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How hard is it to repeat as NCAA champions?

September 30, 2014, 1:19 PM ET [7 Comments]
Bob Herpen
NCAA Hockey Analyst • RSSArchiveCONTACT
Union College will step onto the ice at Messa Rink by welcoming American International on October 10 as the reigning NCAA men's ice hockey champions.

Rick Bennett's new squad, now captained by Charlie Vasaturo, should have a bit of a chip on their collective shoulders given that the USCHO preseason poll, released yesterday, pits the Dutchmen not what would be a deserving No. 1, but only fifth in the rankings with one first-place vote.

No matter what a particular school's losses through graduation or professional contracts might be, it's a bit disrespectful for the previous year's winner to be left out of the top spot in the preseason poll. If for nothing else, a token acknowledgement before the next season's games begin to count is completely appropriate.

Going back 17 years, the country's pre-eminent online college hockey publication has been very selective in honoring the previous year's champs as the top program in its initial poll the next Autumn. Below is a list of NCAA winners and the school which was slotted #1 heading into the following season:

96-97: North Dakota def. Boston University
97: North Dakota

97-98: Michigan def. Boston College
98: Boston College

98-99: Maine def. New Hampshire
99: Boston College

99-00: North Dakota def. Boston College
2000: North Dakota

00-01: Boston College def. North Dakota
2001: Michigan State

01-02: Minnesota def. Maine
2002: Minnesota

02-03: Minnesota def. New Hampshire
2003: Minnesota

03-04: Denver def. Maine
2004: Michigan

04-05: Denver def. North Dakota
2005: Denver

05-06: Wisconsin def. Boston College
2006: Wisconsin

06-07: Michigan State def. Boston College
2007: North Dakota

07-08: Boston College def. Notre Dame
2008: Boston College

08-09: Boston University def. Miami (Ohio)
2009: Denver

09-10: Boston College def. Wisconsin
2010: Boston College

10-11: Minnesota-Duluth def. Michigan
2011: Notre Dame

11-12: Boston College def. Ferris State
2012: Boston College

12-13: Yale def. Quinnipiac
2013: UMass-Lowell

13-14: Union def. Minnesota
2014: Minnesota

There have only been four programs in the history of Division I which have managed to repeat: Michigan, Denver, Boston University and Minnesota. The Wolverines -- who still claim the greatest number of men's hockey championships -- were the first to do it, and they made good twice: 1951-53 and again from 1955-56. The Pioneers hold the record of three separate back-to-back winners: 1960-61; 1968-69 and again in 2004-05.

Denver was the last to claim consecutive titles, capping an amazing run of luck for former WCHA programs in the Frozen Four which culminated in the Gophers and Pioneers taking four in a row in the early 2000s.

Union must deal with the departure of their primary mover on the blueline, Shayne Gostisbehere, a 2012 Philadelphia Flyers draft pick now on the cusp of the NHL. Gostisbehere ended up with an incredible plus-7 along with a goal and two assists in a 7-4 win over Minnesota at Philadelphia back on April 12. In addition, former captain and defenseman Mat Bodie along with forward Matt Hatch, Kevin Sullivan and Cole Ikkala all completed their four-year courses.

Yet, that's it for significant losses on a club which was veteran laden to begin with. Starting goaltender Colin Stevens -- who did former incumbent Troy Grosenick (who led Union to a 2012 semifinal berth) one better -- is now a senior with the confidence of a national title in his pocket. Daniel Ciampini, he of the hat trick against BC in the semis, returns for his senior campaign, with Max Novak, Mark Bennett, Sam Coatta providing leadership up front.

Vasaturo, another senior but antithesis to "Ghost" as a stay-at-home defender, does lead a defensive corps on the young side, with one junior, three freshmen and two sophomores. However, it will be rare to find a pundit or fan who is expecting a repeat of seven shutouts and 88 total goals allowed over 42 games. If the Dutchmen get close, they'll still be a force in the ECAC and nationally.

So, how did Minnesota and Denver manage to maintain their status at the head of the crowd in consecutive years? For one, both teams had some bona-fide potential NHL talent within their ranks.

The Gophers took the 2002 title with the likes of Hobey Baker winner Jordan Leopold, Jeff Taffe, Keith Ballard, Paul Martin and Adam Hauser, and the next year, despite losing Hauser and Leopold, gained phenomenal freshman winger Thomas Vanek who led the team in goals and points.

The Pioneers boasted future Hobey recipient Matt Carle in '04, along with Adam Berkhoel, who led the way with seven whitewashes. Joining the fray for the 2005 win over conference rival and national powerhouse North Dakota was freshman center Paul Stastny and surprising undrafted first-year netminder Peter Mannino.

For another, Minnesota steered clear of potential grudge matches while Denver was able to navigate that minefield.

The Gophers had the benefit of a bye in the first round back in '02 before the tournament was expanded, so they needed just one win -- over a familiar foe in Colorado College -- to advance to the Frozen Four. In '03, once the tourney admitted 16 schools, lightweights Mercyhurst and Ferris State awaited before an overtime rematch with Michigan made the title game vs. UNH seem like a cakewalk.

In 2004, Denver had to gut out a 1-0 win over #1 seed and WCHA rival UND in the West Regional Final, then got by Minnesota-Duluth before winning another 1-0 death-struggle with the conservative defense of Maine. The next season, the Pioneers gained the top seed in the Northeast ad had to win in OT against Bemidji State before taking 'er easy with UNH, Colorado College and North Dakota in the championship.

Boston College, which has won four crowns since 2000, went through feast and famine in its quest to stay on top. After winning in '08, the Eagles drew the Fighting Sioux who were looking to redress past grievances and knocked them out in the opening game. After a win in 2010, Colorado College ended those repeat dreams in the tourney commencer, then in 2013, it was that little school from Schenectady who boosted their profile by sending BC packing early on.

Yale, which lost a significant chunk of its successful core after winning two years back, didn't even make it beyond the ECAC tourney last year.

Rankings, though, are pernicious by nature. Losses and bye weeks adversely affect a program's standings, especially early in the season, and since any evaluation by descending numerics tends to simply rely on latest performance, aren't an indicator of overall success.

Union is a prime example of that, having hovered in the middle five for most of the year before finally gaining recognition by winning the ECAC with ease and exploding into the tournament as the #1 team. It's a shame that respect wasn't paid as the new year begins.
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