2003–04 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season

The 2003–04 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season began on October 3, 2003 and concluded with the 2004 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey tournament's championship game on April 10, 2004 at the Fleet Center in Boston, Massachusetts. This was the 57th season in which an NCAA ice hockey championship was held and is the 110th year overall where an NCAA school fielded a team. The 2003-04 season was the inaugural year for the Atlantic Hockey Association after the discontinuation of Division I ice hockey sponsorship by the MAAC at the conclusion of the previous season.[1]

Season Outlook

Pre-season polls

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 (25)
2 Michigan (2)
3 Boston College (2)
4 New Hampshire (1)
5 North Dakota
6 Boston University
7 Harvard
8 Ferris State
9 Cornell
10 Michigan State
11 Colorado College
12 Maine
13 Denver
14 Ohio State
15 Minnesota-Duluth
USA Today Poll
Rank Team
1 Minnesota (25)
2 Michigan (3)
3 Boston College (3)
4 New Hampshire
5 North Dakota (2)
6 Harvard
7 Boston University
8 Cornell (1)
9 Ferris State
10 Colorado College
11 Michigan State
12 Denver
13 Maine
14 Ohio State
15 Minnesota-Duluth

Regular season

Season tournaments

Tournament Dates Teams Champion
Lefty McFadden Invitational October 3–4 4 Denver
Ice Breaker Tournament October 10–11 4 Boston College
Maverick Stampede October 10–11 4 Maine
Black Bear Classic October 17–18 4 Maine
College Hockey Showcase November 28–29 4
Dodge Holiday Classic December 20–21 4 Minnesota
Badger Showdown December 27–28 4 Ferris State
Denver Cup December 27–28 4 Denver
Dunkin' Donuts Coffee Pot December 27–28 4 St. Cloud State
Florida College Classic December 27–28 4 Cornell
Great Lakes Invitational December 27–28 4 Boston College
Sheraton/Banknorth Hockey Classic December 27–28 4 Dartmouth
Subway Holiday Classic December 27–28 4 North Dakota
Rensselaer Holiday Tournament December 28–29 4 Northeastern
Beanpot February 2, 9 4 Boston College

