STEVIE MOSES
New Hampshire
Jr. | F | Leominster, Mass.

Stevie Moses scored five goals as a freshman and six last season as a sophomore.

Key Statistics: With six goals and 24 points, Moses ranked seventh on New Hampshire in scoring last season. That nearly doubled his 13-point freshman season. He had seven multiple-point games as a sophomore.

What He Does: Moses is noticed most in quick bursts: his speed and skating are what stand out. He’s fairly strong for his 5-foot-9, 170-pound size and generates a good number of scoring chances; if there’s a reason he hasn’t put up bigger numbers it could be that he needs to put more pucks on net.

The Bigger Picture: Moses is no Bobby Butler – although his 24 points last season were just two fewer than Butler had as a sophomore. Butler’s departure does open an opportunity on the wing among the Wildcats’ top six forwards, and Moses is a natural option for head coach Dick Umile. That increase in ice time – and some more accuracy with his shot – could result in a spike in offensive production.

New Hampshire center Phil DeSimone on Moses: “He should have a much bigger role this year. He can really fly up and down the wing and is one of those guys who creates scoring chances when he’s on the ice.”

DAN MORRISON
Canisius
Jr. | G | London, Ont.

Dan Morrison

Key Statistics: Morrison has enjoyed two successful seasons in Buffalo. He won the starting job over senior Andrew Loewen last season, starting 27 games for the Golden Griffins. His 3.16 goals against and .906 save percentage ranked seventh in Atlantic Hockey. He was 12-11-3 overall and 8-8-3 in league action. Morrison posted three shutouts. His sophomore numbers were not that far off from his rookie campaign when he went 6-9-2 with a 2.97 goals against and .908 save percentage. Morrison played with the Elmira Sugar Kings in juniors.

What He Does: Morrison is not huge in the nets at 5-foot-10, 200 pounds, but he plays his angles well and reads the play well. Morrison is adept at starting the breakout play, taking a bit of the burden off his defensemen.

The Bigger Picture: Morrison likes to be front-and-center in the Canisius locker room so he’s evolving into a team leader. A solid work ethic has endeared him to teammates and coaches alike, and his offseason weight training has left him in better physical shape, always a good thing in a season which stretches into six months.

Canisius coach Dave Smith on Morrison: “His hockey sense as a goaltender has always been there. His ability to handle the puck has always been there. But I think his physical effort started to match his mental effort. The bigger the game, the bigger he plays. Andrew wants to be in the top two or three in goalie statistics in the league and I think he can do it.”

CONOR MORRISON
Harvard
So. | F | Port Franks, Ontario

Conor Morrison

Key Statistics: Morrison finished second on the Crimson in goals (10) and fourth in points (18). He had one power-play goal and stayed out of the penalty box, racking up just two minor penalties.

What He Does: After classmate Louis Leblanc’s departure, Morrison is Harvard’s leading returning sophomore scorer in a talented class that also included forward Alex Fallstrom and defenseman Danny Biega. He doesn’t have a lot of size, but brings a bit of hockey experience. After spending three years at Northwood Prep, Morrison played two seasons for the Silver Arm SilverBacks of the BCHL.

The Bigger Picture: Harvard showed signs of excellence at times last year, but lacked consistency. Regular-season victories over the likes of Yale and Union were highlights, and a postseason series win over a veteran Princeton team might have built some momentum and confidence for this go-around. If Morrison and others can take their offensive production forward and the Crimson get better goaltending, a top-four finish is well within reach.

Morrison on getting Harvard back toward the top of ECAC Hockey: “It’s going to take a lot of hard work and I think this summer a lot of guys took it personally to come back in great shape. The ECAC had a lot of kids sign pro contracts and it should be wide open. We have a great chance to do something special.”

ANDREW MILLER
Yale
So. | F | Bloomington Hills, Mich.

Andrew Miller

Key Statistics: Miller was Yale’s leading scorer among freshmen last year and proved to be one of the best set-up men in the league. He recorded 29 of his 34 total points on assists. One of his five goals came on the power play, and he had a pair of three-point games.

What He Does: Miller’s adjustment to college hockey didn’t seem to be much of a problem, but he’s looking forward to playing a second year in the same system and taking advantage of Yale’s style of play. While he is primarily a playmaker, Miller would like to increase his goal-scoring this season, especially following the departure of big-time producers like Mark Arcobello and Sean Backman.

