Well I finally watched RPI in action at the Knick (sorry I refuse to call it the Pepsi or the TU or whatever it is called nowadays). Here are my thoughts:
SO MANY PENALITIES: Wow, are the refs calling it like the NHL game or what? The problem is that many of the penalities were ticky tack and not really hooks and interference penalities. This was not just in the RPI games either, it was evident in the Dartmouth/Vermont game which I caught on TV last night.
SPEED KILLS: My favorite NHL team is the Sabres and they kill teams with their speed. RPI might not have a lot f set plays for breaking out of the zone or setting up in the opponent's zone but man can they fly. I understand now why they could hang with teams like Denver and BU, they have some serious speed coming down the wings.
CAPITAIN KIRK: They can't get him off the puck. He look like Jaomir Jagr out there with the puck on his stick. Clearly the most important cog in the RPI machinery.
PP- WHERE ARE YOU?: I know the season is young, RPI has a new coach and new palyers but that PP looked terrible. The passing as bad and everyone was bunching up where the puck was. Yeesh- someone needs to work on the tape to tape passing skills.
2-1-2 overall- not bad- its too abd the NCAA doesn't recognize the shootout but still that Union game was a classic. The USCHO guy picked RPI as the darkhorse team to win the ECAC this year and I have to say, after seeing the team in person, they have a real shot. Best of luck in the coming weeks!
Monday, October 30, 2006
Monday, October 23, 2006
Big Doings Out West
Well- for a team picked close to last in the weak ECAC, RPI has certainly been turning heads so far. After earning a tie with national power BU, they spilt a weekend series with DU winning 2-1 and losing 5-1.
I think its safe to say that Kirk is really leading this team on and off the ice.
But I have to ask, what is with all of the penalities? Is it that RPI is getting outplayed and is resulting in clutching and grabbing? Also, RPI is a young team but sooner or later they have to learn how to close out a game. They lead in the BU game and kept it close for 2 periods in the second DU game but then let up several goals in the third period.
Overall, I have to say I am very impressed by RPI's 1-1-1 start. If they play this well against nationally ranked competition, they will fare very well in the ECAC's.
I will be at the Governor's Cup this weekend and hope to see all of you Red and White supporters out!
Here is a recap of the 2-1 game. http://www.uscho.com/recaps/20062007/m/10/20/rpi-du.php
Here is a recap of the 5-1 loss. http://www.uscho.com/recaps/20062007/m/10/21/rpi-du.php
I think its safe to say that Kirk is really leading this team on and off the ice.
But I have to ask, what is with all of the penalities? Is it that RPI is getting outplayed and is resulting in clutching and grabbing? Also, RPI is a young team but sooner or later they have to learn how to close out a game. They lead in the BU game and kept it close for 2 periods in the second DU game but then let up several goals in the third period.
Overall, I have to say I am very impressed by RPI's 1-1-1 start. If they play this well against nationally ranked competition, they will fare very well in the ECAC's.
I will be at the Governor's Cup this weekend and hope to see all of you Red and White supporters out!
Here is a recap of the 2-1 game. http://www.uscho.com/recaps/20062007/m/10/20/rpi-du.php
Here is a recap of the 5-1 loss. http://www.uscho.com/recaps/20062007/m/10/21/rpi-du.php
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
RPI Gets a Tie, Yea?
Sorry for not posting earlier but I was traveling all of last week. Well RPI tied with BU (story follows below). I think the thing to take away from it that Appert already ahs these kids playing at a higher level than last year but they are savy enough right now to put away a game they should have.
Glad to see McDonald have a great game. Hopefully, the Rippees will take away from this game how to win now that they are putting themselves in the position TO win.
Go RPI!
TROY, N.Y. — In his introductory press conference in April, new Rensselaer coach Seth Appert promised that the Engineers would play an up-tempo style.
Appert delivered on that promise Saturday against third-ranked Boston University in the season opener for both teams. The Engineers skated hard, were creative offensively and had some excellent scoring chances.
The unfortunate part for RPI is that it didn't translate into a victory. The Terriers rallied from a 3-1 first-period deficit to earn a 4-4 tie before a frenzied sellout crowd of 5,152 at Houston Field House.
"We played how we wanted to play," said Appert, who replaced Dan Fridgen. "We were aggressive, we were up-tempo, we attacked, defensemen were active in the play, we took calculated risks and we made some mistakes, but that happens. I thought, in terms of how we want to be a team [and] how we want to be about, I thought we did a great job and, more importantly, a belief that they have in each other, especially after being scored on right away."
The Terriers took the lead 55 seconds into the game when Brandon Yip beat goalie Mathias Lange. But Tyler Eaves got that one back for RPI 20 seconds later.
Just over a minute after that, Jake Morissette picked up the puck after it went off the skate of Kirk MacDonald, who was making his return after battling testicular cancer last year, and fired it past goalie John Curry. MacDonald got another assist when Jake Luthi scored a power-play goal late in the period.
"It was the longest pregame I ever had today," MacDonald said. "I've been up since the break of dawn, just sitting around thinking about. It's good to get it over with. It was a lot of fun. It was a great atmosphere."
It wasn't so good for BU coach Jack Parker, who saw his team outshot, 15-4, in the first period, and get called for six penalties for 23 minutes, including a major and game misconduct to defenseman Brian Strait for hitting from behind.
"We were embarrassed with what they did to us in the first period," Parker said. "We were outshot, ... and kept the puck in our end. They were all over us."
Chris Higgins started the comeback, scoring a power-play goal with 7:28 left in the second period. Steve Smolinsky tied it 4:38 into the third.
The Engineers regained the advantage on Oren Eizenman's power-play goal with 7:32 remaining in the period. But Higgins tied it 1:18 later.
RPI almost won it late in the third on some nice passing between Eaves, Jonathan Ornelas and Kevin Broad on a three-on-two rush. Ornelas, who had three assists in the game, sent a pass from the right side of the net to Eaves on the left. Only Curry's pad prevented Eaves from scoring his second goal of the game.
"I thought that was great," Appert said. "The creativity, the confidence and the willingness to try to make a great play, not just the safe play and take the outside lane shot, we were extremely pleased with that."
Glad to see McDonald have a great game. Hopefully, the Rippees will take away from this game how to win now that they are putting themselves in the position TO win.
Go RPI!
TROY, N.Y. — In his introductory press conference in April, new Rensselaer coach Seth Appert promised that the Engineers would play an up-tempo style.
Appert delivered on that promise Saturday against third-ranked Boston University in the season opener for both teams. The Engineers skated hard, were creative offensively and had some excellent scoring chances.
The unfortunate part for RPI is that it didn't translate into a victory. The Terriers rallied from a 3-1 first-period deficit to earn a 4-4 tie before a frenzied sellout crowd of 5,152 at Houston Field House.
"We played how we wanted to play," said Appert, who replaced Dan Fridgen. "We were aggressive, we were up-tempo, we attacked, defensemen were active in the play, we took calculated risks and we made some mistakes, but that happens. I thought, in terms of how we want to be a team [and] how we want to be about, I thought we did a great job and, more importantly, a belief that they have in each other, especially after being scored on right away."
The Terriers took the lead 55 seconds into the game when Brandon Yip beat goalie Mathias Lange. But Tyler Eaves got that one back for RPI 20 seconds later.
Just over a minute after that, Jake Morissette picked up the puck after it went off the skate of Kirk MacDonald, who was making his return after battling testicular cancer last year, and fired it past goalie John Curry. MacDonald got another assist when Jake Luthi scored a power-play goal late in the period.
"It was the longest pregame I ever had today," MacDonald said. "I've been up since the break of dawn, just sitting around thinking about. It's good to get it over with. It was a lot of fun. It was a great atmosphere."
It wasn't so good for BU coach Jack Parker, who saw his team outshot, 15-4, in the first period, and get called for six penalties for 23 minutes, including a major and game misconduct to defenseman Brian Strait for hitting from behind.
"We were embarrassed with what they did to us in the first period," Parker said. "We were outshot, ... and kept the puck in our end. They were all over us."
Chris Higgins started the comeback, scoring a power-play goal with 7:28 left in the second period. Steve Smolinsky tied it 4:38 into the third.
The Engineers regained the advantage on Oren Eizenman's power-play goal with 7:32 remaining in the period. But Higgins tied it 1:18 later.
RPI almost won it late in the third on some nice passing between Eaves, Jonathan Ornelas and Kevin Broad on a three-on-two rush. Ornelas, who had three assists in the game, sent a pass from the right side of the net to Eaves on the left. Only Curry's pad prevented Eaves from scoring his second goal of the game.
"I thought that was great," Appert said. "The creativity, the confidence and the willingness to try to make a great play, not just the safe play and take the outside lane shot, we were extremely pleased with that."
Monday, October 09, 2006
Moy's Season Prediction
Have to say I agree with a lot of his assesments. Great win over York and Kirk apparently looked great. Let's see how red does against BU this weekend.
The Rensselaer Engineers will go into the new season with a new coach and a new attitude. Dan Fridgen's contract was not renewed after last season and new bench boss Seth Appert hopes to bring his style to a team that has not advanced very far in the last few years.
What is there for the Engineers? What has Appert seen?
"We believe we will be very competitive with every team on our schedule," said Appert. "With our solid mix of speed and size we expect to play an up-tempo but physical style."
The up-tempo style is one that Engineer fans have become used to seeing, so many welcome the words coming from Appert. The Engineers have some tools to do just that as Oren Eizenman (16-22-38) returns along with Jonathan Ornelas (13-9-22).
But the biggest boost may be the return of Kirk MacDonald.
After the end of the 2004-05 season, MacDonald learned he had testicular cancer and spent last season getting back in form while fighting it. Now that he has won that battle, he's back for his senior season and ready to lead the Engineers as the team's captain.
"There is no finer example of a class act that Kirk," said Appert. "He's worked real hard to get to this point and he's ready to go. There is no doubt that he is ready, and ready to lead this team."
MacDonald brings 16 goals and 20 assists from two seasons ago back to his team, which can only benefit as the Engineers try to put together an offensive attack.
Kevin Broad missed the last 14 games last season due to injuries and will be welcomed back into the fold as well.
After his battle with cancer, captain Kirk MacDonald returns to bolster RPI's attack (photo: Dave Harmon Photography).
"Kevin is also highly regarded," Appert said. "His passion and commitment to this program and his teammates are evident in everything he does. He always conducts himself in a manner that puts the team first."
Andrew Lord, Kurt Colling, Matt Angers-Goulet and Jake Morrissette will also be asked to up their totals from last season. Jordan Cyr and Paul Kerins will be asked to contribute almost immediately as well.
