When head coach Jamie Russell took over the hockey Huskies, they were giving up 35.2 shots per game. During senior goaltender Rob Nolan’s freshman season, they were giving up 37.8 shots per game. Last season, that number was down to 27.1. This is due, in large part, to the improved defensive talent they’ve had the last two seasons.

“We’re a team that is strong defensively,” said Russell. “We have players that have played a lot of minutes and have a lot of experience.”

Of the eight defensemen on roster this season, the Huskies boast a group of six upper classmen. Led by captain John Schwarz and assistant captain Geoff Kinrade, both seniors, this group could be the strongest Russell’s had to date.

“We’ll probably have one of [the] players on the ice throughout the whole season,” said Russell.

While Schwarz has only 10 career points, his worth is measured two-fold in his ability to clear the front of the net so that Nolan can see the initial shot and his mistake-free play. Schwartz started his career spending more time in the penalty box than on the ice, but three years later, he’s one of the better-disciplined Huskies.

“John has really developed over his career here,” said Russell. “His character is really at a very high level, and he will be a great leader for us.”

Kinrade has posted 45 points in 112 career games. The power play quarterback for the second season in a row, he has the potential for a career-numbers season leading a power play unit that needs to improve on a 14.1 percent success rate last season.

“Geoff is a real threat,” said Russell. “His role has really grown, and I think we’ll see him take another step this season.”

Four juniors, Drew Dobson, Mike VanWagner, Eli Vlaisavljevich and John Kivisto, will all vie for increased ice time this season. Two made significant contributions last season, and all four will be leaned on heavily this season.

Dobson spent a significant amount of time on the power play last season, and he saw a 12 point increase in his offensive numbers because of it. Possessing a heavy slap shot, he has the potential to either blast one past the opposing goalie or hit him hard enough to free up a juicy rebound for a forward near the net. He will need to improve in his own end this season.

VanWagner has struggled as injuries have hampered a promising career for the defensive-minded veteran. He is very consious of forwards in his own end and does a solid job of keeping the opposition from getting to loose rebounds. He’s shown confidence in the early skating with the puck heading into this season.

Despite playing in only 16 games last season, Vlaisavljevich notched three assists. An offensive-minded defenseman, he’ll likely spend more time on the power play this season, where he made great strides as the season progressed. He should improve on his career numbers of one goal and six assists.

Kivisto has been a real surprise for the Huskies. Possessing the ability to play both defense and forward, he has proven to be very versatile for a player who wasn’t recruited but instead walked on as a freshman. His efforts have made him a near staple in the lineup.

Deron Cousens, a sophomore, had a rough introduction to life in the WCHA last season. Posting seven points in 22 games, he showed a good first pass and solid offensive ability. Like Dobson, he struggled with the speed of opposing forwards. It takes longer for defensemen to adapt to the WCHA than it does forwards, and Russell isn’t worried about his young defenseman’s first season.

Freshman Ricky Doriott spent last season with the Sioux City Musketeers in the USHL and the North Iowa Outlaws of the NAHL. A 6-foot-5-inch 225 pound behemoth from Blaine, Minn., Doriott has some work to do to break into the lineup this season.

Russell is pleased to have the problem of deciding who should be in the lineup on any given night. With eight solid choices, he can’t really go wrong as long as every one of them comes to the rink ready to win.

“We’re progressing as a program where we have a lot of depth,” said Russell. “I’ve told the players that their playing time builds up like a bank account where you build up and build up so that when you do make a mistake, it’s not as costly.”