NCAA 2008 Hockey Season Preview: University of Minnesota

Last year was an extremely disappointing season for the University of Minnesota hockey team, that was saved by an impressive post-season run. The team finished 7th in the conference, their lowest finish in WCHA play since the 1976-77 season. After reloading with some talented freshmen, the Gophers look to rebound off a rough season and return to the top of the WCHA standings.

Who is Gone?: Blake Wheeler left the Gophers over the summer to sign with an NHL team, which was no surprise to many people. The former 5th overall draft pick played three years in college hockey and was ready to move to the pro ranks. More of a surprise was the departure of Stu Bickel to the pros, a big defenseman that was expected to stay with Minnesota for four years. Goalie Jeff Frazee also signed with the New Jersey Devils after being supplanted by Alex Kangas in goal. The Gophers also said goodbye to outgoing seniors Mike Howe, Ben Gordon, Derek Peltier, Evan Kaufmann, and Tom Pohl, a talented group, but one that was never able to really carry the team when they needed it last year.

Who is New?: Minnesota will bring in one of the most exciting freshman classes in all of college hockey. Defenseman Aaron Ness has received the most hype, having been the star player in Minnesota high school hockey last winter, but the real gem of the class is forward Jordan Schroeder, who spent the past two years with the National Development Program in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Schroeder could be a top ten pick in next summer's NHL draft. Forwards Jake Hansen, Nico Sacchetti, and Taylor Matson all played in the USHL last season, and should add some offensive punch that the Gophers were lacking last season. Defensemen Sam Lofquist and Grant Scott also join the team from the National Development Program. Goalie Kent Patterson will replace Jeff Frazee and start the season behind Alex Kangas.

Forwards

Projected Lines:

Mike Hoeffel-Jordan Schroeder-Ryan Stoa
Jay Barriball-Mike Carman-Jake Hansen
Tony Lucia-Pat White-Ryan Flynn
Justin Bostrom-Nico Sacchetti-Taylor Matson

This group was a huge disappointment for Minnesota last season, and will really need to pick up their production. Ryan Stoa returns to the lineup after missing all of last season with a knee injury and should provide some scoring. Jay Barriball scored 20 goals as a freshman, but only 6 last season. Sophomores Mike Hoeffel and Pat White showed glimpses of their amazing talent in their rookie years, but Minnesota will need them to step up and become more consistent scorers. Overall, this a very strong group with goal scorers all over the line chart. The question is, who besides Jordan Schroeder will be around to set up these big goal scorers?

Defense

Projected Defensive Pairings

Cade Fairchild-David Fischer
Aaron Ness-R.J. Anderson
Kevin Wehrs-Sam Lofquist

The Gophers' defense this year won't feature a lot of size and big hitters, but they should have one of the faster defensive units in the conference. Ness, Fairchild, and Wehrs are all smaller, but exceptional skaters that should bring an excellent finesse game and help set up some of the big scorers on the offense. David Fischer, another first round draft pick, has struggled at times in his first two years and fans are waiting for him to have a breakout season. If the team wants to add size on the blueline, reserves Brian Shack and Grant Scott are very big, physical players.

Goalie

Alex Kangas
Kent Patterson
Jake Kremer

Alex Kangas was the savior to Minnesota's season last year, and for the first time since perhaps Robb Stauber, Minnesota has one of the nation's best goalies playing in net. There's no reason to think Kangas' success won't carry over to this season. Pushing Kangas will be talented goalie Kent Patterson. Patterson is young, but should Kangas falter or get hurt, Patterson definitely has the talent to carry Minnesota in much the same way that Kangas did last year.

Overall

Talent has never really been an issue for Minnesota. On any given night, nearly all of the players dressed for them will be NHL draft picks. But once again, they are also a very young team that will have to rely on freshmen and sophomores. If the team can find a way to score enough goals, Kangas' play in goal should be enough to get Minnesota back into the top half of the conference.