Over the next couple weeks, we’ll introduce you to the 10 players we’ve pegged as the top contenders for the 2013 Hobey Baker Award and take a closer look at 10 issues that will impact the upcoming season. First on the agenda, however, are our picks for the top 10 teams headed into coming season.

No.	Team	Of Note
1.	Minnesota	2011-12 record: 28-14-1, 20-8-0 WCHA Key returnees: Erik Haula, F, Jr. (20-29–49); Kyle Rau, F, So. (18-25–43); Nick Bjugstad, F, Jr. (25-17–42); Kyle Schmidt, D, Jr. (3-38–41) Key losses: Jake Hansen, F (16-22–38); Taylor Matson, F (8-15–23); Kent Patterson, G (28-14-1, 2.32, .907)
Assuming Bjugstad returns for his junior season instead of turning pro, the Gophers’ lineup will boast seven players who scored 20 or more points last season. Good thing they’ll score a ton, because Minnesota must break in a pair of untested goaltenders—junior Mike Shibrowski (20 career minutes played) and rookie Adam Wilcox, a South St. Paul, Minn., native who spent the last two seasons in the USHL with Green Bay and Tri-City.
2.	Michigan	2011-12 record: 24-13-4, 15-9-4-1 CCHA Key returnees: Alex Guptill, F, So. (16-17–33); A.J. Treais, F, Sr. (15-17–32); Phil Di Guiseppe, F, So. (11-15–26); Jon Merrill, D, Jr. (2-9–11) Key losses: David Wohlberg, F (16-17–33); Luke Glendening, F (10-11–21); Shawn Hunwick, G (24-12-3, 2.32, 2.00)
The returning cast is talented and deep, but it’s the newcomers who’ll draw the most attention from Wolverines fans early. U.S. NDTP defenseman Jacob Trouba is a sure-fire first-round pick in next month’s NHL Draft and could be among the first 10 players selected. Forward Cristoval “Boo” Nieves is a talented forward from the New England prep ranks likely to be chosen in the draft’s first two rounds. Then there’s U.S. NTDP goalie Jared Rutledge, the heir apparent to Shawn Hunwick.
3.	North Dakota	2011-12 record: 26-13-3, 16-11-1 WCHA Key returnees: Danny Kristo, F, Sr. (19-26–45); Corban Knight, F, Sr. (16-24–40); Carter Rowney, F, Sr. (18-15–33); Nick Mattson, D, So. (6-13–19) Key losses: Brock Nelson, F (28-19–47); Ben Blood, D (3-18–21); Mario Lamoureux, F (4-7–11)
As long as everyone doesn’t get hurt, it should be an exciting winter in Grand Forks. Kristo, Knight, and Rowney lead an attack that will benefit from the return of a healthy Rocco Grimaldi, and heralded freshman Jordan Schmaltz will round out an exceptional defensive corps. Goalie Aaron Dell was leaning toward turning pro this spring, but hasn’t signed. Even if he doesn’t return, NoDak’s goaltending should be in good hands with freshman Zane Gothberg and Alabama-Huntsville transfer Clarke Saunders.
4.	Union	2011-12 record: 26-8-7, 14-4-4 ECAC Hockey Key returnees: Troy Grosenick, G, Jr. (22-6-3, 1.65, .936); Daniel Carr, F, Jr. (20-20–40); Wayne Simpson, F, Sr. (18-13–31); Shayne Gostisbehere, D, So. (5-17–22) Key losses: Jeremy Welsh, F (27-17–44); Kelly Zajac, F (8-34–42); Nolan Julseth-White, D (0-4–4)
Within the ECAC Hockey ranks, last year’s performance by Union didn’t come as much of a surprise, but it certainly marked a bump in Union’s national profile. There are some key departures to address, most notably Welsh and his goal-scoring and defensemen Julseth-White and his leadership. However, there’s enough talent returning for the Dutchmen to make another run toward the Frozen Four and remain among the top-ranked teams in the country all season long. Hobey Baker finalist Grosenick returns in net and will have 10 forwards and five defensemen of the team’s regular lineup last year back in front of him.
5.	Western Michigan	2011-12 record: 21-14-6, 14-10-4-4 CCHA Key returnees: Chase Balisy, F, Jr. (13-24–37); Shane Berschbach, F, Jr. (10-22–32); Dan DeKeyser, D, Jr. (5-12–17); Frank Slubowski, G, So. (17-11-4, 2.03, .911) Key losses: Matt Tennyson, D (11-13–24); Greg Squires, F (8-11–19); Ian Slater, F (7-8–15)
First-year head coach Andy Murray kept the Western on the path Jeff Blashill forged, leading the Broncos to a second consecutive NCAA Tournament berth and the school’s first CCHA tournament title since 1986. This season looks just as promising. The team’s three leading scorers—forwards Balisy, Berschbach, and Dane Walters—are back. So, too, are five regulars from one of the country’s best collection of defensemen, led by Dan DeKyser and Luke Witkowski. Then there’s goalie Frank Slubowski, arguably the Broncos’ most valuable player from a year ago when, as a freshman, he posted a 2.03 goals against average and a .911 save percentage.
