Bulldogs Usher In A New Era
The University of Minnesota-Duluth ushers in a new hockey era in 2000-01 as Scott Sandelin takes over as the Bulldogsı head coach. Sandelin, who replaces 18-year veteran Mike Sertich behind the Bulldog bench, inherits a club which retains some 19 lettermen from a year ago, including nine of its top 11 scorers. UMD, which finished with a 15-22-0 overall mark and placed eighth in the final Western Collegiate Hockey Association standings, is hoping that Sandelin can help instill the same kind of winning attitude in its program as he did at the University of North Dakota during his six-season as an assistant coach.
UP FRONT: UMDıs offensive attack was anything but last winter. The 1999-2000 Bulldogs managed just 93 goals in 37 outings, a mere 2.51 goals per night -- the lowest figure in the teamıs 56-year history. On top of all this, UMDıs top two snipers -- Colin Anderson (18 goals and 22 assists for 40 points) and Jeff Scissons (14-19=33) -- who accounted for over one-third of the Bulldogsı goal production last season, have graduated. To address the power shortage, Sandelin wants his club to be much more aggressive in the offensive zone and create more turnovers. The holdover forwards heıll have to work with include the likes of senior wings Derek Derow (10 goals and 17 assists for a career-high 27 points last winter), Judd Medak (2-6=8), and Ryan Homstol, who will be looking to rebound from a subpar 1999-2000 season (three goals and four assists after coming into the year with 57 lifetime points) , senior center Mark Gunderson (3-5=8), and junior wings Tom Nelson (4-11=15) and Nate Anderson (0-3=3). Also back are a pair of Bulldogs who made quite a splash during their debut collegiate seasons -- Drew Otten and Jon Francisco. Drew Otten, one of the WCHAıs best kept-freshman secrets, topped UMD rookies in scoring with 19 points on nine goals and 10 assists, while Francisco pumped in four goals and assisted on seven other scores while skating a regular shift. Sophomore Michael Miskovich, who went scoreless in 11 games in 1999-2000, sophomore wing Matt Mathias, a transfer from the University of Alaska Anchorage, and freshman Mark Pohl, a redshirt from last season, round out the list of returning forwards.
ON THE BLUELINE: With basically its entire cast intact from last season, the Bulldog defensive corps should certainly be a source of encourage in 2000-01. Ryan Coole (1-2=3) and Jess Fibiger (4-6=10) return for their fourth year of regular activity and join juniors Mark Carlson and Andy Reierson as the anchors of the Bulldog blueline. Carlson, who paced all WCHA defensemen in power play goals last season, placed fourth on UMDıs scoring chars with 26 points (seven goals and 19 assists). Reierson, who, along with Derek Derow, competed with the WCHA All Stars during their tour of Norway this past August, enjoyed a breakout season as a sophomore, racking up four goals and 11 assists to finish second to Carlson in points among UMD blueliners. Senior Craig Pierce (0-3=3), sophomores John Conboy (0-2=2), who may be moved up to forward this season, and Tim Schneider (0-0=0 in four contests) and red-shirted freshmen Beau Geisler and Steve Rodberg are also back to bolster UMDıs defensive efforts.
IN THE GOAL: Is there life after Brant Nicklin? UMD will find the answer this fall, but finding a replacement for the schoolıs all-time leader in saves percentage, shut outs, and appearances is obviously a top priority. Sophomore Rob Anderson, Nicklinıs backup one year ago, showed plenty of promise while stringing together a 5-6-0 record and a 3.91 goals against average in 15 appearances (eight of which were starts). Jason Gregoire, who received seven minutes of ice time as a rookie in 1999-2000, will be seeking additional goaltending responsibilities this season as well.
NEW FACES: Besides Sandelin and his first-year Bulldog assistants (Steve Rohlik and Mark Strobel), there will be plenty of other new faces dotting the UMD hockey landscape this year. Among those are a bevy of United States Hockey League alumni -- goaltender Adam Coole, the younger brother of Ryan, (Rochester), and forwards Jerrid Reinholz (Des Moines), Josh Miskovich (Omaha) and Andy Sacchetti (Rochester). Forwards Junior Lessard (Portage Terriers of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League) and Dave Sheilds (Melville Millionaires/Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League) and defenseman Craig Weller (Calgary Canucks/Alberta Junior Hockey League) are all expected to play expanded roles with the 2000-01 Bulldogs.
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