University of Connecticut Athletics
Huskies Set to Take the Ice for 2003-04
10/3/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
STORRS, CT (Oct. 3) - The 2003-04 University of Connecticut men’s ice hockey team is excited and poised to begin a new season with the hope of using more consistent and physical play to improve upon things that didn’t go according to plan last year. Head coach Bruce Marshall, back for his 16th season at UConn, believes his squad has the character and work ethic to be a competitive and disciplined team, and one that will bring excitement back to the rink for the 2003-04 season. The team will be looking to up the intensity level in order to get back in the top half of the league, which this season will be the newly formed Atlantic Hockey and will include all nine former members of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.
The Huskies lost three of their top four goal-scorers from 2002-03 due to graduation, and the team will need their experienced returnees as well as their vast incoming freshman class to contribute quickly on offense. Junior Tim Olsen (Vadnais Heights, MN) is the team’s top returning forward statistically, having scored 10 goals and 13 assists for 23 points to rank third on the squad last season. Last season was Olsen’s first with the Huskies after transferring from Augsburg College, and he immediately proved his worth to the program.
The senior class will lead by experience and their desire to go out having met expectations they were unable to fulfill last year. Team captain Eric Nelson (Big Lake, MN) has had a strong three years for the Huskies, and will be counted on again this year to anchor the defense. Nelson can be an offensive weapon from the blue line, and contributed three goals and nine assists last season. Forward Matt Owens (Framingham, MA), the team’s sixth-leading scorer in 2002-03, plays both ends of the ice well and will be looked to for leadership and to increase his point production. Rounding out the senior class are goaltenders Jason Carey (Oakdale, MN) and Artie Imbriano (Stoneham, MA), who split time in goal last season with Carey playing in 21 games and Imbriano seeing action in 14 games. Carey is known for his work ethic, and has come through with some big performances in his career with the Huskies. Imbriano has had a solid career at UConn, and will hope to have a breakthrough year in his final season with the Huskies.
The junior class showcases some of the best talent on the squad, including Olsen and forward Matt Grew (Yarmouthport, MA). Olsen showed a knack for finding the net in his first season with UConn, and will be expected to top the list in scoring this season. Grew is a fast skater with an explosive shot who will be expected to be a leader in offensive statistical categories. Junior Mark Murphy (Jamestown, RI) is an aggressive defenseman who skates and moves the puck well. Murphy was named an MAAC Co-Player of the Week after a three-goal performance over two games against Quinnipiac last season, and finished his sophomore season ranked sixth on the team in points. He should keep increasing his point production and physical play this year. Beau McLaughlin (Virginia Beach, VA) showed great improvement from his freshman to sophomore years, and is a tenacious penalty killer and strong skater. Tough defenseman Adam Rhein (Cottage Grove, MN) will be counted upon to lead the defensive corps with his physical style of play.
The sophomore class displays size and talent that will be integral to the success of the Huskies this season. Chris Uber (Ithaca, NY) saw action in all but one game for UConn as a freshman, and will be expected to contribute solid performances this season. Forward Marcus Baxter (Coral Springs, FL) is a competitor known for doing the little things that often go unnoticed, but contributes greatly to the team’s success. Eric St. Arnauld (Marquette, MI) is also a tough competitor who plays both ends of the ice well, and will be looked to for increased production this season. He was the only skater to have played in all 34 games in 2002-03. Redshirt sophomore Michael Hoffman (Scituate, MA), at 6-6, will be looked to become a stronger presence on the ice this season. Hoffman was able to gain experience last year after sitting out his freshman season, and notched two goals and eight assists. Rounding out the sophomore class is Aaron Kakepetum (Balmertown, Ontario), who transfers to UConn this season from Iona College where funding was dropped for the men’s ice hockey program. Kakepetum is a steady physical player who should help bolster the defensive unit immediately with his size.
With their number at 15, the freshmen class makes up just slightly more than half of this year’s squad. Coach Marshall has recruited a talented class who has numerous accomplishments to their names from their time in the junior leagues. B.J. Crum (Hampden, MA) is a rugged defenseman who will be looked to for physical play from the blue line. Nick Marean (Waukee, IA) and J.R. Corkery (Salt Lake City, UT) are teammates from the Danville Wings of the NAHL. Marean is a solid defenseman who was consistent in his junior league play, and Corkery is a solid two-way forward who will compete every shift. Bill West (Ballston Lake, NY) is a strong skater who should add a physical presence on defense. James Martin (Rogers, MN) had a solid junior league career with the Tri-City Storm (USHL) and will add speed to the offense and blue line. A strong player, forward Bill Magnuson (Rochdale, MA), can put the puck in the net and could likely be a leader in scoring for the Huskies. Cole Koidahl (Minneapolis, MN) is an offensive forward who can be a playmaker, and Jarrett Scarpaci (Billerica, MA) is a small forward who can find the back of the net and add a scoring touch on the squad. Both Scott McDougall (Mansfield, MA) and Trevor Stewart (Elk River, MN) are solid skaters with good speed who can put the puck in the net, and Eric Helstedt (Minot, ND) and Matt Scherer (Seattle, WA) are big forwards who play the body and are strong along the wall. Alan Stevenson (Utica, NY) is a tough, small forward who works hard in the corners, and skilled forward Brian Burns (Binghamton, NY) can play defense if needed but will be used for his offensive presence. Scott Tomes (Windham, NH) will compete with seniors Carey and Imbriano for playing time in goal, and should be able to crack the lineup and see action this season.
Coach Marshall is excited about the balance in the 2003-04 schedule between out-of-conference games as well as a demanding Atlantic Hockey lineup. His young team will be challenged early on as they play their first eight games on the road. Marshall believes this will help the team come together quickly as the play dividends later on in the season. The first regular season contest for UConn will be at UMass Amherst on October 9, followed by a contest with Rensselaer which will mark the first meeting between the two teams since RPI became a Division I program. The Huskies then travel to Alabama for a two-game series against Alabama-Huntsville on Oct. 24 and 25. UConn will close out the month of October with a game at in-state rival and Atlantic Hockey opponent Quinnipiac.
The month of November begins with three more Atlantic Hockey road games at Canisius, Mercyhurst and American International before the Huskies return home for a five-game stretch. UConn will host American International to begin the home series on November 15, and then host Holy Cross on November 21. A contest versus Quinnipiac follows on the 22, and the Huskies will host non-conference foe Bemidji in two games on November 25 and 28. On December 2, UConn will travel to Holy Cross, and then take the majority of the month off before traveling to Vermont on December 20. At the end of the month the Huskies will host the annual UConn Hockey Classic, with Sacred Heart, Bentley and the Air Force Academy, which are scheduled to take part.
UConn begins 2004 with three consecutive road games, first traveling to Atlantic Hockey opponent Holy Cross, and then to non-conference opponents Brown and Yale on January 16 and 17. A two-game home stretch versus Mercyhurst on January 23 and 24 precedes another two-game stretch which will have the Huskies travel to Sacred Heart on the 30 and host them on the 31 for Alumni Day.
February opens with a two-game series at Bentley on the 6th and 7th, and continues with UConn hosting Canisius on February 13 and 14. Two of the Huskies’ last three home games will be against Atlantic Hockey opponent Army on February 20 and 27, and between the two, UConn will travel to Quinnipiac on the 21 and to Sacred Heart on the 24.
The last home game for UConn falls on March 5 against American International, on a night when the Huskies will honor their seniors. A game at Army on March 6 closes out the regular-season for Connecticut.
