Awakening from a deep slumber.

It’s funny how this sort of works. We’re in the middle of pennant races with our favorite baseball teams and Notre Dame’s football team nearly has half as many losses as their hockey team had all of last season. Suddenly it hits us like a bucket of cold water. It’s hockey time.

The first inkling that something was up was when NHL08 suddenly appeared on my radar about two weeks ago, complete with AHL rosters, but sans Shawn Weller and Matt Nickerson who I just wanted to skate into people and get into fights with.

Then I start getting blasted with about 500 e-mails from the Boston Bruins about how this is going to be the year (to finish ninth… it’s called Bruins!) Suddenly the B’s are playing their first official preseason game of the season, when I come to the realization that Clarkson steps onto the ice for their first game of the season in under three weeks.

The expectations placed on this team are certainly the greatest in over 15 years. Major college hockey outlets were already making the prediction of a Frozen Four berth. The only reason that the statement sounds outlandish was because it was made in June when it was 95 out.

Scheduling wise this is the hardest schedule I can remember ever seeing, but as a fan, you’ve got to be pumped. There are a ridiculous number of opportunities for road tripping and this is JUST for the home games. This year’s home schedule will need fans to show up more than ever as five of the toughest games of the season will be played when students are not on campus (St. Cloud (2), Colgate, Cornell, and Boston College.

The Golden Knights actually have some destinations for road trippers this year as they’ll play a two game series with Colorado College, and they’ll go down to Florida for holiday tournament play.

Even if you can’t travel, it looks like the Knights will be televised at minimum twice this year on national outlets, including Sunday, October 6th against St. Lawrence on ESPNU

There’s suddenly a lot to think about hockey-wise over the next couple of weeks, and we haven’t even delved into the tremendous talent that is returning to Cheel Arena this season, and the solid corps of rookies that will be joining them.

We’ll be weighing in with our traditional season previews, weekly updates, and hard hitting interviews with local celebrities. Please be sure to visit CHF several times a week for what we hope will be our finest season yet!


Quick News and Notes:

• Chris Clark ’98 of the Washington Capitals received a three year extension after putting up career bests in scoring this year
  
• Kent Huskins’ 01’ contract with Anaheim was extended for two years after his Stanley Cup victory.
  
• Brodie Rutherglen ‘07 was signed on September 13rd to a contract with the Corpus Christi Rayz of the CHL.
  
• Jeff Genovy ‘06 re-signed with the Laredo Bucks of the CHL and is joined by former Clarkson goaltender Dustin Traylen.
  
• Chris Lipsett ’96 returns to the Armarillo Gorillas of the CHL as player and assistant coach.
  
• Kyle McNulty ‘07 signed with the Muskegon Fury of the IHL
  
• Kira Hurley ‘07, former women’s goaltender and All-American has signed with the Mon Valley Thunder of the MAHL, a new “Premier ‘A’ League”
  
• Ashley Shaidle ‘07, has been named an assistant for the Union Dutchmen Women’s Hockey Team
  
• Phil Roy ’00 was named head coach of Neumann in Division-III ECAC West Play