MN Golden Gopher 2010 Offseason Thread

[skiumah2]

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 was saying if you're around long enough, you're going to offer a kid a scholarship and reneg later. You don't want to make a habit out of doing this, but it is going to happen once in a while. How are Mike Dorr, Drew Fischer, Kyle Okposo, Sam Lofquist, Jim O'Brien, and Grant Scott an example of this? I'm not familiar with Brandon Martell's situation so I can't comment there. Walters is the root of this example and Youso may end up getting turned away as well so those are decent examples. However, how are Dorr, Fischer, etc. examples of this?

 

[cross cheque]

Re: MN Golden Gopher 2010 Offseason Thread

Greetings from the University of Hoth, thought we could share news updates: none of the fighting _____ players have been caught drinking yet this offseason and its still a little early for lawn equip. but I did see zach jones at the union on my way to class so maybe more excitement this weekend. What's happening in dinky town? Anymore players lofquit, decommit, or schroeder it?

 

[4four4]

Re: MN Golden Gopher 2010 Offseason Thread

Star Tribune

"Hockey was always my passion from the beginning. That's what I wanted to do."

Looks like he is 100% committed to being a Golden Gopher and he fought off his dad in the process. .

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.

 

[HarleyMC]

Re: MN Golden Gopher 2010 Offseason Thread

Star Tribune

Looks like he is 100% committed to being a Golden Gopher and he fought off his dad in the process. .

The report I saw said the Gophers thought he would sign last Friday but apparently that was delayed for some reason until today. I agree, fighting off his Dad means he's most likely got a full tank of commitment and something to prove.

 

[4four4]

Re: MN Golden Gopher 2010 Offseason Thread

The report I saw said the Gophers thought he would sign last Friday but apparently that was delayed for some reason until today. I agree, fighting off his Dad means he's most likely got a full tank of commitment and something to prove.

His dad was out of town last week and to sign a LOI student athletes need their parents/guardian signature.

 

[HarleyMC]

Re: MN Golden Gopher 2010 Offseason Thread

Both Potulny's and Hill's contracts are up the end of this month. Lucia took both of them to Florida this week for meetings. Let me guess, Hill will be back next season. Boo... That's strike one.

 

[4four4]

Re: MN Golden Gopher 2010 Offseason Thread

Both Potulny's and Hill's contracts are up the end of this month. Lucia took both of them to Florida this week for meetings. Let me guess, Hill will be back next season. Boo... That's strike one.

If they don't win next year it will be there last season.

 

[HarleyMC]

Re: MN Golden Gopher 2010 Offseason Thread

If they don't win next year it will be there last season.

I'd rather see a new asst. come in next season who really knows something about playing and coaching defense and has some authority to take Hill's place. Another season with this HS guidance counselor is a recipe for disaster and the first nail in the coffin. IMO this is big mistake by Lucia. Get rid of Guentzel and keep this guy...right.

 

[GO-4-EXCELLENCE]

Re: MN Golden Gopher 2010 Offseason Thread

been super busy as of late. and, therefore i haven't been keeping up with much.

however, i was able to find a pretty cool site just the other day (I am sure most of you already know about it, but it's about time Minnesota youth hockey had a website like this!!)

http://www.mnhockeyhub.com/page/show/32760-home

and, while on the subject, i think the incoming freshman have a little more grit, no? but, then again, a lot of my friends have been referring to the last few gopher teams as "paper tigers." man those comments sting a little.

 

[Nevergoodenough]

Re: MN Golden Gopher 2010 Offseason Thread

I'd rather see a new asst. come in next season who really knows something about playing and coaching defense and has some authority to take Hill's place. Another season with this HS guidance counselor is a recipe for disaster and the first nail in the coffin. IMO this is big mistake by Lucia. Get rid of Guentzel and keep this guy...right.

You're right on Mr. Harley.. I can't help but feel that the major drop in Gopher success coincides with Hill's appearance. I think that the school should be ashamed for letting Guentzel go and keeping Hill.

 

[cross cheque]

Re: MN Golden Gopher 2010 Offseason Thread

I'd rather see a new asst. come in next season who really knows something about playing and coaching defense and has some authority to take Hill's place. Another season with this HS guidance counselor is a recipe for disaster and the first nail in the coffin. IMO this is big mistake by Lucia. Get rid of Guentzel and keep this guy...right.

I am actually starting to feel sorry for the players at UM, a program with great tradition and national prominence is being undercut by Hill and tDon is letting Guentzel go?! The goofs aren't going to turn this slide around until Hill is gone and unfortunately I think tDon will be going with him by the time that actually happens.

