Do you foresee the Panthers in the finals again this year? What goals have you or the team made this season to make that possible?
We will be in the playoffs again this year, but we will be ready for it this time. The team has been working hard, and we will continue to do so. This year, the winner of our conference has the opportunity to play for a national championship; that’s our motivation.
What match-up are you looking forward to the most? Do the Panthers have any rivals?
I would say Westfield is one of our rivals; they ended our season last year, and we have not forgotten that.
Also, Salem and Fitchburgh are always great games. They finished last year above us but are always close games.
We face Fitchburgh at home on December 10 for our “Salute the Troops” night where we will be debuting our camo jerseys, which will be sold for charity after the game.
(The Panthers won their games against Westfield State [4-2] on November 15th and Salem State [3-2] on December 1st)
Who are some players we should be on the lookout for this season?
We have a great recruiting class as well as some key returners. Bottom line, it’s a team effort, but some new players that will catch your eye this year are forwards Mike Freitag, Larry Kincaid, Phil Arnone, and defenseman Phill Moore.
All the new players fit right into the team culture, making it easy to get back into the swing of the season. Returning this year is Alex Cottle with a new shoulder and is looking to make a greater impact than his previous seasons. Also, Richie “Dale” Zobak and Dave Walter are returning to on the blue line with the Jack Astedt between the pipes. Kyle Greco, Kyle Weiland, Matt Aponte, and Seth Phelan are staying savage and are ready to go.
Coach Craig Russell pretty much bleeds Panther Hockey, from his college days playing at Waterville and over the past 8 years working his way up the ranks to Head Coach. How has his knowledge of the game, especially in Plymouth, benefited his coaching?
Coach knows the game and has a ton a pride in this program. He has been a part of Panther hockey for years and has already taken it to the next level. I know he will continue to do so long after I graduate, and I look forward to seeing a successful program that I was a part of.
What are intermissions generally like in the locker room?
Intermissions are a great time to recover for the next period; we usually make our adjustments and refocus for the rest of the game. Our slogan this year is “embrace the struggle”. Our team has dealt with a few family tragedies over the past year as well as the difficulties of being a student athlete. It reminds us that we are all in it together.
You’re originally from Colorado, but played junior hockey for the Baystate Breakers which explains how you came to the east coast. But what made you decide to stay in New England and attend college at PSU?
While playing for the Breakers, I visited a few New England schools but nothing was appealing; then I visited Plymouth, and the decision was easy. The town and campus reminded me of home, and with the new arena being built, I knew it was were I wanted play.
What do you see yourself doing after college?
I would love the opportunity to continue to play hockey after college, but time will tell. Either way, I look forward to starting my professional career. I will end up coaching or helping teams wherever I end up, the game has given me a lot of opportunity so I look forward to passing that along.