Spartan Hockey Media Day Quotes
9/25/2003 12:00:00 AM | Men's Ice Hockey
Sept. 24, 2003
The Spartan hockey team officially begins practice on Friday, Sept. 26, and the season begins with the annual Green and White game on Thursday, Oct. 2, at 7 p.m., at Munn Ice Arena.
Selected members of the hockey team and head coach Rick Comley spoke to the media on Wednesday, Sept. 24 to preview the upcoming season.
Head Coach Rick Comley
On how the team is shaping up:
"I believe that it's a good hockey team. Our goals are to carry on the good second half that we had and build on that. And I think that the advantages that we have is that we're now familiar with each other. They know how I like to play as a coach. They know what they are allowed to do on the ice. Now we all have to become a little bit better defensively, score goals, give up less- put those two things together and then you have a chance to do very well."
On starting the season:
"I'm excited every year. I can hardly wait to get going. I think our package is pretty good. I still think that there are some bumps, but I believe this is a team that can do well. Freshman will get comfortable quickly, and the upper classmen are going to get better and better as they play. We are a junior dominated team, and I think that this is the year when this group of juniors really breaks out."
Difference between this year and last year:
"You don't want to beat a dead horse, but loosing (goaltender) Ryan Miller so late was tremendously difficult. And then we got down to five defensemen. This year, we have much better balance on our team. We have depth at goal and now we have an experienced goaltender instead of a rookie goaltender even though Matt (Migliaccio) was a sophomore. We have more competition at that spot and competition makes players better."
Junior forward and captain Jim Slater
On the opening of practice:
"It gets tiring just scrimmaging all the time we really want a coach out there. It's coming close and I know we are all looking forward to it."
On being selected the team captain:
"I was chosen to be a leader for certain reasons and I'm not going to change the way I have been around the players because I feel that they respect me, but if things have to be said, I am going to step up and say them, which I'm not afraid to do. The guys I'm sure will follow along with that. The guys have their own routines and I'm not going to get in the way of that. Just let them do what they do but then if things need to be said, I will say them. I just need to show the guys how hard I work on the ice and off."
Senior defenseman and assistant captain Joe Markusen
On being at the rink:
"I think most of us at this time of year with the season coming up; everyone is real anxious and dying to have a real, organized practice. Once you're in the locker room you forget about everything and you're with all the guys. I think everyone is looking forward to it."
On the emotions of hockey:
"People that don't know much about hockey don't realize how much time and effort we put into it. When you finally get to a point where you're almost competing against other teams you get really excited. It's a big excitement level."
On being an assistant captain:
"It's a really good feeling. There are great guys and great players here, so hopefully I can keep the tradition going."
On this year's team goals:
"Obviously, we want to win the championship, but right now it's just to win our first game and have a good showing and play well together. I think the biggest thing right now is to make sure we're playing as a team"
Junior forward and assistant captain Mike Lalonde
On starting the season:
"It's another step. We look forward to getting on the ice and getting practice started. It's a new year and we're fresh at 0-0."
On mentoring the younger guys:
"We have some good guys. They're very mature. I don't think they'll struggle at all. Sometimes being at school it's hard to get the adjustments. I don't think there's much we can do except be a good role model and have a good attitude and hopefully, they'll follow."
On being an assistant captain:
"It's such an honor. I never thought I'd come in here and be put in with names like Mike York, Bryan Adams and Adam Hall. To be put in that kind of a mix is a great honor and it's highly regarded. I don't really know how to explain it. I feel so small compared to those guys. I'm proud of it and look to keep the tradition going."
Junior forward and assistant captain Adam Nightingale
On starting practice:
"I'm so excited for the season to start on Friday. It's been hard not being able to practice with a coach, all we have been able to do is scrimmage lately and I think we're all ready to pick up the intensity.
"It was so hard last year not being able to get out on the ice. I'm really excited for this season to start, and I really think it's going to be great"
Junior netminder Matt Migliaccio
On his relationship with freshman goalie Dominic Vicari:
"He (Dom) makes it fun to come to the rink; we've gelled already as friends so that's kind of cool. It's a good competition where we spur each other on and that's how it has to be. You'll make yourself miserable if you have it any other way. Its fun and he's a good goalie. He works hard so he's good competition for the job and it's going to be a good fight to the very end. If we both play well, we'll rise to the challenge and help the team win. It will make it interesting to see who comes out on top."
On the first practice:
"It makes a big difference with coach on the ice on Friday. It's going to be a lot of hard work, it always is with coach. That's when you know you're really getting started is when the coaches come on the ice. That's when it starts getting fun because you know you are close to game time."
On this season:
"In comparison to last year, I'm hoping we start the way we ended. We had a good run there in the end and almost got to the tournament, but it was a little disappointing. The beginning of last year, we really put us in hole and we can't have that this year."
Freshman netminder Dominic Vicari
On starting the season:
"It's good. It's always good to get back at it. You miss the experience of being with a team."
On his teammates:
"The guys are really nice and they've really opened up. The older guys really watch after you and they watch after us and make sure everything is straight."
On the MSU legacy:
"There is always competition and living up to Ryan Miller is tough. I'm roommates with Drew (Miller), so that is good but he (Ryan) really left a mark here. Matt (Migliaccio) and I are really pushing each other, so it should be an interesting and fun season."
On the transition between juniors and college:
"The speed of the game in college is different. Players are more patient, but players take the next step so it's a pretty big change."
Freshman defenseman Ethan Graham
On being at MSU:
"Growing up, I always wanted to play college hockey and coming to Michigan State with all the tradition; it's awesome. Knowing I was going to come here to play hockey it's just unreal."
On the difference between juniors and college hockey:
"I think speed will be the big thing. I think that strength is something we'll get used to. The speed is something you have to get used to - it won't happen at the drop of a hat."
On the emotions of the season:
"It's a day-by-day thing. It's always exciting to come to the rink and play with the guys, so I think once the games start it will be really interesting. Once we start taping our sticks that will be the fun part."
On the youth of the team:
"There are nine freshmen and we hang out together all the time. We've bonded pretty quickly. The other guys really treat you as a part of the team. You have your freshman goofs, but it's not a big deal. Overall, you're teammates and that's what is cool."
