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LSSU Laker Hockey
- Thread starter SmartAxe
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AnchorsAway
Registered User
Re: LSSU Laker Hockey
Incorrect numbers the Lakers played 17 games against tournament participants Michigan (2), Miami (4), WMU(4), Notre Dame (5) Denver (1) UMD (1)
Their record was 2-11-4 in those games...
Incorrect numbers the Lakers played 17 games against tournament participants Michigan (2), Miami (4), WMU(4), Notre Dame (5) Denver (1) UMD (1)
Their record was 2-11-4 in those games...
Re: LSSU Laker Hockey
So the Eagles draw better for their playoff games than do the Lakers. That is sad.
Watching these tournament games, I can't help noticing the intensity with which these teams play. Every line is flying. The Lakers are able to come close to beating good teams at times, but also lose to terrible teams at times. During senior night, it was evident to me that the Lakers are losing a number of good players. Like most fans, to me these players will seem better in retrospect. I don't think the current junior class will be able to provide the same production. Predicting next year's finish in the league should be easy. I predicted top a top four finish this year, so my credibility could be an issue.
So the Eagles draw better for their playoff games than do the Lakers. That is sad.
Watching these tournament games, I can't help noticing the intensity with which these teams play. Every line is flying. The Lakers are able to come close to beating good teams at times, but also lose to terrible teams at times. During senior night, it was evident to me that the Lakers are losing a number of good players. Like most fans, to me these players will seem better in retrospect. I don't think the current junior class will be able to provide the same production. Predicting next year's finish in the league should be easy. I predicted top a top four finish this year, so my credibility could be an issue.
AnchorsAway
Registered User
AnchorsAway
Registered User
Re: LSSU Laker Hockey
Keep in mind that the playoffs took place over spring break...so thats why the attendance for those games barely broke 1,000..dont get me wrong I don't think there would have been more than 2400-2500 people there if school had been in session but it still would have been a much bigger draw then the Eagles game, so it's not necessarily fair to make that statement just using the numbers at their face value....There are only 2 juniors who play regularly in the lineup so you are right, there is no way they should be counted on to replace the senior's production....this team will essentially be the same for the next 2 seasons so it is up to the current freshman and sophomore classes to put the team on their shoulders and produce if they want to take the Lakers to heights they haven't reached in a long time....One interesting thing that I noticed while watching the tournament was during the Miami game one of the announcers mentioned that in an interview he asked Enrico Blasi what kind of system he has his players run on the PP and he said that the Redhawks have no system whatsoever, he just puts his best offensive players on the ice and lets them play hockey....Those of you who have read this forum in the past probably realize how much of a fan of Blasi's I am, so this statement is probably a little biased but I totally think the Lakers should adopt this system instead of having the players be restrained by Roque's system that is constricting and has proven to produce little results in the past....
Keep in mind that the playoffs took place over spring break...so thats why the attendance for those games barely broke 1,000..dont get me wrong I don't think there would have been more than 2400-2500 people there if school had been in session but it still would have been a much bigger draw then the Eagles game, so it's not necessarily fair to make that statement just using the numbers at their face value....There are only 2 juniors who play regularly in the lineup so you are right, there is no way they should be counted on to replace the senior's production....this team will essentially be the same for the next 2 seasons so it is up to the current freshman and sophomore classes to put the team on their shoulders and produce if they want to take the Lakers to heights they haven't reached in a long time....One interesting thing that I noticed while watching the tournament was during the Miami game one of the announcers mentioned that in an interview he asked Enrico Blasi what kind of system he has his players run on the PP and he said that the Redhawks have no system whatsoever, he just puts his best offensive players on the ice and lets them play hockey....Those of you who have read this forum in the past probably realize how much of a fan of Blasi's I am, so this statement is probably a little biased but I totally think the Lakers should adopt this system instead of having the players be restrained by Roque's system that is constricting and has proven to produce little results in the past....
Re: LSSU Laker Hockey
I am afraid the problem the Lakers have may be insurmountable...
Jackson left that program in tip-top shape (and Anzalone obviously gets much credit for building it as well).
I was not playing close attention to college hockey at the time Jackson left, so I have no idea why or how Borek was chosen; It seems to me they could have gotten a much higher profile and effective coach than him. I suspect the university wanted to get off cheap on the salary hoping that the Lake State "brand" would recruit players and the rest would take care of itself...
...Turns out they were wrong and Borek ran the program into the ground.
Returning to the Soo for a visit in '97 I heard from a reliable source that Borek changed some long standing team policies that lead to an immediate discipline problem. That program sank faster than lead a balloon.
