59 Teams in 59 Days Vermont

The 59 Teams in 59 Days tour continues with day number 55 on the tour. Today we make a trip to Burlington, Vermont where the Vermont Catamounts are featured.

Head coach Kevin Sneddon and the Catamounts entered their first year in Hockey East after leaving the ECACHL. The Catamounts had an up and down year last season in their first year.

After winning their first seven games, the Catamounts struggled after that going 11-14-6 in their final 31 games, including an 0-4-2 record in their final six. This year, there are some questions that need to be answered.

The good news is that Torrey Mitchell, returns for a Junior season. Last year Mitchell led the Catamounts in scoring with 12 goals and 28 assists for 40 points. Although he will need to improve in the goal production, Mitchell should have a better season. Sophomores Dean Strong and Peter Lenes will help contribute this year, keeping some pressure of Mitchell.

Defensively, the Catamounts allowed very few goals. 78 to be exact. The only player they lose is Jamie Sifers. Five will return on D this year, which should help Junior goaltender Joe Fallon, who has been one of the better goaltenders in the country.

Fallon will probably be the backbone of the team this year. Even though he only won 14 games last season, Fallon had a great year posting six shutouts, and had a great goals against average of 2.02. Fallon is probably one of the most underated players in the country and should be recognized this year as he will prove that he belongs as one of the elite goaltenders in the country.

Overall no one knows what to expect from Vermont this year. While they have a veteran defense, the goal scoring is still a question mark. Someone else other than Torrey Mitchell has to step up. If they can't get any goal scorers expect another up and down year from Vermont, but if they connect on all cylanders, the Catamounts can be mentioned as an NCAA team come March.

The predicted ceiling for Vermont is fourth in Hockey East, while the gutter is seventh.

Tommorrow the Wayne State Warriors will be featured as we make the trip to Detroit as the 59 Teams in 59 Days tour hits day number 56.