MN Golden Gopher 2010 Offseason Thread

[Chuck Schwartz]

Re: MN Golden Gopher 2010 Offseason Thread

While I agree a coach/program shouldn't make a habit out of this, it's bound to happen at some point if you're around long enough. Sometimes needs change. If Lucia and Minnesota were doing this on a yearly basis, I agree that criticism is warranted. However, I think this was a unique situation so I think there's only so much blame that should be given.

Mike Dorr, Drew Fischer, Kyle Okposo, Brandon Martell, Ryan Walters, Sam Lofquist, Jim Obrien, Grant Scott, possibly Jake Youso?

Obviously not all the same situation. But, that's a lot of guys. Keep in mind, not saying my program is squeaky clean by any means. You guys are just joining my club. Welcome.

 

[bothman]

Re: MN Golden Gopher 2010 Offseason Thread

What risk does the player bear prior to signing an LOI? If he gives a verbal, he can change his mind at any time. If a program accepts a verbal, that doesn't bind them to offer a scholarship. Where's the risk?

Because higher standards are set for adults then children (most recruits are below the age of 21)....and more importantly, because it's just the right thing to do period!

 

[HarleyMC]

Re: MN Golden Gopher 2010 Offseason Thread

Mike Guentzel chimes in on the Ryan Walters fiasco:

Mike Guentzel's reaction:

Walters de-committed from the Gophers on Saturday and word had gotten out. "I was shocked and surprised and a little disappointed," said Guentzel, who played for the Gophers for four years and coached the team another 14 years. "I'd like the program to do well. This is a loss for the program.

"They say they want players to come in with experienced and prepared, to have play junior hockey and this kid has done that."

"There are not many of these guys with 60-some points [available] and he's a young kid. He's an attractive hockey player, an attractive student. They don't fall into your lap too often in April." "[Ryan] plays on edge," Guentzel said. "He talks to players on the other team, chirps at referees. But I've always said, I'd rather have a player I had to draw back, then have to prod a kid into being competitive. Ryan competes." Guentzel said he thought Walters was going to the U for sure. "I'm disappointed the kid is not going there," Guentzel said. "This is corny, but now he can't live that dream he had."

Mike Guentzel's comments about Ryan's Dad, Ken Walters:

There have been some reports on the Internet that Walters' father Ken is difficult for coaches to deal with. Guentzel was asked about him. He said Ken Walters has been involved in Ryan's career and promoting him and probably has done some things he regrets, but Guentzel said he has not had any problems with Ken.

"At no point have I ever had any outside interference or calls confronting me," Guentzel said. "He has just said, 'Nice win, congratulations' one time. He's been nothing but positive. He has never once put undue pressure on."

 

[Happy]

Re: MN Golden Gopher 2010 Offseason Thread

Mike Dorr, Drew Fischer, Kyle Okposo, Brandon Martell, Ryan Walters, Sam Lofquist, Jim Obrien, Grant Scott, possibly Jake Youso?

Obviously not all the same situation. But, that's a lot of guys. Keep in mind, not saying my program is squeaky clean by any means. You guys are just joining my club. Welcome.

I must of missed it, did Lucia choke some players?

 

[HarleyMC]

Re: MN Golden Gopher 2010 Offseason Thread

The Annual Gophers Awards Banquet is Saturday. Anyone have a guess on who might be the MVP for last season (serious suggestions only please )?

 

[HoosierBBall_GopherHockey]

Re: MN Golden Gopher 2010 Offseason Thread

The Annual Gophers Awards Banquet is Saturday. Anyone have a guess on who might be the MVP for last season (serious suggestions only please )?

Lucia. If not him, then Flynn or Fischer.

 

[ScoobyDoo]

Re: MN Golden Gopher 2010 Offseason Thread

The Annual Gophers Awards Banquet is Saturday. Anyone have a guess on who might be the MVP for last season (serious suggestions only please )?

Lucia is the only choice really. There is no other option.

 

[HarleyMC]

Re: MN Golden Gopher 2010 Offseason Thread

Jordan Schroeder? He seemed to disappear for long stretches though.

 

[ScoobyDoo]

Re: MN Golden Gopher 2010 Offseason Thread

Jordan Schroeder? He seemed to disappear for long stretches though.

