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Michigan Tech Offseason 2014: Nothing To Say

aparch said:
I see both sides of the situation. I'm a little surprised that four coaches are needed for basketball, that seems like overkill and they need to reduce that number.

On the hockey side, I understand the handicapping of teams to prevent a school with the financial resources to hire specialized coaches. You'd have a (for example) Michigan with four coaches (Head, Asst., PK/PP, G) versus a Lake State (can barely afford a HC and Asst).

The coaching cap doesn't seem to affect the big schools who routinely make the tournament.


If a school wanted specialized coaches (under the current system) couldn't they hire them on as instructors (ie: PE classes) and they could volunteer for coaching duties?
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You are only allowed one VA as well.
 
Re: Michigan Tech Offseason 2014: Nothing To Say

Well let's offer a class titled "Being a D1 Hockey Goalie" with a class size of 3.
 
Re: Michigan Tech Offseason 2014: Nothing To Say

Shirtless Guy said:
You off all people making excuses is quite funny. This is college hockey, if you're doing things right, you're typically losing the best players each year. Losing Khaira certainly sucked but Minnesota State lost Eriah Hayes. You don't think he was a huge part of their offense but they managed to finish 2nd and guys like Bryce Gervais (8-5-13 to 15-8-23) and Johnny McInnis (13-9-22 to 20-16-36) stepped up their game.

I'm not saying we're headed in the wrong direction and yes I got lazy in my previous analysis generalizing that they all regressed on Pts/Gm basis. I'm just pointing out that we didn't really see anyone progress statistically. CJ Eick is the only guy who drastically increased his point total going from 3-4-7 in 36 to 5-13-18 in 40.

I love what I see from the pipeline, especially on the blueline. There isn't a single recruit on the blueline. Top to bottom that group should be fun to watch grow from this year's frosh to Cooper Watson, they all have great potential to be special. The future is certainly bright with more draft picks than we saw throughout Russell's tenure. Guys like Alex Gillies, Demico Hannoun, Joel L'Esperance, Chris Gerrie give me hope. Sure seems like there is more fire power lined up, I just want to see that fire power nurtured and continue to develop once they get here.
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Would I have like to see them win? Sure, but I don't consider it excuses, just reality on why they were what they were.

Also if want to make comparisons to MSU that they "over achieved" as compared to Tech "underachieving", I'll offer two points. First of all MSU was in much better shape to absorb player losses than MTU as evidenced by their 5th place (home ice) finish in last years WCHA as compared to Tech's 10th. But with saying that lets look at if MSU did over achieve and compare stats from last year to this year:

2012-13

MSU: 24-14-3 overall, 5th place, 127 goals scored
MTU: 13-20-4 overall, 10th place, 107 goals scored


2013-14

MSU: 24-13-1 overall, 2th place, 121 goals scored
MTU: 14-19-7 overall, 5th place, 99 goals scored


MSU, same amount of wins, moved up 3 places; Tech, one more win, moved up 5. MSU dropped 6 goals, Tech dropped 8.

By the numbers I'd say it's pretty close and if anything the nod goes to MTU for the extra win and moving up 5 spots compared to 3. Now the difference is that the relative movement allows MSU to have further success at the end of the year.

So again I'm going to suggest a lot of unrealistic expectations. Nothing wrong with shooting for the stars but don't be too disappointed when it doesn't happen. Now lets see the difference next year.

Regarding talent improving, Kero was a far, far better player this year than last year and scored more goals. He went from a decent player who showed flashes to a dominant two way player all over the ice.

DJ was injured for a good portion but managed to increase his goals per game.

It makes sense to me that someone with a wrist injury might drop in production but Blake was able to turn into more of a playmaker and managed to increase his ppg.

Reid Sturos came in with very little fan fare and has emerged into a top six forward as a freshmen.

Eik according to you has increased his stats this year.

Petan did struggle which I already noted and provided my theory on why.

Three freshman defenseman came in and became there best three defenseman.

I guess I would disagree that guys aren't being nurtured and improving.
 
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Re: Michigan Tech Offseason 2014: Nothing To Say

bigblue_dl said:
Well let's offer a class titled "Being a D1 Hockey Goalie" with a class size of 3.
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Actually Tech already had that class, it was filed under PE and was called Beginning Hockey. I believe I took it five times if I remember correctly and it was always "taught" by the assistant coaches. I got Wilkinson and White a couple times as a sub.

When I showed up in the class for the fourth time, Pete said I either had to play goalie or drop the class. Well I'm not dropping hockey so... It turned into Being a (D-I) Hockey Goalie. I never did get a scholly offer out of the deal, but the team did hook me up with nearly a full set of gear for next to nothing. Not only did I learn to play goalie (poorly), but I acquired this strange hobby of buying used hockey gear from teams everywhere... Still have those leg pads along with the catcher and blocker today (David Weninger hand-me-downs) but just for display now.

Ryan J

<img src="http://www.johnsonsjerseys.net/hockey/mtu/mtu35_pic.jpg"> <img src="http://www.johnsonsjerseys.net/hockey/mtu/mtu35_pads.jpg"> <img src="http://www.johnsonsjerseys.net/hockey/mtu/mtu35_gloves.jpg">
 
Re: Michigan Tech Offseason 2014: Nothing To Say

Question, are not most entry level deals 3 years in length.
I am a Phoenix fan and hope to see him in the NHL someday.
Are we relatively safe if no other announcements by next Monday.
 
