Laker Preview
 
A tough act to follow.
 
That term comes to mind when assessing the 1990-91 Lake Superior State
University hockey team.  Anchored by an outstanding senior class, last
season's squad won three team titles and sat atop the national rankings for
nearly the entire season.  This season, a different Laker team will take the
ice.
 
Second-year Head Coach Jeff Jackson lost eight players to graduation; his
top returning player to the National Hockey League; and veteran assistant
coach Jim Roque to Minot of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League.  LSSU's
pre-season roster features 10 freshmen and a total of 16 underclassmen.
That's quite a unique change in personnel from the veteran team that dominated
the CCHA last season.
 
But all is not lost.  Jackson has four talented seniors and an All-American
goaltender returning.  LSSU is also bringing in some outstanding talent --
including its first-ever, first-round NHL draft pick.  And former Ohio State
All-American Paul Pooley brings his wisdom and experience to the coaching
staff this season.
 
The Lakers will certainly have a new look this season.  But Jackson's goals
remain the same.  He hopes to see the Lakers finish in the top four of the
CCHA and advance to Joe Louis Arena to defend their CCHA Playoff Championship
of last season.  Here is a quick overview of the 1991-92 Lakers by position
with players returning and lost listed in parenthesis:
 
GOALTENDING (2/1) -- Goaltending has been a strong point for four seasons,
and this season looks like no exception.
 
All-American Darrin Madeley is one of the top returning goaltenders in the
country.  The Holland Landing, Ontario native has rewritten the LSSU record
book in two seasons.  A junior with one season of eligibility remaining,
Madeley consistently provides the Lakers with the kind of netminding that will
keep them in contention.
 
Junior Brian Lukowski has seen increased playing time in each of his first
two seasons.  He is a dedicated team player who recorded the win in each of
his three starts last season, and is likely to press for more time as a
junior.
 
Freshman Blaine Lacher is a big, strong workhorse who was one of the leading
goalies in the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) last season.  Lacher
enters camp as the third goaltender on the depth chart, but Jackson feels he
could battle his way into a job as a freshman.
 
DEFENSE (6/2) -- Defense is also a traditional strong point for the
defending CCHA Champions.  Although the Lakers lost All-American Karl Johnston
and four-year letterwinner David DiVita to graduation, the returning corps of
blueliners is as strong as ever.
 
Senior Mark Astley anchors the Laker defense.  Astley was a second-team
All-CCHA selection last season.  Astley's great speed and puck-handling skills
are complemented by his awareness on the ice.
 
Juniors Mike Bachusz and Michael Smith are steady, talented defensemen who
must accept increased leadership roles.  A back injury forced Bachusz to
red-shirt last season.  Jackson hopes to have the veteran blueliner healthy in
1991-92.  Smith is a solid defensive defenseman, who is among the best
poke-checkers in college hockey.
 
Three sophomores will also be looked to for increased roles this season.
CANSTAR/CCHA All-Rookie team member Steve Barnes is the veteran on the right
side.  Darrin Wetherill had a strong second half, while Jim Peters provided
hard-hitting play at both ends of the ice.
 
Freshman Brad Willner will likely see action immediately on the right side,
with fellow newcomer Tim Hanley providing size and depth on the blueline.
 
LEFT WING (3/1) --  With three solid wingers returning, and a pair of
talented freshmen battling for time, the Lakers look good on the left side.
 
Senior Vincent Faucher tripled his offensive output last season.  Good speed
and a blazing shot are John Hendry's trademark.  Kurt Miller had a solid
freshman season with 10 goals and 22 points.
 
Freshmen Mike Morin and Jason Trzcinski are both big, strong wingers in the
Laker tradition.
 
CENTER (3/2) -- A position that was loaded with talent in 1990-91 is
questionable in 1991-92.  The Lakers lost two of the top centers in the
country following last season.  Jim Dowd and Doug Weight combined for 23% of
LSSU's total offensive output last year.
 
Senior Paul Constantin has shown steady improvement in his three seasons.
Sophomore Clayton Beddoes is LSSU's top returning offensive threat in the
middle.  Sophomore Jay Ness also showed good playmaking skills in limited time
last campaign.
 
Freshmen Brian Rolston, a talented center who became LSSU's first-ever,
first-round NHL Draft pick, should provide offensive punch immediately, while
Jason Welch will be the youngest player on the Laker roster.
 
RIGHT WING (2/3) -- The right wing slot was another experienced area last
season.  But Jeff Napierala, Tim Harris and Doug Laprade were all lost to
graduation.  Right wing, like center, is an area where former role players
must step up and recruits must contribute immediately.
 
Senior Sandy Moger is the top returning scorer.  Junior Dean Hulett showed
marked improvement last year.  Dan Angelelli, a red-shirt last season, will
press the veterans and freshmen for playing time.
 
The Lakers have two newcomers on the right side, in freshmen Wayne Strachan,
a dynamic little man who scored 50 goals last season, and Rob Valicevic who
was among the NAJHL league leaders in goals and points last year.
 
--
Keith instone @ (euclid bullwinkle andy) .bgsu.edu