In the nets, the Engineers return a pair of players who could each be a starting goaltender. Last season, Mathias Lange wrestled the job from Jordan Alford, but both are goaltenders who have stood the test in game competition and will both be a strong foundation.
And they'll need to be, as the Engineers are a little thin on defense. Reed Kipp, Ryan Swanson and Jake Luthi are the only Engineers returning on the blueline, leaving youth and inexperience in at least three spots.
Erik Burgdoerfer, Christian Jensen, Jason Fortino, Peter Merth and Garrett Vassel (who also plays forward) will compete with the other three to get into the lineup.
The Engineers have a lot of work to do, so their progress will likely depend on how fast the defense comes together. The youngsters will get their first big test early, as the Engineers open with Boston University, Denver, Union and either Colgate or Quinnipiac in the nonconference portion of their slate, before the ECACHL games begin.
The Rensselaer Engineers will go into the new season with a new coach and a new attitude. Dan Fridgen's contract was not renewed after last season and new bench boss Seth Appert hopes to bring his style to a team that has not advanced very far in the last few years.
What is there for the Engineers? What has Appert seen?
"We believe we will be very competitive with every team on our schedule," said Appert. "With our solid mix of speed and size we expect to play an up-tempo but physical style."
The up-tempo style is one that Engineer fans have become used to seeing, so many welcome the words coming from Appert. The Engineers have some tools to do just that as Oren Eizenman (16-22-38) returns along with Jonathan Ornelas (13-9-22).
But the biggest boost may be the return of Kirk MacDonald.
After the end of the 2004-05 season, MacDonald learned he had testicular cancer and spent last season getting back in form while fighting it. Now that he has won that battle, he's back for his senior season and ready to lead the Engineers as the team's captain.
"There is no finer example of a class act that Kirk," said Appert. "He's worked real hard to get to this point and he's ready to go. There is no doubt that he is ready, and ready to lead this team."
MacDonald brings 16 goals and 20 assists from two seasons ago back to his team, which can only benefit as the Engineers try to put together an offensive attack.
Kevin Broad missed the last 14 games last season due to injuries and will be welcomed back into the fold as well.
After his battle with cancer, captain Kirk MacDonald returns to bolster RPI's attack (photo: Dave Harmon Photography).
"Kevin is also highly regarded," Appert said. "His passion and commitment to this program and his teammates are evident in everything he does. He always conducts himself in a manner that puts the team first."
Andrew Lord, Kurt Colling, Matt Angers-Goulet and Jake Morrissette will also be asked to up their totals from last season. Jordan Cyr and Paul Kerins will be asked to contribute almost immediately as well.
In the nets, the Engineers return a pair of players who could each be a starting goaltender. Last season, Mathias Lange wrestled the job from Jordan Alford, but both are goaltenders who have stood the test in game competition and will both be a strong foundation.
And they'll need to be, as the Engineers are a little thin on defense. Reed Kipp, Ryan Swanson and Jake Luthi are the only Engineers returning on the blueline, leaving youth and inexperience in at least three spots.
Erik Burgdoerfer, Christian Jensen, Jason Fortino, Peter Merth and Garrett Vassel (who also plays forward) will compete with the other three to get into the lineup.
The Engineers have a lot of work to do, so their progress will likely depend on how fast the defense comes together. The youngsters will get their first big test early, as the Engineers open with Boston University, Denver, Union and either Colgate or Quinnipiac in the nonconference portion of their slate, before the ECACHL games begin.
Tuesday, September 26, 2006
RPI Gets Dissed
Here is the article from the TU. Now, as we progress through the season, I will be providing my comments and insights into the stories regarding RPI and not just reposting them here. In terms of this story, a first blush, it does seem that RPI got no respect in the preseason poll yet I think that RPI hasn't earned any recently. Currently, they are a team that barely gets home ice advantage in the first round of the ECAC playoffs and then is usually bounced out. Except for Mathias and Kirk, the potent CEO line is gone and who knows if there will be sufficient speed on the defense. That being said, I think that this coach Appert will get the lads eating lightning and crapping thunder. The goaltending has been the best since Neil Little and I think some of the new recruits can really pan out. We will see....
Polls don't faze coaches
Union, RPI picked to be near bottom of ECACHL
By MATT GRAVES, Special to the Times Union First published: Tuesday, September 26, 2006
ALBANY -- RPI's new hockey coach wasn't surprised to encounter skepticism about his first season from the media and his fellow coaches in the ECAC Hockey League. Union coach Nate Leaman already has learned how to spin that kind of assessment.
"In my three years, we've been ranked low, and we've finished higher than the polls predicted," Leaman said Monday after his Dutchmen were picked eighth of 12 teams in both polls, released at the league's annual media day. "Obviously we use that as motivation. With the young group that we have, it's also good not to put too much pressure on them."
RPI coach Seth Appert, one of league's two new coaches -- Yale's Keith Allain is the other -- saw his team picked ninth despite a fifth-place finish in the regular season last season and 17 returning lettermen.
"Realistically, it doesn't mean anything to us," said Appert, who replaced Dan Fridgen -- RPI's all-time leader in wins -- after last season's first-round playoff defeat. "The first day we met we talked about some of the things they had dreamt about over the summer. I let the seniors speak, but after that we closed off any talk about where we want to be in March or April."
Colgate, which tied Dartmouth for last year's regular-season title (both 14-6-2), was the choice in both polls to repeat the feat this season. The Raiders had the most points in the coaches' preseason poll, but Clarkson had more first-place votes (5-3). Harvard, the 2006 playoff champion, was picked second.
Colgate made it to the ECAC Final Four each of the past two seasons but hasn't won the postseason tournament since 1990.
"We're certainly pleased," Colgate coach Don Vaughan said of the poll support. "It's been a while. We like our team, but it's ECAC hockey. You can't take anything for granted in this league."
Colgate placed goaltender Mark Dekanich and forward Tyler Burton on both of the preseason All-ECACHL teams. Defensemen Reid Cashman (Quinnipiac) and forwards David Jones (Dartmouth) and Nick Dodge (Clarkson) also were consensus picks.
Neither Union nor RPI was represented on the preseason all-league teams. But the Engineers have goaltender Mathias Lange back after being selected to last year's All-Rookie team.
Union returns 16 lettermen from a team that finished tied for sixth. But the Dutchmen lost goaltender Kris Mayotte, now with the Albany River Rats.
RPI also gets back 2004-05 leading scorer Kirk MacDonald, who sat out last year while recovering from testicular cancer. Appert said MacDonald should be "near 100 percent" by the time the season unofficially begins a week from Saturday with an exhibition against York at Houston Field House.
In the meantime, Appert has been busy getting acquainted with his players.
Appert said his most pressing challenge is "just trying to get them to believe and buy into all the things we want them to do. We're trying to create that culture and atmosphere, to start building trust among our staff and the players, among the players for each other.
"That is probably the biggest challenge, and right now our players are passing that challenge with flying colors."
Allain, a former Yale goaltender with NHL and Olympic coaching experience, replaces his college coach, Tim Taylor. Appert, a graduate of Ferris State and former assistant at Denver, will be the league's youngest coach at 32.
Matt Graves, a local freelance writer, is a frequent contributor to the Times Union.
Polls don't faze coaches
Union, RPI picked to be near bottom of ECACHL
By MATT GRAVES, Special to the Times Union First published: Tuesday, September 26, 2006
ALBANY -- RPI's new hockey coach wasn't surprised to encounter skepticism about his first season from the media and his fellow coaches in the ECAC Hockey League. Union coach Nate Leaman already has learned how to spin that kind of assessment.
"In my three years, we've been ranked low, and we've finished higher than the polls predicted," Leaman said Monday after his Dutchmen were picked eighth of 12 teams in both polls, released at the league's annual media day. "Obviously we use that as motivation. With the young group that we have, it's also good not to put too much pressure on them."
RPI coach Seth Appert, one of league's two new coaches -- Yale's Keith Allain is the other -- saw his team picked ninth despite a fifth-place finish in the regular season last season and 17 returning lettermen.
"Realistically, it doesn't mean anything to us," said Appert, who replaced Dan Fridgen -- RPI's all-time leader in wins -- after last season's first-round playoff defeat. "The first day we met we talked about some of the things they had dreamt about over the summer. I let the seniors speak, but after that we closed off any talk about where we want to be in March or April."
Colgate, which tied Dartmouth for last year's regular-season title (both 14-6-2), was the choice in both polls to repeat the feat this season. The Raiders had the most points in the coaches' preseason poll, but Clarkson had more first-place votes (5-3). Harvard, the 2006 playoff champion, was picked second.
Colgate made it to the ECAC Final Four each of the past two seasons but hasn't won the postseason tournament since 1990.
"We're certainly pleased," Colgate coach Don Vaughan said of the poll support. "It's been a while. We like our team, but it's ECAC hockey. You can't take anything for granted in this league."
Colgate placed goaltender Mark Dekanich and forward Tyler Burton on both of the preseason All-ECACHL teams. Defensemen Reid Cashman (Quinnipiac) and forwards David Jones (Dartmouth) and Nick Dodge (Clarkson) also were consensus picks.
Neither Union nor RPI was represented on the preseason all-league teams. But the Engineers have goaltender Mathias Lange back after being selected to last year's All-Rookie team.
Union returns 16 lettermen from a team that finished tied for sixth. But the Dutchmen lost goaltender Kris Mayotte, now with the Albany River Rats.
RPI also gets back 2004-05 leading scorer Kirk MacDonald, who sat out last year while recovering from testicular cancer. Appert said MacDonald should be "near 100 percent" by the time the season unofficially begins a week from Saturday with an exhibition against York at Houston Field House.
In the meantime, Appert has been busy getting acquainted with his players.
Appert said his most pressing challenge is "just trying to get them to believe and buy into all the things we want them to do. We're trying to create that culture and atmosphere, to start building trust among our staff and the players, among the players for each other.
"That is probably the biggest challenge, and right now our players are passing that challenge with flying colors."
Allain, a former Yale goaltender with NHL and Olympic coaching experience, replaces his college coach, Tim Taylor. Appert, a graduate of Ferris State and former assistant at Denver, will be the league's youngest coach at 32.
Matt Graves, a local freelance writer, is a frequent contributor to the Times Union.
