Norwich 2022-23 Back to Normal (ish)

[KrbFlint]

I'm quite out of the loop nowadays but my guess is Jerry might be referring to Callum Jones, who has the ability to come back for a 5th year still. If I had to guess, he's going to potentially look at spending a 5th year at a D1 or go play lacrosse somewhere else.

As hard as this is to believe, Callum is a better lacrosse player than a hockey player and could play that at a very-high level if he wanted to. I think he just loves hockey more.

If we are talking about Callum, he is unable (currently) to take a fifth year. Due to NU’s graduate school being online, Canada has not been allowing students to stay in the US as grad students. Anne Fr?d?rique Guay of the women’s team (NEHC POY) is in the same situation. It’s a shame; if NU had on campus graduate school, it wouldn’t be a discussion.

Callum is, indeed, an elite lax player. I’m told he was headed to RIT to play before being offered the opportunity to play hockey at Norwich. Crazy enough, the NU lax staff had the best player in program history dropped into their laps without knowing a thing about him. Fortunate for them!

I’m not positive, but I think Mantaro can take a fifth year. If so, I’d love to see him back. The coaching staff is also very high on Gallotti and Harvey.

[PrezdeJohnson09]

If we are talking about Callum, he is unable (currently) to take a fifth year. Due to NU’s graduate school being online, Canada has not been allowing students to stay in the US as grad students. Anne Fr?d?rique Guay of the women’s team (NEHC POY) is in the same situation. It’s a shame; if NU had on campus graduate school, it wouldn’t be a discussion.

Callum is, indeed, an elite lax player. I’m told he was headed to RIT to play before being offered the opportunity to play hockey at Norwich. Crazy enough, the NU lax staff had the best player in program history dropped into their laps without knowing a thing about him. Fortunate for them!

I’m not positive, but I think Mantaro can take a fifth year. If so, I’d love to see him back. The coaching staff is also very high on Gallotti and Harvey.

I liked Galotti a lot his freshman year year when he was able to play before Covid got to him and found his way out of the lineup.

skates so well for a big guy.

Callum scored some absolutely incredible goals on the lax field the last couple years. Curious if he’ll play or not this year.

I also knew of the RIT thing, but he wasn’t going to be able to play hockey there so that’s why NU was able to snag him.

In case anyone was wondering, RIT has been one of the best if not the best D3 lax program in the country the last decade. Players of that caliber dominate a league like the GNAC.

[Bog Hockey]

I think Flint nailed it. Was this the lowest or among the lowest GPG squad in the last decade or so? A lot of folks opine that defense wins games. I don’t know, does it? IMO, if I shoot at a goalie’s chest 100 times, the chances are pretty high that he’ll stop the puck at least 99 times. If I shoot wide of the net 100 times, the probability is high that the shots would be wide of the net at least 99 times, meaning no goals. Again, purely my observation, but I’m not sure our offense had the composure and temperament to score more. Maybe Flint can explain, but why are goal scorers so difficult to attract to Norwich? Is it the campus, location, Corps, weather, finances, school reputation, athletic facilities, Administration, coaching staff? Personally, I think the geographic location significantly disadvantages NU, and this is coming from a Corp graduate. I believe I once said that NU attracts a prolific goal scorer once every 4-7 years. That SWAG may have to be amended. Flint, would appreciate your thoughts on this. Is the program trending in the wrong direction?

[KrbFlint]

I think Flint nailed it. Was this the lowest or among the lowest GPG squad in the last decade or so? A lot of folks opine that defense wins games. I don’t know, does it? IMO, if I shoot at a goalie’s chest 100 times, the chances are pretty high that he’ll stop the puck at least 99 times. If I shoot wide of the net 100 times, the probability is high that the shots would be wide of the net at least 99 times, meaning no goals. Again, purely my observation, but I’m not sure our offense had the composure and temperament to score more. Maybe Flint can explain, but why are goal scorers so difficult to attract to Norwich? Is it the campus, location, Corps, weather, finances, school reputation, athletic facilities, Administration, coaching staff? Personally, I think the geographic location significantly disadvantages NU, and this is coming from a Corp graduate. I believe I once said that NU attracts a prolific goal scorer once every 4-7 years. That SWAG may have to be amended. Flint, would appreciate your thoughts on this. Is the program trending in the wrong direction?

