Re: LSSU Lakers 2014-15
How do you know that ? By their record so far this season .
How do you know that ? By their record so far this season .
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LSSU Lakers 2014-15
- Thread starter Bill
- Start date
Seawolf Fan
New member
Re: LSSU Lakers 2014-15
What were the expectations? A championship team? Lets deal with the real world. He's heading in the right direction.
By the no quit in them. By the improvement over recent years. By the level of play they are bringing every game win or lose. Say it the way it is: Whitten comes in with no time to prepare, takes a team with no defense, no offense and puts a product on the ice that is at least competitive.How do you know that ? By their record so far this season .
What were the expectations? A championship team? Lets deal with the real world. He's heading in the right direction.
RapidsCity
New member
Re: LSSU Lakers 2014-15
It's a young team that is struggling. It's going to take time before this is a good team. I wouldn't bet on this team making the playoffs this year.
It's a young team that is struggling. It's going to take time before this is a good team. I wouldn't bet on this team making the playoffs this year.
Re: LSSU Lakers 2014-15
I think in a year or two we will have a better idea how well Whitton is doing but this year, I think the best idea we will get is how well the players have gotten by the end of the season and we are not there yet.
By the no quit in them. By the improvement over recent years. By the level of play they are bringing every game win or lose. Say it the way it is: Whitten comes in with no time to prepare, takes a team with no defense, no offense and puts a product on the ice that is at least competitive.
What were the expectations? A championship team? Lets deal with the real world. He's heading in the right direction.
I think in a year or two we will have a better idea how well Whitton is doing but this year, I think the best idea we will get is how well the players have gotten by the end of the season and we are not there yet.
LSSULaker889294
Registered User
Re: LSSU Lakers 2014-15
It will probably come down between us and UAH for the last WCHA playoff spot. The UAH series in the Sault in mid February will be huge.
It's a young team that is struggling. It's going to take time before this is a good team. I wouldn't bet on this team making the playoffs this year.
It will probably come down between us and UAH for the last WCHA playoff spot. The UAH series in the Sault in mid February will be huge.
Laker Dude
Registered User
delay of game in third was the worst call I have ever seen. Any explanation on the radio broadcast? Ref did not even have the guts to talk to whitton when he went to complain after the game
PerkyforPrez
Registered User
Re: LSSU Lakers 2014-15
The radio guy said it was because the Lakers were trying to change on icing calls and the refs had enough. I think it's cheap.
The radio guy said it was because the Lakers were trying to change on icing calls and the refs had enough. I think it's cheap.
Laker Dude
Registered User
The radio guy said it was because the Lakers were trying to change on icing calls and the refs had enough. I think it's cheap.
Cheap call for sure. May be time to start having neutral refs at non conference games. Overall I thougt the lakers were much better this weekend then when I saw them at notre dame.
Re: LSSU Lakers 2014-15
This is more than a young team that is struggling . This is a team that appears to have very little skills. They can't work the power play. They have very little offense if any at all. They have very little defense if any at all. Goal tending is suspect at best and seems two of the three goalies are no longer being considered for playing time at all. They are at the bottom or near the bottom in every stat out there. They lead the nation in losses .
The second half of the season should answer some questions about this team. Are they going to get better or are they going to end up with the most losses for a season in Laker history. Roque was given nine years to build this program and now Whitton deserves the same consideration but to say this is a young team struggling is probably understated .
It's a young team that is struggling. It's going to take time before this is a good team. I wouldn't bet on this team making the playoffs this year.
This is more than a young team that is struggling . This is a team that appears to have very little skills. They can't work the power play. They have very little offense if any at all. They have very little defense if any at all. Goal tending is suspect at best and seems two of the three goalies are no longer being considered for playing time at all. They are at the bottom or near the bottom in every stat out there. They lead the nation in losses .
The second half of the season should answer some questions about this team. Are they going to get better or are they going to end up with the most losses for a season in Laker history. Roque was given nine years to build this program and now Whitton deserves the same consideration but to say this is a young team struggling is probably understated .
