Halfway There: Monsters Quotes and Notes

The Cleveland Monsters are about halfway through the 2021-22 season. Here are a few quick quotes and notes about the Monsters up to this point.

The Inconsistency of the Monsters

Since November, the Monsters have been playing inconsistent hockey. When they are good, they are brilliant. When they are bad, well…it’s pretty bad. They either score six or seven goals one night, get shutout the next, or go to overtime two nights in a row. You could say it’s a bit of a roller coaster ride for Cleveland during the 2021-22 season. Monsters Head Coach Mike Eaves touched on this fact in early November, “We haven’t found that consistent rut that we want to get. We’re very much aware of that.”

The Monsters coaches have been talking to leadership and the leadership core on a constant basis to try and figure out where the disconnect is on the ice.

”Every week I come back and we evaluate how we played, what we did well, what we didn’t do well,” explained Coach Eaves. “And then we push that the next week to get going so that we find that consistency.”

At the end of the day, the Monsters coaching staff wants to “be playing our best hockey” by the end of the season.

A Familiar Face Between the Pipes

Jean-Francois Berube is no stranger to backstopping the Monsters. Originally with the team during the 2018-19 season, Berube made his return to the organization when the Jackets signed him to a one-year, two-way contract during the offseason. 

Coach Eaves has been pleased with the netminder, who currently posts a record of 4-7-3 and has an .898 save percentage. “He’s just been a consummate professional,” explained Coach Eaves. “He comes. He’s prepared. He’s so calm because of his experiences.” Eaves continued the accolades of Berube, stating: “He just a very gracious man and kind of has that coolness on the ice and the skill in his position.”

Berube has even been known to get a little spicy when the opponent takes one too many whacks. When things get heated, Berube is unafraid to protect himself and his teammates. “Our players should be the ones protecting the goalie, which they were, but Berube is fiery,” said Monsters Assistant Coach Trent Vogelhuber.

Cassels on playing in Cleveland 

Monsters forward Cole Cassels, the son of former Columbus Blue Jackets forward Andrew Cassels, grew up in Central Ohio and played youth hockey in both Cleveland and Columbus. So, signing with the Monsters in the offseason was a pretty big deal for a player who has cheered on the Blue Jackets organization his entire life.

“It’s awesome to be part of an organization that my father played for,” said Cassels on playing in the Blue Jackets system for the Monsters. “It means a lot. I’m fortunate for the opportunity and hopefully can make it worthwhile.”

Putting Together Special Teams Lineups

Special teams for the Monsters have gotten quite the workout this season, but not in the way you would think. They could go multiple periods without having to unleash their special teams, but then every once in awhile, a period comes along where they are on the ice the bulk of the period. 

So, what does a coach do when they are put in that precarious situation? According to Coach Vogelhuber, “We have special teams depth charts and the more special teams there are the further down we’ll go the depth charts for those particular areas.”

Character of the Team

Over the course of the season, when asked about their role in a phenomenal game, many players have been heard uttering the phrase: “Here to help”. After a three-assist night in November, Monsters forward Kevin Stenlund said: “I want to score points, but the most important thing is to help the team.” That same night, defender Jake Christiansen had a multi-point night and uttered the same type of phrase: “Any way you can help the team. Obviously, it feels good to help that way, and I’m just thankful we got the win.”

Being the curious person I am, I broached the subject of the “here to help” mentality of the Monsters with Coach Eaves and where it came from. He explained it quite simply, “I think it just speaks to the kind of people here. They are working to get where they want to be but at the same time they know they have to fulfill a role.”