With a loss of 3 of its top 5 point leaders from last season and the loss of an early graduation, the Jacks will look to solid defensive play and a score by committee approach to the 2012-13 hockey season.

Head Coach Steve Fabiilli begins his eighth season behind the bench for the Northland College Hockey Program and will look to improve on last seasons accomplishments. Last year the Jack's finished sixth in the MCHA conference and fourth in the North Division braking 10 team/individual records and matching 6 team/individual records. This season the LumberJacks return 16 players from last year's squad and will add 12 newcomers. "As we head into a new season I am extremely happy with the core of guys who are back.  We lost some key contributors from a year ago in Colin McIntosh who had outstanding offensive numbers his entire career along with Nicholas Hewko who was able to graduate in three years.  Having a sold group of returners with strong work ethic and a strong desire to succeed will help with the big offensive losses in Colin and Nicholas” said Fabiilli.  “We also have tremendous leadership in Captain Brady Vandenberk and assistants Kraig Wright, Mike Lennon and newly appointed assistant Nathan Brown.”

FORWARDS
The LumberJacks will see a total of 9 returners including last year's leading scorer Kraig Wright. Wright who enters his senior year will look to continue his success as he tries to reach a couple of milestones for Northland College. He is currently 3 points away from becoming the all-time point leader at Northland and is 5 assists away from becoming the all-time assist leader which is no surprise to Fabiilli.  “When Kraig first came for a visit I told him he would have the opportunity to re-write the record books here at Northland if he wanted to.  He took that challenge and has been exceptional for us both as an offensive threat and a leader”

Northland also returns its second leader in goals scored from last year, Mike Lennon who recorded 13 goals and led the team with 5 power play goals. The Jacks will look to find some balance in offense this year and are hopeful all players will contribute offensively. Rounding out the returners on forward are seniors Austin Southerland and Mattias Persson, juniors Colin Moberly, Nathan Brown and Louis Labbe, sophomores Matt Lennon and Zeke Yslas.  “All of these players have the drive to step up this year and contribute in any way they can.  They all know we have some offensive voids to fill and are happy to share that responsibility” Fabiilli said.

The Jacks will see 5 newcomers suit up on forward including Mike Mikulan (Peoria Mustangs – NA3HL), Thomas Greene (Dryden Ice Dogs – SIJHL), Reed Armstrong (Duluth Clydesdales – SIJHL), Mike Kucil (Minnesota Flying Aces – NA3HL) and Nicholas Noto (Florida Eels – EJHLS)


DEFENSEMEN
Northland College returns 6 defensemen from last year's roster that will suit up again for this year's campaign. Senior captain Brady Vandenberk will be back to man the blue line for the Jacks. Last season Brady finished 1st in team scoring for defensemen with 9 points (2g, 7a). He is also 17 points away from becoming the all-time leader in points by a defenseman for Northland and 6 assists away from the all-time leader in career assists.

Also returning on the blue line for the Jacks will be senior Jamieson Webking, junior Trevor Leonard, sophomores Matt Valley, Cody Hasbargen and Sean Devlin.  This season sees the most defensemen returning under Fabiilli and will prove to be high competition for ice time, “With a total of 6 guys returning who are veterans and have all played full seasons combined with 4 new guys who want to be able to step in and contribute right away will provide for a high level of competition for ice time.”

Northland College will welcome 4 new defensemen for this season including Brandon Fehd (Fort Frances Lakers-SIJHL), Ryan Palm (Duluth Clydesdales – SIJHL), Chris Palm (Duluth Clydesdales – SIJHL), and Matthew Schwartz (Philadelphia Little Flyers – AJHL)


GOALIES
Northland College will see one goalie return for another year. Senior Shane Buckley will return to the crease for the Jacks. Along with Buckley, the Jacks will welcome 3 new additions in between the pipes. In their first season will be Mason Riley (Philadelphia Little Flyers – AJHL), Jesse DiLillo (New Jersey Renegades – MetJHL), and Vincent DiCarlo (Char-Lan Rebels – EOJHL).  Fabiilli sees another spot where competition for ice time will be evident “we have four goalies for one position.  Only one goalie can play at a time and only a maximum of three can dress for games.  I expect these guys to push each other and compete for ice time.  Whether it's one of them of all on them stepping up, whoever is in net has to give us the chance to win on a nightly basis and eventually move into the level of winning games on their own.” 

SCHEDULE
Northland College will begin play for the 2012-13 season with an exhibition game against the Elliot Lake Bobcats on Sunday October 21, 2012. The Jacks will open up conference play on November 2nd as they host Adrian College. The Jacks will play a total of 20 conference games with 4 games against North Division rivals Lawrence University, Marian University and Finlandia University. They will also play 2 games against South Division teams Lake Forest College, Adrian College, Concordia University and Milwaukee School of Engineering. Northland will also play 5 non-conference games this year and will travel to Moose Lake, MN to take on Bethel University (MIAC) for one game, will host Augsburg College (MIAC) for one game, will travel to Concordia College (MIAC) for two games and St. Scholastica (NCHA) for one game. The MCHA quarter finals are set for February 22nd and February 23rd with the MCHA semi-finals and finals for March 1st and 2nd.

You can follow Northland College Hockey and check out stats and results at www.northlandcollegesports.com