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WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

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Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

MSU-M

Losses - Leitner, Williams, Palmquist (Ouch, ouch, and double ouch), Lafontaine, Gaede, Grant, Stern to graduation/early departure, Buchanan pursuing other endeavors.
Additions - Forwards - Jimmy Mullin (grad student from Miami, will be a senior), Steen Cooper, Penticton (BCHL), Chandler Madry, Fairbanks (NAHL), Max Coatta, Waterloo (USHL), Ryan Schwalbe, Sioux Falls (USHL). None posted eye-popping numbers at their last stop, but Cooper and Madry were younger guys who still may have some upside potential
Defense - Clint Lewis (from Cornell via Sioux Falls, will be a sophomore), Daniel Brickley, Topeka (NAHL), Alec Vanko, Madison (USHL). Lewis is a former draft pick and Development Team member, who helped Sioux Falls to the Clark Cup. Brickley earned an invite to Rangers development camp, and is thought to have high potential.
Goalie - Jason Pawloski, Green Bay (USHL). Struggled a little on a bad Green Bay team last year. If Huggins regains his form, Pawloski and Aaron Nelson likely won't see much, if any, playing time

I think BGSU has to be the favorite, with Kato and Tech close behind, though maybe not in that order. I'd guess that Northern may be most likely to join that group, but Alaska and Bemidji should also battle for home ice.
 
Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

Hmmm, I didn't realize that MSU-M lost that much. Maybe I shouldn't have picked them #1.
 
Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

This is a rebuild for Ferris. Motte has graduated, I'm not sure what is coming in, but I anticipate Charles Williams to be in net, not Pennock. Goal scoring will be an issue. Again.
 
Re: WCHA 2015-16: Exactly how they will finish, take it to the bank...

Re: WCHA 2015-16: Exactly how they will finish, take it to the bank...

I don't have the knowledge to do more than rank the teams, so sorry you won't get all the other guesses out of me.

01 MTU - If they can find some scoring in the frosh class the McNaughton will finally be back in Houghton in 2016, D will be VERY strong & Phillips back in net
02 BGSU - 12 games against UAH, UAA, LSSU, in a league where 1 point could be 2 or 3 places in the standings this is not to be overlooked
03 MSU - I think they will be a better team than BGSU, but scheduling gives the edge to the Falcons

04 BSU - They might be the team that cracks the top three if one of those teams stumbles, played very strong the second half of last year
05 UAF - Huge losses in the off season, they were close to the top tier last year, but I can't see them holding that level of play
06 NMU - As a Tech fan, I'm not ranking them in the top half of anything, it just can't be done
07 FSU - The loss of Motte is big because he kept them in a lot of games, lack of offense and higher GPG allowed is never good

08 UAH - Huntsville will continue to show the benefit of recruiting with a conference home, they have the most growth potential the next couple years
09 LSSU - Another team with big off season turn-over on and off the ice, they play UAA four times, winner of those games gets 9th
10 UAA - Sorry Seawolves, but I don't see anything at this point that shows me a move out of 10th is going to happen this season

Ryan J
 
Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

bigblue_dl said:
Hmmm, I didn't realize that MSU-M lost that much. Maybe I shouldn't have picked them #1.
Click to expand...

It will hurt, no doubt, but still have Gervais, Blueger, Margonari, McClure, Franklin and hopefully a bounce back year for Stepan and Huggins. Still, expectations are lower than last year
 
Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

bigblue_dl said:
Hmmm, I didn't realize that MSU-M lost that much. Maybe I shouldn't have picked them #1.
Click to expand...

If their incoming freshman are as good as advertised, this could be the best Mavericks team ever.

I should add, that there is an expected development for guys like McClure, Franklin, and particularly Casey Nelson to grow into elite players. Nelson already is, IMO.
 
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Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

<a href="https://mmf.smugmug.com/Alaska-Nanook-Hockey/201516-Hockey-Season/n-3B6CTS/i-b6JcMmx/A"><img src="https://mmf.smugmug.com/photos/i-b6JcMmx/0/M/i-b6JcMmx-M.jpg" alt="Photo & Video Sharing by SmugMug"></a>

So, it looks like a team needs to take about 30 points if they want to compete for home ice, and over 40 for a conference title. I’m guessing 14-11-3 or 31 points for the Nooks, so I’m hoping for home ice.

And I’ll say it again, I’m a real fan of only 8 teams making the tournament. I hope that doesn’t change, even if the Nooks end up being left out. Every weekend means something. The home stretch of the WCHA is pretty “dank” (I'm old enough that I had to look it up in an urban dictionary – thanks jj). Groovy just didn’t sound right. :)
 
Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

2013-14 was an anomaly in my opinion. I don't recall ever seeing the league finish like that with two run away title contenders (each 10+ points ahead of 3rd), one team with no chance (almost 20 pts behind 9th) and the whole rest of the league (7 teams within 6 pts) in a huge log jam. In most seasons, if you get more than 50% of the possible points, you're on home ice the first round. Very rarely does that not turn out to be the case over the course of history, however with the WCHA dropping one first round series that number will creep up because 5th place now goes on the road during the 1st round.
Ryan J
 
Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

JohnsonsJerseys said:
2013-14 was an anomaly in my opinion. I don't recall ever seeing the league finish like that with two run away title contenders (each 10+ points ahead of 3rd), one team with no chance (almost 20 pts behind 9th) and the whole rest of the league (7 teams within 6 pts) in a huge log jam. In most seasons, if you get more than 50% of the possible points, you're on home ice the first round. Very rarely does that not turn out to be the case over the course of history, however with the WCHA dropping one first round series that number will creep up because 5th place now goes on the road during the 1st round.
Ryan J
Click to expand...

