The first change that needs to be made is the pre-game skate music. It is god-awful this year! This just might be the trick to turning the team aound.
Personally I'd opt for allocating some of the scholarship money to recruit Pep Band members.
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Colgate 2010-11
- Thread starter sshablak
- Start date
- Status
Personally I'd opt for allocating some of the scholarship money to recruit Pep Band members.
Re: Colgate 2010-11
What really bothers me is the lack of pep band attendance at home games ever since I graduated! Even in my senior year (2008-09, 10th place finish with 19 OT games), we were at EVERY home game and went to at least 3 away games (Cornell, RPI, Union). Heck, we even made the trip to Clarkson in March 2008, even though their band tried to physically assault us! At least we won Game 3 of that series in double OT, now THAT was sweet to see in person.
Now it appears that they show up to less than half of the home games, and no away games. That's very disappointing. I was hoping they could provide me with my tickets for the Cornell games (both home AND away)...
What really bothers me is the lack of pep band attendance at home games ever since I graduated! Even in my senior year (2008-09, 10th place finish with 19 OT games), we were at EVERY home game and went to at least 3 away games (Cornell, RPI, Union). Heck, we even made the trip to Clarkson in March 2008, even though their band tried to physically assault us! At least we won Game 3 of that series in double OT, now THAT was sweet to see in person.
Now it appears that they show up to less than half of the home games, and no away games. That's very disappointing. I was hoping they could provide me with my tickets for the Cornell games (both home AND away)...
TheValleyRaider
Let's Go 'Gate!
Re: Colgate 2010-11
Some pleasant news...Mark Dekanich recalled by the Predators
http://www.ecachockey.com/men/members/colgate/20100312_DekanichRecallNashville
Hope he gets a start. Good luck Mark!
Some pleasant news...Mark Dekanich recalled by the Predators
http://www.ecachockey.com/men/members/colgate/20100312_DekanichRecallNashville
Hope he gets a start. Good luck Mark!
TheGreenCoat
Registered User
Re: Colgate 2010-11
It's a little difficult to start any assessment of the current state of our hockey program when your first thought is the following: IF the Krach ratings were available right now would we be ranked ahead or behind Bentley? First of all, any musings from contributors that Coach V is going somewhere should be shelved. It ain't gonna happen. Secondly, my personal view is that Don has done a solid job as the 'Gate's head coach over his tenure as regards his coaching of kids both on and off the ice in Hamilton. I'm sure this year's team is driving him nuts. Through the 2005-2006 season his numbers were solid and our final four ECAC appearances were quite good (despite never winning any semi-final game at the ECACs). These are quality kids who are, by and large, solid academically and take an interest in contributing to the Colgate community (Ethan Cox stands out, but there have been others). On the downside, note that I previously said "coaching of kids...in Hamilton." The issue for me pertains to the recruiting side of the isssue, especially since (as stated many times) Moore and Dickson departed. In the last five years the college game has changed and so has the recruiting process. It would appear the program's adjustments in these two areas was late in coming. We are further handicapped each year by what seems to be a university-imposed restriction on the size of our overall roster. Competition for playing time - especially for 18, 19 and 20-year olds - is not a bad thing. Healthy scratches for the 'Gate number (not counting goalies) in the four or five area. We've been lucky that over the past decade - with the possible exception of the 2008-09 season - that the impact of injuries has been better than most other teams in the ECAC. The talent level is now middle-of-the-pack at best (please don't get caught up in NHL draftees on the team; 5th, 6th and 7th round picks are gambles at best) and, despite middling goaltending over the last few years, we've benefitted from Shep Harder, Steve Silverthorn, and especially Mark Dekanich for almost one decade. Let's face it: Dekanich was the major reason we advanced to Albany in the springs of 2006 and 2008. Another help to our reasonably good ECAC records through the 2006 season was (and continues to be) the fact that we have Cornell as a travel partner. Our very lackluster non-conference and playoff records may be evidence of this in-conference benefit. The bottom line is that everyone - including those who provide funds for the Silver Puck Council - have to step it up NOW. Roster expansion may be a non-starter, especially when AD leadership is probably tepid and ineffectual. I've been a member of Silver Puck for over 30 years and have NEVER been asked to squeeze additional dollars out of my checking account. Now I know there are NCAA rules surrounding these programs, but, like our development office overall, if you don't push the envelope...let's just say Silver Puck raises $75K each year in contributions. (obviously the figure does increase each year, although it seems to be incremental in nature). There's no reason - even in this economic environment - why this figure can't be moved above $100K and beyond. The pedigree of donors is relatively impressive so access to additional $ is doable. If you don't ask...this money goes to a vareity of needs, including