Michigan Tech’s hockey program will be entering the new season with high expectations, being picked as number one in both the coaches’ and media’s preseason rankings. The team, as well as its fans, are preparing for an opening series against Minnesota and two road trips planned by Mitch’s Misfits.
Michigan Tech returns 18 players. Bill Muckalt, head coach for MTU hockey, said that the roster includes players with professional experience as well as others coming from the United States Hockey League (USHL).
The team will have to replace some of the offence they lost with Stiven Sardarian’s absence, but Muckalt pointed to several incoming players who will contribute heavily, mentioning Max Koskipirtti, Isaac Gordon, Conner Roulette, Giovanni Morneau, and Tristan Delisle regarding MTU’s offensive options.
Muckalt said Roulette brings an extensive résumé, including professional hockey experience, and Morneau has shown he can produce at a college level. He also said Delisle has looked good during practice. Muckalt describes this incoming group as stronger and more mature, and with a better understanding of the program’s standards overall. Despite this preseason excitement, Muckalt said the team is not treating these rankings as a guarantee. “Games aren’t played on paper, sports aren’t played on paper,” Muckalt said. “That’s what makes sports so exciting. Anybody can win any given night.”
Norah Hughes, president of Mitch’s Misfits, said that the fan club is especially excited for the start of hockey season and for the games against Northern. The group also has away trips planned for St. Cloud State from Oct. 9 to 11 and Lake Superior State University from Jan. 29 to 31. “Traveling with the Misfits is always an exciting experience, getting to see new arenas and new towns while cheering on the Huskies,” Hughes said. Hughes also mentioned, “Conner Roulette is one to watch for sure…He’s spent seasons in the ECHL and the WHL (Western Hockey League) and proved he can put up the points in both.”
Muckalt is also aware of how impactful the Misfits and Houghton communities are to both him and the team. “We have a great fanbase, community, and one of the things that’s great about Michigan Tech is the alumni, the support from the president, and administration, and athletic director, but [also] our fans, the community, our student, and the Misfits, we got a large portion of people in the community that come out to our games. Obviously, I would say hockey is a big thing up here, and the support is tremendous.”
Another Central Collegiate Hockey Association (CCHA) team, the Minnesota State University Mavericks, is behind in the polls after two years of back-to-back Macnaughton and Mason Cup championships. Coach Luke Strand stated, “…Polls are opinions. Somebody’s got a calculation out there telling someone the value of a portal player or the value of a freshman. They don’t know how much that player’s gonna play, they don’t know what role that player’s going to be in. I guess for me, I value the idea that people get to have an opinion. I think that’s really really important. It’s our job to make sure we keep our own, and our own value for what we believe in.”
Muckalt said the team fully understands the challenge that lies ahead after falling short of their goals last semester. He said success will depend on effort, execution, and attention to details throughout the year. “I like our team, I like our group, I believe in this group, but every day we gotta come and earn it,” Muckalt said.
