Hockey East Season Preview: As conference continues moving forward, more teams ‘putting resources into hockey’
Certainly for a league like Hockey East, ultimate success is measured in national championships (photo: Vermont Athletics).
Conference Season Preview
Season previews for leagues
ECAC Hockey Season Preview: Even with slew of NHL departures, league striving to be ‘the best it can possibly be’
For a league that’s had some of the top defensive teams in the country over the last few years, questions on the back end are at the forefront for several ECAC Hockey contenders as the conference enters the new season (photo: Omar Phillips).
Big Ten Season Preview: Parity seemingly the name of the game as conference enters seventh season
As the Big Ten begins its seventh season of play, the league’s overall identity is still difficult to define – ironic, given its very big branding (photo: Michigan Athletics).
Atlantic Hockey Season Preview: Upcoming 2019-20 year looks to be ‘a gauntlet within the league’
Tectonic shifts in membership and realignment forced Atlantic Hockey to remain progressive and innovative in its approach to college hockey, and it’s a reason why the league remains on solid footing as it approaches its third decade (photo: Niagara Athletics).
WCHA Season Preview: Conference moving forward with Minnesota State, Bowling Green the favorites in ’19-20
This should be an exciting year in the WCHA. Minnesota State has won three of the last six WCHA titles. USCHO expects Mankato to go for its fourth title, or at least compete with Bowling Green or one of the Upper Peninsula teams for the McNaughton Cup (photo: BGSU Athletics).
NEWHL season preview: Plattsburgh to win going away
Expect Plattsburgh State to capture the NEWHL going away, though Oswego may push them in individual games.
NEHC season preview: Norwich again the favorite
Defending national champion Norwich is the early favorite in the NEHC, but look for UMass-Boston to put pressure on the Cadets.
CHC season preview: Morrisville looks to three-peat
In the CHC, Morrisville State will look to three-peat. The Mustangs will need to hold off a strong Endicott team to do so.
UCHC season preview: Elmira the early favorite
The new UCHC will get an autobid starting next season, but for now, this conference is Elmira and everyone else, though a couple of teams could push the Soaring Eagles on occasion, especially William Smith.
WIAC season preview: Wisconsin-Eau Claire will look to fend off Wisconsin-River Falls in the WIAC
Wisconsin-River Falls is the preseason favorite in a conference that has three teams that could come out on top.
Middlebury looks to four-peat, and again win the NESCAC
Middlebury has been the dominant team in the NESCAC, and looks to be again this season, while Connecticut College and Amherst will be hot on the heels of the Panthers.
Adrian looks to defend the crown and win women’s NCHA, again.
Adrian looks to again be at the top of the heap in the women’s NCHA, but they could be pushed hard by St. Scholastica and Lake Forest.
Utica looks to win the UCHC in tight playoff race
In a conference where only six teams advance to the postseason tournament, every game will be a battle, but Utica will likely end up on top in the UCHC and gain the new autobid for the league.
Geneseo the preseason favorite in SUNYAC
The SUNYAC is one of the more competitive conferences, and Geneseo and Oswego look to battle it out this season.
Hobart the early favorite in very competitive NEHC
Hobart will look to hold off UMass-Boston and Babson in the very competitive NEHC.
St. Michael’s to battle St. Anselm in the NE-10
Teams in the NE-10 are playing each other more regularly, and the conference will be even more competitive, but expect St. Michael’s to battle familiar foe St. Anselm for the league crown.
Salve Regina looks to back up NCAA run with CCC crown
After making a run to the national championship last year and falling just short to St. Norbert, Salve Regina is looking to capture the CCC this season.
Fitchburg State looks to repeat in MASCAC
Fitchburg State broke the hegemony of the MASCAC last year and won the league title, and looks poised to repeat.
St. Norbert looks to repeat in NCHA and NCAA
St. Norbert was back on top last year, winning the NCHA and then winning the NCAA tournament. They will have a huge fight from Adrian, as well as several other teams in the conference.
St. Thomas looks to win the MIAC again
St. Thomas has won six of the last seven MIAC titles, but Augsburg beat St. Thomas in the conference tournament, won the title, and advanced to the NCAA tournament. St. Thomas returns as the favorite again in a conference where parity is the norm, not the exception.