>Ryerson University Rams
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Enrollment: 25,000
Conference: Ontario Athletic Conference
2007-2008 Record: 9-16-0-3

From the Official Game Notes:

THEY JUST KEEP ON WINNING

Over the past three seasons no hockey program has won more hockey games than the Miami RedHawks, who have 83 wins since 2005-06. In this time period, the RedHawks have won 71.1-percent of their games, which is also an NCAA best. During the same stretch, no other school in the NCAA has over a 68-percent winning percentage.

STILL GROWING AT 30

Miami ice hockey is 30-years old and the program continues to grow and might just be reaching its prime. The RedHawks have moved into a new building (Steve Cady Arena in the Goggin Ice Center). They are coming off a 33-win season, in which they spent 10 weeks ranked as the nation’s No. 1 team. Also, over the past three seasons, no team in NCAA Division I hockey has won more games, or has a higher winning percentage.

HOME AGAIN IN THE CCHA

Former Western Michigan captain Brent Brekke, who was the CCHA’s Best Defensive Defenseman in 1993-94, joins the RedHawk coaching staff after spending nine seasons with Cornell of the ECAC. Miami’s other assistant coach, ninth-year assistant coach Chris Bergeron, was tabbed the league’s Best Defensive Forward in 1992-93 as a member of the Miami program.

IN THE RANKINGS

Miami starts the season ranked at No. 8 for the second time in three years. Miami opened the 06-07 season ranked eighth and the 07-08 season ranked No. 4. Miami now has been ranked among the Top-8 in the country for 25-consecutive weeks, including No. 1 for 10 of those weeks. Miami comes off a record-breaking season in which it set a school high-water mark for wins with 33. Over the past three seasons, Miami has posted more wins and a better winning percentage than any other team in the country.

This game against Ryerson is a good chance to see where our RedHawks stand heading into the official beginning of the 2008-2009 season next weekend. Some storylines to follow:

1. Goaltending. How will the tandem of Knapp and Reichard adapt to the college game? Will one of these two show better than the other and “grab” the number one spot?

2. Defense. We lost a lot on the blueline. Our young freshman must step up. We have good size on the back end, but like goaltending, there is a lot of inexperience.

3. Offense. Will Seniors Brian Kaufman and Justin Mercier have another strong showing this season to replace the offense lost by graduation?

Obviously, Miami is the heavy favorite here, but more important than the final score in an exhibition game is to see how this young group gels together as today is the first “official day” of practice. Personally, I’m ECSTATIC that the season begins tonight and I’m sure many others are as well.