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Princeton University Athletics
Question and Answer with New Coach Len Quesnelle
January 05, 2001 | Men's Ice Hockey
Jan. 5, 2001
Princeton, N.J. - How does a teenager from the Bramalea Blues junior team in Ontario find his way to Princeton in the mid-1980s?
At the age of 16, I was afforded an opportunity to play for the junior hockey club in my hometown of Bramalea. This was a big step in my development as a hockey player. After my first year of junior hockey I was at a crossroads regarding my future as an athlete. I was drafted by the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in the Ontario Hockey League [Major Junior A] and thus had to make a decision regarding Major Junior A hockey versus college hockey. In Canada, young hockey players naturally gravitate towards playing Major Junior A between the ages of 15 and 19. The only problem is that Major Junior A seemed to be one-dimensional in that it was all about hockey, and consequently it functioned as a business. It was soon after that point in time that I shifted my focus towards the college hockey route. Once I made the decision not to play Major Junior, it is almost as if everything fell into place. I was extremely fortunate to have some options regarding college, and in the end Princeton offered the best balance between academics and athletics. At the same time, there were two players from Bramalea already attending Princeton and playing for the hockey team - Cliff Albrecht '86 and Steve Biss '87. You have been a part of Princeton's hockey tradition, first as a player, then as an assistant and now as the head coach. What does it mean to you to be a part of the program's evolution?
It is a very special feeling knowing that you have been able to contribute towards something that is just as meaningful to other people as it is to you. In 1984 Princeton University provided me with an opportunity of a lifetime, and 16 years later I feel as though I have many invaluable experiences to draw from, which will only help me in my current position. I know where this program has been, and more specifically, I know where I want it to be. Having an understanding and appreciation for what it takes to get there are important ingredients in this process.
What are the most important attributes that you have taken from your academic, athletic and coaching experiences at Princeton?
Princeton University is all about excellence and the idea of setting its students and student-athletes up for success. One cannot help but notice how much emphasis is placed on creating an environment through the quality of teaching or the number of resources and facilities that promotes excellence and success throughout the campus. As a coach here at Princeton, I have come to appreciate how the process of creating such an environment helps raise the bar for our program and many other programs on campus.
Now that you have had a little time to settle into the head coaching position, what have been the biggest adjustments in your transition from assistant to head coach?
The biggest adjustment is that as head coach you concern yourself more with "the big picture" and find yourself looking at issues related to our team-such as system of play, personnel, training-from many different angles. In the end I know that every decision will be in the team's best interest. A secondary adjustment is managing my time in the office. It seems like there are not enough hours in the day to accomplish what you set out to do.
Certainly each coach brings his own personality to the position. What should players and fans expect from you?
I feel as though my approach in any endeavor of my life has included a work ethic, integrity and a level of commitment and degree of intensity and competitiveness. It is my very nature to go about my business with a sense of purpose whatever the task may be. I also realize that this is sport we are dealing with and sport is supposed to be fun. I enjoy the game of hockey as much as anyone throughout the world, and I want our players to enjoy each hockey-elated experience to its fullest while they are here.
Princeton hockey has been on the rise in recent years, what do you need to do to continue the program's progress?
I believe the best place to start is by looking at every phase of our program and then taking a positive day-by-day approach. This includes the way we practice, the way we prepare, how and whom we recruit, how we train and develop our players and how we conduct ourselves away from the rink. These are areas that we are in control of as a program and must pay close attention to on a daily basis.
You have recruited and coached some of the greatest players in Princeton history. What player qualities are the most important to you in the recruiting process?
First we must identify our needs athletically at each position. We concern ourselves with recruiting players that have an athletic dimension to their game, such as skill level, size and strength or speed and quickness. In the end I am most concerned about recruiting athletes who are high in character, are coachable and are willing to work to get better.
How do you ensure that you get the most out of each player and build a successful team?
To get the most out of each player you first must understand what motivates each player. Secondly, my goal is to give each player the opportunity to contribute every weekend. If we get each player to work towards being a good teammate and to trust their coaches and teammates, then we are one step closer to becoming a good team.
This year's team has a mixture of youth and experience. What will you do to capitalize on the experience and develop the youth?
In any given year, you try to put your players in a position to be successful and give them an opportunity to see how good they can be. Everyone wants to contribute toward the success of our team. In order to do that, however, players must accept their role within the team. The goal for this team is to be playing our best hockey at the end of the season. Coaches and players alike must demand this of each other. I believe our younger players will have the opportunity to learn from our more experienced players in this regard.
What makes coaching fun for you?
Working with a group of young athletes such as our players here at Princeton and helping them come together as a team. When you see how hard they work, how committed they are to this program and how they compete, that is inspiring to me. Giving them a chance to get to Lake Placid and the opportunity to play in big games throughout the season is the fun part of coaching. I can't think of a more rewarding experience.