ECH Regular Season Preview: NCHC
written By Alex Berger - October 4th, 2023The National Collegiate Hockey Conference is looking for a bounce-back season after a relatively "off" season last year. Yes, the conference did provide the NCAA-leading goal scorer and three teams to the national tournament; however, an NCHC team failed to make it to the Frozen Four for the first time since the conference began.
The conference looks poised for a big year, with title contenders and Hobey Baker hopefuls lined up across the league. Below you'll find a full preview of last year's stats and a season outlook for every team, and our picks for the conference standings.
ECH Preseason Poll (First Place Votes)
1. North Dakota (4)
2. Denver (1)
3. St. Cloud State (2)
4. Western Michigan (1)
5. Minnesota-Duluth
6. Omaha
7. Colorado College
8. Miami
Pick for Postseason Champion: North Dakota (3)
Others Receiving Votes: Denver (1), Minnesota-Duluth (1), St. Cloud State (1), and Western Michigan (1)
- Colorado College Tigers
Record/Conference Finish: 13-22-3; 7th in Regular Season, 2nd in Postseason
Goals/Game: 2.08/game (T-55th in NCAA)
Goals Against/Game: 2.61/game (T-16th)
Power Play: 20.3% (T-26th)
Penalty Kill: 82% (T-19th)
Three Biggest Returners: Kaidan Mbereko (Goalie; 9-16-2, 2.30 GAA), Noah Laba (Forward; 11 G - 11 A -22 P), and Nicklas Andrews (Defenseman; 2-12-14)
Three Biggest Departures: Hunter McKown (Forward; 21-7-28), Brian Yoon (Defensemen; 1-14-15), and Matt Vernon (Goalie; 4-6-1, 2.57 GAA)
Top Offseason Acquisition: Incoming Freshman Max Burkholder (Defenseman; 51 points in 62 games, named to USHL second-team)
Season Outlook -
After a Cinderella run to the NCHC Frozen Four Championship Game last season, Colorado College looks to keep improving under head coach Kris Mayotte. This will be the third year in Mayotte's system, which saw a four-win jump from 2021 to 2022. His improvements behind the bench led to a multi-year contract extension just two days into the offseason (Mayotte is now signed until the 2027-28 season).
Last season, the Tigers were led by forward Hunter McKown (21 goals -7 assists - 28 points) and goaltender Kaiden Mbereko (9-16-2, 2.30 GAA, .925 SV%). Luckily, the latter returns this year for his sophomore season and looks to improve upon a underrated freshman season. Unfortunately, they will have to replace McKown's team-leading point total from last season. That includes his elite production on the power play, where he led college hockey in power play goals (14).
Overall, Colorado College should look to be a more well-rounded team in 2023. Mbereko provides stability between the pipes, and sophomore forward Noah Laba should look to build upon a strong second-half to last season (he recorded a point in 9-of-17 games after December). Their defensive depth might be an issue, but they are bringing in a strong freshman class led by Max Burkholder and Tyler Dunbar.
- Denver Pioneers
Record/Conference Finish: 30-10-0; 1st in Regular Season, 3rd in Postseason
Goals/Game: 3.75/game (T-5th in NCAA)
Goals Against/Game: 2.15/game (T-4th)
Power Play: 26.3% (4th)
Penalty Kill: 78.4% (T-43rd)
Three Biggest Returners: Massimo Rizzo (Forward; 17 goals - 29 assists - 46 points), Shai Buium (Defenseman; 4-17-21), and Aidan Thompson (Forward; 10-22-32)
Three Biggest Departures: Magnus Chrona (Goalie; 22-9-0, 2.19 GAA), Carter Mazur (Forward; 22 goals - 15 assists - 37 points), and Mike Benning (Defenseman; 34 points, +24 rating)
Top Offseason Acquisition: Incoming Freshman Miko Matikka (Forward; 3rd-Round Pick in 2022 NHL Draft)
Season Outlook -
Denver had a ridiculously good team last season, but unfortunately faltered when it mattered the most. After an 11-1-0 stretch from late January to March, the Pioneers were not only upset but shutout in back-to-back games during tournament play; once in the NCHC postseason semifinals to Colorado College and another to Cornell in the NCAA regional semifinals. The pair of losses left a sour taste in the mouths of Pioneer fans at the end of a banner-raising season.
This season Denver has to replace four-year starter Magnus Chrona (71 career wins) and one of their top offensive weapons in Carter Mazur (37 total points last season). Alongside that, they will have to replace most of their defensive core; Denver will have four freshman defensemen this upcoming season.
Optimistically, the Pioneers are still led by junior Massimo Rizzo (team-leading 46 points in 2022-'23) and sophomore Aidan Thompson (32 points). Despite being a freshman, Thompson was one of the most consistent scorers for Denver last season; he tallied a point in 23 of 32 total games in his first year of college hockey.
