Last year the Crimson posted a 12-8-2 ECAC record and finished third in the conference. This year, they possess the top spot in the Coaches’ Poll and all the pressure that comes with it. They have developed into a formidable opponent over the past two years, and had their first winning season since 1993-94 last year. A top spot in the conference is obtainable if the team can find consistent goaltending as they did last year.
Sophomore Will Crothers (4.50, 0.854, 1-0-0) will likely earn the starting position for the Crimson as he is the only goaltender with collegiate experience on the squad. He brings size to the position and covers a lot of net, but look for teams to take advantage of his slow glove hand. Harvard also has junior Ben Weiss and newcomer Dov Grumet-Morris waiting in the ranks for playing time.
This team also has six forwards and two defensemen on their roster that have already been drafted by NHL teams, the most of any school in the ECAC. This includes new recruits Noah Welch (2001, second round, Pittsburgh) and Tom Cavanagh (2001, sixth round, San Jose), a defenseman and center, respectively.
With senior Defenseman Peter Capouch (7-14-21) as the team’s captain and with four other returning letter winners on the blue line, this team will be tough defensively. Teammate Graham Morrell (0-2-2) brings three years of experience, while sophomore Dave McCulloch (1-7-8) supplies power from the point. They are important additions with an untested goaltender, and should make Crother’s transition a little easier.
Offensively, Dominic Moore (15-28-43) returns as top scorer for Harvard last year, along with two other players in the top five, Tim Petit (14-17-31) and Tyler Kolarik (13-15-28). Past these snipers, the offense runs deep with players like Brett Nowak (7-9-16), Jeff Stonehouse (1-2-3), and Aaron Kim (0-5-5), who filled in as a defenseman last season after injuries left the blue line thin.
