LSSU Laker Hockey

[Lakerchum]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey

If it is simply about location then how do you explain Northern Michigan's ability to attract 10 players from the USHL, five from the BCHL/AHL and even one from Europe?

Location may play some small part in the Lakers inability to garner talent from the elite leagues but there is obviously much more to it than that. I happen to feel that there is a conscious decision on the part of the coaching staff to recruit heavily from the OPJHL ranks.

Well because NMU has a bigger budget than Lake State, a coach with credentials, a coaching staff that has the money to go recruit kids wherever they are and most anytime they want, a student section that goes to the games, maybe a university that really puts money into their hockey program and a university that makes it to the ncaa tourney once in a while because of all of the above!

Someone else posted on here that NMU, LSSU and FSU have about the same recruiting budget. Well if NMU can get kids from Europe and british columbia and alberta i'd say they have more money, wouldnt you. I will agree with you that the lssu coaching staff does concentrate heavily in canada. Why is this? I guess that would be a good question for the coaches.

 

[Lakerchum]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey

If it is simply about location then how do you explain Northern Michigan's ability to attract 10 players from the USHL, five from the BCHL/AHL and even one from Europe?

I think the coaching staff does a pretty good job with the kids they do get though. Just need to keep trying to bring in better kids and keep working with em.

 

[Buck LeVasseur]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey

Well because NMU has a bigger budget than Lake State, a coach with credentials, a coaching staff that has the money to go recruit kids wherever they are and most anytime they want, a student section that goes to the games, maybe a university that really puts money into their hockey program and a university that makes it to the ncaa tourney once in a while because of all of the above!

Someone else posted on here that NMU, LSSU and FSU have about the same recruiting budget. Well if NMU can get kids from Europe and british columbia and alberta i'd say they have more money, wouldnt you. I will agree with you that the lssu coaching staff does concentrate heavily in canada. Why is this? I guess that would be a good question for the coaches.

You can't just simply look at where players come from and make conclusions based on recruiting budgets from that. The data is out there (to an extent) and based on that data it isn't much of a jump at all to say that NMU and LSSU have relatively similar recruiting budgets. If the recruiting is anything like the budget elsewhere on campus, I don't think it would be a stretch to say Northern is a lot more efficient at spending their money than LSSU is.

 

[AnchorsAway]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey

Well because NMU has a bigger budget than Lake State, a coach with credentials, a coaching staff that has the money to go recruit kids wherever they are and most anytime they want, a student section that goes to the games, maybe a university that really puts money into their hockey program and a university that makes it to the ncaa tourney once in a while because of all of the above!

Someone else posted on here that NMU, LSSU and FSU have about the same recruiting budget. Well if NMU can get kids from Europe and british columbia and alberta i'd say they have more money, wouldnt you. I will agree with you that the lssu coaching staff does concentrate heavily in canada. Why is this? I guess that would be a good question for the coaches.

The location of some of the players is a little misleading, Hanson and Gustafsson (another swede who was a stud with NMU but signed with the Flyers AHL team last year) were both from Sweden but NMU did not go over there to recruit them, I saw a segment on the both of them last year (I can't remember if it was an NMU prodcution or CCHA weekly or something) that said that they both came over to the U.S. and attended hockey camps at a couple of different schools and they both said that one of the main reasons they chose Northern was because the size of Marquette and it's proximity to water reminded both of them alot of their respective hometowns in Sweden so that made them feel more comfortable at NMU so the budget or lack thereof didn't really tip the scales for NMU in those situations as much as it was a fortunate geographical coincidence...

Also as far as the Alberta players go I know for a fact that one of their Alberta born players (who happens to be one of their best) had only been courted by NMU through phone calls and once again fortune kind of fell in NMU's favor because NMU had him in for a visit right after he took a visit to Minnesota State within which the head coach there basically told him the only reason they had him visit was because one of the assistant coaches there was high on him and that the head coach basically didn't give a rip whether he signed with them or not....the player was put off by this and upon getting to Marquette was treated with a lot of respect felt wanted by the NMU staff and ended up committing to them even though he admitted he originally didn't give the school much thought and only agreed to the visit to NMU because he knew he would already be down in the same general vicinity of North America because of his Minny State visit...his committment stuck and the rest as they say, is history. So for those two situations I can say knowledgeably that the budget didn't play a factor it was just convienient sets of circumstances....keep in mind that none of this explains why FSU and NMU have so much more success bringing in USHL players...

