The Clarkson University Hockey team did a lot of good things last season. The Golden Knights were among the best in the country in puck possession (by Corsi and Fenwick numbers), ranked 16th in team defense (2.35 GPG), were a top-10 team on the penalty kill overall (87.7%) and first in ECAC Hockey (92%), and were third in the conference on the power play (19.4%). However, a lack of consistent scoring, particularly in even-strength situations, was the biggest stumbling block for the Green and Gold in 2014-15. Clarkson averaged just over two goals a game as it finished with a 12-20-5 overall record.

The Knights would routinely out shoot and out chance teams, but were not able to finish games off. The Knights, who went 5-11-5 in one-goal games, challenged for a top-four spot in the ECAC Hockey standings, but finished with an 8-11-3, eighth-place conference mark.

With a stable of 25 capable veterans and a mix of young talent, Clarkson is primed to take the next step in 2015-16 and compete for a top spot in the league standings and make a trip to Lake Placid in mid-March for the ECAC Hockey Championship Tournament. Four freshmen – two forwards, one defenseman and one goaltender - will join the program this year and are expected to help a veteran roster for fifth-year head coach Casey Jones and assistant coaches Phil Roy and Josh Hauge.

An 18-game home slate, 11 non-league contests against teams from the other five NCAA conferences and the always competitive ECAC Hockey circuit highlight the Golden Knights' 94th season. "I really like the balance and strength of our schedule," stated Jones, the Leonard S. Ceglarski Endowed Chair for Clarkson Hockey. "Our players and staff are really excited about the upcoming season as we feel we are ready to challenge the very best the ECAC has to offer. Our schedule this year has a good blend of non-conference games across all leagues and our fans will see fresh teams come into Cheel."

The Knights host Atlantic Hockey foes RIT and Niagara on October 9-10 to begin their 25th season at Cheel Arena. The ECAC Hockey campaign begins for the Green and Gold with three straight games in the North Country. Clarkson hosts Capital District foes Rensselaer and Union On November 6-7 and then travels to Canton to battle archrival St. Lawrence on November 13.

Clarkson hosts McGill University, this Saturday, October 3 in a 5:00 p.m. exhibition contest at Cheel. Following the game, The Green and Gold will hold their annual "Skate With a Knight."

Leading the Knights this season are second-year captain, senior defenseman Paul Geiger (Stouffville, ONT) and assistant captains, senior forwards Jeff DiNallo (Aurora, ONT) and Pat Megannety (Oakville, ONT) and junior defenseman James de Haas (Mississauga, ONT).

"We are excited to have this group serve as our team leaders this season," stated Jones. "Each has earned the privilege and responsibility of serving as a team leader. Paul showed steady development as our captain last year and earned the respect and confidence of his teammates. Jeff, Pat and James are dedicated to the success of our program and have displayed leadership qualities both on and off the ice. They will complement each other well and will each bring a different dynamic to our leadership group. I feel very confident that these four individuals are motivated to help Clarkson Hockey attain all of its goals."

GOAL

Junior Steve Perry (Ligonier, PA) is Clarkson's anchor in the crease, but senior Greg Lewis (Mars, PA) has the experience to step in having played in 67 career games. Junior Ville Runola (Raisio, Finland) and freshman Matt Robson (Mississauga, ONT) will also push for playing time.

Perry earned the starting role to begin the first half of last season and was on his way to a standout campaign before suffering an injury in early January that limited his effectiveness down the stretch. He owned a league-best .958 save percentage and a 0.99 goals against average through the 2014 portion of the ECAC Hockey campaign.

Lewis has displayed some solid efforts and posted back-to-back shutouts late last January, becoming the first Clarkson goaltender in 15 years to achieve the feat. He played in 15 games in 2014-15, posting a .911 save percentage and a 2.19 GAA.

Robson has solid credentials as the number one goaltender and a playoff standout for the Toronto Patriots last seasons. He started 32 of 35 regular-season games en route to a 21-12 record with a pair of shutouts while posting a .916 save percentage and a 2.50 GAA. Robson was a difference maker for the Patriots throughout the club's post-season run as Toronto captured the OJHL Championship and was named the 2014-15 named the OJHL Playoff Most Valuable Player.

DEFENSE

Despite its difficulty scoring goals last year, Clarkson's rugged defense kept the Knights in most games. With seven of the eight blueliners back plus the addition of a promising freshman the Green and Gold will once again be making things difficult for the opponents.

The Knights have plenty of toughness to go around on the backline with Geiger (6-3, 212), senior Kevin Tansey (Hammond. ONT) and de Haas (6-3, 212). Geiger and Tansey (6-4, 217) are three-year veterans and cornerstones of the unit having played in 115 and 117 career games, respectively.

