2008 - Will Your Team Be in Duluth???

[sk8happy]

With a week between the men's finals in St Louis, ( read: bored ) I thought it would be interesting to hear from the diehard followers of their respective teams regarding hopes, critiques, graduation losses, holes to be filled, etc.
Given that the most recent season is still relatively fresh in peoples minds, where do you see your the '07-08 edition gaining, losing ground or just general thoughts???

UNH:

Forwards:
Scoring won't be an issue next year for the Cats. Plenty of proven talent with some nice additions. Graduation losses up front we're a solid group of mid level producers. Hekle, Clement & Caleo were good players, but given the freshmen impact the sport is seeing, I suspect UNH will be more dangerous up front next year. If Wakefield and Brichard are as advertised, UNH should again be one of the top offensive teams in the country.
Biggest question marks: can Wright-Ward find form again as a senior? Can Craig become more consistent? Can Taylor breakout and be a threat start to finish?

Defense:
Should be one of the best groups in the country next year. No graduation losses.
Garland and Bellamy will be two of the best in the coutnry. Joyce has made some solid improvement. Goguen is about as dependable as they come. Additions- Dzieng. was impressive last summer in Lake Placid- solid skater, physical with good size and a talented puck handler. Cahill is probably a wild card given her time away from the game, but she was a blue chip recruit 2 years ago at OSU. If she returns to form, I don't know who will have a better starting 6?

Goaltending:
Much discussed and debated by the UNH faithful. The loss of Bourdon could actually be a silver lining "IF" Herman is a top flight goalie? This position will ultimately hold the key to UNH's hopes to make a run to Duluth. If the Wildcats are better in net next year, they'll be very tough to beat.

Predictions: A definite NCAA qualifier. High probablility of earning home ice and going to Duluth, but goaltending will hold the key.

[ARM]

Nice analysis -- I have to wait until we say goodbye to our seniors tonight before attempting the same. But ...

Dzieng. was impressive last summer in Lake Placid- solid skater, physical with good size and a talented puck handler.How are the rest of us going to learn to spell a name like Raylen Dziengelewski if a diehard like yourself ducks it? Either teach us how, or coin a nickname right now.;)

[sk8happy]

Nice analysis -- I have to wait until we say goodbye to our seniors tonight before attempting the same. But ...

How are the rest of us going to learn to spell a name like Raylen Dziengelewski if a diehard like yourself ducks it? Either teach us how, or coin a nickname right now.;)

You're giving me a good chuckle. Someone else is probably better at this than me, but we DO need one soon!! Dizzy comes to mind, but that doesn't exactly coin the best image for a defenseman, or anyone for that matter!
Hmm. They may have to get extenders for the name plates next year.

I'll look forward to hearing about the Gophers, post banquet.

[Jonesy]

You're giving me a good chuckle. Someone else is probably better at this than me, but we DO need one soon!! Dizzy comes to mind, but that doesn't exactly coin the best image for a defenseman, or anyone for that matter!
Hmm. They may have to get extenders for the name plates next year.

I'll look forward to hearing about the Gophers, post banquet.

You also need to figure out haw to spell Courtney's name, its Birchard not Brichard

[sk8happy]

You also need to figure out haw to spell Courtney's name, its Birchard not Brichard

Hmmm. Guess I need to go back to school.. Hopefully that one won't stump me for long....lol. thanks

[sunprairie]

Wisconsin will be there. That is all.

Oh, and even though it's just over the bridge from Wisconsin and despite what will surely be a stellar regular season record, the national announcers that CSTV brings in will be SHOCKED that a team from Wisconsin could be playing such good hockey.

I'll also put money that the UMD team will be in Duluth in 2008. Whether they're playing in the tourney, I don't know. But, they'll probably be in Duluth.:) :) :)
(ducks and covers)

[TonyTheTiger20]

Boston College:

BC has a graduating class that is abnormally small, losing only Jessica Wilson and Michelle Lombardi - both of whom are fantastic leaders and will be missed. But BC is lucky to only be losing two players.

