KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- There are two ways to look at this season's Western Michigan University hockey team.

One way is to wonder how it can replace 212 points scored from players gone from last season's team, which went 23-15-1 overall and 15-8-1 in the National Collegiate Hockey Conference, making the NCAA tournament for the second straight season.

Or, the second way, as head coach Pat Ferschweiler points out, ''We have 17 players returning who scored 190 points.''

The nation has noticed that second point as evidenced by the Broncos' being ranked 10th in the nation in a preseason poll by USA Hockey and 12th nationally in the USCHO poll. Western Michigan was also picked to finish fourth in the NCHC preseason poll. WMU opens the season with a home game on Thursday against nonconference opponent Ferris State before traveling to Big Rapids on Friday to conclude the series with the Bulldogs.

''No. 1, and what happens every year and is the most important part of our program is growth from inside,'' the coach said. ''Two years ago, we had the nation's leading goal scorer in Ethen Frank and a 45-point player in Drew Worrad and they left to go pro.''

Frank is currently in the Washington Capitals system and Worrad is in the New York Rangers system.

Then came last year's Production Line of Jason Polin (30 goals, 47 points), Ryan McAllister (13 goals, 49 points) and Max Sasson (15 goals, 42 points). Polin was a senior, Sasson a junior and McAllister a freshman and all decided to turn pro.

''This year, our returning players have come back bigger, faster, stronger and ready to succeed at a higher level with more opportunities,'' Ferschweiler said. ''We have examples this year of the growth.''

One very good example of that growth is senior Luke Grainger. This year's captain had three goals and seven points as a freshman, then had eight goals and 15 points as a sophomore and went up to 12 goals and 32 points as a junior. 

Then there is senior Chad Hillebrand who went from one goal as a freshman to seven goals, nine assists and 16 points as a junior. Or there is junior Dylan Wendt who had two goals and one assist as a freshman to eight goals and 14 assists for 22 points as a sophomore last season.

''We're expecting good seasons from those players as well as others, so that inner growth is what we count on,'' the head coach said. 

The returners also include graduate students Zak Galambos (29 points) and Carter Berger (23 points) and senior Tim Washe (18 points). Washe, Hillebrand and senior Cedric Fiedler are the assistant captains.

Not only does Western Michigan return a bunch of scorers, the defense is experienced starting with senior goaltender Cameron Rowe who started 37 games last season. Redshirt sophomore goaltender Kirk Laursen also returns. Back on the blue line are Galambos, Berger, Fiedler, senior Daniel Hilsendager and junior Jacob Bauer. 

As a matter of fact, according to collegehockeyinc.com, the Broncos are among the top 10 teams in the nation in the categories of oldest teams, tallest teams and biggest teams. 

''People don't understand that Washington's Alex Ovechkin is 245 pounds and Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin is 245 pounds,'' Ferschweiler said. ''These guys are skating refrigerators.''

The Broncos have 13 players at 6-feet, 2-inches tall or more and 17 players at 190-pounds or bigger. The newcomers, both transfers and freshmen, will add depth this season.

''In the last couple of years, with the transfer portal, when you lose sophomores or freshmen like we have, we're prepared to handle that and we have some real nice players coming in,'' Ferschweiler said. ''Sam Colangelo (played for Northeastern last season) is one of the highest draft picks (second round, 36th overall), we've ever had.''

Matteo Costantini came from North Dakota, Ethan Phillips from Boston University and Joe Cassetti from Miami. Alex Bump and Ean Somoza are among the talented freshman players.

''I think every year, it's a different team with new faces in the locker room, but I don't think it's a different team in the aspect of how we play,'' Grainger said. ''The coach makes sure we have a system and we're a team which hunts the puck, and we play hard regardless of where you came from.''

Sorting out which players are on which lines comes about early in the season.

''In the past three years, I've played with Chad, Dylan and Cole along with others,'' Grainger said. ''I'll go out and play with anyone.''

Added Ferschweiler: ''I don't set lines. I just watch practice and they tell me which is first, second and third lines. We talk every day about practice is a tryout for ice time in the game. We have more players than roster spots in the game and if you would like to be one of those spots, be one of the guys who performs in practice.''

Washe is like Grainger when it comes to setting lines.

''You like to have some good chemistry with certain guys, but at the end of the day, everyone can play and you learn what everyone can do on the ice,'' Washe said. ''I can play with anyone.

''We have a special group. The players who left were special, but we have a lot of talented players to fill their shoes and take over the game.''

As for the program, ''Western Michigan is a hockey school and we're trying to make people realize that every day,'' Ferschweiler said. ''Credit Dan (Vice President/Director of Athletics Dan Bartholomae) with giving a real direction and push behind all our athletic programs.''

There is no doubt where Ferschweiler, Grainger, Washe and the rest of the Broncos see the program going.

''There is no reason we can't win a national championship at some point,'' the head coach said.