The Bigger Picture: Miller was an important recruit early in the Yale tenure of head coach Keith Allain. The Bulldogs showed early interest and got a verbal from the metro-Detroit native two full seasons before he arrived in New Haven. During that time, Miller went on to win individual recognition as the USA Hockey Junior Player of the Year during the 2008-09 season as a member of the Chicago Steel. Meanwhile, Yale was capturing ECAC Hockey championships and returning to the NCAA Tournament. He is now going to be among the group of players that keeps Yale moving in the right direction.

Miller on his expectations for the season: “Our goal, like a lot of teams, is to win a national championship. We’ve been to the NCAA Tournament, won our first game, but didn’t make the Frozen Four last year. We’ve got to keep taking steps.”

CHRIS LUONGO
Alabama-Huntsville
Head Coach | Michigan State ’89 | Fraser, Mich.

Background: It will be more than a little strange for Luongo, the new head coach of the Chargers, to not be working within the confines of College Hockey America this season. After two seasons as an assistant coach with now-defunct Wayne State and  two with Alabama-Huntsville, the former NHL defenseman moves into the top job as the team embarks on its first season as an independent.

An All-CCHA defenseman at Michigan State under legendary hockey coach Ron Mason, Luongo was part of the Spartans program from 1985-1989, including MSU’s 1986 national championship team. Following his collegiate career, Luongo, a fifth-round selection of the Detroit Red Wings in the 1985 NHL Entry Draft, played with the Phoenix Roadrunners of the International Hockey League and the Adirondack Red Wings of the American Hockey League before making his NHL debut in Detroit in the 1990-91 season. A member of three U.S. teams that competed in the  IIHF World Championships, Luongo wrapped up his playing career by spending seven seasons in Germany’s top league.

State of the Program: Seven seniors have departed, as have two juniors who graduated early. Key among them is three-year starting goaltender Cameron Talbot, who was named 2010 CHA Tournament MVP after backstopping the Chargers to a pair of one-goal wins en route to the CHA playoff crown and the program’s second NCAA berth.

“We have a lot of new players and Talbot’s signing leaves us with a question mark in net, but that is not unusual with the four-year cycle of college hockey,” Luongo said. “We lost some key players, but the guys we have coming back played a lot of minutes.”

Former head coach Danton Cole, who left Huntsville for a coaching post with the USA National Team Development Program, was able to put together a 34-game schedule that includes 14 home games. Road dates with Wisconsin, Michigan State, Cornell, Colorado College, Ohio State, and Nebraska-Omaha highlight the schedule.

“Our schedule is daunting, and yet amazing,” said Luongo. “We have multiple games against every league and it took every school on there to help us out. I know Danton was elated with the schedule before he left.”

Coaching Philosophy: “I’ve told our guys that this is the most unique place in college hockey for a lot of reasons — this year especially,” Luongo explained. ”Even though our entire coaching staff from last year are now head coaches (in addition to Cole, former assistant John McCabe is now head coach at Division III Finlandia University in Hancock, Mich.), our biggest advantage is familiarity with the situation. The veterans know what to expect and I helped recruit the new guys, so that will be a plus.”

The Chargers won last year by allowing just 2.70 goals per game (18th-best in the nation) and will likely again rely on defense and goaltending to stay competitive. Eight of UAH’s 12 wins were one-goal victories and they haven’t scored more than four goals in a game since January 31, 2008.

BRADY LAMB
Minnesota Duluth
Jr. | D | Calgary, Alberta 

Lamb scored 11 goals for the Bulldogs last season, second among WCHA defensemen in that category.

Key Statistics: After notching a pair of points in a 21-game rookie season, Lamb was an offensive lion on the Bulldogs blue line last winter. Playing in all 40 games, he reached career highs in goals (11) and assists (13), finishing second (behind Wisconsin’s Brendan Smith) in goals by a WCHA defenseman.

What He Does: Blessed with decent size (6-1, 215 pounds), Lamb looks like the prototypical lane-clogging defensive defenseman. But from the moment he arrived in the Twin Ports from the Alberta Junior Hockey League, he was pegged as a guy who could move the puck and score from a post on the blue line. Bulldogs coach Scott Sandelin, in scouting Lamb, had seen him make the first pass to start plays, liked the way he handled the defensive end of the ice, and saw a player who thrived on the physical part of the game.