To answer the big question, I think the program is fine. At the end of the day, a little improvement offensively and NU is winning a lot of games 3-1, 2-0, etc. Last night aside, it’s usually a safe bet that Norwich isn’t losing by 4 goals.

Norwich faces significant challenges in recruiting, period. It affects all the sports. While I can’t point to one thing, I think most of the things you mentioned play small roles. Location, cost, facilities (outside Kreitzberg, which is still a crown jewel IMO) being three big ones to me. Compared to other sports at Norwich, hockey is supported very well. Compared to other national powers in hockey? Average at best. In this regard, I think Ellsworth (and staff) get kudos for continuing to be as good as they are each year*.

New AD Ed Hockenbury and President Anarumo are aware of these challenges and, I have faith, are trying to help. It takes time, and it takes money. Keep your fingers crossed.

*If I come across as an Ellsworth fanboy sometimes; I am. I get occasional peeks behind the curtain and the guy is so totally devoted to the “student-athlete experience”. Unlike his predecessor (not a knock, just reality) he advocates for ALL NU student athletes and wants Norwich to provide the best possible experience for these kids over their 4-5 years. If you ever have doubts about him being the “right guy” ask others in college hockey what they think of him. I have.

Simply put, Norwich and college hockey are in different places than they were 5-10 years ago. If, institutionally, NU doesn’t adapt, we die.

[jerrynu26]

I’ll chime in on a couple things….

lowest GPG in last decade? Nah. 3 out of last 5 were lower. How could you forget a year ended early with 9 shutouts in a row? But that team still had a better offense than now. Defense isn’t the only answer. Imagine a Keith Aucoin coached team. Would everyone be able to outscore that one?

the d-man leaving? Still has eligibility left.

why no goal scorers? Well there is a defensive minded coach here, not an offensive one. Where does the team most often break down? Center ice, when defense ends. Would an offensive coach help? It wouldn’t hurt at least. At least elite goal scorers would have a chance. Is it difficult to find them? Yes, but they have found them over a few decades now.

I’m not advocating a head coach change, but there certainly seems to be something missing. Norwich will always be a good team. But they are trending down.

[KrbFlint]

I’ll chime in on a couple things….

lowest GPG in last decade? Nah. 3 out of last 5 were lower. How could you forget a year ended early with 9 shutouts in a row? But that team still had a better offense than now. Defense isn’t the only answer. Imagine a Keith Aucoin coached team. Would everyone be able to outscore that one?

the d-man leaving? Still has eligibility left.

why no goal scorers? Well there is a defensive minded coach here, not an offensive when. Where does the team most often break down? Center ice, when defense ends. Would an offensive coach help? I wouldn’t hurt at least. At least elite goal scorers would have a chance. Is it difficult to find them? Yes, but they have found them over a few decades now.

I’m not advocating a head coach change, but there certainly seems to be something missing. Norwich will always be a good team. But they are trending down.

Before we slam the panic button (not insinuating that you are, as an individual), and since you mentioned the squad, I think we all feel a bit different if we’re looking at a 2020 National Championship banner. Having a “down” year a few years removed from a natty wouldn’t be so alarming. I’d have bet a few toes/fingers that team was going to win it all. Stupid virus.

[PrezdeJohnson09]

Before we slam the panic button (not insinuating that you are, as an individual), and since you mentioned the squad, I think we all feel a bit different if we’re looking at a 2020 National Championship banner. Having a “down” year a few years removed from a natty wouldn’t be so alarming. I’d have bet a few toes/fingers that team was going to win it all. Stupid virus.

I think everyone sans a few Utica fans knew who was winning the 2020 National Championship.

