All Things Denver XXXVII

[du78]

Re: All Things Denver XXXVII

DU sending a full complement of 12 skiers to the NCAA Championships in Utah.

http://www.denverpioneers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=18600&ATCLID=209416355

DU has not announced any Hockey LOIs for next year yet. That doesn't mean that no one signed in the early November signing period.

 

[Old Pio]

Re: All Things Denver XXXVII

DU sending a full complement of 12 skiers to the NCAA Championships in Utah.

http://www.denverpioneers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=18600&ATCLID=209416355

DU has not announced any Hockey LOIs for next year yet. That doesn't mean that no one signed in the early November signing period.

Would it be putting too fine a point on it to characterize this first Montgomery class as "important?"

 

[thedunker]

Re: All Things Denver XXXVII

Both DU games this weekend to be live on Piovision.

 

[du78]

Re: All Things Denver XXXVII

Would it be putting too fine a point on it to characterize this first Montgomery class as "important?"

I would say it is important but with only 2 players graduating and possibly 2 more leaving, there won't be much room to change the make-up of the team drastically. He already has 4 recruits coming in (3 D and 1 goalie). Probably doesn't have much if any any scholie money left so I don't think we will be seeing many more recruits this coming season. The following year DU will graduate between 5 and 7 players depending on if Leggs and Didier leave or stay this year. Already, Monty has Fuchs, O'Connor, Lukosevicius, Conley and Gambrell coming in the following year. You have to remember we have 10 frosh and 6 sophs on the team this year which accounts for 62% of the 26 man roster. It will take some time for the roster to turn over.

 

[cetihcra]

I would say it is important but with only 2 players graduating and possibly 2 more leaving, there won't be much room to change the make-up of the team drastically. He already has 4 recruits coming in (3 D and 1 goalie). Probably doesn't have much if any any scholie money left so I don't think we will be seeing many more recruits this coming season. The following year DU will graduate between 5 and 7 players depending on if Leggs and Didier leave or stay this year. Already, Monty has Fuchs, O'Connor, Lukosevicius, Conley and Gambrell coming in the following year. You have to remember we have 10 frosh and 6 sophs on the team this year which accounts for 62% of the 26 man roster. It will take some time for the roster to turn over.

My guess is that we lose one or two other players early, beyond Leggs and Didier. My first thought is Q, with his family's relationship with Gwoz, and his seeming lack of intensity this year. Another possibility is one of our tall, underperforming forwards...Loney or Larrazza. Just a hunch, I hope I'm wrong.

r

 

[du78]

Re: All Things Denver XXXVII

Per Bozie on Twitter, Maiani has come out of retirement and has joined the Allen Americans.

 

[A Shot and a Goal]

Re: All Things Denver XXXVII

I would say it is important but with only 2 players graduating and possibly 2 more leaving, there won't be much room to change the make-up of the team drastically. He already has 4 recruits coming in (3 D and 1 goalie). Probably doesn't have much if any any scholie money left so I don't think we will be seeing many more recruits this coming season. The following year DU will graduate between 5 and 7 players depending on if Leggs and Didier leave or stay this year. Already, Monty has Fuchs, O'Connor, Lukosevicius, Conley and Gambrell coming in the following year. You have to remember we have 10 frosh and 6 sophs on the team this year which accounts for 62% of the 26 man roster. It will take some time for the roster to turn over.

My guess is that we lose one or two other players early, beyond Leggs and Didier. My first thought is Q, with his family's relationship with Gwoz, and his seeming lack of intensity this year. Another possibility is one of our tall, underperforming forwards...Loney or Larrazza. Just a hunch, I hope I'm wrong.

r

Quite frankly, there's some "deadwood" on the roster to which Montgomery has no moral commitment since they were not his recruits. Specifically, Wade Bennett, Garrett Allen and Larkin Jacobson have all underperformed. Telling them they are no longer in the plans as the team moves forward would free a bit of scholarship money to bring in perhaps one more player. As for Loney he's an undrafted free agent and I don't think he's a particularly hot commodity. Larraza is a draft pick of the Phoenix Coyotes. If Phoenix feels he's a legitimate prospect and/or Larraza doesn't want to muck through the rebuilding process as a senior, he could well take the money and run to the Phoenix organization thereby freeing more money for scholarship money for a recruit.

By hook or by crook, Montgomery needs to recruit some forwards who can score. Denver needs a healthy infusion of forwards who can score ten to twelve goals a season. Trevor Moore--currently with 12 goals--may be the only forward/center to post a double digit figure in goals scored this season. The scoring from forwards and centers has been and continues to be anemic. As I see it, recruiting forwards who can score is the top priority for Montgomery over the next few seasons.

