Miami University’s ice hockey program continues to be hugely successful thanks to head coach Enrico Blasi. With 14 years of experience, multiple coaching awards, and hundreds of victories under his belt, he has taken the RedHawks and transformed them into the winning machine they are today. Under his direction, the ice hockey team has become nationally recognized as a force to be reckoned with. Despite all of his success, he humbly claims of his personal life, “Being part of my two daughters’ lives- that’s the most important thing.”
Her Campus talked with our beloved Blasi and discovered that there are various attributes he looks for when scouting potential players. With a program as highly acclaimed as Miami’s, Blasi and his recruiting team look for young men who embody a specific combination of traits and skills. Only if they prove they can bring this unique mix of talent and personality to the ice, are they fit to wear the pristine Miami sweater.
Coach Blasi knows it’s important to find new recruits that are going to continue to help the team grow and advance. When it comes to potential RedHawks, character is key. Blasi is first and foremost looking for hardworking and trustworthy young men with leadership qualities. Obviously skill and academics come into play, but in order to uphold the philosophy Blasi has cultivated, players need to be responsible for themselves and each other.
These traits are not so easy to recognize solely from observing athletic performance, thus Miami recruiters get to know all of their new recruits on a personal level in order to determine whether or not they would be a good fit. In addition to the one-on-one time, assistant coaches perform background checks. “We do our homework”, Blasi said.
Once a player finally makes it on the team, the work truly begins. “This is a full-time job”, Coach Blasi said. NCAA rules only allow hockey players to practice with the program 20 hours a week. This includes workouts, games, watching videos, attending meetings, and weightlifting.
In addition, they have to attend class and keep their GPA and bodies in shape. Blasi expects excellence both on and off the ice. The NCAA requires that athletes have to maintain over a 2.0 to play. The Miami hockey program requires all athletes who are below a 2.5 to attend study tables, and all freshmen athletes are initially required to attend study tables.
Miami’s hockey program has owes its success to the atmosphere and team mentality Coach Blasi has helped facilitate. Players are expected to work hard, be respectful of one another, and upstanding members of society.