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.
Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010 the last year of the old WCHA
- Thread starter 4four4
- Start date
- Status
ScoobyDoo
NPC
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010 the last year of the old WCHA
I'll say the same thing I said on GPL. I'll ask why? Especially when the stories were he grew up wanting to play for the Maroon and Gold. The dream is never the same as reality but things are getting a little silly.
Thin blueline now. Schack will step in but another injury happens and they're going to have to go down to 5.
I'll say the same thing I said on GPL. I'll ask why? Especially when the stories were he grew up wanting to play for the Maroon and Gold. The dream is never the same as reality but things are getting a little silly.
Thin blueline now. Schack will step in but another injury happens and they're going to have to go down to 5.
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010 the last year of the old WCHA
To the OHL, per Brad Schlossman's blog.
Strange move, especially at this time...
Was he just upset that he had to sit in favor of Schack in the UW series?
To the OHL, per Brad Schlossman's blog.
Strange move, especially at this time...
Was he just upset that he had to sit in favor of Schack in the UW series?
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010 the last year of the old WCHA
I'm thinking him sitting this past Saturday wasn't the cause for his departure, but was a symptom of whatever other problem was occurring. But who knows. I'm very curious to hear what other news comes out about this.
Big picture....this hurts, but not all that much this year unless there is more injury trouble. But I think he could have been a big part of the team 1/2 years down the line as I didn't see him as a guy who would likely be an early departure. Bleh. Hopefully there is no residual resentment/disruption on the team over all this, and they can put all the focus on the task at hand.
Good luck Sammy, hope it turns out to be a good decision for you.
I'm thinking him sitting this past Saturday wasn't the cause for his departure, but was a symptom of whatever other problem was occurring. But who knows. I'm very curious to hear what other news comes out about this.
Big picture....this hurts, but not all that much this year unless there is more injury trouble. But I think he could have been a big part of the team 1/2 years down the line as I didn't see him as a guy who would likely be an early departure. Bleh. Hopefully there is no residual resentment/disruption on the team over all this, and they can put all the focus on the task at hand.
Good luck Sammy, hope it turns out to be a good decision for you.
Last edited:
HarleyMC
Registered User
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010 the last year of the old WCHA
A few thoughts come to mind with the news of Sam Lofquist leaving the team and withdrawing from the UMN:
1) I think current adjustments to the CBA and subsequent recruiting strategies to recruit much younger players will at times result in this type of negative outcome. Lofquist accelerated his HS educ., with honors no less, to come to the Gophers. Sam is a national merit scholar. However, the psychological level of players like Lofquist, compared to those who have spent more time and matured in the USHL, will be different and comparatively less developed. Egotistical motives, multiple options, family pressures (strong sports family) and an uncertain future can lead a young player to make sudden life changing decisions regardless of previous committments (i.e. Jim O'Brien).
Personally I get tired of watching bright students like this quit college to chase an NHL dream, which in Lofquist's case may be fairly remote. Most athletes like this end up in a hockey career of mediocrity with no educational support to fall back on.
2) It's very possible that Lofquist being a healthy scratch last weekend in his home state of Wisconsin was disappointing. However, I'm sure his unfulfilled expectations and subsequent decision to move on was processed over time with regard to other factors as well.
3) Symbolically, another player leaving during the season unfortunately sends another negative signal of coaching incompetency to the general public and fanbase especially at a vulnerable time when team play is below expectations. It resurfaces past criticisms of Lucia's recruiting policies and his abilities to generate appropriate levels of team chemistry and productivity that meet the traditional expectations of the fanbase and boosters. Regardless of whether the criticism has merit or not, this is perhaps the most serious repercussion of Lofquist's departure.
4) Obviously, the loss of Lofquist will not have a tremendous effect on the overall talent of the Gophers. However, it remains to be seen what effect it will have on team unity and chemistry. There are several variables that are uncertain here.
I listened to the Don Lucia radio program tonight and there was no mention of it. The coaching staff concluding that it was not appropriate at this time to release that information indicates that the situation is still in process.
EDIT:
IMO this situation helps illustrate again of how the values of college athletes today are in a state of accelerated change like never before. Professional sports and it's values, along with university fiscal and enrollment policies, continue to influence and contribute to the growing chasm between scholarship and athletics. We also have the unfortunate privilege of witnessing the gradual death of every remaining vestige of the amateur spirit within the growing divide of professional collegiate athletics and community.