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Brad Tapper
A highly recommend anyone who is an RPI hockey fan to read this article. It is really quite powerful.
http://www.delcotimes.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17227206&BRD=1675&PAG=461&dept_id=18170&rfi=6
http://www.delcotimes.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17227206&BRD=1675&PAG=461&dept_id=18170&rfi=6
Wednesday, September 20, 2006
RPI On ESPN.COM
Well- RPI is getting some national recognition- check out this great article
MacDonald battles back from cancer to lead RPI
By Ken SchottSpecial to ESPN.com
TROY, N.Y. -- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute senior forward Kirk MacDonald surveyed the media members who had come out to see him work out with some teammates on the Houston Field House ice surface late in the afternoon of Aug. 28.
Kirk MacDonald starred on the ice for RPI.
He had to think there were more important stories to cover in the Capital District of New York state than his 15-minute workout with junior forwards Tyler Eaves and Jake Morissette, and freshman forward Paul Kerins led by assistant coach Shawn Kurulak. After all, the horse racing season at Saratoga dominates the media coverage during the six weeks the track is open, and it was the final week of the season.
Then again, MacDonald also realized one significant thing -- being able to talk to the media beat being where he was one year ago. "It's a big jump from where I was last year to today," the 22-year-old MacDonald said. "[Assistant] coach [Jim] Montgomery asked me about the surgery I had, and I looked at my watch and it was one year ago today. It's kind of a coincidence. It's been a long haul, that's for sure."
Last year at this time, MacDonald was lying in a hospital bed in Vancouver, British Columbia. Just a few months earlier, the Victoria, B.C., native stunned college hockey fans when he announced that he had been diagnosed with testicular cancer. He began experiencing pain in his back in January of the 2004-05 season. He thought treatment would solve the problem.
MacDonald continued to play through the pain. He scored RPI's most important goal of the season during the team's annual Big Red Freakout game Feb. 12, which was televised nationally. With 8.3 seconds left in regulation, MacDonald fired a shot from the right-wing circle past Brown goalie Adam D'Alba, giving the Engineers a 3-2 victory and sending the sellout crowd into a frenzy.
However, the pain persisted. By the time RPI played Brown in the first round of the ECACHL tournament in March, MacDonald could barely bend to tie his skates.
"By the end of the season, I couldn't even sleep at night the pain was so bad," said MacDonald, who led the team in scoring that year with 16 goals and 20 assists for 36 points, all career highs. "Honestly, I don't know how I played the last weekend against Brown."
On April 12, six days after announcing his diagnosis, MacDonald had surgery at Albany Medical Center Hospital to remove the infected testicle. MacDonald underwent four rounds of chemotherapy, the first of which made him very sick, but the last three were a little better. However, he was warned that there would probably be a mass left over in his abdomen.
The chemotherapy didn't get rid of that. So on Aug. 2, MacDonald underwent nine hours of surgery in Vancouver to remove the mass.
Complications followed that surgery. He got an infection in his incision. A month after the surgery, his incision ripped open, forcing another surgery to repair it. He then had a bowel obstruction in his small intestine, and had surgery Sept. 24 to repair that.
All told, MacDonald had four surgeries. He didn't leave the hospital until Oct. 6.
"My body didn't exactly respond to the surgery," MacDonald said.
MacDonald, who weighed 210 pounds prior to surgery, lost 73 pounds.
"Pretty much what could have gone wrong from the surgery went wrong. Before I went in for that surgery, the doctor said, 'Look, it's going to be a real tough surgery. These things could go wrong. If the surgery is successful, and everything comes out as hoped, you should be back playing hockey by Christmas time.' That was the plan.
"One day, something's going wrong. I can't eat, I'm throwing up, I get an infection, I get a fever. You name it, it happened."
A month after leaving the hospital, MacDonald returned to RPI the same weekend the school was honoring former Engineers great Joe Juneau. At first, MacDonald was reluctant to go.
RPI Sports Information
Kirk MacDonald is working hard to return to his team.
It proved to be great medicine for MacDonald.
"I was a little nervous," MacDonald said. "My parents kind of pushed me to go. They said, 'You have to get out of here.' I thought maybe I wasn't ready to go back. It's definitely the best thing I ever did. If I stayed at home, I would have stuck myself on the sofa all day and never got better. I would have been further behind than I am now. That really got me going."
Before RPI's Nov. 11 game against Quinnipiac, Juneau was scheduled to drop the ceremonial first puck. Juneau asked MacDonald to join him. The fans at Houston Field House gave MacDonald a rousing ovation.
MacDonald's teammates did their part to help those afflicted with cancer. After every home game, a couple of players had their heads shaved. The hair went to help make wigs for cancer patients. Donations raised $10,000 for the Lance Armstrong Foundation.
MacDonald, who has 76 career points on 35 goals and 41 assists, worked out on his own during the second half of the season. He admits it was frustrating not being able to practice with the team, and he was all smiles during his first skills and development workout with teammates in August.
"He's such a big part of this team and program," Morissette said. "He brings so much. It's real exciting to see him out there again."
MacDonald will be playing under a new coaching staff, led by head coach Seth Appert. The former Denver University assistant coach replaced Dan Fridgen in April. Although Appert has been on the job for only five months, he knows the kind of player he has in MacDonald.
"Regardless of whether we're just joining the staff, or have been with him the whole time through, it's a special story," Appert said. "It should be told, and you can understand why it's being told. To not only overcome what he's had to overcome, but to do it with the amount of dignity and class that he has, and to come back raring and excited to go shows a lot about his character and his makeup."
Now MacDonald is counting down the days until the season opener on Oct. 14, when the Engineers host Boston University (RPI plays an exhibition game the week before against York University, a Canadian college). It will be an emotional night for the fans and players, but especially for the cancer-free MacDonald.
"I'm really excited to get back here, and be back and just get it going," he said. "It's been a long ways to get back to this point."
Ken Schott covers college hockey for The Daily Gazette in Schenectady, N.Y.
MacDonald battles back from cancer to lead RPI
By Ken SchottSpecial to ESPN.com
TROY, N.Y. -- Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute senior forward Kirk MacDonald surveyed the media members who had come out to see him work out with some teammates on the Houston Field House ice surface late in the afternoon of Aug. 28.
Kirk MacDonald starred on the ice for RPI.
He had to think there were more important stories to cover in the Capital District of New York state than his 15-minute workout with junior forwards Tyler Eaves and Jake Morissette, and freshman forward Paul Kerins led by assistant coach Shawn Kurulak. After all, the horse racing season at Saratoga dominates the media coverage during the six weeks the track is open, and it was the final week of the season.
Then again, MacDonald also realized one significant thing -- being able to talk to the media beat being where he was one year ago. "It's a big jump from where I was last year to today," the 22-year-old MacDonald said. "[Assistant] coach [Jim] Montgomery asked me about the surgery I had, and I looked at my watch and it was one year ago today. It's kind of a coincidence. It's been a long haul, that's for sure."
Last year at this time, MacDonald was lying in a hospital bed in Vancouver, British Columbia. Just a few months earlier, the Victoria, B.C., native stunned college hockey fans when he announced that he had been diagnosed with testicular cancer. He began experiencing pain in his back in January of the 2004-05 season. He thought treatment would solve the problem.
MacDonald continued to play through the pain. He scored RPI's most important goal of the season during the team's annual Big Red Freakout game Feb. 12, which was televised nationally. With 8.3 seconds left in regulation, MacDonald fired a shot from the right-wing circle past Brown goalie Adam D'Alba, giving the Engineers a 3-2 victory and sending the sellout crowd into a frenzy.
However, the pain persisted. By the time RPI played Brown in the first round of the ECACHL tournament in March, MacDonald could barely bend to tie his skates.
"By the end of the season, I couldn't even sleep at night the pain was so bad," said MacDonald, who led the team in scoring that year with 16 goals and 20 assists for 36 points, all career highs. "Honestly, I don't know how I played the last weekend against Brown."
On April 12, six days after announcing his diagnosis, MacDonald had surgery at Albany Medical Center Hospital to remove the infected testicle. MacDonald underwent four rounds of chemotherapy, the first of which made him very sick, but the last three were a little better. However, he was warned that there would probably be a mass left over in his abdomen.
The chemotherapy didn't get rid of that. So on Aug. 2, MacDonald underwent nine hours of surgery in Vancouver to remove the mass.
Complications followed that surgery. He got an infection in his incision. A month after the surgery, his incision ripped open, forcing another surgery to repair it. He then had a bowel obstruction in his small intestine, and had surgery Sept. 24 to repair that.
All told, MacDonald had four surgeries. He didn't leave the hospital until Oct. 6.
"My body didn't exactly respond to the surgery," MacDonald said.
MacDonald, who weighed 210 pounds prior to surgery, lost 73 pounds.
"Pretty much what could have gone wrong from the surgery went wrong. Before I went in for that surgery, the doctor said, 'Look, it's going to be a real tough surgery. These things could go wrong. If the surgery is successful, and everything comes out as hoped, you should be back playing hockey by Christmas time.' That was the plan.
"One day, something's going wrong. I can't eat, I'm throwing up, I get an infection, I get a fever. You name it, it happened."
A month after leaving the hospital, MacDonald returned to RPI the same weekend the school was honoring former Engineers great Joe Juneau. At first, MacDonald was reluctant to go.
RPI Sports Information
Kirk MacDonald is working hard to return to his team.
It proved to be great medicine for MacDonald.
"I was a little nervous," MacDonald said. "My parents kind of pushed me to go. They said, 'You have to get out of here.' I thought maybe I wasn't ready to go back. It's definitely the best thing I ever did. If I stayed at home, I would have stuck myself on the sofa all day and never got better. I would have been further behind than I am now. That really got me going."
Before RPI's Nov. 11 game against Quinnipiac, Juneau was scheduled to drop the ceremonial first puck. Juneau asked MacDonald to join him. The fans at Houston Field House gave MacDonald a rousing ovation.
MacDonald's teammates did their part to help those afflicted with cancer. After every home game, a couple of players had their heads shaved. The hair went to help make wigs for cancer patients. Donations raised $10,000 for the Lance Armstrong Foundation.
MacDonald, who has 76 career points on 35 goals and 41 assists, worked out on his own during the second half of the season. He admits it was frustrating not being able to practice with the team, and he was all smiles during his first skills and development workout with teammates in August.
"He's such a big part of this team and program," Morissette said. "He brings so much. It's real exciting to see him out there again."
MacDonald will be playing under a new coaching staff, led by head coach Seth Appert. The former Denver University assistant coach replaced Dan Fridgen in April. Although Appert has been on the job for only five months, he knows the kind of player he has in MacDonald.
