MCHA 2001-2002 Season Outlooks

Lawrence University - Appleton, Wisconsin

The Lawrence University hockey team enters this season looking to take another step forward. Head coach Dave Ruhly continues to mold the Vikings into a contender in the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association (MCHA). Lawrence took a step toward that goal last season when it finished third in the MCHA Tournament. 

The Vikings enter this season with several seniors and a host of talented underclassmen. Couple that with a large freshman class, and the Vikings should see improvement during games and every day in practice. "This is the largest number of players I've had at Lawrence," Ruhly said. "That's a huge plus. The competition will bring out the best in the players."

Lawrence is led by senior captains Tom Conti and Stu Manning. Conti is the most prolific scorer in school history. A senior forward from Dunwoody, Ga., Conti has the career record for goals (28), assists (29), and points (57). He was second on the team with 14 goals, including a team-high six power-play goals, and tied for second with nine assists a season ago.

The Vikings have a mix of youth and experience on the attack. Senior forward Mike Vernon, a Fresno, Calif., native, looks to regain his scoring touch after getting just one goal and nine assists a season ago. Sophomore forward Matt Melchiori should build on the success he experienced as a freshman. The Appleton native was third on the team with nine goals and had a team-high ten assists. He finished fourth in the nation with four short-handed goals. Sophomore forward Aaron Graber is back after getting five goals and five assists as a freshman. Sophomore Mike Kennedy, who may also see time on defense, is back after scoring four goals and handing out three assists a season ago. Senior Brian Winnie and juniors John Burton and Sam Sather also return. 

The Vikings have a number of talented freshmen who will vie for playing time at forward. Ryan Blick of Canton, Mich., Mike Burkhart of McKinney, Texas, Andy Rozanski of New Berlin, Brad Barton of Colorado Springs, Colo., Danny Schroder of Duluth, Ga., Mike Beauchaine of Algonquin, Ill., and Gharrity McNett of Pleasant Prairie give the Vikings more skill and depth at forward. "We have a talented group of forwards coming in," Ruhly said. "There is going to be great competition to see who is going to get the playing time."

Manning has been the rock of the Lawrence defense for the past three seasons. A defenseman from Monona, Manning is the leader on the ice for a group of young players. Manning had modest totals of two goals and five assists a season ago. The remainder of the defensemen are young but talented. Sophomores Andy Fieber and Andy Gillies saw extensive action last season. Gillies, a Hollywood, Fla., native, scored three goals and had seven assists as a freshman, and Fieber, who is serving assistant captain, had six assists a season ago. Junior Tom Murphy adds depth to the defense. Three freshmen, Nick Beyler of Madison, Blake Nelson of LeSueur, Minn., and Jay Schofield of Freeport, Maine, join the defense. All three will be expected to contribute immediately. "Defensively, we have to be strong if we want to improve this season," Ruhly said.

The last line of defense for the Vikings is senior goaltender Grant Henderson. The Monona native is Lawrence¹s career leader in saves and victories and will be relied upon heavily this season. Henderson started 11 games a season ago and posted a 3-7 record. He made 501 saves, had an .866 save percentage and a 6.1 goals against average. "Grant has been steady during his career," Ruhly said. "He will be able to put it all together for his final season." Junior transfer Jim Pfeiffelmann, who came to Lawrence from Lake Forest College, and freshman Matt Noyes will back up Henderson between the pipes. 

Ruhly believes the Vikings will continue to improve, and that starts with added competition each day in practice. "We¹re starting to have some pride in the program," Ruhly said. "We have to bring out the best in every player. With that, I expect us to compete well with everyone we play this season."

Marian College - Fond du Lac, Wisconsin

As the 2001-2002 hockey season approaches, Marian College Head Coach Chris Brown is getting more and more excited about the prospects of his team. First of all, Brown returns most of his players from last season – so many in fact that 91.3% of his team’s points (251 of 275 team points) were scored by players that will be back in a Sabre uniform this winter. “We have a lot of guys back from a full year of competing at a high level,” added Brown. “In addition to that, we have brought in a great class of freshman who will improve the skill and, more importantly, add to the winning attitude in our program.”

