Oct 26, 2009

Laker profile

By LINDA BOUVET, LSSU Sports Information Director

Sit down and chat goaltending with Lake Superior State junior Brian Mahoney-Wilson, and you'll get a seminar in the forte`.

Mahoney-Wilson, known as "Beamer" to his coaches and teammates, has a family tree that branches throughout the National Hockey League and is comfortable talking hockey at an analytical level. He can dissect his own game, yet simplify a good performance as nothing more than making the big save to help his team.

"I'm starting to realize what being on a team actually means," Mahoney-Wilson said. "It's very important for me this year to be a good teammate on the ice and be active with the guys. You want to have a connection among the guys and for everyone to be cohesive. You want the guys to be able to trust you and play in front of you."

Mahoney-Wilson said the bonding shows in practice, in the weight room and among the coaches. He guessed that LSSU has the oldest team in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. The senior-dominated team learned tough lessons during the last two years, and the maturity gained is a valuable advantage.

"It's an absolute positive," said Mahoney-Wilson of last year's 1-12 finish in one-goal games. "It's a matter of one more goal on the power play or one more save on the PK. In close games, if it's 3-3 or 2-2, I need to step up and make another save. A 1-5 record in shootouts was unacceptable last year...Now we have to start beating the top teams like Michigan and Miami. Not just tying them, but closing out the deal."

So far, Beamer and the Lakers are off to a good start. They are 4-2 overall and 2-2 in games decided by one goal.

"I definitely think that the experience factor, more than anything, will help take this team to new levels in the CCHA," he said. "Everything will be positive. If you have a good team and good leadership in the lockerroom, if a guy makes a mistake they'll be picking that guy up, telling him 'you know you can pick it up the next period or make that save the next period. We'll get another power play and score a goal.'"

Mahoney-Wilson is the only son of Randy Wilson and Marti Mahoney-Wilson, the grandson of former Detroit Red Wings player Larry Wilson, and grand nephew of former Red Wings player and coach Johnny Wilson. His uncle, Ron Wilson, is the head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs and 2010 United States Olympic Team.

"My dad was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in 1979, and he helps out a lot in how I play emotionally and psychologically," Mahoney-Wilson said. My mom does a great job telling me how I can play better, even if I get a shutout. My Uncle Ron will send me a text or two saying ‘We're proud of you.' It always makes me feel good knowing that they have my back. They know what's going on."

Mahoney-Wilson desires to continue his family's impressive legacy. He's taking advantage of their expertise and understanding of the pressures and demands of playing hockey at an elite level.

"My grandfather died when he was 48, and I'd like to one day hoist the Stanley Cup in his honor," he said in remembrance of Larry Wilson, who was part of the 1950 Stanley Cup champion Red Wings. "I know the chances are slim, but I plan to work as hard as I can to achieve the goal of making the NHL. It's the same with Will (Acton). His father played many years in the NHL. They've seen it. They've experienced it. The valuable information I've gained from my family and the Acton family goes a long way."

Family connections have given Mahoney-Wilson access to some of the world's best goaltenders and coaches. When it comes to shootouts, he has studied the New York Rangers' goaltender Henrik Lundquist and his knack for anticipating whether the shooter is going to deek or shoot. LSSU goaltender coach Don Muio has helped Mahoney-Wilson with his positioning, and "staying out and aggressive."

"I watch a lot of video on opposing teams, that's for sure," Mahoney-Wilson said. "I look at who their natural scorers are, what hand they are, a couple of moves, do they come in without stick handling, do they stick handle. All those things factor in. If I'm on top of my game, it's more positional. I'm very quiet in net. I try to square to the puck without a lot of movement. Everything is simple."

Mahoney-Wilson's goal is to lead the CCHA in goals-against and save percentage. He's not content with averaging 6.5 wins a year, and his biggest fear is...well...death...but his second biggest fear is letting down his teammates.

"If I fail at the end of the night, that's the worst feeling," he said. "To get on the bus or go down to the townhouses when you know you screwed up for your team. That's why I work as hard as I do, to win games and not let down my teammates."

