Goes through here

Michigan

Despite losing its four-year starting goaltender, its most prolific scorer and its most intimidating defenseman, Michigan was still picked to win the CCHA by the coaches and media. The top ranking is most likely due to Michigan's second straight Frozen Four berth last season. And although the Wolverines return a majority of that team, they will still be reloading at every position.

The Wolverines boast senior captains Jed Ortmeyer and John Shouneyia, as well as an 11-man sophomore class that includes NHL first-round draft pick Eric Nystrom, Milan Gajic, Dwight Helminen, Jason Ryznar and Eric Werner.

But the Wolverines' fate is in the hands of a 17-year-old. With no returning goaltenders, coach Red Berenson is looking at former US-NTDP Under-17 star Al Montoya to continue the tradition of freshman goaltenders starting as soon as they arrive on campus. Michigan also needs someone to fill the scoring void left by Mike Cammalleri, who led the team in goals and plus-minus despite missing 15 games due to the World Junior Championships and mononucleosis. If Montoya can be a solid new presence in goal, and a wide range of players pick up the scoring load, Michigan could be headed back to the Frozen Four.

Michigan State

Over the summer, Michigan State lost the two biggest names associated with its program. First, college hockey's all-time winningest coach Ron Mason left to become the school's athletic director. Then goalie Ryan Miller - who won the 2001 Hobey Baker Award - left school early to join the Buffalo Sabres.

But Michigan State found two capable replacements. Former Northern Michigan coach Rick Comley - who won CCHA titles in 1980 and 1981 - will stand behind the bench while Justin Tobe - whose NAHL team won its season series against Michigan freshman Al Montoya's US-NTDP squad - is likely to stand between the pipes.

Comley should do a fine job of taking over the program, but how far the Spartans go could depend upon their offense. Without Miller to stop everything thrown the Spartans' way, the offense is going to have to keep fighting to create chances instead of sitting back when it has a one-goal lead.

Comley will bring a more offensive approach to the Spartan game, but forwards Brian Maloney, Jim Slater and Ash Goldie are going to have to put the puck in the net for Michigan State to hold the trophy named after its new athletic director.

The challengers

Northern Michigan

With the loss of coach Rick Comley to Michigan State, a 26-year era in Northern Michigan hockey is over. Walt Kyle - who was an assistant for the Wildcats during the early 1990s - returns to his alma mater after a two-year stint as a New York Rangers assistant. Northern Michigan returns a solid goaltender and a strong senior class for the new coach.

Craig Kowalski is arguably one of the best netminders in the league and Bryce Cockburn and Chris Gobert should keep the goals coming. The ability to beat top teams is there for the Wildcats, which was clear in its sweep of Michigan at Yost last year. The Wildcats have as much returning talent as anyone, but they will need to have their veterans continue to shine as their freshmen don't compare to the other raw talent in the CCHA.

Ohio State

With one of the largest and nicest arenas in college hockey - Value City Arena - one might think that the Buckeyes would have talent and championships banners similar to their rivals in Ann Arbor and East Lansing. But the Buckeyes have finished in the top five of the league just two times since 1987. This year's edition has 18 upperclassmen ready to surge forward after pushing Michigan to overtime in the CCHA semifinals last season. If the defense, which held opponents to 2.5 goals per-game during the CCHA playoffs, plays to form and goalie Mike Betz improves upon his career-best five shutouts, the Buckeyes have the potential to win the league.

They will also find inspiration in their captain Scott Titus, who returns after missing all of last season because of an injured knee.

Nebraska-Omaha

In a state not known for hockey, Nebraska-Omaha packs the fans into the Omaha Civic Auditorium in a way that some NHL teams would drool over. The Mavericks play in front of sell-out crowds every night, helping convince national recruits to come to the area more known for football.

Dan Ellis was the second-best goaltender in the CCHA last year behind Ryan Miller and led the nation in saves last season. But this year's team, which includes 10 freshmen, will be led by Andrew Wong - the team's top returning goal-scorer with 11.