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Princeton University Athletics
2001-02 Princeton Men's Hockey Prospectus
November 19, 2001 | Men's Ice Hockey
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Outlook:
Coach Len Quesnelle '88 enters the 2001-02 season with a year of head coaching experience under his belt, a coaching staff that is completely rebuilt from that of two years ago and a bevy of players that have logged a considerable amount of game experience in their careers.
The Tigers are coming off a season that had its share of ups, downs and injuries.
Princeton opened the season at 5-3-3 but took an eight-game losing streak into the January exam break. During the break the team clearly redefined its goals and came out of the layoff to beat St. Lawrence on the road to begin a 5-3-2 clip that closed out the regular season. That boost allowed Princeton to finish at the .500 mark during ECAC action and travel to Cornell for the first round of the conference playoffs. Although the Tigers dropped two one-goal games to the Big Red, their final regular-season push and the experience gained during that final stretch and playoff series laid the foundation for the 2001-02 season.
Princeton loses eight players from last season-six forwards and two defensemen. The biggest challenge for the Tigers is going to be in trying to compensate for the loss of captain Kirk Lamb (6-25-31) and assistant captains Chris Corrinet (13-12-25) and Shane Campbell (16-7-23). That trio represented three of the top-four scorers from 2000-01, a year in which Princeton ranked in the top half of the ECAC in scoring. Ethan Doyle (5-9-14) rounds out the departed forwards. Jason Dillow and Peter Zavodny, who missed 22 games with a separated shoulder, were the only senior blueliners last season.
Princeton's defense, which returns nine players from a year ago, is fully stocked and should lead the way this season.
The trademarks of Princeton hockey are the basis of Quesnelle's formula for success at Old Nassau. "We need to make sure that our players are holding each other accountable for their actions and that they take personal responsibility for their level of play," says Quesnelle. "If we focus on taking control of the things that we can control each day, such as our attitude, work ethic and preparation, then we are giving ourselves the best chance to be successful."
Forwards Returning - 10 Lost - 6 Newcomers - 3
Despite the losses up front, there are plenty of players ready and waiting in the wings for their chance to step in and fill the offensive gaps.
Brad Parsons (14g, 10a), one of three senior forwards and the team's leading returning scorer, will head the offense this season. An honorable mention All-Ivy League selection, Parsons is a pure scorer, who is skilled around the net as a finisher and is going to have a chance to showcase his abilities. In 2000-01 he led the team with seven power-play goals and three game-winners.
"Brad's offensive abilities are going to be given an opportunity to really come through," says Quesnelle. "He is going to be put in situations to show his abilities in every game." Several other returning Tigers will share the offensive burden with Parsons.
Seniors David Del Monte (3g, 6a), an ECAC all-academic selection each of the past two years, and Josh Roberts (2g, 8a) have played a combined 150 games in their Princeton careers, so they provide added experience on the front lines. Del Monte has the ability to create opportunities for himself and for those around him, while Roberts' physical presence is key around the net.
Junior George Parros (7g, 10a) rounds out Princeton's top-four returning forwards. A 1999 draft pick of the Los Angeles Kings, Parros has good hands and great vision. Like Del Monte, he was named to the ECAC all-academic team.
Sophomore Chris Owen (1g, 7a) is coming off a solid rookie season and should be an important contributor to Princeton's offense this year. Classmates Sharam Fouladgar-Mercer (1g, 1a) and Dan Hursh (1g) saw considerable action and are expected to continue to improve.
Junior Scott Prime (3g, 2a), another member of the ECAC all-academic team, saw increased ice time last season and scored some huge goals for the Tigers, including the game-winner at St. Lawrence, and will be looked to for more offensive production.
"We have players up front who bring various talents and abilities to the table," says Quesnelle. "We need to mesh together those dimensions and establish a sense of chemistry on each line. Ultimately that will help create offensive opportunities."
Newcomers James Fitzpatrick (Stratford Cullitons), Mike Patton (Cedar Rapids) and Neil Stevenson-Moore (Burnaby Bulldogs) will look to help offset the offensive losses.
Defense Returning - 7 Lost - 3 Newcomers - 2
Senior David Schneider, who will wear the "C" on his sweater this season, is the leader of a talented veteran defensive corps. Schneider (8g, 7a), an honorable mention All-Ivy League selection, has the best offensive skills of any returning defensemen and led the Tiger blueliners in scoring last year. "He is going to be a player who our team will look to for great leadership. He is a great example of what every player in our program should be working towards," says Quesnelle. "He was used in every situation we found ourselves in during the year."
Senior Dave Bennett also brings a wealth of experience to the defense. An aggressive player with puck-handling skills, Bennett dished out seven assists last season and will be key in helping Schneider anchor this year's unit.
Juniors Neil McCann (2g, 9a) and Trevor Beaney (0a, 2a) each had solid season for the Tigers. McCann, an ECAC all-academic team honoree, is an offensive defenseman who has solid all-around skills and tremendous poise with the puck. Beaney has size, good hands and solid vision, which are valuable assets for Princeton's defense.
Sophomores Steve Slaton (2g, 8a) and Matt Maglione (4g, 5a) had outstanding freshmen campaigns. Slaton, who possesses good hands and quickness, contributed to the defense right away and led all freshmen in scoring. Maglione, a strong skater with a hard slap shot, was selected by the Washington Capitals in the eighth round (249th pick) of the 2001 NHL Entry Draft. Maglione also won the team's Hobey Baker Trophy as the top freshman.
Newcomers Jesse Masear and Luc Paquin come from the Flin Flon Bombers of the Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League and both have the potential to be instant contributors to the defensive corps this season.
Goal Returning - 2 Lost - 0 Newcomers - 1
With the return of flamboyant three-year starter Dave Stathos and junior Nate Nomeland, combined with the addition of freshman Trevor Clay, the Tigers will have tremendous depth in goal this year.
An aggressive netminder who brings a tremendous amount of experience between the pipes into his senior year, Stathos is coming off of a season in which he, like the Tigers, faced a lot of adversity. He could be as good as any goaltender that Princeton has had, and his numbers speak for themselves. Stathos finished with a .901 save percentage and a 3.06 goals-against average in 2000-01. In 1999-2000 he posted a .912 save percentage, which is the highest single-season mark in Tigers history. His presence in the crease will provide the foundation for Princeton's defense.
Nomeland saw increased time in goal last season and performed beyond expectation. He was named the ECAC/Heaton Goaltender of the Week after recording his first career shutout with a 40-save effort against Dartmouth. The highlight of the season was a 60-save performance against North Dakota in the Bank One Badger Showdown. That tied him for second on Princeton's all-time list with Edward M. Swift '74 for saves in a game. Nomeland also set the tournament record for saves in a game, saves in a period (27), and saves in the tournament (79). He finished the season with a .905 save percentage and a 3.57 goals-against average.
Clay comes from the Trail Smokeaters and rounds out Princeton's netminding trio.