Standings

Conference Overall
GP W L T PTS GF GA GP W L T GF GA
Holy Cross†* 24 17 4 3 37 83 54 36 22 10 4 117 89
Mercyhurst 24 16 7 1 33 105 71 36 20 14 2 145 122
Quinnipiac 24 12 6 6 30 67 53 35 15 14 6 87 87
Sacred Heart 24 12 8 4 28 87 68 36 14 17 5 107 114
Connecticut 24 9 10 5 23 89 86 35 12 16 7 115 127
Canisius 24 9 11 4 22 67 73 34 10 16 8 84 107
Bentley 24 7 13 4 18 55 71 32 9 19 4 79 103
Army 24 6 15 3 15 55 84 33 12 18 3 82 107
American International 24 3 17 4 10 49 97 34 5 25 4 71 138
Championship: Holy Cross
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
#7 Michigan 28 18 8 2 38 101 66 43 27 14 2 151 104
#10 Miami 28 17 8 3 37 99 74 41 23 14 4 137 106
#14 Michigan State 28 17 9 2 36 91 62 42 23 17 2 136 105
#9 Ohio State* 28 16 12 0 32 89 70 42 26 16 0 134 106
#12 Notre Dame 28 14 11 3 31 84 71 39 20 15 4 108 99
Alaska-Fairbanks 28 14 13 1 29 92 92 36 16 19 1 117 127
Northern Michigan 28 13 13 2 28 66 79 41 21 16 4 105 113
Western Michigan 28 12 13 3 27 87 101 39 17 18 4 123 136
Bowling Green 28 9 13 6 24 69 83 38 11 18 9 92 112
Ferris State 28 10 17 1 21 71 97 38 15 20 3 108 126
Lake Superior State 28 7 16 5 19 60 83 36 9 20 7 72 102
Nebraska-Omaha 28 5 19 4 14 60 91 39 8 26 5 91 135
Championship: Ohio 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
Bemidji State 20 16 3 1 33 90 48 36 20 13 3 131 94
Niagara* 20 14 6 0 28 72 52 39 21 15 3 124 120
Alabama-Huntsville 20 10 9 1 21 65 60 31 11 16 4 92 94
Findlay 20 7 11 2 16 58 60 38 11 22 5 95 114
Air Force 20 6 13 1 13 49 78 37 14 21 2 101 131
Wayne State 20 4 15 1 9 44 80 36 9 24 3 83 144
Championship: Niagara
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
Colgate 22 14 6 2 30 65 44 39 22 12 5 111 80
Cornell 22 13 6 3 29 53 32 32 16 10 6 85 62
Brown 22 13 7 2 28 62 40 31 15 11 5 80 60
Dartmouth 22 10 5 7 27 66 60 34 14 11 9 95 91
Rensselaer 22 13 8 1 27 70 44 39 22 15 2 116 89
#13 Harvard* 22 10 10 2 22 58 55 36 18 15 3 104 94
Yale 22 10 12 0 20 65 88 31 12 19 0 89 134
Union 22 8 11 3 19 46 52 36 14 17 5 89 108
Clarkson 22 8 12 2 18 51 61 41 18 18 5 121 113
St. Lawrence 22 7 12 3 17 62 67 41 14 21 6 104 119
Vermont 22 7 14 1 15 57 79 35 9 22 4 85 127
Princeton 22 5 15 2 12 50 83 31 5 24 2 62 122
Championship: Harvard
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 Boston College 24 17 4 3 37 88 45 42 29 9 4 143 81
#2 Maine* 24 17 5 2 36 77 42 44 33 8 3 141 69
Massachusetts 24 12 9 3 27 47 63 37 17 14 6 93 99
#11 New Hampshire 24 10 8 6 26 82 76 41 20 15 6 138 116
Providence 24 7 11 6 20 63 66 37 16 14 7 106 92
Massachusetts–Lowell 24 7 12 5 19 56 65 40 15 18 7 105 116
Merrimack 24 6 12 6 18 53 79 36 11 19 6 86 110
Boston University 24 6 13 5 17 57 71 38 12 17 9 103 108
Northeastern 24 5 13 6 16 56 72 34 11 16 7 92 103
Championship: Maine
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 North Dakota 28 20 5 3 43 122 62 41 30 8 3 182 90
#4 Minnesota–Duluth 28 19 7 2 40 119 71 45 28 13 4 185 123
#8 Wisconsin 28 14 7 7 35 85 62 43 22 13 8 123 93
#1 Denver 28 13 10 5 31 93 90 44 27 12 5 149 120
#6 Minnesota* 28 15 12 1 31 101 86 44 27 14 3 178 127
St. Cloud State 28 12 12 4 28 81 89 38 18 16 4 113 118
#15 Colorado College 28 11 15 2 24 77 75 39 20 16 3 126 98
Alaska–Anchorage 28 7 18 3 17 68 103 40 14 23 3 104 140
Minnesota State 28 6 18 4 16 83 139 39 10 24 5 124 179
Michigan Tech 28 6 19 3 15 66 118 38 8 25 5 97 161
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

The top 15 teams ranked before the NCAA tournament.

USA Today Poll
Ranking Team
1 Maine
2 North Dakota
3 Minnesota
4 Boston College
5 Minnesota-Duluth
6 Ohio State
7 Michigan
8 Denver
9 Miami
10 New Hampshire
11 Wisconsin
12 Michigan State
13 Notre Dame
14 Colorado College
15 Harvard
USCHO Poll
Ranking Team
1 Maine
2 North Dakota
3 Minnesota
4 Boston College
5 Minnesota-Duluth
6 Ohio State
7 Michigan
8 Miami
9 Denver
10 New Hampshire
11 Wisconsin
12 Michigan State
13 Notre Dame
14 Massachusetts
15 Harvard

