2002–03 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season

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The 2002–03 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season began on October 4, 2002, and concluded with the 2003 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament's championship game on April 12, 2003, at the HSBC Arena in Buffalo, New York. This was the 56th season in which an NCAA ice hockey championship was held and is the 109th year overall where an NCAA school fielded a team. The 2002–03 season was the final year for the MAAC hockey conference when Iona and Fairfield ended their programs at the conclusion of the season.[1]

The NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament expanded to 16 teams for the first time in 2003. As a result, two regional sites were added for the new Northeast and Midwest brackets.

Season Outlook[edit]

Pre-season polls[edit]

The top teams in the nation as ranked before the start of the season.

The U.S. College Hockey Online poll was voted on by coaches, media, and NHL scouts. The USA Today/American Hockey Magazine poll was voted on by coaches and media.

USCHO Poll
Rank Team
1 Minnesota (22)
2 Denver (13)
3 Michigan (3)
4 New Hampshire (1)
5 Boston University (2)
6 Maine
7 Michigan State
8 Cornell
9 Boston College
10 Colorado College
11 St. Cloud State
12 Northern Michigan
13 North Dakota
14 Harvard
15 Ohio State
USA Today Poll
Rank Team
1 Minnesota (12)
2 Michigan (1)
3 Denver (2)
4 New Hampshire
5 Boston University
6 Maine
7 Michigan State
8 Cornell
9 St. Cloud State
10 Colorado College
11 Northern Michigan
12 (tie) Boston College
12 (tie) North Dakota
14 Harvard
15 Ohio State

Regular season[edit]

Season tournaments[edit]

Tournament Dates Teams Champion
Lefty McFadden Invitational October 4–5 4 Miami
Black Bear Classic October 11–12 4 Maine
Ice Breaker Tournament October 11–12 4 Boston University
Maverick Stampede October 11–12 4 Denver
Xerox College Hockey Showcase October 11–12 4 North Dakota
Nye Frontier Classic October 18–19 4 Colorado College
College Hockey Showcase November 29–December 1 4
Denver Cup December 27–28 4 Denver
Dodge Holiday Classic December 27–28 4 Minnesota
Subway Holiday Classic December 27–28 4 North Dakota
Florida College Classic December 28–29 4 Maine
Great Lakes Invitational December 28–29 4 Boston University
Ledyard Bank Classic December 28–29 4 Dartmouth
Rensselaer Holiday Tournament December 28–29 4 Merrimack
Badger Showdown December 29–30 4 Wisconsin
Beanpot February 3, 10 4 Boston University

Standings[edit]

