Spring Break
'Hawks seek leader for ice hockey team
Mike Zoller
Issue date: 4/8/08 Section: Sports
While the Miami University ice hockey team still tries to get the awful taste of once again falling short in the NCAA Tournament out of its mouth, it's also time for the team to move on.
The last lines of the book Friday Night Lights read, "The season had ended, but another one had begun. People everywhere, young and old, were already dreaming of heroes." This coming after the Permian Panthers had just lost their chance at a state title-a title that was supposed to be theirs.
The RedHawks find themselves in a very similar predicament. We can sit around discussing how for the third straight year, the Boston College Eagles took us out of the tournament, or how in the world one of the top ranked defenses in the country allowed three goals in under two minutes. We could find fault with the team, or we could turn our attention to the 2008-09 season where just like in Odessa, Texas-the home of the Panthers-the stakes will be high months before the first game is even played.
When you find yourself a powerhouse like the 'Hawks-maybe not a dynasty yet-people expect you to win year in and year out. The Red and White had the most wins of any team in Division-I this year but will not make the trip to Denver. So take those 32 wins, throw them out and let's go back to the drawing board.
Miami seems to have a bright future ahead. With players like Andy Miele, Tommy Wingels and Carter Camper all just completing their freshmen year, the RedHawks will maintain their potent offense. Defensively the RedHawks will lose some big names, like Mitch Ganzak and Brad Robbins, but keep their best all-around defensive player in Alec Martinez.
However, the biggest hole that head coach Enrico Blasi will need to fill is the team leader. The heart and soul of the Miami RedHawks is gone.
Literally-he's left for the NHL already.
Two-year captain Ryan Jones will prove to be the biggest hole to fill. This isn't a bold prediction on my part; the guy led the nation in goals scored and is in the top three finalists for the Hobey Baker award.
The last lines of the book Friday Night Lights read, "The season had ended, but another one had begun. People everywhere, young and old, were already dreaming of heroes." This coming after the Permian Panthers had just lost their chance at a state title-a title that was supposed to be theirs.
The RedHawks find themselves in a very similar predicament. We can sit around discussing how for the third straight year, the Boston College Eagles took us out of the tournament, or how in the world one of the top ranked defenses in the country allowed three goals in under two minutes. We could find fault with the team, or we could turn our attention to the 2008-09 season where just like in Odessa, Texas-the home of the Panthers-the stakes will be high months before the first game is even played.
When you find yourself a powerhouse like the 'Hawks-maybe not a dynasty yet-people expect you to win year in and year out. The Red and White had the most wins of any team in Division-I this year but will not make the trip to Denver. So take those 32 wins, throw them out and let's go back to the drawing board.
Miami seems to have a bright future ahead. With players like Andy Miele, Tommy Wingels and Carter Camper all just completing their freshmen year, the RedHawks will maintain their potent offense. Defensively the RedHawks will lose some big names, like Mitch Ganzak and Brad Robbins, but keep their best all-around defensive player in Alec Martinez.
However, the biggest hole that head coach Enrico Blasi will need to fill is the team leader. The heart and soul of the Miami RedHawks is gone.
Literally-he's left for the NHL already.
Two-year captain Ryan Jones will prove to be the biggest hole to fill. This isn't a bold prediction on my part; the guy led the nation in goals scored and is in the top three finalists for the Hobey Baker award.
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