Colgate 2010-11

[TheGreenCoat]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

...haven't mentioned prospects for a new facility, but it would be a huge help...don't know if AD is for it (he probably wants a better trail for women's cross country first), but hopefully new president will be so inclined to push it sooner rather than later...might even get our self-involved student body out for a game or two, in between indoctrination sessions on "global warming"...

 

[sk8tronthepond]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

Andrew is now scouting for the Buffalo Sabres

GC....Andrew Dickson is a scout for the Columbus Blue Jackets.

 

[Rainman]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

one example of the above bevy of issues: we're bringing in (what) 3 or 4 freshmen next year...please...#2 - many of last year's freshmen seem to have regressed this year. I've talked with some near the program and, frankly, I'm not overly optimistic about their interpretations of what is wrong and what is needed...I'D LOVE TO BE DEAD WRONG...

Here's something that I think has been a problem for the past 2 years -- having only 7 defenseman on the roster since we usually dress 6. We just got a new recruit yesterday ... Spiro ??? (forget his last name), he's 1990 born, defenseman, and he's a 2011 recruit. That means we now have 4 incoming freshman for next year, and 2 of them are d-men giving us a total of 8 blueliners for next year.

Also of note, the other incoming defenseman (Brendan Corcoran) is also 1990-born. That should give us an age advantage on the blue line. And don't forget that we'll still have 4 goalies on the roster too.

 

[Marmot]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

Just to echo Green Coat's points a bit, whether we're optimists or pessimists, we all come here because we care about Colgate hockey. Certainly I would imagine there is plenty of room for divergent viewpoints. Ultimately, at the end of the day all we all want to see is the program be successful.

 

[sshablak]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

Maybe my last post....Our little thread here of maybe fifteen years has never experienced such appauling negativity. Even during "low points" most of us have "stuck together" and continued to converse in mature ways about the "positives" AND "negatives" of OUR hockey club.

Do you really think Don Vaughan or Roach or any of the Colgate administration reads these? Not a chance ! This "thread" is for US, the faithfull backers (and there aren't many) of Colgate hockey. I have "lived and died" with Gate hockey since the early 1960's, there have been wonderful years, and not so wonderful years. We all lived thru the good and bad and never fought amongst each other because the team was down.

With the inability to recruit competively with most D1 programs we realised that "maybe" every five years or so we would make a little noise in the playoffs and even get to the "NCAA's. Every once in awhile a Fridgen, Earl, MacDonald, McIntyre would take us where we weren't supposed to be. I haven't seen a year like this since the 1970's, since then there has been alot of great times. Even last year we somehow "squeaked out" a fourth place finish, I don't know how.

Be realistic, a bad year "happens", how DV has accomplished what he has, is a truly amazing feat. He simply is NOT the problem, ECAC coaches truly respect him as they realise the odds that are "against" him and any other ECAC schools that have strict academic requirements to enroll. It's simply not like the WCHA CCHA etc !!

We are not DV, or Jason Lefebvre, we are "longtime supporters of Gate hockey" and stick with them no matter what. The ranting and raving and now....looking for negative stats and fire DV chants are doing absolutely nothing positive for the team. Please tell me what good these posts are for "anyone" except the perpetrators venting off some frustration. This is the "wrong" place. It falls upon deaf ears here!

I guess three posters here are parents of players who don't see enough "ice time"! Pay u'r dues like all the other players do. You all know who you are. Your kids will get their chances if they don't quit like Hamburg did. Let's get back together here, there aren't many of us that truly care about "our" program. I'm trying but don't have too many answers. What good does quitting on the team do...they have enough probs of their own.

 

[Gaterrooter]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

I'm out.

If you can't speak the truth on this board without being accused of being a "disgruntled parent" then why bother. You posters of yesteryear think you are the only 6 guys in the world that follow Colgate hockey and have a right to voice your opinions. Face it boys, a 20 loss season should cause concern for anyone ever associated with this storied program.

Good night.

