A Happy Return - college hockey

Hobey Baker winner Ryan Miller is back in goal for Michigan State and that's why the Spartans are our pick for the top college team

THE COLLEGE HOCKEY COMMUNITY endured an emotional off season. It began with the announcement in August that Merrimack coach Chris Serino had been diagnosed with throat cancer.

Then in early September, players and staff returned to campus only to watch with the nation the terrorist strikes in New York and Washington, D.C. Among those lost in the attack on the World Trade Center attack was Los Angeles Kings scout Mark Bavis, a four-year letter-winner and 1993 graduate of Boston University.

The tears continued to flow on September 23 as legendary Maine coach Shawn Walsh passed away after a 15-month battle with cancer.

"In the public's mind, no one was more closely associated with the University of Maine than Shawn," University president Dr. Peter Hoff said following Walsh's death. "It didn't matter whether you followed college hockey or not, people knew Shawn and they knew him as an ambassador of and for UMaine."

The 46-year-old Walsh compiled a 399-215-44 mark in his 17 seasons. at the helm of the Black Bears. He won two national championships, in 1993 and 1999, and brought his team to the Frozen Four seven times. The 1993 team, which featured Paul Kariya, posted a mark of 42-1-2 and was arguably the greatest college hockey team of all time.

HOCKEY DIGEST'S PRESEASON TOP 20

1. Michigan State
2. Colorado College
3. Minnesota
4. Providence
5. North Dakota
6. Maine
7. Michigan
8. St. Cloud
9. Boston University
10. Clarkson
11. Boston College
12. New Hampshire
13. Dartmouth
14. Nebraska-Omaha
15. Cornell
16. Ohio State
17. Wisconsin
18. Harvard
19. Northern Michigan
20. Mercyhurst

As a result of the emotional turmoil, the drop of the puck seemed especially cathartic this season. The first game included an unprecedented event: an outdoor contest between our preseason No. 1 pick, Michigan State, and arch-rival Michigan at MSU's Spartan Stadium on October 6. The contest set a new standard for attendance at a college hockey game. The Spartans had a battle on their hands both in that game and for the remainder of the season as they attempt to fend off the worthy contenders who are presented here in our preseason top 20.

1. MICHIGAN STATE

Returning Hobey Baker winners have been few and far between. Only five non-seniors have been named college hockey's outstanding player, and only three of that number have returned for their next season of collegiate eligibility. So you can imagine how happy coach Ron Mason must be about junior goaltender Ryan Miller (1.32 GAA, .950 save percentage), the incumbent Hobey winner, will be back in East Lansing to put up more eye-popping statistics.

"With Miller back in goal and all of our defense back, this might be the best defensive team that we have ever had," says Mason, voicing an opinion that will cause opposing forwards to-toss and turn in bed at night

Juniors Brad Fast and John-Michael Liles headline a stellar corps of blue-liners, which also includes gifted senior Andrew Hutchinson. Freshman Duncan Keith, expected to be an impact player, joins the group. Up front, junior Brian Maloney (15 goals, 23 assists, 38 points) is the top returning scorer.

"We did a lot last year with size and strength; with our incoming freshmen, we've added some speed and skill. Hopefully that will really help guys like [senior Adam] Hall and Maloney score some more goals," Mason says. "We should be a more exciting team."

Hall (18-13-31) and Maloney are the only returning players to score double digits in goals. Freshman Kevin Estrada and his classmates will have to get in the flow quickly to keep the Spartans ahead of the pack.

2. COLORADO COLLEGE

Without a doubt, the Western Collegiate Hockey Association will boast the largest number of national contenders among the four major college hockey conferences. Sophomore Peter Sejna (29-29-58) and senior Mark Cullen (20- 33-53 in 31 games) are two good reasons why the Tigers will be not only be the best in the WCHA, but in the thick of the race for the national title.

"We had a good year last year, despite some injury issues that we battled through. Hopefully, the experience we gained [in the NCAA regional tournament] will really help us," head coach Scott Owens says. "We have eight seniors, and that will also help."

Aside from fending off powerhouses like Minnesota and North Dakota, Owens' toughest challenge is to incorporate three new defensemen into the lineup. Junior Tom Preissing and Mike Stuart will provide the experience. James Laux and Jason Kirchuk, 21-year old freshmen, are among the newcomers expected to pitch in.

"We brought in some older freshmen on defense to help bridge the loss of the three seniors. If we get solid, consistent goaltending from Jeff Sanger, we should be in pretty good shape," Owens says.

With Sanger (2.69, .902), a senior, that is a good bet. He played his best hockey in March last year and looks to carry that into April this time around.