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Minnesota Gophers Offesason Thread: Back To 1896

UpNorthHockey said:
I think "balancing hockey and academics" is code for "he wants more ice time." We had a similar situation at Tech with our 3rd round NHL draft pick, Jujhar Khaira who signed with Edmonton and will now be playing in the WHL with Everett. The WHL plays 85 games a season, while NCAA teams play 38 games. Lots more opportunity for development and a lot more attractive to certain NHL teams.
Let's face it, the academics aren't that tough for hockey players and it's pretty early in the semester to already be in trouble.
I wouldn't doubt this is another case of the NHL/WHL luring a kid away from college.
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Vannelli knew the situation (ice time) coming in and even had to put in extra work to become eligible. I don't think ice time was the factor. The kid wanted to be here or else he wouldn't have put it in the work to get here.

College hockey isn't the best fit for everyone.
 
5mn_Major said:
It appears Notre Dame is the only series not televised anywhere. Seems to me that's a pretty decent financial hit to the program. If that's the case, why would we ever play them in the regular season again?
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Is will be picked up, probably by NBCS.
 
Re: Minnesota Gophers Offesason Thread: Back To 1896

mnstate0fhockey said:
That's what I heard as well. NBCSN has yet to release it's schedule, so the Gopher's can't list it yet. It is expected that both games at Notre Dame and possibly one of the games at PSU will be on the NBCSN.
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GPL has the Notre Dame series and one of the Penn State games already listed as NBCSN. I don't think Jupiter would list it unless something was known.

Funky TV schedule though. Gotta walk around the dial. If things are the way GPL listed it we have.

BTN 9 times.
FSN North 12 times.
FSN North Plus 7 times.
NBC Sports Network 3 times.
ESPNU 1 time.
ESPNEWS 2 times.

Still the best TV schedule in college hockey.
 
ScoobyDoo said:
GPL has the Notre Dame series and one of the Penn State games already listed as NBCSN. I don't think Jupiter would list it unless something was known.

Funky TV schedule though. Gotta walk around the dial. If things are the way GPL listed it we have.

BTN 9 times.
FSN North 12 times.
FSN North Plus 7 times.
NBC Sports Network 3 times.
ESPNU 1 time.
ESPNEWS 2 times.

Still the best TV schedule in college hockey.
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Thanks Scooby. And I agree. Odd schedule, but can't complain.
 
Re: Minnesota Gophers Offesason Thread: Back To 1896

SJHovey said:
I was curious about one thing, though. The whole "balancing athletics and academics" had me a bit puzzled since the U just started classes a couple of weeks ago. But I thought I saw, in an article or blog, reference to the fact that he had started taking classes as far back as the NHL draft? Is that the norm at the U, and other programs, where the kids would come in during the summer and start taking some classes?
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I can't speak for other programs but it is commonplace at the U. The freshmen take summer courses because it helps ease the transition into school (getting settled in, knowing where everything is, etc) and it also allows them to work out using the school's facilities, etc. It is has pretty much been a standard for a while.
 
Re: Minnesota Gophers Offesason Thread: Back To 1896

Hammy said:
I can't speak for other programs but it is commonplace at the U. The freshmen take summer courses because it helps ease the transition into school (getting settled in, knowing where everything is, etc) and it also allows them to work out using the school's facilities, etc. It is has pretty much been a standard for a while.
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Wisconsin has done it for years for the exact reasons you list.
 
Re: Minnesota Gophers Offesason Thread: Back To 1896

mnstate0fhockey said:
Vannelli knew the situation (ice time) coming in and even had to put in extra work to become eligible. I don't think ice time was the factor. The kid wanted to be here or else he wouldn't have put it in the work to get here.

College hockey isn't the best fit for everyone.
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As you and I discussed in another venue, there are so many misinformed "experts" on this Vannelli situation (mainly on Twitter) that I've just got shake my head and laugh.

The reality is this... all of last year, there were big question marks about academics for Vannelli. To the point where there was discussion about whether he could even get into the colleges he was most interested in. Frankly, when I heard he got into the U, I was a little surprised because I was prepared to hear otherwise.

In any case, he had the reputation for not being very good with the books. I don't know if that is because he naturally isn't good academically or if it is a work ethic issue... either way, there was definitely big question marks long ago.

