SPORTS
Men’s hockey starts season against No. 8 Notre Dame
Looking for a print version?
Simply choose ‘Print’ on your computer and a printer-friendly document will be generated.
Also by Tyler Mason:
- Miami could ruin Pats' perfect mark (December 13, 2007)
- Wisconsin hockey continues road woes in Mankato (December 10, 2007)
- Hot stove season best time of year (December 6, 2007)
- Engel finds niche at new position (December 6, 2007)
Related Stories:
- Hockey team defeats self in scrimmage (October 4, 2001)
- Recognition for Badgers' hockey team may come after Michigan Tech (November 14, 2001)
- Tuning up for Big Ten Championship (October 14, 2005)
- Year in Review: We were the Champions (December 14, 2006)
by Tyler Mason
Friday, October 12, 2007
For the No. 14/15 Wisconsin men's hockey team, the 2006-07 season was not one to remember. The team had won the national championship the year before, yet only managed to finish with a 19-18-4 record, which tied them for sixth overall in the WCHA.
The Badgers will have a chance to start fresh this weekend, as they open their season on the road in the Lefty McFadden Invite in Dayton, Ohio. While notable players such as Brian Elliott, Jake Dowell and Jack Skille are gone, a group of nine freshmen ranked as the top recruiting class are ready to go for Wisconsin, eager to take part in their first game as Badgers.
"Right now, we've got a young team, but we're talented," senior defenseman and assistant captain Kyle Klubertanz said. "The season hasn't come quick enough, I think. Guys are chomping at the bit to get going."
Klubertanz is one of just four seniors on the team, along with captain Davis Drewiske, Josh Engel and Matthew Ford. It will be up to the small senior class to show the freshmen the ropes, and Klubertanz knows patience will be important early on.
"With such a young team, you've just got to be patient," Klubertanz said. "We know guys are going to make mistakes, but [we have to] just help them, just talk to them and don't let them get too rattled about it."
Freshman forward Kyle Turris, who was selected No. 3 overall in the NHL draft by Phoenix, said the team has already developed a strong sense of chemistry in the preseason.
"Everybody is getting comfortable, and trusting one another is the big part," Turris said. "Everybody’s excited for the game coming up this weekend, so we’re definitely taking big strides towards that."
One of the big changes for the Badgers will be between the pipes, as Elliott is now gone, and junior Shane Connelly has taken over. Connelly, who posted 7-6-2 over the past two seasons, said not much was done to transition from backup to everyday goalie.
"I maybe watched a little bit more video than in the past over the summer," Connelly said. "I just try to come in the same way. I played well last year and didn't really change anything from the summer. …[It's the] same mindset. You just have to come to play every day and trust myself in the net."
Wisconsin will be tested in their first game of the season as they take on No. 7/8 Notre Dame on Friday, and will play either Ohio State or Mercyhurst Saturday.
Klubertanz understands what a win Friday would do for this young Badger squad against a Notre Dame team that finished last season with a 32-7-3 mark and spent much of the season ranked No. 1.
"It's going to be awesome," Klubertanz said. "Going on the road builds character for a team, especially if you go on the road and beat a quality team like Notre Dame."
Connelly, who started five games for UW last year, said the team's game against the Irish will provide a chance for the freshmen to see action early.
"We've got a lot of young guys that need to really get some experience," Connelly said. "It will happen right away. Notre Dame is a tough team."
Both teams are relatively inexperienced, as Notre Dame's roster boasts seven freshmen and eight sophomores. But Connelly said Wisconsin's freshmen have a lot to gain from this early test and are ready to hit the ice.
"They're bringing a lot of excitement to us," Connelly said. "They're just itching to go, and that really makes everyone else, all the veterans, kind of feel the same way. They're looking to play their first college hockey game, and we're looking to get back into the season."
Notre Dame won the CCHA conference last season but will have to replace eight players from last year’s team. Leading the way on offense for the Irish will be senior center Mark Van Guilder, who scored 34 points, including 18 goals, last year for the Irish.
"They're going to shoot the puck from all over the place," Connelly said. "They've got a lot of skill guys up there, so I've just got to make sure to be ready every time the puck is in the zone."
"I think it will open all the freshmen’s eyes to what to expect for the year from the top teams," Turris said. "[It] will be a good learning curve to help the freshmen adjust quicker."
Anonymous (October 12, 2007 @ 1:13pm):
This is my favorite time of the year to be a Badger fan... hockey season's starting!!
Add a comment
We welcome your thoughts, but please keep your feedback thoughtful, on-topic and respectful. Offensive language, personal attacks, or irrelevant comments may be deleted.
Login...
Not registered? Sign up now.
It's quick, free, and the email address you provide will not be sold or solicited.
