LSSU Lakers 2014 off season thread

[purpleinnebraska]

Re: LSSU Lakers 2014 off season thread

People in the Sault are never going to come out to see the likes of Mankato and Bemidji like they did for Michigan, Michigan State, and Notre Dame. The CCHA was prestigious. The WCHA is no longer prestigious.

Sorry to interrupt on your thread, and I'm in no position to comment on most of the issues you're discussing, but on this point about attendance, I strongly disagree. You start from the premise that anyone is "going to come out to see the likes of" your opponent. They're going to come out to see you. If you're winning, that is. If not, "prestigious" doesn't amount to anything.

Our experience in Mankato over the last few years was this - In 2011, the last time "prestigious" Colorado College came to town, we had a crowd of 5017 for the 2 nights combined. "Prestigious" Denver drew 6683 on their last WCHA visit to Mankato in 2012. Meanwhile "unprestigious" (if that's a word, and I use it nicely!) Huntsville drew 7014 this year, Tech drew 7496, and Ferris 8271. The difference? Now we're good. Those games meant something, and promised the crowd an entertaining evening. The last time those other schools came to Mankato, we weren't good, and the games were meaningless from a conference or NCAA perspective.

If you're counting on the opponent boosting your gate, you're in trouble. Other than the Chicago Cubs, I can't think of a consistent loser in sports who does well attendance-wise, and they only draw well because you can get drunk AND get a tan at the same time. Turn your program around (and I hope you do - I happen to like the nWCHA as it is), and even Mankato might draw well in the Sault.

 

[PerkyforPrez]

Re: LSSU Lakers 2014 off season thread

Sorry to interrupt on your thread, and I'm in no position to comment on most of the issues you're discussing, but on this point about attendance, I strongly disagree. You start from the premise that anyone is "going to come out to see the likes of" your opponent. They're going to come out to see you. If you're winning, that is. If not, "prestigious" doesn't amount to anything.

Our experience in Mankato over the last few years was this - In 2011, the last time "prestigious" Colorado College came to town, we had a crowd of 5017 for the 2 nights combined. "Prestigious" Denver drew 6683 on their last WCHA visit to Mankato in 2012. Meanwhile "unprestigious" (if that's a word, and I use it nicely!) Huntsville drew 7014 this year, Tech drew 7496, and Ferris 8271. The difference? Now we're good. Those games meant something, and promised the crowd an entertaining evening. The last time those other schools came to Mankato, we weren't good, and the games were meaningless from a conference or NCAA perspective.

If you're counting on the opponent boosting your gate, you're in trouble. Other than the Chicago Cubs, I can't think of a consistent loser in sports who does well attendance-wise, and they only draw well because you can get drunk AND get a tan at the same time. Turn your program around (and I hope you do - I happen to like the nWCHA as it is), and even Mankato might draw well in the Sault.

Win and they will come. Good post Thank You.

 

[LSSULaker889294]

Re: LSSU Lakers 2014 off season thread

Perrault signs deal with Idaho Steelheads of the ECHL.

http://www.lssulakers.com/sports/m-hockey/2013-14/releases/Perrault-Idaho

 

[blackswampboy]

Re: LSSU Lakers 2014 off season thread

They're going to come out to see you. If you're winning, that is. If not, "prestigious" doesn't amount to anything.

but according to USCHO stats, mankato's avg. attendance took a modest drop this year: 3447 this year vs. 3655 last year.
BG took a bigger hit, and the team was improved and part of the exciting conference finish. we weren't alone either. from what I can see, the only team with a real increase was bemidji. maybe ferris could've drawn more with their winning team, but they're capped by arena size so we'll never know.
I like the nWCHA too, but attendance is a real worry.

pardon the interruption, laker fans... hope ya'll get the coach you want.

 

[purpleinnebraska]

Re: LSSU Lakers 2014 off season thread

We took a hit for one reason - No Gopher home games, which last year amounted to 2 games of 5000+ (over-capacity, don't tell the fire marshal) crowds. One of the largest universities in the nation, located just over an hour away, and with likely as many alumni in Mankato as there are MSU alumni. Them, I would like back on the schedule, for both monetary and hockey reasons! The rest of those who left? Hey, it was fun, but now it's over.

