University of Massachusets Athletics
Freshmen Duo Aids UMass Surge
January 21, 2003 | Hockey
Jan. 21, 2003
Stephen Werner and Matt Anderson are both in awe.
They, like many around the region, are amazed at how good the University of Massachusetts hockey team has become so quickly.
Oh, they knew it would happen sooner or later, but they thought they were a year or two away from really making noise in Hockey East. Not many, including Werner and Anderson, thought it would take place so quickly.
"At first, we didn't know how good we would be as a team," said Anderson. "But after the Boston University weekend (Dec. 6-7), we gained a lot of confidence and really came together as a team. It was just a big weekend for us mentally and really showed us that we could play with the top teams in Hockey East."
"I'm pretty surprised with the success," said Werner. "We knew we would be good, but didn't know that it would be so soon."
Werner was the more glamorous of the two coming to UMass. He played for the prestigious United States National Team Development Program, the first such player in UMass history to play for that squad. The Minutemen and Notre Dame were his final two choices, but Ohio State, Boston University, Boston College and Michigan State also showed interest, before Werner decided on Coach Cahoon and UMass.
"I didn't feel a need to go to a BU or a BC, like a lot of players on the U.S. (NTDP) team," said Werner. "Coach Cahoon really sold me on the 'becoming a pioneer,' and starting something here. I visited and knew right away UMass was where I wanted to go."
He didn't disappoint on the U.S. team, scoring 36 points in 2002 to finish sixth on the squad in scoring. Werner was part of the squad that won the gold medal at the 2002 Under-18 World Championships. Werner enjoyed being part of that team and representing his country on the ice.
"It was an amazing experience," said Werner. "I played there for two years and it is something I wouldn't trade anything for. I struggled at first being away from home, but I got over that and really improved my game with the program. Winning the World Championships was definitely the highlight of my career."
Anderson, meanwhile, opted to go the juniors route and played for the highly-successful New England Jr. Coyotes. Anderson appeared in 51 games, scoring 72 points (26 g, 46 a) for the Coyotes, and chose the Minutemen over Hockey East rivals Providence and Northeastern. New England Jr. Coyotes' coach Gary Dineen said Anderson's passing made him a special player.
"Matt is a terrific playmaker. He just makes so many good decisions on the ice and seems to know where everyone is," said Dineen.
"I have always considered myself a good passer. That has always been my game," said Anderson.
Although both appear to have made the adjustment to the college game quickly, both struggled early with different aspects of the collegiate scene.
"It is a much quicker pace and it took a little while to get used to," said Anderson. "But the older players like Tim Turner and Mike Warner have really helped me develop my game to where I am now. I have gotten in much better shape over the past year, and so far everything about my experience here has been great."
"What I noticed was the intensity, especially in Hockey East play," commented Werner. "You have to skate with intensity every night, or else you'll get beat. Last year, I didn't really skate in any games that mattered, except in the World Championships. I wasn't used to that, and that took me a little bit of time to adjust."
The duo seems to have made their adjustments and are two of the main reasons that the Minutemen have played so well this year. Through 22 games, the pair has combined to score 45 points (17 g, 28 a), while playing in every game this year. Among freshmen, Werner (24 points) and Anderson (21 points) rank 1-2 in the Hockey East in scoring, respectively, and third and fifth nationally.
However, when the U.S. Junior National Team was announced in early December, both Anderson and Werner were left off the squad that placed fourth at the World Junior Championships over the past month in Nova Scotia.
"It wasn't a big deal to me," said Werner. "I got off to a slow start and started picking it up right when they picked the team. In the long run, it didn't matter much. I was happy to be with UMass then, travel to Florida and just continue to gel with my teammates."
Werner, who hails from the non-traditional hockey area of Chevy Chase, Md., said that he got involved with hockey at a young age.
"I remember my parents taking me skating at a young age, and falling in love with it," said Werner. "It just came really natural to me. I got interested in hockey, and have been playing ever since, anywhere I could. I can remember playing ball hockey in the house when I was young. I was playing wherever I could at any chance I could get."
The duo was paired on the same line (along with Greg Mauldin) for the first time in a 7-2 win over Dartmouth on Nov. 30. All that trio did against the Big Green was score 11 points (6 g, 5 a), and they haven't slowed down much since, combining for 48 points in only 11 games since being matched up.
"I love playing with Stephen and Greg," said Anderson. "We have very similar styles and we click so well on the ice. All of us know where each other are going to be before the play and know what to expect out of each other."
"We've gotten so used to each other," added Werner. "It is easily the best line I have ever been a part of. We all see the ice so well, and just have great chemistry. Playing with them makes everything come easier for me."
Although neither player has any individual goals, except to become a more complete player, both players have their eyes set on a bigger team prize.
"Obviously, we would love to get past the first round of the Hockey East playoffs," said Werner. "And then to make the NCAA's."
"Our team goals have changed over the year," added Anderson. "At first, it was just to make the playoffs, but now we are focusing on home-ice and then the NCAA's. We want to be the first UMass team to do that."
With Werner and Anderson contributing and the rest of the Minutemen continuing to do what they are doing, the above-mentioned goals are bound to happen.
Sooner or later.