Who?

 

[state of hockey]

Re: MN Golden Gopher 2010 Offseason Thread

Lucia. If Cepis was around all year, it would be him instead.

Both make me cringe, but it is the truth.

 

[ajoyce02]

Re: MN Golden Gopher 2010 Offseason Thread

I think Kangas should get some consideration, if only because the rest of the team was so underwhelming.

 

[HarleyMC]

Re: MN Golden Gopher 2010 Offseason Thread

Well the official results of the University of Minnesota men's hockey awards banquet are in! Tony Lucia is MVP.

Providing leadership as the new captain for the 2010-11 season is Jay Barriball.

 

[HarleyMC]

Re: MN Golden Gopher 2010 Offseason Thread

Apparently Mark Alt signed a LOI last Friday. He missed the early signing because of a football offer from the Iowa Hawkeyes and John Alt, his Dad was out of town so the decision to sign early was on hold. Although his Dad wanted him to take the offer with the Hawkeyes, Mark has supposedly closed the door on football and will focus his attention on hockey. NHL scouts have apparently encouraged him to pursue a career in hockey as well. According to the Central Scouting Bureau, its final ratings of North America players has Alt at 37th and he's been invited to the NHL Combine in Toronto in June.

"The first thing that comes to mind when I think of Mark is raw talent," said Central Scouting's Jack Barzee, who specializes in U.S.-based prospects. "There's an untapped area there. He's got a good shot and is aggressive -- he's the type of colt I want to ride if I were a coach. There's been some talk about his defensive coverage, but I think now that he's focusing on one sport, that'll definitely change." Retrieved from http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2010/04/16/alt-adding-new-sport-family-resume/

My only question with Mark Alt is will he be 100% effective and committed as a Gopher or will he be looking too far ahead to a shot at the NHL and who drafts him, minimizing his effectiveness? I hope he's not a one and done guy.

Correction: Mark Alt signed a LOI last Friday, April 23.

 

[ScoobyDoo]

Re: MN Golden Gopher 2010 Offseason Thread

My only question with Mark Alt is will he be 100% effective and committed as a Gopher or will he be looking too far ahead to a shot at the NHL and who drafts him, minimizing his effectiveness? I hope he's not a one and done guy.

I think the rule of thumb right now is that there all looking to the NHL and college hockey fans and college hockey coaches just have to deal with that. You think Alt is going to tell Lucia the truth? And, even if he did would that change Lucia's mind at this point? He certainly can't tell everyone to tell him they're going to be a 4 year player or don't bother coming.

 

[ajoyce02]

Re: MN Golden Gopher 2010 Offseason Thread

Well the official results of the University of Minnesota men's hockey awards banquet are in! Tony Lucia is MVP.

Providing leadership as the new captain for the 2010-11 season is Jay Barriball.

None of those awards are surprising really. My only thought when reading the article was around the alternate captains. Haven't they in the past waited until late summer/early fall to name the As?

 

[HarleyMC]

Re: MN Golden Gopher 2010 Offseason Thread

I think the rule of thumb right now is that there all looking to the NHL and college hockey fans and college hockey coaches just have to deal with that. You think Alt is going to tell Lucia the truth? And, even if he did would that change Lucia's mind at this point? He certainly can't tell everyone to tell him they're going to be a 4 year player or don't bother coming.

Looking at last season's inconsistent output, I would think (hope? ) Lucia will be even more firm, vocal and upfront than in the past about the need for players to focus on their play as a Gopher only and not look too far ahead. Granted each player will respond according to their own personal goals and that is my question with Mark Alt. How will he respond? There was a report a while back that he intended to wait on his commitment to the Gophers until the draft. That indicated to me where his focus was at the time. Hopefully that has changed.

You make a good point though Scooby, sometimes one wonders how true a player's commitment is regardless of what they say it is. It amazing when you read about players stating, "Playing for the Gophers is a dream come true (e.g. Schroeder, Lofquist and others)" and then they either don't show up to play or leave.

 

[ScoobyDoo]

Re: MN Golden Gopher 2010 Offseason Thread

You make a good point though Scooby, sometimes one wonders how true a player's commitment is regardless of what they say it is. It amazing when you read about players stating, "Playing for the Gophers is a dream come true (e.g. Schroeder, Lofquist and others)" and then they either don't show up to play or leave.

