LSSU Laker Hockey

[Truth Squad]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey

While things did get exciting at the end of the season with the possible playoff scenarios I still believe LSSU A.D. must make a coaching change now for several reasons.

1. The escapade with the official after the MSU game. In my profession we always spoke of the force continuum. Roques, like many coaches, argue or yell at the officials; next step in the continuum; he decided to leave the bench, after the MSU game to confront an official and makes several acquisitions afterward. What is next throwing something at an official or attacking one? The University cannot take a chance with his actions. He needs to be held accountable for his actions. Quite frankly this is enough to not renew his contract.
2. Roque's record is 82 wins, 105 losses and 39 ties for a .363 winning percentage after 6 years. Any coach with a losing record should not expect to keep his job. He has been here long enough to have his players in his system and he has not produced a winning team yet.
3. Lack of player development. I have attended quite a few games over the past six years and have yet to see very few players improve their skills from year to year. What is sad is there are some very good freshmen on this team; if Roque and his staff stay I doubt very much will ever see Kapelka, Jean, Campbell, Radke, Lain and Rave improve over the next 3 years. What about Trotman? At what point is he going to ask himself ‘can I improve here under Roque’s coaching or should I get into the Boston system to make it to the NHL’. Look at what 4 years under Roque’s coaching team did for BMW, who is/was property of the Sharks. While BMW did have a season ending injury it was very obvious he was going to be beat out of his starting job by a very good freshman! Boy what a waste! After watching several games this year I have to wonder about the players; they are busting their tails and get the same results. A losing record. It is time for a fresh start for them and the university.
4. The Lakers have become the basement dwellers for the past several years. We are all excited about the fantastic improvements coming the next couple of years to the facilities. Which hopefully kick start the program back to where it should be; this will not be accomplished with Coach Roque and his staff.
5. I find it hard to believe they are making money they could. If their attendance is 2200+- for each game; just think what they could do with a winning team. We might have crowds like the Michigan State Weekend this past January.

Several of the things I believe Lake State should look for in a new coach:
1. The new coach must bring respect back to the LSSU Hockey program. It has been my observations the Lakers have no respect from the CCHA or teams in the CCHA. After recent his recent run in with the CCHA fine and suspension, no matter our opinions of the CCHA or Roque, with these antics we will never get the respect from others.
2. He must have a proven record of selecting a proven coaching staff, recruiting quality hockey players, and most important develop those players.
3. The coach and his staff need to prepare the team both physically and mentally for each and every game. We have all talked about the ‘A’ team or ‘B’ team. Win or lose we all want to see the ‘A’ show up 100% of the time. The Lakers are not far from showing some great things now if the new coach can get the ‘A’ to show up for every period and game. Heck if they showed up 90% of the time it would improve their record greatly.
4. He needs to be a communicator with the young players, the University, community and the fan base. He must be able to communicate with past players to have them come back to help with the preparation of players. My son meet Roque at a Alumni event during the series in Bowling Green this past January and was brushed off by him after he made several negative comments to him.

I intend to send an e-mail to the A.D. expressing my view point about making a coaching change now. I would encourage others to do the same.

You can point out the back to back to back to back losing seasons, the fines, reprimands and embarrassment off the ice with filing police reports on linesmen, players all of the sudden gone with no questions four for five over the years that I know of and I don't live there, attendance going down every season, bus rides home and activities, and the covering up by the good old boys up in your little town and by his golf buddy on the mic, but all you have to do is look at Western Michigan and what their coach did, who as hard as it is to believe, is from your little town, and where they are at. Last place and worse way worse than the Lakers last season and in the CCHA final this season. I know the Roque defenders and attack dogs will demean me, former great coaches and say it doesn't matter but you people are only fooling yourselves to think otherwise.

You people up there have done well, despite everything, to keep this administration in tact for another three of four years. You did well to squash the talk of the coach being replaced. I am sure season seven will be another hit and the conversation will be changed to the 2012-2013 season by December and the Neil's and Bill's of this forum and their blind love for this administration will talk about next year once again early next season.

The A.D. would either have to be blind, deaf or there is something preventing her from making a move. This is not a man you want to cross and with the rhetoric ramped up this year in his defense on the forum and on the air, makes you wonder why?

The Truth Is Out There....

 

[AnchorsAway]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey

Rick Schofield has signed a deal with the Anaheim Ducks and will be reporting to Syracuse of the AHL

 

[DopeyBaker]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey

You can point out the back to back to back to back losing seasons, the fines, reprimands and embarrassment off the ice with filing police reports on linesmen, players all of the sudden gone with no questions four for five over the years that I know of and I don't live there, attendance going down every season, bus rides home and activities, and the covering up by the good old boys up in your little town and by his golf buddy on the mic, but all you have to do is look at Western Michigan and what their coach did, who as hard as it is to believe, is from your little town, and where they are at. Last place and worse way worse than the Lakers last season and in the CCHA final this season. I know the Roque defenders and attack dogs will demean me, former great coaches and say it doesn't matter but you people are only fooling yourselves to think otherwise.

