Schlossman: What lessons can be taken from Western Michigan’s surprising Penrose title?
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KALAMAZOO, Mich. — Western Michigan’s Penrose Cup championship is the most shocking in the 12-year history of the National Collegiate Hockey Conference.
The Broncos were picked to finish in sixth place by the media, seventh by the Grand Forks Herald.
Onpaper,it’sasolidteam,butnotaloadedone.
ItisnotfulloffutureNHLplayers.Thereareafew,includingHobeyBakerAwardcandidateAlexBump.Butit’snotasstar-studdedassomeprevioussquads—likethe2021-22teamthathadeightplayerssignNHLdeals.
So,whyisWesternMichiganthebestteamintheNCHCthisseasonandarguablythebestinprogramhistory?
Ispentthisweekendaskingscouts,doingadeepdiveintoanalyticsandanalyzingWestern’srostermakeuptoanswerthatquestion.
Therearesomepopulartheories.
No.1:It’sanoutstandingcoachingjobbyPatFerschweilerandhisstaff,whichincludesformerUNDdefensemanJasonHerter.
They’vedoneaterrificjob,nodoubt.FerschweilerwillwintheNCHC’sHerbBrooksCoachoftheYearawardforth
