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UA senior forward Kevin Meehan steals an opponent's stick during a game last season in the Tucson Convention Center. Meehan will be one of the offensive leaders for the Icecats this season.

Thursday October 4, 2001

The UA Icecats open their 2001-2002 campaign this weekend at the University of Southern California with hopes of beginning another campaign for a national championship.

The Icecats are anxious to build on last season's successes after recording the first 30-win season in program history last year.

Head coach Leo Golembiewski anticipates another successful season from his storied program that has reached the American Collegiate Hockey Association's national championship tournament for the last 19 years, the longest current streak in the nation.

Although his team slipped to an eighth-place finish at nationals, Golembiewski was not disappointed with his team's effort, and thinks this year's team will learn from previous mistakes.

"I don't think it's fair to say that we fell short last year. As long as our team gives us 100 percent, we're pleased," Golembiewski said. "There are some areas that have hurt us over the last few years, and we are focused on restructuring our offense and playing more disciplined hockey this year."

The Icecats enter the season having lost a group of very talented players, including their four leading scorers from a year ago.

While a group of experienced defensemen will look to provide leadership to a team starting at least five freshmen, the majority of the early season pressure will fall on the shoulders of the team's first line.

Seniors Kevin Meehan and Kyle Neary and junior Dave Loftus - the only line still intact from a year ago - will be called upon to fill the offensive void early and often this season.

Kevin Meehan, whose older brother Brian is a third-year assistant coach for the Icecats, said this weekend will be a great chance for some of the new Icecats to get comfortable playing within the team's system.

"We're looking to work hard and get used to playing as a team this weekend," Kevin Meehan said. "We have a bunch of new guys, but there is a solid core returning this year."

Of that nucleus, Golembiewski said this year's team has been built around the defense. Freshman goalie Bryan Aronchick will start the season between the pipes after the sudden departure of last year's starter Jason Morgan.

"Goaltending and our experienced defense will be our strengths as the season begins," Gloembiewski said. "We have a lot of intangibles, and team leadership will be key after losing about eight quality players.

"We have people that we feel can help us have another successful season."

As the season progresses and offensive lines become established, a more confident group of Icecats should once again be among the ACHA's elite teams. While this season would make it 20 consecutive trips to nationals, the Icecats have not cracked the top three in the tournament since the 1990-1991 season.

Much of the Icecats' success this season will be based on how well some of the younger players perform.

"We know that we will get better as the season progresses," senior forward Brian Meehan said. "A lot of the young guys have already shown us that if they work hard and play confidently, they will be able to step in and fill some of the necessary roles."