When a team suffers through a string of losing seasons, it is only a matter of time before a move is made to hopefully spur a rebuilding process. In most cases, the process is slow and takes time before the game results match the expectations.
This assumption is what makes the revival of the women’s hockey team, which is currently undefeated, so extraordinary, especially considering what the team has dealt with.
The past few years have been rough for the Husky hockey team.
The squad failed to win more than eight games in a season since 2003-04, and consistently found itself in the basement of the Hockey East standings.
This season, however, the Huskies are off to a fast start, going 5-0-2 in the first seven contests and garnering enough votes to be ranked No. 11 the USCHO.com national poll. The defensive improvement is a big reason for the turnaround. Playing in an unusual formation with three defensemen and two forwards, the Huskies have surrendered just five goals all season and have not given up an even-strength goal to date.
Head coach Dave Flint is the man who deserves much of the credit for this sudden turnaround. Flint, previously a head coach for the Division III St. Anselm’s College women’s hockey team, was hired June 23 to become the Huskies head coach. Upon arriving on Huntington Avenue, Flint said he saw a team with talent that just needed a new mindset.
“When I came in I wanted to focus on changing the culture of this program,” Flint said. “I want my players to realize that in order to be successful every person on the team has to work hard day in and day out. You can’t pick and choose when you’re going to show up.”
Flint also learned that his players would be carrying a heavy heart heading into the season as well. The team is still mourning the death of Northeastern student Rebecca Payne, a 22-year-old undergraduate who was majoring in athletic training. Payne was murdered in her Boston apartment May 20 by an unknown assailant. Payne served as the team’s trainer and was close friends with almost every girl on the team.
Colleen Sanborn, a senior forward on the team, said every time the team takes the ice they have memories of their friend Becca.
“There’s no doubt that hangs in the back of our minds,” Sanborn said. “Although she wasn’t a player, she was a member of this team, a family member. It’s hard to lose someone close to you and we never forget her presence.”
Flint arrived at Northeastern after Payne’s murder and was never acquainted with her, but he could see how deeply the tragedy affected his team. He has helped his team rally around the tragedy and give homage to their lost friend.
“The girls talk about her quite a bit and many spent a lot of time with her, which makes it so much more difficult to deal with,” Flint said. “I wanted to make clear with the team that the best way to pay homage to her is to take to the ice and play hard in her honor, always keeping her in your thoughts.”
So far, the players have done their friend proud. Donning stickers on the back of their helmets with Payne’s initials, the squad is tied atop the Hockey East standings with a chance to take over sole possession of first place in the near future. This Saturday at 2 p.m. the Huskies will take on fourth-ranked Boston College at Matthews Arena. Before the game, players, coaches, family members and fans will observe a moment of silence to pay respect to Payne.
It is sure to be an emotional day at Matthews Arena as Northeastern looks to improve upon a so far impressive start to a season that few believed could happen.
Every day the team moves forward carrying memories of the past.
“Our goal is to improve every game, every day, every shift – we move forward, not backward,” Flint said. “This team has been through adversity but we have turned that into something that makes us stronger and a team that has reestablished itself as a contender.”
– Patrick McHugh can be reached at
