Heading into next season, the Wisconsin men's hockey team's success will be defined by the answers to a pair of crucial questions: Can the glut of talented skaters finally play up to their potential, and how will the team replace several key contributors whose Badger careers just finished?
Last year, Mike Eaves' squad came tantalizingly close to an NCAA Tournament bid, finishing just one win away from the final spot.
The biggest challenge for Wisconsin may be finding someone to fill the hole in net left by departed senior Shane Connelly, who saw time in 74 games over the last two years. His backup, junior Scott Gudmandson, has seen time in net during his first two seasons, but his goals-against average of 3.16 was far from stellar.
Behind Gudmandson, there is even less proven talent, as both goalies below him on the depth chart last year graduated. Junior Brett Bennett, who transferred from Boston University, will probably have a chance at the job in fall. Bennett was the Terriers' primary goaltender in 2007-'08, and last year, he won a USHL title with the Indiana Ice.
The other big loss for Wisconsin was junior defenseman Jamie McBain, who signed a professional contract with the Carolina Hurricanes after winning the conference player of the year award and being named the best defenseman in the nation by several media outlets. That should not be as much of an issue, however, because of the talent that Wisconsin returns at the blue line.
Three Wisconsin defenders, sophomore Jake Gardiner and juniors Ryan McDonagh and Brendan Smith, were first-round NHL draft picks, and sophomore Cody Goloubef was taken in the second round. All are gifted offensively, and McDonagh, who served as assistant captain last year, brings strong checking and leadership skills.
Throw in the fact that incoming freshman Justin Schultz is rated as one of the top 15 prospects in the Anaheim Ducks' organization and the defensive corps looks to be in good shape, especially as many of the players have strong offensive and puck-handling skills.
The only issue that may arise is play in the defensive zone, where Wisconsin gave up nearly 30 shots per game last year. The extra year of experience for those four key veterans could, however, help address that problem.
The one area where the Badgers do return almost all their best players is up front. Senior Tom Gorowsky, who scored 30 points last year, is gone, but both Blake Geoffrion and John Mitchell return. That duo combined for 30 goals on the year and was used by Eaves to wreak havoc in front of the net, taking away goalies' sightlines, tipping shots and putting home rebounds.
Senior Ben Street will also bolster Wisconsin's top lines after a devastating knee injury forced him to take a medical redshirt last year. The British Columbia native accrued 13 goals and 17 assists in his last full season.
For fans looking for a prospective breakout performer, sophomore Derek Stepan has the potential for a spectacular year. After finishing second on the team with 33 points and 24 assists last year, experience could make Stepan even better, especially if he grows as a goal-scorer. Right now he is more of a playmaker, setting up his teammates in a style that drew comparisons to former NCAA champ and current NHL player Joe Pavelski from his coach.
Last season for the Badgers was defined by inconsistency. The team would look like world-beaters one weekend and struggle against an inferior foe the next. They clearly have the talent in terms of skaters, so the squad's tournament future will be decided both by play in net and by the experience and seasoning one of the nation's youngest teams gleaned during its last campaign.
Wisconsin's full 2009-'10 schedule has not been released, but the Badgers have announced they will face Michigan Feb. 6 in the Camp Randall Hockey Classsic. Last season, the Wolverines went 29-13, losing their first-round NCAA Tournament matchup to Air Force.
