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Michigan Tech Offseason I - New teams, new scoreboard, new goals... bring it on!

Re: Michigan Tech Offseason I - New teams, new scoreboard, new goals... bring it on!

Tyler Heinonen was a USHL player of the week

USHL Honors - Week 27
Tyler Heinonen, F, Chicago Steel: The Delano, MN native tallied eight points (4g, 4a) over three games played during the week. On Wednesday, he dished out an assist in the Steel’s 5-3 win over the Indiana Ice. He scored a pair of goals, one on the power play and one shorthanded, in the 4-3 win over the Muskegon Lumberjacks on Friday. His first goal was the 40th of his USHL career and first shorthanded goal in the League. The 19-year-old also dished out an assist and registered a team high plus-two on-ice rating. His hot hand continued Saturday as he notched his second consecutive two-goal game in a 5-4 win over Team USA. Like Friday, both of his goals came via special teams play, including his second shorthanded goal in as many nights. Heinonen also dished out a pair of assists for his first-ever four-point game. The Michigan Tech University commit has produced 43 points (22g, 21a) over 61 games this season.
 
Re: Michigan Tech Offseason I - New teams, new scoreboard, new goals... bring it on!

They'll play 38 games against 20 different teams, and (on paper) will be more talented than about half the teams they will play, but they will still have to play great hockey. So cracking the 20-win threshold should be one expectation (it would be the first time that happened since '87-88), however earning it will be a challenge.
 
Re: Michigan Tech Offseason I - New teams, new scoreboard, new goals... bring it on!

I'm all for setting goals high and reaching for them, but I would be happy with Tech finishing top 3 in the WCHA next season. I'm sure there are 6-7 teams in the nWCHA that think they are a shoe-in to be WCHA champs next season (Tech included) but Tech wasn't even the best of the nWCHA teams last year so they still have a hill to climb. Being in the top three next year means we would be winning more than losing and that in itself would be a step forward. Going 18-10 in the WCHA won't mean much if we have a 0.250 non-conference winning percentage.

Anyway, time for a break from posting publicly on this site. It has become clear in the last few days that there are some folks here that take this site way too serious and have now made it personal. Fun and humor is one thing, but logging on and seeing folks (that have never met me, or likely any other site members, in person) hiding behind a keyboard taking personal shots at other members and their hobbies isn't something that I need to spend my time doing.

Give my regards to those Gopher fans who clearly can't take a joke because I'm not going to spend my time replying to what was posted. As a Tech fan for 20+ years, I expect a certain amount of flak from the fans of other teams who viewed MTU as a doormat of the WCHA for nearly that entire time. However when it turns personal, and it goes beyond humor and wit, I no longer feel the need to participate.

Ryan J
 
Re: Michigan Tech Offseason I - New teams, new scoreboard, new goals... bring it on!

Shirtless Guy said:
with what we already have committed, I don't expect to hear much other than a goalie. Beyond that I think it's more about finding diamonds in the rough like Tristan Rostagno and other younger players to keep an eye on going forward. No reason to offer to a young kid unless they are extremely confident the kid with be a stud.
Click to expand...

Whats going on with travis brown? how come he doesn't show up on Heisenbergs list?
 
Re: Michigan Tech Offseason I - New teams, new scoreboard, new goals... bring it on!

JOHN SCOTT ROCKS said:
Whats going on with travis brown? how come he doesn't show up on Heisenbergs list?
Click to expand...

Heisenberg missed it I guess, it's happen before. He's definitely verbally committed. Attended a Tech game at Mankato. In other news Michigan Tech picked up a recruit today. Brent Baltus, Forward from Trail (BCHL). He was previously committed to UAA before Shyiak was let go.
 
Re: Michigan Tech Offseason I - New teams, new scoreboard, new goals... bring it on!

Speaking of Tech Hockey Guide, I just got done interviewing Cam Ellsworth and should have an article up Monday. In case you didn't know, he's an assistant at UMass-Lowell which just won Hockey East regular and post season title for first time and are heading to the Frozen Four in Pittsburgh.
 
Re: Michigan Tech Offseason I - New teams, new scoreboard, new goals... bring it on!

mtu_huskies said:
According to Tech Hockey Guide's twitter, Tech picked up a committment from Stillwater HS Junior Dman Mitch Reinke.

he's a futures pick of the USHL Cedar Rapids RoughRiders

He was his team MVP last year.
http://stillwatergazette.com/2013/0...aign=boys-hockey-reinke-chosen-mvp-for-ponies
Click to expand...

I gotta say, this one I don't have my mind wrapped around just yet. Anyone got a read on this move and/or know anything about Mitch? Looking at the roster and committed list on THG, there's not many (any??) openings left on defense.
 
Re: Michigan Tech Offseason I - New teams, new scoreboard, new goals... bring it on!

midwest hockey said:
I gotta say, this one I don't have my mind wrapped around just yet. Anyone got a read on this move and/or know anything about Mitch? Looking at the roster and committed list on THG, there's not many (any??) openings left on defense.
Click to expand...

I'm sure he's a few years away and will come in with Brown or Rostagno. There is also the possibility a player like Jimmy Davis transfers.
 
