These are the TBRW ECAC Predictions for the 2005-06 season. For the gory statistical details, see Never Apologize, Never Explain.
In 2004-05, Cornell was expected to compete for ECAC and national honors, and they did so, rolling to an outstanding 27-5-3 record and winning the ECAC regular season and tournament championships. Invited to the NCAAs for the third time in four seasons, a mark exceeded only during the Harkness Years, Cornell mounted a thrilling comeback against Ohio State before losing a heartbreaker on Minnesota's home ice in the regional final .
Entering this season, the losses are significant, as forward Shane Hynes earned an early promotion to the pros, while captain Mike Knoepfli and defensive stalwart Charlie Cook joined Mike Iggulden, Jeremy Downs, and Paul Varteressian in being graduated. But a strong freshman squad will help Mike Schafer, inked to a long extension, in his drive to surpass Dick Bertrand's win total. There are also persistent rumors that the incoming class of September 2006 is shaping up to rival that of September 1999 as Coach Schafer's finest.
| 1. | Cornell | |
|
2. |
Dartmouth | |
| 3. | Harvard | |
| 4. | Colgate | |
| 5. | Clarkson | |
| 6. | Brown | |
| 7. | St. Lawrence | |
| 8. | Union | |
| 9. | Yale | |
| 10. | RPI | |
| 11. | Princeton | |
| 12. | Quinnipiac |
We repeat last year's methodology, with a few adjustments to account for the replacement of UVM with a new conference member, the Quinnipiac Bobcats. For the full statistical details, see Never Apologize, Never Explain.
We know of the following non-senior departures, either by defection to the pros, transfer, loss of eligibility or leaving the team or school, among players with at least one appearance last season:
In all other cases, each non-senior who appeared in at least one game last season is assumed to be returning.