With the NIU hockey season opener just around the corner, here’s a look at the new coach of the Huskies, Greg Chromy.

Northern Star: What is your coaching background?

Greg Chromy: I am a level four [of five] coach for the state of Illinois. I’ve coached youth through high school at different organizations and clubs throughout the state.

NS: What kind of a coach do you consider yourself?

GC: We definitely want to own the defensive end. First and foremost, we want to make sure we are keeping the puck out of our net. Offensively, I like the team to get it up the ice and get it in the offensive zone. Once it is in, then they can be creative. Defense first, the offense will come as well, but we have to protect the house first. We will play defensive hockey from the drop of the puck and move the puck up the ice quickly.

NS: How has the team looked in practices?

GC: The team is looking pretty good. I think we have some young talent coming in to combine with the players that are returning. There is some good speed on the team and that will help when we try to implement the systems to give other teams a hard time. Speed helps, but we also have some very skilled players that can score. With our speed, we should be able to push everyone up the ice pretty quick.

NS: How is the goal tending?

GC: Good. We have a couple of returning players from last year in net and also a new kid coming in from Eastern Michigan, a Division I hockey club. He’ll split time in net with our returning players and should make the net a difficult spot for opposing teams.

NS: What are your season expectations?

GC: We have some goals set. We want to make the playoffs, to be a No. 1 would be a secondary goal. We also want to be ranked regionally. We have a good base of players returning and a good incoming freshmen group that should assist in getting to that goal.