2016-17 Season Results
MADISON, Wis. (October 19, 2017) – The Superior men's ice hockey team ranks fifth in the WIAC according to the preseason coaches' poll released Thursday. The Yellowjackets return 11 letterwinners to the 2017-18 campaign.
Among the returners is All-WIAC senior forward
Ian Ecklund (Twig, Minn./Proctor H.S.), who ranked fourth on the team with 17 points – producing two goals and 15 assists. His 15 assists were second on the squad. Junior forward
Daniel Litchke (Superior, Wis./Superior H.S.) also returns and was second on the team with 15 goals and third with 20 points
Superior won eight games last season under first year head coach
Richard McKenna, facing a ranked opponent in eight of their 29 games, including four bouts with UW-Stevens Point, who was in the top-10 during all four matchups.
An early win came last season against St. Thomas, as the 'Jackets scored an early first period goal behind
Jared Dedenbach (Warren, Mich./Fargo South H.S.), assisted by
Nik Kosman (Calgary, Alta./Centennial H.S.). Superior would then add a goal of five minutes later and hold on to win 2-1.
The Yellowjackets also found key wins in the playoffs last year against UW-Stout, winning one game 4-2, and then winning the deciding mini game 1-0 to move on to the second round where they were ousted by Stevens Point.
The 'Jackets will have more home ice time this season after only getting eight games in Wessman last year. They will play 14 games at home in 2017-18 including hosting the four-team Superior Showdown Dec. 29 and 30.
The Eau Claire Blugolds are picked to win the WIAC, followed by 2017 regular season champion Stevens Point Pointers, River Falls Falcons, and then the Stout Blue Devils.
2017-18 Preseason Predictions
2016-17 Record
1. UW-Eau Claire 18-7-3 overall, 5-3 WIAC
2. UW-Stevens Point 21-5-3, 7-1
3. UW-River Falls 12-13-2, 3-4-1
4. UW-Stout 12-13-2, 3-5
5. UW-Superior 8-19-2, 1-6-1
Team Nuggets
UW-Superior
Head Coach: Rich McKenna; 2nd season at UWS; 8-19-2
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 11/13
Goalies Returning/Lost: 2/2
Returning All-WIAC:
Ian Ecklund (Twig, Minn./Proctor H.S.), Sr., F (2016-Honorable);
Daniel Litchke (Superior, Wis./Superior H.S.), Jr., F (2017-Honorable)
Notable Returning Players:
Bruno Birzitis (Riga, Latvia/Riga Distance Education Secondary), So., F;
Jake Hamilton (Decatur, Ill./Nequa Valley H.S.), So., D;
Jerry Miettunen (Tuusula, Finland/Makelanrinne Spoerts H.S.), So., D;
Kyle Miller (Prior Lake, Minn./Prior Lake H.S.), Sr., F
UW-Eau Claire
Head Coach: Matt Loen; 11th season at UWEC; 154-100-24
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 19/8
Goalies Returning/Lost: 2/1
Returning All-WIAC: None
Notable Returning Players: Todd Koritzinsky, Sr., F; Colton Wolter, Sr., F
UW-River Falls
Head Coach: Steve Freeman; 22nd season at UWRF; 368-192-48
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 10/16
Goalies Returning/Lost: 1/2
Returning All-WIAC: Joe Drapluk, Jr., F (2017-First); Terry Leabo, Sr., D (2017-Honorable); Zach Quinn, So., G (2017-First)
Notable Returning Players: Brian Drapluk, Jr., D; Ryan Gotelaere, Jr., D; Eddie Matsushima, Jr., F; Aussie Miller, So., F
UW-Stevens Point
Head Coach: Tyler Krueger; 1st season at UWSP; 0-0-0
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 15/9
Goalies Returning/Lost: 2/0
Returning All-WIAC: Ryan Bittner, Jr., D (2017-First); Stephan Beauvais, Jr., D (2016-Honorable, 2017-Honorable); Max Milosek, Sr., G (2016-Honorable, 2017-Honorable)
Notable Returning Players: Logan Fredericks, So., F; Nathan Harris, Sr., D; Tanner Karty, Jr., F; Willem Nong-Lambert, Sr., F
UW-Stout
Head Coach: Terry Watkins; 22nd season at UWST; 245-294-37
Letterwinners Returning/Lost: 13/9
Goalies Returning/Lost: 2/1
Returning All-WIAC: Mathias Ahman, Jr., D (2017-Honorable); Joe Kleven, Jr., D (2016-Honorable)
Notable Returning Players: Tommi Ahlgren, So., G; Adam Kresl, So., F; Jordan Stejskal, Sr., D; Connor Valesano, So., F
