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RPI 2025 Off-Season: Help Is On the Way

Wicked Slappaahs said:
The fact that he is currently training with NHLers in Toronto is a positive sign. Lang was cautious in his comments that it will be a process in building him up. Doc can weigh in on the medicine, but at this point the repair had been made -- I'd think the work now and moving forward is largely on continuing strengthening, range of motion and conditioning. I would note that Sutter Muzzatti is attempting a very similar return to form at N. Dame, following his hip injury.

Given the youth on our D corps, it's gonna be a baptism by fire in the first half of the season anyway....Jovanovic is a low risk addition with potential for big upside.
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I'd also love to hear doc's take. Having hip surgery followed by atrophy sounds pretty serious, but I have no idea how the recovery works. He's been skating for about 9 months according to Lang, but I would assume it's quite a long path to regain all the strength and range of motion. And that's before you even factor in that he probably hasn't played with any contact yet. My guess is we will see him play at some point given he's skating well according to Mark Giordano with the NHLers.

When he makes his debut for his first game in probably 5 years, I hope they throw this kid in the starting lineup, get his parents down to Troy and give him a special moment to celebrate his strength and resilience to come back.
 
sezenack said:
I'd also love to hear doc's take. Having hip surgery followed by atrophy sounds pretty serious, but I have no idea how the recovery works. He's been skating for about 9 months according to Lang, but I would assume it's quite a long path to regain all the strength and range of motion. And that's before you even factor in that he probably hasn't played with any contact yet. My guess is we will see him play at some point given he's skating well according to Mark Giordano with the NHLers.

When he makes his debut for his first game in probably 5 years, I hope they throw this kid in the starting lineup, get his parents down to Troy and give him a special moment to celebrate his strength and resilience to come back.
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Agree. 9 months in, you certainly know what the issues are. Lang mentioned he was pretty impressed with progress he's been making --mentioning the video clips he's been getting. Between Giordano and the phys. therapist, they know what they are getting.... time will tell. As I said, low risk with big potential upside. I'll be rooting for him !
 
Wicked Slappaahs said:
I was disappointed you didn't mention to him that you think Gorton stinks, but we'll remind him at the golf outing....always better in person of course. LOL
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LOL touche, hope he proves me wrong of course. We have plenty of depth if I am right though. I'm very comfortable with how our 3rd and 4th lines will look but our overall offense will depend on how much offense the top 6 can give us.
 
sezenack said:
I'd also love to hear doc's take. Having hip surgery followed by atrophy sounds pretty serious, but I have no idea how the recovery works. He's been skating for about 9 months according to Lang, but I would assume it's quite a long path to regain all the strength and range of motion. And that's before you even factor in that he probably hasn't played with any contact yet. My guess is we will see him play at some point given he's skating well according to Mark Giordano with the NHLers.

When he makes his debut for his first game in probably 5 years, I hope they throw this kid in the starting lineup, get his parents down to Troy and give him a special moment to celebrate his strength and resilience to come back.
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If we were talking about a patient my age or Ralph's we would be happy to progress to walking with help or with a cane over this period of time. Probably might eventually be able to get back on a golf course as our only sport to participate at all. I am hoping that here we are talking about a big strong young kid who has worked hard at rehabilitation. Some positions in hockey depend more on certain abilities than others. From my own playing days (eons ago) defensive play and success necessitates rapid acceleration, quick changes of direction, strength on one's skates and ability to hold a position against other players. With boys simply getting bigger and stronger all the time, i would suspect hip strength, mobility, and full range of motion (remembering the hip is a ball and a socket surrounded by a host of ligaments, tendons and muscle) might take many months to regain and rebuild. If the atrophy described is limited to muscles then at his younger age all muscle mass can return. If any of the atrophy however is bony in nature, that is a totally different story. The hip socket has to be deep enough, protected enough and a perfect fit for the head of the femur so that it can withstand the substantial amount of pressure put on it not just by the act of skating, but resistant enough to the trauma it will be placed under when some 225 pounder slams it into the unforgiving boards.
Also, again hopefully, any and all problems were localized to the hip area. Weight bearing is done by the entire leg from the lower back, down through the hip and then the knee and below. The longer that a hip is questionable, the more we obviously alter how we transmit and transfer our weight through the lower leg and often times develop some related problems in the knee and below. We will not know how this all stands up until he is on the ice, skating at top speed and getting hit by some big boys with bad intentions. My guess? He might start off a bit tentative as he, himself, may not know what his capabilities are. But I think as each game and each shift proceeds, he will gain confidence and we might find that we have a real prize on defense!! Something we have not had in some time and something we have sorely needed.
I am not an orthopedic surgeon, and I don't pretend to play one on TV. But all my medical training and over 50 years of medical experience helps to add a little. Having played this sport when younger and having both knees and one shoulder operated upon because of it also gives me a little insight as to what recovery can entail. One last point, never under estimate the mental aspect of returning from injury. He has apparently been out of action for quite some time and I think we all should give him the chance to take as long as necessary to reach whatever his potential might be.
 