 

[purpleinnebraska]

Re: LSSU Lakers 2014 off season thread

We took a hit for one reason - No Gopher home games, which last year amounted to 2 games of 5000+ (over-capacity, don't tell the fire marshal) crowds. One of the largest universities in the nation, located just over an hour away, and with likely as many alumni in Mankato as there are MSU alumni. Them, I would like back on the schedule, for both monetary and hockey reasons! The rest of those who left? Hey, it was fun, but now it's over.

And, in my haste to reply, I forgot - We were pretty good last year, too, making the NCAA tournament. Our attendance this year was up 250 a game from 2011-2012, when we sucked.

 

[blackswampboy]

Re: LSSU Lakers 2014 off season thread

We took a hit for one reason - No Gopher home games, which last year amounted to 2 games of 5000+ (over-capacity, don't tell the fire marshal) crowds. One of the largest universities in the nation, located just over an hour away, and with likely as many alumni in Mankato as there are MSU alumni. Them, I would like back on the schedule, for both monetary and hockey reasons! The rest of those who left? Hey, it was fun, but now it's over.

so we're all in the same boat. we took a hit for losing U of M, Sparty, Miami, Western, and Notre Dame. all within 2.5 hrs., and all with traveling fans. We've still got a home and home with OSU, but this year it was a tuesday night during football season, bah.
those visiting fans from nearby schools really help the bottom line. that's the biggest suck about the nWCHA.
theoretically winning will help, but it's gonna take a lot of winning to make up the difference.

 

[purpleinnebraska]

Re: LSSU Lakers 2014 off season thread

so we're all in the same boat. we took a hit for losing U of M, Sparty, Miami, Western, and Notre Dame. all within 2.5 hrs., and all with traveling fans. We've still got a home and home with OSU, but this year it was a tuesday night during football season, bah.
those visiting fans from nearby schools really help the bottom line. that's the biggest suck about the nWCHA.
theoretically winning will help, but it's gonna take a lot of winning to make up the difference.

OK, last post, since this ain't my team's thread - Now, when you talk distance (2.5 hr. drive) you're talking something entirely different than the original post about the nWCHA not being as "prestigious" as the CCHA. And "close" has to be within a decent drive to make a difference. Otherwise, you're adding hotel expenses, winter road conditions, etc. But with LSSU, they actually added an opponent relatively close (Tech), while losing only non-driving ones.
I'm sorry but the "prestigious" point the other poster made sorta bugged me. We heard it a lot in the last couple years from Wisconsin fans, who tried to blame their declining attendance on all these "lesser WCHA teams," like Mankato and Bemidji. It was a bunch of bunk then, and it is in this situation as well. Win games, people show. Don't win games, people don't. For LSSU, they'd endured several years of not winning, and so naturally, attendance declined. It seems like it was time for them to do something about that. Maybe a new coach can bring the wins - and the people- back.

 

[davyd83]

Re: LSSU Lakers 2014 off season thread

OK, last post, since this ain't my team's thread - Now, when you talk distance (2.5 hr. drive) you're talking something entirely different than the original post about the nWCHA not being as "prestigious" as the CCHA. And "close" has to be within a decent drive to make a difference. Otherwise, you're adding hotel expenses, winter road conditions, etc. But with LSSU, they actually added an opponent relatively close (Tech), while losing only non-driving ones.
I'm sorry but the "prestigious" point the other poster made sorta bugged me. We heard it a lot in the last couple years from Wisconsin fans, who tried to blame their declining attendance on all these "lesser WCHA teams," like Mankato and Bemidji. It was a bunch of bunk then, and it is in this situation as well. Win games, people show. Don't win games, people don't. For LSSU, they'd endured several years of not winning, and so naturally, attendance declined. It seems like it was time for them to do something about that. Maybe a new coach can bring the wins - and the people- back.

Tech is 5 hours from the Soo. It's actually about the same drive time as Michigan State.

