Wisconsin Women's Hockey 2022-2023

[robertearle]

UW quietly announced the conference schedule yesterday; no non-conf mentioned.

At Ohio State Nov 17-18
At Minn Dec 8-9

They close the season with back-to-back Minn and Ohio State at Labahn, Feb 16-18 and 23-25

The rest of it here

https://uwbadgers.com/news/2023/5/9/...nce-slate.aspx

(Does that mean it's time to start the 2023-24 thread?)

[Timothy A]

UW quietly announced the conference schedule yesterday; no non-conf mentioned.

At Ohio State Nov 17-18
At Minn Dec 8-9

They close the season with back-to-back Minn and Ohio State at Labahn, Feb 16-18 and 23-25

The rest of it here

https://uwbadgers.com/news/2023/5/9/...nce-slate.aspx

(Does that mean it's time to start the 2023-24 thread?)

Go for it!

[Patricio]

RobertEarle and TimothyA have raised the question if the posting of its WCHA schedule for 23-24 by the Badgers means it is time to start the 23-24 thread. So, why not.

My initial comment is that Muzerall has managed to attract a substantial number of quality transfers from the portal to compensate for the loss of 5 players from her two recruiting classes prior to this year’s as well as the major losses of the players who exhausted their eligibility last season. I am not familiar with her incoming recruiting class, but she is an outstanding coach so I see the Buckeyes continuing to be a formidable opponent along with MN and UMD.

Bucky has an exceptional group of returning players who should have an elevated level of play which, by itself, will make them extremely hard to deal with. If the incoming recruits perform at levels similar to last year’s class, I think they may go undefeated. Of course, there is the possibility of key injuries and players experiencing a drop off in their play which could change the picture. But the finish to last season was a major high and I believe that will serve as a launching pad for this season. One could say that it does for me.

On a different matter. I have not seen anything confirming Kayla Edwards is returning to use her remaining year of eligibility. I don’t know if that necessarily means she isn’t, but if the answer indeed is no, that would leave 7 Ds if Helgesen stays. Helgesen has not entered the portal (for which I believe the end date is next Wednesday/Thursday), so that may indicate she is staying and Edwards is not returning.

[Gargoyle]

On a different matter. I have not seen anything confirming Kayla Edwards is returning to use her remaining year of eligibility. I don’t know if that necessarily means she isn’t, but if the answer indeed is no, that would leave 7 Ds if Helgesen stays. Helgesen has not entered the portal (for which I believe the end date is next Wednesday/Thursday), so that may indicate she is staying and Edwards is not returning.
[/QUOTE]

On the Badger twitter account, there's a "congrats" to senior Chayla Edwards with this additional comment:
Can't wait to have you back on the #Badgers blueline next season while you pursue a Master's Degree!

[Patricio]

On a different matter. I have not seen anything confirming Kayla Edwards is returning to use her remaining year of eligibility. I don’t know if that necessarily means she isn’t, but if the answer indeed is no, that would leave 7 Ds if Helgesen stays. Helgesen has not entered the portal (for which I believe the end date is next Wednesday/Thursday), so that may indicate she is staying and Edwards is not returning.

On the Badger twitter account, there's a "congrats" to senior Chayla Edwards with this additional comment:
Can't wait to have you back on the #Badgers blueline next season while you pursue a Master's Degree!

[/QUOTE]
I don’t use Twitter, so missed this. But I am surprised it was not an item posted on the Badgers web site. In my view it is of equal (if not more) importance as the item on Wilgren. Helgeson has yet to register in the portal, and this seemingly will mean 8Ds again for this coming season. Buchbinder’s injury supported this number for last year, but for that to have occurred in the locker room had to be the biggest fluke in team history. Helgeson does have 2 years of eligibility left and the Badgers will have an open D position next year barring another portal transfer or a recruit flipping from another team ala Jungels this past year. They also could redshirt Helgeson to retain her 2 years of eligibility. Have to wait and see.

Personally, I think Helgeson played creditably last season, and her high school career and stats were rather good. I would like to see her to log more ice time.

[Timothy A]

RobertEarle and TimothyA have raised the question if the posting of its WCHA schedule for 23-24 by the Badgers means it is time to start the 23-24 thread. So, why not. Bucky has an exceptional group of returning players who should have an elevated level of play which, by itself, will make them extremely hard to deal with. If the incoming recruits perform at levels similar to last year’s class, I think they may go undefeated. Of course, there is the possibility of key injuries and players experiencing a drop off in their play which could change the picture. But the finish to last season was a major high and I believe that will serve as a launching pad for this season. One could say that it does for me.

They may go undefeated?!!? Oh YYEEEAAAHHH!!!!! Gimme some of that stuff Patricio! You are usually the conservative, glass is half empty poster to balance out the sky high expectations that I usually have. I'm on board with your program. 1000%

Channeling the old Patricio, one interesting thing to ponder is will this season's team be "funkproof"? With many players returning who were part of the second half season funk, will they be prone to a re-occurrence? Or will the end of last season (and the new players) propel them into being funkproof? It's fun typing funkproof.

[Patricio]

They may go undefeated?!!? Oh YYEEEAAAHHH!!!!! Gimme some of that stuff Patricio! You are usually the conservative, glass is half empty poster to balance out the sky high expectations that I usually have. I'm on board with your program. 1000%

Channeling the old Patricio, one interesting thing to ponder is will this season's team be "funkproof"? With many players returning who were part of the second half season funk, will they be prone to a re-occurrence? Or will the end of last season (and the new players) propel them into being funkproof? It's fun typing funkproof.

