What's new
By:
USCHO Fan Forum

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

  • The USCHO Fan Forum has migrated to a new plaform, xenForo. Most of the function of the forum should work in familiar ways. Please note that you can switch between light and dark modes by clicking on the gear icon in the upper right of the main menu bar. We are hoping that this new platform will prove to be faster and more reliable. Please feel free to explore its features.

2011 Minnesota Offseason Thread

Re: 2011 Minnesota Offseason Thread

HarleyMC said:
The Gophers picked up Chris Rial (6'5", 205lb.) from the NAHL last week. Chris is a stay at home defensiveman with an offensive upside and could be a valuable replacement for Aaron Ness on PPs.

Chris Student, a much smaller D (5-9, 170lb.) will be eligible to play the 2011-12 season after transferring from Northeastern and sitting out a year. He hails from Edina and played high school hockey at Benilde-St. Margaret's where he helped the Red Knights capture the Class 2A state tournament in 2008 as a senior. He only notched 2 Gs and 12 As in the USHL before his freshman season at Northeastern.

So we won't see much in the way of typical "offensive" defensemen next season with the exception of freshman Ben Marshall, and possibly sophomore Mark Alt who had a good past season of development.

DEFENSE:

RETURNING:

Seth Helgeson, 6-5, 217
Mark Alt, 6-3, 194
Justin Holl, 6-2, 180
Nate Schmidt, 5-11, 199
Jake Parenteau, 5-10, 188

NEW:

Chris Rial, 6-5, 205
Chris Student, 5-9, 170lb
Ben Marshall, 5-10, 166
Click to expand...

Nice to see them pickup a big body on D, we can use a stay at home 'tree' type D IMO. Although playing on the bigger sheet of ice can make those 'trees' vulnerable if they are not positionally sound.
 
Re: 2011 Minnesota Offseason Thread

Brenthoven said:
IMO, and I still love tDon, is the maximation of talent. Something is not clicking. We have a good mix of 4-year guys and superstars. Nothing is happening. Hill is the obvious block, but Hill won't be gone unless tDon is gone, period. When you have been as "bad" (for MN, a .500 record is bad) as long as we have, you can start to narrow it down to causes. IMO, coaching is the cause. They are not getting the most out of their players for whatever reason. System? Motivation? I dunno. But we have the talent. It's just not showing.
Click to expand...

This.
 
Re: 2011 Minnesota Offseason Thread

HarleyMC said:
I concur 100% with your statement. It's obviously not my right or call as a poster to judge what anyone does with their Gopher hockey season tickets for whatever reason. As an act of disgust and protest, it's always an individual decision and people often vote with their conscience, their voice and their feet. But I thought the same thing you did when I read that longstanding Gopher fans would give them up after so many years of loyalty because of the current and albeit agonizing 4 year slump. It's sad.

Slumps are common with sports teams of all kinds. Those fans with a symbiotic and inherent self and social identity wrapped up in their favorite team will feel the negative impact of failure in much more significant and affective ways. That's obviously true with a lot of Gopher fans who have at one time basked in the reflected glory of the historical winning tradition of Gopher hockey.

There are numerous negative factors (involving players and coaches) one could point to that correlate with these past seasons of underperformance. However, one thing I cannot agree with in this current and swelling Gopher fan protest movement is it's all Don Lucia's fault. That's faulty reductionism and is just simply inaccurate.

I wonder how fans will feel if or when Don Lucia gets a significant contract extension to transition Gopher hockey into the BTHC in a couple years? I would not be surprised at all to see that happen. Don Lucia can still coach and has a bit of gas left in the tank. I would also not be surprised to see John Hill relocate at some time in the future.

IMHO, cutting off reflected failure is a viable, although an extreme option. FWIW, my personal view is fans should hang onto their season tickets, show their continued loyalty, verbally voice their strong disapproval through various means, but weather the storm because significant change is not far off. Bask in the reflected failure by showing your continued loyalty and appeal to appointed leadership for change. Things will inevitably get better.:)
Click to expand...

More Gopher fans like this!
 
Re: 2011 Minnesota Offseason Thread

It’s no mystery that the excitement of the historical winning tradition of the University of Minnesota men’s hockey team that seemingly captured the hearts of Gopher fans everywhere for over a generation took a serious downturn this past season. In the eyes of many Gophers fans, the last 4 years of ineptitude has somewhat tainted Don Lucia’s 12 years as head coach, despite winning back-to-back NCAA national championships in the last decade.

After three consecutive seasons of missing the NCAA tournament, the recent angst and clamor calling for Don Lucia’s dismissal has been deafening and very few fans have rallied to show their continued support. The last time the Gophers failed to qualify for the NCAAs in 3 or more consecutive years was under the leadership of Glen Sonmor, whose Gopher teams missed the NCAAs 4 consecutive years from 1966-70. However, a cursory overview of past D1 coaching statistics indicates that missing 3 consecutive NCAA tournaments is not uncommon among some of the greatest hockey coaches in NCAA history.

