October 4, 2008
CHN Staff Report
Richard Bachman was WCHA Player and Rookie of the Year last season.
Ryan Lasch scored 25 goals for the Huskies a season ago.
Mark Mitera is an assistant captain for the Wolverines this season.
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PHILADELPHIA — Another year of mass defections from the college hockey ranks has made this year's Fourth Annual Preseason All-CHN team lacking in the quantity of stud offensive players that has dotted the list in recent years.
Nevertheless, of the four juniors on last year's first team, three of them are back in college hockey this year (although only one made the first team this year). Of the five players on last year's second team that could've returned, two of them did (both now-juniors) — and one of the two has graduated to this year's first team.
Which is not to say there isn't great offensive talent. And, before it's through, there are always players who rise to the occasion and breakout offensively.
F - Chad Rau, Sr., Colorado College
Always a strong two-way player, Rau broke out in a big way last season with 28 goals, doubling his career high. He also had six shorthanded goals, but was dubiously left off the Hobey finalist list. Rau slimmed down last summer, to become leaner and faster, and it paid off. Rau's mid-season one-game disciplinary suspension last season notwithstanding, CC's late-season disappointments is the only hurdle Rau has left to clear in his career.
F - Ben Smith, Jr., Boston College
Overshadowed by Nathan Gerbe, Smith had a goal in each of Boston College's four NCAA tournament games, on the way to a national title. Smith finished with 25 goals all together. He's got plenty of help around him, but he's now the heir apparent to Gerbe in the BC forward lore. At a sturdy 5-11, 200 pounds, he can play any kind of game.
F - Ryan Lasch, Jr., St. Cloud State
One of three Hobey finalists returning from last season (along with Jeff Lerg and Princeton senior Lee Jubinville). His coach, Bob Motzko, says he's "born to score," but we'll see if this year he can become a leader. He dedicated himself to off-season conditioning following his team's disappointing NCAA appearance again.
D - Mark Mitera, Sr., Michigan
The former first-round pick of the Anaheim Ducks is the prototypical stalwart defenseman. Was a plus-30 last season, and had 23 points (on just two goals). His offense has increased each season, and any more is a big bonus for the Wolverines.
D - Jamie McBain, Jr., Wisconsin
Special offensive ability for a defenseman, this is most likely his last season with the Badgers. Has great ice vision, and a strong shot that gets on net.
G - Richard Bachman, So., Colorado College
Took college hockey by storm last season, he edges out Lerg in a "take your pick" kind of move. Lerg, of course, has two seasons and a national championship more than Bachman. And last season, Lerg outplayed Bachman in an NCAA tournament game (before Lerg allowed five goals to Notre Dame the next day). But CC's failure down the stretch last season was not Bachman's fault, and this is as much about the potential of this season as past performance.
F - Justin Mercier, Sr., Miami
A speedy, talented player with a tremendous wrist shot. He scored the winning OT goal against Air Force in the first round of the NCAAs last season. He had 25 goals, second on the team behind Ryan Jones, but now we see how he does without some of those other departed stars around him. Led Miami forwards with a plus-22 a year ago.
F - Erik Condra, Sr., Notre Dame
After injuring his knee during the CCHA playoffs, Condra missed his team's spectacular run to the national title game. He had 15 goals a season ago, nonetheless, and his leadership skills are what sets him apart.
F - Tyler Bozak, So., Denver
Ready to bust loose for Denver, and don't be surprised if he winds up as a First Teamer All-CHN at year's end. Had 18 goals last season to lead the team, with five shorthanded goals and a plus-8.
D - Kyle Lawson, Jr., Notre Dame
Took on a tremendous amount of pressure as a sophomore last year, and carried himself well. Has a great shot, if he can only make sure to keep it on net. Notre Dame went through some serious power play issues last season, but broke out of it eventually, as Lawson re-awakened as quarterback.
D - Matt Gilroy, Sr., Boston University
He was a first teamer on this list last year, but this is more a case of the other two guys passing him by. A converted forward, who is still learning defensively, but he always demands attention when on the ice.
G - Jeff Lerg, Sr., Michigan State
Hard to say more than hasn't already been said. Considered one of the top money goalies around — one of only two national championship goalies playing this season (the other being BC sophomore John Muse).
