THN WCHA preview:
(from the October 18 issue of _The Hockey News_, written by Andy Baggot)
Predicted order of finish (with notes on each team):
1. Minnesota (30-10-5 overall, 22-5-5 in the WCHA)
Coach: Doug Woog (195-74-11 in seven years)
No glaring weaknesses and can play either finesse or rough-and-tumble
style. Jeff Stolp and Tom Newman form one of the best goaltending
tandems around.
2. Northern Michigan (38-5-4, 25-3-4)
Coach: Rick Comley (330-235-30 in 15 years, 389-281-33 overall in 18
years)
Need to find a replacement for goalie Bill Pye, a three-year starter.
If the defense remains solid, look out.
3. Wisconsin (26-15-3, 19-11-2)
Coach: Jeff Sauer (246-130-17 in nine years, 413-352-28 overall in 20
years)
Duane Derksen's return between the pipes helps the Badgers a lot. He
is entering his third season as starter and could become Wisconsin's
all-time winningest goalie.
4. North Dakota (24-17-2, 18-12-2)
Coach: Gino Gasparini (352-179-19 in 14 years)
Greg Johnson (2.08 points per game last year) and Dixon Ward (two
straight 30-goal seasons) are two of the country's best forwards, but
the defense needs to develop.
5. Michigan Tech (13-25-3, 9-21-2)
Coach: Newell Brown (13-25-3 in one year)
Geoff Sarjeant and Jamie Ram are one of the best rotations in goal in
the nation. The Huskies will need a replacement for winger Kelly Hurd
and his 29 goals from last year.
6. Minnesota-Duluth (14-19-7, 11-15-6)
Coach: Mike Sertich (197-159-22 in nine years)
Goalie Chad Erickson's decision to turn pro has put freshman Jerome
Butler on the hot seat.
7. St. Cloud State (18-19-4, 12-16-4)
Coach: Craig Dahl (65-79-9 in four years, 124-150-17 overall in 10
years)
Three immediate concerns: replacing leading scorer Brian Cook and all-
league defenseman Bret Hedican and finding a strong goaltender.
8. Denver (6-30-2, 5-25-2)
Coach: Frank Serratore (6-30-2 in one year)
The Pioneers lost their two top scorers, but are in better shape this
year. Ken MacArthur's return from the Canadian Olympic program will
help on defense.
9. Colorado College (13-26-1, 9-22-1)
Coach: Brad Buetow (42-72-6 in three years, 275-190-14 overall in 12
years)
Seven of the Tigers' top ten scorers are returning.
Top MVP/Hobey candidates:
1. Scott Beattie, C, SR, 5-7, 164, Northern Michigan. Led the nation in
scoring last season with 48 goals and 89 points.
2. Greg Johnson, C, JR, 5-10, 180, North Dakota. Capable of scoring 100
points.
3. Dixon Ward, RW, SR, 6-0, 195, North Dakota. Could score 50 goals this
year if he plays with Greg Johnson.
4. Duane Derksen, G, SR, 6-0, 180, Wisconsin. Can become one of the
winningest goaltenders in NCAA history.
5. Larry Olimb, D, SR, 5-10, 165, Minnesota. If the Gophers are to win it
all, Olimb must have a big year.
Watch these freshmen:
1. Jerome Butler, G, 5-11, 165, Minnesota-Duluth. All eyes are on him now
that Chad Erickson is gone.
2. Mike Harding, LW, 6-4, 220, Northern Michigan. Loves to mix it up
along the boards.
3. Darby Hendrickson, C/LW, 6-1, 185, Minnesota. Gifted skater who will
solidify the Gophers up the middle.
4. Ulvis Katlaps, D, 6-3, 210, Wisconsin. Played for Dynamo Riga in the
Soviet Elite League last season.
5. Chris Kenady, RW, 6-2, 200, Denver. Can step in and make an immediate
impact with his size and skill.
Best goalies:
1. Duane Derksen, Wisconsin. Entering his third season as a starter with
a 3.22 GAA and 59 wins. Will establish the Wisconsin record with 10
more wins, and could become the winningest goalie in WCHA history.
2. Tom Newman, JR, 6-2, 195, Minnesota. Second on the Gophers' depth
chart entering this season.
3. Geoff Sarjeant, SR, 5-9, 185, Michigan Tech. Had a 3.78 GAA last
season despite a 6-16-3 record.
4. Jamie Ram, SO, 5-11, 164, Michigan Tech. Named to the all-rookie team
last year after going 5-9-0 with a 4.14 GAA.
5. Jeff Stolp, SR, 6-0, 180, Minnesota. Last year's WCHA leader in GAA
(2.78) and save percentage (.894).
Top NHL prospects:
1. Duane Derksen, Wisconsin.
2. Greg Johnson, North Dakota. Can almost singlehandedly control a game.
3. Dixon Ward, North Dakota. A natural scorer who has 69 goals over his
last two seasons.
4. Jason Zent, LW, SO, 5-11, 204, Wisconsin. Ideal size, speed, and
tenacity for the pros.
5. Doug Zmolek, D, JR, 6-1, 205, Minnesota. A reliable two-way player who
has made steady progress each season.
Catalysts -- guys who get things going:
1. Scott Beattie, Northern Michigan. Talented playmaker who can score
with amazing proficiency.
2. Greg Johnson, North Dakota. His quickness, vision, and instincts make
him very dangerous.
3. Doug Macdonald, C, SR, 6-0, 185, Wisconsin. Makes up for lack of speed
with a keen sense of timing.
4. Larry Olimb, Minnesota. The best two-way player in the league. Always
seems to be in the right place at the right time.
5. Derek Plante, C, JR, 5-11, 170, Minnesota-Duluth. Should blossom
during his second season.
Other notes:
Normally, the Olympics have a major effect on the league, as at least four
WCHA underclassmen have gone to each of the past four Winter Games.
Although a number of candidates tried out for Team USA, the 1992 Games in
Albertville will feature only two WCHA players: Minnesota defenseman Tom
Pederson (who many figured was going to turn pro anyway) and St. Cloud State
defenseman Bret Hedican.
--
Bill Fenwick
Cornell '86 and probably '94
LET'S GO RED!!
"Tips for Gals: 13 Common First-Date Warning Signs That a Guy Might Be a Jerk:
"6. He wants to take you to a hockey game."
-- _Dave Barry's Guide to Marriage and/or Sex_
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