Princeton Seniors Lead Focused Approach
The following article appeared February 17 on the Inside College Hockey (INCH) Web site.
By Joe Gladziszewski
The senior class at Princeton has seen highs and lows over the last four years. The group arrived on campus and knew nothing but success. Back-to-back NCAA Tournament appearances, an ECAC Hockey title and a regular place in the national rankings highlighted the group’s first two seasons.
A 12-16-3 record last year left a bitter taste and a concentrated effort to get back to playing the game the right way. Princeton hockey’s class of 2011 determined that it wasn’t good enough and knew that its message to the rest of the team as the veteran spokespersons would be to emphasize making plays that sometimes go unnoticed. Concentrated effort in blocking shots, back-checking, playing with speed and being physical would be the way to earn the respect of your teammates. There was accountability in those little things that had helped Princeton become a player on the national landscape, and returning to those values would help shape the team’s won-lost record and place in the standings.
“The point we wanted to stress was that last year was unacceptable,” Mike Kramer said. He’s one of the seniors that has backed up that message with actions on the ice. “We needed to try to get back to the things that got us where we are. It’s work ethic, commitment and taking pride in doing the little things. We need to reward guys for blocking shots or getting the puck out of the zone. We notice when a guy lays out and takes a weak-side one-timer in the chest in practice.”
