Mavericks back on WCHA map

Conference parity and abundance of young talent gives fans reason for hope

by Dan Myers

Perhaps no team in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association has felt more of an effect from early departures as Minnesota State.

Early departures were the main subject of conversation a couple weeks ago when the WCHA coaches were on a conference call with the media. It affects the way coaches structure rosters and recruit.

In recent years, MSU has lost Grant Stevenson, David Backes, Ryan Carter and Steve Wagner to early departures. Surely, the Mavericks aren't alone. But MSU also isn't recruiting Kyle Okposo and T.J. Oshie every year, either.

These early departures have left the Mavericks with a lack of talent and depth in recent years. Last season's team - which finished in eighth place - was devastated by the early signings of Backes, Carter and defenseman Kyle Peto.

But this season, the Mavericks - despite losing their top defenseman from last season (Wagner) - have their deepest team since 2002-03, when the Mavericks finished tied for second in the WCHA and advanced to their only NCAA tournament.

That's not to predict that kind of success this season.

But after only a few weeks of practice, it's already crystal clear this Maverick bunch is the most talented group head coach Troy Jutting has had in years. And unlike years past, Jutting will admit it.

"I really like this group of kids," Jutting said. "I like the summer we had, I like their work ethic, I think we have very good team speed and while we are still very young, we have some experience."

As a sophomore last season, Jon Kalinski saw his goal total increase four-fold. That statistic is not uncommon.

"Players usually take their biggest jump between their freshman and sophomore years," Jutting said.

Which is a good omen for MSU this season and beyond. Last season, the Mavericks played with a slew of freshmen, including Kael Mouillierat, Zach Harrison, Jerad Stewart, James Gaulrapp, Nick Canzanello and Geoff Irwin.

At the beginning of the season, the Mavericks struggled. By the end, however, they were one of the better teams.

That group of freshmen is now sophomores, and if they can all make a jump half as big as Kalinski's, MSU will be in great shape.

The Mavericks have another good group of freshmen this season, which will follow last year's solid crop.

What does all this mean?

If the Mavericks can avoid any early departures following this season, the 2008-09 Mavericks may be ready to jump into WCHA title contention. But that doesn't mean Jutting is giving up on this season before it even begins tomorrow at Michigan Tech.

"I like this team," Jutting said. "The question is, are we ready? We're going to find out."

Dan Myers is the Reporter Sports Editor