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.

Brown Hockey 2015-16: (s)Lappin' around the competition

Re: Brown Hockey 2015-16: (s)Lappin' around the competition

There's a quote by Max Willman in this Divver article that seems to indicate all 10 freshmen from last year are returning. I was a little worried that, due to the poor year in 2014-15, we'd see a couple players leave the school. I'm not sure how much we should read into Willman's statement, but he might have valuable insight, assuming he's close with some of his classmates.

In any event, it's a good piece to read and it sounds like Max has bulked up a bit heading into this coming season. He was definitely undersized last year, so this is great news!

http://www.providencejournal.com/article/20150731/SPORTS/150739874/13933/breaking_ajax/?Start=1
 
Re: Brown Hockey 2015-16: (s)Lappin' around the competition

kdiff77 said:
There's a quote by Max Willman in this Divver article that seems to indicate all 10 freshmen from last year are returning. I was a little worried that, due to the poor year in 2014-15, we'd see a couple players leave the school. I'm not sure how much we should read into Willman's statement, but he might have valuable insight, assuming he's close with some of his classmates.

In any event, it's a good piece to read and it sounds like Max has bulked up a bit heading into this coming season. He was definitely undersized last year, so this is great news!

http://www.providencejournal.com/article/20150731/SPORTS/150739874/13933/breaking_ajax/?Start=1
Click to expand...

Actually, nine freshmen suited up for Brown last season. There are nine sophomores on this coming season's roster. Hopefully, every one of them will be ready to play when the season starts.

The sophomore class is very promising though most of its members have taken some time to adjust to the college game. Sam Lafferty, Tyler Bird, Max Willman and Charlie Corcoran went straight from prep school to Division I. This is a big jump.

As he gets stronger, Max has the potential to turn into a top-notch Division I player, what with his speed and great hands.

Below is the 2015-2016 Brown roster.

http://www.brownbears.com/sports/m-hockey/2015-16/roster?sort=number
 
Re: Brown Hockey 2015-16: (s)Lappin' around the competition

Euler - I'm VERY excited to watch the development of that all-NHL line (Bird, Lafferty, Wilman). I also think Corcoran will make more of an impact. The success of the 2015-16 team hinges upon the progression of the talented sophomore class, in my opinion. The ability to roll four balanced and effective lines is paramount for the best teams in college hockey - it's why PC dominated each of its opponents en route to the national championship game. If the sophomores can step up and contribute consistently on offense, Brown might make some noise in the ECAC.

Of course, a big part of this is getting the puck out of the defensive zone quickly and distributing it to open players up the ice. I'm hoping one of the freshmen is a solid puck-moving defenseman, and that McArdle or Cooper can improve in this regard. We need to improve our possession in order to generate more offense.
 
Re: Brown Hockey 2015-16: (s)Lappin' around the competition

Split-N said:
For anyone interested, here's a link to the Belfast trip being planned by some NU alums. AFAIK, you don't need to be an NU alum to buy in.

http://www.anthonytravel.com/festival-of-hockey/
Click to expand...

Thanks, Split-N.

The cost of this package isn't bad but one can do this trip for less. My airfare on Aer Lingus cost me US$596 (Boston/Dublin/Boston) and the rate at the Jury's, which is at least comparable to the Ibis, is US$180, not bad for Belfast. Transportation from Dublin to Belfast is US$14 one way.

A group of Brown parents is also making plans, but I decided to make plans on my own as I've travelled in Ireland before, and am comfortable in the country. I may, however, change my hotel depending on where the group decides to stay.
 
Re: Brown Hockey 2015-16: (s)Lappin' around the competition

kdiff77 said:
Euler - I'm VERY excited to watch the development of that all-NHL line (Bird, Lafferty, Wilman). I also think Corcoran will make more of an impact. The success of the 2015-16 team hinges upon the progression of the talented sophomore class, in my opinion. The ability to roll four balanced and effective lines is paramount for the best teams in college hockey - it's why PC dominated each of its opponents en route to the national championship game. If the sophomores can step up and contribute consistently on offense, Brown might make some noise in the ECAC.

