Brown Hockey 2011-2012 - The Future Is Now

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: Brown Hockey 2011-2012 - The Future Is Now

Interesting thread about Brown, being a Yale fan this may be taken the wrong way, but whatever Keith Allain and Yale are doing is something every IVY/ECAC program should be emulating. I was at the Yale hockey banquet a couple of weeks ago and Allain mentioned that one of the greatest factors in the recent success at Yale was the Athletic Departments buy in on a vision to improve the hockey facility (fantastic Ingalls renovation). This discreet upgrade of a historic athletic facility has become an excellent recruiting tool. It is true that winning breeds recruits as well.

Back to Brown, besides RPI and Union, Brown was the team I most feared Yale playing the past three years. They were underrated and inconsistent last year, hopefully they keep up the hard nosed type team play that Harry personified (less the stupid penalties)
I am surprised MacLellan is not a pro yet.

Given what's happened the past couple of years, I don't think there is a team that DOESN'T fear Brown, or any other team for that matter. Any team can win any game in this league.

 

[Brown09]

Re: Brown Hockey 2011-2012 - The Future Is Now

With the head and assistant coach positions now open at Princeton, I believe we should collectively nominate Roger Grillo for head coach, and hope that he'll hire Mark Workman and Scott Stirling as assistant coaches. It'll be great to see the trio back in the ECAC. They'll infuse the Princeton program with renewed passion as well as an exciting, offensive style.

 

[kdiff77]

Re: Brown Hockey 2011-2012 - The Future Is Now

With the head and assistant coach positions now open at Princeton, I believe we should collectively nominate Roger Grillo for head coach, and hope that he'll hire Mark Workman and Scott Stirling as assistant coaches. It'll be great to see the trio back in the ECAC. They'll infuse the Princeton program with renewed passion as well as an exciting, offensive style.

Your satire rivals that of Jonathan Swift.

 

[bruno]

Re: Brown Hockey 2011-2012 - The Future Is Now

Here is the (almost) complete 2011-12 Brown hockey schedule:

2011–2012 Schedule – Brown Men’s Ice Hockey

Friday, October 28 at Dartmouth - Ivy Shootout TBA
Saturday, October 29 at Dartmouth - Ivy Shootout TBD
Friday, November 4 Colgate 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 5 Cornell 7:00 p.m.
Friday, November 11 at Union 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 12 at Rensselaer 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 19 at Army 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, November 22 American International College 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 26 at Holy Cross 3:00 p.m.
Friday, December 30 at New Hampshire 7:00 p.m.
Friday, December 2 Yale 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 3 at Yale 7:00 p.m.
Friday, January 6 Princeton 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 7 Quinnipiac 7:00 p.m.
Friday, January 13 at St. Lawrence 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 14 at Clarkson 7:00 p.m.
Friday, January 20 Rensselaer 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 21 Union 7:00 p.m.
Friday, January 27 at Dartmouth 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 28 at Harvard 7:00 p.m.
Friday, February 3 Clarkson 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 4 St Lawrence 7:00 p.m.
Friday, February 10 at Cornell 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 11 at Colgate 7:00 p.m.
Friday, February 17 Harvard 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, February 18 Dartmouth 7:00 p.m.
Friday, February 24 at Quinnipiac 7:00 p.m.
Saturday February 25 at Princeton 7:00 p.m.

Dates to be announced:
Scrimmage with Harvard at Meehan Auditorium in October
26th Annual Mayor’s Cup Game vs. Providence College at Schneider Arena

NOTE: These dates will be posted when they become available.

 

[Mike Hutter]

Re: Brown Hockey 2011-2012 - The Future Is Now

Have the Brown posters been heard by the Providence Journal? Good story in yesterday's paper about Jack McClellan - http://www.projo.com/brown/content/050511_divver_maclellan_05-06-11_69NUHOQ_v2.235eb5e.html

Speaking about Jack, when he signs with the NHL, that will make 3 Grillo recruits from his last recruiting classes reaching that level. You have to give Roger and his staff, and especially Danny Brooks, for finding Volpatti, Z and McClellan. Thankfully, Brendan was able to get that talent playing at an NHL level which Roger unfortunately did not do.

 

[kdiff77]

Re: Brown Hockey 2011-2012 - The Future Is Now

Here is the (almost) complete 2011-12 Brown hockey schedule:

2011–2012 Schedule – Brown Men’s Ice Hockey

Friday, October 28 at Dartmouth - Ivy Shootout TBA
Saturday, October 29 at Dartmouth - Ivy Shootout TBD
Saturday, November 19 at Army 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, November 22 American International College 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 26 at Holy Cross 3:00 p.m.
Friday, December 30 at New Hampshire 7:00 p.m.

