veteran goaltenders grace the roster – including two new transfers – and that may be the biggest factor in how Michigan’s season plays out. 2023-24 PREDICTED FINISH: 3rd
Michigan State players celebrate a goal last Saturday against Lake Superior State (photo: Take Your Shot Photography).
MICHIGAN STATE
HEAD COACH: Adam Nightingale (second season) LAST SEASON:18-18-2, 10-12-2 B1G (tied 5th) KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: F Jeremy Davidson (Jr., 10-11—21), Karsen Dorwart (So., 10-17—27), Daniel Russell (8-22—30); D Matt Basgall (So., 4-13—17), David Gucciardi (Jr., 4-6—10), Nash Nienhuis (4-15—19) KEY LOSSES: F Jagger Joshua (13-11—34), Nicolas Muller (9-25—34); D Kole Krygier (6-10—16), Michael Underwood (1-4—5); G Dylan St. Cyr (17-18-2, 2.77 GAA, .918 SV%) KEY ADDITIONS: F Isaac Howard (Minnesota Duluth), Owen Baker (USHL), Griffin Jurecki (USHL), Joey Larson (Northern Michigan), Reed Lebster (UMass), Gavin O’Connell (USHL), Red Savage (Miami); D James Crossman (Brown), Maxim Stbrak (USHL); G Trey Augustine (USNTDP) 2023-24 PREDICTION: I’m beginning to think that Adam Nightingale is a magician – or a talented alchemist, at the very least. Nightingale made the most of his team in his first season, significantly improving the Spartans in every aspect of play. This year, he makes the most of the portal, snagging impressive talent from a number of teams and making the most of his well-earned reputation as a developer of talent. One of Michigan State’s most exciting newcomers is freshman goaltender Trey Augustine, a Michigan native and second-round pick of the Detroit Red Wings. The Spartans will be solid everywhere – and they’ll match or outwork every team they play. 2023-24 PREDICTED FINISH: 2nd
Minnesota’s Jimmy Snuggerud scored four goals in a game last season (photo: Minnesota Athletics).
MINNESOTA
HEAD COACH: Bob Motzko (sixth season) LAST SEASON: 29-10-1, 19-4-1 B1G (1st) KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: F Bryce Brodzinski (Gr., 19-12—31), F Jaxon Nelson (Gr., 10-17—27), Rhett Pitlick (Jr., 11-14—25), Mason Nevers (Sr., 10-13—23), Jimmy Snuggerud (So., 21-29—50); D Mike Koster (Sr., 6-23—29) and Luke Mittelstadt (So., 5-16—21); G Justen Close (Gr., 26-10-1, 2.02 GAA, .927) KEY LOSSES: F Logan Cooley (22-38—60); D Brock Faber (4-23—27), Jackson LaCombe (9-26—35) KEY ADDITIONS: F Jimmy Clark (USHL), Nick Michel (St. John’s University), Oliver Moore (USHL); D Sam Rinzel (USHL) 2023-24 PREDICTION: The Golden Gophers return too many players from their excellent team a year ago to think that they won’t repeat their first-place Big Ten finish. In fact, they have an excellent chance of returning to the Frozen Four for their third consecutive year, especially hungry because they’re hosting in St. Paul. They return the core of the most productive and consistent offense in the NCAA last season and while the Gophers’ defense is young, it’s talented. If Minnesota doesn’t run away with the Big Ten again this season, it’ll be because other teams will have elevated their own games. 2023-24 PREDICTED FINISH: 1st
Notre Dame goalie Ryan Bischel was a finalist for the 2023 Mike Richter Award as the nation’s top goaltender (photo: Notre Dame Athletics).
NOTRE DAME
HEAD COACH: Jeff Jackson (19th season) LAST SEASON:16-16-5, 10-10-4 B1G (4th) KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: F Justin Janicke (So., 7-7—14), Trevor Janicke (Gr., 8-14—22), Landon Slaggert (Sr., 7-6—13), D Drew Bavaro (Sr., 6-13—19), G Ryan Bischel (Gr., 16-16-4, 2.39 GAA, .931 SV%) KEY LOSSES: F Chayse Primeau (8-15—23), Ryder Rolston (7-13—20); D Nick Leivermann (6-14—20) KEY ADDITIONS: F Patrick Moynihan (Providence), Brennan Ali (USHL), Cole Knuble (USHL), Danny Nelson (USHL); D Paul Fischer (USHL), Ryan Siedem (Harvard) 2023-24 PREDICTION: With Ryan Bischel in net, the Fighting Irish are in every game they play. He’s that good. Notre Dame plays solid team defense in front of Bischel – every Jeff Jackson team plays solid team defense – but to make noise this season, the Irish need scoring and a bit more speed. They think they have that with solid transfers and a trio of rookie forwards, including Cole Knuble (how he didn’t go higher than the fourth round of the 2023 NHL draft is a mystery). If the Irish can score as well as they can defend this season, they’ll be in the mix at the top of the Big Ten standings. 2023-24 PREDICTED FINISH: 5TH
Cam Thiesing looks to make a play during Ohio State’s weekend sweep over Michigan State last January (photo: Jay LaPrete).
OHIO STATE
HEAD COACH: Steve Rohlik (11th season) LAST SEASON: 21-16-3, 11-11-2 B1G (3rd) KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: F Davis Burnside (14-7—21), Joe Dunlap (13-9—22), Steven Halliday (So., 9-32—41), Cam Thiesing (So., 15-5—20); D Scooter Brickey (Gr., 3-11—14) KEY LOSSES: F Tate Singleton (11-16—27), Jake Wise (12-27—39), D Tyler Duke (4-8—12), Cole McWard (9-12—21), Mason Lohrei (4-28—32), G Jakub Dobes (21-16-3, 2.31 GAA, .918 SV%) KEY ADDITIONS: F Caden Brown (Wisconsin/USHL), Sam Deckhut (USHL), Riley Hughes (Northeastern), Max Montes (USHL); D Damien Carfagna (New Hampshire), Mason Klee (RPI), Brett Johnson (North Dakota), Nathan McBrayer (USHL), Theo Wallberg (Sweden J20 SuperElit); G Logan Terness (UConn) 2023-24 PREDICTION: The Buckeyes are picked to finish last in the Big Ten preseason coaches’ poll because someone has to be picked to finish last – and because Ohio State may have a few more unanswered questions than other B1G teams do. Goaltending is the big unknown for the Buckeyes after Jakub Dobes’ departure. Even with some offensive losses, Ohio State returns real talent up front, and the Buckeyes may have made excellent use of the portal to plug some gaps. There’s talent there, but is there chemistry? That’s another question. 2023-24 PREDICTED FINISH: 7th
Liam Souliere will be the No. 1 goalie this season for the Nittany Lions (Photo: Penn State Athletics).
PENN STATE
HEAD COACH: Guy Gadowsky (12th season) LAST SEASON: 22-16-1, 10-13-1 (tied 5th) KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: F Xander Lamppa (Sr., 6-13—19), Ryan Kirwan (So., 8-9—17), Christian Sarlo (Sr., 7-10—17); D Christian Berger (Sr., 5-15—20), Jimmy Dowd (Sr., 4-15—19); G Liam Souliere (Sr., 19-15-1, 2.43 GAA, .917 SV%) KEY LOSSES: F Ture Linden (11-18—29), Connor MacEachern (12-15—27), Connor McMenamin (9-15—24), Kevin Wall (17-14—31); D Paul DeNaples (3-7—10) KEY ADDITIONS: F Jacques Bouquot (Vermont), Matt DeMarsico (USHL), Dane Dowiak (USHL), Aiden Fink (AJHL), Tanner Palocsik (Dartmouth) 2023-24 PREDICTION: The Nittany Lions looked like their old selves again last year, like the high-flying, risk-taking, confident team they were pre-COVID. They’re returning a good core of talented players, too, with some promising newcomers and transfers to round out their roster. If I had to guess, I’d say the Big Ten coaches picked Penn State to finish low because they’re waiting to see if the Nittany Lions can sustain that progress. I like everything about this team, from the net out. Two things may put Penn State near the bottom of the Big Ten standings this season. The first is a lack of consistency. Even if the Nittany Lions play consistently good hockey this year, they may find themselves on the wrong side of a point or two, which is all that may separate teams in the end. 2023-24 PREDICTED FINISH: 6th
Wisconsin opened the 2023-24 season at home Oct. 7 with a win over Augustana (photo: Tom Lynn).
WISCONSIN
HEAD COACH: Mike Hastings (first season) LAST SEASON: 13-23-0, 6-18-0 (7th) KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: F Cruz Lucius (So., 11-23—34), Mathieu De St. Phalle (Sr., 13-17—30); D Tyson Jugnauth (So., 5-10—15), Daniel Laatsch (Jr., 1-6—7); G Kyle McClellan (Sr., 3-6-0, 3.57 GAA, .883 SV%) KEY LOSSES: D Corson Ceulemans (8-15—23), G Jared Moe (10-17-0, 3.31 GAA, .898 SV%) KEY ADDITIONS: F Christian Fitzgerald (Minnesota State), David Silye (Minnesota State), William Whitelaw (USHL); D Brady Cleveland (USNTDP), Zach Schulz (USNTDP); G William Gramme (NAHL) 2023-24 PREDICTION: There is so much to like about this Wisconsin team. The Badgers may have had just six conference wins last season, but half of them came in their last three regular-season series, one each against Minnesota, Michigan State and Penn State, games in which they limited their opponents to a collective four goals. They also forced Michigan to come from behind in the first game of the B1G playoffs, and although they lost that game and the series, the Badgers scored nine goals in two games against the Wolverines. Now Wisconsin can build on that momentum with a coach who’s never had a losing season in his 25-year career. There are holes to fill – in net, especially – but there is talent and Wisconsin can score. I’m not betting against them. 2023-24 PREDICTED FINISH: 4th
Cutter Gauthier was a star freshman last season for Boston College (photo: John Quackenbos).