6.	Boston College	2011-12 record: 33-10-1, 19-7-1 Hockey East Key returnees: John Gaudreau, F, So. (21-23–44); Steven Whitney, F, Sr. (16-23–39); Bill Arnold, F, So. (17-19–36); Parker Milner, G, Sr. (29-5-0, 1.66, .937) Key losses: Chris Kreider, F (23-22–45); Brian Dumoulin, D (7-21–28); Barry Almeida, F (22-18–40)
The defending national champions are one of the elite programs in the nation and always have to deal with quality players leaving the program due to graduation or professional hockey opportunities. This year might have hurt more than most, but the Eagles are certainly still among the top teams in the country. We’re a little concerned about where some of the scoring might come from with Chris Kreider already joining the New York Rangers and the graduation of Barry Almeida and Paul Carey who combined to score 40 goals last year. Milner proved he’s one of the nation’s best goalies and might have to carry this team as it finds its way in the first half, but as usual, BC will be there in the end.
7.	Cornell	2011-12 record: 19-9-7, 12-4-6 ECAC Hockey Key returnees: Andy Iles, G, Jr. (19-9-7, 2.12, .919); Greg Miller, F, Sr. (14-17–31); Dustin Mowrey, F, Jr. (8-15–23); Nick D’Agostino, D, Sr. (8-12–20) Key losses: Sean Collins, F (13-13–26); Sean Whitney, D (2-9–11); Locke Jillson, F (7-3–10)
If the Big Red had been able to score on a crucial power play in the NCAA Midwest Regional final, it would have been Cornell instead of Ferris State in the Frozen Four. That near miss may serve as motivation, as it was a Big Red team that was still a year or two away from being its best. Standout goalie Iles will back a lineup that lost just four regulars among its 18 skaters, including eight of its nine leading scorers from the 2011-12 campaign. If last year’s stellar freshman class that included Brian Ferlin, Joakim Ryan, John McCarron, Joel Lowry and Cole Bardreau can take steps forward, this team will be a legitimate threat to Union’s reign atop ECAC Hockey and a player in the national picture.
8.	Wisconsin	2011-12 record: 17-18-2, 11-15-2 WCHA Key returnees: Mark Zengerle, F, Jr. (13-37–50); Michael Mersch, F, Jr. (14-16–30); Tyler Barnes, F, Jr. (11-15–26); Joel Rumpel, G, So. (12-12-2, 2.48, .919) Key losses: Eric Springer, D (1-4–5)
Here’s a change: it should be a quiet summer in Madison other than the expected departure of defenseman Justin Schultz, who’s likely to end up signing as a free agent with someone other than Anaheim, the team that drafted him in 2008. Zengerle very quietly turned in a 50-point season, and with classmates Mersch and Barnes lead a group of young forwards. Even without Schultz, the Badgers will be solid on the blue line; senior John Ramage won’t fill up the score sheet, but he’s a tough defensive defenseman. Rumpel seized the no. 1 goaltending job midway through the season, proving he deserved the nod by posting a 2.02 GAA and a .931 save percentage after Jan. 1.
9.	UMass Lowell	2011-12 record: 24-13-1, 17-9-1 Hockey East Key returnees: Riley Wetmore, F, Sr. (14-25–39); Scott Wilson, F, So. (16-22–38); Derek Arnold, F, Jr. (17-17–34); Doug Carr, G, Jr. (22-10-1, 2.13, .928) Key losses: Matt Ferreira, F (14-18–32); David Vallorani, F (10-19–29); Michael Budd, F (6-5–11)
One of the nation’s most pleasant surprises a year ago seems to have some staying power with a number of key players back to build on those successes. Most importantly, Carr and his four shutouts, 2.13 goals-against average and .928 save percentage, will be manning the nets in his junior season. Up front, Wilson was in the discussion among the best freshmen in the country after turning in a 16-goal, 38-point first year on campus. The River Hawks have their top three scorers back, and their top six defensemen in terms of games played.
10.	Notre Dame	2011-12 record: 19-18-3, 12-13-3-0 CCHA Key returnees: T.J. Tynan, F, Jr. (13-28–41); Anders Lee, F, Jr. (17-17–34); Austin Wuthrich, F, So. (7-10–17); Stephen Johns, D, Jr. (4-6–10) Key losses: Billy Maday, F (12-15–27); Riley Sheahan, F (9-16–25); Sean Lorenz, D (3-10–13)
Yeah, it was a dumpster fire of a season in South Bend last year and their goaltending is suspect, but the Fighting Irish are too talented to fail. You know what you’re gonna get from Tynan and Lee, Wuthrich showed promise as a freshman, and Jeff Costello, if healthy, gives Notre Dame a rugged, front-of-the-net presence. Throw in four incoming freshmen who might be the best collection of rookie forwards in the nation and a group of talented defensemen who struggled with consistency last season, and the pieces are there for the Irish to bounce back.

