Photo Credit: Kelsey Lee-Violet Turtle Photography

Coaches like to recruit players with bits of their personality. For AIC Head Coach Eric Lang that means recruiting players like Blake Wells. The UMASS Lowell Graduate transfer has drawn critical acclaim for his play and has become a pro style leader like his head coach.

As Lang said “ He’s the ultimate pro. A winning hockey player is the best way to describe him. I’m sure he’s excited to be going back to Lowell.”

In net, AIC has a rookie of the year candidate in goalie Nills Wallstrom who has taken the job in a crowded net and run with it. Lang said it best in describing Nills “ He’s been incredibly solid. Big and boring. He does everything inside of a game that’s asked of him.”

On defense for AIC, Lang has a player that needs the attention of the next level after his college career is done, and not just for his defensive prowess. Brian Kramer has been raved about by Lang for everything in his game since Lang first started recruiting him. Now he has grown into a Hobey Baker candidate for his work. As Lang said “He’s been arguably the best player in our league. He leads the country in goals for defenseman. His resume speaks for itself.”

One player for Lang that has produced in high numbers in his short almost two seasons in Springfield is forward John Lundy. Lang praised the Brooklyn native saying on what stands out “His work ethic. Hes scored at every level since he’s 14. He’s improved all aspects of his game. The scoring comes easy to him.”

Lang was honest and direct as usual about the prep for Lowell. Given that Lowell has lost to Army West Point in the Tsongas Center where the game is, he could have mentioned using tape or going with tendencies, but for AIC to fly to an at-large spot, they have to focus on themselves. Lang knows that and said “First game back off of break. Our focus has to be on us. We can’t be experts on Lowell.”

Finally, Lang discussed a big key for both teams in the one game series Saturday afternoon “ The team that can remain patient and attack when appropriate will have the advantage.”

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