With a 4-3 overtime loss to Colgate in the ECAC tournament semifinals, the Saints 2014-2015 season is over. To say that it was a good season is an understatement; the team was picked to finish 11th in the preseason polls, only to prove everyone wrong and lock up a first round bye with a second place finish.
Just about every player on the roster exceeded expectations and had impressive seasons. Most notably were Eric Sweetman and Gavin Bayreuther, who both improved their games and became more two dimensional players, Sweetman offensively and Bayreuther defensively. Mike Marnell, Christian Horn, Joe Sullivan, Ryan Lough and Nolan Gluchowski all proved they could be impactful players on a nightly basis as freshman. And obviously Kyle Hayton blew away everyone, winning rookie of the year and making the top five in voting for the Mike Richter award, the winner who is yet to be decided.
The future is incredibly bright for this team. Provided there are no early departures for the professional ranks, SLU loses just 3 starters. Granted Doherty, Hughes and Martin were massively important players, players Carvel said he was more concerned about losing this year than he was when he lost the Carey's lost year. I don't think that's an insult to the Carey's, but rather, a testament to the value of those three guys in the locker room and on the ice. Great leaders on and off the ice and very talented players, they will certainly be missed. As will Justin Bruckel, who had an excellent senior campaign when he was in the lineup and definitely set a great example in the locker room as a hard worker and dedicated team member.
But players like Brian Ward and Alex Dahl are two guys who can step in as the leaders of this team and fill the void left by those three. It's almost a foregone conclusion that Ward will be the captain next year, and I wouldn't be surprised to see Dahl with an "A" on his jersey next year. And even Joe Sullivan plays the type of game that makes him a leader on the ice.
Basically, the losses are big for this team, bigger than a lot of people who aren't necessarily close to the program will notice. But there is the talent, dedication, leadership and coaching around this team that will lead to a lot of success in the near future. But for now, I'll leave you with my final awards for what was an amazing season to follow and write about.
MVP: Kyle Hayton
This one might be the easiest of all. As Eric Sweetman and Carvel said after the Colgate game, Hayton bailed out this team quite a bit in the beginning of the year. He stole a lot of of game for St. Lawrence and put this team in the national spotlight. He finished 20-13-3 with a 1.95 GAA and a .937 save percentage. All star numbers, made even more impressive by the fact that he was a freshman who played all but one game for SLU. The net at Appleton is quite secure with him minding the crease.
Rookie of the Year: see above
Other considerations could be Mike Marnell and Nolan Gluchowski, but the year he had warrants both.
Most undervalued: Brian Ward and Joe Sullivan
Ward ended up quietly leading the team in points this season with 26, and was described by his coach as one of the most underrated players in the ECAC. Most likely the team captain next season, the Saints will be in good hands with War wearing the "C".
Sullivan had 11 points on 6 goals and 5 assists, which aren't exactly the most impressive offensive numbers. But he gets the award for his grit and determination. Seriously, the kid gets knocked to the ice hard at least five times a game, every game, but he just keeps going out and making a difference. Excellent on the PK and in the faceoff circle his contributions to the Saints team weren't as statistically noticeable as Hayton or Ward, but were just as important.
Just about every player on the roster exceeded expectations and had impressive seasons. Most notably were Eric Sweetman and Gavin Bayreuther, who both improved their games and became more two dimensional players, Sweetman offensively and Bayreuther defensively. Mike Marnell, Christian Horn, Joe Sullivan, Ryan Lough and Nolan Gluchowski all proved they could be impactful players on a nightly basis as freshman. And obviously Kyle Hayton blew away everyone, winning rookie of the year and making the top five in voting for the Mike Richter award, the winner who is yet to be decided.
The future is incredibly bright for this team. Provided there are no early departures for the professional ranks, SLU loses just 3 starters. Granted Doherty, Hughes and Martin were massively important players, players Carvel said he was more concerned about losing this year than he was when he lost the Carey's lost year. I don't think that's an insult to the Carey's, but rather, a testament to the value of those three guys in the locker room and on the ice. Great leaders on and off the ice and very talented players, they will certainly be missed. As will Justin Bruckel, who had an excellent senior campaign when he was in the lineup and definitely set a great example in the locker room as a hard worker and dedicated team member.
But players like Brian Ward and Alex Dahl are two guys who can step in as the leaders of this team and fill the void left by those three. It's almost a foregone conclusion that Ward will be the captain next year, and I wouldn't be surprised to see Dahl with an "A" on his jersey next year. And even Joe Sullivan plays the type of game that makes him a leader on the ice.
Basically, the losses are big for this team, bigger than a lot of people who aren't necessarily close to the program will notice. But there is the talent, dedication, leadership and coaching around this team that will lead to a lot of success in the near future. But for now, I'll leave you with my final awards for what was an amazing season to follow and write about.
MVP: Kyle Hayton
This one might be the easiest of all. As Eric Sweetman and Carvel said after the Colgate game, Hayton bailed out this team quite a bit in the beginning of the year. He stole a lot of of game for St. Lawrence and put this team in the national spotlight. He finished 20-13-3 with a 1.95 GAA and a .937 save percentage. All star numbers, made even more impressive by the fact that he was a freshman who played all but one game for SLU. The net at Appleton is quite secure with him minding the crease.
Rookie of the Year: see above
Other considerations could be Mike Marnell and Nolan Gluchowski, but the year he had warrants both.
Most undervalued: Brian Ward and Joe Sullivan
Ward ended up quietly leading the team in points this season with 26, and was described by his coach as one of the most underrated players in the ECAC. Most likely the team captain next season, the Saints will be in good hands with War wearing the "C".
Sullivan had 11 points on 6 goals and 5 assists, which aren't exactly the most impressive offensive numbers. But he gets the award for his grit and determination. Seriously, the kid gets knocked to the ice hard at least five times a game, every game, but he just keeps going out and making a difference. Excellent on the PK and in the faceoff circle his contributions to the Saints team weren't as statistically noticeable as Hayton or Ward, but were just as important.
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