The regular-season
opener is here, so it’s time for our annual Q&A with the Terrier
captain. This year it’s Charlestown native Matt Grzelcyk, one of just a handful
Terrier captains awarded that honor in their junior season. A third-round draft pick of the Bruins, he
played for Team USA in last winter’s World Junior Championships, serving as an
alternate question. He follows in the footsteps of Terrier defensemen who honed
their skills in the NTDP, including Pat Aufiero, Ryan Whitney, Brian Miller,
Kevin Shattenkirk, Colby Cohen and David Warsofsky. As a freshman, he earned Hockey East
All-Rookie honors.
Q—Let’s start with your health? Any
limitations after last year’s shoulder injury?
A— I feel even
better than I had before. My shoulder has no issues whatsoever and I cannot
wait to get back to playing hockey. The process was grueling but I cannot thank
everyone enough for helping me come back fully healed. I’m ready to go.
Q. After being drafted by the Bruins in the
third round of the 2012 draft, you’ve participated in three Boston development
camps. How does what you’ve learned there mesh with Coach Quinn’s philosophy?
A—
Getting the opportunity to attend camp each summer is definitely something that
I’m grateful for. The systems are pretty similar; both teams require hard work
and dedication so I’m lucky to be in the position I’m in. It makes the process
that much more enjoyable, especially getting to stay so close to home.
Q. Many players returning from the World
Junior Championships translate that experience in to enhanced performance once
back in college. Will you be able to do that despite missing the second half of
last season?
A— I will try my
best. I had the privilege to represent USA as an assistant captain and take on
more of a leadership role, so my plan is to use those experiences to my
advantage. Playing in that tournament was a dream come true and it gives me
confidence going into this season.
Q—There have been only a handful of junior captains at
BU. How do you feel about joining a club whose members include Terrier all-time
greats such as Kevin Shattenkirk and Jack O’Callahan?
A— Being
selected as captain is by far and away the highest honor I’ve ever been given
and obviously something that I’m very excited about. To even be mentioned in
the same breath as those guys is crazy to me. They’re both role models to me as
not only are they great hockey players but they carried themselves tremendously
well off the ice as well.
Q—How do you see the role of a
Captain? Are you a vocal leader or do you lead by example?
A— To be honest,
I’m not all that vocal as maybe some would expect a captain to be. But I think
I can use this to my advantage, because when I do speak up the guys know it’s
something important and listen up. I try to lead best by example and take some
of the younger guys under my wing as much as I can. It’s also very important
for the rest of our team to be leaders in their own right and the guys
understand that. It doesn’t matter your age or what class you’re in; each guy
has the ability to lead and I’m confident they will do so.
Q—Coach Quinn says he wants to see improved breakouts
from the defense. Your return certainly will help, but what have you seen from
the freshmen and sophomore d-men that will help achieve that goal?
A— The
defensemen this year are all great skaters and can play at a fast pace as well,
so this will allow us to escape from defenders and move the puck up to the
forwards efficiently. Each guy really understands the game and are great
transitionally. Everyone should see a major step forward in this aspect.
Q—This year’s Terriers are an especially
young squad with ten freshmen, a number of whom are likely to be playing
important roles early on, as well as seven sophomores. How will you and your
assistant captains, Cason Hohmann and Evan Rodrigues, help the freshmen make the adjustment to the pace and skill level of D1 hockey?
A— We need to
just make sure they feel comfortable in and around the locker room. We’ve
discussed with them many times to not overthink each situation; they were
brought in to BU for their unique skill sets and they know that they play a
major role in our success. They’re all mature for their age and give all their
effort to try to turn things around after last season. That, I’m sure of.
Q—What aspects of your own game are you
seeking to improve in your third season in Scarlet?
A— I’m always
trying to get bigger and stronger. That’s always going to be a goal of mine and
something you can always improve on. Playing against bigger, stronger forwards
deep in our own end is something that I’m looking to key in on and to make sure
that I’m not getting beat back to our own net as well. You can always improve
your game, no matter how much experience you have.
Q—You have faced some great players in
your college career. Thus far, who has been the most challenging player to
defend?
A— I don’t like
to give anyone from another team too much credit, but it’s probably Johnny
Gaudreau. He really sees the ice like no other and his deception is off the
charts. He can beat you in so many ways; he’s always a threat out there and he
definitely keeps you guessing. My teammates are also tough to defend in
practice so I have to give them credit too.
Q—Special teams were not a strength last
season. The power play converted less than 18% and there were far too many
shorthanders allowed. Do you see the ingredients for an improved power play
this season?
A— I’m very
confident in our team’s ability to convert on the power play this year. We have
so much talent from top to bottom and we’re as deep a team there is in college
hockey. There are a ton of players on our team who have the ability to play
different roles on the power play and that’s always threatening. Versatility is
huge.
Q—The team has only recently begun
captain’s practices but can you see differences from last season’s team? And if
so, what are those differences?
A— Even though
we have not begun any real game situations as a team yet, early on it’s easy to
tell that our speed has definitely improved. Not only have guys gotten faster,
but we’re able to play the game while moving our feet as fast we can, which is
always something to look for. Our talent is tremendous with the new freshmen
joining our great group of core returners. We’ll be a hard-working, blue-collar
type of group who can defend just as well as we score.
Q—We always ask this in
the captain’s Q&A: which returning player (or players) will surprise BU
fans by taking his game to a higher level?
A— I believe
that it’s unfair to single any one player out and say that he will improve over
the rest; that’s unfair to the rest of the guys in our locker room. Each guy
has worked extremely hard during the off season and will continue to do so over
the course of the year. We’ll improve dramatically after last year’s slump, I
can promise you that. I’d advise everyone to hop on the bandwagon before it’s
too late. We’re a very determined group right now and we’re going to cause
other teams a lot of problems all year long.
