{"id":99616,"date":"2019-10-04T06:00:54","date_gmt":"2019-10-04T11:00:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uscho.com\/?p=94763"},"modified":"2020-08-24T11:40:45","modified_gmt":"2020-08-24T16:40:45","slug":"hockey-east-season-preview-as-conference-continues-moving-forward-more-teams-putting-resources-into-hockey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wwwproxy.uscho.com\/2019\/10\/04\/hockey-east-season-preview-as-conference-continues-moving-forward-more-teams-putting-resources-into-hockey\/","title":{"rendered":"Hockey East Season Preview: As conference continues moving forward, more teams ‘putting resources into hockey’"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Stefanos<\/a>
Vermont’s Stefanos Lekkas has the ability to win games on his own and will be relied upon heavily this season for the Catamounts (photo: Vermont Athletics).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When Joe Bertagna assumed the position of commissioner in Hockey East in 1997, the league had won just three national titles and only four of its members \u2013 Boston College, Boston University, Providence and Maine – had ever reached a Frozen Four.<\/p>\n

Additionally, the top of the Hockey East standings had become somewhat stagnant with that quartet, along with New Hampshire and maybe an occasional appearance by UMass Lowell or Northeastern, dominated the home ice spots each year in the Hockey East tournament.<\/p>\n

Last season, Bertagna\u2019s 22nd in Hockey East, delivered a culmination of just how times have changed.<\/p>\n

Massachusetts, a team that had qualified for the NCAA tournament just once in program history, reached the Frozen Four and national title game. The Minutemen were the 10th Hockey East program to reach college hockey\u2019s national stage.<\/p>\n

To say this league has changed in Bertagna\u2019s 22 years is an understatement.<\/p>\n

This season, though, will be the long-time commissioner\u2019s final after the athletic directors in the league chose not to renew his contract.<\/p>\n

Anyone who knows Joe Bertagna knows he\u2019s not one to look back and tout his accomplishments, opting more to try to look forward in ways to improve. But as he enters his final season, it\u2019s difficult not to notice what has happened since 1997.<\/p>\n

The league added three members \u2013 Vermont, Connecticut and Notre Dame (the latter of which has since left). It grew its league tournament monumentally, consistently putting more than 25,000 fans inside TD Garden over the two-night league championship.<\/p>\n

Bertagna helped bring outdoor college hockey to the region with multiple editions of Frozen Fenway, an event that every team touts as a memory of a lifetime.<\/p>\n

He helped bring the game across the Atlantic with the Friendship Four played annually in Belfast, Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n

And that\u2019s all just on the men\u2019s side.<\/p>\n

Lest we forget, Bertagna was a driving force in the creation of women\u2019s Hockey East. A longtime champion of women\u2019s hockey, Bertagna\u2019s league expanded to currently include 10 members, just one shy of the men\u2019s league.<\/p>\n

All told, Bertagna\u2019s success in his position is immeasurable. And, in his mind with one season remaining, he\u2019s wants to see continued growth and success.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve never let myself get too high or too low,\u201d said Bertagna. \u201cI know how strong [as a league] we are. Strength can be measured different ways. But if you look at the number of different schools that have played for the national championship or gotten to the Frozen Four in my time here, we\u2019ve had great success and that\u2019s not the way things were when I got here.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt that time, BC, BU, UNH and Maine had won 90 percent of the regular and postseason titles. That wasn\u2019t necessarily a healthy thing. But what\u2019s to teams like Providence, Northeastern, Lowell and now UMass, that\u2019s a great advertisements on how programs are putting resources into hockey.\u201d<\/p>\n

Can 11 become 12?<\/h4>\n

That\u2019s been a question that\u2019s been asked since Notre Dame left the league three seasons ago. With 11 teams, the schedule is imbalanced, the playoff format has changed from qualifying every team to last year\u2019s format where only the top eight clubs qualify for the league postseason. And while there hasn\u2019t been a glaring issue with having 11 teams, 12 is a number that simply feels more correct.<\/p>\n

That could be looked at as either opinion or fact. But no commissioner would tell you that creating a schedule with 11 teams is easier than doing the same with 12.<\/p>\n

Bertagna now understands the league won\u2019t return to 12 clubs under his watch, but acknowledges that moving in that direction seems almost inevitable.<\/p>\n