The Bigger Picture: Perhaps the biggest reason for Minnesota Duluth’s top-half finish in the WCHA last season was the league’s most effective power play. That’s also where Lamb made his biggest impact for the Bulldogs, playing the shooter’s role on Sandelin’s second power-play unit on most nights and using his heavy shot to reach double digits in goals. While most of the key power play cogs return to open Duluth’s sparkling new Amsoil Arena this season, Sandelin feels that Lamb might be in position to move up to the top unit. After spending parts of the last two summers at NHL development camps (with the Bruins in 2009 and the Penguins last month) Lamb returned to Duluth in great shape, with added muscle that will surely be put to good use by the Bulldogs this season.

Bulldogs coach Scott Sandelin on Lamb: “Brady always had good offensive abilities coming from juniors, so we knew going in that he would be a power play guy and would need to contribute offensively. He’s going to be a big minute guy this season.”

TOREY KRUG
Michigan State
So. | D | Livonia, Mich.

As a freshman, Krug scored three goals and 21 points, helping Michigan State to an eight-place jump in the CCHA standings from 2008-09.

Key Statistics: Unlike many of the CCHA blueliners featured in INCH’s A-Z over the past few years, Krug wasn’t blessed with size, but he makes up for it in every other area of his game. The sophomore-to-be burst onto the scene with a 3-18—21 line that included two game-winning goals. Krug finished the season with a four-game point streak, setting him on the right track to have an even bigger offensive impact this coming season.

What He Does: Krug does it all, and does it all surprisingly well. The Spartans’ coaching staff knew they could count on him to develop into a power-play quarterback and offensive catalyst, but were pleasantly surprised at how well he adjusted to his defensive responsibilities in the college game. In addition to becoming one of the team’s top-line defensemen, Krug has quickly become the “heartbeat” of the locker room because his teammates respect his hockey sense and his ability to make the big play — be it a hit, a goal or anything else — right when his team needs it the most.

The Bigger Picture: With former partner Jeff Petry headed off to Edmonton’s system, Krug will become the de facto leader of Michigan State’s defensive corps going forward. What was an extremely young group two years ago has now had time to mature in Michigan State’s rise from a tie for 10th place two seasons ago to second place last year, and a lot will be expected of them as defense takes on added importance with the departure of two key forwards — Corey Tropp and Andrew Rowe. Krug shouldn’t have any problem being the leader of this group both on and off the ice, as he has done the same on winning teams at every level of hockey that he’s played.

Michigan State Associate Head Coach Brian Renfrew: “I think the whole staff thought that he’d have an impact offensively and on the power play. But he surprised us with how good he was in 5-on-5 play. He never needed to be protected, and he was playing with Jeff Petry 24 or 25 minutes a game.”

DAN KOUDYS
Bentley
So. | RW | Grimsby, Ontario

Koudys was seventh among Atlantic Hockey rookies last season in goals and assists.

Key Statistics: Dan Koudys made quite an impression during his rookie season. He posted six goals and 14 assists for the Falcons, ranking fourth on the team in helpers and points. He ranked seventh among Atlantic Hockey rookies in the same categories. All but three of his points came in league play. He had a power-play goal, a short-handed tally and two game-winners. Bentley coach Ryan Soderquist was pleased with Koudys’ production, although his numbers pale compared to his junior stats. Playing for the Burlington Cougars of the Ontario Junior Provincial League, Koudys had 17 goals and 48 points in 2007-08 and 28 goals and 67 points in 2008-09. His seven game-winners with Burlington were a sign of things to come. A rugged player with 159 penalty minutes almost evenly split over two seasons with Burlington, Koudys was whistled only three times for Bentley.

What He Does: Koudys (pronounced cow-DICE) is a bit undersized at 5-foot-7 but that does not deter him from winning battles in the corners and going strong to the net. His skating speed is an asset, allowing him to create space in the offensive zone and drawing penalties from slower defenders. Koudys had no problem getting acquainted with new linemates as Soderquist paired him with three different lines in the final three games of the season.

The Bigger Picture: Soderquist believes Koudys got a bit fatigued during his freshman season, balancing Division I hockey with his academics. The result was a bit of inconsistent play, from shift-to-shift, and especially from Friday to Saturday games. Koudys took his coach’s advice and worked hard in the weight room over the summer, adding a dozen pounds to his frame. Soderquist expects Koudys to see more time on the power play, in addition to his penalty-killing duties. Older brother, Joe, is a senior hockey player at Alabama-Huntsville, younger brother, Patrick, will play for RPI, and their father, Randy, played for RPI, graduating a year before the Engineers won the 1985 national championship team, so hockey and hard work runs in the family.

