By Warren Rappleyea
Following a successful freshman season, Old Bridge’s Max Gottlieb is hoping to help Brown University’s ice hockey team improve on its 5-19-7 record.
While Brown struggled at times, Gottlieb nevertheless made his mark. The defenseman played in all 31 games and as the season progressed, he also found himself on the ice for the power play and penalty kill.
“My goal from the start was to play in every game and to be used in all situations,” the 21-year-old said. “I was fortunate to be able to step in right away and to be a factor.”
Gottlieb ended the season with two goals and a team-leading 19 assists, setting freshman records for assists and points by a defender. His 44 blocked shots were also tops on the team. Among the highlights was an assist in overtime on the game-winning goal that helped Brown upset Providence College, the top-ranked team at the time.
As a result, Gottlieb was named to the ECAC All-Rookie team, and he was also named to the All-Ivy Second Team as the only freshman to be included. Following the season, Gottlieb was invited to participate in a player development camp by the NHL’s Los Angeles Kings.
“That was an honor and a great experience,” Gottlieb said. “It was a good opportunity to skate with some excellent players and to learn what guys at a higher level are doing to get better. I’m hoping to get invited to another camp next year.”
During the summer, Gottlieb spent as much time as possible in the gym, played in a summer league in Foxboro, Massachusetts, that included several NHL players and working at an Italian restaurant.
On a personal level, Gottlieb said his goal as a sophomore is to be a factor at all times and to sharpen up his defensive game.
“I consider myself a two-way player,” he said. “The trademark of a good defenseman is how well you play defense. I can generate scoring chances, but I also want to be relied upon to kill penalties late in games and getting that extra shift in the last five minutes with the game on the line.”
Team-wise, Brown may be ready to turn the corner. A year ago, the Bears lost 10 games by two or fewer goals, and Gottlieb thinks his team will be in a better position to win close games this time around.
Gottlieb began playing hockey in Old Bridge and later played for the New Jersey Rockets and New Jersey Colonials travel programs. He played junior hockey in 2013-14 with the Bonnyville Pontiacs of the Alberta Junior Hockey League, where he scored four goals and notched 21 assists in 50 matches. The following season, he scored six goals and added 15 assists as a member of the Bloomington Thunder of the United States Hockey League (USHL).
While in Bloomington, Gottlieb began attracting attention from colleges. After several discussions with representatives of Brown, he visited the Providence school, liked what he saw and decided to commit.
“It all happened around Christmas time,” Gottlieb said. “I was looking for a top academic school with a good hockey program. Brown has an unbelievable campus and I liked the coaches. I jumped at the opportunity.”
A graduate of the Pingry School, Gottlieb played hockey, baseball and even football while growing up. He always favored hockey. Since football often caused conflicts, that was the first to go. Following an arm injury, Gottlieb decided to focus on hockey.
“It was getting to the point where I had to make a decision anyway and it was going to be hockey,” he said.
Even though the road to college hockey is usually longer — most players are expected to play junior hockey — the choice turned out to be the right one.
“Playing junior helped a lot and being away from home, it made me more accountable for myself,” Gottlieb said. “In Alberta, we played a much more physical style, while in the USHL, it was more skill-oriented. By the time I got to Brown, I was pretty well-prepared.”
Over the years, Gottlieb said he benefited from playing under several coaches. He credits his parents, Yvonne and Ira, for the support — and transportation — they provided as he climbed the hockey ladder.