Mahoney-Wilson takes a cue from pro golf great Tiger Woods, who always puts a positive spin on his rounds during interviews.

"You have to be positive at all times," he said. "At my position you always see the negative. I'm the last line of defense. At least it's always perceived that way by anyone watching."

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"It's very important for me this year to be a good teammate on the ice and be active with the guys. You want to have a connection among the guys and for everyone to be cohesive. You want the guys to be able to trust you and play in front of you." Mahoney-Wilson said the bonding shows in practice, in the weight room and among the coaches. He guessed that LSSU has the oldest team in the Central Collegiate Hockey Association. The senior-dominated team learned tough lessons during the last two years, and the maturity gained is a valuable advantage. "It's an absolute positive," said Mahoney-Wilson of last year's 1-12 finish in one-goal games. "It's a matter of one more goal on the power play or one more save on the PK. In close games, if it's 3-3 or 2-2, I need to step up and make another save. A 1-5 record in shootouts was unacceptable last year...Now we have to start beating the top teams like Michigan and Miami. Not just tying them, but closing out the deal." So far, Beamer and the Lakers are off to a good start. They are 4-2 overall and 2-2 in games decided by one goal. "I definitely think that the experience factor, more than anything, will help take this team to new levels in the CCHA," he said. "Everything will be positive. If you have a good team and good leadership in the lockerroom, if a guy makes a mistake they'll be picking that guy up, telling him 'you know you can pick it up the next period or make that save the next period. We'll get another power play and score a goal.'" Mahoney-Wilson is the only son of Randy Wilson and Marti Mahoney-Wilson, the grandson of former Detroit Red Wings player Larry Wilson, and grand nephew of former Red Wings player and coach Johnny Wilson. His uncle, Ron Wilson, is the head coach of the Toronto Maple Leafs and 2010 United States Olympic Team. "My dad was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in 1979, and he helps out a lot in how I play emotionally and psychologically," Mahoney-Wilson said. My mom does a great job telling me how I can play better, even if I get a shutout. My Uncle Ron will send me a text or two saying ‘We're proud of you.' It always makes me feel good knowing that they have my back. They know what's going on." Mahoney-Wilson desires to continue his family's impressive legacy. He's taking advantage of their expertise and understanding of the pressures and demands of playing hockey at an elite level. "My grandfather died when he was 48, and I'd like to one day hoist the Stanley Cup in his honor," he said in remembrance of Larry Wilson, who was part of the 1950 Stanley Cup champion Red Wings. "I know the chances are slim, but I plan to work as hard as I can to achieve the goal of making the NHL. It's the same with Will (Acton). His father played many years in the NHL. They've seen it. They've experienced it. The valuable information I've gained from my family and the Acton family goes a long way." Family connections have given Mahoney-Wilson access to some of the world's best goaltenders and coaches. When it comes to shootouts, he has studied the New York Rangers' goaltender Henrik Lundquist and his knack for anticipating whether the shooter is going to deek or shoot. LSSU goaltender coach Don Muio has helped Mahoney-Wilson with his positioning, and "staying out and aggressive." "I watch a lot of video on opposing teams, that's for sure," Mahoney-Wilson said. "I look at who their natural scorers are, what hand they are, a couple of moves, do they come in without stick handling, do they stick handle. All those things factor in. If I'm on top of my game, it's more positional. I'm very quiet in net. I try to square to the puck without a lot of movement. Everything is simple." Mahoney-Wilson's goal is to lead the CCHA in goals-against and save percentage. He's not content with averaging 6.5 wins a year, and his biggest fear is...well...death...but his second biggest fear is letting down his teammates. "If I fail at the end of the night, that's the worst feeling," he said. "To get on the bus or go down to the townhouses when you know you screwed up for your team. That's why I work as hard as I do, to win games and not let down my teammates." Mahoney-Wilson takes a cue from pro golf great Tiger Woods, who always puts a positive spin on his rounds during interviews. "You have to be positive at all times," he said. "At my position you always see the negative. I'm the last line of defense. At least it's always perceived that way by anyone watching."