Coaches and Athletics Staff MIAMI UNIVERSITY ICE HOCKEY | 2002-03 Media Guide | 35 | Head Coach — Enrico Blasi University, February 2-3. Even though Blasi and the RedHawks had their THE BLASI FILE season cut short in the CCHA playoffs, the 2000-01 campaign Born: ....................................... February 16, 1972 showed the Red and White faithful High School: ................... Chaminade College what they have to look forward to in Alma Mater: ................ Miami University ‘94 the future. Degree: ............... BA in physical education The first Miami hockey alumnus to return to his alma mater as the head coach, Blasi came to Miami COACHING EXPERIENCE/ACHIEVEMENTS CCHA Coach of the Year ..................... 2000-01 Coaches and Athletics Staff after working four years, three as an assistant and one as a graduate University of Denver ........................... 1995-99 assistant, under former Miami Assistant Coach, 1996-99 mentor George Gwozdecky, who is Graduate Assistant, 1995-96 now the head coach at the Univer- Wexford Raiders Jr. “A” (MJHL) ........... 1994-95 sity of Denver. Assistant Coach, 1994-95 “As the search went on for a candidate, I came to realize that there was a need to turn to someone with ntering his fourth season at the Miami ties,” said Joel Maturi, former Miami spent time as a player in the East Coast helm of Miami University’s ice Athletics Director at the press conference Hockey League with the Tallahassee Tiger hockey program is alumnus and for Blasi’s hiring. “It’s truly a pleasure to Sharks and the Toledo Storm. E welcome home a member of Miami’s As a player at Miami from 1990-1994, former Red and White standout Enrico Blasi. Cradle of Coaches. No one in our applicant Blasi was a vital cog in the Red and White’s Blasi, 30, became the second-youngest pool had such a passion for Miami and its run to their first CCHA title in 1992-93. As ice hockey coach in school history three ice hockey program.” the captain of the 1993-94 squad, he years ago when he succeeded Mark While in Denver, Blasi helped the finished third on the team in scoring with Mazzoleni in becoming Miami hockey’s Pioneers to two trips to the NCAA tourna- 28 points on 13 goals and 15 assists. His fifth mentor. ment and three Western Collegiate Hockey 123 career points are tied for 14th on A 1994 graduate of Miami, Blasi made Association (WCHA) upper division finishes. Miami’s all-time scoring list. his debut as a collegiate head coach in His main responsibilities during that time A native of Weston, Ontario, Blasi 1999-00, guiding the RedHawks to a 13-20- included assisting in the Pioneers’ recruit- earned his bachelor’s degree in physical 3 overall record and a ninth-place Central ing efforts and video analysis as well as education from Miami. Blasi resides in Collegiate Hockey Association finish. His 13 on-ice duties. During the 1998-99 season, Oxford with his wife Susan and one-year wins were the second-highest total among Denver posted the NCAA’s largest turn- old daughter Sophia. first-year coaches in NCAA Division I around, improving from an 11-25-2 mark in hockey. Blasi also was able to return Miami 1997-98 to 26-13-2 and capturing their to the CCHA playoffs after a one-year league-record 12th postseason playoff hiatus. championship by defeating then top- Blasi continued his ascent up the ranked North Dakota, 4-3. CCHA ranks two years ago, being named CCHA Coach of the Year after leading Miami a 17-10-1 conference mark. After finishing ninth a year before, the RedHawks completed the biggest single- 2002-03 Media Guide season turnaround in school history by | finishing second in the CCHA. This was only the fourth time that Miami had reached the 20-win plateau since joining the CCHA. Last season, the RedHawks finished “Coming into a highly competi- with a 12-22-2 record bringing Blasi’s career tive conference like the CCHA (Central mark to 45-58-7. Blasi stands to become the Collegiate Hockey Association), I was third fastest coach in Miami history to very fortunate to be coaching against reach the 50-win plateau, needing just six the likes of Ron Mason, Red Berenson, more victories. Rick Comley and all the other coaches in Blasi became the third Miami mentor the conference. I have a great deal of to earn Coach of the Year honors and the respect for them and their programs, first since Mark Mazzoleni was honored in but we will have to play the team not 1997. One of his high moments last season the coach,” said Blasi. came when the RedHawks earned USA Before going to