The 2009-10 Season Preview

MOORHEAD, Minn. (10/28/09)-- The Concordia rebuilding program will enter its second season and by all accounts, the plan is right on track. The Cobbers will have 22 freshmen or sophomores on this year’s 29-man roster. Of those 22 first or second-year players, 11 are freshmen. The youth movement on the team will help Concordia improve on their 3-20-2 overall record in 2009-10. The Cobbers will also be looking to use a pair of big-time wins from last year as positive momentum heading into the 2009-10 season. CC beat No.5-ranked UW-Stout in the middle of the season and then downed Gustavus 3-1 in the final series of the year. The Gusties went on to play in the NCAA Division III championship game.

The reason for second-year head coach Chris Howe’s optimism is the year of experience that an outstanding class of sophomores received from last year. Leading the super sophomores will be defensemen Erick Galt (Fargo, N.D.) who was named to the MIAC All-Conference Team last year. Galt was the team's top defenseman last year and logged more playing time than any other player on the team. He was on the team's top power play unit and was also a key member of the Cobber penalty kill team. He led the team in shots on goal with 82 and was tied for the team lead in shots on goal in conference play with 56. He also finished the season tied for the team lead in power play goals (3). Galt was named one of the alternate captain for the season and his leadership on the blue line will help the Cobbers cut down on their goals against average in 2009-10.

Another sophomore will be one of the leaders of the offense. Marc Harrie (Fargo, N.D.) was named to the MIAC All-Conference Honorable Mention Team in 2009-10. Harrie was tied for the team lead in points in all games. He finished the year with nine goals and 11 assists for 20 points. In MIAC play he had six goals and seven assists for 13 points.

Another reason for optimism is the fact that Concordia returns four of their top five scorers from last year. Joining Harrie and Galt as the top scorer’s from a year ago are defenseman Mark Johnson (So., Bloomington, Minn.) and Shawn Goos (Sr., Fergus Falls, Minn.). Johnson was tied for the team lead in assists with 11 and Goos, this year’s captain, was tied for third on the team in goals scored.

Once again the biggest key for the Cobbers will be between the pipes. Concordia played four different goalies last year and continually tried to find a consistent netminder. Junior Mike Persson (Regina, Sask.) logged the most minutes last season and finished the year with a 3.95 goals against average. Two other returners also played in at least three games. Ole Bronbo (Jr., Fjellhamar, Norway) and Joe Duncan (So., Moorhead, Minn.) have shown they can compete at the college level and will be looking to make a push for more minutes in 2009-10.

Howe is excited by his second straight competitive recruiting class. The Cobbers have added a mix of local junior players and outstate and Canadian players. There will be three freshmen defensemen on the roster to go along with seven first-year forwards. A trio of newcomers could make an impact right away. Pat Deitz (Moorhead, Minn.), Ben Payne (Maple Ridge, B.C.) and Brian Kang (Vancouver, B.C.) have all shown impressive moments in the preseason practice sessions.

Concordia will open the season at the inaugural MIAC Hockey Showcase on Oct. 31-Nov.1. After that initial weekend, the Cobbers will head on the road to face a pair of nationally ranked NCHA teams. CC will play at No.4-ranked UW-Superior on Nov. 6 and then travel to No.13-ranked St. Scholastica on Nov. 7. Concordia will open the MIAC season at home against St. Mary’s on Nov. 13-14.