Maine Black Bears 2019: Offseason Approaching

[BoSox3066]

Mending fences with our most famous and incredibly generous alumnus .

Wasnt this the biggest reason Whitehead was canned? If Red hasnt gotten those people back on board in 6 years maybe hes not guy to do it.

I thought the Grant hockey forever fund and the nhl alum golf tourney were supposed to solve some of the money issues. Thats what I read in the BDN at the time. Two years later its still not enough?

Excuses are like etc etc

 

[ticapnews]

Re: Maine Black Bears 2019: Offseason Approaching

Are our recruits better than AIC's? If yes, why are we underachieving?


If no, why? Their recruiting budget must be fantastical.

Because Maine plays in Hockey East and AIC plays in Atlantic Hockey? Maine's SOS this year was 18, AIC's was 50. Last season it was 54. Two seasons ago it was dead last (and they still finished 57 out of 60 teams).

 

[Runsub5]

Re: Maine Black Bears 2019: Offseason Approaching

More so as the lack of support by the school could be solved by the school providing more support. The article mentioned Maine having the lowest paid coaching staff and that Coach Bazin at UML is paid more than all the Maine coaches combined. But what the article fails to mention is that part of the reason for Coach Bazin's salary is his team's success. It also fails to mention that when Coach Bazin was hired UML increased its financial support of the program by $756 thousand, from $1.375 million to $2.131 million, a 55% increase. And the total head coach compensation only increased $20,000 Coach Bazin's first season, although UML did payout $242 thousand in severance to Coach MacDonald that season, but which was then invested in the hockey program the following seasons. On the other hand, Maine's total coaching compensation slightly increased when Coach Gendron took over ($32,000), but the overall program budget was reduced slightly ($38,000). So besides hiring a new coach UML also stepped up with additional support, while Maine did not. My now out of date NCAA financial information for 2010-16 is available if anyone is interested in looking at.

As for Coach Gendron's progress, I have compiled the cumulative coaching records for the first eight seasons of every Hockey East coach who started at or after the formation of the league (so no Coaches Ceglarski, Parker, Flaman, Holt, Riley or Sterling). There have been 32 first year coaches since 1984 and Coach Gendron had the seventh best first season. But as the seasons have progressed his overall position dropped quite a lot (12 out of 29 second seasons, 19 out of 27 third season, 21 out of 25 fourth seasons, 18 out of 24 fifth seasons and 15 out of 20 sixth seasons). It can also be seen that most of the coaches considered among the best in the league were among the top within 6 seasons and winning the regular season and/or making postseason runs. This historical data indicates that it is unlikely that Coach Gendron will be any more successful in future seasons. If interested my spreadsheet also has every team's seasonal records and recent and all time cumulative records. Maine has not fared well over the past 5 and 10 seasons when compared to the other league teams.

Sean

Nicely done. Thanks for sharing.

 

[ticapnews]

Re: Maine Black Bears 2019: Offseason Approaching

Wasnt this the biggest reason Whitehead was canned? If Red hasnt gotten those people back on board in 6 years maybe hes not guy to do it.

I thought the Grant hockey forever fund and the nhl alum golf tourney were supposed to solve some of the money issues. Thats what I read in the BDN at the time. Two years later its still not enough?

Excuses are like etc etc

I am focused on one person, not "those people" and fixing that particular rift is far above Red's pay grade IMHO. That problem was created by Blake James and his crew. That's a job for the school president and the AD. Of course, attempts may have been made and Stephen may have sicced Cujo on them when they came around. It's a 2-way street and if he isn't interested in helping his alma mater anymore there isn't much they can do.

As for the Forever Fund, the Savage Challenge or whatever other fundraisers, anyone have any figures? I haven't seen any in two or three years and those were pretty bleak.

 

[BoSox3066]

I am focused on one person, not "those people" and fixing that particular rift is far above Red's pay grade IMHO. That problem was created by Blake James and his crew. That's a job for the school president and the AD. Of course, attempts may have been made and Stephen may have sicced Cujo on them when they came around. It's a 2-way street and if he isn't interested in helping his alma mater anymore there isn't much they can do.

As for the Forever Fund, the Savage Challenge or whatever other fundraisers, anyone have any figures? I haven't seen any in two or three years and those were pretty bleak.

Fair on King specifically who knows where his minds at. He could still be mad they axxed cindy blodgett even though thats been proven right ten thousand times over. If Steve Abbott couldnt reach him I dont know how the guy from Colorado will.

 

[BlackI]

Fair on King specifically who knows where his minds at. He could still be mad they axxed cindy blodgett even though thats been proven right ten thousand times over. If Steve Abbott couldnt reach him I dont know how the guy from Colorado will.

I thought it was more about they didn’t allow him an opportunity to bid for radio contract for UMaine sports.

 

[rufus]

Because Maine plays in Hockey East and AIC plays in Atlantic Hockey? Maine's SOS this year was 18, AIC's was 50. Last season it was 54. Two seasons ago it was dead last (and they still finished 57 out of 60 teams).

And yet, they got into the NCAAtourney, and managed to take down a #1 seed.

With their chitty recruits and their weakazz team

BU and BC bookends Maine in the HE standings, and yet both still managed to get to the Garden. I guess cause of their facilities.

 

[Runsub5]

Re: Maine Black Bears 2019: Offseason Approaching

I thought it was more about they didn’t allow him an opportunity to bid for radio contract for UMaine sports.

The Sports Zone had limited broadcast coverage at the time Leerfield Sports arrived on the scene. The University or Leerfield wanted more state wide coverage. That's when the King family did not renew their suite at Alfond Arena. That's what I recall. Blodgett may have factored in as well.

