Connecticut
2018-19 Record: 12-20-2 (7-15-2, 9th in Hockey East)
Head Coach: Mike Cavanaugh, 7th Year
Top returning scorers: Jachym Kondelik (4G-22A) and Alexander Payusov (16G-4A)
Top returning goaltender: Tomas Vomacka (So.)
Don't dismiss those sly trendsetters at Connecticut. The Huskies know a thing or two about being on the ground floor of trends, ending the season sweeping a pair of Hockey East teams and defeating Massachusetts a month before Minnesota Duluth made it championship cool.
Of course, it's not as impressive when finishing ninth in Hockey East and missing the conference tournament entirely.
That's where UConn finds itself entering 2019-20, a young squad which seems to have pieces in place yet unable to reach the big stage. Connecticut has been around, traveling to exotic places like Belfast and Las Vegas. The Huskies were nowhere near Buffalo or even an AHL building not its own in late-March.
Of course, it's not as impressive when finishing ninth in Hockey East and missing the conference tournament entirely.
That's where UConn finds itself entering 2019-20, a young squad which seems to have pieces in place yet unable to reach the big stage. Connecticut has been around, traveling to exotic places like Belfast and Las Vegas. The Huskies were nowhere near Buffalo or even an AHL building not its own in late-March.
What's New: Head coach Mike Cavanaugh appears to have a solid new group hopping aboard the #IceBus.
Three incoming Huskies freshmen were drafted among the top 106 picks in June's NHL Draft. Forward Vladislav Firstov was selected in the second round (42nd overall) by the Minnesota Wild. (Only Tage Thompson has been drafted higher in UConn's history.) Edmonton picked forward Matej Blumel with the 100th overall pick. Defender Carter Berger went six picks later to Florida.
That haul doesn't include 2020 NHL Draft eligible Yan Kuznetsov. The 2002-born defender (yes, you're old and no, he's not related to Evgeny) will be one of college hockey's youngest players but listed at 6'3", 201 lbs.
Cavanaugh does lose goaltender Adam Huska and defender Philip Nyberg early. Both signed pro contracts after the season ended.
Lastly, the Huskies, in a year where the most exotic visit is a trip to the prestigious Ledyard Classic, are one of four Connecticut schools playing in the brand-new Connecticut Ice Festival (AKA the Nutmeg State's Beanpot).
Closing Thoughts: UConn has been a team where lately it's tough to know what to make. Individual high points such as Alexander Payusov going from 12 to 16 goals end up overlooked. The team got out to a 4-2-1 start despite a national-high 12 freshmen last season before a 1-10 stretch to end the first half doomed the Huskies to its fifth straight sub-.500 finish since joining Hockey East.
Year in and year out I expect this season to be the one where UConn turns a corner rather than be one in the bottom third in both team offense and defense. It has not happened yet. Sadly, that's been Connecticut's lasting trend.
If anything, the Huskies would want more attention for UConn's trend of recruiting in Europe and internationally. As more international players play college hockey, it's a trend Cavanaugh has been on the forefront. Connecticut had six Europeans suiting up last season. Firstov (Russia), Blumel (Czech Republic) and Kuznetsov (Russia) all come in after playing juniors in North America last season.
They're not alone. Tomas Vomacka (Czech Republic via Lincoln Stars) took over UConn's net for the final month to the point where Huska saw the writing on the wall.
Connecticut once again has a young team with individual talent. While I'm not sure whether this is the season the Huskies turn the corner, it would be nice to see the team get people talking about a trend that led it to the big stage.
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If you enjoyed this blog, you can follow Nate on Twitter and like/subscribe to his Facebook page. Thanks!
Year in and year out I expect this season to be the one where UConn turns a corner rather than be one in the bottom third in both team offense and defense. It has not happened yet. Sadly, that's been Connecticut's lasting trend.
If anything, the Huskies would want more attention for UConn's trend of recruiting in Europe and internationally. As more international players play college hockey, it's a trend Cavanaugh has been on the forefront. Connecticut had six Europeans suiting up last season. Firstov (Russia), Blumel (Czech Republic) and Kuznetsov (Russia) all come in after playing juniors in North America last season.
They're not alone. Tomas Vomacka (Czech Republic via Lincoln Stars) took over UConn's net for the final month to the point where Huska saw the writing on the wall.
Connecticut once again has a young team with individual talent. While I'm not sure whether this is the season the Huskies turn the corner, it would be nice to see the team get people talking about a trend that led it to the big stage.
Recent 60 Days. 60 Teams. 600 Words (or Less) Features
Omaha
Alaska
Robert Morris
Colgate
Every Team So Far
--
If you enjoyed this blog, you can follow Nate on Twitter and like/subscribe to his Facebook page. Thanks!
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