Denver in 1994-95, Blasi was the assistant coach for the MIAMI UNIVERSITY ICE HOCKEY MIAMI UNIVERSITY ICE HOCKEY MIAMI UNIVERSITY ICE HOCKEY MIAMI UNIVERSITY ICE HOCKEY MIAMI UNIVERSITY ICE HOCKEY Today National Team of the Week honors after sweeping No. 9 Western Michigan Wexford Raiders junior team. He also | 36 | Coaches and Athletics Staff Head Coach — Enrico Blasi Family Values Are Rich In The Miami Lockerroom 1994 graduate of Miami, Blasi burst onto the hockey scene never talk about my youth, we talk about what we need to do as a as a rookie during the 1990-91 season. Playing 32 games as program and as a family.” Aa freshman, he netted 10 goals and handed out 10 assists, In just three seasons since being named Miami’s head coach, totaling 20 points. Blasi was recognized for his efforts, along with Blasi has accumulated a 45-58-7 record. Two years ago under classmate Bob Marshall, as Miami’s Co-Rookie of the Year at the Blasi’s watchful eye, the RedHawks finished the season tied for conclusion of the season. second in the CCHA with a 20-16-2 record. This turnaround was in “That was definitely a tough year. In fact, our team only won no doubt a result of Blasi’s coaching and philosophy. five games (5-29-3) and it was the first time I had ever really been “Every championship team that I’ve been associated with has away from home, “ says Blasi. “The team award at the end of the always had a family-type atmosphere,” says Blasi. “You have to season allowed me to take some good out of a season that was have trust, not only in yourself, but in those that are playing with otherwise disappointing. My good buddy Bob Marshall shared you, your coaches and your hockey knowledge to accomplish any the award with me, so that was special as well.” goals that have been set. Really, the only way that I know how to Over the next three years Blasi and Miami went on to win 18 do all that is to be a family.” games in 1991-92, 27 games and a CCHA Championship in 1992- With Coach of the Year honor already under his belt, Blasi 93, and 21 games in 1993-94. Individually, Blasi finished his career has set the Miami hockey family out on a mission to bring a with 123 (55-68-123) points, becoming one of only 31 Miamians to championship to southwestern Ohio. This will be no easy reach the 100-point plateau accomplishment as there are 11 other teams in the CCHA on the “Looking back on my career at Miami, I have nothing but same quest. But Blasi has his sights set on greatness, not medioc- great memory’s and a lot of great friends,” says Blasi. “Having won rity. a championship with that 1992-93 team is something that I am “In order to achieve success there needs to be a lot of hard very proud of—it gives me a good feeling anytime I look back on work, and ultimately we need to trust each other as a family,” Blasi that season.” says. “Everyone associated with this program understands that After graduating with his degree in physical education, Blasi playing in the CCHA is tough and as long as we never lose sight tested the professional ice hockey waters, but he found that his of the ‘Team’ we can take that next step and win a championship.” heart led him back to coaching. He knew becoming a coach would Blasi’s challenges are not restricted to the ice rink. Blasi and not be easy, but being a five-foot-six Division I hockey player was his wife, Susan, welcomed their first child, Sophia, into the world not a piece of cake either and Blasi accomplished that feat. last year before the beginning of the season. “It is a tough way to make a living playing hockey when you “I have to give my parents credit. When I was growing up are five-foot-six and I knew that growing up,” says Blasi. “My size both my parents worked but when they came home it always was presented certain challenges which made me more focused on family first,” Blasi says. “Susan has always understood that proving people wrong.” balancing hockey and my home is important to me. I try to keep “I remember walking with Coach George Gwozdecky right her involved as much as I can, and her opinion means a great deal before he left for Denver at the end of my senior year,” says Blasi. to me.” MIAMI UNIVERSITY ICE HOCKEY MIAMI UNIVERSITY ICE HOCKEY MIAMI UNIVERSITY ICE HOCKEY “He made the comment that I would make a good coach, and if I “When Sophia was born a year ago we really began to MIAMI UNIVERSITY ICE HOCKEY MIAMI UNIVERSITY ICE HOCKEY was ever interested in getting into the game to give him a call— appreciate our family and extended family,” Blasi says.