The ice hockey team's 12-12-1 record last season was Tufts' best in the last four years. But with just four departed seniors and virtually all its major offensive and defensive threats returning, the team knows it can keep improving.
"This year we are looking to be a lot more competitive than last season," senior assistant co-captain Jack Thompson said. "We lost some good players, but we've got a good freshman class that hopefully will replace them"
Offensively, the Jumbos will be led by senior co-captain Kenny Cleary and assistant senior co-captain Matt McCarthy. McCarthy had a breakout season last year, leading the team in scoring with 29 points on 19 goals and ten assists. Cleary, the active career points leader for Tufts, chipped in ten goals and nine assists for 19 points, good for fourth on the squad in 2004-2005.
"In order for the team to do well this year, our offense is going to have to play great defense," sophomore Ross Gimbel said. "Offensive plays start from the defensive zone. Our forwards are strong and powerful in the offensive zone and we should be able to dominate the play in the corners and score on our chances."
The team will also look to sophomore Greg O'Connell to chip in on the offensive end. O'Connell, one of the top first-years in the NESCAC/ECAC East last season, led Tufts in assists last season with 18, while chipping in ten goals for a total of 28 points.
The team also has several promising freshmen that will likely see action immediately on offense.
"With the addition of new freshmen who have the ability to step in and perform, we hope to continue to improve from last year as we compete against some of the best defenses in the nation," Cleary said.
The Jumbo defense will be led this season by Thompson and senior co-captain Pat Walsh. Both have been mainstays in the Tufts zone for the past two seasons and will contribute again this year.
Sophomore goalkeeper James Kalec, now with a year of experience under his belt, should be even more impressive this season than he was in his rookie year. In 2004-2005, the then-freshman broke a 49-year Tufts record, recording 60 saves in a 4-1 win over Colby. Along with classmate and fellow keeper Issa Azat, Kalec struggled against the high-powered attacks of NESCAC programs, but should fare much better against teams like Trinity and Middlebury this time around with the year of experience behind them.
"It will be difficult for James to top his performance from last year," Thompson said. "But I think after playing a full season at this level of play, he'll be better adjusted."
The 12-12-1 Jumbos were the eighth seed in the conference last year, earning the last of eight playoff berths. The season was highlighted by wins against Amherst, Colby and Hamilton-all of which finished above Tufts in the standings - as well as a tie with No. 4 Bowdoin.
After starting the season off slowly at 4-7, the Jumbos picked up the slack during the spring semester, going 8-5-1 to close out the regular year. After an 8-10-1 finish in the conference, first-place Trinity ended the Jumbos' season with a 9-2 drubbing in the first round of the playoffs.
Tufts boasts a more experienced and polished squad this season, and the Jumbos will find out tomorrow if that experience will play out on the ice as they open their season at the Malden Forum at 7:00 p.m. against Middlebury.
"I think our main goal is to win the league," Thompson said. "And I really think we can accomplish that if we work hard enough."
A complimentary shuttle will be provided for students who wish to attend the team's home opener tomorrow. The "Fan Bus" will be departing from the campus center at 6:45 p.m.