Conference Overall
GP W L T PTS GF GA GP W L T GF GA
#6 Ferris State 28 22 5 1 45 121 64 42 31 10 1 188 100
#4 Michigan* 28 18 7 3 39 111 72 43 30 10 3 167 103
#12 Ohio State 28 16 8 4 36 90 63 43 25 13 5 129 95
#15 Michigan State 28 17 10 1 35 113 83 39 23 14 2 154 118
Northern Michigan 28 14 13 1 29 91 83 41 22 17 2 144 120
Miami 28 13 12 3 29 86 66 41 21 17 3 132 101
Notre Dame 28 13 12 3 29 90 90 40 17 17 6 122 123
Western Michigan 28 13 14 1 27 92 101 38 15 21 2 122 147
Alaska-Fairbanks 28 10 11 7 27 78 104 36 15 14 7 111 130
Nebraska-Omaha 28 9 17 2 20 64 97 40 13 22 5 98 135
Bowling Green 28 5 20 3 13 71 116 36 8 25 3 94 143
Lake Superior State 28 3 24 1 7 40 108 38 6 28 4 60 146
Championship: Michigan
indicates conference regular season champion
* indicates conference tournament champion
Final rankings: USA Today/American Hockey Magazine Poll Top 15 Poll
Conference Overall
GP W L T PTS GF GA GP W L T GF GA
Alabama-Huntsville 20 13 5 2 28 88 59 35 18 14 3 135 121
Niagara 20 11 4 5 27 77 60 37 15 17 5 126 133
Wayne State* 20 11 7 2 24 62 56 40 21 17 2 131 131
Bemidji State 20 10 6 4 24 58 46 36 14 14 8 95 98
Findlay 20 3 13 4 10 41 77 35 10 21 4 93 120
Air Force 20 2 15 3 7 45 73 37 10 24 3 98 146
Championship: Wayne State
indicates conference regular season champion
* indicates conference tournament champion
Final rankings: USA Today/American Hockey Magazine Poll Top 15 Poll
Conference Overall
GP W L T PTS GF GA GP W L T GF GA
#1 Cornell†* 22 19 2 1 39 89 29 36 30 5 1 133 49
#10 Harvard 22 17 4 1 35 94 47 34 22 10 2 133 78
Dartmouth 22 13 9 0 26 77 71 34 20 13 1 127 110
Yale 22 13 9 0 26 94 73 32 18 14 0 121 107
Brown 22 10 8 4 24 65 54 35 16 14 5 96 83
Union 22 10 10 2 22 62 68 36 14 18 4 105 113
Clarkson 22 9 10 3 21 69 56 35 12 20 3 96 99
Colgate 22 9 10 3 21 49 71 40 17 19 4 96 127
St. Lawrence 22 7 12 3 17 65 80 37 11 21 5 103 129
Vermont 22 8 14 0 16 58 85 36 13 20 3 104 142
Rensselaer 22 4 15 3 11 49 84 40 12 25 3 94 134
Princeton 22 2 18 2 6 46 99 31 3 26 2 62 140
Championship: Cornell
indicates conference regular season champion (Cleary Cup)
* indicates conference tournament champion (Whitelaw Cup)
Final rankings: USA Today/American Hockey Magazine Poll Top 15 Poll
Conference Overall
GP W L T PTS GF GA GP W L T GF GA
#3 New Hampshire†* 24 15 5 4 34 84 55 42 28 8 6 156 96
#8 Boston College 24 16 6 2 34 97 55 39 24 11 4 149 97
#9 Maine 24 14 6 4 32 81 61 39 24 10 5 140 91
Providence 24 12 9 3 27 76 71 36 19 14 3 126 104
#7 Boston University 24 13 10 1 27 78 66 42 25 14 3 143 112
Massachusetts 24 10 14 0 20 60 80 37 19 17 1 119 125
Merrimack 24 7 13 4 18 59 80 36 12 18 6 92 116
Massachusetts–Lowell 24 4 16 4 12 63 95 36 11 20 5 110 142
Northeastern 24 5 17 2 12 54 89 34 10 21 3 83 115
Championship: New Hampshire
indicates conference regular season champion
* indicates conference tournament champion
Final rankings: USA Today/American Hockey Magazine Poll Top 15 Poll
Conference Overall
GP W L T PTS GF GA GP W L T GF GA
Mercyhurst†* 26 19 5 2 40 105 73 37 22 13 2 135 129
Quinnipiac 26 18 7 1 37 109 72 36 22 13 1 139 98
Holy Cross 26 14 11 1 29 81 67 36 17 18 1 109 105
Sacred Heart 26 13 10 3 29 79 62 35 14 15 6 95 86
Bentley 26 13 13 0 26 77 80 34 15 19 0 94 122
Army 26 13 13 0 26 67 72 34 18 16 0 93 92
Canisius 26 11 13 2 24 66 71 37 12 21 4 85 126
Iona 26 11 14 1 23 80 80 35 11 22 2 91 122
American International 26 9 16 1 19 66 105 32 10 20 2 83 137
Connecticut 26 7 16 3 17 74 102 34 8 23 3 91 148
Fairfield 26 7 17 2 16 67 87 33 8 23 2 86 121
Championship: Mercyhurst
indicates conference regular season champion
* indicates conference tournament champion
Final rankings: USA Today/American Hockey Magazine Poll Top 15 Poll
Conference Overall
GP W L T PTS GF GA GP W L T GF GA
#5 Colorado College 28 19 4 5 43 125 70 42 30 7 5 190 103
#2 Minnesota* 28 15 6 7 37 106 81 45 28 8 9 189 122
#11 Minnesota State-Mankato 28 15 6 7 37 116 104 41 20 11 10 155 144
#13 North Dakota 28 14 9 5 33 103 82 43 26 12 5 172 120
#14 Minnesota-Duluth 28 14 10 4 32 95 80 42 22 15 5 153 119
St. Cloud State 28 12 11 5 29 96 85 38 17 16 5 124 118
Denver 28 11 11 6 28 95 85 41 21 14 6 152 102
Wisconsin 28 7 14 4 18 61 101 40 13 23 4 93 134
Michigan Tech 28 7 18 3 17 77 116 38 10 24 4 109 154
Alaska-Anchorage 28 0 22 6 6 41 111 36 1 28 7 57 143
Championship: Minnesota
indicates conference regular season champion
* indicates conference tournament champion
Final rankings: USA Today/American Hockey Magazine Poll Top 15 Poll

