Vermont 2023/24: Stuck in the Wieds

[TovarishchLisa]

Preseason polls are out (UVM a unanimous last), so time for the season thread.

Hopefully the guys can put the tumultuous offseason behind them and at least give us a regular season that doesn't make me want to swallow my eyeballs. I'm not asking for much with all that's happened...

Roster:

GKs: Gabe Carriere (Sr), Axel Mangbo (Fr), Connor MacKenzie (Fr)

Ds: Eli Barnett (Fr), Jeremie Bucheler (Gr), Mario Gasparini (Fr), Luca Muenzenberger (Jr), Xavier Henry (So), Duncan Ramsay (Fr), Jack Malinski (Fr), Lucas Jones (So), Philip Tornqvist (So), Ralfs Bergmanis (So)

Fs: Joel Maatta (Jr), Mateo Dixon (Fr), Andrei Buyalsky (Jr), Timofei Spitserov (Jr), Dawson Good (So), Will Zapernick (Sr), Matt Cato (Fr), Massimo Lombardi (So), Simon Jellus (Jr), Daniel Sambuco (Fr), Isak Walther (Jr), Ryan Miotto (Gr), Thomas Sinclair (So), Jens Richards (So), Zach Dubinsky (Sr)

Question marks:

* Coaching situation, obviously. Is there any lawsuit or drama with Woodcroft? Can Wiedler show enough to earn the permanent job?
* Offense from the blueline. Who's producing it? (which also affects the PP, which was bad for a lot of last season.) The offense in general is a question mark but especially among defenders.
* Can we just avoid the spoon pls kthx

[Catamount93]

I'll be honest, I'm a little surprised they are picked to finish last. Before the drama, optimism was pretty high and the only two things that I'm aware of that have changed for this season are Woodcroft gone and Bump transferred. I wouldn't have thought that would have taken us from where I thought we were to unanimous last.

[NYCatamount89]

I'll be honest, I'm a little surprised they are picked to finish last. Before the drama, optimism was pretty high and the only two things that I'm aware of that have changed for this season are Woodcroft gone and Bump transferred. I wouldn't have thought that would have taken us from where I thought we were to unanimous last.

I was surprised that is was so unanimous. Still the team hasn't really won at all over the last few years so we shouldn't be shocked.

Also I think there were a lot of both media/coaches who were really caught up in Woodcroft. They built up this idea that the program was making big strides forward based on the opinion they had of Woodcroft as a coach and his ability to bring in players. Looking back it seems like Woodcroft is the kind of person who is really great at selling a vision. Now that he's gone they view what's left as being nothing. They may be right, good chance this team is really bad again. Hopefully the staff can motivate these players and show that there is actually something here.

[Jim F.]

It's just a poll. Merrimack was picked 8th last year and finished 2nd. UMass was picked 3rd and finished 9th. And, it's a poll of coaches who may attach a little more importance to who's coaching instead of the players.

[UVM Cat in Texas]

Not to be Debbie Downer, but I would have been shocked if we were picked anywhere other than last. We’ve got a lot to prove and I wouldn’t be surprised if we can’t do it.

[SoucyWasNoSieve]

Could be worse, Bowling Green just suspended their coach and several players for a hazing incident. And they were projected to have a good season prior to this news.

[UVM Cat in Texas]

Could be worse, Bowling Green just suspended their coach and several players for a hazing incident. And they were projected to have a good season prior to this news.

Wish we had suspended our coach.

[rufus22]

Amen UVM Cat.

[SoucyWasNoSieve]

It's official...

https://www.uscho.com/2023/09/25/ver...oaching-staff/

[UVM Cat in Texas]

Let’s go Cats!

[TovarishchLisa]

Not going to read too much into an exhibition but after the offseason we've had that was just good for the ~vibes~

[KennyCat]

Get real. Coach deserved to be let go. There are only a few rules coaches and professors need to follow. Allegedly, Coach didn’t follow them. Bye bye.

Glad we were picked last. Would love to see them motivated to make some noise and finish middle of the pack.

[Catfantoo]

Let's talk hockey. Yes, exhibition but how often has the outcome been like 2-1ish and less than expected. This was 4-0 and it should have been. Certainly not perfect but liked a few things:

Joel M. 2-goals as upperclassmen. Has put min the time over the last few years and now time to do it as a Jr.
Gabe C. was very good, couple point blank saves where he threw out the pads and kept the shutout (liked seeing him play entire way).
Gabe got jabbed after he had control of puck - couple UVM guys took exception to this and stood up for their goalie (nice to see).
VERY NICE student turnout for exhibition game. Stayed till end, hopefully with some spirited efforts in future games they continue to support the team.

Next home game not till Nov.

[j24vt]

Couple observations about Saturday:
- Nice to see the D making more plays at the defensive blue line instead of backing in on the goalie
- Defense needs to work on positioning in front of the net. Too many bodies in front of the goalie all night.
- Nice to see more variety for o-zone entry. Last year there seemed to be an emphasis on carrying it in and then dropping it back to a trailer. Saw a lot more driving towards the net with the puck.
- Only 1 freshman got meaningful ice time in the game! Happy to see the upperclassmen growing with the team instead of being replaced by the incoming freshman.

[rufus22]

Who was that freshman, was it Barnett?