MU hockey identity at stake in 2008-09

By: Dan Kukla

Posted: 10/7/08

Regardless of the outcome, 2008-09 is a defining hockey season in Miami University's program history. This year, the RedHawks can either firmly root themselves among the nation's elite or wither back into mediocrity.

During the past four seasons, seven young men built the Miami program into what it is today. In 2004, a freshman class highlighted by Ryan Jones and Nathan Davis arrived in Oxford along with five others who would soon transform RedHawk hockey.

Their freshman campaign fell far short of spectacular as the early beginnings of "the brotherhood" stumbled to a 15-18-5 record to finish seventh in the CCHA. Three NCAA appearances, two quarterfinal births and one giant 34 million dollar arena later, Miami now stands as a national powerhouse.

Don't believe me? Let's look at the facts.

Fact: The national polls ranked the RedHawks No. 1 in the nation for 10 weeks during their current 26-week run as a top eight team.

Fact: Miami advanced to the NCAA tournament's elite eight in both 2008 and 2007.

Fact: Miami took the defending national champions to overtime in the 2008 NCAA tournament quarterfinals, where it outshot them 10-4.

In just three seasons, the RedHawks launched themselves from a mediocre CCHA team to a national title contender.

Now they must answer an important question: are they just a one-class wonder or are they here to stay among the country's elite ice hockey programs?

Team captain and Hobey Baker finalist Ryan Jones is gone. The dynamic duo of Jeff Zatkoff and Charlie Effinger in net is gone. Along with the seven departed seniors, CCHA defensemen of the year Alec Martinez is gone.

Miami must now prove to the rest of the hockey world that the past three seasons are not a fluke but rather a new norm. In order to establish themselves as a great hockey program and not just a great hockey team, the RedHawks need to carry success beyond the tenure of one individual class. Simply put, the accomplishments of "the brotherhood" must be a foundation, not a peak.

Can Miami reload year-in and year-out to become an annual title contender? At this juncture, there is no reason to believe anything but yes.

All the building blocks are in place. The Goggin Ice Center is considered one of the nation's finest facilities and is sure to catch the eye of any recruit. Head coach Enrico Blasi signed at 10-year contract extension last season; his status as a premier hockey coach and recruiter is cemented by three CCHA coach of the year awards and the countless number of NHL draftees he both brought to this school and mentored.

More importantly than ice arenas or head coaches, however, the RedHawks are now recognized on a national level as winners. Miami spent millions in building the Goggin and signing Blasi, but no amount of money could buy the many banners hanging in the rafters of Steve Cady Arena signifying the school's new triumphant tradition.

When Boston College ended Miami's title run with a two-minute, three-goal outburst and a diving overtime score, it also ended the four-year tenure of a terrific senior class.

Those seven seniors along with all of their accomplishments may now be reduced to a section of history, but their impact on Miami's hockey program doesn't have to be.

Four years ago Jones and Co. started something great here in Oxford. This year, RedHawk fans and a national audience alike will find out how and if it will finish.