Dates to be announced:
Scrimmage with Harvard at Meehan Auditorium in October
26th Annual Mayor’s Cup Game vs. Providence College at Schneider Arena

NOTE: These dates will be posted when they become available.

So 2 league opponents, Army, AIC, Holy Cross, PC, and UNH for NC opponents. Hm. Not bad, but hardly overwhelming, especially considering last year's schedule. I'm kind of disappointed with AIC, but Army and HC are interesting at least. Army always has a decent team and will fight hard no matter what, and Holy Cross could be a cool geographical rival. They tried to start something with UConn in the '00's, but it never really developed. Maybe HC-Brown will take off, though I doubt it due to its insignificance.

AIC? Sigh. Clearly just a filler game. I feel bad for AIC because they're so awful, but I would much rather play any other AHA team, if we have to play one. All this game will do is hurt attendance and make our record look one win better.

Also, as I mentioned before, I HATE the Ivy Shootout. Hate it. Schedule someone from out West; SOMEONE has to be willing to come to Meehan.

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: Brown Hockey 2011-2012 - The Future Is Now

When did the RPI/Union series switch on the 11th and 12th of November? Our preliminary schedule, along with the official ECAC schedule, has you guys playing us on Friday. Unless you guys got scared of another RPI promotional game.

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: Brown Hockey 2011-2012 - The Future Is Now

When did the RPI/Union series switch on the 11th and 12th of November? Our preliminary schedule, along with the official ECAC schedule, has you guys playing us on Friday. Unless you guys got scared of another RPI promotional game.

The January series switched in the other direction to balance it. It seems more likely to me that Seth Appert wanted to play Yale on Black Friday than Brown wanting out, although that is also possible.

 

[Euler18]

Re: Brown Hockey 2011-2012 - The Future Is Now

I'm kind of disappointed with AIC, but Army and HC are interesting at least. Army always has a decent team and will fight hard no matter what, and Holy Cross could be a cool geographical rival. They tried to start something with UConn in the '00's, but it never really developed. Maybe HC-Brown will take off, though I doubt it due to its insignificance.

I'm very pleased with the inclusion of Army and HC. Army is coached by Brian Reily'83, a former Brown captain and a good guy. Besides, from a totally selfish standpoint, I'll be able to hang out with my West Point friends. HC is coached by Paul Pearl, a former assistant coach at Brown (under Bob Gaudet). I understand that HC was courted as a replacement for Vermont. Indeed, its academic standards are very much in line with those of the ECAC. The problem with HC was the substandard rink. HC will come to Brown is 2012-2013. AIC may have been added in order to give Brown an additional home game. It's still hard to convince most top schools from other conferences to play at Brown. UNH, incidentally, is giving Brown a hefty guarantee to play in Durham again.

Also, as I mentioned before, I HATE the Ivy Shootout. Hate it. Schedule someone from out West; SOMEONE has to be willing to come to Meehan.

The Ivy Shoout is a good way to have real game experience before the ECAC season begins. And because of the longstanding rivalries, the games are fairly intense. I just wish the Shootout were played at a neutral site. The NYC area is a no-brainer due to the large number of Ivy alumni, but unfortunately neither the ECAC nor the Ivy League are very good in the marketing department.

 

[Euler18]

Re: Brown Hockey 2011-2012 - The Future Is Now

Speaking about Jack, when he signs with the NHL, that will make 3 Grillo recruits from his last recruiting classes reaching that level. You have to give Roger and his staff, and especially Danny Brooks, for finding Volpatti, Z and McClellan. Thankfully, Brendan was able to get that talent playing at an NHL level which Roger unfortunately did not do.

Roger Grillo and his staff recruited several excellent players. Besides the ones you mentioned, let's not forget Yann Danis, Scott Ford and Brent Robinson, among others. The problem wasn't so much recruiting as developing players and putting in systems that took advantage of the players' skills.

As for Brendan's recruits, defenseman Dennis Robertson'14 (All-Ivy as a freshman) will probably be drafted. Because the Athletic Department is constantly on my case about my posts, I won't say anything about the class of 2015 and beyond, but go to Chris Heisenberg's page and do your own research.

