Minnesota Gophers Offesason Thread: Back To 1896

[5mn_Major]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Offesason Thread: Back To 1896

While I wasn't really expecting any of this year's freshman D to have the impact I expected from last years', wasn't Vanelli expected to have the most immediate impact? Tough to lose, but it happens. Hope the forwards live up to expectations to help fill the void from last year.

From what I heard Vanelli had pretty good upside...but still too rough around the edges and needed some serious weight.

Well as a junkie...I had to read them all:

http://www.bigten.org/sports/m-hocke...091913aad.html

[HarleyMC]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Offesason Thread: Back To 1896

I think "balancing hockey and academics" is code for "he wants more ice time." We had a similar situation at Tech with our 3rd round NHL draft pick, Jujhar Khaira who signed with Edmonton and will now be playing in the WHL with Everett. The WHL plays 85 games a season, while NCAA teams play 38 games. Lots more opportunity for development and a lot more attractive to certain NHL teams.
Let's face it, the academics aren't that tough for hockey players and it's pretty early in the semester to already be in trouble.
I wouldn't doubt this is another case of the NHL/WHL luring a kid away from college.

Ka-ching...if his hockey career doesn't work out like he wants it to, Vannelli should go into politics...no reading required.

Top 10 WHL Rookies to Watch

5. Tommy Vannelli, defence, Medicine Hat Tigers – Up until two days ago, Tommy Vannelli (NHL.com)Vannelli was expected to start his college career this season with the Minnesota Gophers. But right at almost the last minute, the St. Louis Blues second-round pick decided to head north to play for the Tigers.

Vannelli spent the last two seasons in his hometown playing for Minnetonka High in the USHS. He led his team’s defencemen in scoring both years, tallying 14 goals and 51 points in 50 games throughout the seasons.

Although he hasn't signed his WHL contract yet, multiple reports have circulated that Vannelli will join the Tigers.

Medicine Hat doesn’t have a superstar on the blueline, but they do have a handful of impact players. Therefore, it seems Vannelli is walking into a perfect situation as an 18-year-old rookie. He will receive opportunity to play big minutes and won’t have to bear the burden of carrying the back end.

[5mn_Major]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Offesason Thread: Back To 1896

Ka-ching...if his hockey career doesn't work out like he wants it to, Vannelli should go into politics...no reading required.

Top 10 WHL Rookies to Watch

If he does decide to join the W, I will look forward to seeing his stats. Its always interesting to get a read of the differences in levels of competition between college hockey and the CHL. My expectation is that he would do fine this year up north, but would have some development to get into what would be a half step up in B1G hockey.

[HarleyMC]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Offesason Thread: Back To 1896

If he does decide to join the W, I will look forward to seeing his stats. Its always interesting to get a read of the differences in levels of competition between college hockey and the CHL. My expectation is that he would do fine this year up north, but would have some development to get into what would be a half step up in B1G hockey.

I think bottomline, TV is happy to develop in the WHL and increase his chances at a pro career. I never bought the "he's as dumb as a tree stump" angle. Like a lot of defections, he's got his eyes on the NHL prize and has been told the WHL is the best way get there and log lots of ice time too.

Since 1960, statistically NHL teams have chosen to invest their early round picks on CHL or European players than on NCAA players. In recent years the trend has started to shift "slightly" to drafting a few more NCAA players, but the trendline still heavily favors the CHL as the best route to the big show. In the 2013 NHL draft for example, the WHL alone had 21 players selected, compared to only 8 from the NCAA. Overall, 67% of players drafted in rounds 1 and 2 are from the CHL, compared to 13% from the NCAA.

[Bonin21]

I think bottomline, TV is happy to develop in the WHL and increase his chances at a pro career. I never bought the "he's as dumb as a tree stump" angle. Like a lot of defections, he's got his eyes on the NHL prize and has been told the WHL is the best way get there and log lots of ice time too.

Since 1960, statistically NHL teams have chosen to invest their early round picks on CHL or European players than on NCAA players. In recent years the trend has started to shift "slightly" to drafting a few more NCAA players, but the trendline still heavily favors the CHL as the best route to the big show. In the 2013 NHL draft for example, the WHL alone had 21 players selected, compared to only 8 from the NCAA. Overall, 67% of players drafted in rounds 1 and 2 are from the CHL, compared to 13% from the NCAA.

