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Western Michigan out to build on breakout season despite coaching change

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Past predictors

In one year, Jeff Blashill — the kid who grew up in Sault Ste. Marie, played in Big Rapids and coached in Oxford — pulled Western Michigan from last place to fourth, and none of it seemed like smoke and mirrors. Somehow, Blashill managed to transform the program’s culture in just one little season.

And then he left.

His replacement is veteran NHL coach Andy Murray. Can the Broncos start the 2011-12 season where they ended in 2010-11, as the CCHA coaches and media seem to think they can?

“That’s a great question,” said Murray, “and there are probably people that are better informed to answer that than I would be.”

A brilliant answer.

Many first-year head coaches keep assistants on at least to see transitions through. Murray knows, though, what he has in assistants Rob Facca and Pat Ferschweiler, whom he’s praised as moving the program in a “positive direction.” Murray’s smart enough to recognize other things, too.

“The one thing I will applaud is the work ethic and the off-ice performance in terms of our testing,” said Murray. “I know all of the coaches have attested to the fact that their players have come back in great shape in the fall, and all the programs. We’re all pretty optimistic at this time. I think it’s been more the collective work here.

“Certainly our captain, Ian Slater, is as good of a captain as I have ever seen in terms of what he expects of the players and the level of commitment that he wants from them. You’re only allowed two full-time assistant coaches, and Ian Slater is like another coach on our staff and we have already developed a tremendous respect for him.”

Good omens

For a team that finished fourth in the CCHA last season, Western Michigan did not put up the most impressive offensive or special teams numbers; WMU was 32nd nationally in scoring (2.76 goals per game) with the 33rd-best power play (17.3 percent) and 48th-best penalty kill (78.7 percent) in the country. What was their secret?

The Broncos kept it simple and kept it close, outscoring CCHA opponents 77-71 on the season. WMU returns one of its two double-digit goal scorers from a season ago, sophomore Chase Balisy.

Murray is also optimistic that someone will be able to step into the net that Jerry Kuhn defended last season.

“We’ve got three large goaltenders, which you have to like,” said Murray, who said that junior Nick Pisellini is “very strong positionally.” Freshmen Kris Moore and Frank Slubowski will challenge Pisellini for the starting role. “I think Nick has appreciated the competition,” said Murray, “because it has raised his level as well.”

What spells doom?

The second new head coach in as many years. A noticeable lack of offense. Relying too much last season on a goaltender who was clearly on a mission. The new pressure of having to meet expectations and maintain success.

Lots of variables in Kalamazoo.

About the Broncos

2010-11 overall record: 19-13-10

2010-11 CCHA record: 10-9-9-5 (fourth)

2011-12 predicted finish (coaches poll): Fourth

Key losses: Forwards Max Campbell and Ryan Watson; defenseman Mike Levendusky; goaltender Jerry Kuhn

Players to watch: Forwards Chase Balisy, Shane Berschbach, Ian Slater, Greg Squires; defenseman Matt Tennyson; goaltender Nick Pisellini

Impact rookie: Forward Will Kessel

Why the Broncos will finish higher than the coaches poll: This is a team that bought into an entirely new culture last season, allowing its most talented players to shine. They lose little and have great leadership.

Why the Broncos will finish lower than the coaches poll: The second head coach in as many years could have an impact, as well as the loss of goaltender Jerry Kuhn, who kept the Broncos in many games that perhaps should have gone differently.

Marsh to take indefinite medical leave from St. Lawrence

USCHO Staff Report
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St. Lawrence head coach Joe Marsh will not start the season behind the bench and would not say when he may return after he told the Watertown Daily Times this week that he’s planning an indefinite medical leave.

Marsh has battled a chronic arthritic condition the past several years and has missed games and practices.

“What I’m looking to avoid is a continuance of how last year went — was I in or was I out?,” Marsh said in the Times. “Who knows? Maybe I’ll come back soon, maybe I’m not coaching again, I don’t know. Whatever happens, I want it to be my decision and do it the right way and leave it the right way. I’ve done this for half my life, so obviously, what’s left is pretty important to me.”

New associate head coach Mike Hurlbut and assistant Greg Carvel will handle the coaching duties and former Saints’ player Jared Keller may be brought in to assist with recruiting.

“I want the emphasis on them and what we have here,” Marsh added. “Not the fact that I’m sitting around on the shelf. I don’t want to mess it up by mistake by being half-in, half-out. It’s better for everybody if I just sort of step back.”

Veteran coach Moore named to interim Colby post

USCHO Staff Report
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Stan Moore has been named interim head coach of Colby College.

A veteran of more than 25 years as a Division I coach at Providence, Colgate, Union and Brown, the Colby job is Moore’s third as a head coach at the NCAA level. He coached Union from 1996 to 1998 and was the interim coach at Colgate in the 2003-04 season.

Moore takes over the Mules from Jim Tortorella, who left Colby over the summer to become associate head coach at New Hampshire.

“We are very fortunate to have someone of Stan’s experience and knowledge right in our backyard,” said Colby athletic director Marcella Zalot. “He can step in on day one and be able to take command of all aspects of running a program at a high level.”

Moore was an assistant coach for Kents Hill School last year in Belgrade, Maine.

Bowling Green accepts WCHA’s invitation to join in 2013

USCHO Staff Report
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Bowling Green has accepted the WCHA’s offer of membership for the 2013-14 season, the school announced Tuesday.

The school was one of five from the CCHA given an invitation in August to join the WCHA, which is set to lose eight of its current 12 teams when conferences realign in the 2013 offseason. Alaska, Ferris State and Lake Superior State also accepted; Western Michigan instead is joining the National Collegiate Hockey Conference.

