Excellent Interview with Don Lucia

[Puck Swami]

Re: Excellent Interview with Don Lucia

Oh, I'm sure the UMinn fans (and administrators) feel need to rush to recovery. But as a Sioux fan, I'm feeling remarkably patient with the whole situation.

As are we Denver fans.

Seriously, though, I think a strong Minnesota program is crucial to the WCHA. It's the media center of the league, a rival to many league schools, has the largest fan base.

 

[ScoobyFanClub]

Re: Excellent Interview with Don Lucia

I enjoyed the article, but questioned the fact that he said that BU didn't lose any players after winning the NC. I'm not sure if he meant BC (or said BC and it was a typo) or if he was mistaken. BU lost a number good of players after that season - Colin Wilson for one, Brian Strait as another.

He meant that BU didn't lose players prior to that season, which is why they were able to win.

 

[HarleyMC]

Re: Excellent Interview with Don Lucia

Doug Woog had back-to-back under .500 campaigns and he was gone. Granted I know nothing about that situation...

19-17-9
17-13-7
18-19-2

Not horrific, but not up to Minnesota standards. Do their fans have the patience? Missed the NCAAs in back-to-back years for the first time since Woog's last year and Lucia's first.

By all accounts, Minnesota isn't expected to be much better than last year, correct?

From the AD's perspective there are reasons for the recent slide (i.e. injuries, defections, Lucia's 1.5 year illness, lack of scoring) and making comparisons to Woog's dilemma a decade ago is not quite accurate. The team will most likely be improved from last year but they still need to find more scoring potential.

 

[bostonewe]

Re: Excellent Interview with Don Lucia

He meant that BU didn't lose players prior to that season, which is why they were able to win.

Ah, thanks. Misread it, I guess.

 

[J.D.]

Re: Excellent Interview with Don Lucia

and making comparisons to Woog's dilemma a decade ago is not quite accurate. The team will most likely be improved from last year but they still need to find more scoring potential.

Like I said, I know nothing about the Woog situation other than the back-to-back losing records. I assume that was under a different AD as well. How does the current AD feel about the state of the Gopher hockey program?

Do you think Minnesota is an NCAA team this year?

 

[bothman]

Re: Excellent Interview with Don Lucia

Could the NHL impose a NFL or NBA like age requirement and take the long-term view that this is ultimately in its best interest because it will lessen the cess pool of under-educated and under-abled NHL rejects who make the ill-fated call of choosing athletics over education at a point in life when they don't have the life experience to know any better?

I keep on thinking of the commercial that says something to the tune of "99% of college athletes will go pro in something other than their sport..." I'm sure that you could brand Major Junior with a similar tag-line.

 

[HarleyMC]

Re: Excellent Interview with Don Lucia

Like I said, I know nothing about the Woog situation other than the back-to-back losing records. I assume that was under a different AD as well. How does the current AD feel about the state of the Gopher hockey program?

Do you think Minnesota is an NCAA team this year?

AD Joel Maturi has a very high regard for Don Lucia and they have a good working relationship. In fact Don was on the AD search committee and was highly influential in bringing him to MN from Miami University (Ohio). I think he believes that Lucia's influence will produce a better result this season based upon his comments at the end of last season's crash and burn. I think it's possible this season's team can eek out an NCAA bid, but whether they will go deep is very questionable.

 

[Happy]

Re: Excellent Interview with Don Lucia

UND has done it 7 times without God on the roster, speaking of God I heard he decommitted from UM and signed a letter of intent with UND .

Lucia has coached two national championships since UND won it's last one. and you guys think he has lost his edge. What does that say about UND, might as well shut down the team, eh?

 

[willythekid]

Re: Excellent Interview with Don Lucia

I think it's possible this season's team can eek out an NCAA bid, but whether they will go deep is very questionable.

kinda looks like a goofer...
http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=P3kXniKFU3o&feature=related

 

[Happy]

Re: Excellent Interview with Don Lucia

Oh, I'm sure the UMinn fans (and administrators) feel need to rush to recovery. But as a Sioux fan, I'm feeling remarkably patient with the whole situation.

hey, when Minnesota is in the BTHC, and you are just a mid-major, you can be patient, too.

 

[HarleyMC]

Re: Excellent Interview with Don Lucia

kinda looks like a goofer...
http://www.youtube.com/watch#!v=P3kXniKFU3o&feature=related

IIRC BC can sing that to Hakstol without speculation.

