Utah State hockey ready to take the ice

Amid the clamor surrounding the return of football, the Utah State hockey team is gearing up for its fast-approaching season.

Coach Jon Eccles leads his team into the new season after going 22-11-2 and making an appearance in the American Collegiate Hockey Association nationals for the fifth time in six years last season. Now in his 14th season at Utah State, coach Eccles has some holes to fill in his roster if the team is to replicate past success.

The Aggies’ top goal-scorer, Cooper Limb, along with the team’s assist leader, Rylee Orr, graduated following last season. Despite these losses, Eccles said the team will do fine.

“Those are two huge holes to fill,” Eccles said. “But we think that we’ve been able to bring in enough players to spread (scoring and assisting) out so it’s not just on that one player.”

Several players will look to fill the shoes of Limb and Orr. Morgan McJimsey, second on the team in goals last year, is returning for the Aggies. Alex Herman and Chris Cutshall also return as two of the top set-up wings for Utah State.

Though there are some empty shoes on the offensive end for Utah State, coach Eccles is pleased with the experience and talent he has on defense.

“On the defensive side, we’ve got eight guys that are very good,” Eccles said. “Six that are extremely good that have played at a very high level before and that are (veterans) on the team — so we know how they play, how they’re gonna react. We’re very confident on our (defensive) side.”

The Aggies will start off the season with a big slate of road games. Eight of the team’s first nine games will be on the road, including the season-opener against Weber State. The Aggies will play their first home game on Sept. 23 at the George S. Eccles Ice Center in North Logan.