Recently head coach Bob Gaudet sat down and answered a few questions as the Big Green gets ready for its first regular season game of 2009-10 against Harvard on Friday, Oct. 30.

Talk a little bit about the exhibition and scrimmage games from last weekend.
Coach G: They were good games and we played two good teams. Didn't turn out in our favor on the scoreboard but it was a learning experience for us. I really liked McGill, they had a very good team, very skilled. It was a very clean game up and down. We had a couple of power plays, penalty killing but mainly it was five-on-five. It gave us a good chance to watch the guys just play. We try to make those games appear like real games because it's important for the guys to get used to that. It gave me a chance to get a lot of players into the lineup.

How important are those exhibition games when you open up against a team like Harvard?
Coach G: It's really important because we have such a quick turnaround. We basically had a week of practice and it's such a short window of opportunity. So to play a couple of games it gives you an evaluation versus just practicing. You can practice all kinds of situations but you can never really duplicate game time. Harvard's in a similiar situation so it should be interesting. The guys have taken to things quite well and we're getting a good feel for personnel. We have some good depth at all positions so it was good to see them play.

You were able to see most of the freshmen play. What were your thoughts?
Coach G: I thought they played really well, did a really good job. Dustin Walsh is a big, tall kid who had limited practice time leading up to that. When he gets more strength he's going to factor quite a bit. Mark Goggin, another forward, scored a goal against McGill. It was a good play with a nice pass from sophomore Doug Jones. Mark shows flashes that he's got the ability around the net. He's another guy that when he gets stronger he'll have more knee bend and a more explosive stride. I look forward to that because when he gets stronger, he'll be that much better. Jason Bourgea has done really well for the time that we've been on the ice. Has tremendous energy and is a very skilled kid. He gets around the ice quick and is an athletic, energetic forward with good skill level. Alex Goodship scored a goal for us last weekend and did a good job. Another guy with good speed, pretty strong, a mature kid physically. Not very tall but thick. Mike Keenan is really a gem. Mike is a warrior, he's quick, he's aggressive, he's smart. He's got a good skill level and he's very smart. He's quite a competitor and he's only going to get better.

What are you looking at for Friday?
Coach G: The quick turnaround is good and bad. It esculates things like I said so you have to really focus as a team and a staff on what's important. Coming up with a lineup isn't easy. We may have guys on the lineup on Friday that are going to be integral parts later on in the season and we may have someone else that's an integral part week to week. It may be that way throughout the season. We have several guys that could play different roles on our team, we really have some depth.

Views from Captain Peter Boldt and Assistant Captains Joe Gaudet and Scott Fleming.

Peter Boldt – "Practices have been going well so far this year. Myself as well as Joe Gaudet and Scott Fleming as well as the upperclassmen have been setting a positive example on and off the ice and have been working hard to make sure that the freshmen understand what we're expecting of them this year. We see ourselves finishing at the top of the league and making a trip to Albany come March. In fact, with the the experience, skill, and work ethic that we're determined to showcase this season, those aren't just our goals, they're our expectations."

Joe Gaudet - "The preseason has been going very well. We worked last weekend with a Russian skating coach from the Penguins and the guys worked hard and were able to have some fun too. Captain's practices have been going well, all of the guys put in a lot of effort in the offseason and have come back in good shape. We're chomping at the bit waiting for the season to start, it's hard when all of the other non-Ivies are already playing games while we haven't even started practicing, but we're being diligent and we'll be ready to play when the season begins. We're going to do everything we can this year to make it back to Albany and then hopefully Detroit after that. It's a long season, but this is this best team we've put together in quite a few years and we have all the pieces we need to be a successful hockey club."

Scott Fleming – "Captain's practices have been going well so far. Everyone is comfortable in the locker room and on the ice. I think we are ready to have the coaches come in and begin regular practices. Regular season practices start up Friday and we have a busy schedule following but we feel we are prepared. Once we hit the ice it will feel like hockey season has begun, which we all cannot wait for. We are excited about this upcoming year and expect big things, all we have to do is come together and work hard as a team."

"Last week we had our annual CanAm hockey game. The Canadian team had a few less players and we were able to keep it close for two periods but we ran out of steam and lost in the end. It was a crushing defeat for the Canadians and hopefully next year we can represent our country better."

Welcome!

The Dartmouth men's hockey team has launched its first-ever blog, "Outside the Crease", which will feature insight from players and those working with the team about the upcoming season. The weekly blog will feature insight from players, coaches and those behind the scenes. The Big Green is excited about the 2009-10 season and is ready to compete for another ECAC Hockey and Ivy League title.