"Regardless of whether we're just joining the staff, or have been with him the whole time through, it's a special story," Appert said. "It should be told, and you can understand why it's being told. To not only overcome what he's had to overcome, but to do it with the amount of dignity and class that he has, and to come back raring and excited to go shows a lot about his character and his makeup."
Now MacDonald is counting down the days until the season opener on Oct. 14, when the Engineers host Boston University (RPI plays an exhibition game the week before against York University, a Canadian college). It will be an emotional night for the fans and players, but especially for the cancer-free MacDonald.
"I'm really excited to get back here, and be back and just get it going," he said. "It's been a long ways to get back to this point."
Ken Schott covers college hockey for The Daily Gazette in Schenectady, N.Y.
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
RPI Has New Assistant
From The Troy Record-
TROY - As was first reported in The Record on June 17, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute men's head hockey coach Seth Appert has added Army assistant coach Shawn Kurulak to round out his first head-coaching staff.Rensselaer Director of Athletics Ken Ralph made Kurulak's appointment official with an announcement Tuesday morning.Kurulak, a former all-star defenseman, played under Appert, a longtime University of Denver assistant, at the perennial WCHA power."There is a lot of history and tradition at RPI and I look forward to being part of something special in Troy," Kurulak said. "Seth is a great coach and I am very excited and honored that he asked me to be part of the staff."Appert says he's equally excited. "We are very excited to have Shawn on our team," Appert said. "He is a proven winner who consistently makes teams better. His intensity and competitiveness will be tremendous assets in the locker room, on the ice and as he is directing our recruiting efforts."Kurulak (pronounced KER-lack) comes to Rensselaer after spending the past two seasons as an assistant at West Point, working with recruiting, player development - especially with defensemen - and coordinating video instruction. He was an integral reason head coach Brian Riley was named the Atlantic Hockey Coach of the Year in 2005-06. The Rensselaer roster will have at least four freshmen defensemen next season. Only three blueliners return from the team that finished 14-17-6.Former National Hockey Leaguer and American Hockey League star Jim Montgomery, a volunteer assistant at the University of Notre Dame, was named Appert's first assistant last month. Kurulak led Fargo-Moorhead of the North American Hockey League to a 33-21 record and a second-place finish in the West Division in 2003-04, the team's first season in the Junior 'A' hockey league. As the head coach, he was chiefly responsible for establishing the team's infrastructure for team operations and recruiting and developing players. The Calgary native also served for two seasons as an assistant at Bemidji State University, where he was the team's recruiting coordinator. He also developed and implemented game strategies as well as assisted with video analysis and strength and conditioning. Kurulak also spent one season as a volunteer assistant at his alma mater, when Appert was still an assistant. Kurulak also served an internship with the Colorado Avalanche as their assistant video coach. A four-year letter winner for the U. of Denver Pioneers, Kurulak wore the alternate captain's 'A' for three seasons. In 131 career games, he had 41 points (7 goals, 34 assists) and 268 penalty minutes. He also represented the WCHA on an all-star team that traveled to Switzerland for an international tournament in 1998.Kurulak graduated from Denver in 1999 with a BSBA in Finance/Marketing.
TROY - As was first reported in The Record on June 17, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute men's head hockey coach Seth Appert has added Army assistant coach Shawn Kurulak to round out his first head-coaching staff.Rensselaer Director of Athletics Ken Ralph made Kurulak's appointment official with an announcement Tuesday morning.Kurulak, a former all-star defenseman, played under Appert, a longtime University of Denver assistant, at the perennial WCHA power."There is a lot of history and tradition at RPI and I look forward to being part of something special in Troy," Kurulak said. "Seth is a great coach and I am very excited and honored that he asked me to be part of the staff."Appert says he's equally excited. "We are very excited to have Shawn on our team," Appert said. "He is a proven winner who consistently makes teams better. His intensity and competitiveness will be tremendous assets in the locker room, on the ice and as he is directing our recruiting efforts."Kurulak (pronounced KER-lack) comes to Rensselaer after spending the past two seasons as an assistant at West Point, working with recruiting, player development - especially with defensemen - and coordinating video instruction. He was an integral reason head coach Brian Riley was named the Atlantic Hockey Coach of the Year in 2005-06. The Rensselaer roster will have at least four freshmen defensemen next season. Only three blueliners return from the team that finished 14-17-6.Former National Hockey Leaguer and American Hockey League star Jim Montgomery, a volunteer assistant at the University of Notre Dame, was named Appert's first assistant last month. Kurulak led Fargo-Moorhead of the North American Hockey League to a 33-21 record and a second-place finish in the West Division in 2003-04, the team's first season in the Junior 'A' hockey league. As the head coach, he was chiefly responsible for establishing the team's infrastructure for team operations and recruiting and developing players. The Calgary native also served for two seasons as an assistant at Bemidji State University, where he was the team's recruiting coordinator. He also developed and implemented game strategies as well as assisted with video analysis and strength and conditioning. Kurulak also spent one season as a volunteer assistant at his alma mater, when Appert was still an assistant. Kurulak also served an internship with the Colorado Avalanche as their assistant video coach. A four-year letter winner for the U. of Denver Pioneers, Kurulak wore the alternate captain's 'A' for three seasons. In 131 career games, he had 41 points (7 goals, 34 assists) and 268 penalty minutes. He also represented the WCHA on an all-star team that traveled to Switzerland for an international tournament in 1998.Kurulak graduated from Denver in 1999 with a BSBA in Finance/Marketing.
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
06-07 Prospectus!
2006-07 Men's Hockey Season Outlook
2005-06 Statistics
A new era of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men’s hockey begins this fall as the Engineers welcome three new coaches and seven freshmen as well as a team leader back from his medical redshirt. The trio behind the bench will also have 17 letterwinners with which to work, including two of the top scorers and the starting goaltender from the 2005-06 season. Seth Appert takes over as the head coach, joined by assistant coaches Shawn Kurulak and Jim Montgomery. They will have the opportunity to mentor 12 returning forwards, three defensemen and all three goalies who are back. Of the newcomers, three are forwards and four play defense. “From what the staff has seen and heard from the players, we believe we will be very competitive with every team on our schedule,” said Appert, who comes to Troy after nine years as an assistant coach at the University of Denver. “With our solid mix of speed and size we expect to play an up-tempo but physical style.”
THE FORWARDS Of the three positions on the ice, the Engineers’ most experienced is at forward, where four seniors, five juniors, four sophomores and three freshmen will line up. Kirk MacDonald (Victoria, BC/Victoria Salsa), who had 16 goals and 20 assists for a team-high 36 points in 37 games two seasons ago, returns after battling testicular cancer. A rugged forward and fierce competitor, he tallied eight power play goals and four game-winners – both of which ranked among the leaders nationally – during his junior campaign. Among those back from last year’s team, which posted a 14-17-6 overall record and an 8-8-6 ECAC Hockey League mark, is Oren Eizenman (Toronto, ON/Wexford Raiders). A senior center, he was second on the team with 38 points, including a team-best 16 goals, in 37 games. A fine skater with good vision and solid face-off skills, he dished out 22 assists, which was second on the team. Twelve of those helpers – and seven of his goals – came in 22 league games. Classmate Kevin Broad (Humboldt, SK/Chilliwack Chiefs) is a fearless competitor who provides a spark with his hard hitting, timely scoring and leadership. He finished with seven goals and one assist in 23 games, missing 14 games due to injury. Fellow senior Tommy Green (Martensville, SK/Melfort Mustangs) looks to take advantage of the new staff’s offensive style and finish his career with a flourish. Junior Jonathan Ornelas (Mississauga, ON/Milton IceHawks), who has outstanding speed with a finishers’ touch, was third on the team with 22 points (13 goals, 9 assists) as a sophomore. Seven of his 13 goals came on the power play, tying Eizenman for tops on the team. Classmate Andrew Lord (West Vancouver, BC/Vernon Vipers) used his solid frame (6-3, 200) to make things difficult for the opposition, tallying seven goals and six assists in the process. Each of the other junior forwards, Jake Morissette (Fruitvale, BC/Williams Lake Timberwolves), Dan Peace (Ann Arbor, MI/Toledo Ice Diggers) and Tyler Eaves (Queensbury, NY/Shattuck St. Mary’s), skate well and are very effective two-way players. They, too, look to flourish in RPI’s fast-paced attack. Sophomores Kurt Colling (Ripley, ON/Vernon Vipers) and Matt Angers-Goulet (St. Augustin, PQ/Notre Dame Hounds) are both coming off strong freshmen years and look to establish themselves as dominant two-way players. Colling earned 11 points (4 goals, 7 assists) while Angers-Goulet had ten points (5 goals, 5 assists) in limited ice time in 28 and 34 games, respectively. Seth Klerer (Thornhill, ON/North York Rangers) and Andrei Uryadov (St. Petersburg, Russia/South Kent), another pair of sophomores, expect to use their skating abilities to become solid point producers at the collegiate level. RPI’s incoming forwards are Jordan Cyr (Winnipeg, MB/Brockville Braves), a left wing, Paul Kerins (Weston, ON/North York Rangers), a center, and Garett Vassel (Northampton, NY/New York Apple Core). Cyr tallied 53 points (22 goals, 31 assists) in 45 games while Kerins had 59 points (29 goals, 30 assists) in the same number of contests. Vassel led the Apple Core in scoring, notching 47 points (15 goals, 32 assists) in 44 games. He also has the ability to play defense for Rensselaer.
