It took the Badgers 38 minutes to light the lamp on Saturday, but then the flood gates opened. Maddi Wheeler scored what would prove to be the game-winner at the end of the second. Daryl Watts and Sophie Shirley each scored twice in the third and Sarah Wozniewicz added a goal in the final minute to make it a 6-0 Wisconsin win. Watts’ first goal was her 250th career point, moving her into ninth place in NCAA history.
(2) Northeastern at Boston University
All the scoring in this game happened over the course of eight minutes in the second period. BU tallied two power play goals five minutes apart midway through the frame thanks to Julia Shaunessy and Christina Vote. Maureen Murphy answered with an extra attacker goal of her own for Northeastern, but that would not be enough as Kate Stuart made 35 saves for the Terriers and BU earned a 2-1 upset win.
(2) Northeastern at Providence
Sandra Abstreiter made 33 saves and Brooke Becker, Lindsay Bochna and Ciara Barone each lit the lamp to give Providence a 3-0 win over Northeastern on Saturday.
(4) Colgate at Vermont
Dara Grieg had a goal and an assist, Kalty Kaltounkova had two assists and Sammy Smigliani and Danielle Serdachny each scored a goal to lead Colgate to a 3-0 win in the first game. On Sunday, Allyson Simpson put the Raiders on the board first, but Kristina Shanahan responded quickly to tie the game at one. Sydney Bard scored late in the first and that would prove to be the game winner for Colgate as they cruised from there to a 5-1 win and weekend sweep. Malia Schneider, Kaltounkova and Serdachny all scored in the win.
(5) Boston College at Merrimack
Katie Pyne scored her first career goal on the power play to put Boston College up 1-0 midway through the first. Willow Corson extended the lead early in the second. Madison Oelkers got Merrimack on the board with an extra attacker goal early in the third, but the Warriors could not complete the comeback. BC won their only game of the weekend 2-1.
(6) Minnesota at (7) Minnesota Duluth
The Gophers had a 2-0 lead after the first period thanks to goals from Audrey Wethington and Ella Huber – her first at Minnesota. UMD’s Elizabeth Giguere scored late in the second to cut the lead in half, but Emily Oden’s goal in the final two minutes of the game ensured a 3-1 Minnesota win. On Saturday, Taylor Heise scored in the opening minute to put the Gophers up 1-0. But the Bulldogs reeled off three goals to give themselves a 3-1 lead at the first intermission. Gabbie Hughes scored on the advantage and again at equal strength and Mannon McMahon squeaked one in with less than 20 seconds on the clock to give the Bulldogs that two-goal lead. Anna Klein extended the lead to 4-1 midway through the second, but Oden responded almost immediately to make it a 4-2 game. Abigail Boreen made it a one-goal game with less than four minutes on the clock and then forced overtime with her goal with 31.5 seconds left in regulation. After all that offense, it was a blueliner that won the game in overtime for Minnesota Duluth. Maggie Flaherty scored from an impossible angle at the extended goal line, putting the puck over Lauren Bench’s shoulder to earn the win.
Saint Anselm at (8) Quinnipiac
The Bobcats out-shot the Hawks 44-13 on Friday en route to a close 4-3 win. The teams traded goals in the early minutes, with Sadie Peart putting Quinnipiac on the board first. Claire Weber responded for Saint Anselm a minute later. Peart gave the Bobcats a 2-1 lead heading into the first intermission, but Weber tied it once again late in the second. Lexie Adzija made it 3-2 for Quinnipiac 20 seconds into the third and Alexa Hoskin extended the lead to 4-2 a few minutes later. Devin Porazinkski cut the lead to one, making it 4-3, but the Hawks couldn’t complete the comeback. In the second game, Peart, Hoskin, Olivia Mobley, Kendall Cooper and Veronica Bac all scored en route to a 5-0 win and weekend sweep for the Bobcats.
Connor Marritt and his Northern Michigan teammates outscored St. Thomas 12-4 in their weekend series at NMU (photo: Northern Michigan Athletics).
Each week, USCHO.com will pick the top 10 moments from the past weekend in our Monday 10 feature.
1. No. 6 Boston College survives opening game shootout, wins IceBreaker Tournament
If you look at Saturday’s score, you might think Boston College’s road to the IceBreaker Tournament title was a cakewalk. On the second night of the predetermined pairings tournament, the Eagles scored four early goals in a 5-1 win over Holy Cross to clinch the title.
But one night earlier, the Eagles were needed a goal in the final round of a shootout just to stay alive. After surrendering a 2-0 lead against Quinnipiac, the two teams needed a shootout to decide which team got the extra point in the tournament standings. Trailing 1-0, Eamon Powell forced sudden death with his goal in the third and final round. Casey Carreau won the shootout a round later, giving Boston College the extra tournament standings point over Quinnipiac, the difference in deciding the winner.
2. No. 2 St. Cloud State finally solves red-hot No. 1 Minnesota State, earning a split
If you haven’t heard, Minnesota State has been pretty impressive to begin the season. Last weekend, the Mavericks swept then No. 1 Massachusetts, spoiling their national championship banner-raising weekend. And Friday, super goalie Dryden McKay posted his second shutout of the season to earn a 1-0 win over St. Cloud State.
But on Saturday, the Huskies finally found a chink in the armor of Minnesota State, earning a 3-1 victory. Each team now stands an impressive 3-1-0 on the young season and are both highly likely to earn first-place votes in Monday’s USCHO.com poll.
3. Atlantic Hockey posts an impressive Friday night against the Big Ten
The Big Ten has not been a welcome foe of late for Atlantic Hockey. Over the past three seasons, Atlantic Hockey teams were a collective 0-21-1 against Big Ten team. But on Friday night, those results turned on a dime.
Bentley defeated Ohio State, 2-1 (more on this one later). Air Force used overtime to knock off Michigan State in East Lansing. And Canisius scored three third-period goals to beat Penn State on the road.
Credit due to those Big Ten teams, though. All three earned wins on Saturday while Minnesota completed a two-game sweep of Mercyhurst.
4. Coaches challenge help Bentley on Friday night
Bentley’s 2-1 upset of Ohio State on Friday night opened plenty of eyes. But if you weren’t among the 1,585 in attendance at Bentley Arena, you might not know, as the late Paul Harvey would call it, “the rest of the story.”
The Falcons led 2-1 late in the game when Ohio State appeared to score the tying goal. While the supposed tally came from a feed to the slot from behind the net, Soderquist’s captain Ethan Roswell, who was sitting on the bench at the time, encouraged the coach to challenge the play for offsides.
Listening to his captain paid off as the officials overturned the goal and the Falcons held on in the game’s final minutes to earn the win.
5. CCHA opens (re-opens?) league play with Northern Michigan sweep of St. Thomas
It’s been a while since there was a CCHA conference game. But with the league re-started this year with a new look and new members, the league season kicked off with the CCHA and college hockey’s newest member, St. Thomas.
Unfortunately for the Tommies, they were unable to pull out a victory as Northern Michigan’s offense cracked out 12 goals over the two games to earn six league points for the Wildcats.
6. Success for Michigan Tech spells rough weekend for No. 13 Wisconsin
Another CCHA team with an offense that was rolling was Michigan Tech, which scored five goals in each game against No. 13 Wisconsin and handed the Badgers two losses.
The Huskies spread out of the offense, particularly on Saturday with five different goal scorers. And while it is a great start for Tech, it raises some early questions for Wisconsin which many wonder how successful this team can be after the departure of Hobey Baker winner Cole Caufield.
7. NCHC off to a hot start out of conference
After two weekends, the NCHC has an early lead in non-conference play. With a 15-4-1 mark in play outside of the conference, the NCHC leads the Big Ten (10-5-0), the ECAC (6-4-3) and Hockey East (10-8-1).
The CCHA, which accounted for nine of the NCHC’s 15 wins, ranks fifth with an 8-11-1 mark. And even with the impressive trio of wins over the Big Ten on Friday, Atlantic Hockey pulls up the rear with a 3-15-0 record (including 0-7-0 against Hockey East teams).
8. Northeastern’s Levi sets a new mark for Huskies goaltenders
On Friday, Northeastern’s Devon Levi, who missed all of last season playing for Team Canada at the World Junior Championship where he suffered a season-ending injury, posted a 21-save shutout against Holy Cross. It was his second consecutive blank slate after stopping all 29 shots he faced last Saturday against Bentley in the season opener.
Levin became the first Northeastern goaltender to post shutouts in consecutive games to begin a career. In fact, he was the first Northeastern netminder to post consecutive shutouts at any point in their career since Keni Gibson in 2003.
9. New Hampshire off to best start under Souza
New Hampshire swept its weekend series against Union to start the season 2-0-0. It’s the best start to their season under coach Michael Souza, who took over for longtime coach Dick Umile in 2018.
In fact, the Wildcats best start of last was the 2017-18 season, Umile’s last, when they began the year 5-0-0. Unfortunately, that team struggled the rest of the way, winning just five more games, finishing 10-20-6.
10. Take the under, baby!
If you were able to find any betting action on college hockey this past weekend, let’s hope you took the over.
Twenty-four games featured five goals or less on the weekend and 26 teams scored either one or zero goals in a game.
Sure, there were some explosions like Northern Michigan’s eight goals against St. Thomas, but goal scoring seemed to be at a premium in the first full week of men’s D1 play.
Denver players celebrate one of their eight goals in the Pioneers’ 8-3 season-opening win at home last Friday night over Arizona State (photo: Justin Tafoya/Clarkson Creative Photography).
Here is a rundown of how the top 20 teams in the USCHO.com Division I Men’s Poll of October 4 fared in games over the weekend of Oct. 8-9.
No. 1 Minnesota State (3-1-0)
10/08/2021 – No. 2 St. Cloud State 0 at No. 1 Minnesota State 1
10/09/2021 – No. 2 St. Cloud State 3 at No. 1 Minnesota State 1
No. 2 St. Cloud State (3-1-0)
10/08/2021 – No. 2 St. Cloud State 0 at No. 1 Minnesota State 1
10/09/2021 – No. 2 St. Cloud State 3 at No. 1 Minnesota State 1
No. 3 Michigan (2-0-0)
10/08/2021 – RV Lake Superior State 1 at No. 3 Michigan 6
10/09/2021 – RV Lake Superior State 4 at No. 3 Michigan 7
No. 5 Minnesota Duluth (2-0-0)
10/08/2021 – No. 5 Minnesota Duluth 4 at No. 15 Bemidji State 2
10/09/2021 – No. 15 Bemidji State 1 at No. 5 Minnesota Duluth 2
No. 6 Boston College (1-0-1)
10/08/2021 – No. 9 Quinnipiac 2 vs No. 6 Boston College 2 (OT) (IceBreaker at Holy Cross)
10/09/2021 – No. 6 Boston College 5 vs Holy Cross 1 (IceBreaker at Holy Cross)
No. 7 Massachusetts (0-2-0)
Did not play.
No. 8 North Dakota (2-0-0)
10/08/2021 – Niagara 2 at No. 8 North Dakota 6
10/09/2021 – Niagara 0 at No. 8 North Dakota 4
No. 9 Quinnipiac (1-0-1)
10/08/2021 – No. 9 Quinnipiac 2 vs No. 6 Boston College 2 (OT) (IceBreaker at Holy Cross)
10/09/2021 – No. 9 Quinnipiac 3 vs No. 18 Northeastern 0 (IceBreaker at Holy Cross)
No. 10 Boston University (1-1-0)
10/08/2021 – No. 10 Boston University 2 at RV Connecticut 1
10/09/2021 – RV Connecticut 5 at No. 10 Boston University 1
MADISON — The Wisconsin women’s hockey team closed out their home opening weekend with a 6-1 win over St. Cloud State.
Daryl Watts opened the scoring for the Badgers as she came around from behind the net, gathered the puck along the boards and carried it into the slot, where she put the puck five-hole on St. Cloud goalie Sanni Ahola to make it 1-0 less than two minutes into the game.
The Huskies responded with a goal midway through the first to tie the game. Taytum Geier put a slap shot on net from the blue line that UW goalie Kennedy Blair blocked, but the rebound bounced right to Allie Cornelius, who deflected it right back into the net.
After starting 3-17 on the power play this season, the Badgers lit the lamp twice in three chances with the player advantage on Sunday. Makenna Webster scored both from similar spots on the ice. In the first, she crashed the net at the top of the crease and deflected Casey O’Brien’s past past Ahola to make it 2-1. In the second, she scored from her knees, putting away a loose puck that came out from a scrum in front of the net to give Wisconsin a 3-1 lead.
In a move reminiscent of her national-championship-winning OT goal, Watts scored her second of the game from behind the goal line. She picked up a puck as it bounced off the back boards and used the goalie to deflect it back at the net.
O’Brien and Watts combined for a goal that looked much like Webster’s first, this time it was Watts dishing the pass in from the left side and O’Brien deflecting the puck into the net. She leads the country with 10 goals.
Sarah Wozniewicz closed out the scoring with a snipe off a nice tape to tape pass from Grace Bowlby.