There will be 10 new faces on Denver's roster this year, including five forwards, four defensemen, and a goalie. However, they're one of the few teams in college hockey without a single transfer portal player coming in. If Denver is to continue as a powerhouse in the NCHC, they'll have to rely heavily on their big freshmen class. Their quick learning curve will be a story to follow over the course of the season.
- Miami RedHawks
Record/Conference Finish: 8-24-4; 8th in Regular Season, 8th in Postseason
Goals/Game: 2.03/game (T-58th in NCAA)
Goals Against/Game: 3.81/game (T-59th)
Power Play: 16.1% (45th)
Penalty Kill: 76.3% (T-55th)
Three Biggest Returners: Matthew Barbolini (Forward; 10 goals -15 assists - 25 points), PJ Fletcher (Forward; 5-10-15), and Hampus Rydqvist (Defenseman; 36 games played, 14 points)
Three Biggest Departures: Ludvig Persson (Goalie; 8-19-4, 3.67 GAA), Joe Cassetti (Forward; 5-10-15), and Red Savage (7-7-14)
Top Offseason Acquisition: Transfer Graduate Senior Albin Nilsson (10-14-24 at Niagara in 2022-'23)
Season Outlook -
Let's start with the positives. Miami will have a large core of upperclassmen and retuning players from last season (15 juniors, seniors, and graduate students). Four of the five leading scorers last year are returning, led by by leading-point-scorer Matthew Barbolini (25 points). And to be honest, it can't get much worse.
Last year Miami won just eight games all season, including only one game after December 30th. What will make this season even more difficult is the loss of arguably their best player in Ludvig Persson. The Swedish goaltender was the full-time starter the last two seasons for Miami, but chose to transfer to North Dakota to play his senior year. There will be a goalie battle between freshmen Bruno Bruveris, senior Carter McPhail, and graduate senior Logan Neaton between the pipes for the Redhawks.
Miami was very active in the transfer portal this offseason. Eight different players (including Persson) left the RedHawks for the portal, while the team itself welcomed six new players. That new batch is led by graduate senior Albin Nilsson, a 6'0", 190 lbs. forward who put up 24 points at Niagara last season and should give an immediate boost to RedHawks' top-six forward core.
It's never fun to pick a team to finish last in their respective conference, so I apologize in advance RedHawks' fans. I chose Miami to finish 8th, but I'd argue that the season-end standings will be closer than people realize.
- Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs
Record/Conference Finish: 16-20-1; 5th in Regular Season; 6th in Postseason
Goals/Game: 2.57/game (T-37th in NCAA)
Goals Against/Game: 3.08/game (T-42nd)
Power Play: 24.6% (T-7th)
Penalty Kill: 78.6% (42nd)
Three Biggest Returners: Ben Steeves (Forward; 21 goals - 7 assists - 28 points), Zach Stejskal (Goalie; 8-11-1, 2.96 GAA), and Blake Biondi (Forward; 6 points in 17 games)
Three Biggest Departures: Wyatt Kaiser (Defenseman; 23 points, +5 rating), Isaac Howard (Forward; 6-11-17), and Derek Daschke (Defenseman; 2-14-16)
Top Offseason Acquisition: Transfer Graduate Senior Connor McMenamin (9-15-24 at Penn State in 2022-'23)
Season Outlook -
After a few down seasons following back-to-back national titles in 2018/'19, the Bulldogs are set up for a huge bounce back year. Their top two point scorers, Ben Steeves and Dominic James, return this season and should create one of the best offensive trios in the country with senior forward Blake Biondi. Biondi only played during the first half of the season last year following a shoulder injury, and could flirt with a 30-40 point season.
Like Miami, the Bulldogs were very active in the transfer portal this season. Some key departures include forwards Isaac Howard and Luke Mylymok. The loss of Howard stings a little more, as he looked impressive in stretches as a freshman last season and should make a jump at Michigan State this year.
However, the pair is being replaced by another set of good players. Connor McMenamin has been a consistent offensive piece at Penn State over the last four years and has improved every season (12, 15, 15, and 24 points). He'll slide into a great second-line role with the Bulldogs this season. Minnesota-Duluth also adds defenseman Luke Bast, who is searching for more playing time after two seasons at North Dakota.
A good returning cast, deep top-six, infusion of transfer-portal talent, and a solid starting goaltender (Zach Stejskal; 2.96 GAA, .901 SV%) should create a good start for the Bulldogs out of the gate. Stejskal will need to really take a step forward to match the talent of 2018-19, but the roster construction is very similar to those championship-winning teams. Minnesota-Duluth should be on every college hockey fan's radar this season.
