The 2002-03 version of Duke Hockey will only experience significant losses in goaltender Robert Pluscec (to graduation from Duke Law School) and talented forward Roald Llado (to graduation as a Physics major). However, joining the team will be a talented freshman class, including the younger brother of arguably the best player in the ACCHL, Jeff Lake. The team will miss the older Lake until January, because he will be traveling in Europe. The team will also be without All-ACCHL player Brian Markowitz, because he will be in Europe along with Lake. That said, the team returns senior Luke Wolin, juniors Robert Fogarty and Calvin Hui, and sophomore Joe Crotty. The team expects to be successful without Lake and Markowitz in the first half of the year, and anticipates dominance with that duo.

The starting netminder for the Devils will be returning graduate student Mark Lavender, perhaps the best goaltender in the ACCHL. Lavender had an 8-5 record last year, and his 3.96 goals against average doesn't do justice to the consistent play he brought to the ice for Duke. With an improved defense in 2002-03, Lavender won't face as much rubber as in past years.

That is because Duke's defense will be quite solid. Coach Selman made a great decision last year in moving Calvin Hui back to the blue line. Hui is a great skater, and probably the best stick-handler on the team. Says teammate Dave Bradley, "Calvin does things with the puck in practice that the [former NHL team in Hartford, CT] couldn't do. He is an outstanding player who understands the game particularly well." The team will also have captain Luke Wolin back at defense. Wolin plays as hard as anyone, and always seems to make the right decision. Anchoring the defense along with Wolin will be senior Jason Liebel, juniors Ben Peterson and Jon Stone, and sophomore Dan Stepner.

At forward, the team will rely on Robert Fogarty for goals, along with senior Steve Strickland, juniors Dave Bradley and Jesse Swanko, and sophomores Adam Katz and Joe Crotty. The team also expects offensive output via its skilled freshman class. The top freshmen players include Drew Evans, Joe Freimuth, and Steve Lake.

All in all, Duke has its best team in years, with its best coach in history. That combination is the winning formula for a great year. With the defense of the Canes Cup on the line, another tough year in the ACCHL ahead, and a potential trip to the ACHA Playoffs in sight, Duke Hockey is ready to roll in 2002-03.