Senior Icer Ben Bouma said he rediscovered his calling when his coaches placed the three-year starting forward on defense in the Blue-White game last week.
“All of the instinct came back,” Bouma said. “I feel real comfortable there.”
Bouma originally started as a defender in high school, but since then, he’s become a vital part of the Icers’ front line. This transformation came partially because Bouma lacks the mass of a typical defender. But what Bouma lacks in size, he makes up for in his blazing speed and his elusive stick skill.
In his three years as a forward, he has scored 45 goals, and is 25th on the all time scorer list for the Icers.
“I have always believed he was one of the most talented athletes on the team,” Coach Joe Battista said. “He handles the puck with a lot of poise, and he isn’t afraid to throw his body into a shot.”
The 6-foot, 155-pound Bouma has worked hard to make a name for himself with his aggressive style and surgical puck play. The Icer defense this year lacks Bouma’s kind of skill and experience, and Battista said he feels this change was necessary to bring the new defense to life.
Bouma is dedicated to everything he does, and senior forward Chris Cervellero said because of Bouma’s dedication, he can be effective whereever he plays.
“I’m going to miss him at forward,” Cervellero said. “But he is a very versatile player, and I think he can make a great impact wherever he plays. He gives all he’s got to everything he does.”
On the other side, Matt Hoffman is the lone returning defenseman, and he welcomes the addition of Bouma to his line. Hoffman is currently paired with Bouma, and feels that it makes for the best of both worlds in the line. Hoffman is a large physical defenseman, and is comparable to a linebacker on skates. On the other hand, Bouma sees himself as more of the quarterback of the defense.
“A good defender can add something to the offense,” Bouma said. “It is similar to being a quarterback. I am back where I can see everything that is going on and I have a chance to assess the situation before I make a play.”
Battista said that Bouma has one of the best poke checks that he has seen, and is quick to point out that Bouma is not a stranger to defense. Bouma plays point on the power plays, and was known for his aggressive defense in high school.
Bouma has had an up and down career as an Icer, Battista said. He came out strong as a starting forward his freshman year, and scored 25 goals for the Icers that year. But he was plagued by shoulder problems during his sophomore and junior campaigns, and scored only 20 goals in the two seasons combined.
During the off season, Bouma had reconstructive shoulder surgery, and Battista feels that this has lifted a load of worry and pain off of the shoulders of Bouma.
“He is finally playing with confidence,” Battista said. “I think that this is what he’s needed to get where he wants to be this year, but he’s going to have to work for it.”
Bouma said that he welcomes the challenge, and feels he can help the newer defensemen get use to covering the space. He would also like to instill a keen sense of anticipation that is necessary to be an effective defenseman at the collegiate level.
“You need to be a step or two ahead of the offense,” Bouma said. “That takes time to learn.”
Battista said Bouma knows what it takes to break up a play, and because of this he is the best player to fill the void until some of the new defenders get their feet cold (from the ice).
Battista said he has enough confidence in Bouma’s skill and versatility adding that he can place him anywhere on the ice and count on him to be a power player.