 

[cross cheque]

Re: Excellent Interview with Don Lucia

Lucia has coached two national championships since UND won it's last one. and you guys think he has lost his edge. What does that say about UND, might as well shut down the team, eh?

I never said Lucia is loosing his edge dummy, I said they hit a rough patch. I think you have enough to worry about this season with your team, let the Sioux fans worry about their 7 NCs and three 1st round draft picks that are preparing to sweep you this season.

 

[Driftryder]

Re: Excellent Interview with Don Lucia

Do you think Minnesota is an NCAA team this year?

I sure hope so. I'd like to think they can be an NCAA team after two years off, we do have 7 seniors coming back which is more than the last few years. Although they as in the whole team will need to get there scoring touch back after last years forgettable performance.

 

[SJHovey]

Re: Excellent Interview with Don Lucia

If you look back at the last decade Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin (among others) played a dangerous game recruiting 16 year-olds. These recruits were exceptional prospects, but they either went pro early or were busts. Now Lucia is left holding the empty bag.

Yet it continues. Heisenberg has 8 Denver recruits listed on his 2011 list. Their ages on the date they committed to the Pioneers:

Didier - 17
D. Mermis - 16
Doremus - 18
Van Voorhis - 17
Allen - 17
Larraza - 16
Pham - 15
Mayfield - 16

 

[ScoobyDoo]

Re: Excellent Interview with Don Lucia

Like I said, I know nothing about the Woog situation other than the back-to-back losing records. I assume that was under a different AD as well. How does the current AD feel about the state of the Gopher hockey program?

Do you think Minnesota is an NCAA team this year?

If they aren't and Lucia keeps his job things are going to be worse next offseason than they were this offseason.

 

[4four4]

Re: Excellent Interview with Don Lucia

it's a lot easier to do that in the East, where there is only one elite team that first round talent wants to play for, as opposed to the west, where there are many more choices.

Some of you may have missed that fact that more Gophers played in the NHL than any other school, so He knows how to recruit, he just can't keep them away from the cash.

The talent in the state of Minnesota is the major difference between college hockey today and five years ago. For example, more elite Minnesota kids are getting drafted and more importantly in the first round than any other time in our country. If the state of Minnesota didn't improve like it did we probably wouldn't be having conversations like this one.

 

[Puck Swami]

Re: Excellent Interview with Don Lucia

Yet it continues. Heisenberg has 8 Denver recruits listed on his 2011 list. Their ages on the date they committed to the Pioneers:

Didier - 17
D. Mermis - 16
Doremus - 18
Van Voorhis - 17
Allen - 17
Larraza - 16
Pham - 15
Mayfield - 16

Guilty as charged. Some of these guys will likely be busts at the college level, but when you recruit guys that are still 15-16 year olds, the chance for failure goes higher. I wish top colleges didn't have to do this, but major junior is there pressing these kids as well, without NCAA restrictions.

 

[Goon]

Re: Excellent Interview with Don Lucia

As are we Denver fans.

Seriously, though, I think a strong Minnesota program is crucial to the WCHA. It's the media center of the league, a rival to many league schools, has the largest fan base.

Heck I think Lucia is doing a hell of a great job.

 

[burd]

Re: Excellent Interview with Don Lucia

hey, when Minnesota is in the BTHC, and you are just a mid-major, you can be patient, too.

OK. I'll bite--it's August.

1) In truth, I would definitely regret a BTHC because it would take Minnesota (and UW) out of UND's conference, and I love watching UMinn play hockey and value the rivalry.

Chokes down bile and puts head between legs until able to continue

But more importantly:

2) I guess losing a lot of hockey games in the BTHC is different somehow from losing a lot of games in the WCHA.

3) If the recent past is any indication, everybody wins if UMinn goes to the BTCH: The quality of play in the WCHA would no doubt improve, and schools like Mich, Mich St., and Ohio State get a new team to occupy the 4-7slot in their conference. Indiana might even get a chance to win a few.

But before I contribute even more to derailing this thread: Good thread, Puck S. Hearing what Lucia has to say on this topic is a good thing, in light of all the recent speculation and bashing and what UMinn and other schools have been going through. He's obviously a class act in important ways and has his players' best interests in mind.

 

[Goon]

Re: Excellent Interview with Don Lucia

hey, when Minnesota is in the BTHC, and you are just a mid-major, you can be patient, too.

Yep, we will be a mid major that is still kicking the gophers ***... I can live with that.