The top 2 lines remain intact with the loss of Wilson and Lombardi, and these lines can only get better. Not only is BC gaining a very talented frosh forward and two very good frosh defenders to their squad next season (along with another goalie), but they are also gaining Megan Keever back from a half-season long ACL injury and Colleen Harris, who, when healthy in her freshman year 2 years ago, played very well herself. With Shannon Webster and Rachel Wedig also coming back to the team next year, BC is definately improving their depth by leaps and bounds.

I think that BC will only do better next year than they did this year - they should at least on paper. But, that's why they play the games. It'll definitely be an exciting season!

EDIT: PS we have molly schaus.

[vellnueve]

Let's be honest Grant, Lombardi and Wilson were leaders for sure, but their impact when on the ice was minimal. We essentially lose one fourth line forward and a reserve defenseman, and return leadership in spades with Spillane.

[sk8happy]

Let's be honest Grant, Lombardi and Wilson were leaders for sure, but their impact when on the ice was minimal. We essentially lose one fourth line forward and a reserve defenseman, and return leadership in spades with Spillane.

Without question. On paper, BC should continue to get stronger next year.
The interesting challenge for BC, much like UNH last year,is that anything less than a trip to Duluth will be considered a failure. And they're relying on Freshmen who are coming off HUGE rookie seasons. Sophomore slumps aren't always the case, but they're more likely when a player has had an impressive first year; and few freshmen had better first seasons than BC's.
One thing for sure, BC will now have to face the challenge of being a favorite most nights- and they should be exciting to watch.

I'm curious to hear where Arm see's Minnesota and Binny or Dhmn see's Duluth. The BADGER faithful obviously have spoken- lol.
Other WCHA teams I'm curious about as well, like Minnesota State and St Cloud??

In the East, SLU returns a ton, and I'm really intrigued to hear how the Dartmouth and Harvard faithful see their squad entering next year?? Teams that were close last year: how about Princeton?? UCONN??? Yale?? Colgate?? Clarkson??
Which ECAC teams in the top half graduated the most?? And which teams in the bottom half should be most improved?? RPI?? Cornell??

[vellnueve]

Dartmouth is being decimated by graduation.

[TonyTheTiger20]

Dartmouth is being decimated by graduation.

daggum real life.

[ARM]

Losses:
Graduation: Andrea Nichols, Maggie Souba, Becky Wacker.
Other: Brittony Chartier (persumably)
They are really only losing two skaters from the lineup with which they ended the season, because they were without Chartier and Wacker for the final two months. However, that version of the Gophers didn't fare too well on the ice. The temptation is to dismiss the losses too quickly as being negligible, but the seniors contributed too much both on and off the ice to be that easily replaced.

Additions:
Frosh: Jenny Lura, Laura May, Terra Rasmussen, Jen Schoullis, Emily West
Transfer: Rachel Drazan

Forwards:
Kelli Blankenship, Lindsay Block, Brittany Francis, Whit Graft, Jaimie Horton, Tiff Johnson, Gigi Marvin, May, Erica McKenzie, Jenelle Philipczyk, Rasmussen, Bobbi Ross, Schoullis, West.
By my count that is 14, and being a little heavy at that position is good, because 4 of them are seniors. Someone might look at that depth chart, decide that they don't like their chances, and not be a part of the mix. Over the last two seasons, Minnesota has played their best when they've had a third line that is playing well and holding their own no matter who they are matched against. That was mainly true during the 2006 calendar year. At other times, they've struggled to find the right combination -- a problem not isolated to the 3rd line alone. Passing has been a weak point for two years, sometimes because they don't connect, other times because they don't even try. Paradoxically for a team that doesn't pass enough, they don't shoot enough either. Why? Too many people are trying to carry the puck and it isn't working. The keys up front: simplify the game -- support each other coming up the rink, move the puck, go to the net, get the puck to the net. Ugly goals count as much as pretty ones. This position must be a strength, not another weakness. For that to be true, everyone needs to bring a more consistent effort than last season.

D: Drazan, Melanie Gagnon, Michelle Maunu, Anya Miller, Dagney Willey, and Alexandra Zebro. Mistakes -- the defensive corps needs to cut down on their mistakes. For the most part, they'd do a good job, then someone would make an "oh no!" play, resulting in a goal against. Confidence seemed to drop, and mistakes would snowball. Drazan should give them the most natural offensive D they've had since Ronda Curtin and Winny Brodt. With the seniors graduating at UW, OSU, and UMD, this has the potential to be the strongest blueline in the league. For that to be true, they must take better care of the puck.

