Bruins talk about the benefits of going through the drill
Joe Sacco
. 'It brings out some competitiveness in the players and a little mocking going on back and forth with each other.'
The work helps forwards work on burst, cutting, and maintaining possession, while the defenders can sharpen their reach and body position.
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'The drill serves a good purpose, especially with younger guys coming into the league now, adjusting to the speed and the pace of the game and making sure that they have the proper technique angle on players and trying to keep them and force them to the outside as much as possible,' said Sacco.
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It's a favorite of defenseman
Nikita Zadorov
, who at 6 feet 6 inches and 255 pounds, can be quite intimidating to go against mano-a-mano.
'I like that drill. We did it a lot in Colorado. [Coach]
Jared Bednar
was a really big fan of that drill, and I think it's really helped the defensive system as the F three and the D man, when you lose the puck in the O zone and you need to take an angle to close play on the blue line,' said Zadorov. 'And the same thing for D. You close on your blue line like this, taking a better angle so nobody cuts middle on you. I think it's a really productive drill. I'm enjoying that for sure.'
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Zadorov relishes the competition and also the extracurricular commentary from the spectators.
'If you take somebody wide, you can chirp the guy over there,' said Zadorov. 'Everybody's watching at the same time. It's only two guys going, everybody else watching. So, I think it's pretty competitive and a cool drill for sure.'
The drill creates a buzz, which has been a Zadorov specialty.
'He brings energy to the rink. He brings energy to the practices and the locker room,' said Sacco. 'Obviously, we need some of that. We've needed it during the year because the group at times when you lose some guys that have been here a long time, voices that carry a lot of weight in the room, you need other guys to pick up that part of the leadership and he's trying to do his part in that area too.'
Awards handed out
Some housekeeping items: The Bruins handed out their annual awards Thursday with
David Pastrnak
and
Morgan Geekie
double dipping. Pastrnak earned the Dufresne Trophy as the club's top performer on home ice. He was also 98.5 The Sports Hub's First Star ... Geekie took home the Eddie Shore Award for 'exceptional hustle and determination.' He also was named 98.5's Third Star ... The Second Star went to goaltender
Jeremy Swayman
...
Parker Wotherspoon
won the John P. Bucyk Award for 'exceptional off-ice charitable contributions ... The Seventh Player Award will be announced at the home finale Tuesday ... Thayer Academy's
Morgan McGathey
and
Kyle O'Leary
of Noble & Greenough were awarded the John Carlton Memorial Trophies. The award is handed out annually by the team to Massachusetts's most outstanding high school senior girls and boys hockey player. McGathey had 39 goals and 58 points in 28 games. She will attend Harvard. O'Leary put up 24 goals and 59 points in 27 games. He is Yale-bound. The award is named in honor of Carlton, the late Bruins scout. ... It's been a hot start for
Dans Locmelis
at Providence. The winger, who recently wrapped up a two-year stint at UMass, collected 1 goal and 5 points in his first five games with the Baby Bs ... The Bruins finish their road schedule with a Sunday matinee against the Penguins.
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Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
A year after stumbling at Big Ten media days, UCLA's DeShaun Foster is poised and confident
It's easier for everything to go according to script when you have one. As DeShaun Foster strode across the stage inside a convention center here Thursday afternoon, the UCLA football coach clutched several pages of prepared remarks that helped him navigate a lengthy opening monologue with poise and confidence. Poking fun at his widely mocked and memed performance from a year ago, when he delivered a short, unrehearsed address filled with awkward pauses and an uneasy smile, Foster indulged reporters in a short recap of the lowlights. 'Last year I stood up here and reminded everyone that UCLA is in L.A., which looking back might have been the most obvious geography lesson in Big Ten history,' Foster said. 'But you know what? Important things are worth stating clearly. We are in L.A., and we're proud to be in L.A. This year we're ready to show the Big Ten what L.A. football looks like when it's firing on all cylinders.' The Bruins can only hope their turnaround on the field is as stunning as their coach's transformation onstage. A year ago, as UCLA stumbled to a 1-5 start, 'We're in L.A.' became a catchphrase freely wielded to ridicule a team that often looked as lost as its coach had while delivering his opening remarks inside Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Rather than run from his troubles, Foster barreled ahead like a running back who found an opening in a wall of defenders. The rookie coach found his footing with a team that won four of its last six games, narrowly missing an opportunity to play in a bowl game. His offseason was even more impressive. Foster overhauled his staff (only two assistants from last season remain) and redoubled his recruiting efforts, leading to a 2026 high school class ranked No. 21 nationally by Landing Nico Iamaleava from the transfer portal after the quarterback's spring of discontent at Tennessee generated immediate buzz. 'We're just excited to have a playoff quarterback, somebody that was able to lead his team to the playoffs,' Foster said. 