 

[LakerBuff]

Re: LSSU Lakers 2014 off season thread

I find it interesting that those posters who are obviously upset that Roque's contract was not renewed have come on here to criticize Dunbar, complain about the schools finances, and even the city's finances, but they have said nothing about why they think Roque is a good coach and should have received a new contract. It seems to be all about blaming someone or something else for the lack of the teams' success. They evidently feel that Roque as head coach bears no responsibility for that lack of success. I think most of us agree that he has a good eye for talent, but that skill is just as suitable, if not more so, for an assistant coach. The head coach still has to develop and mold that talent as a team and that hasn't happened. Some have said that no one else could have done any better than Roque, but that is just an argument without an argument.

Roque has a successful track record for taking no name recruits who were not on anyone's radar until after a couple years of learning and development with his system; and he's turned these no name recruits into free agent prospects with only the help of a part-time staff. No one else in the WCHA is as understaffed as Lake State. Bear in mind, Lake State just doesn't have the depth to replace players and reload. His players do very well in the classroom, are respectful and respected, and they graduate on time.

Bill, just curious, where did you play hockey?

 

[davyd83]

Re: LSSU Lakers 2014 off season thread

Win and they will come. Good post Thank You.

You hit the nail right on the head Perky. 20 years of college and minor pro hockey under my belt and I've seen just about every kind of promotion there is. But none is better on a consistent basis than a "W."

 

[Laker54]

Re: LSSU Lakers 2014 off season thread

Sorry to interrupt on your thread, and I'm in no position to comment on most of the issues you're discussing, but on this point about attendance, I strongly disagree. You start from the premise that anyone is "going to come out to see the likes of" your opponent. They're going to come out to see you. If you're winning, that is. If not, "prestigious" doesn't amount to anything.

Our experience in Mankato over the last few years was this - In 2011, the last time "prestigious" Colorado College came to town, we had a crowd of 5017 for the 2 nights combined. "Prestigious" Denver drew 6683 on their last WCHA visit to Mankato in 2012. Meanwhile "unprestigious" (if that's a word, and I use it nicely!) Huntsville drew 7014 this year, Tech drew 7496, and Ferris 8271. The difference? Now we're good. Those games meant something, and promised the crowd an entertaining evening. The last time those other schools came to Mankato, we weren't good, and the games were meaningless from a conference or NCAA perspective.

If you're counting on the opponent boosting your gate, you're in trouble. Other than the Chicago Cubs, I can't think of a consistent loser in sports who does well attendance-wise, and they only draw well because you can get drunk AND get a tan at the same time. Turn your program around (and I hope you do - I happen to like the nWCHA as it is), and even Mankato might draw well in the Sault.

I couldn't agree more.

 

[Ronnieb]

Re: LSSU Lakers 2014 off season thread

Sorry, cannot build a competitive NCAA D1 hockey program from NAHL and CJHL. Just wont work.

 

[jnacc]

Re: LSSU Lakers 2014 off season thread

Purple is correct in that winning will always attract a crowd but losing the prestigious programs will(and has) drive away the casual fans. I myself am a diehard hockey fan and will watch anything but I value higher levels of hockey much more. The fact is that the nWCHA is a step down from the old CCHA and it hurt me as a fan to see Lake State "dropped" to a lower level conference. Now I did not stop going to games because of this (more to do with the coach and results) but there are some who did and even winning will not get those fans back.
Now, there is no way crowds should be in the low 1500s for a school like LSSU and winning will certainly boost attendance back in the mid 2000s. Like I've been saying, a new coaching staff putting in place a competitive program in the nWCHA will go a long way in bringing back hundreds of fans. Averaging 2500+ fans a game will go a long way in solving the financial difficulties the team is currently experiencing. Therefore, despite what many of these naysayers (who we know are part of Roque's fan club) are saying, the future can be bright for the program.

Sorry, cannot build a competitive NCAA D1 hockey program from NAHL and CJHL. Just wont work.

Somewhat true. I've always maintained that to be successful in the college ranks today, you must be able to recruit from the USHL ranks. Lake State has, however, gotten many fine players from the CJHL/NAHL and could have competed but coaching prevented the full utilization of the talent the team possessed.

 

[MeridianStreet]

Re: LSSU Lakers 2014 off season thread

I thought hockey this season was not hockey of the past. The Big Ten with six teams is boring as hell and the new NCHC is a bunch of wannabes who thought losing the Big Ten teams made it their drive to produce some kind of super league by special invite to the league. I am glad the east teams stay the same for the most part .