travel costs for recruiting. Ultimately, Don is responsible for bringing in quality players and, no doubt, the process begins when these kids are only 16 and 17. Are the assistant coaches targeting the right areas (although we seem to be going back into Canada, our BCJHL presence is waning, the USHL doesn't exist for us) and, secondly, making the right decisions on kids coming in 2012 and 2013? I was very pleased to see the twins from Cornwall commit the other day, in part because they visited the campus, but also due to Jesse Winchester's guidance. If I felt we were moving in the right direction, including support from the very top of the administration down to a re-energized Silver Puck I'd gladly double my annual contribution. In sum, I want Don here for a long time, but it doesn't mean that reactive steps to improve the status quo are sufficient. I'd like to think that current AD Roach and even the new president, Jeff Herbst, would be receptive to, or even initiate steps themselves, to address the question: what can we do to make our men's ice hockey team a nationally-competitive program in the future?
It's a little difficult to start any assessment of the current state of our hockey program when your first thought is the following: IF the Krach ratings were available right now would we be ranked ahead or behind Bentley? First of all, any musings from contributors that Coach V is going somewhere should be shelved. It ain't gonna happen. Secondly, my personal view is that Don has done a solid job as the 'Gate's head coach over his tenure as regards his coaching of kids both on and off the ice in Hamilton. I'm sure this year's team is driving him nuts. Through the 2005-2006 season his numbers were solid and our final four ECAC appearances were quite good (despite never winning any semi-final game at the ECACs). These are quality kids who are, by and large, solid academically and take an interest in contributing to the Colgate community (Ethan Cox stands out, but there have been others). On the downside, note that I previously said "coaching of kids...in Hamilton." The issue for me pertains to the recruiting side of the isssue, especially since (as stated many times) Moore and Dickson departed. In the last five years the college game has changed and so has the recruiting process. It would appear the program's adjustments in these two areas was late in coming. We are further handicapped each year by what seems to be a university-imposed restriction on the size of our overall roster. Competition for playing time - especially for 18, 19 and 20-year olds - is not a bad thing. Healthy scratches for the 'Gate number (not counting goalies) in the four or five area. We've been lucky that over the past decade - with the possible exception of the 2008-09 season - that the impact of injuries has been better than most other teams in the ECAC. The talent level is now middle-of-the-pack at best (please don't get caught up in NHL draftees on the team; 5th, 6th and 7th round picks are gambles at best) and, despite middling goaltending over the last few years, we've benefitted from Shep Harder, Steve Silverthorn, and especially Mark Dekanich for almost one decade. Let's face it: Dekanich was the major reason we advanced to Albany in the springs of 2006 and 2008. Another help to our reasonably good ECAC records through the 2006 season was (and continues to be) the fact that we have Cornell as a travel partner. Our very lackluster non-conference and playoff records may be evidence of this in-conference benefit. The bottom line is that everyone - including those who provide funds for the Silver Puck Council - have to step it up NOW. Roster expansion may be a non-starter, especially when AD leadership is probably tepid and ineffectual. I've been a member of Silver Puck for over 30 years and have NEVER been asked to squeeze additional dollars out of my checking account. Now I know there are NCAA rules surrounding these programs, but, like our development office overall, if you don't push the envelope...let's just say Silver Puck raises $75K each year in contributions. (obviously the figure does increase each year, although it seems to be incremental in nature). There's no reason - even in this economic environment - why this figure can't be moved above $100K and beyond. The pedigree of donors is relatively impressive so access to additional $ is doable. If you don't ask...this money goes to a vareity of needs, including travel costs for recruiting. Ultimately, Don is responsible for bringing in quality players and, no doubt, the process begins when these kids are only 16 and 17. Are the assistant coaches targeting the right areas (although we seem to be going back into Canada, our BCJHL presence is waning, the USHL doesn't exist for us) and, secondly, making the right decisions on kids coming in 2012 and 2013? I was very pleased to see the twins from Cornwall commit the other day, in part because they visited the campus, but also due to Jesse Winchester's guidance. If I felt we were moving in the right direction, including support from the very top of the administration down to a re-energized Silver Puck I'd gladly double my annual contribution. In sum, I want Don here for a long time, but it doesn't mean that reactive steps to improve the status quo are sufficient. I'd like to think that current AD Roach and even the new president, Jeff Herbst, would be receptive to, or even initiate steps themselves, to address the question: what can we do to make our men's ice hockey team a nationally-competitive program in the future?
