The Hobart College ice hockey team was voted No. 10 in the nation in the USCHO.com preseason poll. The Statesmen open the 2017-18 season on Friday, Oct. 27, with a non-league game at Elmira at 7 p.m.
Hobart finished last season with a 20-5-4 overall record and a 9-4-1 mark in the ECAC West. The Statesmen captured their third straight ECAC West Tournament title and made the NCAA tournament for the third year in a row and seventh time in program history.
This year, the Statesmen return 17 players from last year’s roster and welcome 12 newcomers to the team. Senior Frank Oplinger and sophomore Alexander Connal return in goal. Oplinger had an 11-5-2 record in 2016-17. He sported a 2.43 goals against average and a .921 save percentage. Connal was 7-0-2 last year and had a 1.83 goals against average and a .935 save percentage.
Three of Hobart’s top five scorers from last winter are back. Junior Jonas Toupal posted 12 goals and 11 assists last year and junior Tanner Shaw had two goals and a team-high 19 assists. Sophomore Zach Sternbach produced nine goals and 10 assists in his rookie season.
After taking on the Soaring Eagles, the Statesmen will play their home opener on Sunday, Oct. 29, against Oswego. The non-league contest begins at 4 p.m. in The Cooler. Fans unable to make the game can follow the action online with Live Stats and All-Access Video. The game will also be broadcast live on WHWS-FM (105.7 in Geneva).
