St. Lawrence University: Big Time, Old Time Hockey 2014-15

[Spaceman]

Re: St. Lawrence University: Big Time, Old Time Hockey 2014-15

SLU and Clarkson hockey player's thoughts on unionizing college sports - http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/a...TS03/704049941

[Saints17]

Re: St. Lawrence University: Big Time, Old Time Hockey 2014-15

Well, I am absolutely positive he either was or he wasn't. But some long term memory sector of my brain tells me that Lappy was our only top 2 finisher and it is possible that didn't even do the Hobey Hatrick back then. So, I just googled it and the runner-up in 1988 was Mark Varmint aka Vermette the very same ***** that scored the Happy Gilmour shot against us to steel the ring off our fingers.

Considering we were the best team that year and Pete was our best player, he should have won it, but didn't.

I think I dislike Pete Stauber more.

[Spaceman]

Re: St. Lawrence University: Big Time, Old Time Hockey 2014-15

Now that we are in the off season and can't talk about weekend games, let's try to rack our brains on another subject... It's been my observation over the last ten years that there has been a slow decline of attendance at Appleton Arena. With the rise of the internet and other entertainment options for people, St. Lawrence isn't the only entity facing this issue. Winning and losing also play a role as well, as there is no better way to increase attendance than winning.

My question to readers here, what are some of your ideas to market the hockey program to increase the fan base? With the many readers here, I'm sure there might be a few worth while ideas for people to suggest. So what are your out of the box, low cost or no cost ideas?

[Saints#1]

Re: St. Lawrence University: Big Time, Old Time Hockey 2014-15

Now that we are in the off season and can't talk about weekend games, let's try to rack our brains on another subject... It's been my observation over the last ten years that there has been a slow decline of attendance at Appleton Arena. With the rise of the internet and other entertainment options for people, St. Lawrence isn't the only entity facing this issue. Winning and losing also play a role as well, as there is no better way to increase attendance than winning.

My question to readers here, what are some of your ideas to market the hockey program to increase the fan base? With the many readers here, I'm sure there might be a few worth while ideas for people to suggest. So what are your out of the box, low cost or no cost ideas?

A good start would be a more accurate way to calculate official attendance figures. They don't/haven't counted students in attendance figures in a number of years (this is 100% official). The attendance we see in the box score is the paid attendance figures only. Not only do the students not count in attendance figures, but neither does anyone who enters the arena for free with a faculty/staff card as well. I have attended every single game for the past 17+ years now and it is very rare that the arena is not full and on nights that it is not full we are looking at 2/3 full. However, the attendance figures continue to show under 1,500 when the arena seats 3,000. That's physically impossible! Hopefully they get this figured out as it is a frustrating situation for fans/players and does have an impact on things.

[Muskieman]

Re: St. Lawrence University: Big Time, Old Time Hockey 2014-15

I think I dislike Pete Stauber more.

Well, his brother was referred to as "Stauber the Robber" that season, so I suppose that "Peter the Cheater" is appropriate. That was some ouster that Pete pulled off, and he got away with it.

[Muskieman]

Re: St. Lawrence University: Big Time, Old Time Hockey 2014-15

Now that we are in the off season and can't talk about weekend games, let's try to rack our brains on another subject... It's been my observation over the last ten years that there has been a slow decline of attendance at Appleton Arena. With the rise of the internet and other entertainment options for people, St. Lawrence isn't the only entity facing this issue. Winning and losing also play a role as well, as there is no better way to increase attendance than winning.

My question to readers here, what are some of your ideas to market the hockey program to increase the fan base? With the many readers here, I'm sure there might be a few worth while ideas for people to suggest. So what are your out of the box, low cost or no cost ideas?

If schedules permit, I'd go with an extra OOC game or two against Clarkson each season with either or both game played on a weekend(s) and the venue rotated between Appleton and Cheel each season if only 1 OOC game is played. Also, I'd consult Union and find out what steps they've taken the past ten or so years to become a powerhouse and now are filling their rink to capacity. Other ideas I have are not low or no cost - but include paving the parking lot to the west of Appleton and installing a 4- way and HD scoreboard with replay capabilities. I think that the latter may already be planned.

[Got 6, Want More]

Re: St. Lawrence University: Big Time, Old Time Hockey 2014-15

Now that we are in the off season and can't talk about weekend games, let's try to rack our brains on another subject... It's been my observation over the last ten years that there has been a slow decline of attendance at Appleton Arena. With the rise of the internet and other entertainment options for people, St. Lawrence isn't the only entity facing this issue. Winning and losing also play a role as well, as there is no better way to increase attendance than winning.

My question to readers here, what are some of your ideas to market the hockey program to increase the fan base? With the many readers here, I'm sure there might be a few worth while ideas for people to suggest. So what are your out of the box, low cost or no cost ideas?

