"I think Ashlin's going to have a terrific year," Tomassoni said. "I think in the last eight to 10 games last year, he played his best and most consistent hockey. He's a tremendous skater and he shows tremendous courage out there."

Adams was quick to praise Halfnight and the other seniors on the squad.

"We've got three really good seniors taking charge and that helps give us really good chances in the ECAC."

Halfnight sees the same potential in the youngsters.

"We're real young team and we've got a great work ethic, great goaltending and good size and speed. We're looking for good thing from the freshmen. We're going to surprise some teams."

Juniors Jeremiah McCarthy and Higdon are also key players. Higdon led the team with 17 goals last year and figures to be important this year as well.

"You don't want to make predictions, but we're really excited," McCarthy said. "Everyone has done their work over the summer and the younger guys look really good."

McCarthy has been improving steadily and is a premier defenseman in the country, as he missed the team's Christmas trip to Minnesota in order to play for the U.S. team at the World Junior Championships. Making the most of his time, McCarthy led the U.S. defensemen in plus-minus and scored in overtime to beat Finland in the fifth-place game.

"Look at a guy like Jeremiah," Tomassoni said. "He seems to get better every time you see him. We expect a lot from guys like Jeremiah and Henry."

The Long and Winding Road

Despite the youth and the losses, the entire team seems comfortable setting high goals.

"It's definitely positive so far," Higdon said. "I think that once we get a couple of games under out belts we should be doing well. We'd like to win the Beanpot, the ECACs."

The question is really whether or not the Crimson can improve its goal scoring. Last year, the team lost numerous close games that it should have won.

"We need to score more and we need to score more consistently," Tomassoni said. "You really need to score more if you want to make it at the college level."

Even more important will be the power-play unit which was at times a nemesis for the team.