Denver Pioneers
Coach: George Gwozdecky, 16th year (346-217-46)
Last season: 23-12-5, 16-8-4 WCHA (second), lost to Miami (Ohio) in NCAA Tournament first round
Lettermen returning/lost: 2 1/4
Key returners: F Rhett Rakhshani, F Anthony Maiani, D Patrick Wiercioch, G Marc Cheverie, F Tyler Ruegsegger, F Joe Colborne, F Kyle Ostrow
Key losses: F Tyler Bozak, D J.P. Testwuide
Top freshmen: D Matt Donovan, F Drew Shore, G Adam Murray, F Shawn Ostrow, D William Wrenn
Outlook: The No. 1-ranked Pioneers have a program-record 13 NHL draft picks and lost just two skaters who played in more than 25 games last season. Their top seven scorers are back from a team that finished 10th nationally in scoring (3.30 goals per game), including NHL-bound stars Rakhshani, Wiercioch and Colborne, and six of eight defensemen and their starting goalie return. . . . On paper, this appears to be Gwozdecky’s deepest and most talented team at DU, but those attributes will be tested early in a difficult six-game stretch that includes two-game trips to Ohio State and Minnesota over the next two weekends. . . . Junior F Dustin Jackson broke his leg and is out for the season, and Maiani, last year’s top scorer, has been suspended for this weekend’s games. . . . Six freshmen, including three defensemen, will be in the series-opening lineup, but at least two could eventually lose their spots to upperclassmen.
Prediction: First in WCHA, NCAA Tournament berth
Air Force Falcons
Coach: Frank Serratore, 13th year (198-212-32)
Last season: 28-11-2, 20-6-2 AHA (first), lost in OT to Vermont in NCAA Tournament quarterfinals
Lettermen returning/lost: 1 8/7
Key returnees: G Andrew Volkening, F Jacques Lamoureux, F Jeff Hajner, D Brad Sellers, F Matt Fairchild, F Derrick Burnett, F Blake Page
Key losses: D Greg Flynn, F Brent Olson, F Josh Frider, F Mike Phillipich
Top freshmen: D Eric Artman, F Stephen Carew, F Kyle De Laurell, F Danny Durham, F John Kruse, D Mike Walsh
Outlook: The Falcons, the three-time defending Atlantic Hockey Association playoff champions, are again the class of the league and picked to win the AHA regular-season title by the league’s coaches. Winning another AHA Tournament crown would get Air Force to its fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament. . . . AFA is coming off its best season ever, coming within an overtime goal of reaching the Frozen Four in March. The Falcons return 68 percent of their goal scoring and 60 percent of their points. . . . Lamoureux, a 2009 Hobey Baker Award finalist, led the country with 33 goals and was second with 53 points. He is a unanimous preseason All-American. Volkening was sixth nationally with a 1.97 goals-against average and with 28 wins. . . . Air Force’s biggest challenge is to replace graduated defenseman Greg Flynn.
Prediction: First in AHA, NCAA Tournament berth
Colorado College Tigers
Coach: Scott Owens, 11th year (239-133-35)
Last season: 16-12-10, 12-9-5 WCHA (third, tie), eliminated by Minnesota-Duluth in first round of WCHA playoffs
Lettermen returning/lost: 1 9/8
Key returnees: F Bill Sweatt, F Mike Testwuide, D Kris Fredheim, D Nate Prosser, C Andreas Vlassopoulos, D Gabe Guentzel, F Stephen Schultz
Key losses: F Chad Rau, G Richard Bachman, F Eric Walsky, D Brian Connelly, F Scott McCulloch
Top freshmen: F Rylan Schwartz, F Scott Winkler, D Mike Boivin, D Doug Leaverton, F William Rapuzzi, G Joe Howe, G Hudson Stremmel
Outlook: CC has 15 underclassmen and is rumored to be in rebuilding mode, but the Tigers have nine seniors and still possess a ton of talent. . . . The Tigers had 28 of 38 games last season decided by one goal or fewer (empty-net goals notwithstanding), with a program-most 10 ties. They lost the services of a handful of key players — including Bachman and Connelly early to pro deals — but still have a nice blend of proven scorers and veteran defensemen. . . . The big question is between the pipes, where sophomore Tyler O’Brien will compete for playing time with two freshmen from the USHL. . . . CC’s schedule is relatively easy until it begins a series with Denver on Dec. 4. The Tigers play 10 of their first 14 games at home and have just one series each against Minnesota and North Dakota. CC’s season could ultimately come down to the last three weeks of the regular season, when the Tigers visit the Gophers, host the Fighting Sioux and play a home-and-home with the Pioneers.
Prediction: Sixth in WCHA
