Nate Leaman Brings Winning Mentality, Proven Track Record to Providence College As Friars Work to Rebuild in Hockey East

Editor's note: NESN.com will preview each Hockey East school this week.

The woes continued for Providence College last season as the Friars mustered only four wins and finished ninth in the league. New coach Nate Leaman will attempt to reverse the recent fortunes for PC and build toward future Hockey East success, starting in 2011-12.

Record/finish in 2010-11
4-16-7 (15 points)
Ninth in Hockey East
Failed to qualify for Hockey East Tournament

Key 2010-11 stat
The Friars finished last in Hockey East in scoring, and the power play was a major reason why. PC was an abysmal 11 of 118 on the PP, a league-worst 9.3 percent scoring rate.

Player to watch in 2011-12
Despite surrendering an average of 3.31 goals per game, goaltender Alex Beaudry made 30-plus saves 18 times last season and finished with a respectable .901 save percentage. As a senior this year he will be expected to provide a steadying force in net.

Coach's quote
"I want our team to play a complete game. I want our team to be one of the more disciplined teams in the nation, and I also want our team to be an extremely hard-working team. I don't want to be an easy team to play against by any means."
–Nate Leaman

Outlook
For the third consecutive season PC failed to reach the Hockey East playoffs, and it cost Tim Army his job. He will be replaced by Nate Leaman, who was named the Division 1 Coach of the Year after leading Union College to a 26-10-4 record and its first NCAA Tournament appearance. While a coaching change should bring new life to the team, the Friars are still at least a season away from being contenders in Hockey East.