Oct. 7, 2008

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Coach Blasi Meets with the Media

Captain Brian Kaufman Meets with the Media

Junior Forward Jarod Palmer Meets with the Media

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OXFORD, Ohio - Miami will open the season against its rivalry partner in the CCHA, Ohio State, in Columbus on Friday Oct. 10. The following night the RedHawks open their home schedule against the Buckeyes in Steve Cady Arena. Saturday's start is at 7:05 p.m. and will be televised live on the Ohio News Network (ONN).
 
"CHECKING" THE BUCKEYES
The Buckeyes are a young team packed with talent as they feature 22 underclassmen (13 sophomores and nine freshmen). Zach Pelletier is the captain of this youthful Scarlet and Gary squad after sitting out last season with injury.  The co-captain is Peter Boyd, Ohio State's top-returning scorer. Boyd is also a clutch player as he finished with four game-winning goals a season ago and five game-winning points. Miami has won six-consecutive games against Ohio State and has not lost to the Buckeyes since Dec. 30, 2006. The RedHawks have only lost once in the last 11 meetings between the two schools. During this run, Miami has taken the all-time lead in the series for the first time and now leads 56-55-10. In the 2007-08 season, Miami outscored Ohio State 20-8 in games between the conference foes.

SENIORS LOOKING TO STAY PERFECT
The RedHawk senior class of Brian Kaufman, Bill Loupee, Kevin Roeder, Michael Findorff, Alexandre Lacombe, Justin Mercier and Ray Eichenlaub has never lost a home game to Ohio State. The senior class also holds an overall record of 10-2-3 against the Buckeyes.

BUCKEYE BUSTERS
In 10 career games against the Scarlet and Gray, Jarod Palmer has scored five goals and passed out three assists. Carter Camper has four assists in three career games against Ohio State. In only two career games against the Buckeyes, Andy Miele has one goal and three assists.

RECAPING THE EXHIBITION
The roar in Steve Cady Arena as Alexandre Lacombe scored the game-winning goal against Ryerson made the game feel almost like regular season. Miami defeated Ryerson on Oct. 4, 4-3, in a thrilling back-and-forth game that ended with a goal by Lacombe with five seconds remaining on the clock.

"We had some guys who made plays, some guys who played hard and some guys who just aren't in sync yet," Miami head coach Enrico Blasi said. "We have a lot of work to do and now we know what we need to do. Come Monday, we will get it started."

Miami fell behind early when Stewart D'Eall scored back door on Cody Reichard at the 16:41 mark of the first period. Miami tied the game at 7:10 of the first when Kevin Roeder pounded in a Justin Mercier rebound. The RedHawks took their first lead at the 14:32 mark of the first period as Pat Cannone slammed home a goal off a dish from Gary Steffes.

Richard started the game in net for the Red and White, but the RedHawks rotated in fellow freshman Connor Knapp half way through the second period.

"I thought Conner (Knapp) played well in net and Cody (Reichard) made some big saves," Blasi said. "We are going to do a lot of battling this week to make sure we are ready to go."

The second period was hard fought and the Rams tied the game with a goal by Cory Konecny off of an assist from Michael Paolo. Halfway through the second period, Louie George replaced Pierre Beaulieu in goal for Ryerson. The Rams and the RedHawks switched goalies at the same time.

Miami came out strong to start the third as Chris Wideman gave the Red and White the lead with an unassisted goal 1:13 into the period. Ryerson would not go away, and, at the 15:25 mark of the third, Rob Toomey evened the score, 3-3, off a pass from Brent Small.

The third period was very physical with both teams collecting a number of penalties. With 1:04 remaining in the third period, Michael Paolo was called for hooking to give the RedHawks a power play and coach Blasi called for a timeout. After launching a pressing attack; it was the senior from Canada that sent the Rams back to Toronto with a loss.

SPECIAL COMPANY
Enrico Blasi was named the Sports Executive of the Year by the Cincinnati Sports Professional Network (CSPN). He was honored for guiding the RedHawks to a 33-win season and getting them into the NCAA Tournament for the third-consecutive season and four times in the past five years. The inaugural CSPN award in 2007 was shared by Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis and Cincinnati Reds general manager Wayne Krivsky.

THEY JUST KEEP ON WINNING
Over the past three seasons, no hockey program has won more hockey games than the Miami RedHawks, who have 83 wins since 2005-06. In this time period, the RedHawks have won 71.1-percent of their games, which is also an NCAA best. During the same stretch, no other school in the NCAA has over a 68-percent winning percentage. 