INCH Podcast – April 16, 2012 (.mp3)

Joey LaLeggia

LaLeggia joined the Denver program after playing his junior hockey with the Penticton Vees of the British Columbia Hockey League. LaLeggia ranked fifth among all defensemen in points per game, and was the leading freshman blueliner in that category. He posted 11 goals and 38 points in 43 games, and held a plus-13 rating. Three of his goals and 15 points came while Denver was on the power play. He was durable, and appeared in all 43 games for the Pioneers.

He really hit his offensive stride in the middle of the season with 15 points over an eight-game scoring streak and a total of 20 points in a 12-game span.

The Burnaby, British Columbia native has a long way to go to match the cult-hero status that another Burnaby native holds in the Denver hockey community (Joe Sakic), but after a great freshman year, LaLeggia is off to a great start.

His Runner-Up: Scott Wilson, UMass Lowell

• INCH’s year-end awards are decided upon with input from the editorial staff of InsideCollegeHockey.com and in consultation with coaches and other college hockey followers from across the country.

Dave Hakstol is one of those coaches. Despite a roster that was gutted by injuries, defections to the major junior ranks, and ineligibility and the controversy over the team’s nickname constantly swirling in the background, Hakstol guided North Dakota to the WCHA playoff championship and a No. 1 seed in the NCAA West Regional. A team that at Thanksgiving had a 4-7-0 overall record and a 2-6-0 mark in conference play hit its stride, going 22-6-2 in its last 30 games, including a 14-5-1 mark against league opponents.

