Eight teams. 20 days. 40 games.
If it all goes according to plan.
The National Collegiate Hockey Conference “Pod” opens up on Tuesday, December 1st at Baxter Arena in Omaha, Nebraska. The eight teams which make up the NCHC are playing an unbalanced schedule, both in Omaha and during the second half of the season. Because of this fact, my season-long predictions will not necessarily line up with my predictions for the pod.
For example, my top four teams in the race for this season’s Penrose Cup are:
1. North Dakota
2. Denver
3. Minnesota Duluth
4. Western Michigan
Coming out of the pod, however, I expect Omaha to have collected more wins than Western Michigan, because the WMU Broncos are schedule to play two games each against North Dakota (December 6th and 13th) and Denver (December 15th and 19th), while the homestanding Mavericks avoid those two teams until after the break.
Omaha will host the Fighting Hawks on December 31st and January 1st and travel to Grand Forks on January 8th and 9th. There are also single games scheduled in Omaha on February 26th and at Ralph Engelstad Arena on March 5th.
Without any preseason or non-conference action, I expect goal scoring to be up as defensive systems develop. Therefore, I have weighted my predictions toward teams with experienced defensemen and proven goaltending. Depth will also be tested, with teams playing so many games in a short span. For this stretch of hockey, I have also downgraded the two wide-sheet teams (Colorado College and St. Cloud State) a bit in my rankings.
I am expecting (hoping?) that there will be a bit more consistency in officiating, as all of the referees will have the opportunity to see every other game and witness how they are called. It will be interesting to see how the rulebook will be enforced in Omaha, particularly the obstruction penalties (interference, holding, and hooking).
Here is my predicted order of finish for the pod:
1. North Dakota
2. Denver
3. Minnesota Duluth
4. Omaha
5. Western Michigan
6. St. Cloud State
7. Colorado College
8. Miami
And here’s how I have the teams in the season-long race for the Penrose Cup:
1. North Dakota
2. Denver
3. Minnesota Duluth
4. Western Michigan
5. St. Cloud State
6. Omaha
7. Miami
8. Colorado College
Full team capsules are below (in alphabetical order):
Colorado College Tigers
Head Coach: Mike Haviland (7th season at CC, 63-136-20, .333)
2019-20 Season Results: 11-20-3 overall, 4-17-3-1 NCHC (8th)
2019-20 Season Statistics:
Team Offense: 2.53 goals scored/game
(40th in the nation)
Team Defense: 3.62 goals allowed/game
(53rd in the nation)
Power Play: 14.5% (20 of 138)
(49th in the nation)
Penalty Kill: 70.7% (82 of 116)
(60th in the nation)
Key graduation losses: F Chris Wilkie (23-8-31), F Nick Halloran (12-18-30), F Alex Berardinelli (4-13-17), D Kristian Blumenschein (1-4-5), G Ryan Ruck (3-4-0, 3.48 GAA, .902 SV%)
Key returning players: Junior F Ben Copeland (4-14-18), Junior F Grant Cruikshank (11-6-17), Sophomore F Josiah Slavin (5-8-13), Junior F Bailey Conger (4-7-11), Senior F Troy Conzo (3-6-9), Junior D Bryan Yoon (1-16-17), Sophomore D Connor Mayer (4-8-12), Senior D Zach Berzolla (2-5-7), Sophomore G Matt Vernon (8-16-3, 3.43 GAA, .901 SV%)
