This is reprinted without permission from the yearly publication
called "Welcome to Potsdam, NY". It is a small newspaper-like
publication that details the happenings and attractions of the town.
It is sent to all students of Potsdam State and Clarkson University
during the summer.
This is an overview of the Clarkson Golden Knights and their outlook
for '95-'96. Enjoy!
-----------------------------------------------------
GOLDEN KNIGHTS AGAIN AIM FOR SUPREMACY IN ECAC
Supremacy in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) and
the opportunity to challenge for the national championship have always
been the measure of success for the Clarkson University hockey team, and
in 1995-96, the standards will be no different.
Guided by eighth-year head coach Mark Morris and assistant coach
George Roll, Clarkson returns 20 lettermen from last year's team, giving
the Golden Knights plenty of experience to reach their lofty goals.
However, much of the flash and dash from the 1994-95 squad left with the
graduation of four all-star seniors, who together accumulated 730 career
points during their four-year collegiate careers.
"This will be a challenging year for us," stated Morris. "We
don't have any prolific scorers, but the season presents a tremendous
opportunity for our returning players to step into the spotlight and
show what they can do."
The Knights open their demanding 32-game schedule Oct. 27 to 28
when they play a two-game series at 1995 NCAA Tournament participant
University of Denver of the WCHA. Clarkson opens the 15-game home slate
at Cheel Arena Nov. 3 to 4, hosting CCHA power Bowling Green.
Clarkson's dominant offense gained most of the headlines last
year, but the key to the Knights' success may have been between the
pipes where Dan Murphy, the first Clarkson freshman to start the season
opener in goal, anchored the team to their 20th consecutive winning
season and their 14th appearance in the NCAA Tournament. Providing the
back-up role will be junior Kerry Blanchard, who recorded a .861 save
percentage and a 4.39 gaa in 6 games. Freshman walk-on Brian O'Donnell
should provide stiff competition after a strong season with the
Springfield Olympics last year. Sophomore Chris Bernard will also
compete to gain a spot in the goaltending rotation.
Clarkson has plenty of depth with nine defensemen, including six
veterans. The Knights will have to compensate for the loss of two key
members from last year's blue line brigade. Twq-time All-America and
1995 Hobey Baker Award finalist Brian Mueller graduated and will try to
make his mark in the NHL with the Hartford Whalers. Up-and-coming
defenseman Adam Wiesel, who was the Knight's second leading scorer rear
guard, departed Clarkson after his sophomore season to pursue a
professional career with the Montreal Canadiens.
Senior Josh Bartell is the lone three-year returnee among the
defensemen and provides a rugged style of play. Juniors Matt Pagnutti,
Phil Lecavalier and Jason LaBarge, the Knights' Most Improved Player,
are stay-at-home type defensemen who will add to the physical play on
the blue line. Sophomores Scott Ricci,Clarkson's Coaches Award winner,
and Nicholas Windsor, a 1994 six round Quebec draft choice, had solid
rookie campaigns and have the potential to be defensive leaders.
Clarkson's success with Finnish imports should continue with the
addition of high-scoring freshman Mikko Ollila, who as named Best
Defenseman for the Ilves Junior A team in Tampere Finland last year.
Newcomer Phillipe Roy will provide the defense with additional offense
after a 48-point, 140-penalty minute last year with CJHL's Cornwall
Colts. Freshman walk-on Aaron Gates, from Dawson College, has good
offensive instincts and will also add to the blue line depth.
Although the Knights lost their top three seniors in All-America
Marko Tuomainen and ECAC All-Stars Patrice Robitaille and Claude Morin,
they return the potential to put some impressive numbers on the board.
David Seitz is the top returning scorer with 35 points,
including five points in the last two games. Clarkson's top penalty
killer, Junior Jean-Francois Houle, a 1993 fourth round Montreal
draft choice, is a tremendous grinder who hits like a runaway freight
train. A pleasant surprise as a walk-on candidate, sophomore Buddy
Wallace made the most of his opportunities to become a key player.
Guillaume Besse and Damian Micomonac should both make an impact during
their freshman campaign.
Solid two-way player Steve Palmer is within reach of the century
club with 94 career points, including 18 goals and 12 assists last year.
Clarkson's top post-season scorer Chris Lipsett chipped in with 29
points and gained tremendous confidence down the stretch when he scored
six goals and five assists in the playoffs. Unknown to himself and the
coaching staff, Todd White played last year with eye problems and still
did a creditable job centering one of the Knights' most productive
lines, scoring 30 points. Junior Jeremy Lopata, who sat out last season
to concentrate on his studies, has the ability to play a regular role.
A highly skilled freshman with tremendous speed and puck handling
skills, Ben Maidment carried the Smith Falls Bears last year with 109
points and gained CJHL All-Star honors. Austrian native Gregor
Baumgartner is a highly skilled center with blazing speed and all-star
credentials.
--
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
+ +
+ Andy Weise Let's Go Tech! +
+ SUNY Potsdam '93 [log in to unmask] +
+ Union College '95 Let's Go U! +
+ +
+ Performance Systems International, Inc. (PSI) +
+ +
+ "If you think nobody cares you're alive, try missing a couple of +
+ car payments." +
+ +
+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+=+
HOCKEY-L is for discussion of college ice hockey; send information to
[log in to unmask], The College Hockey Information List.
|
