Re: Michigan Tech Offseason I - New teams, new scoreboard, new goals... bring it on!
Mel Pearson show summary from 9/4 - only topic they didn't touch on was the status of a volunteer coach, anyone know anything?
On Mel's mind since the last time they talked:
A lot, starting goaltender, PP, PK, who's going to play center etc
A lot of recruiting going on
Most sports are year round these days, guys are staying busy, a lot of guys go on the ice at some point, hopefully to improve their stride, we wanted a few guys to take power skating lessons this summer
This week is a testing week to see where they're at, next week they'll get out on their own
Mel's asked many players in the past to work on their skating/stride, so important with the speed of the game, never too late to improve that, could come naturally with strength or technique
On JJ leaving:
it's part of college hockey, NHL teams always looking to improve their team
The timing's not great, but it's about what you have, explained that to the team yesterday
Opportunity for someone to get more ice time, need guys to step up
Want to wish JJ the best, got a call from MacTavish, they said he skyrocketed from 15/16th best prospect forward to number 1, made great strides at Tech
Thought we'd get him for 2 more years, want them over ready for pro hockey, JJ's big/strong but young
Personally think he left too early, Mel's been in the game a long time, coached/recruited over 70 NHL players, have a good idea of what it takes
A team like Edmonton still looking for good young player,s it may be easier to break in, but still may be a few years away
MacTavish didn't pursue him, didn't have interest in signing him until they were approached
Because he was drafted before he was in college, he'll have to play in Edmonton or Major Juniors, he's at rookie camp now then to NHL training camp
How does Mel feel after the news? Timing is not good, he went to their camp, did well, talked to JJ, but nothing about signing. timing is never good, Mel understands it's part of the business.
We did a great job, assistant coaches, of putting JJ in a spot an NHL teams wants to sign him.
A lot of great offense coming back:
Look at Pietila, etc, Furne looks good expect big things as a senior
Jake Johnstone to have a better year
Petan should improve, you're either getting better or getting worse
On Johnstone and Furne, didn't have success last year:
They're both anxious/excited, a key is seniors/upperclassmen
Except them to have much better years
Can't change the past, but have a say in the future
They'll get a great opportunity on this team, they've done it in the past, need them to have a good year
Defensively, buzz has been Cliff Watson:
Fortunate Cliff was available, with JJ's situation, we had an opportunity to bring another player in, and the injury to Sova made us thin on D
We knew of him, had a few people at san Jose sharks camp, got to talk to some people there, talked to the SJ head scout and Pat from Minnesota that scouted/recruited Cliff, seemed like a good fit, being from Appleton
Right spot at right time with Cliff
Look at his first to second USHL year, mich improved eventhough sioux city struggled a bit, make one more stride for college
Has size, mobility, good first pass, good condition and reshaping his body
Goaltending:
The 3 goaltenders are competition, look at our goal against last year and they're not good
last year they played well and others not good, consistency important
Matt was available, Mel saw Matt back in minor midget and things worked out, happy to have Matt
Is it legitamitly 3 guys vying for a spot? Look at his number, he's not coming here to hold a door, he'll fight for a spot
He may have had a better Junior career than Pheonix and Jamie.
We saw glimpses of great goaltening last year, but need to do it every night. So important for this year, need good solid goaltending.
Thats the key this year for Matt to push these two guys.
Dirk watched him during a skate and was impressed. Mel can't watch skates yet. Not a big kid at 5'11", Dirk's excited.
We'll have tough decisions, want players to make it difficult for coaches to pick the lineup. He'll add to goaltending depth.
Tickets on sale:
Mel's seen some things they're planning to do with the videoboard. It'll be fun. We'll be entertaining on the ice too.
They have ticket plans this years. Full, Friday Nights, Saturday night plan etc.
The whole entertainment aspect has been ratcheted up.
There wont be as much dead time during TV timeouts with the video baord.
MSU will be here, haven't had a big school from CCHA for awhile.
Will have 4 NMU games this year, rivalry will take a step up.
Ferris was in national championship game just two years ago. Our fans will see fun hockey.
Is there a buzz about the videoboard, season tickets etc? Yes.
