2004-05 Holy Cross Season Preview

October 4, 2004

After one of the most successful seasons in school history, the Crusaders look to continue their success and make a return trip to the NCAA Tournament. Holy Cross returns 14 letter winners to a team that went 22-10-4 on its way to an Atlantic Hockey Tournament Title and the program’s first ever berth in the NCAA West Regional. Senior captain Andrew McKay and the rest of his teammates welcome 11 freshmen as the team looks to continue its winning ways against one of the toughest schedules in the nation.

Forwards

The Crusaders have several talented forwards who will try to make up for the losses of Jeff Dams and Greg Kealey to graduation. The returners are highly skilled and are combined with some talented newcomers that will make the forward position, one of the strength for Holy Cross in 2004-05. Seniors McKay, Jonas Tomiuck and converted defenseman Chris Sullivan will see significant time and be counted on heavily for their production. Their leadership will be crucial to the Crusaders success up front. McKay scored 13 goals and added 20 assists for 33 points last season. Tomiuck notched five goals and added six assists for 11 points in 2003-04 while Sullivan scored one goal and added three assists primarily as a defenseman.

The junior quartet of Pierre Napert-Frenette, Tyler McGregor, Blair Bartlett and Andrew Weber has the potential to light the lamp often. Their success in putting the puck in the back of the net will play a big role in the Crusaders offensive success. Napert-Frenette led the team in goals (16) and ranked third in points with 33 while McGregor hit the back of the net 10 times assisting on 10 other goals as a sophomore. Bartlett has the potential to be an explosive offensive player but suffered a season ending injury midway through the year. He still finished with four goals and eight assists for the 12 points.

Sophomores James Sixsmith, Sean Nappo and Tanner Fogarty contributed significantly as a freshman and will need to continue to improve this season. Sixsmith earned All-Rookie Team accolades after scoring 10 goals and adding 18 assists for 28 points. Nappo and Fogarty combined for seven points including three goals and four assists last season. The coaching staff will be looking for the likes of Cal St. Denis, Brian Kolb and Chris Travato to contribute right away at both ends of the ice.

Defense

Defensively, the Crusaders feature several talented underclassmen that will be much improved after a year of experience under their belts. Senior Tony Coskren and junior Marc Bianchi will provide the on ice leadership necessary for a strong defense. The two combined for 53 games last season picking up 11 points including 10 assists. The sophomore trio of Jon Landry, Rob Godfrey and Frank O’Grady are skilled, mobile defensemen. Landry notched 15 points, including 12 assists. O’Grady and Godfrey appeared in 21 and 18 games, respectively and their emergence will anchor the defense. Freshman Matt Burke and J.R. Butler will push for playing time as will Brian Gabriel and Brent Franklin.

Goal

Junior Tony Quesada returns to anchor the goaltending position for the Crusaders. He earned Second Team All-Atlantic Hockey League accolades after posting a 2.23 goals against average and a .925 save percentage in three Atlantic Hockey Tournament games in helping the Crusaders to the title.

Ben Conway also had an excellent sophomore year until it was slowed by injury. He played very well in relief of a sick Quesada in the NCAA Tournament game against North Dakota. Conway posted a 2.66 goals against average last season. He will look to play more minutes this season and challenge for the starting job. Matt Norton, a senior, is an excellent backstop, who will also push for playing time. In the 2002-03 season he won five games for the Crusaders.