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| Coach Jaffe gives pre-game speech to USA (photo courtesy of Josh Richelew |
Besides his collegiate playing experience and pro hockey broadcasting credentials, Jaffe has a special tie to the quardennial athletic competition held in Israel. Jaffe co-captained team USA in the 1997 Maccabiah Games, the only other time the 81 year old event featured ice hockey. Like the 2013 USA team, Jaffe's 1997 team took home silver after losing to Canada in the finals; the 1997 edition of the red,white and blue fared a little better than last week's 7-1 loss, falling to the Canadians only 5-3. Jaffe remembers being at the '97 Games and "looking around and saying, ‘Wow, we’re all Jewish,’ but we were going to try and kick each other’s butts.”
Jaffe flew back to the states soon after the buzzer sounded last Friday and the USA took home their hard-fought silver medals. In the midst of adjusting to the seven hour time difference and acclimating to life back on US soil, Billy took time out of his busy schedule to answer some of our questions about Ben and Max, the NESCAC, the Maccabiah Games, and returning to Israel.
How did Ben and Max do at the Maccabiah Games?
Both players did very well and contributed a lot to the success of the team in Israel. Ben was on what I would term our third line that provided energy and reliable play while Max was one of our top defensemen. He loved to rush the puck and provided us with an element of speed from the back end.
What strengths did each bring to the team?
Ben was a really good north/south player for the team. He was very consistent in his game and added some physical presence as well. He really meshed well with his linemates.
Max used his skating to make an impact. He was positionally very good and would initiate the breakout by using his speed to skate out of our end numerous times.
Had you ever heard of the NESCAC before coaching Max and Ben? What impression did you get of the league from their play?
I very much knew of the schools where Ben and Max played collegiately but I did not specifically know of the NESCAC. I thought both players represented themselves very well and it speaks volumes about the quality of the league.
What was the best moment at the Maccabiah Games for you?
I think the best moment was during the medal round game against the Ukraine (late 1st period) when we really stared to play beautifully as a team and we had great flow. All lines and defensemen were involved and we took control of the game. It was really a thing of beauty to watch the way we played for the 2nd/3rd periods and to watch the confidence of Team USA grow was awesome.
You represented the USA at the 1997 Maccabiah Games. What did it mean as a Jewish American to come back and coach for the US in the 2013 games?
It meant a lot to me to be there again. First of all, it was great to see what had changed in Israel (and in Metula in particular) since I was there in 97. Secondly, it was important to me to continue to try and build hockey in Israel. I also had an understanding of how things are handled there (which is very different from the US) from my '97 experience and I could use that to help the 2013 team. And lastly, Israel is an incredible country so any chance I could get to go back there AND have it be involved with hockey made it extra special to me.
What was the hardest thing about dealing with the talented Canadian team?
The depth and size of Team Canada was easily the hardest aspect for us to deal with. Yes, they had a few very talented players, but it was their ability to run four lines that really did us in. I could tell we were getting a bit tired early in the gold medal game as Canada kept up a good pace and physical play. We didn't have their depth but our guys played their hearts out and left everything they had on the ice. Couldn't have asked for more.
Thanks again to Coach Jaffe for answering our questions and coaching the USA. You can find him on twitter (@BJaffe) and all over the airwaves from NESN to the NHL Network.
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