“The WCHA is a great fit for BGSU,” Bowling Green athletic director Greg Christopher said in a statement. “WCHA teams are committed to the highest level of college hockey and competing for championships, just as we are at Bowling Green.”

The Falcons got an extension on the original deadline to answer the WCHA while they investigated other opportunities, one of which reportedly involved Atlantic Hockey schools and Buffalo, which has indicated an interest in forming a varsity program.

As it stands, the WCHA in 2013-14 will include current members Alaska-Anchorage, Bemidji State, Michigan Tech and Minnesota State, as well as current CCHA members Alaska, Bowling Green, Ferris State, Lake Superior State and Northern Michigan.

“I’d like to thank the presidents of the institutions in the WCHA for extending this invitation,” school president Dr. Mary Ellen Mazey said. “Our university and our hockey program has many similarities to the current WCHA members and we are excited to join with these schools in two years.”

Bowling Green was a founding member of the CCHA in 1971 and is the only one with that designation that has never left the league.

“We are absolutely elated to welcome Bowling Green into the Association family,” WCHA commissioner Bruce McLeod said in a statement. “Across the board, BGSU is a first-class institution with a dynamic and proven athletic and hockey program that has enjoyed ongoing successes. They are 100 percent committed to being among the nation’s premier ice hockey programs and they will be a tremendous addition to our new-look WCHA. They enjoy enthusiastic support from both their fans and their community and will be a great fit. This is indeed a special day for the WCHA, for Bowling Green, and for college hockey in general.”

Notre Dame set to announce move to Hockey East

USCHO Staff Report
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Notre Dame has scheduled a news conference for Wednesday, at which it will announce it will join Hockey East, sources have said.

The Fighting Irish were considering Hockey East and the National Collegiate Hockey Conference for the 2013-14 season, but the NCHC issued a news release Sunday, saying it would start with the eight teams that had already committed.

In Notre Dame, Hockey East adds a national name with a large fan base and a program that was in the Frozen Four last season and opens the 2011-12 campaign No. 1 in the USCHO.com Division I Men’s Poll.

But the South Bend, Ind., school is well outside the league’s current New England base, and it takes Hockey East to 11 teams — an uneven structure that in the past has been seen by some conference commissioners as undesirable.

Adding a 12th team to Hockey East could involve ECAC Hockey in the realignment discussion that has dominated the offseason.

In March, the Big Ten Conference announced it was forming a six-team league in 2013-14, taking Michigan, Michigan and Michigan State from the CCHA and Minnesota and Wisconsin from the WCHA. Penn State starts varsity play as an independent in 2012-13 before joining its Big Ten counterparts a year later.

The NCHC was unveiled in July, with charter members Colorado College, Denver, Minnesota-Duluth, Nebraska-Omaha and North Dakota from the WCHA and Miami from the CCHA.

The WCHA responded by adding Northern Michigan from the CCHA and later offering spots to five CCHA members. Alaska, Ferris State and Lake Superior State accepted, while Bowling Green and Western Michigan did not commit.

In September, the NCHC offered spots to St. Cloud State from the WCHA and Western Michigan; both accepted.

Also Tuesday, Bowling Green announced it had accepted the WCHA’s invitation. Reports had also linked Atlantic Hockey schools to discussions on realignment.

Sacred Heart hopes seesaw goes in positive direction

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The last two seasons have been a roller coaster ride for coach C.J. Marottolo and his Sacred Heart Pioneers. Picked to finish eighth out of 10 teams in 2009-10, the Pioneers came in second, earning Marottolo coach of the year honors. But last season Sacred Heart plummeted to 11th place.

“I hope the opposite ends of the spectrum continues for one more year,” joked Marottolo. “That means we’ll be in pretty good shape.”

The Pioneers’ downfall last season was their 4.68 goals allowed per game, worst in Division I.

“We never had it figured out last year,” said Marottolo. “Our goaltending was nowhere we wanted it to be and we were down to five defensemen at one point due to injuries. But I thought we turned the corner a little at the end of the season (beating Bentley in the first round of the playoffs before falling to Air Force). Things are exceptionally close in this league.”

Sacred Heart lost three of its stop six scorers to graduation but returns its top two in senior Matt Gingera and junior Eric DeLong. Both had 30 points last season. Gingera’s 21 goals was 10 more than any player on the team last season.

“Obviously, ‘Ginge’ carried us the second half of last year,” said Marottolo. “But we don’t expect him to be any more than he is already. We expect other guys to step up and chip in.”

The defense will be helped by the addition of two transfers. Will Rayner comes in from Massachusetts-Lowell and Jordan Ciccarello was formerly at Clarkson.

“They’re both extremely competitive people,” said Marottolo. “Our hope is that makes us better in several areas.”

Junior Steven Legatto returns as the only goaltender who has seen action at the college level. He’s joined by sophomore Chris Paliafito and newcomer Andrew Bodnarchuk.

“I told all three that it’s an open tryout,” said Marottolo. “All three of them know where they stand. We’re moving forward with the one that’s playing the best.

“We have nine new players and they’ve added to the dynamic of our team. The work ethic has been exceptional, on the track, in the weight room and on the ice. I’ve told our players, ‘The only thing we can control is how hard we work.'”

About the Pioneers

2010-11 overall record: 6-25-2

2010-11 AHA record: 5-16-6 (11th)

2011-12 predicted finish (coaches poll): 11th

Key losses: Patrick Knowlton (F), David Berube (F), Oliver St. Onge (G)

Players to watch: Matt Gingera (sr., F), Eric DeLong (jr., F), Steven Legatto (jr., G)

Impact rookie: Brian Sheehan had 67 points in 44 games in the EJHL last season

Why the Pioneers will finish higher than the coaches poll: They can win the close games they lost last season if they can improve on defense.

