Dartmouth BIG Green Hockey: 2018-19 Off- Season of Progress and Hope

[BIG Green]

Re: Dartmouth BIG Green Hockey: 2018-19 Off- Season of Progress and Hope

Sorry it’s taken so long to reply BG. I’m still waiting on a response for Burbank. I was a bit surprised to see that LeSueur was coming in the Fall but then I saw he’ll be 20 in Jan. Still would have 1 yr remaining in Junior eligibility. Like I said earlier he didn’t look as good when I saw him this year but you can’t go off 1 viewing. The kid can play. This is what I got back in regards to Hesler (from someone connected with Wenatchee)....... Hesler is dynamite in a small package, outstanding two-way player. High energy, great support guy. I’ll miss watching him. As for Gallant, these are some of takes on him from 2 different people who have seen him play......This was an evaluation out of Chicago Steels Camp; 00 Mark Gallant, Colgate commit, really really impressed me and I gave an evaluation of him already. That he "only" put up 41 in 54 in the NCDC has me very intrigued by that league. This kid is big, smooth, is at full speed in 3-4 strides. Helluva pick in the 9th rd of the Phase II. has the look of a kid who will put up 45+ points. .......... This from someone else...... Mark's dad owns the team and is league commissioner, so the late pick makes sense to me if scouts are concerned that he won't play elsewhere. And don't be misled by Mark's numbers - that was a stacked team with a mature line-up, so he took his turn (he even admirably filled in at defense a few times!). Bottom line, I wouldn't be surprised to see a few of the very talented younger players from that team move to the USHL for 2018-19 including Gallant...............As for the other incoming players I’ve never seen them & don’t have anyone I can contact about them.

You Da Man turk181! No worries as you always come through with great insights and info! Wow, great info on the little Hesler (I love how his older brother plays) So do you envision him as a middle 6 guy that can forecheck, dig pucks out, back check like crazy. What do you think about his point potential, making plays? I am excited to hear this info on him and Gallant. GreenBear, thoughts?

 

[GreenBear]

Re: Dartmouth BIG Green Hockey: 2018-19 Off- Season of Progress and Hope

I am excited to hear this info on him and Gallant. GreenBear, thoughts?

Gallant is an outstanding get. And Hesler was described exactly as how I've seen and heard him reported on. I have yet to see him in person though.

I really think life may be hard for some of the returning forwards in so far as keeping their spot in the lineup. Cam Strong had that happen to him last year; this year, Strong may show up with something to prove and force his way back in--he sure has the talent. But if I were Strong, Ernsting, Blankmeier, or even a '18 regular like Warpecha, Michalowski, and Jasiek, too--I'd be looking over my shoulder. The team needs more production from those guys--15 goals between all of them and Jasiek only scored on the PP. While many were valuable in other areas (Warpecha on the PK, for example), this was an offensively challenged team that is in desperate need of depth scoring, and if some of the new guys (or old guys in Carl's case) come in and provide it, they'll play over the returnees from last year. I bet the guys coming back know they'll have to compete for spots, and that can only be good for Dartmouth.

Speaking of competition, I will not be surprised if there is competition in goal in the early practices. I expect Clark to be Goalie #1, but I also bet Ferguson isn't coming off a strong year for an NCDC champion thinking he's automatically the backup. That'll be a good thing as well.

I'm intrigued to see what the pre-season polls say about the Big Green.

 

[BIG Green]

Re: Dartmouth BIG Green Hockey: 2018-19 Off- Season of Progress and Hope

Gallant is an outstanding get. And Hesler was described exactly as how I've seen and heard him reported on. I have yet to see him in person though.

I really think life may be hard for some of the returning forwards in so far as keeping their spot in the lineup. Cam Strong had that happen to him last year; this year, Strong may show up with something to prove and force his way back in--he sure has the talent. But if I were Strong, Ernsting, Blankmeier, or even a '18 regular like Warpecha, Michalowski, and Jasiek, too--I'd be looking over my shoulder. The team needs more production from those guys--15 goals between all of them and Jasiek only scored on the PP. While many were valuable in other areas (Warpecha on the PK, for example), this was an offensively challenged team that is in desperate need of depth scoring, and if some of the new guys (or old guys in Carl's case) come in and provide it, they'll play over the returnees from last year. I bet the guys coming back know they'll have to compete for spots, and that can only be good for Dartmouth.

Speaking of competition, I will not be surprised if there is competition in goal in the early practices. I expect Clark to be Goalie #1, but I also bet Ferguson isn't coming off a strong year for an NCDC champion thinking he's automatically the backup. That'll be a good thing as well.

I'm intrigued to see what the pre-season polls say about the Big Green.

GreenBear, I love your BG enthusiasm which I share as well as it has been a long time coming especially pre-season. I also agree with your take on incumbents fighting for position. This is a great problem to have as "the cream rises to the top" provided done in a healthy way. A lot depends on the coaching staff and their style of play and/or mixing and matching certain strengths on a line. But either way BG needs fire-power and a quick strike mentality (odd number advantages through transition) when the situation arises, to take heat off Goalie and Team D.

It goes without saying that their Goalie, has to be their best player or at the least very consistent in not letting in "bad" goals and making timely saves on tough shots..if this happens the team psyche will reverberate all the way down to coaching staff and players.