Beavers to draw on experience to move up in the WCHA.
Another year older, another year wiser — or at least that’s what Bemidji Sate is hoping for. Last season is one the Beavers are ready to put behind them, but they know they have a few holes to improve upon. In the WCHA coaches teleconference Sept. 29, BSU coach Tom Serratore specifically noted needing to strengthen the power play and work on tipping the scales on their goal differential.
While some work does need to be done, BSU returns mostly intact from last season, losing only four players and adding eight freshmen. The Beavers return their top four scorers, notably junior forward Cory Ward who led the team with 29 points last season and 18 goals. His fellow junior forward Markus Gerbrandt trailed Ward’s effort with 25 points and 15 goals. Senior defenseman Matt Prapavessis will anchor a veteran defensive corps that returns in full, while both Andrew Walsh and Jesse Wilkins return between the pipes.
Based on what he’s seen in practice so far, Serratore has been impressed by his large freshmen class. He noted that the youngsters — in his words, a “skilled group” — will get ice time, it’s simply a matter of when opportunities arise. While he’s pleased with what he’s seen in practice, he is also realistic about the learning curve that takes place in games.
Overall, Serratore is confident the Beavers experience last year is a solid foundation for their growth this season.
“We feel we can build on the backline, in the net and we feel we have some players who can generate offense,” Serratore said. “We’re also a year older. We were very young last year and we’re experienced this year.
“We really like what we have. We’re a year older, a year better.”
2013-14 Final Ranking: N/A (USCHO) / N/A (USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine)
2013-14 overall record: 10-21-7
2013-14 WCHA record: 10-14-4
2013-14 Conference Finish: Eighth
2013-14 Postseason Finish: Lost in WCHA first round to Ferris St.
2014-15 predicted finish: Eighth in conference
Tough Skates to Fill: F Illo Radoslav, F Danny Mattson (both accounted for 17 points last season, Radoslav had 10 goals, Mattson 3)
Impact Returnees: F Cory Ward, F Markus Gerbrandt, D Matt Prapavessis
Key Additions: G Mike Bitzer, D Brett Beauvais, F Gerry Fitzgerald, F Leo Fitzgerald, F Myles Fitzgerald, F Jordan Heller, F Kyle Bauman
Why the Beavers will exceed expectations: While they’re still on the younger side, the Beavers return their core group of skaters at each position from a year ago. While their top four scorers will lead the way, they will also have a veteran presence on the blue line and in net.
Why the Beavers will fall short of expectations: They’re young and they have a tough schedule. With a large freshman class and 16 total underclassmen, they’ll be tested early and often as they play 13 games against teams from last year’s NCAA tournament. As Serratore put it: Friday and Saturday night are a lot different from practice.
Despite her Minnesota roots, Kelly readily admits it took her quite some time to realize her love for hockey. It wasn't until she was attending the University of Wisconsin-Madison that it hit her and though it may have started with Wisconsin hockey, she hasn't looked back since. After covering both the Wisconsin men's and women's programs through college for a campus newspaper, she spent the 2013-14 season interning for the Minnesota Wild. Her love affair with the game has given her the chance to cover a national championship, the WCHA Final Five and the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Feel free to give her a follow on Twitter @kellymerickson.
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