'Gate Radio
Registered User
Re: Colgate 2010-11
Excellent post.
Recruiting for next year looks good with the players that are listed as coming in - Wilson is having a solid year in the OJHL (38 points in 28 games), Lidgett's numbers in Alberta as a 17-year-old are strong (93 birth year, he'll turn 18 when the season starts next year) and Brendan Corcoran has good offensive numbers for an EJHL dman with Bay State - he's an older guy with a 90 birth year . The 2012 class is still in the works given that it still needs a goalie and a few more players.
Excellent post.
Recruiting for next year looks good with the players that are listed as coming in - Wilson is having a solid year in the OJHL (38 points in 28 games), Lidgett's numbers in Alberta as a 17-year-old are strong (93 birth year, he'll turn 18 when the season starts next year) and Brendan Corcoran has good offensive numbers for an EJHL dman with Bay State - he's an older guy with a 90 birth year . The 2012 class is still in the works given that it still needs a goalie and a few more players.
TheGreenCoat
Registered User
Re: Colgate 2010-11
appreciate it 'Gate Radio...not going to Army tonight 'cause I know you tend to call them as they are and I can sit home, suck down a bottle of chardonnay, and PRAY for a reversal...
appreciate it 'Gate Radio...not going to Army tonight 'cause I know you tend to call them as they are and I can sit home, suck down a bottle of chardonnay, and PRAY for a reversal...
ColSkate65
Signer of '65 Arena first beam.
Re: Colgate 2010-11
I also was encouraged to read that Jesse was involved in recruiting the twins. I'd like to see more of our hockey alumni take part in the recruiting process if they are located in Canada. It certainly wouldn't hurt to have some alums point our assistant coaches and Don in other fruitful directions.
I also was encouraged to read that Jesse was involved in recruiting the twins. I'd like to see more of our hockey alumni take part in the recruiting process if they are located in Canada. It certainly wouldn't hurt to have some alums point our assistant coaches and Don in other fruitful directions.
TheValleyRaider
Let's Go 'Gate!
Re: Colgate 2010-11
3-0 win at the Point
The streak is dead
3-0 win at the Point
The streak is dead
TheGreenCoat
Registered User
Re: Colgate 2010-11
Closer than the score, but at this point a needed win...the basic premise remains: we need more speed and skill but the effort was there. I thought that Mayer and Smith both played well (glad the latter, although an empter-netter, got on the board) and Evin was very solid (folks, goaltending is NOT the problem). As long as we continue to simply replace graduating seniors with a like number of incoming freshmen or graduating seniors plus one I don't see a real turn around for a while. This is a team that has to avoid mistakes and needs decent goaltending because the level of top-to-bottom skill, especially at the forward position, is average. I wouldn't be surprised to see Coach V move Larkin to forward at some point on a more permanent basis. There's nothing like a little confidence so let's take a "W" and continue to improve...