Goal: Kim Hanlon, Brittany Krause, Lura
No position can make or break a team like goaltender. Had Dartwitz, Wendell and Wall all returned last season, the Gophers still would not have won had they had the same level of play in net. Someone needs to step up and claim the job. Whether that means Hanlon becoming healthy and returning to form, Lura or Krause taking over, or someone else flying in under the radar, Minnesota isn't going anywhere unless there is improvement.

Predictions: Half of the teams that finished above them suffered heavy losses to graduation. That figures to make the Gophs a likely bet to qualify for the NCAAs. Whether they limp in as a one-and-done team, become a threat, or collapse totally is all up to them. If the goaltending is solid, they have the talent to compete for the top. If somebody flattens them along the way like Wisconsin did in January, they must pick themselves up and keep moving forward without totally losing confidence. I don't think that the new senior class cared much for the view of the NCAAs from the outside, and I think that they will do something to change their perspective this year. They need to decide that they won't be outworked, particularly at home. I'd say that they have a 90% chance of making the NCAAs and a 50% chance of earning their way to the Frozen Four.

[sk8happy]

Losses:
Graduation: Andrea Nichols, Maggie Souba, Becky Wacker.
Other: Brittony Chartier (persumably)
They are really only losing two skaters from the lineup with which they ended the season, because they were without Chartier and Wacker for the final two months. However, that version of the Gophers didn't fare too well on the ice. The temptation is to dismiss the losses too quickly as being negligible, but the seniors contributed too much both on and off the ice to be that easily replaced.

Additions:
Frosh: Jenny Lura, Laura May, Terra Rasmussen, Jen Schoullis, Emily West
Transfer: Rachel Drazan

Forwards:
Kelli Blankenship, Lindsay Block, Brittany Francis, Whit Graft, Jaimie Horton, Tiff Johnson, Gigi Marvin, May, Erica McKenzie, Jenelle Philipczyk, Rasmussen, Bobbi Ross, Schoullis, West.
By my count that is 14, and being a little heavy at that position is good, because 4 of them are seniors. Someone might look at that depth chart, decide that they don't like their chances, and not be a part of the mix. Over the last two seasons, Minnesota has played their best when they've had a third line that is playing well and holding their own no matter who they are matched against. That was mainly true during the 2006 calendar year. At other times, they've struggled to find the right combination -- a problem not isolated to the 3rd line alone. Passing has been a weak point for two years, sometimes because they don't connect, other times because they don't even try. Paradoxically for a team that doesn't pass enough, they don't shoot enough either. Why? Too many people are trying to carry the puck and it isn't working. The keys up front: simplify the game -- support each other coming up the rink, move the puck, go to the net, get the puck to the net. Ugly goals count as much as pretty ones. This position must be a strength, not another weakness. For that to be true, everyone needs to bring a more consistent effort than last season.

D: Drazan, Melanie Gagnon, Michelle Maunu, Anya Miller, Dagney Willey, and Alexandra Zebro. Mistakes -- the defensive corps needs to cut down on their mistakes. For the most part, they'd do a good job, then someone would make an "oh no!" play, resulting in a goal against. Confidence seemed to drop, and mistakes would snowball. Drazan should give them the most natural offensive D they've had since Ronda Curtin and Winny Brodt. With the seniors graduating at UW, OSU, and UMD, this has the potential to be the strongest blueline in the league. For that to be true, they must take better care of the puck.

Goal: Kim Hanlon, Brittany Krause, Lura
No position can make or break a team like goaltender. Had Dartwitz, Wendell and Wall all returned last season, the Gophers still would not have won had they had the same level of play in net. Someone needs to step up and claim the job. Whether that means Hanlon becoming healthy and returning to form, Lura or Krause taking over, or someone else flying in under the radar, Minnesota isn't going anywhere unless there is improvement.

