Leading Men Elite Coaches Guide College Hockey’S Young Talent on and Off the Ice by Jim Connelly
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PRODUCED BY: www.collegehockeyinc.com facebook.com/collegehockeyinc Leading Men ELITE COACHES GUIDE COLLEGE HOCKEY’S YOUNG TALENT ON AND OFF THE ICE by JIM CONNELLY ometime in the 2012-13 season, leg- Ralph “Cooney” Weiland, John “Snooks” A season ago, a number of first-year endary Boston College head coach Kelley, John MacInnes and Jack Riley roll off coaches entered the game with immediate Jerry York should become the all-time the tongues of many older fans. success. UMass Lowell’s Norm Bazin led winningest head coach in college York played for Snooks Kelley before his River Hawks to the NCAA tournament Shockey history. beginning his 41-year career at Clarkson, for the first time since 1996. One better, Now closing in on former Michigan State Bowling Green and now BC. Boston Union’s Rick Bennett took over the helm head coach Ron Mason’s career mark of 924 University head coach Jack Parker, who is less and brought the Dutchmen to the team’s wins, it is conceivable that York could pass than 50 wins behind York, played his college first Frozen Four. Mason before the calendar turns to 2013. hockey for well-known BU head coach Jack The energy and innovations up-and-coming York, in fact, could be the first college Kelly. Now in his 29th season at Michigan, coaches bring to college hockey help maintain hockey coach to reach the once unthinkable Red Berenson played his college hockey for Al the sport’s level of success – and push the vet- 1,000-win plateau. At age 67, York looks and Renfrew, who himself coached 22 years. erans to continue to excel. acts more like a man in his young 50s. To All of those three now coach at their alma think that he could coach for 10 more years if mater. According to Dave Starman, college UNDERSTANDING THE he so chooses doesn’t seem like a stretch. hockey analyst for CBS Sports Network and a “STUDENT-Athlete” And while York may seem like an aberra- scout for the Toronto Maple Leafs, the com- One major difference between col- tion in the game, he actually has some compa- forts of home often play a big role in maintain lege hockey and other levels is the coach’s ny due in no small part to an extremely faith- coaching stability in a college program. responsibility to build more than just a ful, skilled group of college hockey coaches. “You hear people say it all the time that player. The mentality that a coach needs to After New Hampshire head coach Richard some of the best days of your life were spent teach these players beyond on-ice skills is ‘Dick’ Umile’s Wildcats defeated St. Cloud in college,” said Starman. “So for many of something that is often critically important State on October 13, Umile became the 21st the great coaches, it’s about being at the alma to their overall mission. college head coach to achieve 500 wins. Of mater. They’re spending their career where “Coaches are teachers, and I don’t those, 11 are active coaches. they spent some of the best years of care what anyone says,” said Compare that to the National Hockey their lives.” Olczyk. “They [become coach- League. Scotty Bowman is the Jerry York has es] with the mentality that ‘I only coach to ever cross the won five national want to teach the game.’ 1,000-win plateau and only 17 titles in his “Philosophy has a lot to coaches have ever hit the 500- 41-year head do with it. To me it’s the win mark. On that list, just four coaching career. understanding of who and coaches are still active, suggest- what you are and looking at ing that long-term coaching the big picture,” Olczyk added. stints in the NHL can’t compare “It’s looking at the long story and to college hockey. trying to build for that. That’s a Ed Olczyk, NHL legend and pretty consistent message through- the lead hockey analyst for the out college hockey: every day is “NHL on NBC,” agrees that important but for the most part part of the reason that college it’s trying to develop these people breeds long-term coaches who beyond hockey players. You’re gain the status of “legend” has going there for the big picture of to do with the end expectations. student-athletes.” “Every school’s definition of Starman agrees that building a success is a little different and young person’s future has a major you have to look at the level impact on the sense of accomplish- of success that each school has ment of a college hockey coach. had,” said Olczyk, who had two sons playing RISING STARS IN “It’s two different philosophies,” college hockey, one at UMass and the other THE COACHING RANKS said Starman. “At the NHL level, wins and at Penn State. “You’re not going to win every While college hockey certain has its coach- losses translate to dollars and cents. It just year, but if you’re in the hunt and you’re ing legends, in recent years an entirely new seems to me that at the college hockey level, always at the top five in recruiting, you