With a month until the Pipers hit the ice for their first practices as a team we look ahead at the 5 questions that will need to be answered.
1. How will the Pipers replace Nick Heimer in net?
Heimer (pictured above) was the undisputed starter for the club last year posting a 10-2 record and a .903 SV%. He is the most winning goaltender in Pipers Club Hockey history. But as most college students eventually do Nick graduated. In addition to Nick, defenseman Karel Popper who backed him up also graduated. So will the Pipers be able to field in a freshmen goaltender that can lead them to success? Or will they be able to land Woodbury, MN native Erick Majerle? Time will tell who ends up between the pipes come October.
2. Can the Pipers replace the Senese line?
Pipers leading scorer from the last season, Frank Senese, like Heimer was also a casualty to graduation. In addition to this his line mates transferred out. Mario Senese, brother to Frank, transferred to Michigan State in the hope to continue his career on a larger stage. Nick Tomljenovic also has been on record that he will be transferring out as well.
3. Can the Pipers bring the Pylon back?
One of the Pipers two loses was to Bethel in Game 2 of the Pylon Cup. The late game melt down lead to the Bethel Royals winning the pylon by means of score differential. The Pylon Cup is sent to take place over November 18-19. Can the Pipers take it back?
4. Who will be the Captain this year?
The Pipers have no shortage of leadership in their upper class-men. Seniors include: Parsa Monsef, Lane Mahoney, Cody Jahrig, Anthony Golio, and Nick Sova. Last season the Pipers did not name a captain. Will this be the year that one of these seniors or anyone on the team may be sporting a "C" on their chest?
5. Are the Pipers going to qualify for Regionals?
Being that the Pipers are a part of the ACHA DII Independent conference, it will be slightly more challenging because their is no end of the year tournament that guarantees qualification into the ACHA Central Regional. The Pipers definitely have some challenging games on their schedule like Iowa State and WCCHA teams like UMD and Winona State that counld help boost the Pipers ranking towards qualification.