Predictions: Half of the teams that finished above them suffered heavy losses to graduation. That figures to make the Gophs a likely bet to qualify for the NCAAs. Whether they limp in as a one-and-done team, become a threat, or collapse totally is all up to them. If the goaltending is solid, they have the talent to compete for the top. If somebody flattens them along the way like Wisconsin did in January, they must pick themselves up and keep moving forward without totally losing confidence. I don't think that the new senior class cared much for the view of the NCAAs from the outside, and I think that they will do something to change their perspective this year. They need to decide that they won't be outworked, particularly at home. I'd say that they have a 90% chance of making the NCAAs and a 50% chance of earning their way to the Frozen Four.

Great insight. I'm curious what happened to Hanlon this year?? Was it all injury related or did she lose her edge and confidence this year? Neither the Gophers or Wildcats were honestly going anywhere when you assess this past season and the play they were getting in net.
Good stuff Arm..

[rinkrat890890]

Losses:
Graduation: Andrea Nichols, Maggie Souba, Becky Wacker.
.

Arm:

What happened to Wacker? I know she had knee surgery early on, but did she get injured again in her last year? I always liked the way she plays. I knew her from her days at Assabet.

[ARM]

What happened to Wacker? I know she had knee surgery early on, but did she get injured again in her last year?As reported in the March 6th edition of The Minnesota Daily, "... Wacker was forced to miss the rest of the season due to academic ineligibility." Beyond that, the story isn't mine to tell, so I won't add anything that isn't in the public record. But given that her major is aerospace engineering, it is not a case of someone who is in school just to play hockey. Her teammates have been outspoken in their praise of how she continued to support them and work toward the betterment of the team after she was no longer allowed to dress for games.

[rinkrat890890]

As reported in the March 6th edition of The Minnesota Daily, "... Wacker was forced to miss the rest of the season due to academic ineligibility." Beyond that, the story isn't mine to tell, so I won't add anything that isn't in the public record. But given that her major is aerospace engineering, it is not a case of someone who is in school just to play hockey. Her teammates have been outspoken in their praise of how she continued to support them and work toward the betterment of the team after she was no longer allowed to dress for games.

Well if she's academically ineligible, it has to be because of her major. The kid is brilliant!

[ARM]

I'm curious what happened to Hanlon this year?? Was it all injury related or did she lose her edge and confidence this year?Without being Kim, it is hard to say with any certainty. She had surgery at the start of the season, and wasn't able to play at all until December, because the injury would flare up every time that she tried to return to the ice. She'd started less than a handful of games at the point the team lost Chartier, at which point Hanlon played every game. Even if she had been 100%, which I don't believe she was, she was a couple of months behind everybody else. Like everyone in a Minnesota jersey, she had a rough stretches, particularly the weekend in Duluth, but I give her a lot of credit for perseverence. She had her best games of the season at the WCHA championships and wasn't the reason that Minnesota lost.

[WHKY blogger]

Will my team be in Duluth??

I hope so. :)

There are a lot of cards that will need to fall into place for the Badgers to challenge for a 3-peat. Replacing the seniors, freshman stepping up and messing with the upperclassmen, strong defense out front, and Vetter being able hold up to playing every game, will hinge on what happens next year.

The Gophers and Bulldogs will be looking to take us down a notch as usual, and I wouldn't exactly rule out St. Cloud, Ohio State, MSU-Mankato, and Bemidj being able to challenge us game in and game out. Depending on what North Dakota does for a coach they may be quite a bit better than last year.

I wouldn't be surprised to see a ton of 1-0 or 3-2 games next year.

The Target on our backs WILL be much larger, the schedule will be more difficult (from what Ive heard), I hope it can be done!

The expectations after each championship grow larger and larger. People expect more wins and fewer losses. Almost as if they are playing with the exact same roster and all the other teams are playing with all freshman rosters. Everyone will be looking for them to fail and and at the very least I hope they can live up to their pre-season expectations.

Weather or not they make the frozen four will be a toss up to call until the team has been on the ice for at least half the season and allowed to mesh on and off the ice.

[ARM]

Whether or not they make the frozen four will be a toss up to call until the team has been on the ice for at least half the season ...Or maybe even until the 4th OT of a quarterfinal. Nice analysis.

[MN. Fan]

Arm,

I think you hit it on the head for the most part. I have been trying to come up with a way in which to talk about the elephant in the room without coming across to harsh. I believe you got the point across in the right way about the problems with the goalie situation.