Post by beachbound on Oct 3, 2023 18:34:56 GMT -5
From Mike McMahon:
Roster Analysis
This might be the best Holy Cross roster since at least 2013 when the program won 20 games in back-to-back seasons. It might be Holy Cross's best group since it went to the NCAA Tournament as the Atlantic Hockey champion in 2006.
This team returns so much scoring. Jack Ricketts (16g-16a) and Liam McLinskey (21g-4a) return as arguably the best 1-2 punch in Atlantic Hockey. They’ll need to find a new No. 1 defenseman now that Nick Hale had to transfer as a grad student (he’s going to Ferris State), but there are interesting in-house options, including junior Matt Shatsky, who had 14 points as a sophomore last season, and sophomore Mack Oliphant.
The Crusaders had young and exciting forwards last season. McLinskey scored his 21 goals as a sophomore, and freshman Devin Phillips had 18 points (7g-11a) his rookie year.
Jason Grande (2.33/.911) and Thomas Gale (2.60/.902) return in the crease.
New Recruits
Holy Cross heavily recruited the BCHL for this class (five out of six players). Forward Ty Gagno (★★★¾) and defenseman William Elias (★★★¾) are rated as the top of the class according to Neutral Zone. There are others, like center Jack Stockfish (★★★½), who I think have a lot of upside.
Bottom Line
Holy Cross should be right near the top of Atlantic Hockey with AIC (you’ll read about them next) and RIT. Sacred Heart could also work itself into that mix (that’s the top four, in my opinion), but I believe people are undervaluing Holy Cross. This is a roster that has good goaltending and a lot of players who can put up points in Atlantic Hockey.
Coaches had HC 4th
Season opener on Sunday against LIU
Roster Analysis
This might be the best Holy Cross roster since at least 2013 when the program won 20 games in back-to-back seasons. It might be Holy Cross's best group since it went to the NCAA Tournament as the Atlantic Hockey champion in 2006.
This team returns so much scoring. Jack Ricketts (16g-16a) and Liam McLinskey (21g-4a) return as arguably the best 1-2 punch in Atlantic Hockey. They’ll need to find a new No. 1 defenseman now that Nick Hale had to transfer as a grad student (he’s going to Ferris State), but there are interesting in-house options, including junior Matt Shatsky, who had 14 points as a sophomore last season, and sophomore Mack Oliphant.
The Crusaders had young and exciting forwards last season. McLinskey scored his 21 goals as a sophomore, and freshman Devin Phillips had 18 points (7g-11a) his rookie year.
Jason Grande (2.33/.911) and Thomas Gale (2.60/.902) return in the crease.
New Recruits
Holy Cross heavily recruited the BCHL for this class (five out of six players). Forward Ty Gagno (★★★¾) and defenseman William Elias (★★★¾) are rated as the top of the class according to Neutral Zone. There are others, like center Jack Stockfish (★★★½), who I think have a lot of upside.
Bottom Line
Holy Cross should be right near the top of Atlantic Hockey with AIC (you’ll read about them next) and RIT. Sacred Heart could also work itself into that mix (that’s the top four, in my opinion), but I believe people are undervaluing Holy Cross. This is a roster that has good goaltending and a lot of players who can put up points in Atlantic Hockey.
Coaches had HC 4th
Season opener on Sunday against LIU
