2. Ohio State University

Ohio State University

Key losses: JB Bittner, F; Lee Spector, F; Thomas Welsh, D
Key Returnees: Dave Caruso, G; Tom Fritsche, F; Rod Pelley, F; Sean Collins, D
Key recruits: Corey Elkins, F; Nicholas Biondio, D
Projected leading scorer: Tom Fritsche

Grades:

Offense: B+
Defense: B
Goalie: A-
Coaching: B

Analysis:

Last season was a make or break year for Ohio State. In 2003-2004, Ohio State graduated a large senior class that improved the teams record in each of their four years at school, culminating in a 26 win season that included a CCHA playoff championship and another trip to the NCAA tournament. Last year’s team was faced with the challenge of maintaining that success despite a huge turnover of players. But after competing with Michigan once again for the regular season and playoff title, and making the NCAA tournament again, Ohio State has solidified their position as the CCHA’s second powerhouse team now that Michigan State has dropped out of that position.

One reason for the success of last season was the play of goalie David Caruso. Caruso took over for four year starter Mike Betz in the middle of the CCHA quarterfinal game against Notre Dame in 2004. Ohio State ended up coming back to win that game, and Caruso led Ohio State to two more wins to win the league playoff title, and played 70 minutes of shutout hockey in the NCAA tournament before losing to Wisconsin. The spotlight was on Caruso this year to see if he could maintain that success. He answered by being one of the best goalies in the CCHA despite losing the CCHA’s best defensive defenseman in Doug Andress to graduation last season.

A second reason for that success was the amazingly successful season of freshmen Tom Fritsche. Fritsche was a top rated recruit, but no one could have guessed he would lead the Buckeyes in scoring and finish tied for 5th in the country in assists. More than two-thirds of assists were dished out to underclassmen last year. Ohio State needed their underclassmen to produce last year and Fritsche put those players in a position to score goals.

Forwards Rod Pelley and Matt Beaudoin also stepped up for the Buckeyes, more than doubling their previous year’s point totals, mainly through the powerplay. Pelley and Beaudoin were one and two in the CCHA last year in powerplay goals.

While Pelley and Fritsche were the stars of the team, another freshmen, Domenic Maiani quietly also had a very good year, providing a solid second line center.

The only forward that the Buckeyes will lose next season is JB Bittner who was a hard-working sparkplug, but certainly not irreplaceable. Ohio State’s forwards were among the best in the CCHA last year, so they shouldn’t need too much improvement to stay that way.

On defense, Sean Collins was a very good offensive defenseman, but there lies a lot of potential in three sophomores; Kyle Hood, Jason DeSantis, and Johann Kroll. All three have the potential to be excellent all-around defenseman that should provide the core of the Buckeye defense for the next couple of seasons.


Overall, Ohio State fans have a lot to be excited about. This year’s team looks very good, and could take advantage of a young Michigan team to win their first ever regular season title. The future looks even bright as Caruso will be replaced by the best goalie in the class of 2006, and a number of other high profile recruits have already committed to the Buckeyes. Coach John Markell doesn’t even have to worry about shady figures like hamburger impresario Dave Thomas offering his players cash.

The only downside I can see for the Buckeyes is that their between period dodgeball tournaments will most likely be back for a second year after winning an award for the CCHA’s best marketing gimmick(yes, such an award exists), and a bunch of rednecks, on ice, throwing balls at each other can only end in tragedy and lawsuits.