Ralph Baer said:
I wonder if he decided he didn't want to work for Lang, or Lang didn't want him.
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Makes little difference in either case. Either he was not happy here or he was offered a bigger better deal. In any case, he is gone and we move on. I know nothing about our new coach but i love the speed at which he seems to be working. If he can do whatever is necessary to give us very good special teams and limit the turnovers in our own zone that we have been plagued with for many years, we are going to have a very nice season!!!
 
DrDemento said:
If we were talking about a patient my age or Ralph's we would be happy to progress to walking with help or with a cane over this period of time. Probably might eventually be able to get back on a golf course as our only sport to participate at all. I am hoping that here we are talking about a big strong young kid who has worked hard at rehabilitation. Some positions in hockey depend more on certain abilities than others. From my own playing days (eons ago) defensive play and success necessitates rapid acceleration, quick changes of direction, strength on one's skates and ability to hold a position against other players. With boys simply getting bigger and stronger all the time, i would suspect hip strength, mobility, and full range of motion (remembering the hip is a ball and a socket surrounded by a host of ligaments, tendons and muscle) might take many months to regain and rebuild. If the atrophy described is limited to muscles then at his younger age all muscle mass can return. If any of the atrophy however is bony in nature, that is a totally different story. The hip socket has to be deep enough, protected enough and a perfect fit for the head of the femur so that it can withstand the substantial amount of pressure put on it not just by the act of skating, but resistant enough to the trauma it will be placed under when some 225 pounder slams it into the unforgiving boards.
Also, again hopefully, any and all problems were localized to the hip area. Weight bearing is done by the entire leg from the lower back, down through the hip and then the knee and below. The longer that a hip is questionable, the more we obviously alter how we transmit and transfer our weight through the lower leg and often times develop some related problems in the knee and below. We will not know how this all stands up until he is on the ice, skating at top speed and getting hit by some big boys with bad intentions. My guess? He might start off a bit tentative as he, himself, may not know what his capabilities are. But I think as each game and each shift proceeds, he will gain confidence and we might find that we have a real prize on defense!! Something we have not had in some time and something we have sorely needed.
I am not an orthopedic surgeon, and I don't pretend to play one on TV. But all my medical training and over 50 years of medical experience helps to add a little. Having played this sport when younger and having both knees and one shoulder operated upon because of it also gives me a little insight as to what recovery can entail. One last point, never under estimate the mental aspect of returning from injury. He has apparently been out of action for quite some time and I think we all should give him the chance to take as long as necessary to reach whatever his potential might be.
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Great insights Doc. As he is 9 months into his return to skating -- his physical therapist undoubtedly has a good grasp on where he's at in recovery. The fact that he's working out with pros and with Giordano makes me believe he is on the right track -- and Lang intimated that in his thoughts on the tape he's seen. But as you alluded to, until you get hammered into the boards in game action, you just don't know! I look forward to seeing his progress.
 
Ralph Baer said:
I wonder if he decided he didn't want to work for Lang, or Lang didn't want him.
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You do have to wonder because the Mercyhurst situation looks like a complete train wreck. Their very long term head coach, Gotkin, is retiring after this season. The announced successor is his three season (all bad) assistant. Prior to that the guy was a DIII assistant. Not promising.
 
rpi82 said:
You do have to wonder because the Mercyhurst situation looks like a complete train wreck. Their very long term head coach, Gotkin, is retiring after this season. The announced successor is his three season (all bad) assistant. Prior to that the guy was a DIII assistant. Not promising.
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That agrees with my thoughts.
 