Well, I think the #1 think is the simplest one but also the hardest one....Which is scheduling home games for when students are there and not on break or tied up in rush / pledge activities. It may be as simple of a tweak as just scheduling some weeknight OOC games, or trying to schedule Oct Games at home and December / January games on the road. I am not in favor of certain other things other than building a championship team that people want to watch. Attendance in 1987-1988 was a priority for everyone because it was fun, and we won all the time. Cripes, last year we seemed to lose at home all the time too...that has to change. How did Union get so good....recruiting. Period. Nate Leaman is a great coach. He built Union and recruited their Junior and Senior classes which are excellent. He went to Providence and built a winner there and schooled Peckernold and Q-Peck in the NCAA's with a team that probably had inferior talent. Carvy will get us there. It will take time. So, I guess the number 1 and 2 things that can be done are be patient and win at home.

[sshablak]

Re: St. Lawrence University: Big Time, Old Time Hockey 2014-15

Well, I think the #1 think is the simplest one but also the hardest one....Which is scheduling home games for when students are there and not on break or tied up in rush / pledge activities. It may be as simple of a tweak as just scheduling some weeknight OOC games, or trying to schedule Oct Games at home and December / January games on the road. I am not in favor of certain other things other than building a championship team that people want to watch. Attendance in 1987-1988 was a priority for everyone because it was fun, and we won all the time. Cripes, last year we seemed to lose at home all the time too...that has to change. How did Union get so good....recruiting. Period. Nate Leaman is a great coach. He built Union and recruited their Junior and Senior classes which are excellent. He went to Providence and built a winner there and schooled Peckernold and Q-Peck in the NCAA's with a team that probably had inferior talent. Carvy will get us there. It will take time. So, I guess the number 1 and 2 things that can be done are be patient and win at home.

Great post, lmao @ Peckernold

[Muskieman]

Re: St. Lawrence University: Big Time, Old Time Hockey 2014-15

I believe that the Union Board of Trustees, about 7 or so years ago, adopted a policy where "free rides" were/are made available to academically gifted students residing in a foreign country. A quick check of Union's current roster shows nearly ten players from Canada. Much as this would ruffle the feathers of our old buddies John McCardell and Roger Hull, I'm left to wonder if some or all of the Canadian players are from well-to-do families and nonetheless got "free rides" anyways. The timing of Union's rise to prominence corresponds with my belief. So, when ESPN says Union doesn't give scholarships, I think otherwise. If my belief is true, a D-3 "playup" school sure got creative and the results of late bear that out.

Although we offer scholarships for hockey, I question whether SLU should consider a similar "foreign" policy. Adoption of such might improve our recruiting talent-wise for those not offered a hockey scholarship, and thereby bring more balance throughout our 26 or so person roster. I know that Spaceman is looking for low or no cost ideas, but wanted to throw this out for discussion. Would a "foreign" scholarship policy for the entire student body be of benefit to SLU? I think it would bring more diversity to SLU and would also benefit our hockey programs.

[Got 6, Want More]

Re: St. Lawrence University: Big Time, Old Time Hockey 2014-15

I believe that the Union Board of Trustees, about 7 or so years ago, adopted a policy where "free rides" were/are made available to academically gifted students residing in a foreign country. A quick check of Union's current roster shows nearly ten players from Canada. Much as this would ruffle the feathers of our old buddies John McCardell and Roger Hull, I'm left to wonder if some or all of the Canadian players are from well-to-do families and nonetheless got "free rides" anyways. The timing of Union's rise to prominence corresponds with my belief. So, when ESPN says Union doesn't give scholarships, I think otherwise. If my belief is true, a D-3 "playup" school sure got creative and the results of late bear that out.

Although we offer scholarships for hockey, I question whether SLU should consider a similar "foreign" policy. Adoption of such might improve our recruiting talent-wise for those not offered a hockey scholarship, and thereby bring more balance throughout our 26 or so person roster. I know that Spaceman is looking for low or no cost ideas, but wanted to throw this out for discussion. Would a "foreign" scholarship policy for the entire student body be of benefit to SLU? I think it would bring more diversity to SLU and would also benefit our hockey programs.

Brian, I don't think this is the case at all. What is behind Union's rise to prominence is the same thing that was behind our rise in the late 80's....recruiting. In the late 80's when Joe was recruiting the classes of 88 and 89 which were truly the most dominating classes with five All-American's and Bakes being a sure fire sixth one if not injured, was just working his *** off to find and get great talent in. It's the same at Union. I have gone to a bunch of junior games in New England and very frequently I would see a smattering of assistant coaches at the games and then I would see Union / Providence head coach Nate Leaman there on Sunday's after weekend games, there on weekdays. I think their success is in large part due to him working his butt off and having an eye what to recruit for. His ability to get guys like Ghost, Carr, Bodie, etc. is a tribute to him. Ghost came out of prep and I don't know that very many people went after him but I'm sure they all wish they did now. What remains to be seen is if Union can stay on top with Bennett as the head coach. I think they will be good, but will drop off. That is the normal cycle in the ECAC where you see teams dominate for 2-4 years and then fade and get replaced by someone else.