There’s a reason just about everything went right for North Dakota during the last four months of the season. When the team needed timely goaltending from senior Brad Eidsness, it got it. When it needed offensive contributions from someone not named Corban Knight, Danny Kristo, or Brock Nelson, Carter Rowney and Michael Parks stepped to the fore. When players started dropping like flies due to injuries, unheralded players like defenseman-turned-forward Joe Gleason or freshman walk-ons Connor Gaarder and Dan Senkbeil ultimately proved to be more than just stop-gap options.

North Dakota is one of college hockey’s pressure cookers and the fan base, regardless of what has transpired in seasons past, has very little tolerance for mediocrity or even pretty good-ocrity. The folks in Grand Forks expect their hockey team to win; North Dakota did that this past season thanks to a masterful coaching job by Hakstol.

His Runner-Up: Norm Bazin, UMass Lowell

• INCH’s year-end awards are decided upon with input from the editorial staff of InsideCollegeHockey.com and in consultation with coaches and other college hockey followers from across the country.

Austin Smith

The numbers that Smith posted are remarkable. He scored a nation’s best 36 goals on the year and totaled 57 points in 39 games. His 1.461 points per game ranked third nationally, trailing only the other He had six short-handed goals, and seven power-play goals. The rest of his work was done at even-strength, meaning that 29 of his 36 goals came while the Raiders had equal or fewer players on the ice as the opponent. (Half of Connolly’s points came on the power play.) Smith was also remarkably consistent throughout the year. His longest streak without scoring a goal was two games.

“I think his statistics speak volumes about what he did, obviously the goals he put up. He had maybe three or four empty-net goals, a bunch of short-handed goals. These were not secondary assists, and we played some good teams this year. I’ve been at this a long time, and we had somebody who I thought could have arguably won the Hobey Baker in Andy McDonald, back in 2000, and I think Austin Smith has had the kind of year, and maybe in some ways even a little better than Andy McDonald had his senior year in 2000. I think that speaks volumes,” Colgate coach Don Vaughan said.

Smith’s standout senior season also impacted his team’s success. Colgate was just 11-28-3 in the 2010-11 season and finished 12th in ECAC Hockey before a deep run in the conference playoffs. The Raiders improved to 19-17-3 this season and earned a first-round playoff bye before returning to Atlantic City for the ECACH Championship weekend.

His Runner-Up: Jack Connolly, Minnesota Duluth

• INCH’s year-end awards are decided upon with input from the editorial staff of InsideCollegeHockey.com and in consultation with coaches and other college hockey followers from across the country.

It’s also fitting that in spite of his unconventional goaltending style—the lunging, the flailing, the diving, the cartwheeling, the desperation—Hunwick became Michigan’s primary asset. A guy who played like an invertebrate was the Wolverines’ backbone.

There were goalies who had better numbers and, let’s be honest, just about every netminder in the nation looked the part better than Hunwick who, at 5-foot-7, was an amalgam of Dominik Hasek’s acrobatics, Billy Smith’s fieriness, and Darren Pang’s build. But what made Hunwick so intriguing (it wasn’t his Horatio Alger-like rise to starter) was how his success and that of his team were so inexplicably intertwined. The Sterling Heights, Mich., native likely doesn’t make as big an impact on any other team; likewise, the Wolverines probably don’t win as many games if someone other than Hunwick is in goal.

And Hunwick won—a lot. In 40 starts, he was 24-12-3 with a 2.00 goals against average and a .932 save percentage. During the last two thirds of the season as the Wolverines pushed their way toward the top of the CCHA standings, earning a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Tournament along the way, Hunwick was even better, going 17-5-1 with a 1.60 GAA and a .945 save percentage.

“As a coach, it just shows you—we don’t know everything,” Michigan coach Red Berenson told the Michigan Daily in October. “You don’t know everything about your players, you don’t know what’s inside a kid, and you don’t know what the possibilities are.”

His Runner-Up: Troy Grosenick, Union

• INCH’s year-end awards are decided upon with input from the editorial staff of InsideCollegeHockey.com and in consultation with coaches and other college hockey followers from across the country.

