1987–88 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season

The 1987–88 NCAA Division I men's ice hockey season began in October 1987 and concluded with the 1988 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament's championship game on April 2, 1988 at the Olympic Center in Lake Placid, New York. This was the 41st season in which an NCAA ice hockey championship was held and is the 94th year overall where an NCAA school fielded a team.

After the season U.S. International would drop its hockey program (the school itself would eventually go bankrupt) causing the demise of the Great West Hockey Conference, the only principally west-coast conference in the history of Division I hockey.

Season Outlook

Pre-season polls

The top teams in the nation as ranked before the start of the season.

The WMPL poll was voted on by coaches. The College Hockey Statistics Bureau (CHSB) / WMEB poll was voted on by media.

WMPL Poll
RankTeam
1Denver (8)
2Minnesota
3Western Michigan
4Michigan State
5North Dakota (1)
6Wisconsin
7Maine (1)
8Bowling Green
9Lowell
10St. Lawrence
CHSB / WMEB Poll
RankTeam
1Denver (5)
2Maine (2)
3Minnesota (1)
4St. Lawrence
5Michigan State
6Lowell
7Harvard
8Bowling Green
9North Dakota (1)
10Colgate

Regular season

Season tournaments

TournamentDatesTeamsChampion
Cardinal ClassicNovember 6–74Army
Rensselaer Holiday TournamentNovember 27–284Rensselaer
Dexter Shoe ClassicDecember 27–284Bowling Green
Long Island ClassicDecember 27–284Boston College
Auld Lang Syne ClassicDecember 29–304Vermont
Great Lakes InvitationalDecember 29–304Wisconsin
Syracuse InvitationalDecember 29–304Clarkson
Riverfront InvitationalJanuary 2–34Western Michigan
Yale Hockey ClassicJanuary 2–34Cornell
BeanpotFebruary 1, 84Northeastern

Standings

ConferenceOverall
GPWLTPTSGFGAGPWLTGFGA
Michigan–Dearborn12101120--4225143--
Notre Dame *12732166044332742222114
Lake Forest12472104858261312113099
Kent State1201022--4011263--
Championship: March 5, 1988
indicates division regular season champion
* indicates conference tournament champion
ConferenceOverall
GPWLTPTSGFGAGPWLTGFGA
Lake Superior State3222465016397463376233139
Bowling Green*3219112401901444530132258188
Michigan State3218113391511234627163222173
Western Michigan3217123371521364222173208184
Michigan3217150341401314122190176171
Illinois-Chicago3214171291371383918201170169
Ferris State3211174261181654015205155198
Ohio State327214181161784010246138209
Miami327241151131683812251145187
Championship: Bowling Green
indicates conference regular season champion
* indicates conference tournament champion
ConferenceOverall
GPWLTPTSGFGAGPWLTGFGA
Harvard221840369352322111013296
St. Lawrence†*2218403612470382990200112
Cornell22157030986828199012181
Vermont2214712981673521113127101
Colgate22138127105633218113156104
Clarkson2210932386823517153133125
Princeton2211101238077281215194110
Rensselaer2291301899913215170164125
Dartmouth22813117598426101517098
Yale22616012609726620076128
Army22317285911930919297151
Brown22219154612026322163144
Championship: St. Lawrence
indicates conference regular season champion
* indicates conference tournament champion
ConferenceOverall
GPWLTPTSGFGAGPWLTGFGA
Alaska–Fairbanks853010--312092172115
US International84408--3623130152126
Alaska–Anchorage8350636343618153170121
indicates conference regular season champion
ConferenceOverall
GPWLTPTSGFGAGPWLTGFGA
Maine2620424415990443482259144
Northeastern*261394301151073821134155142
Boston University2611123251161173414173150154
Lowell2612140241111193920172165166
Boston College2610142221041193413183132151
Providence26813521971193613185135165
New Hampshire2661821486128307203101146
Championship: Northeastern
indicates conference regular season champion
* indicates conference tournament champion
ConferenceOverall
GPWLTPTSGFGAGPWLTGFGA
Air Force0000---2915140133118
Alabama–Huntsville0000---3011181139159
St. Cloud State0000---3711251131231
ConferenceOverall
GPWLTPTSGFGAGPWLTGFGA
Minnesota352870561671074434100209125
Wisconsin*3522121451631254530132205161
Denver3519142401691523920172184170
Michigan Tech3519151391651584120201189188
North Dakota3516181331471404221201174160
Minnesota-Duluth3515182321431554118212163179
Northern Michigan3514174321451474016204164159
Colorado College3533117102206384331111222
Championship: Wisconsin
indicates conference regular season champion
* indicates conference tournament champion

[1][2][3][4]

Final regular season polls

The final top 10 teams as ranked by coaches (WMPL) before the conference tournament finals.

