Season previews for teams
St. Lawrence Saints USCHO prediction: Sixth Coaches’ prediction: Fifth Last season: Fourth (tie) (19-12-5, 13-5-4 ECAC) The names I like St. Lawrence, so I’m not sure why for the second year in a row I’m picking the Saints to finish below where the league’s coaches placed them. Actually I do know why — Carmen MacDonald. … Read more
Princeton Tigers USCHO prediction: Fifth Coaches’ prediction: Sixth Last season: Sixth (15-14-2, 13-8-1 ECAC) The names Princeton coach Jeff Kampersal likes what he saw last season from his returning players. “We competed hard, and we’re hoping to carry that into this year,” he said. It all starts in net. “Kimberly Newell, who has been an … Read more
Cornell Big Red USCHO prediction: Fourth Coaches’ prediction: Fourth Last season: Fourth (tie) (19-11-3, 14-6-2 ECAC) The names This season begins a new era in Ithaca, N.Y. For the first time since Cornell began advancing to the NCAA tournament, the roster doesn’t include anyone with Frozen Four experience. This promises to be a different type … Read more
Quinnipiac Bobcats USCHO prediction: Third Coaches’ prediction: Third Last season: Third (26-9-3, 15-5-2 ECAC) The names “For us, it’s a pretty exciting time,” coach Cassandra Turner said. “Our group, yet again, is coming off our best season in our program’s history with 26 wins last year, making it to the NCAA tournament for the first … Read more
Harvard Crimson USCHO prediction: Second Coaches’ prediction: First Last season: First (tie) (27-6-3, 16-4-2 ECAC) The names Harvard is the choice of the league’s coaches to emerge on top of the standings come season’s end. “I certainly appreciate the good wishes from our league coaches, but we have a lot of work to do,” coach … Read more
Clarkson Golden Knights USCHO prediction: First Coaches’ prediction: Second Last season: First (tie) (24-11-3, 16-4-2 ECAC) The names Clarkson’s season in defense of its ECAC and NCAA titles was in some ways more impressive than the national-championship season itself. The Golden Knights roster was at its peak for the 2013-14 season, leaving last year’s squad … Read more
Don’t expect a major shift in the NCHA hierarchy this season. The clubs that featured upbeat offensive talent on their respective rosters are relatively unscathed by graduation. The second tier covets an opportunity to acquire such depth, but it’s not on the immediate horizon. Consider that four of the highest-scoring teams nationally hailed from the … Read more
The Wildcats had 10 rookies last season and need them to advance their games.
The Mavericks return almost every key player back from a team that won the WCHA playoff championship.
The Huskies return all nine of their top scorers from a year ago and a strong group of defensemen.
The Lakers missed out on the postseason in the first year of the new-look WCHA, and it led to Damon Whitten taking over for Jim Roque as coach.
CJ Motte is one of the country’s best goaltenders, but the Bulldogs need some scorers to emerge.
The Falcons won 18 games and made it to the WCHA Final Five last season; now they want more.
The Beavers were 5-7-2 in conference play on the road and at home last season and squeaked into the playoffs.
The Seawolves won 18 games last season, a 14-win improvement in Matt Thomas’ first season as head coach.
The Nanooks have preseason all-conference picks Tyler Morley and Colton Parayko to build around.
The Chargers were 2-35-1 last season but return two experienced goaltenders that could keep them in games.
The Catamounts finished seventh last season but made the NCAA tournament.
Jon Gillies and Ross Mauermann lead a group of players back from a third-place finish.
The Fighting Irish also have to work in a new starting goaltender, either Chad Katunar or Cal Petersen.