In this issue of our team-by-team Atlantic Hockey season preview, Sacred Heart loses three All-Conference team members, but returns an abundance of talent and depth at each position; Air Force returns most of their scoring while adding 10 freshmen to their 2020-21 squad; and Mercyhurst searches for scoring and goaltending, as they return a talented group of defensemen. 

Sacred Heart

2019-20 Record: 21-10-3 (18-8-2)

Sacred Heart had an incredible season in 2019-20. Totaling 21 wins, the Pioneers were nationally ranked before the season’s abrupt end in March. Poised to make a run in the Atlantic Hockey playoffs, Sacred Heart also had their sights set on an NCAA tournament qualification. In January, the Pioneers became the first-ever Connecticut Ice Festival champion, topping Yale and Quinnipiac in historic fashion.

Returning

The good news for the Pioneers is that they return a ton of talent from last season. Last year, a strength of the Pioneers was their depth. Coming into the 2020-21 season, a lot of that depth returns. Upfront, Sacred Heart welcomes five 20-point scorers back to their lineup. Headlining this group is second-year captain Marc Johnstone and reigning Rookie of the Year Braeden Tuck. With 28 and 27 points respectively, the two look for support from juniors Austin Magera and Ryan Steele, and senior Jordan Kaplan, who combined for 67 points last season. The Pioneers also welcome back junior goaltender Josh Benson. In his sophomore campaign, Benson recorded 20 wins with five shutouts and a .906 save percentage.

Departures

While depth fueled Sacred Heart last season, there is no doubt that the Pioneers had some exceptional production from their senior class. Despite returning depth, production, and talent, in 2020-21, the Pioneers say goodbye to three Atlantic Hockey First team selections. Leading this group is AHA Player of the Year Jason Cotton. Cotton led the team with 37 points last season and was also a major presence on the penalty kill with a nation-leading three shorthanded goals. 

Additional losses upfront include Atlantic Hockey scoring champion Austin Mcilmurray, Vito Bavarro, and Matt Tugnutt who is transferring to Providence. The trio combined for 83 points last season. The Pioneers also suffer a major loss at the blue line. Atlantic Hockey Defenseman of the Year, Mike Lee, graduates after scoring 33 points and leading the Pioneer’s special teams. Lee was one of the most successful offensive defensemen in the entire country last season. 

Additions

The Pioneers add two transfers and six freshmen to their 2020-21 roster. Michigan transfer Emil Ohrvall looks for an increased role this season after just four points in 15 games with the Wolverines. In his sophomore campaign, Clarkson transfer Adam Tisdale netted eight goals, totaling 10 points in 26 games last season. As for freshmen, the Pioneers welcome three forwards, two defensemen, and one goaltender this season. 

Air Force

2019-20 Record: 12-18-6 (10-12-6 AH)

After an up-and-down season for the Falcons, Air Force found some success in the Atlantic Hockey playoffs. Before its cancelation, the Falcons were slated to face RIT in the tournament’s second round after a first-round sweep of Mercyhurst. With 24 wins and an Atlantic Hockey Championship three seasons ago, the Falcons still look to replace major losses from the 2018 and 2019 senior classes. 

Returning

Air Force returns an abundance of experience and production at the blue line this season. The Falcons return all six of their rotational defensemen from last year including four of the top seven scorers for their team. Defining this group are seniors Zack Mirageas, Jake Levin, and Alex Mehnert. 

Mirageas leads all returning players with 23 points last season, While Levin and Mehnert add 13 and 12 points, respectively. Sophomore defenseman Brandon Koch returns after an impressive rookie campaign totaling 19 points. Upfront the Falcons return senior forward Marshall Bowery. Bowery led the team with 10 goals last season tallying 16 total points. From there, Air Force looks for retuning forwards Max Harper and Luke Manning to step up and make larger impacts this season. Between the pipes, Air Force welcomes back junior starter Alex Schilling. Schilling played in 31 games during his sophomore season, sporting a .903 save percentage and two shutouts.

Departures

The Falcons graduated six seniors, all of whom are forwards, from the 2019-20 season. Leading this group are forwards Brady Tomlak, Trevor Stone, and Matt Pulver. Tomlak led the Falcons last season with 26 points, while Stone and Pulver tallied 16 and 15 points, respectively. The trio provided a combined 57 points last season, leaving a large void among forwards for the 2020-21 season. While the Falcons have a core group of defensemen returning that can score, the major question is who will score upfront for Air Force this season?

Additions

Air Force adds 10 freshmen to their roster this season. The group consists of six forwards, three defensemen, and one goaltender. With an emphasis on scoring, six of the 10 new additions were top five or better in scoring on their teams last season. Freshman Nathan Horn led the Minnesota Wilderness of the NAHL with 48 points last season. On the back end, Air Force adds Maiszon Balboa in goal. Balboa ranked among top goaltenders in the NAHL last season sporting a 1.92 goals against average, a .926 save percentage, and five shutouts.

Mercyhurst

2019-20 Record: 5-28-2 (3-22-2)

Mercyhurst opened up their 2019-20 season with a win over a talented, and nationally ranked Arizona State team. Despite this early upset, the Lakers failed to compile wins throughout the season. However, their core group competed all season long, with many returning for this season. 

Returning

Mercyhurst returns one 20-point scorer from last season. Dalton Hunter led the Lakers in scoring, nettings seven goals and tallying 14 assists for 21 points. After impressive rookie and sophomore year campaigns, look for Hunter to increase is scoring this season. Returning with Hunter up front is junior Steven Ipri. Ipri scored 10 goals for 18 points in only 25 games in 2019-20. The Lakers return depth at the blue line, bringing back four key starters, three of whom were double-digit scorers last season. Josh McDougall, Joseph Maziarz, Owen Norton, and Michael Bevilacqua lead this group.

Departures

The Lakers graduate three key members of their team from last season. Headlining this group is Umass Lowell transfer, and Anaheim Ducks draft pick, Garrett Metcalf. Metcalf started 28 games for Mercyhurst in 2019-20 and sported a .908 save percentage. He was the most successful goaltender for the Lakers last season, making 40 or more saves in three of his final five games. His departure leaves a giant question mark for the Lakers between the pipes. Upfront, Mercyhurst loses James Anderson and Brendan Riley. Anderson was second in scoring last season with 20 points while Riley was a major presence on the penalty kill, blocking 29 shots in his senior season. 

Additions

The Lakers add 10 freshmen to their 2020-21 squad, consisting of two goalies, seven forwards, and one defenseman. The Lakers largest hole coming into this season is goaltending. Freshmen goaltenders, Matt Lenz and Kyle McLellan will have a shot to get time this season while the Lakers also add Bemidji State transfer Hank Johnson. Johnson started four games last season in the WCHA and provides valuable experience to a young Mercyhurst team.