 

[co14ers]

Re: All Things Denver XXXVII

For better or for worse, here are my shots of the Friday CC @ DU game at Magness. You can see them by clicking HERE!

 

[du78]

Re: All Things Denver XXXVII

Quite frankly, there's some "deadwood" on the roster to which Montgomery has no moral commitment since they were not his recruits. Specifically, Wade Bennett, Garrett Allen and Larkin Jacobson have all underperformed. Telling them they are no longer in the plans as the team moves forward would free a bit of scholarship money to bring in perhaps one more player. As for Loney he's an undrafted free agent and I don't think he's a particularly hot commodity. Larraza is a draft pick of the Phoenix Coyotes. If Phoenix feels he's a legitimate prospect and/or Larraza doesn't want to muck through the rebuilding process as a senior, he could well take the money and run to the Phoenix organization thereby freeing more money for scholarship money for a recruit.

By hook or by crook, Montgomery needs to recruit some forwards who can score. Denver needs a healthy infusion of forwards who can score ten to twelve goals a season. Trevor Moore--currently with 12 goals--may be the only forward/center to post a double digit figure in goals scored this season. The scoring from forwards and centers has been and continues to be anemic. As I see it, recruiting forwards who can score is the top priority for Montgomery over the next few seasons.

The 5 coming in 2015 are all forwards. Don't forget DU will have Brad Hawkinson back next season who I feel is a top 6 forward.

 

[A Shot and a Goal]

Re: All Things Denver XXXVII

The 5 coming in 2015 are all forwards. Don't forget DU will have Brad Hawkinson back next season who I feel is a top 6 forward.

The five scheduled as of now to come in for 2015 are all forwards. They need to arrive and then show they can score at the division one level. As for Hawkinson, on what substantive, rather than subjective, basis do you assess him as being a top six forward? Certainly not the mere two games he played before being injured this year. I'd enjoy hearing when and where you've seen him play so as to assess him so highly.

I remember Brock Trotter being injured five games into his freshman season and getting to hit the "reset" button on his freshman year and having a good season. I hope the same will hold true for Hawkinson.

 

[du78]

Re: All Things Denver XXXVII

The five scheduled as of now to come in for 2015 are all forwards. They need to arrive and then show they can score at the division one level. As for Hawkinson, on what substantive, rather than subjective, basis do you assess him as being a top six forward? Certainly not the mere two games he played before being injured this year. I'd enjoy hearing when and where you've seen him play so as to assess him so highly.

I remember Brock Trotter being injured five games into his freshman season and getting to hit the "reset" button on his freshman year and having a good season. I hope the same will hold true for Hawkinson.

While I have only seen him play his two DU games, which he impressed me even though he was playing hurt, he was highly recruited and DU got him over UNH, CC, Yale, Northeastern and Brown. He is a true freshman as he won't be 19 until September. Had DU not lost so many players after last season, he was probably going to play another year in the USHL. He was the one young player who DU was comfortable with bringing in early. He was starting to come on in the USHL in Lincoln in his 2nd full season. I see him as a good #2 line forward who is responsible defensively as well as having some offensive talent. This is also the sentiment I get from some fellow alums who are still close to the program. I think he brings a lot to the table. From the limited viewing I had of him, he seems to have a nice pair of hands as he wristed a shot that beat the goalie but just sailed over the net. I think he is going to be a very good college player. Just my 2 cents.

 

[A Shot and a Goal]

Re: All Things Denver XXXVII

While I have only seen him play his two DU games, which he impressed me even though he was playing hurt, he was highly recruited and DU got him over UNH, CC, Yale, Northeastern and Brown. He is a true freshman as he won't be 19 until September. Had DU not lost so many players after last season, he was probably going to play another year in the USHL. He was the one young player who DU was comfortable with bringing in early. He was starting to come on in the USHL in Lincoln in his 2nd full season. I see him as a good #2 line forward who is responsible defensively as well as having some offensive talent. This is also the sentiment I get from some fellow alums who are still close to the program. I think he brings a lot to the table. From the limited viewing I had of him, he seems to have a nice pair of hands as he wristed a shot that beat the goalie but just sailed over the net. I think he is going to be a very good college player. Just my 2 cents.

Sounds good to me. If he can produce 10-12 goals a season I'd take that given DU's current paucity of scoring up front.

 

[thedunker]

Re: All Things Denver XXXVII

Quite frankly, there's some "deadwood" on the roster to which Montgomery has no moral commitment since they were not his recruits. Specifically, Wade Bennett, Garrett Allen and Larkin Jacobson have all underperformed. Telling them they are no longer in the plans as the team moves forward would free a bit of scholarship money to bring in perhaps one more player. As for Loney he's an undrafted free agent and I don't think he's a particularly hot commodity. Larraza is a draft pick of the Phoenix Coyotes. If Phoenix feels he's a legitimate prospect and/or Larraza doesn't want to muck through the rebuilding process as a senior, he could well take the money and run to the Phoenix organization thereby freeing more money for scholarship money for a recruit.