In the interim college hockey changed, it got more competitive- the rise of Ohio State's program in the late 90's changed the CCHA. And the whole array of new DI programs (UNO, Mankato, Bemidji, and a whole mess of teams in the east) made the recruiting market tighter.
Anzalone came back, but I suspect he could no longer recruit the talent he used to. No kid wants to leave North Battleford, Saskatchewan only to end up in The Soo. South Bend, Columbus, Denver are much too enticing. And let's face it, on top of all that, Anzalone himself had become a bit of an anachronism; He's a hot-headed drill sergeant who calls line changes like he was whistling to call a dog.
So Lake State is left as a small school in a small cold-*** town that had not won in years. It will only take a very special person to turn the program around. We are now a "small market" team.
It's ironic that LSSU, once a branch of MTU, will have a hockey program that is just as hopeless as them.
I attended Lake State 89-93. I saw some KILLER hockey at (what was then) "Norris", Yost, Munn, Lawson, Ewigleben, and JLA. I saw them win their last title in St. Paul in 94. It bums me that this is now the case.
HAD Jackson's successor been able to hold it together things may be a bit different.
I am afraid the problem the Lakers have may be insurmountable...
Jackson left that program in tip-top shape (and Anzalone obviously gets much credit for building it as well).
I was not playing close attention to college hockey at the time Jackson left, so I have no idea why or how Borek was chosen; It seems to me they could have gotten a much higher profile and effective coach than him. I suspect the university wanted to get off cheap on the salary hoping that the Lake State "brand" would recruit players and the rest would take care of itself...
...Turns out they were wrong and Borek ran the program into the ground.
Returning to the Soo for a visit in '97 I heard from a reliable source that Borek changed some long standing team policies that lead to an immediate discipline problem. That program sank faster than lead a balloon.
In the interim college hockey changed, it got more competitive- the rise of Ohio State's program in the late 90's changed the CCHA. And the whole array of new DI programs (UNO, Mankato, Bemidji, and a whole mess of teams in the east) made the recruiting market tighter.
Anzalone came back, but I suspect he could no longer recruit the talent he used to. No kid wants to leave North Battleford, Saskatchewan only to end up in The Soo. South Bend, Columbus, Denver are much too enticing. And let's face it, on top of all that, Anzalone himself had become a bit of an anachronism; He's a hot-headed drill sergeant who calls line changes like he was whistling to call a dog.
So Lake State is left as a small school in a small cold-*** town that had not won in years. It will only take a very special person to turn the program around. We are now a "small market" team.
It's ironic that LSSU, once a branch of MTU, will have a hockey program that is just as hopeless as them.
I attended Lake State 89-93. I saw some KILLER hockey at (what was then) "Norris", Yost, Munn, Lawson, Ewigleben, and JLA. I saw them win their last title in St. Paul in 94. It bums me that this is now the case.
HAD Jackson's successor been able to hold it together things may be a bit different.
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Re: LSSU Laker Hockey
You are right. The recent history of Laker hockey is one of a multimillion dollar resource being squandered. At it's height, the progam produced much greater revenue, probably helped to increase enrollment, and was a source of tremendous pride to the university and community. When Coach Jackson left, the coach position was probably very attractive. Maybe Coach Borek was cheap, or recommended by Jackson, or a legitimate "up and comer." He was CCHA coach of the year once. Notably, he remains an assistant. The Laker facility is above average, and soon will be improved. I believe the next step is to invest in the people. The recruiting budget is an embarassment and as I pointed out before, the players lack adequate training and even nutrition. If the administration wishes to revive the program, I recommend increasing funding. With this increase funding comes increased responsibility. Close follow up and yearly benchmarks must be met, or the leadership must change. Remove the excuse that they can't compete because they are so sorely underfunded. I am confident the coaching staff will take that callenge. Regardless how the current staff is viewed, if they fail, legitimate coaching candidates will not consider LSSU with the current constraints. As athletic director, Mrs. Dunbar is in position to oversee this process. She knows what it takes to produce a winner. In her coaching days as women's head basketball coach, she was very effective. She needs to be given the latitude to adjust the hockey budget, implement a rigorous evaluation process, make sure the increased investment produces returns, and if necessary spearhead a search committee to sign a new coaching staff. I know the university is strapped for money, but really, the amount of investment is not that great. Modest success does not require a U of M level budget. I read speculation that the recruiting budget is $30,000. Triple it. Think how much ticket money would be generated by an additional 1500 fans per game, not to mention concessions and Laker paraphernalia. The alternative is to contract the arena seating to improve atmosphere, be content to finish at the bottom of the league, or drop to division II. Money is not the only problem, but it's a good place to start.