CLOSING IN ON 200 WINS
With a 33-win season in 2007-08, head coach Enrico Blasi has drawn closer to the 200-win mark. Blasi has 187 wins in his nine seasons at Miami, including one regular-season CCHA title. Blasi has the most wins by a head coach in school history as well as the highest winning percentage. 

STILL GROWING AT 30
Miami ice hockey is 30-years old and the program continues to grow and might just be reaching its prime. The RedHawks have moved into a new building (Steve Cady Arena in the Goggin Ice Center). They are coming off a 33-win season, in which they spent 10 weeks ranked as the nation's No. 1 team. Also, over the past three seasons, no team in NCAA Division I hockey has won more games, or has a higher winning percentage.

HOME AGAIN IN THE CCHA
Former Western Michigan captain Brent Brekke, who was the CCHA's Best Defensive Defenseman in 1993-94, joins the RedHawk coaching staff after spending nine seasons with Cornell of the ECAC. Miami's other assistant coach, ninth-year assistant coach Chris Bergerson, was tabbed the league's Best Defensive Forward in 1992-93 as a member of the Miami program.

SEASON PREVIEW
FORWARDS
Returning (13): Dane Hetland, Andy Miele, Tommy Wingels, Alexandre Lacombe, Carter Camper, Gary Steffes, Brian Kaufman, Justin Mercier, Jarod Palmer, Pat Cannone, Justin Vaive, Brandon Smith and Bill Loupee
Lost (3): Nathan Davis, Nino Musitelli and Ryan Jones
Newcomers (2): Alan Hirschfeld and Trent Vogelhuber

Most teams would be happy to return 11 forwards, including one of the top scoring lines in the country in Carter Camper, Jarod Palmer and Justin Mercier. However, the RedHawks have suffered a big loss with the departures of Ryan Jones, Nathan Davis and Nino Musitelli. All three are now playing professionally and were members of the 100-point club. This season, the torch will be passed to young players like Camper, who, with 43 points in 33 games, will look to become one of the fastest Miami players to reach the 50-point mark. Mercier tries to break the 100-point barrier this season as he enters the campaign with 75 career points. Captain Brian Kaufman also has a shot at the 100-point mark if he puts together another season like he did in 2007-08.

"We feel as if our entire senior class could be wearing an `A' on their sweater," Miami head coach Enrico Blasi said. "They are all great leaders. Each one of them has done an amazing job helping to expand the culture of `Brotherhood' here at Miami."

Young players like Trent Vogelhuber and Alden Hirschfeld will be looking to fill rolls along side of veteran leaders like Palmer, Kaufman and Pat Cannone.    

"Trent is a very good player who has suffered some tough injuries, including this past season," Blasi said.  "He is a total package as a player. Trent can create offense while being accountable defensively. Trent also has a great shot."

DEFENSEMEN
Returning (4): Raymond Eichenlaub, Michael Findorff, Vincent LoVerde and Kevin Roeder
Lost (4): Charley Fetzer, Mitch Ganzak, Alec Martinez and Brad Robbins
Newcomers (4): Cameron Schilling, Matt Tomassoni, Will Weber and Chris Wideman

The defensemen will be a young group but with a skilled leader in third-year assistant captain Kevin Roeder. Roeder led the team in 2007-08 with a +27 mark and has a wealth of experience, having played in 113 games in the Red and White. Youth will be a big theme for the defensemen in 2008-09 as there are five underclassmen, including four freshmen. Will Weber, Cameron Schilling, Matt Tomassoni and Chris Wideman will be charged with replacing three seniors and Alec Martinez, who was the CCHA Defensive Defenseman of the Year in 2007-08. Weber and Schilling add size to the RedHawk lineup.

"Matt can skate, has a great shot and really battles hard. Matt is warrior who can hit, defend well, and create offense five-on-five or on the power play," Blasi said.  "Will is a very big defenseman who can really skate and create offense. Will also plays very physical and defends well. He has all the tools to be great at our level and beyond."

Raymond Eichenlaub, who just like Roeder, is a 113-game veteran for the RedHawks, will be looked upon as a leader in 2008-09. Fellow senior Michael Findorff will see increased playing time and looks to be a physical force at 6-6 and 232 pounds.   

GOALIES
Returning (1): Jon Whitacre
Lost (2): Charlie Effinger, Jeff Zatkoff
Newcomers (2): Connor Knapp and Cody Reichard

The RedHawks' goalies in 2008-09 will have some big shoes to fill as they have to replace one of the best tandems in Miami history. Jeff Zatkoff set many RedHawk records during his career and left early after signing with the Los Angeles Kings. Charlie Effinger, who was excellent in relief for the RedHawks, graduated. This leaves Jon Whitacre as the only returning net minder for Miami. The Red and White do add two excellent freshmen goalies in Connor Knapp and Cody Reichard. Knapp, who was named best goalie in the Empire Junior Hockey League in 2007, went 5-0 in the Junior Bruins playoff run to the league title in 2007. Knapp also will be one of the biggest players on the ice for the RedHawks as he comes to Oxford at 6-5, 215 pounds. Cody Reichard led the North American Hockey League (NAHL) in wins with 33 and shutouts with seven. Reichard posted a 2.05 goals-against average and a .935 save percentage for the season, which earned the Celina, Ohio, native Most Valuable Player (MVP) honors and the Goaltender of the Year Award in the NAHL.

