It hasn't even been a month since Michigan State
captured the 2007 NCAA championship in St. Louis, but here
at Inside College Hockey we can't resist casting our gaze
towards the future. A lot can change between now and the drop
of the puck in October, but that doesn't stop us from kicking
off our 10 For '08 feature with an early
look at the top 10 teams going into next season. In the coming
days we'll offer our thoughts on the top
10 Hobey candidates and 10 big questions.
No. |
Team |
Of
Note |
1. |
 Boston
College |
2006-07 record: 29-12-1
Key Returnees: G Cory Schneider; F Nathan
Gerbe; D Brett Motherwell; F Benn Ferriero
Key
Losses: F Brian Boyle; F Joe Rooney |
| With superb netminder
Schneider back for a senior season and the sting of consecutive
runner-up finishes in the national tournament to motivate
them, Boston College is our preseason No. 1. The Eagles'
talented forwards up front lead the way, and Jerry York's
staff brings in one of the nation's best recruiting classes
to The Heights. A solid blueline corps of Motherwell,
Mike Brennan, Carl Sneep, Tim Filangieri, and Brian O'Hanley
brings back lots of experience in front of Schneider. |
2. |
 Michigan
State |
2006-07 record: 26-13-3
Key Returnees: F Tim Kennedy; G Jeff
Lerg; F Justin Abdelkader; F Chris Mueller
Key
Losses: D Tyler Howells; D Ethan Graham; F Chris
Lawrence |
| Not a single Michigan
State player was named to any of the All-CCHA teams, but
their balance and leadership helped them get the ultimate
team award in St. Louis. Even though they didn't receive
the attention, guys like Jeff Lerg and Kennedy showed
that they're All-American level players and will head
into the 2007-08 season with something to prove. Lawrence
and a senior-laden defense corps will be missed and the
biggest void that Michigan State will need to fill is
the captain's leadership. |
3. |
 North
Dakota |
2006-07 record: 24-14-5
Key returnees: D Taylor Chorney; F Ryan
Duncan; G Philippe Lamoureux; F T.J. Oshie
Key
losses: F Erik Fabian; F Chris Porter |
| Admittedly, we’re
hedging our bets by assuming forward Jonathan Toews will
sign with the Chicago Blackhawks. If Toews returns, one
could easily make a case for the Fighting Sioux as the
nation’s preseason no. 1. If Toews trades a windy
city for the Windy City, North Dakota is still loaded
with Duncan, the 2007 Hobey Baker Award winner, Oshie,
Lamoureux, and a terrific defensive corps led by Robbie
Bina, Chorney, and Brian Lee. The continued development
of center Chris VandeVelde, who excelled late in the season,
and the emergence of a Porter-like presence on the second
line — a 12-goal, 30-point scorer who can kill penalties
and earn some power-play time — is imperative. |
4. |
 Minnesota |
2006-07 record: 31-10-3
Key returnees: F Jay Barriball; G Jeff
Frazee; D Alex Goligoski; F Blake Wheeler
Key
losses: G Kellen Briggs; D Erik Johnson; D Mike
Vannelli |
| Defenseman Erik
Johnson played the one-and-done card, signing with the
St. Louis Blues last week, but there’s little in
terms of additional flight risks on the Gophers’
roster. Forward Kyle Okposo? His effectiveness waned late
in the year. How would he handle the rigors of a pro schedule?
Goligoski played with a bum shoulder late in the season;
word is he’ll be back for his senior year. Upheaval
in the Phoenix Coyotes’ front office, meanwhile,
may keep Wheeler in maroon and gold for another season.
A lot depends on Frazee — namely, whether he can
handle the scrutiny of being the go-to guy in goal. |
5. |
 Clarkson |
2006-07 record: 25-9-5
Key Returnees: F Nick Dodge; G David
Leggio; F Steve Zalewski; F David Cayer
Key
Losses: F Shawn Weller; D Michael Grenzy; F Mike
Sullivan |
| The Golden Knights
seemingly got better over the first three years of coach
George Roll's tenure in Potsdam, but it didn't translate
to results. That all changed in year four, with big non-conference
wins, the ECAC Hockey tournament championship and a number-one
seed in the East Regional. Despite losing to Massachusetts
in overtime, the young Clarkson team got its first taste
of NCAA Tournament competition and will set its sights
on league honors in addition to the Frozen Four in Denver. |
6. |
 Michigan |
2006-07 record: 26-14-1
Key returnees: F Andrew Cogliano; F Chad
Kolarik; D Mark Mitera; F Kevin Porter
Key
losses: F T.J. Hensick; D Matt Hunwick; D Jack
Johnson |
| Jack Johnson’s
defection to the Los Angeles Kings, combined with the
graduations of Hunwick, Tim Cook, and Jason Dest, means
the Wolverines have to rebuild two-thirds of their defense
in front of wildly inconsistent goaltender Billy Sauer.