Additions: Junior F Brian Hawkinson (3-15-18 in 60 games over two seasons at Miami), Junior D Hugo Blixt (0-2-2 in 47 games over two seasons at Boston University)
Potential impact freshmen: F Hunter McKown, F Jackson Jutting, F Mark Pasemko, D Jack Millar, D Nicklas Andrews
Denver Pioneers
Head Coach: David Carle (3rd season at DU, 45-21-11, .656)
2019-20 Season Results: 21-9-6 overall, 11-8-5-4 NCHC (3rd)
2019-20 Season Statistics:
Team Offense: 3.28 goals scored/game
(11th in the nation)
Team Defense: 2.25 goals allowed/game
(11th in the nation)
Power Play: 23.1% (36 of 156)
(12th in the nation)
Penalty Kill: 84.2% (112 of 133)
(16th in the nation)
Key graduation losses: F Liam Finlay (5-23-28), F Tyson McLellan (5-6-11), D Michael Davies (1-4-5)
Departures: F Emilio Pettersen (13-22-35, left two years early), D Ian Mitchell (10-22-32, left one year early), G Devin Cooley (4-3-2, 2.08 GAA, .908 SV%, left one year early)
Key returning players: Junior F Brett Stapley (5-25-30), Junior F Cole Guttman (14-14-28), Sophomore F Bobby Brink (11-13-24 in 28 games played), Senior F Kohen Olischefski (9-11-20), Junior F Tyler Ward (10-9-19), Senior D Griffin Mendel (3-6-9), Junior D Slava Demin (2-7-9), Sophomore G Magnus Chrona (16-6-4, 2.15 GAA, .920 SV%, 2 SO)
Additions: Senior F Steven Jandric (26-54-80 in 107 games over three seasons at Alaska Fairbanks), Senior D Bo Hanson (11-36-47 in 102 games over three seasons at St. Lawrence), Senior G Corbin Kaczperski (29-22-4, 2.53 GAA, .911 SV%, 3 SO over three seasons at Yale)
Potential impact freshmen: F Antti Tuomisto, F Carter Savoie, D Mike Benning, D Reid Irwin
Miami RedHawks
Head Coach: Chris Bergeron (2nd season at Miami, 8-21-5, .309)
2019-20 Season Results: 8-21-5 overall, 5-16-3-2 NCHC (7th)
2019-20 Season Statistics:
Team Offense: 2.71 goals scored/game
(32nd in the nation)
Team Defense: 3.74 goals allowed/game
(57th in the nation)
Power Play: 23.9% (28 of 117)
(10th in the nation)
Penalty Kill: 75.4% (101 of 134)
(54th in the nation)
Key graduation losses: F Gordie Green (14-22-36), F Karch Bachman (10-21-31), D Grant Frederic (2-2-4), G Ryan Larkin (7-12-2, 3.47 GAA, .901 SV%, 3 SO)
Key returning players: Senior F Casey Gilling (9-22-31), Junior F Matt Barry (3-8-11 in 17 games), Sophomore F Ryan Savage (7-7-14), Sophomore F Chase Pletzke (6-8-14), Sophomore F John Sladic (7-6-13), Junior D Monte Graham (5-8-13), Senior D Phil Knies, Junior D Derek Daschke (10-13-23), Sophomore D Jack Clement (4-5-9), Junior D Bray Crowder (1-7-8), Sophomore G Ben Kraws (1-7-2, 4.12 GAA, .871 SV%)
Additions: Freshman F Joe Cassetti (0-2-2 in 14 games at Merrimack last season; he also put up 11-8-19 in 22 games last season with Waterloo [USHL]. In two previous seasons at Waterloo, Cassetti put together a line of 28-27-55 over 106 games. Prior to his USHL career, the left wing from Pleasanton, California was a member of the U.S. Under-17 and Under-18 teams.)
