Season Preview: EWU Eagles look to make a name in inaugural campaign

EASTERN WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY EAGLES 

2010/11 Record: N/A

Key Additions: Jake Flynn (F, Iowa State University, ACHA), Bobby Ward (F, Alpena IceDiggers, NAHL), AJ Sanders (D, Spokane Braves, KIJHL).

Key Returnees: F Ryan Pajimola (35-29-26-55), F Taylor McClay (33-15-21-36), F Brett Kellogg (34-15-13-28), G Jason Greenwell (13-5, 2.95 GAA, .900 SV %), G Cash Ullrich (13-3-1, 2.28 GAA, .920 SV%).

Key Departures: Kris Boyce (35-27-23-50), Alex Arnold (34-26-23-49), Ryan Schank (34-7-26-33).

Outlook: The Eastern Washington University Eagles are not your typical expansion team. The Cheney, WA based squad moves over to the BCIHL after years competing in the American Collegiate Hockey Association. A perennial ACHA Division II contender, the Eagles are expected to compete immediately with their Canadian counterparts.

The question, of course, is how well EWU will match-up in the seven-team circuit. Eastern has faced SFU five times in exhibition play over the past three seasons and posted a 1-4 record, while also recording victories over Trinity Western (2010 Preseason) and Selkirk College (2011 Preseason).

Up front, the Eagles rely on the offensive firepower of Ryan Pajimola and Taylor McClay, who combined for 91 points in 68 games a year ago. Iowa State import Jake Flynn and NAHL alumnus Bobby Ward should also provide offense for a team that is without three of its top five scorers from last season.

In goal, EWU relies on the tandem of Jason Greenwell and Cash Ullrich, both former KIJHL standouts who have settled comfortably at the college level. Each netminder totalled 13 wins in 2010-11, while Ullrich's 2.28 goals-against average was second in the nation amongst goaltenders who played at least 1000 minutes.

How will the Eagles' ACHA success translate in the BCIHL? Only time will tell.