Feature by Justin Gaither, Sun Devil Athletics' Student Intern
TEMPE, Ariz. -- Yet another season of Sun Devil Hockey is nearly here. With a lot of exciting matchups and storylines on the horizon, here's a few things to look out for throughout the 2018-19 season.
Heading into just their fourth season since transitioning to Division I, and just their third season with a full D-I schedule, the Sun Devils will enter most of their match-ups as the underdogs. They'll have several opportunities to play spoiler as they are set to face nine ranked teams, four of which will be played in the state of Arizona.
While the schedule may be loaded full of tough competition, the Sun Devils bring some firepower of their own in the form of standout returners as well as some new faces to get used to.
One of the most notable returners for the maroon and gold includes sophomore forward Johnny Walker who scored 17 goals last season, good for second in the nation among freshmen.
Standout defensemen Brinson Pasichnuk and Jakob Stridsberg also look to continue their success in their time at ASU with Pasichnuk earning the title of co-captain, which he shares with junior forward Tyler Busch. Pasichnuk returns as the team leader in points with 26 just a season ago, which stands as the most for any player in a single season in the program's young history.
Other record-breakers include Walker in goals (17) and junior forward Brett Gruber with a team-leading 20 assists a season ago.
The returners should make a sizeable impact for coach Powers' squad, but there are a few new names that Sun Devil fans should get used to seeing.
While the name Demetrios Koumontzis may be a mouthful and not ring many bells now, the Edina, Minnesota native (originally from Arizona) will look to make a big splash in his freshman season. Koumontzis was selected by the Calgary Flames in the 4th round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft this past summer after finishing up his senior year at Edina High School with 41 points (20 G, 21 A) in just 24 games.
Koumontzis also joins goaltender Joey Daccord as the only Devils who are currently NHL draftees with Daccord being property of the Ottawa Senators.
The hype around the newest ASU draft pick may be high, but he isn't the only newbie to keep your eyes on. Joshua Maniscalco and Jordan Sandhu have also impressed in practice so far and could be poised to have breakout freshman seasons much like Johnny Walker and Jacob Wilson a year ago.
Maniscalco is the first U.S. National Development Team player to commit to ASU, and wore the 'C' in his only season with the Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL) with nine goals and 23 assists in 59 games last year. Sandhu racked up 99 points (25g, 74a) in 149 BCHL games between the Vernon Vipers and Alberni Valley Bulldogs.
While his presence isn't knew, redshirt freshman Austin Lemieux makes his debut this season in the maroon & gold this weekend. Coach Powers expects an immediate contribution from Lemieux, complimenting not only his skill level on the ice but his IQ.
As mentioned, the 2018-19 schedule is littered with elite opponents, including the No. 3 Buckeyes, No. 16 Penn State, No. 14 Princeton, No. 12 Boston College, No. 7 Cornell, No. 8 Boston University, and No. 13 Minnesota, in that order.
Additionally, the return of the Desert Hockey Classic to Gila River Arena on Dec. 28-29 features debatably the best tournament field in the country, including the defending national champions No. 1 Minnesota Duluth, No. 10 Minnesota State and No. 17 Clarkson.
As a program that continues to improve with each season and recruiting class, the Arizona State hockey team aims to continue its progression in 2018-19. With the first graduating class entering their final season, an added incentive rests on the shoulders of the senior class and their teammates.
Season tickets for the 2018-19 season are sold out, so get your single game tickets while you can and don't miss any of the action against some of the country's best.
TEMPE, Ariz. -- Yet another season of Sun Devil Hockey is nearly here. With a lot of exciting matchups and storylines on the horizon, here's a few things to look out for throughout the 2018-19 season.
Heading into just their fourth season since transitioning to Division I, and just their third season with a full D-I schedule, the Sun Devils will enter most of their match-ups as the underdogs. They'll have several opportunities to play spoiler as they are set to face nine ranked teams, four of which will be played in the state of Arizona.
"Our schedule ranks among one of the toughest in the country for sure, and we're looking forward to the challenges ahead," said head coach Greg Powers. "Our expectation is to go into every game knowing if we execute our game plan and play the way we want to play, we can win. We've proven that over the last two seasons against top-10, top-20 opponents. Sun Devil fans again have several opportunities to see some of the best teams in the country come to the Valley, including the defending national champions for the return of the Desert Hockey Classic."
Powers and company will dive right into things this season, opening the season against Alaska Fairbanks this weekend (Oct. 6-7) before hosting No. 2/3 Ohio State in their second series of the season Oct. 12-13 at Oceanside Ice Arena in Tempe.While the schedule may be loaded full of tough competition, the Sun Devils bring some firepower of their own in the form of standout returners as well as some new faces to get used to.
One of the most notable returners for the maroon and gold includes sophomore forward Johnny Walker who scored 17 goals last season, good for second in the nation among freshmen.
Standout defensemen Brinson Pasichnuk and Jakob Stridsberg also look to continue their success in their time at ASU with Pasichnuk earning the title of co-captain, which he shares with junior forward Tyler Busch. Pasichnuk returns as the team leader in points with 26 just a season ago, which stands as the most for any player in a single season in the program's young history.
Other record-breakers include Walker in goals (17) and junior forward Brett Gruber with a team-leading 20 assists a season ago.
The returners should make a sizeable impact for coach Powers' squad, but there are a few new names that Sun Devil fans should get used to seeing.
While the name Demetrios Koumontzis may be a mouthful and not ring many bells now, the Edina, Minnesota native (originally from Arizona) will look to make a big splash in his freshman season. Koumontzis was selected by the Calgary Flames in the 4th round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft this past summer after finishing up his senior year at Edina High School with 41 points (20 G, 21 A) in just 24 games.
Koumontzis also joins goaltender Joey Daccord as the only Devils who are currently NHL draftees with Daccord being property of the Ottawa Senators.
The hype around the newest ASU draft pick may be high, but he isn't the only newbie to keep your eyes on. Joshua Maniscalco and Jordan Sandhu have also impressed in practice so far and could be poised to have breakout freshman seasons much like Johnny Walker and Jacob Wilson a year ago.
Maniscalco is the first U.S. National Development Team player to commit to ASU, and wore the 'C' in his only season with the Dubuque Fighting Saints (USHL) with nine goals and 23 assists in 59 games last year. Sandhu racked up 99 points (25g, 74a) in 149 BCHL games between the Vernon Vipers and Alberni Valley Bulldogs.
While his presence isn't knew, redshirt freshman Austin Lemieux makes his debut this season in the maroon & gold this weekend. Coach Powers expects an immediate contribution from Lemieux, complimenting not only his skill level on the ice but his IQ.
As mentioned, the 2018-19 schedule is littered with elite opponents, including the No. 3 Buckeyes, No. 16 Penn State, No. 14 Princeton, No. 12 Boston College, No. 7 Cornell, No. 8 Boston University, and No. 13 Minnesota, in that order.
Additionally, the return of the Desert Hockey Classic to Gila River Arena on Dec. 28-29 features debatably the best tournament field in the country, including the defending national champions No. 1 Minnesota Duluth, No. 10 Minnesota State and No. 17 Clarkson.
As a program that continues to improve with each season and recruiting class, the Arizona State hockey team aims to continue its progression in 2018-19. With the first graduating class entering their final season, an added incentive rests on the shoulders of the senior class and their teammates.
Season tickets for the 2018-19 season are sold out, so get your single game tickets while you can and don't miss any of the action against some of the country's best.