Boston has always been the geographic hub and spiritual home of Hockey East.
The city hosts the conference championship every spring, three of its member schools are located right in the city and four more are less than an hour away.
This year Boston could very well be where the best hockey in the league is played. The top four in the men’s coaches’ preseason poll features the three city schools — Boston University (No. 1), Boston College (2) and Northeastern (4) — with the fourth, Merrimack (3), located just up Rte. 28 in North Andover. The top-ranked Terriers also got the nod as the No. 1 team in the country in the preseason USCHO.com D-I poll.
Commissioner Steve Metcalf, now in his fourth year at the helm as Hockey East marks its fourth decade of existence, said that while success is gauged in numerous ways other than what’s on the scoreboard, it’s the way the conference performs on the ice that will ultimately prove its standing nationally.
“We feel we have a really deep and strong league,” said Metcalf. “Lots of good return players, some real superstars coming into the league.”
BU took the conference’s hope for its eighth NCAA championship since 2000 all the way to the Frozen Four last year, losing to Minnesota 6-2 in the national semifinal in Tampa. The Terriers were led by Lane Hutson, Hockey East’s top scorer as a freshman with nine goals and 25 assists. Hutson, along with Merrimack’s Alex Jeffries (13-17-30 in 2022-23), Northeastern’s Justin Hryckowian (14-15-29) and BC’s Cutter Gauthier (12-13-25) are among the returning stars expected to have lengthy stays atop the Hockey East scoring leaders.
With six teams in the USCHO.com top 20 in the first week of Dec. 2022, Hockey East was cruising and poised to send a glut of teams to the NCAA tournament. Then the league, collectively, hit a skid with numerous non-conference losses. It was a hole Hockey East couldn’t climb out of and wound up sending only two schools — BU and Merrimack — to the 16-team NCAA tournament field.
It’s a scenario Metcalf would like to see Hockey East avoid this year.
“We really have to make hay at the beginning of the year with some of our non-conference games, and make sure we take care of the games we’re favored in and get some results on the road, which will pay dividends throughout the year,” he said. “Then we can realistically get more excited about what success will look like.”
While Hockey East lost a bona fide superstar in Northeastern goalie Devon Levi, who won the Mike Richter award as the nation’s top goalie in 2021-22 and currently minding the net for Buffalo of the NHL, there remains plenty of goaltending talent in the league. UMass Lowell’s Henry Welsch was second to Levi in goals-against average in conference play (1.87) while Merrimack’s Hugo Ollas was second (to Levi) in save percentage (.929). The pair joins Maine’s Victor Osman as netminders to watch this season.
As for coaches, Jay Pandolfo and Greg Brown each enter their second seasons at BU and BC, respectively, while Maine’s Ben Barr is now in his third season. Steve Wiedler takes over at Vermont on an interim basis after the sudden removal of Todd Woodcroft, and has a chance at the job on a permanent basis, according to UVM athletic department officials.
Eamon Powell will serve as BC’s captain this season (photo: John Quackenbos).
BOSTON COLLEGE
HEAD COACH: Greg Brown (second season) LAST SEASON: 14-16-6 (8-11-5 Hockey East, eighth, lost in quarterfinals of conference tournament) KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: Sophomore forwards Cutter Gauthier (18-21-37) and Andre Gasseau (10-19-29), and sophomore defenseman Lukas Gustafsson (3-16-19) KEY LOSSES: Forward Nikita Nesterenko (13-21-34) and Cam Burke (2-8-10) and goalie Mitch Benson (14-15-0, .904, 2.82) KEY ADDITIONS: Freshman forwards Ryan Leonard, Gabriel Perreault and Will Smith (USA Hockey’s NTDP) 2023-24 PREDICTION: A significant influx of new talent will bode well for the Eagles this season, coach Greg Brown’s second after taking over for longtime skipper Jerry York. Three first-round 2023 NHL Draft picks highlight BC’s freshman class — Will Smith (4th, San Jose), Ryan Leonard (8th, Washington) and Gabriel Perreault (23rd, NY Rangers). Cutter Gauthier — drafted fifth overall by Philadelphia in last year’s NHL Draft — makes a strong case as the player to watch in Hockey East. JD’s PREDICTION: Second
Lane Hutson had a phenomenal rookie season at BU in 2022-23 (photo: Matt Woolverton).
BOSTON UNIVERSITY
HEAD COACH: Jay Pandolfo (second season) LAST SEASON: 29-11-0 (18-6-0 Hockey East, first, won conference tournament, lost in national semifinals) KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: Grad student defenseman Case McCarthy (3-12-15), sophomore forwards Devin Kaplan (10-13-23), Quinn Hutson (15-13-28) and Ryan Greene (9-22-31), junior defenseman Ty Gallagher (3-18-21), sophomore defenseman Lane Hutson (15-33-48), senior forward Nick Zabaneh (8-4-12), and grad student forward Sam Stevens (8-10-18) KEY LOSSES: Forwards Matt Brown (16-31-47) and Wilmer Skoog (16-15-31), defenseman Domenick Fensore (9-22-31), and goalie Drew Commesso (24-8-0, .913, 2.46) KEY ADDITIONS: Freshman forward Macklin Celebrini (Chicago, USHL) and freshman defenseman Aiden Celebrini (Brooks, AJHL) 2023-24 PREDICTION: Nothing short of a return trip to the Frozen Four is the goal for the Terriers this season — anointed the preseason No. 1 team in the conference and the country — in their second year under Jay Pandolfo. BU is loaded with returners, including last year’s league scoring champ and tournament MVP Lane Hutson and Ryan Greene who, with Hutson, was an all-rookie team selection in 2022-23. JD’s PREDICTION: First
Matthew Wood was a first-round pick of Nashville this past summer (photo: UConn Athletics).
CONNECTICUT
HEAD COACH: Mike Cavanaugh (11th season) LAST SEASON: 20-12-2 (13-9-2, fourth, lost in quarterfinals of conference tournament) KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: Junior forward Chase Bradley (10-10-20), senior defenseman Andrew Lucas (2-22-24), senior forward Hudson Schandor (11-21-32) and sophomore forward Matthew Wood 11-23-24) KEY LOSSES: Forward Ryan Tverberg (15-15-30) KEY ADDITIONS: Senior goalie Ethan Haider (Clarkson, ECAC Hockey) 2023-24 PREDICTION: The Huskies return their top two scorers from last season in Matthew Wood and Hudson Schandor. Ethan Haider, one of the top goalies in the transfer portal, was 16-16-3 at Clarkson with a 2.51 goals-against average and .906 save percentage, will compete for ice time with sophomore Arsenii Sergeev. Defensively, UConn will be anchored by Andrew Lucas, who had 22 assists last season. JD’s PREDICTION: Fourth
Nolan Renwick put up 20 points last season for Maine (photo: Sophia Santamaria).
MAINE
HEAD COACH: Ben Barr (third season) LAST SEASON: 15-16-4 (9-11-3 Hockey East, seventh, lost in conference tourney first round). KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: Graduate forward Ben Poisson (9-17-26), senior forwards Donavan Villenueve-Houle (9-20-19) and Lynden Breen (21-15-36), senior goalie Victor Ostman (14-12-4, 2.21, .918), junior forward Nolan Renwick (9-11-20) and sophomore defenseman Grayson Arnott (2-9-11) KEY LOSSES: Defenseman Jakub Sirota (6-10-16) KEY ADDITIONS: Freshman forward Bradly Nadeau (Penticton, BCHL) 2023-24 PREDICTION: Perhaps no team in Hockey East exceeded expectations in 2022-23 more than the Black Bears. Picked to finish near the bottom of the pack, Maine fell one game short of a .500 season. Maine returns three of its top four scorers from last season, plus a veteran goalie in Victor Ostman. JD’s PREDICTION: Seventh
UMass’ Scott Morrow gets the TD Garden crowd going in the Minutemen’s win over UMass Lowell in a Hockey East semifinal matchup in March 2022 (photo: Rich Gagnon).
MASSACHUSETTS
HEAD COACH: Greg Carvel (eighth season). LAST SEASON: 13-17-5 (7-14-3, ninth, lost in conference tourney first round). KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: Junior forward Taylor Makar (10-2-12), sophomore forwards Kenny Connors (9-17-26) and Cole O’Hara (4-13-17), goalie Cole Brady (4-5-0, 3.10, .907), and junior defensemen Ryan Ufko (8-16-24) and Scott Morrow (9-22-31). KEY LOSSES: Goalie Luke Pavicich (8-10-4, 2.75, .920). KEY ADDITIONS: Freshman forwards Dans Locmelis (Luleå HF J20) and Aydar Suniev (Penticton, BCHL). 2023-24 PREDICTION: Things got off to a promising start for the Minutemen last season with back-to-back wins over then-defending national champion Denver. The team then hit a skid in late fall and never recovered. To get back to prominence they will look to Scott Morrow and Ryan Ufko for defensive reinforcement, and a bevy of highly touted newcomers. JD’s PREDICTION: Ninth.
