Minnesota State 2021-22 Meet the new conference- same as the old conference

[njmav1]

Will someone start an MSU off season Thread? I know its hard to let last season fade away, but we need to kick off discussion for the coming successful season.

Minnesota State Offseason 2022: Rebuild or reload? - USCHO.com Fan Forum | fanforum.uscho.com

[Double Major]

Will someone start an MSU off season Thread? I know its hard to let last season fade away, but we need to kick off discussion for the coming successful season.

[John J. MacInnes]

The Michigan State rumors seem the least likely to me. And I'll say up front, I have no relationship with Coach Hastings, (Other than a couple of drinks with him at a Boston bar after a sweep of BU in 2017!), but I don't see that Michigan State is a big step up, unless they commit more money and attention to their program than they have in the past. Coach has no ties to the school or the state, the cupboard is largely bare, and there are likely better offers out there.
But, I wish him all the best in whatever he chooses, and will remain a big fan wherever he goes (or stays).

Michigan State is just finishing a $26 million upgrade to Munn Ice Arena, including a brand new locker room and associated facilities. The commitment to the program is not in question.

I'm sure it would be better as a coach to have an on-campus arena that's used for nothing but hockey rather than a municipal facility that can schedule other events into the building. Doubt that's a deal maker but certainly a positive. And the philosophy of building a program rather than recruiting a team is the way Spartan hockey was traditionally built, so the fan base would be on board.

It's going to come down to A) is money the main driver in the potential move and B) can Michigan State outbid Mankato. If A) is a yes then certainly B) is too.

[purpleinnebraska]

To me, Sparty has nothing to offer other than being a B1G team. He would go from being "The Man" to being the third program to support, at best, within the athletic department and a virtual unknown around town/campus.

The Michigan State rumors seem the least likely to me. And I'll say up front, I have no relationship with Coach Hastings, (Other than a couple of drinks with him at a Boston bar after a sweep of BU in 2017!), but I don't see that Michigan State is a big step up, unless they commit more money and attention to their program than they have in the past. Coach has no ties to the school or the state, the cupboard is largely bare, and there are likely better offers out there.
But, I wish him all the best in whatever he chooses, and will remain a big fan wherever he goes (or stays).

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

but hey, as a tech fan, i hope he stays in mankato... he is a huge asset to the CCHA.

GO TECH GOLD!

Agree. We were having this discussion on the BG forum. The consensus is the rest of the CCHA should get their s#!t together and compete at Mankato's level rather than hoping Mankato regresses.

[DrunkTrainPolka]

As far as we know publicly, he's very happy. He's been given everything he's asked for to this point. He makes good money. The community loves him. His family has been supported to the max through some tough health issues. He seems to be comfortable and likes where he's at, but who knows from the.outside.

Just for kicks, I did a COLA adjustment from mankato to boston, and for him to have the same buying power he would need to make over $600k. I'm sure both of the Boston schools could and would offer that, but who knows how motivating that is?

Another thing to think about is whether he wants to be the guy that builds a national power and helps create a new program everyone wants to be at or if he wants to be another coach (albeit a great one) that maintains a program.

the cost of living in east lansing is -way- less than in boston. and while the boston schools have the money (and his kid is there), MSU has way more for this hire in specific (they can't afford to get the wrong coach of the third time). ann arbor could be a possibility too i guess since it's looking like mel pearson et al ain't coming back.

he is a classy guy... whatever he does, will be done right and will turn out to be positive for the team he goes to and even MNSU (here is looking at you knott).

but hey, as a tech fan, i hope he stays in mankato... he is a huge asset to the CCHA.

GO TECH GOLD!

[J.D.]

People always ask why would someone leave. Money would be one thing. Another would be simply wanting a new challenge. His son goes to school in Boston. Unless you have a personal relationship with Hastings, tough for anyone to really know what he thinks. There's been little to no reporting on any of this other than Michigan State and BU allegedly kicking the tires.