Closer than the score, but at this point a needed win...the basic premise remains: we need more speed and skill but the effort was there. I thought that Mayer and Smith both played well (glad the latter, although an empter-netter, got on the board) and Evin was very solid (folks, goaltending is NOT the problem). As long as we continue to simply replace graduating seniors with a like number of incoming freshmen or graduating seniors plus one I don't see a real turn around for a while. This is a team that has to avoid mistakes and needs decent goaltending because the level of top-to-bottom skill, especially at the forward position, is average. I wouldn't be surprised to see Coach V move Larkin to forward at some point on a more permanent basis. There's nothing like a little confidence so let's take a "W" and continue to improve...
Re: Colgate 2010-11
Pic, recap, and brief video highlighting Colgate's last 2 goals
http://www.goarmysports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=205042716&DB_OEM_ID=11100
Radio broadcast had me on pins and needles. Thought they would get the job done but as we know, never a certainty with a 1st period lead. Army was in this one every step of the way. Finally, a 3rd period we could hold on to. Seemed like our penalties were a bit more controlled other than the late hit which should have been avoided. Also seemed to block a lot of shots. A pp goal against the nation's leading pk is a good omen, too!
Two of our wins are against the same team (good for consistency) but am ready to beat a team with a winning record.
Congrats for an encouraging win!
We want BC!
Pic, recap, and brief video highlighting Colgate's last 2 goals
http://www.goarmysports.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=205042716&DB_OEM_ID=11100
Radio broadcast had me on pins and needles. Thought they would get the job done but as we know, never a certainty with a 1st period lead. Army was in this one every step of the way. Finally, a 3rd period we could hold on to. Seemed like our penalties were a bit more controlled other than the late hit which should have been avoided. Also seemed to block a lot of shots. A pp goal against the nation's leading pk is a good omen, too!
Two of our wins are against the same team (good for consistency) but am ready to beat a team with a winning record.
Congrats for an encouraging win!
We want BC!
Gaterrooter
Registered Raider
Re: Colgate 2010-11
Greencoat I take issue with a couple of items.
First, we have decent talent, not great, but decent. We returned forwards like Day, Briesbois, Smith, Bourdon and Bartliff. That's 5 pretty talented forwards who put up good point totals last year, did they become untalented ovrer the summer?
Second, we need our D to play D and solidify that unit. Yes, an occsional shift at forward is great for Larkin but he will be the core of the defense for the next 2 years, so let's not screw with that now.
Third, you say that we shouldn't "get caught up" in the 5th - 7th round draft choices because they are gambles at best. Yes, they are gambles to make it to the NHL, being selected late does make the climb that much harder. However, the guys who are selected, are selected by scouts and GM's whose jobs are to judge and project talent. This isn't the baseball draft with 50 plus rounds. So to have 7 players on our roster that NHL organizations have "projected" and picked, based on their talent level says alot about the recruiting being done by this staff regardless of what is said. Also, the classes coming in the next 2 years look very talented. Any time you get kids that have played for their quasi national teams (canada east and Joey Wilson wore the USA jersey a couple of times) they have to have talent. So I would say we have done a great job of recruiting based on the location of our school and the pitiful attendance we have.
Fourth, what is the point you are trying to make about graduating seniors and replacing them with a "like number" of freshman? That is what we have always done, for that matter, that's what everyone does. Are you suggesting expanding the roster? If so, how does that help in recruiting? I don't think it does. A short roster is an advantage for Colgate when recruiting. They can offer a chance at more playig time as a freshman. Take a look at a roster like St Lawrence. Looks like they are allowed to roster 35 to 36. What's their record?
The crowd last night at Army was excellent (Yes I understand they are a somewhat captive audience), something we need to figure out how to correct at Starr. Evin made some excellent saves and deserved the shutout, very happy for him, the team and the coaching staff. Now we have a chance to do something we haven't done this year. WIN BACK TO BACK GAMES! The league itself looks pretty jumbled beyond Yale, Union and RPI. Can we still hold out hope for a top half finish?