 

[ColSkate65]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

Maybe my last post....Our little thread here of maybe fifteen years has never experienced such appauling negativity. Even during "low points" most of us have "stuck together" and continued to converse in mature ways about the "positives" AND "negatives" of OUR hockey club.

Do you really think Don Vaughan or Roach or any of the Colgate administration reads these? Not a chance ! This "thread" is for US, the faithfull backers (and there aren't many) of Colgate hockey. I have "lived and died" with Gate hockey since the early 1960's, there have been wonderful years, and not so wonderful years. We all lived thru the good and bad and never fought amongst each other because the team was down.

With the inability to recruit competively with most D1 programs we realised that "maybe" every five years or so we would make a little noise in the playoffs and even get to the "NCAA's. Every once in awhile a Fridgen, Earl, MacDonald, McIntyre would take us where we weren't supposed to be. I haven't seen a year like this since the 1970's, since then there has been alot of great times. Even last year we somehow "squeaked out" a fourth place finish, I don't know how.

Be realistic, a bad year "happens", how DV has accomplished what he has, is a truly amazing feat. He simply is NOT the problem, ECAC coaches truly respect him as they realise the odds that are "against" him and any other ECAC schools that have strict academic requirements to enroll. It's simply not like the WCHA CCHA etc !!

We are not DV, or Jason Lefebvre, we are "longtime supporters of Gate hockey" and stick with them no matter what. The ranting and raving and now....looking for negative stats and fire DV chants are doing absolutely nothing positive for the team. Please tell me what good these posts are for "anyone" except the perpetrators venting off some frustration. This is the "wrong" place. It falls upon deaf ears here!

I guess three posters here are parents of players who don't see enough "ice time"! Pay u'r dues like all the other players do. You all know who you are. Your kids will get their chances if they don't quit like Hamburg did. Let's get back together here, there aren't many of us that truly care about "our" program. I'm trying but don't have too many answers. What good does quitting on the team do...they have enough probs of their own.

AMEN, Shabby! You 'da' man!

 

[TheGreenCoat]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

Totally agree with Gaterrooter...Shabby, you make the point: "We are long-term supporters of 'Gate hockey and stick with them no matter what"...Who's them??? I can't think of anyone on this thread that has really gotten even close to going after a specific player. In fact, virtually all posters concede that the kids are trying their hardest. As a "long-term supporter of Colgate hockey" (and I am) I'm not going to sit back and continue to throw out optimistic fantasy line to make myself feel better. I also, apparently, have a higher opinion of what is possible than your recent opinion. It is for EXACTLY THAT REASON (and the fact that until five years ago we had won c. 57% of our ECAC league games since 1984) that we are searching for answers. Can you explain to me how Dick Biddle can be so successful, virtually year-in and year-out, facing many of the same structural issues as the hockey program. The people in charge of our various athletic programs are adults and they can subject to the same criticism (both positive and negative) that we all face in our jobs. From my vantage point I enjoy the positive input from many, but in point of fact, I've gotten more valuable input from those who are as frustrated as yours truly. I just happen to think that, as a Colgate grad, we can do better and should'nt be content with the occasional winning season. I know it's 20 years ago, but we did go 31-6-1 in 1990 and were national runner-ups and we did have great years in 2000 and 2005. The last 5 years are not acceptable in my view...

 

[TheGreenCoat]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

I miss Magoo...

 

[sshablak]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

Gater....I'm not happy but I guess I've been here long enough to be realistic of expectations. Until we recruit more players somehow, maybe a new rink helps, or Colgate decides to "make a better effort" we will be lucky to even be in the "middle" of the pack. It's not DV's fault or the players, it's our administration, we have fallen way behind !

Who's them ? The teams! Some people here want DV's butt...I think that's ridiculous..and they are the new posters who I know some are parents.

 

[UHhky]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

Some of you need to grow a set and learn how to deal with disagreement. Concurrently, some of you also need to get off the staff's respective sets and recognize that this is, as GC has put it, a structural problem.

