(Crookston, Minn.) – The University of Minnesota, Crookston Men’s Hockey team is set to start practice for the 2007-2008 campaign. The Golden Eagles officially start practice on Monday, October 15 and Tuesday, October 16 at 10:00 pm and 7:00 am respectively with separate groups practicing at each time at the Crookston Civic Arena. Head Coach Gary Warren enters his seventh season as U of M, Crookston mentor. He is assisted by David Rolling and Brett Shelanksi.
“We look forward to an upbeat year having over 40 hopefuls trying out,” says Coach Warren. “With our energy levels and depth at every position, we will have a competitive atmosphere day in and day out.”
The Golden Eagles finished the 2006-2007 season with an overall record of 7-16-3 and 5-13-2 in the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association (MCHA) which was good for fifth place.
Coach Warren will look to replace Ryan Leadens (Fwd., South Saint Paul, Minn.) who had 10 goals and 16 assists for 26 points. Another loss is Kyle Knudsen (GK, Mead, Wash.) who was 5-5-1 between the pipes with a 3.80 goals against average and a .880 saves percentage. Also a significant loss is 2006-2007 team captain Brett Shelanski (GK, Bloomington, Minn.).
Top returnees for the Golden Eagles include Teal Plaine (Sr., Fwd., Hallock, Minn.) who led U of M, Crookston last season with 27 points (12 goals and 15 assists) and Matt Hann (Sr., Fwd., Crookston, Minn.) who was third in points with 23 (9 goals and 14 assists).
U of M, Crookston will open the 2007-2008 season on November 2-3 when they travel to St. Paul, Minn. to take on Bethel University in non-conference action. Game times are 7:00 pm and 2:00 pm respectively. They open MCHA play the next weekend when they travel to Milwaukee, Wis. to take on the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) on November 9-10. Game times are 7:05 pm and 2:00 pm respectively. The Golden Eagles will open their home season on December 1-2 when they play host to Lawrence University at the Crookston Civic Arena. Both games will start at 2:00 pm.
For more information, visit the Golden Eagle Athletics website at www.goldeneaglesports.com.
The University of Minnesota, Crookston is a NCAA Division II Institution and a member of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). Golden Eagle Hockey is a member of the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association (MCHA). The Golden Eagle Equestrian team is a member of the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA).
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