Beavers get a fresh start under new coach Jim Scanlan

Everything is new.

That’s how new Bemidji State University women’s hockey coach Jim Scanlan summarized his team in his opening remarks to the media last week in his WCHA preseason teleconference debut.

Everything is indeed new at BSU with Scanlan barely three months removed from replacing the retired Steve Sertich behind the Bemidji State bench after previously serving as girls’ hockey coach at East Grand Forks High School. Bemidji State players, both returning and new, must now adjust to their new coach’s message and style of play. There is also the Beavers’ shiny new 2-0 record, a program first, after last weekend’s season-opening road sweep of Robert Morris, a ranked team much of last season.

“It’s kind of a unique situation getting on board so late,” said Scanlan who was hired June 17, long after BSU players had departed Minnesota’s north woods for the summer. “I really didn’t get a chance to meet most of the team until they came up here for the start of the year, other than phone calls and emails and things like that.”

Scanlan credits assistant coaches Amber Fryklund and Shane Veenker with being instrumental in easing his transition. Although BSU players and staff have had limited time together so far, the Beavers have impressed Scanlan early on with their work ethic.

“The girls come to work every day and I’ve got to give a shout out to Steve Sertich for that,” Scanlan said. “I think that’s a direct result of him and what he brought to this program and he certainly recruited every one of these players.

“For all the players, they have a new set of eyes on them so it’s really kind of a fresh start for them in terms of maybe what their role could be.”

Junior F Stephanie Anderson is a player singled out by BSU coach Jim Scanlan as someone who has stepped up her game early on this season. (Photo / Bemidji State University Athletics)

Scanlan pointed out that his upperclassmen have really stepped forward early on, especially up front as 79 percent of Bemidji State’s scoring is back. He specifically mentioned redshirt junior Stephanie Anderson (North St. Paul, Minn.), who scored twice against Robert Morris last weekend, and junior Kaitlyn Tougas (Thunder Bay, Ont.) who led BSU in points (22), assists (14) and goals (8) as a sophomore and chipped in a goal and an assist of her own against the Colonials.

Questions need to be answered on the blue line where three of Scanlan’s seven defensemen are freshmen. But he’s been impressed with sophomore Carley Esse (Cloquet, Minn.) whom he labeled an intelligent player who plays to her strengths and says the Beavers will be counting on junior Ivana Bilic (Coquitlam, B.C.) to play a lead role on defense.

“She’s got tremendous skills and she could certainly be an [All-WCHA] type of player for us,” Scanlan said of Bilic, whose two assists and +4 plus/minus rating against RMU have already earned her WCHA Defensive Player of the Week honors.

Bemidji State appears set in goal with the return of last season’s All-WCHA Rookie Team goaltender, sophomore Brittni Mowat (Glenboro, Manitoba). Mowatt set BSU program marks for the most wins (10), games played (33), minutes (1888:34), goals against average (2.45) and save percentage (.918) by a freshman.

Scanlan said last week he also intends to give redshirt freshman G Erin Deters (Sartell, Minn.) some playing time this season, a pledge he has already made good on just two games into the season. Deters made 29 saves in her collegiate debut in Saturday’s 3-1 over Robert Morris.

“Ideally, if you have two goalies you can count on that certainly helps,” Scanlan said. “But at some point and time obviously you need a No. 1 and when that time comes, we’ll certainly settle on that.”

Scanlan says it has been fun to witness, in such a short amount of time, the way his freshmen have acclimated themselves and blended with the upperclassmen under their positive leadership.

“They’re coming together as a team and for us to be successful that’s going to be first and foremost because, obviously, the league is the best in the country — some outstanding teams, some outstanding coaches — so we know that every single night it’s going to be a battle but we’re looking forward to it and we’re excited to get started.”

BSU opens its 2014-15 home schedule this weekend with a rare split series against University of Vermont and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI).

Bemidji State Beavers

2013-14 Final Ranking: N/A (USCHO) / N/A (USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine)

2013-14 overall record: 11-21-4

2013-14 WCHA record: 8-17-3-2

2013-14 Conference Finish:  Sixth

2013-14 Postseason Finish: Lost WCHA first-round series to North Dakota 2-0

2014-15 predicted finish: Seventh (2014-15 WCHA Head Coaches’ Preseason Poll)

Tough Skates to Fill: F Tess Dusik, D Allie, Duellman, D Danielle Williams

Impact Returnees: F Kaitlyn Tougas, F Kristine Grenier, F Rachael Kelly, D Ivana Bilic, D Madison Hutchinson, G Brittni Mowat

Key Additions: Head coach Jim Scanlan, F Ciscely Nelson, D Alexis Joyce, G Erin Deters

Why the Beavers will exceed expectations: The players buy into what Scanlan is selling and BSU’s veteran forwards build on their production from last season while Mowatt has another solid season between the pipes.

Why the Beavers will fall short of expectations: With a 35-game schedule which includes 22 contests against teams that were ranked in the USCHO.com national poll last season, the Beavers’ inexperienced defensive corps will be put to the test on a regular basis.

