Re: '12-13 Michigan Tech Season Thread: Screw the Election, Let's Play Hockey!
Does anyone know if Reid Sturos has signed a LOI?
Mel Pearson show summary for 11-26, Mel was on the phone:
Good Holiday with Family, had some good practices too in last couple of days
Worked on PP and special teams, diff line combos and Dman pairings
Wanted to keep game sharp, forecheck and defensive zone coverage, we used our time very well this last week
Dirk asked Mel to touch on guys that have been in and out of lineup, Gordic and Hietila etc:
Milos banged up a little, but he's fine, been practicing
Hietila has been in, done a nice job, we have some depth and are okay with plugging guys in that havne't played as much
Holmberg has looked good in practice
Hyland played on Saturday, got thrown in 9 games into season, Muckalt had him playing in OT, defensively played well, offensive instincts realy good on Sat in Bemidji. He's older Freshmen, little more comfortable putting him, but still have to see him play at this level.
D. Sova - will have X-ray on Thursday, hopefully could start practicing a week from today, broken wrist is in a spot that doesn't heal very fast, maybe WI, but UND may be more realistic, has been skating everyday
Mel touched on recruits that signed LOIs during early signing period:
Early signing period is 2nd Wed of Nov, other signing period is in April
Sent out 8 LOIs, kids can defer if they don't feel ready to commit for Fall, got 8 LOIs back, not sure if all 8 will come in this fall
Had 3 Dmen, 5 Forwards - will also look for 3rd Goalie to replace Genoe
We've also had kids verbal that for whatever reason can't sign LOI and will wait until April period
Recruits - Dmen:
Mark Evan Auk - Port Huron of NAHL, offensive Dman, can come in play PP/special teams, first year of NAHL, has offers to finish season in USHL, not sure if he will stay in NAHL, needs to decide that with his family
Marcus Ericsson - USHL, mobile Dman from Sweden, strong kid, skates well, plays with edge, projected as a real solid top 4 Dman on our team
Chris Leibringer - from Saginaw, in USHL, smaller 5'10", 185 lbs, works hard, talented, will help on PP, may lead Muskegon in Pts and +/- right now
Dirk commented a good mix of Dman types, all three skate well and coudl play on PP
Mark might be the guy that needs another year, younger, only a senior in HS, will get stronger
But they all have things you can't teach, offensive instincts and skating
Recruits-Forwards:
Tyler Heinonen - been a verbal for awhile, Delano HS, in USHL, slow start last year, but 2nd half last year picked it up, 20 goals as rookie in USHL is good, good start this year, leading Muskegon in scoring, he'll add offense, good size, gets around sheet well, can get quicker, he likes to score, shoots to score, likely be top shot guy, doesn't pass up shots
Jake Jackson - Tartan HS - watched him in Elite league this fall, excited about him, can really skate, outstanding speed, plays hard, nice touch around net, he'll be a scorer, candidate for Mr. Hockey, we'll see how his season goes, could be next fall, most kids need a year of Juniors, he'll have to sit down after season
Joel L'Esperance - Brighton, MI - USHL, big/strong kid, offensive instinct, slow start this year, young 1995 birthday, he's finding his way in USHL, a lot of upside/potential, he can add size/power forward, good instinct, Mel's told he's missing the net a lot right now, once he gets comfortable he'll put up numbers. Joel was invited to select festival last summer, had a good summer there. Real excited for him to get here.
Mike Neville - Woodbridge, Ontario, Mel's had success recruiting in Woodbridge, plays for St. Mike, strong Ontario Junior HL, captain of Hockey East for World Junior A hky tourney, good leader, doesn't put up a lot of numbers, strong skater, creates turnovers, he can finish, will add a role player that we need. Dirk - "Who is he similar to?" Maybe like a Rix, not as good skater as Rix, but more polished offensively than Rix.
Dylan Steman - Maple Grove HS, now in USHL, good start, Whitten just saw him this weekend, played outstanding, good speed/motor, he'll play a lot of situations, add offense, good 2 way player/athlete, will be good solid all around player Has a good chance to be here next year, but will see how things go this year.
Will revist all guys and end of season and want all guys to be over ready when they get here, to contribute.
Dirk - "What's goalie situation, when we have 2 scholarship guys already?"
Still early, we know we need another, we'll watch Jamie and Copley, in no rush, not going to verbal anyone in next few weeks. We have a list of kids, some scholarship, and some that wouldn't be. There's not much difference, have seen kids like Hunwick at MI that was brought in on no money. We want the best goalie we can get for the situation, weather it's on scholarship or not. Both Jamie and Pheonix will be good/solid they need time to develop.
They reviwed the WCHA & non-conf results from last weekend
Questions for Mel:
WI has gone to a trap, can it be succesful for them with the big ice sheet?
Yes it can be, they have more of a 1-1-3 forechecking system. It's been around a little bit, they're trying to always have 3 guys back and let 2 guys forecheck. When they're not scoring goals and they're behind, tough to come back from.
On Friday night against Minnesota tech was skating out of the zone pretty well, on Saturday we were more chipping it out of the zoen and dumping the puck in the zone, is this becuase of Tech or Minnesota forced Tech to do it.
Some of both, they didn't give our guys much time and out guys had to chip it up and let the Forwards make plays.
Walker Hyland, will he continue to be in the lineup?
He had a real good game, he's earned himself another look, yes should crack thie lineup this weekend.
Other Forwards, would like to get Holmberg in sometime, Likteigh hasn't played much, but has shown his speed in practice. A. Pietila showed he can play agsint UNO, we have depth but can only dress 18 skaters. Tommy Brown has continued to look good, has not said anythign about not playing, he competes and skates so well, would like to get him in as well at defense.
On UMD Series:
They're a scary team, they know how to play, have a lot of speed and grit.
Still trying to find identity after losing scoring from last year.
They're trying to find a goalie kind of like us.
Two important home games.
We have 7 games left until xmas break, would like to make a strong push.
Bergmen on D, good player, high hockey IQ.
Need to get Furne, J. Johnstone & Gordic scoring.
Goalie this week is up in the air, has a good idea but doesn't want to say yet.
But then Mel did say Genoe has played strong and has earned another start (sounded like it's Genoe). Hope he can take the ball and run like Robinson last year. All goalies improving, Jamie has made big strides, want to get him in a game soon, COpley has worked on a few thing with Steve, goaltending will be a strong point down the road.
Blue Line Luncheon will be on Friday, noon, Continental Fire Company. Suggest anyone in downtown area to walk over and talk a little hockey.
Mel will be there with an assitant. They will talk about recruits and answer any questions.
Mel's final note:
Paul Kirtu(sp?) has been a big supporter of Michigan Tech hockey, his brother passed away this past weekend unexpectedly. They both traveled all over to watch MTU hockey for years. Paul and Peter were up for Hall of Fame weekend. Condolences to Paul Kirtu.
