Nobody would have predicted in September that the MSU hockey team, ranked No. 10 in the preseason, would have finished the season with a 20-17-4 record and miss the tournament cut.
But that's how the Spartans finished, missing the NCAA Tournament for the second time in three years.
Many things went wrong for the Spartans this year. Several players couldn't match their totals from the previous season, goals were hard to come by, injuries played a factor at crucial times and puck luck wasn't on MSU's side for the majority of the year.
But overall, MSU head coach Rick Comley said work ethic was there, the players came to play and they showed resiliency during tough times. Through a difficult season, there were many bright spots for the program and the future years look encouraging.
The Spartans will lose seven players this offseason including their two-year captain, Jim Slater. But sophomore forward Drew Miller had a breakout year in leadership abilities and on the stat sheet, with 33 points, and will be the next great two-year captain in this organization.
Junior forward Colton Fretter also had a breakout season, coming in second in scoring. Fretter showed the ability to be a clutch player, scoring some of the biggest goals of his career and will certainly be an important asset coming back for his senior year.
Even though sophomore forward Tommy Goebel slumped in goal production compared to his freshman year, there were signs his scoring touch was coming back in the final few weeks. Next season, expect Goebel to start where he left off, and put together a year similar to his freshman campaign.
Although hampered by injury and illness for significant time this season, junior forward David Booth is a huge returning player for the Spartans. He's big, physical, strong, and is a critical player, if he can stay healthy.
Junior defenseman Corey Potter and sophomore defenseman Ethan Graham emerged into one of the top defensive duos in the country this season, logging a lot of ice time and also playing well offensively. With sophomore defenseman Chris Snavely, sophomore defenseman/forward Tyler Howells and junior defenseman Jared Nightingale returning, the MSU defense should be one of their strengths next year.
This year's freshman class showed promise for the future. Freshman forward Bryan Lerg can score big goals, showing potential for a breakout season next year. Freshman forward Chris Mueller and freshman forward Jim McKenzie also showed they can put up points.
Sophomore goaltender Dominic Vicari has another year of experience under him and has the potential to be one of the best goalies in the nation in his remaining two years. Vicari has kept his team in games this year and closed the door in crucial times.
Comley said he likes what he has coming into the program. With three forwards, two defenseman and one goalie already inked to letters of intent, the youth of the team looks encouraging.