Potential impact freshmen: F Matthew Barbolini, D Hampus Rydqvist, D Robby Drazner, G Ludvig Persson
Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs
Head Coach: Scott Sandelin (21st season at UMD, 391-321-89, .544)
2019-20 Season Results: 22-10-2 overall, 17-5-2-0 NCHC (2nd)
2019-20 Season Statistics:
Team Offense: 3.35 goals scored/game
(10th in the nation)
Team Defense: 2.26 goals allowed/game
(12th in the nation)
Power Play: 25.4% (34 of 134)
(9th in the nation)
Penalty Kill: 81.9% (104 of 127)
(27th in the nation)
Key graduation losses: F Jade Miller (2-7-9), D Nick Wolff (0-10-10), G Hunter Shepard (22-10-2, 2.18 GAA, .918 SV%, 2 SO)
Departures: D Scott Perunovich (6-34-30, left one year early), F Justin Richards (14-11-25, left one year early), D Dylan Samberg (1-20-21, left one year early)
Key returning players: Junior F Cole Koepke (16-17-33), Junior F Noah Cates (14-19-33), Senior F Nick Swaney (12-14-26), Junior F Jackson Cates (8-15-23), Senior F Kobe Roth (13-8-21), Junior F Tanner Laderoute (8-8-16), Senior D Louie Roehl (2-3-5)
Additions: Senior D Matt Cairns (3-3-6 in 61 games over three seasons at Cornell)
Potential impact freshmen: F Blake Biondi, F Luke Mylymok, D Connor Kelley, D Darian Gotz, D Wyatt Kaiser, G Zach Stejskal
North Dakota Fighting Hawks
Head Coach: Brad Berry (6th season at UND, 116-57-23, .651)
2019-20 Season Results: 26-5-4 overall, 17-4-3-2 NCHC (1st)
2019-20 Season Statistics:
Team Offense: 3.86 goals scored/game
(4th in the nation)
Team Defense: 1.94 goals allowed/game
(4th in the nation)
Power Play: 21.2% (29 of 137)
(17th in the nation)
Penalty Kill: 88.0% (103 of 117)
(5th in the nation)
Key graduation losses: F Westin Michaud (16-12-28), F Cole Smith (11-7-18), F Dixon Bowen (6-4-10), D Colton Poolman (4-13-17), D Andrew Peski (1-9-10)
Departures: Junior D Jonny Tychonick (4-7-11, transferred to Omaha)
Key returning players: Senior F Jordan Kawaguchi (15-30-45), Sophomore F Shane Pinto (16-12-28), Senior F Collin Adams (12-16-28), Senior F Grant Mismash (8-12-20), Junior F Jasper Weatherby (10-8-18), Senior D Matt Kiersted (6-23-29), Junior D Jacob Bernard-Docker (7-18-25), Junior G Adam Scheel (19-4-2, 2.07 GAA, .904 SV%, 2 SO)
Additions: Sophomore F Brendan Budy (19-30-49 in 50 games with the Langley Rivermen [BCHL]. In 2018-19, Budy split time between Denver [scoreless in six games] and the USHL’s Tri-City Storm [11-21-31 in 31 games]. In two previous seasons with the Rivermen, the hometown hero from Langley, British Columbia put up a line of 37-64-101 in 105 games.)
Potential impact freshmen: F Griffin Ness, F Riese Gaber, D Jake Sanderson, D Tyler Kleven
Omaha Mavericks
Head Coach: Mike Gabinet (4th season at UNO, 40-58-10, .417)
2019-20 Season Results: 14-17-5 overall, 8-13-3-0 NCHC (6th)
2019-20 Season Statistics:
Team Offense: 3.00 goals scored/game
(20th in the nation)
Team Defense: 2.97 goals allowed/game
(42nd in the nation)
Power Play: 17.5% (26 of 149)
(35th in the nation)
Penalty Kill: 81.3% (126 of 155)
(30th in the nation)
Key graduation losses: F Teemu Pulkkinen (7-11-18), F Zach Jordan (12-4-16), F Tristan Keck (6-9-15), D Dean Stewart (2-10-12), D Ryan Jones (2-9-11),
