Sophomore plays a bigger role as LSSU's defense continues upward climb
By LINDA BOUVET, LSSU Sports Information Director
Lake Superior State’s Class of 2013 appears to have avoided the dreaded “sophomore slump.” Sophomores Zach Trotman, Nick McParland and Domenic Monardo are off to a hot start in 2010-11 -- miles ahead of where they were 12 games into last season -- and rookie scoring leader Ben Power is exactly where he was at this time last year.
Trotman, a 6-2, 203-pound defenseman from Novi, Mich., entered this season on a high note after earning Central Collegiate Hockey Association All-Rookie Team honorable mention and getting picked by Boston in the seventh round of the 2010 National Hockey League Draft last June. He’s LSSU’s top-scoring defenseman with three goals and six assists through 12 games. He is one of four players tied for first in the CCHA in overall points by a defenseman. He went up against one of the league’s other top-scoring defenseman, Ferris State’s Zach Redmond (4-5—9) last weekend, and the Lakers skated away with a 1-0 and 4-0 sweep.
“I’m getting a lot more playing time this year, and the team is depending on me a little bit more,” Trotman said. “It helps boost confidence when everyone else is playing well, too. That makes things easier.”
Trotman clearly stated that he’s not trying to put up big numbers in order to impress pro scouts. While he dreams of having a professional hockey career, his priority is winning games at LSSU.
“I kind of took (getting drafted) as motivation,” he said. “People look at that and expect more you of you. Right now I’m focused on college. I want to stay here, and I want to win some championships.”
Prior to the FSSU series, LSSU was last in the league’s scoring-defense category. But the Lakers are 5-2-1 in their last eight games and have moved up to ninth in scoring defense. They’ve held their opponents to zero, one or two goals in five of their last eight games. Trotman gave the Lakers’ defense a “generous” grade of C- for its play during the first few weeks of the season. Now he gives the unit a “solid B.”
“The biggest thing is having three freshman defensemen (Andrew Perrault, Zach Sternberg and Matt Bruneteau) who are able to contribute right away, then having returners step up and take the roles that (Steven) Kaunisto and (Simon) Gysbers played,” Trotman said.
Trotman was paired with Kaunisto throughout most of his rookie season. He said he “learned a lot about poise” from the Lakers’ former captain. Trotman has been paired this year with five different defensemen. He looks forward to the time of the season when the lineup solidifies, and he can get comfortable with a regular defensive partner. For now, he is trying to increase his intensity level in games and “be more active in the play.” He’s also enjoying watching senior defenseman Matt Cowie have a breakout season.
“He’s a sniper,” Trotman said. “You can’t stop him. It’s from playing a bigger role, I guess. More playing time equals more opportunities to score. And he worked pretty hard in the off-season.”
Trotman, who grew up in the nation’s heartland of basketball – Indiana – started playing hockey thanks to the encouragement of his uncle.
“I actually lived in a football town,” he said. “I went to Center Grove (near Indianapolis), and my class won states in football two years ago.”
Trotman was getting into travel hockey when he found out his family was moving to Detroit. Fate worked in his favor, as his travel team in Indiana folded.
“When I was 13 we moved to Detroit,” he said. “I played double-A that year, and was hurt. I was 14 the first year I played triple-A. I had the same coach for all three years of triple-A. The first year I did so-so. The second year I played midget minor and did really well. Midget major was my breakthrough year. I got a lot of juniors offers and colleges showing me interest.
“I want to thank my parents for sure. They drove me six hours from Indiana to wherever I needed to play. And my triple-A coach helped me become a dominant player. I’m grateful to Coach Roque for giving me the chance to prove myself at the college level.”
Trotman played one season of juniors with the Wichita Falls Wildcats of the North American Hockey League before coming to LSSU. At each level, he handles the physical demands of defending the blue line with ease. But he said that looks can be deceiving.
“People come to hit me, too, but I make sure I get the better of them,” Trotman said. “It’s pretty physically demanding. The step from juniors to college, everyone on my team is in a lot better shape. They’ve been in the weight room.”
