NCHC Preseason Preview

Denver

2017 NCAA Champions

2017 NCHC Regular Season Champions

33-7-4 Overall 18-3-3-2 Conference 

Key Departures: Will Butcher (D), Evan Janssen (F), Matt Marcinew (F), Emil Romig (F), Matt VanVoorhis (D).

Top Returners: Troy Terry (F), Henrik Borgstrom (F), Tanner Jaillet (G), Dylan Gambrell (F), Jarid Lukosevicius (F), Adam Plant (D), Michael Davies (D).

Top Newcomers: Kohen Olischefski (F), Ryan Barrow (F), Jaakko Heikkinen (F), Ian Mitchell (D), Dayton Rasmussen (G).

Troy Terry (19) led Denver with 45 points last season and is a
possible candidate this season for the Hobey Baker Award.
(Photo courtesy of Denver Athletics)

Denver is coming off of a banner year looking to repeat as national champions.  Will Butcher was a
staple on the blueline and will be greatly missed, but fortunately they bring back 4 of 6 starters and added a high end prospect to the group. Ian Mitchell was a 2nd round pick by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2017, having spent the past 2 seasons with the Spruce Grove Saints (AJHL) where he tallied 64 points in 109 total games. On the frontend they return 5 players who tallied over 20 points including Troy Terry (45 points), Henrik Borgstrom (43 points), and Dylan Gambrell (42 points). They bring in 2 promising prospects, Kohen Olishefski who tallied 76 points in 58 games and also had 23 points in 23 postseason games with the Chilliwack Chiefs (BCHL). Jaakko Heikkinen played the last 2 seasons with the Jokerit U20 team (Jr. A SM-liiga) where he put together 85 points in 87 games. Mike Richter Finalist Tanner Jaillet also returns looking to repeat what he did last year posting a 28-5-4 record and a 1.83 GAA. I see Denver repeating as NCHC regular season champions and they are the favorite to win the NCAA tournament and have a pretty good chance to repeat. The last time a team repeated was Denver in 2004 and 2005.

Duluth

2017 NCAA Runner Up

2017 NCHC Tournament Champions

28-7-7 Overall 15-5-4-3 Conference 

Key Departures: Hunter Miska (G), Alex Iaffalo (F), Dominic Toninato (F), Kyle Osterberg (F), Willie Raskob (D), Carson Soucy (D), Adam Johnson (F), Neal Pionk (D).
Top Returners: Joey Anderson (F), Karson Kuhlman (F), Riley Tufte (F) Avery Peterson (F).
Top Newcomers: Mikey Anderson (D), Matt Anderson (D), Dylan Samberg (D), Louie Roehl (D), Nick Swaney (F), Benjamin Patt (G).

Duluth lost a lot this offseason seeing 6 of their top 8 scorers leave and 5 of 6 starting defenseman as well as freshman standout Hunter Miska who signed with the Arizona Coyotes. Coming off one of their best seasons since winning the 2011 national championship Duluth is hoping that some of their newcomers can fill those holes in hopes to mirror last season and get back to the national championship. Joey Anderson's younger brother Mikey joins the team coming from the Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL) where he put up 50 points in 111 games in 2 seasons, 2017 2nd round pick Dylan Samberg had 28 points in 25 games with Hermantown Hawks (Minnesota High School), and Matt Anderson who played for Holy Family (Minnesota High School) since 8th grade where he put together 136 points in 168 games. It will be interesting to see who fills Miska's skates, collectively Nick Deery and Hunter Shepard only have 5 total games under their belt and newcomer Benjamin Patt has put up some nice numbers with the Notre Dame Hounds (SJHL). I expect 2016 1st round pick Riley Tufte to have a big year and I also wouldn't be shocked if he signs with the Dallas Stars at the conclusion of Duluth's season.

Western Michigan

2017 NCAA Tournament Bid
22-13-5 Overall 13-9-2-1 Conference

Key Departures: Matheson Iacopelli (F), Griffen Molino (F), Sheldon Dries (F), Taylor Fleming (D), Frederik Tiffels (F).

Top Returners: Colt Conrad (F), Wade Allison (F), Hugh McGing (F), Corey Schueneman (D), Scott Moldenhauer (D), Ben Blacker (G).

Top Newcomers: Brett Van Os (F), Lukas Samuelsson (F), Josh Passolt (F), Ethan Frank (F).