You are right. The recent history of Laker hockey is one of a multimillion dollar resource being squandered. At it's height, the progam produced much greater revenue, probably helped to increase enrollment, and was a source of tremendous pride to the university and community. When Coach Jackson left, the coach position was probably very attractive. Maybe Coach Borek was cheap, or recommended by Jackson, or a legitimate "up and comer." He was CCHA coach of the year once. Notably, he remains an assistant. The Laker facility is above average, and soon will be improved. I believe the next step is to invest in the people. The recruiting budget is an embarassment and as I pointed out before, the players lack adequate training and even nutrition. If the administration wishes to revive the program, I recommend increasing funding. With this increase funding comes increased responsibility. Close follow up and yearly benchmarks must be met, or the leadership must change. Remove the excuse that they can't compete because they are so sorely underfunded. I am confident the coaching staff will take that callenge. Regardless how the current staff is viewed, if they fail, legitimate coaching candidates will not consider LSSU with the current constraints. As athletic director, Mrs. Dunbar is in position to oversee this process. She knows what it takes to produce a winner. In her coaching days as women's head basketball coach, she was very effective. She needs to be given the latitude to adjust the hockey budget, implement a rigorous evaluation process, make sure the increased investment produces returns, and if necessary spearhead a search committee to sign a new coaching staff. I know the university is strapped for money, but really, the amount of investment is not that great. Modest success does not require a U of M level budget. I read speculation that the recruiting budget is $30,000. Triple it. Think how much ticket money would be generated by an additional 1500 fans per game, not to mention concessions and Laker paraphernalia. The alternative is to contract the arena seating to improve atmosphere, be content to finish at the bottom of the league, or drop to division II. Money is not the only problem, but it's a good place to start.
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Re: LSSU Laker Hockey
Compared to the Soo? It is. And with their new facility? Forget it.
Well that's something I never thought I'd see.
Compared to the Soo? It is. And with their new facility? Forget it.
Re: LSSU Laker Hockey
Well at any rate, Borek was clearly in over his head. D-III is glorified club hockey and he only had one year experience as an assistant at the D-I level before becoming the head coach of a premier Division I school. It was a colossal blunder.
Well at any rate, Borek was clearly in over his head. D-III is glorified club hockey and he only had one year experience as an assistant at the D-I level before becoming the head coach of a premier Division I school. It was a colossal blunder.
Re: LSSU Laker Hockey
Since you are discussing funding I tought I would pass along my response from AD Dunbar when I wrote her about the present coach, below is the response I received. I did remove names.
Mr. .................,
Thank you for taking the time to convey your thoughts and observations regarding our hockey program. I appreciate all feedback regarding our athletic teams. My goal is to someday get our athletic programs close to being funded to that of other institutions in our conferences. I hope with the addition of good coaching and properly funded programs all of our athletic teams can experience the success our student-athletes strive so hard to achieve.
............................................... Again, that you for you email.
Kris
Since you are discussing funding I tought I would pass along my response from AD Dunbar when I wrote her about the present coach, below is the response I received. I did remove names.
Mr. .................,
Thank you for taking the time to convey your thoughts and observations regarding our hockey program. I appreciate all feedback regarding our athletic teams. My goal is to someday get our athletic programs close to being funded to that of other institutions in our conferences. I hope with the addition of good coaching and properly funded programs all of our athletic teams can experience the success our student-athletes strive so hard to achieve.
............................................... Again, that you for you email.
Kris
AnchorsAway
Registered User
Re: LSSU Laker Hockey
I never said 2 wins out of 17 was better than 1 out of 15, I was just posting the correct information, I agree that's a terrible record any way you look at it....and no there was not "way under" 1,000 fans at the first playoff game...there wasn't many over 1,000 but take it from someone who was actually at the game instead of speculating from pictures, there was 1,000.
I received a response to my letter to Dunbar that was very similar to the response that Laker54 got, even though it is a politically correct, cookie cutter response, it is good to see that more fans are letting the AD know that we are tired of Roque behind the bench. I urge everyone who posts on this board that is not content with Roque to write to AD Dunbar at kdunbar@lssu.edu and let her know how you feel, a consistent stream of emails conveying how unhappy the fan base is with JR may help get the message across, it's at least worth a try!
2 wins out of 17 is much better than 1 win out of 15. Thanks Coach Anchors Away.