The final media poll (CHSB/WDOM) was released after the conference tournament finals.

WMPL Coaches Poll
RankingTeam
1Minnesota (7)
2Lake Superior State
3Maine (3)
4St. Lawrence
5Wisconsin
6Bowling Green
7Northeastern
8Denver
(tie)Harvard
10Cornell
CHSB / WMEB Media Poll
RankingTeam
1Minnesota (8)
2Maine (3)
3Lake Superior State
4Wisconsin
5Harvard
6St. Lawrence
7Bowling Green
8Michigan State
9Northeastern
10Vermont

1988 NCAA Tournament

First round
March 18–20
Quarterfinals
March 25–27
Frozen Four
March 31-April 1
National Championship
April 2
E1Maine549
W4Bowling Green5510W4Bowling Green134
E5Vermont112E1Maine3
W2Lake Superior State6
W2Lake Superior State358
E3Northeastern538W6Merrimack415
W6Merrimack3710W2Lake Superior State4*
E2St. Lawrence3
W1Minnesota448
E4Harvard538W5Michigan State235
W5Michigan State6511W1Minnesota2Third-place game
E2St. Lawrence3
E2St. Lawrence7310E1Maine5
W3Wisconsin7411W3Wisconsin044W1Minnesota2
E6Lowell325

Note: * denotes overtime period(s)

Player stats

Scoring leaders

[5]The following players led the league in points at the conclusion of the season.

GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; PIM = Penalty minutes

PlayerClassTeamGPGAPtsPIM
Steve JohnsonSeniorNorth Dakota4234518528
Dave CapuanoSophomoreMaine4234518551
Paul PolilloSophomoreWestern Michigan4225608534
Keith StreetJuniorAlaska–Fairbanks3137468330
Nelson EmersonSophomoreBowling Green4534498354
Mark VermetteJuniorLake Superior State46453075154
Mike GoldenSeniorMaine4431447546
Greg ParksJuniorBowling Green4530447486
Phil BergerJuniorNorthern Michigan3840327222
Mike McNeillSeniorNotre Dame3228447212

Leading goaltenders

[5]The following goaltenders led the league in goals against average at the end of the regular season while playing at least 33% of their team's total minutes.

GP = Games played; Min = Minutes played; W = Wins; L = Losses; OT = Overtime/shootout losses; GA = Goals against; SO = Shutouts; SV% = Save percentage; GAA = Goals against average

PlayerClassTeamGPMinWLOTGASOSV%GAA
Bruce HoffortFreshmanLake Superior State3117872343792.9092.65
Robb StauberSophomoreMinnesota442621341001195.9132.72
Mike MillhamFreshmanVermont181054115148-.8852.73
Corrie D'AlessioFreshmanCornell2514571780670.9102.76
Paul CohenJuniorSt. Lawrence3017072270802.9032.78
Wayne CowleyJuniorColgate2011621171581-2.99
Scott KingSophomoreMaine3317622551910.8963.10
Chad MeyhoffSophomoreAlaska-Anchorage------1.8853.16
John FletcherSophomoreClarkson33182016113971.9083.20
Dean AndersonSeniorWisconsin452718301321482.8983.27

