Mavericks Begin Life Under Jutting
With a different head coach in place expect some of that "new car smell" to the Minnesota State University men's hockey program this year.
However, when considering that the new MSU coach is a former assistant and also played here as an undergraduate, you probably don't need to expect a different model, just a different year.
"As far as our systems and how we go about our business, I don't expect things to change much," said first-year coach Troy Jutting who takes over from longtime mentor Don Brose. "The changes that will take place will likely be subtle. My primary focus will be on the mind set of the players. Ensuring that they are prepared to play hard every time out."
Jutting, who played an integral role in putting together a team that enjoyed unparalleled success in its WCHA debut last season, feels the ingredients are there for his team to rank in the league's top five again this year.
"There are a lot of things that go into why teams are successful," said Jutting. "Talent, health, chemistry, etc. Providing we have the right ingredients then success will take care of itself."
Having racked up a 21-14-4 overall record and a 15-10-3 WCHA record (good enough for fourth place in league standings) in its conference debut last year, MSU will have its work cut out for itself this campaign.
The key to success for the Mavericks in 2000-2001, as it was in 1999-2000, likely will be the play of junior netminder Eric Pateman. Pateman, who started 38 of 39 games for MSU last season, ranked fourth in the WCHA in save percentage (.914) and winning percentage (.611) as a sophomore . The two-time conference Defensive Player of the Week established a school record with four shut-outs in 1999-2000 and was named team MVP.
The MSU blue line corps features five returnees in seniors Ben Christopherson (3-12--15) and Jon Bushy (1-3--4), junior Andy Hedlund (4-2--6) and sophomores Peter Runkel (2-4--6) and Joe Bourne (2-2--4). Newcomers include Aaron Forsythe (Forest Lake High School and Twin Cities (USHL), Nate Metcalf (Fargo-Moorhead (USHL) and Matt Paluczak (Bismarck (AWHL)).
Ten forwards return, including six of the team's top ten scorers from a year ago. Seniors T.J. Guidarelli (11-16--27), Jesse Rooney (19-6--25), and Peter Holoien (2-23--25) are the top three returning scorers. Seniors captain Tyler Baines (5-14--19) and Ryan Severson (7-1--8), juniors Jerry Cunningham (6-9--15), Josh Kern (7-5--12), Justin Martin (3-3--6) and Nate Mauer (1-1--2) and sophomore B.J. Abel (5-17--22) also return.
Newcomers to the front lines are Tim Jackman (Park Center High School and Twin Cities (USHL), Dana Sorenson (Melville (SJHL) and Micah Wouters (Cedar Rapids (USHL). Dwight Hirst (Fargo-Moorhead (USHL) rejoins the team after spending a year in the junior ranks and will be a sophomore.
"I'm looking forward to continuing the tradition of Maverick Hockey," said Jutting. "Last season was a great start for us in the one of the premier conferences in the country. But this is a new year and obviously one of our goals would be to continue on that path towards becoming one of the premier programs in the country."
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