The question becomes, what school will become that 12th member?<\/p>\n

Geographically, some smaller Atlantic Hockey schools like Bentley or Holy Cross seem sensible, though neither can meet the league\u2019s 4,000 seat requirement for a venue (though last season, Hockey East waved UConn\u2019s planned on-campus building which will be used part-time and is anticipated to have about 3,000 seats). But if those teams become more and more desirable, venue size could be overlooked.<\/p>\n

There is always a possibility that a new program could come along. Rhode Island continually is mentioned in conversations but has never shown much momentum. Saint Anselm is among a quartet of teams still playing men\u2019s hockey at the Division II level, though this year will have their women\u2019s team compete in a league mixed with Division I and II members that could earn a bid in the women\u2019s national tournament. That could possibly create a hockey bug, though still doesn\u2019t seem likely as the school would have to elevate all of its sports to Division I.<\/p>\n

And then there\u2019s Arizona State.<\/p>\n

Yes, the Sun Devils geographically don\u2019t make sense. But given the fact that the program has deep pockets, an alumni base that is strong in New England (what school wouldn\u2019t want to sell an extra 1,000 tickets every night to the visiting team?), and regardless of leagues will have to travel via plane to every opponent (unlike Notre Dame, which can now bus to most games in the B1G). Add an easy commute via non-stop flight to sunny Tempe, Arizona, and a campus located less than five minutes from the airport. Suddenly Arizona State isn\u2019t as bad a fit.<\/p>\n

In terms of existing programs, Arizona State, in fact, might be the most viable option. But it is possible that Hockey East members still feel a little scarred from the four-year failed experiment known as Notre Dame.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can say [Notre Dame] didn\u2019t work out, but it wasn\u2019t anything that would scar us looking at any other school outside of the region,\u201d said Bertagna. \u201cI\u2019m not going to have anything to do with the decision going forward. But I look at [Arizona State as a Hockey East member] as a boring administration who has the benefit of scheduling midweek games and seeing missed class time at a minimum, and have a regional TV deal and regional sponsors that all work really well when everyone is in that footprint.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think the coaches are very open to the idea, so we\u2019ll see where that goes. There are no ongoing discussions. But [Arizona State is] an attractive program for many reasons.\u201d<\/p>\n

Competition on the ice<\/h4>\n

Certainly for a league like Hockey East, ultimate success is measured in national championships.<\/p>\n

The last four years, all of the national titles have gone to the league that is arguably the only one more competitive nationally than Hockey East \u2013 the NCHC. But last year\u2019s Frozen Four with Hockey East placing both Providence and UMass in the field and the Minutemen in the finals is certainly a positive (when you consider the fact that neither of those teams even played in the Hockey East title game, that shows just how deep this league was a year ago).<\/p>\n

But Bertagna agrees, that while you can have some expectations on teams that should be successful once again this season, year-to-year the league \u2013 and college hockey in general \u2013 gets more difficult to handicap.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s harder for me to be very good at handicapping because of the movement [pro signings] of undergraduates,\u201d said Bertagna. \u201cIt was easier when you only had to factor the loss of seniors and freshmen were 18 years old and you could have a reasonable expectation of what impact a freshman class can make.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow you have the loss of seniors and underclassmen, and you have [older] freshmen who come in ready to be impact players at 21 years old.\u201d<\/p>\n

The league\u2019s preseason coaches\u2019 poll gave the nod to Boston College, a team that underdelivered on high expectations a season ago but likely has one of the strongest \u2013 if not the strongest \u2013 rookie class in the nation. But you can expect UMass to continue to be strong and build off its national runner up finish, as well as perennial powers like Northeastern, UMass Lowell, Boston University and Providence.<\/p>\n

Will there be a dark horse to emerge. Maybe New Hampshire or Connecticut, both of which had strong finished a year ago. Maine always feels like it is ready to return to its glory days. Vermont has easily the league\u2019s best netminder if it can find a way to score. And Merrimack brings in 16 new players, the impact of which you can\u2019t measure until the puck is dropped.<\/p>\n

\"Tyler<\/a>
High-scoring Tyler Madden returns for his sophomore season at Northeastern (photo: Northeastern Athletics).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

BOSTON COLLEGE<\/h4>\n

HEAD COACH<\/strong>: Jerry York, entering his 26th season at Boston College<\/p>\n