 

[kdiff77]

Re: Brown Hockey 2011-2012 - The Future Is Now

Roger Grillo and his staff recruited several excellent players. Besides the ones you mentioned, let's not forget Yann Danis, Scott Ford and Brent Robinson, among others. The problem wasn't so much recruiting as developing players and putting in systems that took advantage of the players' skills.

Prime example: Brian Ihnacak. Came in his freshman year and set the ECAC ablaze, only to never find any sort of consistent success for the remaining three years of his career. That can be attributed to attitude problems or personal failures, but a good coach would've straightened him out, and he would have been a star.

 

[bruno]

Re: Brown Hockey 2011-2012 - The Future Is Now

I'm very pleased with the inclusion of Army and HC. Army is coached by Brian Riley '83, a former Brown captain and a good guy.

I tried for nearly a dozen years to convince Roger into adding Army back on the Bears' schedule (particularly when Brian took over the Cadets' helm from his brother, Rob, in 2004), but for whatever reason, I was spectacularly unsuccessful. Brown and West Point met in the regular season for the last time in 1990-91, the last season the Black Knights competed as a member of the ECAC.
And, of course, Holy Cross is a natural, both competitively and geographically, with Paul Pearl having upgraded the Crusaders' program significantly over the past decade.

The problem with HC was the substandard rink.

But in the final analysis, it was HC's refusal to initiate a women's team which could eventually compete in the ECAC women's league that was the decisive factor, and since Quinnipiac already had a women's team in place, the invitation to replace Vermont went to Q.

 

[KFBS]

Re: Brown Hockey 2011-2012 - The Future Is Now

Prime example: Brian Ihnacak. Came in his freshman year and set the ECAC ablaze, only to never find any sort of consistent success for the remaining three years of his career. That can be attributed to attitude problems or personal failures, but a good coach would've straightened him out, and he would have been a star.

Yeah...um...probably not.

And let's just leave it at that. There are a lot of things we could argue about regarding Grillo's tenure. This isn't one of them.

Trust me.

 

[kdiff77]

Re: Brown Hockey 2011-2012 - The Future Is Now

Yeah...um...probably not.

And let's just leave it at that. There are a lot of things we could argue about regarding Grillo's tenure. This isn't one of them.

Trust me.

Sorry, I'm not going to just "trust you." I went to nearly every home game in Ihnacak's tenure, and I saw remarkable potential, especially his freshman year. He had off-ice issues, which may have prevented him from becoming a star, but in terms of raw talent, Brian Ihnacak is one of the best Grillo ever recruited. He had a laser shot and could dangle on some of the best defenders in the league. Did he benefit from playing with guys like Robinson and Haggett his freshman year? Sure. But he still scored 30 points. The next three years, he was used improperly, certain flaws in his game were never corrected, and he didn't perform well academically (or so I heard).

I don't know what you're basing your assumptions on, but unless you can provide me with some evidence that proves BEYOND reasonable doubt, as the judicial system requires, that Ihnacak would not have prospered under a good coach, I'm not listening.

 

[KFBS]

Re: Brown Hockey 2011-2012 - The Future Is Now

Sorry, I'm not going to just "trust you." I went to nearly every home game in Ihnacak's tenure,

I don't doubt that you did. I also went to most of these games, maybe missed one or two, and saw most of the road games as well.

and I saw remarkable potential, especially his freshman year.

No doubt. Everyone saw his ability on display that year. He was a special player that year.

He had a laser shot and could dangle on some of the best defenders in the league.

(Nodding in agreement)

Did he benefit from playing with guys like Robinson and Haggett his freshman year? Sure. But he still scored 30 points.

Brent Robinson and Les Haggett made a lot of players look very good. They were both great passers and out-worked 90% of the league in the corners. I'm not saying this in an attempt to diminish Ihnacak's freshman year accomplishments, but more to heap praise on two players who weren't terribly flashy, but produced consistently and never got the recognition they deserved.

The next three years, he was used improperly, certain flaws in his game were never corrected

Yes he did struggle. It was quite curious. His skating more than anything seemed to deteriorate in my opinion. His shot and stickhandling were still there.

I don't know what you're basing your assumptions on, but unless you can provide me with some evidence that proves BEYOND reasonable doubt, as the judicial system requires, that Ihnacak would not have prospered under a good coach, I'm not listening.

I appreciate your passion for Brown Hockey and I'm sure we would have a good time talking about the team over a beer, but please don't bury your head in the sand and claim to not listen. Think about what I wrote.

