A new season and a new coach
Chris Davidson takes control on the ice

Matt DiVenere | staff writer

With temperatures dropping and the calendar changing over to November, it can only mean one thing; it’s hockey season.  This upcoming season brings more than just a temperature change to the St. Michael's College men’s ice hockey team; it also brings a new head coach.  

Calling the shots

Coach Chris Davidson on the ice. Courtesy of St. Michael's sports information

At the end of last year’s season, former coach Lou DiMasi decided to step down after 24 seasons as head coach of the men’s ice hockey team.  The school determined that the best fit for the team would be former assistant coach Chris Davidson. 

Davidson had been working as an assistant to DiMasi for the past seven years and became the interim head coach of the squad this upcoming season. 

“I believe the most difficult adjustment to being the head coach instead of an assistant is the fact that there’s no more looking towards anyone else,” Davidson says.  “I get to rule the team with an iron fist.”

Davidson graduated from St. Michael’s College in 1999.  He is also a former player, having been on the men’s ice hockey team throughout his college career.

“Everybody who wants to coach and played during college always dreams of coming back to coach at their alma mater,” Davidson says.

Coming off of a disappointing 6-20 season, Davidson says that the attitude during the pre-season was an inspired one.

“At the beginning of every season, there are always high expectations,” Davidson says.  “You set your sites high and look to climb the ladder and be successful.”

Goals for goals

Davidson has set some goals for the team to be successful in the upcoming season.  According to Davidson, the team needs to concede fewer goals; score more goals; win more games; finish higher in the standing and ultimately win the Northeast-10 division title. 

Davidson will only be coach for one season. Coutesy of St. Michael's sports information

However, the Northeast-10 title will not be easily handed to the Purple Knights. 

“In a division where 4 out of 6 schools have brand new coaches, it’s going to turn into a dog fight,” Davidson says.  “There isn’t an easy game on our schedule, and there’s no reason to pretend there is.”

With the upcoming season, there are some major skates to fill on the ice, especially offensively, according to Davidson.  Though the Purple Knights don’t have any overbearing weaknesses, they will still be reliant on some up-and-coming players to fill the offensive void left from the graduated class, Davidson says.

“We lost some offense with our graduated seniors, but we feel like we definitely have guys that are ready to fill that void and score some goals for us,” Davidson says.  

“Coming back to St. Mike’s, it is definitely a privilege to become the head coach.  I am very grateful for this wonderful opportunity,” Davidson says.

Time to lace up those skates

Chris Healy, a junior on the team, has high expectations for the Purple Knights. 

“We have a bunch of great players on this team,” Healy says, “and with a new season it seems like we have a fresh slate.”

Healy agrees with Davidson’s goals for this year’s team as they focus on getting more wins this season.

“I strongly believe that we have a legit shot at the Northeast-10 Conference title this year,” Healy says. 

Sophomore Alex Higgins believes that getting more wins this year is absolutely achievable with the strengths of the team.

“We have a very strong defensive core,” Higgins says.  “Our goaltenders are just as strong as our defense.  We have a very solid team front to back.” 

With a new coach behind the bench, Healy believes that Davidson
is bringing in a new energy to the team.

“It’s really been a smooth transition from Coach DiMasi to Coach Davidson,” Healy says.  “We’re all very comfortable with him organizing the team.” 

“Coach Davidson has a very serious attitude towards this season," Higgins says. "He’s given out playbooks and is completely focused on what we have going on in this program.”