Boston University 2019-2020

[Sean Pickett]

Re: Boston University 2019-2020

Is Albie the answer? Probably wont know for another year or two. It takes time to come in and put your stamp on a program. Greg Carval was 5-29-2 in his first year - I bet there was a ton of UMass fans wanting him out then. Second season he was 17-20-2 and 3rd season he was 31-10-0. Gotta give it time.

I think you overstate how many UMass fans wanted Coach Carval gone after one season. It was only slightly worse than that of Coach Micheletto's last season and as you point out his second season saw a 12 win improvement and a first round series win, UMass' first playoff series win in 11 seasons.

Coach O'Connell, on the other hand will only see a slight win improvement at most and it is still possible he could see a slightly worse record. He also won the quarterfinal series last season and BU is still in danger of missing the playoffs this season, or having to go on the road for the quarterfinals again (it would be the first time having to play on the road in back-to-back seasons since 2003 & 2004). Those who didn't want Coach O'Connell in the first place are unlikely to want to give him enough time to see if he will be successful because if he is successful then he will remain and their preferred choice will likely not get the chance to coach BU.


Sean

 

[buoldtimer]

Re: Boston University 2019-2020

Bean pot win over Harvard in OT I think. Tom Mellor (?) from the right point, pretty innocuous shot, everyone including Steve was shocked that it went in. That was the highlight of his coaching career. That led to Milbury, the exposure of the scholarship problem and the hiring of Jerry. Thank God it worked out that way, Milbury would not have lasted long at BC and York was just what the program needed. We still need him.

Tom Ashe?

 

[DNAEagle]

Re: Boston University 2019-2020

Thanks for the correction old timer, I got the first name right. BTW Sean, take a deep breathe and say OM. You can post on the BC thread anytime. Love to hear from you.

 

[ColinWilsonFan]

Totally fair comment. But Albie wasn’t bring back many impact players from that squad either. BU it seems is in a perpetual rebuild mode.

Ask yourself why and it’s not because everyone wants to make the jump early

 

[Friend_of_BU_Hockey]

Ask yourself why and it’s not because everyone wants to make the jump early

Reading between the lines, it seems you're intimating that if Albie wasn't named as Quinn's successor, that Tkachuk would've likely returned last season? And/or that Bowers and/or Farabee, maybe even Krys nor Oettinger wouldn't have left early?

I left Fabbro out b/c it seemed pretty clear he'd leave after last season, regardless head coach.

 

[J.D.]

Re: Boston University 2019-2020

Sean, Lemonade brought up York in his defense of Albie.

 

[JerryP66]

Re: Boston University 2019-2020

Reading between the lines, it seems you're intimating that if Albie wasn't named as Quinn's successor, that Tkachuk would've likely returned last season? And/or that Bowers and/or Farabee, maybe even Krys nor Oettinger wouldn't have left early?

I left Fabbro out b/c it seemed pretty clear he'd leave after last season, regardless head coach.

I can't comment on any of the others, but from a pretty reliable source, yes Farabee left cause of Albie.

 

[J.D.]

Re: Boston University 2019-2020

But Mookie told me Albie bought those groceries as the lead recruiter. So if he recruited Farabee why would he then leave because Albie got the job?

 

[Friend_of_BU_Hockey]

I can't comment on any of the others, but from a pretty reliable source, yes Farabee left cause of Albie.

IMO Farabee and Bowers were surprise early departures. Even though Albie was involved in recruiting both, I can see where the relationship/expectations between some players and Albie perhaps shifted as Albie transitioned into his current tole. Or it could be different viewpoints between player-coach from a player development and Xs/Os standpoint.

Farabee was obviously very productive whereas Bowers took a big step back last year, and didn't seem like a player that was ready to turn pro.

 

[buoldtimer]

Re: Boston University 2019-2020

Bean pot win over Harvard in OT I think. Tom Mellor (?) from the right point, pretty innocuous shot, everyone including Steve was shocked that it went in. That was the highlight of his coaching career. That led to Milbury, the exposure of the scholarship problem and the hiring of Jerry. Thank God it worked out that way, Milbury would not have lasted long at BC and York was just what the program needed. We still need him.

Speaking of Tom Mellor, he was a top notch performer at BC. He was among the first college players to make it to the NHL (Detroit). I guess there won't be many contributors on this site who will remember him. Perhaps, old Spellman grad theprofromdover is one such person.

 

[Lemonade]

Re: Boston University 2019-2020

Lets not forget in these cases its the NHL teams that has 100% control of these players. If the NHL doesnt think they are ready they arent going to cut a check and sign the kid. A kid may want to become pro but if the NHL doesnt think its ready and not in their best interest they arent going to sign him. Its becoming standard operating procedure for 1st round picks to play one year of NCAA then sign so the players mentioned were probably expected to leave. Zegras is a 1st rounder and by most accounts will leave after this season too. Not sure you can blame the coach for that....

