Aggie offensive skaters gearing up for new season
In this second installment of a three-part series previewing the USU hockey team, take a look at the skaters — the ones who score the goals. This season’s offensive staff is overflowing with talent.
After graduating seven seniors last season, including all-time leading goal scorer Kent Arsenault, who scored 206 goals for the Aggies, the team has added leadership and depth to a wounded roster.
“I feel like with our recruiting we’ve replaced a good majority of those (seniors),” USU head coach Jon Eccles said.
Five of the now graduated seniors were forwards, including Arsenault, Dave Wyman and Jay McFadden. Last season those three combined to score 80 goals, a level of production the Aggies will surely miss.
“We’ve lost a couple guys and put in a couple guys,” USU forward Brendan MacDonald said.
This year, Utah State returns veteran goal scorers Billy Gouthro, Matt Hamilton and MacDonald to its line-up. The Aggies also added offensive forces who are expected to light up the stats sheet for USU right away.
Billy Gouthro led the Aggies in goals scored, with 37, and also tallied 40 assists. The center has been one of the top three scorers on the squad in each of his three seasons with the Aggies.
MacDonald also played exceptionally well for the Aggies, and now his leadership on and off the ice is getting recognition.
“He has really stepped up and done a good job,” Eccles said.
MacDonald will take the ice for the season opener against Brigham Young University with a “C” on his jersey. The forward won the captain spot for the 2011-2012 season.
“He has really stepped up to his leadership role,” Eccles said. “He’s definitely leading the team.”
MacDonald was the Aggies fifth leading scorer, with 30 goals, but he also added 54 assists and was second on the team in points. MacDonald’s offensive stats compliment his aggressive style of play.
“We’re trying different line combinations right now, seeing how everybody fits,” MacDonald said. “We’ve got a real talented team this year.”
Hamilton is also returning for the Aggies at forward. He recorded 31 goals and further promoted the Ag gie offense with his 46 assists.
“We look pretty sick right now,” Hamilton said. “Probably the best I’ve seen in my three years here.”
Hamilton’s looking to improve on a strong season last year. His aggressive play and puck battles will continue to be an asset for Utah State, but the real story of the Aggie forwards is written in the young but powerful off-season additions to the team.
“We’ve brought in a couple of new kids that fill the roles of some of the guys we lost,” Hamilton said.
Brian Gibbons is one of those new kids. A transfer from Utica College in central New York, came on the ice ready to play for the Aggies. Gibbons was unable to play last season for the Pioneers because of a wrist injury, but was the third leading scorer for the pioneers, with 14 goals in the 2009-2010 season. The state might seem low, but it is important to note the Pioneers play approximately 25 games during that season, compared to the Aggies’ 45 games.
“We have the talent on the team,” Gibbons said. “We’re heading in the right direction.”
Gibbons has been highly talked about, helping Utica College to the ECAC West conference tournament. Gibbons recorded 12 assists in his last season of play, and the Aggies are expecting his unselfish style of play to turn the heads of many fans.
Gibbons brings a skill level beyond what the Aggies have seen before. Eccles said Gibbons is very strong on the puck.
“Brian will be a great goal scorer and a great set up man,” Eccles said. “He’s a very unselfish player.”
Another transfer is Utah native Cooper Limb, who made the move to USU after aging out of Juniors in Canada. Limb had 22 goals and 13 assists for the Lloydminster Bobcats, last season, and will return home and make some noise for the Aggies.
“Once we get these guys into a game and see how these guys work, and how they can put the puck in the net, that will really tell the story,” Eccles said.
—meredith.kinney@aggiemail.usu.edu