[Lost_Husky]

As far as we know publicly, he's very happy. He's been given everything he's asked for to this point. He makes good money. The community loves him. His family has been supported to the max through some tough health issues. He seems to be comfortable and likes where he's at, but who knows from the.outside.

Just for kicks, I did a COLA adjustment from mankato to boston, and for him to have the same buying power he would need to make over $600k. I'm sure both of the Boston schools could and would offer that, but who knows how motivating that is?

Another thing to think about is whether he wants to be the guy that builds a national power and helps create a new program everyone wants to be at or if he wants to be another coach (albeit a great one) that maintains a program.

How would his formula for success work in AA or Boston? Those type of schools are more reliant on one and done players than the 3-4 year kids who work at getting better. Would those fanbases be patient enough with the time it would take to implement his system? Would that perceived "level" of player be willing to commit to the work needed to play for him?

To me, Sparty has nothing to offer other than being a B1G team. He would go from being "The Man" to being the third program to support, at best, within the athletic department and a virtual unknown around town/campus.

Mankato is a college hockey juggernaut. They were 20 minutes away from being NCAA champions. Why would he leave that to go somewhere else and start all over?

[Bale]

As far as we know publicly, he's very happy. He's been given everything he's asked for to this point. He makes good money. The community loves him. His family has been supported to the max through some tough health issues. He seems to be comfortable and likes where he's at, but who knows from the.outside.

Just for kicks, I did a COLA adjustment from mankato to boston, and for him to have the same buying power he would need to make over $600k. I'm sure both of the Boston schools could and would offer that, but who knows how motivating that is?

Another thing to think about is whether he wants to be the guy that builds a national power and helps create a new program everyone wants to be at or if he wants to be another coach (albeit a great one) that maintains a program.

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

Rumor mill:

Hastings --> BC
Hastings --> BU
Hastings --> Sparty
Hastings --> UofM
Hastings --> Red Wings (OK, I made that one up)

Any of the Mankato faithful have something to share from the opposite side of the rumor mill? As much as I hate how he kicks the CCHA's ***, I'd also hate for him to leave.

[MavsFan]

I went to MSU starting in 2000. Never left the area and attend most games. I remember those ROUGH years so the fact that losing that game is disappointing says it all. This is our new standard.

The 2000-2001 season was my first year of season tickets. The 2019-20 squad not getting a chance to see what they could do was hard to take. That was a really good team. This was just crushing.

[MavsFan19]

Initially have to admit I was disappointed as I think anyone who has watched them all season can agree that the 3rd period just wasn't what we are used to seeing. Give Denver credit. Goal 2/3 were nice. Goal 1 McKay would want back but those happen. I feel like that goals 1/2 happening so close together never gave MSU time to regain themselves. All that said you won't win many games scoring 1 goal and getting so few shots on net towards the end. They had their chances early to create a bigger cushion it just didn't happen. I felt game was a lot closer then 5-1 makes it look. It happens now time to reload and see what the next group can do I went to MSU starting in 2000. Never left the area and attend most games. I remember those ROUGH years so the fact that losing that game is disappointing says it all. This is our new standard.

[Bale]

I was really pulling for you guys.

That's one thing that will stick with me. Walking around Boston, so many people went out of their way to tell us this exact thing. Now, I get it, people may just be blowing smoke, but it was pretty cool. Additionally, I get it may have been because of who the other 3 teams were.

This team did themselves proud. They played their hearts out. They didn't try to rest on their laurels. They probably played the worst period that they have played in 2 years (outside of maybe the NMU game last year). Fans seemed to really love the energy they played with and were an easy team to root for. It obviously wasn't the end we all wanted, but it was certainly a fun ride.

[devildog]

I was really pulling for you guys.

[purpleinnebraska]

So many great memories from this year. Proud of everything the guys accomplished on and off the ice. Tough ending (though there's no shame in losing to a team that good), but still a great day to be a Maverick!