Hughes times SLU arrival just right

George Hughes opted to stay in junior hockey an extra season before coming to St. Lawrence University.

With the Saints' stout defensive corps last year, Hughes knew his ice time would likely be limited.

"I decided to take a year and come in when those guys were gone," he said. "I knew I'd have a good chance to play (this year). I'm just trying to take advantage of it."

Hughes has exceeded the expectations of the coaching staff as he's generated 16 points from the blue line in his freshman year. All four of his goals have come via power plays.

"He's very productive and he makes a lot of right decisions," SLU coach Joe Marsh said. "He doesn't look like a first-year guy."

Hughes has helped lessen the blow from losing Zach Miskovic (25 points last season), Shawn Fensel (20), and Matt Generous (17), all of whom currently play in the American Hockey League.

"What Hughes has meant to this team has a lot to do with what we lost," Marsh said. "Three out of four to the American League is a pretty big statement for the kind of defense we had last year. Hughes is right there."

Hughes plays an aggressive defense, but is rarely out of position. Marsh said Hughes gets his stick on a lot of pucks and he's got good range.

"He doesn't necessarily shoot it through the board yet, but it's on net and they go in," Marsh said. "He has a real sense of what's happening."

He's even adjusted to losing his linemate, Pete Child to injury. Marsh said that's a tribute to his ability to play with anyone on the ice.

"He is a type of defenseman that everyone wants to have," Marsh said. "You don't always see guys be able to impact the way he has in their first year."

Marsh added that he believes Hughes is a viable candidate for ECAC Hockey Rookie of the Year. He also said Hughes has the potential to be the best player he's every coached.

"That obviously means a lot coming from Joe Marsh," Hughes said. "It's obviously a huge compliment."

LETHAL PENALTY

St. Lawrence started the season struggling to kill penalties. Through the first 16 games, the Saints managed to kill only 71.6 percent.

That's all changed.

St. Lawrence hasn't allowed a power-play goal in 29 consecutive efforts. It is by far the longest stretch of the season. The last one allowed was the first of Niagara's four goals in a 4-3 loss on Jan. 9.

"I know one thing we're getting better at is staying aggressive," Marsh said. "We're not getting spread out quite as much."

He also credited goalie Kain Tisi, who has allowed two goals or less in every game since the Niagara loss.

"He's been red hot," Marsh said. "There's your best penalty killer right there — special teams and goaltending. Wins always finds its way back to that."

The Saints also have done a better job clearing the puck and getting fresh legs on the ice. Marsh said one of the keys has been a three-unit group that rotates in every 20 seconds.

"The only way to stay aggressive is to stay fresh," he said. "You don't have to be a big banger to be good at penalty kills. Defensive positioning is far more important."

VERMEULEN COMPLEX

Forward Travis Vermeulen makes up in work ethic what he lacks in size. The senior stands 5 feet, 6 inches tall and weighs 170 pounds.

He doesn't think it's a problem.

"I'd say it's more of a motivator," he said. "St. Lawrence was able to look past it. I think I play the way I do because of my size."

When he's not on the ice, Vermeulen's in the weight room either riding the stationary bike, lifting or stretching to make sure his size doesn't ever become a problem.

"I don't think I'm the most talented guy, but I think I work a lot harder than most people," he said. "That's the talent I've been given."

He's been recognized for his efforts with the ECAC Hockey player of the week award two of the last three weeks, and he was the Inside College Hockey national player of the week after a 6-point weekend against Brown and Yale.

"It makes you feel good," Vermeulen said. "Having guys come up and say that I got that was a pretty big surprise."

Sportswrtier Daniel J. Cassavaugh covers St. Lawrence University hockey for the Times. For additional coverage, visit his Casstle of the Saints blog online. You may reach him at dcassavaugh@wdt.net.