The post DI Women’s Preview: Bemidji State appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

Mavericks looking to climb the WCHA ladder.

The Minnesota State University, Mankato women’s hockey team didn’t have quite the season they were hoping for in 2013-2014, but there is reason to be optimistic about the future. Although the Mavericks lost eight girls in the offseason, they bring in 13 newcomers this winter.

“We have a very young hockey team this year,” Head Coach Eric Means said. “We have 13 freshmen, so we have some new faces.”

With all the new faces, it may be a tough go of it for the first part of the season while these freshmen settle in and get used to the speed of the college game. The Mavs have been toward the bottom of the WCHA for some time now, but with a large freshmen class coming in, it could be a possible recipe for future success.

“We are getting a good interjection of youth to go along with some good veterans,” Means said. “When you look at our scoring chart last year it was senior dominated, we’re going to have to score by committee through everyone else.”

Junior Erin Kirchiver will be given every opportunity to fill the void left behind by the departure of Danielle Butters according to coach Eric Means. (Photo / MSU Athletics)

While the Mavs will need to find some new goal scorers up front, there is one that is perhaps ready to fill that void. Senior forward Kathleen Rogan posted 21 points last season on 11 goals and 10 assists, and is climbing the all-time scoring charts at MSU.

The biggest void to fill for MSU, though, is between the pipes. Goaltender Danielle Butters graduated last spring after having a career season in net, posting a stingy .924 save percentage over 30 games played. Butters was the no. 1 goalie for the Mavericks the past two seasons, and often saw over 30 shots per game. Junior Erin Kirchiver is expected to take over that role after seeing little time the past two seasons.

Kirchiver went 4-2-1 last season with a .943 save percentage and an impressive 1.93 goals against average, showing she is a very capable replacement for Butters.

“This should be her job to lose,” said Means. “I’ve always been a coach that believes in playing the no. 1 as long as she’s playing like no. 1 in this league.”

MSU kicks off their season on Oct. 10th at home versus the University of North Dakota. Puck drop is slated for a 7:07 p.m. start at All Seasons Arena in Mankato.

Minnesota State Mavericks

2013-14 Final Ranking: N/A (USCHO) / N/A (USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine)

2013-14 overall record: 13-23-1

2013-14 WCHA record: 7-20-1

2013-14 Conference Finish: 7th

2013-14 Postseason Finish: Lost WCHA first-round series to Wisconsin 2-1

2014-15 predicted finish: 6th (2014-2015 Head Coaches’ preseason poll)

Tough Skates to Fill: F Nicole Germaine, F Kari Lundberg, D/F Lauren Barnes, G Danielle Butters

Impact Returnees: F Kathleen Rogan, D Shelby Monteyunas, G Erin Kirchiver

Key Additions: F Nicole Schammel, D Victoria Lovdal, D Emma Wittchow

Why the Mavericks will exceed expectations: The youth of the Mavericks may cause some teams to underestimate their talent. The Mavs look to be strong in goal and on the blueline, which could cause some frustration for the high scoring teams around the WCHA

Why the Mavericks will fall short of expectations: A lack of scoring could be an issue for MSU, as well as having 13 freshmen inserted into the lineup could take some time for this young team to get up to speed.

The post DI Women’s Preview: Minnesota State appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

Bulldogs hope major roster shakeup has desired effect on team chemistry.

The Minnesota-Duluth Bulldogs entered the 2013-14 season with plenty of reason for optimism but never lived up to that promise as a number of players fell short of expectations. UMD coach Shannon Miller felt she needed to make some roster moves in order to make her team a legitimate contender this season.

And pretty major ones at that.

Seven rostered Bulldogs were cut in the offseason and Miller brought in nine new faces while bringing two back from a season ago.

“We had to make some changes because those people didn’t belong in our Division I program and it was hurting our chemistry and hurting our performance,” Miller said. “We made the changes we had to make, brought in kids that are really good. Good athletes that want to be at a winning D1 program and want to help us win.”

Returning defenseman Brigette Lacquette spent the majority of last year embedded with Team Canada in preparation for the Olympic Games but returns this weekend in time for UMD’s series with WCHA rival Wisconsin. Fellow senior Brienna Gillanders returned to the ice this past weekend against Connecticut after sitting out most of the previous season with an ACL injury.

A source of apprehension for the Bulldogs is goaltending. UMD starter Kayla Black has been known to stand on her head when needed, but with her injury history there will be plenty of concern if she goes down. Backup net-minder Karissa Grapp has started only a handful of games, and while she’s played fairly well in them, she has yet to prove herself as a legitimate starter.

The Bulldogs will rely on a mix of veterans and newcomers for success this season. Minnesota-Duluth returns four of its top five leading scorers including senior wingers Zoe Hickel and Jenna McParland. Hickel will lead the team as co-captain with fellow senior, and Duluth native, Emma Stauber.

