| No. |
Team |
Of
Note |
| 1. |
 Michigan |
2003-04
record: 27-14-2
Players returning/lost: 22/3
Key returnees: F T.J. Hensick; G Al Montoya;
F Jeff Tambellini
Key losses: D Andy Burnes |
Higher
if: The American Hockey League takes a cue from English
soccer and relegates the Albany River Rats to the CCHA in favor
of the Wolverines.
Lower if: Michigan adopts the old Boston Red
Sox “25 players, 25 cabs” approach for a second
straight season. They also can’t afford to lose Montoya
to the pros or injury. |
| 2. |
 North
Dakota |
2003-04
record: 30-8-3
Players returning/lost: 22/4
Key returnees: F Brandon Bochenski; F Brady
Murray; F Drew Stafford
Key losses: F Ryan Hale; F David Lundbohm;
F Zach Parise |
Higher
if: Brandon Bochenski is intent on proving that his
success wasn’t directly tied to his former linemate and
the goaltending tandem of Jake Brandt and Jordan Parise continues
to gain more confidence.
Lower if: A bad outing or two convinces Dean
Blais to overhaul his goaltending situation. It’s not
that the Sioux haven’t had talented goalies in the past,
but Blais’ tinkering has ruined the psyche of more than
one backstop. |
| 3. |
 Minnesota
Duluth |
2003-04
record: 28-13-4
Players returning/lost: 22/4
Key returnees: G Isaac Reichmuth; F Evan Schwabe;
F Tim Stapleton
Key losses: D Beau Geisler; D Jay Hardwick;
F Junior Lessard |
Higher
if: The returning forwards can make up for Lessard’s
point production, Tim Hambly and/or Neil Petruic can adequately
replace Geisler and Reichmuth plays with more consistency.
Lower if: Reichmuth’s up-and-down tendencies
skew more toward the latter or guys like Schwabe, Stapleton
and Tyler Brosz struggle to fill the void left by the 2004 Hobey
Baker Award winner. |
| 4. |
 Maine |
2003-04
record: 33-8-3
Players returning/lost: 22/6
Key returnees: F Derek Damon; G Jim Howard;
F Michel Léveillé
Key losses: F Todd Jackson; D Prestin Ryan;
F Colin Shields |
Higher
if: They can get some consistent goal scoring from
the likes of Damon, Greg Moore, Mike Hamilton and Dustin Penner.
The Black Bears’ biggest weakness this year was an inability
to finish around the net, and they lose their best two goal
scorers in Jackson and Shields.
Lower if: Jim Howard doesn’t play as
well without Frank Doyle alongside him. But the thinking here
is that Howard will be even better. |
| 5. |
 Wisconsin |
2003-04
record: 22-13-8
Players returning/lost: 24/5
Key returnees: G Bernd Bruckler; F Robbie Earl;
D Ryan Suter
Key losses: D Dan Boeser; F Rene Bourque |
Higher
if: Everybody matures by one year and the returnees
aren’t satisfied by the surprising success they enjoyed
in 2003-04. It’s important for Mike Eaves to figure out
a way to keep all the talented players on his roster happy –
there may not be enough pucks to go around.
Lower if: The youngsters decide to rest on
their laurels, too many good young players causes behind-the-scenes
bickering and Bruckler can’t build upon his breakthrough
junior season. |
| 6. |
 Boston
College |
2003-04
record: 29-9-4
Players returning/lost: 20/6
Key returnees: F Patrick Eaves; G Matti Kaltiainen;
F Ryan Shannon
Key losses: F Ben Eaves; D J.D. Forrest; F
Tony Voce |
Higher
if: The sophomore class, especially Adam Pineault and
Brian Boyle, makes strides towards becoming the highly touted
group they were billed as. They’ll have their chance now
after seeing limited ice time in 2003-04.
Lower if: The Eagles are racked by pro defections
the way the 2001 title team was. In addition to the seniors,
it’s conceivable that Patrick Eaves and Andrew Alberts
could sign, which would leave a thin supporting cast around
Ryan Shannon. |
| 7. |
 Minnesota |
2003-04
record: 27-14-3
Players returning/lost: 21/5
Key returnees: D Keith Ballard; F Gino Guyer;
F Thomas Vanek
Key losses: F Matt Koalska; F Grant Potulny;
F Troy Riddle |
Higher
if: The flashes Vanek displays change from isolated
thunderstorms to a full-fledged flood. He’s probably the
most talented player in the college game, but hasn’t shown
that he can be the most dominant for more than a two-game stretch
(if that).
Lower if: The Gophers struggle to replace the
heart-and-soul qualities of Potulny or the consistent offensive
threat that Riddle gave them. Even if things settle down up
front, will Kellen Briggs be a consistent answer in goal? |
| 8. |
 Michigan
State |
2003-04
record: 24-16-2
Players returning/lost: 23/2
Key returnees: F Jim Slater; D A.J. Thelen;
G Dominic Vicari
Key losses: D Joe Markusen |
Higher
if: Is this the year the Spartans finally fit Rick
Comley’s system? The coach wants more offense, and led
by Slater, they may be ready to provide it.
Lower if: Slater signs with Atlanta, because
no single player in this top 10 – besides Jim Howard at
Maine – means as much to his team. The good news for MSU:
the Thrashers seem content to let him finish his college career. |
| 9. |
 Dartmouth |
2003-04
record: 14-11-9
Players returning/lost: 22/4
Key returnees: F Hugh Jessiman; D Grant Lewis;
F Lee Stempniak
Key losses: F Mike Turner; D Brian Van Abel |
Higher
if: Jessiman returns to school and fulfills his vast
potential. The Rangers pick saw his production slip last year,
but there’s no reason he shouldn’t be a force every
night.
Lower if: The loss of Van Abel is as big as
it might be. The Big Green overcame the graduation of Trevor
Byrne two years ago – can they lose defensive leaders
in back-to-back seasons and still contend for an ECAC title?
BC transfer Ben Lovejoy could help. |
| 10. |
 Colgate |
2003-04
record: 22-15-5
Players returning/lost: 20/5
Key returnees: F Adam Mitchell; G Steve Silverthorn;
F Jon Smyth
Key losses: D Rob Brown; F Kyle Doyle |
Higher
if: Jon Smyth and others can continue the kind of improvement
they saw in 2003-04. Offensive boosts would be especially helpful
– the Raiders scored one goal or less in nine of their
12 losses.
Lower if: This past season was a product of
Stan Moore magic. Of course, the interim head coach will still
be behind the bench, as an assistant. |
| Sleepers:
UMass Lowell; Northern Michigan |