A few thoughts come to mind with the news of Sam Lofquist leaving the team and withdrawing from the UMN:
1) I think current adjustments to the CBA and subsequent recruiting strategies to recruit much younger players will at times result in this type of negative outcome. Lofquist accelerated his HS educ., with honors no less, to come to the Gophers. Sam is a national merit scholar. However, the psychological level of players like Lofquist, compared to those who have spent more time and matured in the USHL, will be different and comparatively less developed. Egotistical motives, multiple options, family pressures (strong sports family) and an uncertain future can lead a young player to make sudden life changing decisions regardless of previous committments (i.e. Jim O'Brien).
Personally I get tired of watching bright students like this quit college to chase an NHL dream, which in Lofquist's case may be fairly remote. Most athletes like this end up in a hockey career of mediocrity with no educational support to fall back on.
2) It's very possible that Lofquist being a healthy scratch last weekend in his home state of Wisconsin was disappointing. However, I'm sure his unfulfilled expectations and subsequent decision to move on was processed over time with regard to other factors as well.
3) Symbolically, another player leaving during the season unfortunately sends another negative signal of coaching incompetency to the general public and fanbase especially at a vulnerable time when team play is below expectations. It resurfaces past criticisms of Lucia's recruiting policies and his abilities to generate appropriate levels of team chemistry and productivity that meet the traditional expectations of the fanbase and boosters. Regardless of whether the criticism has merit or not, this is perhaps the most serious repercussion of Lofquist's departure.
4) Obviously, the loss of Lofquist will not have a tremendous effect on the overall talent of the Gophers. However, it remains to be seen what effect it will have on team unity and chemistry. There are several variables that are uncertain here.
I listened to the Don Lucia radio program tonight and there was no mention of it. The coaching staff concluding that it was not appropriate at this time to release that information indicates that the situation is still in process.
EDIT:
IMO this situation helps illustrate again of how the values of college athletes today are in a state of accelerated change like never before. Professional sports and it's values, along with university fiscal and enrollment policies, continue to influence and contribute to the growing chasm between scholarship and athletics. We also have the unfortunate privilege of witnessing the gradual death of every remaining vestige of the amateur spirit within the growing divide of professional collegiate athletics and community.
Last edited:
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010 the last year of the old WCHA
I brought it up on GPL, but how are we to know that he was scratched BEFORE he decided to leave?
Maybe he made the decision before Saturday's game, and because of the weekend, the announcement was delayed, and he was scratched (since he was leaving anyway)?
We need more info before we can speculate on the scratch/etc.
I brought it up on GPL, but how are we to know that he was scratched BEFORE he decided to leave?
Maybe he made the decision before Saturday's game, and because of the weekend, the announcement was delayed, and he was scratched (since he was leaving anyway)?
We need more info before we can speculate on the scratch/etc.
Farce Poobah
Registered User
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010 the last year of the old WCHA
Maybe he's allergic to Beavers.
Maybe he's allergic to Beavers.
HarleyMC
Registered User
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010 the last year of the old WCHA
Whether he was a healthy scratch or not is probably not as significant as the situations and events that led up to his decision. I highly doubt he made a life changing decision of this nature without consultation with others over a longer period of time. Last weekend could have sealed it but he most likely had already made his decision.
Whether he was a healthy scratch or not is probably not as significant as the situations and events that led up to his decision. I highly doubt he made a life changing decision of this nature without consultation with others over a longer period of time. Last weekend could have sealed it but he most likely had already made his decision.
ajoyce02
Cake or Death?
ajoyce02
Cake or Death?
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010 the last year of the old WCHA
I certainly hope the decision wasn't made because he was benched in favor of Schack. That really wouldn't reflect well on him and it's such a knee jerk reaction.
I'll be curious to hear if the reasoning for this ever comes out. Kind of makes you wonder what is going on with this program.
I certainly hope the decision wasn't made because he was benched in favor of Schack. That really wouldn't reflect well on him and it's such a knee jerk reaction.
I'll be curious to hear if the reasoning for this ever comes out. Kind of makes you wonder what is going on with this program.
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010 the last year of the old WCHA
I'm thinking that the scratch had nothing to do with his decision. The more people are actually talking about it, and I will take a little credit for presenting the scenario on GPL (and here)
, there seems to be less knee-jerk reactions and judgements on the situation/player.
