THN CCHA preview:
(From the October 23 issue of _The Hockey News_, written by Matt Carlson)
Predicted order of finish, with notes on each team:
1. Michigan Wolverines (22-7-3)
The Wolverines are loaded with talent and offensive firepower.
Center/winger David Roberts should rebound from an off-year to lead the
attack along with juniors Brian Wiseman and David Oliver. Aaron Ward,
Winnipeg's first-round pick in 1991, anchors an experienced defense.
Michigan also boasts one of the top freshmen in the country in winger
Ryan Sittler.
2. Michigan State Spartans (18-7-7)
It's time for senior center Bryan Smolinski to have a banner year, and
for winger Rob Woodward to stay intense for 40 games. There should be
plenty of firepower on offense with sophomore Steve Suk and freshmen
Anson Carter and Brian Clifford. The defense is not spectacular,
except for offense-minded Nicolas Perreault. Goaltending is a concern,
as the Spartans will rely on inexperienced Eric Kruse and Mike Buzak.
3. Lake Superior State Lakers (20-8-4)
Going into last season, the Lakers had lost their top five scorers from
the year before, but they went on to win the NCAA title. This time
around, Lake Superior loses only its top four scorers. A bigger
concern is the departure of all-American goaltender Darrin Madeley,
with a quartet of unproven goalies trying to replace him. The team is
set on defense, and forwards Brian Rolston, Clayton Beddoes, Kurt
Miller, Wayne Strachan, and Dean Hulett should improve.
4. Western Michigan Broncos (14-12-6)
The Broncos are usually competitive, and they are all set in goal with
Craig Brown. Western Michigan showed they could play good defense last
season, but forwards Pat Ferschweiler and Colin Ward will need help on
offense. They might get it from promising recruits like center Jamal
Mayers.
5. Miami Redskins (12-14-6)
Miami surprised everyone last season, qualifying for the CCHA tourna-
ment and showing new cohesion in 1991-92. The Redskins do not have a
big-name player, but are balanced enough to stay around 0.500. Team
leaders include senior captain and winger Chris Bergeron, left winger
Brian Savage, center Enrico Blasi, and defenseman Joe Cook.
6. Illinois-Chicago Flames (8-18-6)
A young team last season, the Flames should climb higher with greater
maturity. A lot may depend on sophomore goalie Jon Hillebrandt, who
was sensational in the first half last year, but tired from a heavy
workload in the second half. Defenseman Mike Dennis needs to rebound
from a sub-par year, and progress by sophomores Chris MacDonald, Mark
Zdan, Derek Knorr, Shannon Finn, and Jeff Blum is critical.
7. Ferris State Bulldogs (11-15-6)
The Bulldogs lost a couple of key scorers last year and dropped from
third place to sixth. Once again, much of the offense has not
returned, although new coach Bob Daniels has a good goaltending duo in
Pat Mazzoli and Craig Lisko, as well as a decent defense with Daniel
Chaput, Daryl Filipek, and John Gruden. [Hmm, not a word about Ferris
State almost dropping hockey last season -- Bill]
8. Bowling Green State Falcons (7-20-5)
Bowling Green missed the CCHA playoffs for the first time ever last
season, and the Falcons have a lot of holes to fill this year. They
need to find a reliable goaltender among Angelo Libertucci, Will
Clarke, Nathan Cressman, and Aaron Ellis. Senior center Brett Harkins,
the leading returning scorer, will have to play up to his ability.
9. Ohio State Buckeyes (8-19-5)
The Buckeyes mounted a late-season charge to make the playoffs, then
promptly lost goaltender Mike Bales and CCHA Rookie of the Year Brian
Loney to the pros. Other top scorers, including David Smith and Rob
Schriner, have graduated.
10. Kent State Golden Flashes (15-14-2 as an independent, joining CCHA this
year)
Only four of Kent's games last year were against CCHA competition, so
their record will not be as good this year. Kent is led by sophomore
center Claude Morin, the team's top scorer last year, and by wingers
Steve McLean, Neal Purdon, and Ross Antonini. Junior Scott Shaw should
be the number one goalie.
11. Notre Dame Fighting Irish (11-19-1 as an independent, joining CCHA this
year)
The Fighting Irish get back into big-time college hockey this season,
and it will probably be a rocky debut. Notre Dame played eight games
last year against CCHA competition; they will play 30 this year. Top
returnees include senior forwards Curtis Janicke and Sterling Black, as
well as junior defenseman Matt Osiecki. Coach Ric Shafer also has nine
freshmen recruits, including the heavily-scouted defenseman David Dal-
Grande.
12. Alaska-Fairbanks Nanooks (5-29-1 as an independent, CCHA affiliate this
year)
UAF will not be ranked in the regular-season standings, as they play
only 11 games against CCHA competition.
Top freshmen:
1. Anson Carter, C, Michigan State. Considered a gifted all-around
athlete who can step right in.
2. Brian Clifford, C, Michigan State. Small feisty center, counted on for
goals and grit.
3. David DalGrande, D, Notre Dame. 6-6, 190, will need to fill out.
4. Ryan Sittler, LW, Michigan. Philadelphia's 1992 first-round pick,
Sittler is a solid, talented winger with extensive international
experience.
5. Sean Tallaire, RW, Lake Superior State. Skilled enough to be on one of
the Lakers' top two lines.
Coach's Corner, a seniority list of CCHA coaches:
1. Jerry Welsh, 42, Ohio State, 18th season. Will have a hard time
keeping this rebuilding team afloat. [If that isn't a cue for Dave
Smith, I don't know what is :-) -- Bill]
2. Ron Mason, 52, Michigan State, 14th season. The winningest active
coach, second overall.
3. Jerry York, 47, Bowling Green, 14th season. Trying to push the Falcons
back to national prominence.
4. Bill Wilkinson, 45, Western Michigan, 11th season. Quietly efficient
and gets the most out of his teams, which are usually competitive.
5. Red Berenson, 52, Michigan, ninth season. His goal is nothing less
than to win both the CCHA and NCAA titles.
6. Don Lucia, 34, Alaska-Fairbanks, sixth season. Formerly an assistant
at UAF.
7. Ric Schafer, 40, Notre Dame, sixth season. Has rebuilt the Irish from
a club team to a Division I squad.
8. George Gwozdecky, 38, Miami, fourth season. A tough task to improve on
last year's surprise showing.
9. Bill Switaj, 32, Kent, fourth season. Has guided Kent's ascent to
Division I and the CCHA.
10. Jeff Jackson, 37, Lake Superior State, third season. In two years,
Jackson is 66-14-8 with an NCAA title. [His 0.795 career winning per-
centage is the best in NCAA history -- Bill]
11. Larry Pedrie, 33, Illinois-Chicago, third season. Progressing with a
rebuilding team.
12. Bob Daniels, 33, Ferris State, first season. Former Bulldog assistant
takes over on short notice.
--
Bill Fenwick | Send your HOCKEY-L poll responses to:
Cornell '86 and probably '94 | [log in to unmask]
LET'S GO RED!!
"I took the SATs on peyote -- I got an 1800. I answered questions that weren't
even there. 'We didn't ask you this.' 'No, but you will.'"
-- Steven Wright
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