2005-06 Bowling Green Season Preview

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October 7, 2005

Nothing capable of being memorized is history. — R.G. Collingwood

If there is one thing to learn from Bowling Green’s 2004-05 season it’s this: humility.

“I didn’t want to keep on saying it was the ‘flu.” That’s the simple explanation that Jordan Sigalet, BGSU’s senior goaltender last season, gave for making public his struggle with multiple sclerosis.

He had been diagnosed the season before, actually, but the only player on the team who knew was his younger brother, Jonathan. In fact, Sigalet played the Falcons’ first-round CCHA playoff series at the end of 2003-04 one week after having undergone a spinal tap.

In his senior season, playing not only with MS but with the knowledge that everyone knew about him, Sigalet had the season of his career and displayed the kinds of intangible leadership skills that never show up on stats sheets: courage, determination, poise.

The Falcons rallied around the outgoing, good-natured senior, playing every game as much for him as anything else. The entire team handled the collective concern about their teammate and friend and the added attention from the press with an easiness not often found among men so young.

Sigalet’s struggle gave Bowling Green an immediate purpose and focus. Now Sigalet is gone. So is his younger brother, having opted out for professional hockey. So who are the Falcons now?

Even head coach Scott Paluch can see the issue for what it is.

“When we talk about our team, the first thing that comes up is our goalie situation, the fact that Jordan Sigalet has graduated and moved onto the professional ranks,” says Paluch. “Jordan has meant a lot to our team, on the ice, off the ice but we are certainly capable in goal.”

Oh yeah. In addition to providing a team identity, Sigalet was a goaltender. “Jon Horrell played some great games for us down the stretch,” says Paluch. “Jimmy Spratt is going to come on and do a fine job. We have a good goaltending battle.

Jonathan Matsumoto put up 32 points as a freshman last season.

“I think the important thing our goalies realize is that we are not asking anyone to be Jordan or do anything that Jordan did but to give us the opportunity to be in games and to win games.”

If the Falcons are to improve upon or even equal last year’s fifth-place finish, in addition to finding a reliable starter in net, the Falcons will have to get deeper offensively and improve in front of their own net.

BGSU relied heavily — some would say, almost exclusively — on the line of Jonathan Matsumoto, Alex Foster, and Brett Pilkington last year. Matsumoto has household-name potential; he and Foster became the first Falcon rookie duo to score 20 points each since the 1985-86 season, and the line was the first with three 30-point scorers in seven years for BGSU.

“I think for the first time in a while, we return a lot of productive players,” says Paluch, “guys who have proven themselves scoring in this league. We have 84 percent of our production returning this year.

“We also have our two leading scoring offensive defensemen back, Michael Hodgson and Don Morrison.”

Offensive defensemen are fine, but the Falcons need defenders to defend, period. Another season of team defense in the lower third of the NCAA isn’t going to improve BGSU’s prospects, not even in a league where parity may be created — and not necessarily in a good way — by a lack of experienced goaltenders.

2005-06 Northern Michigan Season Preview

By Paula C. Weston

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October 7, 2005

It takes three facts to make a truth. — Eugene Manlove Rhodes.

One. The Northern Michigan Wildcats return one of the toughest defenses in college hockey.

Two. The Wildcats were collectively born under a star lucky enough to award Andrew Contois, their 2004-05 leading goal scorer, a fifth year of NCAA eligibility.

Three. NMU’s cluster and schedule this season can help propel the Wildcats into the top spot in the league. (See “Two” above regarding luck.)

“Our strength will be our experience,” says head coach Walt Kyle. “I think we have a real good group of defensemen returning; all six guys who started for us on a regular basis last year are back, and they are all juniors and seniors.”

Those guys include senior captain Nathan Oystrick, one of the best blueliners in the country, and Oystrick’s classmate and alternate captain, Geoff Waugh. Both of these defensemen are “very solid,” says Kyle, “very physical players,” whom the Wildcats “look to to be leaders not only as a defensive pair, but as leaders in our locker room.”

Other household names among the NMU D-corps include senior Jamie Milam and junior Zack Tarkir.

In addition to returning the bulk of their solid defense, the Wildcats return a number of talented forwards, including Contois, who was feared gone after using up what appeared to be the last of his NCAA eligibility in 2004-05. Contois, who began his career as a Laker in 2001-2002, transferred to NMU and played the following three seasons.

At the end of 2004-05, the Wildcats were surprised to find out that their leading scorer had run out of eligibility, so they appealed — and won.

The NMU defense will depend once again on Nathan Oystrick.

“A lot of work and detail was done by people in the NMU athletic department to make this happen,” said Kyle when the Wildcats won their appeal. “We were hopeful and confident that the appeal would be granted. This will allow him to compete and graduate.”

And, coincidentally, score more goals for an already experienced NMU offense.

“Up front, we have a number of guys who we hope will take steps, and have turned to guys who can be night-in and night-out offensive players,” says Kyle. “We are led by Darin Olver, who is our returning leading scorer, Andy Contois and Mike Santorelli, two guys that led our team in goals last year, along with Dirk Southern, who was a junior forward who was injured for a good part of the year but is certainly a guy we look to have an impact, who we believe can lead us on a night-in, night-out basis.”

Add to the consistency of both the offense and defense a schedule that lends great opportunity, and you have the recipe for contention. The Wildcats are perennially partnered with Upper Peninsula rival Lake Superior State, and this year NMU draws Ferris State and Western Michigan as its two other clustermates. The Lakers, Bulldogs, and Broncos are expected to fight for the league’s bottom three positions.

NMU also has Michigan and Ohio State, the two teams expected to vie for the top spot in the CCHA standings, at home.

“We’re real excited in Marquette for the season to begin,” says Kyle.

The one fly in the ointment: goaltending. Last year saw the steady and stellar netminding of Tuomas Tarkki. “He’s certainly a guy we’ll have difficulty replacing,” says Kyle.

Those auditioning for Tarkki’s former spot include the capable sophomore Bill Zaniboni, who put up good numbers in limited play last season, and newcomer Derek Janzen of the Chilliwack Chiefs.

With so much experience in front of the net, however, and so much of the league looking at new goaltending, this may be a non-issue for NMU this season.

“I think that we feel that we had a good run the last half of last year,” says Kyle, “and really made strides in becoming the type of team that we want to become.”

2005-06 Michigan State Season Preview

By Paula C. Weston

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October 7, 2005

The only true knowledge of things is the knowledge of their causes. — Archbishop Leighton

All those who think that Michigan State will emerge a top-tier CCHA team this season, say, “Aye!”

Come on. A little enthusiasm here.

“I feel good about our hockey team,” says head coach Rick Comley. That’s a big statement from a man whose team has undergone a crisis of faith in recent years. In the post-Ron Mason, post-Ryan Miller era of Spartan hockey, not only did MSU fans need to be convinced that the Earth would continue to spin and the center would hold, but Spartan players themselves seemed slow to buy into Comley’s tenure.

Between Mason and now, Comley has had to endure early departures, attitude issues, injuries, and kids who just weren’t getting what the man wanted his team to do. It took longer than expected for Comley to transition the team away from its Ryan Miller dependency toward a more offensive-minded style.

A strange side effect was a limping offense that didn’t begin to blossom until midseason last year and never fully reached its potential. When the Spartans found themselves awake again offensively, though, they couldn’t put together enough consistent back-to-back effort to make any real noise.

They did, however, realize what they could do if they played together as a team, and that’s the cause of Comley’s optimism. “The thing I like most about our team is our balance. Colton Fretter is a 20-goal scorer, Drew Miller has become a very valuable player. David Booth I expect to have a breakout season.

“Corey Potter, I think, we are lucky to get back. He could have signed with the New York Rangers but didn’t. Ethan Graham will play a ton of minutes for us. Obviously, you can see with Dominic Vicari’s selection as second team preseason that we are pretty good in that position.”

And that, Spartan fans, is your team’s biggest advantage. In a league that returns precious few time-tested goaltenders, Vicari gives MSU an edge; if he remains healthy and plays as he can, he has the potential to be among the best goalies in the country.

