October 14, 2008

Team Notes: Clarkson Opens 87th Season

After almost two months of dry-land training, captain’s workouts and team practices, the Clarkson University Hockey team is ready and very anxious to begin the 2008-09 campaign. Marking their latest start to open a season in nine years, the Golden Knights have high hopes for their 87th season of play with 19 lettermen and a promising freshman class eager to hit the ice.

Guided by sixth-year head coach George Roll, associate coach Greg Drechsel and assistant coach Jean-Francois Houle, the Green and Gold, begin the 34-game NCAA campaign this weekend with a trip to Western New York. The Knights, led by senior co-captains, defensemen Tyrell Mason (Dawson Creek, BC) and Phil Paquet (Quebec City, QUE) play at Rochester Institute of Technology on Friday and at Niagara University on Saturday. Both games are scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m.

Ranked among the top teams in the country by both USCHO.com/CBS College Sports XXL and USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine national Division I polls, Clarkson will be looking to establish the foundation for its third consecutive 20-win campaign as it opens the season this weekend. Over the past two years, the Green and Gold have returned to the ranks of the nation’s elite with a pair of ECAC Hockey titles and back-to-back appearances in the NCAA Tournament. Clarkson skated to a 22-13-4 overall record in 2007-08, claimed the ECAC Hockey regular season title with a 15-4-3 league mark, and advanced to the championship game of the NCAA East Regional.

Complete article can be accessed via the Clarkson Web site by clicking here.