Barlow plays a very offensive style of hockey and will be expected to quarterback the power-play as a rookie. McCulloch is more of a defensive defenseman and will provide the Crimson with a solid physical presence along the blueline.

"McCulloch is a hard-nosed tough kid who is a very competitive individual, ferocious hitter," Mazzoleni said. "He's one of those kids that when you see him play can really pop people. It's a skill and to date he's really awoken a few guys on our team."

When Smith returns, likely in the second week of the season, it will add another big 6'2 defenseman to the Crimson blueline, and the trio should be a solid core to build around this year and in the future.

"When you have a David McCulloch, a Graham Morrell, and a Kenny Smith it brings a physical element that you got to have," Mazzoleni said. "All three of them can make a play. You put that in with Blair Barlow, Peter Capouch, Graham Morrell, and Timmy Stay and it gives you good balance, which is one of things were trying to build here."

Goal

When the puck drops tonight against Brown, Jonas will start in net as the No. 1 goalie for the first time in his four-year career.

"So far Oliver Jonas has been good and we expect that," Mazzoleni said. "We need that. He's a man who we all know has patiently waited for this opportunity to come and he has to seize it. We're giving him that opportunity to seize it and go with it."

Jonas recorded a 3-2-0 with a 3.66 GAA and a .886 save percentage in five starts last year. Through 25 starts in his Harvard career, he has posted a very respectable 12-10-1 record, but he's never been the top netminder.