Coming off one of their best seasons in years, Western Michigan returns 6 defenseman who all saw 24+ games of action and star netminder Ben Blacker who went 17-8-2 with a 2.55 GAA and a .915 Sv%. They do however lose 4 of their top 7 forwards including sophomores Matheson Iacopelli and Griffen Molino who both led the team in points as they both signed professional contracts. They are hoping some of their new recruits can help to replace their key departures from the offseason. Brett Van Os is coming off of a nice season with the Calgary Canucks (AJHL) where he had 55 points in 59 games, Lukas Samuelsson played last season with the Toronto Predators (GMHL) putting together 36 points in 40 games and was also in the 2016-17 GMHL All-Star Game, and Josh Passolt of the Sioux Falls Stampede (USHL) had 42 points in 60 games last season.

North Dakota

2017 NCAA Tournament Bid
21-16-3 Overall 11-12-1-1 Conference

Key Departures: Brock Boeser (F), Tyson Jost (F), Tucker Poolman (D), Gage Ausmus (D).

Top Returners: Austin Poganski (F), Shane Gersich (F), Rhett Gardner (F), Joel Janatuinen (F), Christian Wolanin (D), Colton Poolman, Cam Johnson (G).

Top Newcomers: Collin Adams (F), Nicholas Jones (F), Jordan Kawaguchi (F), Grant Mismash (F), Josh Rieger (D) Gabe Bast (D).

Shane Gersich (19) led North Dakota last season with 21 goals
and 37 points. (Photo by: Conor Knuteson/UND Athletics.)

North Dakota loses 2 top forwards in 1st round picks Brock Boeser and Tyson Jost, and their 2 top defenseman Tucker Poolman and Gage Ausmus. They do bring back Cam Johnson, leading goal scorer Shane Gersich, and Austin Poganski who could both possibly be on a line with Rhett Ghardner. They bring in Ohio State transfer Nicholas Jones who spent the past 2 seasons in the BCHL with the Penticton Vees putting up 125 points in 100 games including 43 points in 32 post season games leading them to the 2017 BCHL championship, Collin Adams is coming off of 2 nice seasons with the Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL) where he had 112 points in 120 games, Jordan Kawaguchi absolutely light up the BCHL 3 straight seasons with the Chilliwack Chiefs scoring 224 points in 164 games and also had 43 points in 23 post season games last season, 2017 2nd round pick Grant Mismash had a good year with the USNTDP and also with the World Junior U18 team, on the backend they bring in Josh Rieger who is coming off of a nice season with the Estevan Bruins (SJHL).

St. Cloud State

16-19-1 Overall 10-3-1-0 Conference

Key Departures: Dennis Cholowski (D).

Top Returners: Ryan Poehling (D), Mikey Eyssimont (F), Blake Winiekcki (F), Patrick Newell (F), Jacob Benson (F), Robby Jackson (F), Jack Ahcan, Jimmy Schuldt (D) Will Borgen (D).

Top Newcomers: Tyler Anderson (D), Blake Lizotte (F), David Hrenak (G).

Blake Lizotte (27) was one of the top forwards last season in
the USHL with the Fargo Force. He is hoping to bring his high
power offense to St. Cloud this season.

St. Cloud returns practically its entire team from last year only losing defenseman Dennis Cholowski and Niklas Nevalainen. They bring in Tyler Anderson from the Steinbach Pistons (MJHL) who led all defenseman with 49 points, Blake Lizotte captained the Fargo Force (USHL) last season and had 111 points in 110 total games with them, and goaltender David Hrenak from the Green Bay Gamblers (USHL) comes in who had a really good season last year. I think Ryan Poehling will nearly double his point total from last season (13) and they should have 3 really solid lines up front which could be tough for some teams to compete with. Bringing back so many players nowadays for a team like St. Cloud State is rare, I expect them to be about a .650 team this season if they can figure out the goalie situation as they did lose Zach Driscoll who went to the Omaha Lancers (USHL) and they should have a good chance to make it to the NCAA tournament and i think they finish in the top 4 of the NCHC. 

Nebraska-Omaha

17-17-5 Overall 9-13-2-0 Conference

Key Departures: Austin Ortega (F), Luc Snuggerud (D), Justin Parizek (F), Ian Brady (D).

Top Returners: Tyler Vesel (F), Mason Morelli (F), Steven Spinner (F), David Pope (F), Fredrik Olofsson (F), Jake Randolph (F).

Top Newcomers: Lawson McDonald (D), Cole Pickup (F).

Cole Pickup (14) from the Victoria Grizzlies battles off an
opponent to gain control of the puck.