 

[sm2pk]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey

That's a very shallow and simplistic way of looking at things. A couple of (good/bad) breaks and a hot goalie can change your fortunes (in either direction) very quickly in a 2-game playoff series. If you're an athletic director, you have to look at the overall state of the program. Is it where you want it to be? If not, do you feel it is moving in the right direction? When making important decisions, you gather as much data as you can. Why base a decision on a playoff series when you have a 6-year track record? In addition to win-loss records, I'm sure the athletic director would also look at things like academic success rates, ticket revenues, public relations, off-ice issues, etc.

I believe if they get knocked out in the first round,there should not even be an argument on giving the coaching staff a new contract . This
program cannot get over the hump and it is time to look for a new staff with new ideas .

 

[DB Cooper]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey

Thank you for the thoughtful posts.

I believe focusing on the leagues from which the Laker staff recruits is not addressing the main problem. The paramount issue is player development, especially if one subscribes to the belief that the Laker staff must settle for less polished prospects. What is the difference between a player such as Schofield, and numerous Lakers who have stagnated or even regressed in their time at LSSU? To rephrase a previous post, I perceive a team culture with too few consequences for poor play. A culture in which ice time is given to players who underperform due to poor effort or bad attitude. I would love to see a short, hungry bench this weekend. One that plays with desperation. At this point in the season, a performance such as the one mailed in by this team at OSU saturday is unacceptable.

Can this coaching staff learn to maximize the performance of college age hockey players? The evidence to this point is not encouraging.

 

[PerkyforPrez]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey

I understand what your saying about earning the ice time but i think if they use a short bench the saturday team will show up in the third period friday and run out of gas. Anchors your input on what ifs depending on how the playoffs go is dead on how i have been feeling, great job. I have put my feelings on the back burner that i have for the coaching staff because i would rather just concern myself with cheering for the team. It's not that i don't agree with some of the things that the three headed truth monster says ( frank would never come back on his accord or the schools ) but when the season is over then the hounds will be freed.

 

[sm2pk]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey

Thank you for the thoughtful posts.

I believe focusing on the leagues from which the Laker staff recruits is not addressing the main problem. The paramount issue is player development, especially if one subscribes to the belief that the Laker staff must settle for less polished prospects. What is the difference between a player such as Schofield, and numerous Lakers who have stagnated or even regressed in their time at LSSU? To rephrase a previous post, I percieve a team culture with too few consequences for poor play. A culture in which ice time is given to players who underperform due to poor effort or bad attitude. I would love to see a short, hungry bench this weekend. One that plays with desparation. At this point in the season, a performance such as the one mailed in by this team at OSU saturday is unacceptable.

Can this coaching staff learn to maximize the performance of college age hockey players? The evidence to this point is not encouraging.

If Cassiani is to be used as an example of not developing this year than no one can be used. His first year has been his best.His second year was worse than his first.and his third year has been down right disappointing. His 4th year at the current trend should give him a total of 2 assist for his senior year. I thought Campbell was the much sought after player who was going to bring offense to the team and we know how that has gone.

 

[Laker Dude]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey

Ferris won in a shootout tonight. The Lakers remain 1 point ahead of Ohio State for the final home ice spot. A win tomorrow now guarantees the Lakers no worse then 7th.

With Ohio State gaining a point tonight, MSU is now guaranteed to finish 10th. BG will be 11th and Miami 3rd, as was stated previously.

 

[Mogerfan]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey

A win tomorrow now guarantees the Lakers no worse then 7th.

With Ohio State gaining a point tonight, MSU is now guaranteed to finish 10th. BG will be 11th and Miami 3rd, as was stated previously.

I'm sure the bean counters at Lake State would love a 7th place finish and two (or three) home dates against MSU. Students or not, I have to think a playoff game against MSU would draw nice crowds.

 

[LSSULaker889294]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey

Ferris won in a shootout tonight. The Lakers remain 1 point ahead of Ohio State for the final home ice spot. A win tomorrow now guarantees the Lakers no worse then 7th.

A Ferris State win in regulation or overtime tomorrow guarantees Lakers at least first round home ice no matter how they do this weekend. Lakers however now have to pick up at least four points to have any chance of a first round bye.

 

[Zgrande]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey

I perceive a team culture with too few consequences for poor play. A culture in which ice time is given to players who underperform due to poor effort or bad attitude.

Dan Barczuk says hi.

Oh yeah, he is no longer on the team because the coach did not like his performance. He tried sitting him. That did not work. So he was cut.

What more do you want?

Yes, this is only one example, and maybe there need to be more, but it is not like poor or unruly play has no consequences at LSSU.

 

[LSSULaker889294]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey

My Predictions:
Friday: LSSU 2 Miami 2 (LSSU wins shootout)
Saturday: Miami 3 LSSU 1

So pumped up for this weekend!