 

[GO-4-EXCELLENCE]

Re: MN Golden Gopher 2010 Offseason Thread

correct me if i am wrong, but Motzko and Guentzel were apart of the 2002 & 2003 teams that the NCAA championships, no?

since i wanted to see the overall team stats, in particular goals for/against, i found that starting from the 2000/01 season the GF/GA were as follows;

00/01 - GF 171 /GA 109
01/02 - GF 197 / GA 119
02/03 - GF 189 /GA 122
03/04 - GF 178 / GA 127
04/05 - GF 155 / GA 109
05/06 - GF 169 / GA 105
06/07 - GF 161 / GA 101
07/08 - GF 109 / GA 109
08/09 - GF 119 / GA 105
09/10 - GF 106 / GA 110

from the first half of the decade (00-05) the Gophers averaged 178 goals, and, from the second half of the decade (05-10) the Gophers averaged approximately 133 goals - that's an average drop of 45 goals per season (average of averages.)

now, i am not one to point fingers, but it seems that the Gophers have had enough fire power throughout the decade to maintain the above average of 178 goals per season. that being said, i think most of the program's issues fall on the coaching staff.

thus, perhaps, the Gophers coaching staff needs to honestly pull from the USHL - i know there is a lot of debate about whether kids from High School can jump right in/they need a year or two in the USHL (or the likes) to build strength and take time to adjust to the jump in skill level. (because i thought i remember hearing a while back that most, if not all, of the kids on the Two Championship teams had a year or two in the USHL..???)

nonetheless, i really think there needs to be some explanation as to why the Gopher hockey program has dropped an average of 45 goals a season (average of averages). any ideas?

now, i know that GF & GA do not reveal the problem in its entirety, but i felt it was a proxy that could shed some light on player performance, which is more or less directly linked with coaching.

 

[Bakunin]

Re: MN Golden Gopher 2010 Offseason Thread

Total games played, GF/GA per game / difference:
2010: 39 / 2.72 / 2.82 / -0.10
2009: 37 / 3.22 / 2.84 / +0.38
2008: 45 / 2.42 / 2.42 / even
2007: 44 / 3.66 / 2.30 / +1.36
2006: 41 / 4.12 / 2.56 / +1.56
2005: 44 / 3.52 / 2.48 / +1.04
2004: 44 / 4.05 / 2.89 / +1.16
2003: 45 / 4.20 / 2.71 / +1.49
2002: 44 / 4.48 / 2.70 / +1.78
2001: 42 / 4.07 / 2.60 / +1.47

To have a reasonable shot at the frozen four, the team needs to put up at least 3 1/2 goals per game and be +1 on goal differential. As we can see, they have been nowhere near those thresholds the past three seasons. These numbers also confirm a couple other things: 2005 clearly overachieved, and 2006 underachieved.

 

[ScoobyDoo]

Re: MN Golden Gopher 2010 Offseason Thread

We've known for a while now and I commented on it throughout the playoffs.

The magic number for college hockey appears to be 3. First team to three goals generally wins. The Gophers had a horrible time coming up with 3 goals most of the year. Miami's success this past year used an insanely low goals against.

NCAA champion for the year is usually high 3's close to 4 goals a game and hovers around 2 goals against.

 

[Bakunin]

Re: MN Golden Gopher 2010 Offseason Thread

Previous winners GF/GA
'10 BC 4.07 / 2.48
'09 BU 3.93 / 2.02
'08 BC 3.64 / 2.30
'07 MSU 3.26 / 2.43
'06 UW 3.37 / 1.84
'05 DU 4.05 / 2.56
'04 DU 3.39 / 2.73
'03 MN 4.20 / 2.71
'02 MN 4.48 / 2.70

Ignoring the obvious outliers (surprise winners DU in '04 and MSU in '07), the key stat here is a +1.5 goal differential.

 

[mwade]

Re: MN Golden Gopher 2010 Offseason Thread

I know it really belongs in an Alumni thread, but Matt DeMarchi is playing for Italy in the Worlds wearing his #19!! He was my favorite Gopher when he was a Gopher so I'm mildly freaking out . Also distracting me from the US loss.

 

[gordwiser]

Re: MN Golden Gopher 2010 Offseason Thread

You're right on Mr. Harley.. I can't help but feel that the major drop in Gopher success coincides with Hill's appearance. I think that the school should be ashamed for letting Guentzel go and keeping Hill.

I refuse to let the thread of the once proud Gophers to fall to the 2nd page... and with only 1 post in ten days! ***?!

I think Hill is a cancer to this team, and Hill combined with Lucia is the nail in the proverbial coffin. I have heard that Lucia prefers to do nothing during practice and he is condescending and berating to the players. Of course this is all hearsay, rumors, and innuendo, but it seems to be a common theme among multiple sources and other fans (I have heard this by talking to a couple high school coaches that have had camps with Gopher players, a relative of a player, and in passing with a former player). I would love to know what is really going on behind the scenes. A steady demise since 2006 for a program such as this is really hard to fathom.

 

[willythekid]

Re: MN Golden Gopher 2010 Offseason Thread

The Gophers are the Gary Coleman of college hockey...

2002 =

2010 =
http://assets.nydailynews.com/img/2010/01/26/alg_mug_gary-coleman.jpg

 

[ScoobyDoo]

Re: MN Golden Gopher 2010 Offseason Thread

Per Hammy's Twitter.

Goalie Joel Vienneau has reportedly committed to the U for 2011. Apparently the owner of his future USHL team mentioned it

Good news for a change.

 

[Catamount93]

Re: MN Golden Gopher 2010 Offseason Thread

I know there's a schedule thread elsewhere but quick question.....any of you guys know if Vermont may be on the Gopher schedule this year? UVM Coach Sneddon made a comment last year that we'd have a "trip to Minnesota" on the schedule this year. Fans on our thread thought it was UMD as we've had some history playing them, but we don't seem to be on the UMD schedule. (And we're not on Bemidji schedule either). Anything anyone knows about the likelihood of us playing this year would be appreciated.