Brown Hockey 2015-16: (s)Lappin' around the competition

[Ralph Baer]

Re: Brown Hockey 2015-16: (s)Lappin' around the competition

RPI blog Without a Peer's annual post about Brown http://www.withoutapeer.com/2015/08/...emy-brown.html.


I have no connection with WaP except as reader.

[kdiff77]

Re: Brown Hockey 2015-16: (s)Lappin' around the competition

RPI blog Without a Peer's annual post about Brown http://www.withoutapeer.com/2015/08/...emy-brown.html.


I have no connection with WaP except as reader.

Thanks for posting! I look forward to this piece every year.

I think he's a little offbase in that he overlooked the expected improvement of the exceptionally talented sophomore class, which should help provide scoring depth this year. They were all fresh out of prep school last year, so the adjustment was very tough. This year, they should (emphasis on SHOULD) improve substantially.

But overall, it's hard to disagree with his assessment. Last season was miserable, and offered few promising signs. We have to hope Steel can return to his top form now that his injury isn't an issue anymore, and that the defense will be a lot more effective in every single area. If (again, this is a big if) those two factors can be turned around, Brown suddenly looks more like a team that could potentially host a playoff series than a bottomdweller.

[Mike Hutter]

Re: Brown Hockey 2015-16: (s)Lappin' around the competition

Thanks for posting! I look forward to this piece every year.

I think he's a little offbase in that he overlooked the expected improvement of the exceptionally talented sophomore class, which should help provide scoring depth this year. They were all fresh out of prep school last year, so the adjustment was very tough. This year, they should (emphasis on SHOULD) improve substantially.

But overall, it's hard to disagree with his assessment. Last season was miserable, and offered few promising signs. We have to hope Steel can return to his top form now that his injury isn't an issue anymore, and that the defense will be a lot more effective in every single area. If (again, this is a big if) those two factors can be turned around, Brown suddenly looks more like a team that could potentially host a playoff series than a bottomdweller.

I too believe the assessment was fair. I expected more last year as I truly believed the hype over the 3 frosh NHL draftees who would play at the level of Lorito, Naclerio and Lappin. But I was wrong as the jump from prep school to D1 playing against 22-24 year olds who played in junior leagues is clearly one that will take time. Like Kdiff I look forward to the three to prove the hype was for real; there times towards the end of the season that they were in fact showing their potential. It looks like when you come out of prep school it does take at least a year for the adjustment. I am not aware of any brown player as young as the 3 truly excelled in as a frosh.

[kdiff77]

Re: Brown Hockey 2015-16: (s)Lappin' around the competition

I am not aware of any brown player as young as the 3 truly excelled in as a frosh.

I think Brian Ihnacak was 18 his freshman year, and he was terrific playing on Brent Robinson's wing. But obviously this specific case would appear to be the exception, rather than the rule.

[Euler18]

Re: Brown Hockey 2015-16: (s)Lappin' around the competition

I think Brian Ihnacak was 18 his freshman year, and he was terrific playing on Brent Robinson's wing. But obviously this specific case would appear to be the exception, rather than the rule.

You're absolutely correct. Brian was 18 when he arrived at Brown as a freshman. He scored over thirty points as a freshman, the highest number, I believe, since Dave Roberts in 1975, and was chosen Rookie of the Year after his first season. Unfortunately, there was quite a bit of tension between Brian and head coach Roger Grillo. Brian never developed into the star many of us had predicted.

[Euler18]

Re: Brown Hockey 2015-16: (s)Lappin' around the competition

SUPPORT THE BEARS -- BELFAST FRIENDSHIP TOUR

Below is a link to the Brown Sports Foundation Travel Package for the Belfast Friendship Tour. It appears to be the same as the one previously posted by a Northeastern supporter, with departure on Thanksgiving Day, arrival Friday morning, and return on Monday morning on Aer Lingus (from Boston). The hotel is the Ibis at City Center.

http://www.anthonytravel.com/festival-of-hockey/

The cost is fair, considering that all arrangements are made by the travel agency, but it's possible to do it for less if one's willing to make his/her own arrangements. I booked my flight in early July for less than $600 (Boston/Dublin/Boston, on Aer Lingus) and am paying the equivalent of US167 a night (not bad for the UK) at the centrally located Jury's Inn, which is a slightly higher category than the Ibis.

