Merrimack College 2011-2012 Season Thread - vita post Da Costa

[RENCEB]

Re: Merrimack College 2011-2012 Season Thread - vita post Da Costa

.....Although they are not national powers like Merrimack .....

wow, slow down there young fella. MC is in the midst (near the top?) of a nice postive improvement curve, but I'm not ready to throw around "national power". IIRC, MC was 4th in HE last year? Yes, the #1 ranking is terrific recognition for the 1st time in the prgram's history, but it wasn't that long ago the "perennial doormat" was the monniker of choice. And that description was over a looooong time frame.

 

[Hokydad]

Re: Merrimack College 2011-2012 Season Thread - vita post Da Costa

As long as Cannata is there they are a top ten team. When he leaves, that will change but will still be a top 20 type. The past is the past.
What Dennehy has done is build a program(outside getting Cannata) with over age western canadian players. Players who were 20+ and did not have deals. At that age, it is much easier to convince a kid to come out here and play and do a specific role. very difficult to get an 18/19 year old from the USHL to do that as they all still feel they are going to the NHL. At 20+, they are more than willing to accept a role and buy into his system. hats off for formulating the plan, the hard work to get the players and implement it and most importantly, staying on task and ignoring the many obstacles that came with coaching at MC the first 4/5 years...

Put it this way, Cannata is a 90 birth year senior. There are 9 freshman on this years team, 7 of which are the same birthyear, 90's. More than one will be 22 before the season is over. The other 2 are early 91's


If you use the phrase, this years MC team is a national power, that would be correct. If you said the Merrimack program is a national power, you would be guessing. Time will tell. Everyone thought the program would go backwards without Dacosta, which didnt happen but all that shows is just how valuable Cannata is.
8-0-1 with a 1.32 GA and 944 save % says it all

 

[C-H-C]

Re: Merrimack College 2011-2012 Season Thread - vita post Da Costa

What Dennehy has done is build a program(outside getting Cannata) with over age western canadian players. Players who were 20+ and did not have deals. At that age, it is much easier to convince a kid to come out here and play and do a specific role. very difficult to get an 18/19 year old from the USHL to do that as they all still feel they are going to the NHL. At 20+, they are more than willing to accept a role and buy into his system. hats off for formulating the plan, the hard work to get the players and implement it and most importantly, staying on task and ignoring the many obstacles that came with coaching at MC the first 4/5 years...

Former Associate Coach Darren Yopyk was reportedly a key implementer of the strategy to recruit older players from Western Canada. After leaving Merrimack, Yopyk spent two seasons as Head Coach of the Westside Warriors in the BCHL. This summer, Yopyk left that position to become a scout for the Minnesota Wild. Will Merrimack be as successful recruiting in Western Canada without Yopyk's involvement?

 

[Hokydad]

Re: Merrimack College 2011-2012 Season Thread - vita post Da Costa

Former Associate Coach Darren Yopyk was reportedly a key implementer of the strategy to recruit older players from Western Canada. After leaving Merrimack, Yopyk spent two seasons as Head Coach of the Westside Warriors in the BCHL. This summer, Yopyk left that position to become a scout for the Minnesota Wild. Will Merrimack be as successful recruiting in Western Canada without Yopyk's involvement?

yes, they have very strong ties with Vernon, Victoria, Westside and a couple others. With the success those players have had at MC, word of mouth when they go home for the summer and breaks is powerfull.

 

[irishfan85]

Re: Merrimack College 2011-2012 Season Thread - vita post Da Costa

yes, they have very strong ties with Vernon, Victoria, Westside and a couple others. With the success those players have had at MC, word of mouth when they go home for the summer and breaks is powerfull.

Agreed. If you can establish something that players want to come play for, they will continue to come. Hokydad, what do you think about Vinny Scotti?

