Michigan State:

The Spartans will look to repeat as CCHA champions as they enter the 2001-2002 with their Hobey Baker Award winning goalie, junior Ryan Miller, back for another year.

Along with Miller, Michigan State will return five defenseman, led by seniors Andrew Hutchinson and Jon Insana. Their blue line will once again be one of the best in the nation, providing throttling defense while adding offensive flare. Hutchinson scored 24 points last season on five goals and 19 assists.

Up front, the Spartans lost the majority of their scoring power with the departure of five senior forwards who scored over 20 points apiece. To replace them, the Spartans will add six new forwards to the lineup who they hope will provide the team with energy and unique skills.

Senior captain Adam Hall, who finished with 18 goals and 12 assists last season, and junior Brian Maloney are expected to be Michigan State"s top offensive performers.

Miller, who held a stingy 1.32 goals against average last season, should be in top form as he prepares to enter the new season. Miller also led the nation in wins, winning percentage, save percentage and shutouts.

"When you have a Hobey Baker goaltender you are going to be well respected," Michigan coach Ron Mason said. We have the kind of team that should be in every game we play. That"s the key in our league if you can win the close games, you will develop a good record."

Miami:

This season"s squad should continue what was started last season at Miami, with 22 players from that team returning to wear the red and white in 2001-2002. The RedHawks know what it takes to win, and want to prove to the rest of the league that last season wasn"t a fluke.

"We"ve got to take nothing for granted, and enjoy the journey," coach Enrico Blasi said. "We"ve established the fact that we have a good work ethic, and a good system in place. Our guys believe in it. They"re as focused as I"ve seen in a team. They believe in each other. They"re a family."

Blasi"s squad ended the 2000-2001 campaign in disappointing fashion losing to Bowling Green in their first round playoff series. With nine returning seniors, a letdown shouldn"t be a problem this season.

"I don"t care what anybody says, you win with your seniors," Blasi said. "If you"re going to win a championships your seniors are going to lead you there."

Leading the charge for the RedHawks will be senior Jason Deskins, a second team All-CCHA selection last season.

Ohio State:

Ohio State enters the 2001-2002 campaign ready to make itself a force in the CCHA. The Buckeyes finished seventh in the conference last season with a record of 17-18-2, but plan to build off a strong performance by a freshman class comprised of 10 players.

Those players will be one year more experienced this season which means a lot in a tough conference like the CCHA.

"There"s not a tremendous amount of anxiety like when you"ve got a young team," Ohio State coach John Markell said. "As far as going into the season, we know the structure of our forechecking system and our backchecking system. We"ve also done a good job lifting and preparing ourselves for the CCHA."

Markell"s Buckeyes have reason to believe they can contend for the title this season with 20 of 22 letter-winners from last season returning.

"Obviously when you"re not going to be making too many additions to your lineup, along with the way we finished the season on a positive note, we can carry all of that into the season," Markell said.

Ohio State will count on super sophomores R. J. Umberger and Dave Steckel to continue what they started last season when they were selected to the CCHA All-Rookie team. Markell expects both guys to be even better this season.

Western Michigan:

The upcoming season looks to be very promising for Bronco head coach Jim Culhane. After being picked to finish next to last in the CCHA last fall, Western Michigan was able to raise its level of play and finish fifth. The Broncos also finished seventh nationally in scoring. This year, with the return of 21 players from last season, the Broncos have the experience needed to contend in the CCHA.

The NCAA"s leading scorer last season, Mike Bishai, will lead a talented group of experienced forwards. Bishai finished last season with a 68 total points. The Broncos will also look to Jeff Campbell to carry the offensive load. As a freshman last season, Campbell led all rookies in scoring in the NCAA last season with 1.43 points per game.

The Broncos will have all eight of their defenseman back from last season. Senior Austin Miller should be the team"s most dominant blueliners. Last season, he was only one of two players to appear in all 39 of Western Michigan"s games.