Dominic Vicari offers experience in net for the Spartans.

One big challenge for this year’s Spartans is the schedule, which always pits MSU against Michigan for four regular-season games – and who would have it any other way? – but which also includes first-half trips to Ithaca and Fairbanks – two at home against Northern Michigan, and the College Hockey Showcase at Thanksgiving.

“Our kids are going to get tested early, but I think they are up to it,” says Comley.

The Spartans put together a three-game win streak to end last year’s regular season before sweeping Miami at home in the first round of the CCHA playoffs, and MSU put up five or more goals in eight games last year, so the seeds of improvement have already been planted. Comley said all along last season that he never faulted his players’ efforts.

What remains to be seen is whether the team chemistry has improved to the point of trust — trust in each other, and trust in the coach. If those particular ducks get into those specific rows, the Spartans will return to form — no, scratch that. If all goes as it should, the Spartans will not repeat any history specific to MSU or Comley’s former school, Northern Michigan, but rather create something completely new and completely competitive.

BU Dedicates Jack Parker Rink

By Scott Weighart

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October 7, 2005

In a gala that included a silent auction and a roast by former players and friends — as well as the beginning of a new Terrier Pride scholarship awarded to sophomore Peter MacArthur — Boston University dedicated Jack Parker Rink at Agganis Arena Thursday.

Attendees enjoyed the opportunity to bid on numerous silent auction specialties, including jerseys and uniforms worn by Joe Thornton and Tim Wakefield as well as memorabilia from the 1980 U.S. Olympic team.

However, the highlight of the evening was the tribute/roast, held on a stage made up to look like a corner of the Terrier locker room, complete with stalls featuring the jerseys of current Terriers Jekabs Redlihs, Dan Spang, Brad Zancanaro, David Van der Gulik, and John Laliberte.

Sean McDonough kicked off the speeches with several good lines. After noting that he’s known Parker for over 20 years, McDonough noted, “At first I confess I found him intimidating, but that went away about three years ago.”

After comedian Denis Leary regaled the crowd with many profanity-laced anecdotes, McDonough commented, “It’s special that Denis tailored his remarks to a language that Jack is comfortable with.

BU athletic director Mike Lynch announced that $1.1 million has been raised for the Terrier Pride Scholarship, which was awarded to forward Peter MacArthur.

Introducing a video in tribute to Parker, Travis Roy lightly alluded to his paralysis during his first game as a Terrier, saying “I know that this is a roast, but I still have four years of eligibility left, so I’m going to try to stay on Coach’s good side.”

On a more emotional note, Roy added, “I’ve shed some tears, and he’s been there to dry them for me … For a couple of weeks, I’m grateful that I was able to lace up my skates and be a part of BU hockey.”

“We all have our difficult times in life,” assistant coach Mike Bavis said in the subsequent video. “When people at BU do, Coach is there.”

After the video, former Terriers and Olympians Dave Silk and Jack O’Callahan began the roast of Parker, alluding to his toying with the head-coaching job of the Boston Bruins. “Whenever Jack wanted a bigger boat, he’d just go to a couple of Bruins’ practices. After five or ten Bruins’ practices, they’d double his salary.”

BU alum and UMass coach Don “Toot” Cahoon followed. “Jack confided in me that he was miffed that BC named a rink after Snooks Kelley after just 500 wins, and what did he have to show after 700 wins? Nothing. I told him, ‘Maybe it’s just another situation where Boston University is holding itself to a higher standard than Boston College.’

After Harvard legend Don Cleary spoke, comedian Steve Sweeney got some of the biggest laughs of the night. “So you’ve been here 40 years … . What a rut!”

Parker reflected on the dedication. “It’s quite an honor to have my name on this rink,” he said. “John Hancock and Harry Agganis are pretty famous names in Boston, so to have my names associated with theirs and with Boston University is something that my family and I are really proud of. There must be 200 of my former players here, which is great.”

As for being roasted, Parker commented, “That’s okay. I get the last word.”

Indeed he did. As soon as he got up, Parker noted that “Steve Sweeney is proof positive that you can quit drinking and not get any better.” For good measure, he added that “I didn’t know that Bill Cleary was still alive.” As for Silk, Parker reflected that “I think that he may have graduated high school while he was at BU.”

It was an entertaining evening that should prove to be a good appetizer for the hockey season soon to come. Unfortunately for the Terriers, they may be without last year’s leading scorer, David Van der Gulik, for a significant portion of the season. Suffering from a condition called osteitis pubis, an inflammation of the pubic bone that should sideline him until January at the very least. “You’ve got to get over those things,” Parker said. “It’s a tough league.”

The Terriers host the University of Toronto in an exhibition game on Friday night.

2005-06 Western Michigan Season Preview

By Paula C. Weston

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October 7, 2005

History repeats itself because no one was listening the first time. — Anonymous

Have you heard the one about the team that can score from nearly anywhere on the ice but allows goals from nearly anywhere as well?

Of course you have. It’s the recent history of the Western Michigan Broncos.

Anyone following Bronco hockey can tell you how exciting the WMU offense can be. Last year, Brent Walton had a breakout season to become one of the top scorers in the country, and the Broncos had the ninth-best power play in the nation. But while WMU averaged close to three goals per game, it allowed close to four — a recipe for going nowhere any time soon.

“That’s something that we need to improve upon,” says head coach Jim Culhane. “We’ve implemented some new defensive zone coverage and new neutral zone coverage. We’ve proven that we can score goals. We play a real exciting style.

“I think we need to compete better defensively. We have a group of players who really enjoy competing offensively, but we need more buy-in from our players to compete defensively.”

In other words, some players need to grow up.

It’s fun to score goals. You get that great rush of adrenaline, the light goes off and the horn sounds, and the fans adore you. It’s like when you were a kid, when everyone converged on the puck because getting the puck to the net was the only concern of everyone on the ice except for the goaltenders.

College hockey is different game from that of childhood, a different game from the junior scene, too. The Broncos need commitment from every forward on that team to play every system, including those that favor defense.

Brent Walton broke out in a big way last season for the Broncos (photo: Christopher Brian Dudek).

Culhane thinks that the commitment and leadership will come not only from players like senior forwards Walton and team captain Mike Erickson, but also from his sophomore class.

“I think we got great play from our freshman class last year,” says Culhane. “On the blue line, we had Nathan Ansell and Jonathan Lupa, and we had forward Brian Bicek.” Rounding out WMU’s solid sophs are forwards Mike Lesperance and Jeff Pierce and goaltender Daniel Bellissimo. “Those six freshmen can continue to emerge as sophomores,” says Culhane.

One sophomore in particular should exceed expectations this year, says Culhane, on the last line of team defense. “I don’t think Dan [Bellissimo] has received the respect he deserves. I think Dan is a tremendous competitor.”

Bellissimo’s numbers, while not spectacular, were passable his freshman season, but things not on the stat sheets also defined the goalie’s first season, like the number of times he was hung out to dry by his defense.

And like only half the teams in the league this year, the Broncos have an automatic advantage in net. “We’re going into a situation that we know who our starter is.”

In addition to improving in their own zone, the Broncos need to improve outside of their own comfort zone, outside the friendly confines of Lawson Arena. WMU was 10-7-1 at home last year while going 4-14-1 on the road.

“We want to continue the enthusiasm and excitement that we have at Lawson Ice Arena with our student section, the ‘Lawson Lunatics,’ but we want to try to improve on our road record.”

Here’s a suggestion for a new, clean cheer that even a lunatic could learn and love: “Dee-fence! (clap, clap) Dee-fence! (clap, clap).”

Has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?

2005-06 Lake Superior State Season Preview

By Paula C. Weston

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October 7, 2005

History is not melodrama, even if it usually reads like that. — Robert Penn Warren

Ah, Frank. Why did you have to go? We hardly knew ye.

So it took a few years for CCHA fans to adjust to the unique coaching and public speaking style of Frank Anzalone. It certainly took this writer more than one season to begin to understand Anzalone’s near-fanatic dedication to Laker hockey. And it took the man himself a couple of college seasons to remember how to play all aspects of the game.