2018-19 OVERALL RECORD<\/strong>: 14-22-3 (10-11-3 Hockey East, seventh)<\/p>\n

KEY RETURNING PLAYERS<\/strong>: Senior forward David Cotton (23-13-36), junior forward Logan Hutsko (6-20-26), senior forward Julius Mattila (9-14-23), senior defenseman Jesper Mattila (0-9-9), senior defenseman Ben Finkelstein (1-9-10)<\/p>\n

KEY LOSSES<\/strong>: Defenseman Casey Fitzgerald (2-12-14), goalie Joseph Woll (13-21-3, 2.41 GAA, .919 SV%), forward Oliver Wahlstrom (8-11-19), forward Christopher Brown (7-9-16), defenseman Michael Kim (3-12-15)<\/p>\n

KEY ADDITIONS<\/strong>: Goaltender Spencer Knight (USNTDP), defenseman Drew Helleson (USNTDP), defenseman Marshall Warren (USNTDP), forward Alex Newhook (Victoria, BCHL), forward Matt Boldy (USNTDP), forward Mike Hardman (West Kelowna, BCHL)<\/p>\n

2019-20 PREDICTIONS<\/strong>: Boston College’s fall last year from its accustomed perch atop Hockey East was even more precipitous than at first glance. The Eagles not only dropped to seventh from first place, where they had finished three straight years, but an abysmal nonconference record resulted in a very un-BC like overall 14-22-3 mark.<\/p>\n

That said, the attrition from early departures to the pros slowed dramatically this offseason and coupled with a stellar recruiting class led by four members of the U.S. National Development Team, could see the Eagles back atop Hockey East. Small wonder league coaches picked the Eagles to finish first.<\/p>\n

“It doesn’t mean anything,” BC coach Jerry York says. “We’ll have to see how we develop. Then we’ll find out more about our team.<\/p>\n

“Most of the freshmen will [need to make an impact]. But our line of Cotton, Hutsko, and [Julius] Mattila will be our go-to line.”<\/p>\n

Jim\u2019s pick: 2nd<\/em>
\nDavid\u2019s pick: 1st<\/em><\/p>\n

BOSTON UNIVERSITY<\/h4>\n

HEAD COACH<\/strong>: Albie O\u2019Connell, entering his second season at Boston University<\/p>\n

2018-19 OVERALL RECORD<\/strong>: 16-18-4 (12-9-3 Hockey East, fifth)<\/p>\n

KEY RETURNING PLAYERS<\/strong>: Senior forward Patrick Curry (13-13-26), senior forward Patrick Harper (6-14-20)<\/p>\n

KEY LOSSES<\/strong>: Forward Joel Farabee (17-19-36), forward Shane Bowers (11-10-21), defenseman Dante Fabbro (7-26-33), defenseman Chad Krys (8-12-20), goaltender Jake Oettinger (16-16-4, 2.44 GAA, .926 SV%)<\/p>\n

KEY ADDITIONS<\/strong>: Forward Trevor Zegras (USNTDP), defenseman Domenick Fensore (USNTDP), defenseman Case McCarthy (USNTDP), defenseman Alex Vlasic (USNTDP), goalie Sam Tucker (graduate transfer from Yale)<\/p>\n

2019-20 PREDICTIONS<\/strong>: Boston University second-year coach Albie O\u2019Connell was very blunt in describing the feel he gets around his 2019-20 squad.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s definitely a different vibe,\u201d said O\u2019Connell.<\/p>\n

Different is probably a good tag for this year\u2019s Terriers team to have after what O\u2019Connell tabbed as a disappointing 2019-19 campaign in which a team loaded with NHL talents finished fifth in the league and failed to reach the NCAA tournament.<\/p>\n

But O\u2019Connell feels this season is different.<\/p>\n

\u201cDefinitely our [defensive] corps is deeper, and our goaltending has been solid,\u201d said O\u2019Connell. \u201cWe\u2019re very optimistic how our team can do this year.\u201d<\/p>\n

Goaltender, if anything, could be the biggest questions. With the departure of Jake Oettinger and BU\u2019s only other goaltender with significant experience, Max Prawdzik transferring to Arizona State, there are questions. But graduate transfer Sam Tucker, an All-ECAC selection at Yale, will hopefully stabilize the backend with Vinnie Purpura, a sophomore who saw limited minutes last year.<\/p>\n

