Defending Champion Eagles Open Season #1

• John Muse will lead the Eagles this season, returning for his sophomore season after playing all, but a minute, as the Eagles freshman goaltender last season. Offensively, Joe Whitney and Ben Smith, HEA’s second and third leading scorers, will be back. BC will also retain the services of the three captains: Brock Bradford, Tim Filangieri, and Benn Ferriero.
• Key Non-conference Games: #13 Wisconsin, Bowling Green (where Jerry York coached for 15 years), #3 Notre Dame

Boston University Terriers

• Colin Wilson is among the early Hobey Baker favorites and was selected #7 overall in the most recent NHL Draft by Nashville. He ranked tenth in the league in scoring last year and will rejoin Chris Higgins and Nick Bonino. BU’s offense should provide a cushion to incoming goalies Grant Rollehiser and Kieran Millan.
• Key Non-conference Games: Icebreaker at home with games against #4 North Dakota and #12 Michigan State

University of New Hampshire Wildcats

• UNH would seem to have more questions than answers as four All-Americans will not return to the team. Sophomore James vanRiemsdyk is the team’s highest remaining scorer and will be leaned on offensively. Brian Foster takes over in goal.
• Key Non-conference Games: #13 Wisconsin and a two game set at #9 Minnesota

Northeastern University Huskies

• The Huskies field an experienced team, returning 27 players, led by senior Joe Vitale, Hockey East’s tenth leading scorer. Junior Brad Thiessen is a third-year starter in goal.
• Key Non-conference Games: Kendall Hockey Classic in Anchorage, Alaska with games against Alaska and Alaska-Anchorage

University of Vermont Catamounts

• Vermont looks to build on their surprise run to the Hockey East title game. Their top three scorers, Dean Strong, Colin Vock, and Viktor Stalberg, are back on the ice. Their questions will be in net, where they have two freshmen, Rob Madore and John Vazzano, joining Mike Spillane, who has appeared in 15 career games over two years.
• Key Non-conference Games: two games against #8 Miami (Ohio)

University of Massachusetts (Amherst) Minutemen

• UMass tries to bounce back from what could be considered a disappointing season behind sophomore goalie Paul Dainton, whose fortunes aligned with the team’s. Cory Quirk and Brett Watson are the go-to guys on offense.
• Key Non-conference Games: Icebreaker at BU with games against #12 Michigan State and #4 North Dakota

University of Massachusetts Lowell River Hawks

• The River Hawks return an experienced team with 23 coming back. Cory Falite, who led the team in scoring and was the top goal-scorer and is back. The goalie tandem of Carter Hutton and Nevin Hamilton also returns this year.
• Key Non-conference Games: two games at #12 Michigan State

Providence College Friars

• PC has holes to fill as their primary goalie and top scorer are gone. Adding to the concern, last season’s second leading scorer was returning defenseman Matt Taormina. The Friar will have to ride Chris Mannix, now the full time goalie, unless a scoring line comes together.
• Key Non-conference Game: #3 Notre Dame

University of Maine Black Bears

• Maine missed the Hockey East playoffs for the first time in ten seasons last year. Inexperience permeates their roster this season as ten incoming freshman join on the team.
• Key Non-conference Games: Alaska Gold Rush in Fairbanks, Alaska against Alaska-Anchorage and Alaska

Merrimack College Warriors

• Junior goalie Andrew Brathwaite put up decent numbers (2.38 GAA, .922 SV%) for a bad team. Rob Ricci and Chris Barton will be counted on in the scoring zone.
• Key Non-conference Game: road trip to Niagara, reigning and projected CHA champion

Tags: Boston College, Boston University, UMass