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Princeton University Athletics
1999-00 Men's Hockey Outlook and Schedule
October 13, 1999 | Men's Ice Hockey
Oct. 13, 1999
PRINCETON, N.J. - The 1999-2000 Princeton men's hockey team will follow in some rather large footsteps. How it sees that challenge will go a long way in determining the fate of this particular squad.
Few, if any, classes have graced Baker Rink with as much talent, poise and determination as the one that graduated in 1999. It was a nine-deep senior class that saw Princeton travel the highway from also-rans to the national spotlight.
This year, though, Jeff Halpern can't score the game-winner. Syl Apps can't win the big faceoff. Nick Rankin can't keep the opponents off the scoreboard, and Steve Shirreffs can't single-handedly change the complexion of a season by simply returning from an injury.
No, this must be the team of balance. There are still some very good players in the program, and some who are on the cusp of being very good. But for the Tigers to take another step forward and continue the tradition that has been building since Don Cahoon's arrival in 1991, each player must be ready and willing to accept greater responsibility. There is a great deal of talent on this team, and fans have every right to be excited for this season. This is a team that understands what it takes to win and how great it feels afterwards. This is not a team that is trying to step out of a shadow.
Instead, it is trying to cast another.
FORWARDS Returning: 10 Lost: 5 Newcomers: 2
During Princeton's late run to the ECAC Final Five, there may not have been a more explosive scorer than Benoit Morin. The only returning player with more than 20 points last season (12g,12a), Morin will be counted on even more for his scoring this season.
Morin, who plays on the right wing, came on strong late, starting with a two-goal, one-assist performance in Princeton's Ivy-clinching victory over Dartmouth. His slapshot, one of the best on the team, scored a crucial goal during the Tigers' four-goal rally to stun Cornell in the ECAC quarterfinals, and he scored twice in the 3-2 Final Five victory over Colgate. Morin also brings a physical presence to the ice and is hardly afraid to mix it up with an opponent.
Senior Brad Meredith also scored a huge goal in the 6-5 win over Cornell that sent the Tigers back to Lake Placid for the fourth time in five years. His blue-line blast found the net to even the score at 5-5 with just more than four minutes remaining in the game. Now, Meredith's slapshot will never be confused with Morin's, but the play highlighted the strength of the Ontario native —he gets the job done on the ice. He was a plus-14, best on the team and complimented Morin well on the left wing.
The junior class is loaded with some big guns, including Chris Corrinet, who was drafted by the Washington Capitals in the 1998 Entry Draft. The 6-3, 220-pound right-winger brings a valuable presence to the ice, especially with the departure of Scott Bertoli. Corrinet also proved to have a scorer's touch, lighting the lamp 10 times, including twice at the Mariucci Classic.
Shane Campbell stands as tall as his classmate, but he utilizes his speed and fluid motion more than Corrinet. Cahoon used Campbell in a number of different spots, but he ended on the right side of the top line with Bertoli and Apps. His playmaking abilities led to 10 assists, although he will be looked upon to add a few more goals this season.
Another player who started to come into his own late in the season was Ethan Doyle. His statistics were decent last season (7g, 4a), and he gave the team a big boost with an ability to score shorthanded goals. He scored three of them, which is one more than the rest of his teammates combined to score. He was the most efficient shooter on the team, scoring on seven of his 31 shots (22.6%).
With all of the explosive wings ready to pour on the attack this season, Cahoon will need to find a set of centers to anchor his lines. He should be able to find some second-year players for that position.
Notice the term 'second-year players.' While that typically denotes a sophomore, Kirk Lamb has not taken the typical road to Princeton. He played Major Junior 'A' hockey, which forced him to sit out his entire freshman season and nine games of his sophomore year. Lamb laced up the skates for the first time as a Tiger against Northeastern, although his first goal didn't come until a late-January contest at Army. With some games finally under his belt and the immediate expectations not wearing on him quite as much, Lamb could have a breakout season.
The fourth line was often a freshman line last year, and Brad Parsons received some valuable experience at center. He had the best numbers of any freshman (3g, 4a) and should be a reliable second- or third-line center this season.
Three other freshman forwards got time on the ice last season, and all three brought different strengths to Old Nassau. David Del Monte is a smooth skater and has the ability to create opportunities for either himself or his teammates. Del Monte scored one of his three goals in the third period of last year's ECAC consolation game against Rensselaer. Josh Roberts brings a physical presence that will be important near the goal. He played 23 games, more than any other freshman last season. Rob Chisholm is a gritty, hard-nosed player that isn't afraid to challenge anybody for the puck.
In the eighth round of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft, the Los Angeles Kings selected George Parros, one of Princeton's top recruits for the upcoming season and a New Jersey native. He was the Rookie of the Year last season as a member of the Chicago Freeze of the North American Hockey League. With his good hands, vision and tight-area skills, Parros is a threat around the net. Scott Prime will also have the opportunities to earn playing time. He played with the Moncton Beavers of the Maritime Junior Hockey League. Prime is a skilled player with great character, something that the Tigers have proven is crucial over the past few years.
DEFENSE Returning: 6 Lost: 3 Newcomers: 2
For four years Cahoon could always count on a number of defensemen to keep his team in games. He could usually count on Shirreffs to then go win the big game at one end of the ice or the other. Now Cahoon will need to focus his attention in different places, although there is no reason to believe the defense won't again be tough.