O\u2019Connell termed his team \u201call in\u201d headed into this season, noting that a year ago his club, which had five players depart early for the pro ranks, as having some guys with \u201ca foot out the door\u201d during the season.<\/p>\n

That, he hopes, is something that can solidify what on paper is a very talented group of players.<\/p>\n

Jim\u2019s pick: 5th<\/em>
\nDavid\u2019s pick: 4th<\/em><\/p>\n

CONNECTICUT<\/h4>\n

HEAD COACH<\/strong>: Mike Cavanaugh, entering his seventh year at UConn<\/p>\n

2018-19 OVERALL RECORD<\/strong>: 12-20-2 (7-15-2 Hockey East, ninth)<\/p>\n

KEY RETURNING PLAYERS<\/strong>: Senior forward Alexander Payusov (16-4-20), sophomore forward Jachym Kondelik (4-22-26), sophomore forward Ruslan Iskhakov (6-15-21), sophomore goaltender Tomas Vomacka (7-7-0, 2.32 GAA, .922 SV%)<\/p>\n

KEY LOSSES<\/strong>: Goalie Adam Huska (5-13-2, 3.34 GAA, .896 SV%), forward Karl El-Mir (13-14-27)<\/p>\n

KEY ADDITIONS<\/strong>: Forward Vladislav Firstov (Waterloo, USHL), defenseman Yan Kuznetsov (Sioux Falls, USHL)<\/p>\n

2019-20 PREDICTIONS<\/strong>: UConn is a team that every year has taken small steps forward.<\/p>\n

For head coach Mike Cavanaugh, he\u2019s ready to see his club take a bigger step in the right direction.<\/p>\n

The Huskies return some incredible talent, most of which arrived in Storrs from Europe. The international-flavored lineup might produce pronunciation challenges for announcers but could translate to a very competitive team on the ice.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think college hockey in general has gotten more global,\u201d said Cavanaugh. \u201cIt\u2019s not like we\u2019re going over to Russia to get these kids. We\u2019re taking these kids out of the USHL. But when you get one, now all of a sudden [their teammates] feel comfortable.\u201d<\/p>\n

A player that many will keep an eye on is Czech-born Tomas Vomacka, who last season as a freshman played a bulk of the team\u2019s late-season games, posting a 5-2-0 mark.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe fact that Tomas finished the year as our starting goaltender and had some success down the stretch gives him some confidence heading into this season,\u201d said Cavanaugh.<\/p>\n

Jim\u2019s pick: 9th<\/em>
\nDavid\u2019s pick: 9th<\/em><\/p>\n

MAINE<\/h4>\n

HEAD COACH<\/strong>: Red Gendron, entering his seventh season at Maine<\/p>\n

2018-19 OVERALL RECORD<\/strong>: 15-17-4 (11-9-4 Hockey East, sixth)<\/p>\n

KEY RETURNING PLAYERS<\/strong>: Junior goalie Jeremy Swayman (14-17-4, 2.77 GAA, .919 SV%), senior forward Mitchell Fossier (8-28-36), senior forward Tim Doherty (9-8-17), junior forward Eduards Tralmaks (8-9-17), sophomore defenseman Simon Butala (0-2-2)<\/p>\n

KEY LOSSES<\/strong>: Forward Chase Pearson (16-13-29), defenseman Brady Keeper (7-15-22), forward Brendan Robbins (9-5-14), defenseman Alexis Binner (2-9-11), defenseman Rob Michel (3-6-9), defenseman Sam Becker (1-7-8), defenseman Keith Muehlbauer (0-6-6)<\/p>\n

KEY ADDITIONS<\/strong>: Defenseman J.D. Greenway (Dubuque, USHL), defenseman Levi Kleiboer (Minot, NAHL), defenseman Dawson Bruneski (Drumheller, AJHL), defenseman Perry Winfree (Jersey, NCDC), defenseman Adrien Bisson (Ottawa, CCHL), forward Ben Poisson (Prince George, BCHL)<\/p>\n

2019-20 PREDICTIONS<\/strong>: Will Maine finish in sixth place for a third straight year? Higher? Lower?<\/p>\n

Arguably, a lot depends on the new defensemen that must fill roles following the departures of five regulars. The goaltending should be among the best in the league with Jeremy Swayman, and the forwards look strong despite the early departure of top goal scorer Chase Pearson.<\/p>\n