THE DEFENSEMEN The Engineers return three defensemen, including two seniors and a sophomore. Jake Luthi (Palmer, AK/Sioux Falls Stampede), a senior, is the top blueliner returning, having tallied 11 points in 37 games. A smooth skater with a hard shot, he scored three goals – two on the power play – with eight assists while also picking up 50 penalty minutes. Fellow senior Ryan Swanson (Woodbury, MN/Soo Indians), who is 6-3, 210 pounds, gained valuable experience as a junior, seeing time in 35 games. The team’s Most Improved Player had a goal and seven assists after notching one helper in his first two seasons. One of the most respective competitors on the team, Swanson brings out the best in his teammates in practices and games. Sophomore Reed Kipp (Victoria, BC/Vernon Vipers) showed offensive promise as he tallied two goals and six assists in 26 games during his rookie campaign. Rensselaer’s incoming blueliners bring size, toughness and offensive abilities. Erik Burgdoerfer (East Setauket, NY/New York Apple Core), who is 6-2, 210 pounds, had six goals and ten assists with 60 penalty minutes in 45 games a year ago while Jason Fortino (Stoney Creek, ON/Milton IceHawks), who is 6-0, 205 pounds, had 21 points (6 goals, 15 assists) and 102 penalty minutes in 39 games. Christian Jensen (Watchung, NJ/Chicago Steel) is a solid 6-3, 210 pounder who had a goal and eight assists with 22 penalty minutes in 42 USHL games last season, including 24 with Chicago. He is a draft pick of the San Jose Sharks, having been selected in the ninth round (289 overall) in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft. The biggest blueliner to join the Engineers is Peter Merth (New Westminster, BC/Burnaby Express), who is 6-3, 225 pounds. He finished his final junior season with 22 points (5 goals, 17 assists) and 102 penalty minutes in 60 games, winning the Canadian National Junior Championship, where he was named the top defenseman. THE
GOALTENDERS The Engineers should be strong in goal as they return all three netminders, including senior Will Neubert (Painted Post, NY/Capital District Selects), junior Jordan Alford (Red Deer, AB/Canmore Eagles) and sophomore Mathias Lange (Klagenfurt, Austria/New York Apple Core). Lange, the team’s workhorse, played in 35 games, including 34 starts, with a 13-15-6 record as a freshman. He posted a 2.70 goals against average and a .901 save percentage while playing in over 2041 minutes. A backstop who consistently keeps his composure, he was a unanimous selection to the ECACHL’s All-Rookie Team as well as one of RPI’s Most Valuable Players. Alford has a career record of 6-7-1 with a 3.36 goals against average while Neubert has yet to see any game action.
THE COACHES Appert, the 12th head men’s hockey coach in Rensselaer’s storied history, brings an offensive-minded transition style from Denver, where he helped the Pioneers average over 23 wins per year and capture two National Championships. Among the many nationally-ranked recruiting classes he helped attract were the 2006 Hobey Baker Award winner, eight All-Americans, a WCHA Player of the Year, 22 All-WCHA picks, three WCHA Defensive Players of the Year, two WCHA Student-Athletes of the Year and 22 NHL draft picks. Appert also played a big role in the development of Denver’s goaltenders. A former netminder at Ferris State, he individually coached one All-American, two All-WCHA honorees, two WCHA Playoff Most Valuable Players and two Frozen Four Most Outstanding Players. Three of his goalies were draft picks of the NHL, including one Hobey Baker Award finalist, and two of those netminders played in the NHL last season. Montgomery, a two-time All-American and former pro standout, spent the past year as a volunteer assistant coach at Notre Dame, where he oversaw the video coordinator’s responsibilities, the team statistical program and face-off and scoring skills development. Prior to coaching, he played professionally for 12 seasons, including stints in the NHL with St. Louis, Montreal, Philadelphia, San Jose and Dallas. As a collegiate player at Maine from 1989-93, Montgomery tallied 103 goals and 198 assists for 301 points in 170 career games. He led the team to a 138-25-8 record with two Hockey East Championships and captained the 1993 National Championship team. The Montreal, Que., native ranks fourth in NCAA history in points and assists. Kurulak spent the past two seasons as an assistant coach at Army, where he was responsible for recruiting, player development, especially with the defensemen, and coordinating video instruction while helping direct the Black Knights to their most successful season at the Division I level. He has also been the head coach of Fargo-Moorhead of the NAHL, which he led to a 33-21-0 record in its expansion year, and an assistant at Bemidji St. for two seasons, recruiting the classes that have led the Beavers to the NCAA Tournament the past two years. A native of Calgary, Alb., Kurulak graduated from Denver in 1999 and spent one season as a volunteer assistant at his alma mater, where he was a four-year letterwinner on the blueline for the Pioneers. He wore the alternate captain’s "A" for three seasons and was a three-time WCHA All-Academic selection.
THE SCHEDULE The Engineers, who open their 105th season on October 7, play 35 games, including 18 home games at the Houston Field House in Troy. Rensselaer’s season opener is an exhibition game against York University of Ontario at the Field House. The Engineers host perennial national power Boston University one week later before going to Denver for a two-game set on October 20-21. RPI returns to the Capital District for a pair of games at the Pepsi Arena in Albany on October 28-29, beginning with a matchup with area-rival Union on October 28. The Engineers face either Colgate or Quinnipiac the next day. Those two games are non-league affairs. Rensselaer kicks off its ECAC Hockey League schedule – and its longest home stand of the season – on November 3 when Princeton visits the Field House for the 4th Annual Black Friday. Quinnipiac, the Tigers’ travel partner, is in Troy the next night. The Engineers play just one game in each of the next two weekends, against Merrimack on November 12 and Sacred Heart on November 17. The home stand concludes with the 56th Annual Rensselaer/Bank of America Holiday Tournament, the oldest college hockey holiday tournament in the nation, on November 24-25. This year’s field features Colgate, Niagara and Ohio State with the Engineers opening against Niagara. RPI is on the road for four league games over the next two weekends, including a trip to Central New York, before returning to the Field House to close out the fall semester with a non-league game against UMass Lowell on December 16. Following a 13-day layoff, Rensselaer travels to Burlington to participate in the University of Vermont’s Tournament on December 29-30. The month of January begins with three straight home league games as Harvard (Jan. 5), Dartmouth (Jan. 6) and Union (Jan. 12) visit the Field House. The game against the Dutchmen is the start of a home-and-home series as the Engineers travel to Schenectady the next night. Following the games with Union, RPI hosts Clarkson on January 19 and St. Lawrence on January 20. The game with the Saints, which will be preceded by the Annual Alumni Game, is the 30th Annual Big Red Freakout! RPI will attempt to extend its Freakout! unbeaten streak to 17 games (12-0-4). Rensselaer returns to the road for its next four games, including trips to Yale (Jan. 26) and Harvard (Feb. 3), before welcoming Colgate and Cornell on February 9-10. The Engineers visit St. Lawrence and Clarkson on February 16-17 before finishing the regular season with home games against Brown and Yale on February 23-24.
SCHEDULE NOTES The Engineers’ Annual Red/White Game is September 30, followed by the Annual Skate with the Engineers … Rensselaer plays 13 non-league games, including seven at home … The Engineers’ start date of October 7 matches the earliest the team has ever opened. RPI hosted Ottawa last season on the same date … Rensselaer has never faced York … The game against Boston University is on Homecoming Weekend … RPI faces Denver for the first time since January 3, 1982, a 4-3 loss in Troy … The Engineers are 3-0-0 all-time on Black Friday … They are 18-7-4 all-time in the Big Red Freakout! … The last Freakout! loss came at the hands of St. Lawrence on January 27, 1990 … The Big Red Freakout! has been held in January on four occasions, most recently on January 31, 1998 … RPI is 1-3-0 in January Freakouts! … Three of the teams on RPI’s schedule played in the 2006 NCAA Tournament. They are Boston University, Cornell and Harvard … Based on the known opponents, the Engineers play one game against a Canadian school, four versus Hockey East foes, two games against a WCHA opponent, one each from College Hockey America and Atlantic Hockey and 24 against ECACHL teams … Rensselaer plays 15 games on Fridays, 18 on Saturdays and two on Sundays … The Engineers play six games in October and November, seven in December and eight in January and February … The ECACHL Playoffs run from March 2 to March 17, beginning with the best-of-three first round matchups March 2-4. The league semi-finals and finals are March 16-17 at Pepsi Arena … The NCAA Tournament runs from March 23 to April 7. The 2007 Frozen Four is at the Savvis Center in St. Louis.
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Schedule Is Finalized!!
MEN’S HOCKEY ANNOUNCES 2006-07 SCHEDULE Engineers to open 35-game slate on October 7th against York TROY, N.Y. The 2006-07 schedule for the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men’s hockey team has been finalized. The Engineers, who open their 105th season on October 7, will play 35 games, including 18 home games at the Houston Field House in Troy, N.Y. Rensselaer’s season opener the first game under new head coach Seth Appert is an exhibition game against York University of Ontario at the Field House. The Engineers host perennial national power Boston University one week later before going to the University of Denver where Appert served as an assistant coach for the last nine years for a two-game set on October 20-21. Those games begin at 9pm eastern. RPI returns to the Capital District for a pair of games at the Pepsi Arena in Albany on October 28-29, beginning with a matchup with area-rival Union on October 28 at 8pm. The Engineers will face either Colgate or Quinnipiac the next night at 5pm or 8pm at the Pepsi Arena. Those two games are non-league affairs. Rensselaer kicks off its ECAC Hockey League schedule and its longest home stand of the season on November 3 when Princeton visits the Field House for the 4th Annual Black Friday. Quinnipiac, the Tigers’ travel partner, is in Troy the next night. The Engineers then play just one game in each of the next two weekends, including a 2pm contest against Merrimack on November 12 and a game against Sacred Heart on November 17. The home stand concludes with the 56th Annual Rensselaer/Bank of America Holiday Tournament, the oldest college hockey holiday tournament in the nation, on November 24-25. This year’s field features Colgate, Niagara and Ohio State with the Engineers opening against Niagara at 7pm. Colgate and Ohio State meet at 4pm. RPI is on the road for four league games over the next two weekends, including a trip to Central New York, before returning to the Field House to close out the fall semester with a non-league game against UMass Lowell on December 16. Following a 13-day layoff, Rensselaer travels to Burlington to participate in the University of Vermont’s Tournament on December 29-30. The month of January begins with three straight home league games as Harvard (Jan. 5), Dartmouth (Jan. 6) and Union (Jan. 12) visit the Field House. The game against the Dutchmen is the start of a home-and-home series between Rensselaer and Union. The Engineers travel to Schenectady the next night. Following the games with Union, the Engineers host Clarkson on January 19 and St. Lawrence on January 20. The game with the Saints, which will be preceded by the Annual Alumni Game (12pm), is the 30th Annual Big Red Freakout!. RPI will attempt to extend its Freakout! unbeaten streak to 17 games (12-0-4). Rensselaer returns to the road for its next four games, including trips to Yale (Jan. 26) and Harvard (Feb. 3), before welcoming Colgate and Cornell on February 9-10. The Engineers visit St. Lawrence and Clarkson on February 16-17 before finishing the regular season with home games against Brown and Yale on February 23-24. The contest against the Bulldogs is Senior Appreciation Night. Rensselaer finished the 2005-06 season with an overall record of 14-17-6, including an 8-8-6 league mark. The 2006-07 Engineers return 18 players from this year's team, including two of the top three scorers and their starting goaltender. In addition, Kirk MacDonald, the team's top scorer in 2004-05 who was a medical red-shirt this season, is also expected to return. 2006-07 SCHEDULE NOTES: The Engineers’ Annual Red/White Game is September 30 at 5pm, followed by the Annual Skate with the Engineers at 7:15pm … Rensselaer plays 13 non-league games, including seven at home … The Engineers’ start date of October 7 matches the earliest the team has ever opened. RPI hosted Ottawa last season on the same date … Rensselaer has never faced York … The game against Boston University is on Homecoming Weekend … RPI faces Denver for the first time since January 3, 1982, a 4-3 loss in Troy … The Engineers are 3-0 all-time on Black Friday … They are 18-7-4 all-time in the Big Red Freakout! … The last Freakout! loss came at the hands of St. Lawrence on January 27, 1990 … The Big Red Freakout! has been held in January on four previous occasions, most recently on January 31, 1998 … RPI is 1-3-0 in January Freakouts! … Three of the teams on RPI’s schedule played in the 2006 NCAA Tournament. They are Boston University, Cornell and Harvard … Based on the known opponents, the Engineers play one game against a Canadian school, three versus Hockey East foes, two games against a WCHA opponent, one each from College Hockey America and Atlantic Hockey and 24 against ECACHL teams … Rensselaer plays 15 games on Fridays, 18 on Saturdays and two on Sundays … The Engineers play six games in October and November, seven in December and eight in January and February … The ECACHL Playoffs run from March 2 to March 17, beginning with the best-of-three first round matchups March 2-4. The league semi-finals and finals are March 16-17 at Pepsi Arena … The NCAA Tournament runs from March 23 to April 7. The 2007 Frozen Four is at the Savvis Center in St. Louis … Of the Engineers’ 19 returnees, seven will be seniors, six will be juniors and six will be sophomores.
