Genovy Ready To Pick Up Slack For Clarkson
Clarkson University has produced its share of talented forwards with long term
potential. Just look at what Erik Cole is doing for the Carolina Hurricanes and
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take that as an example. But before reaching the NHL, Cole first earned some looks
in the USHL with the Des Moines Buccaneers in 1996-97 then went on the three solid
seasons with Clarkson.
It appears that forward Jeff
Genovy is following in Cole’s footsteps. The Michigan born Genovy, 20, was
an all star last year with, you guessed it, Des Moines before embarking on his
career as a student-athlete with Clarkson. He chose Clarkson over Western Michigan,
Lake Superior State, and the University of Nebraska-Omaha.
It’s been a trying season at the upstate New York school where the team has
struggled through the controversial firing of head coach Mark Morris for an
altercation with a player during a shinny game after practice. Interim coach
Fred Parker was placed in the position, temporarily filling Morris’ shoes, which
are rather big given all he’d done for the program. Despite Clarkson’s under
.500 record and inconsistent play, Genovy has been one of the bright spots.
He’s scored only five goals in 30 games but there are signs he can become a
star forward in the ECAC, and throughout college hockey.
With a number of returning forwards like Kevin O’ Flaherty, Ryan McFeeters
and Dave Reid have given Genovy enough insulation from having to produce immediately
and a core group from which he can learn. At the first-ever College Hockey Showcase
at the Corel Center in Ottawa, Genovy scored the game-winning goal in overtime
against Colgate in a non-conference game on a pass from O’Flaherty with :43
seconds remaining. It was, indeed, a showcase as the game was played in the
afternoon before the Ottawa-New Jersey game.
Don’t let the lack of point production fool you; Genovy’s role is not as a
major scorer, nor will it ever be given Clarkson’s tight checking style and
the overall defensive hockey played in the ECAC. You won’t see production as
gaudy as the numbers being put up by WCHA and CCHA stars.
The College Hockey Showcase showed Genovy is able to perform with veterans
and carry himself with the poise of one. At 6-3, 200, Genovy is a rather large
presence whose best efforts come down low on the net. He’s a great scorer from
in close. Genovy’s size and ability to play in tight is not a question but developing
his shot and becoming more involved in all aspects of the game are next on the
agenda.
As the program struggles, Genovy will be looked on as one of the linchpins
that can bring them back to the top of the ECAC. Clarkson is on course to post
its first losing campaign in 29 years, which the Cheel Arena faithful hope is
only a momentary aberration.
He comes from a proud hockey lineage; his father Alan played for the University
of Denver where he won two NCAA national championships before going on to a
minor pro career in the Detroit Red Wings system. The senior Genovy played eight
seasons in the minors.
Genovy hopes to follow in his father’s footsteps, taking it further, though,
and cracking the NHL. The Columbus Blue Jackets drafted Genovy in the 3rd round
(96th overall) demonstrating that he’s being taken seriously. Knowing Columbus
general manager, Doug MacLean, the bigger the player; the harder they work;
the more he’ll give that player a long look. Genovy shouldn’t waste his chance.