Mitera will anchor that green unit. Good thing they’ll
be explosive offensively once again — expect Michigan
to win its share of high-scoring affairs. Porter, whose
58 points last season was overshadowed by Hensick’s
accomplishments, is among the nation’s best two-way
players. He could easily match or exceed his point total
from last season if paired with Cogliano, who may be the
fastest skater in all of college hockey.. |
7. |
 Miami |
2006-07 record: 24-14-4
Key returnees: F Nathan Davis; F Ryan
Jones; D Alec Martinez; G Jeff Zatkoff
Key
losses: F Matt Christie; F Marty Guerin; F Geoff
Smith |
| On paper, the RedHawks
appear to have a top-five caliber team in 2007-08, losing
just four key contributors — all forwards —
from a squad that fell one game shy of its first Frozen
Four appearance. There’s a lot to like here, starting
with a first-rate goalie in Zatkoff, a dangerous top-line
scoring tandem in Davis and Jones, and an unheralded defensive
unit led by Ray Eichenlaub, Mitch Ganzak, and Martinez.
Miami needs a second scoring line to take some of the
pressure off Davis and Jones. The onus could fall on forward
Jarod Palmer (11g, 19a) and newcomer Carter Camper (71
points with the USHL’s Lincoln Stars). |
8. |
 Notre
Dame |
2006-07 record: 32-7-3
Key returnees: F Erik Condra; F Kevin
Deeth; D Kyle Lawson; F Ryan Thang
Key losses:
D Noah Babin; G David Brown; D Wes O’Neill |
| The Fighting Irish
won’t win 32 games next season, not after losing
goaltender David Brown to graduation. Junior Jordan Pearce
and U.S. NTDP backstop Brad Phillips are the candidates
to replace the All-American and CCHA Player of the Year.
Still, coach Jeff Jackson’s got a lot of tools at
his disposal. Goal support shouldn’t be an issue
— the team’s top five scorers from last season
return, led by the underrated Condra (48 points in 42
games) and his linemates, Deeth (39 points) and Thang
(41 points). Winger Garrett Regan emerged as a scoring
threat and a grade-A pest. Don’t overlook sophomore
defenseman Lawson, who may very well be the CCHA’s
best blueliner. |
9. |
 Maine |
2006-07 record: 23-15-2
Key Returnees: F Teddy Purcell; G Ben
Bishop; F Billy Ryan; D Bret Tyler
Key Losses:
F Michel Léveillé; F Josh Soares; D Mike
Lundin; F Mike Hamilton |
| The Black Bears
found themselves back in the Frozen Four for a third time
in four years, largely due to two hockey postseason keys
that Maine excelled in — excellent special teams
and goaltending. While the power play unit will lose playmakers
like Léveillé and Soares, a healthy Bishop
will be back to backstop Maine. If Purcell duplicates
or improves upon his outstanding freshman campaign, and
other forwards step up, Maine will be back in the top
10. |
10. |
 Quinnipiac |
2006-07 record: 21-14-5
Key Returnees: F Brandon Wong; F Jamie
Bates; G Bud Fisher; D Matt Sorteberg
Key
Loss: D Reid Cashman |
| The Bobcats led
all ECAC Hockey teams in overall scoring and ranked seventh
nationally with 3.50 goals per game last season. They
return the majority of that scoring strength, but will
miss defenseman Cashman, who keyed their transition game
and power play. Another year of experience will help Quinnipiac
be better in big games next year. They lost their last
two regular-season tilts and saw a two-goal lead evaporate
in the conference title game in Albany. |
Poised
for a Breakout: Michigan Tech, Northeastern
|