[2]

Final regular season polls[edit]

The top 15 teams ranked before the NCAA tournament.

USA Today Poll
Ranking Team
1 Cornell
2 Colorado College
3 New Hampshire
4 Minnesota
5 Michigan
6 Ferris State
7 Boston University
8 Boston College
9 Maine
10 Minnesota State Mankato
11 Harvard
12 North Dakota
13 Ohio State
14 Minnesota Duluth
15 Michigan State
USCHO Poll
Ranking Team
1 Cornell
2 Colorado College
3 New Hampshire
4 Minnesota
5 Ferris State
6 Boston University
7 Michigan
8 Boston College
9 Maine
10 Harvard
11 Minnesota State Mankato
12 North Dakota
13 Ohio State
14 Minnesota Duluth
15 St. Cloud State

2003 NCAA Tournament[edit]

First Round Regional Finals Frozen Four National Championship
            
1 Cornell 5
4 Minnesota State–Mankato 4
1 Cornell 2**
East Regional
2 Boston College 1
2 Boston College 1
3 Ohio State 0
E1 Cornell 2
NE1 New Hampshire 3
1 New Hampshire 5
4 St. Cloud State 2
1 New Hampshire 3
Northeast Regional
2 Boston University 0
2 Boston University 6
3 Harvard 4
NE1 New Hampshire 1
W1 Minnesota 5
1 Colorado College 4
4 Wayne State 2
1 Colorado College 1
Midwest Regional
3 Michigan 3
2 Maine 1
3 Michigan 2
MW3 Michigan 2
W1 Minnesota 3*
1 Minnesota 9
4 Mercyhurst 2
1 Minnesota 7
West Regional
2 Ferris State 4
2 Ferris State 5
3 North Dakota 2

Note: * denotes overtime period(s)

[3]

Player stats[edit]

Scoring leaders[edit]

The following players led the league in points at the conclusion of the season.

GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes

Player Class Team GP G A Pts PIM
Peter Sejna Junior Colorado College 42 36 46 82 12
Chris Kunitz Senior Ferris State 42 35 44 79 47
Noah Clarke Senior Colorado College 42 21 49 70 15
Shane Joseph Junior Minnesota State-Mankato 41 29 36 65 6
Grant Stevenson Sophomore Minnesota State-Mankato 38 27 36 63 38
Brandon Bochenski Sophomore North Dakota 43 35 27 62 42
Tomas Vanek Freshman Minnesota 45 31 31 62 60
Zach Parise Freshman North Dakota 39 26 35 61 34
Jeff Legue Sophomore Ferris State 42 24 35 59 35
Ben Eaves Junior Boston College 36 18 39 57 18

[4]

Leading goaltenders[edit]

The following goaltenders led the league in goals against average at the end of the regular season while playing at least 33% of their team's total minutes.

GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; OT = Overtime/shootout losses; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; SV% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average

Player Class Team GP Min W L OT GA SO SV% GAA
David LeNeveu Sophomore Cornell 32 1946 28 3 1 39 9 .940 1.20
Frank Doyle Sophomore Maine 21 1179 10 4 5 42 2 .915 2.14
Mike Ayers Junior New Hampshire 41 2499 27 8 6 91 7 .926 2.18
Matti Kaltianinen Sophomore Boston College 30 1843 18 9 3 68 1 .903 2.21
Mike Betz Junior Ohio State 36 2140 20 11 5 80 2 .903 2.24
Eddy Ferhi Senior Sacred Heart 29 1769 12 12 5 67 3 .924 2.27
Adam Berkhoel Junior Denver 26 1435 12 6 4 55 3 .908 2.30
Yann Danis Junior Brown 34 2074 15 14 5 80 5 .929 2.31
Al Montoya Freshman Michigan 43 2547 30 10 3 99 4 .911 2.33
Mike Brown Sophomore Ferris State 41 2403 30 10 1 94 4 .925 2.35

