1992-93 HOCKEY EAST PREVIEW
by Mike Machnik. Sources for stats and figures: 1992 TSN Yearbook; 1991-92
and 1992-93 Hockey East Yearbooks and some 1991-92 and 1992-93 team media
guides. All strengths/weaknesses by Mike as well as all notes.
LEAGUE NOTES:
* HE changes to 2-referee/1-linesman officiating format.
* HE goes from 21 to 24-game league schedule. Teams were divided into
two groups based on prior seasons' finishes (1989-91). Groups are: BU,
Maine, Merrimack, and Northeastern; and BC, UMass-Lowell, UNH, and PC.
Teams will play 4 games vs each team in their group and 3 games vs each
team in the other group (4x3 + 3x4 = 24).
* HE quarterfinals change structure (again). New structure calls for a
"two-game, total points series". Each of the two games will be played
with a 5-min OT if necessary; game ends in tie after OT. If series is
tied after 2nd game (i.e. each team wins one, or both games go into OT
and end up tied), teams will play sudden death for the series - first
goal wins series.
* HE semifinals and finals again at Boston Garden.
HOCKEY EAST CONTACTS
Hockey East
28 Main Street
P.O. Box 69
Orono, ME 04473
fax: 207-866-3357
phone: 207-866-2244
Commissioner: Stuart P. Haskell, Jr.
Assistant Commissioner: Dr. Norinne H. Daly
Supervisor of Officials: Dana E. Hennigar
Administrative Assistant: Caren H. Ford
Boston College Eagles
ENROLLMENT: 9,165
COLORS: Maroon and Gold
LOCATION: Chestnut Hill, MA
RINK: Silvio O. Conte Forum (200x85; 7,884)
COACH: Steve Cedorchuk (first year at BC; overall, 56-34-6 in 4 yrs at
St Anselm (DivII) 1971-75)
91-92 RECORDS: 14-18-3; HE: 9-10-2 5th
LETTERMEN RETURNING/LOST: 17/5.
KEY LOSSES:
D Joe Cleary (5-20--25)
C David Franzosa (18-35--53)
G Scott LaGrand (11-15-2, 3.58 GAA, .888 sv%)
KEY RETURNEES:
F Marc Beran, Sr, 5-9/175 (22-20--42)
F Jack Callahan, Jr, 6-4/211 (15-11--26)
D Todd Hall, So, 6-1/210 (2-10--12)
F John Joyce, Jr, 6-3/205 (9-13--22)
D Ian Moran, So, 6-0/200 (2-16--18)
D/F Michael Spalla, Jr, 5-8/175 (7-16--23)
TOP NEWCOMERS:
D Tom Ashe, 5-10/180
D Greg Callahan, 6-3/220
F Don Chase, 5-11/185
NOTES:
* LaGrand turned pro with Flyers after jr year.
* Eagles left with two inexperienced sophs in net, Mike Sparrow and
Josh Singewald.
* Cedorchuk was named head coach after long nationwide search; was
17-yr assistant to Ceglarski.
* Eagles concluded season by upsetting BU in HE q-final on road before
dropping HE semifinal to eventual league champ Maine.
STRENGTHS:
* Dynamic duo Ds of sophs Hall & Moran; Moran was Co-Rookie of Year.
* Leadership of Beran.
* Callahan ready to burst out as scorer.
WEAKNESSES:
* Goaltending unproven.
* Still rebuilding after heavy losses of two years ago.
* Need several younger players to step up and take on scoring load.
Boston University Terriers
ENROLLMENT: 13,663
COLORS: Scarlet and White
LOCATION: Boston, MA
RINK: Walter Brown Arena (200x85; 3,684)
COACH: Jack Parker (399-219-32, 19 yrs)
91-92 RECORDS: 22-9-4; HE: 10-7-4 4th
LETTERMEN RETURNING/LOST: 23/2.
KEY LOSSES:
D Mark Brownschidle (2-6--8)
D Tom Dion (5-12--17)
KEY RETURNEES:
C/F Mark Bavis, Sr, 6-0/180 (9-18--27)
G Scott Cashman, Sr, 6-2/187 (12-6-2, 3.82 GAA, .880 sv%)
G Derek Herlofsky, So, 5-10/160 (7-1-1, 2.46 GAA, .912 sv%)
F Petteri Koskimaki, Sr, 6-2/196 (19-18--37)
D Kevin O'Sullivan, Sr, 6-0/190 (3-18--21)
F Mike Pomichter, So, 6-2/205 (11-27--38)
F Mike Prendergast, So, 5-10/180 (19-15--34)
C David Sacco, Sr, 5-10/185 (14-33--47)
C Steve Thornton, So, 5-11/170 (11-16--27)
TOP NEWCOMERS:
F Jacques Joubert, 6-2/190
F Bob Lachance, 5-11/180
F Jay Pandolfo, 6-2/190
NOTES:
* Lachance is brother of former Terrier/Team USA D Scott, now with NYI.
