Miami Hockey Mailbag (Week 1)

What is your season projection (NCHC standings & NPI)?

• I project a 20+ win season, a fifth-place finish in the NCHC standings, and an NPI ranking in the 20-15 range.

What is a realistic goal for this season?

• I’m obviously totally bought in to what Noreen is building in Oxford, so in my opinion, a top-six finish in the NCHC standings and 20+ wins is a realistic goal. However, Noreen and company have high expectations and are shooting for an NCAA Tournament berth. To do this as an at-large team in a 16-team tournament, finishing in the 14-10 NPI range is where you need to be, just in case some teams run the table in their conference tournaments. Winning the NCHC Tournament would also guarantee a spot. It’s a tall task, but one that can’t be ruled out.
• If Miami can win more games in regulation, especially on the road (more points), since overtime wins earn fewer NPI points, it’s possible this program can make the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2015. Their level of competition, both in non-conference play and in the NCHC, provides plenty of opportunities against high-NPI teams to boost their rating, so it’s plausible. They finished with 51 NPI points last season, good for 33rd, and would likely need 54+ points to be within range of an at-large bid.

Who are your top breakout candidates?

• Shaun McEwen, sophomore defenseman: Expect more two-way production from McEwen, as he showed flashes of development toward the end of last season and finished with eight points.
• David Deputy, sophomore forward: Deputy might be the team’s leading scorer by the end of the season. He is continuing right where he left off after making the NCHC All-Rookie Team last season and should break out even more.
• Ilia Morozov, sophomore forward: Obviously, Morozov broke out during the first half of last season, especially in non-conference play, but expect him to score more consistently this year with another season of experience under his belt. As the highest draft pick in Miami hockey history (20th overall to Buffalo), he has a lot of eyes on him, but expect him to continue living up to those expectations. His skating has also improved, and he has grown more into his frame.
• The returning defensemen logged heavy minutes last season. Vladislav Lukashevich led the group at 22:35 per game and also led all defensemen with 19 assists. Michael Phelan followed at 19:01, Ryder Thompson at 18:28, and McEwen at 17:29. All of them have taken steps forward, look faster and stronger, and appear more confident with the puck.
• Out of all the freshmen, I think Ryan Seelinger is due for a breakout season based on what I’ve seen in practice. He has become more physical, and his speed is absolutely elite, just like Deputy’s. “I had to work on it in the offseason, get more physical, and play through guys. The coaching staff here has been helping me, telling me to finish my bumps and get above guys. I’m trying to make that a point of emphasis in my game,” Seelinger said.

How would you describe the atmosphere at practices?

• As Drobac said during this week’s press conference, Noreen runs a tight ship. He’s a good mix of being a players’ coach while still expecting the best from his team, and he has no hesitation about turning mistakes into teaching moments by pulling players aside.
• I would describe the practices as locked in, laser-focused, and highly competitive. During drills, teammates battle hard along the boards and aren’t afraid to be physical with one another. Embracing the chippiness is evident even in practice. The red-versus-gray team drills are about as competitive as you can get. The losing side has to skate goal line to goal line twice, so it’s full throttle to win.

How do you think Noreen will utilize Drobac/Yegorov? Could you see a tandem similar to Reichard/Knapp? I’m sure with the potential Yegorov has, he will be used more than Langevin (Mathis) was?”

• From what I’ve seen in a limited number of practices (two), I expect Matteo Drobac to get the majority of the starts. However, Noreen told me at NCHC Media Days that there will be more of a tandem approach this season with Drobac and Yegorov.
• Benji Motew has also made major improvements, and it’s been noticeable. Because of that, I’m not sure whether he works his way into some non-conference games, but I wouldn’t rule out seeing him once or twice this season, especially during the bumps and bruises. “Benji has been so impressive day in and day out. Not that he wasn’t last year, but coming back after another summer, just the way he works and the way he does everything is so impressive on a daily basis.”
• On the three goalies, Noreen said: “They’re here early, they stay late, they take care of their bodies, and they want extra work. I think Jimmy Spratt, now our goaltending director, has done a tremendous job with those guys by making sure they’re all pushing each other, getting better, and building on the skill sets they already have.”
• I see Drobac leading the group in games played more than the Knapp/Reichard tandem did. I foresee Yegorov playing at least 10 games; however, this is all speculation, and he could maybe outplay Drobac.

