43
Well-traveled Zucker happy to be closer to home
By Greg Gulas
AUSTINTOWN
When Phantoms head coach Anthony Noreen was unable to speak to the Curbstone Coaches at Monday’s luncheon at Luciano’s Restaurant, assistant coach Michael Zucker proved to be quite the replacement.
Noreen and Phantoms forward Kyle Connor were traveling from Nova Scotia from the World Junior A Challenge Tournament. Connor scored the winning goal for Team USA in Sunday’s 4-1 victory over Russia in the championship game.
Zucker is in his 17th season as a hockey coach. The Queens, N.Y., native is in his first season with the Phantoms and his second coaching stint in the USHL.
“After spending a number of years coaching teams located west of the Mississippi, I wanted to get closer to home and be near my family because they all reside on the East Coast,” Zucker said. “I love our league because they play a pro-type schedule and that was also attractive.
“I consider Coach Noreen one of the best in the business; someone who is well-respected in hockey circles and I wanted the opportunity to learn from him.”
Zucker was a part of former NHL head coach Kevin Constantine’s staff when he coached the Western hockey League’s Everett Silvertips. Previously, Constantine had coached the Pittsburgh Penguins, New Jersey Devils and San Jose Sharks.
Zucker also learned from Tampa Bay Lightning assistant coach George Gwozdecky when they were at the University of Denver. He also cited Bliss Littler as a mentor from when they were with the USHL’s Omaha Lancers.
“Kevin gave me my first break and was a big proponent of statistics and details while using video analysis and breakdown to teach the game,” Zucker said. “George is the Mike Krzyzewski of college hockey while Coach Littler is the winningest coach in the history of U.S. Junior Hockey with 577 wins,” Zucker said. “I’ve been so fortunate to have learned under some of the very best in the game.”
The USHL is the only Tier 1 Junior A Hockey League in the country.
“This is the level that prepares players for college or the professional ranks,” Zucker said.
Zucker, who coaches forwards and works with special teams, also is in charge of scouting, player recruiting and video breakdown.
Zucker praised Noreen, saying, “he’s a young coach that has proven he can win and players have responded to his coaching style. He’s has a wealth of hockey knowledge.”
“It might be the first time that I have worked under a younger coach, but he is fiery, passionate and genuinely cares about the players,” Zucker said. “It’s our job to help the players hone their skills as they prepare for the next level of their careers.”
Over the last eight seasons, Zucker he has coached 26 NHL draft picks (including five selected in the first-round) as well as two Hobey Baker finalists and three NCAA All-Americans.