AMHERST – After winning the Western Massachusetts 3A Tournament championship last season, the Amherst Regional ice hockey team is ready to defend its title.
The Hurricanes have become one of the more dominating teams in the Fay-Wright League and in their division since the hiring of coach Mike Rousseau three seasons ago.
After Rousseau took the reins of a then-struggling team, the Hurricanes strung together back-to-back seasons of 14-4-4 and 18-2-3. Last season, Rousseau was named Western Mass. Hockey Coach of the Year after leading the Hurricanes to their first title since 1994.
“Last year is over,” said Rousseau. “We have the bull’s-eye on our back because we were able to be successful.”
The Hurricanes have their top two leading scorers return for their last season with the thought of winning another championship on their minds. Linemates Jake Balderston and Nathan Masteralexis each found the back of the net 26 times and gathered 23 assists last year.
Balderston was last season’s Gazette Ice Hockey Player of the Year. He was also awarded Western Mass 3A Tournament Most Valuable Player. He notched a hat trick, including the game-winning game, in Amherst’s 3-2 overtime victory over Chicopee Comp in the Western Mass. Finals.
“As far as defending our title, nothing has changed from last year,” said Rousseau. “I expect nothing less than 100 percent. I can put things on paper but if the kids do not buy in, nothing we say can say will change that.”
The Hurricanes expect to buy in again.
“Nobody’s better than Rousseau for that,” said Masteralexis.
If players do not show that they are into Rousseau’s scheme or just not playing hard enough, they will have a difficult time finding ice time.
“If players are not playing clean and hard hockey, they will not be on the ice,” said Rousseau.
The Hurricanes are confident they will return to the MassMutual Center this year.
“We have the potential to do what we did last year or more,” said Masteralexis. “Anything else besides that would not be a successful season in my eyes or any of us.”
One point of emphasize for the Hurricanes is their defense. With the departure of their top two defensemen – Matt Gazaille and Nick Frenier – they will have holes to fill.
“We need to be a lot better on our own end of the ice and not turn the puck over as much,” said Balderston. “The scoring will come but team defense will be really important this year.”
Balderston is going to make sure he does everything he can when he’s out on the ice to try to bring another championship to Amherst Regional.
“I need to be better in my own end, whether that is winning more faceoffs or being better with my responsibilities as a center,” said Balderston. “I need to make sure I’m helping out getting the puck out of the zone, and keeping the puck out of our net.”
On the offensive side of the ice, Balderston will be looked at to lead the charge.
“His offensive ability is very uncanny,” said Rousseau “He finds angles to shoot the puck, he finds creases that most people don’t see. He has a very quick release. He has a hard shot, and the big thing with Jake is that it’s all about Amherst hockey.”
Balderston (52 goals, 44 assists) is closing in on being Amherst’s first 100-point scorer in the school’s history, but that is the least he’s concerned about.
“If it comes it will come and it will be nice to enjoy it at that moment,” Balderston stated. “But the goal is to win another championship this year.”
Clayton Bowser will be between the pipes again this season for the Hurricanes. Last season he faced 417 shots, and collected a save percentage of .887.
“There’s only one team that can get in our way,” said Rousseau. “That’s going to be ourselves.”