Team Overview: OK, not to beat a dead horse but head coach Jim Ward will have a very young team this year and expects the team to grow literally game by game. “We will probably have fifteen or more freshmen and sophomores in the lineup every night,” noted Ward. “I have really been impressed with just seeing the guys on campus and their commitment to the off-ice program. We appear to be much bigger and stronger than we have been and if that translates on the ice we will be an improved hockey team.”
Junior forward Rob Campbell (11-8-19) and junior defenseman Walt Wright (3-4-7) will be key leaders on this year’s team who will be looking to add a bit more offense to last season’s total goal output of fifty-nine goals.
Goaltending will also need to be more consistent as Dan Beauregard returns for his sophomore season having played in fifteen games last season posting a 1-10-1 record with a 4.73 goals-against average and .885 save percentage.
Special Teams: With only twenty-three power play goals, the Camels will need to improve their success rate in order to help this young team get some confidence. The same applies on the penalty kill where reducing the penalties and goals against will help Conn College be competitive early.
Schedule: So how’s opening with Middlebury and Williams on the road sound for a young team looking to establish itself? The early schedule through the end of the first semester is a tough one so if the Camels can hold their own, look for an exciting second half.
Summary: The Camels will need to improve in all areas but consistent offense will be a must to get points in the tight games Conn College found themselves on the short end of the scoreboard last season.