Friday, April 21, 2006
Appert Introduced!
Please join us at the Mueller Center tonight at 8pm for the introduction of Seth Appert, the new head coach of the men's hockey team, to the media and community. The Mueller Center is located on 15th Street between the AS+RC & Public Safety/Visitors Information Buildings. For those who cannot attend, the event will be broadcast live on WRPI, 91.5 FM, and www.wrpi.org. Thank you. Kevin Beattie Sports Information Director Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute beattk@rpi.edu http://www.rpiathletics.com
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
New Head Coach!
SETH APPERT SLATED TO BECOME HEAD MEN'S HOCKEY COACH TROY, N.Y. Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) President Shirley Ann Jackson today announced the selection of Seth Appert as the new head men's hockey coach. Appert is slated to become the 12th head men's hockey coach in RPI's storied hockey history. "Rensselaer attracts the best of the best and once again we have done so with the hiring of Seth Appert," President Jackson said. "He is a proven teacher and a leader. His passion for the sport and commitment to education make him a perfect fit for the Institute and we enthusiastically welcome him into the Rensselaer family." "Seth is recognized throughout college hockey as a winner on and off the ice," said Director of Athletics Ken Ralph. "He is a person who consistently brings out the best in his players and we fully expect him to do so at Rensselaer." Appert, who succeeds Dan Fridgen, is taking over a program that returns 18 players from the 2005-06 season, including two of the top three scorers and the starting goaltender. In addition, Kirk MacDonald, the team's top scorer in 2004-05 who was a medical red-shirt this season, is also expected to return. "I am honored to lead the hockey program at such a prestigious institution as Rensselaer," said Appert. "I am confident that my goals for the hockey program are consistent with Rensselaer's institutional vision that stresses the overall excellence of the students and the athletes. I am looking forward to the challenge of developing and maintaining a hockey program that both the institution and the community will be proud to call their own." "Seth is a dynamic coach who embraces the Rensselaer tradition of not compromising academic standards," Vice President of Student Life Eddie Ade Knowles said. "He will contribute to the development of our student-athletes into winners in all aspects of their lives." Appert recently concluded his ninth season as an assistant coach at the University of Denver, where he was responsible for recruiting, on-ice coaching, video breakdown, and game analysis work. He also played a big role in the development of Denver's goaltenders. A collegiate netminder at Ferris State University, Appert has individually coached one All-American, two All-Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) honorees, two WCHA Playoff Most Valuable Players, and two Frozen Four Most Outstanding Players. Three of his goaltenders have been draft picks of the National Hockey League, including one Hobey Baker Award finalist. Two of those netminders played in the NHL this season. Appert has helped Denver sign nationally ranked recruiting classes each of the past seven years. Among those he has coached or recruited are the 2006 Hobey Baker Award winner, eight All-Americans, a WCHA Player of the Year, 22 All-WCHA picks, three WCHA Defensive Players of the Year, two WCHA Student-Athletes of the Year, and 17 NHL draft picks at Denver. The Pioneers have averaged over 23 wins per year in his tenure as an assistant coach and have captured two NCAA National Championships, three WCHA playoff championships, and two WCHA regular-season titles in his years of coaching at Denver. A four-year letterwinner at Ferris State from 1992-96, Appert and his wife, Jill, have one child, a 1-year old daughter, Addison. Appert has verbally agreed to, and is in the process of finalizing, a four-year contract with Rensselaer.
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
Croxton Returns to A-town
Kevin Croxton was one of my favorite players on RPI in the last 20 years. I am glad to see that he is doing well in Springfield!
Croxton flies with Falcons as AHL rookie
RPI star gets assist in Springfield debut
By DAN FARRAND, Special to the Times Union First published: Thursday, April 6, 2006
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- Kevin Croxton was waiting. His anticipation grew, his body tensed, but the moment passed in silence.
"That was the weirdest part," Croxton said after making his pro debut with the American Hockey League's Springfield Falcons last Friday against the Hartford Wolf Pack at Mass Mutual Center. "Not the uniform or the number, but during the anthem, and not hearing the 'Red' from the crowd was strange."
That was Croxton's wake-up call. That and taking a hard check that left him sprawled out on the ice from Wolf Pack defenseman Dale Purinton on his first AHL shift in the Falcons' 9-3 loss.
"It hurt," the Calgary, Alberta, native said. "There's more selective hitting at this level. Guys don't hit as much, but when they do it hurts."
Croxton said that early in the game, he was just trying to stay out of his own way, but he found his groove when he notched his first career point with an assist on Dan Cavanaugh's goal in the second period.
Croxton created the scoring opportunity by breaking out of his own zone, taking a pass from teammate Zbynek Hrdel at the center face-off circle, drawing both defenders as he crossed the blue line, and dropping a pass to a trailing Cavanaugh who beat Wolf Pack goaltender Robert Gherson on a shot that deflected off a Hartford defenseman.
Croxton, who led RPI with 15 goals and 25 assists in 31 games this season, called it a "garbage assist."
Claude Loiselle, assistant general manager of Springfield's parent club, the Tampa Bay Lightning, didn't see it that way.
"Just from that little play there, you could see his talent," said Loiselle, who signed Croxton to an amateur tryout contract on March 24. "He saw we had control of the puck; he broke to open ice and got the puck on his backhand."
Loiselle -- a former Adirondack Red Wing -- said Croxton's intelligence, hands, speed, and play-making ability piqued Tampa Bay's interest.
Loiselle was thrilled to see Croxton get on the board early.
"It's terrific, especially at this level," Loiselle said. "The next step is the National Hockey League; you're playing with a lot of good players out there, so getting a quick point can aide a player's confidence."
While Croxton appears to be taking to the professional game on the ice, he is suffering a tougher adjustment off it.
"It can get pretty boring," Croxton said. "Practices only go for about 30 to 45 minutes, an hour at the most, because we have so many games. It can be tough to really get your legs into it."
Croxton's former RPI teammates Kirk MacDonald, Brad Farynuk, Jonathan Ornelas, Jake Morissette and Mathias Lange made the trip to Springfield for last Friday's game.
Croxton's 149 games for the Engineers were the most in school history. His 86 assists leave him ranked 19th and his 143 career points place him 24th on the school's all-time list. His 15 goals and 15 assists in the 2002-03 season made him the first freshman to lead the Engineers in scoring since Joe Juneau in 1987-88.
The senior, despite leaving early, will also still graduate in May, having completed the core requirements for his management degree before this semester.
Croxton will remain with the Falcons until their season ends April 15 against the Portland Pirates. He will then become a free agent and be reevaluated by the Lightning organization.
Loiselle said Croxton could be one of about 30 players invited to the Lightning's rookie development and conditioning camp in Tampa sometime in mid-July. Meanwhile, Croxton is living his dream.
"It's unbelievable to play professional hockey," Croxton said. "Hopefully I can keep it going as long as possible."
Croxton flies with Falcons as AHL rookie
RPI star gets assist in Springfield debut
By DAN FARRAND, Special to the Times Union First published: Thursday, April 6, 2006
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- Kevin Croxton was waiting. His anticipation grew, his body tensed, but the moment passed in silence.
"That was the weirdest part," Croxton said after making his pro debut with the American Hockey League's Springfield Falcons last Friday against the Hartford Wolf Pack at Mass Mutual Center. "Not the uniform or the number, but during the anthem, and not hearing the 'Red' from the crowd was strange."
That was Croxton's wake-up call. That and taking a hard check that left him sprawled out on the ice from Wolf Pack defenseman Dale Purinton on his first AHL shift in the Falcons' 9-3 loss.
"It hurt," the Calgary, Alberta, native said. "There's more selective hitting at this level. Guys don't hit as much, but when they do it hurts."
Croxton said that early in the game, he was just trying to stay out of his own way, but he found his groove when he notched his first career point with an assist on Dan Cavanaugh's goal in the second period.
Croxton created the scoring opportunity by breaking out of his own zone, taking a pass from teammate Zbynek Hrdel at the center face-off circle, drawing both defenders as he crossed the blue line, and dropping a pass to a trailing Cavanaugh who beat Wolf Pack goaltender Robert Gherson on a shot that deflected off a Hartford defenseman.
Croxton, who led RPI with 15 goals and 25 assists in 31 games this season, called it a "garbage assist."
Claude Loiselle, assistant general manager of Springfield's parent club, the Tampa Bay Lightning, didn't see it that way.
"Just from that little play there, you could see his talent," said Loiselle, who signed Croxton to an amateur tryout contract on March 24. "He saw we had control of the puck; he broke to open ice and got the puck on his backhand."
Loiselle -- a former Adirondack Red Wing -- said Croxton's intelligence, hands, speed, and play-making ability piqued Tampa Bay's interest.
Loiselle was thrilled to see Croxton get on the board early.
"It's terrific, especially at this level," Loiselle said. "The next step is the National Hockey League; you're playing with a lot of good players out there, so getting a quick point can aide a player's confidence."
