Q&A : Captain Dom Fensore

Q. As captain in a year of coaching staff transition, what are the leadership goals for you and your assistants?

A. I think for us, we want to set an example every day when we come into the rink. Working hard, competing, and being there for each other. That's a big thing that our leadership group wanted to implement this year and we feel that this team has what it takes to make that step.

Q. You’re coming off a breakout season, leading the team in scoring, second in the conference among defensemen for points and tied for first in assists. What factors powered all that success?

A. For me it was just being more comfortable. Another year older and more experience. I was given a great opportunity and I think in the off-season I really emphasized being a more shot threat player, which can open up lanes and more scoring opportunities. 

Q. What facets of your game are you looking to improve upon?  

A. Some things that I wanted to work on were my shot and my defensive game. Just having good gaps and good stick positioning can go a long way, so just watching a lot of film to see the things I can improve on is a big thing for me. Also, just continuing to get bigger and stronger in the weight room was another thing for me.

Q. How has participating in Carolina Hurricane development camps contributed to the growth of your game?

A. It was an amazing experience. We got to talk to a lot of great people about a lot of things. We discussed the mental side of the sport and how to be well prepared. We also had a nutritional meeting and actually got to cook some food, which was pretty fun. Overall, it was a great experience in Raleigh!

Q. While last year’s point total was double your freshman year, penalty minutes shrank to just eight—pretty remarkable for a smaller defenseman frequently defending against bigger opponents. Care to explain?

A. I think just being in a good position defensively helps me a lot. Using my hockey sense to read the plays helps me in situations where I know the opponent is bigger than me. Also, I just try to use my skating as much as I can to my advantage defensively to have a good gap and try to play on angles as much as I can.

Q. Lane Hutson, another smaller, high-skilled defenseman, will be competing for a spot on BU’s blueline and the power play. What guidance can you offer him?

A. Yeah, Lane is a great player and I think for him, it's just letting the game come to him. I remember my freshman year I would sometimes try to do too much with the puck, so just being patient and making the simple play, but jumping up when you see open ice. He will be a big part of our team and can't wait to play with him.

Q. When coaching change was made, Drew Marrochello said he’d consulted with you and other upperclassmen. What did Coach Jay Pandolfo impart, especially in the second half of the season, that convinced you he was the right choice to head the program?

A. I think the commitment, dedication, and passion for the game was what opened our eyes. He has so much knowledge about the game and you can see guys gravitate to him whenever he is talking. Also, he is a winner and wants to win which is what you look for in a coach. I'm excited to be playing for him and I know the team is as well. We can’t wait till October 1.

Q. Last season, nearly a quarter of BU’s games went to overtime where there’s a 3 on 3 format—which seems to play to your strengths. What do you look to do differently in overtime?

A. I feel last year we would play hesitant sometimes in overtime, which isn’t a bad thing, I would say. But I feel we have a lot of great offensive players who can use their skill set to make a difference in that setting. So just being a little more aggressive with our chances, but at the same time we do want to keep the puck out of our net. Bearing down on our chances will be another key for us.

Q. Coach Pandolfo says he wants to BU a team that’s “hard to play against,” and one that going to “own the puck.” What does that mean to you and do you feel the team approached those goals during last season's 15-2-1 run from December through February?

A. Being hard to play against will be a big thing for us, we have a lot of determined players on our team, so not backing down and bringing energy will be key for our team. That leads into owning the puck and holding onto it a little more and using our size to protect the puck and take it to the net. We are going to have a competitive group this year, which ties into what Coach is talking about. For sure, I think our team showed glimpses of what it's going to look like in that stretch we had, but I think consistency is going to be huge for us once we get going again.

Q. Finally, we always ask, which returning player(s) do you expect to take a big step up and surprise Terrier fans this season?

A.I feel that we have a lot of guys who made strides last year and we will have a lot of guys with things to prove and make those big steps. Ethan Phillips will be a guy to look out for, he's a pretty exciting player to watch and he made some big strides last year. Another one is Luke Tuch. He is a great player  and I think he's going to have a big season for us. We have a great group of guys on this team and it's going to be an exciting season to watch. GO BU!!