There were way under 1000 fans at the first playoff game. While I wasn't there I had pictures sent to me which had it looked like more around 500. I think the people at the gates were counting by 2.
I am not surprised people might be going elsewhere, or just had enough of this coach and the Lakers. Of course it is spring break or some other excuse to justify another year of this coach. A bounce here, a bounce there, not getting any breaks, unfair, bad luck, it would be very sad if it wasn't so hilarious the length you people go to defend this administration year after year after year after year after year after year.
His apologists on here like Bill and Neil along with many others, in your people's little villiage, his propaganda chief fellow coup member, and others which are fewer and fewer will keep Jim Roque around for a long long time.
Long enough heated rivalries against D3 schools to develop. Keep those banners clean up in the rafters in the Norris Center and remember the man responsible for your little college's NCAA championships and the man that built the program into a once powerhouse.
The Truth Is Out There....
TBA
I never said 2 wins out of 17 was better than 1 out of 15, I was just posting the correct information, I agree that's a terrible record any way you look at it....and no there was not "way under" 1,000 fans at the first playoff game...there wasn't many over 1,000 but take it from someone who was actually at the game instead of speculating from pictures, there was 1,000.
I received a response to my letter to Dunbar that was very similar to the response that Laker54 got, even though it is a politically correct, cookie cutter response, it is good to see that more fans are letting the AD know that we are tired of Roque behind the bench. I urge everyone who posts on this board that is not content with Roque to write to AD Dunbar at kdunbar@lssu.edu and let her know how you feel, a consistent stream of emails conveying how unhappy the fan base is with JR may help get the message across, it's at least worth a try!
Truth Squad
Banned
Re: LSSU Laker Hockey
Anchors Away I shouldn't lump you with the Neil's, Bill's and others of the world on here and their blind obedience to the Jim Roque agenda.
I have emailed and sent letters and you are right, more of you people up there should let the powers that be know what you think. He has very powerful friends, but if enough people speak up, and are not afraid to do so up in your little town, well maybe an administration that assumed power in the late of night can be swept away by the truth and what the fans think and want.
The Truth Is Out There....
TBA
Anchors Away I shouldn't lump you with the Neil's, Bill's and others of the world on here and their blind obedience to the Jim Roque agenda.
I have emailed and sent letters and you are right, more of you people up there should let the powers that be know what you think. He has very powerful friends, but if enough people speak up, and are not afraid to do so up in your little town, well maybe an administration that assumed power in the late of night can be swept away by the truth and what the fans think and want.
The Truth Is Out There....
TBA
Re: LSSU Laker Hockey
The Lakers did become less disciplined on ice under Borek. They took more and more penalties.
Most kids from North Battleford SK would love to play for the Lakers, or for any Div 1 program for that matter. The Lakers pulled a lot of good (but relatively unknown) players out of the SJHL during their glory years. The SJHL has never been one of the highly recruited Junior A leagues in Canada. From what I've heard, many of the better Saskatchewan kids now choose to play in the BCHL, which I think is currently considered the premier Junior A league in Canada. Not many "star" players have come out of the SJHL in quite a few years. A few come to mind. Chris Kunitz, who played at Ferris; and the Schwartz brothers who currently play at Colorado College.
If Jeff Jackson had stayed on as Laker coach, or someone more capable than Scott Borek was selected to replace him, I think the Laker program would very likely be in better shape than it is today, but it wouldn't have stayed at the same high level we all had gotten used to. A lot of things changed in the Div 1 landscape since the mid 90s. Money has become a bigger and bigger factor. Most of the larger schools started playing the "futures game", getting verbal commitments from younger and younger players. And most of these kids, especially the more talented ones, want to play for the big name schools/programs. The NCAA Clearing House also came on the scene. The reality is that LSSU has always provided an opportunity for some kids to attend college who haven't always had the best academic credentials. They still have to perform once they get to LSSU, but the admission process isn't as strict at LSSU as many other schools. And some hockey players have benefited from this. I've heard it said the guys like Brian Rolston and Doug Weight would not have qualified under the NCAA Clearing House. Whether true or not in their case, I don't know, but certainly it adds another huge factor to who you can recruit. I don't think the addition of more Div 1 programs (and thus more competition) has necessarily been as big a factor as these other issues, although certainly still a factor.
Unfortunately, money has become a huge issue on the Div 1 hockey scene and there's not much we can do about it. Sure most of us can send in some contributions to help out the Laker program, but what would really help is if a couple of wealthy Laker Hockey patrons could make some big time contributions to Laker Hockey.