Of course, a big part of this is getting the puck out of the defensive zone quickly and distributing it to open players up the ice. I'm hoping one of the freshmen is a solid puck-moving defenseman, and that McArdle or Cooper can improve in this regard. We need to improve our possession in order to generate more offense.
Click to expand...

The sophomore class has enormous potential, particularly the five forwards.

Coach Whittet should be able to go with four lines.

I expect Brandon Pfeil to play at the high level he's capable of, and Tyler Wood to continue to improve. Josh McArdle is a solid defensive defenseman.

However, Brown does need more mobility at defense (maybe from a couple of the freshman defenders) and more consistency on net. (Let's not forget that Tyler Steel wasn't at 100% for most of last season.)

Leadership will be solid, with Mark Naclerio as captain.

Great coaching staff and excellent team spirit.
 
Re: Brown Hockey 2015-16: (s)Lappin' around the competition

Interesting story on John Parry and his involvement with DI lacrosse. During his AD days at Brown was he a supporter of Men's Hockey?
 
Re: Brown Hockey 2015-16: (s)Lappin' around the competition

Euler18 said:
Let's not forget that Tyler Steel wasn't at 100% for most of last season.
Click to expand...

This alone could potentially make an enormous difference. When healthy his freshman year, Steel looked very good most of the time. If he can reclaim that form, the team in front of him should be good enough to be competitive most nights.
 
Re: Brown Hockey 2015-16: (s)Lappin' around the competition

kdiff77 said:
This alone could potentially make an enormous difference. When healthy his freshman year, Steel looked very good most of the time. If he can reclaim that form, the team in front of him should be good enough to be competitive most nights.
Click to expand...

Agreed.

Tyler is a great competitor and a good young man.
 
Re: Brown Hockey 2015-16: (s)Lappin' around the competition

Ralph Baer said:
RPI blog Without a Peer's annual post about Brown http://www.withoutapeer.com/2015/08/know-your-enemy-brown.html.


I have no connection with WaP except as reader.
Click to expand...

Thanks for posting! I look forward to this piece every year.

I think he's a little offbase in that he overlooked the expected improvement of the exceptionally talented sophomore class, which should help provide scoring depth this year. They were all fresh out of prep school last year, so the adjustment was very tough. This year, they should (emphasis on SHOULD) improve substantially.

But overall, it's hard to disagree with his assessment. Last season was miserable, and offered few promising signs. We have to hope Steel can return to his top form now that his injury isn't an issue anymore, and that the defense will be a lot more effective in every single area. If (again, this is a big if) those two factors can be turned around, Brown suddenly looks more like a team that could potentially host a playoff series than a bottomdweller.
 
Re: Brown Hockey 2015-16: (s)Lappin' around the competition

kdiff77 said:
Thanks for posting! I look forward to this piece every year.

I think he's a little offbase in that he overlooked the expected improvement of the exceptionally talented sophomore class, which should help provide scoring depth this year. They were all fresh out of prep school last year, so the adjustment was very tough. This year, they should (emphasis on SHOULD) improve substantially.

But overall, it's hard to disagree with his assessment. Last season was miserable, and offered few promising signs. We have to hope Steel can return to his top form now that his injury isn't an issue anymore, and that the defense will be a lot more effective in every single area. If (again, this is a big if) those two factors can be turned around, Brown suddenly looks more like a team that could potentially host a playoff series than a bottomdweller.
Click to expand...

I too believe the assessment was fair. I expected more last year as I truly believed the hype over the 3 frosh NHL draftees who would play at the level of Lorito, Naclerio and Lappin. But I was wrong as the jump from prep school to D1 playing against 22-24 year olds who played in junior leagues is clearly one that will take time. Like Kdiff I look forward to the three to prove the hype was for real; there times towards the end of the season that they were in fact showing their potential. It looks like when you come out of prep school it does take at least a year for the adjustment. I am not aware of any brown player as young as the 3 truly excelled in as a frosh.
 
