Men’s Hockey Opens Season Saturday – Ohio State Buckeyes
9/28/1999 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Sept. 28, 1999
HOCKEY TIME…ALREADY
Ohio State will begin its quest for the school’s third consecutive NCAA Tournament berth this weekend when the Buckeyes open their season against Wayne State Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. in Value City Arena (17,500). The Buckeyes will then face the University of Windsor in an exhibition game Sunday afternoon at 2:05 p.m.
THE BROADCAST, COMING SOON
Ohio State’s games this weekend will not be aired. WOSU (820 AM) Radio has, however, announced plans to broadcast 28 regular season games and all postseason games live to OSU fans in central Ohio. Herb Howenstine and John Mowat will call the games, with the first broadcast coming Oct. 15 against Western Michigan. Central Ohio Sport! Television will also produce eight games for a tape delay broadcast this year. Randy Rhinehart and Bill McKenzie will call the action.
TO COUNT OR NOT TO COUNT
As is usually the case with early season matchups, there are questions about how the statistics officially affect Ohio State. To clear things up: The win or loss and the statistics earned against Wayne State will count in OSU’s overall published totals, but at the end of the season the win or loss will not affect the Buckeyes chances of qualifying for the NCAA Tournament. None of the statistics or the win or loss against Windsor will affect Ohio State’s official record or stats. It is considered an exhibition game.
PRESEASON HYPE
Ohio State was picked to finish fourth by the media and fifth by the coaches in the annual CCHA preseason polls. The Buckeyes received 356 points in the media poll, 33 less than third place Northern Michigan. OSU also received one first place vote in the media poll, which is voted on by 41 people. The Buckeyes received 93 points in the coaches poll, 11 less than fourth place Notre Dame. The coaches picked Michigan to win the conference, while the media selected Michigan State as the projected champion by the slimmest of margins. Last season, Ohio State was picked to finish second in the CCHA by both the media and the coaches.
NATIONAL PRESEASON HYPE
Ohio State was No. 17 in The Sporting News preseason rankings. Boston College was ranked No. 1, followed by Minnesota, defending national champion Maine, and Michigan. The rankings, published each year, are solely the opinion of certain Sporting News editorial staff members.
CAPTAINS ANNOUNCED
Senior Ryan Jestadt and junior Andre Signoretti were named captains of the 1999-00 OSU hockey team. There will be no assistant captains on this year’s squad. Jestadt, a defenseman from Western Springs, Ill., led all CCHA defensemen in goals scored in league games last season (eight). Signoretti, a defenseman from Manotick, Ont., was a second team all-CCHA selection last season and is best remembered by Ohio State fans for scoring the overtime game-winner in the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 1998, sending the Buckeyes to the Frozen Four.
WAYNE STATE SERIES INFO
Ohio State and Wayne State have never met prior to this season. In fact, Wayne State has never met any opponent prior to this season. The Warriors are in their first year of offering hockey as a varsity sport. WSU has applied for Division I status through the NCAA and is now in the mandatory waiting period.
SCOUTING THE WARRIORS
Wayne State is fielding a hockey team for the first time since 1938 this season. The squad’s roster contains 23 freshmen, two sophomores, and one junior. The Warriors will compete as an associate member of college hockey’s newest conference – CHA (College Hockey America) – along with Bemidji State, Niagara, Air Force, Army, Alabama-Huntsville, and Findlay. The team will play its home games in the Michigan State Fairground Coliseum. Wayne State, located in Detroit, Mich., is coached by former Western Michigan head coach Bill Wilkinson, a 17-year veteran of the CCHA. Wilkinson guided the Broncos to three NCAA Tournament appearances and was named the CCHA Coach of the Year on three occasions (1984-86-96).
WILKINSON VS. MARKELL
While Wilkinson was with Western Michigan, he and Markell met 13 times. Ohio State went 5-6-2 in those games, including 4-0-1 in the last five meetings.
WINDSOR SERIES INFO
Ohio State is a perfect 12-0 all-time versus Windsor. The schools last met on Dec. 6, 1985 in the OSU Ice Arena when the Buckeyes rolled to a 14-5 win. The schools first met in 1975, with Ohio State outscoring the Lancers 16-4 in a two-game sweep.
