Onward Tigers, Onward.

All season long I have been blogging away about the deficiencies of the Colorado College Tigers. This team in reality just wasn't that good for many reasons. Today, many of the players are in class studying hard knowing that they don't have practice.
Some are at the golf course. At least one is getting ready to skate for a pro team.

So with this season over, what is there to look forward to?

Well if you are a tiger fan, that's easy: stability. This season saw wholesale changes due to problems.
With the goalie situation taken care of, Josh Thorimbert could easily be a lock for a top 3 slot in next year's pre-season awards. The only net-minder currently playing at a higher caliber than Thorny is Denver's Sam Brittain.

The defense next season should rock. In years past, the person getting the C on their jersey from Defense was an alternate the year before. If I had to guess who next year's captain would be (assuming it will go to a defensive player) I would guess either Mcdermott or Marciano possibly Boivin.

Speaking of next season's defense, I don't think a single team in the WCHA will be able to handle the experienced defense of CC next season. Now that Guentzel is officially gone, someone will have to fill in the shoes one again on the defensive side. I believe Boivin, Marciano, McDermott among others will have the ability to do the job.

The offense is the only thing I find troublesome. For this blog's sake, I will assume that Rylan is returning until otherwise noted. Looking at past results, Rylan had good numbers as a freshman. He didn't do quite as much goal scoring but was the focal point among players just as Jaden has been the past two seasons.
What's different about these two situations is that during Rylan's first year, he fed Bill Sweatt. A fan favorite. Now, without a clear cut superstar on offense, Rylan will have to take on a much bigger role. I believe that by him staying for this year, his game will improve IMMENSELY! He will go from the goal scorer of the past two seasons back to the guy who has to make the difficult plays to help the tigers score. That will make him much more marketable with the NHL not to mention he'll have a college degree.

Although Rylan wouldn't have a Bill Sweatt type player to feed like he did his freshman year, he will have some weapons to use.

1.) Going forward this guy is my favorite offensive weapon: Alexander Krushelnyski. The guy is good and he is clutch. I fully expect the Krusher to be the captain of this team in 2013-2014. He's just that taleneted.

2.) Scott Winkler: Although Winks is drafted, I don't see him as the type of player that can complete a play all on his own. He, like Jaden was last year, is a feeder. He's not a natural sniper. Owen's will have his hands full of playmakers like winks but will lack the firepower they had this season.

3.) William Rapuzzi: Many people have given Rapuzzi a tough time this year. I spoke to him prior to the beginning of the season when he had surgery and one can only speculate that he is still a little tender in his elbow.

All in All: The offense will have a GIANT hole in it left by Jaden. That kind of talent comes around once every so often. I honestly do not believe that the tigers can overcome his loss on offense. When I watched him play, he would take the game on his shoulders and move the puck for the benefit of his team. The only player who can handle the load in a similar manner is his brother, Rylan. Even #13 will have trouble filling the shoes of Jaden.

The bad part is that this offense will lack natural snipers. As of right now I can name only one shoot first, pass later player: AK-16.

I believe that Krushelnyski will be the focal point of the Tigers next season. Well on offense anyways.

Hopefully all will be will with the goaltending situation and Josh will be on his game. I don't expect Joe to recover from this season in time to make a big difference. Owens loves goalies, so I also wouldn't expect Josh to play every game like Minnesota's Kent Patterson this season. If it were my guess: Joe would play no more than 10 games next season.


In total: The tigers should be in a good situation overall. The offense will be shaky, but they can build on each other knowing that they won't have to deal with their star player leaving for World Juniors.

However, with all of that said I do not believe the Tigers will have the depth to win the National Championship next season. They will be in rebuilding mode for what could be a monumental first year of the NCHC.