Henry Welsch will be the go-to goaltender this season for UML (photo: Rich Gagnon/UMass Lowell Athletics).
UMASS LOWELL
HEAD COACH: Norm Bazin (13th season)
LAST SEASON: 18-15-3 (11-10-3 Hockey East, fifth, lost in conference tournament semifinals).
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: Sophomore forward Scout Truman (8-6-14), senior defenseman Ben Meehan (4-13-17), junior defenseman Isac Jonsson (5-12-17) and senior goalie Henry Welsch (6-6-1, 2.25, 916).
KEY LOSSES: Goalie Gustavs Davis Grigals (12-9-2, 2.05, .924) and forward Carl Berglund (12-15-27).
KEY ADDITIONS: Junior goalie Luke Pavicich (UMass-Amherst)
2023-24 PREDICTION: Lowell lost a big chunk of its scoring punch from last season and could struggle putting up numbers against some of the league’s heavy hitters. The River Hawks will get help between the pipes from intra-state transfer Luke Pavicich, who went 9-11-4 in two seasons for UMass with a 2.75 GAA and .920 save percentage last year. Isac Jonsson is a strong defensive anchor.
JD’s PREDICTION: Eighth.
Zach Borgiel earned 13 wins for Merrimack in 2022-23 (photo: Jim Stankiewicz).
MERRIMACK
HEAD COACH: Scott Borek (sixth season) LAST SEASON: 23-14-1 (16-8-0, second, lost in conference tournament final, lost in first round of NCAA tournament) KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: Junior goalie Hugo Ollas (10-9-0, 2.32, .915), senior goalie Zach Borgiel (13-5-1, 2.08, .919), senior defenseman Christian Felton (2-4-6), grad student forward Ben Brar (14-12-26), senior forward Alex Jefferies (14-27-41) and junior forward Matt Copponi (14-15-29) KEY LOSSES: Defenseman Slava Demin (3-13-16) KEY ADDITIONS: Grad student forward Chase Stevenson (UNH, Hockey East) 2023-24 PREDICTION: The Warriors’ look to make it back-to-back trips to the Division I NCAA tournament for the first time in program history. Helping their cause will be the team’s top three scorers from last season — Alex Jefferies, Matt Copponi and Ben Brar. Also back for the ride are the goaltending tandem of Hugo Ollas and Zach Borgiel. JD’s PREDICTION: Third
Colton Huard has proven to be a steady force on the back end for UNH (photo: Chris Wong).
NEW HAMPSHIRE
HEAD COACH: Mike Souza (sixth season) LAST SEASON: 11-21-2 (6-15-2 Hockey East, 10th) KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: Senior defenseman Nikolai Jenson (1-9-10), junior defensemen Alex Gagne (1-8-9) and Colton Huard (3-16-19), sophomore forward Cy LeClerc (13-7-20), junior forward Liam Devlin (12-12-24) and sophomore goalie Tyler Muszelik (4-7-2, 3.24, .883) KEY LOSSES: Forwards Chase Stevenson (12-8-20), Jake Dunlap (3-4-7) and Kristaps Skrastins (3-3-6), goalie David Fessenden (7-14-1, 2.65, .911) and defenseman Damien Carfagna (6-10-16) KEY ADDITIONS: Junior goalie Jakob Hellsten (North Dakota, NCHC) 2023-24 PREDICTION: It’s hard to believe it has been 10 seasons since UNH, once a conference heavyweight, has posted a winning season in Hockey East play. To reverse that trend, the Wildcats will rely on last year’s top two scorers, Cy LeClerc and Liam Devlin and defensive key Colton Huard. JD’s PREDICTION: Ninth
Justin Hryckowian will be an impact forward for Northeastern (photo: Rich Gagnon).
NORTHEASTERN
HEAD COACH: Jerry Keefe (third season) LAST SEASON: 17-13-5 (14-7-3 Hockey East, third, lost in conference tournament quarterfinals) KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: Senior forward Gunnarwolfe Fontaine (10-20-30), sophomore forwards Jack Williams (6-11-17) and Cam Lund (7-16-23), sophomore defenseman Hunter McDonald (1-13-14) and junior forward Justin Hryckowian (15-21-36). KEY LOSSES: Forward Aiden McDonough (20-18-38) and goalie Devon Levi (17-12-5, 2.24, .933) KEY ADDITIONS: Grad student Matthew Staudacher (Minnesota) 2023-24 PREDICTION: Despite losing two megastars in Aiden McDonough (the team’s top scorer and the league’s fourth last year), the Huskies still have a lot left in the cupboard with Justin Hryckowian (tied for fourth in league scoring with his teammate McDonough last year), Gunnarwolfe Fontaine and Cam Lund among the scoring threats. JD’s PREDICTION: Fifth.
Brady Berard figures to be a major cog in the Providence offense this season (photo: Lydia Vigneau).
PROVIDENCE
HEAD COACH: Nate Leaman (13th season) LAST SEASON: 16-14-7 (9-9-6 Hockey East, sixth, lost in conference tournament semifinals) KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: Sophomore defenseman Austen May (3-1-4), junior defenseman Taige Harding (4-13-17), sophomore forwards Brady Berard (1-2-3) and Bennett Schimek (11-9-20), sophomore goalie Philip Svedebäck (14-11-7, 2.18, .909). KEY LOSSES: Forwards Brett Berard (10-14-24) and Parker Ford (12-14-26) and defenseman Max Crozier (3-21-24) KEY ADDITIONS: Junior forward Matt Hubbarde (Dartmouth, ECAC Hockey), grad student Cal Kiefiuk (UMass, Hockey East) 2023-24 PREDICTION: The Friars lost their top three scorers from last season, which will be tough to overcome, but still feature a solid offensive core with Taige Harding and Bennett Schimek expected to lead the charge. Philip Svedebäck provides veteran leadership in goal. JD’s PREDICTION: Sixth
Will Zapernick looks to have a solid senior season for the Catamounts (photo: Ed Wolfstein).
VERMONT
HEAD COACH: Steve Wiedler (first season) LAST SEASON: 11-20-5 (5-16-3, 11th, lost in conference tourney quarterfinals) KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: Sophomore forward Jens Richards (3-1-4), senior forward Will Zapernick (6-10-16) and senior goalie Gabe Carriere (9-12-3, 2.49, .914) KEY LOSSES: Defenseman Robbie Stucker (3-11-14) and forward Isak Walther (9-10-19) KEY ADDITIONS: Grad student defenseman Jérémie Bucheler (Northeastern, Hockey East) 2023-24 PREDICTION: It will be a rebuilding year for the Catamounts, who hope to use a surprise upset in the first round of last year’s conference tourney as a springboard of continued improvement under first-year coach Steve Wiedler. Will Zapernick is always a scoring threat and Gabe Carriere has the makings of a solid netminder. JD’s PREDICTION: Eleventh
Minnesota played host to Bemidji State in an exhibition matchup on Oct. 8 at 3M Arena at Mariucci in Minneapolis, Minn. (photo: Jim Rosvold/USCHO.com).
Each week during the season, we look at the big events and big games around Division I men’s college hockey in Tuesday Morning Quarterback.
Jim: To Dan – and all of our readers – welcome back to college hockey season!
It’s great to have the first weekend of play in back of us for many college hockey teams. And what a way to begin the season than to have a top-10 battle between defending national champion Quinnipiac and perennial power Boston College go to overtime.
Ultimately, the Eagles prevailed on a late goal by Cutter Gauthier, putting a slight damper on the banner-raising night for the Bobcats, but that was a heck of a way to kick off the season.
I felt like it was a weekend of great storylines. In addition to that battle in Hamden, you had Mike Hastings coaching his first two games at Wisconsin and his Badgers earning two shutouts over Augustana. You had the return of Robert Morris to Division I hockey after a two-year absence with a weekend split with Bowling Green.
And you had the nation’s top recruit, Macklin Celebrini, needing about 27 minutes to notch what will probably be his first of many collegiate goals in No. 1 Boston University’s 3-2 overtime win against Bentley.
What stood out most for you? Or are you simply happy just to have college hockey back?
Dan: First of all, a good hearty good season to you and all of us who are back on this wonderful journey to a national championship.
I think the feeling I had when I walked into the Bentley Arena on Saturday told me everything. Seeing people I hadn’t seen in months, looking at familiar logos and uniforms, seeing the warmups – it all felt new and fresh while remaining familiar. I was overjoyed, and the fact that Boston University – the No. 1 team in the nation – was there made it all the more special, especially since I grew up going to games at Walter Brown Arena. I wished I could have bottled the feeling, especially since I was overexhausted from some residuals from being sick.
But what stood out for me was simply the unknown. Coaches preach about how every season is brand new, but it’s always been more than just coachspeak cliches for me. No team starts the season in an exact continuation of what happened last year, and the progression and changeover is what makes the first days so unclear. I’d love to sit back and say that we all knew Boston College was going to bring some thump to the defending national champions, but we didn’t know – nor do we still know – if BC is going to be that good or if Quinnipiac is taking a step back or if there’s any championship hangover or anything. We don’t know any of that.
I guess that’s why I don’t ever put a ton of stock in these first couple of weeks. A team like St. Thomas can beat St. Cloud, but that doesn’t mean the Tommies are championship material, nor does it mean that the sky’s falling on St. Cloud. Bentley can take BU to overtime, and it doesn’t mean that the Terriers are a paper No. 1 or that Andy Jones solved the missing riddles for an Atlantic Hockey team. Alaska-Anchorage can beat UMass-Lowell, and it’s not much more than a good feeling in the Great White North. It’s a time to be happy – or unhappy – and nothing more than that to me.
