2022–23 Lindenwood Lions men's ice hockey season

The 2022–23 Lindenwood Lions men's ice hockey season was the inaugural season of varsity play for the program. The Lions represented Lindenwood University and were coached by Rick Zombo, in his 13th season.

2022–23 Lindenwood Lions
men's ice hockey season
ConferenceIndependent
Home iceCentene Community Ice Center
Rankings
USCHONR
USA TodayNR
Record
Overall7–22–1
Home3–1–0
Road4–21–1
Coaches and captains
Head coachRick Zombo
Assistant coachesMark Abney
Gary Gardner
Jason Power
Captain(s)Andy Willis
Aiden Yakimchuk
Lindenwood Lions men's ice hockey seasons
 2023–24 »

Season

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With nearly two years lead time into their first season, Lindenwood was able to compile a full slate of games against Division I opponents. Predictably, as the team was still populated by club team players, the Lions were one of the worst squads in the nation. However, among the poor results there were bright spots. Lindenwood got a baptism of fire by playing both Minnesota and Michigan, two prohibitive favorites for the NCAA championship, in the first two weeks of the season. While the Lions lost all four games, they did show the ability to score. Over the course of the year, Lindenwood averaged just over 3 goals per game, which was well on par with most other D-I programs.

The biggest problem for the Lions was keeping the puck out of their own net. Lindenwood allowed an average of almost 42 shots against per game, much higher than the nominal 30 shots. Their three besieges goalies were unable to handle the sheer volume of chances that were thrown in their direction with each surrendering more than 4 goals per game on average. The defensive situation didn't get any better as the season progressed but that didn't stop the Lions from winning several games in their first season.

Despite having several extended layoffs during the campaign, as well as mostly playing on the road, Lindenwood was able to win 7 games during the season. While each victory came against a team with a low national ranking, they had performed far better than other recent entries to D-I (Stonehill, St. Thomas) and would look to continue their transition to the top level of college hockey next year.[1]

Departures

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Player Position Nationality Cause
Coltin Craigo Forward   United States Graduation (retired)
Praveen Dhaliwal Forward   Canada Left program (retired)
Vegard Faret Forward   Norway Graduation (retired)
Blake Finley Defenseman   United States Left program (retired)
Stephen Friedland Goaltender   United States Left program (retired)
Max Helgeson Forward   United States Transferred to Alaska Anchorage
Ryan Leonard Defenseman   United States Left program (retired)
Zach Martin Forward   United States Graduation (retired)
Niki Molson Defenseman   Canada Left program (retired)
Brendan Murphy Defenseman   United States Graduation (retired)
Kyler Newman Defenseman   Canada Graduation (retired)
Ethan Paulin-Hatch Goaltender   Canada Left program (retired)
Jack Radley Forward   United States Graduation (retired)
Hayden Ursulak Forward   Canada Graduation (retired)

Recruiting

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Player Position Nationality Age Notes
Adisen Brueck Forward   United States 21 Plantation, FL
Adam Conquest Forward   United States 22 Milford, MI; transfer from Bowling Green
Cade DeStefani Forward   United States 21 Bedford, NH
Kabore Dunn Defenseman   Canada 20 Mill Bay, BC; transfer from Maine
Hunter Johannes Forward   United States 18 Eden Prairie, MN; transfer from American International
Drew Kuzma Forward   Canada 19 St. Albert, AB
Matt Ladd Goaltender   United States 24 Getzville, NY; graduate transfer from Canisius
Shane LaVelle Forward   United States 21 Chaska, MN
Max Neill Forward   Canada 21 Portage la Prairie, MB
Joe Prouty Defenseman   United States 20 Apple Valley, MN
Kieran Ruscheinski Defenseman   Canada 21 Calgary, AB; selected 206th overall in 2019
Roni Salmenkangas Goaltender   Finland 23 Tampere, FIN; graduate transfer from Ferris State
Coltan Wilkie Defenseman   United States 22 Elkhorn, NE

Roster

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As of August 16, 2022.[2]

