The ECAC announced the selections for this year’s preseason all-league teams as chosen by the 12 head coaches and members of the media. Four of the six were on both lists.
The ECAC coaches selected forwards Tom Cavanagh (Harvard), Jon Smyth
(Colgate) and Lee Stempniak (Dartmouth), defensemen Grant Lewis (Dartmouth) and Noah Welch (Harvard), and goaltender Steve Silverthorn (Colgate).
The members of the media (27 voters) matched the coaches list with the exception of David McKee (Cornell) in goal and Hugh Jessiman (Dartmouth) instead of Cavanagh at forward.
Smyth returns to the Raiders after helping lead his team to the regular season crown last season. The junior was a first-team all-league selection and also earned Best Defensive Forward honors after picking up 42 points on 21 goals and 21 assists. Silverthorn also helped in that run, earning three shutouts and a 1.82 goals against average last season while backstopping the Raiders. He was also an honorable mention pick at the end of the season.
The Crimson has leaders on both offense and defense in Cavanagh and Welch. The seniors helped their team win the ECAC tournament title last year and are looking to go out on top with another tournament crown and their fourth NCAA appearance. Cavanagh led Harvard in scoring as a junior with 36 points on 16 goals and 20 assists. Welch patrols the blue line with intensity, and was an honorable mention pick at the end of 2003-04.
Another top defenseman in the league is the Big Green’s Lewis, who was a first-team defenseman last year as a rookie. Stempniak joined his teammate on the top award list last season and combined with Jessiman, a 2003 NHL first-round selection, for 71 points last season, including 32 goals.
Rounding out the two lists is Cornell’s McKee, who was the co-Rookie of the Year last season after posting a 1.84 goals against average and four shutouts.
The season officially opens up with practice on Oct. 2 and the first game will take place Oct. 3 when Vermont plays host to Maine.
2004-05 ECAC Coaches Preseason All-League Team
F – Tom Cavanagh, Harvard
F – Jon Smyth, Colgate
F – Lee Stempniak, Dartmouth
D – Grant Lewis, Dartmouth
D – Noah Welch, Harvard
G – Steve Silverthorn, Colgate
2004-05 ECAC Media Preseason All-League Team
F – Lee Stempniak, Dartmouth
F – Jon Smyth, Colgate
F – Hugh Jessiman, Dartmouth
D – Grant Lewis, Dartmouth
D – Noah Welch, Harvard
G – David McKee, Cornell
