4. Northern Michigan University

Northern Michigan University

Key losses: Tuomas Tarkki, G; Andrew Contois, F; Kevin Gardner, F
Key Returnees: Nathan Oystrick, D; Jamie Milam, D; Darin Olver, F; Mike Santorelli, F
Key Recruits: Derek Janzen, G; Nathan Sigmund, F
Projected Leading Scorer: Darin Olver

Grades:
Offense: B
Defense: A-
Goaltending: C
Coaching: C+

Analysis:

The past three seasons, Northern Michigan has been right on the cusp of the NCAA tournament, only to be one of the last teams out of the tournament. This upcoming season is looking like it could be more of the same for Northern Michigan.

The biggest question for Northern Michigan next season is who will step up and replace last year’s league MVP Tuomas Tarkki. While Northern isn’t known for their consistency, Tarkki was extremely consistent, by not allowing more than 3 goals in any league game until the CCHA tournament against Fairbanks. It will be up to either redshirt sophomore Bill Zaniboni or freshmen Derek Janzen to replace Tarkki.

While the goalie situation looks bleak, Northern was in a similar position coming into last season when they lost four year starter Craig Kowalski. Zaniboni was a bit up and down last year, but he showed potential, including a great 45 save performance to earn a tie in Alaska last year. There is also hope that Janzen can earn some playing time. He comes out of the BCHL, which while primarily known as a scorer’s league, has produced some very impressive goalies in recent years including Jordan Sigalet, Tim Boron, and Hobey Baker finalist David LeNeveu.

The strength of Northern Michigan’s team will once again lie in their defense. If he doesn’t turn pro this summer, Northern will once again have one of the best defenseman in all of college hockey in Nathan Oystrick. Oystrick is as close to a complete package as anyone in college hockey. He’s big and physical, a good skater, and has a canon for a shot that makes him an offensive threat from the point. It is imperative that he comes back to school next season for Northern to be successful.

Right next to Oystrick is another big talented defenseman in Jamie Milam. Milam lacks the ability to physically dominate someone like Oystrick can, but he makes up for it with more offensive ability. With Northern Michigan’s offensive struggling and defense very solid, Milam has been moved up to forward from time to time.

The rest of the defense doesn’t have the same offensive talent, but is very good defensively. Geoff Waugh, Zach Tarkir, John Miller, and Bobby Selden are all very good defensive defenseman and should make the transition to either Zaniboni or Janzen a smooth one.

Northern will need to score more goals next season to be successful. Darin Olver was the only player to average more than a point per game last season. While Olver is the team’s best playmaker, the key to the offense will be Mike Santorelli. Santorelli is a pure goalscorer that is excellent on the powerplay. Santorelli helped get Dirk Southern back on track offensively after Southern suffered a sophomore slump.

Last year, NMU got four goals each from freshmen Matt Siddall and Timmy Hartung. I think both players will have break out years next season and score somewhere in the 10 goal range.

Northern speedy forward Andrew Contois after he was ruled ineligible, but replace with him small forward Nathan Sigmund. It will be interesting to see if Sigmund can play at the collegiate level despite only being 5’6”. Northern could definitely use another speedy playmaker.

Northern will be a very good team next year. They’ll still have to rely on defense and goaltending to get the job done, but should win a lot of games next year. With the WCHA being as deep as it is, however, I expect them to fall just short of their goal of the NCAA tournament once again.