In the first edition of a new regular feature at AHCAHockey.com, Plattsburgh State Men's Hockey Head Coach Bob Emery was kind enough to answer a variety of questions.

Entering his 24th season behind the Plattsburgh State bench with the 2012-13 campaign, Bob Emery has established himself as one of the nation's top head coaches in all of NCAA college men's ice hockey. His resume speaks for itself: two national championships, 16 NCAA tournament appearances including nine trips to the Division III semifinals, 14 State University of New York Athletic Conference championships and 19 All-Americans. Emery's 504-159-53 career record makes him the winningest coach in the program's storied history, and his .741 winning percentage ranks in the Top 5 all-time in the NCAA. He ranks fourth among Division III active coaches with 504 victories.

Personal / Experience

1 - Where did you play your Junior/HS/Prep hockey?

Matignon High School, Cambridge MA

2 - Described your recruiting process, who recruited you and why did you pick the School you played for?

Much different than today. My recruiting started in my senior year in high school and didn't receive any scholarship until February. I preferred staying in the Boston area. I was always a Boston College fan growing up mostly because I played football growing up and rooted for BC in football my whole life. So when BC offered I was all over it.

3 - What is the one hockey highly that comes to mind during your four year of playing college hockey?

Winning the Beanpot during my freshman year.

4 - Why did you become a college coach? Explain the process that led you to decide coaching was the right career path for you.

Always had the love for hockey and wanted it to stay in my life. As a player I wasn't the most skilled (defensive defensemen). My biggest asset was my hockey IQ and thought I would be able to use it as a coach.

5 - What was your progression in the college coaching ranks?

After part of two seasons in the American Hockey League, I was very fortunate to be offered an assistant coaching job here at Plattsburgh State. I got the word out that I would be really interested in get into the coaching business. Steve Hoar, the head coach at Plattsburgh State at the time called with an unbelievable opportunity. I was Steve's assistant and was so, so fortunate. I learned so much from him in the first year.

Program/Philosophy/Culture

1 - Can you describe your hockey program, the league you are in, the school and its location?

Plattsburgh State Hockey is in the SUNYAC (State University of New York Athletic Conference). Our league is great and filled with some great coaches that flat out get it! Sure, come game-time the competition between us gets fierce but after 60 minutes we all make sure that the integrity of the game, the league and the players is first and foremost. There is even some verbal battling at league meetings, but like I said the league and the game come first.
I feel the hockey program here has a proud tradition of winning, established long before I got here! We want the program to be based on hard work and discipline. Obviously we try to recruit the most talented players we can but once they arrive the culture has to be based on those two things.

2 - Without given too much information what do look for in a prospective student-athlete visiting your school?

We want kids to know what the program is about (the culture) and really, really want to part of that. Discipline kids are a must!

3 - What intangibles do you want your current players to retain before leaving you hockey program?

I feel my job is two-fold, winning hockey games and teaching life lessons. Players have to be ready for the "real world" when they leave here.

4 - Can you described a day to day schedule of your players leading into home and away games, as well as your practice progression?

Monday---Weight lifting in am ,Constructive Criticism Video for 10 minutes and Light Skate
Tuesday---Hard practice
Wednesday---Weight lifting in am, Positive (highlight-type Video) for 10 minutes and hard practice
Thursday---Light skate, special teams practice (if travel on Thursday, practice is at 7:00 am to allow for 3:00 pm campus departure)