Boston University 2018-2019 - Still Alive!

[chickod]

Re: Boston University 2018-2019 - Still Alive!

I just finished reading "Wise Guys" Man, I wish Jack O'Callahan had gone down the coaching track. Can you imagine his personality, smarts, and competitiveness behind the BU bench?

Yes. BUT...that's not a given either. Not everyone responds to that personality type. The key is for the coach to RECOGNIZE who he can yell at, scream at, embarrass and who he has to pull aside privately, or give encouragement to in place of criticism. Understanding the difference is the key to success. Most people only have one style and it won't "fit all." Managing people is a very complex task. It takes patience, compassion and acute awareness of the personality types of the people who are working under you. And, in many cases the best players don't make the best coaches exactly BECAUSE they can't relate to people who don't pick things up as easily as they did. Little things like rolling your eyes at the wrong time when someone doesn't "get it" can totally derail someone's psyche. You have to know when you can and when you can't call someone out or embarrass them publicly versus when it's best to air your grievances in private. For better or worse, for right or wrong, the style back in Jack's day won't cut it in today's world of pampered people (not just athletes). Did you see the uproar over the Michigan State BB coach (Tom Izzo) when he screamed at his player coming off the court during a time out? People actually called for his firing!! These are the same people who call child services when a parent yells at their kid in the grocery store. Coaching is something that I don't even think I'd want to do today, frankly.

 

[boots68]

And I'm not piling on....only repeating what I said at the time refuting those who said "He's paid his dues." That has nothing to do with whether or not he should have been hired as a head coach. It's a unique skill and not everyone has it. Just look at Josh McDaniels. There's a huge difference when ALL of the attention and pressure is on you because you're "the" guy. I have worked with people that are phenomenal at their jobs as individual contributors but s*ck as managers. There's a reason why some people are passed over. The problem arises because in some professions there is only "one path" to the highest income level, and in coaching it happens to be head coach.

You mean the same Josh McDaniels that is the handpicked successor to Bill Belichick the greatest coach in any sport ever? Try another example As despite his poor showing with the Broncos he did get a second job offer with the Colts although he eventually reneged on that obviously.

 

[chickod]

Re: Boston University 2018-2019 - Still Alive!

You mean the same Josh McDaniels that is the handpicked successor to Bill Belichick the greatest coach in any sport ever? Try another example As despite his poor showing with the Broncos he did get a second job offer with the Colts although he eventually reneged on that obviously.

Is he the head coach yet? Then what's your point?

 

[Rogie21]

Re: Boston University 2018-2019 - Still Alive!

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Shane Bowers expected to return to BU next season <a href="https://t.co/bi9HZVbRUN">https://t.co/bi9HZVbRUN</a></p>— Mile High Hockey (@MileHighHockey) <a href="https://twitter.com/MileHighHockey/status/1110195785981935617?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 25, 2019</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Not sure if this was already posted. If Bowers does return, he and Zegras would be the top two centers. Amonte or Wise the third with one of them moving to wing. Harper, Cockerill, Curry and Mastrosimone the most likely wings for the top two lines. Ethan Phillips has had some nice write-ups in the draft reports. Has a history as a goal-scorer, so could be a third-line contributor.

Someone mentioned the possibility of a grad transfer goalie. I understand this option is being strongly pursued with a few candidates.

 

[brassbonanza]

Re: Boston University 2018-2019 - Still Alive!

I understand this option is being strongly pursued with a few candidates.

Any idea on the potentially available options?

 

[OldAlum]

Re: Boston University 2018-2019 - Still Alive!

Any idea on the potentially available options?

My biggest concern is in goal for next year. What I saw of Purpura gave me chills.

I'm sorry to see Farabee go - I think another year would have been good for him. I understand Jake and Dante - would have loved Jake another year but it was, at best, unlikely. Good riddance to Krys. He should have gotten an assist on the first NU goal in the semifinals, and it wouldn't have been his first of those this year. I've always felt they should have done an 'Ahti Oksanen' with him - moved him up front where he could have been productive. He was an embarrassment as a defender. I hope the rest of them thinking about jumping don't hear that 'Siren Song' and get lured away by false hopes of early glory.

 

[brassbonanza]

Re: Boston University 2018-2019 - Still Alive!

would have loved Jake another year but it was, at best, unlikely.

Even more unlikely because it turns out Jake will graduate from BU this summer.

 

[defkit]

Re: Boston University 2018-2019 - Still Alive!

I think one hidden issue here is that the USNDTP has become almost too effective at developing US players (for our selfish purposes, good for USA Hockey of course). BU has been landing recruits from the program since the days of Freddy Meyer. Remember the "Big 4" class with Whitney, Maiser, Miller, and McConnell? Whitney is the only one who played in the NHL. This coming June, there could be 10 guys from the USNDTP drafted in the first round. Eichel was obviously a slam dunk, but I was surprised at Keller's immediate success in the NHL (though he has cooled off this year), and I am very surprised at Tkachuk's success this year. I think the reality is that NCAA hockey is as close to pro hockey in terms of caliber as it has ever been. I want to point to Drury (4 years), McEachern (3) and Amonte (2) and say "these guys were better than Farabee, Tkachuk, and Keller", but perhaps we aren't giving enough credit to how good the competition in D-1 NCAA has become.

