Re: Michigan Tech Offseason I - New teams, new scoreboard, new goals... bring it on!
Mel Pearson show summary 6-18, a few add ons to Shirtless and some notes from later in the show:
On the video scoreboard:
The buzz is beyond our local community, a number of calls from friends/alumnis
Talked to a former player from calgary, he was on teh webcam watchign it, couldn't believe it
Thanks to alumni and friends of Tech hockey for stepping forward and allowing us to do this
What are players up to now:
Track A started in May, ends in June, all returning players are here taking a class
They work out 5 days a week as a team, want a good solid base for strength/conditioning
This has been really good for our players, they enjoy the copper country/doing some things they couldn't do in winter
After Track A, most will go home for about 6 weeks, before coming back for the season
Have increased teh program this year, players learned from the program last summer, it'll improve flexability, decrease injuries, the guys enjoy it
We'll test guys before they go home to see where they're at, and see where they're at when they get back
Incoming freshmen:
Milos Gordic had a year left, but his shoulder is bothering him has had 5/6 surgerys, so he went home and will not be back for his 5th year, injuries just started moutning on him
Jake Jackson - signed a NLI, will assume he'll get drafted, we'll probably defer him for a year, a year in the USHL then come into Tech
There's another player that's committed, can't talk about him, but he'll likely get drafted
Brent Baltus - signed NLI, played in Trail, MVP, tough situation, had committed to UAA, with coachign change, a few of their players looked elsewhere, tough situation, but we had known his coach, he contacted MTU and he reopend his committment, he'll be here in Fall, will add offense, good student
Want to make sure don't step on toes, we had same situation with Sam Lebreque, after Mel got the job, he looked elsewhere, don't want people that don't want to be here, Sam had signed NLI, we released him, to go to Clarkson
Baltus wants to be here, he'll step in right away, had a real good year
We've got some returnign players, so can stick a young player with them
Our guys are getting older, not throwing freshmen/sophomore against seniors
Stay with NHL - some players will go to NHL camps this summer, prospect camps, Jujhar, B. Pietila, Jamie Phillips, D. Johnstone will go to camps, get a feel for what's going on those NHL organization
It's good and bad - it's for players and the organizations, we had a couple guys go last summer, this might be the most we've had, at Michigan, had a player go to a camp, and the player signed, don't anticipate that, but there's a chance
We've had good conversation with all the guys going to camps
Jujhar - see him making a huge stride from freshmen year, so much going on that first year, balancing academics, now knowing what to expect, he'll be ready to go
Him and Carl Nielsen went to Marquette to find ice, because we don't have ice here
Seigo, hard to replace him, Shane Hanna a top scoring defensemen to add offense and play on PP, also saw emergence of Walker Hyland late last year, he looked really good, maybe best Dman down the stretch, there's a spot open there on D
Leibinger, played in Waterloo, has patience and poise, skates well, will add some offense as well
The post-season regionals and awful attendance:
Mel was just nominated and put on, NCAA ice hockey tournament selection committee, part of that selection process going forward, 1 person from each leagues
He was in Indianapolis for 5 days, one issue is regionals, ticket prices/advertising, neutral sites etc.
Coaches want to continue neutral sites, a few don't though and want best 2 out of 3, want best decision for group as a whole
Dirk - is big problem, that lower teams don't want to be given a road game or is it because we don't know if rink will be available at the college sites?
Both - neutral court and signle elimination has more upsets, a lot of different opinions, might be nice to have it at UND with 12000 people, compared to Grand Rapids with 1200 people.
Trying to balance everything - Mel suggested best 3 our 5, first 2 at home team, if split, 3rd at home, and then go to other site, people looked at Mel like he was from the moon
That's one tournament we'd like to be in, saw Yale this year as 16 seed winning it, anything can happen.
Chris COnnor going to Pheonix, do you see him to be that guy that gets occasional call ups:
He's a valuable players, brings speed and energy, seeing it in playoffs, need speed/energy guys
As long as he bring passion, he'll find a plce to play in NHL
Recruiting news - what's going on?