Re: Michigan Tech Offseason I - New teams, new scoreboard, new goals... bring it on!

Shirtless Guy said:
I'm sure he's a few years away and will come in with Brown or Rostagno. There is also the possibility a player like Jimmy Davis transfers.
Click to expand...

Good point on the transfers. An even better reason to see openings created would be players exiting to the NHL. However, I wasn't thinking we were gonna have that problem on D for the next few seasons. Going back to Reinke, he's a little guy, no?? Is he more of a puck-moving Dman who QBs the PP? Just trying to understand how Mel is going about building the roster.
 
Re: Michigan Tech Offseason I - New teams, new scoreboard, new goals... bring it on!

Just taking a look at what the lines might look like next year.
Fitting the players into the similar type the team had with the roles from this year makes a rough look at what's available below.

We should be deep and talented once again.

B. Pietila Kero Petan
D. Johnstone Khaira Heinonen
Furne D. Johnstone Gordic
Eick Rix Neville

Gould, Holmberg, Hietila, Sturos and Anderson rotating in .
I thought Holmberg looked great at the GLI. I was surprised he did not see much ice the remainder of the season.
Is Gould a scorer and will show more than he showed his first year.
Is Vallis on the radar??????

Sweeney Hyland
Stebner Sova
Leibinger Fillion

I think Sweeney becomes Seigo and Hyland is the best offensively for that pair.
Sova with Stebner makes a dominating pair with more offensive upside from Sova (my favorite defenseman on the team)

Davis, Ericsson and Hanna rotating in

Goal

Copley
Phillips

What a strength of the team.
I think they will rotate with who has the hot hand.
Both incredible finds for Tech and with another year of development, this should be rock solid versus the inconsistency this year.
 
Re: Michigan Tech Offseason I - New teams, new scoreboard, new goals... bring it on!

That would be J. Johnstone on the third line, David will not be double shifting : )
 
Re: Michigan Tech Offseason I - New teams, new scoreboard, new goals... bring it on!

midwest hockey said:
Good point on the transfers. An even better reason to see openings created would be players exiting to the NHL. However, I wasn't thinking we were gonna have that problem on D for the next few seasons. Going back to Reinke, he's a little guy, no?? Is he more of a puck-moving Dman who QBs the PP? Just trying to understand how Mel is going about building the roster.
Click to expand...
Recruiting is a lot different for Tech now than it has ever been, really. They are finally getting up to speed with other hockey schools and recruiting for 3 years down the road like the big hockey schools have been doing for 10-20 years. So Reinke is recruited based on how the coaches project he'll develop as he matures, and probably he wasn't done growing as a HS Sophomore or Junior, either. Having said that, Mel has stated that they are looking first for good skaters - fast and strong - and secondly for a high compete level. I think puck moving/passing/positioning skills are seen as coachable, where the skating and compete level are what they must start with. I like the strategy.
Anyway my point was that there doesn't have to be a "spot" for these recruits that are so young. Most of the current team will be graduated before he ever gets to Tech.
 
Re: Michigan Tech Offseason I - New teams, new scoreboard, new goals... bring it on!

We'll see how it plays out, but I think they're expecting Hanna to step in a little sooner than Leibinger. Plenty of potential for good things out of that whole group though.
 
Re: Michigan Tech Offseason I - New teams, new scoreboard, new goals... bring it on!

Huskiefan906 said:
Just taking a look at what the lines might look like next year.
Fitting the players into the similar type the team had with the roles from this year makes a rough look at what's available below.

We should be deep and talented once again.

B. Pietila Kero Petan
D. Johnstone Khaira Heinonen
Furne D. Johnstone Gordic
Eick Rix Neville

Gould, Holmberg, Hietila, Sturos and Anderson rotating in .
I thought Holmberg looked great at the GLI. I was surprised he did not see much ice the remainder of the season.
Is Gould a scorer and will show more than he showed his first year.
Is Vallis on the radar??????
Click to expand...
I love projecting line combos in April. The thing that strikes me is we're now seeing Furne and Gordic as 3rd liners/role players, these were the guys that had to lead the team when Baker and Olson were hurt. I expect a big improvement in W/L next year, hoping to make the big show.
 
Re: Michigan Tech Offseason I - New teams, new scoreboard, new goals... bring it on!

His proposed third line all had somewhat underwhelming seasons. I doubt you will see them playing together to start next year. They will play in whatever combinations the coaches feel puts their strengths to use and helps the team win. I expect at least two of those guys (Furne, Gordic, J. Johnstone) to get off to a better start this fall.
 
Re: Michigan Tech Offseason I - New teams, new scoreboard, new goals... bring it on!

Shirtless Guy said:
Heisenberg missed it I guess, it's happen before. He's definitely verbally committed. Attended a Tech game at Mankato. In other news Michigan Tech picked up a recruit today. Brent Baltus, Forward from Trail (BCHL). He was previously committed to UAA before Shyiak was let go.
Click to expand...

here is a write up on Baltus.

http://overtheboards.net/?p=1333
 
Re: Michigan Tech Offseason I - New teams, new scoreboard, new goals... bring it on!

What's happening with Shields? Any other coaching movement?
 
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