Lancer hockey coaches well prepared for success this season
By Tanya Quaglia
Lance Writer
August 3, 2010
 After a strong finish to the 2009-2010 hockey season, the Windsor Lancer hockey teams are looking forward to this season and ready to come back stronger than ever.
Both teams had slow starts to the season last year, something they must avoid this year if they want to make it to the postseason and be considered among the top teams in the league.
“We can’t afford a weak start like last year. Our finish will determine how far we go in the playoffs,” explained Men’s Hockey Head Coach Mike Hamlin. His team began last season 0-5.
On the women’s side, Head Coach Jim Hunter stated, “We didn’t have a good exhibition season and that was evident in our record. We were 9-2 after the Christmas break. We need a better start than last year.”
Both coaches have high expectations for the season, despite losing some top players.
“Kelly Meincke, who was our captain, is departing. We are also losing Ashley Kirby and Julie Hamilton. Hamilton was a real loud girl and a great leader,” said Hunter.
“Josh Gaynor is the only regular player we lost. We didn’t have a lot of holes to fill and I have confidence in the new players joining the team,” said Hamlin.
In order to help improve the Lancer line up, both coaches did some strong recruiting over the off-season and they will look to those players to build on last year's season.
“Ryan Caicco and Mike Lombardi are two players I anticipate to step in and play a considerable role with the Lancers. They are two older players who red-shirted with us last year,” said Hamlin.
Perhaps no team has done more recruiting than the women’s team, who have 10 new players suiting up for the Lancers. Many played with the Windsor Wildcats, a highly regarded program locally, and out of towners are coming from as far as Regina.
Hunter, who said he feels the lady Lancers did not perform as well as they could have, is confident these new players will fill any voids from last season.
“Kasey Martin is a goalie who is competitive and demanding of herself which is something that is needed in that position. On defence, we added Adalena Tridico, another Windsor Wildcat, and I expect big things from her,” explained Hunter.
“Candice Chevalier is another local player who is a hard skater and worker. She is powerful and energetic and brings a lot of emotion to the team which is key for girls.”
Also joining the lady Lancers this season are four girls who Hunter referred to as "high skill players".
“We’ve added girls who will bring more skill to the program. With them we can have six forwards who can help out Candace Rapchak and Manon Davis and either equal or better their play,” explained Hunter.
With the new recruits combined with returning players, both Hamlin and Hunter are positive that this season the Lancers will be a force to be reckoned with in the hockey world.
“We will have a good training camp with a strong exhibition season,” said Hunter. “We play Boston University and Boston College first and that will get us ready the regular season, something we did not do well last year. We need to bring more threat to 5 on 5 situations. Last year we had the best powerplay in the league but struggled to score on the 5 on 5.”
Both the men’s and women’s hockey teams had strong finishes last year and despite losing early in the playoffs, beat some strong teams along the way. Both teams look to build on that success and finish among the top in the league this year.
“We were the hottest team in country to finish last year and we needed that. We won the first round over Waterloo (who were ranked 5th in country),” stated Hamlin. “We’re as good as anybody. I feel this year's team has a lot of depth, talent and character. We can quietly make our way into the top.”
In his second year coaching the Women Lancers, Hunter said he hopes to improve on last year's season.
“Our goal is to make the playoffs again. Being through the league once now, I feel we can compete for the top four in the league now that we know what it takes to make it” said Hunter.
“Also, with Laurier hosting the CIS championships, two teams from our league can go through, so it is something to strive for.”
Both teams have short seasons, so a slow start is not an option.
“Every university is our biggest competition,” said Hamlin. “With only 28 regular season games, every period is vital.”
On the women’s side, teams like the Laurier Golden Hawks and Queens Gaels are among the strongest contenders.
“Laurier has won the league six years in a row. Queens also has a strong team and so do we. Laurier sets the bench mark for other teams and something to compare yourself to,” explained Hunter.
Despite facing these strong teams, Hunter said he believes no team can improve more than the Lancers have.
“I feel we can improve by 35-40 per cent whereas other teams can only improve about 15 per cent. Last year we didn’t have as much talent. We also have a better work ethic this year, which was lacking last season.”
Both the Women and Men’s hockey teams start off their hockey season on the road and begin their hunt for the playoffs. The Lancer Women’s exhibition season kicks off on Sept. 24 in Boston, and the Men’s season starts Sept. 16 versus the UOIT Ridgebacks in Oshawa.
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