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Tigers no longer rebuilding When the 2007-08 Amherst varsity hockey team takes the ice this season, head coach Rich Crozier's expectations will be high. Crozier, son of former Buffalo Sabres coach, Joe Crozier, enters his fourth season behind the bench for the Tigers and expects improvements from the 4-19-2 overall and 1-15 league record from last year. "We've had this year circled on the calendar for a few years now," said Crozier. "With 12 seniors on this year's team, we expect that experience and maturity will be our biggest asset for a successful season." Crozier will look to his top forward line to lead this year's squad. Senior forward Mike Gruttaduria was selected captain and will lead the team on and off the ice. Gruttaduria is returning after a broken leg ended his junior season. "Mike looks better than ever," said Crozier. "He worked extremely hard to get physically ready for his senior season. We'll count on Mike, not only for the physical presence and continuous effort that our team has seen over the past three seasons, but Mike will be looked upon to score some big goals for us as well." Joining Gruttaduria on the top line are four-year players, seniors, Matt Allwes and Al McQuiggan. "We have had all three of these players for four years now," said Crozier. "It's exciting to see how they have developed into great hockey players. We'll need them to produce a lot of our offensive punch this season." McQuiggan was tied for the team lead in assists last year. "Al's a good playmaker with great speed," said Crozier. "He'll see a lot of time on the power play and penalty kill for us this season." Allwes was tied for second in points last year. "Matt is our most natural goal scorer," said Crozier. "He has good hands and a great shot. We'll need him to get some goals for us." Other forwards that the Tigers will be counting on include seniors Dan Hubbard, Steve Rubach, Phil Cultrara, Josh Larwood, Blake Napierala and junior Stephen Mugel, all returners from last year's team. "Our season depends on the contribution of these players," said Crozier. "I need players like Hubbard, Rubach and Cultrara to have good seasons. We've seen signs of what they can do last season but this year, I need consistent contributions game in and game out." The Tigers' forward lines are wrapped up by newcomers, sophomore Alex May, Dave Rubach, Kyle Dains and junior Sean Mullane. May, Rubach and Dains will play together in what may be the only all sophomore line in the Federation. "We are really excited from what we have seen so far," said Crozier. "They haven't missed a beat and at times have been our most consistent line. " On defense, the Tigers will count on returning senior AJ DiLorenzo and junior Kevin Denny. "AJ has worked hard on his game and has really improved," said Crozier. "His shot has to be one of the hardest in the league." Denny was the Tigers' most improved player last season as a sophomore. "Kevin is one of the top athletes on the team," said Crozier. "Kevin will be expected to lead the defensive core and help our newcomers." Newcomers on the backline include senior Max Georger, junior Alex Dennis, sophomore Chris Farmelo and freshman Mike Thompson. "There is some inexperience on the blue line, especially compared to our forwards, but we have no doubt that these boys can step in and contribute right away," said Crozier. They have already as Famelo was named to the all-tournament team for his efforts in the Tigers Early Bird Tournament last weekend. The goaltending responsibilities once again will be given to sophomore Sean Smith. Smith made an appearance in all 25 games as a freshman. "Not that we gave him much of one, but the learning curve is over for Sean," said Crozier. "He has a season under his belt and knows what to expect from this league. He has the ability and skill to steal some games for us this season and we're counting on him to keep us in games." Backing up Smith will be returning senior DJ Filer and senior newcomer Kevin Weber. "Overall, I like the make-up of our team," said Crozier. "Don't get me wrong. There still will be some games where the cards are stacked against us, but we'll surprise some teams this year. For the first time in awhile, we feel that we have 20 players that have the capability of winning hockey games. Quite simply, the rebuilding is over."
Amherst opened its Federation season 0-2 after falling to Lancaster, 8-0, and Clarence, 2-0. |
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