How does a hockey team respond to the loss of its ace goalie, top scorer and emotional leader?
Tonight the men's hockey team opens the season against Harvard University in the first game of a new era for the program.
Last year Brown finished first in the Ivy League with a 13-7-2 record and third in the Eastern College Athletic Conference at 15-11-5. The team enjoyed national top-20 rankings for most of the season before losing bitterly to Harvard in the ECAC playoffs. This year, following the graduation of superstar goalie Yann Danis '04 (now in the Montreal Canadiens' minor league system) and an outstanding senior class, preseason polls have picked the Bears to finish eighth in the ECAC.
But Brown is preparing to compete at the top, with the same goals as last year's team.
"Our goal is to win an Ivy championship, to win the ECAC and to get to the national tournament," said Head Coach Roger Grillo.
After the graduation of one of the best classes the men's ice hockey program has seen, Grillo will be looking for leadership from forwards Mike Meech '05, captain Les Haggett '05, Chris Swon '05 and defenseman assistant captain Gerry Burke '05.
Several underclassmen will now be counted on to fill the void left by stalwarts like Brent Robinson '04, Scott Ford '04 and Vince Macri '04. Cory Caouette '06, Antonin Roux '07 and Sean Dersch '07 will each need to make big contributions.
For Brian Ihnacak '07, last year's freshman star and a key component of the team's offensive strategy, the season will bring with it a number of challenges, Grillo said.
"The second year is always tough. The sophomore slump can happen with more attention," Grillo said. "Once you've made a name like Brian has, the competition plays you tougher."
In July, Ihnacak was drafted by the NHL's Pittsburgh Penguins in the ninth round.
Another source of strength will come from the team's incoming class of freshmen skaters, which was rated as the fourth-best set of new recruits in college hockey by the NHL's Central Scouting.
"I'm excited about all of (the first-years). Any and all of them have a chance to play," Grillo said. "It's too early to say who'll fit in where, but they've all got the ability."
In addition to spots left by the seniors, another spot opened in August when returning defenseman Paul Crosty '05 suffered a major knee injury during summer play, ending his season before it began.
"Crosty being out for the season is a loss," Grillo said. "He's a tough, strong player and a leader." Crosty, who was to provide the physical force on the blueline, will take the year off to rehabilitate his knee and return for a final year of eligibility next season.
As a result, Brown's defensive corps will be younger but possibly more skilled. The hint of a new look on defense is part of a broader evolution of the Brown team.
"We'll still have our system of accountability - that keeps you strong on defense," Grillo said. He indicated that the system would not be different, but that "we'll adjust it depending on the personnel."
A key to that defensive personnel will be goalie Scott Rowan '05. Before coming to Brown, Rowan was an all-star for two years in the Alberta Junior A league. Rowan and Kevin Kliman '06 have spent their Brown careers as backups to Danis.
"Right now, Scott is the front-runner (for starting goalie), but Kevin will have a chance, too," Grillo said.
The competition both in the Ivy League and ECAC will be tough, as in years past. Harvard will arrive tonight with enormous talent and new Head Coach Ted Donato, a former U.S. Olympian and NHL alum. Brown will host the Crimson tonight at 7 p.m. at Meehan Auditorium.
Herald staff writer Matt Lieber GS covers men's ice hockey. He can be reached at herald@browndailyherald.com.