Note: This is a "watch" list, and not an "honorable mention" list. These are other players we deem most intriguing to keep an eye on, and not necessarily the next best group.
F - Aaron Palushaj, So., Michigan - Had 10-34—44, and emerged with Miami's Carter Camper as top freshmen in the CCHA a year ago.
F - Lee Jubinville, Sr., Princeton - Emerged for Princeton last season, becoming ECAC Player of the Year and a Hobey finalist, as Princeton went to the NCAAs.
F - Tim Crowder, Sr., Michigan State - Fellow wouldbe seniors Tim Kennedy and Justin Abdelkader decided to split, leaving Crowder as the top returning scorer.
F - Matt Beca, Jr., Clarkson - Clarkson lost a lot from last season, but with two-way players like Beca, could have the horses to remain in the NCAA picture.
F - Joe Whitney, So., Boston College - Scored the OT winner against Miami that put BC in the Frozen Four last year.
F - Colin Wilson, So., Boston University - The highest pick among college players in last June's NHL Draft, decided to stay in school when Nashville could not assure him an NHL spot.
F - Garrett Roe, So., St. Cloud - Petered out near the end of last season, after putting up big numbers.
F - James vanRiemsdyk, So., New Hampshire - Decided to stick around in college, the highest NHL pick to do so. Really picked up his game towards the end of last season, has the potential to be dominant.
F - Brock Bradford, Sr., Boston College - Was on fire after returning from a broken arm, only to soon break it again. If he's healthy, he'll put up numbers.
F - Benn Ferriero, Sr., Boston College - If everyone stays healthy, BC's offense will be potent.
F - Dion Knelsen, Jr., Alaska - Gets lost in the shuffle, but the 5-foot-9 Knelsen could emerge nationally if Alaska (with third head coach in three years) can win games.
F - Ryan Duncan, Sr., North Dakota - 2007 Hobey Baker Award winner, has put up the numbers in the past, now he must lead.
F - Colin Greening, Jr., Cornell - Riley Nash is a first-round pick, but Greening has the size and skill to be a solid NHL player.
F - Joe Colborne, Fr., Denver - First-round pick in June, he is big but plays with finesse. He'll be part of a young by extremely talented corps.
F - Mark Olver, So., Northern Michigan - This could finally be the Wildcats' year to return to the NCAAs.
F - Jordan Schroeder, Fr., Minnesota - Along with Aaron Ness, gets a lot of hype, as do most freshmen that enter Minnesota. But some think he has a higher upside than Ness.
D - Joe Charlebois, Sr., New Hampshire - A startling plus-26 last season, he went from consistent to dominant on the backline.
D - Lane Caffaro, Sr., Union - Union had its best ECAC season last year, getting a first-round bye, but still hasn't won a playoff series.
D - Tim Filangieri, Sr., Boston College - Just one of many excellent BC defenders.
D - Alex Biega, Jr., Harvard - First team preseason all-ECAC pick.
D - Josh Meyers, Sr., Minnesota-Duluth - Once feared on the power play, his numbers dropped last season along with the team's, but no reason he can't regain that form.
D - Matt Taormina, Sr., Providence - A strong season with 36 points from the backline. The Friars lost their last four games to fizzle out what had the earmarks of a breakthrough year. Could this be the one?
G - John Muse, So., Boston College - A national championship goaltender who could easily be on the top two teams, but edged out by Lerg and Bachman.
G - Alex Kangas, So., Minnesota - Gave Minnesota some stability at the goaltending spot, finally, but how long with that last?
G - Brian Foster, Jr., New Hampshire - He must fill the shoes of Kevin Regan, and do it well if UNH will finally fulfill promise.
G - Marc Cheverie, So., Denver - The offense looks potent, so a lot is riding on Cheverie to take the reins from Peter Mannino and run with it.
G - Billy Sauer, Sr., Michigan - Came into his own last season, with a tremendous year and strong NCAA tournament, until bombing out with a bad performance against Notre Dame in the NCAA semifinal. Which Sauer will be there this year?
G - Brad Thiessen, Jr., Northeastern - With a maturing supporting cast, if Thiessen continues to dazzle, Northeastern may finally break through.
G - Andrew Braithwaite, Jr., Merrimack - A very good goalie on a bad team, last season.
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