The ice is smooth; the skates are sharp; the jerseys are fresh; and the Zamboni is gassed up.

Yes, it is hockey season again. That means it is time for the SLU hockey team to take the ice as they break in a new arena and battle a new, more challenging conference.

“This year’s team overall is a much better team than last year’s, and we have switched conferences. So it should turn out to be a tough, but exciting, year of hockey,” said coach John Bosch.

The Billikens have joined the Central States Collegiate Hockey League. This 10 school conference is a member of the 36 school American Collegiate Hockey Association.

The Bills join Eastern Michigan University, University of Michigan-Dearborn, Western Michigan University, University of Buffalo, Kent State University, Ohio University, University of Illinois, Iowa State University and University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in the CSCHL.

“We have joined the strongest conference in the nation. It is Division One. This conference usually sends a few strong teams to the Final Four, every year.

“The competition within the conference is pretty strong. We have almost one third of the ACHA in our conference. That shows the contingent that we have in the CSCHL,” Bosch said.

The Billikens open up their season and their conference schedule tomorrow night at 9 against Eastern Michigan at the new home of the Billikens, The Forum Ice Arena.

The Bills then play two games against Michigan-Dearborne, the first at 8 p.m. on Saturday followed by a Sunday match-up at 1:15 p.m.

The Billiken’s home turf this year is The Forum Ice Arena, which is located in Fenton, MO. The venue is a 20-minute drive on westbound Highway 44, across from the Chrysler plant.

“It is a real quaint, cozy venue. When we fill up the place it will be real loud and intimidating to our opponents.

“Nothing is better than having your crowd breathing down your opponent’s neck,” Bosch said.

In the pre-season polls the Billikens are ranked seventh within their conference. They are ranked 15th in the nation. Bosch, however, believes his team should be ranked higher,

“To make the ACHA playoffs, you need to be ranked within the top 12 in the nation.

“I believe we are right around there; making the post-season is very much in our reach,” Bosch said.

SLU is coming off last year’s 16-18-2 record, as part of the Great Lakes Collegiate Hockey Association.

Despite their losing record, they received a boost of confidence from their post-season conference tournament.

The Bills upset their way through the tournament Lorenzo Romar style, capping it off with a 5-2 victory over the more-talented University of Minnesota.

“Winning the conference championship last year, and being so close to the playoffs has motivated us so much more.

“You can see a whole new energy level among the team. You can tell the difference in the players and coaches. We are going to have a good year,” Bosch said.

The Billikens graduated a good group of seniors last year. According to Bosch, they were good team leaders but they lacked the speed needed to compete at a higher level.

Bosch said that he went looking for speed. He recruited a core group of freshmen who are faster and quicker than last year’s squad.

According to Bosch, freshmen forwards Jordan Janes, John Gissy, Al Lordo, Mark Shorman, Mark Uvodich and Jason Goode will instantly aid the squad.

“These young freshmen have all come from prestigious prep schools and high school champions,” Bosch said.

“They add a completely different dimension to the team as far as speed goes. We are much quicker this year,” Bosch said.

Freshmen wing players Matt McComy and Todd Peden add the extra punch for Bosch’s squad. As power forwards, they can physically take command of the game.

With the good recruiting class of freshmen, the Billikens will be able to form five lines and rotate frequently.

Bosch believes this will make a huge difference allowing players to rest more and to switch things up.

Along with a strong class of freshmen, the Bills are loaded with veteran talent. The Billikens return two of the nations top scorers from last year in Daniel Gauthier and Dan Chadakhtzian.

The Billikens will also profit from senior Jasson Price whose 6′ 4″, 220 pound body will be tough for opponents to move around.

On the defensive side, the team is led by four-year starter Drew Vilinsky, three-year veteran Matt Fisher, and returning sophomore Adam Brouk.

Sophomore goaltender Casey Martin has improved since his limited playing time last year. He has gotten much larger and has benefited from his experiences on the squad last year.

“The makeup of our team is interesting. Out of our 27 man roster, only 10 are from St. Louis. That is unusual for us.

“We have done a good job recruiting. We are looking forward to prove what we can do with this year’s talent,” Bosch said.

“I strongly feel that we have the potential to reach our goal. Come March, our goal is that we are ranked in the top 12 and that we are in Phoenix, AZ playing in the national tournament.”

For more information concerning the SLU Hockey Club, call the Forum at 636-349-0257 and listen to the Billiken Hockey hotline.