You've been to a bunch of games. Good job. You've played D1. Awesome, so have I. You've been posting on the internet for 5+ years. Way to go. Does this make your opinion any more valid? No it doesn't. Your post count on an internet message board doesn't qualify you as some expert. If anything, conflating the desire for a restructuring of the staff with "bashing the program" demonstrates part of the problem. I commend some of you on racking up 1,000+ posts and not questioning the administration or staff, at least you've continued to root for the team, but the truth of the matter is David Roach, Don Vaughan, and the rest of the staff are not The Program. It's bigger than that and that's why I'm tired of seeing the same old support for the same old people who consistently fail to deliver anything more than the promise of a turn around "next season".

 

[TheGreenCoat]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

well stated UHhky...especially the following: "...but the truth of the matter is DR, DV and the rest of the staff are not The Program. It's bigger than that...personally, I think Don did a good job through 2007 in getting the most out of his talent...my guess is that he is respected around the league...my strong belief is that with Mark Murphy gone DV has little assistance from the AD and had little from Chopp. There's a fine line here as Gate93 mentioned and we've fallen below the line for a while...and, frankly, my guess is that recent Trustee members could care less about hockey. SLU went through this about 30 years ago...I'm praying that Herbst is as enthusiastic about hockey as he apparently is about football and that the current AD will find employment elsewhere...

 

[Rainman]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

Maybe my last post....Our little thread here of maybe fifteen years has never experienced such appauling negativity. Even during "low points" most of us have "stuck together" and continued to converse in mature ways about the "positives" AND "negatives" of OUR hockey club.

Do you really think Don Vaughan or Roach or any of the Colgate administration reads these? Not a chance ! This "thread" is for US, the faithfull backers (and there aren't many) of Colgate hockey. I have "lived and died" with Gate hockey since the early 1960's, there have been wonderful years, and not so wonderful years. We all lived thru the good and bad and never fought amongst each other because the team was down.

With the inability to recruit competively with most D1 programs we realised that "maybe" every five years or so we would make a little noise in the playoffs and even get to the "NCAA's. Every once in awhile a Fridgen, Earl, MacDonald, McIntyre would take us where we weren't supposed to be. I haven't seen a year like this since the 1970's, since then there has been alot of great times. Even last year we somehow "squeaked out" a fourth place finish, I don't know how.

Be realistic, a bad year "happens", how DV has accomplished what he has, is a truly amazing feat. He simply is NOT the problem, ECAC coaches truly respect him as they realise the odds that are "against" him and any other ECAC schools that have strict academic requirements to enroll. It's simply not like the WCHA CCHA etc !!

We are not DV, or Jason Lefebvre, we are "longtime supporters of Gate hockey" and stick with them no matter what. The ranting and raving and now....looking for negative stats and fire DV chants are doing absolutely nothing positive for the team. Please tell me what good these posts are for "anyone" except the perpetrators venting off some frustration. This is the "wrong" place. It falls upon deaf ears here!

I guess three posters here are parents of players who don't see enough "ice time"! Pay u'r dues like all the other players do. You all know who you are. Your kids will get their chances if they don't quit like Hamburg did. Let's get back together here, there aren't many of us that truly care about "our" program. I'm trying but don't have too many answers. What good does quitting on the team do...they have enough probs of their own.

Well said, sir.

 

[Marmot]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

Changing the topic a bit, hopefully this d-man we just signed (Spiro Goulakos) will help a bit. I know nothing of the league he's in, but he's averaged almost a point a game. 2 and a half penalty minutes a game too.

Speaking of recruiting, and I know this issue has been addressed previously, why is our roster so small? That certainly seems like a structural problem.

 

['Gate Radio]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

Changing the topic a bit, hopefully this d-man we just signed (Spiro Goulakos) will help a bit. I know nothing of the league he's in, but he's averaged almost a point a game. 2 and a half penalty minutes a game too.

Speaking of recruiting, and I know this issue has been addressed previously, why is our roster so small? That certainly seems like a structural problem.

School roster restrictions. I believe the limit is 26 for hockey which basically means that the number of players you lose, the same number come in. The roster is at 25 right now with 21 skaters and four goalies (four scratches/game). Basically this is why there are just four spots open next year - three players leaving and an another slot because of a departure this year. Barring a major philsophical shift, this will not change. And this is true for all sports, including football.