Once again, the Badger top line excelled, combining for 12 points. Watts ended the game with five points (2g, 3a) while Webster had four (2g, 2a) and O’Brien (1g, 2a) had three.
Webster and O’Brien played together before coming to Wisconsin, but Watts has slotted into their line seamlessly and the three are playing like one unit.
“It’s so much fun. We all work so well together,” said Watts. “Every time we enter, we’re trying to (have one player) drop in, one kind of pull up high so we can feed that person. We can all finish and then we all pass really well, so it makes it easy.”
“I think this team is really talented, but that doesn’t make us win games. It’s how hard we work,” said Webster.
Badger coach Mark Johnson was happy to be 6-0 after the first three weeks’ games, but knows there is still work to do be done.
“One of the first things we tried to do is establish our work habits and for six games, it’s been pretty consistent. The more time you get to practice it in a competitive atmosphere, the stronger you become. We’re still working on things and it’s young. After next weekend we’ll have some more information. We’ve made strides. We’ve improved. But we still have a ways to go, which is good. That’s just normal,” he said.
St. Cloud’s first-period goal ended goalie Kennedy Blair’s scoreless streak that dated back to the national championship game in March. The streak, which lasted 240:10 was good for 10th longest in Wisconsin history.
The CCHA announced Sunday a two-game suspension for Northern Michigan sophomore defenseman Michael Van Unen.
The suspension is a result of Van Unen’s five-minute major penalty and game misconduct infraction for contact to the head, which occurred at the 18:25 mark of the first period in Northern Michigan’s home game on Saturday, Oct. 9 against St. Thomas.
After further league review, the CCHA has determined that the penalty will result in supplemental discipline.
The suspension will be effective for the next two NCAA games, which fall on Oct. 16 against Notre Dame and Oct. 22 against Bemidji State.
Boston College captain Marc McLaughlin scored twice as the Eagles captured the IceBreaker Tournament championship with a 5-1 victory over Holy Cross (photo: Holy Cross Athletics)
The 2021-22 edition of the Boston College men’s hockey team knows how to seize an opportunity.
The Eagles woke up Saturday knowing they did not control their destiny in the IceBreaker Tournament in Worcester, Mass. With predetermined matchups, the Eagles, who won in a shootout over Quinnipiac on Friday, would need those same Bobcats to keep Northeastern from winning in regulation in order to have a chance at taking the trophy.
Quinnipiac did one better, shutting out Northeastern, 3-0, in Saturday opener leaving the door open for Boston College to take the championship with a win.
The Eagles didn’t walk through the door, rather ran, scoring three goals on their first five shots en route to a 5-1 victory over Holy Cross to leave Worcester with the IceBreaker trophy.
It is the first of two IceBreaker Tournaments this season, the second coming next weekend in Duluth, Minn., featuring a completely different field.
Boston College senior captain Marc McLaughlin led the way scoring twice in the opening period. Goaltender Henry Wilder stopped 18 of the 19 shots he faced to earn the victory.
The Eagles won the tournament despite being a shootout goal away from being eliminated prior to Saturday’s final game. Trailing 1-0 in Friday’s shootout against Quinnipiac, Eamon Powell forced sudden death with his goal in the third and final round. Casey Carreau won the shootout a round later, giving Boston College the extra tournament standings point over Quinnipiac, the difference in deciding the winner.
No. 2 St. Cloud State 3, Minnesota State 1
The second-ranked Huskies became the first team to slow down No. 1 Minnesota State, scoring twice early in the first period to earn a 3-1 victory over the Mavericks.
Minnesota State had previously swept then-No. 1 Massachusetts last weekend and then shutout the Huskies on Friday, 1-0.
But despite being frustrated a night earlier, the St. Cloud offense solved goaltender Dryden McKay not once but twice in the game’s opening seven minutes.
Nolan Walker opened the scoring at 3:20 before Mason Salquist doubled the lead at 6:46.
In the second, a late penalty to Minnesota State’s Lucas Sowder allowed Veeli Miettinen to score on the power play.
The Mavericks, no stranger to deficits having overcome a 3-0 hole last weekend against UMass, could only muster a late Reggie Lutz goal.
This is the fourth straight top-two opponent for Minnesota State and things won’t get easier. They’ll participate in the second IceBreaker in Duluth, opening against No. 11 Providence before facing either No. 3 Michigan or No. 5 Minnesota Duluth next Saturday.
Michigan Tech 5, No. 13 Wisconsin 1
The Michigan Tech Huskies are making their case for a spot in the USCHO.com poll after a 5-1 road win against No. 13 Wisconsin to complete the weekend sweep of the Badgers.
The Huskies outscored Wisconsin, 10-3, on the weekend series.
Michigan Tech never trailed on Saturday, silencing the Kohl Center crowd of 10,618 with three first period goals and two additional in the middle frame. Alec Broetzman notched a goal and an assist to pace the Michigan Tech offense.
Goaltender Blake Pietilla stopped 21 of the 22 shots he faced for the victory.
Nathan Smith celebrates the game’s only goal as No. 1 Minnesota State defeated No. 2 St. Cloud State, 1-0, on Friday (photo: David Faulkner/Minnesota St. Athletics)
When Minnesota State coach Mike Hastings looks back on how he scheduled the beginning of his season, he might shake his head.
The Mavericks opened with No. 1 Massachusetts last weekend, before facing No. 2 St. Cloud State Friday and again on Saturday.
But Hastings head shakes certainly won’t be from disapproval, maybe instead from amazement as the currently top-ranked Minnesota State club shutout St. Cloud State, 1-0, on Friday behind a Nathan Smith second period goal.
Goaltender Dryden McKay stopped all 20 shots he faced to earn his second shutout of the season.
On Saturday, Minnesota State will have the chance to complete the season opening grand slam in a rematch with the Huskies. A win would improve them the Mavericks to 4-0-0 and complete the domination of college hockey’s Murderer’s Row.
IceBreaker Tournament (Worcester, Mass.)
No. 6 Boston College 2, No. 9 Quinnipiac 2 (BC wins shootout, four rounds) No. 18 Northeastern 3, Holy Cross 0
Boston College earned a shootout victory when Casey Carreau scored the shootout-winning goal in the fourth round, while Northeastern featured three different goal scorers and Northeastern’s Devon Levi posted his second consecutive shutout to begin his Huskies career as BC and Northeastern earned victories on day one of the IceBreaker Tournament in Worcester, Mass.
Because the tournament features a pre-determined field, those two won’t face-off on Saturday for the title. Instead points earned will determine a champion.
Northeastern, for its regulation win, earn three points. Boston College earns two for the shootout win. Quinnipiac, which rallied from two goals down against BC to force overtime and the subsequent shootout, earns a singles point. Holy Cross, the tournament’s host, didn’t earn first day point.
The Huskies could, however, guarantee themselves as champions should they defeat Quinnipiac in regulation on Saturday’s opening games. All other results would open the opportunity for either Quinnipiac or Boston College to earn the title.
In the opener, BC jumped to a 2-0 lead on goals by Colby Ambrosio in the game’s opening minute and a second-period tally by Patrick Giles. Sophomore Ty Smilanic got Quinnipiac on the board late in the second before Skyler Brind’Amour notched his third career goal early in the third.
Northeastern had a bit smoother sailing as Aidan McDonough and Matt Choupani spotted the Huskies a 2-0 lead through two before Jack Hughes scored his first collegiate goal in the third to put the game away.
🚨MCDONOUGHHHH!!!!🚨
Aidan McDonough gets his 3️⃣rd of the season and gives the #HowlinHuskies the lead!!
Less than a week after falling, 7-0, at the hands of Northeastern, Bentley rebounded in its home opener, handing Ohio State a 2-1 defeat behind a 34-save performance by Nicholas Grabko.
The host Falcons jumped to a 2-0 lead on goals by Collin Rutherford in the first and Cooper Connell in the second.
After Ohio State climbed to within a goal in the third on Mason Loheri’s tally, it appeared the Buckeyes had tied the game in the closing minutes.
But a successful challenge by Bentley overturned the goal, giving the Falcons the victory. The two teams face-off again on Saturday.
Will there be reason for Minnesota Duluth fans to celebrate this weekend? USCHO writers believe that the Bulldogs should be able to handle Bemidji State on Friday. Read more in USCHO Bettor’s Edge (File photo: Jim Rosvold)
Welcome to a new way that USCHO’s writers will pick some of the top college hockey games each week.
Every Friday, in this space you’ll find short previews of five men’s Division I college hockey games. Ten writers from USCHO – the six conference columnists and four national columnists – will each make their picks for each game.
Additionally, I’ll provide a gambler’s look at each game. While it is difficult to find actual money lines on college hockey games, I’m going to set my own line based on where I see betting moving were there to be an official line in Las Vegas.
Understand, this is for entertainment purposes only. USCHO.com is not a licensed gambling platform and no money may be wagered through this site or any subsidiary of USCHO.
We’ll always attempt to pick games that feature nationally ranked teams. When two teams are playing a two-game series, the picks, analysis and money lines only pertain to the first game in the series.
Enjoy reading along. Feel free to keep your own bankroll at home (in a notebook or spreadsheet, not with your local bookmaker!)
Here are this week’s games:
No. 6 Boston College (-130) vs. No. 9 Quinnipiac (+115) (Icebreaker Tournament, at Worcester, Mass.)
Boston College’s Jerry York is the most successful coach in college hockey history, having amassed 1,108 career victories. He has earned wins against 70 different college hockey programs.
One team York has never defeated, though? Quinnipiac.
Rand Pecknold, himself with with 549 wins, has kept BC out of the win column in all four meetings to date. Quinnipiac is 3-0-1 all-time against BC, including a win in the 2016 national semifinal game.
Still, that won’t be enough to make Quinnipiac the favorite in this game. BC has a slight money line edge in this neutral site tilt.
Jim
Dan
Ed
Paula
John
Nate
Chris
Jack
Matt
Drew
Nat'l
Nat'l
Nat'l
Nat'l
HEA
ECAC
AHA
CCHA
NCHC
B1G
No. 18 Northeastern (-420) vs. Holy Cross (+300) (Icebreaker Tournament, at Worcester, Mass)
Both teams in this matchup feature first-year head coaches with Northeastern’s Jerry Keefe and Holy Cross’s Bill Riga. But just at the matchup itself, these rookie head coaches possess significant differences.
Keefe takes over for Jim Madigan, a coach whom he worked up for nearly a decade. Keefe has basically built this program with his own recruiting skills. This, if anything, is Keefe’s chance to put his own stamp on an already successful program.
Riga arrives at Holy Cross after a long, successful audition for a top position while at Quinnipiac. He helped that staff reach two NCAA Tournament finals and seven ECAC regular-season crowns. Unlike Keefe, though, Riga wasn’t able to handpick this team and will have to teach some old dogs new tricks, or at least his style of play.
Major advantage to Northeastern.
Jim
Dan
Ed
Paula
John
Nate
Chris
Jack
Matt
Drew
Nat'l
Nat'l
Nat'l
Nat'l
HEA
ECAC
AHA
CCHA
NCHC
B1G
St. Cloud State (+110) at Minnesota State (-115)
Both St. Cloud State and Minnesota State made major statements in their first weekend of play. The one difference to many may have been the opponent.
St. Cloud State routed first-year St. Thomas on Saturday, 12-2, before earning a defensive-based victory on Sunday, 2-0. The Huskies power play was what stood out. St. Cloud State went 8-for-13 with the man advantage, a decent NBA shooting percentage more than an NCAA ice hockey power play. It’s not conceivable that those type of numbers will continue, but no team wants to give up even three or four power-play goals.
Minnesota State faced a much more difficult Massachusetts team as the Minutemen raised their national title banner. Winning in different ways, Saturday was about defense and Sunday was a big-time comeback scoring the final six goals after trailing, 3-0, late in the second.
Of the five matchups on here, this is the most difficult to handicap. Perhaps home ice helps Minnesota State in this national semifinal rematch. But maybe goaltending dictates, in which case I give a slight edge to the Mavericks.
Jim
Dan
Ed
Paula
John
Nate
Chris
Jack
Matt
Drew
Nat'l
Nat'l
Nat'l
Nat'l
HEA
ECAC
AHA
CCHA
NCHC
B1G
Minnesota Duluth (-160) vs. Bemidji State (+135)
This game serves as the actual season opener for both teams, though each played in relatively high-profile exhibition games a weekend ago.
Bemidji State played in front of nearly 12,000 fans at North Dakota and put forth a more-than-respectable effort, falling 2-1. Minnesota Duluth knocked off the now Cole Caufield-less Wisconsin, 4-2, in a game played in Chippewa Falls, Wis.
There is no doubt that Bemidji State was a darling of any college hockey bettors last season, posting a 16-10-3 overall record. But this season has the Beavers facing a schedule with significantly more integration of non-WCHA (er. .. CCHA) opponents. I expect Bemidji State to be competitive, but this first series could be difficult.
