Re: Michigan Tech Offseason III: Screw It, Somebody Look Up The Cheat Codes
Apparently, some have been having trouble opening the link to the "
09-10 Preseason Prospectus"
Here's the first part:
Season Outlook
The Michigan Tech Huskies will enter the 2009-10 campaign with nearly 75 percent of its scoring offense returning from a year ago, as well as six of nine defenders. Two of the team’s three goalies will also be back. The team will be much younger from a year ago with freshmen and sophomores accounting for 17 of the 27 players on the roster.
“The players and coaches have made a commitment this summer to re-establish our identity and climb the WCHA ladder,” said head coach Jamie Russell, who begins his seventh year leading the Huskies. “After the 2008-09 season that saw us hobbled by injuries, we are all chomping at the bit to come out of the gates flying. Although we will be a young team, we expect our returning players to improve and develop. We are a program that prides itself on player development and we have challenged our team to collectively take a big step.”
Offense
Leading the team this season will be senior captain Malcolm Gwilliam (Kamloops, B.C.). The 6-2, 215 pound winger will be looked upon to leave his mark this season, which will be his sixth in Houghton. Last year he suffered a stroke nine games into the season that ended his year. He also missed the 2005-06 season with a knee injury. Gwilliam enters the year with a team best 42 career points (17 goals, 25 assists).
Junior Jordan Baker is expected to continue his scoring prowess from last year in which he led the team in both goals (16) and points (27) and was named the team’s most valuable player. The Chestermere, Alberta, native will also be a scoring threat on the man-advantage after tying the team lead with six power play goals last season. He will serve as an assistant captain on this year’s team.
Sophomore Brett Olson, who challenged Baker for the team lead in scoring, will look to improve upon his 23 points (10 goals, 13 assists) in a Husky sweater. Olson, who will also serve as an assistant captain, tallied six multi-point games, tops on the team.
Another threat on the man-advantage will be sophomore Alex MacLeod. Last year the Nelson, B.C., native scored all six of his goals on the power play. He also added four assists to finish with 10 points.
Junior Eric Kattelus, who was named the team’s freshman of the year two years ago, will provide a physical force up front. The Houghton, Mich., native missed the final 15 games last year due to an injury, but produced four points (one goal, three assists) in 21 games.
Providing depth to the offense will be sophomore Peter Rohn. The Vettre, Norway, native tallied five points (two goals, three assists) in 18 games after having to sit out the first 17 due to NCAA eligibility.
The 2009-10 season will mark the final one for senior Ryan Bunger. The Sammamish, Wash., native has 19 career points (seven goals, 12 assists) in 93 games.
Junior Bennett Royer will be looked upon to move up the depth chart after making great strides over the course of last season. The Calgary, Alberta, native has 14 career points (three goals, 11 assists) in 70 career games.
Sophomores Seth Soley and Bryce Reddick will also add to the mix of the team’s forwards. Freshman Mikael Lickteig is jumping at the chance for playing time after missing all of last season with an injury.
Milos Gordic leads a group of four freshman forwards for this season. The 6-4, 210 pound center averaged over a point a game last season for the Langley Chiefs, finishing with 58 points (29 goals, 29 assists) in 50 games.
Another player who joins the team from the British Columbia Hockey League is Evan Witt. The Spokane, Wash., native used his vision and playmaking ability to tally 36 points (11 goals, 25 assists) in 58 games for the Alberni Valley Bulldogs.
A pair of Michigan natives round out the forwards on this year’s squad. Aaron Pietila of Brighton, Mich., tallied 91 points (35 goals, 56 assists) in 85 games over the past two seasons for the Marquette Rangers. Anthony Schooley (Gaylord, Mich.) played in the North American Hockey League helping the St. Louis Bandits to their third consecutive Robertson Cup Championship.
“We are excited by the return of captain Malcolm Gwilliam and junior Eric Kattelus both of whom were lost for the bulk of our season last year to injury. They will combine with leading scorers Jordan Baker and Brett Olson to fuel our attack. Drew Dobson may see top-two-line ice time as a forward as well. Competition for the third and fourth line spots will be fierce and players will need to quickly establish their role.”
