DOUG
KRANTZ
Cornell
So. | D | Marysville, British Columbia
Krantz
could be the key to sustaining Cornell's power play
success. Photo
by Ron LeBlanc
Key
Statistics: Doug Krantz played in 31 of Cornell's
35 games last year and contributed nine points from the blueline
– on par with Sasha Pokulok and Ryan O'Byrne (10 each)
– but was well shy of departed senior Charlie Cook's
22 points.
What
He Does: Krantz fits the mold of a typical Cornell
defenseman. At 6-foot-3 and near 200 pounds, he provides a
formidable physical presence in front of Dave McKee. He can
also chip in at the offensive end and features a tremendous
slap shot.
The
Bigger Picture: Cornell relied on its power play
to provide the bulk of its overall offense last year, and
it will be expected to do the same this season. The No. 1
power-play unit lost only one player, the aforementioned Cook,
and Krantz is among the candidates to step into Cook's role
on the point and get shots to the net where Shane Hynes and
Byron Bitz will screen the goalie and Topher Scott can crash
for rebounds from the wing.
Cornell head coach Mike Schafer on Krantz:
“He gives us someone who has great size at the blue
line. He has the ability to get up and down the ice to contribute
on offense as well. Doug will also help us on the power play
with his shot, which was the hardest on the team last year."
