Month: October 2013

Beginning with the 2002-03 season, the WCHA changed its schedule rotation, creating “rivals” which would play each other four times each season. St. Cloud State and North Dakota were partnered up in a scheduling system that ended in 2009-10.

At that time, even though the WCHA expanded to 12 teams (adding Bemidji State and Nebraska-Omaha) and implemented a new rotating schedule, UND and SCSU continued to play four games each year. It remains to be seen whether North Dakota and St. Cloud State will partner up for four games each season in the new National Collegiate Hockey Conference.

Over the past nine seasons, the fans have made their mark on the partnership between the schools. The UND/SCSU rivalry has a commemorative fan trophy, thanks to the Center Ice Club at St. Cloud State University:

The UND/SCSU Challenge Cup is awarded to the team which collects more points in the four regular-season games. As you may be able to see in the photo above, the winning team is engraved for each year.

UND won the Challenge Cup in 04-05, going 3-0-1 against the Huskies. St. Cloud took the trophy back in 05-06, sporting a record of 3-1-0 against North Dakota. In 06-07, the Sioux won two games and tied the other two, collecting six points and the Challenge Cup. The next season, the teams shared the Cup, with UND and SCSU each winning one game and tying the other two. In 08-09, North Dakota sprinted to the lead in the Challenge Cup race by winning both games in Grand Forks but needed a Saturday victory in St. Cloud to salvage a split on the weekend and reclaim the Cup. The following year (09-10), both series were splits, and the Challenge Cup was shared once again. In 2010-11, UND claimed seven of eight points (3-0-1) and took back the trophy, while the 2011-12 campaign went down as another tie. And last season (2012-13), the Huskies took five of eight series points to engrave their name on the trophy once again.

If you’re keeping track at home, UND has won the Cup four times, St. Cloud has claimed the trophy twice, and the schools have shared the Challenge Cup three times.

The teams will earn points toward the Challenge Cup this weekend in Grand Forks, but the winner of the trophy will not be determined until the teams meet in St. Cloud in late February and early March of next year.

The Challenge Cup will be on display at the SiouxSports.com UND/SCSU fan social this Saturday, November 2nd from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the Muddy Rivers Ballroom (GuestHouse Inn and Suites near downtown Grand Forks). This is a great opportunity to meet fans on both sides of this hockey rivalry. There will be complimentary appetizers, fabulous door prizes, and a fan bus to and from Ralph Engelstad Arena. The event is free and open to all fans 21 and older.

Check back on Friday for a full preview of this weekend’s game action.

Please join us for the UND/SCSU pre-game social, an annual event which provides an opportunity for fans of the University of North Dakota and St. Cloud State University to gather, celebrate the great sport of hockey, and view the Challenge Cup, a traveling trophy which is presented to the team which collects more points in the four regular-season games between the schools. St. Cloud State claimed the Cup last season with a record of 2-1-1 against UND, outscoring North Dakota 10-8 in the four contests. The teams did not meet in the WCHA Final Five or the NCAA tournament a year ago.

This event will be held on Saturday, November 2nd from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Muddy Rivers Bar and Grill (inside the GuestHouse Inn and Suites) in downtown Grand Forks. Muddy Rivers is smoke-free, and the event is free and open to the public (due to the venue, guests must be 21 years of age or older). A free appetizer bar will be available, everyone in attandance will have the opportunity to win door prizes, and a hockey bus will take fans to Ralph Engelstad Arena and back again after the game.

SiouxSports.com is the title sponsor for the event.

Other sponsors include:

Buffalo Wild Wings
Daydreams Specialties
Domino’s Pizza
GW Gear
Happy Joe’s Pizza
Hickey Designs
Muddy Rivers Bar and Grill
Nature’s Country Store
Ralph Engelstad Arena
Red Pepper
University of North Dakota Bookstore
Vaaler Insurance
Valley Dairy

Fans of both teams enjoy the camaraderie at these social events and regularly comment that the connection between the two fan bases is among the best in college hockey.

Mark your calendars and join us for this event!

What a difference one minute makes.

The Miami RedHawks led Boston University 3-1 with under one minute remaining in the 2009 national championship game. The Terriers roared back, scoring two extra-attacker goals in the final 60 seconds of regulation. After almost twelve excruciating minutes of overtime, Colby Cohen’s shot deflected, looped, and dropped into the net, giving BU their fifth national championship.

Miami was one minute from hanging their first NCAA championship banner.