Re: LSSU Lakers 2014-15
Press release is out on the November signing period recruits:
http://www.lssulakers.com/sports/m-hockey/2014-15/releases/NLI_Recap
Press release is out on the November signing period recruits:
http://www.lssulakers.com/sports/m-hockey/2014-15/releases/NLI_Recap
PaulVanWagoner
New member
Re: LSSU Lakers 2014-15
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 7, 2014
Lakers sign eight hockey players during national signing period
SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich.-- Lake Superior State has officially received eight National Letters of Intent from throughout the junior hockey ranks. When broken down, the Lakers have signed five forwards and three defensemen.
The group of five forwards consists of Ian Johnston (Kanata, Ont.), Bryan Basilico (Macomb, Mich.), Anthony Nellis (Breakeyville, Que.), Gage Torrel (Monticello, Minn.), and Diego Cuglietta (Kamloops, B.C.).
Johnston (1997 birth year), the youngest of the forwards, currently plays for the Kanata Lasers of the Central Canadian Hockey League. So far on the season, Johnston leads the Lasers in points with 10-15--25 in 32 games played. As a 16 year old, Johnston led the 2013 Ontario Gold Cup Tournament in scoring with 7-5—12 in five games. The tournament invites the top 16-year-old talent in Ontario every year.
“As a young player in the CCHL, Ian has been an offensive force,” LSSU hockey coach Damon Whitten said. “He is a threat to create offense every time he touches the ice. He possesses great stick skills and an elite vision. Ian is at his most dangerous as a playmaker but has also shown an excellent ability to score on his own.”
Basilico (’95), a 6-3, 203-pound forward, currently plays for the Trail Smoke Eaters of the British Columbia Hockey League. After spending time sampling three different United States Hockey League teams, Basilico has found his home in Trail. Last season, his first with the club, Basilico tallied 16-16--32 in 48 games played. This season he has 6-13--19 in 21 games.
"In Bryan we are getting a big strong kid who is an elite athlete,” Whitten said. “He was being recruited by Division 1 football programs a few short years ago until he decided to fully focus on hockey.”
Nellis (’94) stands 6-feet tall and weighs in at 183 pounds. The center from has been playing for Pembroke Lumber Kings of the CCHL this season, following three seasons in the Quebec Junior Hockey League. In 149 games at the QJAAAHL level, Nellis posted 64-99--163 and a plus/minus of +26. Nellis currently has 18-24--42 in 32 games played for Pembroke.
"In Anthony we see another dangerous offensive threat,” Whitten said. “He has a great skill set and can thrive as a distributor of the puck or as a finisher, and we were drawn to that versatility. When Anthony gets a scoring chance he shoots to score and has a natural ability to finish. He also has versatility to play all three forward positions and play up top on the power play, so there are a lot of ways we can get him involved."
Torrel (’94, 5-9, 165-pounds) signed with the Lakers after stops in the North American Hockey League, USHL and BCHL. This season he is second on the Langley Rivermen in points, posting 11-15--26 in 27 games.
"Gage comes from great bloodlines and a total hockey family,” said Whitten. “Growing up in this environment has allowed Gage to develop a high hockey IQ. Gage's reads, positioning and competition level are a real strength to his game. He has also been a leader everywhere he has been and will be expected to continue to contribute offensively at our level.”
Rounding out the forwards during the fall signing period is Diego Cuglietta. Cuglietta (’95, 5-11, 174-pounds) is currently in his second season with the Merritt Centennials of the BCHL. Last season Cuglietta amassed 19-37--56 in 53 games. He was a teammate of current Laker Scott Patterson last season for the Centennials.
"We tried to bring Diego in with us last year and felt like he was ready,” Whitten said. “To his credit he had made a commitment to return to Merritt in hopes of leading his team to a championship year and honored that commitment. It took us a year longer to get him then we initially wanted but we are excited to add a player of his caliber to our program. Diego led his team in scoring last year and was among the top scorers in the BCHL. We expect his offensive contributions to continue at our level.”
The defensive trio of prospects is headed by Garden River, Ont., First Nation member, Owen Headrick (’97). The 5-10, 190-pound blueliner from across the St. Mary’s River impressed the LSSU staff during his time spent with his hometown Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League. Last season Headrick scored 8-23--31 in 56 games as a Thunderbird en rout to winning the NOJHL’s Rookie of the Year award. He’s currently rehabbing an injury and hoping to crack the Lakers’ squad next season.
