Episode Transcript
[00:00:03] Speaker A: The following program is brought to you in living color on dailygazette.com or wherever you get your podcast.
The Daily Gazette Company presents the parting Shots podcast. Now here's your host, Daily Gazette sports editor Ken shot.
Thank you, Scott Keysey, and welcome to the Parting Shots podcast, available wherever you get your podcast. Subscribe today. Thanks for joining me from the parting Shots podcast studio in Schenectady, New York. And we begin season two of Union men's head hockey coach Josh Halge joining us here on the parting Shots podcast. And Josh, this is your third season overall as a head coach of union. Welcome back.
[00:00:45] Speaker B: Yeah, it's a great time of the year. Excited to be here.
[00:00:47] Speaker A: How was your summer?
[00:00:48] Speaker B: It was good. Just, you know, a lot of family time, a lot of baseball and, you know, different hockey camps for the boys and a lot of recruiting for us.
[00:00:55] Speaker A: We'll avoid talking about the twins not making playoffs, of course, but your vikings are playing well. Sam Darnold, I mean, where did that come from?
[00:01:02] Speaker B: Yeah, I don't know, but we'll take, keep banking some wins here if we can.
[00:01:06] Speaker A: Yeah. Well, the puck drops on the 2024 25 season this weekend at Mesa, the final season for the facility after 50 years of hockey. Union has an exhibition game against Providence at 01:00 p.m. saturday and then the Gardner Chargers host Army west point in the regular season open at 04:00 p.m. on Sunday. I mean, how excited are you to get going?
[00:01:25] Speaker B: You know, I think I'm, I'm really excited. And, you know, when you talk to the guys, it's, you know, it's been enough practice, enough hitting each other. You know, it'll be nice to hit somebody in a different jersey and really see what we have.
[00:01:36] Speaker A: What do you like about this year squad?
[00:01:38] Speaker B: I just, I love the group. They're, they're a lot of fun to coach. You don't have to beg them to work. They work hard every single day, you know, and that, that's the first thing. If you, if you really want to be good, you have to have leaders that, that demand effort and that we get that from the group right now. So obviously for us, it's, it's, you know, take some steps off of last year. I thought we did some good things offensively, but we got to tighten up defensively.
[00:02:00] Speaker A: Yeah, we mentioned, you know, last year's team scored 125 goals. Five players reached double digits in goals. And three of those players, Kaden Viega as Brandon Baron Carter Korpi, return also returning as the team's leading scorer the past two seasons, defenseman John Prokop. I mean, can this team repeat the offense it had last year?
[00:02:16] Speaker B: Well, I mean, it's going to be tough. I mean, in college hockey, it's. Anything you get is you got to earn and it's, it's. It's really hard to score. But we're excited about the group. I think we have some new guys that can come in and help contribute and, you know, with those guys coming back, it's. There's a lot of offense, a lot of proven offense. So we're. We're expecting to score.
[00:02:35] Speaker A: Yeah. Pro cop is getting plenty of attention both in EC hockey and nationally. He was a first name first team all EC hockey last season, earned a second team All American in the east and was a preseason all ech player. He was named one of the unions for alternate captains. And we'll talk about the leadership group in, in a bit. How big of a season is this for John? Because he's going to be attracting plenty of attention from NHL teams.
[00:02:58] Speaker B: Yeah, I think, you know, he had some of that at the end of last season where he got to feel what that's like to have, you know, some NHL teams talking with him. I think it's huge for our program right now to have somebody in that spot, but John's just kind of person. He takes everything day by day, doesn't really get too focused on, you know, all that other stuff. He just kind of focuses on getting better every day and that all sort itself out.
[00:03:18] Speaker A: Yeah, we mentioned how good the goal scoring was last year and one aspect, as you mentioned about the team's play will be the need to improve the defense. The team allowed 123 goals last year. What do you need to do to cut down on that?
[00:03:30] Speaker B: Well, we've talked about protecting the middle of the ice and trying to keep things to the outside so our goal tenders don't have to make, you know, amazing saves. They can just, you know, play the game and play simple and we protect the back door for them so they just keep everything in front of them and nothing goes through them. So I think for us it just, you know, make sure we're limiting chances and in playing responsible.
[00:03:48] Speaker A: Who's stood out in the practices so far?
[00:03:51] Speaker B: You know, it's been, it's been, you know, a little bit of everybody, but, you know, up front I think, you know, you know, we. We've had some new guys really, you know, jump, you know, jump out at you. You have, you know, Drew Sutton, who's been somebody that everybody's been really impressed with and, you know, has done. Done a nice job when he's got some opportunity on the power play as well as Ben Mithers ball. Those two guys especially have, have, you know, earned that opportunity.