Why the Pioneers will finish lower than the coaches poll: Legatto or whomever is in net has to have a better season or it will be more of the same for the Pioneers.

Amid uncertainty off ice, Atlantic Hockey hopes to take another step in 2011-12

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After a summer of uncertainty and tragedy in the hockey world, it’s good to be able to finally focus on what’s happening on the ice.

The deaths of three NHL players as well as the Locomotiv plane crash disaster cast a pall over all of hockey. And while college hockey was spared that kind of human tragedy, the upheaval caused by the formations of the Big Ten and the National Collegiate Hockey Conference initiated a mad game of musical chairs for dozens of teams. And it hasn’t sorted itself out yet.

So far, Atlantic Hockey remains untouched, but some programs were and still are ready to jump ship should the right offer come along. The CCHA teams that remained after the Big Ten and NCHC poached half of the league’s membership met with Niagara, Canisius, Robert Morris and Mercyhurst over the summer and also approached Air Force and Rochester Institute of Technology. The latter schools declined to meet.

“We’re flattered to have been contacted, but we’re happy where we’re at,” said RIT coach Wayne Wilson.

In the end, all but two of the remaining CCHA schools joined the orphans left in the WCHA, leaving only Notre Dame, which most likely will wind up in Hockey East, and Bowling Green, which has to either join the WCHA or get creative. That’s where Atlantic Hockey is back in the mix.

Those same teams that the CCHA was interested in have been contacted by Bowling Green, and some are listening. And, despite what Air Force coach Frank Serratore has said about the Falcons not leaving, news reports indicate that a move to the new WCHA has not been ruled out. Serratore says he wants to be left out of the discussion.

“I don’t want to be a part of the rumors and burn positive energy trying to figure and manipulate someplace better to be,” he said.

And don’t leave RIT out of the mix just yet. As happy as the Tigers are in Atlantic Hockey, the school would seriously consider a move to ECAC Hockey if a spot opened up. And one may if Notre Dame moves to Hockey East as anticipated, because that league would probably then add a 12th team, most likely Rensselaer or Quinnipiac. That would leave an open ECAC spot, and RIT could be interested.

Sophomore Goalie Shane Madolora absorbs the spotlight before the game at Ritter Arena, in Rochester, New York. (Dylan Heuer)
Shane Madolora will be in the spotlight again for Rochester Institute of Technology (photo: Dylan Heuer).

That’s a lot for fans to take in, but for the time being the only big change in Atlantic Hockey that’s actually happening is a revamped playoff format, the ninth different postseason format in the nine years the AHA has existed. This one could be argued to be the best the league has ever had, and one hopes that 12 teams stick around so it can be used for years to come.

After the largely unpopular “pod” standings-within-standings yielded some unfair postseason matchups, the league has kept the unbalanced schedule but has gone to seedings based on the actual standings, as well as instituting a best-of-three format for the first two rounds of the playoffs.

“I think the new format is going to further enhance the competitiveness of the league, and it will certainly place more importance on the regular season schedule and where teams finish in the standings,” said AHA commissioner Bob DeGregorio.

The league is riding the momentum of another season that saw the caliber of play improve, as evidenced by 11 former players in NHL preseason camps, buy far the most ever. The AHA champion again was a team to be reckoned with in the NCAA tournament, with Air Force taking top-seeded Yale to overtime before falling 2-1.

Plenty of talent has left Atlantic Hockey, as evidenced by those NHL camps. Seven of those 11 players were in the AHA just last season. But according to the coaches, the overall impact is balanced across the league, with the preseason poll looking a lot like the final standings.

That means improving teams like Connecticut are expected to continue to get better, but not enough to knock off perennial front-runners Air Force and RIT. The Falcons have won four of the last five playoff titles, and the Tigers have four of the last five regular season crowns.

“I think [there was little movement in the preseason poll] because while a lot of teams lost some key players, every team still has a lot left and there are some really strong freshman classes,” said Wilson. “We’ll really know once the season gets started, but for now, I know that I don’t think I voted any team more than one or two places from where they finished last year.”

Just because the coaches expect the status quo doesn’t mean there won’t be plenty of drama in store:

• In past seasons, there has been a team that has exceeded expectations, like Connecticut last season and Sacred Heart the year before. There’s also usually a team or two that falls short of the mark, like the Pioneers last year. Who’s the team most likely to move in the standings one way or another? It could be a downturn for Mercyhurst, which lost 65 percent of its scoring and its starting goaltender. Sacred Heart could rebound and move up if it can find consistent goaltending.

• RIT and Air Force have been the leaders since moving into the league six years ago, but each team goes about it differently. The Falcons are a streaky team, and usually are playing their best hockey at the end of the season. The Tigers do it with consistency, taking at least a point on virtually every weekend. Can both teams keep it up? Chances are you’ll again find these schools at the top of the standings once the dust settles.

• Niagara and Robert Morris made a splash in their first year in the league, in no small part due to a dynamic duo on each team. The Purple Eagles’ Bryan Haczyk and Paul Zanette as well as the Colonials’ Denny Urban and Nathan Longpre were four of the best players in the league. But all four have moved on. Both teams will need others to step up so they don’t step down in the standings.

• Last year the West “pod” dominated the early part of they season, but Holy Cross and UConn came on strong and both made it to Rochester. Neither team suffered heavy losses due to graduation. Can the East turn the tables and produce a champion this season? Holy Cross has a real shot and is deserving of the first-place votes it got in the preseason poll.

• Last season was the best for Canisius in the Dave Smith era, with the Golden Griffins improving each year as their talented class of 2011 gained more experience and confidence. Now Cory Conacher and company are gone, and the Griffs have 12 rookies on the roster. Will they take a step back? Chances are yes, this will be a rebuilding year, but not as much as some might think. Success breeds more success.