 

[ticapnews]

Re: Maine Black Bears 2019: Offseason Approaching

And yet, they got into the NCAAtourney, and managed to take down a #1 seed.

With their chitty recruits and their weakazz team

BU and BC bookends Maine in the HE standings, and yet both still managed to get to the Garden. I guess cause of their facilities.

AIC hasn't had a winning record this millennia, has averaged about seven wins per season playing in the worst conference in the sport against one of the softest schedules in the country. They won one game and you're over the moon. But I think you're onto something. Call the Athletic Director and insist the program move from Hockey East to Atlantic Hockey. The budget and facilities are more in line with that conference anyway.

(207) 581-1865 I'm sure Ken will take your call.

 

[Ma#1ne Hky]

Re: Maine Black Bears 2019: Offseason Approaching

AIC hasn't had a winning record this millennia, has averaged about seven wins per season playing in the worst conference in the sport against one of the softest schedules in the country. They won one game and you're over the moon. But I think you're onto something. Call the Athletic Director and insist the program move from Hockey East to Atlantic Hockey. The budget and facilities are more in line with that conference anyway.

(207) 581-1865 I'm sure Ken will take your call.

And have you call him too..? Or are you just giddy when times are bad..?

 

[ticapnews]

Re: Maine Black Bears 2019: Offseason Approaching

And have you call him too..? Or are you just giddy when times are bad..?

I maintain an even strain.

 

[walrus]

Re: Maine Black Bears 2019: Offseason Approaching

I thought it was more about they didn’t allow him an opportunity to bid for radio contract for UMaine sports.

They bid more money than Learfield and **** for Brains AD just said F U to the Kings

 

[BoSox3066]

I thought it was more about they didn’t allow him an opportunity to bid for radio contract for UMaine sports.

Thats where it started. I thought Steve Abbott had it somewhat smoothed over before he had to can Blodgett tho and then it all fell aprt again.

 

[NorthMike]

Re: Maine Black Bears 2019: Offseason Approaching

It's unbelievable to me how the AD and Gendron blame the facility for Maine's lack of success. It's clear Gendron will be the coach for at least two more years.

This whole narrative around that we need a new shiny sterile rink built so the hockey program would somehow magically become relevant again overnight drives me absolutely nuts and its just silly.
Yeh sure the alfond could use an investment and I'll spare everyone what my list would include for that. There are many old rinks in the D1 ranks that don’t seem to hold anyone back. The Bruce Haas book “Great Game” has a good section in it about the different classic rinks around D1, pretty good reading.
My case in point, look at Northeastern, if we had their recent success we'd be complaining why aren't we getting to the frozen four. OK Matthews history and all can be appreciated, but from what I recently saw the atmosphere and facility isn't as good as the alfond. It hasn't hurt their recruiting or success.
I doubt many recruits show up at the alfond look around and say "nah" this place is no good I aint coming here. Don't you think the largest factor for recruits is that they are looking at the coach/staff and program to see if it meets their personality and goals for development and play time? Including scholarships and a chance to play in the post season for the experience and development this provides, must also be important factors. If these factors aren’t in place then you get what you can get.

They interviewed Makars dad yesterday during the game and he was asked why they chose UMass. He said UMass was the first to approach Cale and then they met the “new” coach and staff and was sold on how Carvel presented himself as being able to prepare Cale for the NHL.

If Ken Ralph wants to raise money to help the program, great, but put it into coaching staff and recruiting over the building. When he raises so much money that this is taken care of and the game attendance goes up then sure yeah invest into the alfond that would be great.
I’m actually hopeful around what Ken Ralph can do with and bring to the program. I saw Ken Ralph at a couple of the games this year and was impressed with what I saw, he was dressed well and was engaging with a variety of people and paying attention to whats going on. Supporting Red at this point is all he can do, Reds not getting replaced this next year or maybe not the year after. I hear the message to be that fund raising has to be done then we have options. We shall see how this develops.

 

[ticapnews]

Re: Maine Black Bears 2019: Offseason Approaching

I saw Ken Ralph at a couple of the games this year and was impressed with what I saw, he was dressed well

Was he dressed as Bananas?

 

[NorthMike]

Was he dressed as Bananas?

Naked 5

 

[BlackI]

Well the guy that got his start in Old town made his way into the frozen four... again. I wonder how many frozen four trips he’s had.

 

[AMC]

Re: Maine Black Bears 2019: Offseason Approaching

It isn't shocking news to anyone who pays attention, but in the past year+ there have been big stories in the BDN that UMaine doesn't spend anywhere close to competitively in men's hockey, men's basketball or football.

At what point does the discussion regarding whether, if Maine wants to sponsor all three of those sports AND baseball (which can't be funded appropriately either), Maine should not be in Division I?

It's not like Maine is spending below the bottom of a big conference like the Big Ten.

 

[rufus]

Re: Maine Black Bears 2019: Offseason Approaching

It isn't shocking news to anyone who pays attention, but in the past year+ there have been big stories in the BDN that UMaine doesn't spend anywhere close to competitively in men's hockey, men's basketball or football.

At what point does the discussion regarding whether, if Maine wants to sponsor all three of those sports AND baseball (which can't be funded appropriately either), Maine should not be in Division I?

It's not like Maine is spending below the bottom of a big conference like the Big Ten.

All true, and yet, the football coach got his team to the final four.

The hockey coach can't get his team to the league final four.

 

[rufus]

Re: Maine Black Bears 2019: Offseason Approaching

Well the guy that got his start in Old town made his way into the frozen four... again. I wonder how many frozen four trips he’s had.

If only some AD with vision would have made him an offer a couple years before Providence did.