This season’s hockey Huskies are on the verge of emerging from the black hole that is the celler of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) and rejoining the league’s elite. Leading the way for the Huskies are nine seniors, the largest class of head coach Jamie Russell’s six years here.

“It’s going to be an interesting year with nine seniors and nine freshmen,” said Russell.

None will be under a larger microscope than netminder Rob Nolan. Nolan has split each of his first three seasons with Michael-Lee Teslak, and while neither ever claimed that competition was a problem, Nolan has been stonger when he’s had to carry the load himself. Compiling a 13-29-5 record over his first three seasons, Nolan will need to at least finish in double-digits in wins if the Huskies are going to compete for home ice.

“Robbie responded really well when he was called upon last season,” said Russell. “I have a lot confidence in Robbie.”

Nolan will have the luxury of playing behind two wiley veterans in assistant captain Geoff Kinrade and captain John Schwarz.

Kinrade equaled career highs in goals (5), assists (14), and points (19) while setting a new high in power play markers (4). He’ll be counted on to continue the rush up the ice as well as be the focal point of the power play this season.

While Schwarz notched his first career goal last season, he struggled early with his new leadership role. This season, he’ll need to be the rock that he developed into as the season progressed, freeing up one of the other puck-carrying defensemen to lead the rush.

“The strides that John has made since his freshman year have been tremendous,” said Russell. “John played, at times, five to six games in a row of error-free hockey.”

Up front, fifth-year senior winger Malcolm Gwilliam is the highest-scoring returning forward. His 14 points last season were disappointing, but he set a new high in assists with nine. He’ll need to boost those numbers this season as the team’s main offensive threat.

Ryan Angelow, a centerman, could be this season’s version of Tyler Skworchinski, as he became counted on to take key faceoffs late in big games last season. He’ll be leaned on heavily to do the same this season.

“Ryan has been very successful in the faceoff circle,” said Russell. “He’s a guy that’s been a penalty killer and logged a lot of ice time for us.”

Centerman Alex Gagne is heading into his third and final season with the Huskies looking to bounce back from a disappointing nine-point campaign.

Rounding out the class are three wingers all vying for increased ice time this season. Derek Kitti, Alex Lord and Justin St. Louis all struggled to find their way into the lineup over the course of their careers, but when they have been in, they’ve made it count.

Kitti needed three seasons to figure out where he fit in the WCHA. Fans of Skworchinski will remember that Tyler needed three seasons to figure himself out, and look where it got him.

Lord and St. Louis battled injuries and inconsistency the last couple of seasons. When St. Louis is on, he can score at will; just ask the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Lord is a tough-as-nails winger who will battle for every inch.

Barring major injuries this season, the Huskies just might be in line for a season like the one they had two years ago. Having lost Chris Conner, Brandon Schwartz, and Taggart Desmet to graduation, that version of the Huskies rattled off 18 victories, so the possibility is out there.