No. S/P/C Player Class Pos Height Weight DoB Hometown Previous team NHL rights
1   Trent Burnham Sophomore G 6' 0" (1.83 m) 160 lb (73 kg) 2000-03-27 Eagle River, Alaska Sioux Falls (USHL)
3   Kieran Ruscheinski Freshman D 6' 6" (1.98 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 2001-03-05 Calgary, Alberta Salmon Arm (BCHL) MTL, 206th overall 2019
5   Aiden Yakimchuk (C) Sophomore D 6' 4" (1.93 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 2000-05-14 St. Albert, Alberta Drumheller (AJHL)
6   Cade DeStefani Freshman F 6' 2" (1.88 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2001-06-21 Bedford, New Hampshire Janesville (NAHL)
7   Drew Kuzma Freshman F 6' 6" (1.98 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 2002-11-13 St. Albert, Alberta Flin Flon (SJHL)
8   Kyle Jeffers Sophomore F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 1999-01-06 Oviedo, Florida American International (AHA)
9   Andy Willis (C) Senior F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 1998-01-22 Ballwin, Missouri St. Thomas (MIAC)
10   Mitch Allard Sophomore F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 2000-01-27 Shelby Township, Michigan Minnesota Wilderness (NAHL)
11   Jackson Wozniak Sophomore F 5' 10" (1.78 m) 176 lb (80 kg) 2000-02-22 Cypress, California Wichita Falls (NAHL)
12   Mason Kruger Junior D 5' 8" (1.73 m) 165 lb (75 kg) 1999-02-26 Alpharetta, Georgia St. Louis (NA3HL)
13   Zach Aughe Junior F 6' 3" (1.91 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 2000-02-18 Clarkston, Michigan Maine (HEA)
14   Coltan Wilkie Freshman D 5' 8" (1.73 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2000-04-03 Gretna, Nebraska Okotoks (AJHL)
15   Joe Prouty Freshman D 6' 0" (1.83 m) 180 lb (82 kg) 2001-11-29 Burnsville, Minnesota New Mexico (NAHL)
16   Caleb Price Sophomore D 5' 10" (1.78 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 2000-03-31 Hooksett, New Hampshire New Jersey (NAHL)
17   Ryan Finnegan Graduate F 5' 9" (1.75 m) 160 lb (73 kg) 1997-05-08 Tecumseh, Kansas Jersey (NCDC)
18   Jack Anderson Freshman D 6' 6" (1.98 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 2002-11-14 St. Louis, Missouri El Paso (NAHL)
19   Caige Sterzer Sophomore F 6' 5" (1.96 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 2000-08-08 Kimberley, British Columbia Lone Star (NAHL)
21   Hunter Johannes Junior F 6' 3" (1.91 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1998-07-24 Eden Prairie, Minnesota American International (AHA)
22   Max Neill Freshman F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2001-01-31 Portage la Prairie, Manitoba Minnesota Wilderness (NAHL)
23   Shane LaVelle Freshman F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2001-08-16 Chaska, Minnesota Cowichan Valley (BCHL)
24   Adam Conquest Senior F 6' 0" (1.83 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2000-05-10 Brighton, Michigan Bowling Green (CCHA)
25   Sam Watson Junior F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2000-08-24 St. Peters, Missouri Burlington Cougars (OJHL)
26   Adisen Brueck Freshman F 5' 11" (1.8 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2001-08-27 St. Louis, Missouri Wichita Falls (NAHL)
27   David Gagnon Sophomore F 6' 1" (1.85 m) 190 lb (86 kg) 2000-04-19 Halifax, Nova Scotia Truro (MHL)
28   Kabore Dunn Freshman D 6' 2" (1.88 m) 185 lb (84 kg) 2001-11-10 Mill Bay, British Columbia Trail (BCHL)
30   Roni Salmenkangas Graduate G 6' 0" (1.83 m) 177 lb (80 kg) 1999-03-28 Tampere, Finland Ferris State (CCHA)
31   Matt Ladd Graduate G 6' 3" (1.91 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 1998-07-11 Getzville, New York Canisius (AHA)