With the team's only 'C' on his sweater, Darren Yopyk will have an increased amount of responsibilities this season. Besides assuming leadership from Halpern and Apps, he will have to be the focal point of the defense. Although his offensive skills may not be like those of Shirreffs or Mike Acosta, he is as much a defensive stalwart as anybody. A physical presence who can mix it up with the toughest of forwards, he is now the man that will anchor the top defensive unit. If his teammates model their work ethic like their 1999-00 captain, this team will do fine.
The other returning senior defenseman is Chris Barber, who was often used in the third defensive pairing. He has had the opportunity to let his work ethic make him a better player without being asked to make the big plays in the big games. He might get that chance this year.
Junior Peter Zavodny has seen a lot of time over the past two years and will be one of the most reliable defenders on the team. Far from a scoring threat, Zavodny's strength remains keeping players away from the net and closing down shooting lanes. Classmate Jason Dillow has seen little action over the past two years, but is looking to break into the rotation.
A pair of sophomores will make big contributions to the lineup. David Schneider has the best offensive skills of any returning defenseman and could take over for Shirreffs on the top power-play unit. His ability to see the ice and create opportunities were impressive for a freshman, and they should be even better with a year under his belt. Dave Bennett, whose father, Harvey, and uncle, Curt, combined to play 15 seasons in the NHL, has the presence of a defenseman. His tough, aggressive style impressed the coaching staff enough to have him paired with Acosta during the ECAC Final Four.
There are only two incoming defensemen this season, but Cahoon is excited about both of them. Neil McCann was the Defenseman of the Year as a member of the Calgary Canucks of the American Junior Hockey League last season. He has good all-around skills and has great poise with the puck. His mobility is also a strength, which could compliment a bigger, more physical defensive partner.
Trevor Beaney possesses good hands and vision and, like many of his teammates, will be a presence on the blue line because of his size. He played at the Taft School last year and should battle for significant playing time during the upcoming season
GOALIES Returning: 2 Lost: 1 Newcomers: 1
Last season's recipient of the Hobey Baker '14 Trophy, given to the team's top freshman, was wildly exciting goalie Dave Stathos. The young netminder made his presence felt in a big way last season, winning 12 games to only five losses and keeping his goals-against average low for most of the season. He showed amazing nerves, especially for a freshman, with road victories at Clarkson, Yale and Minnesota. He also played well against a pro-Colgate crowd in the 3-2 win over the Red Raiders in the ECAC Final Five game.
Stathos takes his fair share of chances, which may leave his teammates and coaches with heart problems by the time he graduates. Still, he finds a way to get the job done by making the tough save look routine and coming up with the biggest saves when his teammates desperately need it. He struggled late in the season, which turned a phenomenal goals-against average into a good one (2.90), but his experiences as a freshman will serve to make him better as he hopes to become the squad's top goalie.
The 1998-99 opening-day starter was Craig Bradley, and he struggled through a disastrous 9-1 loss at Boston University. To his credit, he didn't let the experience destroy his confidence. Instead, he practiced as hard as anybody and continued to work his way back into the rotation. His determination earned him a start in the Ivy-clinching win over Dartmouth. He also relieved Stathos in both games of the ECAC Final Four and twice gave Princeton a chance to rally for wins. A senior this season, Bradley will have plenty of experience to work with when his number is called.
Freshman Nate Nomeland has raw talent and a big body, and will attempt to break into the rotation. He played for the Waterloo Blackhawks of the United States Hockey League.
1999-00 Schedule
Oct. 23 at Cornell (scrim.) 1 p.m.
Oct. 24 at Niagara 7 p.m.
Nov. 5 ST. LAWRENCE 7 p.m.
Nov. 6 CLARKSON 7 p.m.
Nov. 12 at Dartmouth 7 p.m.
Nov. 13 at Vermont 7 p.m.
Nov. 19 at Yale 7 p.m.
Nov. 23 YALE 7 p.m.
Nov. 27 at Northeastern 7 p.m.
Dec. 3 CORNELL 7 p.m.
Dec. 4 COLGATE 7 p.m.
Dec. 10 at Bemidji State 7 p.m.
Dec. 11 at Bemidji State 7 p.m.
Dec. 19 at Notre Dame 7 p.m.
Dec. 20 at Notre Dame 7 p.m.
Dec. 30 QUEEN'S UNIV. (exh.) 7 p.m.
Jan. 7 at Brown 7 p.m.
Jan. 8 at Harvard 7 p.m.
Jan. 23 LOWELL 5 p.m.
Jan. 28 RPI 7 p.m.
Jan. 29 UNION 7 p.m.
Feb. 4 at Clarkson 7 p.m.
Feb. 5 at St. Lawrence 7 p.m.
Feb. 11 at Union 7 p.m.
Feb. 12 at RPI 7 p.m.
Feb. 18 VERMONT 7 p.m.
Feb. 19 DARTMOUTH 7 p.m.
Feb. 25 HARVARD 7 p.m.
Feb. 26 BROWN 7 p.m.
Mar. 3 at Colgate 7 p.m.
Mar. 4 at Cornell 7 p.m.
Mar. 10-12 Playoffs
Mar. 16-18 ECAC Lake Placid
Mar. 24-26 NCAA Regionals
Apr. 7-8 NCAA Finals – Providence, RI