Jim
Dan
Ed
Paula
John
Nate
Chris
Jack
Matt
Drew
Nat'l
Nat'l
Nat'l
Nat'l
HEA
ECAC
AHA
CCHA
NCHC
B1G
Arizona State (+190) at Denver (-170)
Might Arizona State be the pick of the week for an upset? It’s tough to tell, but I’ve got my reasons to believe in the Sun Devils.
For one, Arizona State was a very tough opponent for what many consider as a potential tough team this year, UMass Lowell. The Sun Devils continuously fought back after falling behind in both games, rallying for a 5-3 win on Saturday then coming back from two down to tie on Sunday before falling, 4-2.
There is definitely something to be said for Arizona State having played all of last season on the road.
But Denver has plenty of upside and hence why you make it a significant favorite. The Pioneers boast plenty of power up front and were coming on strong late in the latter part of the 2020-21 season. The concern is for this team to get started quick this year.
Still, if I were able to gamble on games, I’d be grabbing Arizona State if I could get a price over +160.
Jake Sanderson returns for his sophomore season at North Dakota as one of the top NHL prospects playing college hockey (photo: North Dakota Athletics).
October is basically hockey’s spring.
Hope abounds for each new season, and this time around, that extends to what’s going on amid a pandemic that has affected all of us for a year and a half.
NCHC commissioner Josh Fenton knows all about that.
Lucky guy.
When the conference began play eight years ago, he couldn’t have foreseen what would be happening nowadays.
It would’ve been unthinkable back then to imagine that the whole 2020 postseason would be canceled, and that the following season would start with all eight of the league’s teams playing in a pod environment over three weeks at Omaha’s Baxter Arena. Then there was the entire NCHC playoffs taking place under one roof, at North Dakota’s Ralph Engelstad Arena.
The 2021-22 NCHC season is now underway, and — feel free to knock on any wooden object near you — operationally, Fenton feels that the league is running close to normal.
“We’re very cautious and aware of the environment that’s still out there, but there’s fans back into games, obviously us having a normal schedule and traveling somewhat normally when teams move one from one site to the next, and our officiating assignment schedule is pretty much normal,” Fenton said.
“The feeling is that we’ve got hopefully a normal season to come, yet we still have some caution that we’re paying attention to, obviously, as it relates to the virus that’s still very much out there. It’s normality with some tweaks, things like masking in venues and having to follow NCAA Sport Science Institute guidance for people that are vaccinated and unvaccinated, the differences between the two of those, but generally we feel good about where we are.”
Fenton said Friday that all eight NCHC teams are almost entirely vaccinated: some are at 94 percent, others at 100. Additionally, all full-time employees at the NCHC’s Colorado Springs headquarters are vaccinated.
The league is coming off of a year in which half of the membership reached the NCAA tournament, with St. Cloud State playing in the national championship game. Minnesota Duluth also reached the Frozen Four in Pittsburgh, and there’s every reason to think that the NCHC would be strongly represented again in the 2022 postseason, provided there is one.
There’s plenty else that’s familiar in the NCHC this season, including veteran leadership. The NCAA granted a blanket eligibility exemption last season, and six NCHC teams will field a combined 22 fifth-year or graduate-student players this time around.
There is some newness, though, and more than just in terms of freshmen.
Colorado College opened its brand-new, on-campus Robson Arena home Saturday in an exhibition against Air Force. CC also has a new coach, as former Michigan assistant Kris Mayotte now has the keys to the Tigers’ kingdom. They began practice at Robson on Sept. 10, and they played in front of a full house Saturday.
With a capacity around half of what CC had at its former Broadmoor World Arena home, the Tigers’ new confines feature space for 350 CC students, or around a fifth of the school’s enrollment.
Western Michigan also has a new coach, with former Broncos assistant Pat Ferschweiler accepting the reins from longtime former coach Andy Murray.
WMU has a new bench boss for the first time in a decade, but Ferschweiler was on hand when the Broncos utilized six locker rooms — the team’s bespoke locker room, plus five general-use ones — most of last season at Lawson Ice Arena. Most of that team returns, and the Broncos’ roster includes three graduated veterans.
That kind of familiarity feeds into Fenton’s eagerness over the new season.
All things considered, the NCHC stands in as good-quality stead as ever.
“I’m excited about returning to some sense of normalcy,” Fenton said. “I’m excited to go into a venue where we’re going to have lots of fans, although there’s going to be protocols and restrictions they’re going to have to follow.
“I think the aspect of going into a venue and having those student-athletes on the ice competing in front of hopefully full arenas, that’s what college athletics is all about, and that’s what college hockey is all about.
“Our players across the country in general deserve to compete in those environments. Last year, the environments typically were not real great. They were stale, they were quiet. We were just out there playing basically hockey games in almost like a scrimmage environment. I’m most excited about seeing the electricity and excitement come back to college hockey.”
Hunter McKown looks to improve on his six points collected a season ago for Colorado College (photo: Casey B. Gibson).
Key losses: Forward Josiah Slavin (5-8-13), forward Ben Copeland (4-7-11), forward Grant Cruikshank (8-2-10)
Key additions: Forward Noah Prokop (Omaha transfer), forward Danny Weight (Boston College transfer) forward Brett Chorske (St. Cloud, NAHL), defenseman Nate Schweitzer (Sioux Falls, USHL)
2020-21 predictions: Colorado College hasn’t finished above .500 in a decade, but the Tigers appear to have made a good hire in Mayotte. Don’t be surprised if CC gets new-coach and new-arena bounces, but the thing about college sports these days is that arms races don’t stop. One team might get significantly better, but that doesn’t mean the others won’t.
Matthew’s prediction: Eighth
Denver goalie Magnus Chrona earned seven wins last year for the Pioneers (photo: Denver Athletics).
DENVER
Head coach: David Carle (fourth season)
2019-20 overall record: 10-13-1 (fifth in NCHC)
Key returning players: Senior forward Cole Guttman (8-14-22), sophomore forward Carter Savoie (13-7-20), sophomore defenseman Mike Benning (3-8-11), junior goaltender Magnus Chrona (7-11, 2.47 GAA, .907 SV%)
Key additions: Forward Carter Mazur (Tri-City, USHL), defenseman Shai Buium (Sioux City, USHL), sophomore Sean Behrens (USNDTP)
2020-21 predictions: Denver returns five of its top six scorers from last season, but Carle will be hoping for a season that better resembles his first one in charge, 2018-19, when the Pioneers reached the Frozen Four. That might be a stretch for a DU team that was up and down last season, but when are we ever surprised to see the Pioneers make a good postseason run?
Matthew’s prediction: Fourth
Derek Daschke will be counted on for leadership this season at Miami (photo: Mark Kuhlmann).
MIAMI
Head coach: Chris Bergeron (third season)
2019-20 overall record: 5-18-2 (eighth in NCHC)
Key returning players: Senior forward Matt Barry (2-15-17), Senior forward Matthew Barbolini (5-9-14), senior defenseman Derek Daschke (4-8-12), sophomore goaltender Ludvig Persson (5-11-2, 2.61 GAA, .925 SV%)
Key losses: Forward Casey Gilling (4-11-15), forward Phil Knies (3-6-9)
Key additions: Forward Red Savage (USNTDP), defenseman Alex Murray (Lone Star, NAHL), defenseman Will Cullen (Bowling Green transfer)
2020-21 predictions: There’s a part of me that is tempted to pick Miami higher. I’m interested to see what Cullen brings to the table as a first-team all-WCHA player from last season, playing in front of a goalie who had the NCHC’s second-best save percentage from last season. Miami still gave up the most goals in the league last season, though, and the RedHawks might not improve hugely on that minus-37 goal difference.
Matthew’s prediction: Seventh
Ryan Fanti starts the 2021-22 season as UMD’s No. 1 goaltender (photo: Minnesota Duluth Athletics).
2020-21 predictions: UMD has reached the last four Frozen Fours, and I know better than to say Boston is beyond the Bulldogs’ grasp. They have to replace their top three scorers, but UMD won’t be short on veteran leadership, thanks in part to five fifth-year seniors and a graduate transfer in Gilling. Keep an eye on what happens in the crease, though as Fanti will be pushed by sophomore Zach Stejskal. He had a .929 save percentage and 1.83 save percentage in nine games last season.
Matthew’s prediction: Third
Omaha goalie Isaiah Saville was in net for 12 of Omaha’s 14 wins during the 2020-21 season (photo: Omaha Athletics).
2020-21 predictions: Omaha returns nearly everyone from last season’s Mavericks squad that would’ve hosted a NCHC playoff series if the entire tournament hadn’t taken place at North Dakota. I haven’t been blown away by UNO’s goaltending corps, however, and that’s tough in a conference with some really good ones. Really, though, my predictions through the middle of the league are interchangeable, so my taking UNO fifth shouldn’t keep anyone up at night.
Matthew’s prediction: Fifth
Riese Gaber celebrates his third-period goal last season as North Dakota came from behind to down St. Cloud State in the Frozen Faceoff championship (photo: Russell Hons).
Key losses: Forward Jordan Kawaguchi (10-26-36), forward Collin Adams (14-20-34), defenseman Matt Kiersted (3-19-22), goaltender Adam Scheel (20-4-1, 1.73 GAA, .931 SV%)
Key additions: Forward Matteo Costantini (Sioux City, USHL), defenseman Brent Johnson (Sioux Falls, USHL), goaltender Zach Driscoll (Bemidji State transfer)
2020-21 predictions: Sure, UND loses its five top point-producers from last season, plus arguably the NCHC’s top goaltender, but is anyone that concerned about the Fighting Hawks? Sanderson is a preseason all-conference defenseman, Gaber has the potential to be a beast in this league, and UND’s recruiting class features four NHL draft picks. Goaltending is a question mark with Scheel gone, but the Hawks should be more than fine.
Matthew’s prediction: Second
St. Cloud State’s Jami Krannila celebrates a goal last season against Minnesota Duluth (photo: Russell Hons).
2020-21 predictions: Predicting St. Cloud State to win the NCHC this season seems pretty straightforward. The Huskies return nearly everyone on a team that finished second at last season’s Frozen Four, and having five fifth-year players on board is big. SCSU will want a little more from Hrenák between the pipes, but there’s every reason to think the Huskies could reach the national championship game again.
Matthew’s prediction: First
Western Michigan senior Ethen Frank is back for a fifth season with the Broncos (photo: Ashley Huss).
2020-21 predictions: Western brings back nearly every player from last season’s team, and Broncos fans are excited to see what Attard can do after earning first-team All-American honors as a sophomore. WMU ran into trouble early last season when Bussi suffered a severe injury in the NCHC pod, but the Broncos won five straight down the stretch and took UMD to overtime in a conference playoff game. I look at my prediction here the same way I look at my one for Omaha: I have WMU sixth, but they could just as easily finish in the top half.
Hosts Jim Connelly and Ed Trefzger are joined by Minnesota State head coach Mike Hastings to preview the No. 1 Mavericks’ home series against No. 2 St. Cloud, the team that ousted them from the NCAA playoffs in the national semifinal last season.
We also preview No. 6 Boston College vs. No. 9 Quinnipiac and No. 18 Northeastern vs. Holy Cross in this weekend’s Ice Breaker tournament in Worcester. Also in this episode: No. 5 Minnesota Duluth at No. 15 Bemidji State, Arizona State at No. 12 Denver, and an early conference contest in Atlantic Hockey, Rochester Institute of Technology at Army West Point.
Each coach and program have different criteria for what they look for on the recruiting trail. Sure, everyone is looking for talent on the ice, but there’s so much more that goes into a player’s makeup. There are players every program wants, but for up-and-coming teams that may not be able to land those recruits, they’re looking for players that see the benefit and potential of helping build a program and putting in the hard work now to help future teams see a payoff.
Those are the players who Minnesota State coach John Harrington wants on his team. The Maverick program has slowly been improving under Harrington’s tenure as head coach, culminating with a fifth place finish in the WCHA last season. The season before he took over the reins, MSU won a single conference game. In his first season, they were winless in the WCHA.
“I want a chance to try to develop something here … It’s hard to change your team around. It has to be done with good recruiting and then developing what you have. And it’s not just developing the players individually, but developing into a team that thinks alike and that plays together – (a team) that can be possibly better than the sum of the parts,” he said.
Harrington saw the Mavericks head coaching job as a challenge – something he said he’s never been known to back down from. He looks for the same personality traits in his players.
“You have to find the person, with the right makeup, that wants to take on that challenge and contribute to a program that’s on the rise,” said Harrington.
The Mavericks rose a little higher on Saturday with a 4-2 win over then-fourth-ranked Minnesota Duluth. On the one hand, it’s a single win and Harrington pointed out his team is only as good as their next game, not as good as their last. On the other, for a team like Minnesota State to continue to improve, they need to bring in better players. Marquee wins like Saturday’s play a big role in being able to do so.
It’s a cyclical problem with no clear solution. Teams need better players to be able to win. Better players don’t choose to play for programs that don’t win. Any time a program like Mankato can get their name out there and capture national attention with a big win, it has ripple effects that have a big impact on how the program can grow in the future.