That said, the first weekend gave us at least a few things for good, quality overreactions. Give me your hottest take and your biggest overreaction from the first weekend – mostly so I can hold it against you in three months.
Jim: Oh, I love that you’re asking for blackmail material this early in the season, but I’ll take the bait.
Both my takes come from the Big Ten. First, and I said this on the Weekend Review podcast yesterday, I think Michigan State is the most improved team in the country. Adam Nightingale has done a fantastic job tapping into the recruiting pipeline and brought in a very strong freshman class. That take, though, isn’t that sexy given that USCHO poll voters already had the Spartans a top ten team in the preseason poll.
The take that is definitely an overreaction relates to Sparty’s natural rival, Michigan. A 4-2 loss at home to open the season on Saturday was followed up with a 5-1 lead nearly slipping away (Michigan did hold on for a 5-4 win) the next day is a little concerning. Allowing four goals per game on the weekend makes me think one thing: Erik Portillo is no longer in net.
Now, I should give Michigan’s opponent Providence some credit. I think the Friars might be the best sixth-place team in any conference’s preseason coaches poll. But you asked for an overreaction, so I gave you one.
Now, I’ll put you on the spot. And you need to be original. Give me your takes from week one that I’ll remind you of in April in St. Paul when it crashes and burns.
Dan: Here’s a blistering take for you…
Remember when we had the Frozen Four in Boston a couple of years ago? I made a joke about how ironic it was to have four western teams playing for a national championship in Boston. I’ll never forget the electricity of watching BU play for the title in the Garden since it felt like an extra home rink for that team, and the fact that it was an all-Hockey East final that year with Providence, which won the title, added to the down-home sell-out crowd feeling.
We were robbed of that when we had an all-Minnesota semifinal game between Minnesota State and the Gophers and a second game between Denver and Michigan that wound up going to overtime. No matter how good those games were, and that was a fun final, I can’t imagine what would’ve happened if there were multiple Beanpot schools playing for the title in that scenario.
So here’s the take: an all-eastern final in Minnesota this year. I legitimately think Hockey East could run six or seven teams deep this year, and even if it’s only four or five that get into the tournament, I think the league is loaded compared to last year when there were two teams in the tournament. I think BC and BU are both playing with immense pressure and expectations that they could conceivably live up to, and Northeastern is separating itself as a perennial powerhouse capable of going on runs. Merrimack went to the tournament last year and is emerging from the pack, and we all know that UMass is bound to rebound from last year’s struggle. Count Providence and UMass Lowell in there, and you’ve got a league capable of slapping four or five teams into the tournament.
But remember what I said here – an all-eastern final. And while I don’t think Quinnipiac is going to have the same magic as last season, I think Cornell has the back end capable of dominating teams. Clarkson should be significantly better than last year and has the core of a team that should have competed for a championship last year, and Harvard is always a factor. Count a step forward, and ECAC is still a league capable of swiping three or four spots in the tournament.
The Big Ten is always going to be a factor, but I think the tide is shifting back east. Bold statement: we’re all going to Minnesota to crash the “pahty” with a heavy dose of Dunkin.’
Imagine what the “state of hockey” would do if the four Beanpot schools made the Frozen Four.
Jim: Well, if when you and I write TMQ the readers didn’t think we had an eastern bias, they do now. Nice job, Skippy.
Bringing things back west a little, two western teams that earned sweeps that we should discuss are Wisconsin and Denver. We mentioned the Badgers a bit already, but it impresses me that the Mike Hastings school of defense lived on in weekend one with the Badgers. And Denver made the long trip to Fairbanks and came away with two ‘W’s.
I really like this year’s Denver team. David Carle has put out a consistent product in his entire career as head coach and this year’s club has a lot on both sides of the puck.
Are they your favorite in the NCHC or are you ready to go in another direction?
Dan: I adhere to a major line of thinking when it comes to conference preseasons: the champion is always the champion until someone says otherwise.
That doesn’t devalue the regular season by any stretch, but it does mean that Denver opens the season as the league’s favorite until someone proves to me that they’re ready to step to the forefront of the conference race.
Trips up to Alaska are significantly more difficult than people realize. Fairbanks, especially, is isolated from the rest of the college hockey world, and the Nanooks play particularly well on home ice. Heading up there requires a bit of travel for everyone, and success in early weeks at Alaska is a good way to forge a team’s individual culture. Denver entered the year as the favorite, but the way that team won the games this weekend is a potential sign of things to come.
Dominant as usual, I feel like Denver rolled last year right into this year with that straight line of offseason tinkering and improvement, and it’s going to be a tough sled for anyone to unseat the team in the NCHC.
That, I guess, brings me to the last point. It’s early, so the missive for the upcoming season is towards the rest of the NCHC. We know Denver is going to be very good, but I feel like the rest of the league needs to close the gap over the course of the season. The conference has been lights out since it started in 2013, but last year was an awkward shift to the Big Ten, ECAC and Hockey East over the NCHC’s usual dominance. It was the first time the league didn’t produce a Frozen Four team, and it felt like a few teams spun their wheels in the mud as the season went along.
Again, we’re early, but that HAS to be the mission this year. Denver is going to be very good, but the only way to catch that lot is to claw and close the gap. Nobody, especially tough eastern leagues, is going to open the door (shoutout my eastern bias again).
I know the talent is there. I’m interested to see what happens in these early weeks with Minnesota Duluth playing Northern Michigan this week and North Dakota heading to the Ice Breaker. St. Cloud split with St. Thomas last week, but the series against Minnesota State this weekend could push some momentum. Western Michigan-Ferris, Union-Colorado College, even Miami-Canisius. These are all important games for the league’s overall profile for this season.
Hosts Jim Connelly, Derek Schooley, and Ed Trefzger discuss the results of the weekend and the news of the week on the October 9, 2023 edition of USCHO Weekend Review:
• No. 6 Boston College spoils No. 2 Quinnipiac’s banner-raising night with a 2-1 overtime win in Hamden.
• No. 18 Providence and No. 5 Michigan split their two-game series in Ann Arbor
• No. 1 Boston University requires OT to survive on the road at Bentley, 3-2
• Michigan State swept Lake Superior State, 5-2, 4-2
• Robert Morris returns after two-year absence
St. Thomas impressive in 5-4 OT win, 1-0 loss vs. No. 8 St. Cloud State
• Wisconsin gets first two wins of Mike Hastings era with two shutouts of Augustana
Niagara’s Shane Ott has enjoyed two solid seasons on Monteagle Ridge (photo: Niagara Athletics).
As Atlantic Hockey kicks off its 21st season, more changes are in store.
Robert Morris returns after a two-year absence, restoring the number of programs to 11. This means a new scheduling plan as well as a new playoff format.
There are also changes in administration, with a new commissioner and a new supervisor of officials.
New beginnings with an old friend
On Oct. 7, Robert Morris hosts Bowling Green in its return to the NCAA Division I ranks after a two-year absence.
Coach Derek Schooley built a team from scratch once before, in 2004-05, his first as head coach.
This time, he has a couple of additional tools: the transfer portal and process, which doesn’t require transfers to sit out a year as it once did, as well as a fifth year of eligibility granted to players impacted by COVID-shortened seasons.
His team has been assembled from a trio of players from the 2020-21 squad that stayed at RMU, three more who joined last year and redshirted, 10 transfers, and 13 freshmen.
Another big difference from the first time Schooley built a team is the winning tradition that he and RMU have established, something that took several years. How long it will take this time remains to be seen.
“We’re picked 10th, but I think we can challenge for a first-round bye,” said Schooley. “Do I think it’s going to take a while (to get back to where the program was)? I don’t know if it is.”
New faces at the top
New Atlantic Hockey (and College Hockey America) commission Michelle Morgan formally took over the helm on Aug. 1, after being selected to replace original commissioner Bob DeGregorio, who retired after 20 seasons leading the conference.
Morgan plans to streamline operations by merging the CHA and AHA, which already share staff. There are plans for a rebranding once the merger occurs.
“The merger will include a comprehensive brand audit,” said Morgan. “A new brand identity and a little bit of a facelift for the logo.”
Morgan says she looks forward to “opportunities to better tell our stories, showcasing the special things that our league is doing.”
The conference’s strength is its diversity, according to the new commissioner.
“We have large, we have small,” Morgan said. “We have service academies, we have public, we have private. In addition to the traditional geographic footprint, there are a lot of demographic differences. However, the common thread that brings us all together is the support and the love for the game of hockey.”
As for what happens on the ice, Morgan points to the parity in the league as a strength.
“We’re one of the most balanced leagues in college hockey,” she said. “This season, its are as wide open as it’s ever been. We have four teams receiving first votes in our league’s preseason poll, and also four teams receiving votes in the USCHO preseason poll.”
Also new to the league’s administrative staff is Eugene Binda, Jr., who took over as supervisor of officials on July 1. Binda Jr. succeeds his father, Eugene Binda, Sr., who also retired at the end of last season.
“We’re delighted to bring on another Binda,” said Morgan. “He brings a lot of experience as a formal official who spent a lot of time on the ice in different leagues at different levels.”
Tenure track
Mercyhurst coach Rick Gotkin is entering his 36th season as the Lakers’ coach, the longest tenure of any active Division I Hockey coach. Bob Daniels at Ferris State (32 years) and Quinnipiac’s Rand Pecknold (30 years) are next.