"Owen brings a great skill set to our back end,” Whitten said. “He has very good mobility and skating ability which is what we are looking for in our recruiting. Owen has excellent vision and stick skills, which will generate offense from the offensive blue line and on the power play. We’re thrilled to be able to keep a player of his caliber right at home in Sault Ste. Marie."
Another defensive prospect is Colin Saccoman (’97) of Shattuck St. Mary’s. The 6-1, 174-pound prep standout from Stillwater, Minn. is currently completing his final year of high school. Last season Saccoman posted 7-8--15 in 48 games.
“Colin is a tremendous student who values all aspects of becoming a student-athlete at LSSU,” Whitten said. “Hockey-wise, he brings a mix of everything to our blue line. He has good size, good skating and good athleticism. He has a real bite and nastiness to his game, which we love about him.”
The eldest of the blue line signees is Matt McArdle (’95), a 5-11, 183-pound defenseman from Annapolis, Md. McArdle is in his second stint with the USHL, this year playing for the Fargo Force. Last season McArdle split time between the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the USHL and the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees of the NAHL.
"Matt will arrive on campus with an experienced game at both the junior and prep levels,” Whitten said. “He has had great coaching from Shattuck St. Mary's to the NAHL and USHL, and we expect that experience and development to enable a smooth transition to the college game. Matt is a smooth skating defenseman who makes a good first pass and is a responsible defender. Like most Shattuck alumni, he is a dedicated student and will also excel in the classroom.”
This is Whitten’s first recruiting class at LSSU.
"We are extremely excited about this first class of recruits that will be joining the Laker Hockey family,” he continued. “Coach Aubry and Coach Metro have been relentless in their pursuit of quality student-athletes who will enhance Lake Superior State University on the ice and in the classroom. I want to thank them for their dedication and effort. It's an exciting time for our program and we want to extend a warm welcome to this recruiting class."
Press release is out on the November signing period recruits:
http://www.lssulakers.com/sports/m-hockey/2014-15/releases/NLI_Recap
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 7, 2014
Lakers sign eight hockey players during national signing period
SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich.-- Lake Superior State has officially received eight National Letters of Intent from throughout the junior hockey ranks. When broken down, the Lakers have signed five forwards and three defensemen.
The group of five forwards consists of Ian Johnston (Kanata, Ont.), Bryan Basilico (Macomb, Mich.), Anthony Nellis (Breakeyville, Que.), Gage Torrel (Monticello, Minn.), and Diego Cuglietta (Kamloops, B.C.).
Johnston (1997 birth year), the youngest of the forwards, currently plays for the Kanata Lasers of the Central Canadian Hockey League. So far on the season, Johnston leads the Lasers in points with 10-15--25 in 32 games played. As a 16 year old, Johnston led the 2013 Ontario Gold Cup Tournament in scoring with 7-5—12 in five games. The tournament invites the top 16-year-old talent in Ontario every year.
“As a young player in the CCHL, Ian has been an offensive force,” LSSU hockey coach Damon Whitten said. “He is a threat to create offense every time he touches the ice. He possesses great stick skills and an elite vision. Ian is at his most dangerous as a playmaker but has also shown an excellent ability to score on his own.”
Basilico (’95), a 6-3, 203-pound forward, currently plays for the Trail Smoke Eaters of the British Columbia Hockey League. After spending time sampling three different United States Hockey League teams, Basilico has found his home in Trail. Last season, his first with the club, Basilico tallied 16-16--32 in 48 games played. This season he has 6-13--19 in 21 games.
"In Bryan we are getting a big strong kid who is an elite athlete,” Whitten said. “He was being recruited by Division 1 football programs a few short years ago until he decided to fully focus on hockey.”
Nellis (’94) stands 6-feet tall and weighs in at 183 pounds. The center from has been playing for Pembroke Lumber Kings of the CCHL this season, following three seasons in the Quebec Junior Hockey League. In 149 games at the QJAAAHL level, Nellis posted 64-99--163 and a plus/minus of +26. Nellis currently has 18-24--42 in 32 games played for Pembroke.
"In Anthony we see another dangerous offensive threat,” Whitten said. “He has a great skill set and can thrive as a distributor of the puck or as a finisher, and we were drawn to that versatility. When Anthony gets a scoring chance he shoots to score and has a natural ability to finish. He also has versatility to play all three forward positions and play up top on the power play, so there are a lot of ways we can get him involved."
