College hockey writer Mike Chambers looks at the three area teams before the start of the regular season:
Denver Pioneers
Coach: George Gwozdecky, 14th season (297-191-40)
2006-07: 21-15-4, 13-11-4 WCHA (tied for fourth, eliminated in first round of league playoffs)
Lettermen returning/lost: 15/10
Key departures: F Ryan Dingle (early pro signee), F Geoff Paukovich (early pro signee), F J.D. Corbin, D Adrian Veideman
Key returnees: F Brock Trotter (team-leading 40 points), F Rhett Rakhshani (team-high 26 assists), F Tyler Ruegsegger (15 goals), D Chris Butler (27 points), F/D Patrick Mullen (17 points), G Peter Mannino (2.29 GAA)
Top newcomers: F Tyler Bozak (BCHL’s leading scorer), F Kyle Ostrow, F Anthony Maiani, D John Ryder, D Chris Nutini
Outlook: DU would have been considered loaded if the four players who left the program for professional careers had returned, but there’s still a lot there. The top freshman forwards are small but fast, and the new defensemen add size. Depth is a concern because 19 of 27 eligible players are freshmen or sophomores, making this one of Gwozdecky’s youngest teams. There could be a big dropoff from the first forward line and top defensive pairing to the third line and fifth and sixth defensemen. DU needs to get big seasons out of the versatile Patrick Mullen, forwards Tom May and Brian Gifford and keep physical defensemen J.P. Testwuide and Cody Brookwell healthy.
Predicted finish: Fourth WCHA, NCAA Tournament berth
Colorado College Tigers
Coach: Scott Owens, seventh season (195-109-24)
2006-07: 18-17-4, 13-12-3 WCHA (tied for fifth, eliminated in first round of league playoffs)
Lettermen returning/lost: 19/7
Key departures: D Lee Sweatt (24 points), F Brandon Polich (19 points), D Brandon Straub (5 points), G Matt Zaba (2.39 GAA)
Key returnees: F Chad Rau (31 points), F Jimmy Kilpatrick (team-high 25 assists), F Bill Sweatt (17 assists), F Scott McCulloch (18 goals), F Andreas Vlassopoulos (16 points in 24 games)
Top newcomers: G Richard Bachman, F Tyler Johnson, D Brett Wysopal, F Ryan Lowery, F Stephen Schultz
Outlook: CC could be explosive on offense, but is prone to implode at the other end. The Tigers return their top four scorers from last season, although Kilpatrick is out until November with a hip injury, and added some nice offensive weapons with transfer Eric Walsky and Minnesota prep scoring phenom Tyler Johnson. The blue line is inexperienced and the goalies unproven. Bachman, from Highlands Ranch, will challenge junior Drew O’Connell for No. 1 netminding duties. Bachman had a 1.28 GAA and .951 save percentage in the USHL playoffs last season and is a 2006 fourth-round draft pick of the Dallas Stars.
Predicted finish: Third WCHA, NCAA Tournament berth
Air Force Falcons
Coach: Frank Serratore, 11th season (149-189-24)
2006-07: 19-16-5, 13-10-5 AHA (won AHA tournament, lost to No. 1 Minnesota in NCAA Tournament first round)
Lettermen returning/lost: 18/9
Key departures: F Andrew Ramsey (48 points), D Billy Devoney (15 points), F Theo Zacour (15 points), D Brian Gineo (14 points)
Key returnees: F Eric Ehn (64 points, Hobey Baker Award finalist), F Mike Phillipich (44 points), Jeff Hajner (13 goals), F Josh Schaffer (21 points), D Michael Mayra (16 points in 26 games), G Andrew Volkening (2.70 GAA)
Top newcomers: F Derrick Burnett, F Scott Kozlak, D Brad Sellers, D Kevin Wright
Outlook: Coming off its first NCAA Tournament appearance in program history, the Falcons appeared primed to make the 16-team national field again by way of the relatively weak AHA. They return five of their top six scorers from last season and the young goalie who helped them come within five minutes of upsetting No. 1 Minnesota at the Pepsi Center in March. Ehn, one of three Hobey Baker Award second-round cut survivors, is the offensive star, coming off a 64-point season that put Air Force’s offense on the map. He’ll again have a lot of help; the Falcons return 72 percent of their point production. Serratore used four goalies last season before settling on Volkening, the freshman who beat out two seniors.
Predicted finish: First AHA, NCAA Tournament berth
