Capt. Trevor Allman: Not the Great One but a Great Leader

Mark Messier once said about Wayne Gretzky, "He never put anybody ahead of himself, and he has the ability to make people feel comfortable around him."

Similar praise has been heralded to new Harvard captain Trevor Allman by his teammates as they start out the 1999-00 season with a new coach and a fresh outlook.

Allman, a 5'10, 180-pound. center from London, Ontario, grew up like all good Canadian boys did--learning to skate at the age of two and learning to admire Gretzky.

"He[Gretzky] led by example, and did so with the utmost class," Allman said.

The same applies to Allman's philosophy of being a captain. As a defensive standout who plays anywhere from the first line to the penalty kill, Allman's collegiate career has been marked by a reputation for toughness which has resulted in a steady increase in offensive production.

Last season, he scored six goals and had ten assists in 30 games, all personal bests. But Allman knows his role is not to be the leading goal-scorer.

"We all have roles to fill to be successful," Allman said. "Individual players may have to sacrifice certain titles and duties for us to achieve as a team, and I take great pride in my role, be it offensively or defensively. Our main objective is to win."

If that doesn't sound Gretzky-esque, what does?

If there's one thing Allman despises, it's having an outspoken, verbose leader. That's why he gets along well with new Coach Mark Mazzoleni. To hear each guy tell it, the two are born of the same mind.

"Coach is the verbal motivator, he's good at firing up guys," Allman said. "With a new coach, for me it just brings more responsibilities, such as answering his questions about what our team feels. Communication has been great."

Allman also praises Mazzoleni's philosophy of hockey. When Mazzoleni first arrived and met Allman, he asked Allman to define his own role.

"You're uncertain at change," Allman said. "But coach's idea of a strict defensive game and a creative offense really is great with me."

Mazzoleni concurs.

"Trevor's done a great job to date because he's trying," he said. "For us to be successful, we have to really buy into what we are trying to implement. Trevor understands that."

While it may seem that Allman has no backbone and shies away from verbal confrontation, think again.

"If something needs to be said, I've called them in together," Allman said. "I speak when necessary, and I can be in-your-face when people aren't executing."

"There have been a couple of times on the ice when guys have not been as sharp as they should have been, and Trevor has taken the initiative to inform them in a pretty direct manner," Mazzoleni said. " It doesn't work if it constantly has to be the coaches reinforcing wants and desires."

For the Crimson to improve on last year's 14-16-2 (8-12-2 ECAC) record, it will have to get some major help from the eight seniors on the team. Allman stresses that with the help of his seven classmates, the job has not been as tough as he originally thought it would be.

"It's nice to have a new system with eight seniors who can lead by example," he said.

It's important to remember that Allman was voted in as captain last year--so he's had the job for six months now. While yet to lead the team on the ice (except for a scrimmage at Dartmouth), he's been the quiet leader of the weight room and the track.

"Camp is fun to play," Allman said. "We're working really hard. But there's still a long way to go to reach Lake Placid."

Camp is fun? Running sprints and bench pressing and doing stadiums in the summer a month before the season begins is enjoyable? Allman may not be the on-ice equivalent to Wayne Gretzky, but the words coming out of his mouth sound just like the Great One himself.

"Well, there really haven't been any unexpected problems with transitions and such with freshman and the new coach," Allman said. "Actually, the head coach is usually out recruiting, so I'm leading the guys to workouts."

Every year, part of the captain's duties is to help the freshman fit in with the rest of the program. With the new coach and a new program, Allman's work is cut out for him. However, it appears he's also been doing a good job in that department.

"Trevor is really good towards the freshmen," said freshman forward and fellow Canadian Dominic Moore. "He's a very nice guy, the type of captain any guy would want. Very intense... a quiet leader. I think he's been doing an excellent job with the transition, at least for me."

What exactly does the 104th hockey captain in Harvard history do to help the four freshmen?

"With the new kids, you have to be open and honest with them when you tell them how they're coming along," Allman said. "You've got to teach them the little tricks to get by in collegiate hockey. If you're supportive, and the eight seniors work together, then the problems will be solved."

There's also the matter of how he's been handling his job in the opinion of the returning players. After all, they were the ones who chose him in the first place.

"He's done a good job, and it's true, he really does lead by example," sophomore defenseman Peter Capouch said. "He's not real vocal, but he's a hard worker. It's those leadership qualities which qualify him to be captain and why we chose him."

Capouch also commented on the differences between Allman and last year's captain, Craig Adams. Adams was widely praised for being an effective captain, so Allman has some large shoes to fill.

"Actually, there's not much of a difference between them at all. Both players pretty much play the same way," Capouch said. "Trevor relays what the coach's philosophy is, and he does it with a sense of renewed enthusiasm."

When talking to other players, the answers are the same: Trevor's a leader by example. Trevor's a quiet leader. Trevor's a great guy.

Perhaps a Lady Byng Trophy is in order? Not so fast, Allman said. Harvard hasn't won anything yet.

"Each weekend is the goal. That's the mentality. Lots of hard work, and very, very high expectations," Allman said. "If you're not aiming high, you're settling for mediocrity. One hundred percent has to be given every night."

But the Crimson isn't going to win every game, and the season is a long and hard one. Guys will get hurt, players will yell at each other, shots won't find the net... the list goes on and on. What happens then?

"That first loss will come," Allman said. "We're realistic. My role is to correct the mistakes we made. We've gotta put it in the past, push ahead and move forward towards our goal of Lake Placid."

Trevor's attitude and work ethic can be traced directly to his days at home in Ontario. Father Leonard and mother Doris instilled the hardworking principles in Trevor and his brother Brian that helped him get to this level.

"I owe it all to them--my principles, my morals, my hockey game."

Mazzoleni is glad that Allman has that attitude. It makes the coach's job easier after moving from the small town of Miami, OH to take on the new challenge of Ivy League hockey.

"When your captain and your older guys buy into the wants and desires of the team, when they understand the execution and attention to detail [that are necessary], then the other guys will follow," Mazzoleni said.

What makes Allman an intriguing choice as captain is that he's not the best offensive player, nor the leading defenseman, top scorer or netminder. He doesn't start on the first line and most likely wouldn't be on the ice at the end of the game, though that may change this year as his scoring improves.

"I don't have any hockey awards here at college," Allman said. "So to be chosen captain means I've been honored by my peers for my work ethic, which means a lot to me."

When hearing Trevor talk, when listening to his coaches, peers and teammates praise his job as captain and his leadership, one thing becomes clear: he has emulated Gretzky's style almost to a tee.

Now all he has to do is change his number to 99.