2003-04

Team Leaders

2003-2004: Preseason Outlook

Last year's senior class had a goal to build a foundation that players to follow could expand upon. Consider that goal accomplished. Along with some successes on the ice, including winning the program's first Division I holiday tournament since 1975, a new outlook was established for the program. With the bulk of his lineup returning and a solid freshman class coming in, head coach Chris Serino expects his Warriors to contend for a spot in the top half of Hockey East.

Seniors Marco Rosa (Whitby, Ont.) and Eric Pedersen (Saugus, Mass.) assume the role of captains with fellow classmates Tony Johnson (Woburn, Mass.) and Tim Reidy (Shrewsbury, Mass.) landing the role of assistant captains. These four lead a total of 17 players who return from last year's squad that finished 12-18-6 overall and placed seventh in the league.

FORWARDS
(11 returning / 3 lost / 5 newcomers)
Rosa leads an offense that returns all but three members and 87 percent of its scoring. Fourteen of the returning players combined for 80 of the 92 goals scored by the team last year. Recognized as one of the best defensive forwards in the league, Rosa will look to improve upon his 22 points from a year ago. The rookie class was a nice surprise last season, led by Brent Gough (St. Albert, Alb.) and Matt Johnson (Eden Prairie, Minn.). Gough led the team in goals with 12 and in points with 24. Johnson led the team in assists with 14 and finished tied for second with Rosa in team scoring with 22 points. Reidy is coming off an impressive junior campaign, putting up 16 points and playing in every game. Junior Steve Crusco (Waltham, Mass.), one of the best Warriors in the face-off circle, was off to a great start last season before a severe wrist injury kept him out of 14 games. Junior Brendon Clark (Reading, Mass.) was perhaps the most improved player last year and was one of eight to play in every game, posting 14 points.

Sophomore Blake Stewart (Roselle, Ill.) provided some heroics for Merrimack last season, scoring the game-tying goal in one game versus Providence and an overtime game-winner in another against the Friars. Stewart is capable of providing that spark for the offense at any time. Nick Pomponio (Livonia, Mich.) displayed some offensive punch as well, accumulating five points in the first five games of the season. Derek Kilduff (Marion, Mass.) proved to be one of the more versatile players on the roster as he moved from forward to defense and back again several times and adjusted nicely to either role. David Breen (N. Andover, Mass.) and Dennis Sullivan (Wilmington, Mass.) provide depth in the lineup and each are expected to see more ice time this year. Jeremy Wilson (Shrewsbury, Mass.) becomes eligible after sitting out last year and brings an aggressive style of play.

Last year's freshman class set the bar high but this year's rookie class has the potential to make a similar impact. Justin Mills (Edgerton, Alb.) put up 26 points for St. Albert (AJHL) while Mike Alexiou (Pickering, Ont.) posted 33 points for St. Mike's (OPJHL). Jordan Black (Canton, Mich.) and Matt Byrnes (Lincoln, R.I.) can also be expected to contribute as each put up over 40 points on their junior teams.

DEFENSEMEN
(4 returning / 3 lost / 3 newcomers)
The defense showed improvement throughout last year and should only get better with the core of the blue line losing just one member. Pedersen and Johnson were two of the steadiest performers on the Warrior defense. Sophomore Bryan Schmidt (Bloomington, Minn.), who finished third on the team in scoring, could be one of the top defenseman in the league. The Hockey East Rookie of the Month in January, Schmidt was a unanimous pick on the Hockey East All-Rookie team and was named to the Inside College Hockey All-Rookie team. Sophomore Rob LaLonde (Williamsville, N.Y.) improved throughout his rookie campaign and carries a rocket of a shot. Junior Peter Hams (Cambridge, Mass.), a transfer from Fairfield, becomes eligible after sitting out last year and is arguably the best skater on the team. Freshmen Jeff Caron (Moncton, N.B.) and Ryan Sullivan (Toronto, Ont.) look to crack the Warrior lineup after strong showings in the OPJHL. Caron has some offensive potential having put up 30 points for Wellington last year.

GOALTENDERS
(2 returning / 1 lost / 1 newcomer)
A new era begins in the Warrior goal as the team loses its top player from a year ago in All-Hockey East goalie Joe Exter. The previous era saw the Exter log the majority of minutes over the past two seasons. Now it will be junior Casey Guenther (Boissevain, Man.) and freshman Jim Healey (Holyrood, Newfoundland) manning the net. Guenther is the only goaltender on the roster that has seen any action although in limited fashion. Guenther showed promise in his only start against a Hockey East club, Boston College, in the 2003 Hockey East Quarterfinals. Guenther stopped 27 shots playing with veteran-like composure and hopes to build off that performance, as he will see increased action this season. Healey will be very competitive as both vie for the starter's job. Healey compiled a 3.40 GAA in 26 games last year with the Wexford Junior "A" Raiders (OPJHL). Sophomore Frank McLaughlin (Drexel Hill, Penn.) returns looking to see his first action as a Warrior.

Merrimack opens the 2003-2004 season at home versus Sacred Heart on October 10. The Warriors start their 24-game Hockey East slate on October 16 at New Hampshire. Merrimack's non-conference lineup includes trips to Union (Oct. 18), Princeton (Jan. 2-3) and Brown (Jan. 20). The Warriors welcome Rensselaer (November 1), Bemidji State (Nov. 22-23), and Quinnipiac (Nov. 28-29) to the newly named J. Thom Lawler Arena.

Courtesy: Merrimack Sports Information