A year ago, the 'Jackets opened the 2008-09 season by dropping eleven goals on Northland College.  That set the tone for the year, as the 'Jackets had an offense that put 128 goals on the board.  Surprising?  No, if you consider the amount of skill that resided in the group of forwards.  Yes, if you consider the fact that the year before, with almost the same group of forwards, they tied the school record for fewest goals scored in a season.  Last season saw them score 50 more goals than the year before.  Talk about your dramatic turnarounds.

"Two years ago was an odd season.  We lost a lot of man-games to injuries.  A lot of them.  That contributed to the number of goals we scored that year," said Yellowjacket Head Coach Dan Stauber.  "Last year, for the most part, we were able to stay healthy and it showed."

This year, the operative word is change.  A large group of forwards - names like Huck, Bausano, Turville, MacKenzie, Kuntz and Reda - six players that played almost every night, have graduated.  For those scoring at home, that's two full lines of forwards lost to graduation.  That means there will be a lot of new blood among the forward ranks.  But there is good news, such as All-American forward and team scoring leader Braden Desmet (Sr. Strathmore, Alberta) returning, as has goal scoring leader Chris Wilson (Sr. Prince Albert, Saskatchewan).  Combined with Logan Isley (Jr. Bonnyville, Alberta) and Talon Berlando (Jr. Drumheller, Alberta), the 'Jackets return four of their top five scorers from last season.

"I don't think anyone disputes that we have some skilled guys up front," Stauber said.  "The guys we lost, and I'm not taking anything away from any of them, but they weren't the kind of players that would lead a team in scoring.  They brought grit.  They brought character.  They did the dirty work and did the things that don't necessarily show up on the scoreboard.

"Some of the freshman will be counted on to pick up the slack lost with that class, and the returning guys will need to step up their games as well."

Among those returners that will be looked upon to take their games to the next level are co-captain Tyler Fletcher (Sr. Calgary, Alberta), Matt Wiest (Jr. Enchant, Alberta) and Tom Budziakowski (So. Toronto, Ontario).  Jesse Junkermeier (Jr. Minnetonka, Minnesota) returns to play forward after spending last season on defense.

"Those four all have room to really make big jumps this season.  They are big, they can move and they have skills that don't match the numbers they put up," Stauber said.  "I think all four of them, when the season is said and done, will have career years and will go a long way in solidifying our forward group.  I expect good things from all of them."

Another forward back is Shane Bailey (Jr. Eagan, Minnesota).  Bailey, who scored a goal and had a pair of assists two seasons ago, didn't play last season.  He's back and looking to make an impact this season.

"Shane took a year off and he came back this year in good shape.  He's stronger and I think in a position where he can really help this team," Stauber said.

Then there are the freshmen.  Six forwards graduated from last year's team and six more were brought in. 

1) Tom Engseth (Fr. Hermantown, Minnesota)
2) Tom Erlacher (Fr. Brunico, Italy)
3) Kyle Leahy (Fr. Powell River, British Columbia)
4) Justin Faryna (Fr. Calgary, Alberta)
5) Josh Kesler (Fr. Naperville, Illinois)
6) Kyle Clement (Fr. Flower Mound, Texas)

All six of them have junior hockey experience.  All six of them have something else in common - size.

"Our group of freshman forwards this season have some pretty good size," Stauber said.  "We've had some small teams in recent years but this group comes with some size.  And I think the skill they have will surprise some people.  We're happy with this group.  They're an older, experienced group.  They will be able to step in and play pretty well right from the start."

They'd better - they're going to get a lot of playing time early.

Skill returns.  Grit returns.  Veteran leadership returns.  You enters the picture, bringing along with it junior experience and some decent size.  The result should be a well-rounded group of forwards that can play with any team in the country.  This should go a long way in helping the 'Jackets return to the upper echelon of the NCHA, and potentially make another run to the NCAA tournament.

"We have a team, not just a group of forwards, but a team that we really like and we think we can make a run with," Stauber said.  "We'll learn a lot as we go along because we did have to replace an awful lot, but we like what we have here and I think the people that follow us will like what they see as well."