2004 NCAA tournament

Regional semifinals Regional Finals Frozen Four National Championship
            
1 Maine 5
4 Harvard 4
1 Maine 2*
East Regional
3 Wisconsin 1
2 Ohio State 0
3 Wisconsin 1*
E1 Maine 2
NE1 Boston College 1
1 Boston College 1*
4 Niagara 0
1 Boston College 3*
Northeast Regional
2 Michigan 2
2 Michigan 3
3 New Hampshire 2
E1 Maine 0
W2 Denver 1
1 Minnesota 4*
4 Notre Dame 3
1 Minnesota 1
Midwest Regional
2 Minnesota-Duluth 3
2 Minnesota-Duluth 3*
3 Michigan State 2
MW2 Minnesota-Duluth 3
W2 Denver 5
1 North Dakota 6
4 Holy Cross 5
1 North Dakota 0
West Regional
2 Denver 1
2 Denver 4
3 Miami 1

Note: * denotes overtime period(s)

[3]

Player stats

Scoring leaders

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
Junior Lessard Senior Minnesota-Duluth 45 32 31 63 34
Brandon Bochenski Junior North Dakota 41 27 33 60 40
Evan Schwabe Junior Minnesota-Duluth 45 19 38 57 34
Zach Parise Sophomore North Dakota 37 23 32 55 24
Barret Ehgoetz Junior Niagara 39 25 27 52 24
Thomas Vanek Sophomore Minnesota 38 26 25 51 72
Jared Ross Junior Alabama-Huntsville 31 19 31 50 46
Steve Saviano Senior New Hampshire 41 27 22 49 2
Troy Riddle Senior Minnesota 44 24 25 49 52
Derek Edwardson Senior Miami 41 17 31 48 36
Jim Slater Junior Michigan State 42 19 29 48 38

[4]

Leading goaltenders

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
Jimmy Howard Sophomore Maine 22 1363 14 4 3 27 6 .956 1.19
Matti Kaltiainen Junior Boston College 38 2280 27 7 4 67 4 .907 1.76
Yann Danis Senior Brown 30 1820 15 11 4 55 5 .942 1.81
Frank Doyle Senior Maine 23 1323 19 4 0 40 5 .923 1.81
Steve Silverhorn Junior Colgate 31 1874 18 9 4 57 3 .927 1.82
David McKee Freshman Cornell 32 1929 16 10 6 59 5 .920 1.83
Jordan Parise Freshman North Dakota 22 1229 14 4 3 42 2 .908 2.05
Bernd Brückler Junior Wisconsin 38 2299 19 10 8 80 4 .924 2.09
Jeff Jakaitis Freshman Lake Superior State 23 1209 5 10 4 43 3 .933 2.13
Nathan Marsters Senior Rensselaer 35 2093 21 13 1 75 5 .922 2.15

[4]