 

[defkit]

Re: Boston University 2018-2019 - Still Alive!

Albie certainlly has a rough road ahead and it will be interesting to see how much rope he has. Next year looks like a total rebuild year and thats not going to go over well. I think administration has to give him a few years to instill his stamp on the program but its going to be rough waters until BU comes out of this downturn. Only thing that is a positive is I think Umass comes back to pack with Makar leaving, PC will be good, Umass Lowell/UNH/UMaine/UConn/Merrimack/VT arent good either so Hockey East is pretty crappy. BC has a great recruiting class coming in but for how long and how long do they stay for? BU can still be decent in this conference.

I don't think BU's class is too shabby. Two very dynamic forwards (including a first rounder) and 3 USNDTP d-men (with Vlasic very possibly a first-rounder).

 

[OldAlum]

Re: Boston University 2018-2019 - Still Alive!

If we have additional departures, it may also create an opportunity to add a couple of older players from whom we might get a couple of years. There have to be some out there.......

 

[mookie1995]

If we have additional departures, it may also create an opportunity to add a couple of older players from whom we might get a couple of years. There have to be some out there.......

Have to assume the better ones with upside have been captured.

Gilroy was catching a comet....once in a generation (or 3).

 

[Lemonade]

Re: Boston University 2018-2019 - Still Alive!

I don't think BU's class is too shabby. Two very dynamic forwards (including a first rounder) and 3 USNDTP d-men (with Vlasic very possibly a first-rounder).

I absolutely agree - in fact BU has a steady stream of blue chippers coming in but I think the issue is that BU has to rely on freshman to contribute immediately and thats a lot to ask especially since the incoming players are young players. Lets not forget the USNDTP players are highly skilled but are also true 17/18 year old freshman which is rare in todays college hockey landscape where the 21 yr old freshman is the norm. Look at the struggles of Wahlstrom/O'Brien as an example. Farabee was great this season and hopefully some younger players will step up and fill that void but the teams needs more than that to be successful. Bottom line is they need to score more goals and need more development from their forwards namely Curry/Wise/Harper. I loved what Amonte brought late in the season and Quercia was a nice surprise as well.Bowers staying really helps. I assume Purpura will be in contention to start and they will probably bring in a transfer to fill the crease until Commesso arrives in 2020. Oettinger covered up a lot of warts this season and will be missed. Defense will have holes with the loss of Fabbro but as you mentioned they have Fensore/Vlasic/McCarthy/Webber? coming in as reinforcements. Should be very interesting season. Will they be national contenders? Probably not. Will they be Hockey East contenders? Probably.

 

[QUAlum2004]

Re: Boston University 2018-2019 - Still Alive!

From Jeff Cox

More bad news on the horizon for BU in terms of players leaving early. Hammering down details, but I expect another pro signing to be announced today.

Also, D Shane Switzer is in the NCAA transfer portal and is receiving NCHC and Hockey East interest as a grad transfer.


https://twitter.com/JeffCoxSports/status/1110892978846031872

 

[Lemonade]

Re: Boston University 2018-2019 - Still Alive!

From Jeff Cox

More bad news on the horizon for BU in terms of players leaving early. Hammering down details, but I expect another pro signing to be announced today.

Also, D Shane Switzer is in the NCAA transfer portal and is receiving NCHC and Hockey East interest as a grad transfer.


https://twitter.com/JeffCoxSports/status/1110892978846031872

I assume it has to be Bowers that has decided to leave as well. In all honesty I think this may be a positive thing with BU. Obviously recruiting the young blue chip studs is cool but it doesnt win NCAA hockey games as the record shows. This mass exodus will allow coaches to act a bit quicker and start the pivot of the program and get a new mix of players in that better fit the winning recipe in NCAA hockey which is recruiting older players and ones that stay 4 years and sprinkle in a few blue chips rather than recruiting blue chips and sprinkle in a few 4 year guys. Should be interesting.

 

[buoldtimer]

Re: Boston University 2018-2019 - Still Alive!

I assume it has to be Bowers that has decided to leave as well. In all honesty I think this may be a positive thing with BU. Obviously recruiting the young blue chip studs is cool but it doesnt win NCAA hockey games as the record shows. This mass exodus will allow coaches to act a bit quicker and start the pivot of the program and get a new mix of players in that better fit the winning recipe in NCAA hockey which is recruiting older players and ones that stay 4 years and sprinkle in a few blue chips rather than recruiting blue chips and sprinkle in a few 4 year guys. Should be interesting.

I guess I should be more disappointed by these departures than I am, but 16-18-4 with 4 1st RD choices, 1 2nd RD choice, and 1 3rd RD choice. And Harper was a 5th rounder. 16-18-4, a dud of a season that never got off the ground. No memorable games. The highlight of the season was the tour of the Titanic Museum in Belfast. Good luck to all of these guys. I hope they have long, distinguished NHL careers.

