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Merrimack Offseason: ya, so that was fun.........

Re: Merrimack Offseason: ya, so that was fun.........

Boy, the echo in here is pretty loud...

Figured it was worth mentioning that Stephane Da Costa is having a great rookie tournament for the Senators, and pushing first round pick Mika Zibanejad for a potential roster spot at the NHL camp (starts Friday).

He recently potted a hat trick against the Blackhawks rookies and added another goal against the Maple Leafs rookies. All good news if he plans to make the NHL squad starting up next month.

James Mirtle from the Globe and Mail in Toronto wrote up this article on his summer work and journey to playing in the NHL: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/spor...aris-to-ottawa-via-frisco-tex/article2164976/
 
Re: Merrimack Offseason: ya, so that was fun.........

Why not right? They're obviously invested in making athletics the forefront of the school. They've invested a lot of money in remodeling a lot of spots on campus. Now they're upgrading the hockey facility, and I would assume the plan is to expand the football staduim as well (which they would have to to go D1).
 
Re: Merrimack Offseason: ya, so that was fun.........

rdurk86 said:
Why not right? They're obviously invested in making athletics the forefront of the school. They've invested a lot of money in remodeling a lot of spots on campus. Now they're upgrading the hockey facility, and I would assume the plan is to expand the football staduim as well (which they would have to to go D1).
Click to expand...

I love it. It's kind of a jock school now anyway, aren't like 20% of the students athletes now? The main stumbling block, as always, is enrollment size, though it sounds like president Hopey wants to raise enrollment.
 
Re: Merrimack Offseason: ya, so that was fun.........

I think with improved stands around the football field and a bball floor to put down over the ice, I don't think it will be too much of a problem making the move to D1. A lot more publicity will come from it, as Mike said in a recent blog post: if they can get good enough to win their bball division every 6 years or so that means a nationally televised game against the likes of Duke, UNC, etc in the first round of the dance...that's a lot of air-time with the name "Merrimack" on the front of the jerseys.

Increasing student population is going to be tough without decreasing standards...they already accept at 80+%.
 
Re: Merrimack Offseason: ya, so that was fun.........

Merrimack going DI won't change much for other sports. Look at Bryant for example. They moved from Northeast 10 DII to whatever Division they play in DI. They are seen getting killed on the bottom line on ESPN. Merrimack will get no extra exposure by playing in America East or whatever conference they play in because they get no tv time.
 
Re: Merrimack Offseason: ya, so that was fun.........

not sure I agree completely. Any press is good press. All it takes is an exceptional team every now and then to make it to the dance and get some free press time.

I think it's a good step regardless. Gives the school an edge with local folk who are deciding between Bentley, Stonehill and Merrimack.

Now, let's talk some hockey. Pre-ranked 15? What are people's thoughts? I think it's about right...ND at number 1 on the other hand...
 
Re: Merrimack Offseason: ya, so that was fun.........

Salvo1017 said:
Now, let's talk some hockey. Pre-ranked 15? What are people's thoughts? I think it's about right...ND at number 1 on the other hand...
Click to expand...

I think the #15 ranking is very generous, and it really rewards this team for what they did LAST year. All things aside, it's a nice momento from last season and we can all relish in that little number to the left of "your Merrimack College Warriors". :D

Now it's up to the 11-12 squad to keep the streak alive, if you recall last year it was a skiddish start in the first month before we caught fire. Let's see how things go starting the season off on the road in a very hostile environment.

As for ND at #1 it is not a bad call IMO, their team is stacked with NHL talent, they are a scrappy bunch that can score goals and hold up on the defensive end of the scoresheet...
 
Re: Merrimack Offseason: ya, so that was fun.........

I like the 15th ranking for the Warriors. A lot of time the second ten of the ranking is based on last year's performance. Being realistic I don't see Merrimack having a year like last year, but I think they will be competitive. I see them somewhere between 4-6 in the conference and having another good chance of making it to the Garden for the Hockey East Semis. If the program can get there again this year that would help recruiting a tremendous amount. Unfortunately not too many people are convinced Merrimack hockey can survive life after Da Costa.
 
Re: Merrimack Offseason: ya, so that was fun.........

MCgrad07 said:
I like the 15th ranking for the Warriors. A lot of time the second ten of the ranking is based on last year's performance. Being realistic I don't see Merrimack having a year like last year, but I think they will be competitive. I see them somewhere between 4-6 in the conference and having another good chance of making it to the Garden for the Hockey East Semis. If the program can get there again this year that would help recruiting a tremendous amount. Unfortunately not too many people are convinced Merrimack hockey can survive life after Da Costa.
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Why is it unfortunate what others think? Count your blessings the Mack is still under the radar.
Personally, I think Merrimack will put as good, if not a better team on the ice this season.
You guys are loaded where it counts... D & goaltending. Have a few snipers there too. The Mack will be fine, regardless of what others think.
 
Re: Merrimack Offseason: ya, so that was fun.........

Dennehy was quoted saying that this might be the deepest MC team ever...I think I agree.
 
Re: Merrimack Offseason: ya, so that was fun.........

was all excited to watch the Bs vs. Senators until I heard Da Costa wasn't playing,
 
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