Last season brought a 16-8-3 overall record (their .648 winning percentage was the highest in school history); the squad’s first-ever victory over conference for Minnesota-Crookston (5-1 in the MCHA Tournament Championship); and a first-ever sweep of an NCHA team (UW-Stout) - yet Brown’s goals for the season remain simple. “Our goals are the same every year: Simply to work everyday to be the most together, hard-working team that plays with class and respect for the game of hockey. We don’t set goals in terms of wins and losses, because we want to be a national contender and that won’t happen unless we establish the other things first.”

Speaking of the national ranks, the 2000-2001 Sabres had some impressive numbers. The team ranked 18^th nationally in NCAA Division III in scoring defense (3.07 GAA), 17^th in winning percentage (.648), and 5^th in the nation in penalty-killing percentage (.886).

Coach Brown thinks this team will be very exciting for fans, students, and parents to watch and get behind this season. “This squad has the most depth, skill, and team speed of any at Marian,” noted coach. “The leadership and attitude of this team has been tremendous.”

On the list of top returners at forward is captain Dan Odegard (17G/15A). Coach Brown refers to the captain of this season’s squad as a “player asked to fill every role possible in a hockey game.” He was part of a line last season that included sophomores Brad Hawkins (13G/15A) and Mark Ewing (14G/13A), who also had outstanding freshman seasons in scoring last year. Other returning forwards that will play an active role on the team are Kirk Joudrey (12G/17A), Tommy Kotsopoulos (14G/12A), Adam Belair (4G/5A), Joe Moreau (6G/11A), and Teddy Eagle (6G/0A). “Each of these guys will produce,” noted Brown. “They all give a great effort each and every game.”

Defensively, Brown has a lot of quality players from which to choose. Dan Weymann (3G/17A), Tom van Kasteren (2G/14A), and Pat Telford (who missed last season due to injury) are co-captains of the squad and will be leaders. Jamie Davidson (1G/4A) and Nick Kulibert (3G/11A) will also see plenty of action. “We have more depth back on the blueline and hopefully the competition to see playing time will raise our team’s overall level of play,” noted Coach Brown.

Last season in goal, Terry Dunbar (who ranked 27^th in the country with a 3.06 GAA) saw the majority of minutes for the Sabres and his NCAA rank of fifth in the minutes leaders reflected that fact. Coach Brown calls this year’s goaltending “solid” and sees a situation where everyone is pushing each other and the squad is not relying on one goaltender. “The biggest thing is that whoever is in the goal, our team will be confident in and be behind,” added Coach Brown. “We do not ask our goalies to win games for us, just to do their job.” Senior Mark Wasco (1.75 GAA/.917 Save%) and freshman Bob Berg will be pushing Dunbar for ice time.

Regarding the newcomers, Coach Brown is excited about their potential. “The most important thing about the recruits is that I spent a lot of time getting to know them,” added Brown. “I got to know who they are and I was very selective in the process…they are a perfect fit with our program.” Not only are they a good fit, they have plenty of talent to bring to the Sabres. “I focused on increasing the team speed too,” said Coach. “We may not have the biggest team, but they will have the biggest hearts.”

The schedule looks even better than last season. The team will start with three games in five days against two teams ranked in the Top 10 in NCAA Div-III hockey (UW-River Falls and St. Norbert College). “The start of our schedule will be a real test,” noted Brown. “We also added UW-Stevens Point to the schedule and will play Augsburg and Lake Forest in non-conference action.” The MCHA will also be using a balanced schedule this season where everyone will play each other the same amount of times. “Whoever wins the MCHA this year will have earned it,” added Brown.

By the looks of the team and the potential, the Sabres will start looking to earn as much as they can in the 2001-2002 season.

Milwaukee School of Engineering - Milwaukee, Wisconsin

The MSOE Raiders head into the 2001-2002 season with a new coach, several key returnees and many fresh faces. Two stories draw attention to the Raiders: new head coach Mark Ostapina, who guided the lowly New England College hockey program to its first ever championship (32 year history) with a victory over defending National Champion Norwich, and Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association (MCHA) Most Valuable Player senior captain Ryan Moren (Lakeville, MN).