By hook or by crook, Montgomery needs to recruit some forwards who can score. Denver needs a healthy infusion of forwards who can score ten to twelve goals a season. Trevor Moore--currently with 12 goals--may be the only forward/center to post a double digit figure in goals scored this season. The scoring from forwards and centers has been and continues to be anemic. As I see it, recruiting forwards who can score is the top priority for Montgomery over the next few seasons.

Moral commitment? By accepting the DU job, he accepted moral responsibility. What is more immoral then telling a kid his scholarship will not be renewed because he doesn't fit into "my plans". Yes, you can speak with a young man and explain that his playing time will be limited and coach will allow him to transfer. If the kid wants to graduate from DU, bite the bullet. We don't want Monty getting the rep as a coach who runs kids out of a program if they don't pan out. Other coaches use that negative publicity as a recruiting tool.

 

[Back check]

Moral commitment? By accepting the DU job, he accepted moral responsibility. What is more immoral then telling a kid his scholarship will not be renewed because he doesn't fit into "my plans". Yes, you can speak with a young man and explain that his playing time will be limited and coach will allow him to transfer. If the kid wants to graduate from DU, bite the bullet. We don't want Monty getting the rep as a coach who runs kids out of a program if they don't pan out. Other coaches use that negative publicity as a recruiting tool.

Well said. These players make a commitment to the team and university. They deserve the same in return.

 

[A Shot and a Goal]

Re: All Things Denver XXXVII

Moral commitment? By accepting the DU job, he accepted moral responsibility. What is more immoral then telling a kid his scholarship will not be renewed because he doesn't fit into "my plans". Yes, you can speak with a young man and explain that his playing time will be limited and coach will allow him to transfer. If the kid wants to graduate from DU, bite the bullet. We don't want Monty getting the rep as a coach who runs kids out of a program if they don't pan out. Other coaches use that negative publicity as a recruiting tool.

Well said. These players make a commitment to the team and university. They deserve the same in return.

We can agree to disagree. Mistakes are made in recruiting. The players I named were all recruited during George Gwozdecky's tenure. Those players haven't produced on the ice. Jim Montgomery is under no obligation to compound recruiting mistakes made by Gwozdecky by continuing to play the players or keep them on scholarship.

 

[HoosierPioneer]

Re: All Things Denver XXXVII

If a player transfers because his scholarship was cut or reduced, does he still have to sit out a year under NCAA rules?

 

[thedunker]

Re: All Things Denver XXXVII

If a player transfers because his scholarship was cut or reduced, does he still have to sit out a year under NCAA rules?

I think yes. FYI, take this example. In college lax, one must not wait a year to transfer. Say a kid does poorly in fall ball and realizes he won't get playing time or maybe he just doesn't like the school.. He can enroll somewhere else in January and be playing that spring.

 

[thedunker]

Re: All Things Denver XXXVII

Legal obligation to keep them- No

Moral obligation- Yes

Stop being so callous. This is college we are talking about. You almost never hear of a school pulling a scholarship because the coach can bring in someone better.

 

[vizoroo]

Re: All Things Denver XXXVII

"Rio Grande Valley?" Hockey? Amazing.

It's the Killer Bees playing in Hidalgo, Texas

 

[Pablo]

Re: All Things Denver XXXVII

I happened to come across Montgomery's radio show on ESPN radio while driving back from the mountains yesterday. Some tidbits:

1) This is the first time I've really heard something as long as a half hour discussion with Montgomery. I was impressed with his honesty, the way he articulates things, and a general no-nonsense type of attitude. He's no Gwozdecky in terms of speaking ability, but no other college coach is either. Overall, I like how our new coach comes across.

2) Monty said that some CC hack wrapped his arms around Quentin and threw him down to the ice with like 5 seconds left in Saturday's game. Due to that neanderthal move, Quentin sustained an upper body injury that is apparently serious enough to make Quentin doubtful or questionable for this weekend. What a shame. I haven't felt like Quentin has exactly blossomed this year, and having this kind of injury won't help his progress. (He's good, but he just hasn't had as much of an impact as I thought he would.)

3) Montgomery didn't give much of an update on LaLeggia, but I got the impression that he could be doubtful for this upcoming weekend, too.

4) The team hit their low point in terms of morale after this weekend's sweep.

5) He said the biggest challenge has been getting guys that were already with the program to buy in to his new system. (Not his exact words, but something to that effect.)