Here is preview #1 for the Independents, in an effort for equal time,
of course. (^; Let's see if we can rustle up some more.
 
I got this from the CCHA. Sorry, no Notre Dame previews there, YET.
 
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Golden Flashes Preview
 
Building a program one step at a time is what Kent head coach Bill
Switaj has been doing for the past three years.  And so far he is on schedule.
 But this season things will be turned up a notch and the challenge will be
for the Golden Flashes to turn it up on their end as well.
 
"Every year our talent level has increased but every year we continue to
play more difficult competition," said Switaj.  "This year will be another big
step for the program; we are playing 10 games against teams that have been in
the NCAA Tournament in the last two years (two vs. Colgate, four vs.
Alaska-Anchorage, one vs. Boston College, one vs. Providence, two vs.
Maine)."
 
Kent will compete in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association beginning
with the 1992-93 season.  The Golden Flashes lost just two players to
graduation -- goalie Brian Dorfman (2-3-1, 4.97, .847) and forward Phil Doyle
(2-4-6).  That means 98 percent of Kent's scoring returns for the 1991-92
campaign.  In fact, freshmen players accounted for more than 40 percent of the
Golden Flashes' scoring last season.
 
"It's challenging for players to keep making that step.  Every year is a new
learning experience," he continued.  "Last year's sophomores felt like
freshmen and this year will be the same thing."
 
But progress has its price.  And, according to Switaj, all this progress is
leading to one goal -- admission to the CCHA.  "We're getting ourselves ready
for the CCHA in 1992," he said.
 
Following is a position-by-position analysis of the 1991-92 Kent ice hockey
team:
 
Forwards:  Sam Thornbury, a sophomore who led the Flashes in the scoring
last year with 17 goals and 25 assists for 42 points, will be the leader at
forward.  Thornbury had a 16-game point streak from mid-November to early
February last year.  He and Bob Krosky (15-15-30) proved they work well
together but the third member of that line will be up in the air entering
practice.  Tim Evans (9-16-25) and Brian Mulcahy (14-14-28) have the potential
to have big years, according to Switaj.  Evans was Kent's leading scorer as a
freshman (1989-90) and Mulcahy was third on the team in scoring last season.
Switaj says that he also needs good seasons in terms of scoring from Ross
Antonini (12-13-25), Steve McLean (14-9-23) and Kip Guenther (10-16-26).  A
good work ethic at Kent's most experienced position will be a plus for Switaj,
but he recognizes the need for greater consistency than has been demonstrated.
 In addition, freshman Dean Sylvester is expected to contribute early.
"Another year of experience and greater physical strength hopefully will make
us better up front," summed up Switaj.
 
Defense:  Everybody returns on the blueline for the Golden Flashes plus two
newcomers will bolster the depth on defense.  Even the newcomers, Barry
Cummins and Lane Gunderson, have junior league experience and, according to
Switaj, the ability to make an impact early.  Top returnees include three
juniors and one sophomore.  Juniors Gregg Fesette (1-2-3), Ken Eddy (3-7-10)
and Matt Brait (2-3-5), a ninth round draft selection of Philadelphia in 1989,
if he is healthy, along with sophomore Roger Mischke (6-4-10) form a strong
defensive quartet.  Junior Jason Neal (4-12-16) has been Kent's top scoring
defenseman the past two seasons registering 12 goals and 25 assists in his
first two seasons.
 
"All three of those (Mischke, Fesette and Eddy) could have good years and if
Matt (Brait) is healthy, he'll make us that much stronger on the blueline,"
said Switaj.
 
 
Goaltending:  A pair of goalies entering their second seasons of competition
will provide the foundation between the pipes for the Blue and Gold.
Sophomore Paul Dixon (6-14-0, 4.78, .850) and junior Scott Shaw (2-5-2, 3.37,
.877) split a majority of the time in goal, with the graduated Brian Dorfman
filling the rest last year.  "Dixon and Shaw are fighting for the number one
job; it's up to them to determine it," said Switaj.  "They both took charge at
different points in time last year and both have shown they can play."
Freshman Mario Lacasse comes to Kent from Ste. Marie, Quebec, and will get an
opportunity to prove himself according to Switaj.
 
The Golden Flashes have just two seniors on the 1991-92 roster (forwards
Rick Carter and  Kip Guenther), while the junior class has one goalie, seven
forwards and five defensemen.  A class of 13 that will be seniors in 1992-93
when the Golden Flashes begin play in the CCHA.
--
Keith instone @ (euclid bullwinkle andy) .bgsu.edu