* Terriers made early exit from 92 playoffs in HE q-finals at home vs BC.
STRENGTHS:
* Experience, depth and size.
* Ability to score a lot of goals.
* Solid goaltending.
WEAKNESSES:
* Graduation of Dion and Brownschidle leaves holes on D.
* Not much else!
Maine Black Bears
ENROLLMENT: 12,800
COLORS: Blue and White
LOCATION: Orono, ME
RINK: Alfond Arena (200x85; 5,400)
COACH: Shawn Walsh (208-119-12, 8 yrs)
91-92 RECORDS: 31-4-2; HE: 17-2-2 1st
LETTERMEN RETURNING/LOST: 19/9
KEY LOSSES:
F Brian Downey (19-32--51)
D Tony Link (3-6--9)
C Randy Olson (10-4--14)
F Scott Pellerin (32-25--57)
F Martin Robitaille (5-22--27)
F Jean-Yves Roy (32-24--56)
KEY RETURNEES:
G Mike Dunham, Jr, 6-3/180 (6-0-0, 2.20 GAA, .897 sv%)
D Chris Imes, Jr, 5-11/195 (4-19--23)
F Cal Ingraham, Sr, 5-4/160 (15-30--45)
C Jim Montgomery, Sr, 5-10/180 (21-44--65)
C Kent Salfi, Sr, 5-9/170 (12-10--22)
G Garth Snow, Sr, 6-4/195 (25-4-2, 2.44 GAA, .883 sv%)
F Patrice Tardif, Jr, 6-2/200 (18-20--38)
TOP NEWCOMERS:
C Barry Clukey, 5-10/190
F Chris Ferraro, 5-9/170
C Peter Ferraro, 5-9/170
F Craig Gwinn, 6-3/190
F Paul Kariya, 5-11/185
C Michel Latendresse, 5-10/170
F Brad Mahoney, 6-4/210
C Brad Purdie, 5-10/195
D Jack Rodrigue, 6-2/200
F Mike Santonelli, 6-0/190
NOTES:
* Pellerin was 92 Hobey winner and 92 HE Player of Year; left as all-time
Maine scorer (106-117--223).
* Roy turned pro after jr year with NYR (career 108-95--213, all-time
Maine leading goal-scorer in just 3 yrs).
* Dunham back for full season after spending most of 91-92 with Team USA.
* The Ferraros and Kariya were 3 of nation's four most highly recruited
players.
* Widely expected that Ferraros will spend only 1 year at Maine, then
play with Team USA in 93-94 and turn pro.
* Clukey became all-time leading national high school scorer but played
in weak Maine HS league and will attempt to walk-on to Maine.
* Black Bears won 1992 HE regular season and tourney titles before bowing
in NC$$ q-final to Michigan State, 3-2.
STRENGTHS:
* Goaltending duo of Dunham/Snow may be best in nation.
* Losses at F offset by strong recruiting.
* Montgomery one of nation's top Cs, will become Maine's all-time leading
scorer early this year (has 71-135--206, record is Pellerin's 223)
WEAKNESSES:
* Black Bears starting to feel pressure of having attained five straight
30-win season but no national titles.
* Holes on D but strong Fs and G may mask this.
* Not much else.
UMass-Lowell Chiefs
ENROLLMENT: 7,000
COLORS: Red, White and Blue
LOCATION: Lowell, MA
RINK: Tully Forum (185x85; 3,200)
COACH: Bruce Crowder (11-19-4, 1 yr)
91-92 RECORDS: 11-19-4; HE: 6-11-4 6th
LETTERMEN RETURNING/LOST: 20/5.
KEY LOSSES:
F Dave Gatti (12-16--28)
G Mark Richards (8-11-4, 4.18 GAA, .878 sv%)
KEY RETURNEES:
C Shane Henry, Jr, 5-10/167 (11-18--29)
D Scott Meehan, Sr, 6-2/192 (0-2--2)
C Mike Murray, Jr, 6-1/193 (22-15--37)
F Dan O'Connell, Sr, 5-9/170 (16-17--33)
G Dwayne Roloson, Jr, 6-0/176 (3-8-0, 4.73 GAA, .851 sv%)
D Tim Smallwood, Sr, 6-1/191 (1-10--11)
F Dave Stevens, Sr, 5-10/160 (12-15--27)
TOP NEWCOMERS:
D Dave Barozzino, 6-2/180
F John Mahone, 5-11/165
F Christian Sbrocca, 5-11/170
NOTES:
* Crowder impressed many in first year as Chiefs head coach and ready to
continue rebuilding program.