Instead of folding the tent, Enrico Blasi’s RedHawks have gone 83-45-20 (.628) since that game and appear poised to make another deep run in the NCAA’s this season. Forwards Austin Czarnik and Riley Barber are dynamic together and scored 12 points (6g, 6a) in a sweep against Ohio State last weekend.

For North Dakota, the Danny Kristo and Corban Knight era is over, and the Green and White will need to find a more balanced offensive attack to compete every weekend. Five different players scored UND’s seven goals last weekend against Vermont, with sophomore forwards Rocco Grimaldi (2g, 3a) and Drake Caggiula (2g, 2a) leading the way.

Both teams fell one game short of the Frozen Four last season, with Miami dropping a 4-1 contest to St. Cloud State and North Dakota losing 4-1 to eventual national champion Yale.

I have these two programs finishing #1 and #2 in the first season of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference. To check out my complete NCHC season preview and find out who I think will come out on top, click here.

Miami Team Profile

Head Coach: Enrico Blasi (15th season at Miami, 313-196-53, .604)
National Ranking: #1
This Season: 2-0-0, 0-0-0 NCHC
Last Season: 25-12-5 overall (NCAA Midwest Regional finalist), 17-7-4-4 CCHA (1st)

2012-2013 Season Statistics:
Team Offense: 2.52 goals scored/game
Team Defense: 1.74 goals allowed/game
Power Play: 15.9% (28 of 176)
Penalty Kill: 88.6% (171 of 193)

Key players (2012-13 statistics): Junior F Austin Czarnik (14-26-40), Sophomore F Riley Barber (15-24-39), Junior F Cody Murphy (11-9-20), Sophomore D Matthew Caito (5-16-21), Sophomore G Ryan McKay (13-7-2, 1.39 GAA, .946 SV%, 4 SO)

North Dakota Team Profile

Head Coach: Dave Hakstol (10th season at UND, 236-119-38, .649)
National Ranking: #6
This Season: 1-0-1, 0-0-0 NCHC
Last Season: 22-13-7 overall (NCAA West Regional finalist), 14-7-7 WCHA (3rd)

2012-2013 Season Statistics:
Team Offense: 3.21 goals scored/game
Team Defense: 2.45 goals allowed/game
Power Play: 19.4% (32 of 165)
Penalty Kill: 84.1% (132 of 157)

Key Players (2012-13 statistics): Sophomore F Rocco Grimaldi (13-23-36), Junior F Mark MacMillan (13-12-25), Sophomore F Drake Caggiula (8-8-16), Sophomore F Michael Parks (7-1-8 in 25 games), Senior D Dillon Simpson (5-19-24), Junior D Nick Mattson (3-12-15), Senior G Clarke Saunders (13-9-4, 2.30 GAA, .917 SV%, 2 SO)

By The Numbers

Last Meeting: November 28, 2009 (Subway Holiday Classic, Grand Forks, ND). In the teams’ first and only meeting at Ralph Engelstad Arena, the two powerhouses skated to a 5-5 draw. Miami came back from a two goal deficit in the third period, with RedHawks forward Reilly Smith (2g, 1a) scoring the equalizer with under three minutes remaining to earn the tie. Freshman forward Danny Kristo scored two goals and added an assist and was named the tournament MVP after a four point weekend. Both teams came in to the contest allowing under two goals per game.

Most Important Meeting: The most important meeting is the one about to be played. This matchup kicks off the inaugural season of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference and has far-reaching NCAA playoff implications.

All-time Series: North Dakota leads the all-time series 2-0-1. The teams have never played in Oxford, Ohio (home of the Miami RedHawks), but UND did win a 3-0 tilt at the Lefty McFadden Invitational (Dayton, OH) in October of 2005.

Game News and Notes

After this weekend’s games, Miami will not play another conference series until November 8-9 at St. Cloud State. North Dakota will host St. Cloud State on November 1st and 2nd. UND senior netminder Clarke Saunders is the only current player to have faced the RedHawks. Saunders started two games for Alabama-Huntsville in February 2012, stopping 73 of 80 shots in a pair of losses. Miami is one of 12 schools in NCAA men’s hockey to start this season with a pair of victories.

The Prediction

This series will be as tightly contested as any October contests, with both teams wanting to set the tone early in this rivalry and this new conference season. Look for Miami to blitz North Dakota early, with UND grabbing a close victory on Saturday for the split. Miami 4-2, UND 3-2.

