2008 Woodie Awards
Men look to repeat success
After making the Final Five last year, the Huskies have a tall task ahead of them to repeat this year
Jake Laxen
Issue date: 10/11/07 Section: Sports
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Zambonis start your engines. Dog pound start saving dead gophers for flinging. Yes, it is time again for the start of SCSU men's hockey.
The No. 17 ranked Huskies will drop the puck for the first time in the 2007-08 season at 7:07 p.m. Friday versus Canisius College, with a rematch Saturday.
Coming off back-to-back years of being named WCHA Co-Coach of the Year, Husky head coach Bob Motzko will have arguably his toughest assignment as he heads into his third season at the helm.
"We are unknown and unproven in a few areas on our roster this year, but I think we do have quality returning players and newcomers who will help with the transition process," Motzko said in a press release.
After last year's remarkable run to an NCAA playoff berth, Motzko has to deal with a retooled roster that has to replace several players.
Gone is Hobey Baker finalist goalkeeper Bobby Goepfert, last year's team goal scoring leader Andrew Gordon, two-year team captain Casey Borer, first-line defender Justin Fletcher and special teams leader Nate Raduns, along with role players Grant Clafton, Dan Kronick and Gary Houseman.
Inserted onto the team's roster includes eight new players who will quickly have to bond together to keep SCSU at the top of the WCHA.
"We want to pick up where we left. We have a lot of new players, but it is a lot of the same (mentality)," senior forward Nate Dey said.
Despite the personnel losses, the team has moved on and is confident they have what it takes to get back to the NCAA tournament.
"That is how you have a good program, your expectations never change. You are always going to have to turn over at some point," sophomore defender Garrett Raboin said.
NEW ERA IN THE NET
No change this year in the team's line-up will be as important as the starting netminder. For the past two seasons, SCSU has seen outstanding play from Providence transfer Bobby Goepfert, who earned All-American status at the school.
The No. 17 ranked Huskies will drop the puck for the first time in the 2007-08 season at 7:07 p.m. Friday versus Canisius College, with a rematch Saturday.
Coming off back-to-back years of being named WCHA Co-Coach of the Year, Husky head coach Bob Motzko will have arguably his toughest assignment as he heads into his third season at the helm.
"We are unknown and unproven in a few areas on our roster this year, but I think we do have quality returning players and newcomers who will help with the transition process," Motzko said in a press release.
After last year's remarkable run to an NCAA playoff berth, Motzko has to deal with a retooled roster that has to replace several players.
Gone is Hobey Baker finalist goalkeeper Bobby Goepfert, last year's team goal scoring leader Andrew Gordon, two-year team captain Casey Borer, first-line defender Justin Fletcher and special teams leader Nate Raduns, along with role players Grant Clafton, Dan Kronick and Gary Houseman.
Inserted onto the team's roster includes eight new players who will quickly have to bond together to keep SCSU at the top of the WCHA.
"We want to pick up where we left. We have a lot of new players, but it is a lot of the same (mentality)," senior forward Nate Dey said.
Despite the personnel losses, the team has moved on and is confident they have what it takes to get back to the NCAA tournament.
"That is how you have a good program, your expectations never change. You are always going to have to turn over at some point," sophomore defender Garrett Raboin said.
NEW ERA IN THE NET
No change this year in the team's line-up will be as important as the starting netminder. For the past two seasons, SCSU has seen outstanding play from Providence transfer Bobby Goepfert, who earned All-American status at the school.