2006-07 St. Cloud State Men's Team Outlook
As St. Cloud State University marks its 20th season of NCAA Div. I hockey in 2006-07, second-year coach Bob Motzko will be looking to build upon the Huskies' tradition of success that has been a hallmark of the program during the last two decades.
Motzko and the Huskies added another chapter to that ongoing success story in 2005-06, as St. Cloud State compiled a 22-16-4 overall record (13-13-2 WCHA), a top 15 ranking in the final NCAA Div. I polls and a second place finish at the 2006 WCHA Final Five. For his efforts during his rookie year at SCSU, Motzko earned WCHA co-Coach of the Year accolades along with Inside College Hockey national coach of the year honors. Goaltender Bobby Goepfert gained All-WCHA and All-America notice and the Huskies earned their first trip to the WCHA Final Five since 1991-92.
St. Cloud State placed itself among the nation's top hockey programs in 2005-06, and the Huskies appear to be poised to make another strong run in 2006-07.
"The biggest question that we have to answer this season, is who will replace a very strong and productive senior class that we had in 2005-06," Motzko said. "We are really going to need someone to step up in the middle to replace our departed seniors like Joe Jensen and Brock Hooton." Last winter, SCSU's senior accounted for almost 100 points, but the Huskies' cupboard is far from bare when it comes to returning firepower in 2006-07. The top dog back for SCSU this winter is junior forward Andrew Gordon, who led the Huskies in scoring as a sophomore with 20 goals and 20 assists. "Andrew (Gordon) had a break through season in 2005-06, and we look to him to be one of our offensive leaders this year," Motzko said. SCSU's offense will also receive a boost from several veterans including the likes of senior forwards Nate Raduns (5g,10a in 2005-06) and Gary Houseman (5g,1a); junior forwards Dan Kronick (11g,12a), Nate Dey (5g,9a), Marty Mjelleli (4g,10a) and Matt Hartman (10g,4a), and sophomore forwards John Swanson (5g/5a) and Michael Olson (6g,3a). The offense will also benefit from the return of senior Grant Clafton, who notched one goal and 11 assists in 2005-06. A versatile player for the Huskies, Clafton has seen action at both forward and defense during the past two seasons at SCSU. "We will be trying a multitude of things to fill some of those holes on offense left by our departed seniors," Motzko said.
"A key to our success will be how well our returning players can step up into new roles on offense, and how we incorporate our new players in our line-up this season. With nine freshman our youth and inexperience will be a big challenge for our team."
Some of those new names to mark in your program include rookie forwards Andreas Nodl, Ryan Lasch, A.J. Gale and Ryan Peckskamp. A native of Vienna, Austria and a recent draft pick of the Philadelphia Flyers, Nodl enjoyed a breakout year with Sioux Falls of the USHL with 29 goals and 30 assists in 2005-06. Lasch, who hails from Lake Forest, Calif., posted huge numbers with the Pembroke Lumber Kings of the CJHL. This past winter, Lasch led his league with 79 goals and 175 points in 67 games. Gale played junior hockey with Nanaimo of the BCHL, and last year he ranked among the league leaders with 27 goals and 24 assists. He joins other Nanaimo alumni on the squad including Olson, Aaron Brocklehurst and Craig Gaudet. The group is completed by Peckskamp, a local product from nearby Sauk Rapids. Peckskamp notched 11 goals and 13 assists for Indiana (USHL) in 2005-06.
In contrast to SCSU's offense, the Huskies' defense will benefit from a wealth of veteran experience and skill in 2006-07. St. Cloud State only loss on defense was T.J. McElroy, as Motzko will welcome back six blueliners to his bench. Senior Casey Borer and Justin Fletcher will be the foundation of the Husky defense in 2006-07. Borer, who served as team captain in 2005-06, posted three goals and eight assists last year while Fletcher ranked second on the team with 21 assists. He also posted six goals and notched five power-play goals. A catalyst on special teams, Fletcher already ranks among the team's top 16 players with 15 career PPGs. To add to his list of creditenials, Fletcher was tied for the team's plus/minus lead at +19 in 2005-06.
SCSU's junior blueliners include Chris Anderson, Aaron Brocklehurst and Matt Stephenson. Brocklehurst stepped up to the plate in 2005-06 with five goals and 18 assists, while Stephenson saw ice time in all 42 games last winter. Stephenson carded 12 points and was +16 on the plus/minus in 2005-06. Sophomore defender David Carlisle will also return in 2006-07, after being named the team's most improved player in 2005-06.
"We have a strong veteran core on defense and that should really help us break in our new players on defense," Motzko said. "The experience provided by players like Borer, Fletcher, Brocklehurst and Stephenson will be a very valuable asset to our roster this winter."
