Cobbers Picked Fifth In MIAC Preseason Poll

MIAC men's hockey preview courtesy of Matt Higgins and the MIAC office

ST. PAUL, Minn. -- The premier Division III men's conference in the "State of Hockey" is set to drop the puck and open the 2012-13 season. The MIAC was one of the few leagues to send two teams to the national tournament a year ago, and once again, it appears to be one of the best leagues in the nation from top to bottom.

The top was especially strong last year thanks to an incredible performance by St. Thomas and an exceptional conference postseason tournament by all five teams that qualified. The Tommies 18-6-2, 13-2-1 MIAC, 27 points) were a top-five team for most of the season, cruising to the league title by a surprising eight-point margin over runner-up Gustavus, and they received a rare at-large bid to the Division III Playoffs. MIAC Coach-of-the-Year Jeff Boeser returns most of his nucleus from last year's title team and expectations are high for UST yet again.
 
However, the Gusties and a host of other challengers are ready for their chance to dethrone St. Thomas. Gustavus (17-7-5, 8-5-3 MIAC, 19 points) joined UST in the Division III Playoffs after winning the MIAC Playoff championship. Saint John's (11-13-2, 9-7 MIAC, 18 points) finished third a year ago and has most of its firepower back, and St. Olaf (13-9-6, 7-6-3 MIAC, 17 points) is hoping the momentum it generated on its run to the MIAC Playoff title game will carry into the new season. Hamline (10-14-2, 7-8-1 MIAC, 15 points) and Concordia (10-11-4, 6-7-3 MIAC, 15 points) tied for fifth a year ago, and both return with renewed postseason aspirations.
 
However, it may be the strength of the rest of the league that makes the MIAC special again this year. While Bethel (8-15-2, 6-8-2 MIAC, 14 points), Augsburg (10-14-1, 6-9-1 MIAC, 13 points) and Saint Mary's (5-18-2, 2-12-2 MIAC, six points) rounded out the final three spots in the standings, all three characterize the depth of the league's talent, as all routinely challenged the top teams night-in and night-out. This year, it wouldn't be surprising to see any member of that trio make a run to the postseason.
 
Tommies on top
Despite the depth, it's hard to pick against St. Thomas again in 2012-13, and that's precisely how the MIAC coaches felt as they cast their ballots for the 2012-13 MIAC Men's Hockey Preseason Coaches' Poll. Boeser's squad received seven of the nine first-place votes and 62 total points and are picked to repeat as league champs. However, Gustavus isn't far behind. Head Coach Brett Peterson's squad was just four behind the Tommies with 58 points in second, with the other two first-place votes.

The Oles were predicted to join the top three with 45 points, though Saint John's was right behind in fourth with 44 points, as coaches expect both to return to the postseason in 2012-13. Concordia rounded out the top five - and the coaches' predicted Playoff field - with 34.5 points. Just 5.5 separate the next three teams in the poll - Hamline (25.5), Augsburg (23) and Bethel (20) - with Saint Mary's receiving 12 points in ninth.

'Showcasing' the MIAC
Once again, the MIAC men's hockey season will start with one of the conference's most popular events, the 2012 MIAC Men's Hockey Showcase, sponsored by Bauer. The three-day event - held at Fogerty Arena in Blaine, Minn., for the third-straight season - is truly a celebration of MIAC men's hockey, with each team playing twice over the course of the weekend. The event gives fans an exclusive first look at the entire conference, with three games each day, and it gives the teams a chance to start their season with a very special event.
 
Each day, there will be two games on the South rink and one on the North rink. The action starts on Friday at 5 p.m. when Gustavus meets Hamline. The defending champs, St. Thomas, are up next for a 6:30 p.m. start against Augsburg, and Bethel plays Saint John's in Friday's final game at 8 p.m. Saturday's game feature St. Olaf and Augsburg at 4 p.m., Saint Mary's vs. Bethel at 5:30 p.m. and Concordia meeting Gustavus at 7 p.m. The Showcase concludes Sunday with Saint John's taking on Saint Mary's at 1 p.m., Hamline vs. Concordia at 2:30 p.m. and St. Thomas vs. St. Olaf at 4 p.m.

The MIAC has set up a home page for the event, which includes complete details and will be updated with scores, stats, photos and more throughout the weekend. There will be live stats available online for each game courtesy of Saint Mary's, and Webcast America will again offer on-demand viewing of Friday and Sunday's games (the games will be uploaded following the conclusion of the final game each day). Admission is $5 per day for the event, and children ages 5 and under will be admitted free.
 
