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Michigan Tech 2016 Off-Season: Good Things are Taking Shape... The Shape of an Oval

Shirtless Guy said:
Who knows, the only team (outside the WCHA) that played less than allowed was Army, but that doesn't mean MTU didn't have a choice to play AT someone's building and they ended up filling it with someone else.
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As much success as he's had, I'll trust Mel's judgement. He's one of the best in the game. If there was a possible scheduling agreement that he felt benefitted the program, I'm sure he would have taken it.
 
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Re: Michigan Tech 2016 Off-Season: Good Things are Taking Shape... The Shape of an Ov

I'll be quite impressed if they go .500 those first 10 games in October (7 of which are on the road).
 
Re: Michigan Tech 2016 Off-Season: Good Things are Taking Shape... The Shape of an Ov

Tough starting schedule, but at the end of the regular season, Tech should be in the 20 win range and be at the Mac for at least the first round. The only real question is in the goal. Some good recruits coming in as well. This Huskies team will be solid to start and get better as the season goes on.
 
davyd83 said:
Tough starting schedule, but at the end of the regular season, Tech should be in the 20 win range and be at the Mac for at least the first round. The only real question is in the goal. Some good recruits coming in as well. This Huskies team will be solid to start and get better as the season goes on.
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Agreed start looks brutal, better be on it from the get go.
 
Re: Michigan Tech 2016 Off-Season: Good Things are Taking Shape... The Shape of an Ov

So all the non-conference games are on the road. Last three years we had 20, 16, now 14 home games. I went to South Dump last time they played at Notre Dame and it sucked. The drive there sucked but the only thing that sucked worse were the games. The refs thought they were calling a no-check women's league game and it was a complete embarrassment. Yost is an overrated dump with immature, profane students and Munn is a giant, sad mausoleum. I can't say how I really feel about the schedule because of the language filters, but it rhymes with ducking and ends with stupid.
 
Broseph Stalin said:
So all the non-conference games are on the road. Last three years we had 20, 16, now 14 home games. I went to South Dump last time they played at Notre Dame and it sucked. The drive there sucked but the only thing that sucked worse were the games. The refs thought they were calling a no-check women's league game and it was a complete embarrassment. Yost is an overrated dump with immature, profane students and Munn is a giant, sad mausoleum. I can't say how I really feel about the schedule because of the language filters, but it rhymes with ducking and ends with stupid.
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There is a price to pay for those 2-for-1 deals with Michigan and State. On the plus side, Tech gets Duluth at home next year. Not sure how the Notre Dame deal works out, but hopefully that's an even swap for Tech.
 
Re: Michigan Tech 2016 Off-Season: Good Things are Taking Shape... The Shape of an Ov

davyd83 said:
There is a price to pay for those 2-for-1 deals with Michigan and State. On the plus side, Tech gets Duluth at home next year. Not sure how the Notre Dame deal works out, but hopefully that's an even swap for Tech.
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I'm not sure Duluth's return trip will be next year with MTU part of the icebreaker in Duluth next season. The good news is Tech has at least 4 NC home games in 2017-18, Wisconsin and ASU.
 
Re: Michigan Tech 2016 Off-Season: Good Things are Taking Shape... The Shape of an Ov

An appeal for Max Vallis for a 4th year of eligibility is underway, per Mel this morning.

All other returning players are on campus and working out right now, so no early departures or transfers as of this moment.
 
Re: Michigan Tech 2016 Off-Season: Good Things are Taking Shape... The Shape of an Ov

Shirtless Guy said:
I'm not sure Duluth's return trip will be next year with MTU part of the icebreaker in Duluth next season. The good news is Tech has at least 4 NC home games in 2017-18, Wisconsin and ASU.
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If memory serves me correctly, the UW series is the back end of the Huskies trip to Madison in the 2012-13 season and that deal was an even swap (Mike Eaves was the only Big Ten coach that seemed to be doing even deals).
 
Re: Michigan Tech 2016 Off-Season: Good Things are Taking Shape... The Shape of an Ov

Because of the calendar for NCAA hockey, the Huskies will actually be playing a game at Duluth on the first official day of practice. There's no waiver for playing an early game to get practice started earlier.
 
Re: Michigan Tech 2016 Off-Season: Good Things are Taking Shape... The Shape of an Ov

Some notes to add to what others have posted. Good to get some hockey talk and I hope they have a good turnout tonight. It's good to do things like this to get the locals involved.


Mel was in a rink last weekend, this will be his first weekend to relax and not be anywhere in awhile

Tonight at JMSIA 6-8, all youth and adults are welcome at spring hockey carnival - free
Players can interact with locals and talk hockey
Plenty of fun, bounce house, shooting on Kero/Wintjes
Come out tonight, really enjoy seeing the young fans and players interact.
Free food/prizes/games.

