by Joshua Seguin/Staff Writer (@JoshSeguin24)
Brown
Head Coach: Brendan Whittet (16th year)
2023-24 Record: 8-19-3, 4-11-3-4 (11th ECAC)
Changes: Brown, in the current environment where players can leave freely, is struggling to keep some of its best players. Although the Bears didn’t lose much from a team that struggled for consistency last season, it did lose its second leading scorer in Ryan Bottrill. Bottrill transferred to league rival Clarkson in the offseason and is the biggest loss. His 16 assists were a team high and his playmaking skills will be missed on a team that struggles in the skill department. A year of seasoning in most positions, however, should be a welcome change for the Bears this season.
Strength: When Brown hockey is at its best, it is making things difficult and playing a tough, hard-nosed game. Last season, the Bears were very inconsistent in their defensive play and often didn’t play the way they needed to be successful. The defense is experienced, though, and its young goaltender, Lawton Zacher, is now a sophomore. Zacher proved to be the guy last year with a 2.90 GAA and a .909 save percentage.
Weakness: Scoring two goals a game in modern college hockey just does not win games. Last year Brown was feast or famine in scoring, but mostly were in a drought. Losing Bottrill won’t help, as the Bears will need to replace their top playmaker, and one of the few that provided the skill needed to get through the muck of the ECAC. It will be interesting to see how much Ryan St. Louis jumps this year, as he led the team with 13 goals and added 11 assists. Max Scott also is one to watch. As a freshman, he scored seven and added 11 assists. Whittet also loves his incoming freshman class.
Outlook: Brown is still reeling from the COVID pause. The Bears have just one winning season in the last 11 and have just 24 wins in the last three seasons combined. The experience this year for the Bears is a positive, and there is certainly room to jump. With a dynamic player like St. Louis, the Bears could be in for a bigger jump than expected.
Prediction: 10th
Clarkson
Head Coach: J.F Houle (1st Season)
2023-24 Record: 18-16-1, 12-9-1 (5th ECAC)
Changes: The biggest change in the Clarkson program was quite the surprise — Casey Jones left to become the head coach in waiting at…
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