Standings

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Overall record
GP W L T GF GA
#15 Alaska 34 22 10 2 104 74
Alaska Anchorage 28 8 19 1 66 106
Arizona State 39 18 21 0 115 112
Lindenwood 30 7 22 1 92 134
Long Island 36 13 22 1 116 123
Stonehill 25 17 6 2 102 95
Rankings: USCHO.com Top 20 Poll

Schedule and results

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Date Time Opponent# Rank# Site TV Decision Result Attendance Record
Regular Season
October 1 7:00 PM at #2 Minnesota* 3M Arena at MariucciMinneapolis, Minnesota BSN+ Burnham L 0–4  6,867 0–1–0
October 2 7:00 PM at #2 Minnesota* 3M Arena at MariucciMinneapolis, Minnesota BSN+ Ladd L 4–6  5,985 0–2–0
October 7 6:00 PM at #7 Michigan* Yost Ice ArenaAnn Arbor, Michigan BTN+ Burnham L 4–7  5,062 0–3–0
October 8 6:00 PM at #7 Michigan* Yost Ice ArenaAnn Arbor, Michigan BTN+ Salmenkangas L 1–3  5,371 0–4–0
October 14 7:10 PM Air Force* Centene Community Ice CenterSt. Charles, Missouri   Burnham W 7–6  2,065 1–4–0
October 15 2:10 PM Air Force* Centene Community Ice CenterSt. Charles, Missouri   Ladd L 3–5  1,073 1–5–0
October 22 6:05 PM at American International* MassMutual CenterSpringfield, Massachusetts FloHockey Salmenkangas L 0–5  343 1–6–0
October 23 2:05 PM at American International* MassMutual CenterSpringfield, Massachusetts FloHockey Ladd L 3–5  146 1–7–0
October 28 6:05 PM at Bentley* Bentley ArenaWaltham, Massachusetts FloHockey Burnham W 7–3  1,405 2–7–0
October 29 3:05 PM at Bentley* Bentley ArenaWaltham, Massachusetts FloHockey Burnham L 1–3  1,205 2–8–0
November 4 6:00 PM at Army* Tate RinkWest Point, New York FloHockey Burnham W 2–1  1,133 3–8–0
November 5 3:00 PM at Army* Tate RinkWest Point, New York FloHockey Salmenkangas W 5–3  1,214 4–8–0
November 18 7:00 PM at Wisconsin* Kohl CenterMadison, Wisconsin BSW+ Burnham L 3–4  5,550 4–9–0
November 19 7:00 PM at Wisconsin* Kohl CenterMadison, Wisconsin BSW Ladd L 1–5  6,974 4–10–0
December 16 8:00 PM at #1 Denver* Magness ArenaDenver, Colorado Altitude 2 Salmenkangas L 0–5  4,944 4–11–0
December 17 7:00 PM at #1 Denver* Magness ArenaDenver, Colorado   Burnham L 4–5  5,268 4–12–0
December 30 6:00 PM at Vermont* Gutterson FieldhouseBurlington, Vermont ESPN+ Ladd L 2–4  2,343 4–13–0
December 31 3:00 PM at Vermont* Gutterson FieldhouseBurlington, Vermont ESPN+ Burnham W 3–2 OT 2,057 5–13–0
January 6 7:07 PM at North Dakota* Ralph Engelstad ArenaGrand Forks, North Dakota Midco Burnham L 3–4  10,354 5–14–0
January 7 6:07 PM at North Dakota* Ralph Engelstad ArenaGrand Forks, North Dakota Midco Burnham L 2–4  11,616 5–15–0
January 20 2:00 PM at Long Island* Northwell Health Ice CenterEast Meadow, New York ESPN+ Salmenkangas L 2–3 OT 422 5–16–0
January 21 8:00 PM at Long Island* Northwell Health Ice CenterEast Meadow, New York ESPN+ Ladd L 4–6  250 5–17–0
February 10 7:10 PM Stonehill* Centene Community Ice CenterSt. Charles, Missouri   Burnham W 5–2  2,008 6–17–0
February 11 4:10 PM Stonehill* Centene Community Ice CenterSt. Charles, Missouri   Ladd W 10–3  1,163 7–17–0
February 17 9:00 PM at Arizona State* Mullett ArenaTempe, Arizona   Burnham L 2–8  4,670 7–18–0
February 18 9:00 PM at Arizona State* Mullett ArenaTempe, Arizona   Salmenkangas L 3–5  5,045 7–19–0
February 24 6:00 PM USNTDP* Centene Community Ice CenterSt. Charles, Missouri (Exhibition)     L 4–12  -
February 25 6:00 PM USNTDP* Centene Community Ice CenterSt. Charles, Missouri (Exhibition)   Burnam L 1–6  -
March 3 10:07 PM at #18 Alaska* Carlson CenterFairbanks, Alaska FloHockey Burnham L 1–4  2,417 7–20–0
March 4 10:07 PM at #18 Alaska* Carlson CenterFairbanks, Alaska FloHockey Salmenkangas L 0–8  3,562 7–21–0
March 10 10:07 PM at Alaska Anchorage* Seawolf Sports ComplexAnchorage, Alaska   Burnham T 7–7 OT 455 7–21–1
March 11 9:07 PM at Alaska Anchorage* Seawolf Sports ComplexAnchorage, Alaska   Burnham L 3–4 OT 475 7–22–1
*Non-conference game. #Rankings from USCHO.com Poll. All times are in Central Time.
Source:[3]

