HighBouncersGo and CradleKing,
Must agree with Dadof3, do not see this as a rebuilding season for the Camels and do not expect a material change in Colby’s standing in the NESCAC. My research shows (not working off the 2024 rosters as there are others on this thread that have indicated that the NESCAC could have a few teams with “Super-Seniors”):
Colby
• The Mules made a big move in the off-season hiring Jake Bernhardt in the late summer so not looking to see in roster impact this year. The Mules graduate 16 seniors.
• Notable losses:
o O – Jack Goller, Henry Popko, Nick Hassan (42% of goals and 24% of dimes)
o D - Davis Strabley (10% of CT and 6% of the teams GBs)
• Notable returners:
o O - Bennett Goller, Max Solmssen (19% of goals and 22% of dimes)
o D - Jackson Alvord,Hayden Critchell (19% of CT and 10% of the teams GBs)
o FO – Justin Turley (winning 54% of the 394 draws taken)
Unless all three of Bernhardt brothers suit up for the Mules, they will be competing with Bates for last place in the NESCAC. Colby’s new Athletics center could serve to be a recruiting boost and so will having Bernhardt at the helm (hired Nov 17th), but I do not see them being a factor this year.
As for Conn:
• The Camels are set to have a good 2024 campaign, they return a very solid defence back stopped by Will Rice (they allowed the fewest goals in the NESCAC in 2023). They graduate five seniors.
• Notable losses:
o O – Jared Rainville (20% of goals and 27% of dimes)
o D - Jack Venturelli (12% of CT and 10% of the teams GBs)
• Notable returners:
o O - Aidan McAvoy, Liam Horkan, Jack Tenzer, (33% of goals and 21% of dimes)
o D - Nick McLaughlin, Henry Cabot, Myles Newport (32% of CT and 23% of the teams GBs)
o FO - Aidan Gaudet (winning 48% of the 175 draws taken)
• Coach Nagle brought in a new Offensive coordinator this year and if the Camels are to have a breakout year, they will need to get the ball in the back of the cage
Two material losses in Rainville and Venturelli (although Venturelli’s numbers were down in 23 compared to 22 (22- 59 GBs vs 23- 40 GBs, 22- 29 CT vs 23-15 CT)
You may have inside information with regards to the “Leadership issues” but I am not aware of any issues.
Their defence was solid in 2023 and based on the roster from last year they return all but one starter - filled with mostly Juniors and Seniors.
On the offensive side of the ball, Rainville was 20 percent of the offence, but he took the most shots, and his shooting percentage was one of the lower on the team for the 2023 season. Look to see more shots from Tenzer (.35 shooting percentage) and Horkan (.431 shooting percentage). Also, Nagle has brought in a new Offensive coordinator will have to wait to see what impact Grippe has but: “at St. Leo, as the Lions produced the highest and second-highest scoring seasons in school history during his tenure”
