ELMIRA, N.Y. -- The 2015-16 season was a turbulent one to say the least for the Elmira College men's ice hockey team, which ended the campaign with an 11-12-3 overall record and a 4-9-2 mark in league play. Elmira produced four wins over nationally-ranked opponents, three against teams who were ranked sixth-or-better at time, but the Soaring Eagles struggled to find consistency inside the ECAC West Conference, which ultimately led to first-round exit at the year-end conference tournament.
 
This year is shaping up to be another challenging one for the Elmira men, who lost their top-seven point scorers from a season ago as well as the team's starting goaltender for most the of the year. Inexperience up and down the Elmira lineup may look like weakness heading into the upcoming season, but make no mistake about it - expectations remain high in the locker room and amongst the coaching staff for the 2016-17 edition of the Purple and Gold.
 
"We want to compete for an ECAC West Conference Championship," said Head Coach Aaron Saul '98, who begins his eighth season as the bench boss for the Soaring Eagles. "It all starts with getting into the playoffs, because we have a few more teams in the league this year. So if we can get into the playoffs then I think we can make some noise."
 
Qualifying for the year-end conference tournament will be much more difficult than in years past, mainly due to the addition of Stevenson University and Lebanon Valley College to the ECAC West. Stevenson and Lebanon Valley become the second and third teams added by the conference in the last five years, joining Nazareth College as the three newest members of the league. The addition brings the conference team total to eight, yet the league tournament will only feature the top six teams as it has been traditionally.
 
Elmira's schedule is set up to ease into conference play, as the Soaring Eagles open the 2016-17 campaign with a home-and-home series with Oswego State. The two-game series with the Lakers marks the first time since the 2012-13 season that EC will open the year against a non-league opponent. The following six games will all take place inside the ECAC West, starting with a weekend road trip to face the newest members of the conference, Stevenson and Lebanon Valley.
 
During that six-game stretch, Elmira will get its first look at each team in the conference with the exception of Hobart College, who the Soaring Eagles play twice in the last two games of the regular season. Elmira's push for a playoff spot during the second half of the season will be crucial, as six of the final eight league contests will take place at the friendly confines of EC's Murray Athletic Center.
 
KEY RETURNERS
SAL MAGLIOCCO '17 (G)
With 45 career games under his belt and entering his senior season, Magliocco looks to be Coach Saul's top pick between the pipes this season for the Soaring Eagles. The Roslyn, New York, native will surely be a key piece in Elmira's formula for success, especially with such a large group of newcomers on this year's squad. Magliocco saw limited time in net last season due to injury, resulting in a 4-6-0 overall record. However, when healthy, Magliocco can play with the best of them and he proved that during his freshman campaign in 2013-14, a season he went 11-6-0 with a 3.21 goals-against average.
 
"He's had some really great wins and runs in his career," said Saul. "It seems like he's gotten injured each year which derailed his season, but if he can stay healthy I think he's one of, if not, the best goalie in our conference."
 
EDDIE NOLAN '17 (D)
Of Elmira's 28-man roster, no one has more collegiate experience than this senior defenseman. Nolan has appeared in 75 games throughout his career and owns 15 points on six goals and nine assists. Nolan's toughness and leadership from the blue line will be so very important for EC's 16 freshmen.
 
MICHAEL MARTIN '18 (D)
Similar to his linemate, Nolan, third-year blueliner Martin adds quality and toughness to the Elmira's d-corps. Martin played in 24 games last season and logged a pair of assists. Known more for his physicality than for his scoring touch, look for this no-nonsense defender to set the tone on-and-off the ice as a key leader on this year's team.  
 
"We are going to be looking for both of these guys [Nolan & Martin] to provide leadership for us back there, especially with a lot of new guys in the mix this year," Saul stated. "They are really going to need to anchor down our d-zone."
 
BLAKE O'NEILL '19 (D)
O'Neill enters the 2016-17 season as Elmira's top-returning point scorer from a year ago, after capping his freshman year with 13 points on two goals and 11 helpers. A talented two-way defender, O'Neill became the first rookie defenseman to produce 10-or-more points in a debut season since former AHCA All-American Karl Linden '11 logged 17 (6g, 11a) in 2007. Since 1999-00, only nine EC freshman defensemen have broken the 10-point barrier and of those nine, three went on to garner All-American honors (Lawne Snyder '04, Nicolas Dumoulin '08, & Linden).
 
TYLER THEODOULOU '18 (F)
Theodoulou was one of 11 Elmira skaters with 10-or-more points a season ago, finishing his sophomore season with six goals and four assists in 24 appearances. His 10 points are tied for second-most amongst returning skaters, as the Bedford, New Hampshire, native closed out the 2015-16 campaign on a four-game point streak (1g, 4a).
 
"Up front is where we have the most new and impactful players, but our biggest returner up top is Theodoulou," said Saul. "He played in a lot of different situations last year and I'm sure his ice time will increase this season."
 
NEWCOMERS
Of Elmira's 28-man roster, the Class of 2020 makes up the majority with 16 players. EC's freshman class is a diverse bunch, hailing from nine different states within the continental U.S. as well as Canada. With such a large group of newcomers on this year's team, the freshman class will more than likely be expected to make big and immediate contributions this winter.
 
"We are really excited about the forwards we have coming this year," Saul stated. "It usually takes freshmen about a semester to feel comfortable, but we don't have that kind of time, so those guys are going to be relied upon right away to provide some offensive punch."
 
Saul continues to share his thoughts on the infusion of his rookie skaters, "For us, having some new players in here just gives us a new vibe and new energy. There are bunch of guys that are going to be playing their first collegiate games in a couple of weeks. With that many new guys it's going to be an adjustment but we are really happy with where the guys are at and what they are bringing to the table."
 
GENERAL OUTLOOK
In the last four seasons, Elmira has produced one winning record, one that came in a 2013-14 ECAC West title run (16-10-1). If history has taught us anything about Elmira hockey, it is that the Soaring Eagles do not stay down for long.
 
Since the program's inception in 1973-74, Elmira has suffered through just seven losing seasons. More impressive has been how the Soaring Eagles have responded to those sub-par campaigns. In the year following a losing season, Elmira has produced four winning records, a pair of conference titles (1994-95 & 2013-14), and an NCAA Tournament Semifinal appearance.
 
In order for Elmira to get back to its winning ways, defending its home ice at the MAC will be a vital component, especially with a 14-game home slate this season. Over the past three seasons, Elmira has played exceptionally well at home, posting a 22-12-3 overall record during that time.
 
"It's the first time since I've been a head coach here that we have had so many home games," said Saul. "It's great for us and it's great for our new players to play in a building where everyone is cheering for them. It's going to be a great experience for those guys and hopefully we have some success at home, especially early, so we can ride that momentum into the playoffs."
 
SEASON OPENER
The Soaring Eagles open the 2016-17 season this Friday, October 28th, with a non-conference showdown with long-time rival, Oswego State. Friday night's contest is slated for a 7:00 p.m. start at the Lakers' Marano Campus Center Arena. The following night, Elmira welcomes the Lakers to the Murray Athletic Center for EC's home opener, which will also begin at 7:00 p.m.