60 Days. 60 Teams. 600 Words (or Less): Colorado College

Colorado College

2018-19 Record: 17-20-4 (9-12-3, 6th in NCHC)
Head Coach: Mike Haviland, 6th Year
Top returning scorers: Bryan Yoon (3G-23A) and Ben Copeland (9G-12A)
Top returning goaltender: Jon Flakne (Jr.)

Not exactly a Rocky Mountain high for Colorado College, the Tigers can take some much needed moral victories. The team beat the defending national champions, were the only school to tie St. Cloud State in St. Cloud and even swept Denver to end the regular season.

It's nowhere near the highs of the 90s and 2000s, but as Colorado College leaves yesterday behind to work towards Robson Arena, the downsized expectations put things in perspective. At this point, defeating those teams and a sixth-place NCHC finish can be considered a moral victory.

CC had its best season under Mike Haviland, improving for a third straight year. Junior Alex Leclerc continued being western Stefanos Lekkas, facing more shots on goal and making more saves than any goaltender in D1 men's NCAA hockey last season. Four players had double-digit goals. The Tigers had four separate streaks where the team was unbeaten in three games or more.

What's New: A visit from Minnesota. Obviously, that's the most important new thing, right? Right? The Gophers have not played at Broadmoor World Arena since 2012 (nor played CC for the Broadmoor since 2013) in a series where Justin Holl was checked through the glass.

Now that pitchforks have come out, let's turn this ruckus towards Ryan Ruck. The longtime Northeastern goaltender replaces Leclerc, who signed with Utah (ECHL), as a grad transfer. (He's not the only CC grad transfer. Westin Michaud will be heading in the other direction to North Dakota.) Haviland gets the latest Slavin - Josiah, a forward and brother of Jaccob - as part of a rookie class that includes four defenders, three forwards, and goaltender Matt Vernon.

The Tigers play Air Force in a Friday/Monday series around an NHL outdoor game in Colorado Springs. Coincidence or not, don't be surprised if one moves outdoors.

Closing Thoughts: The fact Colorado College currently holds the Gold Pan over Denver constitutes progress. The Tigers seem to be clawing out of a half-decade-long hole. Even then, it's possible this season might be a step back before coming home to a place they've never been before.

Besides four of the top five scorers graduating, Leclerc's early departure might be one of the biggest losses for any team. Ruck, the full-time starter his first two seasons with the Huskies before 2019 Mike Richter Award winner Cayden Primeau took over, on paper is a good replacement given the circumstances. It's difficult to replace the glue in goal that has been Leclerc, in addition to a senior class that improved the program on and off the ice each year.

To do so will be on the shoulders of a CC sophomore class which showed some promise. No matter the role, Ben Copeland and Grant Cruikshank were bright spots, as was Erik Middendorf at times. Dishing PP assists, Bryan Yoon put up 26 points on defense, a number only Cooper Zech and Marc Del Gaizo beat among freshmen D.

While there are pieces (Chris Wilkie staying healthy for his final season would help), Colorado College will be replacing 43% of its scoring and its longtime goalie. Step back or not before steps towards the future, there should be more moral victories.

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