What's new
By:
USCHO Fan Forum

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

  • The USCHO Fan Forum has migrated to a new plaform, xenForo. Most of the function of the forum should work in familiar ways. Please note that you can switch between light and dark modes by clicking on the gear icon in the upper right of the main menu bar. We are hoping that this new platform will prove to be faster and more reliable. Please feel free to explore its features.

Michigan Tech Season Thread Part V: We Were Dead On Arrival

Status
Not open for further replies.
Re: Michigan Tech Season Thread Part V: We Were Dead On Arrival

Unleash The Hounds said:
When Anchorage completes the sweep tomorrow, I'd say the entire coaching staff will begin updating their respective resumes. Russell's had seven seasons, and while there were a couple of promising years in there, his teams haven't shown us much of anything otherwise.

I accepted the injury situation last year, but we're beyond that now and this team still hasn't shown us much competitive fire, which to me says Russell doesn't know how to motivate teams. 06-07, they had Batovanja and Helminen to do the talking when the team hit a slump and/or had a big series coming up. 07-08, they had Kerr (in spite of his faults). This season, for as much as we all love Gwilliam's story, Olson's talent, and Baker's attitude, they simply haven't had a leader capable of inspiring them in important situations since the current winless streak began back in November, and it's obvious that Russell has lost touch with the entire team as a result.

I don't hate JR, but after a reasonable period of observation you sometimes have to acknowledge that even a nice, outgoing person can be an ineffective leader.
Click to expand...
Really, I have to agree with a lot of this. I am a supporter of Russell but something is very very wrong right now, and if it isn't him what is it? Personally, speaking as the leader of a student org that has him as an adviser, he is a huge help to us and I don't want to see him go. But something is wrong.
 
Re: Michigan Tech Season Thread Part V: We Were Dead On Arrival

bigblue_dl said:
guklke did you fick that dude at te vbar tongiht5, he awas all iover youi. and way over your haead.
Click to expand...
You left before 12pm, how can you go 23 some days in a row and now even be able to do bar time????
 
Re: Michigan Tech Season Thread Part V: We Were Dead On Arrival

Yager said:
Really, I have to agree with a lot of this. I am a supporter of Russell but something is very very wrong right now, and if it isn't him what is it? Personally, speaking as the leader of a student org that has him as an adviser, he is a huge help to us and I don't want to see him go. But something is wrong.
Click to expand...

What the heck was he thinking pulling his goalie when the score was 5-2? He had just given up an empty net goal, yet he pulls the goalie a second time? That was a stupid move.
 
Re: Michigan Tech Season Thread Part V: We Were Dead On Arrival

Suze said:
What the heck was he thinking pulling his goalie when the score was 5-2? He had just given up an empty net goal, yet he pulls the goalie a second time? That was a stupid move.
Click to expand...

*shrugs*

I agree, but perhaps he tried to use it as a learning thing. They gave up the first ENG very quickly, so maybe he was thinking, "Well, we're officially going to lose now, but we could pull Genoe again and just try to use it as an extra-attacker practice situation." :confused:

Also, the team's only scored 3+ goals in a total of four games this season. He could've just been trying to get that third one out of frustration/for the hell of it.

You're right though, it really doesn't make any sense on the surface.
 
Re: Michigan Tech Season Thread Part V: We Were Dead On Arrival

Yager said:
Really, I have to agree with a lot of this. I am a supporter of Russell but something is very very wrong right now, and if it isn't him what is it? Personally, speaking as the leader of a student org that has him as an adviser, he is a huge help to us and I don't want to see him go. But something is wrong.
Click to expand...

If there's one thing I'll credit Russell for being consistently good at, it's the PR side of things. When a new season starts or when Tech has pieced together a few wins, he's the most optimistic and convincing guy on the planet.

To be honest, if it weren't for the complete lack of team effort on both sides of the puck, I'd say the bell would only be tolling for Mikesch. However it's now obvious that Tech's problems go deeper than the simple lack of effective offensive and defensive systems.
 
Re: Michigan Tech Season Thread Part V: We Were Dead On Arrival

I can't understand how they can accept the constant losing.
The Tech administration has allowed 30 years of pathetic results.....
Now, I don't see how with their record, this can be undone unless a very high profile coach who brings instant credibility is brought in.

This will end the recruiting endless circle we are in with players with high numbers in juniors and only capable of scoring 10 points in their 4 years at Tech.....

A team needs to be recruited, not just 4-5 fill ins a year to turn this around.
1 line of talent and 2 D cannot compete in Division 1 hockey.
Unfortunately, thanks to the administration, this is all our mid level coaches can bring to Tech.

Hopefully, a big name can end this cycle....Then, we need to keep the big name until they retire.

I don't think Mel Pearson is an option as he would suffer the same fate as Jamie.

Who is out there?

Mark Johnson is definitely a candidate....
Would he come to Tech....

Who are the other candidates?
 
Re: Michigan Tech Season Thread Part V: We Were Dead On Arrival

Well, Pearson likely wouldn't come anyway, not when he's got the Michigan job in his back pocket within 2-3 years max. He's been at Michigan since '88-'89. If he was going to go somewhere he would have done it by now.
 
Re: Michigan Tech Season Thread Part V: We Were Dead On Arrival

I'm not trying to defend the coaches. We obviously need help.

The players need to step up too. These guys are Division I mostly scholarshipped, getting all the perks and bennies that go along with that. Do they really need someone to hold their hands and "motivate" them?

Tech stands on the cusp. If we really want a first class hockey program we are going to have to pay for it. I'm unsure if the Admin has the means or the wants to do that. Otherwise we are in for more of the same. Another alum coach. Another so-so season. Lots of hope. then back to being bottom dweller.