 

[Hokydad]

Re: Merrimack College 2011-2012 Season Thread - vita post Da Costa

All good.... Dennehy and P Masters are very close, remember that was who he first offered the ast job to. If he is coming to MC, he will be a keeper. On the smaller side but good skill package. 85-90% Ricci, which is very good

 

[WarriorDJ]

Re: Merrimack College 2011-2012 Season Thread - vita post Da Costa

Will Merrimack be as successful recruiting in Western Canada without Yopyk's involvement?

Good question CHC, my thought is yes - considering the recent talent MC has been able to get committed:

Wade Murphy, F, Victoria Grizzlies, 2nd leading scorer in the BCHL: http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/rosters_...3&teamID=305106&leagueID=2393&playerID=591564

Matt Cronin, D, Surrey Eagles, 6'3" 215 - and very strong for a 19 year old from all reports: http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/rosters_...3&leagueID=2393&playerID=455762&teamID=305109

 

[RENCEB]

Re: Merrimack College 2011-2012 Season Thread - vita post Da Costa

As long as Cannata is there they are a top ten team. When he leaves, that will change but will still be a top 20 type. The past is the past.
What Dennehy has done is build a program(outside getting Cannata) with over age western canadian players. Players who were 20+ and did not have deals. At that age, it is much easier to convince a kid to come out here and play and do a specific role. very difficult to get an 18/19 year old from the USHL to do that as they all still feel they are going to the NHL. At 20+, they are more than willing to accept a role and buy into his system. hats off for formulating the plan, the hard work to get the players and implement it and most importantly, staying on task and ignoring the many obstacles that came with coaching at MC the first 4/5 years...

Put it this way, Cannata is a 90 birth year senior. There are 9 freshman on this years team, 7 of which are the same birthyear, 90's. More than one will be 22 before the season is over. The other 2 are early 91's


If you use the phrase, this years MC team is a national power, that would be correct. If you said the Merrimack program is a national power, you would be guessing. Time will tell. Everyone thought the program would go backwards without Dacosta, which didnt happen but all that shows is just how valuable Cannata is.
8-0-1 with a 1.32 GA and 944 save % says it all

Good post HD.

 

[C-H-C]

Re: Merrimack College 2011-2012 Season Thread - vita post Da Costa

Good question CHC, my thought is yes - considering the recent talent MC has been able to get committed:

Wade Murphy, F, Victoria Grizzlies, 2nd leading scorer in the BCHL: http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/rosters_...3&teamID=305106&leagueID=2393&playerID=591564

Matt Cronin, D, Surrey Eagles, 6'3" 215 - and very strong for a 19 year old from all reports: http://www.bchl.ca/leagues/rosters_...3&leagueID=2393&playerID=455762&teamID=305109

Coach Dennehy and former Coach Yopyk deserve credit for mining (so to speak) Western Canada for mature, talented players. UNH dabbles in that region - most years UNH has a couple players in the lineup who played in the British Columbia Hockey League and/or Alberta Junior Hockey League - but Merrimack has benefitted even more. The ties between the region and Merrimack must run deep.

 

[Hokydad]

Re: Merrimack College 2011-2012 Season Thread - vita post Da Costa

It runs very deep everywhere. They are pumping out as many kids to D 1 as USHL, the only real difference is many have already played a year or two in WHL and cant go to college or want to go Canadian University. I think BC/BU will have 6 or 7 off Victoria nad Vernon alone next year. The Express have a couple of the tops in the country. Union has as good a connection with them as anyone, better than Merrimack. Union has 11 from BCHL, MC has 7. MC has in the past gotten from the AJHL types. Its no secret that the BCHL is loaded and eevry league has tons of representation. Murphy is a huge get for them

 

[FiveHole12]

Re: Merrimack College 2011-2012 Season Thread - vita post Da Costa

As long as Cannata is there they are a top ten team. When he leaves, that will change but will still be a top 20 type. The past is the past.
What Dennehy has done is build a program(outside getting Cannata) with over age western canadian players. Players who were 20+ and did not have deals. At that age, it is much easier to convince a kid to come out here and play and do a specific role. very difficult to get an 18/19 year old from the USHL to do that as they all still feel they are going to the NHL. At 20+, they are more than willing to accept a role and buy into his system. hats off for formulating the plan, the hard work to get the players and implement it and most importantly, staying on task and ignoring the many obstacles that came with coaching at MC the first 4/5 years...

