Can the team be just as solid with the players they have coming back? Head coach Rick Comley, one of the most honest coaches in college hockey or any sport for that matter, is not sure experience equals solidity. “I’m not so sure those two things go together,” says coach Comley, in his 25th season with NMU and the only coach in their history. “There’s no question with a senior goaltender and six returning defensemen that we can be solid. The question is will we be?”
Indeed a very good question. Suppose one of those players goes down? Suppose one of them isn’t performing up to their potential? What then? That’s where, if your Northern Michigan, you hope that the experience you gain from each game and each practice adds to the players repertoires…in a hurry.
“It’s something we work on in practice, trying to give all of the freshman and sophomores more opportunities, chances and ways to get experience,” says NMU team captain and senior defenseman Mike Sandbeck. “We have to keep everyone involved, because everyone has good days and bad days. We have to keep everyone focused.”
Focus will be no problem in goal, with Marquette native, senior Dan Ragusett (16-9-3, 2.15) minding the nets. Ragusett has plenty of experience and has been through a lot, even getting a few more starts than senior Duane Hoey last season. Now, Ragusett will be looked upon as the man.
“Our goaltending is particularly strong this year,” says Comley. “With Dan Ragusett back there, it helps us feel pretty confident.”
Even youngster Chris Gobert, he of the sophomore variety and a member of the all-rookie team last year, believes the goaltending situation is strong. And he should know, after having played against talented Ryan Miller (MSU) in juniors.
“I think our goaltenders are all very strong,” says Gobert, referring to Ragusett, junior Kevin Hulsey and freshman Craig Kowalski (Clinton Township). “Our guys are just gonna have to adjust to whoever is playing net that night.”
The defense is in pretty decent shape too. NMU’s defense, much like MSU’s WMU’s, is unique in that it can chip in offensively. Guys like Sandbeck and Jimmy Jackson (Marquette) back on the point generate plenty of assists. Seniors and even juniors seem to comprise the defense a little bit more for Comley’s team.
Whether on defense or offense though, Comley and his players agree that team quickness and speed are definitely a big part of the Wildcats system. It’s why they can skate with just about anybody in the country. “I think we have good team quickness,” says Sandbeck. “Once we get that going, the offense and goal scoring will come together.”
With so much youth on offense, that will be a question mark. Yes, there are Chris Goberts on this team, but not everyone is that talented. Comley, in fact, raves about his youngster, whose star shone brightly in his first CCHA season.
“Chris is one of the most talented offensive players I have ever seen,” says Comley. “He has the god-given ability to score goals.”
Don’t be surprised to see Gobert and perhaps a Jimmy Jackson on the power play, which is going to need some work. “Our special teams, particularly our power play, are going to be keys to our improvement,” says Comley. “We’re not going to score easy enough on the power play through the season.”
NMU was fairly average, but still dangerous, on the power play last season (ranking 7th overall in the league). Comley is hoping to boost that total this season. It’ll be tough.
“The power play is good…it’s a little slow, but it’s coming along,” says Sandbeck. “We’ve got good talent, so I think we can pull it together.” The penalty is a better story for the ‘cats. Messing with NMU’s penalty kill is like messing with Texas. You just don’t want to do it.
“Our penalty kill, like everyone else’s, is important and another big key,” says Comley. “I think we’re looking pretty good there, but again, we can’t give up too much, because we won’t be able to score as much.” Sandbeck agrees adding that the defense and goaltending will really make the kill stand up. The offensive players will have to adjust at times and play a more defensive style, especially against the big guns like Michigan, Michigan State and Lake Superior.
Which brings us to the all-important schedule. NMU sits in the unique position (way up in Marquette to be exact) where travel can become tiring, restless and a big burden. Comley makes no bones about it. “The travel is hard and I don’t like it,” says Comley. “But, it’s something that we have to do, being who we are.”
For traveling so much, which NMU has done in its first few years back in the CCHA, it has done surprisingly well. The Wildcats finished fourth last year and were virtually in the league title chase with a month to go in the season.
But, the young Wildcats also are in the tough cluster this year in their schedule having to play U-M, MSU and LSSU four times each. Ouch. That can either be very helpful or hurtful to them. NMU will see Lake Superior and Michigan State in November, with a visit from Michigan in early December. The last part of the season offers no breaks either, with MSU, U-M, Miami and LSSU comprising the schedule in the final month. Tough.
But, Sandbeck takes a positive mental attitude toward all of the bus trips on the road that the Wildcats make (yes, everything but Alaska is by bus).
“We know the trips are long and grueling, but it helps us stay focused and bond as a team,” says Sandbeck.
Plus, you have guys like Gobert who traveled a lot in juniors and get used to all of that time on the road.
Comley knows his team bonds on the road, but he’d prefer not to have those bus rides.
“I still don’t like those (bus rides),” he says.
Hopefully though, those bus rides will make the Wildcats a contender before the March playoff swing comes around. Either way, it’ll be a good learning experience for a young team.
SIDEBAR
Questions about NMU in 2000-01:
*Will all of the senior losses kill them?
*Will Dan Ragusett be able to save games for them?
*Will the high-flying, speedy team take even the top dogs (U-M, MSU) by
surprise?
*Will penalty kill and power play be balanced enough?