I don't know what the answers are. I really really really would not want to be in Suzanne's shoes.
 
Re: Michigan Tech Season Thread Part V: We Were Dead On Arrival

huskyfan said:
I'm not trying to defend the coaches. We obviously need help.

The players need to step up too. These guys are Division I mostly scholarshipped, getting all the perks and bennies that go along with that. Do they really need someone to hold their hands and "motivate" them?

Tech stands on the cusp. If we really want a first class hockey program we are going to have to pay for it. I'm unsure if the Admin has the means or the wants to do that. Otherwise we are in for more of the same. Another alum coach. Another so-so season. Lots of hope. then back to being bottom dweller.

I don't know what the answers are. I really really really would not want to be in Suzanne's shoes.
Click to expand...

I think the point we need too look at is investing more money into the hockey to increase the return. MacD and I were discussing last night how an empty seat means zero revenue. The athletic dept needs to try to be more competitive in selling tickets. (i.e. Ticket Packages) and create a stronger product on the ice. If we were to increase our average attendance up 1000 people it would increase ticket revenue alone 100k+ for the year. I feel the athletic department and their marketing department has not done enough to drive ticket sales. It seems like the only advertising they rely on locally is the series previews that are in the DMG. Buy and billboard and rebuild the marquee on Townsend for starters. The athletic department at whole seems to forget that ever person more they bring in the door is more money for athletic programs.
 
Re: Michigan Tech Season Thread Part V: We Were Dead On Arrival

our marketing isn't what it used to be ...

how was the crowd last night?
 
Re: Michigan Tech Season Thread Part V: We Were Dead On Arrival

Flashy Man said:
I think the point we need too look at is investing more money into the hockey to increase the return. MacD and I were discussing last night how an empty seat means zero revenue. The athletic dept needs to try to be more competitive in selling tickets. (i.e. Ticket Packages) and create a stronger product on the ice. If we were to increase our average attendance up 1000 people it would increase ticket revenue alone 100k+ for the year. I feel the athletic department and their marketing department has not done enough to drive ticket sales. It seems like the only advertising they rely on locally is the series previews that are in the DMG. Buy and billboard and rebuild the marquee on Townsend for starters. The athletic department at whole seems to forget that ever person more they bring in the door is more money for athletic programs.
Click to expand...

Boy does that sound familiar! It takes money to make money, when will the AD's learn that?
 
Re: Michigan Tech Season Thread Part V: We Were Dead On Arrival

Huskiefan906 said:
I can't understand how they can accept the constant losing.
The Tech administration has allowed 30 years of pathetic results.....
Now, I don't see how with their record, this can be undone unless a very high profile coach who brings instant credibility is brought in.

This will end the recruiting endless circle we are in with players with high numbers in juniors and only capable of scoring 10 points in their 4 years at Tech.....

A team needs to be recruited, not just 4-5 fill ins a year to turn this around.
1 line of talent and 2 D cannot compete in Division 1 hockey.
Unfortunately, thanks to the administration, this is all our mid level coaches can bring to Tech.

Hopefully, a big name can end this cycle....Then, we need to keep the big name until they retire.

I don't think Mel Pearson is an option as he would suffer the same fate as Jamie.

Who is out there?

Mark Johnson is definitely a candidate....
Would he come to Tech....

Who are the other candidates?
Click to expand...

Agree 100%. And Tech administration PLEASE! PLEASE! don't bring in a former player as your next head coach. Learn from your past mistakes in that matter. A big name high profile must be brought in. If you're going to be a Div.I program you're going to have to spend the $$$ and somehow budget the money for it. I say find someone with head coaching experience. Good hockey players don't always make good head coaches.
 
Last edited:
Re: Michigan Tech Season Thread Part V: We Were Dead On Arrival

My high school assistant coach played for Tech in the mid 90's and he was a pretty awesome dude. You guys should hire him!
 
Re: Michigan Tech Season Thread Part V: We Were Dead On Arrival

The point about marketing is all well and good, but how do you draw in casual fans when everyone knows the program is in a tailspin? I remember two years ago when CC came into Houghton ranked #1 in the country, and other students I talked to would be like, "Why would I go watch that? Tech will probably get killed. I'll take my $12 and get drunk instead. Or buy pizza and engross myself in some boring-as-fck MMO game."

Lest anyone forget, Bachman allowed seven goals and we proceeded to take three out of four points that weekend. :rolleyes:

I'm willing to bet that Tech hasn't regularly sold out the MacInnes since the early 90s.
 
Last edited:
Re: Michigan Tech Season Thread Part V: We Were Dead On Arrival

Sorry, I've kind of been lurking in here watching the misery, but I have a question about Tech Student tickets. Are they sold on a game by game basis, or can you get them for the season?
 
Re: Michigan Tech Season Thread Part V: We Were Dead On Arrival

Flashy Man said:
From what I've heard there was some sort of fallout between the hockey program and the community in the 90's.
Click to expand...

My understanding is that it was a combination of distaste for the program's results, and former coach Bob Mancini's attitude towards the community and PR in general.

WeWantMore said:
Sorry, I've kind of been lurking in here watching the misery, but I have a question about Tech Student tickets. Are they sold on a game by game basis, or can you get them for the season?
Click to expand...

A couple years ago, the university implemented the hotly contested "Tech Experience Fee" which, among many things, includes an allotted number of "pre-paid" student tickets to hockey games (first come, first served). After some initial confusion, it was determined that students who wanted to purchase a season ticket package could continue to do so at the student rate. As far as I know, this is still the case.
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top