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

Quinnipiac

2018-19 Record: 26-10-2 (14-6-2, T-1st in ECAC)
Head Coach: Rand Pecknold, 26th Year
Top returning scorer: Odeen Tufto (15G-27A)
Top returning goaltender: Keith Petruzzelli (Jr.)

Since discovering the nickname of Quinnipiac's home Hamden, CT is the "Land of the Sleeping Giant," I've unsuccessfully tried to get the factoid in stories. But this is my series. So, for better or worse, it's staying.

In the "Land of the Sleeping Giant," Quinnipiac has awoken once more.

The Bobcats returned to the NCAA Tournament after a two-year absence, winning at least a share of the ECAC title for the fourth time in seven seasons. Picked to finish eighth, Quinnipiac came within a game of advancing to its third Frozen Four of the 2010s. Andrew Shortridge had a season for the ages, finishing with an NCAA-leading .940% save percentage and 1.51 GAA. Chase Priskie led all defenders in goals (17). QU survived a season-ending injury to Brandon Fortunato.

None return. Priskie and Fortunato graduate. Shortridge, after his junior year, signed as an undrafted free agent with San Jose. Defender Brogan Rafferty also departed early, signing with Vancouver.

What's New: Not new to this series but new to Quinnipiac, the Connecticut Ice Festival will be contested for the first time January 25-26.

The Bobcats travel to Tempe to rematch the team QU defeated in the NCAA Tournament, Arizona State. Non-conference also includes a home-and-home series against both Massachusetts and AIC. In one of the ECAC's matchups, Quinnipiac hosts Yale to end the regular season on February 29 (QU makes the long, 10-mile drive to New Haven earlier in the month).

Following a 12-man rookie class in 2018-19, Pecknold's team features 10 freshmen plus a redshirt. Among the BCHL-heavy group are Logan Britt, who won a Clark Cup with Sioux Falls (USHL), and Skyler Brind'amour, son of Carolina (and Priskie's new) head coach Ron.

Closing Thoughts: At one time Quinnipiac was a nice surprise. Now, after the past decade, the Bobcats are a team not surprised to be in the conversation as a program most likely to win its first NCAA title, even if QU isn't the first program to come to mind. (At least out West. I wonder if the same can be said for a western team in a similar position, like a St. Cloud State, out East.)

However, there has to be a twinge of "what if" for Quinnipiac's title hopes last season. In range for a No. 1 seed, the team was different after Fortunato's February injury, missing a key component.

As much as QU will miss its seniors and early departures - when playing without Fortunato and Priskie on defense, the Bobcats were swept by Brown - a reason for the team's success has to do with the young underclassmen stepping up. The entire top line features underclassmen. Wyatt Bonglavanni had 14 goals as a freshman. Odeen Tufto put up 40+ points for a second straight season. Keith Petruzzelli, entering his junior season, in 12 starts last season finished with a .904% save percentage. There's also incoming freshman Evan Fear.

Amidst low expectations, the sleeping giants can rise up and take home a Cleary Cup and more. In another year of losses and a young team, it might depend whether someone like Peter DiLiberatore or one of the freshmen D can join Karlis Cukste and keep the blue line a team strength.

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