HarleyMC seems to agree:
I'm thinking that the scratch had nothing to do with his decision. The more people are actually talking about it, and I will take a little credit for presenting the scenario on GPL (and here)
, there seems to be less knee-jerk reactions and judgements on the situation/player.HarleyMC seems to agree:
HarleyMC
Registered User
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010 the last year of the old WCHA
Nico Sacchetti was a healthy scratch for the Sunday game against Alaska Anchorage. Then in the Fri. game against UW he started on the first line. I'm sure Sam Lofquist understood that being a healthy scratch (along with Jake Hansen) on Sat. vs. UW was only temporary. If that's the only reason he left then his head is in the wrong place to begin with. I suspect lots of other factors leading up to a critical and controversial move like this during the season.
Nico Sacchetti was a healthy scratch for the Sunday game against Alaska Anchorage. Then in the Fri. game against UW he started on the first line. I'm sure Sam Lofquist understood that being a healthy scratch (along with Jake Hansen) on Sat. vs. UW was only temporary. If that's the only reason he left then his head is in the wrong place to begin with. I suspect lots of other factors leading up to a critical and controversial move like this during the season.
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010 the last year of the old WCHA
This only solidifies my belief that if the team fails to make the NCAA tourney this season, Lucia should be gone - this is the third straight season of mediocre performance, and his players are quitting on him.
This only solidifies my belief that if the team fails to make the NCAA tourney this season, Lucia should be gone - this is the third straight season of mediocre performance, and his players are quitting on him.
ScoobyDoo
NPC
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010 the last year of the old WCHA
Sam Lofquist only cares about Sam Lofquist. That's perfectly obvious given the information that we have. Remember what Stoa said last year when Dorr and Scott bailed? Same thing here.
Sam Lofquist only cares about Sam Lofquist. That's perfectly obvious given the information that we have. Remember what Stoa said last year when Dorr and Scott bailed? Same thing here.
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010 the last year of the old WCHA
The information we have? We have speculation, rumors, and third hand accounts or wild guesses. I'd highly doubt, really quite ridiculous, that Lofquist would leave because he was a scratch. Decisions like this are are most certaintly a long processes. I'm sure the idea has been out there for some time, talking with family, friends, advisers, etc. At the end of the day my guess would be he simply didn't feel like he was developing into the player he wants to be, didn't see the U giving him the tools, opportunities and free reign to develop, and he left to try somewhere else.
Starting to wonder if the Brandon Wheat Kings trading for Ness's rights was all that bone headed of a play...
The information we have? We have speculation, rumors, and third hand accounts or wild guesses. I'd highly doubt, really quite ridiculous, that Lofquist would leave because he was a scratch. Decisions like this are are most certaintly a long processes. I'm sure the idea has been out there for some time, talking with family, friends, advisers, etc. At the end of the day my guess would be he simply didn't feel like he was developing into the player he wants to be, didn't see the U giving him the tools, opportunities and free reign to develop, and he left to try somewhere else.
Starting to wonder if the Brandon Wheat Kings trading for Ness's rights was all that bone headed of a play...
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010 the last year of the old WCHA
Add Lofquist's leaving to the fact that Lucia has put a team out on the ice that (as a team) has shown the frank inability to play sound fundamental hockey so far this year...yeah...The Don's time is up, it was a nice run, but on to different ventures. Don can't control injuries, players leaving early, not developing like he likes, but he sure can control preperation, assignments, and correcting fundamentals.
Add Lofquist's leaving to the fact that Lucia has put a team out on the ice that (as a team) has shown the frank inability to play sound fundamental hockey so far this year...yeah...The Don's time is up, it was a nice run, but on to different ventures. Don can't control injuries, players leaving early, not developing like he likes, but he sure can control preperation, assignments, and correcting fundamentals.
Last edited:
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010 the last year of the old WCHA
How many business and marketing education degrees do we need out there in the real world? I always laugh when I read all the Gopher's majors.
How many business and marketing education degrees do we need out there in the real world? I always laugh when I read all the Gopher's majors.
Re: Minnesota Golden Gophers 2009-2010 the last year of the old WCHA
Agreed...I mean, he did "commit" to the Gophers, after all. 
Agreed...I mean, he did "commit" to the Gophers, after all.
- Status