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LSSU Lakers 2014 off-season thread (part 2)

Re: LSSU Lakers 2014 off-season thread (part 2)

Lakers-88-92-94 said:
A lot of BCHLers coming in, can't complain with that! From all reports I've read, it appears the BCHL is becoming one of the better college feeders.
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Last year's WCHA all-rookie team had 4 BCHL players, but only 1 (Schempp) with significant USHL time (Pedan had 3 USHL games but was predominantly an NAHL guy). Conversely, 1st team all-conference had 4 USHL alums, 2 from the AJHL, and no BCHL guys. This presents some interesting questions - fluke year? New WCHA is losing the USHL pipeline? BCHL is getting better? Canadian kids come in more ready, but that advantage fades the longer they stay in college? I don't know, but it certainly seems like getting BCHL kids is at least a solid strategy for a strong freshman class.
 
sm2pk said:
What was the highlight of the interview ?
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For myself the fact that coach Whitten saying they will go anywhere to find talented hockey players. I also like the way it sounds that the players all have a clean slate, that should make for more spirited competition and hopefully a better product on the ice. Uptempo style of play should be fun to watch as well.

I admit that Damon Whitten was not the one I was hoping to get the job but the fact is he is the coach and I will give him the chance to see how he can make the team better. Maybe he is the man to get the Lakers out of their longest winning drought in its history.
 
Re: LSSU Lakers 2014 off-season thread (part 2)

PerkyforPrez said:
For myself the fact that coach Whitten saying they will go anywhere to find talented hockey players. I also like the way it sounds that the players all have a clean slate, that should make for more spirited competition and hopefully a better product on the ice. Uptempo style of play should be fun to watch as well.

I admit that Damon Whitten was not the one I was hoping to get the job but the fact is he is the coach and I will give him the chance to see how he can make the team better. Maybe he is the man to get the Lakers out of their longest winning drought in its history.
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Gonna need to score some goals next year with a very young D corp and 2 freshmen goaltenders. Laker fans will have to be patient with the rebuild.
 
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Re: LSSU Lakers 2014 off-season thread (part 2)

PerkyforPrez said:
For myself the fact that coach Whitten saying they will go anywhere to find talented hockey players.
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Saying is one thing and having the funds will be another. I do not know if we will see player development though, since we will only be able to see them play in 12 home games.
 
Re: LSSU Lakers 2014 off-season thread (part 2)

Yooper_by_choice said:
Saying is one thing and having the funds will be another. I do not know if we will see player development though, since we will only be able to see them play in 12 home games.
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Each team in the WCHA has 14 home conference games.
 
Re: LSSU Lakers 2014 off-season thread (part 2)

I also think it's good that Coach Whitten will go anywhere to recruit, but, on a limited budget, it's tough to recruit Western Canada in February on a bike!!!!
 
Re: LSSU Lakers 2014 off-season thread (part 2)

FRICKER said:
I also think it's good that Coach Whitten will go anywhere to recruit, but, on a limited budget, it's tough to recruit Western Canada in February on a bike!!!!
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FRICKER, there has been a little more hockey money available the past couple of years and the Lakers had already started recruiting again in the BCHL while Roque was still coach. They brought in one BCHL guy last year and had two more BCHL commits for this coming season at the time Roque was fired. Damon is obviously familiar with the BCHL and has filled out the roster with players from there who were still available. To a lesser extent they have also increased recruiting in the AJHL. I expect that they will continue to recruit the BCHL.
 
Re: LSSU Lakers 2014 off-season thread (part 2)

That was an excellent interview, well done Mr. VanWagoner and thank you for posting. There's not much to go on obviously, but I love the attitude DW seems to have, carrying a large, young, roster to encourage a lot of competition this year and once some roles have been defined, being a little more choosy and going after (and hopefully landing) some higher end pieces to complement the foundation that is laid this year. Even though it may temper expectations up front, it is probably better in the long run that DW inherited such a young roster so they will be more susceptible to being molded into his type of play, and hopefully by the time the freshmen and sophomores are juniors and seniors, DW will have the program in the thick of contention, but I think his stated goal of getting home ice this year is a good place to start.
 
Re: LSSU Lakers 2014 off-season thread (part 2)

Looks like both games at Notre Dame will be broadcast on NBC Sports Network.
 
Re: LSSU Lakers 2014 off-season thread (part 2)

PaulVanWagoner said:
Here is the interview with Coach Rich Metro from Friday Morning.

http://paul.30below.com/Soo Morning Crew Pod Cast/8-28-14/Rich Metro LSSU interview.MP3
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Thank you Paul. So it sounds like there will be 29 guys on the roster. Interesting. I thought we were up to 27 guys assuming no other early departures than Czuczman, but its sounds like we've picked up a couple of more guys along the way. I imagine they fall in the recruited walk-on category, whoever they are.
 
Re: LSSU Lakers 2014 off-season thread (part 2)

Bill said:
Thank you Paul. So it sounds like there will be 29 guys on the roster. Interesting. I thought we were up to 27 guys assuming no other early departures than Czuczman, but its sounds like we've picked up a couple of more guys along the way. I imagine they fall in the recruited walk-on category, whoever they are.
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From what Coach told me off the air, and maybe on too. There are 3 goalies, 9 D and the rest are forwards. So they are really looking for supports on the back end carrying that many "D".
 
Re: LSSU Lakers 2014 off-season thread (part 2)

Paul I enjoyed your interview with Coach Metro. It is really nice to hear positive messages coming out about Laker hockey. I also like the 'Meet the Laker' event at the end of September. Hopefully I can make it. Thanks again.


PaulVanWagoner said:
From what Coach told me off the air, and maybe on too. There are 3 goalies, 9 D and the rest are forwards. So they are really looking for supports on the back end carrying that many "D".
Click to expand...
 
Re: LSSU Lakers 2014 off-season thread (part 2)

PaulVanWagoner said:
From what Coach told me off the air, and maybe on too. There are 3 goalies, 9 D and the rest are forwards. So they are really looking for supports on the back end carrying that many "D".
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I'd be surprised if the roster size stays that high in future seasons; maybe it will for a year or two. One more D than normal, which isn't surprising given we lost so much at that position. Damon is probably trying to create extra competition there. I'm a little surprised with the couple of late additions at forward, but there was an opening there after Damon was hired and most of the better players had already committed elsewhere. Again it is probably a case of creating competition. I'd like to see the roster size get back to 26 in future seasons. I suspect there will be some early attrition over the next couple of years. I think there are probably a few recruited walk-ons and not all of them will make the grade.
 
Re: LSSU Lakers 2014 off-season thread (part 2)

I know there was talk earlier regarding the WCHA playoff format. Does anyone know if it has changed to allow all teams into the post season? Seems like it would be pretty easy to do and would make things more exciting for some bottom end teams.
 
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