Lfc 2015

[icechips]

Re: Lfc 2015

AVFC and XYZ you both are correct that facilities are not the answer.

At LFC it is not acceptable or tolerated for Alumni to give specifically to the hockey team. Any donations must be submitted to the 20 year old F.A.N. club and distributed by the AD as she sees fit {with requisite oversight from her hand picked group}. How is this model working, Hammer put it correctly "When you have a beautiful campus, with a wonderful student activities center directly across the street from your arena, and then you take your recruits/players into that arena you have, you immediately send the message that hockey is not important to your school. And that's a problem."
"Lake Forest College has not had a good program for quite some time now."

A team can go a long way with a mandate to WIN and support for bringing in talent and getting out of the way. Honestly, Adrian was on its last legs until they went down the path of supporting athletics and made Winning a priority. Do we honestly believe that LFC cannot compete with Adrian in academics!! .... come on it's no contest. The same can be said of Alumni, I'm positive that there are 1 or 2 alumni hockey players that have done well after school.

If LFC was run on par with the Junior teams they get players from that would be 2 steps up!!

NOBODY - wants to FIND A WAY.

The talent is available, the coaching is available, Hockey Equipment & Facilities could be had ...

 

[icechips]

Re: Lfc 2015

Boy it would be nice to hear the AD say "I'm spending hours watching over programs that need some recalibration, and hockey is one of those."

But I'm sure it will be more like "I'll tell you emphatically I believe in our plan." "You have to peel back the onion to see some of the challenges and adversity we had to deal with as our PLAN (or lack thereof) has unfolded." A huge senior class gone the underperformed and a huge incoming freshman class that has not produced along with no senior leadership this season.... hmmm I put that on the staff.


So if coach is asked if he feels on the hot seat, I would expect something like "I may be, but that's not for me to determine, so I don't give it that much consideration. To ask me that question is irrelevant. Maybe I am on the hot seat. I don't have time to think about that. With all sincerity that's not something I give much thought to, because that's not my decision." "There's going to be people that aren't pleased, obviously, we're not pleased with our results. But there's a plan in place, as you work though the challenges that come up that aren't necessarily planned for, you just have to readjust, reassess and keep moving."

I believe those reading this understand that there is no quick fix in college hockey recruiting because of the competition between other schools (DI and DIII) but also with Canada Hockey while also throwing in academic criteria too. Is the talent pool too watered down (lack of skill) for the size of the college landscape? Or is it, LFC cannot and does not have the resources/ability/processes/contacts to recruit in the areas necessary to get better talent?

Bottom line, all this falls on the HOF AD that is not doing a great job other than snowing the Administration and Alumni.

Lots of you are reading so it's seems apparent you care, break the imposed silence you have to be frustrated with losing. Where is the forum to give the AD feedback?

 

[uscho20]

Re: Lfc 2015

Chips,

Have you actually been to the rink recently?

 

[icechips]

Re: Lfc 2015

yes... do the teams (boys and girls) share a dressing room? Is the lighting poor? Is the ice really bad? Are the boards suspect, especially at the Z entrance? Is there black netting between the fans and the ice? A lobby does not make the rink!

 

[uscho20]

Re: Lfc 2015

yes... do the teams (boys and girls) share a dressing room? Is the lighting poor? Is the ice really bad? Are the boards suspect, especially at the Z entrance? Is there black netting between the fans and the ice? A lobby does not make the rink!

Nice, so you have seen the lobby.

• As far as I know, the men and women's locker rooms are separate. They built new locker rooms a few years ago when they put in the new stands.
• The lighting is old, but is similar to many other rinks in Illinois as far as quality wise.
• The ice is melting because of the rink problems and old equipment. I think they are replacing it shortly.
• The boards are less than eight years old. Other than cleaning the puck marks on the boards, I don't see a problem with them.
• I agree, the black netting is the worst part of the rink.

 

[icechips]

Re: Lfc 2015

• As far as I know, the men and women's locker rooms are separate. They built new locker rooms a few years ago when they put in the new stands.
• The lighting is old, but is similar to many other rinks in Illinois as far as quality wise.
  
  My mistake. The locker rooms are shared with other teams and not solely for the LFC team, so the "NEW" locker rooms of a couple of years ago are showing pretty good wear already.
  On the lighting front, I believe it's not acceptable and causes players to loose site of the puck and is down right dangerous.

 

[altazo]

Re: Lfc 2015

Icechips, what do you think LFC's women's program is doing differently that is allowing them to enjoy so much success? Same facilities...