New faces on defense that will debut this winter include Garrett Raboin, Jon Ammerman and Craig Gaudet. Raboin is from Detroit Lakes and starred for Lincoln (USHL), while Ammerman played junior hockey with Indiana (USHL) and prepped at Moorhead High School. Gaudet is another part of the SCSU-Nanaimo (BCHL) connection.
"Those new players will provide us with some toughness, puck-handling ability and speed back at the blueline," Motzko said.
In the nets, SCSU will be in good hands with the return of Goepfert. A workhorse between the pipes, Goepfert is a bonafide post-season honors candidate for the Huskies in 2006-07. In his first year on ice after transferring from Providence, Goepfert proved to be the real deal with a school record 2.20 goals-against average and 2,264:29 minutes played. He also had 1,010 saves and three shutouts to his credit last winter along with a sterling .924 save percentage.
"Bobby (Goepfert) really established himself as one of the nation's premier Div. I goalies last winter," Motzko said. "All good hockey teams start with a great goaltender, and Bobby was provided us with a consistent level of excellence last year. His play was a major reason for our success in 2005-06."
To pad SCSU's talent in the nets, Motzko will welcome newcomer Jace Weslosky to the roster in 2006-07. A standout with Sherwood Park (AJHL), Weslosky was recently selected by the New York Islander in the 2006 NHL draft. Weslosky marked a .910 save percentage and charted 1,106 saves during the 2005-06 season at Sherwood Park.
"Jace (Weslosky) will provide some great competiton in the nets for Bobby (Goepfert), and I look for him give Bobby some much needed rest at times throughout the year as we groom him for the future," Motzko said of Weslosky.
Another player to compete for time in the nets will be freshman goalie B.J. O'Brien, who played during the 2005-06 season with Fargo-Moorhead of the NAHL.
"I look forward to this year's team being able to compete in the WCHA and being able to win a game on any given night," Motzko said. "We have solid depth at defense and I believe our goaltenders will keep us in any game. If we reach our potential on offense, we will be a very competitive team in 2006-07."
As always, the WCHA will feature the nation's best college hockey in 2006-07. Last year, a total of four teams from the league advanced to the NCAA playoffs and for the fifth consecutive season a league team won the NCAA championship. The league's parity in legendary, and it should be even more evident this season as several of the league's top underclassmen have opted to sign early with NHL squads.
"The early NHL signings really have things up in the air," Motzko said of the league's outlook in 2006-07. "To pick a favorite in the league this year is going to be very difficult. The key is to be playing your best hockey come playoff time, and then I like any WCHA team at the end. It's just anybody's guess who will be the team to beat at the end of the season."
2006-07 St. Cloud State Women's Team Outlook
The St. Cloud State University women's hockey team, coming off its strongest season in school history, is looking to build upon last year's success during the 2006-07 season.
Last year, the Huskies finished 18-18-1, tallying the most wins in a single season in SCSU history. A season of "firsts," SCSU earned the most WCHA wins in a single season (13), were ranked in the USCHO.com Top 10 for the first time in school history, hosted a WCHA playoff game for the first time in the history of the program and made its first appearance in the WCHA semifinals.
Now, in 2006-07, the women's hockey program will experience yet another "first" under the helm of new head coach, Jeff Giesen, who becomes the third coach since the inception of the SCSU women's program in 1998. Giesen served as the SCSU assistant women's hockey coach from 2003-06, working with the defensive players and recruiting.
"I'm excited about the opportunity to start my head coaching career at a school that's meant so much to me over the past 19 years," said Giesen. "I appreciate the support that SCSU provides the women's hockey program and look forward to helping SCSU become one of the top teams in the WCHA, the most successful conference in the nation."
Although SCSU finished with a strong second half last year, Giesen is focused on being consistent and competitive the entire season while incorporating three specific keys.
"Our three important keys will be goaltending, scoring, and preparation," stated Giesen.
SCSU welcomes back 18 returning players, including five experienced seniors. Not only will the Huskies have an abundance of leadership, but they are also coming off one of their strongest recruiting classes in school history, with three newcomers who were Minnesota's Top Ten Ms. Hockey finalists and two of the three becoming Ms. Hockey Final Five finalists.
"We have a very strong recruiting class and hope that the incoming freshman will experience the same success at SCSU as they did at their respective high schools," said Giesen.
Fortunately, the Huskies return three experienced goaltenders, including the spark to last year's second half success, senior assistant captain Lauri St. Jacques. A complete player and leader, the All-WCHA Third Team pick brings three years of experience to the ice.
Competing for playing time between the pipes will be junior Kendall Newell and junior red-shirt Carmen Lizee. Newell brings two years of experience to the ice after playing in 27 career games and collecting a 10-10-1 career record at SCSU.