 

 

New Sharks GM Mike Grier comments on his BU experience

 

 

By Neal E. Boudette

Mike Grier was named general manager of the San Jose Sharks, becoming the first Black GM in NHL history. He’s also one of several members of the 1995 national championship team who have gone on to have long careers in the NHL either on the ice or in front offices or both.

 

Chris Drury, a freshman on the ‘95 championship team, is currently the president in general manager of the New York Rangers. Jay Pandolfo, a classmate of Grier’s, was an assistant coach for the Bruins until taking over as a Terriers head coach recently.

 

John Hynes was head coach the New Jersey Devils and is now head coach of the Nashville predators. Geoff Kealty is the Predators’ director of player personnel and assistant GM. Chris Kelleher is the Wild’s Director of Pro Scouting. Chris O’Sullivan is a longtime Islanders scout.

 

In the press conference announcing his appointment, Grier was asked about the team that produced this crop of hockey minds. 

 

“It all starts with Coach Parker. He was the leader of those teams, he believed in the team first. [It was a ] Very unselfish group, but he pushed everyone to be the best version of themselves they could be. He believed in us, held us accountable and, I think, we all learned from that. We learned from the ups and downs, the wins and losses. And it’s just a culture he built there that was unbelievable.

 

“We won a national championship. We lost the year before in the finals, and we came back. No one complained. We had Chris Drury on the fourth line. Everyone knows the career he had. He was on the fourth line, never said a word. Jay Pandolfo was on the third line, a two-times Stanley Cup winner. Never said a word. No one ever complained about their ice time, or was looking for credit, or put the blame on anyone else.  That’s a testament to Coach Parker. It’s probably all those lessons and what we learned that’s why we all advanced in hockey.”

 

Grier is quite a story. His father, Bobby, was an NFL running back from Detroit and moved his family to the Boston area when he was named an assistant coach with the Patriots. Mike and his older brother Chris both started playing hockey at young ages, and Mike ended up focusing on hockey when he was over the weight limit for Pop Warner football. 

 

He played prep hockey at St. Sebastian‘s and came to BU as a walk on - he didn’t have a scholarship. He was also overweight and out of shape. But after a year of working with Mike Boyle, then BU’s strength and conditioning coach, he slimmed down, built muscle, and became a force on the ice.

 

In his sophomore year he scored 29 goals and had 26 assists for 55 points in 37 games, playing on the first line with Chris O’Sullivan and Steve Thornton. The Terriers swept the hardware that year. They beat BC to win the Beanpot, beat Providence in the Hockey East title game and then knocked off Lake Superior (6-2 in revenge for the previous year), Minnesota and hated Maine to win their fourth national championship.

 

Grier was drafted — in the 9th round in 1993 by the St. Louis Blues, 219th overall. And by his junior session with the Terriers, he was a serious prospect. 

 

He was slowed by a knee injury in his junior season but still managed 21-26-47, and then signed with the Oilers. 

 

He spent six seasons in Edmonton, one and part of a second with Washington, two with Buffalo, three with San Jose and two more with Buffalo. 

 

He built a reputation as a rugged third liner and sold penalty killer. Grier retired with 162 goals, 221 assists, and 383 points in 1,060 NHL games. 

Sean Pickett's BU Coaching Survey

Originally posted on USCHO's Fan Forum, the survey was made available to BU fans prior to the announcement that Coach O'Connell would not return.

Last week I created a survey asking if BU should keep Coach O'Connell or replace him. As BU has announced they are replacing him I have closed the survey. Before I closed it today (3/30) it had nearly 100 responses. Here are the results for the first six question:

1. Are you a Boston University alum?
Yes 74.1%
No 25.9%
2. Are you a season ticket holder?
Yes 55.3%
No 44.7%
3. Do you donate to the hockey program
Yes 50.6%
No 49.4%
4. Do you want BU to replace Head Coach Albie O'Connell?
Yes 89.4%
No 10.6%
5. If BU hires a new head coach should he be a former BU player?
Yes 11.8%
No 4.7%
Doesn't matter 83.5%
6. If BU hires a new head coach should be have head coaching experience?
Yes 57.6%
No 5.9%
Doesn't matter 36.5%

The majority of respondents were BU alumni, with a majority season ticket holders and evenly split between donors and non-donors. Of these an overwhelming majority wanted BU to replace Coach O'Connell. Likewise, just 11.8% wanted a new head coach to be a former BU player, while 4.7% didn't want a former BU player and the majority, 83.5% answered it didn't matter. When asked if a new head coach should have head coaching experience 57.6% said yes, just 5.9% said no and the remaining 36.5% said it didn't matter.