But, you know, the returners, I think it kind of, you know, starts and ends with them. You got, you know, Kane Villegas, Nate Hanley, Josh Nixon, Brandon Beer, those guys.
I really like the step that, you know, a guy like Carter Korpi can take and, you know, Colby McArthur, those guys gotta. Gotta take a step for us as well.
[00:04:28] Speaker A: How about some of the other freshmen?
[00:04:30] Speaker B: I mean, yeah, up and down the lineup, we've been. Been really happy. You know, David Cote is our only, you know, first year defense when we have a, you know, a transfer. But David's done a nice job and he's ahead of where we thought he would be. So really excited about that. Connor Smith can just flat out fly. He's got speed to burn, and he's put some pressure on our defense and wrecked havoc, created turnovers. O'Reilly Bruich is physical and hard, and he gets to the front of the net and is really responsible. Plays a good 200 foot game, and then Lucas Buzziel is a beast in front of the net as well. He's good, responsible player, wins face offs, just does everything that you ask.
[00:05:09] Speaker A: Well, Lucas and Josh Nixon's cousins reuniting on the team, what's that going to be like? And how's that been so far?
[00:05:15] Speaker B: It's been great. I mean, to see them kind of joke around and have fun with each other, you know, we always talk about being a family, so it's cool when you actually have, you know, people be in family, so it makes. It. Makes it a lot easier and makes adjustment quicker for them.
[00:05:26] Speaker A: And a couple other guys reuniting or John Prokop and Parker Lindau are both Wisconsin natives, played together out in Wisconsin. Lindar coming from Maine after playing two years there. How's that chemistry been with those two?
[00:05:39] Speaker B: Yeah, that's been great. And Parker has been a great addition.
He's a leader already, which, as a first year guy coming in, he actually got some votes for captain, being a captain, which says a lot about him, that you would get some votes already as being around for two weeks, and they just kind of find each other. They get along.
He's been a welcome addition and fit right into our locker room.
[00:06:02] Speaker A: That's been top caress because, I mean, Ben comes in as a transfer, and he gets to be captain his two years here.
[00:06:09] Speaker B: Yeah, no, it's pretty impressive. And yeah, we're, we're really excited to have Parker.
[00:06:13] Speaker A: Well, the Garner Chargers finished 6th in the ECh last season. They rolled past Brown in the first round tournament game, but got swept by Dartmouth in the best of three quarterfinals. What did you learn from that? And how important will it be for this team to take the next step, to win the quarterfinal series and get to the championship around Lake Placid for the first time since 2017?
[00:06:32] Speaker B: Yeah, I thought like, Dartmouth did a really good job of, you know, taking the middle of the ice away from us and defending really hard and, you know, we just, we had opportunities when we had leads in those games to really pull away and we didn't. So just, you know, working on how hard and how consistent you have to be to really take that next step. So for us, it's just being about a little bit more consistent and a little bit more opportunistic.
[00:06:52] Speaker A: Well, the EC coaches poll came out last Wednesday and despite Union 6th place finish in the standings last season, your fellow coaches didn't seem to put too much stock in that they picked the Garner Chargers to finish 8th. Coaches and players like to say that they don't pay attention to the preseason polls. However, will this motivate the team improve to the other coaches that they were wrong in their evaluation of the Garner Chargers?
[00:07:13] Speaker B: You know, we spoke, we spoke about it as a group that, you know, hey, we thought we've taken a little bit of a step as a program and are climbing in the right direction. But obviously, you know, there's others that don't feel that way. So, you know, for us, yeah, it's bullet and board material, but I think you get a little bit of that all the time. And, you know, for our guys, it's, it's just about being better every single day and taking that next step. So it was frustrating to see because I do think that the guys have earned more and have shown more, but at the same point, it really doesn't matter. It's just a preseason pool.
[00:07:43] Speaker A: Is it up in the locker room with the poll?
[00:07:45] Speaker B: Yeah, I mean, it is on the ball. It's there.
[00:07:48] Speaker A: Well, let's take a break. I have a lot more to ask, Josh, so stay tuned. You're listening to the parting shots podcast.
[00:07:59] Speaker C: It's the most historic conference in college hockey. It's a battle night in and night out. ECAC Hockey, an iconic conference home to twelve of the most prestigious universities and programs in the world and showcasing the best student athletes in the sport. Top notch facilities and arenas, incomparable traditions, passionate fans, alumni who go on to become elite professionals, leaders and champions. ECAC hockey there's no experience like it.