Awards

WCHA

Award[16]Recipient
Most Valuable PlayerRobb Stauber, Minnesota
Freshman of the YearRick Berens, Denver
Goaltender of the YearRobb Stauber, Minnesota
Student-Athlete of the YearSteve Johnson, North Dakota
Coach of the YearHerb Boxer, Michigan Tech
Most Valuable Player in TournamentDean Anderson, Wisconsin
All-WCHA Teams[17]
First Team  Position  Second Team
Robb Stauber, MinnesotaGDean Anderson, Wisconsin
Mike DeAngelis, Minnesota-DuluthDTodd Richards, Minnesota
Randy Skarda, MinnesotaDPaul Stanton, Wisconsin
Phil Berger, Northern MichiganFSteve Tuttle, Wisconsin
Paul Ranheim, WisconsinFJohn Archibald, Michigan Tech
Steve Johnson, North DakotaFDaryn McBride, Denver
RoundPickPlayerCollegeConferenceNHL team
19Rod Brind'Amour Michigan StateCCHASt. Louis Blues
121Jason MuzzattiMichigan StateCCHACalgary Flames
230Adrien PlavsicNew HampshireHockey EastSt. Louis Blues
231Russ Romaniuk North DakotaWCHAWinnipeg Jets
232Barry Richter WisconsinWCHAHartford Whalers
235Pat MurrayMichigan StateCCHAPhiladelphia Flyers
241Wade Bartley North DakotaWCHAWashington Capitals
242Todd HarkinsMiamiCCHACalgary Flames
343Shaun Kane ProvidenceHockey EastMinnesota North Stars
344Dane Jackson North DakotaWCHAVancouver Canucks
356Craig Fisher MiamiCCHAPhiladelphia Flyers
357Duane Derksen WisconsinWCHAWashington Capitals
360Steve Heinze Boston CollegeHockey EastBoston Bruins
464Jeff Stolp MinnesotaWCHAMinnesota North Stars
465Matt RuchtyBowling GreenCCHANew Jersey Devils
468Tony Amonte Boston UniversityHockey EastNew York Rangers
469Ted Crowley Boston CollegeHockey EastToronto Maple Leafs
470Rob BlakeBowling GreenCCHALos Angeles Kings
472Jaan LuikMiamiCCHASt. Louis Blues
474Dean DyerLake Superior StateCCHAHartford Whalers
475Scott LuikMiamiCCHANew Jersey Devils
476Keith Carney MaineHockey EastBuffalo Sabres
477Scott LaGrand Boston CollegeHockey EastPhiladelphia Flyers
481Joé JuneauRensselaerECAC HockeyBoston Bruins
482Cam BrauerRensselaerECAC HockeyEdmonton Oilers
484Gary Socha ProvidenceHockey EastCalgary Flames
586Len Esau St. Cloud StateIndependentToronto Maple Leafs
587Stephane VenneVermontECAC HockeyQuebec Nordiques
588Greg AndrusakMinnesota–DuluthWCHAPittsburgh Penguins
590Scott Matusovich YaleECAC HockeyCalgary Flames
591Jeff Robison ProvidenceHockey EastLos Angeles Kings
592Joe Cleary Boston CollegeHockey EastChicago Blackhawks
595Scott Morrow New HampshireHockey EastHartford Whalers
596Chris Nelson WisconsinWCHANew Jersey Devils
5100Paul RutherfordOhio StateCCHANew York Islanders
5102Dan Murphy MaineHockey EastBoston Bruins
5105Dave LaCouture MaineHockey EastSt. Louis Blues
6106David DiVitaLake Superior StateCCHABuffalo Sabres
6107Corrie D'AlessioCornellECAC HockeyVancouver Canucks
6108Ed WardNorthern MichiganWCHAQuebec Nordiques
6113Justin LafayetteFerris StateCCHAChicago Blackhawks
6114Dan FowlerMaineHockey EastSt. Louis Blues
6117Chad Johnson North DakotaWCHANew Jersey Devils
6118Mike McLaughlin VermontECAC HockeyBuffalo Sabres
6119Gord Frantti Western MichiganCCHAPhiladelphia Flyers
6121Jason Rathbone Boston CollegeHockey EastNew York Islanders
6122Phil von StefenelliBoston UniversityHockey EastVancouver Canucks
6123Derek Geary DartmouthECAC HockeyBoston Bruins
7128Dixon Ward North DakotaWCHAVancouver Canucks
7132Matt Mallgrave HarvardECAC HockeyToronto Maple Leafs
