"If something needs to be said, I've called them in together," Allman said. "I speak when necessary, and I can be in-your-face when people aren't executing."

"There have been a couple of times on the ice when guys have not been as sharp as they should have been, and Trevor has taken the initiative to inform them in a pretty direct manner," Mazzoleni said. " It doesn't work if it constantly has to be the coaches reinforcing wants and desires."

For the Crimson to improve on last year's 14-16-2 (8-12-2 ECAC) record, it will have to get some major help from the eight seniors on the team. Allman stresses that with the help of his seven classmates, the job has not been as tough as he originally thought it would be.

"It's nice to have a new system with eight seniors who can lead by example," he said.

It's important to remember that Allman was voted in as captain last year--so he's had the job for six months now. While yet to lead the team on the ice (except for a scrimmage at Dartmouth), he's been the quiet leader of the weight room and the track.

"Camp is fun to play," Allman said. "We're working really hard. But there's still a long way to go to reach Lake Placid."

Camp is fun? Running sprints and bench pressing and doing stadiums in the summer a month before the season begins is enjoyable? Allman may not be the on-ice equivalent to Wayne Gretzky, but the words coming out of his mouth sound just like the Great One himself.

"Well, there really haven't been any unexpected problems with transitions and such with freshman and the new coach," Allman said. "Actually, the head coach is usually out recruiting, so I'm leading the guys to workouts."