In all, Atlantic Hockey coaches have a combined 172 years of coaching experience (which is down from last season due to Ryan Soderquist leaving Bentley after 21 seasons).
Besides Gotkin, coaches in the league with 20 years or more of experience as a head coach include Frank Serratore (27 years at Air Force and four years at Denver), Wayne Wilson (25 years at RIT), and Brian Riley (20 years at Army West Point).
For comparison, Atlantic Hockey’s average of 15.63 years per school is tops in Division I behind ECAC (15.09 years) and the Big Ten (15.00 years).
Everybody’s back in
Now back to 11 teams, the league will move on from last year’s playoff format that limited its postseason tournament to the top eight teams in the standings. Last year Atlantic Hockey also eliminated the neutral site, final four format for the semifinals and championship. All rounds were held on campus.
This season, all eleven teams will make the conference tournament, which will again be entirely on campus. This adds another weekend to the postseason.
The opening round will be single elimination between seeds six through 11 on March 2, with the winners advancing to the quarterfinal round, which will be March 8-10 at seeds one through four.
The semifinal round is also best-of-three, taking place at the highest remaining seeds on March 15-17, with the single-game championship hosted by the highest surviving seed on March 23.
Luke Rowe will again serve as a co-captain this season for Air Force (photo: Air Force Athletics).
AIR FORCE
HEAD COACH: Frank Serratore (27th season at Air Force) LAST SEASON: 12-22-2, 8-17-1 (10th in Atlantic Hockey) KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: F Will Gavin (Sr., 11g-11a-22pts); D Luke Rowe (Sr., 7g-17a-24pts); G Guy Blessing (Jr., 6-8-1, 3.23 GAA, .888 SV%); G Maiszon Balboa (Jr., 4-6, 3.07 GAA, .894 SV%) KEY LOSSES: F Willie Reim (11g-15a-26pts); D Brandon Koch (6g-18a-24pts) KEY ADDITIONS: D James Callahan (Springfield Jr. Blues, NAHL); D Will Starling (Dubuque Fighting Saints, USHL); G Dominik Wasik (Steinback Pistons, MJHL), G Carter Clafton (Amarillo Wranglers, NAHL), F Brendon Gibbons (Maine Nordiques, NAHL) 2023-24 PREDICTION: The 2021-22 season was supposed to be rough for a young Falcons squad, which defied expectations and made it to the Atlantic Hockey championship game.
But last season was a return to earth, culminating in a last-place finish.
But with only a few key losses, including all-league defenseman Brandon Koch, who transferred to Minnesota State for his fifth year, expect the Falcons to be better.
“Obviously we didn’t have the year we wanted to and that’s on us,” said Serratore. “Looking at what’s coming back and coming in, we’ve got 11 freshmen, but we’ve also got nine seniors.” 2023-24 PREDICTED FINISH: Eighth
Eric Lang is entering his ninth season behind the AIC bench (USCHO file photo).
AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL
HEAD COACH: Eric Lang (ninth season) LAST SEASON: 18-14-7, 14-8-4 (2nd in Atlantic Hockey) KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: F Jordan Biro (Sr., 11g-20a-31pts); D Brian Kramer (Sr., 6g-17a-23pts); F Timofei Khokhlachev (So., 7g-5a-12pts); D Evan Stella (2g-13a-15pts) KEY LOSSES: F Blake Bennett (22g-13a-35pts); F Nick Cardelli (11g-11a-22pts); G Jarred Fiske (10-8-6, 2.38 GAA,.923 SV%) KEY ADDITIONS: F Hunter Longhi (Minot Minotauros, NAHL); F Dario Beljo (Brooks Bandits, AJHL); F Logan Jenuwine (Lake Superior State, transfer); F Blake Wells (UMass Lowell, transfer) 2023-24 PREDICTION: Last year was more of a reload than a rebuild for the Yellow Jackets, who fell short of their bid for a fifth consecutive regular season and fourth straight playoff title but still finished second in the standings.
Lang says that there’s more stability on his roster this year, as well as some key new additions.
“We’re returning 80% of our goal-scoring from last season,” he said. “And getting back to our international roots with 12 players from Europe.”
Senior forward Jordan Biro (31 points) and classmate, defenseman Brian Kramer (23 points), pace the returners.
For the first time in five seasons, the Yellow Jackets will be the hunters and not the hunted.
“It’s a bit of a change in attitude,” said Lang. “It’s about finding our competitive advantage.” 2023-24 PREDICTED FINISH: Second
Army West Point goalie Gavin Abric has been stellar in recent times for the Black Knights (photo: Army Athletics).
ARMY WEST POINT
HEAD COACH: Brian Riley (20th season) LAST SEASON: 14-19-4, 12-12-2 (5th in Atlantic Hockey) KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: F Max Itagaki (So., 4g-29a-33pts); G Gavin Abric (Sr., 7-14-3; 3.23 GAA; .901 SV%); F Joey Baez (Jr., 21g-7a-28pts); F Ricky Lyle (Sr., 13g-11a-24pts) KEY LOSSES: D Anthony Firriolo (5g-24a-29pts); F John Keranen (11g-17a-28pts); G Justin Evenson (7-5-1, 2.65 GAA, .911 SV%) KEY ADDITIONS: F Pierce Patterson (Amarillo Wranglers, NAHL); F Jacob Hewitt (Nanaimo Clippers, BCHL); G Gus Holt (Victoria Grizzlies, BCHL) 2023-24 PREDICTION: The Black Knights will again be a very young squad but return two of their top three scorers in junior Joey Baez (21 goals last season) and reigning Rookie of the Year, playmaker Max Itagaki (33 points).
“(Itagaki) has a vision (of the ice) better than anyone I’ve coached,” said Riley. “He finds people. You better be ready.”
But Riley’s young team may need time to come around.
“This is the youngest team in the league, maybe in the country,” he said. “We have 23 undergrads. If we played tomorrow, 14 or 15 would be in the lineup.
“It’s a talented group. The more experience they get we’ll reap the rewards down the road.” 2023-24 PREDICTED FINISH: Sixth
Ethan Harrison excels on and off the ice for the Falcons (photo: Bentley Athletics).
BENTLEY
HEAD COACH: Andy Jones (first season) LAST SEASON: 11-21-2, 8-16-2 (9th in Atlantic Hockey) KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: D Nick Bochen (Sr.,5g-15a-20pts); F Stephen Castagna (Sr., 7-8a-15pts); G Connor Hasley (6-10-2, 2.95 GAA, .910 SV%) KEY LOSSES: F Nicholas Niemo (8g-14a-22pts); F Cole Kodsi (7g-9a-16pts); F Lucas Vanroboys (4g-16a-20pts) KEY ADDITIONS: F Peter Kramer (Green Bay Gamblers, USHL); Jimmy Doyle (Janesville Jets, NAHL); Kellan Hjartarson (Cranbrook Bucks, BCHL); Garrett Horsager (Oklahoma Warriors, NAHL); Jonathan Bendorf (Mercyhurst, transfer) 2023-24 PREDICTION: Bentley will have a different look this season with 12 new players (four transfers and eight freshmen) as well as a new coach, as Jones takes over from Ryan Soderquist, who departed in the offseason after 21 years at the helm.
“It’s been hectic,” Jones acknowledged. “A short offseason to prepare. The guys are eager to build some chemistry.”
With six of their top ten scorers from last season moving on, the Falcons have some work to do. Senior defenseman Nick Bochen is Bentley’s top returning scorer (20 points last season).
Jones’ team will be tested early with opening games against Boston University and Northeastern.
“We’re trying to be prepared (for those games) and certainly respect those programs,” said Jones. “But we’re focusing on what we’re trying to establish. We’re going to keep the focus even from game to game.” 2023-24 PREDICTED FINISH: 11th
David Melaragni is back for his fifth season with Canisius (photo: tomwolf.smugmug.com).
CANISIUS
HEAD COACH: Trevor Large (seventh season) LAST SEASON: 20-19-3, 13-10-3 (4th in Atlantic Hockey) KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: D David Melaragni (Gr., 4g-21a-25pts); F Randy Hernandez (Sr., 8g-13a-21pts); F Max Kouznetsov (Sr., 6g-12a-18pts) KEY LOSSES: F Keaton Mastrodonato (16g-20a-35pts); F Ryan Miotto (17g-18a-35pts); G Jacob Barczewski (16-15-1, 2.64 GAA, .918 SV%) KEY ADDITIONS: F Matteo Giampa (Bonnyville Pontiacs, AJHL); D Powell Connor (Michigan State transfer); G David Fessenden (New Hampshire transfer) 2023-24 PREDICTION: With 13 new players on the roster, it may take some time for the Griffins to gel in their quest to repeat as conference champions.
“We know how we want to play,” said Large. “It’s how you blend everyone together.”
Preseason all-star David Melaragni returns on defense after entering the transfer portal at the end of last season but decided to return for his final year of eligibility.
The biggest question mark for Canisius will be in goal, with mainstay Jacob Barczewski transferring to Michigan for his final season.
“In net, obviously we’re new,” said Large. “The opportunity there for our goaltenders.
“It’s early, but David Fessenden (New Hampshire transfer) is going to get the first opportunity. He’s experienced and prepared.”
Last year’s title has increased interest at Canisius, says Large.
“There’s a buzz on campus,” he said. “We’re excited to get going.” 2023-24 PREDICTED FINISH: Fifth
Jack Ricketts looks to be a top player up front for Holy Cross this season (photo: Mark Seliger Photography).