Thank you for reading. As always, I welcome your comments and suggestions.

With six of the top nine teams from the WCHA and two of the top three squads from the now-defunct CCHA, the inaugural season of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference is wide open.

In addition to league champions St. Cloud State (WCHA) and Miami (CCHA), the NCHC also boasts the #3 teams from the WCHA (North Dakota) and the CCHA (Western Michigan).

College hockey’s newest conference also boasts at least three Hobey Baker contenders in Nebraska-Omaha’s Ryan Walters, Miami’s Austin Czarnik, and North Dakota’s Rocco Grimaldi.

What follows is my prediction for the league standings, from #8 all the way up to #1. (Media prediction in parenthesis)

For a complete look at my preseason ballot, click here.

#8 Nebraska-Omaha Mavericks (#8)

Head Coach: Dean Blais (5th season at UNO, 75-69-16, .519)

2012-13 Season: 19-18-2 overall, 14-12-7 WCHA (7th)
Team Offense: 3.26 goals scored/game
Team Defense: 3.00 goals allowed/game
Power Play: 18.9% (25 of 132)
Penalty Kill: 76.6% (121 of 158)

Key returning players: Senior F Ryan Walters (22-30-52), Junior F Josh Archibald (19-17-36), Junior F Dominic Zombo (12-23-35), Senior D Michael Young (3-13-16), Sophomore D Nick Seeler (2-7-9), Junior G Ryan Massa (0-2-0, 5.42 GAA, .818 SV%)

Key losses: F Matt White (16-18-34),F Brent Gwidt (8-5-13), D Andrej Sustr (9-16-25), D Bryce Aneloski (5-16-21), G John Faulkner (16-10-2, 2.97 GAA, .891 SV%)

2013-14 season outlook: Ryan Walters will be in the running for the NCHC player of the year, but will UNO’s influx of young talent (most notably Austin Ortega and Jake Guentzel) keep the Mavs out of the conference cellar? And will Ryan Massa play well enough in net to keep Dean Blais’ squad competitive?

#7 Colorado College (t-#6)

Head Coach: Scott Owens (15th season at CC, 317-204-48, .599)

2012-13 Season: 18-19-5 overall, 11-13-4 WCHA (8th)
Team Offense: 3.17 goals scored/game
Team Defense: 3.36 goals allowed/game
Power Play: 17.1% (25 of 146)
Penalty Kill: 80.0% (128 of 160)

Key returning players: Senior F Alexander Krushelnyski (15-28-43), Senior F Archie Skalbeck (12-11-23), Junior F Charlie Taft (8-10-18), Senior D Eamonn McDermott (3-20-23), Junior D Peter Stoykewych (2-9-11), Senior G Josh Thorimbert (4-7-1, 3.73 GAA, .873 SV%)

Key losses: F Rylan Schwartz (20-33-53), F William Rapuzzi (15-20-35), D Mike Boivin (14-14-28), F Scott Winkler (13-15-28), G Joe Howe (14-12-4, 2.98 GAA, .915 SV%, 2 SO)

2013-14 season outlook: It’s really only one question: Will Josh Thorimbert be able to handle the duties between the pipes?

#6 Minnesota-Duluth (#5)

Head Coach: Scott Sandelin (14th season at UMD, 232-229-64, .503)

2012-13 Season: 14-19-5 overall, 10-13-5 WCHA (9th)
Team Offense: 2.61 goals scored/game
Team Defense: 2.87 goals allowed/game
Power Play: 23.4% (41 of 175)
Penalty Kill: 82.3% (135 of 164)

Key returning players: Sophomore F Austin Farley (16-18-34), Sophomore F Tony Cameranesi (14-20-34), Senior F Joe Basaraba (10-7-17), Sophomore D Andy Welinski (4-14-18), Sophomore G Matt McNeely (10-11-3, 2.67 GAA, .902 SV%, 1 SO)

Key losses: F Mike Seidel (17-17-34), F Jake Hendrickson (5-3-8), D Drew Olson (1-6-7), D Wade Bergman (3-14-17), D Chris Casto (3-6-9)

2013-14 season outlook: Will last year’s dynamite freshman class (98 points in 177 games played last season) build on that success or suffer a sophomore slump? And which new blueliners will step up and fill the gaps on the back end?

