“We want to be recognized as a top team in the nation,” said Falcon men's hockey Head Coach Steve Freeman about the 2012-13 squad.
 
With the D3Hockey.com preseason polls released on October 18^th, Freeman's club has already accomplished one goal prior to first puck being dropped in 2012-13. The Falcons came in at No. 14 in the national poll, while selected to finish second in the NCHA according to the league's coaches' poll.
 
The Falcons return five All-WIAC performers from a year ago, including goalie Scott Lewan who was named to the All-NCHA first team – the first Falcon goalie to do so since AJ Bucchino in 2007.
 
“We have a great group of veteran players that experienced success last year,” Freeman continued, “our forwards are fast and we have a strong defensive core including Scott Lewan.”
 
Lewan is quickly rising up the ranks in the Falcon record books as he sits at seventh in career saves (1,415) and tied for third with a save percentage of .921. He led the NCHA with 715 saves last year and is just the third goalkeeper in Falcon history to record over 700 saves in consecutive seasons.
 
“Lewan was tremendous last year,” Freeman spoke about his standout goalie, “he played in every game and is the backbone of this hockey team.”
 
George Malliaras was one of three freshmen named to the All-WIAC first team, similarly one of three freshmen who earned All-NCHA honorable mention.  Malliaras was the team's top scoring defenseman with one goal and 16 points in his rookie season, he also led the WIAC with 13 power play points. 
 
Along with Malliaras on the defense, Jeff Burke earned All-WIAC honorable mention accolades.
 
Team captains Sean Roadhouse and Adam Cardwell will contribute to the team's speed and explosiveness. Roadhouse is coming off a knee injury which sidelined him most of the 2011-12 season and Cardwell was tied for third on the team in scoring with 23 points.
 
“(Roadhouse and Cardwell) are leaders who are highly competitive,” Freeman continued, “they set great examples.”
 
Tied with Cardwell in scoring, Geoff Shewmake led the Falcons with 14 goals and 23 points. Shewmake finished fifth in the NCHA in goals scored and Cardwell was sixth in the league with 70 shots.
 
Along with Cardwell and Shewmake, the Falcons return seven of their top nine scorers from a year ago. Alec Hagaman was second in the WIAC with five short-handed goals as a part of his 19 points on the season, while Willie Hess and Blake Huppert were among the top five freshmen scorers in the WIAC.
 
“I believe we have a high-powered explosive team this year and can compete at a high level,” Freeman continued, “people will be impressed with our team speed.”
 
The road ahead will not be easy as the Falcons begin the season with six of their first eight games on the road. This includes a weekend series at the two-time defending national champions, St. Norbert, followed by a trip to Stevens Point the following weekend.
 
“The NCHA is the toughest league in the nation from top to bottom,” mentioned Freeman about the competiveness of the league. The NCHA has three teams in the pre-season Top 15, with Stevens Point on the outside looking in with 24 points (unofficially at No. 19 in the nation).
 
“It's a week-by-week process,” Freeman commented on the pre-season ranking, “we need to just keep climbing.”
 
“I think our fans will be impressed and entertained. This is an exciting crew to watch and I am optimistic to having a successful season,” said Freeman who is in his 17^th season as head coach of the Falcons and has a 292-145-33 career record.
 
This 2012-13 season kicks off this weekend with the Falcons hosting Finlandia on Friday night, followed by a visit from Marian University on Saturday. The puck drops at 7:05 p.m., each night.