2007-08 Team Preview – North Dakota

Official Roster
Full Schedule
2006-07 Team Statistics

Top 5 Returning Scorers

1. F – Ryan Duncan – Junior – 31 G, 26 A – 57 points
2. F – T.J. Oshie – Junior – 17 G, 35 A – 52 points
3. D – Robbie Bina – Senior – 10 G, 22 A – 32 points
4. D – Taylor Chorney – Junior – 8 G, 23 A – 31 points
5. F – Brad Miller – Junior – 10 G, 14 A – 24 points

Key Losses From Last Season

F – Jonathan Toews – 18 G, 28 A – 46 points
F – Chris Porter – 13 G, 17 A – 30 points
D – Brian Lee – 2 G, 24 A – 26 points

2006-07 Scoring By Class

Senior 19 12.42%
Junior 17 11.11%
Sophomore 101 66.01%
Freshman 16 10.46%

Non-Conference Schedule

1 vs. Michigan State – Oct. 13 – U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame game
1 at Boston College – Oct. 19
1 at Northeastern – Oct. 20
2 vs. New Hampshire – Dec. 28-29
2 vs. Bemidji State – Feb. 23-24

Incoming Freshmen

F – Brett Davidson (Neepawa – MJHL) / 20
F – Matt Frattin (Fort Saskatchewan – AJHL) / 19
F – Brad Malone (Sioux Falls – USHL) / 18
F – Evan Trupp (Penticton – BCHL) / 20
D – Derrick LaPoint (Green Bay – USHL) / 19
D – Jake Marto (Omaha – USHL) / 21

Average Freshman Age: 19.50

USHL: 3
AJHL: 1
BCHL: 1
MJHL: 1

Breakdown of Current Roster

Freshmen – 6
Sophomores – 5
Juniors – 10
Seniors – 4

NHL Draftees

D – Joe Finley – Junior – WAS
D – Taylor Chorney – Junior – EDM
F – T.J. Oshie – Junior – STL
F – Andrew Kozek – Junior – ATL
F – Rylan Kaip – Senior – ATL
F – Michael Forney – Sophomore – ATL
F – Matt Watkins – Junior – DAL
F – Chris VandeVelde – Sophomore – EDM
F – Matt Frattin – Freshman – TOR
F – Brad Malone – Freshman – COL
D – Derrick LaPoint – Freshman – FLA

2006 Season Recap

For the third year in a row under head coach Dave Hakstol, the Fighting Sioux advanced all the way to the Frozen Four. However, it didn’t always appear as if that would be the case.

UND got off to a 7-10-1 start, which culminated with four straight home sweeps by Wisconsin and Michigan Tech. However, the Sioux regrouped after the holiday break and were the best team in the nation the rest of the way on, losing just four times after December 17.

After taking three of four points at SCSU to close out the regular season, the Sioux advanced to the WCHA Final Five and proceeded to pound the Huskies by a 6-2 score in the first semifinal, and appeared as though they’d hoist the Broadmoor Trophy for the second straight year. But they were upended by the Golden Gophers in the title game the next night, thanks to a once-in-a-lifetime goal by Blake Wheeler.

However, UND would get their revenge the next weekend. After beating Michigan in a wild 8-5 content, the Fighting Sioux edged the Gophers by a 3-2 score in overtime to advance to St. Louis and the Frozen Four. For the second straight year though, they fell victim to Boston College in the first semifinal game, ending another great season in Grand Forks.

2007 Season Preview

This season, UND is the preseason favorite by many to capture the MacNaughton Cup. Despite losing the likes of Jonathan Toews and Brian Lee in the offseason, they return stars such as Hobey Baker winner Ryan Duncan, T.J. Oshie, and Taylor Chorney, among others.

They also have a senior netminder in Philippe Lamoureux who posted a .913 save percentage last season. They only lose Lee from a elite defensive core, and they bring in freshman Derrick LaPoint who should contribute from day one.

Speaking of freshmen, the Sioux again have an elite recruiting class that ranks among the best in the nation. Youngsters like Matt Frattin, Brad Malone, and Evan Trupp should all make their presence felt during the freshmen campaigns, and will supplement an already experienced core of forwards.

Key Question

No team in the WCHA relied more on the power play than UND, who scored 56 power play tallies last year. With the lose of setup-man Jonathan Toews, who posted 28 assists in 34 games last year, will the Sioux power play continue to click? Duncan, in particular, shined on the power play, as 22 of his 31 goals came with the man-advantage. The Sioux certainly have the firepower to excel in this area, but it will be interesting to see just how big of an impact Toews had.

WCHA Blog Prediction:

First Place

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