#5 Denver Pioneers (#4)

Head Coach: Jim Montgomery (1st season at DU)

2012-13 Season: 20-14-5 overall (NCAA Northeast Regional semifinalist), 14-9-5 WCHA (5th)
Team Offense: 3.36 goals scored/game
Team Defense: 2.77 goals allowed/game
Power Play: 21.3% (35 of 164)
Penalty Kill: 85.2% (144 of 169)

Key returning players: Junior F Ty Loney (8-18-26), Junior F Daniel Doremus (12-12-24), Junior F Zac Larraza (12-9-21), Junior D Joey LaLeggia (11-18-29), Senior D David Makowski (9-18-27), Sophomore D Nolan Zajac (6-20-26), Senior G Sam Brittain (5-7-0, 2.95 GAA, .907 SV%)

Key losses: F Nick Shore (14-20-34), F Chris Knowlton(13-16-29), F Shawn Ostrow (15-11-26), D Paul Phillips (1-10-11), G Juho Olkinuora (13-6-5, 2.35 GAA, .927 SV%, 3 SO)

2013-14 season outlook: Only two seniors remain from a standout class that at one time included Nick Shore, Jason Zucker, and Beau Bennett. With a new coach, where will the leadership come from? And which forwards will emerge to take the Pioneers to the next level?

#4 Western Michigan Broncos (t-#6)

Head Coach: Andy Murray (3rd season at WMU, 40-27-14, .580)

2012-13 Season: 19-11-8 overall, 15-7-6-3 CCHA (3rd)
Team Offense: 2.29 goals scored/game
Team Defense: 2.05 goals allowed/game
Power Play: 16.9% (32 of 189)
Penalty Kill: 85.3% (133 of 156)

Key returning players: Senior F Chase Balisy (11-14-25), Senior F Shane Berschbach (4-14-18), Sophomore F Colton Hargrove (9-1-10), Sophomore D Kenney Morrison (7-13-20), Senior D Dennis Brown (3-15-18), Junior G Frank Slubowski (19-11-8, 2.00 GAA, .918 SV%, 4 SO)

Key losses: F Dane Walters (12-13-25),F Mike Cichy (4-14-18), F Mike Leone (6-11-17), D Danny DeKeyser (2-13-15), D Luke Witkowski (2-8-10)

2013-14 season outlook: I like this club more than most. We know that the Broncos will be the stingiest team in the league, but can Western Michigan score enough to be relevant in the NCHC? Andy Murray’s club will be miserable to play against, but three goals will be enough to top WMU on most nights.

#3 St. Cloud State Huskies (#3)

Head Coach: Bob Motzko (9th season at SCSU, 163-125-36, .559)

2012-13 Season: 25-16-1 overall (NCAA Frozen Four semifinalist), 18-9-1 WCHA (1st)
Team Offense: 3.36 goals scored/game
Team Defense: 2.45 goals allowed/game
Power Play: 17.1% (30 of 175)
Penalty Kill: 81.9% (95 of 116)

Key returning players: Senior F Nick Dowd (14-25-39), Sophomore F Jonny Brodzinski (22-11-33), Sophomore F Kalle Kossila (15-18-33), Sophomore F Joey Benik (8-4-12), Junior D Andrew Prochno (5-23-28), Junior G Ryan Faragher (24-14-1, 2.27 GAA, .914 SV%, 3 SO)

Key losses: F Drew LeBlanc (13-37-50), F Ben Hanowski (17-14-31), D Nick Jensen (4-27-31)

2013-14 season outlook: After a landmark season which included the program’s first Hobey Baker award winner and first Frozen Four berth, will Bob Motzko be able to keep the Huskies hungry enough to take another step forward? And how will SCSU replace the leadership of LeBlanc and Jensen?

#2 North Dakota (#2)

Head Coach: Dave Hakstol (10th season at UND, 236-119-38, .649)

2012-13 Season: 22-13-7 overall (NCAA West Regional finalist), 14-7-7 WCHA (3rd)
Team Offense: 3.21 goals scored/game
Team Defense: 2.45 goals allowed/game
Power Play: 19.4% (32 of 165)
Penalty Kill: 84.1% (132 of 157)

Key returning players: Sophomore F Rocco Grimaldi (13-23-36), Junior F Mark McMillan (13-12-25), Sophomore F Drake Caggiulla (8-8-16), Senior D Dillon Simpson (5-19-24), Junior D Nick Mattson (3-12-15), Senior G Clarke Saunders (13-9-4, 2.30 GAA, .917 SV%, 2 SO), Sophomore G Zane Gothberg (9-4-3, 2.46 GAA, .920 SV%)

Key losses: F Corban Knight (16-33-49), F Danny Kristo (26-26-52), F Carter Rowney (10-17-27), D Joe Gleason (5-13-18), D Derek Forbort (4-13-17)

2013-14 season outlook: After being a one-line team for much of last season, will North Dakota get the balanced scoring necessary to compete every weekend? And how will Dave Hakstol handle the goaltending rotation of Saunders and Gothberg, both worthy starters each night?