 

[SmartAxe]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey

...Location may play some small part in the Lakers inability to garner talent from the elite leagues but there is obviously much more to it than that. I happen to feel that there is a conscious decision on the part of the coaching staff to recruit heavily from the OPJHL ranks.

Bingo! Nail.. head.. you just hit it.
Anyone want to know why Ferris pulls a bunch of kids from the USHL? Because they choose to recruit there. Bob Daniels has also made it no secret that he chooses to recruit as many Michigan born kids as possible, because growing up here they're already familiar with NCAA hockey. Kids that are familiar with college hockey programs don't have to be taught the rivalries that exist between schools/teams when they show up on campus for the first time with their hockey gear. They already know how big each game is and what is riding on it. Kids recruited from other areas have no idea who Ferris, Northern or LSSU is, let alone their long time rivalries with what other teams in the league.

And as a besides the point. Roque mentioned when they hired Metro on the coaching staff, that part of the reason was his connections with the USHL and how he thought that may open some recruiting avenues in that league. Glad that seems to be working out for him... That's not a dig on Metro so don't take it as such. It's just that Roque's statement holds little water with what we've seen in the past number of years.

 

[backbencher]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey

I perceive a team culture with too few consequences for poor play. A culture in which ice time is given to players who underperform due to poor effort or bad attitude. I would love to see a short, hungry bench this weekend. One that plays with desperation. At this point in the season, a performance such as the one mailed in by this team at OSU saturday is unacceptable.
Can this coaching staff learn to maximize the performance of college age hockey players? The evidence to this point is not encouraging.

Dan Barczuk says hi.
Oh yeah, he is no longer on the team because the coach did not like his performance. He tried sitting him. That did not work. So he was cut.
What more do you want?
Yes, this is only one example, and maybe there need to be more, but it is not like poor or unruly play has no consequences at LSSU.

May be the coaches should try talking, explaining ... inspiring.
Most famous past and present coaches are said to be tough but close to their players, and always fair and predictable. When a player sits, he knows why, and when he plays, he knows what he has to do to stay.
Being soft and distant (or soft because distant), hurts confidence, consistency and development.

 

[DB Cooper]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey

Dan Barczuk says hi.

Oh yeah, he is no longer on the team because the coach did not like his performance. He tried sitting him. That did not work. So he was cut.

What more do you want?

Yes, this is only one example, and maybe there need to be more, but it is not like poor or unruly play has no consequences at LSSU.

Hi Dan
Good post. I think your point is well taken. Another example I remember form this year is Trotman being a healthy scratch for a game or two last fall. I am not trying to argue both sides of the issue, but if there are some consequences for uninspired play, then why does it continue? I am not an insider. Why does it seem not all the players are pulling in the same direction? I believe the coaches have sufficient experience and knowledge, and have engaging personalities. Mavbe it is as simple as a talent gap between the Lakers and other CCHA teams. I think the prompt improvement of WMU with Blashill as the new coach indicates once again the importance of a winning culture, on a team with limited talent (sorry Broncos). Look at the rise of Miami, fairly quickly, when they hired Enrico. That might not be a fair example however, as the university dumped a ton of money into the program at the same time. A piece of the puzzle is chronically missing from this Laker program. I hope the players and coaches can find it.

See you at the Norris Center tonight. Go Lakers - Send the Red Hawks home pointless.

 

[Laker Dude]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey

A Ferris State win in regulation or overtime tomorrow guarantees Lakers at least first round home ice no matter how they do this weekend. Lakers however now have to pick up at least four points to have any chance of a first round bye.

I think that it will help out with confidence if they can win a game this weekend rather then relying on Ferris beating Ohio State tonight.

 

[Laker Dude]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey

My prediction for the weekend:
Friday - LSSU 2 Maimi 1
Saturday - LSSU 3 Miami 2 (in overtime)

 

[Laker Dude]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey

A Ferris State win in regulation or overtime tomorrow guarantees Lakers at least first round home ice no matter how they do this weekend. Lakers however now have to pick up at least four points to have any chance of a first round bye.

Ferris just went up 2-1 with 2 minutes to go. That is about the only good news of the night so far.

 

[LSSULaker889294]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey

Horrible game, but we have home ice for the first round. We will play either Ohio State (most likely), Michigan State, or Bowling Green. Thanks so much Ferris. The situation is:

Play OSU- We get one point or zero tomorrow.
Play MSU- We win in a shootout tomorrow.
Play BGSU- We get three points and NMU gets zero tomorrow.

Miami just flat out dominated from start to finish tonight. At least it was nice to Ravn get some playing time.