'They might not have gotten the outcome that they wanted, but he still was able to play. He showed how tough he was in that game. Just being able to come back home and be comfortable and being in a familiar environment, I think the sky is the limit. We're excited about this.' While Iamaleava's arrival isn't expected to vault the Bruins into contention for the Big Ten title, much less the College Football Playoff — UCLA was picked to finish 15th in the 18-team conference by a media poll conducted by — there is recent precedent for teams taking a big leap in their coach's second season. Colorado finished 9-4 last season after going 4-8 in Deion Sanders' debut season and Arizona State went 11-3 and made the CFP one year after going 3-9 in Kenny Dillingham's first season. Foster said he hopes this season goes as well as his second in the NFL, when he helped the Carolina Panthers reach the Super Bowl. Questions abound, particularly on a defense that loses every key playmaker, as the Bruins prepare to open training camp in Costa Mesa on Wednesday. The team will practice off campus for the first time since training in San Bernardino in 2016 because of the installation of a grass field outside the Wasserman Football Center. Some changes around the program feel more than cosmetic. UCLA athletic director Martin Jarmond said that Foster's willingness to make wholesale changes on his coaching staff after just one season and the associated recruiting surge are signs that this is a program on the rise. Read more: Wide receiver Kaedin Robinson suing NCAA in bid to play for UCLA this season 'He's just brought a vibe back, a buzz and energy about UCLA football that we haven't had since I've been here, quite honestly,' Jarmond said. 'And that's what you want to see.' A few hours before Foster took a few sips of water and dabbed his head with a handkerchief before ascending stairs to the podium inside the Mandalay Bay, his boss predicted that he would have a better showing than he did last year. 'I think he's just more comfortable,' Jarmond said. 'You know, everybody is new at something and you don't nail the landing every first time. And so, thankfully, you're not graded on what you say; you're graded on how you perform and how you lead, and that's what he's done exceptionally well. I mean, the last half of the season, we finished 4-2 — the momentum he had going into the second half of the year and then the recruiting, that's what matters, what you're doing with the program. 'So I think he's excited about today. I think he's going to feel more comfortable because he's done it before. And that's just part of the deal. But he's going to be himself and he's going to be great.' Foster said his verbal stumbles from a year ago taught him a valuable lesson. Read more: New college sports agency is rejecting some NIL deals with donor-backed collectives 'Authenticity resonates more deeply than perfection,' he said. 'Our players saw me being human, and it brought us closer together. We've been joking about it for about a year now. The players know that that same genuine approach is how we coach, recruit and build this program.' Entering his second season, Foster said he expected significant improvement not just from his team but also from himself. 'Growth is part of the process, and we're all committed to being better than we were last season,' Foster said. 'I know there are questions about our progress, expectations and how well we're performing in this conference. That's totally fair. We're here to earn respect, not demand it. However, I can tell you this: My team is ready. They're confident. They're prepared, and they're hungry to show up and show out and redefine what UCLA football can be. So, yes, we're still in L.A. We're proud to be Bruins, and we're ready to make it happen starting now.' And with that, Foster announced that he was happy to take any questions, having answered a big one about himself. Sign up for UCLA sports for big game takeaways, recruiting buzz and more UCLA sports insights. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Los Angeles Times
3 hours ago
- Los Angeles Times
A year after stumbling at Big Ten media days, UCLA's DeShaun Foster is poised and confident
LAS VEGAS — It's easier for everything to go according to script when you have one. As DeShaun Foster strode across the stage inside a convention center here Thursday afternoon, the UCLA football coach clutched several pages of prepared remarks that helped him navigate a lengthy opening monologue with poise and confidence. Poking fun at his widely mocked and memed performance from a year ago, when he delivered a short, unrehearsed address filled with awkward pauses and an uneasy smile, Foster indulged reporters in a short recap of the lowlights. 'Last year I stood up here and reminded everyone that UCLA is in L.A., which looking back might have been the most obvious geography lesson in Big Ten history,' Foster said. 'But you know what? Important things are worth stating clearly. We are in L.A., and we're proud to be in L.A. This year we're ready to show the Big Ten what L.A. football looks like when it's firing on all cylinders.' The Bruins can only hope their turnaround on the field is as stunning as their coach's transformation on stage. A year ago, as UCLA stumbled to a 1-5 start, 'We're in L.A.' became a catchphrase freely wielded to ridicule a team that often looked as lost as its coach had while delivering his opening remarks inside Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Rather than run from his troubles, Foster barreled ahead like a running back who found an opening in a wall of defenders. The rookie coach found his footing with a team that won four of its last six games, narrowly missing an opportunity to play in a bowl game. His offseason was even more impressive. Foster overhauled his staff (only two assistants from last season remain) and redoubled his recruiting efforts, leading to a 2026 high school class ranked No. 21 nationally by Landing Nico Iamaleava from the transfer portal after the quarterback's spring of discontent at Tennessee generated immediate buzz. 