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OHIO STATE MEN’S HOCKEY
Buckeyes determined to get back on track
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Scott Priestle
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
CHRIS RUSSELL DISPATCH Coach John Markell, right, coming off a frustrating season, makes a point to his players before a recent practice.
Last season ended earlier than expected for the Ohio State men’s hockey team, so this season started earlier than ever. Coach John Markell held 6 a.m. practices throughout spring quarter for the returning players.
If being swept by Ferris State at the end of last season did not leave them feeling sick to their stomachs, an early wakeup call after a night of, shall we say, collegiate living certainly would have.
"That forced us to get the right sleep and the right diet," senior defenseman Sean Collins said.
Markell’s message of personal responsibility carried into the fall quarter. In years past the coaches selected a captain and alternate captains shortly after the previous season ended. But this time Markell waited until last week to name Collins the captain and forwards Mathieu Beaudoin and Matt McIlvane alternate captains.
He wanted multiple players to take charge during the spring and summer workouts and the first week of organized practice.
"It’s not up to one individual to make decisions. It’s up to the whole team," Markell said. "Just because you’re wearing a ‘C’ doesn’t mean that everybody else isn’t capable of leading themselves and don’t have to concentrate on what they do. After last season, I’m interested in seeing how that evolves."
The Buckeyes went 15-19-5 last season, finished 10 th in the 12-team Central Collegiate Hockey Association and were swept in the first round of the conference tournament by Ferris State. It was a hard fall from their preseason ranking of No. 1 in the conference and No. 3 in the nation.
Most of the core returns from that team, and from the team that went 27-11-4 in 2004-05. So the 2006-07 Buckeyes know one another well, and they have known considerable success and failure.
"We feel like we learned from both years," Collins said. "We learned what makes a successful team from an unsuccessful team. It’s a product of attitude and confidence. It’s not getting too high during the highs or too low during the lows. You try to keep an even keel."
A number of players worked out together throughout the summer, and most were skating together since late August or early September. Teams were allowed to begin supervised practices Sept. 15, but only for two hours per week. The first day of full practice was Sunday.
"There’s no doubt we’re in good shape right now," Beaudoin said.
There are holes in the lineup, though. Among the five players lost from last season were Dave Caruso — one of the most decorated goaltenders in the program’s history — and his backup, Ian Keserich. Highly touted freshman Joe Palmer figures to get the bulk of the playing time in goal, and his backup will be 17-year-old freshman Nick Filion.
The Buckeyes also have lost junior forward Tom Fritsche, who led the team in scoring the past two seasons, for at least the start of this season. He has been hospitalized for much of the past month because of an intestinal disorder, and it is unknown when or if he will play this season.
"He’s an impact player," Markell said. "Now it’s even more important that everybody pitches in and scores some goals. The best-case scenario is that we score by committee."
spriestle@dispatch.com

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