The Kevin Moore era is well underway, and he has made another significant signing, sparking mixed reactions among fans. NCAA defenseman Mike Kennedy has joined the Coventry Blaze for the 2024/25 season under head coach Kevin Moore. Kennedy arrives from Princeton University, which has faced challenges in the ECAC conference of the NCAA.
Mike Kennedy has been competing with Princeton University for the last four seasons in the ECAC conference of the NCAA. He was on the team in his first year but never actually played because the season was cancelled before the ECAC conference started playing. In his second year he would only be picked by the coach on 13 occasions where he would play regular minutes, but his defensive skills weren’t the best in those games as after 18 games he ended up on a -7 +/- stat; however, the team would finish 10th in the standings that season. His third year was roughly the same with them as he would ice for 28 games and he had a -7 +/- stat again, however this time around his team managed to reach the conference quarterfinal as they finished 8th in the table, however they would lose in the quarterfinals. Fourth and final year was no better with him icing for more games this time 30 games where he put 5 points and a +/- of -16. His team would lose in the qualifying round according to HockeyDB (there is no record of the team playing on Elite Prospects).
Mike Kennedy is still a young player with ample time to grow and develop his skills. He fits well into Kevin Moore’s vision of building a youthful roster for the 2024/25 season, aiming to develop the team for a brighter future. While Kennedy possesses a decent level of defensive awareness and corresponding skills, his performance over the last few seasons has been less than stellar. The transition to the professional stage may seem unusual for Kennedy, but it is a necessary step as he can’t remain at the university level indefinitely. Moore's decision to bring Kennedy on board is risky, but there is potential for him to become a solid defenseman.
The signing of Mike Kennedy by the Coventry Blaze under head coach Kevin Moore represents a bold and calculated risk. Despite his less-than-impressive statistics and the struggles of his team at Princeton University, Kennedy's youth and potential align with Moore's strategy of nurturing a young, promising roster. The transition to professional hockey may seem daunting, but it is a crucial step for Kennedy’s career development. If he can harness his defensive skills and adapt to the higher level of play, Kennedy could emerge as a key player for the Blaze. Ultimately, this move embodies Moore's commitment to building a future-focused team, banking on the growth and potential of young talents like Kennedy.
Author of Article: Calan Yule
Editor: Will Harris
Proofread By: Will Harris
© EIHL News Central
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