Anzalone went from a man who in his first season trashed his players without provocation in post-game interviews, to someone who fiercely protected the innocent-until-proven-guilty few who brought such drama to Laker hockey last season.

This deserves to be said: Anzalone got the bum’s rush.

No, this isn’t an apology for Anzalone’s style, nor is it a reconfiguration of history. In his four seasons with LSSU, Anzalone reinvented Laker hockey, infusing the program with a disciplined work ethic second to none in the league, and rebuilding the program to the point where it could see a light at the end of the proverbial tunnel — even if that light didn’t always include the elusive flicker behind an opponent’s cage.

That discipline will serve this current Laker squad well through its coaching transition, and new head coach Jim Roque credits Anzalone for that. “That’s one things he’s always maintained all his years at coaching at every level.”

Roque inherits a sincere and dedicated but offensively tentative Laker hockey team. The Lakers lost several games in spectacular fashion last season, but not so many as the year before, and in fact LSSU played a good many close games in 2004-05, recording 10 one-goal losses — including two 4-3 first-round CCHA playoff road losses to Nebraska-Omaha — and six ties.

The Lakers can compete and they can play defense — they can trap, at least, with the best of them. Now, says Roque, the challenge is to get the Lakers to trust themselves enough to play both ways in their own zone and create more offense.

Jim Roque takes over at LSSU.

“We’re not going to get less defensive, but we want to do a better job — I don’t think we’ve done a very good job from the other team’s blue line down to their net,” says Roque. “That’s one thing we’re trying to correct.

“The thing that’s helped us improve in that area is that we skate better now than we did two, three years ago. A couple of years ago, we didn’t skate as well defensively to get back.”

There are few names on the Laker roster synonymous with offense, but Roque points to three he’d like to see make strides offensively. “We have a group of juniors — Jeffrey Rainville, Trent Campbell, Dominic Osman, who is back from surgery — those are the three main guys who are ready to step up and score goals.”

And the Lakers have a distinct advantage in that they are returning one of the few proven CCHA goaltenders in Jeff Jakaitis, who is as real as they come.

“He’s our guy,” says Roque. “He’s a real asset to the team on and off the ice because he’s probably a better person than a goalie. If he has a great year, we’ll have a great year. He’s played a lot of minutes.”

Given the drama surrounding the dismissal or suspension of several Laker players last season and the firing of Anzalone, if Roque can provide enough stability for LSSU, perhaps the Lakers will provide more goals.

2005-06 Michigan Season Preview

By Paula C. Weston

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October 7, 2005

We cannot escape history. — Abraham Lincoln

Talk about a change in the wind. Michigan captured just one first-place vote in this year’s CCHA preseason coaches’ poll, presumably only because Ohio State head coach John Markell couldn’t vote for his own team to give the Buckeyes the unanimous nod.

Sure, OSU returns a killer team and Michigan brings in half a roster full of newcomers, but let’s remember our history here. This is Red Berenson’s team, and no Red Berenson team has finished below at least a share of second place in league play since 1990-91.

Berenson won a national championship in a hostile environment against heavily favored hometown heroes — in overtime — with a freshman-laden squad in 1998.

“The Michigan team will have a different look to it this year with so many different faces,” says Berenson of the Wolverine squad that will boast 11 freshmen. “We graduated 10 players and lost three underclassmen to the pros during the summer. One of those positions will be goalie, and our freshman goalie, Billy Sauer, who is 17, will be tested early.”

Sauer looked less than stellar in exhibition play, allowing three goals on 20 shots to Toronto, but Berenson is very high on Sauer. “He’s a great kid…he’s coachable … he has all the intangibles.”

“I like our incoming freshmen,” says Berenson, “led by [defenseman] Jack Johnson, who was drafted No. 3 overall [in the NHL Entry Draft], and [forward] Andrew Cogliano, who was No. 25 overall, who should be impact players.”

Berenson also likes freshman Travis Turnbull; he’s eager to coach the son of Perry Turnbull, whom Berenson coached when he was with the St. Louis Blues.

While the fresh faces will add enthusiasm to the Michigan lineup, the remaining Wolverines are no slouches. Players like T.J. Hensick, Matt Hunwick, Brandon Kaleniecki, Chad Kolarik, and Kevin Porter are guys any CCHA coach would be happy to have on his roster. The Wolverines are not by any means hurting for talent, in spite of the personnel turnover.

Brandon Kaleniecki’s goals this season likely won’t be as easy as this one (photo: Christopher Brian Dudek).

Perhaps not every departure — or even every early departure — is detrimental to Michigan hockey. Berenson remained steadfast and true to Al Montoya until the bitter end last year, but it was clear to anyone who took the time to look that Montoya was just not the netminder last year that he was his sophomore season.

Perhaps it was the hoopla of his first-round drafting by the N.Y. Rangers; perhaps it was the weight of the Wolverine world. Whatever the reason, Montoya’s timing and focus were off, and he let in pucks that had no business getting by him.

There is no offense intended here, as Montoya is a genuinely nice kid who — we all hope — will find great success in the professional ranks. (In fact, it’s generally believed that any coach not coaching Michigan hockey would have been glad to wish him that success as long ago as 2002.) However, he was off his game last year and were it not for a phenomenal team in front of him would have had a much different win-loss record.

In addition to goaltending, what the Wolverines need is a healthy dose of chemistry. Half the roster is new to Yost, and the other half working harder than it ever has — that can be a recipe for the kind of magic that only Berenson can make, or the first Michigan team in well more than a decade to finish below second place.

Don’t forget about Michigan’s disappointing final game last season, the game that captain Eric Nystrom called “a bad way to go out.” Watching a 3-0 lead evaporate is definitely not a good way to go out — “I’m just really pissed off that that’s the way we had to go out,” said Nystrom — but half this Michigan team wasn’t there for the 4-3 NCAA Midwest Regional Final loss to Colorado College, so those Wolverines have no sense of bitterness, no sense of failure.

And that can’t be bad.

USCHO Women’s Game of the Week:
St. Lawrence at Minnesota

By Brian Schulz

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October 6, 2005

The second season of the USCHO Game of the Week opens with a titanic East-West clash. The Minnesota Golden Gophers have worn the NCAA crown for two seasons. Preseason No. 1 St. Lawrence has been anointed the leading candidate to usurp the crown in 2005-06 after two straight Frozen Four appearances. A road win over the defending champs, a team they have never defeated, would be an ideal first step for the Saints. However, if the last Olympic year is any guide, the new-look Gophers still have the ingredients to be a factor from October through March.

Game Time: Sat. 8 p.m. ET (Broadcast Links)

No. 1 St. Lawrence (28-8-5 overall, 14-3-3 ECAC)

Top Scorers: Emilie Berlinguette, Sr., F (22-25-47), Chelsea Grills, Jr., F (20-23-43), Crystal Connors, Jr., F (12-26-38)
Top Goaltenders: Jess Moffat, Sr. (11-3-3, 2.00, .929), Meaghan Guckian, So. (14-5-2, 2.22, .923)
Scoring Offense: 3.24 (8th)
Scoring Defense: 2.07 (8th)
Penalty Minutes: 14.5 (7th)
Power Play: 43 of 284, 15.1% (16th)
Penalty Kill: 218 of 258, 84.5% (15th)

In college sports, timing counts for a lot and everything seems to be aligned for a championship run in Canton, N.Y.: two returning goaltenders who have both won big games in senior Jess Moffat and sophomore Meaghan Guckian, though the latter will miss the start of the season due to injury; outstanding depth and experience on defense with three seniors (including two captains in Kate Michael and Tracy Muzerall), a junior, and two talented sophomores (ECAC All-Rookie selection Annie Guay and WCHA All-Rookie selection Kerri Wallace, who transferred from Minnesota State); and a quartet of proven scorers up front, including 40+ point producers Emilie Berlinguette and Chelsea Grills.