[4]

Awards[edit]

WCHA[edit]

Award[22] Recipient
Player of the Year Peter Sejna, Colorado College
Defensive Player of the Year Joe Cullen, Colorado College
Aaron MacKenzie, Denver
Rookie of the Year Thomas Vanek, Minnesota
Student-Athlete of the Year Tom Preissing, Colorado College
Coach of the Year Troy Jutting, Minnesota State-Mankato
Most Valuable Player in Tournament Grant Potulny, Minnesota
All-WCHA Teams[23][24]
First Team   Position   Second Team
Curtis McElhinney, Colorado College G Wade Dubielewicz, Denver
Tom Preissing, Colorado College D Aaron MacKenzie, Denver
Paul Martin, Minnesota D Keith Ballard, Minnesota
Peter Sejna, Colorado College F Noah Clarke, Colorado College
Shane Joseph, Minnesota State-Mankato F Thomas Vanek, Minnesota
Grant Stevenson, Minnesota State-Mankato F Brandon Bochenski, North Dakota
Third Team   Position   Rookie Team
Iassc Reichmuth, Minnesota-Duluth G Iassc Reichmuth, Minnesota-Duluth
Andy Schneider, North Dakota D Mark Stuart, Colorado College
David Hale, North Dakota D Chris Harrington, Minnesota
Zach Parise, North Dakota F Thomas Vanek, Minnesota
Kevin Doell, Denver F Zach Parise, North Dakota
Troy Riddle, Minnesota F Brett Sterling, Colorado College

