Clarkson Season Preview

via ECAC Hockey

2011-12 record: 16-17-6 (9-9-4), 7th place

Departures: G Paul Karpowich, F Jake Morley, F Louke Oakley, F Nick Tremblay, F Corey Tamblyn, F Julien Cayer

Key returnees: F Ben Sexton, F Allan McPherson, F Will Frederick, F Adam Pawlick, F Patrick Marsh, D Sam Labrecque, D Andrew Himelson, D James Howden, G Cody Rosen

Key arrivals: F Christian Finch, D Paul Geiger, G Andrew Hunt

Clarkson faces two major questions entering the season: goal scoring and goaltending. These are two major questions, and both of them need to be solved in order for Clarkson to have success.

For Clarkson to win games this season, the first line has to score goals. Allan McPherson, Ben Sexton, and Will Frederick have a great blend of speed, skill and size to be a dominant line, and we saw glimpses of that potential on Sunday.

After that, there are 14 forwards fighting for the remaining 9 spots. Adam Pawlick, as long as he wasn’t seriously injured on Sunday, will likely center the second line, and could improve his production this season. Patrick Marsh, who played very well at times last season as a freshman, could be due for a big year after recording 6 points last season. The Zarbos, Matt and Joe, were fairly highly regarded recruits, and they could be due for big increases in production. Joe, a sophomore, had 12 points as a freshman, and played well at times last season. He did not dress on Sunday in the exhibition, but when healthy he should be in the lineup. Matt, a junior, had just 6 points last season after recording 14 points as a freshman.

Christian Finch is the most highly regarded freshman forward, as he had 104 points last year for Stouffville. He is a very creative player, and will likely play on the first powerplay unit and could play on the second line. Christian Powers, Finch’s junior teammate, Jeff DiNallo, Pat Megannety, Simon Bessette, and Todd Christian are the other freshman forwards, and they’ll look to make an impact in their first collegiate seasons. TJ Moor, a forward from St. Louis, will be eligible to play in January.

Mike Garlasco and Jarrett Burton, both juniors, will also look to solidify places in the lineup, while Mitch Zion, a sophomore center, is a quick player who played in 13 games last season.

JD Carrabino practiced as a defenseman last season, but is listed as a forward and will provide depth on the wing.

Check out the rest of the preview on The Clarkson Hockey Blog.