Dartmouth has no real big gunners capable of putting up the numbers. Unless its biggest scoring threats-- co-captain Mike Maturo (8,8) and Frank Nardella (8,12), who led the team in scoring last year-- improve upon last year's performances, it's likely that the Big Green will again suffer offensively.

This team has great potential for upset victories, but it's doubtful that it can sustain a winning record this season.

Princeton

The Tigers (10-16-4, 8-9-4 6th) will be looking for leadership after the loss of Princeton coaching legend "Toots" Cahoon to UMass. Former assistant Len Quesnelle inherits a Tigers bench that just barely missed clinching a home-ice berth last season.

While the rest of the ECAC breathes a collective sign of relief at the loss of resident goon Benoit Morin, the Tigers will sorely miss his offensive production and his physical presence, to put it nicely. Captain Kirk Lamb (8,20) is anticipated to take the helm, after leading the team in scoring last season. And without the experience of Darren Yopyk and Chris Barber on the blueline, the weight of the season will be resting on a large number of very young and inexperienced shoulders.

Junior goaltender Dave Stathos may have to improve on his 9-9-1 record and 2.85 GAA to accommodate his defenders. Expect the Tigers to take a few steps back this season, as they adjust to a new coaching staff and youth-heavy roster.

Vermont

After losing half its season to scandal, the Catamounts are "just happy to be alive," according to Head Coach Mike Gilligan. While Gilligan anticipates a reinvigorated Vermont squad finishing strongly enough in the ECAC to challenge for a chance at Lake Placid, the statistics just don't merit agreement--yet.