During the 1999-2000 season, Miami demonstrated early flashes of brilliance, cruising to an 8-4-2 record, including a home sweep of eventual Central Collegiate Hockey Association Playoff Champion Michigan State. A rash of injuries caught up to the RedHawks shortly after that, however, and Miami slid to a final record of 13-20-5.

"Early on we were really committed to each other and working hard," Blasi said. "Most importantly, we didnt waste time dwelling on what went wrong. Thats something we need to get back to this season. We have to learn to play for the moment and not two weeks down the road."

With their injuries now mended, including those of junior Jason Deskins, who led the CCHA in goals during the 1998-99 season, and fifth-year senior Gregor Kranjc, who tallied six goals in just eight games last season, and 20 letterwinners returning, the RedHawks appear well equipped to take care of the business at hand this season. According to Blasi, the lessons of last season have only served to make this seasons team stronger.

"Last year we learned a lot about each other and what we expect from one another as far as work ethic, commitment and attitude," Blasi said. "We accomplished some things last season that really had nothing to do with wins and losses."

According to Blasi, the RedHawks have no shortage of leadership for the upcoming year. Along with Deskins, the team captain, and Kranjc, seniors Pat Leahy, last seasons leading scorer, Ernie Hartlieb, Anthony Donskov and Clarke Walford are ready to take the responsibility of leadership squarely on their shoulders.

"Jason is the team captain, and well look for him to be the guy that holds everyone together and really sets the stage for the whole team," Blasi said. "Weve also got a good group of seniors that have been through this before and understand what it takes."

Along with a solid group of upperclassmen, Miami also will be able to look to a group of returners who rose to the occasion during a challenging 1999-2000 season. Sophomore Nick Jardine, an honorable mention CCHA All-rookie Selection, finished third on the team in scoring last season while junior Evan Cheverie finished a close fourth. Defenseman Matt Medvecz returns after being named the teams outstanding defensive player during his rookie campaign while sophomore goalkeeper David Burleigh also returns after an impressive freshman season in which he established records for most shutouts in a season (3), longest scoreless streak (149:39) and most wins by a freshman (11).

According to Blasi, the combination of a strong core of returning players along with a talented incoming class has him feeling confident.

"The guys coming back now understand what it takes to be one of the top teams in our league, Blasi said." "The challenge is set for them, and I feel very good about how theyll respond."

The Forwards

With four of its top five leading scorers returning from last season, along with the returns of Deskins and Kranjc from season-ending injuries, Miami enters the 2000-2001 season with a formidable forward corps.

"We have a versatile combination of hitters, scorers and passers coming back, Blasi said. As a whole, the balance and depth of our forwards are as good theyve been in years."

Leading the RedHawk forwards are Jason Deskins and Pat Leahy, who will attempt to regain their chemistry from a sensational 1998-99 sophomore season in which Deskins was a finalist for CCHA Player of the Year. Deskins tallied an impressive 40 (26-14-40) points during his sophomore season but went down with a torn anterior cruciate ligament during the first game of last season.

"Were very excited to have Jason back and healthy," Blasi said. "Hopefully he and Pat can regain their touch from two years ago when Jason led the league in goals. Well look for them to lead this team both on and off the ice."

Following Deskins injury, Gregor Kranjc briefly stepped into the spotlight before tearing both his anterior cruciate and medial collateral ligaments early in the season. During that brief stint, Kranjc had become the RedHawks leading scorer with seven (6-1-7) points, including a hat trick in an overtime win at St. Cloud State.

"Gregor has good speed, good size and great knowledge of the game," Blasi said. "He will be a big factor in any success this team realizes."

Despite last seasons key injuries, the RedHawks were actually able to up their scoring from 243 (98-145-243) points during the 1998-99 season to 251 (99-152-251) points last season. Much of that could be accredited to Leahy, who led the team with 38 points (16-22-38), and the duo of Nick Jardine and Evan Cheverie, who tallied 22 (12-10-22) and 20 (8-12-20) points, respectively.

Also figuring into the mix at the forward position are seniors Ernie Hartlieb, who finished fifth on the team in scoring a year ago with 18 points (3-15-18), and Anthony Donskov, juniors Mike Glumac and Matt Chandler and sophomores Steve Hildenbrand, Chris Knupp and Danny Stewart.

Miami inked a quartet of newcomers that will also challenge for playing time up front, including Derek Edwardson, Greg Hogeboom, Michael Kompon and Aaron Price.

The Defensemen

Miami returns a wealth of experience in its corps of defensemen, where it returns six of seven letterwinners from a year ago.

Leading the RedHawk defense is Matt Medvecz, who saw action in 31 games last season while tallying eight points (3-5-8). According to Blasi, the team will continue to rely on the sophomore during the upcoming season.

"He was a real key for us as a freshman and was probably our most consistent defenseman," Blasi said. "Were hoping for him to pick up right where he left off."

Blasi also will look to Clarke Walford, the lone senior of the defensemen, to provide leadership in back. Last season, Walford earned his second varsity letter while seeing action in 33 games.

"Clarke was a tremendous surprise for us last season," Blasi said. "After playing very little during his sophomore season, he relished the opportunity to play and really made the most of it. Were counting on him to be one of our mainstays."

A key for the RedHawks defense comes in a trio of defensemen that, according to Blasi, are on the verge of taking their games to new levels in the upcoming season. Juniors Ken Marsch, Pavel Nejezchleb and Jake Ortmeyer combined for 96 games and 17 (7-10-17) points a year ago.

"Ken is a very talented skater and shooter, and were hoping the two years of experience under his belt will help him to the next level," Blasi said. "Jake is a big, strong defenseman whos very good when hes on his game, and Pavel is becoming one of our mainstays as he continues to become more aggressive."

Another returner who could see action during the upcoming season is junior Bart Stevens, who saw action as role players last season. Blasi also will look toward freshmen Matt Cady, A.J. Kratofil and Brian Sipotz to bolster the RedHawk defense.

The Goaltenders

Miamis goalkeeping situation, which appeared to be firmly in the grasp of David Burleigh, has been made more interesting this season by the return of redshirt freshman David Bowen and the addition of freshman Nick Petraglia.

Burleigh enjoyed one of the most sensational freshman seasons of any Miami goaltender last year, compiling an 11-13-0 mark and a 3.33 goals against average. The six-foot, 185 lb. sophomore started 25 games in the crease last season and is the frontrunner entering the 2000-2001 season.

"Burleigh played most of our games last season and saw a lot of action," Blasi said. "I think he understands now that to be successful as a goalie, you have to be prepared for the entire season."

Challenging Burleigh is Bowen, who returns to Miami after taking a year to play for the Sioux Falls Stampede of the USHL. During his stint with the Stampede, Bowen compiled an impressive record of 31-15-0 while collecting 1,367 saves. He ranked third in the USHL in wins, fourth in saves and first in shootout wins with six.

Also joining the Miami goalkeeping corps is Petraglia, whos coming off an impressive career at Shattuck St. Marys Prep in Fairbault, Minn. Petraglia finished his prep campaign with a senior season in which he compiled a 32-7-1 record, a .921 save percentage and a goals against average of 1.717.

"With Bowen and Petraglia coming into the fold, I expect Burleigh to really be pushed," Blasi said. "The trio should complement one another, making our goalkeeping much stronger."