SCOUTING THE LANCERS
Just one year after qualifying for its second straight CIAU National Championship tournament, Windsor will attempt to recover from the loss of 75 percent of the team’s offense and two CIAU all-stars. The Lancers will be led offensively by forwards Jamie Carr and Matt MacPherson. In goal, CIAU all-Rookie team netminder Ryan Gelinas returns. The Lancers are coached by Mike Rice, who has served as an assistant at Windsor for the past five seasons.
AND THEN THERE WERE EIGHT
Ohio State is one of only eight schools in the country that have qualified for the last two NCAA Tournaments. The others are New Hampshire, North Dakota, Michigan, Colorado College, Clarkson, Boston College, and Michigan State.
BUILD FOR THE FUTURE
Ohio State has had seven freshmen earn some type of all-Rookie team honors (either first team or honorable mention) the past three seasons, more than any other school in the conference. OSU joins Notre Dame as the only school to place someone on the all-Rookie team for three consecutive seasons (Jason Crain, 1999, Jeff Maund, 1998, Hugo Boisvert, 1997).
MOVIN’ ON UP
For the first time in history, Ohio State will play each of its home games in Value City Arena – the premier collegiate hockey arena in the country. Last season, the Buckeyes played their first five home games in the OSU Ice Arena before moving into Value City Arena in early January. The team went a combined 8-3-1 in the building and averaged 10,206 fans per game.
THE 1999 SCHEDULE
A minimum of 21 home games highlight this season’s OSU hockey schedule. The Buckeyes will host defending national champion Maine on Oct. 29 and 31. It marks the second straight season and the third time in the last four years that Ohio State has met the defending national champion. Cornell, Colgate, Vermont, Dartmouth, Wayne State, and Mercyhurst are OSU’s non-conference matchups this season. The Buckeyes will face arch-rival Michigan four times – twice at home and twice on the road.
NEW CCHA TEAM
The University of Nebraska-Omaha becomes the 12th member of the CCHA this season. UNO will visit Value City Arena for a pair of games on Nov. 19-20.
HEAD COACH JOHN MARKELL
TURNAROUND ARTIST
Now in his sixth season as head coach at Ohio State, John Markell has engineered one of the most remarkable turnarounds in college hockey. Just three years after taking over a program that had averaged just nine wins per season in the 1990’s, he led the Buckeyes to their first-ever NCAA Tournament berth and on to the NCAA Frozen Four. Last season, Markell’s Buckeyes earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year.
CLIMBING THE LADDER
In each of Markell’s first four seasons, the Buckeyes won more games than they did the prior year. Ohio State has also never finished lower in the CCHA standings than it did the previous season under Markell. He will enter the 1999-00 season with a 72-80-13 career record.
BRINGING HOME THE HARDWARE
Markell was named the CCHA Coach of the Year in 1998 and was the runner-up for the Spencer Penrose Award, given to the National Coach of the Year. Since he has taken over as head coach, Ohio State has produced three All-Americans, three first-team all-CCHA selections, and a Hobey Baker Award finalist (only the second in school history). Markell’s 1997-98 team captured the Ohio Cup – awarded annually to the winningest college hockey program in the Buckeye state.
BUILDING FOR THE FUTURE
Under Markell’s keen recruiting eye, Ohio State has had seven players earn either CCHA all-Rookie team or honorable mention honors – more than any other school in the conference. Ohio State joins Notre Dame as the only school in the CCHA that has placed at least one player on the all-Rookie team for the past three seasons.
PRODUCING PROFESSIONALS
Four Ohio State players have been selected in the National Hockey League entry draft since Markell has taken the reins at Ohio State (Brandon Lafrance, Eric Meloche, Chris Feil, and Jason Crain), one of whom became the highest draft pick in school history (Crain – 3rd round). Two other Buckeyes that played under Markell also signed free agent contracts with NHL teams (Hugo Boisvert and Jeff Maund).