“My expectations are pretty high,” Maine coach Red Gendron says. “We’re very solid at the forward position with some depth and some pretty good returning offensive players. We have very good goaltending with Jeremy Swayman. On defense, we’ve got some pretty good talent; we’re just going to be young with five new players back there.”<\/p>\n

Those five new blueliners include junior J.D. Greenway, who played two years at Wisconsin before spending last season in the USHL, along with Levi Kleiboer, Dawson Bruneski, Perry Winfree, and Adrien Bisson.<\/p>\n

“We have a pretty good core,” Gendron says, “so I’m expecting big things from the team.”<\/p>\n

Jim\u2019s pick: 10th<\/em>
\nDavid\u2019s pick: 7th<\/em><\/p>\n

MASSACHUSETTS<\/h4>\n

HEAD COACH<\/strong>: Greg Carvel, entering his fourth year at UMass<\/p>\n

2018-19 OVERALL RECORD<\/strong>: 31-10-0 (18-6-0 Hockey East, first)<\/p>\n

KEY RETURNING PLAYERS<\/strong>: Sophomore goalie Filip Lindberg (11-4-0, 1.59 GAA, .934 SV%), junior goalie Matt Murray (20-5-0, 2.11 GAA, .919 SV%), junior forward Mitchell Chaffee (18-24-42), sophomore defenseman Marc Del Gaizo, D (13-16-39)<\/p>\n

KEY LOSSES<\/strong>: Defenseman Cale Makar (16-33-49), defenseman Mario Ferraro (2-12-14), forward Jacob Pritchard (16-31-47)<\/p>\n

KEY ADDITIONS<\/strong>: Defenseman Zac Jones (Tri-City USHL), forward Cal Kiefiuk (Central Illinois, USHL)<\/p>\n

2019-20 PREDICTIONS<\/strong>: There is no question that 2018-19 will be looked at as a watershed moment for UMass. Taking the school\u2019s first regular-season title and advancing to the national title game, eventually falling to Minnesota Duluth, the Minutemen acquired plenty of experience upon which it can build.<\/p>\n

Though the national title game loss was less than ideal, the way it occurred, says head coach Greg Carvel, was helpful in making the players understand there is still plenty of work still to do.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been preaching the same thing since Day 1,\u201d said Carvel. \u201cTo see it fulfilled gives your players more confidence in you as a coach.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe were humbled in that national championship game. I\u2019d rather lose that game 3-0 than 4-3 in overtime. We left with our tail between our legs and that taste is still in our mouths.\u201d<\/p>\n

The biggest question to answer for UMass will be how it fills holes left by the (very much expected) departure of Cale Makar and Mario Ferraro. No players can fill those holes, but Carvel is convinced that those holes won\u2019t remain empty.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe won\u2019t change a single thing,\u201d said Carvel. \u201cWe\u2019re replacing those two guys with experience, depth. Since I\u2019ve been at UMass, I\u2019ve always felt like I\u2019ve thrown a young, inexperienced team on the ice. Now I feel like we\u2019re starting to become an older team and that\u2019s a comforting thing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jim\u2019s pick: 1st<\/em>
\nDavid\u2019s pick: 2nd<\/em><\/p>\n

UMASS LOWELL<\/h4>\n

HEAD COACH<\/strong>: Norm Bazin, entering his ninth season at UMass Lowell<\/p>\n

2018-19 OVERALL RECORD<\/strong>: 19-13-5 (12-7-5 Hockey East, fourth)<\/p>\n

KEY RETURNING PLAYERS<\/strong>: Senior forward Kenny Hausinger (13-9-22), junior forward Connor Sodergren (5-16-21), sophomore forward Reid Stefanson (8-12-20), senior goaltender Tyler Wall (11-7-3, 2.08 GAA, .921 SV%)<\/p>\n

KEY LOSSES<\/strong>: Forward Ryan Lohin (12-15-27), forward Ryan Dmowski (14-9-23), defenseman Mattias Goransson (4-16-20)<\/p>\n

KEY ADDITIONS<\/strong>: Forward Matt Brown (Des Moines, USHL), forward Brian Chambers (Sioux Falls, USHL), forward Andre Lee (Sioux Falls, USHL), forward Carl Berglund (Sioux Falls, USHL), goalie Logan Neaton (Prince George, BCHL)<\/p>\n

