12. Western Michigan University

Western Michigan University

Key losses: Vince Bellissimo, Pat Dwyer, Jim McNamara
Key Returnees: Brent Walton, Paul Szczechura, Mike Erickson
Projected leading scorer: Brent Walton

Grades:
Offense: C
Defense: F
Goalie: C-
Coaching: D

Analysis:

On paper, this team doesn’t look so awful. They only lose 4 significant contributors while returning a ton of high scoring forwards. The only problem is that as good as their forwards are, they aren’t able to match the number of goals that their defense gives up. Their defense was just plain awful last year, and looks like it will be the same next year. Goalie Daniel Bellissimo was thrown into a no-win situation last year and still ended up with a save percentage close to 90%. He’s shown some promise, but lacks the defense in front of him to shine.

Coach Jim Culhane is one of a number of coaches that is on the hot seat this year. He very well could be on his way out after this season. Culhane has made a promise to bring back “tough, fun, physical play” next season. That really sounds like coach speak for “at least we’re going to goon it up when we’re getting our lunch handed to us”

I think Western’s biggest problem right now is they are trying to compete in the CCHA with a 1990’s mentality, meaning that they are trying to build their team through Ontario-born players. That just doesn’t work anymore. With the expansion of the OHL, there simply aren’t enough good players in Ontario that want to play college hockey. But that hasn’t stopped Western from trying to build their team from that area and it just isn’t working.

The best course of action would probably be for Western to play out this season. Once the season is over, they can replace Culhane and bring in a new guy to inject some energy into the program. Ideally, the new coach would be able to bring a connection to the USHL, allowing Western to have more of an equal shot in the league that is producing the best talent right now.