- North Dakota Fighting Hawks
Record/Conference Finish: 18-15-5; 6th in Regular Season, 4th in Postseason
Goals/Game: 3.26/game (T-9th in NCAA)
Goals Against/Game: 2.82/game (T-29th)
Power Play: 27.3% (2nd)
Penalty Kill: 83.7% (12th)
Three Biggest Returners: Riese Gaber (Forward; Team-leading 20 goals, 11 PPG), Jackson Blake (Forward; 16 goals - 26 assists - 42 points), and Jake Schmaltz (Forward; 12 points, 56% faceoff win percentage)
Three Biggest Departures: Tyler Kleven (Defenseman; 18 points, 84 penalty minutes, +2 rating), Chris Jandric (Defenseman; Team-leading 29 assists, +16 rating), and Ethan Frisch (Defenseman; 18 points, 5 PPG)
Top Offseason Acquisition: Transfer Senior Ludvig Persson (Goalie; 8-19-4, 3.67 GAA at Miami in 2022-'23)
Season Outlook -
Last season, North Dakota went out and got a handful of high-profile transfer players, including a new starting goalie, and went into the year relying heavily on their offensive talent to tread water while the new players (transfers and freshmen alike) got adjusted to the NoDak system. Sound familiar?
The same thing happened this offseason. This year the Fighting Hawks are bringing in seven transfer players and seven freshmen; including former Miami starting goaltender Ludvig Persson. Hopefully the former RedHawk can provide a more consistent level of play than Drew DeRidder (.899 SV%) and Jakob Hellsten (.875 SV%) did for NoDak last season.
The biggest concern for Fighting Hawks' fans this season will be an entirely new defensive core. That's right, not a single defenseman from last season is on the team this year. I tried to reflect this stat in North Dakota's biggest departures which include Tyler Kleven, Chris Jandric, and Ethan Frisch. All three signed professional contracts this summer, with Kelven and Frisch leaving a year early to do so. To help replace them, North Dakota is bringing in former Alaska captain Garrett Pyke, 6'3" right-hander Brent Zmolek from Minnesota-State Mankato, and former Michigan Wolverine Keaton Pehrson. They're also welcoming in a pair of freshmen defensemen who had their names called at this year's NHL Draft; Nate Benoit (6th Rd.) and Adam Wiebe (7th Rd.).
However, there is still plenty of optimism growing in Grand Forks. Riese Gaber and Jackson Blake combined for 36 goals, 43 assists, and 79 total points last season, and look to return as one of the most electric pairs of forwards in college hockey this season. A handful of other freshmen: including Dylan James (16 points), Owen McLaughlin (15), and Ben Strinden (9), started to find their stride during the second half of the season. Plus, North Dakota's top two centers, Jake Schmaltz and Louis Jamernik V, return for their junior and senior years respectively. To top it all off, incoming freshman Jayden Perron posted 72 points in the USHL last season and should be an immediate boost as a second-line winger. It may take North Dakota a few months to get the 14 new players up to speed, but they have the pieces to put together a trophy-winning team come March and April.
- Omaha Mavericks
Record/Conference Finish: 19-15-3; 3rd in Regular Season, 7th in Postseason
Goals/Game: 2.95/game (T-24th in NCAA)
Goals Against/Game: 2.62/game (T-16th)
Power Play: 20.7% (T-23rd)
Penalty Kill: 79% (40th)
Three Biggest Returners: Jack Randl (Forward; Team-leading 18 goals, 34 points), Simon Latkoczy (Goalie; 11-6-1, 2.32 GAA), and Ty Mueller (Forward; 12 goals - 13 assists - 25 points)
Three Biggest Departures: Tyler Weiss (Forward; 6-21-27), Johnny Tychonick (Defenseman; 8-18-26, +8 rating), and Cameron Berg (Forward; 10-14-24)
Top Offseason Acquisition: Incoming Freshman Tanner Ludtke (Forward; 3rd-Round Pick in 2023 NHL Draft)
Season Outlook -
After finishing 3rd in the NCHC last season, the Mavericks were upset by North Dakota in the first round of the league's postseason tournament and failed to make the Frozen Faceoff semifinals or the national tournament. It was an unfortunate end to an under-the radar season for Omaha.
The Mavericks return a large core of their talent from last season, which includes 13 upperclassmen and two key sophomores: goaltender Simon Latkoczy and forward Ty Mueller. Returning to lead the offense is graduate senior Jack Randl, who led the team in goals (18), points (34), GWG (4), PPG (6), and plus/minus rating (11). Randl will play a key role in the Mavericks' success this season,
Latkoczy is back as the starting goaltender for Omaha this season. The Slovakia native posted an 11-6-1 record last season with two shutouts and a 2.32 GAA and .911 SV%. From a statistical standpoint, Latkoczy was a top-20 or so goaltender in college hockey last season despite only playing in 20 total games. With his raw talent, he has an outside track to be one of the top goaltenders in the NCHC this year and find himself in the Mike Richter Award conversation.
