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SPORTS

The Norwich Guidon
April 29, 2004

Hockey team prepares for roster changes as seniors graduate

By Kevin Schieve
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer

During the summer months of 2000, former Norwich hockey assistant coach and head recruiter Pat Norton brought in a group of ten freshman hockey players who would be the team nucleus for four years to follow.

Next fall, when the puck drops for the 2004-05 season, the Cadet hockey team will be without five of the eight leading scorers, two team captains, a two-time All American, and a vast array of character players.

Seniors Lou Dimasi, Phil Aucoin, Brad Powell, Aaron Lee, Chris Petracco, Bob Jaggard, Chris Fuss, Jon Grabie, Dominik Dawes, and Matt Schmidt will all be sorely missed next season.

"It's tough to replace the seniors we had, when you look at the skill, experience, and character that they all have. We knew that when be brought all those guys in four years ago that they would eventually leave, but life goes on, and we'll have to do our best this summer when we fill their spots," said Head Coach Mike McShane

Starting on the blue line, four athletic defensemen will be absent. Lou Dimasi, assistant captain and two-time winner of the All American award, logged huge amounts of ice time each and every game this season.

"Lou is obviously a great player; all you have to do is look at his awards and accomplishments he's had," McShane said.

Team captain Chris Fuss and Brad Powell also played regular shifts on defense and contributed greatly behind the scenes, motivating the team in the locker room.

"Those guys were unbelievable to play with on defense, not only on the ice, but, Fuss especially, being the captain, obviously was the guy who got us going vocally," said teammate Lou Dimasi, 22, a business major, from Burlington, VT.

Dominick Dawes is the fourth rear guard who will be departing. Always an offensive threat from the blue line, Dawes had a knack for sneaking in from the back and scoring big goals for the Cadets, including a game-winning goal in last year's NCAA championship winning run against the Trinity Bantams.

The Cadets have returning on defense Ryan Thompson, Scott Russell, and Brian Mullally. Red shirt players who transferred last year from Trinity College, Zach Wiegand and Pete Langella, will also suit up next season for the Cadets.

High hopes will be placed on junior defenseman Brian Mullally, a physical bruiser who plays more shifts during a game than any other player.

"I think we're going to be solid defensively with the returnees we have, as well as the Trinity guys. Mullally is one of the best D-men we have, and we expect a lot from him in the future," McShane said.

Up front, the Cadets will miss the offensive prowess of Phil Aucoin, Matt Schmidt, and Chris Petracco, who all tallied goals in the double digits and had 21 points or more. Aucoin and Schmidt played together on the same line for three years and were always dangerous in the attacking zone.

"Phil and Schmidty played extremely well together and always seemed to know what each other was going to do, but we've had some of our younger players on that line with them, and I think they learned a lot from those two guys," McShane said.

Bob Jaggard, Aaron Lee, and Jon Grabie round out the final group of graduating seniors, all of whom contributed as two-way gritty players.

As if the ten, four-year Cadets leaving weren't enough, Nick Cote, a transfer from Mass. College of Liberal Arts, and Andrew Senesi, a transfer from Assumption College, will also be absent next fall. Cote led all of division III hockey in scoring last year with Mass. College and recorded 25 points with Norwich this year (fifth on the team).

That makes 12 regulars in the lineup graduating this spring, and 12 spots to fill for McShane's Cadets.

"It's not going to be easy right away, but I have a lot of faith in the guys we have coming back, and our assistant coach, Steve Mattson, has always managed to find great players to come to Norwich, so it will take some time, but we'll be fine," McShane said.

One thing the Cadets can take comfort in is their goaltending, as all three goalies are returning next year. Junior Mike Boudreau, who played over half the games this year, will be looked upon to continue his constant play, and sophomore Jeff Knapp will be expected to compete for ice time.

"Our goaltending trio will be the same as last year; every one of them can play well, and all the players have confidence in them, so we're all set in the goal," said Cadet Goalie Coach Fred Coan.

Perhaps the brightest silver lining is the return of the Cadet number-one line of juniors, Kurtis Mclean, Mario Chinelli, and Paul Mattucci. This line has terrorized goaltenders for three seasons, scoring an incredible 130 points combined and features three-time All American, and last year's division III player of the year, Kurtis Mclean.

"We're very blessed to be having those guys return. They're obviously our best line and are out there for all the tough situations, and they're going to be our go-to players next year," said McShane.

All good things must come to an end, and though the ten original Cadets will be leaving next year, they all have good things to say about Norwich University and the hockey program.

"When we came here back in 2001, a lot of us didn't really know what to expect, but everything worked out for the best, and I think we all enjoyed our time, here, playing at Kreitzberg Arena, having such good fan support," said senior Aaron Lee, 23, a sports medicine major from Napanee, ONT.

"It goes by quicker than you think, but when we look back a few years down the road, every one of us who had the chance to play hockey at Norwich will realize that we were part of something special," said senior Chris Fuss, 25, a business major from Prince Albert, SASK.

Being part of a quality hockey program like the Cadets have can offer rewards in hockey after college, as well. Several Cadet seniors have the chance to continue their hockey careers at the professional level.

"There's a handful of us who have the opportunity to keep playing at the semi-professional level in North America and Europe, through people we've met or who coach McShane knows, so that's always an option we have," said senior Dominick Dawes, 24, a business major from Utica, NY.

Whether a career in the business world is in the cards or one in professional hockey, all the departing seniors will be putting their four years at Norwich to good use, as the opportunity to play hockey at Norwich has opened more than one door.

"We're lucky to be in the situation we're in, having played hockey at a high level and received an education, so it lets us have a couple of options," said senior Phil Aucoin, 22, a communications major from Chelmsford, Mass.

The Norwich Guidon is a twice-monthly student newspaper distributed at Norwich University. It provides laboratory experience for students in the Communications program. Claims asserted by letter writers, editorials and other articles do not represent the positions of Norwich University. The Norwich Guidon welcomes signed letters to the editor. They should be no longer than 300 words. Unsigned letters will not be printed, but names may be withheld upon worthy request. All letters are subject to editing for length and good taste. Mailing address: The Norwich Guidon, Communications Center, Norwich University, Northfield, VT 056632. www.norwich.edu/guidon. If you have any questions or comments about the paper, please contact Professor Ken Bush at kbush@norwich.edu.