Obviously, recruiting suffered at SLU in Joe's last two years with his health and Carvy / Hurley having to coach the team. Also, I think Bob Prier went after a different type of player than Carvy would. Bob P likes size a lot more. I don't know yet how to characterize Carvy's prototypical player but there seems to be an emphasis on puck moving, skilled defensemen and speedy, skilled forwards. I also think goaltending is a big factor and we really have not had a lights out goalie since Gusty. We have had guys that were good and stole big games, but a really consistent winner the game alone goalie...its been a while. Ackley was probably closest and he stole some games such as UNH and, I think, Wisco. You know it its also pure BS that we lost guys like Sexton and Nick Lappin to Clarkson and Brown. I can't explain their bad judgement!

Carvy's first class was last year. That was a very good class. There are 7-8 more coming in next year and Lough, Horn, Gluchowski, Hayton, Purmal are all going to be impact players. Last year was frustrating. We won big games. We had talent. I think the team lacked chemistry and I think there were a couple of guys who deserve the blame and they are gone. I am very optimistic about what I think our staff will be able to do. You won't find classier guys anywhere than Carvy, Hurley and Mayo. It's a tough landscape....you have schools like Yale and Harvard (although Harvard has had a rash of de-commits) that are doing an exceptional job recruiting. Q-Suck has got some key guys lined up such as Petruzulli and Smith, but at the same time, I strongly question Peckernold's ability to keep guys playing for him and some other dynamics. Right now, we have to solve Colgate who has put together a solid squad too.

I think it is time to be patient. There is coaching talent. The fact we had the #1 PP in the nation pretty much all year last year without a single drafted player on the roster is a tribute to coaching. Granted Greg Carey was a unique player thanks to his scoring ability, but what made the PP work was every bit as much a tribute to Bayreuther, Baker and Wick and Sweetman on the 2nd unit.

I was there with Carvy and Hurley. Carvy has an enormous brain and he knows how to sell Canton. Hurley is such a hard-worker and classy guy and has Joe Marsh like integrity. I am encouraged. Last season ****ed me off, but I think it was probably a learning experience for Carvy about how to deal with a certain type of player who is selfish and destroys chemistry. I think the process is there for us to improve and there are a lot of promising signs.

Finally, on Union, I really have no idea about their academic backgrounds, etc. I just think they worked hard at recruiting, found a few diamonds in the rough, and Bennett knows how to coach. They are effective in every zone, solid in every position, and are very well coached. I hope they slay both teams in Philly and keep the trophy with the newly emergent ECAC.

[Spaceman]

Re: St. Lawrence University: Big Time, Old Time Hockey 2014-15

For Union College hockey, success on the ice is translating to ticket sales
by Megan Rogers
Albany Business Review

The men's hockey team at Union College has been increasingly successful in the past few years, whether it's on the ice or in the growing revenue from ticket sales, marketing and sponsorships.
The men’s ice hockey team at Union College is the top seed in the NCAA East Regional tournament, which begins this afternoon. The team recently won its third-straight ECAC hockey tournament title and is making its fourth-straight NCAA tournament appearance. Revenue from ticket sales, marketing and sponsorships increased by more than $100,000 between the 2010-11 season and the 2013-14 season.
The total revenue for the current season is $267,106, though that number is expected to increase before the end of the season.

http://www.bizjournals.com/albany/ne...he-ice-is.html

[hockeyplayer1015]

Re: St. Lawrence University: Big Time, Old Time Hockey 2014-15

Gavin Bayreuther has moved up to #48 for North American skaters in the final NHL CS rankings. I believe he was around #115 in December. Very impressive jump.

[Spaceman]

Re: St. Lawrence University: Big Time, Old Time Hockey 2014-15

Gavin Bayreuther has moved up to #48 for North American skaters in the final NHL CS rankings. I believe he was around #115 in December. Very impressive jump.

Yes, and the link is here: http://www.nhl.com/ice/draftprospectbrowse.htm

So that should get him drafted this summer in the 3rd or 4th round correct?

[hockeyplayer1015]

Re: St. Lawrence University: Big Time, Old Time Hockey 2014-15

Yes, and the link is here: http://www.nhl.com/ice/draftprospectbrowse.htm

So that should get him drafted this summer in the 3rd or 4th round correct?

Well, hard to tell because you have the Euros as well, and I certainly don't know how well their ranked skaters match up with the NA skaters. Is Euro skater #40 comparable to NA skater #40? Better, or worse?

I'll go out on a limb and say he gets drafted in the 3rd round. Hopefully to Detroit

[Got 6, Want More]

Re: St. Lawrence University: Big Time, Old Time Hockey 2014-15

Well, hard to tell because you have the Euros as well, and I certainly don't know how well their ranked skaters match up with the NA skaters. Is Euro skater #40 comparable to NA skater #40? Better, or worse?

I'll go out on a limb and say he gets drafted in the 3rd round. Hopefully to BOSTON

Fixed your post so I can hold down my lunch.

It's between 2nd and 4th, likely 3rd assuming someone doesn't blow off the rankings and snatch him earlier. I'd say he fits with a team like Chicago or a Western team the best, but who knows.