59 Teams in 59 Days Harvard

The 59 Teams in 59 Days tour continues with a trip to the elite Ivy League school in Cambridge, Massachusetts where the Harvard Crimson are featured.

Head Coach Ted Donato has done a great job with the Crimson in his first two years capturing an ECACHL tournament title this past year, and has also led the Crimson to the NCAA's in both seasons. In fact the last time Harvard missed the NCAA tournament was the 2000-2001 season.

Harvard has had all ECACHL goaltenders the previous two seasons in Dov Grumet-Morris, and John Daigneau. Another year and another question in goal, but there is some talent in net. Right now Senior Justin Tobe looks like the favorite to replace Daigneau, but there will be some competition between Sophomore Mike Coskren, and Freshmen Kyle Richter and John Riley. Four players fighting for the #1 spot in net, should be interesting to see who will be in net when Harvard's season begins.

Harvard did not have a whole lot of scoring last year, in fact in 35 games the Crimson scored 111 goals, a little more than three goals a game. Kevin Du was the teams leading scorer and he will return for a Senior season. Some might say he is due for a breakout year, well if he is due than it will have to be this year. Other players to look out for are Junior Forward Jon Peele, and Sophomore forward Charlie Johnson.

Defensively the Crimson lose two big Seniors including Peter Hafner, and Tom Walsh. But the Crimson return six players who will get roster spots including Senior Dylan Reese, Juniors Dave MacDonald, J.D. McCabe, and Dave Watters and Sophomores Brian McCafferty, and Jake Christian.

Overall this Crimson team usually improves each year. This year will be no different as Ted Donato and the Crimson will be up there in the ECACHL, and could surprise some people come NCAA tournament time.

The predicted ceiling for Harvard is first in the ECACHL, while the gutter is fourth.

Tommorrow the Holy Cross Crusaders of Atlantic Hockey will be featured. Can the Crusaders raise eyebrows with another performance in their surprise NCAA run. Find out tommorrow as the 59 Teams in 59 Days tour will continue as we move to Worcester, Massachusetts.