Re: LSSU Lakers 2014 off-season thread (part 2)
Bill, old age is getting to you! You're getting your details all screwed up. Ravn said on the radio show that Metro recruited him. How you can misconstrue the details like that is beyond me? You're stating exactly the opposite of what Ravn actually said. You need to listen better! As for Ravn Sr., I wouldn't believe half of what comes out of his mouth, as he is a disgruntled parent, and a little 'off' if you know what I mean.
I am Niels Ravn, and I don't visit this blog but have been asked by one of you to come and answer someone I don't know who is making comments about me.
I don't want to bark with the dogs nor make comments leading to useless argument.
Here is how Niels-Erik came to LSSU.
Jim Roque was the first coach to meet Niels-Erik in September 2009 in Carleton Place at the very first game of the season. They spent more than an hour together and Roque explained that he had been tracking him during the previous seasons and said he was the type of goaltender he was looking for.
A few weeks later Metro showed up in Ottawa and we went out to a restaurant after a game. He explained Roque was very interested and essentially sold the fact that he had been living in France and shared opinions about French hockey to build a trust relationship. He added he had a French wife who would be a good support for Niels-Erik in Sault Ste Marie which pleased Niels-Erik's mother. He then kept in touch with us. Tim Christian also latter came to Ottawa to watch a game and meet us. We know they came again without talking to us.
At that time, Metro told me that they where watching two goaltenders, the other one Being Grosenick in the USHL.
Early November Roque invited Niels-Erik to visit the campus. Roque drove us to the hotel and showed us around the school for a great part of the day. He had briefed the Engineering Department to have them available and welcoming, calling them several times before we arrived to make sure everything was at best.
During the visit, he made impressive comments about Niels-Erik.
Metro took us out for a drink in the afternoon and introduced us to his wife who was talking about the future as if everything had already been settled.
In the evening, Roque took us all out for dinner in the presence of his wife who was very welcoming, to say the least.
After the diner, while Niels-Erik went out with a few players, Roque took me out for a beer and tried to find out about other plans Niels-Erik might have.
On the second day, Roque asked Niels-Erik to transfer from Ottawa Engineering to LSSU Engineering, as having an Engineering program was a condition precedent for Niels-Erik to joining the team (no other contact in D1 did offer Engineering).
Roque Said he needed that to send an LOI as soon as the transfer was confirmed.
What happened later is part of a separate case, and will not to be debated here.
If the recruitment was Metro's initiative, "michiganmidge" must be extremely close to Roque because it never transpired and Metro only appeared as the middleman.
Roque has claimed that Niels-Erik showed up by himself and tried to convince anyone including Niels-Erik that he was useless. Blaming Metro for recruiting Niels-Erik suggests at least that he was recruited, and didn't walk which has been argued to sideline him.
Pointing at Metro is another attempt to distance Roque from the actual recruiting of Niels-Erik, and the deception and abuse which followed.
It doesn't take a PhD to figure out why one would keep insisting on that now Roque is gone.
Several posters have made ignorant comments based on false and stupid speculation or information being provided mostly by the same origin.
Many things I have been reported about this forum were very harmful but we fortunately did not have to rely on Roque or a few blind followers to know where Niels-Erik was at, especially when the statements and moves coming from Roque and his supporters became so extreme that they made no sense at all and raised questions about their authors.
Fortunately, Niels-Erik has had a life before LSSU and his strengths and weaknesses have been assessed by a lot of knowledgeable people in several countries and continents including National teams.
During his stay, Niels-Erik he also enjoyed great support from many members of the hockey staff and teammates reminding him where the real problem was.
He has since been handed laudatory letters from people close to the team and the administration, so whoever was responsible for his "recruitment" can probably not be blamed for that specific move.
He will of course also have a life after LSSU, he will play pro and continue his Engineering studies with a Master.
Others may have to face the consequences of their behavior.
The inconsistent comments made by Roque and his followers to explain or deny how Niels-Erik was treated only confirmed the fishy situation.
The Athletic Director has apologized and faculty members, hockey staff, Blueliners, fans, players and parents have expressed to me and my wife how sorry and embarrassed they had been about how Niels-Erik's has been treated so I don't really care about how much people here believe of what comes out of my mouth, nor do I understand what that anonymous "michiganmidge" means by being "a little 'off'".
If it means straight and determinate, and perhaps clumsy in a second language, "michiganmidge" is probably true.
"Disgruntled" ? What do you think ? Of course I am but not for the reasons Roque followers are suggesting. I personally do not care too much about ice time but do not accept that players' health be threatened if they refuse to leave by themselves once the man in power has changed his mind about them, mostly for unexplainable reasons.
Like hopefully many people, I dislike deception, cheating, intimidation, manipulation and abuse and have hard time understanding that has been tolerated at LSSU for so long.
Most of all, I am "disgruntled" about the fact that being "disgruntled" is enough to be ignored when extremely serious are at stake.
Since I don't remember having ever posted here, "michiganmidge" must have met me personally or be a very well informed person and may be referring to what I have been writing rather than saying to people in charge. What I know is all of them first preferred to ignore what I was reporting but ended up having no choice but to deal with it with the outcome we know.
What matters to me is not to convince anybody here but simply to reply to assertions which troubled some friends of mine. I bring in verifiable facts as an answer to someone I cannot identify and who has repeatedly slandered either my son or myself with an obvious hidden agenda.
It is just regrettable that there are so many followers focuses on the Ws and Ls and buy in senseless stories rather than taking a step back to understand what is going on.
I would like to thank several posters I have been told have showed compassion and respect here about Niels-Erik, but forgive me if I don't give names for fear of forgetting someone. I have met a few, and am grateful to all the others.
I have also been told about someone who I understand is very unpopular on this forum. I understand that person is "disgruntled" parent. I hope we will be in touch soon.
It strikes me that such a person was unpopular while you have "michiganmidge" hanging around spewing out insanities. Anyway, that's the forum's choice.
I do not intend to start an argument with anybody here, but if someone has factual and respectful comments, I will now try to set my account to receive private messages.
Sorry for a lengthy message and sorry about the poor English. I hope it is clear though.
Should it not be up to "michiganmidge" standards, I will be happy to write in another language.
