![\"Matt](\"http:\/\/www.uscho.com\/images\/colorscans\/20032004\/du_m_carle.jpg\")
<\/p>\n“You take a look at the commitment the programs have made — look at the buildings we play in in the WCHA and the commitment the universities and the programs have made. It’s not luck, it’s not a coincidence. The schools within our league have made the commitment to being the best college hockey league in the country, and that’s what we’re seeing.”<\/p>\n
The edge-of-your-seat, jaw-dropping, six-on-three finish to its 1-0 national championship victory over Maine in Boston last April put Denver back in the top level of the national picture, but what it gets the Pioneers this season is a pack of pursuers. They can ask Minnesota if they need help dealing with that.<\/p>\n
Even without that, Denver will have a tough time getting back to that national championship form if history plays any role. George Gwozdecky has coached the Pioneers to the NCAA tournament five times, and in the first four, they didn’t make the tournament the next season.<\/p>\n
They have the same issues everyone else does — a perceived flight of all of the top players.<\/p>\n
Across the WCHA, many of the big names left after last season, either by using up their eligibility or by choosing to jump at the pre-lockout dollars being thrown around by the NHL. Through either course, only eight of the 18 players on the three all-WCHA teams last season are back, and only all-American Wisconsin goaltender Bernd Br\u00fcckler returns off the first team.<\/p>\n
Minnesota’s Thomas Vanek and Wisconsin’s Ryan Suter were the last two to leave before the NHL shut down, so they’ll play in the AHL this season instead of the WCHA. Earlier, North Dakota’s super duo of Zach Parise and Brandon Bochenski, the Gophers’ Keith Ballard and Alaska-Anchorage’s Curtis Glencross inked deals at the top level.<\/p>\n
That’s right, the Seawolves had a player bolt for the pros. Without a hand on his back. That indicates UAA had some good things going on last season, evidenced by the program’s first victory in a WCHA playoff series game, first playoff series victory and first win at the Final Five. <\/p>\n
Even without Glencross and Chris Fournier, who left after becoming academically ineligible, the Seawolves could have had a decent season this season. But that prospect took a severe hit, pardon the pun, when captain Lee Green was arrested for punching teammate Brett Arcand-Kootenay in the team’s locker room. Green was relieved of his captaincy, and the team’s chemistry will be closely monitored by many.<\/p>\n
![\"WCHA](\"http:\/\/www.uscho.com\/images\/colorscans\/20032004\/umd_sandelin.jpg\")
<\/p>\nNoticeably absent from that list of early departures was Minnesota-Duluth’s Evan Schwabe, likely the league’s best returning center, and his Bulldogs as a whole. Besides graduated senior and Hobey Baker Award winner Junior Lessard, defenseman Beau Geisler and a few role players, UMD has everyone back from a Frozen Four team that easily could be in Denver’s place with a few twists of fate last April.<\/p>\n
“I’ve read where people think our league might be down because we’ve lost some key players, but I think our league is going to be very strong again,” said UMD coach Scott Sandelin, the national coach of the year last season. “I think there’s going to be some teams that make some jumps and I think there’s going to be some surprises, just like there is every year. I think it’s going to be real competitive this year.”<\/p>\n
The Bulldogs appear to be the regular-season favorite — a statement that should prompt a gulp from their fans, considering the recent track record of those in that situation. But it would be foolish to rule out Minnesota, Wisconsin, Denver, Colorado College or North Dakota.<\/p>\n
Just when it appeared the WCHA would start the season without any head coaching changes for the first time since 1998, UND’s Dean Blais bolted to the pros, joining the Columbus Blue Jackets as an associate head coach. Hakstol took over with big shoes to fill.<\/p>\n