To put things in perspective, Don Lucia currently ranks 4th in all time wins among active D1 coaches. Moreover, he is currently tied in wins with the legendary Michigan Tech coach John MacInnes, and next season will move into 7th place among an esteemed list of the all time winningest coaches in NCAA history that also possess the elite status of having won at least one NCAA national title. This is notably an honor that by comparison only a select few NCAA D1 coaches will ever achieve in their coaching careers.

I put together two charts of some of the all time leading ACTIVE and INACTIVE NCAA D1 coaches primarily to illustrate two correlating variables: 1) NCAA appearance percentages for the first 12 years of coaching and 2) the number of consecutively missed NCCA appearances with their last or present team. In most cases, these figures reflect the tenure of coaches that won an NCAA national championship with one team, not their entire coaching career. The rationale behind this is schools that win NCAA championships typically field the highest probability of consistently recruiting good players and qualifying for the NCAA tournament. The active and inactive coaches are ranked according to total career wins.

The current active top five NCAA all time winningest coaches show an average percentage of NCAA appearances in their first 12 years of 57% or approximately 5/12 missed NCAA appearances. They also show an approximate average of 4 (3.8) consecutive years of missing the NCAA tournament with their present team. Among the inactive all time NCAA winningest coaches the average percentage of NCAA appearances in their first 12 years drops to 47% with an approximate average of 5 (4.7) consecutive years of missing the NCAA tournament. In both categories Don Lucia scores above average. Furthermore, his 290 wins in his first 12 years with the Gophers places him among an elite class of some of the greatest NCAA D1 hockey coaches of all time.

Admittedly, these are confounding variables which makes causality in this analysis among both active and inactive coaching records difficult to determine. Moreover, this is not intended to be broadly inferential given the multiplicity of independent constructs that produced change among coaching records. Nevertheless, the regression of the above two variables does provide some valuable insights. By reflecting on a comparison of some of the greatest NCAA D1 men’s hockey coaches of all time and Don Lucia’s overall tenure at the University of Minnesota, the results tend to present a more favorable and accurate historical perspective of the current situation. It indicates that Don Lucia’s record is not uncharacteristic of elite coaches that have historically excelled in their NCAA D1 coaching careers.

Finally, it’s important to note that all of the winningest active and inactive NCAA coaches of all time endured numerous disappointing and consecutive stormy years of fan disapproval by not qualifying for the NCAA tournament. What appears to distinguish these great coaches from others is their inherent commitment to the old adage, “Adversity is your asset”. "Coaching ability may take you to the top, but character will keep you there" (John Wooden). The key character qualities that are etched in the long tenure and soul of these great men and coaches are loyalty, perseverance, confidence, passion, vision, a strong work ethic, and an exceptional ability to rise above the mire of severe criticism and dire circumstances to win again.

winningestactivecoaches1A.jpg


winningestinactivecoaches1A.jpg
 
Re: 2011 Minnesota Offseason Thread

siouxinminny said:
Dean Blais is not active and has never won a national championship. :eek:
Click to expand...

I originally included both Jeff Jackson and Dean Blais on the chart, but decided not include them in the active list for two reasons: 1) they earned their NCs with a former team, and 2) they are #12 and #14 on the all time active wins list. Focusing this study only on the All Time Top 5 Active Coaches with an NC increased the clarity and validity of the constructs under investigation. FWIW, I'm a fan of Dean Blais too, so siouxinminny here's how they stack up:

winningestactivecoaches.jpg
 
Last edited:
Re: 2011 Minnesota Offseason Thread

Redhead said:
Hey LOSER - your pathetic team had 18 NHL draft picks on the roster and couldn't even make it to the NCAA Tournament. How about laying off the Yale thread?!:mad:
Click to expand...

Minnesota had a winning record after 7 games against the frozen 4 teams. Yale did not. if you eat too much cupcake, you get smoked at the NCAA's. yale has to be the weakest overall top seed in NCAA history.
 
Re: 2011 Minnesota Offseason Thread

Recently some Gopher hockey alumni attempted to put the pressure on AD Joel Maturi to not grant a contract extension to Lucia. They threatened to run an ad in one of the local papers proclaiming their disapproval of Lucia. Last week some ex-Gopher hockey players had a meeting with Maturi to air their complaints and discuss coaching options other than Lucia. Maturi reiterated that Lucia is the man for the job and will get the extension.
 
Re: 2011 Minnesota Offseason Thread

HarleyMC said:
Recently some Gopher hockey alumni attempted to put the pressure on AD Joel Maturi to not grant a contract extension to Lucia. They threatened to run an ad in one of the local papers proclaiming their disapproval of Lucia. Last week some ex-Gopher hockey players had a meeting with Maturi to air their complaints and discuss coaching options other than Lucia. Maturi reiterated that Lucia is the man for the job and will get the extension.
Click to expand...

Reed Larson and Craig Sarner were sending out the email. They make some valid points. During two of the last four years of pathetic hockey Lucia was ill and that is why Maturi is willing to still give him an extension. Lucia should have stepped down until he was healthy.