2019-20 PREDICTIONS<\/strong>: The River Hawks are still a team of underclassmen, but don\u2019t let that fool you into thinking this team isn\u2019t ready to be competitive. Between a talented sophomore class, a group of highly-touted freshmen, and a scattering of upperclassmen \u2013 most notably goaltender Tyler Wall \u2013 this is a Lowell team that should be strong.<\/p>\n

Like last year, a major challenge will be generating offense. Kenny Hausinger showed great offensive sparks last season and returns as a senior but will need some help from anyone and everyone.<\/p>\n

But goaltending is the area most will focus on, with Wall hoping to go out similar to the way he entered. Wall set a wins record as a freshman (26) but over the last two seasons has posted a combined 14 victories. Head coach Norm Bazin says his No. 1 goaltender is focused.<\/p>\n

\u201cTyler is ready to have a monster year,\u201d said Bazin. \u201cI like the way he\u2019s come back. He\u2019s streamlined his body. He\u2019s a very, very intelligent kid.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jim\u2019s pick: 4th<\/em>
\nDavid\u2019s pick: 6th<\/em><\/p>\n

MERRIMACK<\/h4>\n

HEAD COACH<\/strong>: Scott Borek, entering his second season at Merrimack<\/p>\n

2018-19 OVERALL RECORD<\/strong>: 7-24-3 (4-18-2 Hockey East, 11th)<\/p>\n

KEY RETURNING PLAYERS<\/strong>: Sophomore forward Chase Gresock (11-13-24), senior forward Tyler Irvine (6-12-18), senior forward Sami Tavernier (4-12-16), junior defenseman Dominic Dockery (1-4-5), sophomore defenseman Tyler Heidt (1-3-4)<\/p>\n

KEY LOSSES<\/strong>: Goalie Craig Pantano (6-15-3, 3.52 GAA, .889 SV%), defenseman Johnathan Kovacevic (4-14-18), forward Derek Petti (7-11-18), defenseman Alex Carle (2-7-9), defenseman Ryan Cook (1-4-5)<\/p>\n

KEY ADDITIONS<\/strong>: Goalie Jere Huhtamaa (Jokerit U20, Jr. A SM-liiga), defenseman Patrick Holway (Maine, Hockey East), defenseman Declan Carlile (Muskegon, USHL), defenseman Jacob Modry (Wenatchee, BCHL), defenseman Zach Vinnell (Camrose, AJHL), defenseman Zach Uens (Wellington, OJHL), defenseman Liam Dennison (Youngstown, USHL), forward Filip Forsmark (Tri-City, USHL)<\/p>\n

2019-20 PREDICTIONS<\/strong>: You’re gonna need a program to follow this year’s Merrimack Warriors. Second-year coach Scott Borek has brought in 18 — count ’em, 18 — freshmen in an effort to lift the Warriors out of the Hockey East cellar.<\/p>\n

All three goaltenders are freshmen. Five freshmen and Patrick Holway, a junior transfer from Maine, will patrol the blue line. And nine freshmen will compete up front.<\/p>\n

The new faces outnumber the returnees, 18-11.<\/p>\n

“We had a great group of kids last year who worked really hard through our last game,” Borek says. “I was really impressed with the student-athlete at Merrimack. But we have a whole new group now.<\/p>\n

“So it’s going to be a learning curve for all of us, including the coaching staff. We recruited all these players, but we’re still not aware of what they can do in college hockey.”<\/p>\n

Small wonder Hockey East coaches unanimously picked Merrimack to finish last.<\/p>\n

“I like our group a lot,” Borek says. “They’ll definitely grow throughout the year. Hopefully, our results will be better than what people are predicting. I’m excited about our team and our kids.”<\/p>\n

Jim\u2019s pick: 11th<\/em>
\nDavid\u2019s pick: 11th<\/em><\/p>\n

NEW HAMPSHIRE<\/h4>\n

HEAD COACH<\/strong>: Mike Souza, entering his second season at UNH<\/p>\n

2018-19 OVERALL RECORD<\/strong>: 12-15-9 (8-10-6 Hockey East, eighth)<\/p>\n

KEY RETURNING PLAYERS<\/strong>: Senior forward Liam Blackburn (10-14-24), sophomore forward Angus Crookshank (10-13-23), junior defenseman Max Gildon (6-15-21), junior goalie Mike Robinson (11-12-8, 2.48 GAA, .915 SV%)<\/p>\n