 

[Rover]

Re: Boston University 2019-2020

Those who didn't want Coach O'Connell in the first place are unlikely to want to give him enough time to see if he will be successful because if he is successful then he will remain and their preferred choice will likely not get the chance to coach BU.


Sean

I don't think this is a fair statement. I was indifferent to Albie's hiring given his lack of head coaching experience balanced with the perception that he was a master recruiter. Having said that I would hope he ends up as BU's answer to Jerry York. BUT, he doesn't get lifetime employment just because he came up through the program. No improvement next year = no job for Albie. Its a results driven league and he's being paid handsomely to deliver the success that the coaches of UMass and Northeastern are already banking to name two nearby examples.

 

[J.D.]

Re: Boston University 2019-2020

Having one and done guys can work. Kobasew and Eichel great examples. It's when you stack up 2-3 early departure at a time where it is difficult to maintain a consistent winning program. So if a coach recruits guys like that they need to do a better job identifying and developing the 3-4 year players they bring in.

 

[J.D.]

Re: Boston University 2019-2020

Coaches would also be wise to find older freshmen to compliment the one and done types. Lesser programs have had great success with that. Minnesota State might be the best example.

Mike Hardman is a good example for BC. Turned 21 recently and has had a tremendous impact as a freshman.

 

[Harry Cleverly]

Re: Boston University 2019-2020

I think you overstate how many UMass fans wanted Coach Carval gone after one season. It was only slightly worse than that of Coach Micheletto's last season and as you point out his second season saw a 12 win improvement and a first round series win, UMass' first playoff series win in 11 seasons.

Coach O'Connell, on the other hand will only see a slight win improvement at most and it is still possible he could see a slightly worse record. He also won the quarterfinal series last season and BU is still in danger of missing the playoffs this season, or having to go on the road for the quarterfinals again (it would be the first time having to play on the road in back-to-back seasons since 2003 & 2004). Those who didn't want Coach O'Connell in the first place are unlikely to want to give him enough time to see if he will be successful because if he is successful then he will remain and their preferred choice will likely not get the chance to coach BU.


Sean

Carvel had done pretty well as a head coach at St. Lawrence, which has completely tanked since he left. That is some history that Albie doesn't have. And UMass was in the cellar before Carvel got there.

 

[theprofromdover]

Re: Boston University 2019-2020

Speaking of Tom Mellor, he was a top notch performer at BC. He was among the first college players to make it to the NHL (Detroit). I guess there won't be many contributors on this site who will remember him. Perhaps, old Spellman grad theprofromdover is one such person.

He played my last two years at BC. You knew he had it, much like when you saw Tim Sheehy, who was in my class.

 

[defkit]

Re: Boston University 2019-2020

With the choices of Albie and Bennett, I wanted Albie, and I am still glad they went that way. That being said, as I've noted before, I'm not convinced Albie is the answer.

Just because Albie may have recruited someone like Farabee or Bowers doesn't mean they can't leave because of him. Again, not everyone that coaches in hockey is cut out to be a HC.

 

[Friend_of_BU_Hockey]

Re: Boston University 2019-2020

Just because Albie may have recruited someone like Farabee or Bowers doesn't mean they can't leave because of him. Again, not everyone that coaches in hockey is cut out to be a HC.

Good points...A player may have a positive relationship with a head coach (i.e. they like the coach as a person), but if they or their family/advisors have concerns over what's best for hockey development, they may seek other options such as turning pro early. Such "business" decisions go both ways between coaches, players.

If one looks at the progress of BU's returning players to try to gauge the current coaching staff's aptitude from a player development standpoint, obviously Curry and Farrance have improved significantly. Some have shown moderate improvement (i.e. Crotty, Quercia), but I feel the rest have mostly stagnated with their hockey development the last ~2 years.

As for the Freshman class, McCarthy might be the only one whom, IMO, has definitely improved since the start of the season. We all knew how good Zegras was coming in and he certainly has lived up to the billing, but he hasn't necessarily shown he's much better than he was back in October. The progression of this class will be crucial towards whatever success the next 3 BU teams may have.

 

[defkit]

Re: Boston University 2019-2020

I agree McCarthy has come a long way. He was a mess in the early going.

 

[sterlippo1]

Speaking of Tom Mellor, he was a top notch performer at BC. He was among the first college players to make it to the NHL (Detroit). I guess there won't be many contributors on this site who will remember him. Perhaps, old Spellman grad theprofromdover is one such person.

I remember Tom Mellor