BLOG 5: Daniels excited about scorers returning to his lineup

By Sandy Gholston

Ferris State hockey coach Bob Daniels speaks at Tuesday's CCHA Media Day in Grand Rapids (Courtesy Photo)

GRAND RAPIDS – Ferris State University hockey head coach Bob Daniels recalls thoughts in past years of how his team would manufacture goals.

This year, however, Daniels feels a little differently as he enters his 17th season behind the Bulldogs’ bench. Led by capable goal scorers in team captain Cody Chupp, a local product from Big Rapids High School, as well as Brendan Connolly, a senior, and Justin Menke, a sophomore, Ferris believes it has the makings of a team with firepower to light up a scoreboard – inside and outside of the Central Collegiate Hockey Association.

“Our expectations are high and we’re hopeful we’re going to be able to make a return to Van Andel Arena to be able to play (in the 2008-09 NCAA Midwest Regional Tournament) in March,” said Daniels as he spoke during CCHA Media Day in Grand Rapids at Van Andel Arena. “We’re excited about our team and we return a lot of scoring to our lineup. I know a lot of times, in past years I’ve come up here and wondered how we were going to score goals. But this year, I think we’ve got some proven goal scorers returning led by Cody Chupp as well as Brendan Connolly and Justin Menke (among) our scorers.”

Chupp, a junior, led Ferris with 30 points last season on 11 goals with 19 assists while Connolly added 24 points on 13 goals with 11 assists and Menke totaled eight goals and 13 assists for 21 points.

Those are three solid cornerstones for the Bulldogs to build off of this season as Ferris transitions into what Daniels hopes is a team that can consistently drive the puck into the net.

If you have any questions, ideas or comments feel free to contact Sandy Gholston at sgholston2@netzero.com