So what could Coach Paul Flanagan possibly have to worry about? First, special teams. The Saints hovered near the middle of the national rankings all season in 2004-05 and previous national champions have invariably boasted elite power plays and penalty kills. Second, how much of a ripple effect will come from the loss of leading scorer and emotional leader Rebecca Russell, who embraced the role of captain and primary offensive option to the tune of a school-record 32 goals and 70 points? Finally, how will St. Lawrence respond to the role of preseason favorite? Flanagan called the preseason ranking “flattering” but said “everything now is about what you earn” and stressed that his team’s ability to live up to that expectation will hinge in part on how well the players remember the difficult journey that was required to reach the last two Frozen Fours.

No. 3 Minnesota (36-2-2 overall, 25-1-2 WCHA)

Top Scorers: Bobbi Ross, So., F (15-18-33), Erica McKenzie, So., F (12-9-21), Andrea Nichols, Jr., F (10-8-18)
Top Goaltenders: Natalie Lamme, Sr. (3-7-1, 2.90, .885, Ohio State 2003), Brittony Chartier, Fr., Kim Hanlon, Fr.
Scoring Offense: 4.92 (1st)
Scoring Defense: 1.35 (2nd)
Penalty Minutes: 12.9 (17th)
Power Play: 70 of 226, 31.6% (1st)
Penalty Kill: 204 of 229, 89.1% (6th)

If the stars seem aligned in Canton, they are conspicuously absent in the Twin Cities. Coach Laura Halldorson and her players can count on just about every question this preseason centering on how the Gophers can possibly compensate for the departure of U.S. National Team members Krissy Wendell, Natalie Darwitz, Kelly Stephens, and Lyndsay Wall, as well as the graduation of the program’s all-time winningest goaltender, Jody Horak.

However, pundits calling for the certain end of Minnesota’s streak of four consecutive Frozen Four appearances would do well to examine the last Olympic year. Coming into 2002, Halldorson was without the program’s top two all-time scorers to that point (Nadine Muzerall and Ambria Thomas), two elite defensemen (Courtney Kennedy and Winny Brodt), and then-all-time winningest goaltender (Erica Killewald). The result? 28-4-3, a WCHA Championship, and top seed in the Frozen Four. The formula? A banner season from Ronda Curtin shifting back to defense, impact debut campaigns up front from Stephens and Kristy Oonincx, a top-flight rookie goaltending platoon in Horak and Brenda Reinen, and an amazing 13-2 record in one-goal games.

Looking at the 2005-06 roster, the potential might be there to follow the 2002 model of winning on defense, goaltending, and just enough scoring. Halldorson says six-foot freshman Brittony Chartier, fresh from Oval X-Treme and the Canadian Under-22 team, has the inside track for the leading role between pipes. Chartier and fellow keepers Natalie Lamme and Kim Hanlon can count on developing behind a strong defense. Seniors Chelsey Brodt, Ashley Albrecht, and Allie Sanchez are all known quantities, sophomore Anya Miller has had an especially strong camp according to Halldorson, and the Minnesota skipper also expects rookies Melanie Gagnon and Dagney Willey to fit nicely into the rotation right away. Speaking of her revamped offense, Halldorson highlighted WCHA Rookie of the Year Bobbi Ross, captain Andrea Nichols, Erica McKenzie, and Becky Wacker (all players with double-digit goal seasons on their resumes) among her veterans and freshman Gigi Marvin among the newcomers as players who she expects to help fill some of the void left by the high-flying Olympic trio.

2005-06 Vermont Season Preview

By David H. Hendrickson

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October 6, 2005

It’s a whole new world for Vermont as it joins Hockey East as the league’s 10th team. As players and fans will soon find out, the Catamounts have a loyal following and Gutterson Fieldhouse is a tough barn to play in.

“I describe [our reaction] as being excited and as a program that certainly is an understatement right now,” UVM coach Kevin Sneddon says. “There’s a lot of anticipation up here in the community and certainly within our program. We’re just extremely honored to be joining such a prestigious league. The season can’t start soon enough.”

Vermont’s biggest strengths lie in the defensive zone. That’s hardly a surprise when a team allows only 2.18 goals against per game.

Catamount fans thought they had a pretty good goalie in Travis Russell, who played in 32 games two years ago, until Joe Fallon (1.96 GAA, .921 Sv%) came in as a freshman and took over as the number one. He capped the season with ECACHL Rookie of the Year honors.

“We’re very pleased with the depth we have at that position,” Sneddon says. “Joe Fallon obviously had just a tremendous year for us last year and was a big part of our success. Travis Russell, when called upon, was very good. His goals against average in league play — although he didn’t play in a lot of league games — was 1.53. So we got very strong numbers from both young men last year.

“Joe certainly did emerge as our number one goaltender and Travis was the ultimate team player and realized that Joe was having a lot of success and still certainly cheered him on and enjoyed watching the team have success. I was proud of both young men for that.

“Going into this season, both have trained very hard. There are zero signs of complacency in Joe’s attitude and approach to this season. I think he’s hungry to improve upon last year’s results. And Travis obviously doesn’t want to just give him the job. He wants to compete for more playing time. So I think both of them are going to make each other better this year.”

The defense is led by Jaime Sifers and Kenny Macaulay. Sifers won the ECAC’s Defensive Defenseman Award last year and also earned Second-Team All-ECAC honors. Four of the other five blueliners return and are joined by two freshmen, Kyle Kuk and Tim Geverd. Kuk is a highly skilled, immediate-impact recruit.

All of which adds up to a stellar group.

“We’ve really upgraded our defensive core through recruiting and through coaching by our positional coach John Micheletto, who works with our defense,” Sneddon says. “Jaime and Kenny did a great job of inspiring the rest of the defensive core to take a big step forward last season.

“We’re thrilled to have [almost] everybody back. Our young guys are bigger and stronger and faster.”

Joe Fallon, the ECACHL Rookie of the Year, guards the net against some new faces this season.

Up front, the Catamounts lose Scott Mifsud, the ECAC’s top scorer last year, but get back Brady Leisenring. Leisenring, who recorded a 15-21–36 scoring line as a junior, had scored nine points in six games last year when his season was cut short by injury. Returning as a medical redshirt, he helps soften the blow of losing Mifsud.

The other top offensive threats are Jeff Corey (17-16–33), Torrey Mitchell (11-19–30) and Chris Myers (12-8–20). Mitchell was named to the ECAC All-Rookie team last year.

“It’s great to have Brady back for another season,” Sneddon says. “He’ll be counted on to replace some of that offense [that Mifsud provided]. Torrey proved that he was one of the better freshman in the country last year and has really done a great job of putting on size and strength this year, so I think he can be pretty dangerous out there. Jeff Corey took a big step and had a breakout season last year. We need him to continue that this year.”

In many ways, this team looks better than its sixth place projection. The Catamounts should make a run for playoff home ice. The biggest question will be exactly how well they manage the switch to playing Hockey East foes each weekend.

“We’re not used to playing against these teams in regular season games,” Sneddon says. “We certainly have played a lot of Hockey East teams in non-league competition, but this is different.

“We know that playing each of these teams three times is going to be a grind. But our guys are up for the challenge. We feel that we can compete with anybody in the country and know that we have to be at our best every night in this league.

“We have a lot of respect for all nine teams, not just the three or four that have emerged as the programs that have sustained excellence. Top to bottom.”

2005-06 Merrimack Season Preview

By David H. Hendrickson

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October 6, 2005

Last year could not have been any worse for the Merrimack program.

For starters, the Warriors fell to the depths of a 1-22-1 record within Hockey East. The team lost all 14 games after the first of the year.

The players then banded together and unanimously called for then head coach Chris Serino to resign. Several weeks later, Serino stepped down.

All of which would give pause to any coach considering the position. Were the inmates ruling the asylum? Could the same actions be taken against him when times got tough? On the other hand, were there justifications for the players’ actions?

New coach Mark Dennehy sees positives where others might have concerns.

“Regardless of who the coach is, when a situation like that occurs things can go one of two ways,” he says. “It can splinter the group or it can unify them. Even in the interview process, it was quite apparent to me that the one thing that whoever they hired as a coach was going to get was a unified group of guys. And that’s definitely the case.