Stauber said that she saw good team chemistry in the early practices before the start of the season and that one key to her team’s success this season will be the leadership of the upperclassmen.

“We have big sisters and little sisters,” Stauber said. “So we’re paired up with one of the new girls and are just someone else they can rely on or come to with questions.”

2013-14 Final Ranking: N/A (USCHO) / N/A (USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine)

2013-14 overall record: 15-15-6

2013-14 WCHA record: 11-11-6-4

2013-14 Conference Finish:  Fourth

2013-14 Postseason Finish: Lost to Minnesota 4-1 in WCHA Final Face-off

2014-15 predicted finish: Third (2014-15 WCHA Head Coaches’ Preseason Poll)

Tough Skates to Fill: Jamie Kenyon F

Impact Returnees:  Zoe Hickel F, Jenna McParland F, Emma Stauber D, Brigette Lacquette D

Key Additions: Jessica Healey D, Michelle Lowenheilm F, Maria Lindh F

Why the Bulldogs will exceed expectations:  With seven graduating seniors, the current Bulldogs are on the clock if they want to win a National Championship and they know it. With both Brigette Lacquette and Brienna Gillanders returning for their final seasons, the Bulldogs are hungry and ready to make a long post season run.

Why the Bulldogs will fall short of expectations: With the addition of so many fresh faces, the Bulldogs could run in to trouble when it comes to offensive production and dealing with adversity without a whole lot of experience. Every year the Bulldogs coaches seem to be high on the team they have to work with, but the closest UMD has come to competing for a National Championship was 2011, a loss in the first round of the NCAA tournament.

The post DI Women’s Preview: Minnesota-Duluth appeared first on Minnesota Hockey Magazine.

Goals are the goal for the Huskies in 2014-15

It’s been a rough go of it for the SCSU women’s hockey team the past four years, accumulating a 13-94-7 record, with a stamp of 1-33-1 on the 2010-11 season, a program worst.

Changes have been made in hopes of cultivating a new reputation for the red and black, with the biggest transition being made behind the bench. Eric Rud rejoins the SCSU family, taking a new role as head women’s hockey coach after his time as assistant with the men’s team from 2005-2010.

“We want to give our young women a chance to start fresh,” Rud said. “There hasn’t been a ton of success around here and really wanted to let them showcase themselves early.”

The Huskies kicked off their season with an exhibition match against the Toronto Aeors, which resulted in a 3-0 victory. While the game was against a junior team, SCSU’s offense looked to have a much bigger spark than last year, including breaking out of the defensive zone with ease and more dynamic, small area passing in the offensive zone.

“We want to give our young women a chance to start fresh,” Rud said. “There hasn’t been a ton of success around here and really wanted to let them showcase themselves early.”

“The big question mark for us is to who’s going to step up and become an offensive threat.”

Coming into the 2014-15 campaign the Huskies will need to find new scorers. With last years graduating class notching 56 percent of the points, and Molli Mott and Julia Gilbert accounting for just under 40 percent of SCSU’s goals and assists last season, somebody will have to step up.

Abby Ness, a stand out high school player had a solid freshman year at SCSU, but has slowed since, regardless that she put up over 100 shots on net last season. Arguably the best scoring threat for the Huskies is an offensive minded defenseman in Audrey Hamner, who put up over 150 shots in the 2014 campaign, but netted only two goals.

The strength of the Huskies comes on the blue paint, with the goalies and defensemen. Julie Friend returns in goal for the Huskies holding a 2.75 GAA and a .926 save percentage, impressive considering she saw over 37 shots a game. Though the defense lost Michelle Burke, they picked up Providence transfer defenseman Lexi Slattery and freshman recruit Brittney Anderson, who both had solid outings against Toronto.

The puck drops on the Husky season Friday, Oct. 3, where they match up against Boston University at Minneapolis’s Ridder Arena and Penn State the following afternoon.

St. Cloud State Huskies

2013-14 Final Ranking: N/A (USCHO) / N/A (USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine)

2013-14 overall record: 4-27-5

2013-14 WCHA record: 3-21-4-2

2013-14 Conference Finish: Eighth

2013-14 Postseason Finish: Lost WCHA first-round series to Minnesota 2-0

2014-15 predicted finish: Eighth (2014-15 WCHA Head Coaches’ Preseason Poll)

Tough Skates to Fill: F Molli Mott, F Julia Gilbert, D Michelle Burke

Impact Returnees: D Audrey Hamner, F Abby Ness, G Julie Friend

Key Additions: D Lexi Slattery, D Brittney Anderson, F Molly Illikainen, F Mackenzie Johnson.

Why the Huskies will exceed expectations: It all comes down whether they can find some offensive production. This has been the issue over the past few years, but with new additions and a new mindset behind the bench, we could see some transitions in the Huskies’ offense. It seems elementary, but they have to score to win, averaging only 1.3 goals/game last season, there’s definitely room for improvement.

Why the Huskies will fall short of expectations:

Expectations are such that there is truly nowhere to go but up for this program but things are pointing in that direction.

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