Scoring statistics

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Name Position Games Goals Assists Points PIM
David Gagnon LW 30 13 17 30 16
Hunter Johannes F 28 13 16 29 87
Andy Willis F 26 8 15 23 12
Kyle Jeffers F 28 7 13 20 26
Ryan Finnegan F 29 6 14 20 6
Cade DeStefani C 26 7 8 15 42
Adam Conquest RW 22 6 6 12 6
Aiden Yakimchuk D 30 2 10 12 8
Caige Sterzer F 26 6 5 11 48
Joe Prouty D 30 2 9 11 36
Caleb Price D 30 3 7 10 12
Mitch Allard LW 30 3 7 10 48
Jack Anderson D 30 2 8 10 23
Kabore Dunn D 23 2 6 8 14
Drew Kuzma F 30 2 5 7 28
Coltan Wilkie D 26 1 6 7 12
Zachary Aughe C 26 5 1 6 19
Shane Lavell F 25 2 3 5 23
Kieran Ruscheinski D 29 1 2 3 20
Max Neill LW 19 1 1 2 17
Jackson Wozniak F 9 0 1 1 4
Sam Watson F 12 0 1 1 4
Mason Kruger D 1 0 0 0 0
Adisen Brueck F 2 0 0 0 0
Matt Ladd G 7 0 0 0 0
Roni Salmenkangas G 8 0 0 0 6
Trent Burnham G 16 0 0 0 0
Total 92 161 253 517

[4]

Goaltending statistics

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Name Games Minutes Wins Losses Ties Goals Against Saves Shut Outs SV % GAA
Trent Burnham 16 946:02 5 10 1 67 610 0 .901 4.25
Roni Salmenkangas 8 438:33 1 6 0 32 269 0 .894 4.38
Matt Ladd 7 417:54 1 6 0 33 238 0 .878 4.74
Empty Net - 12:21 - - - 2 - - - -
Total 30 1812:50 7 22 1 134 1117 0 .893 4.44

Rankings

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Poll Week
Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 (Final)
USCHO.com NR - NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR - NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR - NR
USA Today NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR NR

Note: USCHO did not release a poll in weeks 1, 13, or 26.[5]

References

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  1. ^ "Lindenwood". College Hockey Inc. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  2. ^ "2022-23 Men's Ice Hockey Roster". Lindenwood University Athletics. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
  3. ^ "Lindenwood 2022-23 Team Schedule". College Hockey Inc. Retrieved September 11, 2022.
  4. ^ "Lindenwood Univ". Elite Prospects. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  5. ^ "USCHO Division I Men's Poll". USCHO.com. Retrieved November 26, 2019.