Colorado College:
WCHA: 12-13-3, Overall: 19-17-3 (7-4-0 NC)
Key Losses: Bill Sweatt, F, Sr (15-18-33); Mike Testwuide, F, Sr (21-10-31); Nate Prosser, D, Sr (4-24-28)
Key Returners: Rylan Schwartz, F, So; Tyler Johnson, F, Sr; Stephen Schultz, F, Sr; Gabe Guentzel, D, Jr; Ryan Lowery, D, Sr; Joe Howe, G, So
Key Recruits: Jaden Schwartz, F; Dakota Eveland, F; Eamon, McDermott, D
Things weren’t great for CC last year. Joe Howe had a great start to the season, but eventually joined us back here on earth. The good news is that CC has the coaches pick for the rookie of the year in Jaden Schwartz. He’s considered to be an offensive threat already, and could help bring some of the scoring back to CC.
CC needs to have more than Jaden Schwartz carry this team. They need to have players like Rylan Schwartz build on his great freshman season, and senior’s like Tyler Johnson continue to lead this team.
Either way, they’re going to be a competitive team, as always. Scott Owens won’t let them falter too much. I suspect we’ll see them in the middle of the pack.
Predicted finish – 6th
Denver University:
WCHA: 19-5-4, Overall: 27-10-4 (8-5-0 NC)
Key Losses: Rhett Rakhshani, F, Sr (21-29-50); Joe Colborne, F, So (22-19-41); Tyler Ruegsegger, F, Sr (16-25-41); Patrick Wiercoich, D, So (6-21-27); Marc Cheverie, G, Jr (24-6-3, 2.08 GAA, .932 SV)
Key Returners: Anthony Maiani, F, Sr; Kyle Ostrow, F, Sr; Jesse Martin, F, Sr; John Lee, D, Jr; Matt Donovan, D, So; Adam Murray, G, So
Key Recruits: Sam Brittain, G; Beau Bennett, F; Nick Shore, F; Jason Zucker, F
Denver was also hit hard with key losses from last year’s team. Three of their top five scorers are gone, as is one of the best goalies in the league in Marc Cheverie. Defensively, they’re still going to be one of the best, and that is going to help out their young goalies tremendously.
The Gwoz seems to always have his teams ready to play, and that goes a long way in this league. Offensively, they should be able to hang in there as they have one of best scorers from the BCHL coming in this year in Sam Brittain (2nd in the league to SCSU’s Mitch MacMillan).
The Pioneers could finish anywhere in the top half of the league, but with goaltending a question, I can’t place them any higher.
Predicted finish – 5th
University of Minnesota:
WCHA: 12-14-2, Overall: 18-19-2 (6-5-0 NC)
Key Losses: Tony Lucia, F, Sr (11-17-28); Jordan Schroeder, F, So (9-19-28); Mike Carman, F, Sr (8-10-18); Nick Leddy, D, Fr (3-8-11)
Key Returners: Jay Barriball, F, Sr; Jacob Cepis, F, Sr; Mike Hoeffel, F, Sr; Aaron Ness, D, Jr; Cade Farichild, D, Sr; Alex Kangas, G, Sr
Key Recruits: Nick Bjugstad, F; Tom Serratore, F
The Gophers are somewhat of a question mark this year, but they shouldn’t be. They certainly have the talent to be a tremendous hockey team. It’s going to come down to whether or not the players want to play for Don Lucia. For the past two seasons I’ve watched Gopher teams take the ice and play uninspired hockey. The intensity seems to have left the team, and I believe it falls squarely on Don Lucia’s shoulders.
The Don does have some pretty good recruits coming in this year in Nick Bjugstad and Tom Serratore, and they will get Jay Barriball back from injury to help Jason Cepis carry this team. They have one of the better WCHA goalies between the pipes in Alex Kangas. Their Achilles heel will be on defense, as they have a pretty young D-corps.
I have a feeling that the Gophers are going to be much tougher than people are giving them credit for. They could finish anywhere from 7th to 4th. I think they’re going to bounce back this year.
Predicted finish – 4th