 

[icechips]

Re: Lfc 2015

Consistently good leadership.

My impression is the expectations of the women coming into the program have increased which pushes the talent to be of higher caliber. They have seniors who contribute and captains who lead not just political appointments. Their room is great and not factionalized {there are players on the mens team that are not serious about hockey}. They have learned the discipline of winning {for one look @ +/- vs. the men}, they work together as a team should and that says a lot about Carisa and Jamie. The women continue to develop as athletes at LFC .... the men????

The whole facility thing is a "wonderful to have" and makes it better for the athletes to come and compete when they know they are supported, however I recognize it's not the end game.

On so many levels the mens program is in disarray, JS and PK should have to answer for that to the

 

[icechips]

Re: Lfc 2015

Still lots of views...
A program defining weekend starting tonight against a team with mostly Tier III talent.

Next comes the bottom of the other side that I'm sure will be looking other places for Lion talent and finally the LU which has underachieved and will be dangerous.

Prediction 4-2 in the last six.

 

[uscho20]

Re: Lfc 2015

I just looked at the boxscore from the weekend. A LOSS TO A 1-18-1 TEAM on Saturday night in Lake Forest. What is wrong with this team?

 

[icechips]

Re: Lfc 2015

I just looked at the boxscore from the weekend. A LOSS TO A 1-18-1 TEAM on Saturday night in Lake Forest. What is wrong with this team?

The silence is deafening.......

If I were King of the Forest, Not queen, not duke, not prince.
My regal robes of the forest, would be satin, not cotton, not chintz.
I'd command each thing, be it fish or fowl.
With a woof and a woof and a royal growl - woof.
As I'd click my heel, all the trees would kneel.
And the mountains bow and the bulls kowtow.
And the sparrow would take wing - If I - If I - were King!
Each rabbit would show respect to me.
The chipmunks genuflect to me.
Though my tail would lash, I would show compash
For every underling!
'f I - 'f I - were King!
Just King!

Will the Lions win?

 

[icechips]

Re: Lfc 2015

That's more like it! Even a hat trick + from a senior!

 

[d3hockey57]

Re: Lfc 2015

Well, that season was embarrassing.

 

[icechips]

Re: Lfc 2015

HIT THE RESET BUTTON.

So how does this program get help? With PK leading what is the direction (he and his staff read this stuff) ?

They have to admit the current structure is not working and change is needed. They need commit to changing and that they really want to WIN.

Starting February 21st it’s about developing a long list of actions to be accomplished in the off-season! The culture reset, the systems revisited, practice structure changed, players honestly evaluated (are the players in the right roles and places to succeed?). The coaching staff must step up, WHY play hockey for LFC?

Leadership selection will be important, please not another grinder who gets the Peter Taylor award for showing up and school contributions. PK should know his locker room, no more popularity contests! The room has to be solidified.

After the new captains are selected talk with them and get them some help regarding things such as structuring captains practices and workouts [develop the LFC Hockey way]. Make some phone calls and do something like sending the captains to talk structure, leadership and practices with Jeff Jackson at Notre Dame, he would help! Captain’s practices are an important part of a team’s culture so each member of the team needs to understand the rules and respect the leaders.

Other things to consider better non-conference games, a serious/fun xmas tournament, guest instructors, an overhaul of recruiting including player evaluation, places to find talent and expanding the network for finding players? The black netting must go, a large proportion of parents watch games via the Internet. PK has a ton on his plate from internships to planning parent’s weekends … some of that has to go.

Conduct a serious what’s in what’s out session, can O’Malley and Martino do?
What are road blocks? Administration, Talent, Facilities, Equipment, Player Commitment, Turnover, Location, Academics, Tuition… what is the plan to address each? What is the 1yr plan, 5yr plan?

To move this program forward will take A LOT of work.

 

[altazo]

HIT THE RESET BUTTON.

So how does this program get help? With PK leading what is the direction (he and his staff read this stuff) ?

They have to admit the current structure is not working and change is needed. They need commit to changing and that they really want to WIN.

Starting February 21st it’s about developing a long list of actions to be accomplished in the off-season! The culture reset, the systems revisited, practice structure changed, players honestly evaluated (are the players in the right roles and places to succeed?). The coaching staff must step up, WHY play hockey for LFC?

Leadership selection will be important, please not another grinder who gets the Peter Taylor award for showing up and school contributions. PK should know his locker room, no more popularity contests! The room has to be solidified.

