The Miami University (OH) RedHawks will have a familiar name back on staff this fall, as Jimmy Spratt returns to Oxford in the role of Assistant to the Head Coach. A former Bowling Green State Falcon goaltender who previously worked at Miami from 2019 to 2022, Spratt brings a wide-ranging coaching background and will be important for the RedHawks’ goaltenders’ development in his new position.
I had the chance to catch up with him last week before fall training begins soon. Spratt right away mentioned his excitement about this new opportunity.
“I think just wanting to be back in college hockey first and foremost. That’s where I wanted to be,” Spratt said. “I had worked at Miami before and liked my time there. Obviously, results didn’t go very well or as planned, but with the new staff in place, it looks like things are moving in the right direction. I’m excited to be a part of it.”
A Voice for the Goalies
Spratt clarified that while his role does not involve recruiting, he will be a voice for the team’s netminders.
“I’ve played the position, I’ve coached the position for a long time, and I’ll be there as a soundboard if they need anything,” he said. “It’s just about having someone on staff who understands the position.”
That is especially important as Miami enters the season with three new goaltenders, with the potential of a fourth joining the group as well, Spratt said.
Spratt Talks the New Goaltenders
The incoming trio consists of Shika Gadzhiev (Muskegon Lumberjacks), Matteo Drobac (Western University), and Ben Motew (Corpus Christi IceRays).
Related: David Deputy & Shika Gadzhiev Talk Joining Miami Hockey
He spoke about the strengths of all three netminders.
“Gadzhiev is athletic, smart, competitive, and has a championship pedigree after winning in Muskegon,” Spratt said.
“Drobac looks calm and technical.”
“Motew is also a technical goalie, maybe a little undersized, but very sound, positional, and not all over the place.”
Spratt later explained that Drobac’s time in Canadian university hockey adds a unique area of experience coming to Miami, one that a player hasn’t experienced before, with the Canadian Hockey League (CHL)/USports ban now lifted.
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