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University of Massachusets Athletics
In the Crease: The UMass Hockey Notebook
December 21, 2000 | Hockey
Dec. 21, 2000
The first recruiting class for Don "Toot" Cahoon and his staff has a lot of local flavor to it. Cahoon is already starting to follow through on his commitment to recruit the best hockey players in Massachusetts to join the flagship program of the Commonwealth. Cahoon, who grew up in Marblehead, recently announced that six players had signed national letters of intent to attend UMass in the fall signing period, and all are from Massachusetts. The Minutemen still expect to add a number of players in the spring signing period as well.
Cahoon said that he and his staff did not limit their recruiting efforts to Massachusetts, but it just turned out that all their players happened to be from the Commonwealth.
"We really wanted to get into the Massachusetts market," said Cahoon. "I don't think that we had any idea that we could go find six kids in the state that we were going to be sure were going to be here and help us move forward. But it just kind of snowballed. After a couple of kids made a conscientious decision to come this way, then some others said, `hey this sounds like it could be fun, this could be special,' and so one thing led to another."
What it led to was a deep and talented recruiting class that should bring some excitement to the hockey program. All six players come from established, winning programs, and should bring that type of winning mentality to the team.
"What makes the class good is that it helps us with some of our immediate needs: speed and puck skills," said Cahoon. "I like the fact that all these kids from programs that are really successful. The flavor of adding kids that are used to winning to your program is critical. The character of the kids is good, they have all done real well in school. They are kids that are committed to succeed.
"I think that the character of the group as a whole is exactly what we wanted. These are kids who are anxious to compete at this level. They are really sincere in their efforts. That's what we want, kids who are totally committed to see how good they can get and want to enjoy some success at the college level. I think their presence is going to be felt in short time."
Here is a quick description of the six players signed and a brief quote from coach Cahoon about each one:
Jeff Lang
D * 5-11 * 175
Westwood, Mass.
Tabor Academy
Lang is an extremely mobile, strong skating defenseman. He has real nice hockey skills and sees the ice well. Should help add some speed and poise to the defense. Lang is on the small side for a defenseman, but makes up for it with his skating and decision making.
"He's going to be a nice player. He's a transition type player, who can jump into the offense. I would call him neither offensive nor defensive, he's something in between. He's a good all-around hockey player, a good decision maker, a good competitor."
Greg Mauldin
F * 5-10 * 175
Holliston, Mass.
Junior Bruins (EJHL)
Mauldin is a quick, explosive skater. He is a very good player in all three zones. He's the type of player that does not mind taking a check to make a better play. Mauldin understands the importance of making plays in the defensive zone. His speed is going to help the offense. He also brings a highly dedicated attitude to the program.
"Out of all the players we watched, he was the one getting the most puck touches. He's on the puck constantly. He has real good skating skills and real competitive instincts."
Craig MacDonald
F * 5-11 * 190
Canton, Mass.
Noble & Greenough
MacDonald is a tough, gritty forward who likes to go into the corners and battle for loose pucks. He is a great passer who sees the ice well and can move the puck around. He has good hands, and has shown a scoring touch in the past.
"He's the type of player that you would use in power play situations. He's someone that will get people the puck on a very consistent basis. I think if physically he can get in great shape, he'll be a very good player at this level."
Peter Trovato
F * 6-0 * 200
North Attleboro, Mass.
Deerfield Academy
Trovato is a big, powerful skater who is in great physical condition. His father is a track coach and it shows in his conditioning and overall strength. He plays with a lot of passion and is not afraid to get down and block shots. Trovato is a grinding forward that wears you down.
"He is the consummate checking forward. He's strong on the forecheck and strong on the defensive side as well. He will really be good in the grind. He'll win all the battles."
Matt Walsh
F * 6-1 * 185
Arlington, Mass.
Northfield Mount Hermon
Walsh is a big, physical player who skates pretty well. He is a real competitive player with a great team attitude. Walsh is the type of player who you expect to see out there killing penalties. He plays hard and moves the puck well. He will bring a lot of hard working, physical play to the offense.
"He does everything pretty well. He's very unselfish with the puck, almost maybe to a fault. He's a good solid player with a good physical presence. He's going to be a nice complimentary player. We really like his competitiveness, and he's a real team type of player."
Tim Warner
G * 5-11 * 180
Waltham, Mass.
Avon Old Farms
Warner is a good skating goalie that plays with a lot of confidence in the net. His older brother, Mike, is a freshman forward for the Minutemen. Warner was named the MVP of the prestigious New England Prep School Tournament last season after backboning Avon Old Farms to the title. A highly recruited prospect that will make an immediate impact.
"I really like the way he skates the position. I expect very much that he'll challenge Mike [Johnson] for time in net next year. He'll be involved as a player. He was obviously a critical recruit for us because of the position he plays."
-THE MASS ATTACK-
Everyone knows that hockey players are tough. Through the first quarter of the this year's hockey season we are quickly learning that the coaching and support staff will give the players a run for their money.
Cahoon, assistant coach Mark Dennehy and equipment manager Pete Stoneham have all spilled their share of blood at games this season.
Dennehy was the first one to catch the injury bug when he was hit in the back of the head with a puck while standing on the bench near the end of the second period in a game at Nebraska-Omaha. Dennehy left the bench, headed to the UNO training room to close the wound, but returned in time to talk to the team before the start of the third period. Final tally: Four stitches.
Stoneham was the next in line when he was cut by a skate of a player hopping over the boards in the second period of the Rensselaer game. Stoneham was stitched up and back on the bench in the third period. Final tally: Six stitches.
Cahoon's incident did not happen on the bench, but instead occurred before the start of the first period at Gutterson Field House during the Vermont game. Cahoon was energizing the players as they left the locker room, he turned around to go through a set of double doors and walked right into the metal divider in between the two doors. As blood poured out of his right eye, Cahoon continued to yell encouragement to the team. Final tally: A wound that is still visible.
Assistant coaches Bill Gilligan and Darren Yopyk, along with trainer Bob Williams are keeping their heads on swivels making sure they are not the next to fall.
-THE MASS ATTACK-
The UMass hockey program will host a holiday post-game skate-around with the players on Tuesday, January 2nd following the 5:00 p.m. game against Brown. All fans are invited to bring their skates and join the Minutemen on the ice at the conclusion of the game. Rental skates will be available at the Mullins Center and are FREE for the first 200 fans or until supplies run out.