Outlook for Worcester College Hockey teams during the 2014 - 2015 season. Includes lineup changes, the previous year's statistics, and quotes from the coaches themselves.

1. 36 THEPULSEMAG.COM | Nov. 2014
College hockey season is here, and Worcester has no shortage of loyal fans.
Although the area is home to many exceptional, lifelong hockey players, the
starting point for each college team is incredibly varied. While some teams hope
to work hard and fight their way to the top of the standings this winter, others
must battle to maintain the successes of last season. So we caught up with local
college hockey coaches before the start of the season to hear their plans for
2014-15.
Assumption College, Div II
The Greyhounds had a tough season last year, finishing with an overall record
of 4-19-2. This year, however, the outlook is much better. “We’re going to have
a decent first two lines,” Head Coach Lance Brady said. “Our leaders up front
will be a senior and a couple of juniors.” Brady added that strong freshman and
sophomore classes will round out the team in terms of ability, experience and
leadership.
Brady, who has been head coach of the team for six seasons, said things were
very different when he first arrived, and that players had a “lack of championship
direction.” Since then, he has worked to instill what he calls a “game-winning
mentality” in his team.
Coach Brady sees things improving from last year, citing quality leaders and
experienced players as his key assets. Brady said his team, above all else, will
need to work hard, focus and “capitalize on their opportunities” in the upcoming
season.
Becker College, Div III
Last year, the Ice Hawks went through a major reconstruction process. According
to Head Coach Steve Hoar, the team had some juniors and seniors that “didn’t
buy into program.” This resulted in a young team of mostly freshman and
sophomores stepping up, which gave the players more ice time than younger
players typically receive.
Hoar has led the team from the program’s inception in 2006. After a bumpy start,
he said he thinks the team has got a good read on its own abilities and that of
its competition. “Every game is important. They don’t have 65 games; they only
have 25.” According to Hoar, the conference is strong from top to bottom, so each
game can determine a team’s place in the standings.
Despite all of these difficulties, his outlook for the future is positive. “We’re
looking forward to a more competitive season and getting back into the playoffs.
Hopefully, we’ll be a team to watch and maybe surprise some people. “
Holy Cross College, Div I
The Crusaders have a big year ahead of them. The new head coach, David
Berard, comes to the team with decades of collegiate hockey experience and is
seeking to bring a completely different form of hockey to the team.
In the upcoming season, Berard said, he’s primarily focused on developing a
more dynamic style of play. He believes that having an aggressive mindset will
lead the Crusaders to success. “We’re going to be relentless and have an up-
tempo style of pursuing the puck.” Key to that is putting shots on net during
offensive plays and taking time away from opponents during defensive plays.
During his first season with the program, however, Berard has only had a limited
amount of time with his players due to division rules. He said a recent exodus
of more experienced players will make things difficult. “The previous class of
players that left got a lot of play time,” he said, adding that he will “rely on the
older guys to steer the team.”
Nichols College, Div III
Last season, the Bisons finished with an enviable record of 18-7-3. After finishing
in first during the regular season, the team went on the Eastern Conference
Athletics Conference. In his previous season with the team, Head Coach Kevin
Swallow enjoyed a similar record of 16-9-1.
Swallow said that when he joined Nichols, he knew the team had a lot of talent
but were “pretty young at the time; a lot of people graduated.” He added that “all
the pieces were there,” and within the last year or two, “the guys really matured
and developed.”
Swallow said that among the Bisons’ strengths are a good culture (developed by
the previous coaching staff), strong goaltending and a lot of depth. “We could put
12 guys on the ice as forwards.”
However, Swallow said, maintaining last year’s record will be no easy feat.
“People are going to be gunning for us,” he said, adding that he hopes that the
challenges ahead will have a positive impact on the team and “the guys aren’t
content with how things went last year.”
Fortunately, the Bisons still have a very experienced roster after only losing five
players from last year’s team. “They are an older team for the first time since I’ve
been here,” Swallow said.
Worcester State University, Div III
This year, the Lancers are doing a lot to change up the team and its performance.
The new head coach, Shayne Toporowski, who previously worked as the team’s
assistant coach, has begun strategizing for the upcoming season.
Overall, Toporowski wants the team to increase its focus on discipline, as well as
improving goaltending and running down the clock during penalties. He plans to
have practices that are high-tempo, with a significant focus on skill improvement.
He also plans to strengthen “things we want to integrate into the game system,”
such as accountability, attention to detail and good habits.
This season, the Lancers have an older, more experienced team, with 10 seniors
on the roster. Toporowski said this has led to a strong leadership corps. “When
you have that many seniors on ice, it’s a good thing.”
Toporowski said future success will come from working together as a team. “It’s
a process,” he said. “We’re building every day.”
It’s time for
college hockeyBy Sean M. Haley
Sports
&Fitness