WolfPack's coach reflects on strong opening half in his first BCIHL season

Sitting at nine wins and just a single loss at the midway point of the 2010/11 B.C. Intercollegiate Hockey League season, Thompson Rivers University's men's hockey program sports the best record of all the school's varsity teams.

It’s the first ‘half season’ for head coach Lorne Cumming, who took over the reigns during the summer.

“Our team has worked hard to become a competitive group of guys that push themselves everyday,” he says. “That was the most important aspect of the program that I wanted to get established early, and the players have really bought in. I believe that they believe in themselves as a group and that has become their identity. Their hard work is their foundation for what they accomplish.”

Cumming says the highlight of the first part of the season was pretty easy to pin point. It came the night of October 29 th at Memorial Arena.

“Without question it was our 7-2 win over SFU. It wasn’t so much the fact that we won but the recovery and re-focus that the team went through immediately following the loss we had in Kelowna (2-1 to Okanagan College the week previous). Our guys didn’t let the frustration from the loss effect their drive and energy for their next game. We played a focused, disciplined game against a very strong opponent which was what good teams do.”

Looking down his roster from the first half of the season, a number of keys were evident.

“Our group overall supported each other very well, which allowed our leaders to lead. Up front, Jassi Sangha and David Gore have been very good as our leading scorers.”

Sangha leads the entire BCIHL in scoring with 10 goals and 11 assists. Gore has four goals and 11 assists.

“Zac Rasmussen continues to be outstanding in the face off circle as well as scoring (4-8-12), being outstanding in the face off circle as well as being the top penalty killing guy” says Cumming. “Darcy Huisman has been very good on our back end as has Cody Lockwood and Cody Rose. These guys are leaders for us as they continue to play a strong overall game.”

Adds Cumming, “Our goaltending continues to be strong every night. Rich Virtanen (2.00 GAA), Anthony Manfredi (2.67) and Riley Wall (2.35) push each other in practice to be sharp ever night.”

The coach adds the three have had a tremendous challenge on their hands with a three-way rotation within a 24 game schedule.

“These guys are used to playing 45 to 50 games a season, which is a strong statement for their mental toughness and strong play this season as they split the 24 games. Our goals against is very important to us and these guys have done a great job of backing up our guys.”

The first ten games of the year have been Cumming’s first at this level after last coaching in the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League.

“The greatest difference for me has been the number of games,” he says. “We have had to be very efficient with our practice ice because it is where most of our preparation comes from. We cannot build through game play as effectively when the number of games is lower, so we need to be very competitive ‘in house’. This isn’t uncommon with good programs, but it is more critical when we play 24 games rather than 60 or more.”

He adds, “I ‘ve really enjoyed working closely with our players in support of their academic success. We are a ‘school first’ hockey program which wants our players to be very successful in the classroom. I have enjoyed building that trust between myself and the players. Education is a high priority for our organization.”

The WolfPack are off until January 7th when they visit the Trinity Western Spartans in Langley, BC.

“We are looking forward to the second half with a very tough stretch of hockey coming as we end the season. We have been building towards playing our best hockey as a group at the most critical times. The second half will be a true test. We have 14 of our 24 games coming after Christmas, which will be a great way to finish”

As far as improving as a team?

“I think 90% of the coaches out there will tell you that the small details of their team’s game should be sharper,” Cumming explains. “We are not an easily satisfied group as a team, which includes the players and the coaching staff, and we know we have internal goals that we need to continue to work on.”

Cumming has a few last thoughts on the first three months of the season.

“Like anything that people are successful doing, there has to be a lot of pride attached to their path to that success. I am happy for our players and our program as the pride level amongst the organization continues to grow. Our guys have worked very hard, and have achieved the success they were after in the first half of the season.”

“As a coach, I want the association the players make between their commitment level and their hockey success to translate into career success through their education. Pride has to be their personal foundation in everything they do in their lives, I am happy our players have shown that trait. We have a very hard working, proud group of guys who are excellent to work with.”

And for the fans?

“We wish all of our fans success in the New Year. On behalf of the Kamloops Collegiate Hockey Society I’d also like to give a big thank you to our fans for all their support and know they will be entertained with our team in the New Year as we push hard for the league title.”