You people up there have done well, despite everything, to keep this administration in tact for another three of four years. You did well to squash the talk of the coach being replaced. I am sure season seven will be another hit and the conversation will be changed to the 2012-2013 season by December and the Neil's and Bill's of this forum and their blind love for this administration will talk about next year once again early next season.

The A.D. would either have to be blind, deaf or there is something preventing her from making a move. This is not a man you want to cross and with the rhetoric ramped up this year in his defense on the forum and on the air, makes you wonder why?

The Truth Is Out There....

It sounds like you are about to cry, Truth Squad. Perhaps you need a hug from BJR or TruthSerum.

 

[sm2pk]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey

I have been around Laker hockey for decades and know most/all of the people involved. I have heard nothing from anyone about a decision on the coach's future. I could be wrong but I just do not see it happening. If it did, chances would be high that many posters on this board would be making the same comments about a new guy within 3 years. The three recent changes in coaches in the CCHA had moixed results. OSU - neutral, BG -still in the basement, and WMU - last to 4th. WMU, however, has had a long history of underperforming.

Also, the emergence of a Big Ten league could greatly affect the future of Laker Hockey. Someone even mentioned that Ferris and LSSU have considered dropping their programs. I haven't heard that but it is out there. State funding is a critical issue.

You have made some good comments but I do take exception with one. You mentioned that Roque's first two years were with Anzalone's players. Asst coached typically do the bulk of the recruiting and it was Jim Roque who recruited Jeff Jaikitis. I believe the story was that a goalie recruit reneged in August and they needed another goaltender ASAP. Roque called Jaikitis and he came on short notice. Frank probably never met him until he came to school.

Everyone has their views on Roque's coaching ability but he has always been considered a pretty good recruiter when he was an assistant.

Didn't 3dognight tell us that Lake State has made a 10 year commitment to the hockey program beginning with the new program that starts in 2012 ?

 

[Laker Dude]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey

Didn't 3dognight tell us that Lake State has made a 10 year commitment to the hockey program beginning with the new program that starts in 2012 ?

I do remember that he made a statement that the school would keep the hockey program through at least 2022. He said that at some point last September.

 

[MeridianStreet]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey

Didn't 3dognight tell us that Lake State has made a 10 year commitment to the hockey program beginning with the new program that starts in 2012 ?

I guess I remember seeing that comment. However, in today's fast changing environment and economic climate, I would be surprised to see the school make that commitment. how could they be held to it? Given today's economic realities one wouldn't even want to commit to Lake Superior State's existence in 10 years. Everyone talks up education but that is what is being cut. Lake State needs to get student numbers above 3,000 ASAP.

 

[sm2pk]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey

It is not the wins that has me saying the Lakers need a coaching change,it is the losses. In the last five years the teams losses have run from 17 to 20 every year under Roque and if those losses always stay in that 17-20 range,the Lakers stay in the 9th -last place finish as well. I think everyone on here almost knows for certain the Lakers will once again be facing 17-20 losses next season already and the coaches and media polls will have them in the bottom 3 of the league come September. It is time to just change things up.

 

[DopeyBaker]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey

Here is a little blurb on the Big Ten conference: http://www.detnews.com/article/2011...ould-become-official-Big-Ten-sport-by-2013-14

 

[LSSULaker889294]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey

It's official. The Big Ten Conference is starting in 2013-2014. The Sault needs to support LSSU hockey more than ever these next few years.

 

[Truth Squad]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey

It's official. The Big Ten Conference is starting in 2013-2014. The Sault needs to support LSSU hockey more than ever these next few years.

You want that to happen you have to give the people of your little town a reason to support it. Look at the attendance this season other than Michigan State and especially the playoffs where there were more like 500-700 people in the crowd each night according to the pictures.

I don't think the rally around Roque is going to hold much water up there besides his buddies and blind supporters on here and his inner circle that keeps his job up there.

You put in a new coach, or brought a legend back, and that would get people excited up at your little school. A conference without Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame and Ohio State and year 10 of this administration in 2013 isn't going to exactly pack em in.

The Truth Is Out There.....
TBA

 

[Laker54]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey

You put in a new coach, or brought a legend back, and that would get people excited up at your little school. A conference without Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame and Ohio State and year 10 of this administration in 2013 isn't going to exactly pack em in.

The Truth Is Out There.....
TBA

Notre Dame will not be apart of the Big Ten Conf. in hockey. The Big Ten has a rule that a college cannot be in the conference for 1 sport only; its in all the way or not at all.