#1 Miami RedHawks (#1)

Head Coach: Enrico Blasi (15th season at Miami, 313-196-53, .604)

2012-13 Season: 25-12-5 overall (NCAA Midwest Regional finalist), 17-7-4-4 CCHA (1st)
Team Offense: 2.52 goals scored/game
Team Defense: 1.74 goals allowed/game
Power Play: 15.9% (28 of 176)
Penalty Kill: 88.6% (171 of 193)

Key returning players: Junior F Austin Czarnik (14-26-40), Sophomore F Riley Barber (15-24-39), Junior F Cody Murphy (11-9-20), Sophomore D Matthew Caito (5-16-21), Sophomore G Ryan McKay (13-7-2, 1.39 GAA, .946 SV%, 4 SO)

Key losses: F Curtis McKenzie (11-13-24), F Marc Hagel (6-13-19), D Steven Spinell (1-12-13)

2011-12 season outlook: Can Miami handle the pressure of preseason expectations? Will the Redhawks adjust to a slate of new opponents quickly enough to find itself on top?

So there you have it. Do you agree? Disagree? Who do you have coming out on top? Feel free to post your predictions below, and check back in December for a midseason report.

Despite the fact that Vermont and UND have only met twice on the ice (most recently in 1999), the Catamounts roster (and particularly its blueline) has North Dakota fingerprints all over it.

Defenseman Dan Senkbeil (affectionately known as “Jim” or “Jimmer”) transferred to Vermont after playing his first two years at UND. Senkbeil will sit out this season due to NCAA transfer rules.

Defenseman Nick Bruneteau is the younger brother of former UND forward Brett Bruneteau, who spent two seasons at North Dakota before finishing his career with the Catamounts.

And defenseman Yvan Pattyn is the younger brother of current UND forward Stephane Pattyn.

North Dakota has a new-look conference this season, moving to the National Collegiate Hockey Conference after 54 seasons in the WCHA. Vermont went through a similar transition 10 years ago, moving to Hockey East after 31 years in the ECAC.

Catamounts head coach Kevin Sneddon took Vermont to the Frozen Four in 2008-09 and back to the NCAA tournament the following season, but it’s been tough sledding since then. Vermont won only six games in 2011-12, but are moving in the right direction, picking up 11 victories last year.

The most glaring advantage that North Dakota has in this matchup is in special teams. Last season, Vermont allowed 38 power play goals and only scored 17, while the Green and White scored 32 goals with the man advantage and only allowed 25.

Two other roster notes: Vermont junior forward Kyle Reynolds (9-11-20) last season) suffered a knee injury during an exhibition tilt last weekend and is shut down for the season. And sophomore goaltender Brody Hoffman (11-19-6, 2.86 GAA, .904 SV%, 2 SO last season) is not making the trip, so one of two freshman netminders will start between the pipes: Mike Santaguida (5-9, 175 lbs.) or Pat Feeley (6-7, 226 lbs.)

Vermont Team Profile

Head Coach: Kevin Sneddon (11th season at Vermont, 147-174-53, .464)
National Ranking: NR/NR
This Season: 0-0-0 overall, 0-0-0 Hockey East
Last Season: 11-19-6 overall, 8-13-6 Hockey East (t-7th)

2012-13 Season Statistics:
Team Offense: 2.28 goals scored/game
Team Defense: 3.06 goals allowed/game
Power Play: 11.1% (17 of 153)
Penalty Kill: 79.1% (144 of 182)

Key Returning Players (2012-13 statistics): Junior F Jake Fallon (9-13-22), Senior F Matt White (6-10-16), Senior F H.T. Lenz (5-5-10), Junior D Nick Luukko (3-7-10), Junior D Michael Paliotta (1-9-10), Sophomore G Brody Hoffman (11-19-6, 2.86 GAA, .904 SV%, 2 SO)

North Dakota Team Profile

Head Coach: Dave Hakstol (10th season at UND, 235-119-37, .648)
National Ranking: #7/#7
This Season: 0-0-0, 0-0-0 NCHC
Last Season: 22-13-7 overall (NCAA West Regional finalist), 14-7-7 WCHA (3rd)

