60 Days. 60 Teams. 600 Words (or Less): Northeastern

Northeastern University

2018-19 Record: 27-11-1 (15-8-1, T-2nd in Hockey East)
Head Coach: Jim Madigan, 9th Year
Top returning scorer: Tyler Madden (12G-16A)
Top returning goaltenders: Curtis Frye (Sr.) and Nick Scarpa (So.)

With each passing season, it seems Northeastern can't possibly find a way to top the previous one before topping it. Right now the Huskies are top dogs in Boston with all the city's trophies. Northeastern, from 2017-18 to 2018-19, was able to turn a Beanpot and Hobey Baker Award into another Beanpot, a Mike Richter Award and Hockey East conference tournament championship.

Helping Northeastern coming off back-to-back NCAA Tournaments for the first time in program history is the continued growth of several forwards. Zach Solow went from 5 to 15 goals as a sophomore, putting away both the Beanpot championship and scoring the OT goal to send BU home in the Hockey East semifinals. Tyler Madden, meanwhile, had a freshman season that made NHL teams look foolish for letting him slip into the third round.

However, the Huskies lose two key players early in defender Jeremy Davies and goaltender Cayden Primeau (the aforementioned Mike Richter Award winner).

What's New: Although both returning goaltenders listed above are on the roster, neither has played in a game for the Huskies. Primeau turned pro and the previous starter Ryan Ruck left as a graduate transfer for Colorado College.

Ruck is not the only grad transfer goalie. Coming in for Northeastern is Merrimack's starting goaltender for the past two seasons, Craig Pantano. Connor Murphy, who led the CCHL in GAA last year, also arrives.

Madigan also brings in longtime New Hampshire forward Brendan van Riemsdyk as a grad transfer. Among the 11 freshmen are Rangers draft pick Riley Hughes (F), Oilers draft pick Mike Kesselring (D), Canucks pick Aidan McDonough (F) and Montreal 2019 2nd round pick Jayden Struble (D).

Closing Thoughts: As the Huskies build upon its own success - 2018-19's 27 wins were a program-high - what stands out is NU not building towards a national title contender with a single class.

The Huskies have had consistent hits mixed with good decisions. (i.e. Getting older, talented players. Two of the three incoming drafted freshmen were drafted in 2018. Struble was a late add and planned on playing juniors.) Over the past four seasons, four Northeastern players have left early for the NHL. Madigan's teams have survived losing major contributors to when one national scoring leader (Zach Aston-Reese) graduates, another (Adam Gaudette) pops up. When he leaves early, the team makes the NCAA Tournament again.

This season, the test will be making it happen again without a top defender and scorer, along with a goaltender who had an elite season and a senior class that averaged the eighth-most goals per game. Some of the moves help stop the bleeding. Pantano gives veteran presence in goal and played well when Merrimack had some defense his first year starting. van Riemsdyk had 9 goals last season.

As difficult to say Northeastern, with few firsts remaining, can't possibly find a way to top last season, it comes down to the next group - the Solows and Maddens and Filipes and Jozefeks - following and taking that next step. It wouldn't be a surprise to see a couple do just that.

If not, those good decisions have rewarded the Huskies with back-to-back Beanpots and no more talk of 1988.

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