OPEN DOOR POLICY
A hands-on coach with an open-door policy, Markell was officially named the new hockey coach at Ohio State on May 22, 1995, becoming the seventh head mentor in the program’s 35-year history. The team’s positive response to Markell’s new leadership style was a key factor in the school’s decision to make the promotion to head coach permanent. “It is imperative that our players feel like they can be open with the coaching staff. Mutual trust between players and coaches builds mutual respect,” Markell said.
ONE OF THE CCHA’S GREATEST
A 1979 graduate of Bowling Green State University, Markell is still regarded as one of the CCHA’s finest players ever. He is one of only five players in conference history to be named first-team all-CCHA three times. In four years with the Falcons, he recorded 236 career points on 102 goals and 134 assists. He currently ranks sixth all-time in career scoring at BGSU. Markell heldped his team to a stunning 117-34-4 record from 1976 to 1979 and three CCHA regular season championships.
OFF THE ICE
Away from hockey, Markell is an avid golfer. He enjoys spending time with his wife Kim and sons Ryan and Taylor as well as returning to his hometown of Cornwall, Ontario, where his parents still reside.
NEW CCHA SCHEDULING FORMAT
The CCHA has adopted a new scheduling format this season and divided the 12 schools into three groups or clusters. Ohio State’s cluster contains Michigan, Bowling Green, and Miami. Schools will play opponents in their own cluster four times – twice at home and twice on the road – and every other CCHA team not in their cluster twice.
NEW PLAYOFF FORMAT
Unlike previous years when the league’s top eight teams qualified for the CCHA Playoffs, 10 teams will play in the 2000 CCHA tourney. After the first round when five seeds remain, the lowest two seeds will meet in a single play-in game, with the winner advancing to Joe Louis Arena to complete the CCHA Final Four.
NEW LOOK
Remember the commemorative jerseys worn for the inaugural game in Value City Arena last season? That look will now become the full-time style for the 1999-00 Buckeyes. The jerseys come in three colors (red, white, and black), each with its own distinct trim, and feature and old-fashioned drawstring tie. Ohio State is the only school in the country that will wear this style of jersey, which was designed by Nike.
ENOUGH WITH THE NEW ALREADY
Ohio State boasts eight newcomers this season, but it’s the 16 returning letterwinners that head coach John Markell is counting on to lead his team. Ohio State also returns all six regular defensemen from last year’s team.
SEASON PREVIEW
Entering last season, more than a handful of college hockey fans were prepared to watch what they had called a fluke Final Four team flop on its collective head. The result? A second consecutive NCAA Tournament berth. Ohio State head coach John Markell will look to his team for that same kind of resiliance entering the 1999-00 season. The Buckeyes attempt to recover from the loss of two All-Americans and a wealth of experience up the middle from last year’s squad.
DEVELOPMENT IS KEY
Two talented and experienced wingers – senior Eric Meloche (11-16-27) and junior Jean-Francois Dufour (9-15-24) – should provide a large chunk of Ohio State’s offense this season. Meloche, who enters the season just three points shy of 100 for his career, finished his sophomore season with 48 points – including 26 goals. Last year, nagging injuries visibly slowed him for months. He played in only 34 games and collected 26 points. Dufour, an honorable mention CCHA all-Rookie team performer two seasons ago, has averaged 25 points per year in his first two seasons and was one of Ohio State’s most consistent performers in the second half last year. Meloche and Dufour’s scoring chances may hinge on the development of two centers – sophomore Mike McCormick (1-1-2) and junior Vinnie Grant (5-11-16) – that face the undaunting task of replacing All-American Hugo Boisvert and Chris Richards. McCormick, a sought after recruit and superb skater, played in 14 games last season before missing the second half to concentrate on his studies. Grant, who like McCormick came to OSU under the pressure of heavy expectations, has shown flashes of brilliance in his first two years, but has not been as consistent as he will need to be this year. Seniors Louie Colsant (6-8-14) and Jason Selleke (2-2-4) return to anchor Ohio State’s checking line. They might be joined by sophomore Nick Ganga (4-4-8), who played in 35 games last year. Don’t be surprised if that line produces some unexpected offense, either. All three of those players were prolific scorers in junior hockey, but have failed to find their scoring touch in college. The OSU coaching staff has high expectations for redshirt freshman center Ryan Smith (0-2-2). A great skater with an excellent shot, Smith played in eight games last year before being granted a medical redshirt. Certain freshman will see playing time immediately this year. Miguel Lafleche (Hawksbury Hawks), a projected NHL draft pick before sustaining a midseason injury last year, will figure heavilyinto OSU’s offensive scheme. Former Springfield Blues linemates Nic Boileau and T.J. Latorre will also battle for playing time right away.