Bentley coach Ryan Soderquist on Koudys: “The difference between him last year and this year will be the ability to play at the highest level every night. If he does that, he could be a 35-40 point guy in our league. He had 20 last year and I don’t think he even sniffed his potential.”

PATRICK KNOWLTON
Sacred Heart
Sr. | RW | Colorado Springs, Colo.

Knowlton scored 28 of his 36 points last season against Atlantic Hockey opponents.

Key Statistics: Patrick Knowlton enjoyed a breakout season as a junior – of course, it helps to play alongside the high-scoring tandem of Nick Johnson (27 goals, 52 points) and Dave Jarman (13 goals, 49 points). Knowlton ranked third on the team in goals (13), second in assists (26) and third in points (39). He posted a plus-14 rating, and tallied three power-play goals and one game-winner. Twelve of his goals and 28 of his points came in league play. Knowlton is not afraid to shoot, ranking a close second to Johnson with 140 shots on goal. As a freshman Knowlton had three goals and six points and he had two goals and 11 points as a sophomore.

What He Does: Knowlton discovered his game last season, and it’s impressive. A 5-foot-10, 170-pound winger, Knowlton is a strong skater with many skills and a very quick and deceptive release on his shot.

The Bigger Picture: Sacred Heart lost nine seniors from last season’s Atlantic Hockey finalist, so head coach C.J. Marottolo has no idea who Knowlton will be playing alongside. However, Marottolo said Knowlton is very good at reading and reacting off his teammates. “He can play with anybody and figure out how to play within that line,” Marottolo said. A strong student in school, Knowlton was voted captain by his teammates.

Sacred Heart coach C.J. Marottolo on Knowlton: “I think he’s one of the top players in the league. Everyone talked about Nick Johnson and Dave Jarman; Pat Knowlton quietly went about his business last year. We’re expecting him to have another great year. He’ll be a marked guy next year. I think, knowing that, he put in a great summer of training.”

CORBAN KNIGHT
North Dakota
So. | F | High River, Alberta

A natural centerman, Knight struggled in a stint at wing during the first half of his freshman season but rebounded after going back to the pivot.

Key Statistics: Perhaps the gift of offense was sitting under the Knight family Christmas tree last year. After scoring just one goal in his first 17 collegiate games, Knight exploded after the holidays with a dozen points in his last 20 games and two WCHA Rookie of the Week awards.

What He Does: Your freshman year of college is all about trying new things. So Knight, who’d played center all his life, quietly went along last season when his new coaches tried him on the wing. Unfortunately, that led to many quiet nights on the rink as well, as Knight was ineffective in that position. After the holidays, when they moved him back to the middle of a line between Danny Kristo and Darcy Zajac, Knight’s numbers took off. And the offensive outburst came despite missing five games with a high ankle sprain that some thought would end his season. The late-season surge was a familiar scenario for Knight, who says he’s always been a late bloomer. When he was not picked in the Western Hockey League draft, he set his sights on college hockey instead. That’s a career path Sioux fans approved of, especially after Knight notched a goal and an assist in the WCHA Final Five title game in March.

The Bigger Picture: Coaches use words like “intelligence,” “competitor,” and “skills” when they talk about Knight, and admit those are all qualities you like to have in a playmaker. One word Dave Hakstol says he’d like to use more in his description of Knight is “selfish,” noting that the Florida Panthers’ draft pick is a natural playmaker, but would be well-served to use his scoring touch around the net a bit more this season. Those talents were first honed in small-town Saskatchewan, where Jack and Laurie Knight raised a family next door to an outdoor rink and Corban could be found there seemingly every winter day from the age of two and on. He got one trophy as a freshman as the Sioux won the WCHA’s playoff title. The sights are set higher, much higher, in year two. With star defenseman Chay Genoway expected back in the lineup, Knight says it should be a special season, in which he and his teammates have made a NCAA title their number one goal.

Fighting Sioux coach Dave Hakstol on Knight: “He’s got a chance to play a very prominent role for us this season, but obviously that’s up to him. Throughout the year last season he seemed to get more and more comfortable with the level of play and the things around him. I expect Corban to play a lot of minutes for us.”