Which new players (transfers or freshmen) bring a key element that last year’s team might have lacked or not had? How do you think the overall play style will change? What about the power play?

I’m going to go down quite a list for this one:

• David Helledy, junior transfer defenseman from Bentley: He is going to be a massive addition to the power play alongside Runtso. Helledy led Bentley in ice time at 21:35 per game as a sophomore en route to an AHA championship. He has elite hands and can walk the blue line, which should translate well to Miami’s power play.
• Chuck Blanchard, freshman forward: He’s going to surprise people with his versatility. “Last year with Muskegon, he was a guy who played everywhere. He played on the power play, played center, left wing, and right wing. He’s the kind of guy you can plug in anywhere, and that’s where he’s going to be extremely valuable for us,” Noreen said.
• Branko Vukas, freshman defenseman: Vukas skates extremely well for his size at 6-foot-4, 214 pounds, similar to another big addition in 6-foot-5 defenseman Jack Hamilton. “We’re not bringing in big guys who are clunky. These are big guys who can skate, who are mobile, have great agility, are athletic, and also bring offense,” Noreen said. This is an area where Miami improved significantly this offseason: size combined with skating ability.
• Layne Loomer, freshman forward: Loomer has elite breakaway speed. He reminds me a lot of David Deputy in terms of his production in the USHL last season with the Lincoln Stars. Noreen had no issue playing freshmen last season and won’t now, so expect to see the Loomer-Seelinger duo plenty. Both will need time to develop, but once they get up to speed with the college game, look out.
• Timmy Runtso, freshman defenseman: A late second-round Montreal Canadiens draft pick this summer, Runtso brings elite power-play ability, playmaking, and offensive upside that Miami lacked at times last season. Miami finished at 12.1% on the power play, near the bottom of college hockey, and failed to capitalize in several important moments down the stretch. “It’s an area we know we need to be better in. A lot of it is personnel and getting the right guys in the right spots. The work Timmy’s done over the last two years shows he can grow into that role,” Noreen said. Once Runtso gets acclimated, he’s going to play a major role on the blue line.
• Yegor Yegorov, freshman goaltender: Yegorov gives the goalie room a different look at 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds. He is a taller and bigger option than Drobac while also being effective in tight spaces and at closing gaps. “He’s super athletic and competitive, an elite skater, able to make the difficult save, and he’s been on a lot of teams where he’s seen a ton of shots. He’s a guy who gives you a chance to win every night,” Noreen said.

Who might be the most entertaining player and character this season?

• There are plenty of entertaining players to watch this season for a variety of reasons: David Deputy’s speed, skill, and hands in tight; Kocha Delic’s speed; Ilia Morozov’s combination of size, skill, and one-timer; Matteo Drobac’s sprawling blocker saves; Matteo Giampa’s hands and shot; and Timmy Runtso’s two-way game and power-play quarterback abilities.
• If we’re talking characters and chippiness (big hits), keep an eye on captain Doug Grimes and assistant captains Ethan Hay and Bradley Walker. Freshman defenseman Cal Huston plays with an edge, as do Nick Mikan and Branko Vukas. There are plenty of players on this roster who aren’t afraid to throw the body around.
• This team will block shots up and down the lineup, especially among the defensemen. It’s pretty entertaining to watch the bench react when someone lays out to block a shot.
• Yegorov has quite the personality, as most goalies do, which was evident in my interview with him a week or so ago. Afterward, we spoke extensively about Russian history, and as a secondary education history teacher in training, I thought that was awesome.
• This is going to be a fast team. Deputy, Seelinger, Loomer, Giampa, and Delic can all fly and have the ability to break a game open. It’s going to be fun to watch.

Who will be the stiffest competition this season?

• The NCHC is the best conference in college hockey for a reason. Miami will face Denver, North Dakota (twice), Western Michigan (twice), and Minnesota Duluth, all programs that made the 2026 NCAA Tournament.
• In non-conference play, Miami faces several tough opponents in difficult environments. Opening the season at Northern Michigan (Oct. 2-3) is a potential trap series in a tough venue in Marquette. An early January trip to Maine will also be challenging, as Alfond Arena is one of the most electric environments in college hockey. Their students will be on winter break, so maybe it won’t be as intimidating as usual.
• Especially now that the CHL-to-NCAA pipeline is open, most programs have legitimate talent, and any team can win on any given night. Robert Morris, Alaska-Anchorage, and Stonehill are also not programs to take lightly.