WCHA Preview
 

 

Like everybody, I’m upset about the current NHL lockout.  I wanted to dwell on that and blog about it like everybody else.  However, the good news is we still have college hockey so I’m going to focus on that!  This week we’ll take a look at my WCHA prediction.  It’s no surprise to WCHA fans that this season is shaping up to be a very competitive one.  This league is always tough top to bottom and this year will be no different.  Let’s take a look at the 9-12 ranks first…

12)          University of Alaska-Anchorage

Key Returners: 

-Matt Bailey (17 Points)

Key Losses: 

-Curtis Leinweber (17)

 -Mitch Bruijsten (16)

 -Eric Scheid (15)

 

Key Incomers:

-Blake Tatchell (Forward):  Named SJHL MVP last season and scored 42 goals and 44 assists for 86 points.

-Blake Leask (Defense):   Named Top Defenseman in the AJHL last season and was the league’s highest scoring Defenseman with 49 points.

 

The Skinny: 

The Seawolves lost three of their top four scorers and as the 12^th place team from last season they didn’t have a lot to lose.  They do have a respectable class coming in headlined by the “Blakes”.  Anchorage also has tremendous home-ice advantage when other teams have to fly up there.  They will steal some games at home when teams overlook them, but I look for them to finish last again.

11)          Bemidji State University

Key Returners: 

-Jordan George (31 points)

-Aaron McLeod (23 points)

 

Key Losses: 

-Dan Bakala (.911%, 2.64 GAA)

-Shea Walters (26 points)

-Brad Hunt (26 points)

 

Key Incomers: 

-Graeme McCormac (Defense):  Named to the BCHL Coastal Conference 2^nd team

-Cory Ward (Forward):  NAHL All-Rookie team and NAHL All-Central Division Team

 

The Skinny:

While the Beavers lose a little bit of scoring up front, they do return Jordan George who really started playing well last season and led them in scoring.  Bemidji is always a tough team to play against, but to finish higher this season they need to win more of the 1-goal games they’re in.  They are hoping a goalie can step forward and take over the position that Bakala’s patrolled since before they were even WCHA members.

10)          Minnesota State University-Mankato

Key Returners:

- Matt Leitner (29 points)

- Jean-Paul Lafontaine (28 points)

- Zach Lehrke (23 points)

 

Key Losses: 

-Michael Dorr (19 points)

 - Austin Lee (.910%)

 

Key Incomers: 

-Teddy Blueger (Forward):  2^nd round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Penguins

-Stephon Williams (Goalie):  92% save percentage in USHL last season

 

The Skinny:

The Mavericks were near the bottom a year ago and in a very deep league it’s tough for me to move them up without proving themselves.  That’s not to say they don’t have the potential to be a middle of the pack team.  They return 4 of their top 5 scorers and bring in Blueger, who should have an immediate impact.  The biggest question mark will be how fast Williams can adapt to this level and take control of the net.  They have a great new head coach in Mike Hastings and a renewed sense of enthusiasm so they could give higher ranked teams some problems.

 

9)            University of Nebraska-Omaha

Key Returners: 

-Matt White (40 points)

-Ryan Walters (25 points)

 

Key Losses: 

-Terry Broadhurst (36 points)

-Jayson Megna (31 points)

-Alex Broadhurst  (recruit)

-Ryan Massa (.914 Save Percentage, 2.59 GAA)

 

Key Incomers:

-Brian Cooper (Defense):  5^th round NHL draft pick, 2-time All-USHL Second Team selection

-Nick Seeler  (Defense):  5^th round NHL draft pick, USHL All-Rookie Selection

-Anthony Stolarz (Goalie):  2^nd round NHL draft pick (highest drafted UNO player ever)

 

The Skinny:

 

The Mavericks had a tough off-season.  Terry Broadhurst and Jayson Megna signed professional contracts and Ryan Massa left the team for personal reasons.  To make matters worse, prized recruit Alex Broadhurst found out he was academically ineligible and went the Major Junior route instead.  The good news is they return their number one scorer in Matt White and they have a good group of freshmen coming in.  Anthony Stolarz is expected to be a great goalie once he adjusts to the WCHA.  If he can adjust quickly this team could move up.  On paper I feel they’re a number 9 team, but it’s tough to bet against a Dean Blais’ team with any certainty.

 

All four of these teams have some great assets for this season.  It just goes to show how deep this league is and how much of a dog fight it’s going to be this season.  I’ll have picks 8-5 done on Sunday!