October 6, 2009
2009-10 Preseason All-CHN
CHN Staff Report
Notre Dame's Ian Cole in the 2008 national title game (photo: Paige Ozaroski).
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October 6, 2009
CHN Staff Report
Notre Dame's Ian Cole in the 2008 national title game (photo: Paige Ozaroski).
Like every year these days, a lot of great talent left college hockey, but more remains, and more comes in. This year's departures seem to have hit the goaltending particularly hard, which is not a knock on the guys who made this list, but there's not a lot of depth nationally in that department (at least relative to recent years).
As usual, however, new names will surface that we weren't locked in on before, meaning this list will certainly change by year's end. For now, however, an early look at the nation's best coming back.
F David McIntyre, Sr., Colgate
The most under-the-radar dominating force in college hockey, simply because he plays in tiny Hamilton, N.Y., for a team that hasn't done much the last couple of years. But with 21 goals and 43 points last season, he was every bit the imposing force that Ryan Stoa was for Minnesota.
F Louis Caporusso, Jr., Michigan
Jumped to 24 goals last season, among the highest in the nation, and second only to Jacques Lamoureux among returning players. The only question is whether he can handle being the focal point of the offense now.
F Jordan Schroeder, So., Minnesota
With 13 goals and 45 points last season, Schroeder was the CHN Rookie of the Year, and unlike many freshmen, he ended as strong as he began. Showed impressive poise as a strong faceofff man right off the bat. He inexplicably slid in the NHL Draft in June.
D Ian Cole, Jr., Notre Dame
With his dominating presence on the blue line, and wicked shot, Cole was one of just two players on our All-CHN team last year that wasn't a Hobey finalist. And after turning down the St. Louis Blues in the offseason, for those paying attention to all-around game, there's no reason why Cole, 6-foot-1, 220 pounds, shouldn't be one this year.
D Chay Genoway, Sr., North Dakota
His defense has been consistently strong, and he's continued to become more involved in the offense, with 32 points last season. He was WCHA Defensive Player of the Year last season.
G Zane Kalemba, Sr., Princeton
Princeton made the NCAAs for the second straight season, this time as an at large, riding Kalemba's 1.82 goals against average. Unfortunately, he picked the wrong time for a blip, as his miscue helped cost Princeton an NCAA win against Minnesota-Duluth, in an agonizing final minute meltdown. This is the season for redemption, and there's no reason why Princeton can't get back there.
F Jacques Lamoureux, Jr., Air Force
Led the nation with 33 goals, and was named a Hobey Baker Award finalist, as Air Force upset Michigan in the first round of the NCAAs.
F Carter Camper, Jr., Miami
Small but incredibly gifted, and would not be surprising to see him on the First Team of this list at year's end. Jumped from 15 to 20 goals as a sophomore, including 12 PPG.
F Sean Backman, Sr., Yale
With all the top scorers returning, Backman is poised for an even bigger year than last year, one in which he helped lead Yale to an ECAC championship and the NCAA tournament. He had a hat trick in last year's ECAC championship, and was named tournament MVP. The former ECAC Rookie of the Year has had seasons of 18, 20 and 20 goals.
D Kevin Shattenkirk, Jr., Boston University
A key cog that allowed Hobey winner Matt Gilroy to do his thing from the backline. A second team All-American last year, and First Team All-Hockey East.
D Patrick Wiercioch, So., Denver
The Pioneers have a lot of talent and balance up front, but going far may rest with how much farther Wiercioch can go. Like Matt Carle did for Denver before, Wiercioch has an all-around game that will put him in the mix of everything. Scored 12 goals as a freshman, while still growing into his 6-foot-4 frame.
G Kieran Millan, So., Boston University
Only problem for Millan is that Boston College's John Muse was in a similar position last year, and had a rough sophomore season. Not that past performance indicates future results, necessarily, especially those of others. But following up a national championship is never an easy task.
This is not an Honorable Mention list. It's a list of players CHN suggests watching this season, for a variety of reasons.
F Nick Bonino, Jr., Boston University -- 18-32--50 last season, as he came into his own after a mid-season benching. Now he needs to do it with a different supporting cast, and greater leadership expectations.
F Ryan Lasch, Sr., St. Cloud State -- Dipped a little to 18 goals last season after a slow start. Has the talent to lead the Huskies far, but hasn't been able to yet.
F Colin Greening, Sr., Cornell -- A formidable 1-2 punch up front with first-round pick Riley Nash, but his power forward style may be more important to Cornell's chances than Nash.
