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Colgate 2017-18

Re: Colgate 2017-18

Thanks Mark, you have more foresight than most of the people here. You're going thru an off year also. How many years after the new rink was built at Q-Pac did you guys start reaping the benefits ??
I've said before it will take 3-4 years.
 
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Re: Colgate 2017-18

sshablak said:
Thanks Mark, you have more foresight than most of the people here. You're going thru an off year also. How many years after the new rink was built at Q-Pac did you guys start reaping the benefits ??
I've said before it will take 3-4 years.
Click to expand...
I started following when the Bank opened in '07. We went to the Frozen Four in '13, but saw continual improvement along the way.

If you guys remember Reid Cashman, he was recruited based on the plans for the facility and got to play the last half of his senior year there. I've heard he, and others, say that being able to actually bring kids into the facility makes all the difference in the world, so your 3-4 year guess seems to be spot on. Simply opening the doors to a new rink isn't going to help overnight.

As for our season, I'd trade it for yours at the moment... :o This too shall pass...
 
Re: Colgate 2017-18

The new rink in and of itself will not make us magically competitive after 3-4 years. Next year is Year 3; I do not see any Smiths or Spinks in next year’s recruits. Heck, I don’t even see any McManns. Same holds true for Year 4. I do not see anyone on Heisenberg who looks to be an elite talent. Not only do we not have any guys who are among the best in their leagues we do not even have any guys who are best on their teams.

Let’s be honest, the only reason we are rising to mediocrity is that we have a phenomenal goalie. Without him we’d be one of the worst teams in the country. He gives us the illusion of being slightly sub-average.

Can any of us honestly look at the talent we have now and the incoming talent and think we will suddenly become good?
 
Re: Colgate 2017-18

agree with Marmot...next year's forwards seem to be OK, but certainly not overwhelming on paper...Mark Gallant, originally out of the Groton School, seems to be interesting, but I don't know if he's a 2018 or 2019 commit. And yes, Q-Pac is having an off year...at present we are actually having an above average year vis-a-vis the average record of our teams over the past 12 years...and yes The Bank opened in 2007, but Q-Pac was transitioning to a DI program and quickly became an above average program WELL BEFORE 2013...and frankly, as far as "foresight" goes, a number of us have been fearful of the program's direction for the past 5 to 10 years (thank God for the kids who graduated in 2016)...we have not been competitive in recruiting in the USHL for years. Smith, McIntire, Wagner all studs, no doubt...but it's the depth of talent at forward that has been a problem since 2004-2005 when we could skate a very solid fourth line. I, along with several others, hope to be dead wrong...we have all invested a lot of passion and loyalty to Colgate Hockey...we all (I think) have a great deal of respect for DV, both as a coach and as an individual...and personally I am really hoping we can add some needed skill and speed to our team with the team we have at present. I just don't see it presently looking out another 2 to 3 years...
 
Re: Colgate 2017-18

There's an old saying in hockey, "Each game is like the painted lady down on the corner; you never know which side of the dame is gonna show up." Take it game by game. You never know what might happen in Potsdam tonight. 'Gate could surprise all of you. It could happen.....:)
 
Re: Colgate 2017-18

I refuse to give up, been here too long. The old rink was our excuse, give it a few more years people, maybe down to our last hope. Greeny I'm a Browns fan too but thank God I'm also a bruins fan since Robert Orr.
 
Re: Colgate 2017-18

I guess I'm beating a horse here, but as to "Marmot's" point regarding Tim Taylor, who, to his credit took a Yale program out of the dark ages...through his first 17 seasons Taylor was 198-222-28, a winning percentage of .473; his last 12 seasons he went 139-211-17 (.404). Regarding DV...first 13 years 224-196-42 (.530); last 12 3/4 years 178-220-54 (.454)...Taylor dropped .069%/DV has dropped .076%...no one can question the positive contributions to their respective programs. I just hope we can reverse a long-term decline in the success of the program...any way/any how...
 
Re: Colgate 2017-18

TheGreenCoat said:
and yes The Bank opened in 2007, but Q-Pac was transitioning to a DI program and quickly became an above average program WELL BEFORE 2013...
Click to expand...
We outgrew Atlantic Hockey... not sure I would call that above average. And yes, we excelled almost immediately upon joining the ECAC in '05-'06. But in terms of recruiting, we didn't attract any exceptional talent until we had the Bank to show off. The Jones brothers, Matt Peca, Sam Anas, Devon Toews, Travis St. Denis were all recruited using the Bank as a tool. As for Q's troubles this year, it boils down to bringing in recruits that simply did not pan out and become as good as people thought they would. It happens, even with great facilities.

How many current players and already committed recruits have actually seen the inside of the Class of '65 rink? I agree with shabby on the 3-4 year timetable (based solely on using the rink as a recruiting tool). I realize there are other factors that come into play but facilities have to be a big part. Simply put, your new rink has absolutely no direct bearing on the performance of this year's team based on recruiting unless you have several kids who committed during or after last season and matriculated this year.

I didn't come here to stir the pot or ruffle any feathers. If I have, I apologize.
 
Re: Colgate 2017-18

always appreciate the input...everyone in the ECAC should strive to achieve what you guys have accomplished in Hamden...and I love where you go to bring in talent: everywhere...
 
Re: Colgate 2017-18

Does anyone know why Bruce Racine was chosen to be in net this weekend? Did John McGraw say anything? Just wondering. Thanks. Go 'Gate!!
 
Re: Colgate 2017-18

Nice comeback in the 3rd. Beauty of a goal from #9. Too bad we couldn't get the winner, but a tie ain't bad against the Nights.
 
Re: Colgate 2017-18

I’m really glad Racine got the tie. He sure as heck earned it with a solid performance.

Nice to see McMann step up. As I pointed out the other day, he was the AJHL league MVP; as one of our few upper echelon recruits he needs to play at that level. He looked great in the third.
 
Re: Colgate 2017-18

they never quit and that's all you can ask for from any team (and especially playing in Potsdam against the #7-ranked team)...maybe, just maybe some more goals are coming...I don't want to finish 9th...
 
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