Spring Break
Miami says farewell to seniors
Class of '08 leaves legacy of leadership, talent and close-knit brotherhood
Trish Engelman
Issue date: 4/4/08 Section: Sports
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Nathan Davis, Charlie Effinger, Charley Fetzer, Mitch Ganzak, Ryan Jones, Nino Musitelli, and Brad Robbins, are the seven RedHawk seniors that have taken Miami ice hockey to the next level. They finished their time with the Red and White with a 98-49-14 record.
"They were great leaders and a force to contend with on and off the ice," said junior alternate captain Kevin Roeder. "Each of them had a special talent they brought to the team. I am going to miss the laughter that the seniors brought to the locker room every day."
Throughout four years in a RedHawk jersey, these seniors took part in many exciting changes for the Miami hockey program. From the old Goggin Ice Arena to the $50 million Steve Cady Arena, the seniors took a 16-18-5 2004-05 campaign and turned around to earn a CCHA title the very next year. Since then, Miami captured its first ever NCAA tournament win and stood eight weeks as the No. 1 team in the nation in their closing 2007-08 campaign.
"They're a big part of what the program stands for and how it has evolved over the last four years," head coach Enrico Blasi said. "To see them grow as players and as people is what college athletics is all about."
The impact the seven seniors have left on the Miami University athletic program is one of commitment and brotherhood. The impression they have made on the teammates that look to fill their shoes is even greater.
"The seven seniors were amazing since day one," freshman Carter Camper said. "They showed us what it takes to win at the college level. Coming in, you wonder how the upperclassmen will treat incoming freshmen, but they never treated us differently than anyone else on the team. They were the first to welcome us into such a close group of teammates."
In 2004 Miami University hockey fans saw the birth of something great. Senior captain and Hobey Baker finalist Ryan Jones and senior alternate captain Nathan Davis took the RedHawk nation by storm. Their talent and passion for the game of hockey has been recognized since day one as both were drafted to the NHL in their freshman year with Jones going to the Minnesota Wild and Davis to the Chicago Blackhawks. Regardless of the temptations to play at the highest level, the duo refused to part ways with their RedHawk uniforms.
"Nate and Jones stayed at Miami to make Miami the best," Roeder said. "The team was in control of the hockey season after finding out they both were staying. They helped us advance to be recognized as a powerhouse hockey program."
The overwhelming hype surrounding the Miami ice hockey team this year fueled the enthusiasm week after week. Fans camping outside the Goggin in the freezing cold just see watch their favorite team take the ice sends a clear message that these seniors will be greatly missed.
"I'll miss the home games the most because they were definitely something special," Davis said. "The crowds surrounding the glass and all the excitement (were what) we always looked forward to. It was a great feeling to be a part of."
Despite graduating seven seniors, the 'Hawks are not without promising potential. Camper was chosen as CCHA Rookie of the Month three times this year and was a unanimous pick for the All-Rookie Team, leading the CCHA rookies with 1.20 points-per game. Junior forward Alec Martinez was honored by the CCHA as the league's best defenseman, tallying 17 points in the regular season.
"We learned a lot from the cohesive classes before us," Davis said. "We tried to be a good model for the younger guys and we know they will take this team in the right direction."
While the younger RedHawks look to carry on the legacy their mentors left behind, there is no doubt they are sad to see them go.
"The biggest thing I'll miss is being bigger then Nino," Camper said. "It's a good thing we brought Andy Miele in because I didn't want to be the smallest kid on the team. I'll miss Mitch Ganzak's annoying laugh at the back of the bus. I'll miss talking about the glory days back home in Rocky River, Ohio with Nate."
The seven senior's faces will be missed around Oxford and their jerseys will be missed on the ice. As the RedHawks send them on their way, they prepare to continue their success in the coming year.
"I know that we'll be back next year, hopefully accomplishing a national championship," Camper said. "The seniors definitely raised the bar for us all to follow, but the group of guys we have next year will continue the winning ways at Miami."
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