The last couple of years haven’t been easy for Harvard coach Ted Donato, who is heading into his 11th season behind the bench.
The previous two campaigns yielded just 10 victories each and first-round exits in the ECAC tournament.
But this year has a fresh and different feel. The younger players coming back have been battle tested, there is a strong element of leadership, and the newcomers bring some high-end skill to the mix. Add to that the fact that the Bright-Landry Hockey Center has been expanded and renovated, and the atmosphere on campus is full of anticipation.
“I’m excited, I think we have a good young group,” said Donato, whose squad opens the season Nov. 1 against Dartmouth. “Last year we were especially inexperienced and we have a lot of guys who have one or two years under their belts in college hockey. Last year was a disappointing year. We played in a lot of close games. Our inability to create enough offense really came back to haunt us on most nights.”
Donato said his players went into the offseason with a renewed commitment to fitness.
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“They worked really hard and got bigger and stronger,” he said. “We certainly have a lot to prove but I think the energy and enthusiasm and the talent is there to have a good season.”
Donato said that although the Crimson return the majority of their top scorers, there simply wasn’t enough offense previously. That shouldn’t be a problem this year.
“I think we have some guys who have a chance to make a big step forward,” he said. “On most nights last year, eight out of nine of our top forwards were freshmen and sophomores. I think there is a lot to prove.”
One of the rookies expected to make an impact right away is 19-year-old defenseman Wiley Sherman, a fifth-round pick of the Bruins in 2013.
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Another is goaltender Merrick Madsen.
“He has great size and athleticism, so hopefully he can help us out,” said Donato of Madsen. “Up front, we have three forwards we think could step in and make an immediate impact — Seb Lloyd, Joey Caffrey, and Eddie Ellis. They should complement what we already have to make us a fast and dangerous team.”
Over the last couple of years, the goaltending was decent but couldn’t overcome the team’s deficiencies.
“The goaltending is very much aligned to the other areas of the team that could be improved,” said Donato. “I think our goaltending could be much better. Last year, from the numbers, it was solid, but the reality is we need to score more goals and we need timely saves. That’s really the recipe for success for us.”
Because of the lofty academic standards, it isn’t always easy for Ivy League teams to succeed regularly at the highest level of hockey, but Donato believes it can be done. Case in point: Yale’s NCAA title in 2013.
“You’re always disappointed if you don’t have the type of season that would be judged as successful,” he said. “But I’m not frustrated in the sense that I don’t think we’re capable. I’ve very excited this year. I think we have a team that will need to mature and will need to improve, but I have to say, I’m as excited going into this season as I have been in a long time.
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“We have some pieces in place and we have the ability to improve throughout the season. I think we have a team that could be exciting and fun to watch. I really have high expectations. We’re going to need to do a lot of improving but I really believe this team is going to be very successful this year.”
One person who will help the cause is Paul Pearl, who stepped down from the head job at Holy Cross to join Donato’s staff as associate head coach.
“Paul brings experience, a great hockey IQ, and he brings a level of enthusiasm that I think will play a huge part in the improvement of our team,” said Donato. “We’re really excited about him.”
Senior defenseman Max Everson said the team is itching to get started and it has been hard to wait as other ECAC teams have begun their seasons.
“I personally hate it,” said Everson. “I understand the Ivy League is trying to make sure academics are still a priority. It’s not ideal. I just hate sitting around and not playing and seeing other people play. It’s kind of annoying. I’m ready to go right when we get back to school.”
Everson believes in the team and Donato’s leadership.
“The last couple of years haven’t been phenomenal but I really like him as a coach, he’s a great guy,” said Everson. “On top of that, he can give you advice that you can’t really learn unless you’ve been where he’s been. He has experience at the top level and I think everyone respects his opinion on the game because he has walked the walk.”
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An example was Donato assigning some of the older players to read books on leadership.
One of them was Ernest Shackleton’s story about the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition from 1914-17.
“The story itself is incredible,” said Everson. “He kept a group of men together and they were living on an iceberg and he led them to safety and have everyone survive after two years. Everything was about keeping morale high.”
Everson said it provided a different way of approaching a variety of situations and made him all the more eager to play. He believes this has the potential to be a team with which to be reckoned.
“We’d better be,” said Everson. “I’ve been telling everyone we’re going to be good.”
Nancy Marrapese-Burrell can be reached at marrapese@globe.com. Follow her on Twitter @Elle1027.