Nebraska-Omaha is in a similar situation as St. Cloud State, they return everyone except for 4 players including their top 2 defenseman Luc Snuggerud and Ian Brady as well as leading goal scorer Austin Ortega and captain Justin Parizek. They should have about 3 solid forward lines as well with returners like Tyler Vesel and David Pope on the frontend. They ranked 46th in Team Defense last season giving up 3.28 goals per game and losing 2 key defenseman wont help the issue, but they did however have the 6th top powerplay unit scoring on nearly 25% of their powerplays. They do bring in 2 nice looking recruits in Lawson McDonald from the Winkler Flyers (MJHL) and Cole Pickup of the Victoria Grizzlies (BCHL). McDonald was a member of the MJHL First All-Star Team and led all defenseman in points the last 2 seasons with 89 points in 116 games and Pickup put together 65 points in 53 games as well as 18 points in 18 games in the post-season last year. They also saw Dean Blais retire leaving Mike Gabinet as the head coach.

 Miami (OH)

9-20-7 Overall 5-14-5-3 Conference

Key Departures: Anthony Louis (F).

Top Returners: Kiefer Sherwood (F), Josh Melnick (F), Grant Hutton (D), Carson Meyer (F), Gordie Green (F), Louie Belpedio (D).

Top Newcomers: Alec Mahalak (D), Austin Alger (F), Phillip Knies (F).

Miami had another tough season last year going under .500 for the second year in a row. They do however return almost everyone from last season as they only had 3 graduates including Anthony Louis who led the team in points the last 2 seasons. Defenseman Louie Belpedio and Grant Hutton will both be key components of their defense this season. On the front end Kiefer Sherwood should have another nice season, he averaged over a point per game last season. Josh Melnick and Carson Meyer both look to grow off of last season as they both were right under the 30 point mark. Ryan Larkin is hoping to have a bounceback year and I think being a sophomore and growing off of that frehsman experience he will improve his numbers from last season, but it is hard to judge by how much. They bring in newcomers Alec Mahalak who had 23 points in 58 games last year with the Youngstown Phantoms (USHL), Austin Alger who is the younger brother of current Redhawk Alex and finished last season with the Muskegon Lumberjacks (USHL) 43 points in 57 games, and Phillip Knies who tallied 41 points in 60 games with the Sioux City Muskateers (USHL).

Colorado College

8-24-4 Overall 4-16-4-1 Conference

Key Departures: Luc Gerdes (F), Matt Hansen (F), Sam Rothstein (F), Teemu Kivhalme (D).

Top Returners: Mason Bergh (F), Alex Berardinelli (F), Cole McCaskill (D).

Top Newcomers: Chris Wilkie (F), Alec Calvaruso (G), Troy Conzo (F), Brian Williams (F),   McKay Flanagan (D).

Forward Chris Wilkie transfers from North Dakota where he
tallied 19 points in 62 games. He will be a nice addition the
Tigers offense this season.
(Photo by: Conor Knuteson /UND Athletics)

Colorado College loses 3 of their top 4 forwards to graduation and they also lost top defenseman Teemu Kivhalme who left early to play for Karpat in Finland's top professional league. Juniors Tanner Ockey and leading goal scorer Mason Bergh return and will captain the Tigers this season that won't have a single senior rostered this year which could prove to be very beneficial for them next year if everyone stays. They bring in goalie Alec Calvaruso who was one of the top goalies in the NAHL posting a 24-7-0-0 record, 2.13 GAA, and a .906 Sv%. On the backend McKay Flanagan from the Langley Riverman (BCHL) who had 35 points in 58 games last season and up front they have Troy Conzo and Brian Williams coming in from the Wenatchee Wild (BCHL), Conzo scored 68 points in 55 games and Williams had 59 points in 49 games last season. They also bring in transfer Chris Wilkie who is hoping his experience from North Dakota will help him make an immediate impact for the team.

Preseason Predictions

1. Denver

2. North Dakota

3. St. Cloud 

4. Duluth

5. W. Michigan 

6. Miami (OH)

7. Nebraska-Omaha

8. Colorado College

Top 10 NCHC Freshman

F- Jordan Kawaguchi (N. Dakota)

F- Grant Mismash (N. Dakota)

F- Kohen Olischefski (Denver)

F- Blake Lizotte (St. Cloud)

F- Austin Alger (Miami)
F- Nick Swaney (Duluth)

F- Cole Pickup (Omaha)

D- Mikey Anderson (Duluth)
D- Dylan Samberg (Duluth)
D- Ian Mitchell (Denver)

Player of the Year: Henrik Borgstrom (Denver)

Rookie of the Year: Nick Swaney (Duluth)

Goalie of the Year: Tanner Jaillet (Denver)