“I don’t think any coach can say that they haven’t been a better coach when they’ve had better players,” said Harrington. “Young players know who the successful programs are and it’s our job to try to convince them we can have that at other places, as well. That’s what we’re trying to do at Minnesota State, is show them that we can be competitive with the top teams in the league and challenge for WCHA championship and we know if we do that, then we’ll certainly be in the conversation for national championship.”
That’s the long term. In the short term, wins like Saturday energize the players and help to reinforce the things the coaches have been teaching them. It’s one thing for Harrington and his staff to model things in practice or on a white board. When the team plays well and gets results, the staff can point things out in the game film and watch his players buy in just a little bit more.
The win was big for who it was over, but it was also an important bounce-back after a 7-0 loss on Friday. One way the Mavericks have been able to improve over the past few seasons has been in their ability to win and hold on to the puck. Playing good defense has allowed Minnesota State to be a more offensive team overall. They aren’t chasing and playing catch up. They’re controlling the run of play, possessing the puck and playing well away from the puck. Those are the things that went right on Saturday and led to a win.
“It’s just one step in the process that we’re trying to get to to be a consistent team. Whatever that effort was, whatever it took to beat UMD, we’ve got to have that same type of effort and that same time of performance when we play the next weekend,” said Harrington. “We can have these nights. When will we have them all the time? I’m not sure, but we have to prepare like we’re going to have them all the time because if we don’t, then we won’t have them at all.”
France native Louis Boudon will serve as Lake Superior State’s captain this season (photo: LSSU Athletics).
For the casual fan watching on a Friday or Saturday, chances are high that the inaugural season of the new CCHA won’t look much different than the final season of the WCHA.
Seven of the eight teams were together in the WCHA, so the matchups, coaches and arenas are largely the same. And the league’s champion will still win the MacNaughton Cup.
Still, despite outward appearances, the new CCHA is a brand-new conference internally, with an all-new administrative staff helmed by college hockey veteran Don Lucia. Lucia was named the conference’s commissioner in the summer of 2020.
And there’s a reason why the seven schools left the WCHA and decided to revive the “CCHA” name after eight years dormant.
“The goal is to be in the NCAA tournament on a regular basis, and they’re all committed to that,” Lucia said during the conference’s virtual media day last month. “They do invest in their hockey programs, (and) they want to see success. That’s what our goal is in the CCHA.”
Coaches and administrators have talked a lot about “like-minded” schools since the new conference was formed, and they have a point — they’re all small-ish Midwestern schools with a focus on hockey.
“Obviously here at Lake State the CCHA has a great history and tradition… I look over my shoulder at all our many championship banners,” Lake Superior State coach Damon Whitten said. “So when we talked to our fans and our alumni when we were traveling this summer, the excitement level was off the charts for Lake State to be going back to the CCHA.”
Of course, there were unfortunate consequences to the CCHA. The three schools from the WCHA who weren’t invited — Alaska, Alaska Anchorage and Alabama Huntsville — were all put in precarious positions as independents because of it, and only Alaska is playing hockey this year. That’s a negative, but it’s the price paid for the CCHA’s emphasis on being a tighter, more regionally compact conference with “like-minded” schools.
That opened up an opportunity for newcomers St. Thomas. Coach Rico Blasi — no stranger to the old CCHA as the head coach of Miami from 1999 to 2019 — is excited to help the newly-promoted Tommies build their Division I program.
“Our league is full of great teams and great players so we’re looking forward to competing and learning what we need to do to compete at that level down the road,” Blasi said.
It seems like everyone involved is determined to make the CCHA a leaner, meaner and more professional operation than in the past — both on and off the ice. Michigan Tech coach Joe Shawhan said it’s been a conscious effort from all the coaches and administrators to strengthen the league’s reputation.
“There’s been an upgrade for sure in the exposure of the league. The attention to detail has been great, the promotion of the league has been great, and now it’s time for us to get on (the ice) and perform and promote the league ourselves,” Shawhan said. “You look at the league we’re going to have this year, and I think it prepares our teams well for the national tournament.”
Last season, three teams in the then-WCHA (Minnesota State, Bemidji State and Lake Superior) made the NCAA tournament. The Mavericks made it to their first-ever Frozen Four while the Beavers managed to upset a No. 1 seed in Wisconsin. And the Lakers ended their 25 years tournament drought with a hard-fought game against eventual champions UMass.
All three of those teams have a good chunk of their team back, as does Michigan Tech, which was oh-so-close to the tournament a year ago.
Other teams have bigger question marks. Bowling Green, for example, lost a bulk of its leading scorers to the transfer portal. Northern Michigan has its leading scorer back but will be looking for improved scoring down the lineup. Ferris State won just one game a year ago and has nowhere to go but up. And St. Thomas, with its combination of Division I transfers and Division III veterans, will be a complete unknown.
In other words, with plenty of storylines to follow, it’s going to be a wild first season for the CCHA.
“That’s set the table nicely for the upcoming year,” Lucia said. “The competition that the group showed last year was tremendous and we anticipate that’s going to be the case this upcoming season. We really want to try and compete at the highest level, we want to have success in the NCAA tournament, and there’s no doubt in my mind that we’re off to a great start.”
Bemidji State senior Ethan Somoza is the first player from California to wear the ‘C’ for the Beavers (photo: BSU Photo Services).
BEMIDJI STATE
HEAD COACH: Tom Serratore (entering his 21st season at BSU)
LAST SEASON: 16-10-3 (8-5-1 for 4th in WCHA)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: F Owen Sillinger (Sr., 10g-5a-15pts); D Elias Rosen (Jr., 5g-11a-15pts); F Alex Ierullo (Sr., 7g-17a-24pts); F Ethan Somoza (Sr., 15g-5a-20pts)
KEY LOSSES: G Zach Driscoll (15-10-3; 2.32 GAA; .922 SV%); F Brendan Harris (9g-14a-23pts); F Aaron Miller (6g-8a-14pts).
KEY ADDITIONS: F Jere Väisänen (Amarillo Bulls, NAHL); F Alexander Lundman (Boras HC, Sweden); F Donte Lawson (Minnesota Wilderness, NAHL).
2021-22 PREDICTION: The Beavers return 18 significant contributors from a 2020-21 team that finished fourth in the WCHA and made its first NCAA tournament appearance in 11 years, so experience will not be something they lack. However, a big question mark is in net, as goaltender Zach Driscoll transferred to North Dakota for this year. Still, the experience they have up front and on the blue line — including a few fifth-year seniors — should be enough for the Beavers to contend for the MacNaughton Cup and another NCAA appearance.
2021-22 PREDICTED FINISH: 2nd.
Sam Craggs recorded 12 points for Bowling Green during the 2020-21 season (photo: Isaiah Vazquez).
BOWLING GREEN
HEAD COACH: Ty Eigner (entering his third season at BGSU)
LAST SEASON: 20-10-1 (8-5-1 for 3rd in the WCHA)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: F Alex Barber (Sr., 9g-14a-23pts); F Sam Craggs (Sr., 4g-8a-12pts); F Taylor Schneider (Sr., 10g-9a-19pts)
KEY LOSSES: F Brandon Kruse (11g-23a-34pts); F Max Johnson (10g-14a-24pts); F Connor Ford (16g-12a-28pts); G Eric Dop (13-8-1, 2.16 GAA, .923 SV%)
KEY ADDITIONS: F Nathan Burke (Tr., Minnesota, Big Ten); F Coale Norris (Tr., Ferris State, CCHA); F Brayden Krieger (Brooks Bandits, AJHL); F Austen Swankler (Erie Otters, OHL)
2021-22 PREDICTION: Roster turnover hit the Falcons hard this offseason, with 11 players leaving early. Most of those transferred to other programs, including Brandon Kruse and Max Johnson, both of whom had 100+ point careers with the Falcons. Offensive production is clearly going to be the key to Bowling Green’s success this season, and it will probably determine if they are able to earn home ice in the playoffs or not.
2021-22 PREDICTED FINISH: 6th
Ferris State’s Stepan Pokorny brought the Ewigleben Ice Arena crowd to its feet when he scored the shorthanded overtime game-winning goal to give the Bulldogs a 4-3 nonconference win over Miami on Oct. 3 (photo: Ferris State Athletics).
FERRIS STATE
HEAD COACH: Bob Daniels (entering this 30th season at FSU)
LAST SEASON: 1-23-1 (0-13-1 for 8th in WCHA)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: F Jake Transit (Sr., 6g-8a-14pts); F Ethan Stewart (Sr., 6g-8a-14pts); F Mitch Deelstra (So., 7g-4a-11pts).
KEY LOSSES: F Coale Norris (8g-9a-17pts); F Lucas Finner (2g-9a-11pts); D Jake Willets (2g-4a-6pts).
KEY ADDITIONS: D Nicola DeVita (Aberdeen Wings, NAHL); F Bradley Marek (Muskegon Lumberjacks, USHL).
2021-22 PREDICTION: It’s been such a rough couple years for Bob Daniels and the Bulldogs that it’s almost impossible to believe that this was a top-five, Frozen Four program as recently as 2012. But last season was, by some measure, their worst ever — just one victory, and only the second time in program history that the team has failed to win at least 10 games (the other time was in 2019-20). They were, however, a very young team in 2020-21, so the good news is that with more experience under their belts, this team should be better than they were last season, because it will be really hard to do any worse.
2021-22 PREDICTED FINISH: 7th.
Brandon Puricelli notched 15 points a season ago for the Lakers (photo: LSSU Athletics).
LAKE SUPERIOR STATE
HEAD COACH: Damon Whitten (entering eighth season at LSSU)
LAST SEASON: 19-7-3 (9-5-0 for 2nd in WCHA)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: F Louis Boudon (Jr., 8g-11a-19pts); F Brandon Puricelli (Jr., 8g-7a-15pts); D Jacob Nordqvist (Sr., 3g-12a-15pts)
KEY LOSSES: F Ashton Calder (16g-13a-29pts); F Hampus Erickson (6g-13a-19pts); G Mareks Mitens (7-4-0, 2.09 GAA, .928 SV%); F Pete Veillette (13g-14a-27pts).
KEY ADDITIONS: D Jake Willets (Tr., Ferris State, WCHA); F Brett Roloson (Minot Minotauros, NAHL)
2021-22 PREDICTION: Of the teams in the new CCHA, perhaps only Bowling Green was hit harder than the Lakers when it comes to star players transferring out. LSSU lost their top two goalscorers to the transfer portal and their workhorse goaltender to the pros. They have some nice depth returners, but they are going to have to step into starring roles if they want to win another conference tournament title this season.
2021-22 PREDICTED FINISH: 4th.
Michigan Tech players celebrate a goal during the Huskies’ 4-4 tie with Northern Michigan on Oct. 2 (photo: Michigan Tech Athletics).
MICHIGAN TECH
HEAD COACH: Joe Shawhan (entering his fifth season at Tech)
LAST SEASON: 17-12-1 (7-7-0 for 5th in WCHA)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: F Trenton Bliss (Sr. 12g-13a-25pts); F Alec Broetzman (Sr., 13g-8a-21pts); F Brian Halonen (Sr., 8g-10a-18pts); G Blake Pietila (Jr., 14-9-0, 1.81 GAA, .934 SVG%).
KEY LOSSES: D Tyler Rockwell (4g-7a-11pts).
KEY ADDITIONS: F Tyrone Bronte (Tr., Alabama Huntsville, WCHA); F Matt Quercia (Tr., Boston University, Hockey East); D Grant Docter (Minnesota Wilderness, NAHL)
2021-22 PREDICTION: Unlike nearly everyone in the CCHA, Tech didn’t lose a single significant contributor from last season — either to graduation or to the transfer portal. Their leading scorers are back, both goaltenders are back and most of their defensive corps have returned. Because of that, the Huskies are going to make a very strong push for the MacNaughton Cup this season.
2021-22 PREDICTED FINISH: 3rd.
Julian Napravnik and Dryden McKay captured two of the WCHA’s top honors for 2020-21 and both are back for 2021-22 (photo: Russell Hons).
MINNESOTA STATE
HEAD COACH: Mike Hastings (entering his 10th season at MSU)
LAST SEASON: 22-5-1 (13-1-0 for 1st in WCHA)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: F Julian Napravnik (Sr., 10g-18a-28pts); F Nathan Smith (Jr., 9g-16a-25pts); F Cade Borchardt (Jr., 9g-15a-24pts); G Dryden McKay (21-4-0, 1.54 GAA, .924 SV%); D Akito Hirose (So. 1g-14a-15pts).
KEY LOSSES: F Dallas Gerads (9g-10a-19pts); F Walker Duehr (10g-7a-17pts); F Jake Jaremko (4g-12a-16pts).