HOLY CROSS
HEAD COACH: Bill Riga (third season) LAST SEASON: 17-21-3, 12-12-2 (7th in Atlantic Hockey) KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: F Jack Ricketts (Sr., 16g-16a-32pts); F Liam McLinskey (Jr., 21g-4a-25pts); D Mack Oliphant (2g-10a-12pts); G Jason Grande (Sr., 12-7-1, 2.33 GAA, .911 SV%) KEY LOSSES: F Alex Peterson (5g-14a-19pts); D Nick Hale (7g-10a-17pts) KEY ADDITIONS: F Will Elias (Cowichan Capitals, BCHL); D Will Troutwine (Janesville, NAHL); F Michael Hodge (Union transfer); D Nic Petruolo (Union transfer) 2023-24 PREDICTION: Picked to finish last in the 2022-23 preseason poll, the Crusaders made it all the way to the league’s championship game before bowing out to Canisius.
This time around, Holy Cross is predicted to finish fourth, picking up a first-place vote in the preseason coaches poll.
Preseason all-star Jack Ricketts leads an offense that also features junior Liam McLinskey, a Quinnipiac transfer who scored nine of his 21 goals in the postseason.
“(McLinskey’s) pushed himself to another level,” said Riga. “He’s done all the work to take that next step.”
That’s the Crusaders’ goal, the next step.
“We want to get to the end of the road and win one more game,” said Riga. “We’re hungry to get a different outcome.” 2023-24 PREDICTED FINISH: Fourth
Owen Say will look to be the No. 1 goalie for the Lakers this season (photo: Ed Mailliard).
MERCYHURST
HEAD COACH: Rick Gotkin (36th season) LAST SEASON: 10-23-3, 9-14-3 (8th in Atlantic Hockey) KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: F Mickey Burns (Sr., 11g-7a-18pts); F Steven Agriogianis (4g-15a-19pts); G Owen Say (4-6-0, 3.38 GAA, .903 SV%) KEY LOSSES: F Eric Esposito (17g-15a-32pts); F Rylee St. Onge (8g-7a-15pts); G Tyler Harmon (6-16-2, 3.16 GAA, .915 SV%) KEY ADDITIONS: G Simon Bucheler (Shreveport Mudbugs, NAHL); F Boris Skalos (Fargo Force, USHL); F Sean James (Smiths Falls Bears, CCHL) 2023-24 PREDICTION: Gotkin, entering his 36th season in Erie, knows that there can be a fine line between success and failure in this league, evidenced by his team’s record last year.
“We were in 14 one-goal games last season,” he said. “Nine in overtime.”
Mercyhurst went 5-9 in those games, including 2-7 in games decided in overtime. A few extra goals and instead of finishing in seventh, the Lakers would have contended for home ice.
“We have a lot of new players, but the makings of a pretty good hockey team,” said Gotkin.
Sophomore Owen Say, last season’s all-rookie goaltender, will get the first looks in net.
“Right now, he’s our guy,” said Gotkin. “Our plan is to start him and hopefully he runs with it.” 2023-24 PREDICTED FINISH: 10th
Carter Randklev will be a go-to forward again this season for the Purple Eagles (photo: Buffalo Bisons).
NIAGARA
HEAD COACH: Jason Lammers (seventh season) LAST SEASON: 19-18-3, 10-13-3 (6th in Atlantic Hockey) KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: F Shane Ott (Jr., 10g-18a-28pts); F Carter Randklev (Sr., 13g-11a-24pts); D Josef Mysak (Sr., 3g-14a-17pts) KEY LOSSES: G Chad Veltri (18-16-3, 2.78 GAA, .906 SV%); F Casey Carreau (10g-21a-31pts) F Ryan Cox (14g-14a-28pts) KEY ADDITIONS: F Aron Jessli (Pickering Panthers, OJHL); F Jack Richard (Burlington Cougars, OJHL); F Tyler Wallace (Blackfalds Bulldogs, AJHL); G Jarrett Fiske (American International transfer) 2023-24 PREDICTION: Last season, the Purple Eagles posted a league-best 6-2 record out of conference and advanced to the AHA semifinals.
Mainstay goaltender Chad Veltri is gone, but Niagara reloaded in net, picking up transfer Jarrett Fiske from AIC, who led the conference in save percentage (.923) and was second in goals against (2.38).
“We’re excited for what (Fiske) can bring, how he plays, and why he’s here,” said Lammers. “We feel like we have more depth this year.”
Niagara will look to reproduce last season’s non-conference success, which paid dividends throughout the season.
“It gave our guys incredible confidence that carried on through the year,” Lammers said. “But every year’s a new year. We’re focused on winning today and not past success.” PREDICTED FINISH: Seventh
Tommy Scarfone makes a save in a game last season for RIT (photo: Caroline Sherman).
ROCHESTER INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
HEAD COACH: Wayne Wilson (25th season) LAST SEASON: 25-13-1, 18-7-1 (1st in Atlantic Hockey) KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: F Carter Wilkie (Jr., 14g-26a-40pts); D Gianfranco Cassaro (Gr., 14g-18a-32pts), D Aiden Hansen-Bukata (Sr., 2g-30a-32pts); G Tommy Scarfone (Jr., 22-11-1, 2.41 GAA, .934 SV%) KEY LOSSES: F Kobe Walker (12g-11a-23pts); F Andrew Petrucci (3g-5a-8pts); D Spencer Berry (1g-6a-7pts) KEY ADDITIONS: F Christian Catalano (Maryland Black Bears, NAHL); F Tyler Fukakusa (Toronto Jr. Canadiens, OJHL); D Kevin Scott (Fargo Force, USHL); G Luke Lush (Sacred Heart transfer) 2023-24 PREDICTION: The Tigers are favored to repeat as regular-season champions, and it’s easy to see why.
RIT returns Carter Wilkie, the Atlantic Hockey player of the year (40 points last season) as well as preseason all-league defenseman Gianfranco Cassaro (32 points) and goaltender Tommy Scarfone (Jr., 22-11-1; 2.41 GAA; .934 SV%).
“I really like the team we have coming back,” said Wilson. “We’re returning a number of all-league players.”
The Tigers have ended their season in the conference semifinals the past two years. RIT was upset by Holy Cross in a three-game series last season.
“It’s a very competitive league, we saw that in the playoffs last season,” said Wilson. “We’re looking to take the next step.” PREDICTED FINISH: First
Derek Schooley was first hired by Robert Morris in 2003 and will continue behind the bench in 2023-24 (photo: Robert Morris Athletics).
ROBERT MORRIS
HEAD COACH: Derek Schooley (18th season) LAST SEASON: Did not play KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: Did not play in 2021-22 and 2022-23 KEY LOSSES: Did not play in 2021-22 and 2022-23 KEY ADDITIONS: F Jackson Reineke (Anchorage Wolverines, NAHL); F McKay Hayes (Markam Royals, OJHL); F George Krotiris (Cobourg Cougars, OJHL); D Tom Gangl (Smiths Falls Bears, CCHL); D Michael Craig (Nanaimo Clippers, BCHL); G Chad Veltri (Niagara transfer); F Rylee St. Onge (Mercyhurst transfer); F Luke Johnson (Minnesota-Duluth transfer); F Logan Ganie (Michigan Tech transfer); F Dallas Tulik (Ferris State transfer); D Cade Townend (Mercyhurst transfer) 2023-24 PREDICTION: It’s a new dawn for the Colonials. Robert Morris abruptly canceled its men’s and women’s programs at the end of the 2020-21 season, but the school and community rallied to get them restored.
Schooley had to start almost from scratch, but the transfer portal has helped his team ramp up quickly.
Chad Veltri, a four-year starter in net for Niagara, transferred in for his fifth season of eligibility.
“It was a priority to get a veteran presence (in goaltender),” said Schooley. “We’re excited to see him play his fifth year in Pittsburgh in front of family and friends.
“Lots of teams think they have the best goalie in the league. I think we do.” 2023-24 PREDICTED FINISH: Ninth
Sacred Heart looks to be one of the teams in Atlantic Hockey (photo: Greg Vasil).
SACRED HEART
HEAD COACH: C.J. Marottolo (15th season) LAST SEASON: 17-17-3, 14-9-3 (3rd in Atlantic Hockey) KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: F Kevin Lombardi (Gr., 14g-14a-28pts); F Marcus Joughin (So., 8g-17a-25pts); F Braeden Tuck (Gr., 5g-15a-20pts) KEY LOSSES: F Neil Shea (14g-16a-30pts); G Luke Lush (14-16-3; 2.69 GAA; .899 SV%); F Austin Magera (8g-20a-28pts); F Todd Goehring (11g-11a-22pts) KEY ADDITIONS: F Brendan Dumas (New Jersey Titan, NAHL); F Jake Bongo (Surrey Eagles, BCHL), G Cullen DeYoung (Northeast Generals, NAHL); F T.J. Walsh (RPI transfer); G Chase Clark (Quinnipiac transfer) 2023-24 PREDICTION: The Pioneers return most of the nucleus of a team that spent last season near the top of the league, including forward Braeden Tuck, who returns for a fifth season.
This will be the first full season for Sacred Heart in the Martire Family Arena, which opened in January.
“I underestimated how hard that was going to be for our group,” said Marottolo. “Everything was new, the type of home crowds that we garnered. We had played a home game on our campus.