Colorado College returns most of its scoring from last season, but as usual needs to avoid the dreaded injuries to stay in the race. St. Cloud State and Minnesota State face what could be critical seasons to the future course of their programs. Michigan Tech starts year two under Jamie Russell with some talent up front, but can it keep its head above water in the league?<\/p>\n
“I knew that the WCHA was the best league in the country, but last year it was amazing,” Russell said of his first impressions as a league coach. “The league won everything there was to win, from the national championship to coach of the year, to two teams in the Frozen Four, to Hobey Baker. The six all-Americans in the west were all from the WCHA. <\/p>\n
“There’s still some great teams and great players in the WCHA, but a lot of players signed early as well. It’s going to be a little bit different league this year.”<\/p>\n
So go all in on the Bulldogs or raise on the Gophers, Sioux, Badgers or even Pioneers. Just remember what many of us have learned over the years:<\/p>\n
Even the best bet can get beat in the WCHA.<\/p>\n
Here’s a quick look at the league’s 10 teams, in an order of predicted finish that’s bound not to come true. Click on any team’s name for its individual preview.<\/p>\n
Minnesota-Duluth<\/a><\/h4>\nCoach:<\/b> Scott Sandelin, fifth season overall and at Minnesota-Duluth (70-80-16)
\n2003-04 overall record:<\/b> 28-13-4
\n2003-04 WCHA record:<\/b> 19-7-2, 40 points
\n2003-04 WCHA finish:<\/b> Second
\n2004-05 predicted finish:<\/b> First
\nThe short story:<\/b> Schwabe won’t have Lessard around to pour in the goals, but he still should be able to direct a potent offense with Luke Stauffacher and Tim Stapleton. Goaltender Isaac Reichmuth improved from freshman to sophomore season, and if he can do it again, the Bulldogs’ experienced defense should have no problems.<\/p>\nNorth Dakota<\/a><\/h4>\nCoach:<\/b> Dave Hakstol, first season overall and at North Dakota
\n2003-04 overall record:<\/b> 30-8-3
\n2003-04 WCHA record:<\/b> 20-5-3, 43 points
\n2003-04 WCHA finish:<\/b> First
\n2004-05 predicted finish:<\/b> Second
\nThe short story:<\/b> Without Bochenski and Parise, Brady Murray and Drew Stafford will get their chance to shine as sophomores, but they’re not the only likely sources of offense. The Sioux return their entire defensive corps and the goaltending tandem of Jake Brandt and Jordan Parise, which has become a strength instead of a liability.<\/p>\nWisconsin<\/a><\/h4>\n![\"All-American](\"http:\/\/www.uscho.com\/images\/colorscans\/20032004\/uw_b_bruckler_2.jpg\")
<\/p>\nAll-American Bernd Bruckler returns to backstop Wisconsin (photo: Patrick C. Miller).<\/div>\n<\/div>\nCoach:<\/b> Mike Eaves, third season overall and at Wisconsin (35-36-12)
\n2003-04 overall record:<\/b> 22-13-8
\n2003-04 WCHA record:<\/b> 14-7-7, 35 points
\n2003-04 WCHA finish:<\/b> Third
\n2004-05 predicted finish:<\/b> Third
\nThe short story:<\/b> Br\u00fcckler carried the Badgers all last season, and he’ll be expected to do so again with five of the team’s defensemen freshmen and none of them named Suter. If the newcomers can mature quickly and if the team can find some consistent offense, Wisconsin has a legitimate shot at making the next step and going to the Frozen Four.<\/p>\nMinnesota<\/a><\/h4>\nCoach:<\/b> Don Lucia, 18th season overall (413-217-49), sixth at Minnesota (134-62-20)
\n2003-04 overall record:<\/b> 27-14-3
\n2003-04 WCHA record:<\/b> 15-12-1, 31 points
\n2003-04 WCHA finish:<\/b> Tied-fourth
\n2004-05 predicted finish:<\/b> Fourth
\nThe short story:<\/b> The Gophers still have a chance to be a championship-caliber team, but they’ll need either a significant contribution from a talented freshman class or a marked improvement from their returning forwards. Chris Harrington showed the potential to be a top-flight WCHA defenseman, but Minnesota will need a more consistent effort from goaltenders Kellen Briggs and Justin Johnson.<\/p>\nColorado College<\/a><\/h4>\nCoach:<\/b> Scott Owens, sixth season overall and at Colorado College (122-67-15)
