Mens Hockey- Week 2 Better, but still work in progress!

This weekend the results were there but we will still need to be alot better in the coming weeks. Friday night, was a character win for our team. I can tell you being on the opposite end of what happened last week I feel for Darren Lowe Coach of Toronto. We were down 5-3 with less then 5 mins to go. We ended up scoring 3 goals in 2:17 to win the game. Our goaltending what I expected to be our strength has been shaky to start the season. Steele Defazio hopefully gained some confidence this weekend by only allowing two goals all weekend. Saturday night I feel was a tale of 2 tired hockey teams. Despite the thoughts of the opposing Coach, I dont feel we were outplayed and dont feel we played in our end all game long. Hard to play in your end of game and still manage 38 shots, and win 3-2 is it not? We will be real tested the next 2 weekends with 4 games vs. Mcgill and Carleton. I feel they are the 2 great teams and it is going to take our best efforts to compete with them. I can assure you we will be prepared.

Mens Hockey-First weekend to forget!!!!

Well as excited as I was for the first weekend to come, I am so glad it is over. We took a bad time to fall apart at the wheel. Everything we worked on in the pre-season was thrown out the window. But this week we have addressed alot of things and it was not alot of fun around our team. I really look forward to seeing how we respond this week I truley beleive in these guys and now it is time they start beleiving in themselves.

Season Finally Starts!

After playing the last of our exhibition schedule this weekend I, along with the team are excited to get going with the regular season. This season is going to be a true test as every night we will be playing a tough opponent. Of all years, (6th now!) the league has not been tighter top to bottom. The job the Coach's are doing recruiting top end talent is incredible. I feel we have improved in alot of areas from last season. The first 4 games of exhibition that we won we got better each night. This weekend I feel the better teams won in Robert Morris and Mercyhurst. The Mercyhurst game though I will say the score was not indicative of the way we played, the shots were only 33-30. It wont be a easy start for us as Ottawa U is vastly improved and Concordia has always given us tough games. Lastly, the Mens Hockey team along with The School of Business have teamed up this month with Breast Cancer awareness Month. The team in warm up will be wearing pink t-shirts that state "Mens Hockey wears Pink". It is a great cause and we are honored t support it.

Lou Jeffries Game

The first weekend is in the books and it was a very succesful one for our program. Off the ice we raised close to $8000 in our 5th annual Lou Jeffries Scholarship game and that brings our 5 year total to $55000. This is vital to our recruitment process as it helps us to raise funds for scholarships. Alexi Pianosi was this years award winner. I cannot "Thank" event organizer Jim Boltin enough. The hours and work he does to put on this event is incredible. On the ice we came away with 2 victories, 3-0 over Ottawa U and 6-2 over RMC. There were many mistakes in both games but always nice to see 2 wins to start the season. Just a reminder to our Toronto alumni of our event this Thursday in Toronto. I look forward to seeing everyone out.

Training Camp Starts September 7th

I hope everyone's summer have been great so far. I just wanted to touch base to pass along some information regarding the upcoming year. Training camp will start September 7th, 2010 with a meeting in the Alumni Lounge at 300pm. A try-out fee of $25 must be submitted at that time for any player that did not play on the 2009-2010 team. Our camp will be very competitive and I look forward to seeing a great product on the ice over camp. Should you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me via email at qmhockey@queensu.ca. Enjoy the rest of your summer and see you in a month!

Tough ending to a great season! - 2010-02-23

"I have been on both ends of the spectrum in my hockey career of winning and losing big games. But Sunday was a real tough one to let go and I have still not. I cannot be more prouder of our team and am very happy with the progression of our program at Queens. Payton Liske has established himself as one of the most dominant players I have seen in the 5 years I have coached in the OUA. Our defence really stepped up in the play-offs. To see Stephane Chabot play in the deciding game with a separated shoulder shows how much this team wants to win. As for after the game it is the worst speech a coach as to give as you are never prepared to give it. I am going to really miss my graduating players. Clinton Mccullough has been with me for 5 years and has seen all the highs/lows of this program. Clint came in as a 18 year old kid and has graduated as a man. It is a cliche but if you have seen the development like I have you would understand. Mike Bushby will go down as one of my favourites. For some reason over the last 3 years I have managed to apologize to Mike more then my wife. Their was never a moment in the 3 years that Mike questioned me and he always supported the direction of the program. TJ Sutter was my 1st ever recruit and when he got to Queens I think he thought I was crazy. Here is a player that started on my 1st line in year 1 and ended as a role player but fully accepted it. Goes to show the development of the program. TJ season came to an end way to soon because of injury but he was always a part of the team. Tom Franzon was a player who I have cut twice at Queens but this year he really deserved to make the team. Tom never once complained to me and truly became a better player as the year played out. Last is Jeff Johnstone. He will be coming back I hope but if not he was a real pleasure to coach. Jeff started last season on thr 4th line as I knew very little about him. He ended this year on the 1st line and 3rd in team scoring. I loved the way Jeff responded to my challenges and was always up to any situation I put him in, but like I said he will be back I hope!

Overall I am never completely satisfied with our season until the day we can bring a OUA Championship back to Queens but that is not to say that I am not proud of the guys. We faced alot of adversity this season and I learned alot about coaching this season. I want to thank Andrew, Aidrian and Nick for another great season as a staff. I could not ask for better guys on the bench and what you do does not go unnoticed. Jonsey, Dave, Jon, Graham and Don thanks for all your behind the scenes work without you guys this team does not operate. The Booster Club committee of Dave Descent, Murray Douglas and George Hood thank you very much for your support and guidance their is not a day I don't appreciate your help. As for next year I am off to Manitoba and Alberta Saturday to recruit. You cannot wait and reflect about this season I am already gearing up for September as we still have lots of work to do.

Thanks again to Queens Athletics for all your support and I look forward to seeing you at the rink next season!

Brett