[Norwich59]

I’ll chime in on a couple things….

lowest GPG in last decade? Nah. 3 out of last 5 were lower. How could you forget a year ended early with 9 shutouts in a row? But that team still had a better offense than now. Defense isn’t the only answer. Imagine a Keith Aucoin coached team. Would everyone be able to outscore that one?

the d-man leaving? Still has eligibility left.

why no goal scorers? Well there is a defensive minded coach here, not an offensive when. Where does the team most often break down? Center ice, when defense ends. Would an offensive coach help? I wouldn’t hurt at least. At least elite goal scorers would have a chance. Is it difficult to find them? Yes, but they have found them over a few decades now.

I’m not advocating a head coach change, but there certainly seems to be something missing. Norwich will always be a good team. But they are trending down.

Nailed it!

[17'sfanNU]

With what Flint said about Canada not allowing graduate studies in the US kind of dampens the possibility of Albano coming back. Disappointing for all of us, but for him, only playing a handful of games this year has got to be a crusher. I still say he was as good as Atherton, sometimes better but Ellsworth is a great coach and knows what he is doing. My comment about getting an offense minded assistant coach was not meant to infer that Ellsworth isn't. I am committed to him as I was to McShane and each of them are different and effective. Sure that recruiting will attempt to get us great players, but we have to remember that Div lll hockey has become more competitive and Norwich isn't the only barn in the North East. I like Galotti a lot and Mantaro too. Joe Nagle should be returning which is great and if Mantaro can come back that is one of the best Defensive combination Norwich has had in quite a few years, (IMO). Kerner, O'mara, Delvecchio, O'Neal, Schmid, Lewis, Johnson and McKenzie to name but a few coming back, will give the offense a good start and with a little luck in recruiting, a few more snipers will join the team. Like I said earlier, we need to shoot the puck more and have plays set up to find the open man. There is also the factor of the guys gelling with each other and almost knowing what the other is going to do. The program is fine, just needs a little tuning.

[jerrynu26]

I don’t think you need to go back too many years to find a roster with two better defensive pairings.

and I’m sorry, but you just have to face facts that the current coach is NOT offensive minded.

in any case, the points are moot at this time. Trends remain until changes are made.

[PuckVoice]

Hey folks I know how disappointing last night was but hey .... this team went 19-6-2! How many teams out there would kill to go 19-6-2?
Amazing how spoiled some of us have become
It isn't easy winning a national championship ... that is what makes it so special when it happens!

[KrbFlint]

Hey folks I know how disappointing last night was but hey .... this team went 19-6-2! How many teams out there would kill to go 19-6-2?
Amazing how spoiled some of us have become
It isn't easy winning a national championship ... that is what makes it so special when it happens!

Amen, George.

[Bartman]

Amen, George.

For what it's worth to Cadet fans, I'm really hoping you can thread the needle and get an At-Large bid...it starts with a Plattsburg win over Oswego and all of the other top seeds winning their tournaments to ensure your comparative PW gets you in. I realize the Beavers deserve their spot in the NEHC Championship, but I was hoping to see the Cadets in the Cooler one more time this season. In any event, good luck to a great D3 program.

[bakdraft21]

FYI,Oswego has NOT had the big scorers in the past 5 -7 years,that we have had in the past, maybe the talent pool is getting diluted with a bunch of teams going D1 and many teams being added in both divisions?? Not sure but seems like scoring is down at Oz, and the offense struggles....I am sure NU will be right back at it when they hit the ice again....son of the old guard55'

[KrbFlint]

FYI,Oswego has NOT had the big scorers in the past 5 -7 years,that we have had in the past, maybe the talent pool is getting diluted with a bunch of teams going D1 and many teams being added in both divisions?? Not sure but seems like scoring is down at Oz, and the offense struggles....I am sure NU will be right back at it when they hit the ice again....son of the old guard55'

I think the talent pool being diluted is real (not specific to Norwich). When you look at top d3 hockey teams in the Northeast, Endicott and Salve Regina are usually up there and both are relatively new programs in the grand scheme of things. Kids have a lot more options now (particularly in the Northeast) than they used to, and I think that has affected D3 hockey across the board. It has certainly created more parity than there was 20 years ago.

To bring it back to Norwich, I think we all agree that there is a need to score more goals. I believe that will happen, so I still fee good about the state and direction of the program.