Who’s that girl?

Hey puckheads of Puckdrop! My name is Shannon, I am from southern New Jersey and will be writing about the Pittsburgh Penguins. (weird, I know right? LET’S GO PENS!) I am a passionately devoted Penguins fan, but also a fan of hockey! I am very adoring of the sport, fans and especially players. I am so excited to share my passion with you! I hope what I have to say excites you as much as it excites me.

So…who is this girl?

I never thought you’d ask!  I am 22 years old attending Rowan University as an Athletic Training major. Working for a professional team is one of my biggest dreams. The biggest influence on my goal is growing up around my father’s love for the sport, coaching ice hockey and most importantly working for Rowan Ice Hockey as one of the managers. I’m lucky enough to travel with the team wherever they go, be part of a team, continue to learn and show my passion for the sport.

Luckily I am very close with the coach (he’s my dad!) and got an interview with him about the program. (I know shameless promotion and a little change of pace for the Puckdrop readers.) Rowan University is a college in Glassboro, New Jersey approximately twenty-two miles outside of Philadelphia for those who are not familiar with the school.

I sent coach John Caulfield some questions to answer about the continuously growing program and here is what he had to say:

How long have you coached for Rowan Ice Hockey?
I took over the program about 4 years ago.

What was your main focus going into the program?

Our first priority going in was to build a program into something the players would be proud to be a part of, build a winning program on and off the ice. Meaning we wanted to make playoffs as well as become active in the community.

How much has the program changed since you’ve become head coach?

Well, we have added some touches to the program that help us stand out, even though brown and gold stand out. We added the locker room which is big, the adding of more color to the uniforms with the gold helmets and brown and gold gloves. We travel in shirts and ties and team jackets where in previous years travel was much more casual. The atmosphere was a little loosey goosey for my liking and we implemented more structure and discipline. We created a respect for the logo and the program as a whole and we have successfully established a connection with our alumni, which has really brought a connection we couldn’t have dreamed of. We always change the website too. www.rowanicehockey.com

What other changes do you plan to make?
Not too many more major ideas. Obviously we want to get back to the playoffs and get into the regionals.  Our goal is to give our program the maximum amount of exposure we can. We will have our games carried live via the web on fasthockey.com The alumni have bought us a skate sharpener which will allow us to be more self sufficient at home and on the road. We are looking into custom stick packages and then some game day additions. I am sure we will think of something during the summer.

Where do you draw inspiration from? i.e. other coaches, players etc

One of the biggest things is the 1980 Miracle Team.  I was 14 when that happened and it is forever etched in my mind. Herb Brooks is a little hard core and I don’t have that ability to be that tough. I tried to be when I first began and I think I just alienated people and it was counter-productive. I try to delicately balance different ideas to reach the common goal. I can be vocal when needed and I know when a pat on the back or a kick in the butt is needed. It’s a blended mix of My dad, Brooks, Sun Tzu, Jesus and a thousand other leaders I have stolen ideas from.

I know you’re a fan of systems, which is your favorite to use and why?
Systems is coach speak. Everybody has them. My favorite is an aggressive puck possession style of play. I hate to dump a puck in after we work so hard to get it then toss it away deliberately. I don’t enjoy the trap but it is extremely effective. The team personnel determines the system as much as the system determines the team make up.

Favorite team in our league to play?
TCNJ [The College of New Jersey] and Rider are fun because of the rivalry factor. They both play us well and the crowds at our place really get into it.

Favorite game to date?

It’s hard to say my first season we knocked off the number one seed in our league in overtime. The GNCHC championship vs TCNJ and of course the outdoor game [against UMBC], the experience of being the 1st ACHA game played outside, the fun of actually playing outside and the fact we were able to make it about MS awareness probably makes that the number one.

Funniest moment with the team?

We were just talking about this with the seniors. There were some funny moments for sure, but the one that stands out was one that most people missed. One of our assistants gets nervous before games and sometimes he gets…let’s say ill right over the boards and on the ice. We were squirting our water bottles to keep it from freezing, kind of gross but still makes me smile.

Anything else you’d like the readers to know?

Yeah, we are one of the best kept secrets in the area. The ACHA has nearly 400 teams, nationwide, in 5 divisions 3 men 2 women’s. Locally some of the best local players still play in their home towns and represent their schools and the games are great fun.

Thanks Coach!

I’m not sure my college experience would be as good without this program. It has had such an important impact on my life, and I have learned so much! Thanks for taking a peek into my life! I hope you check out more of me and Rowan Ice Hockey (essentially my life).

Coming up later on tonight/early tomorrow: Olympics, the Penguins, and other little rumors going on in the league! (How about the Men’s Russia vs Canada game yesterday?!)

Questions? Comments? Wanna be friends?

Email me! Shannybaby99@gmail.com

Tweet me! @Shannybaby99