• American International, Army and Bentley finished in the bottom half of the standings. Which team has the best chance of breaking out? It could be Army with its large senior class.

Here are my picks for the final standings in Atlantic Hockey for the 2011-12 season. Click on each team for a more detailed preview:

1. Air Force
2. Rochester Institute of Technology
3. Holy Cross
4. Niagara
5. Connecticut
6. Robert Morris
7. Canisius
8. Mercyhurst
9. Army
10. Sacred Heart
11. Bentley
12. American International

With 12 rookies, Canisius out to avoid rebuilding season

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Five years ago, Canisius coach Dave Smith brought in a large, talented rookie class that included the dynamic duo of Cory Conacher and Vincent Scarcella. Each of the past four seasons, the Golden Griffins improved, culminating in their first trip to the Atlantic Hockey semifinals under Smith.

Now that the class of 2011 has moved on, Smith has 12 rookies on the roster. This looks like a classic rebuilding scenario, but Smith said the cupboard isn’t bare.

“That [2011] class was my second year of recruiting,” he said. “Those guys did a heck of a job and a lot of good things for our program. Since then we’ve continued to bring in good hockey players and run a first-class program. We’re doing things the right way by getting quality people that want to accomplish things and graduating them on time.”

Scott Moser is the lone senior forward, coming off a 21-point season. He’s supported up front by junior Preston Shupe (24 points last season) and sophomore Kyle Gibbons (23).

Ben Danford (24 points) returns to lead the defense, which lost three starters to graduation. Smith has brought in some size on the blue line, with five freshman all 6-foot-2 or taller.

In net, expect senior Dan Morrison to get the majority of work as he did last season, but he’ll be pushed by sophomore Tony Capobianco, who posted better numbers in his 11 appearances last season.

“[Scoring] will be by committee but I like our depth offensively,” said Smith. “It’s not about catching lightning in a bottle but we’ll take that if it comes. We’ve got good players and good people and I really like our team.”

About the Golden Griffins

2010-11 overall record: 13-19-6

2010-11 AHA record: 10-12-5 (eighth)

2011-12 predicted finish (coaches poll): Ninth

Key losses: Cory Conacher (F), Vincent Scarcella (F), Chris Forsman (D)

Players to watch: Scott Moser (sr., F), Kyle Gibbons (so., F), Preston Shupe (jr., F), Dan Morrison (sr., G)

Impact rookie: Mitch McKrank, a true freshman in the mold of Conacher and Scarsella, had 62 points last season in juniors

Why the Golden Griffins will finish higher than the coaches poll: Expectations are low, but the Griffs will succeed if their young defense jells.

Why the Golden Griffins will finish lower than the coaches poll: The 12 rookies may need time to adjust.

Mercyhurst ‘looking to start again’ after offseason losses

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Decimated by graduation and transfers, Mercyhurst must replace 60 percent of its offense as well as longtime starting goaltender Ryan Zapolski.

“This is one of the youngest teams we’ve had,” said coach Rick Gotkin, who is entering his 24th season behind the bench, coaching every year of varsity hockey at Mercyhurst. “You can look at what we’ve lost but we have 12 freshmen that we like a lot. We’re looking to start again. I like our talent level.”

Besides losing graduating seniors Scott Pitt (41 points last season) and Mike Gurtler (28), Phil Ganand left early for a professional contract, and defenseman Nate Jensen and forward Taylor Holstrom transferred to Penn State. Holstrom was the rookie of the year in Atlantic Hockey last season. In all, eight of the team’s top 10 scorers are gone.

“It was a shock,” said Gotkin, referring to the transfers. “But we’re focused on what we have and not on what we don’t. Our goal is to finish in the top four, and I think that’s a reasonable goal based on what I have seen out of this team so far.”

Senior Max Strang is the only returning goalie with any collegiate experience. He’s joined by freshmen Jimmy Sarjeant and Jake Williams.

“[Strang] is the only goaltender with [college] experience, so he’s the incumbent,” said Gotkin. “But all three will see playing time.”

Junior Paul Chiasson is the top returning scorer with 37 points last season. His 17 goals were second on the team. Kevin Noble leads a defense that returns four starters.

As usual, the Lakers open with a tough schedule. They start the season at Omaha in the Maverick Stampede tournament and then travel to Alaska for the Gold Rush tourney.

“It’s great from a bonding standpoint,” said Gotkin. “We’ll be a team by the time we get back.

“And there won’t be anywhere to hide (playing strong teams out of the gate). We’ll know what we have right away.”

About the Lakers

2010-11 overall record: 15-18-4

2010-11 AHA record: 12-13-2 (seventh)

2011-12 predicted finish (coaches poll): Seventh

Key losses: Scott Pitt (F), Mike Gurtler (F), Ryan Zapolski (G)

Players to watch: Paul Chiasson (sr., F), Grant Blakey (jr., F), Kevin Noble (sr., D)

Impact rookie: Ryan Misiak had 58 points in the USHL last season.

Why the Lakers will finish higher than the coaches poll: Expectations are low for Mercyhurst for the first time in quite a while. If teams take the Lakers lightly, they’ll be in trouble.

Why the Lakers will finish lower than the coaches poll: If the new players don’t adjust quickly and a go-to goaltender doesn’t emerge, the Lakers could be in for a down season.

Robert Morris forced to lean on large senior class

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Robert Morris made an impressive splash in Atlantic Hockey last season, its first in the league. The Colonials spent the early part of the season in first place, and were near the top of the standings the entire way, finishing fifth but just three points out of second place.