The second key to the season will be the ability to put the puck in the net. SCSU will face the challenge of making up 91 points between three of last year's seniors Kristy Oonincx (15g,29a), Ashley Stewart (11g,21a) and Randie Jelinski (2g,13a).
Senior forward captains Denelle Maguet and Hailey Clarkson will be looked upon to fill those scoring responsibilities after finishing second and third on last year's scoring ladder.
A vocal leader, Maguet made huge strides from her sophomore season (2g,5a) to her junior season (14g,18a). A WCHA Scholar-Athlete award winner, Maguet will be looked upon for her scoring abilities.
A linemate of Maguet's from last season, Clarkson will also be a key component in the scoring strategies in 2006-07. An All-WCHA Third Team pick in 2005-06 and crafty player, Clarkson sparked the Huskies last season finishing second on the team with 38 points (17g,21a).
"Denelle and Hailey are captains for a reason this year," said Giesen. "Each has her own positive demeanors and their leadership will be immeasurable this season."
Joining them in the forward position will be senior Jacqueline Jensen. A good defensive player, Jensen has logged a lot of game experience.
Junior assistant captain Laura Fast had a break-out sophomore season, scoring six goals and 13 assists, and will be a vital part in the scoring department this season.
The junior class also includes Abby Krause, Marie-Michel Lemieux, and Bobbie Anderson. Krause, a 2004 transfer from Maine, has grown into a great role player for the Huskies after scoring four points in her first season at SCSU. Lemieux continues to prosper every year.
Leading the sophomore forwards into their second season will be returning freshman leading scorer from 2005-06 Megan McCarthy. McCarthy netted eight goals and four assists as a first year, including four power-play goals. Amy Currie, Sammy Nixon and Michelle Moen round out the sophomore class on the front line.
Four first-year players will complete the depth on the front line in 2006-07. They include Katie Kemmerer, Holly Roberts, Caitlin Hogan and Meaghan Pezon.
Kemmerer, who played on the top line for the National American Hockey Association, adds speed and scoring ability to the Husky lineup. Roberts, who played at Warroad H.S. and was a Final Five finalist for the 2006 Ms. Minnesota Hockey Award, is a complete player with great hockey sense. Hogan and Pezon, who both played extremely well at the USA hockey Girls' Select 17/18 Camp in Lake Placid this summer, are looked upon to have an immediate impact on the team. Hogan, who was a 2006 Top 10 finalist for the Ms. Minnesota Hockey Award, brings a strong work ethic and the ability to make and finish plays while Pezon, a Final Five finalist for the 2006 Ms. Minnesota Hockey Award, will be a strong force defensively and offensively.
Leading the way on the blue line this season will be senior Tricia Fast, who tallied four assists in 2005-06. A quiet leader, Fast has become a solid defender for the Huskies and has come into her own over the past three seasons. Sharing the defensive leadership duties will be juniors Brittni Kuyper and Stacy Dey. Adding strength and speed to the ice, Kuyper scored three goals and 11 assists last season and made the Final 40 cut for the USA Hockey Under 22 team in August. Dey, a solid player, has steadily improved each season and became a regular defender last season.
The fourth returning defender from last year's squad is sophomore Brita Schroeder. With good size and strength, Schroeder gained valuable experience as a rookie after playing in 35 games and tallying four assists.
Three first year players will complete the defensive group for the Huskies. Jenaca Fredheim, Kelly Meierhofer and Danielle Hirsch will each bring unique talents to the table.
Fredheim is a solid defender with great decision-making skills. Meierhofer brings strength to the lineup, can shoot the puck and will add a force on the blueline. Lastly, Hirsch, who scored 16 points her senior high school season, is a great skater with good play-making skills and had a solid showing at the USA Hockey Select 17/18's Camp in Lake Placid this summer.
The final key component to the Huskies success this season will be preparation. SCSU plans to prepare not only for their opponents, but also themselves. Week in and week out, preparation will be vital if the team strives to find itself sitting in one of the top three positions in the WCHA.
"This year, the WCHA teams will be chasing the defending conference and national champion Wisconsin Badgers," said Giesen. "We've proven in the past that we can play with the top teams in the country and we are looking forward to another challenging season."
In 2005-06, the Huskies finished fourth in the WCHA with a 13-14-1 record, which tied the highest conference finish in school history (1999-2000, 2000-01).
SCSU has high hopes of continuing to contend for a top four spot in the WCHA and will strive to make the necessary changes to vie for the ultimate goal of winning a national championship.
"Since I arrived here at SCSU in 2003, we have been building this program and trying to find the best student-athletes to represent our University. We've now built a foundation for SCSU women's hockey and need to continue to steer this ship in the right direction," said Coach Giesen.
