The good news: Air Force has a deep and talented forward group.
The bad news: It contains just five upperclassmen and only nine returning players. Those nine combined for 18 goals and 27 assists in 14 games, averages of roughly one and two.
That type of production won’t cut it if the Falcons want to ascend in Atlantic Hockey and pursue an NCAA Tournament berth.
But this group boasts a healthy dose of speed and skill, so there is the potential the Falcons could reverse their offensive woes of a season ago.
MORE PREVIEWS
We continue our 2021-22 season preview series with a look at the forwards.
Who’s back
So. Brian Adams: A solid mid-lineup winger, Adams also likely will play an important role on the penalty kill. He had four points in 12 games last season.
Jr. Blake Bride: The assistant captain did not dress for the exhibition vs. Colorado College, but when he’s in the lineup he has the versatility to play on any line and in any situation. He had five points last season.
So. Parker Brown: Brown boasts excellent speed, which was on display repeatedly against CC. Despite not playing last season he could become an impact player fairly soon.
Sr. Billy Duma: The one-time recruit turned video manager turned fully rostered player is staying put in his most recent role. He is an intelligent, high-energy player.
So. Will Gavin: The winger boasts an excellent shot to go with good offensive instincts. His eight points last season were third on the team, and he was selected the Falcons’ co-freshman of the year. He’s a top-six scoring threat who will be a power-play fixture as well.
So. Nate Horn: The other co-freshman of the year, Horn had seven points a season ago and has position versatility in the top six.
So. Jacob Marti: A spirited, physical player, Marti thrives in a checking role. Yet, as he demonstrated vs. CC, he has the skill to put up points, too.
Jr. Bennett Norlin: If you asked me which returning Falcon last season showed the most improvement it would be Norlin. He has the speed to drive to the net and he’s very responsible defensively. He’s a big part of the penalty kill.
Jr. Ty Pochipinski: The Falcons’ Swiss Army knife, Pochipinski is a solid center who can move up and down the lineup. A prototypical Falcon in that he can do everything pretty well.
Jr. Willie Reim: The assistant captain was the team’s leading scorer and its MVP last season. He has good speed for a man his size (6-foot-3), but it’s his shot that has to be accounted for by opponents. His pace of 12 points in 14 games would give him north of 30 points in a normal season, and that number is likely just the starting point if he improves as much as he did during his first two seasons.
Who’s new
Lucas Coon: A Steamboat Springs native, Coon played just part of one season of junior at Odessa (NAHL) after four seasons at Shattuck St. Mary’s Prep in Minnesota.
Clayton Cosentino: One of top recruits Air Force has had in years, the 6-2 center committed in February 2020. Cosentino finished fourth in the NAHL in scoring, putting up 60 points (12 goals) in 56 games for Aberdeen, which he served as captain of. He also played for the U.S. National Team Development Program against the Falcons in December. Played some youth hockey for the Colorado Rampage. He will be one of Air Force’s top centers this season.
Andrew DeCarlo: The center finished sixth in the NAHL in scoring last season, right behind Cosentino. More of a goal-scorer than his new teammate, DeCarlo notched 22 goals and 35 assists in 54 games. He also will assume a big role right off the bat.
Jackson Sabo: The big (6-3) forward had 19 points at Janesville (NAHL) last season.
Austin Schwartz: A native of Parker and former Colorado Thunderbird, Schwartz committed to the Falcons in September of 2019. A captain for Bismarck, he had 27 points (11 goals) in 53 games last season.
Who’s gone
Marshall Bowery: The speedy wing had 10 goals as a junior. Reliable penalty killer and leader.
Thomas Daskas: A big loss. The 6-2 Daskas entered the transfer portal and landed at Miami of Ohio. He had seven points and centered the top line by the end of his freshman season.
Max Harper: After struggling with injuries his first two seasons, he became a reliable middle-six scorer and defender. Played in every situation.
Shawn Knowlton: He took on a bigger role as a senior, and the assistant captain’s skill shone through. Automatic in shootouts.
Keenan Lund: Rarely played (three games) as a sophomore and entered the transfer portal.
The bottom line
This group’s speed was evident against CC, and despite playing five newcomers up front in that exhibition, the commitment to team defense was solid. There is a lot of talent returning on the wings, so if the freshmen centers excel while playing top-six and power-play minutes the Falcons will have the makings of a very good group.
©First Line Editorial 2021