But the most successful class in school history has moved on, and coach Derek Schooley must find a way to build off of last season despite losing the likes of Nathan Longpre and Denny Urban, who combined for 84 points in 2010-11.

“You can’t replace players like that,” he said. “All five guys. You’re not going to have incoming freshman ready to replace those players. Instead, we need everyone to take it to the next level. We need guys who had 15 points last season to get 20 points, guys who had 20 points last season to get 25.”

A large senior class will be called on to shoulder the load while the rookies get up to speed.

“We’ve got five freshman forwards, and like all freshmen they’re learning the speed of the game,” said Schooley. “I like what we have. But it’s going to be a baptism by fire. They’re going to get ice time and have to come up to speed fast. We’ve got seven senior forwards and this class is going to have to be ready to move up next season.”

Leading the big senior class are forwards Adam Brace (28 points last season) and Trevor Lewis (10 goals, third on the team last year). Junior Andrew Blazek is expected to take on an big role on the blue line.

Senior Brooks Ostergard is the designated starter, coming off last season’s third-team all-AHA honors.

“Of course he’s going to get that tag [of starter]”, said Schooley. “He’s earned that. But we’re also very comfortable with [junior] Eric Levine. He came in and played very well for us when Brooks was hurt last year.”

Schooley said his first season in Atlantic Hockey after coming from the defunct College Hockey America show his team the importance of a 27-game conference schedule.

“The urgency of every game,” he said. “We used to play the same three teams and play 18-20 league games. With 27 games and 12 teams you can’t let any points slip away and we did that a few times last season. RIT beat us late in overtime. Holy Cross scored with five seconds left. You don’t want to get to February and wish you had those points back.”

About the Colonials

2010-11 overall record: 18-12-5

2010-11 AHA record: 13-9-5 (fifth)

2011-12 predicted finish (coaches poll): Sixth

Key losses: Nathan Longpre (F), Denny Urban (D)

Players to watch: Adam Brace (sr., F), Trevor Lewis (sr., F), Brooks Ostergard (sr., G)

Impact rookie: Cody Wydo (91 points to lead the NAHL last season)

Why the Colonials will finish higher than the coaches poll: Teams with large senior classes tend to do well.

Why the Colonials will finish lower than the coaches poll: RMU won’t advance if it can’t find a way to replace the leadership and points lost to graduation.

Return of capable core has Connecticut eyeing a move up standings

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The Connecticut Huskies are coming off a breakthrough season that saw them advance to the Atlantic Hockey semifinals for the first time in five years.

Coach Bruce Marshall said now that his team, which returns a strong nucleus from last season, including eight of its top 10 scorers, has gotten a taste of winning, it’s time to take the next step.

“We definitely want to keep it going and change the things that need changing for us to do even better,” he said. “With success comes responsibility. We can’t think it’s going to be automatic.”

Last season’s success was unexpected as a strong freshman class contributed to an offense that averaged more than a goal a game better than the previous season. Leading the way were Cole Schneider (33 points last season) and Billy Latta (26). In all, freshmen contributed 121 points.

“[The rookies last year] played without expectations,” said Marshall. “This year will be different.”

Who are the leaders on this young team?

“Leaders emerge,” he said. “As a coaching staff we’ve been having those discussions. Corey Jendras has really emerged. He persevered though a lot last season. [Sean] Ambrosie has been getting better every year. He had a strong rookie season and was even better last year. He and guys like Marcello Ranallo have more responsibility on them.”

The Huskies have had strong goaltending for several seasons, and junior Garrett Bartus is no exception. He joined the team midway though his freshman year and played in all but two games last season.

“Garrett has proven that he can get the job done, but we also have [junior] Matt Grogan, who came in several times last season and played really well. He can shut teams down.”

UConn again welcomes a large rookie class that includes several junior league all-stars.

“We really like our incoming class,” said Marshall. “We expect them to make contributions right away.”

If this class fares as well as last year’s rookies, the Huskies will be in the hunt again.

About the Huskies

2010-11 overall record: 15-18-4

2010-11 AHA record: 13-12-2 (sixth)

2011-12 predicted finish (coaches poll): Fifth

Key losses: Andrew Olson (F)

Players to watch: Cole Schneider (so., F), Sean Ambrosie (jr., F), Billy Latta (so., F), Garrett Bartus (jr., G)

Impact rookie: Cody Sharib, who posted 50 points in 44 games last year in juniors.

Why the Huskies will finish higher than the coaches poll: Another great rookie class will mean that the Huskies improve on their fifth-place finish.

Why the Huskies will finish lower than the coaches poll: A sophomore slump could mean trouble for a team that will rely on that class to repeat its success.

Skilled defensemen keep Air Force in the title mix

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Last season, Air Force entered the post-Andrew Volkening era and things turned out just fine. Led by Jacques Lamoureux (44 points), and getting steady and later hot goaltending from rookie Jason Torf, the Falcons captured their fourth Atlantic Hockey playoff title in five seasons.

But now Lamoureux is gone, as well as stalwarts Derrick Burnett, Scott Kozlak and Brad Sellers.

The cupboard is hardly bare, with 18 players back, including five of six starters from one of the top defensive corps in college hockey, led by senior Scott Mathis and Tim Kirby.

“They’re the most talented set of defensemen we’ve ever had at Air Force,” said coach Frank Serratore.

When Mathis (first team all-AHA last season) is mentioned as being on a short list of candidates for player of the year this season, Serratore is quick to throw Kirby in that mix, too.

“He’s been huge for us,” he said. “He made big plays in big games. Lamoureux scored the winning goal against RIT but Kirby made that play that won us the championship. He went end to end and … Lamoureux was able to bang in the rebound.”

The defense also includes Adam McKenzie, who put up 19 points as a freshman.

