Imagine if Penn State's Larry Johnson could return to his alma mater for one more year of eligibility. Well, the No. 2 Penn State ACHA Division I Icers don't have to daydream about such a possibility -- they're living it.

Icers coach Joe Battista announced at Monday's press conference that Justin Depretis, a mainstay of the 2003 championship squad, will start on the gold line this season.

"He's probably one of the most talented players, especially in terms of goal-scoring that we've ever had," Battista said. "He's just had a rocky road off the ice."

In his last season with the Icers in 2003-04, Depretis racked up 35 goals and 24 assists -- that's 59 points in 36 games. Those 35 goals would have led the team last season.

Depretis was thought to be long gone two years ago after transferring. But, this year he's back with one last year of eligibility -- and it doesn't look like he's skipped a beat.

The Icers as a whole, however, may be another story.

Sure, the team may have made eight consecutive national championship appearances, but this season figures to be a bit more difficult. Not only do the Icers play a dozen games against top-five teams, but they'll also be competing with 13 freshmen taking up 25 starting roster spots.

"The freshmen are good; they're intelligent. But I think half the battle is getting to know their names," Battista said, jokingly. "It's really a matter of whether [the veterans] jell with the young guys and how long that takes."

That especially holds true for the inexperienced defense, the weak link on the team. Only three defensemen return from last season -- in other words, 70 percent of the defense is made up entirely of rookies.

When asked if the Icers could defeat an elite top-five team if the game was played at present, Battista took a long pause before deflecting the question to one of his captains. Forward Brett Wilson didn't provide a direct answer but believed his team would have to rely more on its raw talent the first few games.

"Once we learn our systems, then yeah, we'll beat them right away," Wilson said. "But I don't see any team that's going to come in here and roll us because of our inexperience."

Granted, the Icers haven't been blown out against an ACHA team since ... well ...ever. But, Penn State isn't just playing club teams when its season opens this weekend. Its toughest challenge of the year comes Saturday against NCAA Div. I Robert Morris (PA).

While the 'W' word against the Colonials wasn't used during the press conference, a win -- however unlikely -- would be huge for a Penn State team that's continually trying to make its case for moving up to the NCAA level.

"It's something that we've been telling people around here, that we belong," Wilson said. "So now it's time to basically put up or shut up."

Goalie Carousel: 1A or 1B?

Junior Chris Matteo will challenge incumbent Paul Mammola for the starting netminder job this season.

Battista said, like last year, Penn State will utilize both players -- starting one on a Friday and the other on a Saturday. The Icers' coach didn't stop the carousel until late last year when he named Mammola the starter.

The same philosophy should apply for this season.

Mammola is known for his consistent play, while Matteo's reactionary playing style is similar to the NHL's Dominik Hasek. That's quite a comparison, but the main knock on Matteo is that for every jaw-dropping save he makes, he allows a soft goal.

If Matteo can remain consistent, though, he should be able to muscle the job from the 6-foot-3, 210-pound senior.

Oh, the irony!

Depretis attempted to transfer to Robert Morris (PA) after the 2003-04 season. He was poised to play for the Colonials, until the NCAA said he didn't have enough transfer credits.

So, he took a year off hockey and decided to come back to Penn State for one more season.

Now, on Saturday, Depretis is set to take on the same team he would have been playing for if it weren't for NCAA regulations.

"It's gonna be a little bit strange," Depretis said. "I'm really psyched up for the game, though. I kind of have to prove myself."

'Fresh' start

Two freshmen, Lukas DeLorenzo and Frank Berry, have already earned spots on the Icers' top line. DeLorenzo will line up at center, while Berry -- an exceptional two-way player -- will start at right wing.

"This is one of the best recruiting classes we've ever had," Battista said.

Battista also talked about 5-foot-6 newcomer Jaime Zimmel, who is made in the same mold as the Icers' all-time leading goal scorer Kevin Jaeger.

Maybe it's too early too tell, but fans should get a taste of what to expect from Zimmel and company on Friday against No. 14 Mercyhurst.

Where'd they go?

The Icers have lost plenty of firepower to graduation, but quite a few skaters decided to transfer or just take a semester off.

Forward Greg Schwind, who was injured for a majority of last season, transferred to a school closer to his home while up-and-coming defender Clint Highley transferred to Ohio State.

Jesse Weinzimmer decided not to play this semester, and forward Jim Roach -- whose playing style closely resembles one of the Hanson Brothers on Slapshot -- was cut after the addition of 14 new faces.

S.O.S.

Penn State will need some help this season due to its impressive strength of schedule. Not counting tournaments, the Icers play 22 ranked opponents in 24 games.

And the only team that's not ranked?

St. Clair, a Canadian school that joined the ACHA this season -- and it's pretty much a lock the powerhouse will be ranked, probably in the top 10, at the season's end.

To maker matters even worse, 18 of the Icers' 24 games will be played against top 10 opponents.

"It might be one of, if not the, toughest schedules we've ever put together," Battista said.