F Matt Read, Jr., Bemidji State -- 7-6--13 in his last six games last season, including 2-3--5 in the NCAA tournament against Notre Dame, Cornell and Miami.
F Andy Miele, Jr., Miami -- Speedy forward, took a big jump last season after playing only half his first season. If there's another jump there, Miele could be on some year-end teams.
F Nick Sucharksi, Sr., Michigan State
F Ryan Thang, Sr., Notre Dame
F Zac Dalpe, So., Ohio State -- Broke out with 13 goals, but didn't score in the last 12 games.
F Dan Bartlett, Sr., Princeton -- Broke out with 16 goals last season, including 8-3--11 in the last seven games of the season, six of which were postseason games.
F Rhett Rakhshani, Sr., Denver -- Along with Tyler Ruegsegger and a cast of thousands up front, no one of these guys could crack the top two teams here, but combined, they should be a force for a team that is ranked No. 1 in the preseason.
F Joe Colborne, So., Denver -- See above. Highly-touted as a freshman, he showed flashes, but is still filling out that 6-foot-5 frame. This could be the year he takes a big leap.
F Luke Salazar, So., Denver -- Among all the highly-touted recruits last year, Salazar was not one of them, but he nevertheless led the team with 15 goals.
F Jay Barriball, Jr., Minnesota -- Bounced back from a poor sophomore season (6 goals) to get 11 goals last year, but can he come near his 20-goal freshman year total?
F Mike Connolly, So., Minnesota-Duluth -- Scored 13 goals last season, including OT game winner in NCAA thriller over Princeton.
F Chris VandeVelde, Sr., North Dakota -- 18-17--35 last season
F Blake Geoffrion, Sr., Wisconsin -- Slow start last year, then picked up steam as he adjusted to leadership role (15-13--28).
F Jacob Cepis, Jr., Minnesota -- Decided to leave Bowling Green in the middle of last season, citing unhappiness and a bad fit. We'll see how he does once he's eligible midseason.
F Danny Dries, Jr., Ohio State -- Was kicked off the team right before the NCAA tournament by UNH coach Dick Umile. He gets a second life in Columbus.
D Cade Fairchild, Jr., Minnesota
D Chris Summers, Sr., Michigan
D Steven Kaunisto, Sr., Lake Superior -- 3-17--20
D Evan Stephens, Jr., Dartmouth
D Alex Biega, Sr., Harvard -- 4-16--20
D Maury Edwards, Jr., Mass.-Lowell --
D Nate Prosser, Sr., Colorado College --
G Brian Stewart, Sr., Northern Michigan -- Preseason All-CCHA First Team goalie. Can he finally help the 'Cats get over the hump?
G Ben Scrivens, Sr., Cornell -- His numbers look great, but he needs to be better at key times for Cornell to go far.
G Andrew Volkening, Sr., Air Force -- Helped carry the Falcons to the NCAA East Regional final.
G Bryan Hogan, Jr., Michigan -- No question the job is his now, with Billy Sauer gone. Time to step it up.
G Mike Lee, Fr., St. Cloud State -- Highly-touted freshman, will be thrown right to the wolves, and Badgers and Gophers.
G John Muse, Jr., Boston College -- Last year was certainly not all his fault, dropping off from the 2008 national championship, but with a save percentage that dipped from .921 to .904, it didn't help. All eyes on are him this year. Played every minute his freshman year, and all but eight minutes last year.
G Joe Cannata, So., Merrimack -- Under the radar because his team has not excelled, but could be as good as anyone in the nation.
MikeLurieGood list! Thanks for remembering Ian Cole.
S.F. WemewtheShattenkirk over Maury Edwards? You cannot be serious.
MAAAHTYNot only Shattenkirk over Edwards, with Shatt being the best blue-liner in the WORLD JUNIORS LAST YEAR despite our u20s coming up short, BUT so to should David Warsofksky, who woulda been taken for the junior worlds last season but the coaches did not wanna leave BU hamstrung WARSOFSKY is likely the most talented and in my opinion the most visionary college hockey player since Paul Kariya, and no this is not a BU thing - but it is interesting to note that for the last THREE years it will now be in Strait in 07-08, Shatt in 08-09. snd now Warsof in 09-10 it is not a coincidence that the best blue liner in the last two and the upcoming World Juniors will all be from Jack Parker's system as he trains these kids at a level exponentially higher than UML (and i love nevin hamilton and i think he is superior in net to milian) that Blaise just cant do ... and coaching can only bring out SO MUCH.... The rest has to be natural talent like Warsofsky & Bonino