EDIT: P.S. Guys if you send out an email at least use spell check.
 
Re: 2011 Minnesota Offseason Thread

4four4 said:
Reed Larson and Craig Sarner were sending out the email. They make some valid points. During two of the last four years of pathetic hockey Lucia was ill and that is why Maturi is willing to still give him an extension. Lucia should have stepped down until he was healthy.

EDIT: P.S. Guys if you send out an email at least use spell check.
Click to expand...

Can you post a copy of it?
 
Re: 2011 Minnesota Offseason Thread

4four4 said:
Reed Larson and Craig Sarner were sending out the email. They make some valid points. During two of the last four years of pathetic hockey Lucia was ill and that is why Maturi is willing to still give him an extension. Lucia should have stepped down until he was healthy.

EDIT: P.S. Guys if you send out an email at least use spell check.
Click to expand...

My understanding is the email was sent only to Maturi. Nevertheless, IMO former hockey players threatening to place an ad in a local newspaper complaining about Gopher hockey is very unwise and ultimately divisive. That would only further polarize the fan base and damage the program with unnecessary public descent.

It's much easier in retrospect to state he should have taken a leave of absence. I agree perhaps the effects of the illness upon his coaching could have been more closely evaluated. Steroid intake ALWAYS results in various levels of cognitive and affective mood swings and potential insomnia depending on the type of drug, frequency of injections and dosage. But I don't think there was an adequate contingency plan either. Who would have taken the helm...Hill?!

Maturi is bringing Lucia back for more reasons than just the illness. Don Lucia's career record indicates he is a good coach, and he's reiterated his commitment to Gopher hockey and winning a national title before he retires. As a Gopher fan, that's good enough for me.

Moreover, the sentiment that Lucia is solely to blame for the Gophers demise is classic reductionism. It's painfully obvious that the Gophers have also been plagued by underperformance, season ending injuries to key players, illnesses, and early departures over the same period.

Jack Parker/Boston University won a national title in 1977-78 and then proceeded to miss the NCAAs for 4 consecutive years. It would be another 17 years before BU would win another NC under his leadership. Historically speaking, teams always go through peak cycles of success and failure for various reasons. All the great NCAA hockey coaches went through dry times but eventually rebounded to win again.
 
Re: 2011 Minnesota Offseason Thread

*Rumor*

Take it for what its worth. From the sounds of it Nick Bjugstad is not enjoying his time in Minnesota and will bolt at the first chance he gets. It is now up to the Panthers.
 
Re: 2011 Minnesota Offseason Thread

4four4 said:
*Rumor*

Take it for what its worth. From the sounds of it Nick Bjugstad is not enjoying his time in Minnesota and will bolt at the first chance he gets. It is now up to the Panthers.
Click to expand...

If that's true then stick a fork in next season.
 
Re: 2011 Minnesota Offseason Thread

HarleyMC said:
My understanding is the email was sent only to Maturi. Nevertheless, IMO former hockey players threatening to place an ad in a local newspaper complaining about Gopher hockey is very unwise and ultimately divisive. That would only further polarize the fan base and damage the program with unnecessary public descent.

It's much easier in retrospect to state he should have taken a leave of absence. I agree perhaps the effects of the illness upon his coaching could have been more closely evaluated. Steroid intake ALWAYS results in various levels of cognitive and affective mood swings and potential insomnia depending on the type of drug, frequency of injections and dosage. But I don't think there was an adequate contingency plan either. Who would have taken the helm...Hill?!

Maturi is bringing Lucia back for more reasons than just the illness. Don Lucia's career record indicates he is a good coach, and he's reiterated his commitment to Gopher hockey and winning a national title before he retires. As a Gopher fan, that's good enough for me.

Moreover, the sentiment that Lucia is solely to blame for the Gophers demise is classic reductionism. It's painfully obvious that the Gophers have also been plagued by underperformance, season ending injuries to key players, illnesses, and early departures over the same period.

Jack Parker/Boston University won a national title in 1977-78 and then proceeded to miss the NCAAs for 4 consecutive years. It would be another 17 years before BU would win another NC under his leadership. Historically speaking, teams always go through peak cycles of success and failure for various reasons. All the great NCAA hockey coaches went through dry times but eventually rebounded to win again.
Click to expand...

Many good points, though I wonder how many programs have performed as poorly with the kind of talent Lucia has had on his roster.
 
Re: 2011 Minnesota Offseason Thread

4four4 said:
*Rumor*

Take it for what its worth. From the sounds of it Nick Bjugstad is not enjoying his time in Minnesota and will bolt at the first chance he gets. It is now up to the Panthers.
Click to expand...

Not sure if THIS means anything (Source: www.tsn.ca). Losing Bjugstad would be tough.

burd said:
Many good points, though I wonder how many programs have performed as poorly with the kind of talent Lucia has had on his roster.
Click to expand...

"Hard work will beat talent, if talent doesn't work hard" -Doug Woog (1990).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top