What's new?
One MIAC school - Hamline - made a coaching change during the offseason, and Doc DelCastillo will make his debut as the Pipers' coach this weekend at the MIAC Showcase. Also, MIAC Player-of-the-Year Ross Ring-Jarvi from Gustavus graduated after a stellar career, meaning the conference will have a new MVP this season. With numerous returning stars, seeing who will emerge in the awards watch be one of the season's intriguing subplots.

Also, there are a few new online features for MIAC hockey fans. First of all, the MIAC has a new statistic and scoreboard site at www.miacstats.com that should offer fans a great way to follow action along the league and receive updated conference stats on a new, exciting platform. Also, Minnesota Hockey Magazine returns in an online format and plans to include the MIAC in its extensive coverage. For now, follow along and receive updates on the site's Facebook page.
 
Who's back?
Though Ring-Jarvi and several other outstanding seniors have moved on, there are plenty of familiar faces back on the ice this season, starting with St. Thomas' stable of returning award-winners. The Tommies will again be led by two-time All-MIAC forward Riley Horgan, who led the MIAC in assists and scoring in conference play last season. All-MIAC senior defender Robbie Vanelli is also back, along with a trio of All-Conference Honorable Mention selections - goalie Drew Fielding and forwards Travis Barker and Alex Altenbernd - to make UST the preseason favorite to repeat.

Gustavus must replace the MIAC MVP, but fortunately the Gusties have a pair of talented sophomores back to lay the foundation for another great year. forward Andy Pearson and goalie John McLean - who was 15-5-2 in net a year ago - were both named to the MIAC All-Rookie Team last season, and junior forward Zach May is Gustavus' returning leading scorer after notching 23 points a year ago.

St. Olaf brings back a group of talented forwards who should make the Oles explosive on offense. Two-time All-MIAC Honorable Mention pick Ross Trousdale leads the way, and juniors Kevin and Jeff Harris aren't just twin brothers - they both scored an identical 18 points last season. Saint John's returning nucleus is also start-studded, with All-MIAC and All-Rookie Team selection John Haeg back after scoring 27 points in 24 games as a freshman, and All-MIAC defender Trent Johnson and Honorable Mention forward Jascha Pettit give the Johnnies plenty of talent and experience on the ice.

Concordia continues to crank out quality defensemen, as it will again be led by All-MIAC junior Caleb Suderman in 2012-13. Adding to the Cobbers' strength on defense is All-Conference Honorable Mention goalie Chris Neamonitis, while Honorable Mention forward Aaron Wheeler is back to lead Concordia's offense. Hamline said goodbye to a trio of stars, but has two talented sophomores ready for larger roles in DelCastillo's first year, as forward Nick Widing and defender Joe Rubbelke both earned All-MIAC Honorable Mention honors as rookies.

Augsburg has outstanding experience back between the pipes in two-time All-MIAC Honorable Mention goalie Justin Lochner, and sophomore Ben McClellan is back to build on his strong, 18-point freshman season. Bethel returns one of the league's most terrific senior tandems in forward Jack Paul and defenseman Jon Crouse. Both are three-time All-MIAC selections, and will look to write a final successful chapter in their Royals careers this season. Meanwhile, Saint Mary's will again by led by All-MIAC forward Austin Balko, who scored 20 points a year ago, and he'll team with senior Kevin Wentland to put significant pressure on opposing goalies.
 
Mark your calendar
The 2012-13 will be bookended by two great conference events - the MIAC Showcase and the 2012-13 MIAC Men's Hockey Playoffs. The Showcase starts the season Friday, and teams will open with two weeks of nonconference play. MIAC action will begin the weekend of Nov. 8-9-10, and teams will have three conference series prior to the December break. League play resumes Jan. 11-12, and runs through the final weekend of the regular season, which will be Feb. 15-16. The first two weekends of the MIAC Playoffs will be held the following weekend (Feb. 22-23) with the championship set for March 2.

2012-13 MIAC Men's Hockey Preseason Coaches' Poll
Coaches voted for every team in the conference except their own team. Points were assigned for each vote (eight for first, seven for second, etc.) Teams are ranked in order of highest point total to lowest with vote totals listed and first-place votes shown in parentheses.

2012-13 MIAC Men's Hockey Playoffs
The 2012-13 MIAC Men's Hockey Playoffs will feature the top five teams in the conference standings playing in a high-seed-host, single-elimination postseason tournament. The first-round game between the No. 4 and No. 5 seeds will take place Friday, Feb. 22, with the semifinal round to follow on Saturday, Feb. 23. The two remaining teams will meet in the championship on Saturday, March 2, with the winner claiming the postseason title, as well as the MIAC's automatic bid to the 2013 NCAA Division III Men's Hockey Tournament.

  MIAC Men's Hockey Playoffs Websites | 2011-12 | 2012-13 |