* Richards was HE First-Team goalie despite playing for weak team.
* Chiefs ended season with loss to PC in HE q-finals.
STRENGTHS:
* Roloson was strong backup to Richards and more than capable starter.
* Experience and leadership.
* Murray one of league's pleasant surprises at C but will be watched
more closely this season.
WEAKNESSES:
* Not much size.
* Lack of depth/scoring at F.
* No scoring from blueline.
Merrimack Warriors
ENROLLMENT: 2,300
COLORS: Navy Blue, Gold, White
LOCATION: North Andover, MA
RINK: Volpe Complex (200x85; 3,617)
COACH: Ron Anderson (175-128-7, 9 yrs)
91-92 RECORDS: 13-21-0; HE: 4-17-0 8th
LETTERMEN RETURNING/LOST: 21/9.
KEY LOSSES:
LW Agostino Casale (17-13--30)
G Steve D'Amore (11-18-0, 4.24 GAA, .868 sv%)
D/F Rob Kelley (10-7--17)
C Brendan Locke (4-11--15)
D/F Claude Maillet (6-9--15)
KEY RETURNEES:
F Rob Atkinson, Jr, 6-0/175 (2-18--20)
F John Barron, Sr, 6-1/195 (6-7--13)
D Mark Cornforth, So, 6-1/185 (1-9--10)
G Mike Doneghey, Sr, 6-0/167 (1-2-0, 4.64 GAA, .838 sv%)
C Teal Fowler, Sr, 5-9/180 (20-15--35)
C Dan Gravelle, Sr, 5-11/192 (23-28--51)
D Bryan Miller, Sr, 5-11/190 (5-13--18)
D Alex Weinrich, Sr, 6-0/195 (2-18--20)
TOP NEWCOMERS:
D Tom Costa, 6-1/195
F Martin Favreau, 6-0/175
F Mark Goble, 5-9/185
D Dan Hodge, *soph*, 6-3/205
D D.J. MacPhail, 5-9/179
F Ryan Mailhiot, 5-8/165
G Dan Millar, 6-0/195
NOTES:
* Hodge, brother of Ken Jr and son of Ken Sr, returns to MC as soph
after a year in USHL.
* Warriors ended season with loss to Maine in HE q-finals.
STRENGTHS:
* Very deep at D, all six starters from end of season return (graduating
Ds Maillet and Kelley actually spent last half of 91-92 at F) and
return of Hodge provides new dimension of scoring on blueline.
Cornforth was one of league's top freshman Ds last year.
* Gravelle among nation's most talented players; Fowler gives MC strong
1-2 punch at C (both over 20 goals last year).
* Heavy injuries from last year gave Warriors opportunity to give
experience to young forwards.
* Strong penalty-killing.
WEAKNESSES:
* No proven goaltender; Doneghey backed up last 3 yrs but could never
steal job from Yannick Gosselin and D'Amore. Millar may win job as
incoming freshman if Doneghey not on track.
* Lack of scoring depth. Atkinson needs to return to freshman form.
* Defense deep but needs to help out in front of net more.
New Hampshire Wildcats
ENROLLMENT: 11,000
COLORS: Blue and White
LOCATION: Durham, NH
RINK: Snively Arena (200x85; 3,599)
COACH: Dick Umile (44-24-4 2yrs)
91-92 RECORDS: 22-13-2; HE: 13-6-2 2nd
LETTERMEN RETURNING/LOST: 16/8.
KEY LOSSES:
C Domenic Amodeo (26-42--68)
C Joe Flanagan (26-34--60)
G Jeff Levy (20-13-2, 3.28 GAA, .897 sv%)
F Savo Mitrovic (15-42--57)
F Scott Morrow (30-23--53)
KEY RETURNEES:
G Brett Abel, Sr, 6-2/180 (2-0-0, 4.40 GAA, .861 sv%)
D Jesse Cooper, Sr, 5-10/180 (3-4--7)
C/F Greg Klym, Sr, 5-11/180 (6-16--22)
D Jim McGrath, Sr, 5-9/180 (2-13--15)
F Glenn Stewart, Jr, 5-11/170 (15-11--26)
F Kevin Thomson, Sr, 5-8/170 (13-11--24)
TOP NEWCOMERS:
D Eric Fitzgerald, 6-2/195
F Tom O'Brien, 5-10/175
D Steve Pleau, 6-0/190
F Scott Robison, 6-1/185
F Mike Sullivan, 6-1/185
NOTES:
* Levy turned pro with Minnesota after soph year.
* Top 4 scorers all graduated, leaves huge gap in scoring (combined
97-141--238).
* Amodeo now with Canadian National Team.
* Former Providence goalie Mike Heinke has transferred to UNH but must
sit out a year.
* Wildcats dropped HE Championship to Maine, then lost to Wisconsin in
NC$$ First Round.