“I have a group of unified players that are willing to work and that are very excited about the new things we’re going to try to put in. It’s as hard-working a team right now as I’ve ever been around. The returning players believe that you did not see their best foot forward last year and our expectations of our program are a lot higher than the rest of the league’s expectations of us.

“The players are looking forward to this season starting and really putting last year behind them. There are also a lot of players or a lot of people in this program that had nothing to do with last year.

“It’s a new year. We have a new attitude. Merrimack’s a wonderful place and we’re looking forward to moving forward.”

To be successful, the Warriors will need to improve in the defensive end. Their 4.06 goals against per game last year was the worst mark in Hockey East.

Jim Healey (3.73 GAA, .889 Sv%) and Frank McLaughlin (4.07, .883) return between the pipes and are joined by freshman Pat Watson. Healey’s numbers fell off sharply last year from his freshman season in which he posted a 2.84 GAA and a .907 save percentage. McLaughlin hadn’t made it off the bench in his first two years, but Serino tried to catch lightning in a bottle the way Boston University had with John Curry. McLaughlin responded reasonably well in five decisions, but he didn’t see action after Feb. 11.

A return to form for Healey or an impressive debut by Watson will be exactly what the doctor ordered.

“It all remains to be seen,” Dennehy says. “I think if you asked Jack Parker last year what he thought of his goaltending at the beginning of the season, [it would have been different than later] with John Curry coming out of nowhere. Things change during the season.

“We’re hoping to get Jimmy back to where he was his freshman year, and maybe even better. I know he’s worked pretty hard since I’ve come in to make sure he’s in the best shape that he can be in. Frank did a good job of supporting in that role, and he’ll continue to do so. Pat Watson is going to do a lot to help complement Jimmy.

“But hey, goals are never one person’s fault. It’s a team game. Martin Brodeur at times has been the best goaltender in the NHL, but a lot has to do with who’s standing in front of him. So, this is a team and that’s what we’re going to promote and that’s how we’re going to look at every position.”

Bryan Schmidt provides punch from the Warrior blue line (photo: HockeyEastOnline.com).

On the blue line, one figure towers above all others. Second-Team All-Hockey East selection Bryan Schmidt led the team in scoring with a 13-18–31 scoring line, in the defensive zone and on the power play with eight man-advantage goals. Although Jeff Caron and Peter Hams must be replaced, five others return: Rob LaLonde, Ryan Sullivan, Scott Drewicki, Jordan Hart and Brian Boulay. Joining them are freshmen Brock Wilson, who is considered a top recruit, and Eric Quinlan.

“I was obviously thrilled when Bryan chose to return,” Dennehy says. “What he was able to do as a individual on a team that had such limited success says a lot about him as a person.

“We’re going to need everybody. As excited as I am to have Bryan Schmidt and as big a cog as he’s going to be in this, he’s one person. We’re going to ask him to do his job and he’s got to trust that the guy next to him is going to be doing his as well.”

With two of the three top scorers being defensemen last year, the forwards will be looking to provide more firepower this season. Brent Gough has been a near point-a-game producer in the past. His injuries last year were a significant blow. Matt Johnson (10-17–27) and Mike Alexiou (11-5–16) are the other top returning scorers.

“Getting Brent Gough back is obviously going to help,” Dennehy says. “He’s had a history of [production]. It will be interesting to see who else steps up. I’m reminded of my year at Fairfield when I sat a young man down and told him that he was going to get some penalty-killing time, trying to find him some more ice time. He said that he always had considered himself a goalscorer and he’d like to be on the power play. My answer to him was, ‘Well, you score some goals and we’ll both consider you a goalscorer.’

“I’m hoping that someone will emerge on that front.”

Perhaps mindful of the challenges ahead, Dennehy quickly answers when asked where he thinks his team stands.

He smiles and says, “We’re tied for first.”

2005-06 Boston University Season Preview

By David H. Hendrickson

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October 6, 2005

Some teams perform a last-to-first rebound from a disastrous season to a tremendous one. Last year, Boston University achieved an almost-last to an almost-first performance. Following the very forgettable 2003-04 season in which the Terriers finished a point out of last place, avoiding the cellar only by an overtime goal in the final game, they came back with a vengeance, trailing regular season champion Boston College by a single point.

The close but no cigar motif continued in the playoffs, where BU got to the Hockey East semifinals only to fall to New Hampshire and then lost in the first round of the NCAAs to North Dakota.

Very good, especially when taken in context of the prior year’s disaster. But since when is making it to the league semis a satisfactory outcome at BU? Since when is making the NCAA tournament, but going one-and-out, good enough at BU?

Not in the past. Not in the present. And not in the future as long as coach Jack Parker is at the helm.

This is a program built on competitiveness and a refusal to accept second place.

But that may be roughly what is in store for this year’s team.

Whatever heights the Terriers achieve this season, the backbone of the team will almost certainly be in goal. John Curry (2.00 GAA, .922 Sv%) came out of nowhere last year to earn Second-Team All-Hockey East honors. The position looks even stronger for the season ahead.

“I think the biggest strength we have is the guys in net,” Parker says. “We’re going to be very, very solid and very, very deep there. Curry gave us a great year. When Stephan Siwiec had to come in and fill in for [Curry], he gave us great performances for a number of games.

“And Karson Gillespie looks much more confident and ready to go this year. We recruited him to be our number one goaltender. So there’s depth, there’s skill and there’s experience there.”

In front of those netminders will be a group of defensemen that lost only Bryan Miller from its ranks. The returning group will be led by seniors Dan Spang and Jekabs Redlihs along with juniors Kevin Schaeffer and Sean Sullivan.

“That will be our strength as well, our corps of defenseman,” Parker says. “We are losing Miller as a defenseman, that’s important. The fact that we’re losing an offensive defenseman like Miller that we don’t have a replacement for yet [is a bigger issue]. But I do think a few guys will emerge.

“We had a couple of guys who didn’t get a lot of ice time last year, guys like [Thomas] Morrow and [Dan] McGoff, who I think will be very, very good Division I players. McGoff didn’t see a lot of ice time as a freshman, but I think he’ll be a real solid player for us and might be a guy who can play on the point on the power play as well.”

David Van der Gulik, a key offensive contributor, may miss the first half of the season for BU (photo: Melissa Wade).

Up front, there were no superstars last year, but good depth. Freshman Chris Bourque made a great first impression, especially making the power play tick, but he turned pro shortly after the season ended. The top returning scorers include seniors David Van der Gulik (18-13–31), John Laliberte (12-18–30) and Brad Zancanaro (10-13–23), along with sophomores Pete MacArthur (13-14–27) and Brian “Boomer” Ewing (6-8–14 in 29 games).

Van der Gulik, however, has been sidelined since the end of last year with a pubic bone inflammation and will require time to get into shape when he does return. The current worst-case scenario puts him out until January.

“[Bourque’s departure] leaves more of a void on the power play than it does up front [even strength],” Parker says. “He certainly was a great player and created a lot of offense for us, but we think we’ve got enough guys there.

“We’re really happy with our depth up front, but we can’t have those guys have years like they did last year; we have to have them have more productive years. [Kenny] Roche has got to get more goals. Zancanaro has to play an entire season like he did the first half of the season as far as production is concerned. He played great all year, but the puck didn’t go in the net for him.

“Van der Gulik has got to get back and healthy and then he’s arguably our best player, certainly offensively. I think MacArthur and Ewing are going to be real stars in this league. After their freshman years and the injuries that occurred and the struggles [they had], they’re going to emerge as important offensive players for us.”

Incoming freshman forwards Chris Higgins, Jason Lawrence and Brandon Yip are also expected to make an immediate impact.

All in all, the Terriers shape up to be a team without weaknesses. How far they go will depend on how strong some of their strengths become.

2005-06 Boston College Season Preview

By David H. Hendrickson

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October 6, 2005

Stop the presses. Boston College is picked to finish first.

Okay, maybe you can unstop the presses.

