With Northwood returning to the MCHC this coming season, we had a chance to talk to Northwood ACHA DIII Head Coach Ryan Stumpf about the upcoming season and the return to league play. Ryan, who also helps with the ACHA DI Northwood team, had this to say about the return to the MCHC and the addition of the second team at Northwood, “We are excited to be back in DIII and the MCHC. There are national contending teams in the MCHC, they set the tone of how good you have to be. We are excited to be apart of that”.
Adding a second team to a program is never easy and Northwood has become one of the most prominent business schools in Michigan. We asked Ryan about what he expects from the team and what it is like building a group from the ground up. Ryan had this to say, “Everyone will have an impact on our success this year. Incoming freshman, transfers, or returners. It is all about having everyone on the same page with a common goal. I think up and down the lineup we have depth and talent. At forward, defense, and goalie. We have returners that are coming back to lead the charge, while the freshman are joining us ready to follow suit”.
Lastly, with just under a month before the team hits the ice for their first game, coach Stumpf had this to say about goal setting for the upcoming season, “For us, we are going to take it a day at a time. Of course, everyone would love to win the Vezina Cup and/or go to the National Tournament. We believe by taking it day-by-day and getting better every day, the Vezina Cup and the National Tournament appearance will come”.
Northwood starts the season with practice this coming week!