Awards

WCHA

Award[22] Recipient
Player of the Year Junior Lessard, Minnesota-Duluth
Defensive Player of the Year Ryan Caldwell, Denver
Rookie of the Year Brady Murray, North Dakota
Student-Athlete of the Year Connor James, Denver
Coach of the Year Scott Sandelin, Minnesota-Duluth
Most Valuable Player in Tournament Kellen Briggs, Minnesota
All-WCHA Teams[23][24]
First Team   Position   Second Team
Bernd Brückler, Wisconsin G Isaac Reichmuth, Minnesota-Duluth
Keith Ballard, Minnesota D Ryan Caldwell, Denver
Beau Geisler, Minnesota-Duluth D Matt Jones, North Dakota
Junior Lessard, Minnesota-Duluth F Chris Conner, Michigan Tech
Brandon Bochenski, North Dakota F Thomas Vanek, Minnesota
Zach Parise, North Dakota F Evan Schwabe, Minnesota-Duluth
Third Team   Position   Rookie Team
Adam Berkhoel, Denver G Matt Zaba, Colorado College
Mark Stuart, Colorado College D Ryan Suter, Wisconsin
Ryan Suter, Wisconsin D Matt Carle, Denver
Shane Joseph, Minnesota State F Brady Murray, North Dakota
Brady Murray, North Dakota F David Backes, Minnesota State
Gabe Gauthier, Denver F Robbie Earl, Wisconsin
Round Pick Player College Conference NHL team
1 5 Blake Wheeler Minnesota WCHA Phoenix Coyotes
1 6 Al Montoya Michigan CCHA New York Rangers
1 12 A. J. Thelen Michigan State CCHA Minnesota Wild
1 13 Drew Stafford North Dakota WCHA Buffalo Sabres
1 20 Travis Zajac North Dakota WCHA New Jersey Devils
1 24 Kris Chucko Minnesota WCHA Calgary Flames
1 26 Cory Schneider Boston College Hockey East Vancouver Canucks
2 33 Chris Bourque Boston University Hockey East Washington Capitals
2 36 Darin Olver Northern Michigan WCHA New York Rangers
2 40 Grant Lewis Dartmouth ECAC Hockey Atlanta Thrashers
2 52 Raymond Sawada Cornell ECAC Hockey Dallas Stars
2 53 David Booth Michigan State CCHA Florida Panthers
2 55 Victor Oreskovich Notre Dame CCHA Colorado Avalanche
2 57 Geoff Paukovich Denver WCHA Edmonton Oilers
2 61 Alex Goligoski Minnesota WCHA Pittsburgh Penguins
3 67 Nick Johnson Dartmouth ECAC Hockey Pittsburgh Penguins
3 69 Casey Borer St. Cloud State WCHA Carolina Hurricanes
3 74 Kyle Klubertanz Wisconsin WCHA Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
3 77 Shawn Weller Clarkson ECAC Hockey Ottawa Senators
3 80 Billy Ryan Maine Hockey East New York Rangers
3 85 Brian Gifford Denver WCHA San Jose Sharks
3 92 Rob Bellamy Maine Hockey East Philadelphia Flyers
3 95 Paul Baier Brown ECAC Hockey Los Angeles Kings
4 100 J. T. Wyman Dartmouth ECAC Hockey Montreal Canadiens
4 101 R. J. Anderson Minnesota WCHA Philadelphia Flyers
4 102 Mike Lundin Maine Hockey East Tampa Bay Lightning
4 111 Ryan Jones Miami CCHA Minnesota Wild
4 115 Wes O'Neill Notre Dame CCHA New York Islanders
4 119 Kevin Porter Michigan CCHA Phoenix Coyotes
4 125 Andrew Sarauer Northern Michigan WCHA Vancouver Canucks
4 126 Torrey Mitchell Vermont ECAC Hockey San Jose Sharks
5 140 Jake Dowell Wisconsin WCHA Chicago Blackhawks
5 141 Jim McKenzie Michigan State CCHA Ottawa Senators
5 144 Chris Zarb Ferris State CCHA Philadelphia Flyers
5 153 Steven Zalewski Clarkson ECAC Hockey San Jose Sharks
5 159 Mike Brown Michigan CCHA Vancouver Canucks
5 160 Ben Walter Massachusetts–Lowell Hockey East Boston Bruins
5 163 Dusty Collins Northern Michigan WCHA Tampa Bay Lightning
6 165 Scott McCulloch Colorado College WCHA Chicago Blackhawks
6 167 Robert Page Yale ECAC Hockey Columbus Blue Jackets
6 169 Jordan Foote Michigan Tech WCHA New York Rangers
6 172 Matt Auffrey Wisconsin WCHA Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
6 174 Scott Parse Nebraska–Omaha CCHA Los Angeles Kings
6 178 Mike Santorelli Northern Michigan WCHA Nashville Predators
6 183 Trevor Ludwig Providence Hockey East Dallas Stars
6 184 Derek Peltier Minnesota WCHA Colorado Avalanche
6 187 Robbie Earl Wisconsin WCHA Toronto Maple Leafs
6 193 Kevin Schaeffer Boston University Hockey East Nashville Predators
7 194 Chris Peluso Bemidji State CHA Pittsburgh Penguins
7 197 Andrew Gordon St. Cloud State WCHA Washington Capitals
7 199 Chad Kolarik Michigan CCHA Phoenix Coyotes
7 205 Mike Curry Minnesota–Duluth WCHA Los Angeles Kings
7 212 Jon Gleed Cornell ECAC Hockey Montreal Canadiens
7 213 Jimmy Spratt Bowling Green CCHA Calgary Flames
7 215 Ian Keserich Ohio State CCHA Colorado Avalanche
7 217 Tyler Eckford Alaska–Fairbanks CCHA New Jersey Devils
7 219 Joe Cooper Miami CCHA Ottawa Senators
7 224 Matt Hunwick Michigan CCHA Boston Bruins
7 225 David MacDonald Harvard ECAC Hockey San Jose Sharks
8 228 David Brown Notre Dame CCHA Pittsburgh Penguins
8 230 Justin Mrazek Union ECAC Hockey Washington Capitals
8 231 Brian McGuirk Boston University Hockey East Columbus Blue Jackets
8 233 Matt Greer Minnesota–Duluth WCHA Columbus Blue Jackets
8 234 Derek MacIntyre Ferris State CCHA San Jose Sharks
8 236 Matt Christie Miami CCHA Mighty Ducks of Anaheim
8 237 Mitch Carefoot Cornell ECAC Hockey Atlanta Thrashers
8 239 Brandon Yip Boston University Hockey East Colorado Avalanche
8 249 J. D. Corbin Denver WCHA Colorado Avalanche
8 250 Nathan Perkovich Lake Superior State CCHA New Jersey Devils
8 251 Matt McIlvane Ohio State CCHA Ottawa Senators
8 253 Travis Gawryletz Minnesota–Duluth WCHA Philadelphia Flyers
8 256 Matthew Ford Wisconsin WCHA Chicago Blackhawks
9 259 Brian Ihnačák Brown ECAC Hockey Pittsburgh Penguins
9 261 Will Engasser Yale ECAC Hockey Phoenix Coyotes
9 263 Travis Morin Minnesota State WCHA Washington Capitals
9 265 Daniel Winnik New Hampshire Hockey East Phoenix Coyotes
9 267 Spencer Dillon Northern Michigan WCHA Florida Panthers
9 270 Matt Siddall Northern Michigan WCHA Atlanta Thrashers
9 271 Grant Clitsome Clarkson ECAC Hockey Columbus Blue Jackets
9 272 Kyle Wilson Colgate ECAC Hockey Minnesota Wild
9 275 Craig Switzer New Hampshire Hockey East Nashville Predators
9 280 Matt McKnight Minnesota–Duluth WCHA Dallas Stars
9 283 Luke Beaverson Alaska–Anchorage WCHA Florida Panthers
9 285 Pierce Norton Providence Hockey East Toronto Maple Leafs
9 288 Brian Mahoney-Wilson Lake Superior State CCHA San Jose Sharks
9 289 Christian Jensen Rensselaer ECAC Hockey San Jose Sharks
9 290 Nils Backstrom Alaska–Anchorage WCHA Detroit Red Wings