\n2003-04 overall record:<\/b> 20-16-3
\n2003-04 WCHA record:<\/b> 11-15-2, 24 points
\n2003-04 WCHA finish:<\/b> Seventh
\n2004-05 predicted finish:<\/b> Fifth
\nThe short story:<\/b> Will just missing out on the NCAA tournament spark the Tigers this season? The defense appears strong; now CC needs a goaltender to take charge and grab the No. 1 spot. The Tigers have 82.5 percent of their goalscoring back from last season, including talented junior Brett Sterling, but need to increase the scoring as a whole.<\/p>\nDenver<\/a><\/h4>\nCoach:<\/b> George Gwozdecky, 19th season overall (372-275-52), 11th at Denver (223-152-31)
\n2003-04 overall record:<\/b> 27-12-5
\n2003-04 WCHA record:<\/b> 13-10-5, 31 points
\n2003-04 WCHA finish:<\/b> Tied-fourth
\n2004-05 predicted finish:<\/b> Sixth
\nThe short story:<\/b> The Pioneers didn’t lose much more than the average WCHA team in terms of scoring, but the losses of goaltender Adam Berkhoel, forward Connor James and defenseman Ryan Caldwell take bites out everywhere. Denver has plenty of experience, but it’ll need breakouts from players like Adrian Veideman and J.D. Corbin to defend its title.<\/p>\nSt. Cloud State<\/a><\/h4>\nCoach:<\/b> Craig Dahl, 24th season overall (393-378-54), 18th at St. Cloud State (324-286-49)
\n2003-04 overall record:<\/b> 18-16-4
\n2003-04 WCHA record:<\/b> 12-12-4, 28 points
\n2003-04 WCHA finish:<\/b> Sixth
\n2004-05 predicted finish:<\/b> Seventh
\nThe short story:<\/b> The Huskies have been barely over .500 for two straight seasons, which pales in comparison to the 29- and 31-win seasons that preceded them. Which one will it be this time around? St. Cloud State will need a big boost of offense to make a jump in the league. The goaltending position appears up in the air again with Adam Coole gone.<\/p>\nMinnesota State<\/a><\/h4>\nCoach:<\/b> Troy Jutting, fifth season overall and at Minnesota State (65-73-18)
\n2003-04 overall record:<\/b> 10-24-5
\n2003-04 WCHA record:<\/b> 6-18-4, 16 points
\n2003-04 WCHA finish:<\/b> Ninth
\n2004-05 predicted finish:<\/b> Eighth
\nThe short story:<\/b> A lot of things went wrong last season for the Mavericks, who allowed the most goals per game in Division I hockey and had the second-worst penalty kill in the nation. Out of that emerged David Backes with a 16-goal freshman season which, if he can duplicate, will help Mankato make a stride out of the bottom pack. But the defensive and goaltending woes may be too much to overcome.<\/p>\nAlaska-Anchorage<\/a><\/h4>\n
\n2003-04 overall record:<\/b> 28-13-4
\n2003-04 WCHA record:<\/b> 19-7-2, 40 points
\n2003-04 WCHA finish:<\/b> Second
\n2004-05 predicted finish:<\/b> First
\nThe short story:<\/b> Schwabe won’t have Lessard around to pour in the goals, but he still should be able to direct a potent offense with Luke Stauffacher and Tim Stapleton. Goaltender Isaac Reichmuth improved from freshman to sophomore season, and if he can do it again, the Bulldogs’ experienced defense should have no problems.<\/p>\n
North Dakota<\/a><\/h4>\nCoach:<\/b> Dave Hakstol, first season overall and at North Dakota
\n2003-04 overall record:<\/b> 30-8-3
\n2003-04 WCHA record:<\/b> 20-5-3, 43 points
\n2003-04 WCHA finish:<\/b> First
\n2004-05 predicted finish:<\/b> Second
\nThe short story:<\/b> Without Bochenski and Parise, Brady Murray and Drew Stafford will get their chance to shine as sophomores, but they’re not the only likely sources of offense. The Sioux return their entire defensive corps and the goaltending tandem of Jake Brandt and Jordan Parise, which has become a strength instead of a liability.<\/p>\nWisconsin<\/a><\/h4>\n<\/p>\nAll-American Bernd Bruckler returns to backstop Wisconsin (photo: Patrick C. Miller).<\/div>\n<\/div>\nCoach:<\/b> Mike Eaves, third season overall and at Wisconsin (35-36-12)
\n2003-04 overall record:<\/b> 22-13-8
\n2003-04 WCHA record:<\/b> 14-7-7, 35 points
\n2003-04 WCHA finish:<\/b> Third
\n2004-05 predicted finish:<\/b> Third
