Paul Flanagan has seen plenty of players with elite talent do just enough to get by during their hockey careers. He never quite knows what level of determination he is going to get out of his top recruits when he chooses them.

So when Flanagan, SU’s ice hockey head coach, recruited Isabel Menard during his first season at Syracuse, he wasn’t sure what kind of player he was going to get. But thus far, the highly touted Canadian has done everything in her power to shine in her first two seasons for the Orange.

‘She’s a real determined athlete the way she plays, how hard she works both on and off the ice, and I really like her focus,’ Flanagan said. ‘The fact that she’s so talented she could get away and not have to work as hard and still play a lot, but she’s pushing herself and I really admire that.’

After leading SU in scoring a year ago, the sophomore forward racked up numerous accolades. Menard was named CHA Rookie of the Year and was a first-team all-league selection after her first season at Syracuse.

Although those achievements could have swayed Menard to slack off, it only motivated her to get better. Menard worked hard during the offseason to improve on her team-best 37 points from a season ago. Hockey has taken precedent in every facet of her daily life. For Menard, hockey is a lifestyle.

‘I think I’ve been working on my game on and off the ice,’ Menard said. ‘I’ve been staying after hours and doing extra things to help me try and progress and become a better hockey player — agility, sprints to get even faster, and my nutrition is really important to me.’

The success has come in droves for Menard during her second season. Menard has already tallied seven goals and 12 assists in the first 11 games of the season. She is well on her way to surpassing last season’s totals.

‘Not only did she have a great rookie year within our league and I think turned heads nationally, but what is really nice is that there’s no sophomore slump with her,’ Flanagan said. ‘I think she took it up a notch, and as a coach that’s what you’re looking for. She kicked the door in big time last year, but she kicked it wide open this year.’

Team captain Stefanie Marty was sidelined with a shoulder injury during last Friday’s contest with Clarkson. It was one of the few times Marty was able to concentrate on Menard’s talents, and she was treated to a show.

Menard had a stellar performance, assisting on all of SU’s goals in the 3-1 victory over Clarkson. Menard recorded two goals and three assists during the two-game series with the Golden Knights.

‘She sees the game, and she can skate,’ Marty said. ‘She’s colliding, but she’s still the fastest out there. She makes so many smart plays, and I don’t usually watch players. When I play, I try to focus more on my own game, but she’s a really smart hockey player, and that’s what I saw last game.’

Menard has the tools and the work ethic to be an electric threat for the Orange. There is her balance, her control and her strength, but her knack to be unselfish is something that sets her apart from other elite players.

‘I just show up every practice and practice hard, and during games I always want to do something right or do something to help the team,’ Menard said. ‘I think I always focus on that and just get the win and help the team progress.’

Menard was able to set up the game-winning goal against Clarkson when she drew the defender and froze the goalie to deliver a perfect assist to Megan Skelly.

Flanagan is glad Menard has seized the opportunity to become one of the elite players in the nation. And his decision to recruit her has paid dividends for SU this season.

‘She’s one of the best players I’ve ever coached, and I’ve been fortunate,’ Flanagan said. ‘I’ve had some men and women players and five All-Americans, and she’s just as talented and maybe more so than any of those out there. We’ll have to see what happens.’

adtredin@syr.edu

 

Published on November 17, 2010 at 12:00 pm