Former DU Assistant Appert Whips RPI Into Shape
BY KEN SCHOTT Gazette Sportswriter
schott@dailygazette.com
Ever since Seth Appert was hired as Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s head men’s hockey coach in April, he has been on the go.
The former Denver University assistant coach has had a lot on his agenda, both with RPI and personal. He’s been on the road recruiting. He needed to hire two new assistant coaches. He has met with all the players, telling them what he expects. He also had to find a house for his wife and daughter.
It would seem like Appert’s mind has been spinning the last three months. But things are starting to slow down as he prepares for the 2006-07 season.
"I haven’t had a checklist, but it’s been a continuous list day after day," said Appert, who replaced Dan Fridgen. "It’s been crazy. It’s been a whirlwind. But I’m seeing now things starting to settle in. First off, I’ve got my family here.
"There hasn’t been any moment that it’s been, ‘Oh, my gosh.’ Part of that is being fortunate to get hired in late April instead of late June or early July. I had a month to put things together."
His more important moves, as far as the hockey program is concerned, were hiring two assistant coaches after deciding not to retain Frank Bretti and Jeff Matthews.
His first hire was former Maine star Jim Montgomery. He then chose Army assistant coach and former Denver U. defenseman Shawn Kurulak.
"I could take my time with that process, and not have to [make a] rash [decision] and hire a couple of guys at the end of the summer," Appert said. "That’s something I felt already this summer that’s going to be dividends over the next couple of years."
As far as recruiting, Appert is looking to add three more players for this season. He already received a verbal commitment from defenseman Peter Merth last month.
Merth played for the Burnaby Express of the British Columbia Junior Hockey League. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Merth was named the best defensive player at the Royal Bank Cup tournament, which his team won. He had five goals and 17 assists in 60 regular-season games.
Appert is looking at adding another defenseman, and a recruit who can play forward and defense.
"It’s difficult this late in the season, with limited scholarship money available," Appert said.
Appert is happy with the progress the players are making in their offseason conditioning program.
"When they left campus, there was a lot of excitement, a lot of enthusiasm. Change is that way," Appert said. "But knowing that mid-July, the end of July, it gets tough. You’re home, it’s 95 degrees outside — it gets pretty easy to skip workouts in the midst of things. To continue that momentum is to keep in touch with each other, not only from the staff, but from player to player."
The former Denver University assistant coach has had a lot on his agenda, both with RPI and personal. He’s been on the road recruiting. He needed to hire two new assistant coaches. He has met with all the players, telling them what he expects. He also had to find a house for his wife and daughter.
It would seem like Appert’s mind has been spinning the last three months. But things are starting to slow down as he prepares for the 2006-07 season.
"I haven’t had a checklist, but it’s been a continuous list day after day," said Appert, who replaced Dan Fridgen. "It’s been crazy. It’s been a whirlwind. But I’m seeing now things starting to settle in. First off, I’ve got my family here.
"There hasn’t been any moment that it’s been, ‘Oh, my gosh.’ Part of that is being fortunate to get hired in late April instead of late June or early July. I had a month to put things together."
His more important moves, as far as the hockey program is concerned, were hiring two assistant coaches after deciding not to retain Frank Bretti and Jeff Matthews.
His first hire was former Maine star Jim Montgomery. He then chose Army assistant coach and former Denver U. defenseman Shawn Kurulak.
"I could take my time with that process, and not have to [make a] rash [decision] and hire a couple of guys at the end of the summer," Appert said. "That’s something I felt already this summer that’s going to be dividends over the next couple of years."
As far as recruiting, Appert is looking to add three more players for this season. He already received a verbal commitment from defenseman Peter Merth last month.
Merth played for the Burnaby Express of the British Columbia Junior Hockey League. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound Merth was named the best defensive player at the Royal Bank Cup tournament, which his team won. He had five goals and 17 assists in 60 regular-season games.
Appert is looking at adding another defenseman, and a recruit who can play forward and defense.
"It’s difficult this late in the season, with limited scholarship money available," Appert said.
Appert is happy with the progress the players are making in their offseason conditioning program.
"When they left campus, there was a lot of excitement, a lot of enthusiasm. Change is that way," Appert said. "But knowing that mid-July, the end of July, it gets tough. You’re home, it’s 95 degrees outside — it gets pretty easy to skip workouts in the midst of things. To continue that momentum is to keep in touch with each other, not only from the staff, but from player to player."
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