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.
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!!
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