THE STRONG SUIT
Ohio State returns all six defensemen from last year’s squad and adds an NAHL all-star with a healthy last name. Second-team all-CCHA pick Andre Signoretti (3-21-24) will make a run at All-America honors this year. An elusive puck-handler, Signoretti finished last season tied for fourth among defensemen in league scoring. Ryan Jestadt (9-3-12), winner of last year’s Most Improved Player Award, tied for the league lead in goals scored by a defenseman in CCHA games (8). Jason Crain (3-14-17) used his summer vacation to be selected in the 3rd round of the NHL entry draft by the Los Angeles Kings. An offensive-minded defenseman that loves to join the rush, Crain could develop into the league’s premier defenseman in the next three years. Ohio State’s top two defensive defensemen, Ryan Skaleski (2-0-2) and Scott Titus (2-7-9), also return. Skaleski is a fiery, big blueliner that takes up a lot space in front of the OSU net. Titus won the team’s Rookie of the Year award last seson. Jaisen Freeman (3-3-6), who played in 35 games last season, brings a big shot and added strength to OSU’s defensive corps. Freshman and former NAHL all-star Peter Broccoli will challenge for playing time immediately on defense. Broccoli, likened to current Buckeye Andre Signoretti by the OSU coaching staff, led his Detroit Compuware team to the Junior A National Championship last season.
BREATHING EASY
Many teams would panic over the thought of losing All-American goalie Jeff Maund to the National Hockey League after only two years. Not Ohio State. Ray Aho, who has served as a more-than-capable backup to Maund the past two seasons, will be the leading candidate for the job entering fall camp. Over the past two seasons, Aho has put up numbers similar to Maund’s (2.46 GAA, .913 sv. pct.). Two years ago as OSU’s regular goalie, Aho earned honorable mention CCHA all-Rookie team honors. Freshman Peter Wishloff will battle Aho for playing time. Wishloff led his team to the Royal Bank Cup, Canada’s Junior A national championship, in 1998 and was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player.
ON THE UPSWING
After 13 straight seasons of finishing in fifth place or lower, Ohio State has now claimed third place for two consecutive seasons in the CCHA. After not qualfiying for the NCAA Tournament for 34 consecutive years, Ohio State has now received an invitation to the tournament for two straight seasons.
TO THE NEXT LEVEL
Two Ohio State underclassman signed professional contracts with NHL teams over the summer. All-American goaltender Jeff Maund signed a deal with Chicago Blackhawks. Hobey Baker finalist and two-time All-American Hugo Boisvert inked a pact with the expansion Atlanta Thrashers.
IN THE WINGS
One promising young defenseman will practice with the Buckeyes this season but will not see any live game action. Eric Skaug, a product of the national runner-up Omaha Lancers, will be forced to sit this year out because of prior Major Junior experience. Skaug, voted the the best defenseman last season on a team with four blueliners that are headed to the college ranks, will seek reinstatement of his eligibility next season.
OHIO STATE LAST SEASON
Ohio State finished last season 21-16-4 overall and in third place in the CCHA for with a 17-10-3 mark. The Buckeyes received an invitation to the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year, but fell to eventual national champion Maine, 4-2, in the first round. In the CCHA Tournament, OSU received the third seed and swept Ferris State at home in the first round before falling to Michigan, 3-2, in the CCHA semifinals in Detroit, Mich. Center Hugo Boisvert and goalie Jeff Maund were second team All-Americans and first-team all-CCHA picks. Andre Signoretti was a second team all-league selection. Boisvert led the team in scoring with 24-27-51 totals, marking the second straight season the former Buckeye broke the 50-point barrier. OSU faced one of the nation’s toughst schedules, playing just 17 games in Columbus and 24 games on the road.
-GO BUCKS!-