“(This season) we’re settled in and know what to expect.” PREDICTED FINISH: Third
For the rest of the top 10, Michigan is down one to No. 6, North Dakota remains seventh, Michigan State is up one to No. 8, Michigan Tech is up one to No. 9, and St. Cloud State falls two spots to sit 10th in this week’s rankings.
Just one new team enters the rankings this week as Connecticut sits 20th.
In addition to the top 20 teams, 18 other teams received votes this week.
The USCHO.com Division I Men’s Poll is compiled weekly and consists of 50 voters, including coaches and media professionals from across the country. Media outlets may republish this poll as long as USCHO.com is credited.
Andre Ghantous looks to be a go-to player up front this season for Northern Michigan (photo: NMU Athletics).
It was an unusually active offseason, at least by CCHA standards.
A coaching change at Minnesota State kicked off the summer, with Mike Hastings leaving for Wisconsin and taking four players and most of his coaching staff with him.
Then the summer ended with the situation in Bowling Green that saw head coach Ty Eigner and three as-yet-unknown players suspended for an alleged hazing incident that is still being investigated. Austen Swankler, the CCHA coaches and media’s preseason player of the year, decided to transfer from Bowling Green to Michigan Tech as a result.
Both events have contributed to the general uncertainty around the league this season: For the first time since realignment, it appears that Minnesota State is not going to be a front-runner for the MacNaughton Cup.
“This is my 23rd year as a head coach, and I don’t think I’ve ever been in a tighter league,” Bemidji State coach Tom Serratore said during the league’s virtual media day last month. “You can take a look at the preseason polls – and they’re just preseason polls – but, how tight everything is with the voting. It just tells you that even the coaches, we don’t know. I’m trying to figure things out every year. I think, in our league, it wouldn’t surprise me if any one of the eight teams won this league.”
The team that most coaches and media thinks is going to win it all, Michigan Tech, returns 20 players from a season that saw them nearly beat Minnesota State on the last day of the regular season to nick the MacNaughton Cup, including All-American goaltender Blake Pietila, CCHA rookie of the year Kyle Kukkonen, and all-league forward Ryland Mosley.
“We have significant players returning at key positions. When you return an All-American in Blake Pietila, that’s a good place to start,” Michigan Tech coach Joe Shawhan said.
The team the Huskies are looking to unseat from the top spot – the one they came so close to defeating last season – will look much different, both behind the bench and on the ice. Luke Strand takes over as the new head coach at Minnesota State and will have some big shoes to fill in Mankato, where Hastings won eight MacNughton Cups (six in the WCHA and two in the CCHA), guided the Mavericks to eight NCAA tournament appearances and two Frozen Fours.
Strand said he knows what sort of legacy he is inheriting with the Minnesota State program and knows that his players are motivated to prove the doubters wrong. MSU was picked to finish fourth and sixth by the media and coaches, respectively, after losing 11 key players to the portal, the pros or graduation.
“I think the polls are an opportunity for us to take everyone else’s opinion and what they think of the guys that stayed, the guys the came in the staff that came in, so if that’s their poll position for us, then it’s our job to make sure they’re incorrect,” said Strand, who was an assistant at Ohio State last season and has a long history as head coach of the USHL’s Sioux City Musketeers. “We’re not chasing the polls; we’re chasing the last game of the year.”
The other big offseason story has yet to be fully resolved. As Saturday’s start of the season approaches, we’re no closer to figuring out what happened in Bowling Green. Eigner, as of this writing, remains suspended, and assistant coach Curtis Carr will take over a team that all of a sudden is without arguably the best player in the league.
Carr, who was asked during the media conference how the team has handled the upheaval within the program, would not take specific questions about either the suspensions or Swankler.
“The main message is to control what we can control and just make sure we’re coming to the rink with positive energy and still focused on our daily objectives and getting better,” said Carr when asked generally about the controversies within the program. “Just make sure we’re here doing the best that we can to continue to move forward.”
The Falcons were picked to finish third by both the media and the coaches, but those polls were conducted before the news of the incident broke, and while Swankler was still on the team.
Finally, there is officially another new member of the CCHA (and a new program in Division I hockey). First-year program Augustana will play its first games this weekend against Mike Hastings’ Wisconsin. The Vikings, coached by former Minnesota assistant coach Garrett Raboin, are not playing a full league schedule in their first two seasons of Division I, so their games will not count towards the CCHA standings, although they will count in the Pairwise Rankings.
“We’re brand new, and we have 27 new players. We had two with us on campus last year that didn’t compete, but this is our start. We’re excited to play a game, heavy with non-conference opponents, but we’ll be able to learn a lot about our league and their members,” Raboin said. “We’re at the very beginning, so we’re getting our fundamentals in, getting comfortable with each other. And it goes both ways — us with the players on the ice, the players with us on the ice — and we’re just really looking forward to competing and growing.”
Mattias Sholl has been steady in net the past few seasons for Bemidji State (photo: BSU Photo Services).
BEMIDJI STATE
HEAD COACH: Tom Serratore (entering his 23rd season at BSU) LAST SEASON: 14-17-5 (12-11-3 for fifth in CCHA) KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: F Lleyton Roed (So., 13g-18a-31pts); D Kyle Looft (Sr., 5g-3a-8pts); G Mattias Sholl (Jr., 11-13-5, .908SV%; 2.26 GAA); F Jere Vaisanen (Jr., 7g-10a-17pts). KEY LOSSES: D Elias Rosen (4-24-28); F Ross Armour (14-8-22); D Will Zmolek (4-17-21); F Mitchell Martan (8-10-18). KEY ADDITIONS: D Erik Pohlklamp (Cedar Rapids, USHL); F Liam Engström (Örebro HK, Sweden); F Rhys Chiddenton (Georgetown Raiders, OJHL). 2023-24 PREDICTION: The Beavers are one of the few teams to lose absolutely nobody to the transfer portal–something that’s increasingly becoming a rarity in the modern college hockey world. They did, however, lose two big contributors to graduation. Their defensive pairing of Elias Rosen and Will Zmolek–both fifth year seniors who played countless minutes together in their time in Bemidji–won’t be easy to replace, from an experience or a points standpoint. Still, BSU has nearly every other defender back, plus highly-touted San Jose Sharks draft pick Erik Pohlkamp, who was named the league’s rookie of the year and is one of the most promising prospects to suit up for the Beavers in a long time. Expect BSU to be competing for home ice this year. 2023-24 PREDICTED FINISH: 4th
Bowling Green players celebrate a win during the 2022-23 season (photo: Chad Huffman/BGSU Athletics).
BOWLING GREEN
HEAD COACH: Ty Eigner (entering his fifth season at BSU; is suspended pending an investigation, team will be coached by assistant Curtis Carr in the interim) LAST SEASON: 15-19-2 (12-12-2 for third in CCHA) KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: F Ryan O’Hara (11g-19a-30pts); F Ethan Scardinia (11g-5a-16pts); D Ben Wozney (2g-13a-15pts); G Christian Stoever (11-17-2; .914 SV%, and 2.86n GAA). KEY LOSSES: F Austen Swankler (16g-25a-44pts); F Chase Grescock (11g-20a-3pts1); F Nathan Burke (17g-12a-29pts). KEY ADDITIONS: F Josh Nodler (UMass, Hockey East), F Spencer Kersten (Princeton, ECAC), F Owen Ozar (Denver, NCHC); F Ben Doran (Sioux City, USHL). 2023-24 PREDICTION: The Falcons’ situation is very much in flux. Just after the CCHA announced its preseason awards and predictions last month, it was reported that BG head coach Ty Eigner and three unknown players were suspended pending an investigation into an alleged hazing incident involving they hockey team. That same day, it was also announced that Austen Swankler, the team’s leading scorer and the man picked to be the CCHA’s preseason player of the year by both the coaches and the media, announced he was transferring out of the program. With all that uncertainty, it’s really tough to know where the Falcons are going to end up. They weren’t all about Swankler last season – they had a number of offensive options who are back this year – but interim head coach Curtis Carr is certainly going to have a very difficult job as the program tries to figure out exactly what happened. 2023-24 PREDICTED FINISH: 6th
Brenden MacLaren is back this season for Ferris State (photo: Ferris State Athletics).
FERRIS STATE
HEAD COACH: Bob Daniels (entering his 32nd season at FSU) LAST SEASON: 14-19-4 (9-14-3 for sixth in CCHA) KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: F Jason Brancheau (13g-18a-21pts); F Stepan Pokorny (6g-15a-21pts); F Antonio Venuto (6g-9a-15pts); D Brendan MacLaren (4g-11a-15pts); F Tyler Schleppe (9g-6a-15). KEY LOSSES: F Bradley Marek (7g-10a-17pts); D Blake Evennou (1g-14a-15pts); F Mitch Deelstra (7g-6a-13pts). KEY ADDITIONS: D Nick Hale (Holy Cross, AHA); F Holden Doell (Battlefords, SJHL); F Luigi Benincasa (Spruce Grove, AJHL). 2023-24 PREDICTION: The Bulldogs won 14 games last season and made it out of the first round of the playoffs for the first time since 2016. They were also very close to gaining home ice in the first round of the playoffs, but couldn’t quite get it done down the stretch. Ferris actually has a decent amount of scoring coming back, so I would think they’re going to be in a similar situation this season–fighting for home ice but ultimately coming up short. 2023-24 PREDICTED FINISH: 7th
Tyler Williams is entering his senior season for Lake Superior State (photo: LSSU Athletics).