Penalty minute numbers for Spiro Goulakos in the LJHAAAQ over the last four years...
2007-2008, Vaudreuil-Dorion, 125 PIM in 49 games
2008-2009, Vaudreuil-Dorion, 159 PIM in 49 games
2009-2010, Saint-Jerome, 98 PIM in 47 games
2010-2011, Saint-Jerome, 104 PIM in 41 games (current, 14th in league)

 

[vicb]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

Just was wondering what you all think of the Clarkson - SLU weekend coming up. Clarkson will be without arguably their two best defensemen, Borowiecki and Pokoluk. Seems like Clarkson and Gate like to play for ties the past few years. If ever gate is gonna win another game this season this may be the weekend.

 

[Harp 34]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

Being a SLU fan you can throw the records out the window, Gate is always tough vs the Saints. Wish I didn't have to work this weekend and could make it out to Starr / Nichols & Beal

 

[ColSkate65]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

Just was wondering what you all think of the Clarkson - SLU weekend coming up. Clarkson will be without arguably their two best defensemen, Borowiecki and Pokoluk. Seems like Clarkson and Gate like to play for ties the past few years. If ever gate is gonna win another game this season this may be the weekend.

Sorry Vic, we don't have time to talk hockey on this thread. We've got too many posters ready to lynch each other over the state of our hockey program. Check back with us later.

 

[vicb]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

Sorry Vic, we don't have time to talk hockey on this thread. We've got too many posters ready to lynch each other over the state of our hockey program. Check back with us later.

You should check out the Clarkson Roundtable. We have a couple of people that want George Roll gone as bad as some of your fans want Vaughn out. I do have to say however the ***** session on this thread puts our's to shame. So lets see gonna be a lot of openings in the ECAC coaching ranks this offseason. In no particular order: Clarkson, Colgate, Harvard (see Union), RPI (When Gwoz goes to Mich St and Appert goes to Denver), Union (When Lehman goes to Harvard to replace Donato) .

 

[UHhky]

Re: Colgate 2010-11

Really what we're doing here is arguing for some significant reevaluation of where the program has been, where it's going, and what the best course of action is. And to be honest, I think it's hard to say that the number of roster spots or scholarship limitations or administrative support is the root of the problem. How many people are on the roster at Yale right now? Do they even give out scholarships? I'm confident in the assumption that their scholastic requirements are probably higher (we've had guys on the team with sub-1000 SATs; this is a fact). So is that really a point of contention? In all honesty: No. Are there people in this thread who have an intimate connection to the staff and are looking out for their best interests, rather than those of The Program? Probably. Yes. Absolutely.

I'd like to think of this as a forum for debate on how to improve our current situation and future prospects, however the fact of the matter is that whenever someone brings up the reality of the situation and possible, albeit hard-to-swallow solutions, they are labeled as a "basher", a "new poster", a "disgruntled parent"; someone devoid of loyalty to The Program and its mandate.

The sad truth is, that mandate is to live up to the expectations of a prestigious university like Colgate. The coaches may not have the support of the administration, but look at the school itself. We've fallen in the rankings of higher education, but that hasn't stopped our graduates from topping rankings like post-graduate salaries (what are we, #2? #3?...in the nation). If a broader student body who isn't privy to the character building qualities of a Division 1 athletics can overcome obstacles like that, is it so much to ask for our own, professionally trained and experienced coaching staff to do the same? No.

I'd like to be able to talk to someone and tell them about Colgate Hockey's recent accomplishments, rather than the accomplishments of those who made it out of this program after carrying it, unscathed, and went on to better things. And yes, I'm talking about MacDonald, Silverthorn, Wilson, Winchester, Dekanich, "Sloan", and MacIntyre (apologies to those I've forgotten). What can we really say for the program (other than the obvious '90 NCAA appearance and '05 run) besides their accomplishments? Not much other than we've had the same leadership the entire time.