The Miami University hockey team finds itself in a prime position in the collegiate hockey universe as the 2007-08 regular season begins Friday in Oxford-and there are good reasons for the optimism that surrounds Head Coach Enrico Blasi's squad.
Blasi himself recently inked a contract extension that will keep him at his alma mater well into the next decade, while the fanfare with the opening of the Steve Cady Arena is wrapped up from last year, and the RedHawks will no longer need to adjust to their own new home ice. But most importantly, the core of the team that advanced to the second round in the NCAA Tournament last season is back, and starts the season ranked fourth in the nation, according to the USA Today poll.
The signing of Blasi to a multi-year extension was important for the RedHawks on many different levels. This move brings consistency to the hockey program, both for this season and years to come. When the time comes to replace the current players who have enjoyed so much success over their time here at Miami, the school will be able to point to Blasi's contract as evidence of his commitment to the program, and recruiting will become that much easier for the RedHawks.
A portion of the rational for building the new Goggin Ice Center was that a premier hockey program needs a premier facility in which to compete. After last year's successes, the home-ice advantage that Steve Cady possessed only figures to increase, which should aide Miami in tight games.
Much can be said about the factors surrounding the team-but games are ultimately won by the players on the ice.
All the news on the home front is good for Miami. The team lost only five seniors from last year's successful squad. Of these five, only Matt Christie and Marty Guerin made significant statistical contributions last season. Both were forwards, and this happens to be one of the strong points of the 'Hawks attack this season.
Among the returning players are forwards Nathan Davis, who tallied 50 points in 42 games last season and widely considered a preseason contender for the Hobey Baker Trophy, which is given to college hockey's best player; Ryan Jones, who led the team with 29 goals; and Jarod Palmer, who totaled 30 points in his first-year season, fourth amongst freshmen in the CCHA.
For these reasons, the expectations are high for the RedHawks as the season opens, both locally and on a national level. No one will be surprised in the least by Miami's success anymore, not from a team ranked so highly in the USA Today poll and has also been picked by the CCHA's coaches to win the conference. This means that Miami will need to come ready to play every week, as each opponent they play will certainly have the Miami series circled on their calendars.
The first such regular season opponent to come to Oxford will be the Vermont Catamounts, who open Miami's regular season Friday and Saturday. Vermont begins the season knocking on the door of the USA Today poll garnering some votes, but did not receive a ranking. They will surely come out hungry and mindful of the knowledge that a win or two in Oxford would do much to legitimize them as a threat in Hockey East, a conference of which the Catamounts have only been part of for three seasons. For the RedHawks, it should be a good first test for a team that, if you believe the rankings, will end its season in Denver as part of the Frozen Four.
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