Re: Brown Hockey 2015-16: (s)Lappin' around the competition

Mike Hutter said:
I am not aware of any brown player as young as the 3 truly excelled in as a frosh.
Click to expand...

I think Brian Ihnacak was 18 his freshman year, and he was terrific playing on Brent Robinson's wing. But obviously this specific case would appear to be the exception, rather than the rule.
 
Re: Brown Hockey 2015-16: (s)Lappin' around the competition

kdiff77 said:
I think Brian Ihnacak was 18 his freshman year, and he was terrific playing on Brent Robinson's wing. But obviously this specific case would appear to be the exception, rather than the rule.
Click to expand...

You're absolutely correct. Brian was 18 when he arrived at Brown as a freshman. He scored over thirty points as a freshman, the highest number, I believe, since Dave Roberts in 1975, and was chosen Rookie of the Year after his first season. Unfortunately, there was quite a bit of tension between Brian and head coach Roger Grillo. Brian never developed into the star many of us had predicted.
 
Re: Brown Hockey 2015-16: (s)Lappin' around the competition

SUPPORT THE BEARS -- BELFAST FRIENDSHIP TOUR

Below is a link to the Brown Sports Foundation Travel Package for the Belfast Friendship Tour. It appears to be the same as the one previously posted by a Northeastern supporter, with departure on Thanksgiving Day, arrival Friday morning, and return on Monday morning on Aer Lingus (from Boston). The hotel is the Ibis at City Center.

http://www.anthonytravel.com/festival-of-hockey/

The cost is fair, considering that all arrangements are made by the travel agency, but it's possible to do it for less if one's willing to make his/her own arrangements. I booked my flight in early July for less than $600 (Boston/Dublin/Boston, on Aer Lingus) and am paying the equivalent of US167 a night (not bad for the UK) at the centrally located Jury's Inn, which is a slightly higher category than the Ibis.

Game tickets are extra.

Caveat emptor!
 
Re: Brown Hockey 2015-16: (s)Lappin' around the competition

Euler18 said:
You're absolutely correct. Brian was 18 when he arrived at Brown as a freshman. He scored over thirty points as a freshman, the highest number, I believe, since Dave Roberts in 1975, and was chosen Rookie of the Year after his first season. Unfortunately, there was quite a bit of tension between Brian and head coach Roger Grillo. Brian never developed into the star many of us had predicted.
Click to expand...

I recall the tension in his sophomore year. I saw it first-hand in a game at Starr. Never understood why that situation occurred. I suspect that like Volpatti and Harry Z if Brian played for Brendan, he would have had a HOF career at Brown.
 
Re: Brown Hockey 2015-16: (s)Lappin' around the competition

Mike Hutter said:
I recall the tension in his sophomore year. I saw it first-hand in a game at Starr. Never understood why that situation occurred. I suspect that like Volpatti and Harry Z if Brian played for Brendan, he would have had a HOF career at Brown.
Click to expand...

Jack Maclellan is another perfect example - he had 6 points his rookie season with Grillo at the helm, and then 34 the following year under Whittet's tutelage. He averaged a point per game for the rest of his Brown career - 91 points in 91 games. Harry had all of 5 points through his first two seasons, before exploding for 64 in his last 67 games as a Brown player.

Clearly, Grillo was doing something wrong with these guys. Harry Z and Jack Mac went on to be dominant players in the ECAC while playing for Whittet. Volpatti also had an excellent senior season following three in which he was merely average. In fact, he had more points - 32 - as a senior than he had in his first three years combined - 30!
 
Re: Brown Hockey 2015-16: (s)Lappin' around the competition

From @MarkDivver of Projo

Word is @BrownMensHockey associate head coach Mark White has taken a job as a scout for @NHLJets
 
Re: Brown Hockey 2015-16: (s)Lappin' around the competition

Hope Street said:
From @MarkDivver of Projo - Word is @BrownMensHockey associate head coach Mark White has taken a job as a scout for @NHLJets
Click to expand...

Any update on this? Mark's loss is a big one I believe for the program, especially with the new season around the corner.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top