[Sly Fox]

The defending American Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Division 1 national champions, University of Illinois, start the 2008-2009 season atop the CollegeHockey.info ACHA Division 1 Poll.

The Fighting Illini capped a perfect 38-0 season last spring by beating the poll's second seed, Lindenwood University, in the ACHA's national championship game.

Penn State University, Liberty University, and University of Delaware round out the CollegeHockey.info ACHA Division 1 Pre-Season Poll's top five:

1. University of Illinois
2. Lindenwood University
3. Penn State University
4. Liberty University
5. University of Delaware
6. University of Rhode Island
7. University of Oklahoma
8. Iowa State University
9. Ohio University
10. West Chester University
11. Oakland University
12. Stony Brook University

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[coolhandluke]

That's big time! Liberty ranked in the top 5 in a sport? Why are we still a club team. Let's give them some support!

[RagingTireFire]

Why are we still a club team.

Multiple reasons.

[Fumblerooskies]

What we have here, is a failure to communicate.

[ToTheLeft]

I hate to be such a Debbie Downer, but really, this is where we SHOULD be. It will just be a matter staying there over the course of the year... We are one of the best ACHA teams, we just have to play like we are all year long.

[Kolzilla41]

Well guys, it is going to be an interesting year. We have a very talented team, but remember we are very young, especially in the goal and defense area. I would not be surprised with the strenght of schedule we have, if we do not make the playoffs. Not being negative but objective.

[luplayer4life]

As far as not making the play-offs, don't be ignorant. The hockey club will be at nationals, and they will have a team that is going to be good enough to win it all. They have a lot of New players, but young is not a factor.

[SuperJon]

One thing you have to realize with our hockey team is that, especially with the Canadian players, the freshmen are 20-21 years old, not 18. Most of the guys play juniors until they're 20 hoping to get a chance to go to something bigger and if that doesn't work, they come here and play. It's not like they're right out of high school.

[Kolzilla41]

I don't consider it being ignorant as being prepares. We have 3 Jr's and 3 Sr's returning from last years tournament team. Look at Oakland, Illinois and Penn Statte, their rosters are full of upper class men with "big" game experience. From all of the years of hockey I have played, coached and watched, experience is huge. Look at the Caps Versus the Flyers for another example.

[Kolzilla41]

One thing you have to realize with our hockey team is that, especially with the Canadian players, the freshmen are 20-21 years old, not 18. Most of the guys play juniors until they're 20 hoping to get a chance to go to something bigger and if that doesn't work, they come here and play. It's not like they're right out of high school.

This is a good point Jon but that doesn't necessarily mean they will have the system down and gel like a team. I really hope I am wrong though.

[luplayer4life]

Bob, when you have core players returning that is what matters most. When you look at the players lost, and the ones who are going to fill their roles, the team will be just fine. Up front what impact players were lost, and on D what impact players were lost? Sure both goaltenders are gone but that void has also been filled. When you see the line-up, you will see a better "Team".

[Kolzilla41]

Bob, when you have core players returning that is what matters most. When you look at the players lost, and the ones who are going to fill their roles, the team will be just fine. Up front what impact players were lost, and on D what impact players were lost? Sure both goaltenders are gone but that void has also been filled. When you see the line-up, you will see a better "Team".

That is exactly what I just said. If you look at the other top4 teams, their core group is made up of Jr's and Sr's, not mostly freshmen like ours. The only returning players are on D, which will help, but you will probably find our team will struggle a little in the offense and goaltender positions.

[luplayer4life]

Bob, read your very first post on here, it said you were worried about liberty's young d, now you say thats where they will be fine.... if you wanna go ahead and look at the top 6 forwards from last year, 5 of them are back. Again, if you can tell me which players we lost whose shoes cannot be filled, then you have an argument. Until that time, make sure u get to the games early to see this team play.

[Kolzilla41]

Settle down there player, a little too qucik on the offnese there. I stand corrected on the defense. The point I am making again is if you look at the other 4 top teams, they have experience and team chemistry. Its not that we don't have any, we just have less of it.

[luplayer4life]

less team chemistry..... just because you know everyone on the team for a year, doesn't make you like anyone more, or even have chemistry. have you heard of team cancers? Not everyone who returns is a positive player on a team. Of the players who are back, great chemistry, and the new guys will fit in easily in that environment.... Have you ever played a competitive sport?

[Kolzilla41]

played 8 years of hockey(travel), 4 years of soccer, 4 years of baseball(All Conference)...... No, not really

[newandimproved]

man luplayer4life, so condescending. I don't know a whole lot about the team for this year, and wouldn't begin to make predictions, but you seem to think your opinion on the hockey team is the end all, be all.

[ALUmnus]

Yeah, what's the deal with going after bob like that. WE LOVE BOB!!

[Kolzilla41]

Thanks ALUmnus. Ilove you too man....

[Sly Fox]

Who knew that an innocuous thread about preseason rankings could turn so contentious?

[Kolzilla41]

You are indeed as Sly as your name suggests.....

[luplayer4life]

well, still didn't answer my last post, i guess when you know you are wrong you can try to shift the attention elsewhere.

[Kolzilla41]

well, still didn't answer my last post, i guess when you know you are wrong you can try to shift the attention elsewhere.

played 8 years of hockey(travel), 4 years of soccer, 4 years of baseball(All Conference)...... No, not really

You are correct. I never answered the question. Read again! Also, one quick qquestion for you. How are you involved with the hockey team?

[Shrek mike]

BOB the team may have some new players but ones like mack and collin come from good back round of hockey
mack is no rookie being from Elmira and as most of you know zac is his bro and both have jr B and AAA hocky ice time so
zac is a good forward he is like a bull tuff when he needs to be and can play the puck
if zac can show the new guys were to be on the ice and grow the team it will be a good year
i think if you can play for the suger kings with the coaching staff they have in Elmira you doing ok
Elmira is top team each year
waterloo AAA teams min`s. down the road to draw from and good coaching staff i can see why there #1
listowel did the same thing denis drewer was there for 4 years and built his way with the new players so the went to the southernland cup

09.12.2008
#1 winter hawks
#2 suger kings
#3 cyclones
is your top 3 in the mid west going in to the 2nd weekend of play
Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League

Midwestern Junior Hockey Conference
Kitchener at Listowel, 7:30 p.m.
Waterloo at Stratford, 7:30 p.m.
Elmira at Guelph, 7:30 p.m.

Western Ontario Hockey Conference
London at St. Marys, 7:45 p.m

[Kolzilla41]

I get the point that we have guys coming in that have above average skills. The big issue, as I see it, is team Chemistry. I have seen hockey teams with talent , that they should win tons of games, but do not becuase of learning a new system and gelling as a team. I don't think our team will be bad, just not championship material..... And I really hope you guys at the end of the season can say " I told you so!" Trusr me, I am as big a Liberty Ice hockey fan as most people are. I've been watching them for 6 years.