\nThe short story:<\/b> Br\u00fcckler carried the Badgers all last season, and he’ll be expected to do so again with five of the team’s defensemen freshmen and none of them named Suter. If the newcomers can mature quickly and if the team can find some consistent offense, Wisconsin has a legitimate shot at making the next step and going to the Frozen Four.<\/p>\nMinnesota<\/a><\/h4>\nCoach:<\/b> Don Lucia, 18th season overall (413-217-49), sixth at Minnesota (134-62-20)
\n2003-04 overall record:<\/b> 27-14-3
\n2003-04 WCHA record:<\/b> 15-12-1, 31 points
\n2003-04 WCHA finish:<\/b> Tied-fourth
\n2004-05 predicted finish:<\/b> Fourth
\nThe short story:<\/b> The Gophers still have a chance to be a championship-caliber team, but they’ll need either a significant contribution from a talented freshman class or a marked improvement from their returning forwards. Chris Harrington showed the potential to be a top-flight WCHA defenseman, but Minnesota will need a more consistent effort from goaltenders Kellen Briggs and Justin Johnson.<\/p>\nColorado College<\/a><\/h4>\nCoach:<\/b> Scott Owens, sixth season overall and at Colorado College (122-67-15)
\n2003-04 overall record:<\/b> 20-16-3
\n2003-04 WCHA record:<\/b> 11-15-2, 24 points
\n2003-04 WCHA finish:<\/b> Seventh
\n2004-05 predicted finish:<\/b> Fifth
\nThe short story:<\/b> Will just missing out on the NCAA tournament spark the Tigers this season? The defense appears strong; now CC needs a goaltender to take charge and grab the No. 1 spot. The Tigers have 82.5 percent of their goalscoring back from last season, including talented junior Brett Sterling, but need to increase the scoring as a whole.<\/p>\nDenver<\/a><\/h4>\nCoach:<\/b> George Gwozdecky, 19th season overall (372-275-52), 11th at Denver (223-152-31)
\n2003-04 overall record:<\/b> 27-12-5
\n2003-04 WCHA record:<\/b> 13-10-5, 31 points
\n2003-04 WCHA finish:<\/b> Tied-fourth
\n2004-05 predicted finish:<\/b> Sixth
\nThe short story:<\/b> The Pioneers didn’t lose much more than the average WCHA team in terms of scoring, but the losses of goaltender Adam Berkhoel, forward Connor James and defenseman Ryan Caldwell take bites out everywhere. Denver has plenty of experience, but it’ll need breakouts from players like Adrian Veideman and J.D. Corbin to defend its title.<\/p>\nSt. Cloud State<\/a><\/h4>\nCoach:<\/b> Craig Dahl, 24th season overall (393-378-54), 18th at St. Cloud State (324-286-49)
\n2003-04 overall record:<\/b> 18-16-4
\n2003-04 WCHA record:<\/b> 12-12-4, 28 points
\n2003-04 WCHA finish:<\/b> Sixth
\n2004-05 predicted finish:<\/b> Seventh
\nThe short story:<\/b> The Huskies have been barely over .500 for two straight seasons, which pales in comparison to the 29- and 31-win seasons that preceded them. Which one will it be this time around? St. Cloud State will need a big boost of offense to make a jump in the league. The goaltending position appears up in the air again with Adam Coole gone.<\/p>\nMinnesota State<\/a><\/h4>\nCoach:<\/b> Troy Jutting, fifth season overall and at Minnesota State (65-73-18)
\n2003-04 overall record:<\/b> 10-24-5
\n2003-04 WCHA record:<\/b> 6-18-4, 16 points
\n2003-04 WCHA finish:<\/b> Ninth
\n2004-05 predicted finish:<\/b> Eighth
\nThe short story:<\/b> A lot of things went wrong last season for the Mavericks, who allowed the most goals per game in Division I hockey and had the second-worst penalty kill in the nation. Out of that emerged David Backes with a 16-goal freshman season which, if he can duplicate, will help Mankato make a stride out of the bottom pack. But the defensive and goaltending woes may be too much to overcome.<\/p>\nAlaska-Anchorage<\/a><\/h4>\n
\n2003-04 overall record:<\/b> 30-8-3
\n2003-04 WCHA record:<\/b> 20-5-3, 43 points
\n2003-04 WCHA finish:<\/b> First
\n2004-05 predicted finish:<\/b> Second
\nThe short story:<\/b> Without Bochenski and Parise, Brady Murray and Drew Stafford will get their chance to shine as sophomores, but they’re not the only likely sources of offense. The Sioux return their entire defensive corps and the goaltending tandem of Jake Brandt and Jordan Parise, which has become a strength instead of a liability.<\/p>\n