As Dr. House once told me, everybody lies.

 

[SJHovey]

Re: MN Golden Gopher 2010 Offseason Thread

As Dr. House once told me, everybody lies.

I think it is unfair to accuse these young men of lying.

First, I'm sure that players like Schroeder have lots of different "dreams" they hope come true that include playing for the Gophers, getting drafted and playing professional hockey. The fact they may leave one "dream" situation early to pursue another does not necessarily mean the player lied about the dream of playing college hockey.

Also, I expect the reality of playing college hockey at a program like MN may differ from what the young player "dreams" when he is growing up. He goes to a game when he is playing mites, hears the Rouser and the roar of the fans, sees the players come out and fly around in front of the big crowd, and can't imagine anything better. The reality is school, a lot of hard work, coaches who probably ride your butt constantly, playing time that might differ from expectations, glory a lot harder to come by. When a team struggles as MN has the past couple of seasons, the "dream" becomes even more distant.

 

[4four4]

Re: MN Golden Gopher 2010 Offseason Thread

My only question with Mark Alt is will he be 100% effective and committed as a Gopher or will he be looking too far ahead to a shot at the NHL and who drafts him, minimizing his effectiveness? I hope he's not a one and done guy.

Correction: Mark Alt signed a LOI last Friday, April 23.

Who cares. This team is so bad they need anybody on defense to step up in a major way. If by chance the Gophers turn it around and make the NCAA's next year then I will be fine with him leaving early. Basically, it means he worked hard to earn a shot at the NHL. I seriously doubt he is a one and done player.

 

[HarleyMC]

Re: MN Golden Gopher 2010 Offseason Thread

I think it is unfair to accuse these young men of lying.

First, I'm sure that players like Schroeder have lots of different "dreams" they hope come true that include playing for the Gophers, getting drafted and playing professional hockey. The fact they may leave one "dream" situation early to pursue another does not necessarily mean the player lied about the dream of playing college hockey.

Also, I expect the reality of playing college hockey at a program like MN may differ from what the young player "dreams" when he is growing up. He goes to a game when he is playing mites, hears the Rouser and the roar of the fans, sees the players come out and fly around in front of the big crowd, and can't imagine anything better. The reality is school, a lot of hard work, coaches who probably ride your butt constantly, playing time that might differ from expectations, glory a lot harder to come by. When a team struggles as MN has the past couple of seasons, the "dream" becomes even more distant.

I agree it is presumptuous without sufficient evidence to label any player who aspires to be play for the Gophers as a liar if he does not fulfill expectations. There are indeed times when "the dream" is overshadowed by multiple factors that are reflected in lower performance outcomes.

However, I do think that ANY player that makes a commitment to a hockey program rich in tradition and high standardized expectations like the Gophers needs to understand and be prepared to be uniquely challenged physically and psychologically. Those expectations are clearly delineated, understood and agreed upon by every recruit at the University of Minnesota before they formally hit the ice and wear the "M".

Without exception, a player is obligated to fulfill his agreed upon responsibility to contribute to the team's success to the best of his ability until his final game. If that does not consistently happen, I personally believe an intervention and assessment is necessary and a coaching decision and subsequent discipline should result until a correction in attitude is observed.

For example, IMO Jordan Schroeder should have been benched at times last season for poor performance. It was obvious to the fans that his heart was not in it. "IF" he left his "dream" early, I submit he did a disservice to the coaches, fans and the school he agreed to represent. Furthermore, a player's physical and psychological development is actually more enhanced in difficult times than when winning comes easier. If a player "gives up" because team expectations are not being met in the "W" column, he not only betrays his responsibility to the team, coaches and school, but also misses out on a significant growth opportunity.

Who cares. This team is so bad they need anybody on defense to step up in a major way. If by chance the Gophers turn it around and make the NCAA's next year then I will be fine with him leaving early. Basically, it means he worked hard to earn a shot at the NHL. I seriously doubt he is a one and done player.

I guess you're content then with a repeat of last season's inconsistency, mediocrity and lack of motivation.