LAKE SUPERIOR STATE
HEAD COACH: Damon Whitten (entering his 10th season at LSSU) LAST SEASON: 9-25-2 (8-17-1 for eighth in CCHA) KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: F Dawson Tritt (9g-8a-17pts); F Harrison Roy (11g-4a-15pts); G Ethan Langenegger (6-15-2, .910 SV%, 2.96 GAA). KEY LOSSES: F Louis Boudon (9g-13a-22pts); D Jacob Bengtsson (1g-20a-21pts); F Brandon Puricelli (6g-8a-14pts). KEY ADDITIONS: D Nate Schweitzer (Colorado College, NCHC); F John Herrington (Prince George, BCHL); F Reagan Milburn (Vernon, BCHL); D Jack Blanchett (Powell, BCHL). 2023-24 PREDICTION: After finishing last place in the conference a season ago, LSSU lost both of its top offensive producers in Louis Boudon (to graduation) and Jacob Bengtsson (to the portal). That opens up some opportunities for different players to contribute, but with 13 newcomers–11 freshmen and two transfers–it might take a little while for the Lakers to gel. I think until they can show that they have come together as a team, I can’t see them competing for home ice just yet. 2023-24 PREDICTED FINISH: 8th
Michigan Tech goalie Blake Pietila was the CCHA’s top netminder last season (photo: Michigan Tech Athletics).
MICHIGAN TECH
HEAD COACH: Joe Shawhan (entering his seventh season at Tech) LAST SEASON: 21-11-4 (15-7-4 for second in CCHA) KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: G Blake Pietila (23-11-3; .934 SV%; 2.15 GAA); F Kyle Kukkonen (18g-9a-27pts); F Ryland Mosley (12g-19a-31pts); F Logan Pietila (11g-10a-21pts); D Jed Pietila (1g-15a-16pts). KEY LOSSES: F Parker Saretsky (7g-13a-20pts); D Brett Thorne (3g-15a-18pts); F Tristan Ashbrook (10g-7a-17pts). KEY ADDITIONS: F Austen Swankler (Bowling Green, CCHA); D Matthew Campbell (Quinnipiac, ECAC); D Chase Pietila (Lincoln, USHL). 2023-24 PREDICTION: After nearly taking the MacNaughton Cup from Minnesota State a year ago, Michigan Tech has emerged from a lively CCHA offseason as the overwhelming favorites coming into 2023-24. Blake Pietila’s return to the Huskies’ net gives Tech an obvious advantage on defense, but what most are surely going to be looking at this season is just how much better the Huskies’ explosive offense got. Kyle Kukkonen and Ryland Mosley already packed quite the punch last season, but the addition of Austen Swankler in the second semester has goaltenders across the CCHA checking the scheduler twice just to make sure they don’t have to play the Huskies after the holidays. This team has lots of experience and wants to make up for what was a disappointing end to last season, so expect a hungry team who will be the odds-on favorite for the MacNaughton. 2023-24 PREDICTED FINISH: 1st
Lucas Sowder figures to be an impact player again this season for Minnesota State (photo: MTU Athletics).
MINNESOTA STATE
HEAD COACH: Luke Strand (entering his first season at MSU) LAST SEASON: 25-13-1 (16-9-1 for first in CCHA) KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: F Lucas Sowder (5g-9a-14pts); F Sam Morton (6g-2a-8pts); G Keenan Rancier (19-10-1, .914 SV%, 1.86 GAA). KEY LOSSES: F David Silye (23-16-39); D Jake Livingstone (8-27-35); Ryan Sandelin (14-15-29); F Christian Fitzgerald (16-13-29); F Brendan Furry (9-19-28); D Akito Hirose (4-23-27). KEY ADDITIONS: F Jordan Steinmetz (St. Lawrence, ECAC); D Brandon Koch (Air Force, AHA); D Jordan Power (Clarkson, ECAC). 2023-24 PREDICTION: It might take until fans actually see them take the ice to realize how different the guys wearing purple and gold are going to look from this season onwards. As we all know, former head coach Mike Hastings went to Wisconsin, taking the bulk of his coaching staff and four players with him. It’s a wonder he didn’t take the Mayo Clinic Health System Event Center’s zamboni with him, too. In the eyes of Mavericks fans, he might as well have. But they shouldn’t count out new head coach Luke Strand. Strand, an experienced junior hockey coach who was most recently an assistant at Ohio State, brings a wealth of experience to the job and is poised to remake Minnesota State in his image. I don’t think it will take too long before he puts his stamp on the program, but after 11 years under Hastings, it’s only natural that there will be some growing pains. Considering the fact that MSU lost 11 players to either the pros, graduation or the transfer portal, it might take a while for them to gel. I don’t think they’re going to be title contenders this year, but give it time. 2023-24 PREDICTED FINISH: 5th
NMU goalie Beni Halasz will likely see the majority of playing time this season for the Wildcats (photo: Northern Michigan Athletics).
NORTHERN MICHIGAN
HEAD COACH: Grant Potulny (entering his seventh season at NMU) LAST SEASON: 21-17-0 (14-12-0 for fourth in CCHA) KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: F André Ghantous (13g-25a-38pts); F Artem Shlaine (11g-21a-32pts); F Kristof Papp (11g-15a-26pts); D Josh Zinger (3g-13a-16pts); G Beni Halasz (19-15-0, .919 SV%, 2.32 GAA) KEY LOSSES: F AJ Vanderbeck (13g-19a-32pts); F Joey Larson (13g-14a-27pts). KEY ADDITIONS: F Jack Perbix (Western Michigan, NCHC); F Mitch Deelstra (Ferris State, CCHA); D Jeppe Urup (Sacred Heart, AHA); D Viking Gustafsson Nyberg (Leksands IF, Sweden). 2023-24 PREDICTION: Much like their Michigan Tech rivals, Northern Michigan was also oh-so-close to winning some silverware last season, taking Minnesota State to overtime in the CCHA title game before falling to the Mavericks in Mankato. And like the Huskies, the Wildcats have also reloaded for the 2023-24 season. NMU is (likely) the only other team that will be able to mount a serious challenge for the MacNaughton Cup at season’s end. Not only do the Wildcats return André Ghantous–one of the top scorers in the CCHA–but they also will return to Marquette with their rink slightly smaller. The Berry Events Center is ditching the Olympic-sized ice for a hybrid sheet, which might help them score even more than they did last season–a league-best 3.24 goals a game. Combined with the fact that they return nearly everyone on the blueline and goaltender Beni Halsz, expect the Wildcats to compete for the title this year. 2023-24 PREDICTED FINISH: 2nd
Mack Byers scored 14 goals a season ago for the Tommies (photo: St. Thomas Athletics).
ST. THOMAS
HEAD COACH: Rico Blasi (entering his third season at UST) LAST SEASON: 11-23-2 (10-14-2 for seventh in CCHA) KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: F Mack Byers (18g-8a-26pts); F Lucas Wahlin (6g-15a-21pts), F Luc Laylin (10g-11a-21pts); F Ryan O’Neill (3g-17a-20pts); D Ethan Gauer (3g-3a-6pts). KEY LOSSES: F Josh Eernisse (14g-7a-21pts); F Jarrett Lee (1g-10a-11pts); D Trevor Zins (1g-7a-8pts). KEY ADDITIONS: F Matthew Gleason (Colorado College, NCHC); D James Marooney (Ohio State, Big Ten); D Jake Ratzlaff (Madison, USHL). 2023-24 PREDICTION: Entering just its third season after elevating from Division III, St. Thomas is quickly making itself into one of the better programs in the CCHA. Just look no further than the coaches poll, which saw the Tommies garner a first-place vote from Michigan Tech head coach Joe Shawhan. Despite the fact that the Tommies are picked to finish only fifth in the coaches poll, the Huskies’ coach thinks the Tommies are going to be one of the better teams in the conference. There’s no reason to doubt Shawhan. St. Thomas coach Rico Blasi has helped the Tommies quickly find their footing, bringing in high-caliber recruits and transfers who have made an immediate impact. I actually picked them to finish third in the league–that may or may not happen, but I do expect them to be fighting for home ice at the end of the season. 2023-24 PREDICTED FINISH: 3rd
Ryan Naumovski was a steady player up front for Niagara during his time with the Purple Eagles (photo: Niagara University).
AUGUSTANA
HEAD COACH: Garrett Raboin (first season) KEY PLAYERS: G Zack Rose (Bowling Green, CCHA); D Anthony Stark (Colgate, ECAC); D Evan McIntyre (Ohio State, Big Ten); F Arnaud Vachon (Colgate, ECAC); F Ryan Naumovski (Niagara, AHA). 2023-24 PREDICTION: I don’t think it’s controversial to say Augustana probably won’t be very good this season. But, much like when St. Thomas elevated to Division 1 two years ago, whether or not the Vikings are “good” isn’t really the point. As a first-year program reliant almost entirely on transfers and freshmen–with the exceptions of sophomores Ben Troumbly and Will Svenddal, who spend their entire freshmen seasons on campus with no team to practice with–figuring out this team’s identity is going to be the most important part of how the Vikings operate in their first few years of existence. And since they aren’t playing a full conference schedule for their first two seasons as a CCHA member, it will be easier for them to build an identity without necessarily worrying about points in the standings. I would say “success” for the Vikings in year one means stealing a win or two from some big-time opponents on the road and playing an exciting brand of hockey in front of the home fans when their on-campus rink opens in 2024, generating even more buzz for the years to come.