Put it this way, Cannata is a 90 birth year senior. There are 9 freshman on this years team, 7 of which are the same birthyear, 90's. More than one will be 22 before the season is over. The other 2 are early 91's


If you use the phrase, this years MC team is a national power, that would be correct. If you said the Merrimack program is a national power, you would be guessing. Time will tell. Everyone thought the program would go backwards without Dacosta, which didnt happen but all that shows is just how valuable Cannata is.
8-0-1 with a 1.32 GA and 944 save % says it all

Not everybody thought the program would go backwards without DaCosta, and I think this MC team is still top ten without Cannata.
No way to prove that, but I think you underestimate the rest of the team. Take away a key D-man or two and things could change significantly no matter who's in net. JMO.

 

[zena]

Re: Merrimack College 2011-2012 Season Thread - vita post Da Costa

Agreed. If you can establish something that players want to come play for, they will continue to come. Hokydad, what do you think about Vinny Scotti?[

Heard he was the best player on his prep school team last year (along with a big defenseman now @ PC).
Said he's a tad small but very fast and a nack for scoring.

 

[Hokydad]

Re: Merrimack College 2011-2012 Season Thread - vita post Da Costa

Not everybody thought the program would go backwards without DaCosta, and I think this MC team is still top ten without Cannata.
No way to prove that, but I think you underestimate the rest of the team. Take away a key D-man or two and things could change significantly no matter who's in net. JMO.

I think the maine playoff series showed everyone last year that MC would be fine without SD, players step up.
He was key as the series with PC at end proved but MC has the depth to keep chugging along. They are not top ten without Cannata

 

[Humanoid]

Re: Merrimack College 2011-2012 Season Thread - vita post Da Costa

Maybe I'm just calling sour grapes here, but are there any Merrimack supporters who are doubting your #1 ranking? I am so glad the Warriors are among the best in the nation, especially given all you've gone through as a program, but it's hard to deny that the OOC schedule is less than desirable. Your out of conference games are lacking in major, tough competition in comparison to schools like Boston College. And your only game against a TUC is against BU, which is an in-confernece game.

I'm just trying to create a discussion point and get a feel for what the opinion at MC is. The top five is definitely deserved, but just being undefeated needs to account for something (think Houston in football). The Warriors haven't really beaten anybody outside of that BU game, and there are far too many bad ECAC teams on the docket.

SLU isn't great, and the Ledyard Bank Tournament isn't what some would think it be. Is Merrimack benefitting from a light schedule and favorable home contests?

I'm interested to see how MC holds its own when they play BC and BU in January.

 

[MCgrad07]

Re: Merrimack College 2011-2012 Season Thread - vita post Da Costa

wow, slow down there young fella. MC is in the midst (near the top?) of a nice postive improvement curve, but I'm not ready to throw around "national power". IIRC, MC was 4th in HE last year? Yes, the #1 ranking is terrific recognition for the 1st time in the prgram's history, but it wasn't that long ago the "perennial doormat" was the monniker of choice. And that description was over a looooong time frame.

I was never saying that Merrimack is a national power. I was trying to say that Merrimack should play teams out west that are not known nationally to common fans. Teams like St. Cloud Lake State etc. are known throughout the college hockey world but not to the casual fan. I am basically saying don't play the Michigans, Minnesota or No Daks of the world because there is no chance they would ever come play at Merrimack.