Wisconsin<\/a><\/h4>\n<\/p>\nAll-American Bernd Bruckler returns to backstop Wisconsin (photo: Patrick C. Miller).<\/div>\n<\/div>\nCoach:<\/b> Mike Eaves, third season overall and at Wisconsin (35-36-12)
\n2003-04 overall record:<\/b> 22-13-8
\n2003-04 WCHA record:<\/b> 14-7-7, 35 points
\n2003-04 WCHA finish:<\/b> Third
\n2004-05 predicted finish:<\/b> Third
\nThe short story:<\/b> Br\u00fcckler carried the Badgers all last season, and he’ll be expected to do so again with five of the team’s defensemen freshmen and none of them named Suter. If the newcomers can mature quickly and if the team can find some consistent offense, Wisconsin has a legitimate shot at making the next step and going to the Frozen Four.<\/p>\nMinnesota<\/a><\/h4>\nCoach:<\/b> Don Lucia, 18th season overall (413-217-49), sixth at Minnesota (134-62-20)
\n2003-04 overall record:<\/b> 27-14-3
\n2003-04 WCHA record:<\/b> 15-12-1, 31 points
\n2003-04 WCHA finish:<\/b> Tied-fourth
\n2004-05 predicted finish:<\/b> Fourth
\nThe short story:<\/b> The Gophers still have a chance to be a championship-caliber team, but they’ll need either a significant contribution from a talented freshman class or a marked improvement from their returning forwards. Chris Harrington showed the potential to be a top-flight WCHA defenseman, but Minnesota will need a more consistent effort from goaltenders Kellen Briggs and Justin Johnson.<\/p>\nColorado College<\/a><\/h4>\nCoach:<\/b> Scott Owens, sixth season overall and at Colorado College (122-67-15)
\n2003-04 overall record:<\/b> 20-16-3
\n2003-04 WCHA record:<\/b> 11-15-2, 24 points
\n2003-04 WCHA finish:<\/b> Seventh
\n2004-05 predicted finish:<\/b> Fifth
\nThe short story:<\/b> Will just missing out on the NCAA tournament spark the Tigers this season? The defense appears strong; now CC needs a goaltender to take charge and grab the No. 1 spot. The Tigers have 82.5 percent of their goalscoring back from last season, including talented junior Brett Sterling, but need to increase the scoring as a whole.<\/p>\nDenver<\/a><\/h4>\nCoach:<\/b> George Gwozdecky, 19th season overall (372-275-52), 11th at Denver (223-152-31)
\n2003-04 overall record:<\/b> 27-12-5
\n2003-04 WCHA record:<\/b> 13-10-5, 31 points
\n2003-04 WCHA finish:<\/b> Tied-fourth
\n2004-05 predicted finish:<\/b> Sixth
\nThe short story:<\/b> The Pioneers didn’t lose much more than the average WCHA team in terms of scoring, but the losses of goaltender Adam Berkhoel, forward Connor James and defenseman Ryan Caldwell take bites out everywhere. Denver has plenty of experience, but it’ll need breakouts from players like Adrian Veideman and J.D. Corbin to defend its title.<\/p>\nSt. Cloud State<\/a><\/h4>\nCoach:<\/b> Craig Dahl, 24th season overall (393-378-54), 18th at St. Cloud State (324-286-49)
\n2003-04 overall record:<\/b> 18-16-4
\n2003-04 WCHA record:<\/b> 12-12-4, 28 points
\n2003-04 WCHA finish:<\/b> Sixth
\n2004-05 predicted finish:<\/b> Seventh
\nThe short story:<\/b> The Huskies have been barely over .500 for two straight seasons, which pales in comparison to the 29- and 31-win seasons that preceded them. Which one will it be this time around? St. Cloud State will need a big boost of offense to make a jump in the league. The goaltending position appears up in the air again with Adam Coole gone.<\/p>\nMinnesota State<\/a><\/h4>\nCoach:<\/b> Troy Jutting, fifth season overall and at Minnesota State (65-73-18)
\n2003-04 overall record:<\/b> 10-24-5
\n2003-04 WCHA record:<\/b> 6-18-4, 16 points
\n2003-04 WCHA finish:<\/b> Ninth
\n2004-05 predicted finish:<\/b> Eighth
\nThe short story:<\/b> A lot of things went wrong last season for the Mavericks, who allowed the most goals per game in Division I hockey and had the second-worst penalty kill in the nation. Out of that emerged David Backes with a 16-goal freshman season which, if he can duplicate, will help Mankato make a stride out of the bottom pack. But the defensive and goaltending woes may be too much to overcome.<\/p>\nAlaska-Anchorage<\/a><\/h4>\n