We didn't exactly help matters there.

GFM
 
Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

jsmithe said:
Here's what Lake Superior is looking like:

Senior Departures:
Andrew Dommett - F
Stephen Perfetto - F
Chris Ciotti - F

Non-Senior Departures:
Ian Miller - F
Mitch Nardi - F
Garret Clemment - F
Nathan Harris - D
Pete Megariotis - G
Luke Sandler - F

Additions:
Josh Henke - F (transfer from Maine)
Diego Cuglietta - F
Matt McArdle - F
Christopher Hayes - F
Jake Hand - F
Mitch Hults - F
Anthony Nellis - F
Josh Nenedal - F
Owen Headrick - D
Gage Torrel - F
Nick Kossoff - G
To Be Determined - Assistant Coach
Click to expand...

Wait, SIX players left the team in the off season?
 
mmf said:
And I’ll say it again, I’m a real fan of only 8 teams making the tournament. I hope that doesn’t change, even if the Nooks end up being left out. Every weekend means something. The home stretch of the WCHA is pretty “dank” (I'm old enough that I had to look it up in an urban dictionary – thanks jj). Groovy just didn’t sound right. :)
Click to expand...
Hey, you're welcome! :p

For UAA I agree with people here and foresee struggles ahead.
 
Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

BGSU (easiest schedule of the top tier gets them the pre-season nod)
MSU (They lost some big pieces and they need a bounceback year from Huggins, but the evidence suggests they're still a top tier team. Also have an easier schedule than MTU)
MTU (Lost the entire top line, but have the forward depth to replace at least some of it; retained what should be a Top 10 defense and goalie)

BSU (Still have Bitzer; need scoring - could slide up or down a tier)

NMU (Dahlstrom + Maschmeyer + a large crop of freshman forwards that Walt Kyle will squeeze every last drop of blood out of puts them in the top half)
UAF (They lost Parayko and 1/3 of their offense; goaltending is a question mark)
FSU (no more Motte and no evidence of a second coming, nor any consistent scorers, is a bad sign for the Bulldogs)

UAH (They are close to moving up a tier; it may happen if Ferris or UAF are especially bad)
LSSU (Giant freshman class; another year of Whitten cleaning house likely means another year outside the playoffs)
UAA (I got nothin')
 
Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

I want to make a correction to UAH. James Block is still on UAH's roster, and Bryan Siersma simply switched sports to lacrosse. I know that the school's hope as we start lax is that we'll tap into a burgeoning prep scene here, and having a local kid doing that really should help.

I hadn't thought to do a scheduling analysis. I have to find time to do that ... maybe I want the insomnia back for data entry.

GFM
 
Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

BGFan said:
Written by a Minnesota State grad which explains the MSU homer feel to it. Yes, BG has Schilling and Bednard coming in and they should be good, but the freshman that will likely make the biggest impact will be Stephen Baylis.
Click to expand...

this.
Baylis is a beast, even with reported 6-game suspension.
 
Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

I'm willing to bet that Lake state will open some eyes this year and upset a few people. I think Ferris will have some good, under the radar freshmen, but it might take them some time to gel. I still have UAH in last, even below Anchorage.
Also a few notes regarding the article. I agree two or maybe three get in. The non con schedule is more important than ever, and especially if you lose to a non con team with a losing record,( I'm looking at you NMU vs Wisconsin, or Tech vs UCONN, or BGSU vs OSU) it will be tough to overcome that.
 
Re: WCHA 2015-16: So here's what we think that we know...

manurespreader said:
I'm willing to bet that Lake state will open some eyes this year and upset a few people.
Click to expand...

I think Lake State will be a little better this year, but I think "opening some eyes" is still a year away, possibly two. Damon Whitten still has A LOT of work to do.
 
manurespreader said:
I'm willing to bet that Lake state will open some eyes this year and upset a few people. I think Ferris will have some good, under the radar freshmen, but it might take them some time to gel. I still have UAH in last, even below Anchorage.
Also a few notes regarding the article. I agree two or maybe three get in. The non con schedule is more important than ever, and especially if you lose to a non con team with a losing record,( I'm looking at you NMU vs Wisconsin, or Tech vs UCONN, or BGSU vs OSU) it will be tough to overcome that.
Click to expand...

UAF plays at Wisconsin in January, too.

Us and UAA play St. Cloud to open the season; that will be important as well.
 
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