OSWEGO, N.Y. – The Oswego State men’s ice hockey team enters the 2015-16 in both national polls’ top 10. On Wednesday, D3hockey.com released its preseason rankings, placing the Lakers at No. 5. A day later, USCHO divulged its poll, putting Oswego one spot back at No. 6. The Lakers were the highest ranked SUNYAC squad in both polls.
Oswego will start its campaign to make a seventh-straight NCAA Division III Championship appearance at 7 p.m. on Friday at Geneseo. The Knights are receiving seven votes in the USCHO poll and are picked to finish third in the conference.
When the season begins, the Lakers will be captained by junior defenseman Chris Raguseo. Raguseo will be assisted by seniors Brandon Adams, a forward, and Mac Scott, a defenseman.
The Lakers return five of its top six scorers from a year ago, headed by All-American and reigning SUNYAC MVP Shawn Hulshof. In 28 games last season, the forward posted 42 points on 20 goals and 22 assists.
In net, Matt Zawadzki will be between the pipes for a third season. The junior finished 2014-15 with a 12-4-2 record, a 2.18 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage. SeniorJustin Gilbert will help with the goaltending duties as well, after posting a 1.54 goal-against average, .933 save percentage and a 6-1-2 mark. Newcomer Adrian Ignagni, a transfer, will also see time in goal.
