UW-Stout has one of the best forward lines returning in all of Division III hockey for this coming season, fans hope that translates into lots of scoring. Last season Stout averaged 4.1 goals-per-game, good enough for 2nd overall in the NCHA conference.  Much of that effort was fueled by their first line consisting of Derek Hanson, Joel Gaulrapp and Scott Motz.  All three will be seniors this season and are hungry for another chance at an NCAA National Championship.

Derek Hanson leads the scoring pace for UW-Stout where he scored 17 goals, 28 assists for a NCHA leading 45 points in 2008-2009.  Hanson a 5’9 175lb center from Bemidji, MN played his junior hockey in the MJHL where he was a two-time all-star.  Hanson is known for being in the right places at the right time and having a natural scoring ability. If Hanson has an open look, chances are he will bury the puck.

Helping Hanson on the first line is Joel Gaulrapp, a 6’0 185lb forward from Owatonna, MN. Gaulrapp was a transfer from UW-Superior and his time at UW-Stout has been more than productive. Gaulrapp is a two-time All-NCHA and All-WIAC selection.  Helping his team win some tight playoff games, Gaulrapp tallied 21 goals, 21 assists for 42 points in 2008-2009. That put Gaulrapp 2nd overall in the NCHA in points and a leader in goals.  Gaulrapp can dangle with the best of them and is always moving his feet on the ice.  When the game is on the line, Gaulrapp is on the ice.

On the other side of the ice is Scott Motz, a 6’1 210lb winger from Lake Elmo, MN.  Motz played his junior hockey with the Alexandria Blizzard in the NAHL with teammates Bobby Kuehl and Paul Henderson.  Motz is the inevitable play-maker on the first line with Hanson and Gaulrapp setting up spectacular goals all season long.  Motz finished 2008-2009 with 14 goals, 23 assists good for 37 points and 3rd overall in points in the conference. The most notable play for Motz last season was his cross-ice pass which allowed teammate Jack Wolgemuth to bury a clapper from the blue line with seconds remaining in the NCAA National Quarter-Final vs. St. Scholastica.  That play put UW-Stout in the NCAA Frozen Four in Lake Placid, NY in March.

In addition to the senior forward line UW-Stout has some very promising up-and-coming youngsters like Matt Morin, Robert Carr and Joel Whited.  This season will prove to be a growing season for the younger players who will need to step up big in 2010-2011 and fill some major holes.

In addition to the young talent already on-campus, UW-Stout may have its best recruiting class in school history coming in this season.  Tyler Currier (Alaska Avalance-NAHL) verbally commited to UW-Stout only to instead attend the University of Alaska-Anchorage (WCHA) on scholarship.  That speaks to the caliber of players coming in this season.  The recruiting class will be made public come fall.

UW-Stout is talked as the favorite to win the NCHA this season, but only time will tell.