Moren, a quick, strapping, and intelligent defenseman, can control the game in all three zones. Look for this MCHA Academic All-American to be a dominating player in NCAA Division III hockey.

In net, the MSOE Raiders will rely on tandem returnees Adam Blomfield (Anchorage, Ak) and Matt Hirsch (Cottage Grove, WI). Looking to challenge for playing time is senior Sam Carrico (Roseville, MN).

Joining Moren on defense are returnees Kyle Kuenn (Hudson, WI), Ben Runkel (Verona, WI) and Jason Masterson (Beloit, WI). The impressive newcomers are lead by powerful freshman Brano Kruger (Evanston, IL), Dan Borash (Roseville, MN) and Alex Kislia (Janesville, WI).

Up front senior leadership will come from power forward Mike Turcott (Brookfield, WI) and slick puckhandler Lee Jenke (Brookfield, WI). The depth at the forward position is bolstered by the surging Rob Kaufman (Gig Harbor, WA) and the speedy David Kinnunen (Negaunee, MI).

The greatest improvement this year comes from the freshman recruits with speed and touch. Players to watch are Jacob Basten Jr. (DePere, WI), John Paul Cartier (Newbury, MA), Ryan Puffer (New Prague, MN) and Andy Eisch (Crystal Lake, IL).

A strength for MSOE lies in the impressive pair of young assistant coaches, Mike Sullivan (UW Eau Claire, 95) and Josh Nickols (MSOE, '99). They bring a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to this predominantly freshman team.

University of Minnesota at Crookston - Crookston, Minnesota

This year’s version of Golden Eagle Hockey will have many new faces as well as many familiar faces.  Coach Gary Warren is in his first season of coaching at UMC but not a stranger to the Golden Pond.  For 17 seasons Warren brought his Lumberjacks from NDSU-Bottineau to play our Eagles, which became one of the Nations most spirited college rivalries.

With Warren has come NJCAA All-American Levi Lies, a leftwinger from Fargo, ND and All-Region defenseman Dustin Barton, a Jamestown, ND native. Other ex-Lumberjacks wearing the maroon and gold are sophomores Mark Erickson and Matt Millar.

The Golden Eagles will return 12 players from the 2000-2001 Midwest Collegiate Hockey Associations Regular Season Champions. All-Conference player Marc Lemieux and All-Region NJCAA JUCO transfer Aaron Bina are UMC’s only seniors.

A very talented junior class will be the foundation for Warren to build the Eagles future.  Forwards Adam Coe of Bemidji, Mn; Todd Chandler a Crookston, Mn product; Jeff Johnston from Carman, Mb; and East Grands’ Scott Mack should provide some offensive leadership. Sophomores Jay Tupa and Ben Perkins will add to the Golden Eagles attack as well as contribute in leadership roles.

Along with Bina and Barton on the blue line the Eagles return Jarrod Christianson and Keith Johnson.  Newcomers Marc Tveit of Roseau; Adam Sprehe from Grand Forks; and Moose Jaw, Sk native Rod Bauck should help shore up the defensive corps. Focusing on improving those tail gunners will be first year assistant coach, Kori Pearson a Concordia College graduate and a 2000 All-MIAC unanimous pick defenseman.

Warren welcomes a real dogfight for goalkeeping honors. Four will fight it out; second year stoppers Aaron Kinslow and Matt Millar; along with Freshmen Joey Reese of Crookston and the Butte Irish, and All Michigan High School standout Tommy Mueller from Cadillac. To add to the strength between the pipes Warren has enlisted the services of goaltending coach Tony Bina a two time national champion.

Other newcomers to make an immediate impact in the Minnesota-Crookston line-up are all around athletes and some of Minnesota Great Eight Selects, Brock Anundson from Lake of the Woods High in Baudette, and Two Harbors’ own Shawn Carlson.  Both played on some of the most potent scoring lines in the state last year.  Shane Aikenhead transfers in from Rainy River CC having been a member of the NJCAA National Championship team. 

The future looks exciting with a great schedule of games, a new coaching staff, and plenty of anxious high voltage players  “Come Fly With Us On Golden Pond”.    

Northland College - Ashland, Wisconsin