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[00:09:08] Speaker D: Hi, this is Daniel Ciampini, the 2014 national championship Union college men's hockey team. You're listening to the parting shots podcast with Daily Gazette sports editor Ken Schott.
[00:09:18] Speaker A: Colin Stevens, a Niskuna native who was a goaltender for Union College men's hockey team from 2011 to 2015 and was on their national championship team in 2014, talks about his most memorable moment at Messer Rink.
[00:09:31] Speaker D: It's tough. There's so many.
It's tough to pinpoint one, but I just always felt like there was so much good energy in that rink.
It was packed every night. It was loud.
Best fans in the ECAC, a lot of support from the community and I think if you ask other teams in the ECAC, nobody wanted to come to Messenger Rink. I think it was a tough place to come to on the road and come out with a two points. So ton of good memories there and sad to see it go, but at the same time excited to see the new arena.
[00:10:06] Speaker A: Welcome back to the podcast. With this being the final season of Hockey at Messer Inc. I'm going to incorporate the thoughts of union hockey alums and opposing coaches about some of their memories of playing or coaching in Mesa rink. Josh, how excited are you for the final season of hockey at Mesa?
[00:10:20] Speaker B: Yeah, it's a little bit of one of those things where you're excited about the new building, but you're really going to miss where you're at. And I just want to make sure that we take advantage of every single night we have to make more memories here at our rink. But to have the new building, I just actually drove by it on the way here and it is pretty exciting to see everything going.
[00:10:39] Speaker A: Yeah, man, I was going to ask you, it seems like the construction is moving along. Weather's been, I think, cooperative.
Have you had a chance to see what's going on with. Obviously you say that, but it seems like it's progressive. Almost like they're starting to put the roof on top.
[00:10:51] Speaker B: Yeah, no, it looks like the roof is halfway up and it's going. It looks like. I had heard that they were hoping to have it enclosed by December, and that was kind of. It sounds like they might be ahead of that.
[00:11:01] Speaker A: Well, that's good. So on Monday, the team's leadership group was announced. Senior defense in Colin Ferguson will be the captain. The alternate captains are senior forwards Josh Nixon and Kaden Villegas and junior defenseman John Prokop and Nick Young. Let's start with Cullen. Talk about what makes him a leader.
[00:11:17] Speaker B: Well, I just think he's an extremely hard worker. He does things the right way. You know, he's taken ownership of the team from day one and, you know, it's one of those things when, you know, everybody votes for a guy, it's pretty simple to see. And that's what you have with him is, you know, every player respects him and, you know, he's just somebody that will lead with his effort but is not afraid to call people out if necessary.
[00:11:39] Speaker A: Well, he certainly has some big skates to fill. As we mentioned earlier, Ben Thubker serves as a team captain the last two years. We'll hear from Cullen and the others. On Thursday's podcast, Cullen mentioned that he was roommates with Ben last year and he observed how he conducted himself. I mean, how important is that?
[00:11:54] Speaker B: Well, yeah, anytime you have a really good leader and you want people to learn from him. And I think that's what we had with Ben is everybody kind of saw how he led and, you know, has kind of grown from it. So I'm excited, you know, to know that he did pick up some things from him. But again, he's got a, you know, Fergus gotta be himself and he can't. You can't try to be Ben Tupker. He's just got to lead his way.
[00:12:16] Speaker A: Yeah. Well, last year, team had just three leaders, Tupker and alternate captains Chad Spedrude and Tyler Watkins. This year it's five. The three. Three seniors and two juniors. I mean, how important is to have that many in the leadership group?
[00:12:28] Speaker B: Well, I think when the votes really show what they did this year, where, like, all five of those guys had so many votes that it was like. It was impressive and you just, you want to sort of build that foundation and those five guys will lead together and obviously following, you know, Fergie's lead and then everybody can kind of relate with someone. Cause they're all really different styles of people where you have, you know, Nick Young is really vocal and John Prokop is pretty quiet. You know, Josh Nixon plays with a ton of passion.
He wears his heart on his sleeve where like, Caden Villegas is really. He's calm. He's got, you know, he's maybe he's really mature and quiet, but just they're all really different people. And I think they. There's, you know, no matter who you are in our, in our locker room, there's somebody you can gravitate towards.
[00:13:14] Speaker A: How important is it to have two juniors? I mean, Nick and John, assuming that John doesn't depart so for the NHL after this season, now I'm born to maybe look ahead to next season.
