A buck says that somewhere on the first page we see the word "Gophers".
In the ECAC, RPI isn't really losing too much. Sure, Bailen's graduated, but the rest of the team looks pretty solid, and we only graduated 5 players. I suspect that Dartmouth will also be a team to beat, as Walsh and Keenan are all they're really going to be missing. Yale and Union are probably the biggest question marks in my mind. Quinnipiac is going to be slightly rebuilding (although Jones-Jones-Peca is still intact, I don't know if they're going to have the same power as before).
- Yale has a strong core back, especially on defense, and a very good recruiting class. Biggest question is in goal where they lose 2 seniors, but have a very good recruit from the USHL coming in (Alex Lyon). If goaltending comes together will be the team to beat in ECAC.
- Quinnipiac loses 4 senior defenseman and an All-American goalie. They also lose some depth up front but have a terrific recruiting class coming in. Backup goalie Mike Garteig was very good in juniors and should fill the void in net. Will likely have more offense, but the blueline will be green.
- Union is similar to Qpac, loses 3 D-men and starting goalie. Recruiting class looks good. Big question is if Colin Stevens can replace Troy Grosenick in goal.
- RPI may have the most depth at all positions coming back and a couple good recruits.
- Dartmouth & Colgate have a lot of depth coming back too.
- Cornell way underperformed last season, has a very good nucleus returning and could be in line for a big bounce back season. Another potential surprise could be St. Lawrence who have 3 senior D-men and a good goalie returning, big question is if stud forward Greg Carey returns.
Oh, I don't disagree with this at all. They lost 2 of the best players in college hockey last season in Flanagan and Hughes, and everything will have to come together for SLU to improve on last season. Just saying that they do have quite a few of the pieces in place and a pretty good recruiting class, so they could make the jump.I see a big question mark with SLU not because of Carey, but because of Flanagan. As we both found out first hand, as much as those two players were good, they were good because of complementing play. Granted, I'm not going to look TOO far into it and write them off over the fact that they had a week to prepare.
- Yale has a strong core back, especially on defense, and a very good recruiting class. Biggest question is in goal where they lose 2 seniors, but have a very good recruit from the USHL coming in (Alex Lyon). If goaltending comes together will be the team to beat in ECAC.
- Quinnipiac loses 4 senior defenseman and an All-American goalie. They also lose some depth up front but have a terrific recruiting class coming in. Backup goalie Mike Garteig was very good in juniors and should fill the void in net. Will likely have more offense, but the blueline will be green.- Union is similar to Qpac, loses 3 D-men and starting goalie. Recruiting class looks good. Big question is if Colin Stevens can replace Troy Grosenick in goal.
- RPI may have the most depth at all positions coming back and a couple good recruits.
- Dartmouth & Colgate have a lot of depth coming back too.
- Cornell way underperformed last season, has a very good nucleus returning and could be in line for a big bounce back season. Another potential surprise could be St. Lawrence who have 3 senior D-men and a good goalie returning, big question is if stud forward Greg Carey returns.
Yale, Quin, RPI....Geez, the ECAC finally wins another NCAA title, and it seems that's all anyone wants to talk about.![]()
Notre Dame, BC, Wisconsin are about five miles better than anyone heading into next season.
After that, throw in Miami, PC, North Dakota and maybe Michigan if the young players respond. Brown is a tourney team next year.
Anyone have early insights into teams that have strong cores returning and/or recruiting classes expected to make an impact next season?
The Gophers...
Of course a fan boy would want to deflect attention away from BU, their new coach, the studs on the ice and a renewed excitement around the program.BC
*Large Gaping Abyss*
Everyone else.
Next question.
Been there, done that......Can't help myself......Your asking gophers not to dig too deep of a hole? I'll rent them a backhoe and pack the hole with the innards of fireworks if it will help any.Just hoping they don't dig themselves too big of a hole early.