Hey, guys. Long time no see.
It's been a while since I've posted - among other things, part of me was burnt out about Tech being the laughingstock of college hockey. I wanted Russell to prove that a Tech alum could coach Michigan Tech to victory, but in that case, nice guys really did finish last. I got so frustrated that I didn't even want to be on USCHO, let alone go to hockey games back in Houghton. Call me a bandwagon fan, but watching 10 years of failure does a number on your interest in hockey.
For the first time in a long while, I feel good about where the Tech hockey program is going. Suzanne, Glenn and the alumni have opened the pocketbook to allow for a good coach and a good staff, and hopefully will lift some of the other restrictions to allow for this coach to do what he needs to do to recruit top-grade players. I'm glad they recognized that Tech needs to stand out in the brave new world that is post-BTHC college hockey, or it will be swept aside.
It won't be perfect, of course. Mel has a hell of a lot of work ahead of him, and he won't be able to convince many of the best recruits to come here like he could with Michigan. He needs to weed out bad habits (and players?) on the current squad, kick the injury bug for good, and re-learn how to compete in the WCHA. But... we have reason to hope for a better future - enough to wake me up from hibernation anyway.