Many fans have pointed to the lack of goal scoring as the team's primary problem. It's tough to challenge that opinion when they scored 2 or fewer goals in so many games. But my memory of the season will be of watching BU d-men losing the puck battles in their own end of the ice, and subsequently chasing opposing forwards in the BU d-zone. It was such a struggle for BU to clear their own end of the ice that they had limited opportunities on the initial and odd man rushes which are the source of Grade A scoring chances.

 

[Friend_of_BU_Hockey]

Re: Boston University 2018-2019 - Still Alive!

I assume it has to be Bowers that has decided to leave as well. In all honesty I think this may be a positive thing with BU. Obviously recruiting the young blue chip studs is cool but it doesnt win NCAA hockey games as the record shows. This mass exodus will allow coaches to act a bit quicker and start the pivot of the program and get a new mix of players in that better fit the winning recipe in NCAA hockey which is recruiting older players and ones that stay 4 years and sprinkle in a few blue chips rather than recruiting blue chips and sprinkle in a few 4 year guys. Should be interesting.

Teams adopting a recruiting philosophy such as BU's must always anticipate early departures and recruit accordingly. The risks are when players pan out but leave a year earlier than projected (i.e. Farabee, Tkachuk, JFK), or players don't pan out and seek other playing opportunities (i.e. Bellows, Greer).

It's easy to forget any/all of the following:

Fabbro - Many thought he'd leave after last season
Greenway - Some thought he'd turn pro after his Sophomore year, but returned
Hickey, Somerby, O'Regan - All flight risks after their Junior year, but all returned

Not to mention after the 2010 season, Shattenkirk, Bonino and Cohen all signed their NHL ELCs days apart right after their Junior year ended.

I agree that Albie will tweak the recruiting philosophy to find a better balance to mitigate some of the early departures. It might not pay off right away next season, but the year after and so on might be when the benefits of a more balanced recruiting approach pays off.

 

[SMW_Bu21]

Re: Boston University 2018-2019 - Still Alive!

I’ll preface my question with the note that I’m a relatively new hockey fan (and current BU student).

It seemed to me that our PP was poor most of this season (19%, 28th nationally, worse than all but 3 NCAA Tournament Teams). Is there any hope that it will improve next season, and are the struggles more a function of players, or a system that (to my untrained eye) seemed to lack enough movement to generate many real scoring chances?

 

[SpauldingSmails]

Re: Boston University 2018-2019 - Still Alive!

I’ll preface my question with the note that I’m a relatively new hockey fan (and current BU student).

It seemed to me that our PP was poor most of this season (19%, 28th nationally, worse than all but 3 NCAA Tournament Teams). Is there any hope that it will improve next season, and are the struggles more a function of players, or a system that (to my untrained eye) seemed to lack enough movement to generate many real scoring chances?

Welcome! I'm sure there are lots of opinions on why the PP was a bit lame. I think that Bobo's injuries and Harper's slow start were contributors to the lack of PP efficiency. I'm sure someone can pull stats to see whether this makes sense by looking at whether it got better as the year progressed or whether it stunk all year long in a consistent manner.

 

[chickod]

Re: Boston University 2018-2019 - Still Alive!

seemed to lack enough movement to generate many real scoring chances?

Absolutely agree with this. They stood around like statues. And it's not just "movement." If you watch good PPs, the players are constantly moving, but they are also often swapping positions to disrupt the coverage. It's easy to "slide" a box when the offensive players on the perimeter are stationary. But when you move, you essentially create picks which tend to free up opportunities. Additionally, they need to not just move themselves, but more importantly, move the PUCK faster. Too much holding the puck is what stagnated the PP.

 

[Lemonade]

Re: Boston University 2018-2019 - Still Alive!

Teams adopting a recruiting philosophy such as BU's must always anticipate early departures and recruit accordingly. The risks are when players pan out but leave a year earlier than projected (i.e. Farabee, Tkachuk, JFK), or players don't pan out and seek other playing opportunities (i.e. Bellows, Greer).

It's easy to forget any/all of the following:

Fabbro - Many thought he'd leave after last season
Greenway - Some thought he'd turn pro after his Sophomore year, but returned
Hickey, Somerby, O'Regan - All flight risks after their Junior year, but all returned

Not to mention after the 2010 season, Shattenkirk, Bonino and Cohen all signed their NHL ELCs days apart right after their Junior year ended.

I agree that Albie will tweak the recruiting philosophy to find a better balance to mitigate some of the early departures. It might not pay off right away next season, but the year after and so on might be when the benefits of a more balanced recruiting approach pays off.

Totally agree. Its great getting stud blue chippers but its proving very tough to plan when they leave and still balance a roster/scholarships. Its a balancing act for sure. Do you want a team of freshman (and a lot of true freshman) and sophomores every year? If so that is proving to be less than desirable.