Game tickets are extra.

Caveat emptor!

[Mike Hutter]

Re: Brown Hockey 2015-16: (s)Lappin' around the competition

You're absolutely correct. Brian was 18 when he arrived at Brown as a freshman. He scored over thirty points as a freshman, the highest number, I believe, since Dave Roberts in 1975, and was chosen Rookie of the Year after his first season. Unfortunately, there was quite a bit of tension between Brian and head coach Roger Grillo. Brian never developed into the star many of us had predicted.

I recall the tension in his sophomore year. I saw it first-hand in a game at Starr. Never understood why that situation occurred. I suspect that like Volpatti and Harry Z if Brian played for Brendan, he would have had a HOF career at Brown.

[kdiff77]

Re: Brown Hockey 2015-16: (s)Lappin' around the competition

I recall the tension in his sophomore year. I saw it first-hand in a game at Starr. Never understood why that situation occurred. I suspect that like Volpatti and Harry Z if Brian played for Brendan, he would have had a HOF career at Brown.

Jack Maclellan is another perfect example - he had 6 points his rookie season with Grillo at the helm, and then 34 the following year under Whittet's tutelage. He averaged a point per game for the rest of his Brown career - 91 points in 91 games. Harry had all of 5 points through his first two seasons, before exploding for 64 in his last 67 games as a Brown player.

Clearly, Grillo was doing something wrong with these guys. Harry Z and Jack Mac went on to be dominant players in the ECAC while playing for Whittet. Volpatti also had an excellent senior season following three in which he was merely average. In fact, he had more points - 32 - as a senior than he had in his first three years combined - 30!

[Hope Street]

Re: Brown Hockey 2015-16: (s)Lappin' around the competition

From @MarkDivver of Projo

Word is @BrownMensHockey associate head coach Mark White has taken a job as a scout for @NHLJets

[Mike Hutter]

Re: Brown Hockey 2015-16: (s)Lappin' around the competition

From @MarkDivver of Projo - Word is @BrownMensHockey associate head coach Mark White has taken a job as a scout for @NHLJets

Any update on this? Mark's loss is a big one I believe for the program, especially with the new season around the corner.

[CollegeHockeyRinkReport]

Any update on this? Mark's loss is a big one I believe for the program, especially with the new season around the corner.

http://www.sbncollegehockey.com/ecac...rendan-whittet

Another ECAC assistant in line to take gig

[Mike Hutter]

Re: Brown Hockey 2015-16: (s)Lappin' around the competition

http://www.sbncollegehockey.com/ecac...rendan-whittet

Another ECAC assistant in line to take gig

Thanks. I read the stories daily on the SB website, but not until the evening. The SB website is in my humble opinion the best source for college hockey developments.

[kdiff77]

Re: Brown Hockey 2015-16: (s)Lappin' around the competition

It's a guy from Yale. He brings championship pedigree!

https://***********/ChipMalafronte/s...33303943585793

[Mike Hutter]

Re: Brown Hockey 2015-16: (s)Lappin' around the competition

Now that Coach White has left the staff, and it appears we have an excellent replacement, I am curious why he left for a scouting position. I always thought that he had the potential to be a DI head coach. What future options does he from the scouting job? Or was it a money/salary issue?

[kdiff77]

Re: Brown Hockey 2015-16: (s)Lappin' around the competition

Now that Coach White has left the staff, and it appears we have an excellent replacement, I am curious why he left for a scouting position. I always thought that he had the potential to be a DI head coach. What future options does he from the scouting job? Or was it a money/salary issue?

I would imagine the opportunity to be a part of an NHL organization was simply too much to pass on. Also, I'd assume his salary will be significantly higher than it was at Brown.

If I recall correctly, White was the best recruiter on the staff at Brown, so maybe he views scouting as his foot in the door at the pro level. You can always work your way up through a team's front office. Pierre McGuire is a high-profile example of a guy who spent years toiling behind the scenes before finally being given a shot to coach - I believe he actually started as an assistant at St. Lawrence before accepting a front office job with Pittsburgh.

Granted, Pierre fell flat on his face and has now been reduced to an ongoing joke and the subject of various Internet memes, but the point is that he was able to move up within the Penguins' organization to a coaching role.