All eyes on the State of Michigan as four schools look impressive in the first weekend of action.
Northern Michigan - 2-0-0
Northern Michigan introduced St. Thomas to NCAA D1 hockey with convincing wins over the brand-new program. Junior AJ Vanderbeck notched 4 points, Denver transfer Senior Forward Hank Crone had 4 points himself and Lake Superior transfer Hampus Eriksson showed play making ability contributing 4 assists. Northern Michigan is an older team with 16 upper classmen and look like a hard out this season for any opponent.
Michigan Tech - 2-0-0
Tech had an impressive weekend sweep of Wisconsin. Michigan Tech has the US 18under program and Notre Dame on tap for this upcoming weekend. Senior Alec Broetzman had an impressive start to his senior year notching 5 points. JR goalie Blake Pietila was lights out in net posting a 95.2 save percentage and 1.50gaa. Tech is a good combination of skill and strength and looks poised to have a strong season.
University of Michigan - 2-0-0
Michigan's high-powered offense was on full display in their weekend sweep of Lake Superior State as they accumulated 13 goals in two games. Vegas Golden Knights first round pick in 2020 Brendan Brisson accumulated 3 goals and 2 assists in an impressive opening weekend. Michigan will have a big weekend as all eyes will be on them as they take on a very good Minnesota Duluth squad.
Western Michigan - 2-0-0
Beating Ferris State 4-0 & 4-3 was a huge early season confidence boost for WMU. Forward Ethan Frank is using his 5th year wisely as he had 5 points in two games. Highly touted goaltender Brendan Bussi notched his first career shutout and posted a 93 save percentage. Western will enjoy a bye week as they prepare for the University of Michigan the following week in what should be a battle for both teams.
Good Starts
Colgate - 3-0
Minnesota State Mankato - 3-1
University of New Hampshire - 2-0
Providence College - 3-0
Nebraska Omaha - 3-1
Slow Starts
Long Island University - 0-3
Umass Amherst - 0-2
University of Vermont - 0-2
University of Maine - 0-2
Union College - 0-2
Scoring Leaders
Matthew Kopperud - Arizona State - 4GP 5G 4A
Josh Doan - Arizona State - 4GP 1G 6A
Tim Lovell - Arizona State - 4GP 1G 5A
Brendan Brisson - Michigan - 2GP 3G 2A
Brett Berard - Providence - 3GP 3G 2A
Alec Broetzman - Michigan Tech - 2GP 2G 3A
Senior Watch
Ethan Frank - Western Michigan University
Was used in every situation for the Western Michigan Broncos. On the power play he displayed the ability to distribute the puck effectively and to finish the puck on his on. Frank wastes no time getting the puck off his stick as he has extremely quick release and a heavy one timer that finds the back of the net. He is very opportunistic as he created several opportunities by being patient on the forecheck then causing the turnover. Intriguing player for scouts to monitor as he has some pro tools.
The 5th year senior was recently named the Bauer National Collegiate Hockey Conference Forward of the Week Award for his play opening weekend against Ferris State, finishing with 3 goals and 2 assists. Frank was played 2 seasons with Lincoln in the USHL before arriving at Western Michigan, where he tallied 41 points in 55 games in his final season at the junior level. Since his sophomore season in 2019-2019, Frank has produced 20+ points per season, with a high of 26.
Underclassmen Watch
Danny Dzhaniyev - Penn State University
The young 02' forward has had an exciting start to his collegiate career accumulating 5 points in 4 games. His speed is dynamic as he has shown the ability to get behind defenders regularly and beat them to the edge. For his size he does not lack compete level, he is always back checking with a purpose and is never afraid to get into the thick of things. As the season progresses and the competition picks up for Penn State, it will be vital for Dzhaniyev to show that he can produce off in zone offense, more so than just off the transition.
The USNTDP and Dubuque product finished his final season of junior in 2020-2021 with 36 points in 49 games in the USHL, and currently has 2 goals, 3 assists in 4 games with Penn State.
Goalie Watch
Ethan Haider - Clarkson University
The Nashville Predators draft pick has all the tools of a big time pro prospect. He stands at 6'3 and plays an aggressive style of goaltending. Against Alaska, he fought through screens and was tracking the puck extremely well both up high and on the ice. His athletic style allows him to compete to any puck in tight and he showed that he is never out of the play. As he matures this season he will need to work on quieting his game down as his feet are way to active which often drags him out of position. By nature with his aggressiveness he will need to learn how to be patient as he over committed on a few plays throughout the weekend.
Big Weekend On Deck
In what could be an early season preview of the NCAA Division 1 National Tournament, Michigan, Minnesota State, Providence and Minnesota Duluth faceoff in the Ice Breaker Tournament. Minnesota State takes on Providence Friday night and Michigan takes on Minnesota Duluth.
The tournament features 29 NHL draft Picks:
Michigan
John Beecher - Boston
Matty Beniers - Seattle
Thomas Bordeleau - San Jose
Brendan Brisson - Vegas
Eric Ciccolini - New York Rangers
Dylan Duke - Tampa Bay
Ethan Edwards - New Jersey
Luke Hughes - New Jersey
Kent Johnson - Columbus
Erik Portillo - Buffalo
Owen Power - Buffalo
Mackie Samoskevich - Florida
Jacob Truscott - Vancouver
Minnesota Duluth
Blake Biondi - Montreal
Noah Cates - Philadelphia
Wyatt Kaiser - Chicago
Connor Kelley - Chicago
Luke Hoheit - Ottawa
Quinn Olson - Boston
Minnesota State Mankato
Benton Maass - Washington
Nathan Smith - Winnipeg
Providence
Brett Berard - New York Rangers
Michael Callahan - Arizona
Max Crozier - Tampa
Riley Duran - Boston
Tomas Mazura - Edmonton
Ben Mirageas - New York Islanders
Patrick Moynihan - New Jersey
Guillaume Richard - Blue Jackets
Chase Yoder - Pittsburgh
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