USU hockey deep on defense
Editor’s note: This is the first in a three-part series previewing the USU hockey team.
It’s been five long months since the Utah State hockey team skated off the ice, following their final game last season. Now just a week into practice for the 2011-12 season, the Aggies have reloaded and are poised to make a strong start.
On the defensive side, the Aggies are well stocked with talent. They’ve improved their depth this offseason by adding strong players to an already successful roster.
Following the graduation of senior defensemen Matt Ferris and Jason Moore, and freshmen Sean Benvegnu and Rylee Orr leaving after their rookie seasons, the Aggies found themselves scrambling to fill holes on the ice.
“It’s helped that we’ve added a couple guys that can come in and do the job,” Aggie defenseman Jeff Sanders said. “With the rookies we brought in, we filled that void.”
Though the loss was a big blow to the Aggie defense, the remaining defenders are ready to go to work. It was a rebuilding offseason, but the Aggie defense is not writing the season off as a rebuilding year.
“We brought in a bunch of players that we feel will compliment the team, as in years past,” head coach Jon Eccles said.
The Aggies return first-line defenseman Ty Johns, who played well his rookie season at USU. Johns lead all Aggie defensemen in points last year, with 42. His offensive play from the blue line opened up many goal-scoring opportunities.
Johns said this year’s team has no shortage of defensemen, and is expecting improvement over the season.
“We have eight capable defensemen,” Johns said. “And some guys who are looking for a lot of improvement, some teaching and coaching, and will be ready to step in for us.”
Last year’s USU roster included just six defensemen, a small number when trying to fill three lines. The Aggies are hoping the two extra players will help relieve some of the pressure on the defensive unit.
Also returning to the team are Jeremy Martin and Sanders, both of whom are big producers for USU.
“(Martin, Sanders, and Johns) have really stepped up,” Eccles said.
Martin ended the season with 39 points, putting him second on the Aggie defense. His consistent play and senior leadership is of high value to the young staff. Martin had 10 goals last season — production the Aggies need from a seasoned player.
“We’re there but we’re still fine tuning things,” Martin said. “Once we get a couple more practices out of the way, we’ll be good.”
Sanders also played solid for the Aggies last year. His statistics don’t reflect the value of his smart passing and strong blue line play.
“We are a lot more solid than we were last year,” Sanders said. “It’s shaping up to be a pretty good season.”
The combined veteran experience of Johns, Martin, and Sanders should be a nice complement to the new fire fueled by younger players.
“There’s a couple that have come in and are filling those empty spots right now,” Martin said. “In terms of depth, we’re probably the strongest I’ve seen in my four years here.”
Jordan Kerr is one of these incoming freshmen and already has history with plenty Utah State players.
Kerr grew up playing hockey with Johns in Comox, British Columbia, and played in the same league as former Aggies Seth Armitage and Dave Wyman. Kerr also played against USU teammates Tyler Mistelbacher and Jeff Sanders in league championships.
Kerr is looking to step in the lineup right away and produce for the Aggies. Despite limited practice time, he is ready for the season to start.
“Everyone’s really friendly, it’s a good group of guys,” Kerr said. “I think we’ll have a great year.”
Another optimistic spot on the Aggie roster is at the goaltending position.
After starting goaltender Dan Cornelius chose to forgo his final season with the Aggies,and sophomore goalie Bryce Scherschal was benched for a good part of this season by hip surgery, there is a gaping hole in the position. The uncertainty has opened up opportunities for new Aggie blood to prove itself.
The Aggies return Cody Palmer to the ice as the only capable veteran but are far from being short staffed.
Utah State picked up San Jose State University goalie Alessandro Mullane in the offseason. Mullane, who started for the Spartans, ended last season with a 4-10 record. His transfer was a big acquisition for the Aggies.
While the position is still up for grabs, the battle remains a three-man show.
Russell Mckay is a transfer from University of Texas-Pan America, who came to Utah State this offseason.
“With those two, and Bryce and Cody,” Eccles said, “our goaltending should be really, really good.”
The addition of Mullane and Limb to the Aggie depth chart will take some of the pressure off of Palmer, who is entering his third season with Utah State.
“I believe we’ll be stronger, because we’re deep,” Eccles said.
Defensive depth has been a struggle for USU in the past, but this year the Aggies are pushing beyond the status quo.
“I think that defense has always been our question,” Martin said. “We’re carrying 10 guys right now, and we have four or five that are going to come out and contribute quite a lot.”
– meredith.kinney@aggiemail.usu.edu