It’s become almost as predictable a rite of autumn as the leaves turning color, mornings growing cold and college students returning en masse to the Hub. Six of the last eight years the Eagles have been picked to finish first in the Hockey East coaches’ preseason poll. That’s just about as consistent as anything gets in the world of college hockey.

“I was surprised,” BC coach Jerry York says. “Not just because of the number of losses we had, but more importantly the significance of the players: Andrew Alberts, Patrick Eaves and Ryan Shannon.”

Such is the talent equation. If you bring in exceptional talent almost every year, you also lose exceptional talent almost every year. The key isn’t what is gone — and Alberts, Eaves and Shannon amount to a hat trick of lost All-Americans — but what is left behind.

And what’s left behind at Chestnut Hill is still very good. There are question marks, but also exclamation points.

“We’re proud of the fact that maybe we can defend the title and win it again this year,” York says. “But realistically, we’re going to be very young in a lot of different areas.”

The most obvious place of youth, and by far the biggest question mark, will be on defense. Three senior blueliners who regularly dressed last year must be replaced. Vying for that ice time will be newcomers Anthony Aiello, Tim Filangieri, Tim Kunes and Brett Motherwell.

“We’ve got Peter Harrold back,” York says. “He’ll be a senior and we know exactly what we have there. Mike Brennan came on pretty good as a freshman. It will be pretty steady with those two.

“After that, there are a lot of questions. Brian O’Hanley and the four freshmen will be vying for those next few spots. It will be interesting.”

All of which puts the defensive zone spotlight on goaltender Cory Schneider (1.90 GAA, .916 Sv%). As a freshman last year, the first-round NHL draft choice split much of the time with veteran Matti Kaltiainen, but took over in the playoffs. With the graduation of Kaltiainen, Schneider will move front and center.

Cory Schneider returns after a sterling season for BC (photo: Melissa Wade).

For the first time since York began his parade of top recruiting classes to BC, the team’s biggest strength, at least on paper, is between the pipes. Of BC’s 21 All-America selections since 1997, not one was a goaltender. Not that Schneider will necessarily change that, but in many respects he’ll be the Eagles’ go-to guy.

“We’re going to rely on Cory Schneider to have a banner year back there,” York says. “I think he will. He’ll have to because we’re going to break in the four freshman defensemen in front of him. And we’re not going to have the puck as much without Shannon and [David] Spina and those guys.”

Speaking of which, BC lost four of its five top scorers, leaving behind only Brian Boyle (19-8–27) and Joe Rooney (4-16–20) as 20-plus point producers. Stephen Gionta, Dan Bertram and Chris Collins all finished in the 17-to-19 point range.

In other words, offense could be a surprising question mark. Starting with the 1997-98 season, BC has finished first in league scoring every time except for last year (second to New Hampshire) and 2001-02.

“We’re trying to think of where the goals are going to come from,” York says. “We’re hoping that Gionta and Collins can get up into the 15-16 goal [range]. Then Rooney and Boyle are our two junior forwards. Those four will be the core of the upperclass forwards.”

It all adds up to a lot more question marks than usual for the Eagles.

“It’s going to be an interesting year,” York says. “I’m looking forward to it just because there are so many unknowns.”

USCHO Women’s Game of the Week:
Minnesota-Duluth at Wisconsin

By Brian Schulz

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October 6, 2005

Talk about not easing into the schedule. For the opening act of the 2005-06 season, the WCHA has member institutions (Minnesota, Minnesota-State) tangling with heavyweight non-conference opponents (St. Lawrence, Mercyhurst) and offers up a marquee conference series in Madison where No. 4 Minnesota-Duluth renews a taut rivalry with the preseason co-No.1 Wisconsin. Four of the five meetings a year ago were decided by one goal. UMD won three including one in overtime in Madison, but the Badgers took an overtime decision in the semifinals of the WCHA tournament.

Game Time: Sunday, 3 p.m. ET (Broadcast Links)

No. 4 Minnesota-Duluth (26-6-2 overall, 22-4-2 WCHA)

Top Scorers: Noemie Marin, Jr., F (30-26-56), Jessica Koizumi, Jr., F (24-17-41), Allison Lehrke, Jr., F (10-13-23)
Top Goaltender: Riitta Schaublin, Jr. (20-4-1, 1.51, .942)
Scoring Offense: 3.85 (5th)
Scoring Defense: 1.59 (4th)
Penalty Minutes: 15.0 (6th)
Power Play: 51 of 224, 22.8% (5th)
Penalty Kill: 190 of 206, 92.2% (1st)

If there is a team that has become accustomed to adapting to the departure of great players, it is Minnesota-Duluth, and All-American defenseman Julianne Vasichek and All-Everything captain Caroline Ouellette are the latest to join that parade. However, talking to Coach Shannon Miller this week, she seems excited about the potential of the new group because of the depth she has to work with across the board. The revamped roster features a mix of experience (10 juniors) and promise (11 freshmen) that could put the Bulldogs in position to make amends for an upset loss in last year’s NCAA Quarterfinals.

Goaltender Riitta Schaublin had one of many breakout seasons among that junior nucleus, finishing in the nation’s top three in winning percentage, goals against average, and save percentage. Add four of her classmates to patrol the blueline alongside former First Team All-WCHA performer Krista McArthur (one of only two seniors), sophomore Rachel Drazan, and expected immediate contributor Myriam Trepanier, and the nation’s fourth-ranked scoring defense of a year ago should be stingy again in 2005-06. Up front, only one returning player in the nation (Karen Thatcher) put up more points than Noemie Marin did a year ago. After lining up alongside Ouellette all of last season, she and speedy sniper Jessica Koizumi will look to establish a new chemistry with German national team veteran Michaela Lanzl. Lehrke also quietly doubled her point totals last year and it was her power-play goal that sparked UMD’s 3-goal rally the last time the Bulldogs tangled with the Badgers on Kohl Center ice.

No. 1 Wisconsin (28-9-1 overall, 20-7-1 WCHA)

Top Scorers: Sara Bauer, Jr., F (26-29-55), Sharon Cole, Sr., F (11-27-38), Nikki Burish, Sr., F (14-21-35)
Top Goaltenders: Meghan Horras, Sr. (20-7-1, 1.75, .915), Christine Dufour, Jr. (8-2-0, 0.80, .953)
Scoring Offense: 4.47 (2nd)
Scoring Defense: 1.55 (3rd)
Penalty Minutes: 12.8 (20th)
Power Play: 45 of 196, 23.0% (4th)
Penalty Kill: 184 of 210, 87.6% (8th)

Since its inception, the WCHA has belonged to the Gophers and the Bulldogs. The Wisconsin Badgers may be ready to loosen that stranglehold despite needing to make some repairs to their trademark wall of defense. Gone are Carla MacLeod, Molly Engstrom, and Nicole Uliasz, leaving Bobbi-Jo Slusar, Emily Morris, and Kristen Witting as the backbone of a new-look blueline corp that also includes two converted veteran forwards in senior Meghan Mikkelson and junior Vicki Davis. But the goaltending tandem of senior Meghan Horras and junior Christine Dufour is still around to support their blueliners through the maturation process, and Coach Mark Johnson’s forwards know their way around their own zone as well.

Speaking of forwards, Wisconsin has lots of those in all shapes and sizes even with the departure of second-leading scorer Lindsay Macy and third-leading goal-getter Jackie Friesen (now one of the team’s assistant coaches). Want small and quick? Captain Sharon Cole and preseason WCHA Player of the Year Sara Bauer combined for 83 points as linemates last season, and Cole says rookie Kayla Hagen has fit in well with the duo so far in camp though she concedes the combination could change come the weekend. Want big and strong? 6’1 sophomore Jinelle Zaugg was a WCHA All-Rookie selection. Something in between? Madison native Nikki Burish more than doubled her career totals last year while Northeastern transfer Cindy Kenyon chipped in with 13 goals and 13 helpers to be one of six returning Badgers topping 20 points a year ago.