 

[DopeyBaker]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey

Another Big Ten hockey piece: http://www.detnews.com/article/2011...ports/Big-Ten-would-take-big-bite-out-of-CCHA

 

[Buck LeVasseur]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey

I'm really not all that worried about the Big 10 conference, all in all I think it will be good for Laker hockey. This year the Lakers hosted one Big 10 team (not counting the playoffs.) Everyone is so worried about lost ticket sales, I don't think an increase in 500-1000 tickets one weekend a season is going to make or break the budget. Assuming the CCHA keeps Miami and Notre Dame (which I think the will) the Lakers will be in a conference where they are capable of winning some games. I think if you put a winner in Taffey Abel that the fans will come back. Depending on a spike in ticket sales based on bigger schools coming to town isn't a long term plan to success. Having a team win games and is fun to watch would go a long ways in the attendance issues. With only an 8 team conference there would be more room for out of conference games, and based on one of the articles posted in here, the Big 10 conference would still work to maintain strong ties to the CCHA. This team doesn't have the resources to compete with schools like Michigan and Michigan State several times a season within conference. Whether we like it or not, LSSU is a "mid-major" and the glory days of the early 90's aren't coming back anytime soon. That doesn't mean that we can't be like Butler or George Mason. I think we fit better in that role than going toe to toe in the same conference with Big 10 schools. Plus, college hockey needs a shot in the arm. Hopefully the Big 10 conference can give it that. But, like Truth said, the Lakers need to make a coaching change now and start winning some games. Holding off until the Big 10 teams leave to make a change would be a mistake and would really set this team back. This administration needs to be proactive and understand that it is going to take a few years to change the culture and get fans back in the seats.

 

[sm2pk]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey

Last 5 seasons under Roque the losses have been 17-20 games each season and you are going nowhere with loses at those numbers . The one thing Roque has shown he is capable of coaching.......an average of 18 games a year in loses.

 

[Laker54]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey

Last 5 seasons under Roque the losses have been 17-20 games each season and you are going nowhere with loses at those numbers . The one thing Roque has shown he is capable of coaching.......an average of 18 games a year in loses.

I have not changed my mind about the need for a change and don't see me changing it anytime soon. But the longer there is no announcement the chances are he will stay. I also saw a brouchure on the LSSU website promoting a hockey camp this summer with Roque. After an experience this past weekend I see where he has lots of friends and no one seemed concerned he would be leaving. When the University announced the big donation for the Norris Center I thought they said he was instrumental in closing the deal. It doesn't look good for the team and the fans at this point in time. We can only hope.

 

[DopeyBaker]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey

Rich Schofield signs with Anaheim Ducks: http://www.lssulakers.com/sports/m-hockey/2010-11/releases/Schofield_Signing

Will Acton signs with Toronto Marlies: http://www.lssulakers.com/sports/m-hockey/2010-11/releases/Acton-Marlies


Looks like they will play against each other next Wednesday.

 

[sm2pk]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey

I have not changed my mind about the need for a change and don't see me changing it anytime soon. But the longer there is no announcement the chances are he will stay. I also saw a brouchure on the LSSU website promoting a hockey camp this summer with Roque. After an experience this past weekend I see where he has lots of friends and no one seemed concerned he would be leaving. When the University announced the big donation for the Norris Center I thought they said he was instrumental in closing the deal. It doesn't look good for the team and the fans at this point in time. We can only hope.

Roque isn't going anywhere and we all know it. I am sure at this point it is the recruits,to many freshmen, injuries,etc.etc.etc that gets the blame for each losing season . Some people are better at selling themselves than actually performing and this may very well be the case with the coaching staff at Lake State.

 

[Truth Serum]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey

Roque isn't going anywhere and we all know it. I am sure at this point it is the recruits,to many freshmen, injuries,etc.etc.etc that gets the blame for each losing season . Some people are better at selling themselves than actually performing and this may very well be the case with the coaching staff at Lake State.

You are correct and a never ending list of excuses by this coach, his pr spokesman, and many on here will once again be on full display.

I think you hit the nail on the head when you say selling himself. It has been mentioned on here before the inner circle of supporters this head coach has around the University and around Sault Ste. Marie. Despite six years of mediocre success at best, issues with players on and off the ice, and issues in general on and off the ice, he manages to come out of it slick and clean as a whistle.

When there are small crowds, it is because of spring break, other games going on and always something else. When they lose another big game it is a bounce here, a deflection there and always because of something else. When the team comes out one night like gangbusters and the other night flat, the boys are working hard and they will turn it around and always something else. When the head coach embarrasses himself by filing a police report on an linesman, it isn't his fault or you can't question him, it is always something else.

The list goes on and on and we have heard the same old tired excuses for over six years now. Jim Roque does not equal Laker hockey. You can be against his administration and still support the team and the University. As a matter of fact I think if you truly do support the team and the Lakers you would be leading the charge for a new coach, a new direction and not the same old tired, lame and blameless excuses that will be told in the weeks, months and years to come.

Like many have said this coach ain't going anywhere, he either has the right supporters or says the right things to the right people, or maybe there is something else he has as his trump card that only his inner circle knows about where the university can't do anything?

 

[Buck LeVasseur]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey

Tom Anastos is stepping down as commissioner of the CCHA to take over as head coach of MSU. Color me surprised. And pleased. Hopefully the CCHA finds a better commissioner this time.

 

[Bill]

Re: LSSU Laker Hockey

Tom Anastos is stepping down as commissioner of the CCHA to take over as head coach of MSU. Color me surprised. And pleased. Hopefully the CCHA finds a better commissioner this time.

Yah, despite all his MSU connections/history, it's surprising they didn't go after someone with more coaching experience.