Thursday, October 01, 2009

Michigan Tech Huskies Preview

By Andy Bourdeau/Michigan Tech Beat Writer

MICHIGAN TECH HUSKIES

Head coach: Jamie Russell (seventh season)

Home arena: MacInnes Student Ice Arena (4,200)

Last season: 6-25-7 overall, 2-19-7 WCHA (10th), lost in WCHA first round to North Dakota

Returning for the Huskies:
Goaltenders: Josh Robinson, Corson Cramer
Forwards: Malcolm Gwilliam (C), Jordan Baker (A), Brett Olson (A), Drew Dobson, Eric Kattelus, Bennett Royer, Ryan Bunger, Seth Soley, Alex MacLeod, Bryce Reddick, Mikael Lickteig and Peter Rohn
Defensemen: Deron Cousens, Ricky Doriott, John Kivisto, Eli Vlaisavljevich, Mike VanWagner

No longer sporting the Husky sweater:
Goaltender: Rob Nolan
Forwards: Alex Gagne, Derek Kitti, Ryan Angelow, Alex Lord and Justin St. Louis
Defensemen: Geoff Kinrade and John Schwarz

New to the Huskies:
Goaltender: Kevin Genoe
Forwards: Aaron Pietila, Anthony Schooley, Milos Gordic, Evan Witt
Defensemen: Steven Seigo, Tommy Brown and Carl Nielsen

NHL draft picks: 0

Outlook: Michigan Tech comes off a season plagued with injuries and looks to get back to climbing the WCHA ladder. They return their leading four scorers and are counting on them to continue this season and bring this team out of the WCHA basement.

When asked what fans can expect this year, Russell said, "More offense with more creativity and shots. We need players to bring excitement, energy and responsibility to combine with a real physical edge. We must improve our special teams play."

The real question mark for this year's Huskies is if they improve their scoring and special teams. If they can, look for a good year out of this year's squad.

No comments: