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NATE EWELL, INSIDE COLLEGE HOCKEY

  (1:32 PM)

Good afternoon and welcome to college hockey talk on The Show! We've got Sean Collins, a senior forward at UNH, ready to take your questions.

Sean Collins

  (1:32 PM)

Thanks everyone for joining us, and I'm ready for your questions.

Chris (Beacon Hill, MA)

Sean Have the refs cracking down on the grabbing opened up the game?

Sean Collins

  (1:35 PM)

It has and hasn't. The more penalties that they call, the more power play and penalty killing situations you have. It takes away from the 5-on-5 aspect of the game. In the other sense, the crackdown gives skill guys more room to showcase the skills that they have, so in a sense it has and in a sense it hasn't.

Tim from Reading

Jumbo, will you marry me

Sean Collins

  (3:25 PM)

If I didn't have a girlfriend I could consider it .. I'll give you a call if we split up but don't be too optimistic.

Dave (Mankato,MN)

In your opinion who ist the best goaltender you've shot against???

Sean Collins

  (3:27 PM)

That's a tough question. Probably Jimmy Howard from Maine. He's the most dynamic goalie - he does everything well and doesn't have many holes in his game. 95 percent of the time you have to have a perfect shot to beat him.

Chuck (Chichester, NH)

What's your favorite about playing at UNH?

Sean Collins

  (3:28 PM)

My teammates. We have one of the best group of guys that any team has. It's a real treat to go to the rink everyday and be surrounded by a group of guys who have your back no matter what and do whatever it takes to win.

Greg (Mn)

Sean, do you see a big difference in the syle of play between the eastern teams and the teams from the midwest(minn,north dakota, mich)?

Sean Collins

  (3:29 PM)

I don't think so. I think some Midwest teams dump the puck in a bit more and have that physical game. Some Eastern teams have a little more finesse with the puck. But no major difference between the two.

Christina Madison NH

Straying from hockey a bit, I know you are a big Red Sox fan,how did you celebrate the Sox winning the world series

Sean Collins

  (3:33 PM)

I'm a huge Red Sox fan. It was pretty nuts in Boston with all the fellow Red Sox fans. We converted Tyson and Justin to Red Sox fans and it was pretty insane to be in the city with everyone.

Dan (UNH- Durham, NH)

Sean, I must say, I've highly enjoyed watching you guys play so far. I was wondering how you think the younger players, especially the freshmen, have helped the team to a great start and what you expect their role will be as the season goes on.

Sean Collins

  (3:35 PM)

We have a young team this year, filled with freshman and sophomores. They are going to have to pick up the pace. So far the freshmen have been doing an unbeleivable job of knowing their roles and not trying to do too many things they really can't do. By the end of the year they are going to be our go-to guys. As the season progresses, we don't look at them as freshmen, just other contributors on the team.

Mike, CO

Do you and Brett Hemingway ever discuss your NHL future?

Sean Collins

  (3:36 PM)

Nothing serious. We've joked about the fact that we both got drafted by Colorado. It's going to be tough having to put up with him for a few more years after college, but at least we know one more guy going into camp who we are comfortable with.

Chris, Miami

Sean, I'm a UNH grad and I was wondering how much pressure you feel to have to lead the team with the departure of the senior class from last year? GO CATS!

Sean Collins

  (3:38 PM)

I think the pressure falls on all the seniors, not just one individual. Every year our Seniors take it upon themselves to lead the team and get where we want to be. You don't look at it on a personal level, but all the seniors will have to collectively lead the team.

Rocket, Reading,Ma

Sean,do you think being a Rocket prepared you for jumping into DIV. 1 HOCKEY, WHAT IS THE SECRET THAT THE READING PLAYERS DO SO WELL?when you were a freshman there were 5 hockey east hockey players playing ...do you think this is some kind of record?What is the next step for you after graduation?

Sean Collins

  (3:42 PM)

It all starts with Peter Daugherty and the way he gets his players to prepare for the season and every game. He stresses the offseason as much as in season and doing the right things to prepare and put you in positive situations.

Reading,Ma.

Sean,you have a large hockey family, are there any Rockets left or has the tradition ended.How did/does your family and close friends guide you in your hockey prowness and career in the past.present ?

Sean Collins

  (3:46 PM)

We do have a large family with one left - Garrett is a freshman now and is trying out for the varsity team. That's the last of them. My family has been a big reason why I'm here today. My father and mom drive us to practices at 6am or whenever it was - the car would be running and warming up at 5:30am. All of my close friends I grew up playing hockey with, their parents would help get us to the rinks for games all over the place. Without my family and close friends who have really cared about my hockey development, I definitely wouldn't be where I am today.

Sean Collins

  (3:47 PM)

Thanks for all the great questions. I wish I could have answered all of them.

Nate Ewell, Inside College Hockey

  (3:48 PM)

Thanks, Sean, for joining us, and everyone else for checking in. We'll be back next Thursday at 1:30 ET for another edition of college hockey on The Show!