[00:13:25] Speaker B: Yeah. That, that junior class for us has been, you know, pretty instrumental. And I think kind of getting the program headed in the direction it is. So to have two of those guys that could come back is, you know, is key. And they'll have some experience leading and, you know, be able to step into that role, you know, next season. I think all of them right now are just kind of focused on this season and taking a step.
[00:13:46] Speaker A: As I mentioned at the top of the podcast, this season gets underway this weekend. And what a way to start. Even though it's just an exhibition game against Providence, the significance of the game, it marks the return of Friars head coach and former union head coach Nate Lehmann for the first time since he left for Providence at the end of the 20 1011 season. I spoke with Nate last Friday, and I'll have that on Thursday's podcast. I mean, how important was it to get Nate back to mess up before the curtain comes down on hockey at the rink?
[00:14:13] Speaker B: Well, I think it's, you know, it was really important, I mean, to get someone back that did as much as, as they did for the program and what Coach Lehman did and, you know, really trying to, you know, to raise the level. And I think he really did that. So I'm excited to get him back. Plus, he's just got a great hockey team, so it'll really be a good test for. And that's. That's what we wanted to do is really challenge ourself with a great opponent. And if you can do an honor, you know, coach Lehman and coach Beale as they both come back, I think it's a cool experience.
[00:14:41] Speaker A: Yeah. Joel Beale played for union. Actually played for Nate.
The funny thing is with Nate and Joel, they were sort of, you know, different people. And Joel was not, I don't think, the greatest of shape when he played, and. But they somehow. Joel, you turned around and became a coach, and working with Nate now and, yeah, that was, that's just amazing how those two have really work together.
[00:15:04] Speaker B: Yeah, well, he's really intelligent and, you know, he's. He's a hard worker. You always see him out on the road, so it's no surprise that he's a really good coach.
[00:15:12] Speaker A: Well, Nate took over for Kevin Sneddon in 2003 when Sned left to become Vermont's head coach, and the program began to grow under Nate. The team reached its first EC hockey tournament championship game in 2010 and then won its first EC AcH regular season title the following season. How important do you think Nate's legacy is at union?
[00:15:31] Speaker B: I mean, it's what the job that he did and, you know, to get the program from where he took it over to when he left was, you know, there's not many better coaching jobs in all of college hockey. So, yeah, I mean, I think it was really important for the program. It's the foundation. It's, you know, the history that we're, you know, we're trying to build off of, and, you know, he's done a ton for the program.
[00:15:55] Speaker A: How did this matchup come about?
[00:15:57] Speaker B: Just kind of as we were chatting about, you know, trying to add games, you know, there's somebody that we want to get on our schedule. You know, think it's important to play, you know, teams that are of high quality, and, you know, we, we had the opportunity to add them, especially in this last season. It really became a no brainer and we were able to work it out.
[00:16:16] Speaker A: Well, the regular season starts Sunday with Army west point coming to Mesa. It seems. This seems like traditional. Last year you opened at Army West Point in the previous season with your second game was at Army West Point. This game will mark the start, not only the regular season, but the start of army head coach Brian Riley's final season. Associate head coach Zach McKelvey will take over, and that'll end a 75 year run with Riley as the head coach of the team. Jack Riley, coach from 1951 to 86. Brian's brother Rob took over from 1986 until 2004. Then it was Brian's turn. Brian will be on the Thursday podcast approving a lot of podcast for Thursday here. What will, what have the rallies meant to college hockey?
[00:16:55] Speaker B: Yeah, when you think of their name, I mean, it's synonymous with coaching and doing things the right way.
I think that when I look at Coach Riley and just in the short time, everything he's done for me, he's a great person. He does things the right way all the time.
One thing, sometimes I'll bring my kids down to the press conference after the game, and he said to me, he goes, hey, just keep doing that. He's like, your family always comes first, and those kids will remember that for the rest of their life. And it was one of those, you know, maybe you do it the first time, you're like, I don't know if I should. And he's just, he called me up after he saw it at the mayor's cup, and he's like, hey, any chance you can bring those boys down? Because you don't get to spend all the time with them that maybe you want, but they'll remember those moments.
[00:17:43] Speaker A: They get to be on video, too.
One thing, Brian gave me a scoop when we talked with him. That army is going to help union open more carbon next season. Can you confirm that?
[00:17:55] Speaker B: Yeah. I mean, for us right now, that's every year we're going to be opening up with army until, you know, they say they don't want to do it. I think it's, we're trying to make it a little bit of a natural arrival, and it's an easy trip for both teams and, you know, you're going to get a good, honest, hard working effort. So right now, that is the plan to open up against them. We're finalizing our schedule, but, yeah, as of right now, that's booked and we're still trying to work on the date. The NCAA changed. Usually had to open on a Sunday, and they just gave us the green light about a month ago where you could go Friday, Saturday. So we're going to try to make sure it's a Saturday game.
