A correction was added to this article Sept. 10:

Due to a reporting error, the Sept. 8 article ‘Controversy over, hockey prepares for on-ice trials’ mistakenly referred to Mike Paulsen as Matt Paulson. Also, a photo caption mistakenly identified Phil Hummel as Nike Tuma. The Daily regrets these errors.After a summer of controversy that had the club on the brink of extinction, the ISU men’s hockey team is preparing to take the ice for the 2004-05 season.

Coach Alan Murdoch said events such as those that have hit the hockey team during the past year only make the team stronger.

“I told my players to look at this situation as they look at any situation in life and try to find the positives,” Murdoch said.

A year ago, the hockey team finished eighth overall in the American Collegiate Hockey Association.It also finished in the top half of its league, the Central State Collegiate Hockey League.

Murdoch said this year’s goal is to finish in the top half of the league again and qualify for the ACHA tournament, something his teams have done all 14 years the tournament has existed.

The team has plenty of experience returning this year along with some key new faces.

On the defensive side, seniors David Moline and Tim O’Shea return, as well as junior defenseman Mike Moren. They will be joined by sophomores Brad Taylor, Brooks Clinton and Rich Griswold.

Returning forwards include Travis Fast, Scott Hagen and Trent Baker along with underclassmen Mike Seuker, Jason Brown, Zach Peterson, Brent Popadych, Griffin Gale and Nick Tuma.

Some of the new faces on the team are Jason Peterson, Allen Raushel, Matt McLin and Matt Paulson.

Another key returner is Murdoch, who returns to Iowa State for his 35th season. His 793 wins are the most of any active hockey coach.

Murdoch said he believes his team plays one of the three most difficult schedules this year. From the CSL alone, the team plays six teams that made it to the ACHA tournament a year ago, including Illinois, Minot State, Weber State and defending national champion Ohio University.

Also on the schedule are Lindenwood University, which was ranked No. 1 in its league last year, and Arizona State, which also qualified for the ACHA tournament.

The season begins Thursday night with the club’s annual intrasquad scrimmage, kicking off a season in which Iowa State will play 31 home games.

The hockey club will continue its season with exhibition games Friday and Saturday night against the Twin Bridges Lightning.

All three games are at 7:30 p.m. at the Ames/ISU Ice Arena, located south of the Towers.

Admission is $6 for students and $8 for adults.

Students can also purchase season tickets for $75.