KEY ADDITIONS: F Josh Groll (Tr., Michigan, Big Ten); D Benton Maass (Tr., New Hampshire, Hockey East); F Zach Krajnik (Tr., Alaska Anchorage); F Luc Wilson (Penticton Vees, BCHL)
2021-22 PREDICTION: The Mavericks lost a few key seniors to graduation, but the fact that the team that was a period away from playing in the national title game returns all four of its top four scorers and its all-star, Hobey and Richter finalist goaltender should scare the rest of the CCHA. Expect them to once again be in the conversation for the national title.
2021-22 PREDICTED FINISH: 1st.
Joseph Nardi will wear the ‘C’ this season for Northern Michigan (photo: NMU Athletics).
NORTHERN MICHIGAN
HEAD COACH: Grant Potulny (entering his 5th season at Northern Michigan)
LAST SEASON: 11-17-1 (6-7-1 for 6th in WCHA)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: F Joseph Nardi (Sr., 12g-21a-33pts); F André Ghantous (Jr., 10g-18a-28pts); F AJ Vanderbeck (Jr., 14g-13a-27pts); G Rico DiMatteo (So., 7-6-1, 2.84 GAA, .909 SV%)
KEY LOSSES: F Griffin Loughran (5g-10a-15pts); F Brandon Schultz (5g-7a-12pts); D Mason Palmer (0g-1a-1pts).
KEY ADDITIONS: F Trevor Cosgrove (Tr., Colgate, ECAC); F Hampus Erickson (Tr., Lake Superior State, WCHA); G Kaeden Lane (Penticton Vees, BCHL)
2021-22 PREDICTION: The Wildcats stunned some people when they upset both Bowling Green and Minnesota State en route to the WCHA title game last season. They’ve got their top scoring options back this season and hope to improve on last year’s losing campaign. If DiMatteo can be more consistent in the nets, it would go a long way.
2021-22 PREDICTED FINISH: 5th.
St. Thomas enters its inaugural season in Division I hockey in 2021-22 (photo: Brad Olson).
ST. THOMAS
HEAD COACH: Rico Blasi (entering first season at UST)
LAST SEASON: 6-1-2 in final Division III season
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: F Grant Loven (Sr., 4g-6a-10pts); F Luke Manning (Jr., 1g-3a-4pts); F Justin Kelley (Jr., 1g-5a-6pts)
KEY LOSSES: N/A
KEY ADDITIONS: G Peter Thome (Tr., North Dakota, NCHC); F Christiano Versich (Tr., Colorado College); D Nolan Sawchuk (Tr., UMass-Lowell); F Trevor LeDonne (Nanaimo Clippers, BCHL)
2021-22 PREDICTION: St. Thomas’ whirlwind transition to Division I might be a little chaotic, but it’s going to be fun to watch. The Tommies have had to take a unique approach to building this season’s team. Twelve players return from the Division III squad, and Blasi has rounded out the team with 13 transfers from other Division I programs. It’s anyone’s guess how well this team will gel. They will probably struggle, but it’s going to be fascinating to watch a Division I program being built like this with such a seasoned and successful coach at the helm.
AIC coach Eric Lang spoke on Wednesday during the College Hockey Inc. Virtual Coach Clinic about how to develop a championship culture (File photo: Omar Phillips)
If you have your heart set on being an NCAA coach, Todd Woodcroft’s talk at the third day of the College Hockey Inc. Virtual Coaching Clinic was an eye-opener. Zack Cisek dedicated time to helping goalies improve on the penalty kill, before Eric Lang discussed his team’s journey from worst to first, sharing lessons from along the way.
Curious as to what a day in the life of a college head coach entails? Is he the first to arrive at the rink and the last to leave? What responsibilities are directly his and what does he delegate? What’s the collaboration with his coaching staff like? Todd Woodcroft, head coach at Vermont, provided the answers sharing the details of a busy day as he prepares his team for the upcoming season.
PENALTY KILL READS FROM THE GOALIE’S PERSPECTIVE
It is widely believed your goalie is your best penalty killer. Fact or fiction? Either way, without solid goaltending, your penalty kill will suffer and so will your team. Zack Cisek, Lake Superior associate head coach, explained how to enhance your goalie reads on the penalty kill during his presentation.
BUILDING A CHAMPIONSHIP CULTURE: FROM WORST TO FIRST
Eric Lang, head coach at AIC, has overseen one of the most dramatic turnarounds in NCAA men’s hockey history, leading the Yellow Jackets to back-to-back NCAA appearances. He rewired the AIC program in short order having only been with the club for five seasons. His presentation looked at how he was able to turn things around for his club.
USCHO is a media partner of the 2021 College Hockey Inc. Virtual Coaches Clinic
Arizona State head coach Greg Powers joins hosts Jim Connelly and Ed Trefzger to talk all things Sun Devils hockey.
Topics include last weekend’s split with UMass Lowell and this weekend’s games at Denver, being road warriors during last year’s COVID-shortened season, building a non-conference schedule, the new arena to open next season, and about coaching methods and philosophies.
Clarkson and Quinnipiac games this season should be a measuring stick as to how the ECAC Hockey standings will shake out (photo: Gary Mikel).
While change is inevitable in college hockey, there’s never been an offseason quite as tumultuous or long for many of the teams in ECAC Hockey.
Eight of the 12 conference teams didn’t play last season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving Quinnipiac, Clarkson, Colgate, and St. Lawrence to string together a makeshift season that ended with the Saints beating the Bobcats in the league championship game last spring.
It might take some time for the schools that didn’t play to get up to speed, as graduations and numerous transfers means that many of those teams will be almost unrecognizable from the last time they played.
“I really feel like we’re starting over and building from the ground up again,” said Cornell coach Mike Schafer, who enters his 26th season in Ithaca 19 wins shy of 500. The Big Red have 17 players who have never played in a college hockey game.
Even with all the changes, and despite the fact that the pandemic is far from over, there should be more of a sense of normalcy this year with all twelve teams back in action. While not every school has announced its attendance policy, the expectation is that there should be few limitations, with the exception of Rensselaer, which is only allowing students, faculty, and staff to its home games.
“The reality is the pandemic forced us to have a new perspective and new appreciation for how lucky we are to be involved in college hockey,” Harvard coach Ted Donato said. “I think all of us missed the opportunity to be around our team and be around the game.”
The top of the conference should again be strong this season. Quinnipiac and Clarkson return plenty of talent and each bolstered their rosters will several graduate transfers. Harvard and Cornell has a lot of question marks after not playing in a year and a half, but it’s tough to write those schools off given the history of both programs. The Crimson have 11 NHL draft picks on its roster, tied with Denver for the fourth most in men’s Division I hockey.
While it hasn’t been finalized, the league expects to continue to have its championship weekend at Lake Placid. However, there will be one change, the games will now be played on an NHL-sized rink at Herb Brooks Arena as opposed to an Olympic sheet.
“That’s always the big thing for me, having to change your whole game for the most important time of the year,” Colgate coach Don Vaughan said. “It was always a great destination. But to have them take that step was wonderful.”
Vaughan is now the longest tenured coach in the league after the retirement of Dartmouth coach Bob Gaudet in the spring of 2020. Former Quinnipiac defenseman and assistant coach Reid Cashman is the new head coach of the Big Green and finally gets to see his team in action more than a year after his hiring.
The league has already started play this season, as Colgate beat RIT 5-2 last Saturday on opening day in men’s college hockey. Several other conference teams open their seasons this weekend, while the Ivy League gets underway with its traditional late October start.
“We remind our guys every day that weren’t not promised anything,” Yale coach Keith Allain said. “Every chance that we get to be on the ice together is an opportunity that we have to take with great weight because we’ve learned that it can be taken away from you in a heartbeat.”
Brown has 16 players on the 2021-22 roster with college hockey experience (photo: Brown Athletics).
BROWN
HEAD COACH: Brendan Whittet, entering his 11th season at Brown.
LAST SEASON: Did not play due to the COVID-19 pandemic; finished 8-21-2 (8-12-2, ninth in ECAC Hockey) in 2019-20.
KEY ADDITIONS: Forward Thomas Manty (Aberdeen Wings/NAHL); forward Matt Sutton (Omaha Lancers/USHL); forward Jordan Tonelli (Cedar Rapids RoughRiders/USHL); defenseman Brent Bliss (Surrey Eagles/BCHL).
2021-22 PREDICTION: Despite not playing last season, Brown returns 16 players with college hockey experience, including Kania in goal. He’ll have to be on his game most nights, as the Bears finished tied for last nationally in goals per game two years ago. Brown made it to Lake Placid in the 2018-19 season, but it will need a big jump in its offensive production if it’s going to make another run in the playoffs. Entering the season, the Bears look more like the team that lost 21 games in 2019-2020 as opposed to the one that made it to the conference semifinals.
PREDICTED FINISH: 11th
Ethan Haider won seven games last season as a freshman for Clarkson (photo: Gary Mikel).
CLARKSON
HEAD COACH: Casey Jones, entering his 11th season at Clarkson.
LAST SEASON: 11-7-4 (6-4-4, second in ECAC Hockey)
KEY LOSSES: Forward Josh Dunne (2-3-5); Forward Grant Cooper (8-6-14); defenseman Connor McCarthy (3-5-8).
KEY ADDITIONS: Graduate forward Luke Santerno (Bentley); forward Ayrton Martino (Omaha Lancers/USHL) Graduate defenseman Lukas Kaelble (Lake Superior State).
2021-22 PREDICTION: A promising season that included a potential NCAA tournament berth came to an end last spring when Clarkson cancelled the rest of its season after several players violated the university’s COVID-19 policy. The Golden Knights might not have the firepower of Harvard or Quinnipiac, but Clarkson has a deep group of forwards led by returners Tsekos and Jacome, while Santerno had 105 points over four season at Bentley. Clarkson has plenty of experience on the backend and another strong season by Haider in goal should give the Golden Knights a complete team that will be competing for a league title and national tournament appearance this spring.
PREDICTED FINISH: Second
Carter Gylander looks to be Colgate’s No. 1 netminder this season (photo: Justin Wolford).
COLGATE
HEAD COACH: Don Vaughan, entering his 29th season at Colgate.
LAST SEASON: 6-11-5, (5-9-4, fourth in ECAC Hockey).
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: Graduate forward Josh McKechney (7-6-13); sophomore forward Alex Young (6-7-13); graduate defenseman Paul McAvoy (3-2-5); sophomore defenseman Pierson Brandon (0-10-10); sophomore goalie Carter Gylander (6-9-4, 2.69; .901).
KEY LOSSES: Defenseman Nick Austin (1-5-6); defenseman Trevor Cosgrove (3-1-4).
KEY ADDITIONS: Forward Alex DiPaolo (Victoria Grizzlies/BCHL); forward Ben Raymond (Powell River Kings/BCHL).
2021-22 PREDICTION: The results weren’t there last season for Colgate, but the Raiders return an experienced team that should be better this season. Gylander was average in goal as a freshman last season, but Colgate has two proven seniors in Andrew Farrier and Mitch Benson, the latter of whom missed all of last season with an injury. The defense should be solid with the return of McAvoy for a fifth year. Once again, the question with Colgate is offense, although the Raiders did score five goals in their season opener against RIT Saturday. This spot feels a little too low, but if Colgate can even manage a respectable offensive output this season, it should finish much higher.
PREDICTED FINISH: Eighth
Cornell fifth-year defenseman Cody Haiskanen will provide a spark to the Big Red this season (photo: Cornell Athletics).
CORNELL
HEAD COACH: Mike Schafer, entering his 26th season Cornell
LAST SEASON: Did not play due to the COVID-19 pandemic; finished 23-2-4 (18-2-2, first in ECAC Hockey) in 2019-20.
KEY LOSSES: Forward Morgan Barron (14-18-32); forward Tristan Mullin (9-13-22); forward Michael Regush (11-7-18); defenseman Yanni Kaldis (5-19-24); goalie Matthew Galajda (23-2-4, 1.56, .931).
KEY ADDITIONS: Forward Justin Ertel (Summerside Western Capitals/Maritime Junior A Hockey League); forward Sullivan Mack (Salmon Arm Silverbacks/BCHL); defenseman Hank Kempf (Muskegon Lumberjacks/USHL).
2021-22 PREDICTION: The Big Bed were one of the most dominant teams in the country when the pandemic prematurely ended the hockey season in March 2020. But it’s a different team now, as 17 of Cornell’s 30 skaters haven’t played in a collegiate hockey game, including all three of the Big Red goalies. But the Ivy League’s one-year exception to fifth-year players is beneficial to Cornell, as it returns a trio of captains in Betts, Locke, and Haiskanen. There are a lot of questions with this team, but while Cornell won’t be the dominate force of two years ago, it should compete for a top-four spot in the conference.
PREDICTED FINISH: Fourth
Jeff Losurdo posted 15 points in 30 games during the 2019-20 season (photo: Doug Austin).
DARTMOUTH
HEAD COACH: Reid Cashman, entering his first season at Dartmouth
LAST SEASON: Did not play due to the COVID-19 pandemic; finished 13-14-4 (10-10-2, sixth in ECAC Hockey) in 2019-20.