<\/p>\nCoach:<\/b> Mike Eaves, third season overall and at Wisconsin (35-36-12) Coach:<\/b> Don Lucia, 18th season overall (413-217-49), sixth at Minnesota (134-62-20) Coach:<\/b> Scott Owens, sixth season overall and at Colorado College (122-67-15) Coach:<\/b> George Gwozdecky, 19th season overall (372-275-52), 11th at Denver (223-152-31) Coach:<\/b> Craig Dahl, 24th season overall (393-378-54), 18th at St. Cloud State (324-286-49) Coach:<\/b> Troy Jutting, fifth season overall and at Minnesota State (65-73-18)
\n2003-04 overall record:<\/b> 22-13-8
\n2003-04 WCHA record:<\/b> 14-7-7, 35 points
\n2003-04 WCHA finish:<\/b> Third
\n2004-05 predicted finish:<\/b> Third
\nThe short story:<\/b> Br\u00fcckler carried the Badgers all last season, and he’ll be expected to do so again with five of the team’s defensemen freshmen and none of them named Suter. If the newcomers can mature quickly and if the team can find some consistent offense, Wisconsin has a legitimate shot at making the next step and going to the Frozen Four.<\/p>\nMinnesota<\/a><\/h4>\n
\n2003-04 overall record:<\/b> 27-14-3
\n2003-04 WCHA record:<\/b> 15-12-1, 31 points
\n2003-04 WCHA finish:<\/b> Tied-fourth
\n2004-05 predicted finish:<\/b> Fourth
\nThe short story:<\/b> The Gophers still have a chance to be a championship-caliber team, but they’ll need either a significant contribution from a talented freshman class or a marked improvement from their returning forwards. Chris Harrington showed the potential to be a top-flight WCHA defenseman, but Minnesota will need a more consistent effort from goaltenders Kellen Briggs and Justin Johnson.<\/p>\nColorado College<\/a><\/h4>\n
\n2003-04 overall record:<\/b> 20-16-3
\n2003-04 WCHA record:<\/b> 11-15-2, 24 points
\n2003-04 WCHA finish:<\/b> Seventh
\n2004-05 predicted finish:<\/b> Fifth
\nThe short story:<\/b> Will just missing out on the NCAA tournament spark the Tigers this season? The defense appears strong; now CC needs a goaltender to take charge and grab the No. 1 spot. The Tigers have 82.5 percent of their goalscoring back from last season, including talented junior Brett Sterling, but need to increase the scoring as a whole.<\/p>\nDenver<\/a><\/h4>\n
\n2003-04 overall record:<\/b> 27-12-5
\n2003-04 WCHA record:<\/b> 13-10-5, 31 points
\n2003-04 WCHA finish:<\/b> Tied-fourth
\n2004-05 predicted finish:<\/b> Sixth
\nThe short story:<\/b> The Pioneers didn’t lose much more than the average WCHA team in terms of scoring, but the losses of goaltender Adam Berkhoel, forward Connor James and defenseman Ryan Caldwell take bites out everywhere. Denver has plenty of experience, but it’ll need breakouts from players like Adrian Veideman and J.D. Corbin to defend its title.<\/p>\nSt. Cloud State<\/a><\/h4>\n
\n2003-04 overall record:<\/b> 18-16-4
\n2003-04 WCHA record:<\/b> 12-12-4, 28 points
\n2003-04 WCHA finish:<\/b> Sixth
\n2004-05 predicted finish:<\/b> Seventh
\nThe short story:<\/b> The Huskies have been barely over .500 for two straight seasons, which pales in comparison to the 29- and 31-win seasons that preceded them. Which one will it be this time around? St. Cloud State will need a big boost of offense to make a jump in the league. The goaltending position appears up in the air again with Adam Coole gone.<\/p>\nMinnesota State<\/a><\/h4>\n
\n2003-04 overall record:<\/b> 10-24-5
\n2003-04 WCHA record:<\/b> 6-18-4, 16 points
\n2003-04 WCHA finish:<\/b> Ninth
\n2004-05 predicted finish:<\/b> Eighth
\nThe short story:<\/b> A lot of things went wrong last season for the Mavericks, who allowed the most goals per game in Division I hockey and had the second-worst penalty kill in the nation. Out of that emerged David Backes with a 16-goal freshman season which, if he can duplicate, will help Mankato make a stride out of the bottom pack. But the defensive and goaltending woes may be too much to overcome.<\/p>\nAlaska-Anchorage<\/a><\/h4>\n