Freshman (Tony Romano)

[dre1614]

I have only been able to watch 2 games this year, but i was wondering how our freshman played this year, especially Romano.  Also what is Romano's skill set?  Can he become a NHL player?

[amerks127]

The Hockey News
February 27, 2007
U.S. College Report

Eastern College Report

"Romano refutes doubts, leads Cornell in goals"
by Tom Boggie

It's time for critics to stop looking for a chink in Tony Romano's armor.  First, there was the knock about his size.  When the New Jersey Devils drafted him in the sixth round last June, Cornell's freshman center was listed at 5-foot-10, 170 pounds.  He's since added 15 pounds to his frame (side note, not true, lost that weight already).  Then, some questioned whether he could make the transition from the Tier III Atlantic League to Div. I hockey.   But after 25 games, he was Cornell's second-leading scorer with 21 points and shared the team lead with nine goals.  "His offensive instincts just jump off the ice at you," said Cornell coach Mike Schafer.  A native of Smithtown, N.Y., Romano developed his skills under the tutelage of Aleksey Nikiforov, a former player for the fabled Dynamo Riga team.  Romano has worked under Nikiforov since he was three years old and also played for him with the AJHL's New York Bobcats.

[evilnaturedrobot]

I don't recall Romano playing center at all this year, I believe that he's been strictly a winger.  

And I think it's apparent to most that Tony probably has more natural offensive talent than any other player on the team.  He's still raw and I think he still tries to stickhandle his way out of situations where he should pass or dump.  But there's no denying the skill.  I have noticed him becoming more physical and stronger on his skates as the year has worn on.

[RichH]

[quote evilnaturedrobot]He's still raw and I think he still tries to stickhandle his way out of situations where he should pass or dump.  But there's no denying the skill.  I have noticed him becoming more physical and stronger on his skates as the year has worn on.[/quote]

Very astute.  Early on, Romano tried many times to do the ol' Sega play of skating down the wing stickhandling or just out-rushing the D and then swooping across the crease and scoring.  I'm sure he was able to do that often in Juniors, but this level doesn't allow that easily.  He got angled over to the boards almost whenever he tried that.  In the 2nd half, I've been able to see the adjustments he's making.  He looks for the pass, or pulls up a bit to give the D a chance to commit one way before he takes the other option.

As for the Freshmen class, I think it has been a very fruitful class.  Romano and Greening both have the potential to become monster stars in the league.  Gallagher has really emerged as a very good passer and playmaker.  I'm also bullish on Nash...he had some struggles after a strong start, but I think he'll be an excellent 2-way defenseman, and Krueger can be solid on the blue line as well.

[bandrews37]

One concern I'm starting to see with Romano - he gets open, yet doesn't get the puck. Looks like he's frustrated, and he's starting to do more of getting the puck in the defensive end and trying to go all the way with it. I wonder if some of the guys don't like his flashyness and don't want to get him the puck.

Which is too bad, because he's the most creative offensive threat this team's had in a long, long time.

[sah67]

[quote evilnaturedrobot]
  He's still raw and I think he still tries to stickhandle his way out of situations where he should pass or dump.  But there's no denying the skill.  I have noticed him becoming more physical and stronger on his skates as the year has worn on.[/quote]

Another thing I've noticed about Tony as I've watched his play develop throughout the season is that he's still lacking the physicality and aggressiveness of the typical, scrappy Cornell forward, like Mugford, Sawada, etc.  Obviously he's smaller than these guys, but watching someone like Topher trying to check guys that have 6 inches and 40 lbs on him, out of their pads, is always inspiring.  I don't think I've seen Tony complete one really good check this year, and he always seems to give up the puck very easily when pressured or muscled against the boards...however, his offensive contributions and skating and stick-handling are simply fantastic, and I have few doubts he'll develop the aggressiveness and grit he needs in the near future.

[Josh '99]

[quote amerks127]Romano has worked under Nikiforov since he was three years old and also played for him with the AJHL's New York Bobcats.[/quote]Jeez!

[Trotsky]

[quote sah67][I don't think I've seen Tony complete one really good check this year, and he always seems to give up the puck very easily when pressured or muscled against the boards...however, his offensive contributions and skating and stick-handling are simply fantastic, and I have few doubts he'll develop the aggressiveness and grit he needs in the near future.[/quote]

You could rinse and repeat with Gallagher, Milo, and Scali.  Not Greening, though.  He's already very strong.

Here are their ages in years and months:

18 11 - Gallagher 3/20/88
19 01 - Romano 1/5/88
19 01 - Nash 3/31/87
19 00 - Milo 2/3/87
20 04 - Krueger 10/8/86
20 05 - Scrivens 9/11/86
20 08 - Scali 6/3/86
20 11 - Greening 3/9/86

No surprise. Gallagher and Romano are the least physically mature, while Greening (more than 2 full years older than Blake) is the most.