Torrel (’94, 5-9, 165-pounds) signed with the Lakers after stops in the North American Hockey League, USHL and BCHL. This season he is second on the Langley Rivermen in points, posting 11-15--26 in 27 games.
"Gage comes from great bloodlines and a total hockey family,” said Whitten. “Growing up in this environment has allowed Gage to develop a high hockey IQ. Gage's reads, positioning and competition level are a real strength to his game. He has also been a leader everywhere he has been and will be expected to continue to contribute offensively at our level.”
Rounding out the forwards during the fall signing period is Diego Cuglietta. Cuglietta (’95, 5-11, 174-pounds) is currently in his second season with the Merritt Centennials of the BCHL. Last season Cuglietta amassed 19-37--56 in 53 games. He was a teammate of current Laker Scott Patterson last season for the Centennials.
"We tried to bring Diego in with us last year and felt like he was ready,” Whitten said. “To his credit he had made a commitment to return to Merritt in hopes of leading his team to a championship year and honored that commitment. It took us a year longer to get him then we initially wanted but we are excited to add a player of his caliber to our program. Diego led his team in scoring last year and was among the top scorers in the BCHL. We expect his offensive contributions to continue at our level.”
The defensive trio of prospects is headed by Garden River, Ont., First Nation member, Owen Headrick (’97). The 5-10, 190-pound blueliner from across the St. Mary’s River impressed the LSSU staff during his time spent with his hometown Soo Thunderbirds of the Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League. Last season Headrick scored 8-23--31 in 56 games as a Thunderbird en rout to winning the NOJHL’s Rookie of the Year award. He’s currently rehabbing an injury and hoping to crack the Lakers’ squad next season.
"Owen brings a great skill set to our back end,” Whitten said. “He has very good mobility and skating ability which is what we are looking for in our recruiting. Owen has excellent vision and stick skills, which will generate offense from the offensive blue line and on the power play. We’re thrilled to be able to keep a player of his caliber right at home in Sault Ste. Marie."
Another defensive prospect is Colin Saccoman (’97) of Shattuck St. Mary’s. The 6-1, 174-pound prep standout from Stillwater, Minn. is currently completing his final year of high school. Last season Saccoman posted 7-8--15 in 48 games.
“Colin is a tremendous student who values all aspects of becoming a student-athlete at LSSU,” Whitten said. “Hockey-wise, he brings a mix of everything to our blue line. He has good size, good skating and good athleticism. He has a real bite and nastiness to his game, which we love about him.”
The eldest of the blue line signees is Matt McArdle (’95), a 5-11, 183-pound defenseman from Annapolis, Md. McArdle is in his second stint with the USHL, this year playing for the Fargo Force. Last season McArdle split time between the Muskegon Lumberjacks of the USHL and the Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees of the NAHL.
"Matt will arrive on campus with an experienced game at both the junior and prep levels,” Whitten said. “He has had great coaching from Shattuck St. Mary's to the NAHL and USHL, and we expect that experience and development to enable a smooth transition to the college game. Matt is a smooth skating defenseman who makes a good first pass and is a responsible defender. Like most Shattuck alumni, he is a dedicated student and will also excel in the classroom.”
This is Whitten’s first recruiting class at LSSU.
"We are extremely excited about this first class of recruits that will be joining the Laker Hockey family,” he continued. “Coach Aubry and Coach Metro have been relentless in their pursuit of quality student-athletes who will enhance Lake Superior State University on the ice and in the classroom. I want to thank them for their dedication and effort. It's an exciting time for our program and we want to extend a warm welcome to this recruiting class."
willythekid
New member
Re: LSSU Lakers 2014-15
Your coach was given several warnings about switching up players after icing whistles... he kept trying to cheat and paid the price. The lakers have noone to blame except their own coach.
delay of game in third was the worst call I have ever seen. Any explanation on the radio broadcast? Ref did not even have the guts to talk to whitton when he went to complain after the game
Your coach was given several warnings about switching up players after icing whistles... he kept trying to cheat and paid the price. The lakers have noone to blame except their own coach.
Re: LSSU Lakers 2014-15
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 7, 2014
Whitten’s first recruiting class at LSSU.
Let's hope this recruiting class is the real deal and guys are coming in who can score at this level.
