Men's Hockey: Overhauled Pipers have high expectations

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The Hamline men's hockey team is currently preparing for what should be a landmark year in a season accompanied with high expectations from both fans and players. Hamline's offseason was filled with a multitude of changes; including the introduction of new Head Coach Scott Steffen (‘97), a former Hamline hockey player. Steffen was formerly employed as the head strength and conditioning coach at Hill-Murray High School, and his focus on conditioning has transferred into his coaching philosophy. "We play a very fast game," Steffen said. "We push the pace and I promote flow and creativity." Leading this fast-paced offense will be the team's four seniors, a group that will not be satisfied with anything less than a national championship, a title they fell short of claiming last season. This group includes forwards Brian Arrigoni and Jordan VanGilder, defenseman Tim Olson, and goaltender Beau Christian, a small collection of veterans on a young team without a ton of experience. "This year is different than any other year," VanGilder said. "This year we only have six upperclassmen total." Steffen emphasized the fact that the team needs leadership from their senior players, and that they have already begun to show examples of that in practice. "When you have an All-American goal scorer willing to lay down in front of the goal, the tempo and energy immediately increases in practice," Steffen said in regards to the play of VanGilder. "These guys really want to win a national title." One thing the players have had to adjust to with a new coach in place is playing in a new system, <a href="http://www.4mykey.com/specials.html"><strong>doudoune moncler </strong></a> a transition that has been smoother than one might expect. Steffen wants to implement a puck possession system, which focuses on not only possessing the puck more than your opponent, but also eliminating the opponent's offense by simply not allowing them to have the puck. Steffen said that the system he is trying to install is quite similar to that employed by the NHL's Detroit Red Wings. "We have the skills to play that kind of game," Olson said. "We're all on the same page with that." VanGilder agreed, and added that in this system the forwards are allowed the freedom to be creative with the puck. Steffen has some high expectations for his first forward line, which will consist of VanGilder, Arrigoni and sophomore center Cory Belisle, players who are some of the most explosive on the team according to Steffen. "That line will definitely be a <a href="http://www.4mykey.com/products_new.html"><strong>moncler it</strong></a> force in college hockey," he said. Something Steffen has been impressed with early on is the overall shape the team is currently in, and he attributes this positive to Hamline Strength and Conditioning Coach Chris Hartman. "I'm very happy with the conditioning," Steffen said. The players have also noticed Steffen's focus on conditioning in their first week of practice. "I think with Coach Steffen, he's big into skating," VanGilder said. Christian thinks that the early focus on the team's conditioning will have positive effects during games. "We will be the best-conditioned team on the ice," Christian said. The ability to be a strong skating team can also limit the ability for the opponent to capitalize on mistakes. "Mistakes at high speed have less of an effect than mistakes when you're slacking," VanGilder said. The team's skill and speed will be heavily relied on this season especially when they may be a little smaller physically than some other teams. "We're more of a small speedy skilled team," Christian said. The Pipers are the highest preseason ranked team in the MIAC, and many of last year's contenders are expected to play for the title, but Steffen made it clear that they will never overlook any team or game. "We don't overlook any team in college hockey," Steffen said. "You can't afford in a shorter season to drop any games." VanGilder agreed with the fact that the season is a short one, saying the season is too short to give up any points, and the reason is that even games against teams that dwell in the bottom of the standings cannot be taken <a href="http://www.4mykey.com/"><strong>moncler uk </strong></a> for granted. The Pipers are without key defensemen from last year's championship team after captains Jay Fifield and Chris Berenguer left the team. Berenguer continues to play professionally for the East Coast Hockey League's (ECHL) Trenton Devils, which is an affiliate of the New Jersey Devils. He has one goal in three games. The Pipers will be hosting these MIAC games at a new venue this season, as the team has transitioned from the older Warner Coliseum to the updated and more fan friendly Vadnais Heights Arena. "It's a beautiful two-rink complex," Steffen said. "It's one of the top venues in the league for sure." The Piper veterans agree. "It's nice to have a place that feels like home," Olson said. "It'll be a lot better atmosphere." The arena is about 15 minutes from campus, but the newer facilities and the ability for fans to be close to the ice should provide a great atmosphere for watching hockey. "It's a little bit smaller, but it'll definitely be loud," Christian said. The team's first game will be Oct. 29 at 4 p.m. against Bethel when they travel to Blaine and play in the MIAC Showcase at Fogerty Arena. — tluhman@hamlineoracle.com