While Croxton appears to be taking to the professional game on the ice, he is suffering a tougher adjustment off it.
"It can get pretty boring," Croxton said. "Practices only go for about 30 to 45 minutes, an hour at the most, because we have so many games. It can be tough to really get your legs into it."
Croxton's former RPI teammates Kirk MacDonald, Brad Farynuk, Jonathan Ornelas, Jake Morissette and Mathias Lange made the trip to Springfield for last Friday's game.
Croxton's 149 games for the Engineers were the most in school history. His 86 assists leave him ranked 19th and his 143 career points place him 24th on the school's all-time list. His 15 goals and 15 assists in the 2002-03 season made him the first freshman to lead the Engineers in scoring since Joe Juneau in 1987-88.
The senior, despite leaving early, will also still graduate in May, having completed the core requirements for his management degree before this semester.
Croxton will remain with the Falcons until their season ends April 15 against the Portland Pirates. He will then become a free agent and be reevaluated by the Lightning organization.
Loiselle said Croxton could be one of about 30 players invited to the Lightning's rookie development and conditioning camp in Tampa sometime in mid-July. Meanwhile, Croxton is living his dream.
"It's unbelievable to play professional hockey," Croxton said. "Hopefully I can keep it going as long as possible."
Thursday, April 06, 2006
End Of Season Awards Announced
MEN'S HOCKEY ANNOUNCES YEAR-END AWARDS Croxton and Lange share team's Most Valuable Player honor TROY, N.Y. - The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) men's ice hockey team recently held its' season-ending banquet, where the team's 2005-06 award winners were announced. The men's ice hockey staff handed out five awards. Sharing the team's highest award, the Most Valuable Player, were forward Kevin Croxton and goaltender Mathias Lange. A senior from Calgary, Alb., Croxton led the Engineers in scoring with 14 goals and 25 assists for 39 points in 31 games played. He had two power play goals and two game winning goals as well. Croxton finished his collegiate career with 57 goals and 86 assists for 143 points in a school record 147 games. A USCHO.com Pre-Season All-American Honorable Mention in his junior season and a three-time ECACHL All-Academic, he was the team's leading scorer in three out of his four years at Rensselaer. Lange started 34 games in goal for the Engineers. A freshman from Klagenfurt, Austria, he posted a 13-15-6 overall record with a 2.70 goals against average and a .901 save percentage. He had two shutouts. Lange also set the school record for ties in a season with six and was a unanimous selection for the ECACHL All-Rookie Team. The Engineers' Most Improved Player was junior defenseman Ryan Swanson, who tallied a goal and seven assists for eight points in 35 games. A native of Woodbury, Minn., he had played in 14 games through his first two seasons at Rensselaer, registering one assist. Taking home this year's Coaches Award was senior Keith MCWilliams. The defenseman from Valencia, Calif., tallied nine goals and 12 assists for 21 points in 34 games. He had three power play goals and one game-winning goal. He finished his collegiate career with 15 goals and 25 assists for 40 points in 114 games. In addition to being named to the All-ECACHL Third Team at season's end, MCWilliams was a three-time ECACHL All-Academic. Sophomore Andrew Lord, a forward from West Vancouver, B.C., earned the Scholar-Athlete Award, which is presented to the player with the highest cumulative grade point average over a minimum of three semesters at Rensselaer. On the ice, the management major, who garnered his first ECACHL All-Academic honor this year, played in 32 games, tallying seven goals and six assists for 13 points, including four power play goals, and two game winning goals.
Thursday, March 30, 2006
Schedule Announced
2006-07 Schedule
Below is what is known of RPI's schedule for the 2006-07 season.
October 13 or 14
BOSTON UNIVERSITY
October 20
@Denver
October 21
@Denver
October 28
7:00 PM
vs. Union at Pepsi Arena
October 29
2:00 or 5:00
vs. Colgate/Quinnipiac at Pepsi Arena
November 3
7:00 PM
PRINCETON - Black Friday
November 4
7:00 PM
QUINNIPIAC
November 24
7:00 PM
NIAGARA - Holiday Tournament
November 25
4:00 or 7:00
COLGATE/OHIO STATE - Holiday Tournament
December 2
7:00 PM
@Colgate
December 3
7:00 PM
@Cornell
December 8
7:00 PM
@Quinnipiac
December 9
7:00 PM
@Princeton
December 29
vs. St. Cloud State in Burlington, VT
December 30
vs. Union/UVM in Burlington, VT
January 5
7:00 PM
HARVARD
January 6
7:00 PM
DARTMOUTH
January 19
7:00 PM
CLARKSON
January 20
7:00 PM
ST. LAWRENCE
January 26
7:00 PM
@Yale
January 27
7:00 PM
@Brown
February 2
7:00 PM
@Dartmouth
February 3
7:00 PM
@Harvard
February 9
7:00 PM
COLGATE
February 10
7:00 PM
CORNELL - Big Red Freakout!
February 16
7:00 PM
@St. Lawrence
February 17
7:00 PM
@Clarkson
February 23
7:00 PM
BROWN
February 24
7:00 PM
YALE
Notes:
The ECAC schedule will also include home and road games against Union, probably on January 12 and 13.
The non-conference schedule will also include a home game against UMass-Lowell and a road game at Army, as well as a twelfth game not named yet.
The first-round matchups in the Holiday Tournament and UVM's tournament are not definite.
Below is what is known of RPI's schedule for the 2006-07 season.
October 13 or 14
BOSTON UNIVERSITY
October 20
@Denver
October 21
@Denver
October 28
7:00 PM
vs. Union at Pepsi Arena
October 29
2:00 or 5:00
vs. Colgate/Quinnipiac at Pepsi Arena
November 3
7:00 PM
PRINCETON - Black Friday
November 4
7:00 PM
QUINNIPIAC
November 24
7:00 PM
NIAGARA - Holiday Tournament
November 25
4:00 or 7:00
COLGATE/OHIO STATE - Holiday Tournament
December 2
7:00 PM
@Colgate
December 3
7:00 PM
@Cornell
December 8
7:00 PM
@Quinnipiac
December 9
7:00 PM
@Princeton
December 29
vs. St. Cloud State in Burlington, VT
December 30
vs. Union/UVM in Burlington, VT
January 5
7:00 PM
HARVARD
January 6
7:00 PM
DARTMOUTH
January 19
7:00 PM
CLARKSON
January 20
7:00 PM
ST. LAWRENCE
January 26
7:00 PM
@Yale
January 27
7:00 PM
@Brown
February 2
7:00 PM
@Dartmouth
February 3
7:00 PM
@Harvard
February 9
7:00 PM
COLGATE
February 10
7:00 PM
CORNELL - Big Red Freakout!
February 16
7:00 PM
@St. Lawrence
February 17
7:00 PM
@Clarkson
February 23
7:00 PM
BROWN
February 24
7:00 PM
YALE
Notes:
The ECAC schedule will also include home and road games against Union, probably on January 12 and 13.
The non-conference schedule will also include a home game against UMass-Lowell and a road game at Army, as well as a twelfth game not named yet.
The first-round matchups in the Holiday Tournament and UVM's tournament are not definite.
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
The Committee Convenes
RPI forms committee to find hockey coach
Athletic director says he has 40-50 inquiries so far
By TIM WILKIN, Staff writer Click byline for more stories by writer. First published: Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Of the 59 schools that play Division I college hockey in the United States, only two of them have coaching vacancies.
One of them is at RPI. Athletic director Ken Ralph doesn't know how long the vacancy will remain but vows to keep looking until the best possible coach is found.
"We want a teacher and a motivator and someone with an unquenchable thirst to win hockey games," Ralph said Tuesday. "We want someone who will push himself and the students to the highest level of achievement. We want to be very clear we want to win hockey games at RPI."
Dan Fridgen, RPI's coach the past 12 years, resigned last week. He was in the final year of a three-year contract that was set to expire June 30. The other Division I coaching job opened up Tuesday, when Yale announced coach Tim Taylor would be reassigned within the university after 28 years with the program.
Since then, Ralph said, a search committee of 10 people has been formed. He also said the school has received between 40 and 50 inquiries about the job.
Ralph declined to name any of those who made inquiries but did say the committee will take as much time as it needs.
"They will evaluate all the applications and, after interviews, they will make a recommendation to me," Ralph said.
The final recommendation, he said, will be his. Then he will go to RPI President Shirley Jackson for the final decision.
"On this one, we just have to be sure," Ralph said. "This is an important hire for us. If we have to interview 10 people, we'll interview 10 people. Right now we have had 15 or 16 hard applications already in, and we'll probably have another 10 before the end of the day (Tuesday)."
He said he has made calls to people he thought would be interested.
Ralph said the only person who has said he is not interested is former RPI goalie Kevin Constantine (1977-80), now coach of the Everett (Wash.) Silvertips of the Western Hockey League.
Constantine had stints in the National Hockey League coaching with the San Jose Sharks (1993-96), Pittsburgh Penguins (1997-2000) and New Jersey Devils (2001-02).
Providence assistant coach Stan Moore, a former ECAC coach of the year at Union (1997) and Colgate (2004), is expected to be a candidate. He did not return a call left at his office.
Ralph said he doesn't expect the interview process to start until after the Frozen Four, college hockey's championship tournament April 6-8 in Milwaukee. Ralph said whether he attends the championship would depend on how much progess has been made in the search.
He also said he is not opposed to hiring a former RPI player and said he has had contact with former Engineers star Joe Juneau. But he said that conversation was about people Juneau thought would be possible candidates for the position and not about Juneau himself.
Athletic director says he has 40-50 inquiries so far
By TIM WILKIN, Staff writer Click byline for more stories by writer. First published: Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Of the 59 schools that play Division I college hockey in the United States, only two of them have coaching vacancies.
One of them is at RPI. Athletic director Ken Ralph doesn't know how long the vacancy will remain but vows to keep looking until the best possible coach is found.
"We want a teacher and a motivator and someone with an unquenchable thirst to win hockey games," Ralph said Tuesday. "We want someone who will push himself and the students to the highest level of achievement. We want to be very clear we want to win hockey games at RPI."
Dan Fridgen, RPI's coach the past 12 years, resigned last week. He was in the final year of a three-year contract that was set to expire June 30. The other Division I coaching job opened up Tuesday, when Yale announced coach Tim Taylor would be reassigned within the university after 28 years with the program.
Since then, Ralph said, a search committee of 10 people has been formed. He also said the school has received between 40 and 50 inquiries about the job.
Ralph declined to name any of those who made inquiries but did say the committee will take as much time as it needs.
