JOHN CULLEN
Staff Writer
After missing the playoffs during the 2014-15 campaign, the Fredonia Blue Devils men’s ice hockey team had a very busy off-season. The coaching staff and leadership group met to identify a solution so that history would not repeat itself.
During the months leading up to the 2015-16 season, several committees comprised of five to six players each were created. These groups met with the end goal of establishing and creating a new culture in order to forge a new identify for the hockey program.
The team motto became “Everybody Ropes, Everybody Rides,” and from there a seed was planted in hopes the team would return to its winning ways and battle its way back into a playoff spot in the ultra-competitive SUNYAC.
“Coming into this season we knew we needed to improve upon last year’s record. We knew it would be an uphill battle but I think we grew as a team and showed our true potential, especially when you consider how young of a team we are,” said Assistant Coach Mike Lysyj.
Both Head Coach Jeff Meredith and Lysyj wasted no time revamping the lineup as this year’s Blue Devil roster had a total of 16 new players, including freshman and transfers — a rare occurrence in today’s college hockey world.
After opening the season on the road with a 1-1 tie versus Buffalo State — which eventually finished the season second in the SUNYAC — Fredonia got back to a .500 percent conference record with a weekend sweep against Morrisville in a “home & home” series.
The Blue Devils’ next game against Brockport was a back and forth affair which saw senior forward and Assistant Captain Taylor Bourne score one of his 13 big-time goals of the season. It tied the game at 3-3 with just nine minutes left in the game.
In the final two minutes of the third period the whistle blew and Fredonia was assessed a minor penalty. This sent Brockport to a powerplay with a great opportunity to win the game. What happened next would serve as a recurring theme throughout the rest of the campaign for the Blue Devils: Brockport scored a last-minute goal to win the game. This scenario would play out several more times against SUNYAC opponents.
Despite losing so many one-goal games in dramatic fashion, the Blue Devils never hung their heads and showed some real promise down the stretch. The team improved its win total by four games in SUNYAC play from a year ago, finishing with a conference record of 4-10-2.
Fredonia fought tooth and nail to keep itself in the playoff race until the very end. But ultimately the team fell just short of the sixth and final playoff spot.
“We came into the year with a lot of unknowns. Expectations for certain players were high but for our group to gel so well was very promising. Overall I think this year was a positive experience for our team, especially for our young core going forward,” said Lysyj. “With that being said, we know that the outcome of this year is not acceptable, and we still have a long road back to the top. Our goal remains to win a championship.”
One of the bright spots of the season was the outstanding play of Bourne, who got the Steele Hall crowd on its feet many nights when he scored several highlight-reel goals.
“It was a fun year. I was happy to be able to put up the numbers I did and [help] the team in that way,” said Bourne. “But I think we did well as a team. We really came together as a family, and we battled for a playoff spot with a lot of young guys until the very end.”
In 25 games this year, Bourne finished with 13 goals and 11 assists — good for a total of 24 points — and was a force to be reckoned with in the faceoff circle winning over 60 percent of his draws.
A consummate professional, Bourne is well-liked and respected by his teammates and all those who know him. He will be greatly missed around the rink.
“Reflecting back on my four years here I met some of my best friends and had a great time playing the game that I love,” said Bourne, “and I am eternally grateful for the coaching staff and the guys in that locker room for everything they did for me.”