Spring Break
ECU hockey taking 'Holtz-like' approach
Kellen Holtzman
Issue date: 9/17/08 Section: Sports
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Once again, the team has the ACHA National Tournament locked in its sights.
Like the gridiron-Pirates, there is very little room for error during the regular season when it comes to solidifying a spot on the national stage.
New team president and center Zach Johnston has even adopted the ideals of a head coach who knows a thing or two about motivation.
"We're almost taking the attitude of [ECU coach] Skip Holtz," said Johnston. "Just go 1-0-except our mindset is 2-0 because we have two games on the weekend. Wins are what get you to nationals."
Johnston is just one piece of the renovation ECU has undergone during the off-season. This season will also mark the reign of a new coach, Mike Markham, as well as participation in a newly revamped Blue Ridge Hockey Conference (BRHC).
Johnston is replacing former goaltender Brent Falcon, who helped build the program from scratch. Falcon, now residing in Raleigh, is still on board with the team serving as general manager.
"They are definitely some big shoes to fill," Johnston said of Falcon. "But I'm doing my best at it. It's a whole different role than I imagined coming into it, but I'm taking it all in stride."
Falcon played a key role in bringing in Markham to guide the team through its fourth season.
Markham, originally from Syracuse, N.Y, arrives with a wealth of knowledge about the game on ice. The grizzled veteran has more than 30 years of coaching and refereeing experience, with the most recent coming in the form of an assistant coach from the Syracuse Junior Stars of the Ontario Provincial Junior Hockey League.
During his coaching stint in Syracuse, Markham offered his coaching wisdom to the likes of Edmonton Oilers center Rob Schremp. A number of other NHL players and upstate N.Y. natives often spent their summers sharing the ice with Markham's teams, including Tim Connolly (Buffalo Sabres), Craig Conroy (Calgary Flames) and Brian Gionta (New Jersey Devils).
Markham, who has retired from coaching and living in New Bern, credits the spirit of ECU supporters as an incentive for joining the Pirate Nation.
"That's what really attracted me," said Markham. "When I did a little research on how high everybody here is on [ECU hockey], I think the biggest thing that I noticed is that the alumni base for ECU is all over. Everywhere you go there are ECU fans. And not only are they there, but they're visible and very loud."
His coaching expertise should come in handy as the Pirates trade life as an independent for membership in the new BRHC. But this isn't the BRHC of old-the conference has been stripped and refurbished to create a more competitive environment.
The conference features a total of 19 teams, which are grouped into three divisions: Atlantic, Carolina and Coastal.
The Atlantic Division has a distinct Virginia-flare, featuring George Mason, Lynchburg, Northern Virginia, Radford, VCU, VMI and William and Mary.
The Carolina Division is home to Appalachian State, N.C. State, UNC Charlotte, UNCW, The Citadel and Georgia Tech.
ECU will suit up in the Colonial Division, which was designed to be the premier division of the BRHC.
The Pirates will be joined by Christopher Newport, George Washington, Loyola, Old Dominion, Richmond and Salisbury. CNU and Richmond each finished in the top four of the ACHA South last season, while ODU skated their way into the national tournament in Minnesota.
"It's looking to be very competitive; much more competitive than last year, scheduling teams here and there--being independent," Johnston said.
In addition to a full slate of conference action, ECU's home schedule is highlighted by visits from (ACHA) Div. II regional rivals Duke and Virginia Tech in November.
In total, Markham's roster will feature three seniors, five juniors, five sophomores and 12 freshmen.
Returning winger Sean Burns and center Chris Cesario provided a bulk of the scoring in 2007-2008, but Markham is anticipating a more diverse attack this time around.
"I expect it to be totally spread around this year," the ECU coach said. "I think we are going to surprise a lot of teams by going out and wearing them down with the ability to play four lines. Most teams can't do that."
Defensively, ECU must replace seniors Mark Linzer, Jon Huck and Jon Koritz. Senior Donovan Dean and sophomore Ryan Konchalski will lead a group of inexperienced defensemen, a number of which are converted forwards.
Freshman defenseman Dan Owens has been impressive in the preseason and could see significant ice time. The Raleigh native may be new to the program, but he says he knows what is at stake.
"The biggest goal is nationals by far," said Owens. "Everyone is working hard to get there. We're playing in a new league this year, so we're definitely trying to leave a mark there."
With a young defense in front of him, sophomore goaltender Matt Dalgetty has been impressed by the new regime in place for ECU ice hockey.
"He definitely knows his stuff," said Dalgetty of Markham. "He completely changed the preseason. He's worked with the guys-not about individual skills-but the overall team play. He's really brought the team together."
It's that kind of cohesiveness that will be necessary for the Pirates to reach their first ever national tournament.
The road to Rochester, M.N. begins this Friday at 9:30 p.m. inside Bladez on Ice, as the team plays its annual Purple-Gold intra-squad scrimmage.
This writer can be contacted at sports@theeastcarolinain.com.
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