So put yourself in the shoes of a kid who isn't academically strong and now has to juggle the dual demands of making sure you do well in school to stay eligible as well as handling all the stuff you need to do to play for an elite hockey program. For most guys, it is manageable. But if you are a guy that isn't as gifted with the books, it is likely a big hill to climb. Impossible? No. But I suspect he felt a little overwhelmed by all of it. So when Lucia makes the comment about juggling academics and athletics, he was being completely honest about it.

I suppose it is possible the kid could go to the USHL and make a go of it at college again. But I doubt that will be the answer for him in the long run. Even the easiest of colleges are still going to require academic work. Not to mention, he's not going to be a four year college player. I rarely say this but I actually think the WHL is the best route for him. The academics obviously won't be an issue for him there.

I'm not really sure why some of these people on Twitter that write for blogs feel the need to speak on the topic as if they have a clue to what has been going on over time when it is so clear they do not know. :rolleyes:
 
Re: Minnesota Gophers Offesason Thread: Back To 1896

AROUND THE WHL: D Tommy Vannelli, chosen by the Blues in the second round of this year's NHL draft, has left the University of Minnesota and is expected to join the Medicine Hat Tigers.
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- Brandon Sun News, Brandon, Manitoba (http://www.brandonsun.com)

I hope they don't intend to give him a book to read...cuz he not good wit da books.:D

Big Ten Announces Coverage for Hockey Media Day

Big Ten hockey fans will have several ways to follow their favorite teams, players and coaches as they participate in Big Ten Hockey Media Day on Thursday, Sept. 19.

All six coaches press conferences will be streamed live on BTN.com. Live streaming begins at 10 a.m. ET/9 a.m. CT and is available for free through the Big Ten Digital Network. Visit http://video.btn.com for more information.
 
Re: Minnesota Gophers Offesason Thread: Back To 1896

Hammy said:
I can't speak for other programs but it is commonplace at the U. The freshmen take summer courses because it helps ease the transition into school (getting settled in, knowing where everything is, etc) and it also allows them to work out using the school's facilities, etc. It is has pretty much been a standard for a while.
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The use of the facilities thing makes a lot of sense. I hadn't thought of that angle.
 
Re: Minnesota Gophers Offesason Thread: Back To 1896

ScoobyDoo said:
Funky TV schedule though.

BTN 9 times.
FSN North 12 times.
FSN North Plus 7 times.
NBC Sports Network 3 times.
ESPNU 1 time.
ESPNEWS 2 times.

Still the best TV schedule in college hockey.
Click to expand...


Funky is a polite way to put it. I'd call it it discombobulated, disjointed, confusing, degrading, self serving, bewildering, flustering, perplexing, etc, etc. Think about it. The same program on six different channels?

ESPNU, ESPN News? Why? Those are obscure channels for sure.
 
Golden Tuuk said:
Funky is a polite way to put it. I'd call it it discombobulated, disjointed, confusing, degrading, self serving, bewildering, flustering, perplexing, etc, etc. Think about it. The same program on six different channels?

ESPNU, ESPN News? Why? Those are obscure channels for sure.
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Obscure channels that are available in a lot of households nationally.
 
Re: Minnesota Gophers Offesason Thread: Back To 1896

Regarding the player to watch. Rau is a great player. For once, he should be the best player on his line. I hope he's teamed up so he gets the support he needs.
 
Re: Minnesota Gophers Offesason Thread: Back To 1896

5mn_Major said:
Regarding the player to watch. Rau is a great player. For once, he should be the best player on his line. I hope he's teamed up so he gets the support he needs.
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Not only a great player, real fun to watch. Will be even more fun watching him play other teams. Less painful, at least.
 
Re: Minnesota Gophers Offesason Thread: Back To 1896

While I wasn't really expecting any of this year's freshman D to have the impact I expected from last years', wasn't Vanelli expected to have the most immediate impact? Tough to lose, but it happens. Hope the forwards live up to expectations to help fill the void from last year.
 
Koho said:
While I wasn't really expecting any of this year's freshman D to have the impact I expected from last years', wasn't Vanelli expected to have the most immediate impact? Tough to lose, but it happens. Hope the forwards live up to expectations to help fill the void from last year.
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I was expecting Brodzinski to have the biggest impact. He played in the USHL last season (not high school hockey) and did really well.
 
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