With the 2005-06 season in the books, we wrap
up the final edition of our INCH Power Rankings. Wisconsin
didn't have to leave the state to earn ththe top spot here
either, although over the course of the year the Badgers have
shown they've earned it, wherever they've played.
Here's how the Inside College Hockey editors
and staff rank the nation's top teams (along with a note for
each team).
| No. |
Team |
|
Of
Note |
| 1. |
 Wisconsin |
– |
Despite all the talent on the roster, the Badger who
may generate the most interest among NHL types is head
coach Mike Eaves. |
| 30-10-3
(17-8-3 WCHA). |
| 2. |
 Boston
College |
 2 |
The Eagles' youth bodes well for the future. The loss
of Chris Collins and, presumably, Brian Boyle and Cory
Schneider do not. |
| 26-13-3
(17-8-2 Hockey East). |
| 3. |
 North
Dakota |
 1 |
Having 11 NHL draft picks slated to return next fall
will create a little anxiety for Sioux fans, but they
can't all leave early – right? |
| 29-16-1
(16-12-0 WCHA). |
| 4. |
 Minnesota |
1 |
You had to appreciate the hearty Gopher fans who wore
their school colors to the Bradley Center. |
| 27-9-5
(20-5-3 WCHA). |
| 5. |
 Maine |
– |
The Black Bears have been to the Frozen Four every other
year dating back to 2000. That pattern seems to say they
won't be in St. Louis, but Ben Bishop will do all he can
to get his team to play in his hometown next April. |
| 28-12-2
(17-8-2 Hockey East). |
| 6. |
 Boston
University |
– |
The Terriers scored 15 goals in two games the last time
the Frozen Four was in St. Louis, but finished third (1975).
If they can get there next April, it will be their first
trip to the semifinals since 1997. |
| 26-10-4
(17-7-3 Hockey East). |
| 7. |
 Michigan
State |
– |
The Spartans streak of titles every 20 years (1966,
1986) was snapped, but like an East Lansing bar patron,
they'll have a shot when the current stretch turns 21
next spring.
|
| 25-12-8
(14-7-7 CCHA). |
| 8. |
 Miami |
– |
The newcomer with the biggest impact next season will
be the RedHawks' new 3,200-seat arena, which debuts in
October when it hosts the Lefty McFadden Invitational. |
| 26-9-4
(20-6-2 CCHA). |
| 9. |
 Cornell |
– |
Goaltender Troy Davenport was an understudy to David
McKee, but left Ithaca to return to the world of junior
hockey. McKee's gone, but Davenport is back and has the
inside track on the starting job. |
| 22-9-4
(13-6-3 ECACHL). |
| 10. |
 Harvard |
– |
Highlights of Harvard's 1989 title shown over the weekend
in Milwaukee proved that Ted Donato worked in the corners
as hard as he works from the bench. |
| 21-12-2
(13-8-1 ECACHL). |
| 11. |
 Denver |
– |
With all due respect to Brian Elliott, somebody needs
to get Barry Melrose a tape of Matt Carle in action before
he starts wondering why the Badger goalie didn't win the
Hobey. |
| 21-15-3
(17-8-3 WCHA). |
| 12. |
 Colorado
College |
– |
In four years with the Tigers, Marty Sertich and Brett
Sterling combined for 169 goals and 197 assists, two WCHA
regular-season titles, three NCAA Tournament appearances
and a trip to the 2005 Frozen Four. |
| 24-16-2
(15-11-2 WCHA). |
| 13. |
 New
Hampshire |
– |
The Wildcats were shut out three times this year, including
their finale, each by a 1-0 score. |
| 20-13-7
(14-7-6 Hockey East). |
| 14. |
 Holy
Cross |
– |
Losing three of the top four scorers and both goalies
will hurt, but you have to think the knowledge of what's
possible will motivate the Crusaders for years to come. |
| 25-10-2
(19-7-2 Atlantic Hockey). |
| 15. |
 Michigan |
– |
Jack Johnson says he's not going anywhere. Opposing
forwards can only hope it's some sort of bargaining ploy
for this summer. |
| 21-15-5
(13-10-5 CCHA). |
| 16. |
 St.
Cloud State |
– |
The bad news – the Huskies graduate four of their
top five scorers from this season. The good news –
with goalie Bobby Goepfert back, how many goals do you
really need? |
| 22-16-4
(13-13-2 WCHA). |
| 17. |
 Dartmouth
|
– |
We expect that most of Dartmouth's young guns at forward
will return to Hanover. With head coaching positions open
at Yale and RPI, Big Green assistant coach Dave Peters
may not. |
| 18-12-2
(14-6-2 CCHA). |
| 18. |
 Northern
Michigan |
– |
Even though the Wildcats lose eight seniors, coach Walt
Kyle says his team can be a "quiet contender"
with players like forwards Darin Olver and Mike Santorelli
in the fold. |
| 22-16-2
(14-12-2 CCHA). |
| 19. |
 Colgate
|
– |
The Raiders return two first-team All-ECACHL performers
in Tyler Burton and Mark Dekanich; the rest of the league
has one (Quinnipiac's Reid Cashman). |
| 20-12-6
(14-6-2 ECACHL). |
| 20. |
 Bemidji
State |
– |
We love offseason college hockey chatter, but when the
topic is the future well-being of your league, it's not
so fun. |
| 20-14-3
(12-7-1 CHA). |