Our players are excited abotu it, they'll be looking up at it for a replay. Need to stay focused with what's going on, on the ice.
On CCHA teams:
LSSU, Ferris, Bowling Green play all 4 times, will be tough.
UAH will be in Houghton. Proud of our league for saving UAH, think they would've folded if they didn't have a league. They have a new coach, pumped some money in, they're re-energized.
UAF is fun to watch/play. They're a good skating team, play an entertaining style. Olympic rink up there.
UAA has a new coach and director, there'll be renewed excited. Each team/coach feel they have the opportunity to win the MacNaughton cup.
Obvioulsy mankato, they'll be the favority going in. With the returnign players, and goaltending, they'll be the team with the target on their backs.
First home game is NMU, othe than exhibition.
First 5 road games are tough.
GLI outdoors, outoodr games becoming more popular.
Tech staff just went down there to get a preview of waht's going on.
Great field of teams.
Tech staff very encouraged with sightlines, and how thigns will be.
Now need good weather. It'll be a festive atmosphere.
Any trips you're dreading?
Never dread any trips. Alaska for 10 days in November could be dark/snowy. It'll be fine, neat experience.
Whenever we get on the road, try to get an education experience. Do something or go somewhere.
Looking forward to some of the new teams. Going to Yost on the opposition bench will be weird.
At Notre Dame will be crazy because it'll be so festive with the ND/USC football game.
Scheduled these games with a purpose, need to learn to play agains the best teams.
Did that against WCHA beating some SCSU and UND teams.
Is the team going to the Notre Dame football game? Have the option, leaning against it. Will go to the stadium and look around. May zip up to Chicago for the day or give them the day to relax.
Brand new rink down there too, real nice. It'll be tough but we'll be up to the challenge.
Next season schedule?
Yes, Mich will come back up to Houghton. UMD will be in Houghton as well in 14-15.
Questions for Mel:
What are the next fundraising priorities for Tech now that we have a video board?
Mel has his personl list. We'd like to help a bus company to outfit a bus as more of a sleeper bus. Youngstown phantoms have a real nice bus like that. A lot of times after Saturday we head home. A good night sleep helps so much with your sleep patter. The other option would be to stay, but you travel on sunday then.
LSSU got a company out of Dayton, Ohio to pick them up with a sleeper bus last year.
With the longer travel in this new WCHA, it'd be nice.
With our building, the east end, maybe knowcking the wall back, being able to walk all the way around, maybe a balcony. It's a few years down the road though.
Our weightroom could use a facelift. Could also use some more room. When Mel got here, they pulled up old carpet and found some rubber mats they were just going to throw away. There's always something.
We wont have a $100M building like UND, but we can make our rink great. The staff and Suzanne have done a great job, but can always use a little more/newer something.
Dirk saw great wall art in the players lounge, incredible. Encourage people to contact the hockey office and maybe somehow schedule a tour. It's a great historical mural.
They did a great job, hardest part was finding archive of pictures. Trying to celebrate rich history of Tech hockey. That room is fantastic. When our recruits step in, they are impressed.
Put some wall art up in our locker room too.
We may put some more in our concourse as well. Mariccui, Michigan and others have some of it. It's modern and looks good.
Hats off to donors, the scoreboard alone, all private, fans, formers hockey players.
Because of videoboard, we'll help other sports stream their games with much more clarity, all Tech athletics benefit.
Always needs, but great alumni/supporters that step forward.
What is the biggest difference between old WCHA and new WCHA?
Wont have bigger school, UW, MN, more like schools as far as enrollment.
It'll be just as competative, if not more.
Do you think a lot of peopel got into a false sense of thinkign that without the big program it'd be totally different?
Not ture, watch UAF, they skate as well as Minnesota, Ferris State recruits good skaters, Bowling Green starting to get back up there.
LSSU, NMU, BG have all won national championships. You wont be a big difference, the players will be just as skilled, they've got good coaches, they work hard, it'll be competative hockey.
If you've been around hockey, you know how good a coach some of these WCHA coaches are.
Told our team, that every team in this league feels they can win this league. If they think it'll be easier, they're in for a long season, it'll be tougher.
