Western Collegiate Hockey Association

Wisconsin Hockey: 2007-08 Season Preview

The 2007-08 University of Wisconsin men's hockey season can be summed up in one world: opportunity.

Take junior goaltender Shane Connelly for example. Connelly has the opportunity to take over the No. 1 goaltending position from all-everything goaltender Brian Elliott. In limited action over his first two seasons in the UW program, Connelly has shown signs of brilliance and boasts impressive career numbers that include four shutouts in 16 appearances, a 1.97 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage. Now with Elliott in the Ottawa Senators system after a four-year Badger career, Connelly has the inside track to become the face behind the designer goalie mask.

Tremendous opportunity exists in the offensive end of the ice for Wisconsin, where nearly half the UW goal scoring from last year is gone. The Badgers enter the season with 77 career goals from their returning players, led by junior assistant captain Ben Street, who tallied 10 goals in each of his first two seasons. The only other returning upperclass forwards include senior Matthew Ford and junior Tom Gorowsky. Ford, one of the team's hardest shooters, owns 17 goals in 91 career contests, while Gorowsky boasts five goals in 51 career games, with all five coming in 33 games last season.

Beyond the three returning upperclassmen, sophomore Michael Davies is the only proven goal scorer. Davies ranked second on the Badgers last season with 11 goals and enters as the team's leading scorer after posting 24 points in 2006-07.

Sizable sophomore forward Blake Geoffrion displayed offensive skill during his rookie campaign and should get the opportunity to earn more playing time and more production. Speedy sophomore Aaron Bendickson and towering sophomore John Mitchell both showed moments of offensive brilliance and will get the chance to score at a higher clip. Look for sophomores Andy Bohmbach and Zach Bearson to contribute as well.

A highly-touted skater leads the UW's newcomers at forward and should add some excitement to the Badgers' play up front. Kyle Turris, the third overall draft choice of the Phoenix Coyotes, joins Wisconsin after tearing up the BCHL and earning 2007 Canadian Junior Player of the Year honors. Joshua Turnbull, Sean Dolan and Patrick Johnson, another member of Wisconsin hockey's royal family, will all add punch in the scoring department.

The Badgers have earned the reputation as a stingy defensive unit during the Mike Eaves era thanks in large part to All-American goaltending and stellar team defense. While the Badgers look for continued excellence in their own zone, the potential for the UW defense shouldering some of the scoring load appears high.

Assistant captain and senior Kyle Klubertanz will be expected to lead the way for the Badger defense on the offensive end. The UW's current career leader with 52 points posted 13 points during an injury-slowed campaign in 2006-07. Klubertanz led Wisconsin defenders in scoring as a rookie before breaking the 20-point barrier as a sophomore.

Behind Klubertanz, expect a barrage of slick skating, puck-moving defensemen. Sophomore Jamie McBain returns after leading UW defenders with 18 points and garnering WCHA All-Rookie Team honors. Last year, senior captain David Drewiske showed offensive touch with four goals and 10 points, and with playing time at forward. Senior Josh Engel also returns as an experienced rear guard, who can flash the offense from time to time.

Three rookies on the blue line who have the UW coaches and fans eagerly anticipating the start of the season include two first-round NHL draft picks and an unheralded third who may become the gem of the group. Minnesota's Mr. Hockey, Ryan McDonagh, was chosen No. 11 overall by the Montreal Canadiens, while with the 27th pick, the Detroit Red Wings chose Brendan Smith. Cody Goloubef, who failed to reach his 18th birthday at the time of the 2007 NHL Entry Draft, is the third newcomer who should have great opportunity to earn playing time.

In college athletics, the word opportunity is often times synonymous with youth. There is no surprise than that the Badgers will take on a youthful appearance in 2007-08 with a maximum of seven seniors and juniors dressing for each game. That leaves room for a minimum of 13 underclassmen in uniform for each contest.

Perhaps the greatest opportunity for the Badgers comes in the form of the 2007 NCAA Midwest Regional scheduled for late March at the Kohl Center. A bid to the NCAA tournament would give Badger fans the chance to root on the home team to a possible second NCAA Frozen Four appearance in three seasons.