Busy since middle of Mmay through June.
Today Mel leaves for Green Bay, to take in a USHL camp. A lot of junior teams have selection camps.
In July it's national camps, top age groups in Buffalo, NY this year. 3 different camps over 3 weeks.
In BC, there's under 15 and under 16 camps, a lot of hockey in summer.
Billy's been gone last 7/8 days. Damon is down state.
Goaltending, 2 solid guys, Genoe graduated, What do you want in these 2 guys and in a 3rd goalie?
Nice to have Jamie emerge towards end of year. Found out a lot more about him towards end of year, he'll only get better.
Pheonix has to be more consistent, they'll both push each other.
Kid coming in from Ontario, took his team a long ways in the playoffs. He'll push these guys. Want a guy to compete, not just be a practice goalie.
It was tough at times, felt difficult to find spot to throw Jamie in there, found a spot, he did a good job. He's young/hungry, he'll push hard to be the best he can be.
Copley with some inconsistencies, but big wins, have to be consistent. If you can get about 2 GAA and S% over .900 should be good.
Hockey reunion:
First since Mel's been back. Aug 9/10, will have a game on Aug 9, and other events for our hockey alumni and people in the community too.
Questions:
Mel's opinion on family advisors/agents, do kids need one?
At some point you'll need, usually not until you're ready to sign an NHL deal. A lot have them at too young of an age. Advisor is tryign to make money off you, that's their living.
With new WCHA teams and non-conference games with teams we haven't played a lot, is team doing scouting of these teams in off-season?
In summer, we put together scouting tapes/reports. An example of Notre Dame wont change a lot, but they'll tweak things, so will get tape from some of their early seaosn games. Starting to put together scouting files.
Any new uniform looks this season?
We'll keep white & golds. We are redoing the black ones. They'll look a lot like the Boston Bruins jersey's form last night. We'll have a 4th jersey for the GLI this year, a throwback form early 60s that Reebok will make. We signed a new deal with Reebok and CCM. It looks sharp.
Any outdoor GLI details Mel can share? Not yet, have talked about alumni things, but not sure what they'll do exactly. There will be a lot of events going on.
Are we looking for a volunteer coach? Yes, have an opening, would like to get a guy that can do goaltending work. Have had a number of inquiries about it already, waht best possible guy.
Who will be top teams in new WCHA? Michigan Tech will contend for 1st place. Minnesota State clear cut choice though. Ferris will be competative. Bowling Green, NMU up and coming.
How will scoreboard help recruiting? When you walk in, it's hard not to notice it. Adds another element to the building. Makes our facilty that much better.
Is this best rink in new WCHA? Yes, condition it's in, suites, new seats, new ice floor, locker rooms. Best building in the league. Best building to play in too. Teams like to come in here. Mel was talking to UND's Hakstol, they enjoy coming up here. Minn enjoy coming up here, know they'll get good games, play in a 1st class facility.
That's why we have Michigan, Michigan State comign up here in teh future, and UMD stayign on our schedule.
Who will wear the C? Not been determined. Wanted team to go through workouts this spring, and get a feel for the leaders. Should know by the end of next week. Team will vote.
Non-conference scheduling philsophy? It's a dandy this year, 7 of first 8 games on the road, just how it turned out. Against very good teams. Want to play the best teams we can get on our schedule. TO be a good team, you have to play these teams that know how to win. Makes you a better team. Playing at ND, Mich, UMD.
It's copmetative, could be toughest schedule in the league. It'll make our team better. We're telling our recuits we're going to play the best teams.
Any concerns about other sports contacting/recruiting young people? It's getting out of hand. In hockey, earliest Mel has seen is grade 9. So much can happen between 14 and 18.
They ended by talking about the NHL playoffs. Was rooting for LA to see Davis Payne have success, Mel recruited him. A few weeks back, talked to Ron Rolson in Buffalo, he's excited, he'll do a good job.
A lot of good things going on for Michigan Tech hockey.
S/he will just have to pick a side for a hypothetical Gopher/Tech game.