“Adam McKenzie was fifth in the league in scoring by defenseman and he hardly ever played on the power play because we had Kirby and Mathis ahead of him,” said Serratore.

Torf played in 33 games for the Falcons last season and was named to the all-rookie team. He posted a 1-0 shutout against RIT in the AHA finals, making 40 saves. In the NCAA tournament against top-seeded Yale, he was again outstanding in a 2-1 overtime loss.

“The starting job is his to lose,” said Serratore. “For him to do what he did as a young freshman coming in and replacing Volkening … if we can score two measly goals, the kid beats Yale.”

Among the forwards, Serratore expects Paul Weisgarber to lead on and off the ice.

“He’s an outstanding young leader, as good as we’ve ever had,” said Serratore. “He’ll be key to us becoming a team. It’s a long process sometimes for guys to accept and embrace their roles. But when that happens, we’re tough to beat. Our record from the middle of February has been unbelievable.”

About the Falcons

2010-11 overall record: 20-12-6

2010-11 AHA record: 14-7-6 (second)

2011-12 predicted finish (coaches poll): Second

Key losses: Jacques Lamoureux (F), Derrick Burnett (F), Scott Kozlak (F)

Players to watch: Scott Mathis (sr., D), Tim Kirby (sr., D), Paul Weisgarber (sr., F), Jason Torf (so., G)

Impact rookie: Chad Demers had 50 points in 51 games at Fargo (USHL) last season.

Why the Falcons will finish higher than the coaches poll: The Falcons may not score as many goals as last season, but with outstanding defense and goaltending, they don’t have to.

Why the Falcons will finish lower than the coaches poll: Air Force will miss Lamoureux, one of the league’s best goal scorers.

Defense a strength for Bentley, but scoring goals likely to be a challenge

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The Bentley Falcons had a hard time scoring goals last season, and the loss of two of their top three forwards presents a difficult challenge.

Eric Peterson, who was second on the team with 12 goals last season, has graduated, along with linemate Dustin Cloutier (10 goals).

Back is sophomore Brett Gensler, who had a very good rookie campaign, leading the team in goals with 13, which was tied for second among all rookie forwards in the league. Juniors Joe Campanelli and Brett Hartung are also expected to take on bigger roles and improve the power play, which converted less than 9 percent of the time last season.

The defense returns intact and should be one of the team’s strengths. With goaltender Joe Calvi gone, coach Ryan Soderquist will look to senior Kyle Rank as well as sophomore Branden Komm and rookie Blake Dougherty.

Bentley faces what could be its toughest non-conference schedule ever, with games against Michigan, Yale, Quinnipiac, Massachusetts and Clarkson. Six of its first seven games are against non-conference opponents, including a pair at Michigan to open the season.

“We are excited to be playing the most aggressive non-league schedule in the history of our program,” Soderquist said in a statement. “Opening the season at the University of Michigan, a team with nine NCAA championships, will prove to be the biggest games we have ever played as a Division I program.”

About the Falcons

2010-11 overall record: 10-18-6

2010-11 AHA record: 9-13-5-0-0 (10th)

2011-12 predicted finish (coaches poll): 10th

Key losses: Eric Peterson (F), Dustin Cloutier (F), Joe Calvi (G)

Players to watch: Brett Gensler (so., F), Joe Campanelli (jr., F), Brett Hartung (jr., F), Kyle Rank (sr., G)

Impact rookie: Defenseman Matt Maher had 40 points last year, the most for a defenseman in the BCHL.

Why the Falcons will finish higher than the coaches poll: Bentley returns eight of its top 10 scorers and a full complement of blue liners.

Why the Falcons will finish lower than the coaches poll: The Falcons were 11th in offense last year and need more points from returning players.

Burt, veteran RIT seek return to NCAA tournament

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Rochester Institute of Technology lost its two top scorers but returns a nucleus that was a goal or two away from returning to the NCAA tournament. The departed duo of Andrew Favot and Tyler Brenner combined for 84 points, including 16 power-play goals. But the next seven top point-getters are back, as well as the entire defense corps and all-league goaltender Shane Madolora.

“Like most of the teams out there, we lost some really big players,” said coach Wayne Wilson. “We’ll need other guys to follow in their footsteps.”

One player looking to do that is senior Cameron Burt, who saw his point production drop from 47 two years ago to 28 last season, including six goals after scoring 29 his first two seasons.

“Burt has been on fire in practice,” said Wilson. “He knows the kind of year he can have and he’s poised to do that.”

Wilson is also pleased with what he’s seen out of a defense that was young last season and took a while to jell.

“They’re light years ahead of where they were last year,” he said. “Guys like [Eliot] Raibl and [Greg] Noyes and [Nolan] Descoteux showed improvement as the season went on, but they’re already way beyond that this season.”

The other starters on the blue line last season are all captains: seniors Chris Haltigin, Daniel Spivak and junior Chris Saracino, who led the league with a plus-26 last season. They’ll be in front of Madolora, who led the nation in save percentage last season (.935). Madolora has two years of eligibility remaining but is a senior academically, so this will be his final season.

Up front, the Tigers are experienced, with seniors Burt, Mark Cornacchia, Scott Knowles and Taylor McReynolds. Junior Adam Hartley and sophomore Adam Mitchell are the top returning goal scorers, with 11 each last year.

RIT’s trip to the Frozen Four two seasons ago is paying dividends in recruiting. Wilson said this year’s incoming class may be his best yet.

“We’re bringing in some good people,” he said. “We had a good freshman class last year and this class is a little further ahead at this point in the season than they were.”

One of the rookies is goaltender Jordan Ruby, who is coming off an excellent year in juniors and was ranked 14th among North American goaltenders by NHL Central Scouting before this year’s draft.

