Well, as promised, here's the start of the season previews. I would've liked to get them all out today, but I've been pretty busy as of late and just flat haven't had time to do it. I'm going to release them three teams at a time, and will get the other nine teams done before the season starts with games that count next Friday.
University of Alaska Anchorage:
WCHA: 9-17-2, Overall: 11-23-2 (2-6-0 NC)
Key Losses: Kevin Clark, F, Sr (23-14-37); Josh Lunden, F, Sr (8-8-16); Jon Olthuis, G, Sr (8-15-2, 3.59 GAA, .871 SV); Bryce Christianson, G, Jr (3-8-0, 4.37 GAA, .848 SV)
Key Returners: Tommy Grant, F, Sr; Sean Wiles, F, Sr; Daniel Naslund, F, So; Kane Lafranchise, D, Sr; Curtis Leinweber, D, Jr; Dusan Sidor, G, Jr
Key Recruits: Rob Gunderson, G; Chris Kamal, G; Jordan Kwas, F
What a mess Anchorage has here. They lost two goalies last year. One to graduation and the other because he was unhappy. That leaves UAA with one goalie who has played one game in his career. This is not looking good for Anchorage. Their incoming goalies numbers are ok, but not great. Oh yeah, this is also D-I and not the AJHL or NAHL. The competition level is so much higher at this level than either of those, but I digress…
Let’s not overlook the loss of freshman (would’ve been a sophomore this season) Lee Baldwin to the pros. He was a pretty good defenseman for the Seawolves, and it’s going to hurt them. Their goal differential isn’t as high as MTU’s (-2), but it’s pretty close.
Offensively, they really don’t have anything. Their top returning scorer put up 26 points last year. The departure of Kevin Clark is going to hurt this team, and it doesn’t look like they have much offensive talent coming in.
Unless the Seawolves find a number one goalie, can get their D-corps in order, and can find some scoring up front, they’re not going to go far.
Predicted finish – 12th
Michigan Tech University:
WCHA: 4-24-0, Overall: 5-30-1 (1-6-1 NC)
Key Losses: Malcom Gwilliam, F, Sr (18-12-30); Drew Dobson, D, Sr (4-12-16); John Kivisto, D/F, Sr (4-8-12)
Key Returners: Brett Olson, F, Jr; Jordan Baker, F, Sr; Bennett Royer, F, Sr; Steven Seigo, D, So; Deron Cousens, D, Sr; Kevin Genoe, G, So
Key Recruits: Brad Stebner, D; Daniel Holmberg, F; Dennis Rix, F
Tech comes into this season having lost only two of their top five scorers. However, that’s not saying a whole lot since those two players combined for a whopping 46 points… Bottom line, they’re going to need some help.
This is a team that, perennially, cannot score and doesn’t have the best goaltending. Heck, they gave up two goals more per game than they scored last year. Now, I know that this is a new season, but c’mon folks. They’re not going to close that gap over night.
They do have some ok recruits coming in. Most notably is forward Dennis Rix, who had 32g, 67a for 99 points in 60 games last year for Grand Prairie of the AJHL. Decent numbers, but a lot of those points were assists which tells me he’s much better at setting them up than he is at burying them.
If they can get their special team numbers up this year (15% PP and 71% PK), they may get themselves out of the cellar (possibly into 10th!)…although, I wouldn’t count on it.
Predicted finish – 11th
Minnesota State University, Mankato:
WCHA: 9-17-2, Overall: 16-20-3 (7-3-1 NC)
Key Losses: Kael Mouillierat, F, Sr (13-12-25); Jerad Stewart, F, Sr (13-12-25); Zach Harrison, F, Sr (8-16-24); Geoff Irwin, F, Sr (8-16-24)
Key Returners: Rylan Galiardi, F, Sr; Mike Louwerse, F, So; Michael Dorr, F, Jr; Kurt Davis, D, Sr; Ben Youds, D, Sr; Channing Boe, D, Sr
Key Recruits: John McInnis, F; Matt Leitner, F
When a defenseman is leading your team in scoring with 26 points, you have a problem. Such is life for Mankato. They come into this season having lost some talent last year. Most notably, Tyler Pitlick to major juniors and Kevin Murdock to the USHL. They don’t have a whole lot coming in this season, though. Matt Leitner could be their “biggest” recruit this year. He put up just over a point per game last year in the USHL. Not huge, but at least it’s something, right?
Expect to see a hard working, hard hitting team out of Mankato, but not one that’s going to put up a ton of goals on you. Uunless their upperclassmen can put it together I don’t see a whole lot of upside to this team. However, they will not be as bad as Anchorage or Tech, so you can take solace in that.
Predicted finish – 10th