Wicked Slappaahs said:
Great insights Doc. As he is 9 months into his return to skating -- his physical therapist undoubtedly has a good grasp on where he's at in recovery. The fact that he's working out with pros and with Giordano makes me believe he is on the right track -- and Lang intimated that in his thoughts on the tape he's seen. But as you alluded to, until you get hammered into the boards in game action, you just don't know! I look forward to seeing his progress.
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Would be helpful to know some information about what type of injury we are talking about. I have my suspicions about this being some sort of impingement perhaps caused by a traumatic episode but we might actually have a situation where there was some congenital predisposition to injury. But as long as he gets back to his potential, probably nothing else matters. I very much look forward to seeing him in the cherry and white!!!
 
Ralph Baer said:
That agrees with my thoughts.
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Pure speculation here, but is it possible that it's a step up in the assistant hierarchy? Not sure where Karlis would've fit amongst Schneider and Lange. But with the current Mercyhurst assistant the coach-in-waiting, it potentially makes Karlis the clear number-two next year - and an experienced assistant alongside an inexperienced head coach, able to mentor and advise and whatnot.

I vaguely recall Lang mentioned it was a good move for Karlis and his family in the podcast too, so wonder if there are other elements to it?
 
In honor of FIlip Sitar, today is 17 August 2025. There are 49 days (7 weeks) until RPI's next game.


This is based upon 5 October 2025 for the start of next season.
 
MikeMidd said:
Pure speculation here, but is it possible that it's a step up in the assistant hierarchy? Not sure where Karlis would've fit amongst Schneider and Lange. But with the current Mercyhurst assistant the coach-in-waiting, it potentially makes Karlis the clear number-two next year - and an experienced assistant alongside an inexperienced head coach, able to mentor and advise and whatnot.

I vaguely recall Lang mentioned it was a good move for Karlis and his family in the podcast too, so wonder if there are other elements to it?
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I had similar thoughts and agree with your theory. I would guess a jump in title and in salary was in the offering...
 
sezenack said:
Yeah the logo is what it is, but I love using RPI and not Rensselaer anymore. Get rid of that Shirley bs
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I like it for the academic branding, but will RPI carry it over to the athletics branding and uniforms? I have seen other schools do this, with mixed results. Doesn't look like a fit for hockey unless there's a complete refresh of the uniform design.
 
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Saw in the TU that the box lacrosse team hosted at MVP Arena is moving to Canada for next season. Maybe there won't be black boards for the Mayors' Cup anymore.

Any more news on HFH renovations/future?
 
A public document: https://neutralzone.com/2025/08/18/ncaa-commitments-aug-11-17/

Since two of the three RPI recruit are for the fall, I will extract these here.

Matthew Buckley (F, R, 5’10, 189, Oshawa Generals, 03/21/2005, RPI)

After four seasons with the Oshawa Generals, Buckley decided to take the collegiate route for the next chapter of his career and committed to RPI.

Buckley has the ability to be an impactful player on his new team.

“His hockey sense is on point, as he controls the play well, works the puck through his teammates, and takes smart shots when he can see an open spot in the net. He sees the ice well and works quickly to make his way up the ice and press high on the forecheck. He puts the pressure on in all areas of the ice and is able to recover the puck in the opposing end and create chances for himself.”


Leo-Gabriel Gosselin (F, R, 6’1, 174, Seminaire St. Francois Bliazzard, 05/19/2009, RPI)

The 16-year-old Gosselin, a second-round pick of the Chicoutimi Sagueneens in the QMJHL, has already committed to RPI (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute).

Gosselin is already big and will continue to grow, making him a possibly elite power forward.

“He is an above-average skater with strong, powerful strides and good balance, making him solid on his skates. A reliable two-way center, Gosselin shows shiftiness with the puck, a quick release, and a willingness to go to the net with purpose, battling hard for rebounds. He makes smart, efficient decisions in the defensive zone with short, accurate passes, and attacks the offensive zone with speed, creating space and opportunities for himself and his linemates. He finished the challenge with 4 points in 4 games and stands out as an intriguing prospect thanks to his size, position, skating ability, and dependable two-way game.”


Matthew Jovanovic (D, L, 6’2, 201, No team, 09/22/2004, RPI)

Jovanovic has not played a competitive game since the 2020-21 season as a member of the USHL’s Des Moines Buccaneers. He has been out all this time due to injury and never even got to play for the Saginaw Spirit – the OHL team that drafted him. RPI has given him a chance to comeback and play the game he loves again.
 
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