† incoming freshman
[25]

See also

References

  1. ^ "History of Atlantic Hockey". College Hockey Historical Archives. 2013. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  2. ^ "Men's Division I Hockey Standings: 2003-04". gophersports.com. 2004. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
  3. ^ "NCAA Tournament". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
  4. ^ a b "Men's Division I Hockey Overall Statistics: 2003-2004". USCHO.com. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
  5. ^ "NCAA Division I Awards". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
  6. ^ "Men's Ice Hockey Award Winners" (PDF). NCAA.org. Retrieved June 18, 2013.
  7. ^ "AHA Awards". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
  8. ^ "AHA All-Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
  9. ^ "AHA All-Rookie Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
  10. ^ "CCHA Awards". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
  11. ^ "CCHA All-Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
  12. ^ "CCHA All-Rookie Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 10, 2013.
  13. ^ "CHA Awards". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  14. ^ "CHA All-Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  15. ^ "CHA All-Rookie Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  16. ^ "ECAC Awards". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  17. ^ "ECAC All-Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  18. ^ "ECAC All-Rookie Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  19. ^ "Hockey East Awards". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  20. ^ "Hockey East All-Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  21. ^ "Hockey East All-Rookie Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  22. ^ "WCHA Awards". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  23. ^ "WCHA All-Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  24. ^ "WCHA All-Rookie Teams". College Hockey Historical Archives. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  25. ^ "2004 NHL Entry Draft". Hockey DB. Retrieved October 25, 2023.