Omaha was a very solid team last year, and won't need to change a whole lot to continue that success. Although they don't have a roster full of high-end talent they should still be a team that's tough to play against every single night. Sometimes that's all you need to make a postseason run.
- St. Cloud State Huskies
Record/Conference Finish: 25-13-3; 4th in Regular Season, 1st in Postseason
Goals/Game: 3.24/game (T-14th in NCAA)
Goals Against/Game: 2.32 (T-6th)
Power Play: 25.5% (T-5th)
Penalty Kill: 77.3% (51st)
Three Biggest Returners: Zach Okabe (Forward; 18 goals - 18 assists - 36 points), Veeti Miettinen (Forward; 12-24-36), and Dylan Anhorn (Defenseman; 5-20-25, +15 rating)
Three Biggest Departures: Jami Kranilla (Forward; 21-19-40), Grant Cruikshank (Forward; 23-15-38), and Spencer Meier (Defenseman; Three-Year Captain, +7 rating)
Top Offseason Acquisition: Incoming Freshman Verner Miettinen (Forward; 14-14-28 in 51 games in USHL in 2022-'23)
Season Outlook -
It was a banner year for St. Cloud State last season, winning their second-ever NCHC postseason tournament with a shutout win over Colorado College in the Frozen Faceoff Championship Game. Although they lost two high-end offensive weapons and a lot of their defensive depth, the Huskies return with enough talent to really make some noise again this season.
Leading the charge are senior forwards Zach Okabe and Veeti Miettinen, who both posted 36 points in 41 games last season. Miettinen gets to pair with his brother Verner this season, which should lead to some great chemistry between the Finnish forwards. Other returning pieces in the projected top-six include sophomore Adam Ingram (23 points) and graduate senior Kyler Kupka (25).
On the blue line, graduate senior and captain Dylan Anhorn will eat up a ton of minutes and be a key piece in front of Dominic Basse (11-5-2, 2.30 GAA, .911 SV% in 2022-'23). Besides Anhorn, other notable returning defensemen include juniors Jack Peart and Josh Luedtke. That will be a great top-4 to build on to begin the season.
Compared to their NCHC peers, the Huskies have the least amount of question marks as they head into the 2023-2024 season. They should flirt with 30 wins and a regular-season title; but the real question is can they finally get over the hump in the NCAA tournament. Hopefully this is the team that can translate their success from the olympic-sized Herb Brooks National Hockey Center to the NHL-sized rink during the postseason.
- Western Michigan Broncos
Record/Conference Finish: 23-15-1; 2nd in Regular Season, 5th in Postseason
Goals/Game: 3.79/game (T-5th in NCAA)
Goals Against/Game: 2.62 (T-16th)
Power Play: 23.4% (T-12th)
Penalty Kill: 76.3% (T-55th)
Three Biggest Returners: Luke Grainger (Forward; 12 goals - 30 assists - 42 points), Cameron Rowe (Goalie; 22-14-1, 2.50 GAA, started 38 of 41 games last season), and Zak Galambos (Defenseman; 11-18-29, +30 rating)
Three Biggest Departures: Jason Polin (Forward; 30-17-47, tied for NCAA in goals), Max Sasson (15-27-42), and Ryan McAllister (13-36-49)
Top Offseason Acquisition: Incoming Freshman/Transfer Alex Bump (14-25-39 in 48 games in USHL in 2022-'23)
Season Outlook -
One of the most exciting teams in college hockey last year continued their hype into the offseason, winning the "lottery" for prized transfer portal player Alex Bump. Bump, who decommitted from Vermont after head coach Todd Woodcroft was fired, chose Western Michigan over a handful of other teams, including Minnesota and North Dakota. Bump tallied a whopping 83 points in just 31 games in his senior year of high school before moving to the USHL last season.
Bump will need to play a key role for Western Michigan right out of the gate, as the Broncos will need to replace 138 points from their top line alone. Jason Polin, Max Sasson, and Ryan McAllister all signed pro contracts over the offseason following a massive year. Polin continued the Western Michigan tradition of leading the country in goals (he tied with Hobey Baker winner Adam Fantilli for the lead with 30), while McAllister posted the fourth-most assists in the country.
Returning for Western Michigan is their starting goaltender Cameron Rowe, who was a top-10 goalie among qualified starters last year in starts (38), wins (22), and minutes played (2,210). His experience is just the tip of the iceberg on the backend. The Broncos return with five senior defensemen, including Zak Galambos who led Western Michigan d-men in points last year with 29.
The Lawson Lunatics may not be able to cheer for as many goals this season, but the Broncos are set up more for season-long success. With the team looking for its first ever Frozen Four appearance, you'd much rather prefer that outlook heading into the season.