Borek got the head coaching job after being at LSSU for one season as an assistant coach. He actually has a reputation as a decent recruiter (he has now been at UNH for several years as an assistant and UNH is normally a good solid team). But Borek obviously didn't fare as well as a Div 1 head coach at LSSU. The assistant coaching job is evidently more his niche. Both Roque and Rolston were assistant coaches for the Lakers up until the year Borek was hired on an as an assistant. They both left at the same time. I think there was another guy named LaFontain (or something like that) that was hired on as an assistant the same time as Borek. When Jeff Jackson left, the job was given to Borek (he did have Div 3 head coaching experience). It would be interesting to know who else applied for the job.
The Lakers did become less disciplined on ice under Borek. They took more and more penalties.
Most kids from North Battleford SK would love to play for the Lakers, or for any Div 1 program for that matter. The Lakers pulled a lot of good (but relatively unknown) players out of the SJHL during their glory years. The SJHL has never been one of the highly recruited Junior A leagues in Canada. From what I've heard, many of the better Saskatchewan kids now choose to play in the BCHL, which I think is currently considered the premier Junior A league in Canada. Not many "star" players have come out of the SJHL in quite a few years. A few come to mind. Chris Kunitz, who played at Ferris; and the Schwartz brothers who currently play at Colorado College.
If Jeff Jackson had stayed on as Laker coach, or someone more capable than Scott Borek was selected to replace him, I think the Laker program would very likely be in better shape than it is today, but it wouldn't have stayed at the same high level we all had gotten used to. A lot of things changed in the Div 1 landscape since the mid 90s. Money has become a bigger and bigger factor. Most of the larger schools started playing the "futures game", getting verbal commitments from younger and younger players. And most of these kids, especially the more talented ones, want to play for the big name schools/programs. The NCAA Clearing House also came on the scene. The reality is that LSSU has always provided an opportunity for some kids to attend college who haven't always had the best academic credentials. They still have to perform once they get to LSSU, but the admission process isn't as strict at LSSU as many other schools. And some hockey players have benefited from this. I've heard it said the guys like Brian Rolston and Doug Weight would not have qualified under the NCAA Clearing House. Whether true or not in their case, I don't know, but certainly it adds another huge factor to who you can recruit. I don't think the addition of more Div 1 programs (and thus more competition) has necessarily been as big a factor as these other issues, although certainly still a factor.
Unfortunately, money has become a huge issue on the Div 1 hockey scene and there's not much we can do about it. Sure most of us can send in some contributions to help out the Laker program, but what would really help is if a couple of wealthy Laker Hockey patrons could make some big time contributions to Laker Hockey.
Truth Squad
Banned
Re: LSSU Laker Hockey
Bill you are a master at deflecting any blame towards your golf buddy and soon to be 7-year head coach. If you weren't a former director of whatever your title was after the coup, I would swear you are a defense attorney.
Can the defense please rest?
The Truth Is Out There....
Bill you are a master at deflecting any blame towards your golf buddy and soon to be 7-year head coach. If you weren't a former director of whatever your title was after the coup, I would swear you are a defense attorney.
Can the defense please rest?
The Truth Is Out There....
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Re: LSSU Laker Hockey
Kids from SJHL WOULD have been happy to play at Lake State... WOULD that's the operative word. Now they'd rather lose in Columbus than lose in The Soo. My Reference to North Battleford was about the great Laker net minder Bruce Hoffart. Not so much about SK, but small towns in general.
I was a Freshman at Lake State the same year as Weight (lived two doors down in form him Brady Hall, though I did not really know him). The word was he was a good high school student; And since he went to Notre Dame H.S. I would assume that was the truth.
Kids from SJHL WOULD have been happy to play at Lake State... WOULD that's the operative word. Now they'd rather lose in Columbus than lose in The Soo. My Reference to North Battleford was about the great Laker net minder Bruce Hoffart. Not so much about SK, but small towns in general.
I was a Freshman at Lake State the same year as Weight (lived two doors down in form him Brady Hall, though I did not really know him). The word was he was a good high school student; And since he went to Notre Dame H.S. I would assume that was the truth.
DopeyBaker
Registered User
Re: LSSU Laker Hockey
Bill contributes more to this forum in one sentence than you have in all of your posts combined. In fact, your best post ever was:
"This is my last post."
Unfortunately and ironically, you never speak the truth.
Bill contributes more to this forum in one sentence than you have in all of your posts combined. In fact, your best post ever was:
"This is my last post."
Unfortunately and ironically, you never speak the truth.
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