"They will evaluate all the applications and, after interviews, they will make a recommendation to me," Ralph said.
The final recommendation, he said, will be his. Then he will go to RPI President Shirley Jackson for the final decision.
"On this one, we just have to be sure," Ralph said. "This is an important hire for us. If we have to interview 10 people, we'll interview 10 people. Right now we have had 15 or 16 hard applications already in, and we'll probably have another 10 before the end of the day (Tuesday)."
He said he has made calls to people he thought would be interested.
Ralph said the only person who has said he is not interested is former RPI goalie Kevin Constantine (1977-80), now coach of the Everett (Wash.) Silvertips of the Western Hockey League.
Constantine had stints in the National Hockey League coaching with the San Jose Sharks (1993-96), Pittsburgh Penguins (1997-2000) and New Jersey Devils (2001-02).
Providence assistant coach Stan Moore, a former ECAC coach of the year at Union (1997) and Colgate (2004), is expected to be a candidate. He did not return a call left at his office.
Ralph said he doesn't expect the interview process to start until after the Frozen Four, college hockey's championship tournament April 6-8 in Milwaukee. Ralph said whether he attends the championship would depend on how much progess has been made in the search.
He also said he is not opposed to hiring a former RPI player and said he has had contact with former Engineers star Joe Juneau. But he said that conversation was about people Juneau thought would be possible candidates for the position and not about Juneau himself.
Monday, March 27, 2006
New Booster Club
Hey- if anyone is interested in becoming part of a RPI Hockey Booster Club- click on the link below and sign up.
http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/friendsofengineerhockey/
http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/friendsofengineerhockey/
Players Upset About Fridgen "Resignation"!
TROY - "RPI hockey always has and always will be a family," junior winger Kevin Broad said Tuesday. "Seeing one of your family members leave is never easy."Broad summed up the feelings of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute players Tuesday afternoon, hours after they learned Dan Fridgen had resigned as their head coach."This is not the lasting impression this senior class wanted to leave on the program, being the last one to be coached by coach Fridgen," said senior tri-captain Kevin Croxton, the team's leading scorer."It's tough," Croxton said. "It happened so quickly, we haven't had much time to think about it. It hasn't really sunk in yet. "And it's tough, someone you've been around with (so long). I've known him for six years because they recruited me for a couple years. He was very good to me."The players learned of the decision that the Institute would not offer Fridgen - who spent 12 years as the head coach and five as an assistant to Buddy Powers - an extension of his contract and his subsequent resignation early in the morning. "Our captains told us (Monday) night to come in a 7 a.m.," Broad said. "Coach came in and told us. It says a lot about the kind of man he is, how he came in and told us himself rather than letting somebody else do it. "You never know what's coming," Broad said, "we've been here at 7 a.m. before."Broad said Fridgen was somewhat emotional but wished each player the best."It was tough for him," Broad said. "Being with a program for 17 years, knowing that it was the last time he was going to address us, it was tough."Right winger Kirk MacDonald missed the entire season, battling testicular cancer and recuperating from several related surgeries.Fridgen housed MacDonald for weeks after he was diagnosed last spring. "Coach did a lot of great things for me," MacDonald said. "He helped me out since I got here. Last year taken me into his house for a month at the end of the year. I'll always be thankful for that, all the things he and his family did for me. I can't say enough about that. "It's always tough when you see this kind of thing happen," MacDonald added."It was sad to see him go," said junior defenseman Ryan Swanson. "I had a good relationship with him the whole three years I've been here. I got really close to him."Swanson pledged that whomever RPI hires to replace Fridgen, the players "will support him right off the bat."Broad said he "has a lot of respect for coach Fridgen. "Coach was a player's coach. He treated you like he was one of you own. He always had an open-door policy. If something was bothering you, you'd just go in and see him, whether it was hockey, classes, whatever. Not a lot of coaches will do that for you. Going back to what he did for Mac ... he's just a great person."Fridgen often was too protective of his players when it came to critiques because he felt, regardless of how expensive was the education they were receiving for free, they were amateurs.Broad says those who suggest he was soft on them are dead wrong."No, that wasn't the case," he said. "He held everybody accountable. He was a hard-nosed coach. He coached like he played."He expected nothing but the best out of players," Broad said. "That's what he asked for an I'd like to think that's what we gave him."It's an unfortunate situation and we wish the best for him."
Friday, March 24, 2006
More News On The Search!
RPI to move fast on coach
AD eyes five weeks to find a replacement
By PETE IORIZZO, Staff writer Click byline for more stories by writer. First published: Wednesday, March 22, 2006
TROY -- RPI athletic director Ken Ralph said a few things about his next men's hockey coach. Among them: He will be a motivator. He will be energetic. And, most notably, he will be hired soon.
But Ralph did not offer any names.
"There is no predetermined list, where we can say, 'These five guys are really the short list,' " Ralph said. "This really kind of just snowballed in the last few days. We have not gotten to the point where we have a short list already."
Ralph said he's still assembling a search committee to find a replacement for Dan Fridgen, who resigned Tuesday. Ralph said he hopes the committee can begin meeting early next week. He expects to select Fridgen's replacement within five weeks.
The only candidates Ralph noted by name were assistant coaches Frank Bretti and Jeff Matthews. Both joined the RPI staff in 2004. Bretti previously served as the head coach at Iona. Though Matthews has no previous Division I head-coaching experience, he graduated from RPI in 1995.
"I'm certainly going to be willing to talk to them," Ralph said.
Bretti seemed uncomfortable discussing his candidacy, saying, "We'll have to see that in the coming days. Right now I'd feel more comfortable looking back at Dan's career and thanking him for everything he's done for the program."
Matthews was not available for comment.
RPI is the only Division I job currently open, so Ralph expects to draw plenty of applicants. Among the most intriguing possibilities is Providence assistant coach Stan Moore, who is a two-time ECACHL coach of the year. Moore won the award as a rookie coach at Union in 1997 and again in 2004, when as a one-year interim coach with Colgate he won 22 games.
Moore did not address his potential candidacy Tuesday, saying only he was "shocked" by Fridgen's resignation.
Union's current coach, Nate Leaman, is another possibility, though his interest in the job is unknown. When reached by phone Tuesday, Leaman said only, "I'm very happy at Union," and declined further comment.
Other possible candidates include Graeme Townshend, a scout with the San Jose Sharks and former RPI captain, and Bill Beaney, the coach at Middlebury College.
If RPI really wanted to recapture the Capital Region's attention, it could reach out to two of its most famous alumni, former NHL stars Adam Oates and Joe Juneau.
The idea isn't so far-fetched. Two years ago, Harvard hired Ted Donato, an alum and former NHL player without coaching experience. He won 21 games his first season and led the Crimson to the ECACHL Tournament championship last weekend at Pepsi Arena. The Crimson will be back in town this weekend for the East Regional.
The only candidate Ralph dismissed was RPI women's coach John Burke, a former assistant with the men's squad.
"I would never want to end up in a situation where I say, 'The best coach is on our women's team, so I'm taking him away from the women,' " Ralph said. "That's not going to be the case."
Free-lance writer Dan Farrand contributed to this report.
AD eyes five weeks to find a replacement
By PETE IORIZZO, Staff writer Click byline for more stories by writer. First published: Wednesday, March 22, 2006
TROY -- RPI athletic director Ken Ralph said a few things about his next men's hockey coach. Among them: He will be a motivator. He will be energetic. And, most notably, he will be hired soon.
But Ralph did not offer any names.
"There is no predetermined list, where we can say, 'These five guys are really the short list,' " Ralph said. "This really kind of just snowballed in the last few days. We have not gotten to the point where we have a short list already."
Ralph said he's still assembling a search committee to find a replacement for Dan Fridgen, who resigned Tuesday. Ralph said he hopes the committee can begin meeting early next week. He expects to select Fridgen's replacement within five weeks.
The only candidates Ralph noted by name were assistant coaches Frank Bretti and Jeff Matthews. Both joined the RPI staff in 2004. Bretti previously served as the head coach at Iona. Though Matthews has no previous Division I head-coaching experience, he graduated from RPI in 1995.
"I'm certainly going to be willing to talk to them," Ralph said.
Bretti seemed uncomfortable discussing his candidacy, saying, "We'll have to see that in the coming days. Right now I'd feel more comfortable looking back at Dan's career and thanking him for everything he's done for the program."
Matthews was not available for comment.
RPI is the only Division I job currently open, so Ralph expects to draw plenty of applicants. Among the most intriguing possibilities is Providence assistant coach Stan Moore, who is a two-time ECACHL coach of the year. Moore won the award as a rookie coach at Union in 1997 and again in 2004, when as a one-year interim coach with Colgate he won 22 games.
Moore did not address his potential candidacy Tuesday, saying only he was "shocked" by Fridgen's resignation.
Union's current coach, Nate Leaman, is another possibility, though his interest in the job is unknown. When reached by phone Tuesday, Leaman said only, "I'm very happy at Union," and declined further comment.
Other possible candidates include Graeme Townshend, a scout with the San Jose Sharks and former RPI captain, and Bill Beaney, the coach at Middlebury College.
If RPI really wanted to recapture the Capital Region's attention, it could reach out to two of its most famous alumni, former NHL stars Adam Oates and Joe Juneau.
The idea isn't so far-fetched. Two years ago, Harvard hired Ted Donato, an alum and former NHL player without coaching experience. He won 21 games his first season and led the Crimson to the ECACHL Tournament championship last weekend at Pepsi Arena. The Crimson will be back in town this weekend for the East Regional.
The only candidate Ralph dismissed was RPI women's coach John Burke, a former assistant with the men's squad.
"I would never want to end up in a situation where I say, 'The best coach is on our women's team, so I'm taking him away from the women,' " Ralph said. "That's not going to be the case."
Free-lance writer Dan Farrand contributed to this report.
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
The RPI Recruits Thus Far
From ICH:
RENSSELAER
Erik Burgdorfer D 6-1 181 12/11/88 Apple Core (EJHL)
Jordan Cyr F L 5-9 175 5/12/86 Brockville (COJHL)
Jason Fortino D L 6-0 185 1/2/87 Milton (OPJHL)
Paul Kerins F 5-11 167 4/10/87 North York (OPJHL)
RENSSELAER
Erik Burgdorfer D 6-1 181 12/11/88 Apple Core (EJHL)
Jordan Cyr F L 5-9 175 5/12/86 Brockville (COJHL)
Jason Fortino D L 6-0 185 1/2/87 Milton (OPJHL)
Paul Kerins F 5-11 167 4/10/87 North York (OPJHL)
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