Where can we expect to see breakthrough players for Air Force this season? Why on the wings, of course!

All puns aside, the Falcons seem to have a strong set of wings ready to emerge this season, and that’s going to be a necessity for a program that watched 40 percent of its points and goals graduate with the Class of 2018.

There also are a few other candidates to break through, including on a blue line that graduated four regulars. Our season preview continues with a look at potential emerging players for Air Force.

2018-19 SEASON PREVIEW SERIES

Part 1: Breaking down Air Force’s schedule

Part 2: Air Force’s roster by the numbers

Part 3: The Falcons’ indispensable players

Strength on the wings

Erik Baskin scored a team-high 16 goals among his 28 points. Jordan Himley had 11 among 23. And Ben Kucera had a better shot than either and could play on any line. Factor in center Tyler Ledford taking 24 points out the door at graduation, and the Falcons have some voids in their top nine.

“Every year we lose guys like Baskin, Ledford, Himley, (Phil) Boje, (Dylan) Abood, and it can be unnerving because they were big players who drove the team,” Falcons assistant coach Joe Doyle said. “Year in, year out we have guys in the pipeline who evolve into those roles.”

Enter junior Trevor Stone and sophomores Marshall Bowery and Walker Sommer.

Stone was stationed at right wing on the top line in Sunday’s exhibition against Alberta and was one of the Falcons’ most noticeable players. He had 13 points in a bottom-six role last season.

“Stone is one who’s come back in the best shape we’ve seen him,” Doyle said. “He’s always had a big-time stick and can shoot the puck as well as anyone. Now he has an extra half gear, which allows him to have the puck more – on rushes or in grade A spots. And with his shot, you want the puck on his tape.”

Stone set up the tying goal Sunday with a nice circle-to-circle feed to Bowery, who was a contender for the Falcons’ Cy Young Award last season (his line was 8 goals-1 assist). He was fifth on the team in goals despite missing 13 games. Bowery was on the right wing with co-captain Evan Giesler and Evan Feno for much of the exhibition.

“Marshall Bowery is likely to get more prime-time minutes,” Doyle said. “He was emerging last season but got injured. He’s got some big-time legs and stick. He’s someone who could absolutely be a difference maker and point producer.”

Sommer subbed for Matt Serratore on the top line on Sunday but figures to play on the third line to start the season. He scored the Falcons’ first goal on an electrifying rush up the right wing. He played in just 18 games a season ago, getting five points.

“Walker Sommer has the best legs on the team and a big-time stick,” Doyle said. “He hadn’t earned our trust when he didn’t have the puck, but he has now. He was in and out of the lineup but has taken a step by rounding out his complete game.”

A fourth candidate to break out up front likely will have to do it in the same role he held much of last season, third-line center Brady Tomlak. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound junior was tied for seventh on the team with 17 points, but he has the ingredients to be an impact college hockey player. In addition to his size, he brings several other tantalizing assets.

“He has a big-time brain and vision,” Doyle said. “He’s more of a passer than a shooter but he makes guys around him better. (Kyle) Haak and Feno are our top two centers but we need a guy like Tomlak to solidify himself. If that happens, we have a chance to be very good down the middle.”

Stepping in on defense

When you consider that there are at least three full-time spots on defense up for grabs after the graduations of Abood, Boje, Jonathan Kopacka and Kyle Mackey, several someones will have to step up on the blue line or the Falcons will struggle no matter how well their forwards play.

The only sure things right now are senior co-captain Matt Koch, fellow senior Dan Bailey and sophomore Zack Mirageas. Koch and Mirageas are expected to be the top pair, but Bailey brings an interesting dynamic to the Falcons because of his versatility.

“Bailey is a reliable player,” Doyle said of the one-time 16-point scorer. “He brings a lot of intangibles because he’s played both forward and defense. It’s comforting to be able to put him in on the power play or the penalty kill. We can plug him in virtually anywhere and we know he’s going to get the job done.”

The other interesting pair to watch is the sophomore tag team of Jake Levin and Alex Mehnert, who were the Falcons’ second pair during the exhibition. Their progress was accelerated last season because of the Falcons’ rash of injuries, and Levin ended up playing 21 games and Mehnert 15. Both saw some power-play time and displayed no hesitancy to shoot the puck.

“They’ve taken a step and they’re going to have to be ready for some prime-time minutes,” Doyle said. “But it’s one thing to say that and another to do it in games. Both of those guys have a skill set where they can play in all situations, but they need to do that and do it consistently.”

If all breaks right, these players will help soften the blow of losing the winningest class in the program’s 51-year history.

©First Line Editorial 2017-18