I won't lie, there is a totally different atmosphere around this Saints team than there has been in recent years, particularly the last two that I've spend closely watching. After a rather lackluster 2013-2014, the Saints burst on the scene last year and look to continue their upward climb this season. This list is certainly a good start:
Preseason selections:
Media: 4th
Coaches: 2nd
USCHO national poll: 19th
Individual distinctions:
Eric Sweetman: USCHO's top ten defensemen to watch.
Kyle Hayton: USCHO's top ten goalies to watch, College Hockey News' first team all America goalie
Jacob Pritchard: SBNation's all ECAC rookie team
Add that to the list of awards last seasons team piled up:
Kyle Hayton: ECAC rookie of the year, ECAC all rookie team, second team all ECAC
Eric Sweetman: Second team all ECAC
Nolan Gluchowski: ECAC all rookie team
Greg Carvel: ECAC coach of the year
Keep in mind that there isn't much this team can do to surprise teams anymore. Carvel says the depth will surprise some teams, but I can't imagine that come December any coaches will be shocked to see consistent scoring through four lines. Everybody and their grandmother knows about Kyle Hayton. They know SLU only lost one defenseman and have several capable replacements waiting in the wings. Perhaps the one surprise will be the talent of the freshman, but if they live up to their hype, it won't take long for that novelty to wear off.
So, yes the atmosphere around Appleton is different. There is excitement and high expectations, even title aspirations. But make no mistake, success is not guaranteed. SLU has a talented and hard working roster in a league that is full of talented and hard working rosters. Nothing is a given, and preseason polls don't really mean squat.
But hey, at least its nice too see the Scarlet and Brown consistently popping up on the lists. But tomorrow, the lists end and the games begin.
Preseason selections:
Media: 4th
Coaches: 2nd
USCHO national poll: 19th
Individual distinctions:
Eric Sweetman: USCHO's top ten defensemen to watch.
Kyle Hayton: USCHO's top ten goalies to watch, College Hockey News' first team all America goalie
Jacob Pritchard: SBNation's all ECAC rookie team
Add that to the list of awards last seasons team piled up:
Kyle Hayton: ECAC rookie of the year, ECAC all rookie team, second team all ECAC
Eric Sweetman: Second team all ECAC
Nolan Gluchowski: ECAC all rookie team
Greg Carvel: ECAC coach of the year
Keep in mind that there isn't much this team can do to surprise teams anymore. Carvel says the depth will surprise some teams, but I can't imagine that come December any coaches will be shocked to see consistent scoring through four lines. Everybody and their grandmother knows about Kyle Hayton. They know SLU only lost one defenseman and have several capable replacements waiting in the wings. Perhaps the one surprise will be the talent of the freshman, but if they live up to their hype, it won't take long for that novelty to wear off.
So, yes the atmosphere around Appleton is different. There is excitement and high expectations, even title aspirations. But make no mistake, success is not guaranteed. SLU has a talented and hard working roster in a league that is full of talented and hard working rosters. Nothing is a given, and preseason polls don't really mean squat.
But hey, at least its nice too see the Scarlet and Brown consistently popping up on the lists. But tomorrow, the lists end and the games begin.
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