As you know, Division I hockey players are generally recruited at least two years before they arrive on campus. The new coaching staff was hired in August of 2009, and had little time to recruit the class entering in 2010. Although most good players were already committed by then, the coaches were still able to bring in a few quality recruits, who have developed well (particularly on defense). However, that class is uneven, and it'll become harder and harder for some of its members to remain in the lineup. The class entering in 2011 was much stronger, and a larger percentage of players have already become regulars. The class entering next fall is even stronger, and it's expected that at least five players will contribute immediately and that all seven players will eventually become regulars. It's likely that there'll be only three seniors in the opening day line-up, so the group that will dress will still be young though the full roster (18 forwards + 9 defensemen + 3 goaltenders) won't necessarily be so.
Bob Gaudet came to Brown in 1988. The 1992-93 team (Gaudet's fifth) was his first truly veteran team, with strong senior (Derek Chauvette, Scott Hanley, James O'Brien, Geoff Finch, Mike Ross, etc.) and junior (Chris Kaban, Mark Fabbro, Kelly Jones, Brendan Whittet, Mark Shaughnessy, etc.) classes. That team played for the ECAC championship and advanced to the NCAA tournament. It takes time to build a veteran team because a new coach who has inherited a weak program has to take some borderline players in the beginning. These players are likely to lose their job to younger players who are better, so the team on the ice remains young. This phenomenon is unavoidable for three or four seasons, particularly without athletic scholarships. It happened under Gaudet and is happening again right now.