Timothy certainly is correct about my pessimism at the end of last season. I started the season optimistic that the incoming class would yield major dividends sooner than it did. So, the collapse at the midway point was deflating. Thankfully, everyone managed to turn things around – and Kronish was lights out at the end.

As for my expectations for this year, it should be noted that they are contingent on several key things. One is that the returning players will improve on their performance at the end of the year – especially last years recruits. Second, I have high expectations that the incoming class will prove to match last year’s class starting early in the season. If, in fact, these do happen then I do believe an undefeated season is possible. However, injuries and some players encountering performance issues could affect the likely outcome. That said, I should add that I did imbibe some mind-altering substances after the OhSt game which may have contributed to my level of enthusiasm for the coming season.

Another funk is possible. However, I believe the experience of living through last season’s will prove to be an incentive for those who return to ensure there is no repeat for them. If the incoming recruits match even a modest level of expectations, there should be ample talent for solid sets of 4F and 3D lines. As Timothy has shown me, even with a hiccup or two that still should make for an exciting, promising season – one that will allow me to enjoy my Kool-Aids.

[Patricio]

Below is a link to an interesting article about Jack Eichel’s neck surgery, a recently developed approach for the herniated neck injury he suffered several years ago. It summarizes the struggle he had getting any approval as well as details about why the approach he used – artificial disk replacement (ADR) – is emerging as the preferred approach over the traditional one that involved disk fusion.

The points about the surgery I found most interesting include:

• ADR offers the return of flexibility in parts of the body (especially the back/spine and hips/groin) that fusion tends to reduce. This is of special importance to players like Eichel for whom this is critical for their style of play.
• The traditional approach results in additional surgeries later on to correct issues that emerge over time due to the nature of the traditional surgery. ADR is expected to greatly reduce, in some cases, eliminate the need for such long-term issues.

Beyond the issues surrounding the surgery itself, there is mention of two hits that relate to his injury and current status. One is the fact the initial injury resulted from a check into the boards. The other involves a vicious hit by an opponent at full speed when Eichel was in a vulnerable position in open ice (a hit regarded as perfectly legal by the NHL). In fact, the hit in open ice was so strong, the announcers covering the game immediately raised concerns about the potential for Eichel to reinjure his neck.

For years I have felt that the NHL should impose stricter limits on the speed with which players can drive opponents into the boards and try to flatten them in open ice. I simply do not see the sense in risking career ending injuries. Some contact is necessary, but it goes well beyond what is unnecessary to disrupt another player effectively. The rules limiting this type of contact in the women’s game is a major reason I now am more interested in watching women’s hockey with its focus on speed and skill.
I hope you find the Eichel story interesting. A final comment on it I want to add is that I think it speaks well of the Vegas ownership and management for the way in which they supported Eichel throughout his recovery.

https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/...in-cup-surgery

[Lindsay]

Below is a link to an interesting article about Jack Eichel’s neck surgery, a recently developed approach for the herniated neck injury he suffered several years ago. It summarizes the struggle he had getting any approval as well as details about why the approach he used – artificial disk replacement (ADR) – is emerging as the preferred approach over the traditional one that involved disk fusion.

The points about the surgery I found most interesting include:

• ADR offers the return of flexibility in parts of the body (especially the back/spine and hips/groin) that fusion tends to reduce. This is of special importance to players like Eichel for whom this is critical for their style of play.
• The traditional approach results in additional surgeries later on to correct issues that emerge over time due to the nature of the traditional surgery. ADR is expected to greatly reduce, in some cases, eliminate the need for such long-term issues.

Beyond the issues surrounding the surgery itself, there is mention of two hits that relate to his injury and current status. One is the fact the initial injury resulted from a check into the boards. The other involves a vicious hit by an opponent at full speed when Eichel was in a vulnerable position in open ice (a hit regarded as perfectly legal by the NHL). In fact, the hit in open ice was so strong, the announcers covering the game immediately raised concerns about the potential for Eichel to reinjure his neck.

For years I have felt that the NHL should impose stricter limits on the speed with which players can drive opponents into the boards and try to flatten them in open ice. I simply do not see the sense in risking career ending injuries. Some contact is necessary, but it goes well beyond what is unnecessary to disrupt another player effectively. The rules limiting this type of contact in the women’s game is a major reason I now am more interested in watching women’s hockey with its focus on speed and skill.
I hope you find the Eichel story interesting. A final comment on it I want to add is that I think it speaks well of the Vegas ownership and management for the way in which they supported Eichel throughout his recovery.

https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/...in-cup-surgery

Thanks for sharing. Kaplan and Wyshynski are both great ambassadors for hockey and write great stuff. Wysh has a long read out this morning on the Vegas team.

The violence in the men’s game is tough to watch. Same of football as well. Completely understand others love it, but it’s just tough to watch. Tchacuk ended his magical playoffs with a broken sternum. Gross.

It’s funny how perspective changes over time… watching Stone hoist the cup all I could think about was the tremendous amount of opportunity afforded those guys, while girls are still fighting for things like ice time at the youngest level, or the opportunity to simply be on a girls team and then battling every step of the way from there. It doesn’t take away from my enjoyment of watching Stone and Vegas as a casual NHl fan and this will do great things for Nevada girls hockey… but it’s a reminder to support and celebrate the side of the game we love as well. Bit of a Wisco thread hi Jack and for that I apologize so I’ll add that Wisco fans are of course of one of the shining examples of how to support women’s hockey.

[Gargoyle]

Just a reminder that we have a 2023-2024 thread going, so most of us (to the extent we have even a small critical mass!) have migrated over there.