Key returning players: Junior F Taylor Ward (16-11-27), Senior F Kevin Conley (12-15-27), Junior F Tyler Weiss (4-18-22), Junior F Chase Primeau (8-12-20), Sophomore F Joey Abate (9-9-18), Sophomore F Ryan Brushett (2-16-18), Sophomore F Nolan Sullivan (7-10-17), Sophomore D Brandon Scanlin (3-11-14), Sophomore G Isaiah Saville (10-11-4, 2.85 GAA, .907 SV%, 1 SO)
Additions: Sophomore F Jack Randl (12-37-49 in 50 games with the Omaha Lancers [USHL]. In 2018-19, Randl played in 22 games for the Michigan Wolverines, notching one assist. In two previous seasons with the Lancers, the left wing from Carpentersville, Illinois put together a stat line of 29-22-51 in 108 games), Junior D Jonny Tychonick (4-11-15 in 52 games over two seasons at North Dakota)
Potential impact freshmen: F Brock Bremer, F Kaden Bohlsen, D Nolan Krenen, D Jake Harrison
St. Cloud State Huskies
Head Coach: Brett Larson (3rd season at SCSU, 43-21-9, .651)
2019-20 Season Results: 13-15-6 overall, 10-12-2-1 NCHC (5th)
2019-20 Season Statistics:
Team Offense: 2.76 goals scored/game
(29th in the nation)
Team Defense: 3.18 goals allowed/game
(48th in the nation)
Power Play: 18.1% (21 of 116)
(34th in the nation)
Penalty Kill: 79.1% (91 of 115)
(43rd in the nation)
Key graduation losses: F Nick Poehling (8-18-26), F Jack Poehling (9-11-20), F Jake Wahlin (4-8-12), D Jack Ahcan (7-18-25)
Key returning players: Senior F Easton Brodzinski (12-15-27), Junior F Sam Hentges (7-17-24), Junior F Micah Miller (7-11-18), Sophomore F Jami Krannila (5-9-14), Senior F Kevin Fitzgerald (5-7-12), Junior F Nolan Walker (2-10-12), Junior D Nick Perbix (4-11-15), Junior D Spencer Meier (4-6-10), Senior G David Hrenak (12-11-6, 2.76 GAA, .906 SV%, 2 SO)
Additions: Senior F Jared Cockrell (23-29-52 in 112 games over four seasons at Colgate, including an injury-shortened seven-game season in 2018-19), Senior D Seamus Donohue (7-48-55 in 117 games over three seasons at Michigan Tech)
Potential impact freshmen: F Veeti Miettinen, F Joe Molenaar, D Brady Ziemer
Western Michigan Broncos
Head Coach: Andy Murray (10th season at WMU, 157-144-40, .519)
2019-20 Season Results: 18-13-5 overall, 12-9-3-2 NCHC (4th)
2019-20 Season Statistics:
Team Offense: 3.47 goals scored/game
(8th in the nation)
Team Defense: 2.81 goals allowed/game
(32nd in the nation)
Power Play: 19.8% (25 of 126)
(24th in the nation)
Penalty Kill: 76.8% (116 of 151)
(52nd in the nation)
Key graduation losses: F Hugh McGing (13-22-35), F Dawson DiPietro (12-17-29), F Wade Allison (10-13-23), F Lawton Courtnall (5-5-10), D Cam Lee (3-18-21), D Luke Bafia (1-10-11), D Kale Bennett (3-5-8)
Departures: F Austin Rueschhoff (12-14-26, left one year early), D Mattias Samuelsson (2-12-14, left two years early)
Key returning players: Senior F Paul Washe (12-9-21), Senior F Ethen Frank (9-11-20), Junior F Cole Gallant (4-16-20), Junior F Rhett Kingston (9-8-17), Junior F Drew Worrad (6-11-17), Senior F Josh Passolt (5-11-16), Junior D Michael Joyaux (2-15-17), Sophomore D Ronnie Attard (6-8-14), Sophomore G Brandon Bussi (18-12-4, 2.65 GAA, .910 SV%)
Potential impact freshmen: F Chad Hillebrand, F Luke Grainger, F Hugh Larkin, D Daniel Hilsendager, D Aidan Fulp
Please feel free to leave your predictions in the comments below. As always, thank you for reading. I welcome your questions, comments, and suggestions. Follow me on Twitter (@DBergerHockey) for more information and insight. Here’s to hockey!