Yesterday's Minnesota Daily had a preview of the WCHA race which I thought I'd post to the list. Also, in today's Daily there was an article about memories of the old Mariucci Arena. I've got a file with that, too, if people are interested, although I didn't think it'd be of general interest to the list. Email me for a copy. Pam Go Gophers!!! Here's the article: _______________________________________________________________ Headline: WCHA coaches pick U to win title Publish Date: 10/20/1992 .RM288PT/By Patty Hegre Staff Reporter For years, the Gophers have been regarded as one of the top teams in one of the nation's most prestigious hockey conferences. Some things never seem to change. The Gophers captured the WCHA title with a 26-6 conference record last season and have been picked by seven WCHA coaches to accomplish the feat again this season. ``We don't have as many returning lettermen as in the past so we're going to be a little young,'' Gopher coach Doug Woog said. ``We lost three defenders so we have some holes to fill.'' On the blueline, the defensive core of Travis Richards, Eric Means and Chris McAlpine will be aided by five talented rookies vying for ice time. Last year, the team gave up a league-low 89 goals. Offensively, Craig Johnson, Darby Hendrickson and Scott Bell may be one of the best combinations in the nation. Last year, the trio's combined points totaled 166 of 419 for the Gophers. Tom Newman is regarded as the Gophers' top man in goal, although sophomore Jeff Callinan and freshman Jeff Moen are legitimate contenders for the position. Wisconsin 19-11-2 in 1991-92 Head coach: Jeff Sauer A powerhouse in their own right, the NCAA runner-up Badgers are led by 17 returning lettermen, including their top five scorers from last year. Jason Zent, Dan Plante and Blaine Moore headline a deep offensive bench. Barry Richter is among six returning to Wisconsin's blue line, while 24-year-old Ulvis Katlaps of Latvia is expected to contribute immediately. Senior goaltender Jon Michelizzi, of Duluth Denfeld, will compete with highly touted freshman Jim Carey for playing time. ``There is extra pressure for us to get to Milwaukee this year for the NCAA Championships,'' Sauer said. ``It's already sold out and a lot of people are counting on us to be there.'' Northern Michigan 17-12-3 Rick Comley The Wildcats won the WCHA playoffs last season but will dress 15 freshmen and sophomores this season. ``This is a reloading time for us,'' Comley said. ``We had a great four-year run but we've lost 16 players in two years. Thirteen of those players are still playing in the NHL, which tells the caliber of players we've had here.'' Northern Michigan will be thin on the front line after losing five forwards including Dallas Drake and Jim Hiller. NMU's defensive line is also young and goalie Corwin Saurdiff will play a key role during the upcoming season. Michigan Tech 14-17-1 Bob Mancini All-American defensive candidates John Young, Jim Storm and a veteran defense are expected to lead the Huskies this year. The success of this unit will weigh heavily upon the team's fortunes for this season. ``We want to keep going forward, so I don't see this as a transition year,'' said Mancini, in his first year with the Huskies. ``I'm not really concerned about the other teams in the WCHA right now, I'm more concerned with the team we put on the ice.'' Minnesota-Duluth 14-16-2 Mike Sertich A veteran group of 20 returning lettermen will solidify a team expected to finish a strong third this season. ``I'm juggling the lines and trying to pair Derek Plante with the right combination right now,'' Sertich said. ``I tried to make a trade with the Gophers over the summer for Johnson and Hendrickson but they weren't interested.'' Plante led the Bulldogs with 27 goals and 36 assists last season and is considered one of the top collegiate players. St. Cloud State 12-19-1 Craig Dahl Nine freshmen and 11 sophomores will aid St. Cloud this season, as the Huskies struggle to establish themselves among the WCHA ranks. While a number of questions remain, Grant Sjerven and Neil Cooper will compete for time in goal. ``Obviously our goal is to get to St. Paul for the playoffs,'' Dahl said, ``but I don't know how realistic that is with such a young team.'' North Dakota 12-19-1 Gino Gasparini Senior forward Greg Johnson, who could end his collegiate career as the all-time leading scorer in NDU history, leads the team's offense this season. Defensively, the Fighting Sioux gave up a league-leading 172 goals last season. ``We've got a lot of new names and faces so in many ways for me it feels like stepping on the ice in 1978 and starting all over again,'' Gasparini said. ``Last year North Dakota was a team that could put the puck in the net but we couldn't keep the puck out of the net too well.'' Colorado College 14-14-4 Brad Buetow Buteow hasn't coached since he was suspended last month for NCAA violations but is sure that his team will be competitive this season. ``We're somewhat younger this year but we stayed healthy and snuck up on some people last year,'' Buetow said. ``Our success last year has built our confidence and I think that we will be a more creative and composed offensive team.'' Denver 8-22-2 Frank Serratore The Pioneers finished in the WCHA cellar last year but are bringing in a talented freshman class to bolster the team. ``This year we have been able to sprinkle a few veterans with youth,'' Serratore said. ``We're coming off a year with lots of injuries but our upperclass is big and strong. On the whole the team is more mature.''