“We’re very deep [in net],” said Wilson. “Shane had a tremendous season and Josh Watson played well against some very good teams. He’ll continue to improve the way Shane did. And Jordan is a competitor who wants the challenge, knowing the guys that are in front of him. He had an outstanding season [in junior hockey] but no promises were made. We’ll probably do what we did last season and give all three a chance and then settle on one or two around Thanksgiving.”

About the Tigers

2010-11 overall record: 19-11-8

2010-11 AHA record: 15-5-7 (first)

2011-12 predicted finish (coaches poll): First

Key losses: Tyler Brenner (F), Andrew Favot (F)

Players to watch: Shane Madolora (sr., G), Cameron Burt (sr., F), Chris Saracino (jr., D)

Impact rookie: Forward Matt Garbowski led the British Columbia Hockey League with 44 goals last season.

Why the Tigers will finish higher than the coaches poll:You can’t finish any higher than first, but the Tigers and Air Force will battle for the best defense in the conference.

Why the Tigers will finish lower than the coaches poll: RIT will be able to stop the puck, but its offense took a hit.

Top line fuels American International’s drive to climb from basement

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For the second straight season, it looked like the American International Yellow Jackets were going to finish out of the Atlantic Hockey basement. But in the end, Gary Wright’s team couldn’t get over the hump.

“The last two years, we dropped into last on the last day of the season,” he said. “That wasn’t an indication of the improvement that I’ve seen. We were more potent offensively and improved our penalty killing.”

This season, the Yellow Jackets return their top four scorers, four of their six starting defensemen and goaltenders Ben Meisner (27 games) and Ryan Kerpan (nine games).

“We’ve got a pretty good group of returnees,” said Wright. “On paper, this is the strongest group of players we’ve had in some time.”

AIC’s top line of junior Adam Pleskach and seniors Nielsson Arcibal and Michael Penny, which combined for 75 points last season, returns intact. If the Yellow Jackets can get the same production from that line and get more input from their other forwards, they’ll get that chance to move out of the basement.

In net, Meisner turned in some amazing performances last season, including 51 saves in a 1-0 loss to Minnesota State. Some other shaky outings resulted in a 3.70 GAA.

“Ben had a really strong year and should improve even more,” said Wright. “Ryan [Kerpan] had a good second semester. [In terms of a starter] Ben played the majority of games last year and has the edge in that respect.

“We’re hoping that the returnees mixed with the new players we have will make for a better season.”

And get the Yellow Jackets out of the basement.

About the Yellow Jackets

2010-11 overall record: 8-24-1

2010-11 AHA record: 7-19-1 (12th)

2011-12 predicted finish (coaches poll): 12th

Key losses: Tom Mele (F)

Players to watch: Adam Pleskach (jr., F), Ben Meisner (jr., G), Nielsson Arcibal (sr., F)

Impact rookie:Jason Popek had 65 points in 40 games for Burlington (OJHL).

Why the Yellow Jackets will finish higher than the coaches poll: Their first line compares with any team in the league.

Why the Yellow Jackets will finish lower than the coaches poll: AIC will stay in the basement if it keeps averaging over four goals a game allowed.

Holy Cross’ goal: Pick up where it left off last season

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Last season Holy Cross posted 17 wins, the most since its dream season of 2005-06. The Crusaders went 10-2-3 down the stretch and made their first appearance in the league semifinals since 2006, giving eventual champion Air Force all it could handle in a 3-2 loss.

Holy Cross lost key players at each position, but returns with a large senior class and a crop of young forwards coming off good years.

“[Last year’s seniors] wasn’t a huge class but it was pretty significant,” said coach Paul Pearl. “We lost (second leading scorer) Everett [Sheen], [defenseman] Mark Znutas and one of our goalies, Adam Roy, who played every game down the stretch.”

With Roy gone and sophomore Derek Kump injured, Pearl is deciding between junior Thomas Tysowsky, who saw action in 12 games last season, and rookie Matt Ginn, one of the top goalies in the British Columbia Hockey League last season.

“Tommy and Matt have both had good days in practice and not-so-good days,” said Pearl. “We’ve got another week of practice and then an exhibition (against New Brunswick). I imagine whoever comes out of this week will get the early starts. We like to go with the hot hand. I can’t envision going with a Friday-Saturday rotation, but you never know if both guys are playing well. That would be a good problem to have.”

Pearl said the key to this season is to keep up the scoring pace that saw the Crusaders averaging around four goals a game down the stretch. Back are last year’s leading scorer, junior Kyle Fletcher (38 points), classmate Rob Linsmayer (34) and sophomores Shayne Stockton (25) and Adam Schmidt (21).

“We took a lot of shots the first part of the year that didn’t go in,” said Pearl. “But we had a much better second half of the season offensively.

“We just have to score. We’re solid defensively and I have faith that at least one of our goalies is going to play well. We have nine seniors and are poised for another good year.”

About the Crusaders

2010-11 overall record: 17-16-5

2010-11 AHA record: 14-8-5 (third)

2011-12 predicted finish (coaches poll): Third

Key losses: Everett Sheen (F), Mark Znutas (D), Adam Roy (G)

Players to watch: Kyle Fletcher (jr., F), Rob Linsmayer (jr., F), Shayne Stockton (so., F)

Impact rookie: Goalie Matt Ginn, who was ranked by NHL Central Scouting in 2009, could see playing time.

Why the Crusaders will finish higher than the coaches poll: If the Crusaders’ hot streak carries over from last season, they’ll be at or near the top of the standings.

Why the Crusaders will finish lower than the coaches poll: Goaltending remains an unknown.