'We're just excited to have a playoff quarterback, somebody that was able to lead his team to the playoffs,' Foster said. 'They might not have gotten the outcome that they wanted, but he still was able to play. He showed how tough he was in that game. Just being able to come back home and be comfortable and being in a familiar environment, I think the sky is the limit. We're excited about this.' While Iamaleava's arrival isn't expected to vault the Bruins into contention for the Big Ten title, much less the College Football Playoff — UCLA was picked to finish 15th in the 18-team conference by a media poll conducted by — there is recent precedent for teams taking a big leap in their coach's second season. Colorado finished 9-4 last season after going 4-8 in Deion Sanders' debut season and Arizona State went 11-3 and made the CFP one year after going 3-9 in Kenny Dillingham's first season. Foster said he hoped this season went as well as his second in the NFL, when he helped the Carolina Panthers reach the Super Bowl. Questions abound, particularly on a defense that loses every key playmaker, as the Bruins prepare to open training camp in Costa Mesa on Wednesday. The team will practice off campus for the first time since training in San Bernardino in 2016 because of the installation of a grass field outside the Wasserman Center. Some changes around the program feel more than cosmetic. UCLA athletic director Martin Jarmond said that Foster's willingness to make wholesale changes on his coaching staff after just one season and the associated recruiting surge are signs that this is a program on the rise. 'He's just brought a vibe back, a buzz and energy about UCLA football that we haven't had since I've been here, quite honestly,' Jarmond said. 'And that's what you want to see.' A few hours before Foster took a few sips of water and dabbed his head with a handkerchief before ascending stairs to the podium inside the Mandalay Bay, his boss predicted that he would have a better showing than he did last year. 'I think he's just more comfortable,' Jarmond said. 'You know, everybody is new at something and you don't nail the landing every first time. And so, thankfully you're not graded on what you say; you're graded on, how you perform and how you lead, and that's what he's done exceptionally well. I mean, the last half of the season, we finished 4-2 — the momentum he had going into the second half of the year and then the recruiting, that's what matters, what you're doing with the program. 'So I think he's excited about today. I think he's going to feel more comfortable because he's done it before. And that's just part of the deal. But he's going to be himself and he's going to be great.' Foster said his verbal stumbles from a year ago taught him a valuable lesson. 'Authenticity resonates more deeply than perfection,' he said. 'Our players saw me being human, and it brought us closer together. We've been joking about it for about a year now. The players know that that same genuine approach is how we coach, recruit and build this program.' Entering his second season, Foster said he expected significant improvement not just from his team but also from himself. 'Growth is part of the process, and we're all committed to being better than we were last season,' Foster said. 'I know there are questions about our progress, expectations and how well we're performing in this conference. That's totally fair. We're here to earn respect, not demand it. However, I can tell you this: My team is ready. They're confident. They're prepared, and they're hungry to show up and show out and redefine what UCLA football can be. So, yes, we're still in L.A. We're proud to be Bruins, and we're ready to make it happen starting now.' And with that, Foster announced that he was happy to take any questions, having answered a big one about himself.
USA Today
5 hours ago
- USA Today
DeShaun Foster 'excited to have a playoff quarterback' in Nico Iamaleava at UCLA
Big Ten media days is taking place Thursday in Las Vegas, Nevada. Thursday featured UCLA at media days. Former Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava transferred to the Bruins from Tennessee following spring practices in April. Second-year UCLA head coach DeShaun Foster discussed Iamaleava at Big Ten media days. "The arm strength is just something you see, off just from watching him play at all,' Foster said. 'He's just a talent, and it's not anything I saw him do last season, it's more of what I had seen him do all the way up. Him being a local quarterback, I had seen him play a few times, and he's played with a lot of players that are on our team, so there is a lot familiarly there and we're just excited to have a playoff quarterback. "Somebody that was able to lead his team to a playoff, they may have not have gotten the outcome they wanted, but he was still able to play and showed how tough he was in that game. Just being able to come back home and be comfortable, and be in a familiar environment, I think the sky is the limit." The 6-foot-6, 215-pound signal-caller appeared in 18 games at Tennessee from 2023-24. He completed 241-of-379 passing attempts for 2,930 yards, 21 touchdowns and five interceptions. Iamaleava also recorded 435 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 129 attempts at Tennessee. He is from Long Beach, California. PHOTOS: Tennessee starting quarterbacks through the years More: Nico Iamaleava's UCLA football jersey number announced Follow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