The final question was an essay question:

7. If you would like a new head coach who would you like BU to hire?

Seventy-three percent of the participants answered the question, some giving very serious and detailed replies, while others just gave a name or two or more. Here is everyone mentioned:

Jay Pandolfo	19
David Quinn	17
Shawn McEachern	5
Rand Pecknold	5
Greg Carvel	4
Eric Lang	4
best candidate	4
Tony Amonte	3
Joe Sacco	3
Albie O'Connell	3
Rick Bennett	3
don't know	3
Mike Sullivan	2
Michael Geary	2
Joe Pereira	1
John Hynes	1
Steve Greeley	1
Mike Cavanaugh	1
Norm Bazin	1
Myer*	1
Paul Pooley	1
Anthony Noreen	1
Brock Sheahan	1
Brendan Buckley	1
Mike Ayers	1

Despite the majority answering that it doesn't matter who BU hires, numerous former Terriers were mentioned, perhaps because of familiarity with them. The two most mentioned were former head coach David Quinn and current associate head coach Jay Pandolfo. Pandolfo has been seen by many as the heir apparent since he took the job last summer and those who mentioned him likely think BU's success this season was primarily due to him. I think those that mentioned Quinn are looking back and seeing how much better his five seasons were when compared to Coach O'Connell. I have stated my opinion here, but no matter who BU chooses I believe he needs to be someone who has had head coaching experience, so most likely not a former BU player.

Several of the answers were longer and I have included them below. I haven't changed what was written, but I have edited several for length.

"I don't study this enough to give a definitive answer. I do know I want someone who will serve as the face of the program."

"That's difficult to answer, because it presupposes that we are aware of many "viable" candidates. But of the frequent names that have been mentioned, I would tend to go for a younger, hungry, up and coming coach who is looking to establish a legacy. We shouldn't have to worry about him using BU as a "steppingstone job" if the program TRULY is as prestigious as we all think it "still" is, although that is starting to become doubtful. With the Western schools emerging as dominant, it might not be possible to duplicate a "tenure" such as those of Jack Kelley and Jack Parker. With that having been said, Eric Lang would seem to fit the profile described above, with the caveat that there may be many other capable candidates that may not currently be on the radar."

"Coach has to be a true leader, ideally with NHL experience. What matters is recruiting and team building. Xs and Os are important but secondary. Good assistant coaches can coach Xs and Os. That is what Pando is for. Has to be someone that kids want to play for and parents love. Can help kids get to the next level - because that is the only thing that really matters to kids these days. Drawing talent is the most important thing. Being a BU alum is ideal, but not required. Like all of the other big college sports, the head coach must make his school a real destination. I am not interested in any head coach from another program, unless he has real juice in this regard. Must be high profile."

"Someone who commands respect, will set standards, holds everyone accountable (including himself), and creates a culture where winning is important and every game matters."

One that is strong at player development while at school"

"We need someone who brings energy and spirit to the players that will continue to motivate them on and off the ice. Someone who will instill team pride in the program."

"I have no strong feelings as to a specific individual. It needs to be someone who is a good tactician and has a track record of developing players. If he has those traits, recruiting won’t be an issue."

"One who is professional, respected, strong communicator, energetic, appreciative, and recommended by coaches Parker and Quinn along with chosen others that know the game at every level."

I wish to thank everyone who took the time to take the survey. I also sent the results to both President Brown and Drew Marrochello Monday evening. I have no idea what either may have thought of the survey and results, or if it had any impact at all on the decision that was made. However, I didn't create the survey with the intent of sending it to them or trying to use it to influence them. I created the survey for myself and the readers of this forum.

Sean

*I assume that this is Freddy Meyer, but I'm not positive. Brock Sheahan and Anthony Noreen are head coaches in the USHL.