Instant Impacts
The following article appeared October 1 on the College Hockey News (CHN) Web site.
By Joe Meloni
CHN Reporter
In Part I, we got an overview of the upcoming season, and a look
at the biggest games to keep an eye on. In Part II, we look at the
individuals.
Jerry D'Amigo, F, Rensselaer - The Engineers suffered through a dreadful 2008-09 season under third-year head coach Seth Appert. The arrival of D'Amigo, though, from the U.S. NTDP will bolster an offense that scored 56 fewer goals than its opponents last season. D'Amigo scored 56 points in 53 games with USA Hockey and was selected by Toronto in the sixth round of the NHL Draft this year. D'Amigo's presence roaming the wing for the Engineers is another reason why the ECAC just might be the most competitive conference in the nation this season.
Louis Leblanc, F, Harvard - Montreal Canadiens' fans erupted when the Habs selected the native Quebecois in the first round of June's NHL Draft, and fans in Cambridge may have a similar reaction when Leblanc takes the ice for the Crimson this season. He produced nearly one point per game with Omaha of the USHL last season, while rating a league best plus-33. Last season was a forgettable one for head coach Ted Donato as the Crimson struggled to consistently generate offense; adding Leblanc to the equation may be enough to thrust the Crimson into relevance in a competitive ECAC.
Andrew Miller, F, Yale - The reigning USA Junior Hockey Player of the Year scored 32 goals and assisted on 50 others in second season with Chicago of the USHL. The Bulldogs return their top 10 scorers from last year's ECAC Championship team; adding the crafty Miller to the mix is just another reason Yale appears in CHN's Top 10 to start the season.
Yale's offense is predicated heavily on speed and precise transitions from zone to zone, Miller's speed and playmaking ability is tailored perfectly for the system.
Complete article can be accessed via the CHN Web site by clicking here.