[00:18:28] Speaker A: So that's not really set in stone as a particular date yet.
[00:18:32] Speaker B: Yeah, I mean, unless something were drastically changed, that's the plan right now.
[00:18:37] Speaker A: Union army has sort of intertwined over the years. It was Army's departure from the ECAC hockey that led to union coming in. And then a few years ago, when Jack Adams was playing for Union, when his brother passed away, the army players waited for Jack to go through the handshake line to salute him and his family. So what does that say about the army program?
[00:18:58] Speaker B: Yeah, again, when you talk about people doing things the right way, you know that, you know, a coach Riley team is going to do that. And, you know, the army program, I mean, it's, it's more than just playing them in a game. It's honoring them and, you know, everything they do for us.
[00:19:11] Speaker A: What are you looking to accomplish in Saturday's exhibition game that will help you on Sunday?
[00:19:16] Speaker B: Well, like, Providence is going to be one of the most gifted offensive teams we see all season. So for us, it's a really good test to see how we handle their team speed, their playmake ability. They have players like John Mustard and Trevor Connelly, and I think they have three first year players that were all in the top three, three rounds of draft picks with one being a first rounder. So we're going to be tested there, so we want to make sure we defend well and, you know, see where we have holes. And then, you know, I think it's just about competing against someone else. So we can get some video, we can get tested.
Everybody's going to play on Saturday. That's healthy, and right now everybody is healthy. So everybody get that opportunity and we'll see what we got.
[00:19:57] Speaker A: And all the goals will play a period at least, or.
[00:19:59] Speaker B: Yeah, I mean, right around that, that number. So that's kind of the expectation.
[00:20:02] Speaker A: I mean, how is the goaltending situation? I should ask that earlier, but what's that like right now, Kyle? So that's the incumbent having. Having played the most games last year?
[00:20:10] Speaker B: Yeah, I mean, I think right now, Kyle, we'll get that opportunity to start, but they've all been good.
You know, Joe continues just to be a great leader and a great teammate for everyone as he continues to push, and he'll be ready if we need them. And then Lucas is kind of coming in and coming and just getting his feet wet with college hockey, but it's been solid.
[00:20:29] Speaker A: Yeah, that's Lucas Massey, of course. Finally, a few weeks ago, David Harris announced that he will be stepping down as union college president at the end of the academic year. Your thoughts on what he meant to you in the school?
[00:20:40] Speaker B: You know, for me, it's, you know, if someone remembers who my boys are and my wife and you see him and he's in his position, I think that says a lot about him. And so anytime he sees me or my family, he's so great to us, and he's done a lot for the hockey program. You know, we're going to be playing in a brand new arena next year, and it's because of him. The scholarships are continuing to be, you know, put into the program, and it's because of him. So there's been huge steps that have been made for this hockey program, and I think he's a big part of it. He's going to be missed as a president, but he'll also be missed as someone that just treated me and my family very well. And I don't know that we're best friends are here texting each other and doing anything like that, but he always treated me extremely well and would consider him a friend.
[00:21:27] Speaker A: It's too bad he's going to miss out on the opening of the rink.
[00:21:29] Speaker B: Yeah, he should be there. I hope that he considers coming back and seeing that he's, he's a huge part of it.
[00:21:34] Speaker A: Well, Josh, this has been a great way to open your second season on the podcast, and we'll do this again next week.
[00:21:40] Speaker B: Perfect.
[00:21:40] Speaker A: All right, that's Josh Alge. If you have questions for Josh and I, send them to shotailygazette.com. of course, shot, spelled s c h O T t. Another podcast on Thursday, you've heard me promote this left and right. On this podcast, you'll hear from Union men's hockey's team leadership group, a host of interviews with members of the Union women's hockey team. They get set to have their home opener against RIT this weekend. Also joining me will be province men heads men's hockey head coach Nate Lehman, Army West Point hockey head coach Brian Riley, and my gazette colleague Adam Schinder will talk area college football.
The views expressed on the parting shots podcast are not necessarily those of the Daily Gazette company. The Parting Shots podcast is a production of the Daily Gazette Company. I'm Daily Gazette sports editor Ken Shawna shots. Thanks for listening and I'll catch you next time from the Parting Shots podcast studio in Schenectady, New York. Good day. Good hockey.