KEY LOSSES<\/strong>: Forward Ara Nazarian (12-11-23), forward Marcus Vela (6-12-18)<\/p>\n

KEY ADDITIONS<\/strong>: Forward Lucas Hermann (Madison, USHL), forward Robby Griffin (Boston Jr. Bruins, NCDC), defenseman Kalle Erickson (Madison, USHL), sophomore forward Filip Engaras (available mid-November)<\/p>\n

2019-20 PREDICTIONS<\/strong>: Season 1 for head coach Mike Souza had plenty of highlights.<\/p>\n

A number of streaks throughout the season where his team seemed like a contender gave the UNH faithful plenty of hope. It was the lulls when the team struggled that pushed it to an eighth-place finish in Hockey East and something Souza hopes to build on.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere were lulls in the results and we\u2019re in a results business,\u201d said Souza. \u201cI always felt like we were moving in the right direction in the way we wanted to play.\u201d
\nUNH played in 14 overtime games last season, nine ending in ties.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe had enough to get us there, just not enough to get us over the top,\u201d Souza said.<\/p>\n

The Wildcats return a solid core nucleus from a year ago and add a handful of players that excites Souza. One player who will join the team in mid-November is Swedish-born Filip Engaras, a player who Souza believes is big and strong but also dynamic. He sat out all of last year and will miss the first nine games this season after playing a limited number of games at the professional level in Sweden.<\/p>\n

The biggest area needing improvement for the Wildcats is offensive production. Souza says a lot of that comes from structure, but also having healthy players such a Patrick Grasso, who missed a major portion of a season ago with injury.<\/p>\n

Jim\u2019s pick: 7th<\/em>
\nDavid\u2019s pick: 8th<\/em><\/p>\n

NORTHEASTERN<\/h4>\n

HEAD COACH<\/strong>: Jim Madigan, entering his ninth season at Northeastern<\/p>\n

2018-19 OVERALL RECORD<\/strong>: 27-11-1 (15-8-1, T-2nd)<\/p>\n

KEY RETURNING PLAYERS<\/strong>: Senior defenseman Ryan Shea (3-13-16), sophomore defenseman Jordan Harris (1-12-13), sophomore forward Tyler Madden (12-16-28), senior forward Grant Jozefek (10-14-24), junior forward Zach Solow (15-8-23)<\/p>\n

KEY LOSSES<\/strong>: Goalie Cayden Primeau (25-10-1, 2.09 GAA, .933 SV%), defenseman Jeremy Davies (8-28-36), forward Brandon Hawkins (12-21-33), forward Liam Pecararo (11-19-30), defenseman Eric Williams (3-9-12)<\/p>\n

KEY ADDITIONS<\/strong>: Goaltender Craig Pantano (Merrimack, Hockey East), forward Brendan van Riemsdyk (New Hampshire, Hockey East), defenseman Jayden Struble (St. Sebastian’s, USHS), defenseman Jeremie Bucheler (Victoria, USHL), defenseman Mike Kesselring (Fargo, USHL), defenseman Tyler Spott (Green Bay, USHL), forward Aidan McDonough (Cedar Rapids, USHL), forward T.J. Walsh (Des Moines, USHL)<\/p>\n

2019-20 PREDICTIONS<\/strong>: “Last year, I was asked how we were going to replace Adam Gaudette, Dylan Sikura, and Nolan Stevens, and I said we had a lot of good players returning,” NU coach Jim Madigan says. “This year, I’m asked how are you going to replace Primeau and Davies. We have a lot of good players returning.”<\/p>\n

At first glance, the biggest question is who will replace Primeau, a first-team All-American. However, graduate transfer Craig Pantano arrives from Merrimack where he was a two-year starter. Another graduate transfer, Brendan van Riemsdyk (New Hampshire), will bolster the front line. Beyond those two veterans, a host of freshman will need to fill some important roles.<\/p>\n

“We’re younger, without a doubt, but it’s good, young skill,” Madigan says. “We’re bigger and faster than we were last year. We’ll grow as the season goes along. We’ll be better on November 1 than October 1.”<\/p>\n

Jim\u2019s pick: 3rd<\/em>
\nDavid\u2019s pick: 3rd<\/em><\/p>\n

PROVIDENCE<\/h4>\n

HEAD COACH<\/strong>: Nate Leaman, entering his ninth season at Providence<\/p>\n