7133Jeff Kruesel St. Cloud StateIndependentLos Angeles Kings
7134Craig WoodcroftColgateECAC HockeyChicago Blackhawks
7135Matt Hayes LowellHockey EastSt. Louis Blues
7137Kerry RussellMichigan StateCCHAHartford Whalers
7138Chad Erickson Minnesota–DuluthWCHANew Jersey Devils
7140Jamie Cooke ColgateECAC HockeyPhiladelphia Flyers
7141Keith Jones Western MichiganCCHAWashington Capitals
7143Kelly HurdMichigan TechWCHADetroit Red Wings
7146Tim Chase BrownECAC HockeyMontreal Canadiens
8148Ken MacArthurDenverWCHAMinnesota North Stars
8149Greg Geldart North DakotaWCHAVancouver Canucks
8151Jeff Blaeser YaleECAC HockeyPittsburgh Penguins
8155Chic PojarColorado CollegeWCHAChicago Blackhawks
8158Jim BurkeMaineHockey EastHartford Whalers
8159Bryan LaFort Boston UniversityHockey EastNew Jersey Devils
8160Dan Ruoho Northern MichiganWCHABuffalo Sabres
8162Todd Hilditch RensselaerECAC HockeyWashington Capitals
8163Marty McInnis Boston CollegeHockey EastNew York Islanders
8164Brian McCormack HarvardECAC HockeyDetroit Red Wings
8165Mark Krys Boston UniversityHockey EastBoston Bruins
8166Shjon PodeinMinnesota–DuluthWCHAEdmonton Oilers
8167Sean Hill WisconsinWCHAMontreal Canadiens
9169Travis Richards MinnesotaWCHAMinnesota North Stars
9172Rob Gaudreau ProvidenceHockey EastPittsburgh Penguins
9173Shorty ForrestSt. Cloud StateIndependentNew York Islanders
9174Mike Delay Boston CollegeHockey EastToronto Maple Leafs
9175Jim Larkin VermontECAC HockeyLos Angeles Kings
9178Mike Helber MichiganCCHAWinnipeg Jets
9179Mark HirthMichigan StateCCHAHartford Whalers
9185Jody PraznikColorado CollegeWCHADetroit Red Wings
9186Jon Rohloff Minnesota–DuluthWCHABoston Bruins
9187Tom Cole NortheasternHockey EastEdmonton Oilers
9189Brett Petersen DenverWCHACalgary Flames
10191Paul Constantin Lake Superior StateCCHAVancouver Canucks
10192Mark SorensenMichiganCCHAWashington Capitals
10195David Sacco Boston UniversityHockey EastToronto Maple Leafs
10198Bret HedicanSt. Cloud StateIndependentSt. Louis Blues
10202Eric Fenton MaineHockey EastNew York Rangers
10204Claudio ScreminMaineHockey EastWashington Capitals
10205Jeff Kampersal PrincetonECAC HockeyNew York Islanders
11211Grant BischoffMinnesotaWCHAMinnesota North Stars
11214Cory Laylin MinnesotaWCHAPittsburgh Penguins
11216Mike Gregorio Kent StateACHAToronto Maple Leafs
11217Doug LapradeLake Superior StateCCHALos Angeles Kings
11221Rob WhiteSt. LawrenceECAC HockeyHartford Whalers
11222Chuckie Hughes HarvardECAC HockeyNew Jersey Devils
11223Tom Nieman DartmouthECAC HockeyBuffalo Sabres
11224Scott Billey Minnesota–DuluthWCHAPhiladelphia Flyers
11225Chris VenkusWestern MichiganCCHAWashington Capitals
11226Phil Neururer Northern MichiganWCHANew York Islanders
11228Eric ReismanOhio StateCCHABoston Bruins
11229Darin MacDonald Boston UniversityHockey EastEdmonton Oilers
11230Kevin DahlBowling GreenCCHAMontreal Canadiens
11231Dave TretowiczClarksonECAC HockeyCalgary Flames
12232Trent AndisonCornellECAC HockeyMinnesota North Stars
12238Joe Flanagan New HampshireHockey EastLos Angeles Kings
12240Mike FrancisHarvardECAC HockeySt. Louis Blues
12242Dan Slatalla PrincetonECAC HockeyHartford Whalers
12244Bob WallworkMiamiCCHABuffalo Sabres
12246Ron Pascucci Boston CollegeHockey EastWashington Capitals
12248Don StoneMichiganCCHADetroit Red Wings

† incoming freshman
[18]

1988 NHL Supplemental Draft

See also

References