1. He's already drafted (as you know)
2. St. Louis has done fine with their college players, I'd say.
3. It really sounds like he actually may be dumb as a tree stump.

[mnstate0fhockey]

I think bottomline, TV is happy to develop in the WHL and increase his chances at a pro career. I never bought the "he's as dumb as a tree stump" angle. Like a lot of defections, he's got his eyes on the NHL prize and has been told the WHL is the best way get there and log lots of ice time too.

Since 1960, statistically NHL teams have chosen to invest their early round picks on CHL or European players than on NCAA players. In recent years the trend has started to shift "slightly" to drafting a few more NCAA players, but the trendline still heavily favors the CHL as the best route to the big show. In the 2013 NHL draft for example, the WHL alone had 21 players selected, compared to only 8 from the NCAA. Overall, 67% of players drafted in rounds 1 and 2 are from the CHL, compared to 13% from the NCAA.

Then why is the kid still weighing his options? If this was a development issue and he was getting pushed to the CHL, you'd think he'd have signed there by now. The only conspiracy theories are the ones that revolve around this being something other than what has been long known (he had to do extra work to become academically eligible) and what was reported publicly.

[5mn_Major]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Offesason Thread: Back To 1896

3. It really sounds like he actually may be dumb as a tree stump.

Don't you think you're being a bit harsh? College requires effort at any school and the U is not a cakewalk. Throw in the rigors of training and executing D1 hockey (esp with the visibility at the U) and you've got a pretty challenging situation for even normally successful college students.

[mnstate0fhockey]

Don't you think you're being a bit harsh? College requires effort at any school and the U is not a cakewalk. Throw in the rigors of training and executing D1 hockey (esp with the visibility at the U) and you've got a pretty challenging situation for even normally successful college students.

Indeed. There are some very successful people out there who never went to college. It isn't for everyone.

[Bonin21]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Offesason Thread: Back To 1896

Don't you think you're being a bit harsh? College requires effort at any school and the U is not a cakewalk. Throw in the rigors of training and executing D1 hockey (esp with the visibility at the U) and you've got a pretty challenging situation for even normally successful college students.

It was hyperbole using the tree stump thing he said. It sounded like he struggled in HS, too, and I can tell you HS is not hard these days. Let's not act like the U is Harvard if an athlete doesn't want to take hard classes. (I suppose at Harvard it got to be a little too hard for some of the hockey players...) He's not a moron, but by every indication he left because of school and not development which was the focus of the discussion.

[Hammy]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Offesason Thread: Back To 1896

While I wasn't really expecting any of this year's freshman D to have the impact I expected from last years', wasn't Vanelli expected to have the most immediate impact?

My feeling has always been "no" to that question. I've felt Brodzinski was going to be the best frosh because he has more experience from juniors and I think he has the physical capability to handle it better this year. Vannelli is stick thin and not particularly strong. While his skating and puck skills probably would have gotten him out of some jams in the defensive zone, he was likely going to struggle winning physical battles this season. I really felt he was probably going to struggle handling more physically mature guys around the net and winning puck battles along the boards.

From a long term perspective, I think the jury is out. I think it is a combination of how well does Vannelli progress in the coming few years and how well do we recruit to replace his spot. For instance, if we landed Jack Dougherty (and they are putting on a pretty good effort there from what I'm told), I'd feel we came out of it (at worst) as a wash.

[wildcatdc]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Offesason Thread: Back To 1896

Question from a UNH'er.... Got four tix on the glass for the Friday 4pm and Saturday games. Section 19. Are those seats obstructed by the box or are they raised a bit? Looking forward to my first Mariucci trip!

[Greyeagle]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Offesason Thread: Back To 1896

Question from a UNH'er.... Got four tix on the glass for the Friday 4pm and Saturday games. Section 19. Are those seats obstructed by the box or are they raised a bit? Looking forward to my first Mariucci trip!

See if this helps.
And, Marco either says hi or he has an answer.

[HarleyMC]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Offesason Thread: Back To 1896

1. He's already drafted (as you know)

Knew that, thanks...just wandering around on my usual hockey trivia diatribe.