His offensive production was great. Krug posted 34 points in 38 games, including a seven-game stretch from late January through mid-February in which Krug scored 13 points as Michigan State went 5-2-0 and solidified its place in the CCHA standings. His defensive work was noteworthy, as Krug posted a plus-17 rating and finished the regular season with a plus-21 rating.

Most importantly, Krug was the single most-important reason that Michigan State posted a winning season and made a return to the NCAA Tournament. He was a two-year captain, logged a ton of ice time and came up with big plays in the team’s biggest games. His peers recognized what he meant as Krug was selected as the CCHA Player of the Year and a top-10 finalist for the Hobey Baker Memorial Award.

Krug’s junior year was his last as a college hockey player, as he signed a professional contract with the Boston Bruins after Michigan State’s season ended and has already made his NHL debut. That’s not to say he didn’t have a complete college career. He was a 2012 AHCA West Region First Team All-American, a two-time First Team All-CCHA pick, and twice named as the CCHA’s Best Offensive Defenseman. Now, he adds INCH Defenseman of the Year honors to his impressive list of accolades.

His Runner-Up: Brian Dumoulin, Boston College

• INCH’s year-end awards are decided upon with input from the editorial staff of InsideCollegeHockey.com and in consultation with coaches and other college hockey followers from across the country.

The top-ranked player with college ties is U.S. National Team Development Program defenseman and Michigan recruit Jacob Trouba, who is ranked ninth. Others listed among the top 30 include Vermont recruit Zemgus Girgensons, a forward who currently plays for Dubuque of the United States Hockey League (18th); U.S. NTDP defenseman Brady Skjei, a Minnesota recruit (19th); Michigan forward Phil Di Giuseppi (22nd); Kent (Conn.) School forward Cristoval Nieves, a Michigan recruit (27th); U.S. NTDP forward and Wisconsin recruit Nick Kerdiles (29th); and Dubuque defenseman Mike Matheson (30th), who will head to Boston College in the fall.

The North American lists rank 210 skaters and 30 goalies, all of whom play in the U.S. and Canada. In addition to college players, the list features draft-eligible major junior players as well as a number of college-bound high school, prep, and junior players. The NHL Entry Draft takes place June 22-23 in Pittsburgh.

The trip to Tampa this year’s Frozen Four was a necessary evil. At least that’s what I had decided as the date approached. It’ll be hot and humid, and I’ll be sweaty and miserable. Outside of a few snowbirds and transplants from college hockey hotbeds, no one around here will care about the Frozen, especially with the Rays opening the baseball season with a series against the Yankees on the other side of the bay. And then Ferris State and Union qualify for the first time ever which, while great for the respective schools and college hockey as a whole, won’t generate heat in a non-traditional college hockey market.

Permanent venue? We think it works.

As has been the case more often than not this month (just look back at my NCAA picks), I was wrong.

Sure, there were empty seats for both Thursday’s semifinals and Saturday’s championship game, but the crowds have been enthusiastic. The Frozen Fest in the plaza just outside the Tampa Bay Times Forum was wall-to-wall-to-wall people prior to Saturday’s game. The weather has been great and fans to soak up the sun and enjoy the mild nights while taking in the sights in the area. The local media, especially the two daily newspapers here, have been terrific. There are signs trumpeting the Frozen Four all over the city—not just the Channelside area around the rink, but Ybor City, the airport, and other locales. Most surprising, the locals have embraced the event; sit down at a restaurant, belly up to a bar, go into a store, climb into a cab, or bump into regular folks at a night spot, and you’re likely to be asked if you’re here for the hockey tournament.

Clearly, this area knows how to host big events—Tampa is a frequent landing spot for the Super Bowl and hosts the Outback Bowl; the NCAA Final Four was in St. Petersburg in 1999 and basketball regionals have been held in both Tampa and St. Pete; and both the Stanley Cup and World Series have been here in the past decade.

So why not make Tampa the permanent Frozen Four host?

