COLLEGEVILLE, Minn. – The 2009-10 edition of the Saint John's University hockey team is looking to build off the momentum of winning seven of its last 10 games in 2008-09.
Preview Video:
-Head Coach Doug Schueller (7:17)
Here's a preseason look at the Johnnies, who finished seventh in the MIAC during coach Doug Schueller's first season a year ago.
FORWARDS
Saint John's looks to be led at forward by senior captain Gabriel Harren (Warroad, Minn.) and junior Mike Wallgren (Oakdale, Minn.). Harren enters his senior season with 33 career points (13g/20a) and a plus-26 in 54 games. Wallgren tied for second on the team with 18 points (7g/11a) and tied for first on the team with five power-play goals. He was named All-MIAC honorable mention last winter.
Other key returners for the Johnnies include sophomore Grant Ellena (Coon Rapids, Minn.) and senior Karl Gilbert (Hermantown, Minn.). Ellena tallied 15 points (9g/6a) as a freshman, including a team-leading five power-play goals, and tied for third with nine goals. He was awarded the team's Outstanding First-Year Player honor last season. Gilbert collected nine points (4g/5a) in 24 games for the Johnnies.
Schueller will also look to seniors Dylan Decker (Park City, Utah), Chris Murray (Chanhassen, Minn.) and Jake Koehler (Ramsey, Minn.), and junior Alex Lindeberg (Forest Lake, Minn.) to step into key roles this season. An Academic All-MIAC selection, Murray played in all but two games and recorded seven points (3g/4a), while Decker posted five points (2g/3a) last season.
The Johnnies need to replace four key contributors from last season's team. Brian Baker, Pat Connelly, Jake Hipp and Clayton Rehm combined for 187 career points (86g/101a) and a plus/minus of +54 in 285 career games. Last season, Hipp led the team in points (22) and goals (12), while Rehm led the team in assists with 15. Connelly was named to the All-MIAC first team, while Baker and Hipp were named honorable mention. Connelly later signed with the Amarillo Gorillas of the Central Hockey League (CHL) in June.
DEFENSEMEN
The Johnnies return all but one defenseman from a year ago. Junior Brent Brodersen (Shakopee, Minn.) was named All-MIAC honorable mention last season after posting 18 points (6g/12a) in 25 games. Juniors James Olmscheid (St. Cloud, Minn.), Pat McClure (Maple Plain, Minn.) and Jared Smith (Grand Rapids, Minn.), as well as sophomore Jeff Lesmeister (Anoka, Minn.) also return. Smith played in 19 games for SJU and collected one goal and five assists, while McClure played in 21 games and tallied one goal and three assists. Roscoe and Olmscheid played in 15 and nine games, respectively, in 2008-09. Lesmeister joined the team halfway through the season and tallied five points (0g/5a) in 11 games.
Freshman Corey Kosak (Grand Rapids, Minn.) and sophomores Tyler Graffunder (Brooklyn Park, Minn.) and Nick Roscoe (Eau Claire, Wis.) are also expected to contribute at the blue line this season. All three return from injury-plagued seasons a year ago.
Saint John's needs to replace Lance Wheeler, who graduated last spring. Wheeler played in all 25 games for the Johnnies and recorded six points, all assists.
GOALTENDING
The Johnnies need to replace Vince Wheeler, a three-year starter who graduated last spring. He posted a 2.93 GAA and a .892 save percentage in 69 career games played.
Junior Stu Van Ess (Kewaskum, Wis.) returns this season with the most experience. Last year, Van Ess played in four games and posted a 3.82 GAA and .878 save percentage. Sophomore Tony Civello (Shoreview, Minn.) and freshman Adam Andersson (Pixbo, Sweden) will also vie for playing time in goal this season.
The Johnnies open the season Oct. 31 against Saint Mary's as part of the MIAC Hockey Showcase at the Bloomington Ice Garden, which was resurrected after a 10-year hiatus. SJU begins its conference schedule Nov. 13 at Bethel, with the home opener the following evening. Saint John's is scheduled to play 11 home games this season, eight of which will be played at the National Hockey Center. The Johnnies have three games scheduled at the Municipal Athletic Complex (MAC) in St. Cloud: St. Thomas (Nov. 21), Wisconsin-Stevens Point (Jan. 8) and St. Norbert, Wisconsin (Jan. 9).