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: Senior forward Jeff Losurdo (6-9-15); senior forward Sam Hesler (3-9-12); junior defenseman Tanner Palocsik (5-19-24).
KEY ADDITIONS: Forward Matt Hubbarde (Langley Rivermen/BCHL); Brady MacDonald (Victoria Grizzlies/BCHL); forward Nick Unruh (Salmon Arm Silverbacks/BCHL); goalie Clay Stevenson (Coquitlam Express/BCHL).
2021-22 PREDICTION: More than a year after being named head coach at Dartmouth, Reid Cashman will finally get to see his team take the ice. Like several of their counterparts who didn’t play last season, the Big Green enter this year with inexperience in goal. Senior Justin Ferguson (four games) is the only goalie with collegiate experience on the roster, although Stevenson led the BCHL in save percentage during the 2019-20 season. With a new coaching staff and so many new players, Cashman said he and his staff will have to be patient when implementing their systems. There are a lot of unknowns, but if everything goes right, Dartmouth should host a playoff series this spring.
PREDICTED FINISH: Seventh
Casey Dornbach is back for his senior season with Harvard (photo: Harvard Athletics).
HARVARD
HEAD COACH: Ted Donato, entering his 18th season at Harvard.
LAST SEASON: Did not compete due to the COVID-19 pandemic; finished 15-10-6 (11-6-5, fifth in ECAC Hockey) in 2019-20.
KEY LOSSES: Forward Jack Drury (20-19-39); defenseman Jack Rathbone (7-24-31); defenseman Reilly Walsh (8-19-27).
KEY ADDITIONS: Forward Matthew Coronato (Chicago Steel/USHL); (Des Moines/USHL); forward Alex Laferriere; forward Sean Farrell (Chicago Steel/USHL) defenseman Ian Moore (Chicago Steel/USHL)
2021-22 PREDICTION: It’s tough to judge a team that hasn’t played since February 2020, but Harvard looks loaded heading into this season. The Crimson have eleven NHL draft picks on its roster, led by incoming freshman Coronato, who was selected 13th overall by Calgary in the 2021 NHL draft. It’s hard to tell how that all that talent will mesh for Harvard, but offense shouldn’t be a problem this season. The big question mark for the Crimson heading into the season is defense; Harvard only has four defensemen who have played in a collegiate game and there is little experience behind Gibson in goal. If the backend can come together, Harvard should push for a national tournament berth; if not, the Crimson will be forced to win a ton of shootouts, which isn’t a path to success in ECAC Hockey.
PREDICTED FINISH: Third
Jeremie Forget starts the 2021-22 season as Princeton’s starting goalie (photo: Shelley M. Szwast).
PRINCETON
HEAD COACH: Ron Fogarty, entering his eighth season at Princeton.
LAST SEASON: Did not play due to the COVID-19 pandemic; finished 6-20-5 (2-16-4, 11th in ECAC Hockey) in 2019-20.
KEY LOSSES: Forward Jackson Cressey (6-16-22); forward Luke Keenan (7-11-18); goalie Ryan Ferland (1-7-2, 3.40, .887).
KEY ADDITIONS: Defenseman Nick Carabin (Coquitlam Express/BCHL); defenseman Noah de la Durantaye (Coquitlam Express/BCHL).
2021-22 PREDICTION: Despite a large roster turnover, the Tigers return four defenseman who played at least 20 games in 2019-20 and added several players who should push for playing time on the backend. With Forget in goal, Princeton should be solid defensively this season, but it might not be enough to overcome a lack of offensive production. There are a lot of unknowns, but it’s likely the Tigers finish in the bottom of the league again this season.
PREDICTED FINISH: 12th
Quinnipiac’s Ty Smilanic looks to build on his 14-goal freshman season in 2021-22 (photo: Rob Rasmussen).
QUINNIPIAC
HEAD COACH: Rand Pecknold, entering his 28th season at Quinnipiac.
LAST SEASON: 17-8-4 (10-4-4, first in ECAC Hockey).
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: Senior forward Ethan de Jong (14-15-29); senior forward Wyatt Bongiovanni (5-3-8); sophomore forward Ty Smilanic (14-7-21); senior defenseman Zach Metsa (5-21-26).
KEY LOSSES: Forward Odeen Tufto (8-39-47); defenseman Peter DiLiberatore (6-14-20); goalie Keith Petruzzelli (17-8-4, 1.89, .926).
KEY ADDITIONS: Forward Oliver Chau (Massachusetts); defenseman Griffin Mendel (Denver); defenseman Brendan Less (Dartmouth); defenseman Tony Stillwell (Brown); goalie Dylan St. Cyr (Notre Dame).
2021-22 PREDICTION: Quinnipiac lost some big names in Tufto, DiLiberatore, and Petruzzelli, but the addition of five transfer players gives the Bobcats one of the deepest teams in the league. Less and Stillwell are rare in-conference transfers in ECAC Hockey and should bolster Quinnipiac’s defense, while Chau won a national championship with Massachusetts last season. St. Cyr is a solid pickup to replace Petruzzelli in goal, while sophomore Yaniv Perets could also push for playing time. The Bobcats should be one of the top teams in the conference and a top-10 team nationally this season.
PREDICTED FINISH: First
Ture Linden is RPI’s top returning scorer (photo: Liz Brady).
RENSSEALER
HEAD COACH: Dave Smith, entering his fourth season at RPI.
LAST SEASON: Did not compete due to the COVID-19 pandemic; finished 17-15-1 (13-8-1, fourth in ECAC Hockey) in 2019-20.
2021-22 PREDICTION: Much like Harvard and Cornell, the Engineers are attempting to return to the top of the ECAC amidst a major roster turnover. RPI enters this season with 18 new players, including six transfers. The Engineers ended 2019-20 on a hot streak and earned a first-round bye in the league playoffs for the first time since 2013. Smith has never been shy about taking in transfers, and that’s especially true this season. Sellar has plenty of experience with Dartmouth, while Baxter is one of four former Hockey East players on RPI’s roster this season. Those veteran additions should help ease the transition to a new roster. It might be tough for the Engineers to keep up with the top four teams in the conference, but this is a team that should be hosting a playoff series come March.
PREDICTED FINISH: Fifth
Emil Zetterquist helped St. Lawrence to the 2021 ECAC Hockey postseason title (photo: C A Hill Photo).
ST. LAWRENCE
HEAD COACH: Brent Brekke, entering his third season at St. Lawrence
2021-22 PREDICTION: St. Lawrence made massive strides in Brekke’s second season as coach and recovered from a midseason slump to win the league title in an abbreviated league year. The Saints didn’t lose much from last season’s team and last year’s run was a valuable learning experience for a team that only has four seniors. The presence of Zetterquist in net should allow St. Lawrence to stay competitive and host a playoff series this year. The Saints could challenge for a higher spot if they can find a way to generate more offense this season; St. Lawrence hasn’t had a player finish with double-digit goals since 2018.
PREDICTED FINISH: Sixth
Dylan Anhorn is back to lead the Union back end (photo: Ross LaDue).
UNION
HEAD COACH: Rick Bennett, entering his 11th season at Union.
LAST SEASON: Did not play due to the COVID-19 pandemic; finished 8-25-4 (5-15-2, 10th in ECAC Hockey) in 2019-20
2021-22 PREDICTION: The Dutchmen had won at least 20 games three seasons in a row before the bottom fell out in 2019-20. Union finished 8-25-4 before the season was shut down and then did not play last year. Hanson transferred to Connecticut, but the Dutchmen should be fine with Northeastern transfer Murphy in goal. But Union needs to improve an offense that averaged less than two goals per game when it last played. That might be a tough task with all the new faces the Dutchmen will be working into the lineup this season. If all goes right, Union could host a playoff series but it’s more likely the Dutchmen are on the road for the postseason.
PREDICTED FINISH: 10th
Graham Lillibridge will serve as Yale’s captain for the 2021-22 season (photo: Lukas Flippo).
YALE
HEAD COACH: Keith Allain, entering his 15th season at Yale.
LAST SEASON: Did not play due the COVID-19 pandemic; finished 15-15-2 (10-10-2, seventh in ECAC Hockey) in 2019-20.
KEY LOSSES: Forward Curtis Hall (17-10-27): forward Tyler Welsh (8-1523); defenseman Jack St. Ivany (1-15-16); defenseman Phil Kemp (3-8-11).
KEY ADDITIONS: Junior defenseman Ryan Carmichael (Notre Dame); forward William Dineen (Sioux Falls Stampede/USHL); defenseman Kieran O’Hearn (Surrey Eagles/BCHL).
2021-22 PREDICTION: While most of the Ivy League teams were gutted by graduations and transfers, Yale seems to have been hit especially hard. The Bulldogs only return three of their top 15 scorers from 2019-20, and none of their goalies have appeared in a collegiate game. Allain said that Hopkins, who missed his freshman year with an injury, will the No. 1 goalie entering this season. There will be a lot of lineup spots up for grabs this season, so at the very least, the Bulldogs should have competitive practices. But it’s looking like a long year in New Haven; Yale was slotted here as a nod to its 2019-20 finish, but the Bulldogs might have a hard time getting out of the bottom of the standings this season.
UMass celebrates its first-ever national title last April in Pittsburgh (photo: Jim Rosvold).
The only thing that will keep Hockey East fans on the edge of their seats this season will be the action on the ice.
At least that’s the hope of commissioner Steve Metcalf and the league’s 11 coaches.
That fans will even be in the building after a year playing in empty arenas has generated excitement among players, coaches and fans as the season kicks off.
“There’s a buzz around campus about sports happening, and just kind of life in general,” said Boston University coach Albie O’Connell. “Everyone in the BU community is pretty excited about it.”
The chaos that governed the league last year, with cancellations and hastily rescheduled contests, will hopefully be a thing of the past in 2021-22, said Metcalf. The second-year commissioner said as of last week that only “a handful” of players are unvaccinated, and those who aren’t have received a medical exception that will require them to follow NCAA-recommended testing protocols.
“As a result of that, and also given the fact that our officials are all vaccinated, we’re very confident that we’re going to play a full, uninterrupted season,” Metcalf said.
The pandemic, of course, is not over. Metcalf said protocols for fans will likely be present this season, but will vary from arena to arena depending on decisions by the schools and local governments.
The virus didn’t prevent UMass-Amherst from winning its first NCAA championship, beating St. Cloud State of the NCHC 5-0 in the national final in Pittsburgh. The Minutemen are the preseason No. 1 in the USCHO.com poll, but as coach Greg Carvel notes, the top ranking in the first poll of the season doesn’t always end up as national champions in April.
“The fact that we’ve been given that ranking in preseason means absolutely nothing,” Carvel said. “I know you have to be good, but you have to be lucky also to win championships. We thought that was the case last year.”
A pair of new coaches will make their debuts this season. At Northeastern, Jerry Keefe is at the helm after Jim Madigan moved to the athletic director’s office, while at Maine, former UMass-Amherst assistant Ben Barr takes over the Black Bears following the untimely death of Red Gendron shortly after the end of last season.
A big change to the postseason tournament is in store. Gone is the two-weekend format with best-of-three quarterfinals followed by single-elimination on the first weekend and single-elimination semifinals and final played on the second. Now, all 11 schools will participate in a win-or-go-home, one-and-done single-elimination tournament.
Any fan whose OCD is triggered by the uneven number of schools in the league — 11 since Notre Dame bolted for the Big Ten after the 2017 season — might be in for a lengthy wait for any relief, as Metcalf said expansion is not being seriously discussed.
“We just came off a very busy, tense and challenging year,” Metcalf said. “But the executive committee and our ADs are always talking about what’s best for the league. If that involves looking at new members, then that’s a conversation that we’ll have in the future. It’s not something that’s imminent (or) a super-pressing to-do item.”
Nikita Nesterenko will be a key cog among the forwards for BC this season (photo: Rich Gagnon).
2021-22 PREDICTION: You might call BC “Bowling Green East” as three of the Eagles’ four transfer players are former Falcons (as is head coach Jerry York, who won an NCAA title at Bowling Green in 1984). BC lost a good number of players near the top of their scoring ranks, but should remain among the league’s elite with Marc McLaughlin, Nikita Nesterenko (8-11-19) and Gentry Shamburger leading the way.
JD’s PREDICTION: Second
Boston University’s Robert Mastrosimone was one of seven players to skate in all 34 games during the 2019-20 season (photo: BU Athletics).
KEY LOSSES: Defenseman David Farrance (5-8-13), forward Jake Wise (1-1-2), forward Matthew Quercia (2-1-3).
KEY ADDITIONS: Forward Matt Brown (UMass-Lowell); defenseman Ty Gallagher (US 18-U team), forward Tyler Boucher (US 18-U team).
2021-22 Prediction: The Terriers return a ton of talent from last year’s team, which was picked sixth in the preseason coaches’ poll but wound up finishing second. BU started three different goaltenders last season; Drew Commesso had by far the most minutes and will be back in net this year. If the Terriers can play consistent hockey, they should once again finish near the top of the standings.