2018-19 OVERALL RECORD<\/strong>: 24-12-6 (14-7-3 Hockey East, tied for second)<\/p>\n

KEY RETURNING PLAYERS<\/strong>: Sophomore forward Jack Dugan (10-29-39), senior defenseman Spenser Young (8-13-21), junior defenseman Ben Mirageas (2-11-13), sophomore forward Tyce Thompson (8-17-25), junior forward Greg Printz (11-7-18)<\/p>\n

KEY LOSSES<\/strong>: Forward Josh Wilkins (20-26-46), defenseman Jacob Bryson, (4-24-28), forward Brandon Duhaime (11-23-34), goaltender Hayden Hawkey (24-12-5, 1.88 GAA, .921 SV%), forward Kasper Bj\u00f6rkqvist (17-13-30), defenseman Vincent Desharnais (5-8-13), forward Scott Conway (15-14-29)<\/p>\n

KEY ADDITIONS<\/strong>: Goalie Michael Lackey (Harvard, ECAC), defenseman Luke Johnson (Sioux City, USHL), defenseman Cam McDonald (Muskegon, USHL), defenseman Max Crozier (Sioux Falls, USHL), forward Parker Ford (Sioux City, USHL), forward Patrick Moynihan (USNTDP)<\/p>\n

2019-20 PREDICTIONS<\/strong>: Providence’s lineup that advanced to last year’s Frozen Four won’t be reappearing this season. That roster was decimated by early departures to the pros along with the graduation of several important seniors.<\/p>\n

The Friars have earned selection to six straight NCAA tournaments, but will be sorely tested to extend that streak to seven.<\/p>\n

“We’re so young with so many new faces, I really don’t have expectations,” PC coach Nate Leaman says. “I’m coaching the team as if I took the program over yesterday. I’m just teaching and developing because it’s a year of a lot of growth. We just need to be getting better every day.”<\/p>\n

It’s not as though the cupboard is completely bare. Up front, Jack Dugan returns (though he\u2019s the only one of last year\u2019s top six scorers), along with Tyce Thompson and Greg Printz. Spenser Young, Ben Mirageas, Michael Callahan, and Davis Bunz remain on the blue line as three freshmen will be added to the mix, typically with a veteran alongside a freshman in each pairing.<\/p>\n

In goal, graduate transfer Michael Lackey arrives from Harvard, where he backstopped the Crimson to an NCAA tournament berth.<\/p>\n

Jim\u2019s pick: 6th<\/em>
\nDavid\u2019s pick: 5th<\/em><\/p>\n

VERMONT<\/h4>\n

HEAD COACH<\/strong>: Kevin Sneddon, entering his 17th season at Vermont<\/p>\n

2018-19 OVERALL RECORD<\/strong>: 12-19-3 (5-19-3 Hockey East, 10th)<\/p>\n

KEY RETURNING PLAYERS<\/strong>: Senior goalie Stefanos Lekkas (12-19-3, 2.26 GAA, .930 SV%), junior forward Max Kaufman (8-13-21), senior forward Derek Lodermeier (5-13-18)<\/p>\n

KEY LOSS<\/strong>: Forward Liam Coughlin (6-11-17)<\/p>\n

KEY ADDITIONS<\/strong>: Forward Jacques Bouquot (Chilliwack, BCHL), forward William Lemay (Brooks, AJHL), defenseman Andrew Lucas (Brooks, AJHL)<\/p>\n

2019-20 PREDICTIONS<\/strong>: Vermont returns arguably the best goaltender in the league \u2013 and one of the tops in the nation \u2013 with Stefanos Lekkas.<\/p>\n

But the greatest goaltender in only effective if the team in front of him can score, easily Vermont\u2019s biggest struggle in 2018-19. That is something head coach Kevin Sneddon hopes to have addressed in developing a team that plays as a unit of five. Getting the defense activated will be critical. But having a stellar goaltender on the back end certainly will allow the defense to take more offensive risks.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt gives your team more confidence,\u201d said Sneddon of having a goaltender like Lekkas. \u201cAs a staff, we have to change our approach in teaching risks and when it is appropriate to take those risks.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t want to be giving up breakaways or 2-on-1s all night, because those are high-risk plays. If you give up an odd-man rush, our defensemen need to be able to handle that and our goaltender can handle it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Jim\u2019s pick: 8th<\/em>
\nDavid\u2019s pick: 10th<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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