With the 2018-2019 hockey season coming to a close the summer training starts for the college hockey players returning for the new season. For the new freshman who is to join the team, they are looking to make an impact on their new coach. Every new hockey season comes with its challenges and changes.
Here is a look at what the top ten teams could be when the 2019-20 season starts in October.
10. Notre Dame
The Fighting Irish will get a key piece back in between the pipes when goalie Cal Morris announced that he would be returning to South Bend for his senior season. Returning forward’s Cal Burke, and Michael Graham will have critical roles on the Ice next year. Freshman Trevor Janicke will join the Fighting Irish as a freshman in 2019-20 after collecting 48 points (22G, 26A) while playing for the Central Illinois Flying Aces in the United States Hockey League.
9. Gophers
The Minnesota Gophers come into the season with a couple of significant losses that includes forward Rem Pitlick, plus captain Tyler Sheehy and goalie Mat Robson have all moved on. Second-year coach Bob Motzko is continuing to bring in more high-end talent to help the team. Rising Sophmore Sammy Walker continued to show that was a difference-maker and looks to make improvements going into his sophomore. Getting the high-end freshman players and the new goalie acclimated to the speed and skill of college hockey will be the key to their success.
8. Boston College
The Eagles have yet to play in an NCAA tournament game since the season of 2016. That is a very long time for a program that brings in high-end talent every year and is coached by hockey hall of fame in Jerry. Hopefully, the 2019-2020 season for the Eagles will better than the years before. David Cotton, who scored 23 goals this season, leads a solid group of returning players. The goalie could be the first concern as incoming freshman Spencer Knight will look to earn the starting position.
7. North Dakota
The Fighting Hawks last season had a rough year. They only were able to average 2.5 goals per game, which is very low. However, they have a lot of young talented players and incoming freshman that will provide stability to this program. Incoming freshman Harrison Blaisdell will look to make an impact on the offense on this years time after a stellar season in the BCHL for the Chilliwack Chiefs. Sophomore Goalie Adam Scheel will seek to effect after his spectacular season.
6. Harvard
After a stellar season that saw Harvard go to NCAA tournament, the team will look to build off that momentum. The Crimson will be loaded as five underclassmen return that were among their seven top scorers. However, they will have to fill a big hole as Hobey Baker Finalist Adam Fox will take his talents to the NHL. Freshman John Farinacci will look to make an impact on the forward group this year.
5. St.Cloud
The Huskies are taking a bit will the loss of talented players Jimmy Schuldt, Ryan Poehling who took his talents to the Montreal Canadians, Black Lizotte, Patrick Newell, and Robby Jackson. Second-year coach
Brett Larson will look to get a new look roster back into the NCAA tournament. The team has the right amount of talent returning and will also look to some incoming first-year student to provide some key roles
4. Massachusets Minutemen
The Minutemen will look to build off a trip to the NCAA Finals that saw them come up just short in the game. They will definitely miss star defensemen and Hobey Baker Winner Cale Makar as is taking his talents to the NHL. However, the cupboard isn’t bear five other players who were freshman or sophomores had 20 points or more. Also, star freshman goalie Filip Lindberg is returning, and even star freshman are coming in to add depth.
3. Minnesota State
Minnesota State MavericksThe Mavericks should continue to be the class of the WCHA. Their top line of juniors Marc Michaelis, Parker Tuomie and Charlie Gerard returns as they combined for 112 points this year. Freshman goalie Dryden McKay went 24-7-2 with a 1.76 goals-against average as he returns for his sophomore season. However, they will look to get over the NCAA tournament hurdle as they continue to struggle to get the final four. This years team has the talent to get to the Frozen Four.
2. Denver
Denver had a phenomenal season that included a trip to the frozen four where they lost a heart breaker. They return second-year coach David Carle who will look to provide more experience on the bench. They all return four of their top six scorers who were freshman that are now going to be Sophomores. The future looks bright for the pioneers as they return talented players and bring in a recruiting class with NHL Talent.
1. Minnesota Duluth
The Champs are still the Champs until they are dethroned. They lose a lot of good players from last years roster including defensemen Mikey Anderson who went to the NHL. However, they return star players like Dylan Samberg and Scott Perunovich, who decided to stay in school. They also return other role players and a talented freshman class they will look to get this team back to the mountain top.