JD’s prediction: Third
Vladislav Firstov had three goals in 13 games a year ago and already has two this season (photo: Stephen Slade).
CONNECTICUT
HEAD COACH: Mike Cavanaugh (ninth season)
LAST SEASON: 10-11-2 (10-10-2 Hockey East, fourth)
2021-22 PREDICTION: The departed Tomas Vomacka played every minute in goal last season for UConn. Of the three goalies on the Huskies’ roster, only Union Darion Hansen has college hockey experience — but he hasn’t played in two years as Union suspended its season last year due to Covid. Jonny Evans led all Huskies in scoring with 14 goals and 15 assists and is expected to have another big year.
JD’s PREDICTION: Sixth
Jacob Schmidt-Svejstrup enters his senior season primed to produce for Maine (photo: Maine Athletics).
MAINE
HEAD COACH: Ben Barr (first season)
LAST SEASON: 3-11-2 (3-10-2 Hockey East, ninth)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: Senior forward Adam Dawe (5-9-14), senior forward Jacob Schmidt-Svejstrup (3-6-9), sophomore goalie Victor Ostman (3-6-1, 3.77 GAA, .902 SV%), sophomore forward Lynden Breen (3-8-11).
KEY ADDITIONS: Defenseman Dom Dockery (Merrimack), forward Matthew Fawcett (Quinnipiac), forward Grant Hebert (Robert Morris), forward Nolan Renwick (Omaha, USHL).
2021-22 PREDICTION: Ben Barr, an assistant last year on UMass-Amherst’s NCAA championship team, takes over for the late Red Genderon, who passed away unexpectedly in April. The Black Bears are stacked with returning talent, led by Adam Dawe, the top scorer from last season. Merrimack transfer Dom Dockery should fortify Maine’s defense.
JD’s PREDICTION: Ninth
Matt Kessel posted 10 goals and 23 points a season ago for the Minutemen (photo: Rich Gagnon).
MASSACHUSETTS
HEAD COACH: Greg Carvel (sixth season)
LAST SEASON: 20-5-4 (13-5-4 Hockey East, third, won NCAA championship)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: Senior forward Bobby Trivigno (9-11-20), senior defenseman Marc Del Gaizo (3-11-14), grad student goalie Matt Murray (10-4, 1.97 GAA, .917 SV%), junior defenseman Matthew Kessel (10-13-23).
KEY LOSSES: Defenseman Zac Jones (9-15-24), forward Oliver Chau (5-22-27), junior goalie Filip Lindberg (10-1-4, 1.24 GAA .949 SV%).
KEY ADDITIONS: Forward Cam Donaldson (Cornell), defenseman Slava Demin (Denver), defenseman Scott Morrow (Shattuck St. Mary’s, USHS), forward Matt Baker (Dartmouth).
2021-22 PREDICTION: The Minutemen (this year’s preseason No. 1) have the tools in place to repeat as national champions, but won’t have the easiest path back to the Frozen Four with one of the toughest schedules in the country. Goalies Matt Murray and Filip Lindburg were a championship combination in goal last season, but Murray will carry the bulk of the starts this winter after Lindberg went pro. Bobby Trivigno, who led the conference in scoring last season, is back to lead the offense after an impressive 20-point performance in last year’s Covid-shortened season.
JD’s PREDICTION: First
UMASS LOWELL
HEAD COACH: Norm Bazin (11th season)
LAST SEASON: Record 10-9-1 (7-8-1 Hockey East, seventh)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: Junior forward Carl Berglund (3-8-11), junior forward Andre Lee (7-9-16), senior defenseman Jon McDonald (0-8-8), grad student Connor Sodergren (2-4-6), senior forward Reid Stefanson (5-10-15).
KEY LOSSES: Forward Matt Brown (8-5-13), defenseman Chase Blackmun (5-12-17).
KEY ADDITIONS: Forward Theo Pistek (Örebro HK, Sweden), forward Matt Crasa (Fargo, USHL), defenseman Nick Austin (Colgate), goalie Edvard Nordlund (Danbury, NAHL).
2021-22 PREDICTION: The River Hawks will rely heavily on European talent this season, with more than 10 players on the roster who speak two languages or more, according to Bazin. Andre Lee returns as the River Hawks’ top scorer from last season. Reid Stefanson, who led the team in assists, will return injury free to start the season.
JD’s PREDICTION: Eighth
Merrimack’s Logan Drevitch collected nine points in 12 games last season (photo: Josh Gibney).
MERRIMACK
HEAD COACH: Scott Borek (fourth season)
LAST SEASON: 5-11-2 (Hockey East, eighth, no nonconference games)
KEY ADDITIONS: Defenseman Christian Felton (Bentley), defenseman Colby Bukes (Mankato), forward Steven Jandric (Denver), forward Jake Durflinger (Denver).
2021-22 PREDICTION: The transfer portal was friend and foe to the Warriors during the offseason. The Warriors netted four Division I players, including a pair of forwards from Denver, Steven Jandric and Jake Durflinger. Both will be called upon to make up for the loss of scorer Chase Gresock, who transferred to Miami of the NCHC. Forward Filip Forsmark and goalie Zachary Boriel return to fortify Merrimack on both sides of the rink.
JD’s PREDICTION: Tenth
New Hampshire senior Filip Engarås was drafted in the sixth round (169th overall) Wednesday by the Edmonton Oilers (photo: UNH Athletics).
NEW HAMPSHIRE
HEAD COACH: Mike Souza (fourth season)
LAST SEASON: 6-14-3 (5-13-3 Hockey East, tenth)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: Senior forward Filip Engaras (6-5-11), junior forward Jackson Pierson (9-16-25), junior defenseman Kalle Eriksson (6-12-18), senior goalie Mike Robinson (3.32 GAA).
KEY LOSSES: Forward Patrick Grasso (7-8-15), forward Charlie Kelleher (0-4-4), forward Angus Crookshank (9-9-18).
KEY ADDITIONS: Forward Harrison Blaisdell (North Dakota), goalie David Fessenden (Alabama Huntsville), forward Liam Devlin (Omaha, USHL).
2021-22 PREDICTION: Depth on offense could help lift UNH to the top half of the conference this season. North Dakota transfer Harrison Blaisdell brings a +6 rating to the Wildcats’ front line. Mike Robinson started 21 games for UNH last season, and is one of 11 seniors on the Wildcats’ roster.
JD’s PREDICTION: Seventh
Aiden McDonough figures to be a prominent player for Northeastern in 2021-22 (photo: Rich Gagnon).
NORTHEASTERN
HEAD COACH: Jerry Keefe (first season)
LAST SEASON: 9-9-3 (9-8-3 Hockey East, sixth)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: Sophomore forward Aidan McDonough (5-5-10), junior defenseman Jordan Harris (4-6-10), sophomore forward Dylan Jackson (3-5-8), sophomore forward Ty Jackson (4-3-7).
KEY ADDITIONS: Defenseman Tommy Miller (Michigan State), forward Jakov Novak (Bentley), goalie Evan Fear (Quinnipiac).
2021-22 PREDICTION: Jerry Keefe takes over for Jim Madigan, who has a new job as the school’s athletic director after a decade behind the men’s hockey bench. Opposing defenses could be seeing double this season as the Jackson twins, Dylan and Ty, return for their sophomore seasons. The pair was good for seven goals and eight assists in last year’s COVID-shortened season.
JD’s PREDICTION: Fourth
Jaxson Stauber starts his junior season with Providence as the No. 1 goalie (photo: Steve Babineau).
PROVIDENCE
HEAD COACH: Nate Leaman (11th season)
LAST SEASON: 11-9-5 (10-8-5 Hockey East, fifth)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: Senior defenseman Michael Callahan (3-11-14), junior forward Parker Ford (9-13-22), junior forward Patrick Moynihan (6-9-15), junior goalie Jaxson Stauber (11-7-5, 2.24 GAA, .916 SV%).
KEY ADDITIONS: Forward Kohen Olischefski (Denver), forward Alex Esposito (Vermont), goalie Austin Cain (Western Michigan).
2021-22 PREDICTION: The Friars return almost all of their top scorers from last year’s team, which finished in the top half of the league standings. Parker Ford will be expected to carry much of the scoring load, as he did last season. Michael Callahan, a defenseman with a scoring touch, is expected to play plenty of minutes.
JD’s PREDICTION: Fifth
Vermont is banking on increased goal production in 2021-22 (photo: Vermont Athletics).
VERMONT
HEAD COACH: Todd Woodcroft (second season)
LAST SEASON: 1-10-2 (1-9-2, last)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: Junior defenseman Andrew Lucas (1-1-2), junior forward Jacques Bouquot (1-1-2), sophomore forward Ray Vitolins (1-5-6).
KEY ADDITIONS: Defenseman Joe Leahy (Cornell), defenseman Robbie Stucker (Minnesota), defenseman Cory Babichuk (RPI).
2021-22 PREDICTION: Even within the context of a last-place finish in a Covid-shortened season, the Catamounts suffered from low scoring output last season. Ray Vitolins is the team’s top returning scorer from last year with only six points — he and his fellow underclassmen on the front line will have to generate more scoring if Vermont has any chance of finishing out of the cellar.
Lake Superior State has hired DJ Goldstein as a volunteer assistant coach for the 2021-22 season.
Goldstein will be involved in all aspects of the daily operations of the coaching staff while also assisting in hockey operations, and managing organizational film analysis and breakdown.
“We are looking forward to DJ joining our staff in this important role,” said LSSU coach Damon Whitten in a statement. “He brings a wealth of previous leadership experiences that will allow him to immediately contribute to Laker hockey in a variety of ways. From his captaincy roles at prep, junior, and college hockey to his current executive director role, DJ has demonstrated the ability to positively influence and impact the team members around him. This leadership combined with his passion and drive to pursue coaching will allow him to become a valued member of our coaching staff.”
Goldstein joins the Lakers after spending the last few years as the head coach of the Rochester Coalition 18U team as well as an assistant coach for the Canandaigua Academy boys varsity hockey team. Rochester won the USA Hockey 18U Tier I national championship in 2021. In his role as head coach with the Coalition, Goldstein was responsible for player recruitment, oversaw on- and off-ice training and development, and coordinated all travel and showcase logistics. With the Canandaigua Academy team, Goldstein assisted in daily on- and off-ice training plans, and oversaw the team’s defense and penalty kill.
During the summer of 2018, Goldstein worked as a coach for Paul Vincent Elite Hockey.
Goldstein has coaching experience dating back to November 2009 as he spent years as a camp counselor with Strong Hockey and a volunteer assistant coach with the Canandaigua Youth Hockey program.
“I am extremely excited to be joining the Lake Superior State family,” said Goldstein. “I want to thank athletic director Dr. David Diles and Coach Whitten for the incredible opportunity. It has been a dream of mine to coach college hockey since I graduated. I am so grateful to be able to work with and learn from Coach Whitten, Coach York, Coach Cisek and the entire Laker staff. I can’t wait to get started.”
Goldstein played Division III hockey at Nichols where he served as team captain during his senior season. He graduated from Nichols with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 2017 and a masters of Business Administration in 2018.
The main entrance to Midco Arena in Sioux Falls, S.D., according to an architect’s rendering (photo: JLG Architects).
Augustana University officially announced today that it will be home to the Viking men’s hockey program, which is set to take the ice in the fall of 2023.
The public announcement came during a groundbreaking ceremony in Sioux Falls, S.D., on AU’s campus for the program’s new $40 million Midco Arena, facilitated by a lead gift from T. Denny Sanford, Midco, Sanford Health and several other major donors.
“Augustana’s program is the first of its kind in the state and one of only 61 men’s hockey programs competing at the Division I level in the country. Sioux Falls needs a great college hockey program and under the leadership of President Stephanie Herseth Sandlin, Augustana is the place to make it happen,” Sanford said.
“This is a celebratory day and a difference-making day,” said Midco president and CEO Pat McAdaragh. “Thank you, Denny Sanford, for leading the way to bring Division I hockey to Augie, Sioux Falls and the great state of South Dakota. We’re proud to be one of the many sponsors and donors helping support Augustana in making this dream come true, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to put the Midco name on the arena. By bringing DI hockey to Sioux Falls, Augustana’s campus will become even more of an activity hub for the region while continuing to graduate leaders for the years to come. Midco is thrilled to be part of this initiative, and excited to welcome everyone to the Midco Arena.”
The announcement is another step forward in accomplishing goals set forth in Augustana’s strategic plan entitled “Viking Bold: The Journey to 2030.” The plan includes an effort to provide student-athletes the opportunity to compete at a higher level, elevate the university’s profile and inspire Sioux Falls to enthusiastically embrace Augustana University as its hometown team by serving the community and integrating its mission with the community’s needs.
“Hockey is the right program at the right time for where Augustana is now, and it’s just been so affirming because of all the enthusiasm that our campus, alumni, community and donors have expressed,” said Augustana president Stephanie Herseth Sandlin. “This is more than a men’s hockey program at Augustana. This is a university-wide initiative that has great potential impact for our city and region.”