Greencoat I take issue with a couple of items.
First, we have decent talent, not great, but decent. We returned forwards like Day, Briesbois, Smith, Bourdon and Bartliff. That's 5 pretty talented forwards who put up good point totals last year, did they become untalented ovrer the summer?
Second, we need our D to play D and solidify that unit. Yes, an occsional shift at forward is great for Larkin but he will be the core of the defense for the next 2 years, so let's not screw with that now.
Third, you say that we shouldn't "get caught up" in the 5th - 7th round draft choices because they are gambles at best. Yes, they are gambles to make it to the NHL, being selected late does make the climb that much harder. However, the guys who are selected, are selected by scouts and GM's whose jobs are to judge and project talent. This isn't the baseball draft with 50 plus rounds. So to have 7 players on our roster that NHL organizations have "projected" and picked, based on their talent level says alot about the recruiting being done by this staff regardless of what is said. Also, the classes coming in the next 2 years look very talented. Any time you get kids that have played for their quasi national teams (canada east and Joey Wilson wore the USA jersey a couple of times) they have to have talent. So I would say we have done a great job of recruiting based on the location of our school and the pitiful attendance we have.
Fourth, what is the point you are trying to make about graduating seniors and replacing them with a "like number" of freshman? That is what we have always done, for that matter, that's what everyone does. Are you suggesting expanding the roster? If so, how does that help in recruiting? I don't think it does. A short roster is an advantage for Colgate when recruiting. They can offer a chance at more playig time as a freshman. Take a look at a roster like St Lawrence. Looks like they are allowed to roster 35 to 36. What's their record?
The crowd last night at Army was excellent (Yes I understand they are a somewhat captive audience), something we need to figure out how to correct at Starr. Evin made some excellent saves and deserved the shutout, very happy for him, the team and the coaching staff. Now we have a chance to do something we haven't done this year. WIN BACK TO BACK GAMES! The league itself looks pretty jumbled beyond Yale, Union and RPI. Can we still hold out hope for a top half finish?
hockeyenthusiast
Registered User
Re: Colgate 2010-11
Yes, I think we can still hope for a top half finish. Also, I would replace RPI there with Dartmouth.
Yes, I think we can still hope for a top half finish. Also, I would replace RPI there with Dartmouth.
'Gate Radio
Registered User
Re: Colgate 2010-11
A lot of the crowd stuck around for the USA Warriors game afterwards so I think that had a lot to do with it. Also, there was a pee wee hockey game at the first intermission with two large teams so include all of the kids and their parents. Plus there were just a lot of local townsfolk - Highland Falls and surrounding area. I didn't necessarily see a large pocket of cadets but I would guess they were somewhere.
A lot of the crowd stuck around for the USA Warriors game afterwards so I think that had a lot to do with it. Also, there was a pee wee hockey game at the first intermission with two large teams so include all of the kids and their parents. Plus there were just a lot of local townsfolk - Highland Falls and surrounding area. I didn't necessarily see a large pocket of cadets but I would guess they were somewhere.
Gaterrooter
Registered Raider
Re: Colgate 2010-11
Just a reminder, if you are going to the game at Starr on Saturday night it is the night of the "Holiday Council Toy Drive". Bring an unwrapped toy to the game and get a free ticket if you need one.
Just a reminder, if you are going to the game at Starr on Saturday night it is the night of the "Holiday Council Toy Drive". Bring an unwrapped toy to the game and get a free ticket if you need one.
TheValleyRaider
Let's Go 'Gate!
Re: Colgate 2010-11
Bump back to Page 1
Niagara comes to Hamilton on Saturday night. Maybe we stop the Purps and start an honest-to-goodness winning streak?
Looking for the turnaround, though not prepared to buy into anything until after the holidays when the ECAC picks back up
Bump back to Page 1
Niagara comes to Hamilton on Saturday night. Maybe we stop the Purps and start an honest-to-goodness winning streak?
Looking for the turnaround, though not prepared to buy into anything until after the holidays when the ECAC picks back up
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