Miami was a leader in putting together the "elite" new NCHC and tried to keep some schools out. Ironically, and to the amusement of many, they finished in last place.

 

[PerkyforPrez]

Re: LSSU Lakers 2014 off season thread

Roque has a successful track record for taking no name recruits who were not on anyone's radar until after a couple years of learning and development with his system; and he's turned these no name recruits into free agent prospects with only the help of a part-time staff. No one else in the WCHA is as understaffed as Lake State. Bear in mind, Lake State just doesn't have the depth to replace players and reload. His players do very well in the classroom, are respectful and respected, and they graduate on time.


Roque did a very good job of finding players he did not do that well of a job coaching them.

Bill, just curious, where did you play hockey?

What does that really have to do with anything ?

 

[LakerBuff]

What does that really have to do with anything ?

You added a line into my quote that I did not say. Pretty sneaky.

Think about this - Lake State does not have the depth to replace players and reload. Makes continuity from season to season somewhat difficult.

 

[PerkyforPrez]

Re: LSSU Lakers 2014 off season thread

You added a line into my quote that I did not say. Pretty sneaky.

Think about this - Lake State does not have the depth to replace players and reload. Makes continuity from season to season somewhat difficult.

That was a mistake sorry. It was supposed to be two different quotes.

 

[Mister Hockey 8]

Re: LSSU Lakers 2014 off season thread

Roque has a successful track record for taking no name recruits who were not on anyone's radar until after a couple years of learning and development with his system; and he's turned these no name recruits into free agent prospects with only the help of a part-time staff. No one else in the WCHA is as understaffed as Lake State. Bear in mind, Lake State just doesn't have the depth to replace players and reload. His players do very well in the classroom, are respectful and respected, and they graduate on time.

Bill, just curious, where did you play hockey?

Just as interesting at Lake State, is that hey had a enormous banner hanging outside of the Taffy Abel for at least 5 years and finally took it down this past year. The Banner said The Future of Laker Hockey with a rendering of the renovation. Apparently, they jumped the gun on that one! How does a coaching staff explain that to their players year after year when they were using it for recruiting. Oh, sorry we told you five years ago when we recruited you that there was going to be a renovation but the university no longer has the money and according to the Blueliner talk the donor is being investigated for fraud. Another colossal leadership jumbo by the administration at LSSU. Not surprising though for a school that can't even get the 10 year Higher Learning Commission stamp for accreditation. Maybe Lake State isn't the titanic, a better analogy might be the Edmund Fitzgerald. And about attendance, Lake State had 10 home games this year when the Lake State students were on break, of course that is going to hurt your attendance. Winning may help but the Sault only has so many people.(less than 14,000 in case you weren't aware for a 4200 plus capacity rink).

 

[davyd83]

Just as interesting at Lake State, is that hey had a enormous banner hanging outside of the Taffy Abel for at least 5 years and finally took it down this past year. The Banner said The Future of Laker Hockey with a rendering of the renovation. Apparently, they jumped the gun on that one! How does a coaching staff explain that to their players year after year when they were using it for recruiting. Oh, sorry we told you five years ago when we recruited you that there was going to be a renovation but the university no longer has the money and according to the Blueliner talk the donor is being investigated for fraud. Another colossal leadership jumbo by the administration at LSSU. Not surprising though for a school that can't even get the 10 year Higher Learning Commission stamp for accreditation. Maybe Lake State isn't the titanic, a better analogy might be the Edmund Fitzgerald. And about attendance, Lake State had 10 home games this year when the Lake State students were on break, of course that is going to hurt your attendance. Winning may help but the Sault only has so many people.(less than 14,000 in case you weren't aware for a 4200 plus capacity rink).

Home schedules didn't do the Yooper schools much good this year. NMU had four home dates during deer season/ Thanksgiving Break, two on Christmas Break, two on Spring Break, the Friday LSSU date up against the UP200. Only 5 of 14 conference dates were played with a full student body and no major event conflicts. I would assume that late changes with the addition of Huntsville shared some blame in the scheduling for both schools and having a full year of planning will alleviate some of the scheduling woes for everybody.