University of Minnesota-Duluth:
WCHA: 16-11-1, Overall: 22-17-1 (6-5-0 NC)
Key Losses: Rob Bordson, F, Jr (12-28-40); Drew Akins, F, Sr (6-11-17); Jordan Fulton, F, Sr (4-13-17); Brady Hjelle, G, So (9-7-1, 2.85 GAA, .898 SV)
Key Returners: Jack Connolly, F, Jr; Justin Fontaine, F, Sr; Mike Connolly, F, Jr; Brady Lamb, D, Jr; Mike Montgomery, D, Sr; Kenny Reiter, G, Sr
Key Recruits: Justin Faulk, D; Joe Basaraba, F
The Bulldogs come into the season not having lost a whole lot. Their biggest loss was 40 point scorer Rob Bordson, and the next biggest was sophomore goalie Brady Hjelle. Overall, though, the Bulldogs retain nearly 90% of their scoring from last season, and only lost six total games on defense.
They need to have a solid year out of goalie Kenny Reiter, and also need to find a mediocre backup for his nights off. This league is too tough for one goalie to play every night. Their biggest problem could be coaching. I’m not big on Scott Sandelin; never have been. Yes, he got his team to the Frozen Four earlier in the decade, but his teams have under achieved, for the most part, much of his tenure, including last year’s team.
I can see them pushing the Huskies for the number two spot, but don’t see them pushing the Sioux for the top spot. Strong defense and good goaltending are the keys to finishing here.
Predicted finish – 3rd
St. Cloud State University:
WCHA: 15-9-4, Overall: 24-14-5 (9-5-1 NC)
Key Losses: Ryan Lasch, F, Sr (20-29-49); Garrett Raboin, D, Sr (8-16-24); Craig Gaudet, D, Sr (3-7-10)
Key Returners: Garrett Raboin, F, Sr; Tony Mosey, F, Sr; Drew LeBlanc, F, Jr; Chris Hepp, D, Sr; Oliver Lauridsen, D, Jr; Mike Lee, G, So
Key Recruits: Kevin Gravel, D; Mitch MacMillan, F; Nic Dowd
The Huskies have one of the best returning scoring groups in the league. They did lose leading scorer Ryan Lasch and their top scoring defenseman in Garrett Raboin, but that’s pretty much it. The Huskies get back Garrett Roe (who tied Lasch for the scoring lead last year), Tony Mosey (who quietly put up 42 points), and one of the best one-two goalie tandems in the league.
The big question for SCSU is defense. Even though they only lost two defensemen from last year’s team, the defense wasn’t the best. Things should be ok, though. The Huskies have some size on the blue line in Oliver Lauridsen and some grit in Chris Hepp. The key for the Huskies is going to be finding offense from the blue line. Raboin led the D with 24 points last year, and I’m curious to see who’s going to step up. Sam Zabkowicz, Taylor Johnson, and Lauridsen all had 12 points from the blue line last year, with the latter’s coming mostly in the second half of the season.
Special teams will also be a key for the Huskies this season. They were very much middle of the pack last season on the PP, but their PK was in the bottom four of the league. They need to find more hustle and make sure that their spacing is consistent.
I can really see the Huskies challenging for the top spot in league most of the year, but think that the solidity the Sioux has will be too much for them to overcome.
Predicted finish – 2nd
University of North Dakota:
WCHA: 15-10-3, Overall: 25-13-5 (10-3-2 NC)
Key Losses: Chris Vande Velde, F, Sr (16-25-41); Darcy Zajac, F, Sr (8-11-19); David Toews, F, So (4-11-15)
Key Returners: Jason Gregoire, F, Jr; Danny Kristo, F, So; Evan Trupp, F, Sr; Chay Genoway, D, Sr; Derrick LaPoint, D, Sr; Brad Eidsness, G, Jr
Key Recruits: Derek Forbort, D; Dillon Simpson, D; Brock Nelson, F
The Sioux, as always, are stacked. They lost only three forwards from last year’s team and ZERO defensemen. Hands down, the Sioux should have no problem being the best defensive team in the league. They return all of their defensemen and get a first round pick on defense in Derek Forbort. I didn’t think Eidsness was that great of a goalie going into last season, and still don’t think he’s the best. However, he has one of the best defenses in the country playing in front of him and that makes such a tremendous difference.
In addition to that, they get Chay Genoway back for this season. Chay could be the most dynamic defenseman in the country. In fact, I’m sure he is. It’s very rare that one player can make such a huge impact on a team, but we all saw what happened to the Sioux last season when he left. They went from unbeatable, to beatable. They were, in no way, pushovers, though, and still had one heckuva team.
I am hoping that all of you Fighting Sioux fans out there can finally let go of the hit that cost Chay his season. I am in no way saying that it wasn’t a hit from behind, but it wasn’t malicious and wasn’t dirty as all of you people say it was. Heck, CHAY even said it wasn’t a dirty hit! (I’m hoping this is the only time I have to talk about this this season.)
With all of the returning players, and the addition of Genoway, I can’t see the Sioux finishing lower that number one.
Predicted finish – 1st