After the new captains are selected talk with them and get them some help regarding things such as structuring captains practices and workouts [develop the LFC Hockey way]. Make some phone calls and do something like sending the captains to talk structure, leadership and practices with Jeff Jackson at Notre Dame, he would help! Captain’s practices are an important part of a team’s culture so each member of the team needs to understand the rules and respect the leaders.

Other things to consider better non-conference games, a serious/fun xmas tournament, guest instructors, an overhaul of recruiting including player evaluation, places to find talent and expanding the network for finding players? The black netting must go, a large proportion of parents watch games via the Internet. PK has a ton on his plate from internships to planning parent’s weekends … some of that has to go.

Conduct a serious what’s in what’s out session, can O’Malley and Martino do?
What are road blocks? Administration, Talent, Facilities, Equipment, Player Commitment, Turnover, Location, Academics, Tuition… what is the plan to address each? What is the 1yr plan, 5yr plan?

To move this program forward will take A LOT of work.

When did you play there?

It may be time to come to grip with the fact that winning is more important to you personally than it is to those associated with the program right now. Also maybe glance over the mission statement for NCAA D3 athletics. Schools committed to having winning D3 hockey programs are the exception rather than the norm.

Better non conference schedule? NCHA schools only have space for 5 NC games. 4 of those for LFC were UWEC, River Falls, and two against Point. That's solid...

I don't mean to be a dick. I just find it hard to believe that your ongoing negativity on some obscure Internet forum would ever lead to any positive changes.

 

[icechips]

Re: Lfc 2015

It may be time to come to grip with the fact that winning is more important to you personally than it is to those associated with the program right now.

I just find it hard to believe that your ongoing negativity on some obscure Internet forum would ever lead to any positive changes.

Dissect your own sentence "winning does not seem to be important with those associated with the program RIGHT NOW." So your stance "we just play hockey as an activity we don't actually try and win anything". Is that ok with you? I believe the program could be much much much better from many perspectives, is winning everything NO. Going through motions should not be acceptable. Want the players and students to get something out of having a varsity hockey program... compete with the other teams in our league, if you just did that you would be in the national hunt.

If you don't believe that anybody reads this forum your nuts.... this little rant has a few people reading it.... evidence... the number of views. Will it precipitate change, probably NO but it will show some discontent with the SNAFU that is currently LFC hockey.

 

[uscho20]

Re: Lfc 2015

Recruiting the last four years

2015-16
EHL – 1
MnJHL – 2
NAHL – 2
NOJHL – 1
OJHL – 3
USHS – 2
PREP – 1
USPHL – 2
WSHL – 1
TOTAL – 15
Graduated from previous season - 9
Players that did not play the following year with eligibility remaining - 3

2014-15
BCHL – 2
EHL – 1
GOJHL – 1
Midgets – 1
NAHL – 1
OJHL – 1
USPHL – 2
TOTAL – 9
Graduated from previous season – 3
Players that did not play the following year with eligibility remaining – 5

2013-14
CCHL – 2
EJHL – 1
NAHL – 2
OJHL – 2
PREP – 1
TOTAL – 8
Graduated from previous season – 4
Players that did not play the following year with eligibility remaining – 6

2012-13
CCHL – 2
NAHL – 5
OJHL – 2
PREP – 1
TOTAL – 10
Graduated from previous season – 2
Players that did not play the following year with eligibility remaining – 11


It seems that the problem is associated with the AD and ability to recruit. Adrian, St. Norbert, and St. Scholastica all recruit from the BCHL, CCHL, OJHL, and NAHL. LFC is getting too many players from Tier 3 and out East. The AD doesn't realize hockey is a unique sport with pockets of players in these Tier 2 leagues, and you can't just recruit a player by going to the local high school basketball game. Does the coaching staff have their hands tied by the AD limiting them to sending out cold calls to these Tier 3 East coast players? Do these players even visit before they commit to come to LFC anymore?

Also the retention rate of players is horrible. It feels like they just try to bring in as many Tier 3 East coast players hoping one will stick while the others quit. The AD is not doing her job by allowing this recruiting tactic.

 

[icechips]

Re: Lfc 2015

It seems that the problem is associated with the AD and ability to recruit. Adrian, St. Norbert, and St. Scholastica all recruit from the BCHL, CCHL, OJHL, and NAHL. LFC is getting too many players from Tier 3 and out East. The AD doesn't realize hockey is a unique sport with pockets of players in these Tier 2 leagues, and you can't just recruit a player by going to the local high school basketball game. Does the coaching staff have their hands tied by the AD limiting them to sending out cold calls to these Tier 3 East coast players? Do these players even visit before they commit to come to LFC anymore?