Niagara wants familiar situation to yield familiar results

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Last year, Niagara entered Atlantic Hockey unsure of where its scoring punch was going to come from. The team had lost a good percentage of its offense.

Lo and behold, the senior duo of Paul Zanette and Brian Haczyk went from role players to prime-time stars. They combined for 90 points and Zanette was the AHA player of the year and a Hobey Baker Award finalist.

“Our situation is almost identical to last season,” said coach Dave Burkholder. “We had lost some talented players but we had guys come on that had career years.”

A pair of freshman also made major contributions. Forwards Ryan Rashid (26 points) and Scott Arnold (16 goals) were big parts of the dynamic Purple Eagles offense.

“We’re hoping that guys who had good seasons like Rashid and Arnold continue to improve, but it will probably be by committee in the early going,” said Burkholder.

On defense, the Purple Eagles return six players who played in 20 games or more last season. And the goaltending will be strong with Carsen Chubak returning from injury and Cody Campbell, who was brought in mid-season last year to replace him, also back.

“Carsen was playing really, really well before he got hurt,” said Burkholder. “And Cody was excellent, as was Chris Noonan. We have three really strong goaltenders, which is a good problem to have. Depth is important and it’s good to have competition.”

Niagara opens its season at Michigan and then has an early conference test at Rochester Institute of Technology.

“We open at Yost and then go to Ritter Arena, two of the best atmospheres in college hockey,” said Burkholder, a former goalie at RIT. “It’s going to be fun and a good test for us.

“We learned last season how important every league game is. Getting into the top four and getting that bye is so important. Every point is hard to come by and you have to be ready to play every night.”

About the Purple Eagles

2010-11 overall record: 17-16-5

2010-11 AHA record: 15-10-2 (fourth)

2011-12 predicted finish (coaches poll): Fourth

Key losses: Paul Zanette (F), Bryan Haczyk (F), Ryan Annesley (D)

Players to watch: Ryan Rashid (so., F), Scott Arnold (so., F), Giancarlo Iuorio (jr., F)

Impact rookie: Kevin Albers, a tough, stay-at-home defenseman with three years of experience in the USHL.

Why the Purple Eagles will finish higher than the coaches poll: Niagara was picked to finish fourth, where it wound up last year, despite major losses on offense. If the Purps can get those points from other players, they’ll be fine.

Why the Purple Eagles will finish lower than the coaches poll: Some go-to players will need to avoid a sophomore slump.

Senior forwards bear high expectations for Army

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Two years ago, Army’s line of Owen Mayer, Eric Sefchik and Cody Omilusik was one of the best in Atlantic Hockey. Last season, only Omilusik remained, and he was the Black Knights’ chief offensive weapon, tallying 18 goals.

But with Omilusik now gone, coach Brian Riley needs some or all of his large senior class to step up.

“Offensively, it’s a huge challenge for us,” he said. “We need everybody to raise their level and contribute more offensively to be a better team.”

Danny Colvin and Mike Hull lead a group of four senior forwards.

“Mike Hull can be a top forward in this league,” said Riley. “Danny Colvin was tied for most points on the team (31). Up front we need them very involved as well as our ‘D’, especially ‘Alvy’ (senior defenseman Marcel Alvarez).”

Ryan Leets returns between the pipes. He started most of the big games for the Black Knights in the second half of last season, posting a .916 save percentage.

“The guys really like playing in front of [Leets],” said Riley. “He’s a hard worker and guys appreciate his approach to the game.”

Freshman Rob Tadazak will compete with Leets. He comes in highly touted.

“He was the North American Hockey League player of the year,” said Riley. “We’ll have plenty of depth in goal.”

And depth in terms of experience. There are 12 seniors in all on the Army roster this season, one of its largest classes ever.

“There are so many but it’s a close-knit group,” said Riley. “They’ve done a great job taking the leadership roles. They’re determined to make their senior year their best year.”

About the Black Knights

2010-11 overall record: 11-20-4

2010-11 AHA record: 10-13-4 (ninth)

2011-12 predicted finish (coaches poll): Eighth

Key losses: Cody Omilusik (F), Jay Clark (G)

Players to watch: Ryan Leets (jr., G), Mark Dube (sr., F), Marcel Alvarez (sr., D)

Impact rookie: Maurice Alvarez looks to follow in his all-star brother’s footsteps. He had 37 points from the blue line last season in juniors.

Why the Black Knights will finish higher than the coaches poll: This senior-laded squad looks to be improved on defense. If the Black Knights get their goals per game above three, they’ll win a lot more games.

Why the Black Knights will finish lower than the coaches poll: Army’s defense will be fine. But the Black Knights could struggle putting the puck in the net.

Notre Dame to open Compton Family Arena on Oct. 21

USCHO Staff Report
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Notre Dame will christen the new Compton Family Ice Arena on Friday, Oct. 21 when the Irish face Rensselaer.

The site for the game has been listed as “TBA” since the schedule was announced in June due to the extremely aggressive construction schedule necessary to have the building ready for use by mid-October.

The team will move its headquarters to the new building on Tuesday, Oct. 18.

Wisconsin stays No. 1 in women’s poll

USCHO Staff Report
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Wisconsin received all 15 first-place votes in this week’s USCHO.com Division I Women’s Poll and remain the top team in the nation.

The rest of the poll has minor changes.

Cornell moves up one spot to No. 2, while Minnesota is up one place to No. 3. Boston University falls two rankings to No. 4, while Boston College holds steady at No. 5.

North Dakota sits No. 6 and flip-flops with Minnesota-Duluth this week.

Mercyhurst, Quinnipiac and Dartmouth all retain their 8-10 spots from last week, with Providence, tied with Dartmouth last week at No. 10, dropping out of the rankings.

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