FOLLOW THE `HAWKS
The RedHawks will have 21 games on television this season, including their entire home schedule, 14 games are on the Ohio News Network (ONN), four games are on CBS College Sports, two games are on Comcast and one game is one is on the Fox Sports Network (FSN).  Radio coverage at all of the RedHawks games will be broadcast on the Miami ISP Sports Network and will be called by Greg Waddell.

IN THE RANKINGS
Miami starts the season ranked at No. 8 for the second time in three years. Miami opened the 06-07 season ranked eighth and the 07-08 season ranked No. 4. Miami now has been ranked among the top eight in the country for 25-consecutive weeks, including No. 1 for 10 of those weeks. Miami comes off a record-breaking season in which it set a school high-water mark for wins with 33. Over the past three seasons, Miami has posted more wins and a better winning percentage than any other team in the country.

Defending national champion, Boston College opens the season as the No. 1 ranked team, receiving 27-of-34 first-place votes. This is the fifth time BC opens the season with the No. 1 ranking. Miami is not the only CCHA team among the top eight with Michigan coming in at No. 2 and 2008 NCAA runner-up Notre Dame coming in at No. 3

LET'S SHOOT IT OUT
The Central Collegiate Hockey Association announced this offseason that an NHL style three-player shootout will be used in the 2008-09 season to determine a winner for all of the 168 regular-season conference games that are tied after 60 minutes of regulation play and five minutes of overtime.

The CCHA has also approved the following point system for regular-season play; Two (2) points for a win in regulation or overtime, one (1) point for each school if the game is tied at the conclusion of the five-minute overtime period and one (1) point is awarded to the team who wins the shootout.

A total of 90 regular-season games have ended in ties over the past three CCHA seasons; 31 in 2007-08, 26 in 2006-07 and 33 in 2005-06. Another 29 games have been decided in overtime during the same time frame; 12 last season, 10 in 2006-07 and seven in 2005-06.

Shootout Rules
1. It is recommended that the ice surface be dry scraped in the middle of the ice through both creases.
2. At the end of the five-minute overtime period, the head official will instruct the timekeeper to put two minutes on the clock and immediately start the clock.
3. The other two officials will request a list of three shooters from each coach.
4. The head official will meet at center ice with the captains to explain the protocol during the two-minute period.
5. The goalkeepers remain in the same ends as the overtime period.
6. The home team has the option of shooting first or defending first. If Team A's first two players score, while none of Team B's players score, the shootout is over and Team A wins the shootout.
7. If the shootout remains tied at the end of three rounds, each coach will select a different shooter, this time in a sudden death situation. The first three shooters are ineligible until all other bench players have attempted a shot, if necessary. Each team has an equal number of chances to shoot before a winner is declared.

Notes
• Players serving penalty time shall not be eligible for the shootout.
• If a shooter is injured in the shootout, the player may be replaced in subsequent rounds by a player off the bench.
• If a goalkeeper is injured in the shootout, the goalkeeper may be immediately replaced by a goalkeeper off the bench. The injured goalkeeper may not re-enter the shootout.
• All players not actively participating in the shootout must remain on their bench. • Goalkeepers may be substituted, but no warm-up time will be allowed.

A LOOK BACK AT 2007-08
In the 30th season of ice hockey as a varsity sport at Miami, the RedHawks had their best season to date. Miami won a school-record 33 games, finished second in the CCHA and made the regional championships in the NCAA tournament. The RedHawks were dominating on the ice, leading the NCAA in scoring offense, scoring defense and the penalty kill. After the season ended six members of the team left to pursue NHL careers. (Jeff Zatkoff, Ryan Jones Nathan Davis, Alec Martinez, Charlie Effinger and Mitch Ganzak).
Ryan Jones had an electrifying year, leading the team in points (49) and goals (31). Jones and teammate Justin Mercier tied with Chad Kolarik of Michigan as the nation's leaders in game-winning goals (7). Jones finished third in the nation in goals with 31 and was one of three finalists for the Hobey Baker award.

