Union Hockey Offseason Thread - That was fun...

[Wholin1]

Re: Union Hockey Offseason Thread - That was fun...

http://flyers.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=632276 It's official.. OUCH!

My bet would be that the coaches either stand pat with the 3 forwards committed or possibly accelerate '13 recruit Nick Cruice. As much as Johnston would have been very nice to have, the cupboard is stacked with returning forwards next season and one freshman isn't going to make a huge difference. Cruice plays a power forward type game and could add depth, meanwhile the coaches can focus on getting another top forward for '13.

The consensus from blogosphere seems to be that Johnston is far from NHL ready and a likely AHL or ECHL candidate next year. I hope for his sake that he made the right decision. So far as Union is concerned I think it's a lot less disruptive to the program to lose him at the outset rather than after a year or two. Still, the loss of any recruit means you are not getting a player that you would have liked to have.

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: Union Hockey Offseason Thread - That was fun...

How quickly the program evolves.
Now losing guys to NHL organizations
prior to matriculating.
Hard to imagine just a few years back.

I know one thing. Unlike our buddies
in Troy,we will look forward and not
***** about what could have been.

At least we don't claim victory when you lose a player.

[ADK11]

Re: Union Hockey Offseason Thread - That was fun...

The consensus from blogosphere seems to be that Johnston is far from NHL ready and a likely AHL or ECHL candidate next year. I hope for his sake that he made the right decision. So far as Union is concerned I think it's a lot less disruptive to the program to lose him at the outset rather than after a year or two. Still, the loss of any recruit means you are not getting a player that you would have liked to have.

It's definitely a big jump for Johnston, but it's hard to say "no" when you are given a once in a lifetime opportunity.

The longer term impact of this is less known. Losing 2 of the best players in program history in Zajac & Welsh, this would have been a nice way to "reload". We'll see what the coaches come up with..

[ADK11]

Re: Union Hockey Offseason Thread - That was fun...

The Union coaching tree continues to grow.. Kris Mayotte named an assistant coach at SLU
http://www.uscho.com/2012/05/22/form...t-st-lawrence/

[Dutchfan]

Re: Union Hockey Offseason Thread - That was fun...

This isn't great news, but not the end of the world either. The best forward in last year's class decommitted late in the offseason last year and everything turned out fine.

Having Johnston would've been very nice, but I think Wilkins will be an impact player right away, so the cupboard isn't bare.

[Wholin1]

Re: Union Hockey Offseason Thread - That was fun...

It's definitely a big jump for Johnston, but it's hard to say "no" when you are given a once in a lifetime opportunity.

I'm not sure I agree that him making the jump is a once in a lifetime opportunity. On the other hand a chance at a college education might be, and one that may have essentially been paid for based on what was likely a generous aid package.

[ADK11]

Re: Union Hockey Offseason Thread - That was fun...

I'm not sure I agree that him making the jump is a once in a lifetime opportunity. On the other hand a chance at a college education might be, and one that may have essentially been paid for based on what was likely a generous aid package.

Well that's the dilemma that Johnston had to choose from.. he's 21 and a NHL free agent, so there is no guarantee he'll ever get an offer like this again. If he goes to college he could end up not getting icetime or getting hurt or just not producing enough to get another NHL offer. Of course, those things could happen in the pros too and then you get cut, but at least you can say you gave it an honest try and went for the brass ring. It takes a lot of maturity and self-assurance to say "no" to an NHL offer and understand that if you're not good enough to make it in college hockey then you probably wouldn't have made it in the pros either and at least you'll have a good education at the end of the day. It's a tough decision, but I understand how following your dream wins out.

..and not to dwell too excessively on this, but another link on Johnston leaving from the SJHL website.. says it was tough calling Union's coaches
http://www.sjhl.ca/news_item.aspx?news_id=2451

[Wholin1]

Re: Union Hockey Offseason Thread - That was fun...

Well that's the dilemma that Johnston had to choose from.. he's 21 and a NHL free agent, so there is no guarantee he'll ever get an offer like this again. If he goes to college he could end up not getting icetime or getting hurt or just not producing enough to get another NHL offer. Of course, those things could happen in the pros too and then you get cut, but at least you can say you gave it an honest try and went for the brass ring. It takes a lot of maturity and self-assurance to say "no" to an NHL offer and understand that if you're not good enough to make it in college hockey then you probably wouldn't have made it in the pros either and at least you'll have a good education at the end of the day. It's a tough decision, but I understand how following your dream wins out.

..and not to dwell too excessively on this, but another link on Johnston leaving from the SJHL website.. says it was tough calling Union's coaches
http://www.sjhl.ca/news_item.aspx?news_id=2451

Nothing wrong with dwelling on this in my view since there's really not much else going on during these otherwise quiet times. Your point is well taken and I'm sure it was a tough if not impossible offer to refuse. I just hope it works out for him. From the same article : "La Ronge defenseman and 2009-2010 SJHL Player of the Year Dustin Stevenson was faced with the same decision two years ago, and he made the same call as Johnston, opting to walk away from a Division I scholarship at St. Lawrence, and sign a pro deal with the Washington Capitals. Stevenson remains in the Capitals' system, and just wrapped up his second season with the ECHL's South Carolina Stingrays."

[union07]

Re: Union Hockey Offseason Thread - That was fun...

The sad thing about this is that Andrew Johnston didn't even sign a very lucrative contract. It is good, but not great...

[Wicked Slappaahs]

Re: Union Hockey Offseason Thread - That was fun...

....Stevenson remains in the Capitals' system, and just wrapped up his second season with the ECHL's South Carolina Stingrays."

....2nd prize is 3 season with the Stingrays....

[Wholin1]

Re: Union Hockey Offseason Thread - That was fun...

....2nd prize is 3 season with the Stingrays....

Exactly.

[AnthonySaxe]

Re: Union Hockey Offseason Thread - That was fun...

http://www.hockeyjournal.com/blog/ki...Mark_Jankowski

Looks like we would have had this probable high draftee coming in this year too, but he followed Nate.

[rdf8585]

Re: Union Hockey Offseason Thread - That was fun...

Someone made a 6 minute piece on the 2011-2012 season.

Pretty good:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ug0zizBgykk

[Wholin1]

Re: Union Hockey Offseason Thread - That was fun...

It's what I like to call the silly season with little going on in the college hockey world, at least compared to last summer. So here's INCH's top 10 forecast for 2012-13. http://insidecollegehockey.com/inch/...10for13_teams/

[rdf8585]

Re: Union Hockey Offseason Thread - That was fun...

http://www.dailygazette.com/weblogs/...act-extension/

Rick Bennett's contract has been extended through 2018-2019.