 

[Hokydad]

Re: Merrimack College 2011-2012 Season Thread - vita post Da Costa

Maybe I'm just calling sour grapes here, but are there any Merrimack supporters who are doubting your #1 ranking? I am so glad the Warriors are among the best in the nation, especially given all you've gone through as a program, but it's hard to deny that the OOC schedule is less than desirable. Your out of conference games are lacking in major, tough competition in comparison to schools like Boston College. And your only game against a TUC is against BU, which is an in-confernece game.

I'm just trying to create a discussion point and get a feel for what the opinion at MC is. The top five is definitely deserved, but just being undefeated needs to account for something (think Houston in football). The Warriors haven't really beaten anybody outside of that BU game, and there are far too many bad ECAC teams on the docket.

SLU isn't great, and the Ledyard Bank Tournament isn't what some would think it be. Is Merrimack benefitting from a light schedule and favorable home contests?

I'm interested to see how MC holds its own when they play BC and BU in January.

Better than having Mich lose 6 in a row and still be top 12. Now thats a farce.

MC is a top 5 program right now, 1, 2 , 3 or 5, doesnt matter. It is an honor and they deserve to be number 1. If the other top 5's keep losing,. that is their problem.

I do though wonder why they wouldnt schedule a single game vs wcha or ccha types? 4 ECAC and 3 A10 and Alabama seems like you are setting the bar awful low.

 

[Fighting Sioux 23]

Re: Merrimack College 2011-2012 Season Thread - vita post Da Costa

I was never saying that Merrimack is a national power. I was trying to say that Merrimack should play teams out west that are not known nationally to common fans. Teams like St. Cloud Lake State etc. are known throughout the college hockey world but not to the casual fan. I am basically saying don't play the Michigans, Minnesota or No Daks of the world because there is no chance they would ever come play at Merrimack.

North Dakota is known for scheduling 1 for 1 scheduling contracts. They would go out and play Merrimack. I'm not sure how the scheduling arrangement was done when Merrimack came out to North Dakota in 2009, but typically the Sioux don't schedule for just one series to be played. I know that the Sioux will be playing a few games out east in the next few years as well, but I'm not sure if the Warriors are on the docket, although it would be nice if they were. In the past ten or so years the Sioux have made trips out to play Clarkson, St. Lawrence, Princeton, New Hampshire, Maine, Yale, Boston College, Northeastern, Dartmouth, Boston University, Cornell and Harvard, so I wouldn't put North Dakota on your list of teams that would never come out to play Merrimack.

 

[mookie1995]

Re: Merrimack College 2011-2012 Season Thread - vita post Da Costa

Wcha teams know you're no pushover... They just have to look at the dodge classic lineup this year to verify that!

 

[Hokydad]

Re: Merrimack College 2011-2012 Season Thread - vita post Da Costa

Its also not MC's fault that the other teams keep losing. No other team in country has less than 3 losses, and all of those have ties as well. BC has lost 3 of 5 including 5-0 against BU and under 500 U Mass. If other teams want to be first, it is simple, win...

 

[Humanoid]

Re: Merrimack College 2011-2012 Season Thread - vita post Da Costa

Its also not MC's fault that the other teams keep losing. No other team in country has less than 3 losses, and all of those have ties as well. BC has lost 3 of 5 including 5-0 against BU and under 500 U Mass. If other teams want to be first, it is simple, win...

I think you meant WMU, who is 12. UM is way down at 19. BC has lost 3 of 5 including the game against UMass but they had beaten very quality teams. That's like saying about U. Houston (back to my other example) - you're undefeated so you should be ahead of a 3-loss USC team (or something like that) in football. MACK has hardly played quality teams.

In my poll, I'd have BC 1, ND 2, and MACK 3...but you're right. It's splitting hairs at that point. Whether you're 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5..if you're a Top 5 team, you're elite. That's kind of the only thing that really does matter. if MACK beats BC and BU, then I vault them all and make them #1.