Jeff Zatkoff led the nation in goals-against-average en route to a school record in the category with a final GAA of 1.72. He also led the nation and set a school record in save percentage with .933. Zatkoff finished second in the nation in winning percentage (.764) after a year in which he posted a record of 27-8-1.

Alec Martinez was named the CCHA Best Defensive Defensemen but still posted solid offensive numbers with nine goals and 23 assists. In his first season in the Red and White, Carter Camper played in 33 games and finished second on the team in points with 41. Camper led all NCAA freshmen in points-per-game with 1.24.

CAPTAIN KAUFMAN
Brian Kaufman will captain the RedHawks during the 2008-09 campaign and will be assisted by Kevin Roeder. It is the first time the RedHawks will have just one captain and one assistant since 2004-05, when Andy Greene wore the `C' and Chris Busby the `A'.

Kaufman played in all 42 games a year ago for the RedHawks, posting 12 goals and 25 assists. For his career, Kaufman has 20 goals and 42 assists in only 84 games. The 6-foot-4 forward will lead the Red and White, which is coming off their best season in school history recording 33 wins, an NCAA regional semifinal appearance and No. 1 ranking for 10 weeks. Following the 2006-07 season, Kaufman was named the Steve Cady Most Improved Player. Kaufman will also be the leader of a young team in 2008-09 with 14 underclassmen including eight freshmen.

"We feel very good to have Brian Kaufman as our captain," Miami head coach Enrio Blasi said. "He has been an assistant for us in the past and has learned from some great captains like Andy Greene and Ryan Jones."

Roeder enters his third season as an assistant to the captain. Roeder is one of the most experienced RedHawks having played in 113 games in his career, recording three goals and 27 assists. The 5-foot-9 defensemen also boasted a +27 ranking in 2007-08 and a +25 ranking in conference play. Both were top marks among non-goalies on the RedHawks.

ROAD WARRIORS
The RedHawks open their home schedule Oct. 11 against Ohio State, but Miami will not be back to the friendly confines of Steve Cady Arena until the end of the month. After its home opener, Miami first heads to Burlington, Vt., to take on the Catamounts and then to Notre Dame, Ind., to face the 2007-08 national runners-up, No. 3 Notre Dame. Miami returns to Oxford just in time for Halloween, Oct. 31, when the RedHawks welcome the Nanooks from Alaska.

WELCOME BACK
Despite losing two All-America forwards in Nate Davis and Ryan Jones the RedHawks still return more than 68-percent of their goal production from the forwards. Justin Mercier, who finished second on the team in goals with 25, returns to the lineup along with Carter Camper and Tommy Wingels, who were tied for third on the team in goals. Despite losing their top assist man, Mitch Ganzak, the RedHawks still return more than 65-percent of the their assists from a season ago. Carter Camper returns after posting 26 assists, captain Brian Kaufman and Jarod Palmer each return after posting 25 helpers last season. 

GOING CAMPING
Carter Camper enters the season on a seven-game point streak. He also has registered a point in 17 of his last 18 games. The RedHawks also have a Camper-related streak going, as the team is 9-0-0 when the Rocky River, Ohio, native has a multi-point game. Camper has a chance to become one of the fastest RedHawks to reach 50 points as he has 41 points in 33 career games.

JACKETS IN OXFORD
Freshmen Trent Vogelhuber and Will Weber are both draft choices of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Weber was chosen in the second-round of the 2007 NHL draft by the Jacket. Vogelhuber, a native of Dublin, Ohio, was taken in the same draft, in the seventh-round and called being drafted by his favorite team "a dream come true." Weber and Vogelhuber join three other RedHawks, who have been picked in the NHL draft. Justin Mercier was picked by the Colorado Avalanche in 2005. Justin Vaive was drafted by the Anaheim Ducks in 2007 and just this past offseason Tommy Wingels was picked by the San Jose Sharks.   

FRESH FACES
The RedHawk locker room features eight new faces this season. Will Weber comes to Oxford from Gaylord, Mich. Cameron Schilling is a native of Carmel, Ind. Chris Wideman is a defensemen from St. Louis, Mo., and is the latest in a long line of players from the Cedar Rapids junior league team. Trent Vogelhuber is a Dublin, Ohio, native and was a seventh-round pick of the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2007. Matt Tomassoni is from Carol Stream, Ill., and played with Wideman in Cedar Rapids. Alden Hirschfeld is the second Ohio newcomer as he hails from Sylvania, Ohio. Cody Reichard is the third and final Ohio newcomer as he is from Celina, Ohio, and at 165 pounds is the lightest RedHawk. Connor Knapp is a 6-foot-5 newcomer from York, New York.  

NEXT UP
Miami hits the road to take on Vermont in Burlington, Vt., Oct. 17-18.

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