The hockey program, which will compete at the NCAA Division I level, will be the Vikings’ 23rd collegiate sport and first of its kind in South Dakota.
With the facility first imagined by JLG Architects, Edgemoor Infrastructure & Real Estate has been selected to manage the design, development and construction south of 33rd Street on S. Grange Avenue where the hockey team will practice and play games. Midco Arena is planned for 3,000 seats, as well as luxury suites, providing a first-class experience for both student-athletes and sports fans.
“There’s no better time in the history of college athletics to start a program. The hockey program, and what it means for our campus, is indescribable,” Augustana director of athletics Josh Morton said. “And building a new facility — there’s something invigorating about it, not only for Augustana Athletics, but for the broader community. For Augustana to take that step — it separates us.”
Augustana plans to have a head coach for men’s hockey in place by May 2022, which will give the coach more than a year to build a roster.
Submissions are now being accepted for the Augustana hockey season ticket interest list. Fans interested in season tickets are encouraged to submit their contact information and desired number of tickets in the form provided at goaugie.com/HockeyTickets.
Arizona State coach Greg Powers and his team await the start of the third period in Game 2 of the SoCal Clash against Harvard back in December 2019 (photo: Anthony Ciardelli).
A key takeaway from Tuesday was to enjoy every moment of coaching because it’s about the journey, not the destination. That philosophy worked with all three presentations – developing as a coach, developing defensemen and developing a winning culture. Development takes time, but is worth every minute of effort and sacrifice.
Would you rather win a championship early on in your coaching career, then never again, or have that championship season come after countless seasons of hard work? University of Massachusetts Amherst head coach Greg Carvel, currently in his sixth season with UMass, earned his national championship after 25 years behind the bench and his journey to get there is quite extraordinary. He sat down with ESPN broadcaster John Buccigross to discuss the highs and lows.
Jim Tortorella has had a hand in developing some of the game’s most exciting young defensemen, including nine Crimson alum who were on opening night rosters to begin the 2020-21 NHL season. Tortorella, currently entering his fourth year on the Harvard coaching staff as an assistant, oversees Harvard’s defensive corps, penalty killing and recruiting, and he does so with a unique risk/reward philosophy. He explained it during his presentation Tuesday.
PLAYING FREE: HOW CULTURE TRANSLATES INTO TEAM SUCCESS
Greg Powers has turned Arizona State University into an NCAA contender in short order. Having been with the Sun Devils for 14 seasons, including seven as head coach, Powers has guided his team through many highs and lows. For his efforts and results, Powers was a finalist for the 2019 and 2020 Spencer Penrose Award, given to the Division I Coach of the Year. In his presentation, Powers discussed how he uses practice to establish his team’s culture.
After being the No. 1 overall pick by Buffalo in the 2021 NHL draft, Owen Power is returning to Michigan for his sophomore year (photo: Michigan Photography).
As the sudden cancelation of the 2019-20 season and the general, let’s say, quirkiness of last year gets put in the rearview, everyone is hoping for a more normal Big Ten season this year.
Saying more normal instead of 100 percent normal is already necessary as during the process of writing this piece a nonconference series has already been moved due to COVID issues. However, having nonconference series in general and planning to play them in early October is already an upgrade.
As the Big Ten enters its ninth season the only consistency has been inconsistency. The preseason prognostication, while fun to talk about in September, very rarely look like the final standings at the end of the year.
As fall begins this year, a race between Minnesota and Michigan with the Gophers coming out on top is the prediction. One person who isn’t necessarily buying that is Minnesota coach Bob Motzko.
“I start every year in last place in my brain, and we work from there,” Motzko said at Minnesota’s preseason media day. “I don’t play the schedule out in the summer to figure out the ending, which I know is a fun thing to do this time of year when rankings come out and picking where you’re going to finish.”
Motzko’s team makes sense as a top pick, the Gophers return a lot of key pieces from the team that came close to winning the regular-season crown last year, knocked off the Badgers to win the postseason tournament and was a game away from the Frozen Four. He pointed to scenarios in previous seasons where the standings became very jumbled and one game having a different result could have changed things drastically. Then he directed everyone’s attention to Michigan.
“I anticipate one tough conference,” he said. “There’s no question Michigan is leading the pack right now. They’ve got a lot of accolades for all the kids that they got drafted in such high spots. Tag, they’re it, and then it’s the rest of us chasing them. It’s a good spot for us to be.”
Mel Pearson’s Wolverines may be appointment viewing this season. The expectations are certainly high, based on number of draft picks alone, but Pearson said there is no extra pressure to succeed.
“When you come to Michigan you expect to compete for championships,” he said. “Just because we have a few high draft picks this year, it doesn’t change the narrative from our coaching staff to within our team.
“What is pressure? It’s just your own expectations is really what it breaks down to. We have high expectations here at Michigan.”
A challenge for the Wolverines, like many teams littered with talent, could be getting all the correct pieces to come together in the correct way. The NCAA championship game is only 183 days after Michigan’s first contest and with many players expected to depart after this year it can’t afford a sluggish start.
“They’re here to play for Michigan and that’s why they all came back,” Pearson said. “They know that there’s something special here and that they can have a special year, but they all have to get on the same page, and we have to make sure that we do our job to help them get on the page and then go for it.”
While the Gophers and Wolverines are the headliners, the rest of the conference comes into the season with question marks. Wisconsin needs to replace a large chunk of its scoring from last season while Notre Dame hopes to find its scoring touch in general after a down year last year. Ohio State and Michigan State seek consistency and Penn State is a bit of a wild card having missed so much of its season last year.
After the past few seasons, simply seeing teams hit the ice for a game is more than enough excitement for most, no matter the school.
“It’s exciting,” Ohio State coach Steve Rohlik said. “Whatever the word normal is, whatever that might be, we’re looking forward to it and getting off to a good start. It’s kind of the unknown, I think the unknown is exciting. Our guys are excited, our staff is excited, and I think that’s a good thing.”
Michigan sophomore forward Brendan Brisson was a first-round pick of Vegas back last October (photo: Michigan Photography).
MICHIGAN
HEAD COACH: Mel Pearson (fifth season)
LAST SEASON: 15-10-1 (11-9-0 B1G, fourth)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: Forward Thomas Bordeleau (8-22-30), forward Kent Johnson (9-18-27), forward Matty Beniers (10-14-24), forward Brendan Brisson (10-11-21), defenseman Owen Power (3-13-16)
KEY LOSSES: Defenseman Cam York (4-16-20), goaltender Strauss Mann (11-9-1, 1.89 GAA, .930 SV%)
2021-22 Prediction: All aboard the hype train in Ann Arbor. Will the tracks lead to Boston in April? With the amount of talent packed on the roster, including four of the top five picks in last year’s NHL draft, a Frozen Four has to be the minimum expectation for the Wolverines. They’ll have to navigate the regular season first, however, and you know the opposition will be tough every night.
2021-22 Position Prediction: First
Michigan State’s Josh Nodler netted the game-winning goal for the Spartans with less than a minute left against Michigan in a game this past January (photo: Matthew Mitchell Photography).
KEY ADDITIONS: Forward Griffin Loughran (Northern Michigan, WCHA), forward Jesse Tucker (Green Bay, USHL), forward Tanner Kelly (Muskegon, USHL)
2021-22 Prediction: If you’re a Michigan State fan, the hope for this season is that all the young players from last year’s team took a step forward during the offseason. Having Lewandowski and DeRidder back provides a solid base and getting a proven DI scorer in Loughran will help a team that struggled in that department last year. The ceiling for the Spartans is probably a midtable finish but simply getting out of the cellar would be a good thing.
2021-22 Position Prediction: Sixth
Minnesota’s Jack LaFontaine started the 2020-21 season 8-0-0 with two shutouts for the Gophers (photo: Minnesota Athletics).
MINNESOTA
HEAD COACH: Bob Motzko (fourth season)
LAST SEASON: 24-7-0 (16-6-0 B1G, second)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: Forward Sammy Walker (13-16-29), forward Blake McLaughlin (12-16-28), forward Ben Meyers (12-16-28), defenseman Jackson LaCombe (4-17-21), goaltender Jack LaFontaine (22-7-0, 1.79 GAA, .934 SV%)
2021-22 Prediction: After closely losing the Big Ten regular-season crown to Wisconsin and getting bounced from the NCAA tournament by an in-state rival, the Gophers come into this season with an axe to grind. Minnesota lost its leading scorer from last season but a stable of talented freshmen forwards should be able to fill that void. The cherry on top is that Jack LaFontaine, who was brilliant in net last season for the Gophers, used his fifth-year option to return to Dinkytown.
2021-22 Position Prediction: Second
Graham Slaggert enters his senior season with Notre Dame in 2020-21 (photo: Notre Dame Athletics).
NOTRE DAME
HEAD COACH: Jeff Jackson (17th season)
LAST SEASON: 14-13-2 (12-10-2 B1G, third)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: Forward Graham Slaggert (7-18-25), forward Landon Slaggert (8-14-22), defenseman Nick Leivermann (5-12-17), defenseman Max Ellis (5-11-16)
KEY LOSSES: Forward Alex Steeves (15-17-32)
KEY ADDITIONS: Justin Janicke (U.S. NTDP)
2021-22 Prediction: The good news for Notre Dame is it didn’t lose a lot of key players from last year’s team. The bad news is the Irish will need to count on multiple players to take a next step and help shoulder the scoring burden for a team that struggled in that department. Jeff Jackson also took advantage of the transfer portal, including bringing in Jack Adams to play at his third different school. Between the pipes, Cornell transfer Matt Galajda should help stabilize that position.
2021-22 Position Prediction: Third
Steve Rohlik enters his ninth season behind the Ohio State bench (photo: Ohio State Athletics).
OHIO STATE
HEAD COACH: Steve Rohlik (ninth season)
LAST SEASON: 7-19-1 (6-16-0 B1G, fifth)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: Forward Travis Treloar (8-12-20), forward Mark Cheremeta (5-14-19), forward Quinn Preston (6-7-13), defenseman Grant Gabriele (3-10-13)
KEY LOSSES: Goaltender Tommy Nappier (7-16-1, 3.28 GAA, .906 SV%)
KEY ADDITIONS: Defenseman Mason Lohrei (Green Bay, USHL), goaltender Jakub Dobes (Omaha, USHL)
2021-22 Prediction: Like Notre Dame, Ohio State will be counting on a lot of its players from last season having improved over the offseason. The Buckeyes frequently hung Tommy Nappier out to dry last season and, with him having moved on, there are now three goalies with limited college experience. With some youngsters finding the next gear and a few upper classmen regaining their mojo the Buckeyes could be an intriguing team, but that’s a tall order.
2021-22 Position Prediction: Seventh
Penn State goalie Oskar Autio pitched his first career Big Ten shutout, stopping all 23 shots he faced during a 1-0 victory against Michigan State on Jan. 3, 2021 (photo: Penn State Athletics).
PENN STATE
HEAD COACH: Guy Gadowsky (10th season)
LAST SEASON: 10-12-0 (7-11-0 B1G, fifth)
KEY RETURNING PLAYERS: Forward Kevin Wall (8-11-19), forward Connor McMenamin (6-9-15), goaltender Oskar Autio (9-9-0, 3.13 GAA, .894 SV%)
KEY LOSSES: Forward Alex Limoges (10-12-22), forward Tim Doherty (8-10-18)
KEY ADDITIONS: Forward Ryan Kirwan (Green Bay, USHL), forward Danny Dzhaniyev (Dubuque, USHL)
2021-22 Prediction: After having a whole month of games canceled last season, simply playing the schedule as scheduled will probably be relief for Penn State. The Nittany Lions return a lot of their scoring from last season but with the lack of games most of those players ended up with a point total in the 5-15 range. A high-flying offense is usually Penn State’s bread and butter, so it’ll be interesting to see who steps up to lead the charge.
2021-22 Position Prediction: Fifth
Owen Lindmark recorded four goals and 17 points in 27 games in ‘2020-21 for the Badgers (photo: Wisconsin Athletics).
KEY ADDITIONS: Defenseman Daniel Laatsch (Sioux City, USHL), defenseman Corson Ceulemans (Brooks, AJHL)
2021-22 Prediction: As if replacing Cole Caufield wasn’t going to be difficult enough the Badgers also have to replace the next three leading scorers behind him, too. Wisconsin almost solely relied on Caufield at points last season and his 30 goals are now, obviously, going to have to be spread out amongst the remaining players. Goaltender Cameron Rowe, who posted a 9-2-1 record last season while sharing the net with Robbie Beydoun, returns. Minnesota transfer Jared Moe will give Tony Granato the option to rotate goalies again this season.
Each coach and program have different criteria for what they look for on the recruiting trail. Sure, everyone is looking for talent on the ice, but there’s so much more that goes into a player’s makeup. There are players every program wants, but for up-and-coming teams that may not be able to land those recruits, they’re looking for players that see the benefit and potential of helping build a program and putting in the hard work now to help future teams see a payoff.