Re: LSSU Lakers 2014-15
Not all the guys mentioned in the article will be here next season. Johnston and Saccoman are likely to be with the Lakers starting with the 2016-17 season. Same may be true for Headrick; he might be here next season but it probably depends on how fast and how well he recovers from shoulder surgery. But we should see at least 4 or 5 new forwards next season.Let's hope this recruiting class is the real deal and guys are coming in who can score at this level.
Re: LSSU Lakers 2014-15
It seems like a good list. We have changed our recruiting footprint and that should make some people happy. I noticed that a player that shows up on the recruiting lists such as college hockey inc. is not listed as signing an NLI. His name is Tanner Karty and he plays at Des Moines. Was this an oversight Bill?
I know not all players on the list sign NLI's but this player seems to be in his last year of Junior Hockey so he should be coming in next year.
It seems like a good list. We have changed our recruiting footprint and that should make some people happy. I noticed that a player that shows up on the recruiting lists such as college hockey inc. is not listed as signing an NLI. His name is Tanner Karty and he plays at Des Moines. Was this an oversight Bill?
I know not all players on the list sign NLI's but this player seems to be in his last year of Junior Hockey so he should be coming in next year.
Re: LSSU Lakers 2014-15
Yes we have changed our recruiting footprint. I wonder if Jim Roque thought this DeBrincat kid was too small for the Lakers or if he just didn't like recruiting kids that young. It seems like Darrin Madeley would have pointed him out to Jim even before the kid originally committed to UMass (and subsequently decided to go to the OHL). It certainly would be nice if he was in a Lakers uniform now. Check this article: http://www.therecord.com/sports-story/5187148-out-of-the-shadows-debrincat-s-star-shines/
I'm not sure about Karty. We still have the Spring signing period coming up in 4 months so maybe he will sign his NLI then. I heard Damon say on the hockey show that we could have a couple more kids sign then.It seems like a good list. We have changed our recruiting footprint and that should make some people happy. I noticed that a player that shows up on the recruiting lists such as college hockey inc. is not listed as signing an NLI. His name is Tanner Karty and he plays at Des Moines. Was this an oversight Bill?
I know not all players on the list sign NLI's but this player seems to be in his last year of Junior Hockey so he should be coming in next year.
Yes we have changed our recruiting footprint. I wonder if Jim Roque thought this DeBrincat kid was too small for the Lakers or if he just didn't like recruiting kids that young. It seems like Darrin Madeley would have pointed him out to Jim even before the kid originally committed to UMass (and subsequently decided to go to the OHL). It certainly would be nice if he was in a Lakers uniform now. Check this article: http://www.therecord.com/sports-story/5187148-out-of-the-shadows-debrincat-s-star-shines/
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PerkyforPrez
Registered User
Re: LSSU Lakers 2014-15
I think it's strange that this kid wasn't forwarded to the Lakers from Madeley.
I'm not sure about Karty. We still have the Spring signing period coming up in 4 months so maybe he will sign his NLI then. I heard Damon say on the hockey show that we could have a couple more kids sign then.
Yes we have changed our recruiting footprint. I wonder if Jim Roque thought this DeBrincat kid was too small for the Lakers or if he just didn't like recruiting kids that young. It seems like Darrin Madeley would have pointed him out to Jim even before the kid originally committed to UMass (and subsequently decided to go to the OHL). It certainly would be nice if he was in a Lakers uniform now. Check this article: http://www.therecord.com/sports-story/5187148-out-of-the-shadows-debrincat-s-star-shines/
I think it's strange that this kid wasn't forwarded to the Lakers from Madeley.
Re: LSSU Lakers 2014-15
Miller and Bird are healthy enough to play again. I assume we'll see them in the lineup this weekend if they practiced well enough this week and made the trip to Ferris.
Edit: Evidently Bird still hasn't recovered well enough to play. On the coaches show it sounded like he would be ready. Miller is on the trip but not in the lineup for game 1.
Miller and Bird are healthy enough to play again. I assume we'll see them in the lineup this weekend if they practiced well enough this week and made the trip to Ferris.
Edit: Evidently Bird still hasn't recovered well enough to play. On the coaches show it sounded like he would be ready. Miller is on the trip but not in the lineup for game 1.
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