Season previews for teams
III Mike Cammalleri flew threw the autumn night.He was a large part of the pantomime. How do the Wolverines do it? Back in 1998, one year after graduating the fabled Michigan Nine, Michigan was a rookie-heavy team with an experienced goaltender, expected to have a respectable rebuilding season. Instead, Michigan won the NCAA championship in … Read more
VI Icicles filled the long windowWith barbaric glass.The shadow of the WildcatCrossed it, to and fro.The moodTraced in the shadowAn unpredictable cause. Rick Comley has commented in the past about his recruiting disadvantages. As the most remote team within the state of Michigan, Comley knows that he’s not likely to lure someone away from Michigan … Read more
IX When the Bronco skated into the box,He marked the edgeOf one of many circles. What to say about a team that flew out of the gate last season, only to stumble through January and limp through February and March? When 2001 began, the Broncos were 14-3-2, and seemed to be riding the hot sticks … Read more
X At the sight of LakersFlying across their home ice,Would the bawds of euphonyCry out sharply? Too esoteric for you? Try this: Who will fear the Lakers? The Scott Borek era is over, and so returns to Sault Ste. Marie the legendary Frank Anzalone, who will attempt to resurrect the Laker days of old. Here’s … Read more
One of the most successful programs in the MAAC’s brief history faces a challenge this year, as graduation has hit Rand Pecknold’s Quinnipiac Braves hard.
Since the 1999 MAAC championship, it’s all been pretty much downhill for Holy Cross. Paul Pearl hopes to change that with the help of his top seven scorers from last season, all of whoom return to bolster the Crusaders’ hopes.
A solid defense and good team discipline will buoy AIC’s hopes in 2001-02, assisted by one more year of experience from MAAC all-rookie teamers Guillaume Caron and Trent Ulmer.
There’ll be no surprises this year out of Iona — at least not if the rest of the MAAC’s been paying attention. Can Frank Bretti’s crew continue its upward swing?
The return of netminder Sean Weaver bodes well for Brian Cavanaugh’s Canisius squad, which also seeks to improve its special teams, a nagging problem last season.
With their top two scorers from a year ago departed, the UConn Huskies will look to sophomore Matt Herhal to hold the door closed on defense.
The MAAC’s almost-there team might be ready to step into the spotlight this season. Netminder Eddy Ferhi anchors Sacred Heart.
With a number of newcomers in the mix, Army coach Rob Riley has high hopes for this year, one season after just holding off AIC for a playoff bid.
Jim Hunt has turned Fairfield hockey upside-down in his one-plus years at the helm. The long-suffering Stags return Rae Metz and Casey Laflamme in their quest to climb the MAAC ladder.
The MAAC need no longer defend its right to an NCAA auto-bid — not after Mercyhurst’s down-to-the-wire performance against Michigan last year. The Lakers return a strong team, but Iona will be there as well. And what about perennial contender Quinnipiac?
Months away from the MAAC’s first-ever NCAA bid, Mercyhurst looks to repeat its success. Louis Goulet and Adam Tackaberry key the Lakers’ chances.
There’s nowhere to go but up for Jim McAdam’s Bentley team. Captain Steve Tobio anchors the Falcons’ efforts.
If the ECAC were a racehorse, it would give bettors fits. With two-time playoff champion St. Lawrence perhaps due for a down year, rising programs like Harvard and Dartmouth are poised to take the crown. But don’t count out hard-charging Cornell, or perennial favorite Clarkson. Becky Blaeser and Jayson Moy round up the season.
Early last season, Union looked like the darkhorse of the decade with its 6-1-2 start. The Skating Dutchmen couldn’t come close to keeping up that pace, but head coach Kevin Sneddon has goaltender Brandon Snee … and rising expectations.
After two straight ECAC tournament titles, St. Lawrence lost a lot of talent to graduation. Joe Marsh’s Saints will rely on a team concept to replace the likes of Erik Anderson, and also face a battle in nets.
No one player is likely to replace Jeff Hamilton for Yale, so the Bulldogs will ask at least two — captain Luke Earl and powerful Nick Deschenes — to pick up the slack. A solid defense will also be critical for Tim Taylor’s squad.