WCHA Previews: Michigan Tech

School: Michigan Tech
Mascot: Huskies
Head Coach: Jamie Russell, 6th year, 55-112-25

Predicted 08/09 WCHA Finish: 9th

Last Season: 14-20-5, 9th Place

Key Departures:
F Peter Rouleau, 12-17-29*
F Tyler Shelast, 16-10-26
F Jimmy Kerr, 9-10-19
G Michael-Lee Teslak, 8-11-4, 2.20 GAA
*All stats listed from 07/08

Key Returnees:
D Geoff Kinrade (Sr), 5-14-19
D Drew Dobson (Jr), 2-15-17
F Eric Kattelus (So), 2-8-10
F Jordan Baker (So), 3-6-9
F Alex Gagne (Sr), 5-4-9

Top Sieve: Rob Nolan (Sr), 6-9-1, 2.66 GAA

Key Additions:
F Seth Soley, 8-7-15 in USHL
F Brett Olson, 17-37-54 in USHL
F Bryce Reddick, 16-39-55 in BCHL
G Josh Robinson, 22-17-2, 2.94 GAA in USHL
F Mikael Lickteig, 34-40-74 in NAHL

When Wisconsin Beats MTU: KC 11/07 & 11/08

07/08 Recap: Tech started out of the gate pretty well and actually led the WCHA for a very short time last Fall. Following the quick start, things fell off as the season progressed and Tech couldn’t keep up w/ the race for WCHA home ice. It didn’t help that top netminder Michael-Lee Teslek spent some time out due to injury.

08/09 Thoughts: Tech lost their top three starters to graduation and one of the best goalies in the country in Teslek to the pros. Doing the research for Tech, maybe I should have had them 10th instead of UAA, things are looking pretty bleak for Tech from my prespective. They have a huge hole to fill in scoring from a team that is defense first to begin w/. In addition, there are questions in goal w/ “Red Light” Rob Nolan taking over the duties. Nolan did an adequate job last season, but now he will be the go to guy. One positive for Tech is what appears to be a strong recruiting class. They added two Wisconsin kids in Brett Olson and Seth Soley, who should both be immediate contributors to the team. Olson is an older freshman coming off an All-Star season in the USHL. Goalie Josh Robinson was actually born in Milwaukee though he grew up in Michigan. On thing Tech has going for it is a good coach. While I don’t see them competing for home ice, Jamie Russell should keep them out of the cellar.