2003 NHL Entry Draft[edit]

Round Pick Player College Conference NHL team
1 5 Thomas Vanek Minnesota WCHA Buffalo Sabres
1 12 Hugh Jessiman Dartmouth ECAC Hockey New York Rangers
1 17 Zach Parise North Dakota WCHA New Jersey Devils
1 21 Mark Stuart Colorado College WCHA Boston Bruins
1 23 Ryan Kesler Ohio State CCHA Vancouver Canucks
1 26 Brian Boyle Boston College Hockey East Los Angeles Kings
1 27 Jeff Tambellini Michigan CCHA Los Angeles Kings
1 29 Patrick Eaves Boston College Hockey East Ottawa Senators
2 31 Danny Richmond Michigan CCHA Carolina Hurricanes
2 41 Matt Smaby North Dakota WCHA Tampa Bay Lightning
2 47 Matt Carle Denver WCHA San Jose Sharks
2 51 Colin McDonald Providence Hockey East Edmonton Oilers
2 57 John Doherty New Hampshire Hockey East Toronto Maple Leafs
2 62 David Backes Minnesota State–Mankato WCHA St. Louis Blues
2 64 Jimmy Howard Maine Hockey East Detroit Red Wings
3 75 Kenny Roche Boston University Hockey East New York Rangers
3 78 Danny Irmen Minnesota WCHA Minnesota Wild
3 79 Ryan O'Byrne Cornell ECAC Hockey Montreal Canadiens
3 83 Stephen Werner Massachusetts Hockey East Washington Capitals
3 86 Shane Hynes Cornell ECAC Hockey Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
3 87 Ryan Potulny Minnesota WCHA Philadelphia Flyers
3 90 Juha Alen Northern Michigan WCHA Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
3 99 Matt Nickerson Clarkson ECAC Hockey Dallas Stars
4 103 Kevin Jarman Massachusetts Hockey East Columbus Blue Jackets
4 107 Byron Bitz Cornell ECAC Hockey Boston Bruins
4 122 Corey Potter Michigan State CCHA New York Rangers
4 124 Jay Pemberton Providence Hockey East Pittsburgh Penguins
4 136 Mike Vannelli Minnesota WCHA Atlanta Thrashers
5 137 Tyson Strachan Ohio State CCHA Carolina Hurricanes
5 141 Dan Travis New Hampshire Hockey East Florida Panthers
5 142 Tim Cook Michigan CCHA Ottawa Senators
5 143 Greg Moore Maine Hockey East Calgary Flames
5 145 Brett Sterling Colorado College WCHA Atlanta Thrashers
5 146 Mark McCutcheon Cornell ECAC Hockey Colorado Avalanche
5 148 Lee Stempniak Dartmouth ECAC Hockey St. Louis Blues
5 150 Tom Morrow Boston University Hockey East Buffalo Sabres
5 152 Brady Murray North Dakota WCHA Los Angeles Kings
5 154 David Rohlfs Michigan CCHA Edmonton Oilers
5 155 Josh Robertson Northeastern Hockey East Washington Capitals
5 165 Gino Guyer Minnesota WCHA Dallas Stars
5 167 Zach Tarkir Northern Michigan WCHA New Jersey Devils
6 175 Mike Hamilton Maine Hockey East Atlanta Thrashers
6 180 Chris Holt Nebraska–Omaha CCHA New York Rangers
6 186 Drew Miller Michigan State CCHA Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
6 189 Jonathan Lehun St. Cloud State WCHA St. Louis Blues
6 190 Chad Brownlee Minnesota State–Mankato WCHA Vancouver Canucks
6 195 Drew Bagnall St. Lawrence ECAC Hockey Dallas Stars
7 209 Dylan Reese Harvard ECAC Hockey New York Rangers
7 218 Dirk Southern Northern Michigan WCHA Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
7 225 Brett Hemingway New Hampshire Hockey East Colorado Avalanche
7 227 Jay Rosehill Minnesota–Duluth WCHA Tampa Bay Lightning
8 231 Matt Zaba Colorado College WCHA Los Angeles Kings
8 232 Joe Jensen St. Cloud State WCHA Pittsburgh Penguins
8 238 Cody Blanshan Nebraska–Omaha CCHA New York Islanders
8 244 Mike Sullivan Clarkson ECAC Hockey Los Angeles Kings
8 256 Brady Greco Colorado College WCHA Tampa Bay Lightning
9 263 Matt Moulson Cornell ECAC Hockey Pittsburgh Penguins
9 265 Tanner Glass Dartmouth ECAC Hockey Florida Panthers
9 267 Brian O’Hanley Boston College Hockey East San Jose Sharks
9 269 Rylan Kaip North Dakota WCHA Atlanta Thrashers
9 272 Sean Sullivan Boston University Hockey East Phoenix Coyotes
9 274 Marty Guerin Miami CCHA Los Angeles Kings
9 275 Michael Grenzy Clarkson ECAC Hockey Chicago Blackhawks
9 276 Carter Lee Northeastern Hockey East San Jose Sharks
9 277 Kevin Regan New Hampshire Hockey East Boston Bruins
9 281 Steve McClellan Northeastern Hockey East Colorado Avalanche
9 282 Chris Porter North Dakota WCHA Chicago Blackhawks
9 288 David Jones Dartmouth ECAC Hockey Colorado Avalanche

† incoming freshman
[25]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "History of the MAAC". College Hockey Historical Archives. 2013. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  2. ^ "Men's Division I Hockey Standings: 2002–03". gophersports.com. 2003. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  3. ^ "NCAA Tournament". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 13, 2013.
  4. ^ a b "Men's Division I Hockey Overall Statistics: 2002–2003". USCHO.com. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  5. ^ "NCAA Division I Awards". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
  6. ^ "Men's Ice Hockey Award Winners" (PDF). NCAA.org. Retrieved June 11, 2013.
  7. ^ "CCHA Awards". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  8. ^ "CCHA All-Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  9. ^ "CCHA All-Rookie Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  10. ^ "CHA Awards". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  11. ^ "CHA All-Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  12. ^ "CHA All-Rookie Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  13. ^ "ECAC Awards". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  14. ^ "ECAC All-Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  15. ^ "ECAC All-Rookie Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  16. ^ "Hockey East Awards". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  17. ^ "Hockey East All-Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  18. ^ "Hockey East All-Rookie Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  19. ^ "MAAC Awards". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  20. ^ "MAAC All-Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  21. ^ "MAAC All-Rookie Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  22. ^ "WCHA Awards". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  23. ^ "WCHA All-Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  24. ^ "WCHA All-Rookie Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  25. ^ "2003 NHL Entry Draft". Hockey DB. Retrieved October 25, 2023.

External links[edit]