STRENGTHS:
* Leadership from seniors experienced in playoffs.
* Stewart, Thomson & Klym have proven ability to pick up some of slack
in scoring department.
WEAKNESSES:
* No proven G; Abel only 5-0-0 over 3 yrs but appears to inherit job.
* Weak D may be more visible with loss of G Levy and top scorers.
* Sudden lack of depth at F especially in scoring.
Northeastern Huskies
ENROLLMENT: 12,500
COLORS: Red, Black and White
LOCATION: Boston, MA
RINK: Matthews Arena (187x85; 6,000)
COACH: Ben Smith (16-43-3 overall 2 yrs; 15-20-0 1 yr at NU)
91-92 RECORDS: 15-20-0; HE: 6-15-0 7th
LETTERMEN RETURNING/LOST: 17/6.
KEY LOSSES:
G Tom Cole (10-9-0, 4.85 GAA, .850 sv%)
C/F Rob Kenny (19-14--33)
D Paul Sacco (3-9--12)
F Matt Saunders (8-17--25)
KEY RETURNEES:
F Jean-Francois Aube, So, 6-0/190 (8-11--19)
D Chris Foy, Sr, 6-0/190 (8-11--19)
F Dino Grossi, Sr, 6-0/200 (15-11--26)
F Sebastien Laplante, Sr, 5-11/195 (15-28--43)
G Todd Reynolds, So, 6-2/185 (5-11-0, 4.46 GAA, .855 sv%)
C Jay Schiavo, Sr, 5-11/180 (17-28--45)
TOP NEWCOMERS:
F Joe Centrella, 5-9/170
C Mike Collett, 6-2/190
F/C Dan Lupo, 5-10/190
F/C Tim DuRoss, 5-10/185
F Jordan Shields, 5-11/175
NOTES:
* Schiavo redshirted 2 yrs ago after season-ending injury.
* Huskies lost to UNH in HE q-finals.
STRENGTHS:
* Laplante and Schiavo among top Fs in HE.
* Strong recruiting over past 2 years may be about to pay off; solid
close to last season something to build on.
* Foy gives scoring threat at D.
WEAKNESSES:
* Reynolds inherits starting G job but has to get over rough freshman yr.
* Lack of depth on D.
* If opponents can shut down top line, Huskies may have trouble scoring.
Providence Friars
ENROLLMENT: 3,800
COLORS: Black and White
LOCATION: Providence, RI
RINK: Schneider Arena (200x85; 3,030)
COACH: Mike McShane (214-183-24 overall, 12 yrs; 121-118-18 7 yrs at PC)
91-92 RECORDS: 21-13-2; HE: 11-8-2 3rd
LETTERMEN RETURNING/LOST: 16/10.
KEY LOSSES:
C Mike Boback (24-48--72)
D Rob Gaudreau (21-34--55)
G Mike Heinke (10-4-0, 3.53 GAA, .856 sv%)
D Shaun Kane (11-11--22)
KEY RETURNEES:
C Bob Cowan, Sr, 5-9/180 (13-18--31)
F Craig Darby, So, 6-4/200 (17-24--41)
G Brad Mullahy, Sr, 5-10/180 (11-9-2, 3.72 GAA, .874 sv%)
C Chad Quenneville, So, 5-9/165 (13-22--35)
F Gary Socha, Sr, 6-4/200 (11-14--25)
D Chris Therien, Jr, 6-4/230 (16-25--41)
TOP NEWCOMERS:
F Joe Hulbig, 6-4/215
D Jay Kenney, 6-2/190
D Erik Sundquist, 6-3/210
NOTES:
* G Heinke transferred to UNH.
* Boback finished with 73-128--201, 4th all-time PC scorer. 2nd all-time
PC assist leader.
* Gaudreau finished with 103-108--211, 3rd all-time PC scorer. Only PC
player ever with over 100 Gs and As. All-time G leader.
* Friars defeated UMass-Lowell in HE q-final, then lost HE semifinal to
UNH in game that likely cost them an NC$$ bid.
STRENGTHS:
* Mullahy proved to be quality DivI goalie last season.
* Therien top D in HE if not country, has unique combo of size and
quickness.
* Darby Co-Rookie of Year, 1/2 of Dynamic Duo Fs with Quenneville.
* Friars under McShane always among nation's leaders in penalty-killing
and power play.
WEAKNESSES:
* Graduation of Boback and Gaudreau leaves huge holes to fill.
* Loss of Ds Gaudreau, Kane and Robison decimates defense.
* Need for freshmen to come in and contribute immediately for Friars to
contend.
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Mike Machnik [log in to unmask] Color Voice of the Merrimack Warriors
(Any opinions expressed above are strictly those of the poster.) *HMN*
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