Greg Cronin took over the hockey program in 2005, and a lot has changed since posting a dismal 3-24-7 record. Nine of his players have signed professional contracts, and another eight of his players attended NHL developmental camps during this off-season. He even made an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2009.
So why are recruits lining up for a chance to wear the red and black? It’s the nine players who have inked professional deals that catches recruits attention.
Cronin, who just finished his fifth year with the program, said that although he had credibility with professional hockey when he came here, it was hard to recruit players because the Northeastern program didn’t have too big of a name.
“The goal the first year was to try and plant the seeds and drop the fertilizer for the program,” Cronin said. “That first group made a decision to come here. Most of them walked on.”
Former Northeastern men’s hockey forward Kyle Kraemer signed a contract with the Ontario Reign of the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) Aug 10.
Along with forward Greg Costa, he is the second member from the 2009-10 senior class to join a professional team. Costa signed a deal with the Passau Black Hawks, a German team, July 19. Freshman defenseman Jake Newton also signed a professional contract, a three year deal with the Anaheim Ducks March 17.
That first group is made up of the same guys who just finished up now. Kraemer was one of them, but forwards Randy Guzior, Chris Donovan, Greg Costa, defensemen Jim Driscoll and David Strathman made the decision to come to Northeastern just because they wanted to play college hockey, they said.
The next group of players brought in guys who will be seniors this year like forwards Wade MacLeod, Tyler McNeely, and Steve Silva.
“When the second group committed, the British Columbia Hockey League started to recognize that we had something good going on here,” Cronin said. “As we started to win more, NHL prospects started to look at us as a good program to play for.”
Kraemer, who led the Huskies with 17 goals last season, had a brief stint in the ECHL at the end of last season with the Kalamazoo (Mich.) Wings to see what the league is like.
“That was kind of a quick little thing,” Kraemer said. “I wanted to go and try to play hockey just to see what it was and what it’s like, meet some new guys, see how fast the speed of the pro league is.”
Kraemer said making the decision to sign with the Reign took a little while but he felt like he chose the team that will be the best for him.
“You’ve got to be patient, because one team likes you for a week and then another team can like you more the next week so you want to try to find the best fit for you where you’re going to succeed and progress,” Kraemer said. “I thought the best place for me to succeed would be Ontario. I felt comfortable with the coaches, the staff, and I knew some players there as well.”
Kraemer is the most recent member on the list of former Northeastern players who are now playing professionally in North America.
Just from the class of 2009, there are six players playing professionally including defensemen Denis Chisholm and Louis Liotti, and forwards Ryan Ginand, Dennis McCauley, and Joe Vitale. That doesn’t even include Brad Thiessen, who left before his senior season at NU to sign a contract with the NHL’s Pittsburgh Penguins.
“The guys that played before us like Vitale, Thiessen, McCauley, Liotti and kids before them as well, set the table really well for us,” Kraemer said. “They did so well in their first year in their pro careers that obviously the scouts are seeing Northeastern start to develop some talent and they look at us and say ‘let’s watch them more closely.’”
He also said he understands that everyone wants to make it to the next level and although the ECHL isn’t the most glamorous league, that’s where a lot of guys have to start.
“You are what you are and if you are better than the ECHL you’ll work your way up the ladder and if you’re not, you’ll be out of hockey,” Cronin said. “It’s a harsh reality but that’s what it is.”
Cody Ferriero is one example of a hockey recruit, interested in playing for Northeastern rather than another division program. Ferriero committed to play across town for Boston College in 2008. Since then, he has de-committed and decided to come play for Northeastern.