[plrd78]

This is from the NJ Devils web site regarding Romano. Also, we sit near ex. Cornell Coach and NJ Devils Scout Lou Reycroft, he thinks he will be in the Devils organization after his sophmore year. About checking issues, we heard Tony has a bad shoulder and if you remember the recent Yale game, he hit the backboards attempting to break up a 2 on 1and left the game. Why would a player of his talent even think about running players??? But he does finish checks. Yes, we agree that sometimes his teamates look him off, but thats stupid, this is a team game, those players are simply Jealous. Greening is also a wonderful and highl skilled player.He and Romano won't last here, but they should make it as long as they stay healthy.

Tony Romano-Freshman, Cornell University

At 5'11, 185 lbs., Romano is one of Cornell's smaller players but he brings an element that Cornell has needed more of this season – speed. Romano is an instinctive, high-energy player who is also quick. He has also proven to be quite an offensive threat as well. In 16 games this season, Romano has posted 15 points (seven goals, eight assists). His 15 points rank second on the team and he co-leads the Big Red with seven goals. Of Romano's seven goals, three have come on the power play. Romano posted his first two collegiate points (both assists) back on Oct. 28 versus RIT. His first collegiate goal came on Nov. 4 versus Yale.

Romano, who just recently sat out two games for some off ice matters, rounds out the Devils group of fab four freshman players this season. The Devils sixth-round draft pick in the 2006 NHL draft and former Atlantic Junior Hockey League scoring star was a bit of an unknown on draft day, but has quickly emerged as one of the Devils more offensively gifted prospects in the system. Romano has the hands of a sniper, and appears to have all the tools to be a point producing centerman. Like fellow freshman forward Perkovich, Romano is only going to get better and could rocket up the prospect ladder if he continues to develop like he has so far in his first season in the NCAA.

[dre1614]

5'11"? I have not seen him up close, but from the stands thew few times i have seen him, he doesnt look 5'11".

Anyone who has seen him up close tell how tall he is?

[CowbellGuy]

Well, someone thinks very highly of him. He certainly has the skills and potential, but he hasn't shown the ability to physically hang with players at this level yet. And he won't be able to unless he gets bigger. Some guys are just unable to (see McCutcheon) and if Tony can't, he's not going to make it to the NHL. So far, I just have two words: Vinnie Auger. We'll see if he can develop to a point where he can utilize his skill.

[q]Why would a player of his talent even think about running players?[/q]

What is this, Ice Capades? Maybe a bit less so this year, but it's still Schafer-brand Cornell hockey in the ECACHL. If he won't take the body, he won't be seeing a lot of ice time.

Greening, on the other hand, has NHL written all over him. Physically dominant as a freshman and with a great shot, he's what everyone hoped Shane Hynes would be.

[dre1614]

i agree with that assesment, but he is still a freshman. No reason to think with another 3 years with Cornell he wont get bigger, and more physical.

[JasonN95]

[quote plrd78]Also, we sit near ex. Cornell Coach and NJ Devils Scout Lou Reycroft, he thinks he will be in the Devils organization after his sophmore year. [/quote]

Ugh.

[calgARI '07]

[quote CowbellGuy]Well, someone thinks very highly of him. He certainly has the skills and potential, but he hasn't shown the ability to physically hang with players at this level yet. And he won't be able to unless he gets bigger. Some guys are just unable to (see McCutcheon) and if Tony can't, he's not going to make it to the NHL. So far, I just have two words: Vinnie Auger. We'll see if he can develop to a point where he can utilize his skill.

[q]Why would a player of his talent even think about running players?[/q]

What is this, Ice Capades? Maybe a bit less so this year, but it's still Schafer-brand Cornell hockey in the ECACHL. If he won't take the body, he won't be seeing a lot of ice time.

Greening, on the other hand, has NHL written all over him. Physically dominant as a freshman and with a great shot, he's what everyone hoped Shane Hynes would be.[/quote]

I agree and think that Greening has a better shot at the NHL than Romano.  Greening has no weaknesses and plays a very mature game.  He just needs to become more polished.  

Romano certainly has the natural skill level to play in the NHL but he is far too soft and doesn't think the game very well at least at this stage of his career.  Trying to stickhandle through four guys doesn't work at the college level so I'm guessing it won't at the NHL level yet he still does this pretty frequently.  He also tries to dipsy-doodle his way out of trouble in the defensive zone which generally just throws everyone else off and ends up turning over the puck.  He has a lot of growing to do in his game.

[DILLIGAF]

Tony's problem is that he has no idea how to incorporate the 4 other players on his line into the play.  He is very one dimensional.  He plays when he has the puck on his stick, when he loses it, he stops playing.  If he ever learns how to pass he could be a very good player.  At this point all he has is some speed and very good hands.  He has no concept that hockey is a team game.  He is very soft.  He will cirlce the perimeter and either lose the puck or lob a shot at the goal.  He will not force the play to the middle.  What he was able to get away with early in the season has not worked for him in many games.  

Look for him not in the NHL after his 2nd season, but in the Q or the O as soon as Cornell loses this season.