2005-06 Maine Season Preview

By David H. Hendrickson

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October 6, 2005

No team suffered a bigger early-signing loss to the pros than Maine. Chris Bourque left Boston University in the spring. Then, after the new NHL collective bargaining agreement went into effect, Lowell lost Ben Walter, Boston College lost Patrick Eaves and Maine lost Jimmy Howard.

BC fans might argue that the departure of Eaves, the reigning Player of the Year and an All-American, was the worst defection to recover from. River Hawk fans might argue that their team’s depth, in comparison to perennial powerhouses like BU, BC and Maine, made the Walter signing a bigger blow.

They would be wrong.

Jimmy Howard is a goaltender. End of story.

No player can dominate games like the guy between the pipes. Exhibits A, B, and C might be Howard’s performances two years ago in Maine’s run to the national championship game. He carried the Black Bears on his shoulders, finishing the season with an astounding 1.19 goals against average and a .956 save percentage. Exhibit D could also be last year’s NCAA game against Minnesota in which Howard stopped the first 37 Gopher shots to force overtime.

Although he suffered physical ailments last year that got him off to a slow start, one could still argue that no team depended more on a single player over his last two years.

It’s not as though his departure sends the season down the drain, but it does amount to a near polar shift.

“Obviously, we’re disappointed,” Maine coach Tim Whitehead says. “Not just as a player. Obviously that’s big. But he was a great leader for us, too. He was picked as a captain, one of those rare goalies who has a letter on his shirt.

“We’re going to miss him a lot. We’re very proud of him and excited for him. But we’re very determined to make this a special season and that’s our challenge now, no different than if you lost your quarterback a week before the season.

“You don’t pack it in. We feel we have a very strong team and it’s going to be exciting to see what we can do. It’s going to be a process and it may take some time, but we’re determined to make it a special season.”

The polar shift will manifest itself in a reliance on the forwards as difference-makers instead of Howard. The top six scorers and 10 of the 11 who finished with at least 15 points all return. Leading that group are Derek Damon (14-13–27), Jon Jankus (8-17–25) and Michel Léveillé (12-12–24). It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Léveillé bounce back to the 40-point form he displayed two years ago.

“Oddly enough, I think our forwards will be our strength this year,” Whitehead says. “They were probably our weakness last year simply because they were young. Our power play was mostly freshmen and sophomores and that was fine. We knew we weren’t going to produce a lot of goals last year.

“This year, though, we’re going to produce more offensively. And we need to. We were middle of the pack offensively last year and we need to put up more goals and we will. I’m not worried about it.

Jon Jankus is among the returning Black Bear scorers, with 25 points a year ago (photo: Pedro Cancel).

“What I’m worried about is our defense and goalies. And in the end that’s typically your formula for victories: your defense and goalies. That’s going to be a work in progress.”

The blueliners are led by Steve Mullin in the defensive zone and Bret Tyler on the attack. Three freshmen — Chris Hahn, Bryan Plaszcz and Matt Duffy — will have opportunities to add a new dimension to the group.

“I like all the three newcomers,” Whitehead says. “They’re all 6’2” or above and that was an area we thought we needed to address. And they’re all offensive defensemen and we were near the bottom of the league in defenseman contributions offensively. So that’s going to help us.

“I do like the guys we have coming back. Steve Mullin, I believe, is as good as any defensive defenseman in the league. He’s fabulous. He’ll be our leader on defense. And than we have Travis Wight, another senior who had a great freshman year. He’s had a couple of down years, but I think he’s going to surprise a lot of people.

“We have Mike Lundin, who is a real solid two-way defenseman and Bret Tyler, who was our top-scoring defenseman as a freshman last year. He’s a heck of a player. Travis Ramsey was our most improved player last year as voted by the players.”

Assuming Howard’s mantle will be sophomore Matt Lundin, who appeared in only one full game and bits and pieces of eight others, along with freshman Ben Bishop. Lundin was actually projected to play elsewhere and return next year until Howard signed. If either netminder seizes the opportunity, Maine’s strengths could make for another very successful season. If both struggle, however, the result in the wins and losses column will likely be another reminder that teams with goaltending problems go nowhere.

“We’re going to play them both,” Whitehead says. “Had [Lundin] gotten more ice time last year, more of an opportunity to gain experience, I think we’d be more comfortable putting him into [a clear number one] position, but I don’t think that’s fair to him. No different, it’s not fair to throw Bishop as a freshman into an every-game situation, a number one position.

“We really do need to commit to playing both these guys for quite a while if not the entire season. If we do that, hopefully they will both gradually emerge as number one guys. That’s our hope and that’s what we’re going to focus on right now.”

Is that hope whistling past the graveyard or realistic optimism? Much depends on the answer.

2005-06 Massachusetts Season Preview

By David H. Hendrickson

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October 6, 2005

For Massachusetts, last season was without question a tale of two years. In 2004, the Minutemen posted a 10-10-1 record. In 2005, however, the wheels came off and they plummeted to 3-13-1. Coming on the heels of the breakthrough 2003-04 season in which they finished third in Hockey East, the freefall was disheartening.

On the positive side, however, UMass brings back almost its entire roster and should also have key contributor Matt Anderson available for the entire slate of games. The team’s demise and Anderson’s season-ending injury on Dec. 9 line up almost perfectly, both in terms of timing and also in logic. Anderson led the team in points per game with a 7-13–20 mark in 18 contests.

“We really like the fact that we’ve been able to hang onto our upperclassmen,” coach Don Cahoon says. “We like the leadership we have with that group. We think in each position we have a star-level player within the league format: Gabe Winer in goal, Marvin Degon on defense and Stephen Werner as a forward. So we’re really pleased about the leadership we’re going to get in each one of those areas.

“Now the question will be how well do the young kids adjust to the college level of play. We have 16 freshmen and sophomores. How much do the sophomores and juniors elevate their game to become more of a factor within Hockey East?

“Stay tuned, because I don’t have the answers to those questions right now. But I think that they’re the key to how high we can finish and how well we’ll do in the course of the season.”

Up front, Werner (14-13–27) and Anderson will be the senior mainstays. Werner scored 38 points as a freshman so he could easily finish his collegiate career with a big-number season. Sophomore P.J. Fenton (13-12–25), a member of the Hockey East All-Rookie Team, and junior Kevin Jarman (7-14–21) are the other primary scoring threats along with Matt Burto (7-6–13).

“We think that we have a little bit more depth with the incoming players,” Cahoon says. “P.J. Fenton has emerged. Matty Burto has emerged. We have guys like Kevin Jarman, who we think are on the cusp of being real good players in this league going into their junior year. So some of those people have to come to the forefront to give us a little bit more offensive ability.

“I’m happy with the forward group. I think it will be the deepest we’ve had since I’ve been here.”

Stephen Werner looks to finish his collegiate career with a bang (photo: Karen Winger).

On defense, Degon (10-8-18) is a major offensive threat, especially on the power play. Junior Mark Matheson and sophomores David Leaderer and Michael Kostka are the other returning blueliners. This group will be supplemented by freshmen Topher Bevis, Jesse Downey and John Wessbecker.

“With Degon, Matheson, Kostka and Leaderer, we’ve got four guys with substantial experience that we know can play,” Cahoon says. “They’ve all proven to be capable defenders.

“Then add the three freshmen. It’s a matter of how much time they can handle in the early going. How much time can they put in and make a difference? That will be a pivotal part of our team’s development.”

Senior Gabe Winer (3.09 GAA, .889 Sv%) has been a fixture in the UMass nets, averaging over 31 games over his first three years. He’ll be pushed by highly-regarded freshman Jon Quick.

“Gabe certainly came back in better shape than he’s ever been in,” Cahoon says. “He’s 35 pounds lighter and a whole lot more fit. I’m sure that’s a result of knowing there’s a lot more competition in that position and the fact that he’s a senior and he wants to play afterwards.

“Quick is a notable recruit and deservedly so. He’s going to be utilized. He’s a very talented player.

“Right now Gabe has the edge of all that experience. We can go a little bit slower [with Quick] if Gabe’s on top of his game.

“I like our depth in the goal.”