Last year's leading scorer from the blueline, de Hass (6-3, 212), a 2012 NHL Draft choice of Detroit, tallied six goals and nine assists. Classmate Bryan Sinz (Anchorage, AK) has been a steady stay-at-home defenseman through his first two seasons, skating in 39 career games.

Kelly Summers (Golden Lake, ONT) enjoyed a solid rookie campaign last winter and proved to be a bona fide Division I defenseman. He scored 10 points (6-4) and led the Green and Gold in power-play markers with five. Summers, a 2014 Ottawa draft selection, joined Geiger and de Haas as Clarkson defensemen who have earned ECAC Hockey All-Rookie Team honors.

Sophomores Terrance Amorosa (Kirkland, QUE) and Tyko Karjalainen (Helsinki, Finland) gained valuable experience last year and should have more of an impact in 2015-16. A 2013 draft choice of Philadelphia, Amorosa made significant strides down the stretch and can be active at both ends of the rink. He skated in 18 games, including the final 10 contests and recorded five points (1-4). Karjalainen saw action in 10 games while adjusting to the North American collegiate style of play, and should be ready to contribute on a full-time basis.

Adding to the D-corps depth is freshman Aaron Thow (East York, ONT), a shutdown defenseman who can also move the puck. Thow, who will help make up for the graduation loss of James Howden, skated in the USHL last year for Cedar Rapids, playing 52 games and recording 16 points, including 15 assists.

FORWARD

The group upfront remains largely intact with 15 of last year's 16 forwards returning, but must have more consistent production for Clarkson to enjoy success. The Knights were young with six freshmen taking regular roles upfront in 2014-15, including four at the pivot. With their maturity and the addition of two skilled rookies combined with the experience of the upperclassmen, Clarkson should make more of an impact on the stat sheet this winter.

Last year's MVP, DiNallo led Clarkson with 21 points, including 15 assists. He will be counted upon to have a productive year in his final collegiate campaign. Megannety has been a solid two-way player, but is expected to be more of a factor on the stat sheet after posting 13 points (6-7) last season.

Juniors Troy Josephs (Whitby, ONT), A.J. Fossen (Maple Grove, MN) and Jordan Boucher (St. Therese, QUE) picked up their play last season, and with two years of action behind them should be difference makers this winter.

A 2013 Pittsburgh draft selection, Josephs was Clarkson's third-leading scorer with 17 points (3-14), was a top player on the PK unit and posted a team-best +7 plus/minus rating. A hard-nosed player, Fossen emerged as one of the Green and Gold's top forwards down the stretch, recording at least one point in six of the final seven games with four goals and five assists, and finished with 15 points (5-10) overall. Boucher, who battled through injuries, produced a balanced effort on the score sheet with six goals and six assists through 25 games and led the Knights with three game-winners.

Seniors Todd Christian (Norwalk, CT), Christian Powers (Carlisle, ONT) and Simon Bessette (St. Jean, QUE) provide solid checking games and their veteran presence will benefit the team. Junior Perry D'Arrisso (Mississauga, ONT) played an integral on the Knights' league-leading PK unit and can be another contributing factor with two years under his belt.

Last year's talented group of freshman forwards should continue to progress and help make up for the loss of last year's leading goal scorer Joe Zarbo.

Sam Vigneault (Baie-Comeau, QUE) led the Knights' rookies with 13 points (7-7). Janick Asselin (Coaticook, QUE) overcame an early-season injury to make a solid contribution in the second half with 11 points (4-7) in the final 16 games. A steady contributor, who did all the little things, Brett Gervais (Corona, CA) took the most draws on the team, winning 51.7%, led Clarkson in blocked shots (39) and recorded eight points (1-7).

An imposing player Nic Pierog (Georgetown, ONT) got better the more minutes he played and was one of only two Golden Knights to skate in all 37 games, scoring four goals and two assists. With increased ice time Ben Dalpe (Paris, ONT) will be more of a factor. He skated in 16 games as a rookie center and was one of Clarkson's best at the faceoff circle, with a nation-high 64.2% on the draw. Dylan Gareau (Richmond, ONT) played through injury and saw action in 14 games, scoring twice. He has the potential to develop into a solid power forward.

Freshmen Marly Quince (Thunder Bay, ONT) and Juho Jokiharju (Espoo, Finland) have big upside and will push for a regular role right away. A standout forward for the Cornwall Colts the past four seasons, averaging close to a point per game, Quince is a complete player who will make an impact at both ends of the ice. Jokiharju scored at least 50 points in each of the last three seasons, playing in Finnish junior leagues and will add a boost to the Knights' offense.