“I don’t want to imagine where we’d be without Pete,” Smith said. “He’s a phenomenal player who really holds the team together.”

“He may be best captain I’ve ever had on a hockey team,” Mazzoleni said.

Despite standing just 5’6”, miniscule for a college hockey player, Capouch consistently holds his own against much bigger forwards with superior technique and toughness. Capouch also adds an offensive presence, tallying seven goals and 14 assists last year. His ability to sustain such effective play amongst an inexperienced corps of defensemen is why Mazzoleni calls him the most underrated player in college hockey.

Senior Graham Morell was expected to provide solid play and much-needed additional veteran leadership, but a recurring shoulder injury has ended his hockey career. Morell will remain on he team as a student-assistant coach.

Last year’s trial-by-fire should help Harvard’s three sophomore defensemen this season.

Leading the trio is Kenny Smith (0-2—2). Despite missing the first half of the year with a stress fracture in his leg, Smith was the team’s second-best defenseman by season’s end. A third-round pick of the NHL Edmonton Oilers this summer, Smith flashed some his potential with some steady play in his freshman year.

Dave McCulloch adds a physical presence to the Harvard blue-line. McCulloch, a more defensive blueliner, is probably most likely to deliver a needed big hit in the Crimson’s own zone.

While not as physical, Blair Barlow is the most offensive-minded of the three sophomores. His six points last year trailed only Capouch among Harvard defensemen, and he will be expected to quarterback the Crimson power-play.

Like last year, Harvard will count on three freshmen to fill significant roles on defense. The most highly-touted of the trio is Brighton native Noah Welch. Welch was the highest draftee of any incoming ECAC player, having been selected in the second round by the Pittsburgh Penguins. A huge player (6’4, 215), Welch has displayed exceptional mobility for his size.

“Noah has the potential to develop into a dominating college player,” Mazzoleni said.

Joining Welch is Jesse Lane, who has the best offensive skating skills of the three freshmen. Mazzoleni hopes Ryan Lann will become this year’s version of Tim Pettit—a sleeper recruit who makes a huge impact.

Goaltending

This is without a doubt the biggest question mark on the team. Without a single experienced netminder on the roster, no one knows what to expect.

On one hand, the same goaltending questions were asked last year about Oliver Jonas after Harvard lost four-year starter J.R. Prestifilippo ’00 to graduation.

All Jonas did was become the team’s most valuable player.