Scoff if you must, but it wouldn’t be unprecedented. Omaha is the permanent host of the College World Series and Oklahoma City is always the site of the softball’s championship. Turn the Frozen Four into college hockey’s version of a bowl game.

Think about it. Hotel rooms are plentiful and reasonably priced. Most airports across the country offer affordable flights to either Tampa or Orlando, which is a little more than an hour’s drive from here. There’s plenty to do around here—museums, theme parks, the beach. And by all accounts, the teams and fans who made the trip down here this week had a blast. Before long, planning a week-long trip to Tampa in early April becomes a must for college hockey fans.

When I floated this idea Saturday afternoon via Twitter, I was surprised by the blowback (which I assume came from people who aren’t here.)  Some suggested Tampa shouldn’t host if the championship game wasn’t a sellout. With more than 18,000 announced as the Saturday attendance, it wasn’t, but I don’t see that as the host city’s problem. And, hey, a few empty seats didn’t affect the quality of Saturday’s game. Unlike a major league baseball game, the Frozen Four isn’t something you go out and do on a whim. And you’ve known for how long this event was coming to Tampa? Stop complaining and get here!

The odds of something like this coming to fruition are unlikely. College hockey fans like to hang onto traditional sites like Boston (expensive city, iffy spring weather, mediocre rink) and St. Paul (affordable city, iffy spring weather, best rink in America). We assume the Tampa Bay Lightning won’t like the idea of wrapping up the regular season with road games every year, but why not give it a shot? We heartily endorse the idea.

F-Kyle Bonis, Ferris State: He was all over the place in Tampa, scoring a pair of goals in the Bulldogs’ semifinal win against Union and getting a couple good chances against Boston College Saturday.

F-Paul Carey, Boston College: Scored three goals in two games, including the game-winner that caromed off his glove in Saturday’s title game win against Ferris State.

F-Steven Whitney, Boston College: Had a pair of goals in the win against Ferris State to go along with a goal and an assist in Thursday’s semifinal thrashing of Minnesota. Constantly around the net.

D-Chad Billins, Ferris State: Didn’t score in either of the Bulldogs’ two games in Tampa, but fans sure got a good look at the why he was named a second-team All-American. Excellent puck skills and vision.

D-Brian Dumoulin, Boston College: Goal against Minnesota Thursday and an assist on the Eagles’ game-winning goal Saturday. It’s probably the last time you’ll see him in a Boston College uniform.

G-Parker Milner, Boston College (Most Outstanding Player): If you need us to tell you why Milner’s in this spot, you clearly haven’t been paying close enough attention.

Most people were skeptical of whether Ferris State could compete with Boston College. The answer is, obviously, yes, and the result was arguably the best game of this year’s NCAA Tournament. Lots of end-to-end action, great scoring opportunities, very few mistakes, and terrific goaltending from both Milner and Ferris State’s Taylor Nelson made for what was a satisfying end to what was an unpredictable and highly entertaining season.

Surely, Boston College earned a lot of respect from those in town covering the Frozen Four and by winning the title with its 19th consecutive victory to close the season, the team’s top-shelf status was undeniable. However, that front-running storyline probably short-changed the achievements of Ferris State. After being peppered about Boston College in media conferences since winning its semifinal game, including another query in Saturday night’s postgame, Ferris State goaltender Taylor Nelson expressed frustration in hearing about the Eagles once again. He had a right to be frustrated, and we’ll take the opportunity to say way to go Bulldogs. This was a very good team that had a great season.

“I gotta watch that tape again.”

Boston College coach Jerry York, when asked about the dangle-riffic goal scored by Eagles’ freshman Johnny Gaudreau in the third period of his team’s win.

@c_camps11:
When guys commit to Boston College, do they fill out their ring size on their NLI?

Former Miami RedHawk Carter Camper was denied a national championship by Boston University back in 2009, but the current Providence Bruins standout obviously has a pretty good bead on the goings on in Chestnut Hill.