The strengths at UMass are pronounced, but the questions also abound. This season could regain some of the momentum lost last year. Or it could be one of treading water.

“I think we’re overall a better program this year,” Cahoon says. “It’s just a matter of how mature we can be with so many young players.”

2005-06 Hockey East Season Preview

By David H. Hendrickson

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October 6, 2005

Questions, Questions and More Questions

This year in Hockey East answers are hard to come by and questions abound. It may be the toughest season to handicap in the decade of USCHO’s existence.

The predictions would have been considerably easier had not three late-summer defections to the NHL occurred. Boston College was the clear favorite until Player of the Year Patrick Eaves signed with Ottawa. Massachusetts-Lowell looked to be potentially a number two or three team until Ben Walter left for the Boston Bruins. And Maine had NCAA threat written all over it until former All-American Jimmy Howard opted to move between the Detroit Red Wings’ pipes. That hat trick of losses drastically altered the league’s landscape.

With Jimmy Howard’s departure, Michel Leveille’s contributions are magnified for the Black Bears (photo: Timothy Muir McDonald).

Not that the landscape wasn’t changing anyway with the arrival of the Vermont Catamounts. Long one of the ECAC’s top programs, UVM was moving into Hockey East, ridding the league of its odd number of teams and the attendant scheduling problems. No weak sister, the Catamounts finished last year with a 21-14-4 record and a 13-6-3 mark within the ECAC, just barely on the outside looking in at NCAA tournament selection time.

Then toss in a hat trick of coaching changes: Tim Army at Providence, Greg Cronin at Northeastern and Mark Dennehy at Merrimack. Would those programs be energized by the new blood or would they take one step backward before taking two steps forward?

And, of course, there are always the questions about whose recruiting class is going to make an immediate impact.

So bearing all those questions in mind, here are thumbnail views of each team’s outlook.

Click on any team’s name at the top of the sections below for its individual season preview.

The Favorites

1. New Hampshire

Loaded with offensive talent and solid in the defensive end. If sophomore goaltender Kevin Regan continues to emerge, a trip to Milwaukee for the Frozen Four could be in the offing.

2. Boston College

Yes, the Eagles suffered major losses and have gaping holes to fill on defense. But there are plenty of strengths and, besides, when is the last time a BC recruiting class failed to fill the void?

3. Massachusetts-Lowell

The River Hawks took a broadside with the departure of Walter. Until that point, they were bringing back almost their entire team. Now, a top three or four finish isn’t the near-lock it was in July. Still, playoff home ice looks probable.

The Contenders

4. Boston University

John Curry mans the BU nets again after a breakout performance in 2004-05.

There are no weaknesses on this squad and strengths that begin in the defensive zone with goaltender John [nl]Curry. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Terriers seriously challenge for the Hockey East title and make another trip to the NCAA tournament.

5. Maine

If not for Jimmy Howard turning pro, the Black Bears would have suffered minimal losses and been a major threat both within the league and on the national stage. Other than that, Mrs. Lincoln, how did you like the play?

6. Vermont

With a terrific goaltender, a strong group of defensemen and good forwards, the Catamounts look like more than a sixth-place team. It almost feels like Hockey East provincialism to deny them a berth in the top five. The only problem is, who would they dislodge?

Who Knows?

7. Massachusetts

Steven Werner, Matt Anderson, Marvin Degon and Gabe Winer provide an impressive veteran core. The key, however, will be how well the 16 freshmen and sophomores fare.

8. Providence

New coach Tim Army is promising an up-tempo game with more offense. Will the freshman offensive defensemen he’s counting on produce right out of the gate? Or will there be growing pains?

Sorry, But Not This Year

9. Northeastern

With gaping holes to fill at all three positions, this looks like a clear rebuilding year for the Huskies.

10. Merrimack

Not to kick a team when it’s down, but someone’s got to be picked for the cellar. The Warriors will be better than their 1-22-1 league mark last year, but it still looks like a two-team race for 10th.

2005-06 Massachusetts-Lowell Season Preview

By David H. Hendrickson

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October 6, 2005

As the season beckoned and the sports highlights showed Ben Walter scoring goals in Bruins training camp, River Hawk fans had to feel both a sense of pride that one of their guys was making an impact at the next level and also a sense of disappointment at what might have been. With the 26-goal scorer still on the roster, Lowell would have returned virtually its entire lineup intact from last year.

“Generally speaking, the BUs and BCs of the world and UNH and Maine, are better equipped to lose a player early simply because of their quality and quantity of depth,” Lowell coach Blaise MacDonald says. “We perhaps don’t have that luxury of having so many game-breakers in our lineup. It hurts us more.

“But with every loss is another tremendous opportunity. We have a lot of very talented players who are poised for breakout types of seasons.”

The ranks of the forwards include many of those players. The top returning guns are Elias Godoy (12-27–39), Andrew Martin (12-20–32), Danny O’Brien (11-18–29) and Jason Tejchma (11-15–26). But equally impressive is the depth befitting a group that returned all but Walter of its top dozen scorers.

“That clearly is the strength of our team, in our forwards,” MacDonald says. “We have a lot of talent and depth. We’re just waiting to see who evolves into the clutch player that Ben was, scoring the first goal of a game and scoring the goal to break a tie. I can see Elias Godoy and Martin and O’Brien being able to fill those situations. Tejchma, too.

“We have a lot of good players. Brad King and Bobby Robbins have had good careers and they could really bust out this year.”

The defense also is loaded with eight of the nine blueliners who played in double-digit games last year returning. Unlike the forwards, however, the big gun, Cleve Kinley (8-21–29), is back.

“Cleve Kinley is one of the premier defensemen in Hockey East and all of the country,” MacDonald says. “He’s underrated in my opinion. A big time player. Matty Collar complements him very well; he’s a stay-at-home, warrior-type defenseman with great experience who just competes like heck.

“We were young last year back on defense. We played a lot of freshman and sophomores. Hopefully that experience will play dividends this year. A guy like Kim Brandvold has had a great summer of training and looks good. Kelly Sullivan and Grant Farrell have a year under their belts and should make a big jump. Redshirt junior Bobby McCabe looks really solid.

“Then we have J.R. Bria, a transfer [from Colgate], who is a guy who has just transformed his body, losing a ton of weight and a ton of body fat, and looks outstanding. I would be shocked if he’s not one of our top five defensemen.”

Elias Godoy is UML’s top returning scorer (photo: Melissa Wade).

Goaltender Peter Vetri (2.52 GAA, .912 Sv%) earned Hockey East Rookie of the Year honors for his work between the Lowell pipes last year and will clearly be the go-to guy with the departures of Chris Davidson and John Yaros. Freshman Vinnie Monaco will be the backup.

“Peter Vetri clearly is our guy,” MacDonald says. “He was going to play as much as he wanted to play and Yaros was going to complement him [before Yaros left]. Vetri thrives on a lot of work.

“He’s got to — and I believe he will — build on his successes last year. He got off to a slow start with a lot of injuries, but he’s another guy who has made a major commitment [to conditioning]. Our team feels confident with him between the pipes.

“And I’ve been impressed with Vinnie Monaco. He works like an absolute animal in the weight room and on the ice. That’s a great characteristic for a goaltender to have.”

Put it all together and, even with the loss of Walter, this is a team that could do some serious damage.

“What I expect is more consistency,” MacDonald says. “Last year, we got off to a slow start in league play and then got on a real good run, but then struggled in a few games late at Maine. I want us to be consistent.

“If we could get at least two points in every one of our league series, that would be terrific. If we look at it that way and break it down into small segments, I think we’ll have success. We just want to put ourselves in the position in February where we’re battling for home ice.”

No. 1 St. Lawrence (28-8-5 overall, 14-3-3 ECAC)

No. 3 Minnesota (36-2-2 overall, 25-1-2 WCHA)

No. 4 Minnesota-Duluth (26-6-2 overall, 22-4-2 WCHA)

No. 1 Wisconsin (28-9-1 overall, 20-7-1 WCHA)

Questions, Questions and More Questions

The Favorites

The Contenders

Who Knows?

Sorry, But Not This Year

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