Season tickets available starting today, not onlien yet(next week) but call, discounted until 7/1

McNaughton cup is at station with Mel, he likes to bring it around the community

New playoff format:
League meetings in April, discussed playoffs financially and fan/player experience
It'll be a better price point for local fans, hopefully can save your money to go to the regional
Mel played when it was on campus, Mel's senior year, played Michigan in Houghton in playoffs, great hockey, it'll be fantastic, thinks it the right move right now
If we would've played/won Ferris 2 of 3, instead of lose 1, maybe would've helped RPI and our NCAA chances last year
Dirk said - Mitch wondering why only 1 championship game, we discussed 2nd round being single game, want teams to be fresh in NCAA, already travel a lot as a league
Quick turn around with NCAA starting, so only a 1 game championship
1st round will be built into season tickets, not sure on 2nd round

On players:
Vallis review at NCAA, Vallis would like to come back, we'll see
Have spoken with all our players, a number going to NHL development camps, don't want that phone call like JJ, get a call after a camp saying they have an opportunity, Mel resting well

Incoming freshmen:
On another show, go over all signees, we've had a couple others come on board, 9 person freshmen class, maybe 10
There's some good players in there, only 1 is still playing against coach Muckalt's team

On schedule:
Very road heavy schedule, will we get reciprocated in future years?
Originally only going to UM and MSU. Didn't have anything else.
We were going to play in a tournament just after Xmas, that fell through so impacted ND and Tech, both had opening so we are traveling there as it worked better for them. They will come back to Houghton eventually.
Didn't play UMD for first time in a long time last year. Just decided to go over there for two games. They'll come back in 2 years afte ice breaker next year.
In future UW, ND, ASU, UMD all planned to play in Houghton. Want to play best teams. We've talked abotu tough schedule with team. UMD/ND/UM all in NCAA last year.
In discussion with UM/MSU for more games after this year. They have some things to figure out to with ND added to B1G.
We've talked to North Dakota.
UW will be in 2017/18 in Houghton, contract signed. Mel has a good relationship with Granato at UW.
Official first practice day is 10/1, played UMD that night. A lot of captains practice.
School start 8/29, our guys will be on the ice. Coaches 2 hours a week allowed 9/15.
Very excited to have UMD back on schedule.
Get a hotel for UMD, team has looked into it and rooms are expensive already. Sat/Sunday, Sunday early game. Maybe 5ish, Sandelin and their new AD great to work with.
At Michigan is homecoming/football weekend, so get hotels.
Mankato was schedule to be at end of year again like it has been recently, had to shift due to our new longer playoff schedule, now early in season. We were supposed to have first half of Oct open, now travel/playing.
There will be good team bonding with early travel.
GLI - Thur/Fri this year

Another Mel P show once freshmen official.

Shoutout to Mel's wife, 34th wedding anniversary recently.
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Re: Michigan Tech 2016 Off-Season: Good Things are Taking Shape... The Shape of an Ov

For those of you wondering about the Playoff change helping MTU last year...other than giving them home rink advantage, which would have increased their chances of winning, the format would not have helped MTU get into the NCAA tournament.

MTU would have had to win the WCHA tournament to get in last year under this new format...
 
Re: Michigan Tech 2016 Off-Season: Good Things are Taking Shape... The Shape of an Ov

Shirtless Guy said:
For those of you wondering about the Playoff change helping MTU last year...other than giving them home rink advantage, which would have increased their chances of winning, the format would not have helped MTU get into the NCAA tournament.

MTU would have had to win the WCHA tournament to get in last year under this new format...
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This just goes to show that 1) we need great success in our meager non-conference schedule for PWR boosts and 2) you have to beat the bad teams to make the playoffs without the AQ. I'll be working with Shirtless to do some what-if scenarios.

GFM
 
Re: Michigan Tech 2016 Off-Season: Good Things are Taking Shape... The Shape of an Ov

davyd83 said:
Hey pal, I was rooting for Tech long before you, been to more Tech games than you'll ever hope to see, and if they're aren't playing my alma mater, I'm always pulling for the Huskies. I hoped they would win Grand Rapids & make some noise in the NCAA. And please point out where my facts are incorrect.
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And I don't give a flying ****. You're still ****ing annoying and need to just go away.
 
Re: Michigan Tech 2016 Off-Season: Good Things are Taking Shape... The Shape of an Ov

Do Tech fans not know how to use the block function? If you think that Dave's worth flipping a bozo bit over, flip it.

GFM
 
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