2. St. Louis has done fine with their college players, I'd say.

This blog writer for the Blues would disagree with you:

Thomas Vannelli, who was the Blues' top pick in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft, was supposed to play at Minnesota this season. Aaaaaaaaand he's gone. He'll be a Medicine Hat Tiger instead. Considering the Blues' past history with ex-Gophers, this may not be a bad thing.

It's highly probable TV contacted the Blues organization and they contributed to his decision to move on as well.

3. It really sounds like he actually may be dumb as a tree stump.

IMO TV is a lot smarter than some people are characterizing him to be. Even though I personally disagree with his decision to leave the Gophers, as a legacy player needing a way of escape before the season started, this appears to be a very clever deflection with minimal damage control in pursuit of what he's been told is the best developmental path to making his NHL dream a reality.

In terms of the NEW NCAA D1 academic eligibility requirements, TV would have had to fulfill the following to be accepted at the University of Minnesota:

16 core courses in the following areas:

1) 4 years English
2) 3 years math at Algebra I level or higher
3) 2 years natural or physical science (one lab if offered at any high school attended)
4) 1 year additional English, math or natural/physical science
5) 2 years social science
6) 4 years additional from areas above or foreign language, philosophy or comparative religion

Must complete 10 core courses before seventh semester of high school (e.g., senior year). Of the 10 core courses completed, seven must be in the area of English, math, or science.

Minimum required GPA:

Minimum GPA of 2.300 in those 16 core courses.

Minimum sum ACT or SAT

Score must match the 16 core-course GPA (Example: 820 SAT or 68 sum ACT requires core-course GPA of 2.950.).

Now c'mon, does this sound like a kid that's "as dumb as a tree stump" and absolutely can't handle introductory freshman electives after only two weeks into this fall semester? He most likely hadn't even submitted his first assignment yet!

Based upon what he has already academically accomplished just to be accepted as a student athlete at the University of Minnesota (regardless of whether he has a chosen major or not) and according to the NCAA academic eligibility requirements which are based upon measured standards of projected academic success, he's already statistically demonstrated a sense of self discipline and at least an average general intelligence according to these standards to handle basic freshman core electives and more.

Granted, he may be a bit "overwhelmed" like many university students straight out of HS, but typically students don't quit after two weeks into the semester unless there's something else going on. Did he give academia his best shot? Absolutely not.

I would also add that I am very familiar with the McNamara Academic Center for Student Athletes at the U. The goal of the professional academic staff at MAC is to guide student athletes step-by-step to graduation. I contend without hesitation the job they do there is top-notch and second to none. The academic scaffolding and resources they offer are so extensive that if a student athlete is committed to work with their academic advisors in the program, there's a very high probability that student athlete graduates (i.e. Sam Warning/Student Athlete of the month). The MAC has been directly responsible to contributing to the University of Minnesota reaching their highest ever graduation rate of 83% among student athletes.

There's no doubt in my mind, that if TV WANTED to work through his academic struggles with the MAC like many other student athletes at the U, he could graduate from the University of Minnesota or at the very least eek out 2-3 years of study until he makes the jump to the next level. I'm sure Don Lucia, who is committed to seeing every student athlete under his watch graduate, would also do everything in his power to encourage and support TV's academic success as well.

TV at one time wanted to attend the University of Minnesota. But being a top NHL draft choice can cause attitudes and career goals to suddenly change. IMO he got his eyes on the prize and wants to take the preferred CHL route with plenty of ice time exposure to get there asap.

If and when he signs with MH, he better start an extensive weight lifting program immediately. The WHL is notoriously the most violent and has the most fighting of any of the three CHL leagues (2012 WHL season averaged 2 fights/game). I suspect he might get his *** kicked more than a couple times.

[wildcatdc]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Offesason Thread: Back To 1896

See if this helps.
And, Marco either says hi or he has an answer.

Nice!!! Thanks for the pic. Now I'm truly fired up!

[Greyeagle]

Re: Minnesota Gophers Offesason Thread: Back To 1896

Nice!!! Thanks for the pic. Now I'm truly fired up!

The photographer is also the proprietor of Campus Pizza, which should be on your to-do list of the weekend. I am half way up opposite of the penalty box and sit behind the bad guy's / UNH bench. Look for the dopey looking guy wearing maroon.