Fighting Sioux Look For More Of The Same
1999-2000 was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the University of North Dakota hockey team.
It was expected to be a challenge to defend the Western Collegiate Hockey Association title in what could have been a record setting fourth straight conference championship season.
It turned out to be Fighting Sioux's seventh NCAA hockey championship, the second in the past four years. Now only Michigan has won more collegiate national championships than North Dakota.
Once again North Dakota looks at a new season filled with weighty expectations with which to contend. The challenges remain the same: a MacNaughton Cup, a Broadmoor Trophy, and a national championship.
Replacing five top players is always difficult. Scoring leader Lee Goren and Jason Ulmer combined to score 52 goals last season and added 58 assists. Captain Peter Armbrust played in a team-leading 154 games in his career and provided invaluable leadership. Brad DeFauw contributed in 150 career games. The only defensive players lost were Mike Commodore and Tim O'Connell who played in 115 games in his four year career.
"The seniors last year were the winningest group to attend North Dakota," said head coach Dean Blais. "They won two NCAA championships and three WCHA championships. And all five graduated on time with a 3.0 GPA or better."
Returning SeniorsNorth Dakota returns 22 players which includes 11 forwards, seven defensemen and four goaltenders. Among the returning players are four seniors: defenseman Trevor Hammer, forwards Wes Dorey and Jeff Panzer, and goaltender Karl Goehring.
"Defensemen and goaltending should be the strength of this year's team," said Blais. "Only one defenseman graduated and All-American Karl Goehring and Andy Kollar will return in goal."
Hammer provides solid defensive play.
North Dakota led the league in overall goal production last year, averaging 4.36 goals per game. Panzer, along with graduate Lee Goren, led UND in points last season 19-44=63, while winning the WCHA scoring title. He was a Hobey Baker finalist and a First Team West All-American.
Dorey tied for sixth in points on this high-powered offensive team.
In goal, a two-time winner of the WCHA regular season goaltending title, Goehring sets an extremely high standard. He held opponents scoreless eight times last season enroute to a 19-6-4 record. He was named a First Team West All-American.
NewcomersNorth Dakota brings in six new players this season. The combination consists of four forwards and two defensemen.
Defensively, David Hale, a first round National Hockey League draft choice in June, 2000 - and brother of forward Ryan Hale - and Derrick Byfuglien, a fourth round NHL draft choice, will compete for playing time with players that held opponents to an average of 2.20 goals per game.
At forward, David Lundbohm, Quinn Fylling and Tyler Palmiscno will be provided with the opportunity to show that they can make big plays. With the graduation of two of the top three scorers, there will be some imposing shoes to fill.
ForwardsLeading the offense this season is last year's scoring leader in senior Jeff Panzer, who led the team with 19-44=63. Panzer has moved into 23rd place on the UND all-time scoring list with 147 career points.
After an 11-point freshman season, sophomore Bryan Lundbohm dramatically increased his point production with 22-22=44 and led the team in power-play goals.
Upperclassmen expected to take leadership roles include senior Wes Dorey and junior Aaron Schneekloth.
With two top scorers to replace, the experienced players will be forced to step up.
Last season's freshman class certainly proved their value to the team, led by Ryan Bayda, a third round draft choice in 2000 who produced 40 points, and solid players like Kevin Spiewak, Tim Skarperud, Jason Notermann, and Ryan Hale. Each of these players has the chance to bring their game up a notch and increase their output with a year of experience behind them.
DefensemenWith just two losses to the defensive corps, a solid group remains intact. They have two challenges: to protect their goaltender and look for offensive opportunities that come their way.
Senior Trevor Hammer provides the experience for the nine players who are vying for six positions. Sophomore Travis Roche provided an offensive punch with 28 points last season.
Also seeking playing time are Aaron Schneekloth, Chris Leinweber, Chad Mazurak, Paul Murphy and Adrian Hasbargen along with newcomers David Hale and Derrick Byfuglien.
GoaltendersOne place a team doesn't want a question mark is in the net and the University of North Dakota's luxury is having two of the best goaltenders around.
Goehring had another award-winning, record-breaking season for the Fighting Sioux in 1999-2000. He posted a 19-6-4 mark with a record eight shutouts overall and six in WCHA games. He had the WCHA's best GAA with a 1.79 mark, also a UND record, and posted a season-best saves percentage of .927 which ties the school record set 42 years ago. Goehring's overall record is now an astonishing 64-14-7 over the past three years.
Backing Goehring up is junior Andy Kollar. In 15 appearances in 1999-2000, Kollar posted a 11-2-1 record with a .909 SV% and 2.66 GAA. In his first two seasons he has a 21-3-1 record. Kollar was in net at the 2000 WCHA Final Five in Minneapolis and won both games in order for North Dakota to take home the Broadmoor Trophy. He also was the winning goalie in the NCAA West Regional 4-1 verdict over Niagara which put the Fighting Sioux into the Frozen Four.
By Kelly Sauer, UND Hockey SID
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