Also the retention rate of players is horrible. It feels like they just try to bring in as many Tier 3 East coast players hoping one will stick while the others quit. The AD is not doing her job by allowing this recruiting tactic.

I recognize your reservations about the AD and agree there is no creative thinking coming from the office regarding hockey. I believe the men’s hockey program does not fulfill these statements.

"LAKE FOREST COLLEGE: A Tradition of Excellence." This "excellence" is what the athletic department strives for in every aspect of our programming. All in all, we want every student involved with our program to feel they are part of a quality program, and that in some way, they add to our tradition of "excellence."

The burden to succeed falls to the coach and his staff that is why a better search should have been conducted, if they already had the right guy and he had a vision and plan, fine, promote him. The results say either time or another direction is needed. Only 1 "Well, that season was embarrassing." so no pressure to fix what is acceptable!!!

With that said how does the LFC coach succeed understanding the limitations they are up against?

Get creative!!!!!! Tap into networks of scouts, use the parents for support… have a plan and execute on it. What type of player fits at LFC and what is that profile… [Good student from lower end of USHL team, middle of the pack player from NAHL, BCHL, CCHL, OJHL, GOHL].

Talk to the High Performance Midget coaches (CYA, TI are local) give them the profile and have them recruit for you. Have a conversation with some D1 coaching staffs about kids that don’t fit their programs, give them your player profile and ask for help. Same with the Junior programs mentioned above.

It will take a ton of work and I believe the responsibility falls to the coaching staff. Don’t be happy to have the job and buckle to the AD’s wishes set your own course and move. Stop lying to the mirror that all is ok. Grow as a staff, find a way to get better.

 

[uscho20]

Re: Lfc 2015

I recognize your reservations about the AD and agree there is no creative thinking coming from the office regarding hockey. I believe the men’s hockey program does not fulfill these statements.

"LAKE FOREST COLLEGE: A Tradition of Excellence." This "excellence" is what the athletic department strives for in every aspect of our programming. All in all, we want every student involved with our program to feel they are part of a quality program, and that in some way, they add to our tradition of "excellence."

The burden to succeed falls to the coach and his staff that is why a better search should have been conducted, if they already had the right guy and he had a vision and plan, fine, promote him. The results say either time or another direction is needed. Only 1 "Well, that season was embarrassing." so no pressure to fix what is acceptable!!!

With that said how does the LFC coach succeed understanding the limitations they are up against?

Get creative!!!!!! Tap into networks of scouts, use the parents for support… have a plan and execute on it. What type of player fits at LFC and what is that profile… [Good student from lower end of USHL team, middle of the pack player from NAHL, BCHL, CCHL, OJHL, GOHL].

Talk to the High Performance Midget coaches (CYA, TI are local) give them the profile and have them recruit for you. Have a conversation with some D1 coaching staffs about kids that don’t fit their programs, give them your player profile and ask for help. Same with the Junior programs mentioned above.

It will take a ton of work and I believe the responsibility falls to the coaching staff. Don’t be happy to have the job and buckle to the AD’s wishes set your own course and move. Stop lying to the mirror that all is ok. Grow as a staff, find a way to get better.

The program will never change as long as the current AD remains in power. It starts with the recruiting and ability of the coaches to recruit players they want, not the players the AD will allow. We talk about change but what needs to be changed?

- The recruiting as mentioned.

- The online video broadcasts. Teams like Adrian do a professional grade broadcast with multiple angles, pre- and postgame interviews, and have a quality announcer. Will the AD allow them to spend money to upgrade camera equipment? Multiple cameras? Replace the black netting? Hire an announcer? The video broadcasts allow parents and potential recruits to watch the game. JV high school basketball game broadcasts are run better then the current set-up. Why wouldn't you want to display the program in the best light possible?

- Do something big. The Blackhawks seem to play an outdoor game every year. Why can't LFC play in the same venue as the Blackhawks? I'm sure they could have played a Minnesota team this year, and hosted a team at Soldier Field when the Blackhawks played there. Create a buzz in the community. Do they even market the program to other hockey followers in Illinois? Play a DI team like St. Norbert did against "Wisconsin". Jeff Jackson was brought up in this forum, so why can't they play a preseason game against Notre Dame?

None of the above will ever happen as long as they continue to do things the same.

 

[icechips]

Re: Lfc 2015

None of the above will ever happen as long as they continue to do things the same.

I agree that things need to change, I also believe the a coach can work around a bad AD.

Outside the box...How about getting local flavor to the team, maybe reach out to a Sebastian Geoffrion and get some family assistance to boot?