We don't disagree on much here, do we?

 

[kdiff77]

Re: Brown Hockey 2011-2012 - The Future Is Now

I appreciate your passion for Brown Hockey and I'm sure we would have a good time talking about the team over a beer, but please don't bury your head in the sand and claim to not listen. Think about what I wrote.

We don't disagree on much here, do we?

Well, I agree with everything you said in your follow up post, but am still not completely clear on what you meant in your first post. If you don't think Ihnacak would have been a star with a better coach, how can you be in concurrence with all of my major points? Yes, many, if not most, of his struggles were his own, but I do think that had he played for Jack Parker or Jerry York, he'd have been a great player (based solely on his freshman year, which is admittedly what I remember about his career, since the rest was so forgettable). I even think that if he had played for Whittet, he would have been great, because of the mentality Whittet seems to have successful instilled in all of his players.

I certainly wish he would have come along during Whittet's term, anyway, so we could find out for certain. With Grillo, he was a wasted talent, but I think with Brendan, who is more about unity, team play, and a high-tempo offense that would play to a talented forward's advantage, he might have flourished.

 

[CornwallAce]

Re: Brown Hockey 2011-2012 - The Future Is Now

I know some people are disappointed about playing AIC, but as an AIC fan, I really do appreciate any team who plays AIC.

They only had two duds last season. Union and the 2nd game vs Air Force, after they beat them in Colorado for the first time.

I really worry about their lack of recruiting this year, because I thought they were starting to make a small turn around. If they can still get a respectable recruiting class and get a few surprises, I could see them competing for a .500 record, which would be a very nice improvement.

 

[Brunofan]

Re: Brown Hockey 2011-2012 - The Future Is Now

I think KFBS is saying that you have to read between the lines to try and figure out what his real POV on this situation is? Of course posts like this lead to speculation, which is never fair to the player. Maybe Roger's coaching failed him, but maybe he failed the program.....and even Brendan couldn't squeeze much more out of him. Maybe he sits home at night and sticks pins in his Grillo doll....but maybe he and his family are thankful that the coach didn't bail on him, he recieved a great Ivy League education, and has a great career and family?

Even though you went to every game and maybe sipped hot chocolate in the alumni room - you don't know what the real situation is in the locker room, on the ice, on campus, or in their personal lives that might affect there performance.

I don't doubt that you did. I also went to most of these games, maybe missed one or two, and saw most of the road games as well.



No doubt. Everyone saw his ability on display that year. He was a special player that year.




(Nodding in agreement)



Brent Robinson and Les Haggett made a lot of players look very good. They were both great passers and out-worked 90% of the league in the corners. I'm not saying this in an attempt to diminish Ihnacak's freshman year accomplishments, but more to heap praise on two players who weren't terribly flashy, but produced consistently and never got the recognition they deserved.



Yes he did struggle. It was quite curious. His skating more than anything seemed to deteriorate in my opinion. His shot and stickhandling were still there.



I appreciate your passion for Brown Hockey and I'm sure we would have a good time talking about the team over a beer, but please don't bury your head in the sand and claim to not listen. Think about what I wrote.

We don't disagree on much here, do we?

 

[kdiff77]

Re: Brown Hockey 2011-2012 - The Future Is Now

I think KFBS is saying that you have to read between the lines to try and figure out what his real POV on this situation is? Of course posts like this lead to speculation, which is never fair to the player. Maybe Roger's coaching failed him, but maybe he failed the program.....and even Brendan couldn't squeeze much more out of him. Maybe he sits home at night and sticks pins in his Grillo doll....but maybe he and his family are thankful that the coach didn't bail on him, he recieved a great Ivy League education, and has a great career and family?

Even though you went to every game and maybe sipped hot chocolate in the alumni room - you don't know what the real situation is in the locker room, on the ice, on campus, or in their personal lives that might affect there performance.

Fair enough, you're absolutely right. I have no idea what went wrong; those are just the most common problems with talented athletes, so I often jump to conclusions.

In any event, I see he is still listed as a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins after being drafted by them in the 9th round in 2004, though he doesn't seem to have ever played for them at any level. Too bad. He had promise.

 

[Mike Hutter]

Re: Brown Hockey 2011-2012 - The Future Is Now

Volpatti has been recalled by Vancouver. With all of the Finals games between San Jose and Vancouver being televised, I am looking forward to seeing him getting ino a game.

http://canucks.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=562444&intcmpid=van-news-moose