Re: Michigan Tech Offseason 2014: Nothing To Say

Huskiefan906 said:
Question, are not most entry level deals 3 years in length.
I am a Phoenix fan and hope to see him in the NHL someday.
Are we relatively safe if no other announcements by next Monday.
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It likely is the rest of this year AHL plus two more and is likely a two way deal
 
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Re: Michigan Tech Offseason 2014: Nothing To Say

I do hope to see Pheonix (sic) in the NHL, not only for his sake, but because his unusual name will get color mentions, which will lead to some Tech mentions. ;)

I believe he got a two-year entry deal, according to the Caps.

I think we can all agree that the best surprise this season, was the three freshman defensemen coming in and pretty much taking charge of that D core. Yes, they were freshman, but Hanna led WCHA defensemen in scoring with 4-19-23 and a +3 rating. Watson was 0-4-4 and only finished -2, while Leibinger was 1-4-5 and -5. All three played a combined 119/120 man games. For the most part, none of them looked overmatched. Hanna struggled to lead that first powerplay unit, but started to figure it out in the last third of the season.

That isn't to discredit Stebner's bounce-back senior year. 1-6-7 and +9 is very respectable for a guy his size and type. Hopefully Joe Schuldt can help fill his skates, at least in terms of size.
 
Re: Michigan Tech Offseason 2014: Nothing To Say

Here's an outsiders take on Blake's season. Pretty accurate I thought.
New Jersey Devils have deep and diverse group at NCAA level
http://www.hockeysfuture.com/articl...ls-have-deep-and-diverse-group-at-ncaa-level/

Blake Pietila, LW/C, Michigan Tech Huskies (WCHA)
Drafted 5th round, 129th overall, 2011

After a dreadful start to the season, Pietila has done a full 180 since the Great Lakes Invitational. Of his 28 points this season, a career high, 19 have come in 2014. It is also no secret that Michigan Tech has started winning more games with their captain playing better. Part of his turnaround has come by shifting from the wing to center. Even though he has not regularly played the position in a while, Pietila has excelled. While he could drift as a winger, he needs to remain active at center, especially down low defensively.

Combined with his solid play away from the puck, the junior has reached a new level in his development. Playing center has also opened up his physical side, as he delivers the body more on the forecheck, allowing him to get additional possession of the puck. As Pietila rounds out his overall game, the last hurdle for him is to become a consistent scorer for a full season.
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Andy Johnson explained some of the CBA here:
http://www.buckys5thquarter.com/wis...tive-bargaining-agreement-ncaa-hockey-players

Does anyone know where Blake fits in? Can he become a free agent after next year, but because he's only a 5th round pick there may not be the push to sign him after his junior year like with other players?
 
Freddie said:
Now, let me get to the point. After the series was over, I went back to your board to see what you were all saying about the series. I don't think I went there specifically looking for some group genuflect to our superiority, but as I read through the posts, I just kept seeing the same rumbling, grumbling, 'we-suck' comments. I certainly understand that you are feeling frustrated, and are stinging from being eliminated...BUT I would have thought that SOMEONE among you might have at least mentioned (even in passing) that BG played a solid series....and PERHAPS it wasn't so much that you LOST as it was that we WON.
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I've been a lot more reserved lately, but I'm throwing that out right now.
I'm going to be very blunt.

Look, we get it. You're looking for a validation on the progress of your program. So are we.

We are going to look at our team first and foremost. Our team. Our team's thread.

We, as a program, missed many opportunistic milestones this season. Decent non-con, GLI Title, Home Ice were all attainable goals for this team, none of them were accomplished. Frustrated all of us to no end with the potential that this team had. Not being able to score/capitalize on opportunities when we needed to was a theme over and over again this season; no different than the series with BG the third time around.

The first series at BG, we got the timely goals and swept the series. So absolutely we are disappointed with the outcome of the playoff weekend, but mainly the season overall. The story of the playoff series was the same story as the rest of the season.

Yes, apparently your team did play well if they advanced. But two games that your team played well in does not trump the 25 games of shoulda-woulda-coulda that we saw this season. It's just not going to happen hours after enduring that kind of season.

If you are looking for us to be slap happy for your team while our season just ended, you have a massive sack and comes off to be really dickish. Many of us took your remarks as that angle. That, is what upset a lot of us.

Shirtless and bigblue.....well mainly Shirtless ;) are well respected in this group and amongst USCHO posters in general. They don't go off on people unless someone is being a dick first. It comes easier to bigblue than most. :)

So, in closing, appreciate the comments, yes your team won, but we still see a lot of our team sputtered. Again, 25 of repetitiveness will do that to a fanbase.

I could be a dick with other comments, but I'm feeling nice right now. Packing up to head to GR for the weekend anyway, sans team, and enjoy some KBS wherever I can. If you are around GR, I will be happy to meet you and anyone else and talk hockey. I'll be in the 2004 road black Murphy jersey with a baby and a Maroon and Gold Arrogant wife. :)

Hell, I'll even buy you a beer. A good Michigan beer. :)
 
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Re: Michigan Tech Offseason 2014: Nothing To Say

Another thing we have to consider is that Pearson has hinted that his plans for molding the team changed a bit with the reconfigured conference. The nWCHA has an increased number of teams who play a physical/grind game, so the staff has had to tweak the recruiting and systems accordingly. I think Mel even mentioned a couple of months back that he feels the new alignment might be more competitive and tougher to win than the old one.
 
purpleinnebraska said:
I'm assuming (and this is a double assume, so it makes a double *** out of you and me) he means Red is done after yesterday, and Mel is going back.
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It's pretty much set. Mel's vacation up North is to get HC experience. The AD here does not hire someone as a HC who does not have prior HC experience. That is a known fact.
 
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