Zifcak Eyes Assumption Ice Dogs Turnaround

November 4, 2005

Master Builder: Kevin Zifcak eyes Assumption turnaround

Worcester Telegram

WORCESTER When Kevin Zifcak was hired as head coach at Worcester Academy six years ago, he had quite a job ahead of him. The Hilltoppers were starting a hockey program from scratch and were looking to the then 25-year-old to lead the way.

And lead he did, turning the Worcester Academy program from a JV team to a 19-win team in his sixth and final year last season.

Zifcak, now 31, is being asked to rebuild another program as he takes over the reigns at Assumption. The Ice Dogs have struggled the last few years, and the hopes are that the energetic and knowledgeable Zifcak is the right man for the job.

Im certainly looking forward to this opportunity, Zifcak said. Ive always been impressed with Assumption, both academically and athletically, so when the chance to coach here came up, I went for it.

While some may believe Assumption is taking a big chance hiring a 31-year-old with no collegiate coaching experience, a look into Zifcaks pedigree shows a well rounded background with more than enough knowledge and experience at all levels of the game.

And a look at his playing career shows he certainly has enjoyed superior coaching, having played for his father, Gerald, Tom Eccleston Jr. and his son, Tom Eccleston III, and finally for legendary Bowdoin coach Terry Meagher.

Gerald Zifcak, who coached his son through youth hockey, is considered one of the finest high school athletes in Rhode Island history, while the Ecclestons are among the most respected high school coaches in the region dad coaches at Burrillville, R.I., while his son coaches at the Holderness School in Plymouth, N.H.

Meagher has won 360 games during his 22-year tenure at Bowdoin, leading the Polar Bears to a pair of ECAC East championships along the way.

Ive learned a lot from all my coaches theyve all had a big influence on me, Zifcak said. Each of them stressed skill development and worked with players to make sure they improved. They didnt take the emphasis away from working with individual players in favor of the team concepts; they made sure every player could skate, pass, handle the puck and shoot. I hope I can have the kinds of successes each of them have had during my time here at Assumption.

After graduating from Bowdoin in 1997, Zifcak took the job as head coach at Bridgton Academy in Maine, moving to Worcester in 1999. He has also coached in the USA Hockey system, most notably as the director of Team New Englands 14-year-old group, and worked countless hockey clinics and camps throughout New England, including the UConn Hockey Experience, USA Hockey Select Festival, Bowdoin and Hockey Night in Boston.

His varied experiences have provided Zifcak with a hockey knowledge well beyond his years. Of all his stops, however, Zifcak said his time with USA Hockey taught him the most. There, he learned about handling players and the way a coach needs to carry himself on and off the ice. In addition, he was introduced to the idea of small games basically three-on-three minigames in a small portion of the ice, an idea he took with him to Worcester Academy and will continue to utilize at Assumption.

(USA Hockey) has really stressed the use of small games, he said. These drills are done in tight areas and help kids become stronger puck-handlers and have a quicker release on their shots. I saw how much they helped the kids (at the USA Hockey Select Camps) and used them at Worcester Academy. I think theyre a real benefit to players at all levels.

Zifcaks coaching and teaching skills will be put to the test in the competitive ECAC Northeast, which features powerful programs at UMass-Dartmouth, Fitchburg State, Curry College, Wentworth Institute of Technology and Lebanon Valley. The Ice Dogs open their season at Lebanon Valley tomorrow before facing host Fitchburg State in the USB Paine Webber Classic at the Wallace Civic Center next Friday.

Though he admittedly doesnt know a lot about each team just yet, Zifcak isnt concerned.

Im just going to worry about getting my guys ready to play the way we need to play, he said. If we do that, well be in great shape. I dont see hockey as a game where you need to spend an inordinate amount of time worrying about what your opponent does. If you just take care of the things youre supposed to do, you will have success.

Joining Zifcak on the Assumption coaching staff are longtime hockey coach Bob Harris and 1994 Assumption graduate Jim Driscoll. Harris has coached at various levels throughout New England, while Driscoll has coached at Nichols College and Connecticut College.

I like our staff and what they bring to the table, he said. The more guys you expose players to, the more they can learn. Every coach brings something a little different to each player.

Zifcak will have a nice crop of returning players to guide in his opening season. Captains Geno DeAngelis and Sean OLeary will lead the way, while seniors Jeff Ilvonen of Auburn, Bobby Fanciullo, Brian Blanchette and goalie Mike Sweeney will also provide leadership for Assumption.

Its going to be a challenge, but its something Im looking forward to facing, Zifcak said. I like what Ive seen out of the kids so far, and I think were going to find a lot of success this season.