Men’s D-I in general
The bulk of the team that produced a 25-loss season in 2002-03 returns this season. That’s not exactly a good thing. Granted, the Engineers will look to build off the tough lessons of a year ago, but it’s hard to imagine them making much of a run in the standings. A continuation of Ben Barr’s … Read more
When the Saints decided to begin offering scholarships to recruits a few years ago, it seemed like a step that would position them for long-term success. They enjoyed back-to-back ECAC tournament titles in 2000 and 2001, but are coming off a pair of 21-loss seasons with little hope for a return to glory anytime soon. … Read more
With Brown another up-an-coming program, Roger Grillo has done a fine job assembling talent for a run deep into the postseason. First things first, of course, and that’s challenging for the top of the ECAC. It may sound far-fetched considering the strength of Harvard, Cornell and Dartmouth, but the Bears have the great equalizer … … Read more
They looked unbeatable for most of the season, having lost only five times, while winning 30. They were 19-2-1 in the ECAC and a perfect 15-0-0 at home. They captured their second consecutive ECAC Regular Season title, the Tournament championship and made it to the Frozen Four. All in all, it was very successful season … Read more
When you win only three games almost anything is an improvement. Unless, of course, you manage to win less often. That shouldn’t be an issue, however, for this Princeton squad. The Tigers are far from moving up the standings, but they should manage a few more wins and could be dangerous if taken lightly — … Read more
All signs point to this being the year the Crimson fulfill their potential. This is a loaded team full of veterans, as evidenced by the 16 juniors and seniors that will skate for the club each week. More importantly, though, is that there isn’t a glaring weakness on a team that features a whopping 12 … Read more
With Don Vaughan’s recent decision to accept the interim Athletic Director’s position, longtime assistant Stan Moore has been elevated to interim head coach. Moore, a very capable replacement, will have his work cut out for him if he plans on improving on last season’s 17-win campaign. [New coach Stan] Moore … will have his work … Read more
A new coach, another new era at Union. Nate Leaman takes over for Kevin Sneddon, who returned the program to respectability. It’ll be Leaman’s job to elevate it further — a task made more difficult because of the lack of support the college traditionally floats the way of the hockey program. The Dutchmen remain an … Read more
Sophomore center Matt Anderson of Massachusetts will probably miss the entire season after surgery in the wake of an injury he suffered last year. Anderson injured his shoulder in UMass’s first Hockey East quarterfinal game at Maine, a game his team won 5-3 with him scoring a goal. He did not play the next night, … Read more
The structure of the ECAC is balanced. Six Ivy League programs. Six non-Ivies. Yet, last season, Cornell, Harvard, Dartmouth, Yale and Brown finished one through five. The best non-Ivy team was Union, and the Dutchmen were no better than .500 in the league. In fact, the aforementioned quintet were the only ECAC clubs to finish … Read more
With Clarkson coming off its first losing season since 1974-75, new head coach George Roll brings 14 recruits into a program desperate for new blood. Roll, an assistant during Clarkson’s dominating days in the early- and mid-1990s, may be the perfect choice to brush away the clouds of the last few years of Mark Morris’ … Read more
Picked to finish ninth in the ECAC Coaches’ Poll, there’s no time like the present for Kevin Sneddon’s new club as the Catamounts kick off the 2003-04 season with a home contest against Boston College on Oct. 4. Sneddon is a talented young coach who will help establish a much-needed new attitude and atmosphere in … Read more
Head coach Bob Gaudet continues to build a successful and consistently solid program at his alma mater, capturing 20 wins last season for the first time since 1947-48. With each campaign, Dartmouth gets one step closer to its goal of winning the ECAC championship and advancing to the NCAA Tournament. An impressive collection of talent, … Read more
Those who criticized the University of North Dakota for its nonconference schedule last season might be surprised at who was in their corner. Early last season, Fighting Sioux coach Dean Blais received a gift from Ralph Engelstad, the late UND hockey benefactor. "It doesn’t do you any good to play top-caliber teams if you don’t … Read more
One of the more experienced teams in Atlantic Hockey this season is Army. Having lost only three players, only one of whom was in the top five in scoring, and returning a defense that ranked fourth in the MAAC a year ago, it’s no surprise that head coach Rob Riley is optimistic for his club’s … Read more
A year ago, the voices say, Bentley simply overachieved. Having finished in or near the cellar of the MAAC for three straight years, a fifth-place finish, a first-round upset of Sacred Heart and a berth in the MAAC final four was a dream come true. Overachieving? Maybe, though not in the eyes of head coach … Read more
Hockey East announced today a new television agreement with New England Sports Network (NESN) beginning in January 2004. The deal, announced at the league’s annual media day, will move Hockey East coverage from rival Fox Sports Network to NESN, the home of Boston Bruins hockey. It is the second stay for Hockey East with NESN. … Read more
As the Holy Cross seniors return to the ice for their final season as Crusaders, there’s no doubt that the last two years were memorable. Top-four finishes in MAAC play, home ice in the playoffs and a berth in the final four last year: these players have plenty to be proud of. But when memories … Read more
On Sale dates for the 2004 NCAA regionals were announced today. All regional tickets are being sold as a three-game package from the first sale date at each site through March 22, 2004. If any of the four sites are not sold out by March 22, tickets will be available for individual sessions at an … Read more
Last year, it was boys against men. A lineup filled with freshmen and sophomores meant growing pains from day one. Add to that the fact that Canisius put together one of the toughest nonleague schedules in the MAAC and you had the recipe for disaster. [The Griffs] are no longer wet behind the ears. The … Read more