earn generation of young coaches have burst onto the most important thing is running a good that right to stay as long as you want.” the spotlight. At just 40 years old, Miami program, making sure your building is full head coach Enrico Blasi, currently in his 14th and making sure your kids graduate. There’s PART OF THE TRADITION season, has already recorded 289 wins. Also a sense of accomplishment in developing Great coaches with long-term careers are in his early 40s, Quinnipiac head coach Rand young athletes and young players and devel- nothing new to college hockey. Names like Pecknold has already amassed 340 victories. oping the brand for your school.” ■ 14 The Hockey News, November 12, 2012 Social Studies THE RISE OF TWITTER GIVES FANS AND PROSPECTIVE PLAYERS AN INSIDE LOOK AT COLLEGE HOCKEY ust as social media has given the offers a new way for outsiders to see college general public unprecedented insight programs in an entirely different perspective. into the lives of Justin Bieber and For a prospective player – who may be trying TOP TWEETERS JLady Gaga, to name Twitter’s most- to picture himself in that locker room in the Our picks for the top players or followed entertainers, it also offers a behind- future – it can be invaluable. coaches on social media in each the-scenes look at college hockey players Coaches consistently advise that prospec- conference: and coaches. tive players learn whatever they can about a Dozens of coaches and hundreds of school – just as coaches are trying to find the ATLANTIC HOCKEY players regularly post on Twitter, sharing right players for their program, they want Derek Schooley, Robert Morris @derekschooley thoughts with fans and potential recruits recruits to find the right fit for them as well. The Colonials’ coach gives a – and often responding to them. College “It’s important that prospective players candid look inside his program, Hockey, Inc. maintains lists of each of those hear more than what the coach tells them which is the host school for this groups (and more, see below) to make them or what they see on a recruiting video,” said year’s Frozen Four. easy to find. Massachusetts head coach John Micheletto, The tweets offer a mix of humor, pregame also active on Twitter (@CoachMicheletto). CCHA intensity, inspiration, and appreciation for “The players in the program and at the Danny DeKeyser, Western Michigan family, friends and fans. Additions of photos school can give them the most accurate @DeKeyser5 Highly entertaining offerings from via twitpic or Instagram add another look at what it’s like to go to s one of college hockey’s top NHL element as well. chool there.” free agents. Much like behind-the-scenes Tyler Elbrecht, captain at Chris Kreider won 24/7-style television shows Minnesota State, tweets at @ ECAC HOCKEY and web series, social media the 2012 NCAA Elbrecht16 and often pro- Greg Carey, St. Lawrence championship at vides that kind of insight. @GregCarey10 Boston College and “Do coaches look at a A decidedly Canadian look at life was in the New York bus of sleeping players,” he with the Skating Saints. Rangers’ lineup a wondered in one tweet, “and HOCKEY EAST week later. think to themselves, ‘We could Nick Pryor, Maine @nickpryor71 for sure mess with these guys’?” On a team of good tweeters, his is Players were generally quicker the most entertaining feed. to adopt to Twitter than their coach- es, but more and more of the bench bosses WCHA are signing up. A recent count showed 10 Tyler Elbrecht, Minnesota State head coaches tweeting, with about twice as @Elbrecht16 many assistant coaches on board. As coaches The Mavericks’ captain gives behind-the-scenes glimpses plus a see that potential players are on Twitter, it’s dose of motivation. like a successful showcase tournament – they want to be there, too. FOLLOW ALONG “If you’re not involved, you’re missing a College Hockey, Inc.’s twitter page, large group of people to engage with,” said @collegehockey, includes lists that Robert Morris head coach Derek Schooley allow you to follow the following (@derekschooley). “Social media is here, groups: College Coaches, Current so embrace it. I enjoy the fact that you can College Players, Former College interact with people and use it as another Players, College Hockey Media way to promote your program.” ■ What’s behind the record 301 NCAA alums who played in the NHL last year? 300 players made their colleges had at NHL debut, 8 of least one alum in 280 47 45 them after the end of their the NHL, led by: layers P 260 college season Michigan – 23 Boston College – 22 240 The number of college Wisconsin –22 alums in the NHL has grown 220 Number of 43% in eight years 93 defensemen, 184 forwards, 23 goaltenders 200 LI played at least 74% three years of were first- or college hockey; more than second-round 2011-12 2010-11 101 2001-02 2009-10 1999-00 2000-01 2007-08 2002-03 2006-07 2005-06 2003-04 2008-09 half played four picks, 84 were undrafted mages/NH I free agents Former U.S.