The only senior on the squad is mammoth bruiser, Allen Kummu, the team's top defensive scorer.

The nearest thing to a team star is goalie Neil Little with a .915 save percentage.

Returning players learned by taking some lumps last year when RPI finished 10th in regular season standings.

But Powers says that the team needs more game experience before any predictions can be made.

"We could have a pretty good club. We could be in the top four or take fifth, sixth, seventh or eighth place. We won't be able to tell until we play 15 games or so," Powers says.

5. BROWN

The Boston area has been home to many famous lines. The Superline (Harvard), H-E-M (Boston College) and S-A-M (Boston University).

And now, Providence seems to be getting in on the action with a potent line of its own. This one doesn't have a cute name, but it certainly has the talent.

Brown features senior forwards Derek Chauvette (12-30-42), Mike Ross (14-19-33) and Scott Hanley (15-20-35), who as the Bears' top line should do some damage around the ECAC.

"We have a lot of returning seniors to give us experience and depth," says Chauvette. "We know what it is like to loose. This year we want to continue a winning attitude."

That winning attitude has brought Brown from the depths of ECAC mediocrity (12th in 1989) to respectability (fifth in 1992). And this year behind Coach Bob Gaudet, Brown has a reasonable shot at breaking into the top four in the league.

6. SLU

Tough times are ahead for St. Lawrence, defending ECAC champions.

Hockey runs through the blood of every student and player in Canton, N.Y., but this year's Saints must contend with some heavenly losses to their roster.

These included the team's top six scorers, including All-Americans Daniel LaPerriere (now playing for the St. Louis Blues) and Mike Lappin.