After a disappointing 2010-'11 season, which ended with a first round loss to Colorado College in the WCHA playoffs, the new-look Wisconsin men's hockey team will be relying heavily on young talent to make a return to the Frozen Four.
While many of last year's leaders—such as Jake Gardiner, Craig Smith, Podge Turnbull, Jordy Murray, Sean Dolan and Scott Gudmandson—have departed, UW head coach Mike Eaves is ready to start off the 2011-'12 season on the right foot this weekend against Northern Michigan, but he knows there is still work to be done with his young roster.
""The biggest challenge is probably two-fold. You're trying to have a group of young men grow quickly and at the same time keep their confidence high,"" Eaves said. ""Having them understand that you're going to trip and fall, you just need to pick yourself up and learn what you can before your next shift.""
While there has been a lot of turnover on the roster since last season, one thing that Eaves can rely on is the return of junior defenseman Justin Schultz. Schultz, a West Kelowna, British Columbia native, led the Badgers last season in total points (47) and had more goals (18) than any other defenseman in the nation. He was named WCHA Defensive Player of the Year and was one of 10 finalists for the Hobey Baker trophy given annually to the most outstanding player in college hockey.
""When you get one of the best players in college hockey it certainly boosts your blue line,"" Eaves said of his star defenseman. ""He'll be the quarterback of our powerplay, and there's a sense of peace about that.""
The return of one of the most well rounded defenseman, not only in the WCHA, but in the nation is bound to have a massive impact on this young team as the year goes on.
The Badgers' season will begin this weekend with back-to-back games at the Kohl Center against Northern Michigan, but the question of who will start in goal for game one is still up in the air.
Three goaltenders are currently fighting for the starting role—junior Mitch Thompson, and freshmen Landon Peterson and Joel Rumpel.
All three have their own strengths, but the decision as to who will start will likely be made this week through a combination of practices, scrimmages and analysis by the coaching staff. Whoever ends up starting will be playing behind an excellent defensive corps, headed by Schultz and fellow junior and team captain John Ramage.
With so many freshmen and sophomores on their roster, the 2011-'12 Badgers are a bit of a wild card. Both games this weekend will give Eaves a glimpse into what his team is capable of this season or if there is any cause for concern heading forward.
""A lot of times your fears are for naught because the kids will come out and play very well,"" Eaves said. ""Time will tell.""