2012-2013 Season Statistics:
Team Offense: 3.21 goals scored/game
Team Defense: 2.45 goals allowed/game
Power Play: 19.4% (32 of 165)
Penalty Kill: 84.1% (132 of 157)

Key Returning Players (2012-13 statistics): Sophomore F Rocco Grimaldi (13-23-36), Junior F Mark MacMillan (13-12-25), Sophomore F Drake Caggiula (8-8-16), Sophomore F Michael Parks (7-1-8 in 25 games), Senior D Dillon Simpson (5-19-24), Junior D Nick Mattson (3-12-15), Senior G Clarke Saunders (13-9-4, 2.30 GAA, .917 SV%, 2 SO)

By The Numbers

Last Meeting: November 27, 1999 (Durham, NH). The Fighting Sioux blitzed the Catamounts 8-0 in the opening round of the UNH Classic. Bryan Lundbohm scored twice, Jason Ulmer picked up three points (2g, 1a), and Jeff Panzer notched three assists for North Dakota, which went 4-for-4 with the man advantage. UND would fall to host New Hampshire 6-2 in the championship game.

Most Important Meeting: Considering the two schools have only met twice on the ice (in 1981 and 1999, both North Dakota victories), I will call Friday’s opener the most important meeting, with both teams looking to set the tone for this new season.

All-time Series: North Dakota leads the all-time series 2-0-0. The teams have never played in Grand Forks.

Game News and Notes:

North Dakota has lost just three times in its last 17 season openers (11-3-3) and has won ten straight home openers. Vermont goaltenders Mike Santaguida and Pat Feeley combined for a 16-save shutout last Saturday before Santaguida got the nod on Sunday, stopping 17 of 18 shots. Both UND netminders cracked the top ten single-season save percentage leaderboard last year (Zane Gothberg posted a .920, while Clarke Saunders ended at .917). Five NCHC schools made the USCHO.com preseason top-20, led by #2 Miami and #7 North Dakota. St. Cloud State (#9), Denver (#17), and Western Michigan (#18) also made the list.

The Prediction

I’m trying to figure out a way for the Catamounts to earn a point this weekend, but I just don’t see it. Saturday’s rematch will be closer, but North Dakota is deeper and will use the home crowd to their advantage. UND 3-1, 3-2.

As many of you know, the 1st Annual NCHC Blog/Web Media Preseason Poll results came out last week, thanks to Chad at Tradition Of Excellence.

I thought I would share my ballot, along with a few thoughts.

First, the order of finish for the inaugural season of the NCHC. What follows is the order I have the teams on my ballot, with the poll results in parenthesis.

1. Miami (1)
2. North Dakota (2)
3. St. Cloud State (3)
4. Western Michigan (t-6)
5. Denver (4)
6. Minnesota-Duluth (5)
7. Colorado College (t-6)
8. Nebraska-Omaha (8)

Obviously, I think more highly of Western Michigan than most of the poll participants. Check out my NCHC Season Preview and Predictions to find out why I’ve got them in the top half of the league.

My preseason All-Conference Team:

Forwards: Austin Czarnik (Miami), Alexander Krushelnyski (CC), Ryan Walters (UNO)
Defensemen: Joey LaLeggia (DU), Dillon Simpson (UND)
Goaltender: Ryan McKay (Miami)

The only place where my ballot differs from the poll results is that UND forward Rocco Grimaldi makes the all-conference team over Krushelnyski. For me, it’s close, but I went with the senior who has appeared in 122 NCAA contests already (to Rocco’s 40) and scored seven more points than Grimaldi last season. (Krushelnyski 15-28-43; Grimaldi 13-23-36).

Player of the Year: Austin Czarnik (Miami)

Czarnik was named the preseason player of the year with 8 of 16 votes.

Rookie of the Year: Adam Tambellini (UND)

Tambellini came in second in the voting with 4 votes; Dominic Toninato (Minnesota-Duluth) collected 6 votes.

Defenseman of the Year: Joey LaLeggia (DU)

LaLeggia ran away with this one with 10 votes.

Breakout Player of the Year: Tony Cameranesi (UMD)

Joey Benik (St. Cloud State) was tabbed as the preseason player of the year with 5 votes; 11 other players received a single vote.

As always, I welcome your thoughts and suggestions. Please feel free to add your own ballots in the comments section below.