NMU Wildcats 2010-2011 Season Thread

[AnchorsAway]

Re: NMU Wildcats 2010-2011 Season Thread

I don't even know what to say...

I must say I didnt see this coming but that's hockey I guess...when paired with the way your season ended last year it appears double overtime is not a friend to NMU hockey...As far as what you guys are losing to graduation what is the feeling around the NMU fanbase?....From my observations Hanson is the only top level talent that you guys are losing, Brown didn't turn out to be as productive as I thought and I know Fernandez got a lot of time on the blue line but in my opinion Epp and Ludwig are your two best blueliners anyway...other than that from my point of view the biggest losses that hurt NMU from this class was felt more from Olver and Gustafsson leaving last year than the rest of the seniors leaving this year will....

 

[NMU8405]

Re: NMU Wildcats 2010-2011 Season Thread

I must say I didnt see this coming but that's hockey I guess...when paired with the way your season ended last year it appears double overtime is not a friend to NMU hockey...As far as what you guys are losing to graduation what is the feeling around the NMU fanbase?....From my observations Hanson is the only top level talent that you guys are losing, Brown didn't turn out to be as productive as I thought and I know Fernandez got a lot of time on the blue line but in my opinion Epp and Ludwig are your two best blueliners anyway...other than that from my point of view the biggest losses that hurt NMU from this class was felt more from Olver and Gustafsson leaving last year than the rest of the seniors leaving this year will....

I'll go on record and say Im not sold about this team next season either. Most of the offense from this season is returning from all indications. The biggest loss is Hanson, but his production from this past season wasnt above and beyond. Offense returns Florek (Bruins 5th round pick) Tyler Gron and Chewy. Higby and Viger could have break out seasons next year, and really need to step up to fill that gap left by Fox, and Hanson leaving.

As for the defense, it did improve drastically as the season went on. Follmer, moved to forward and really solidified a top line. McCauley had a great season on D, and Epp really stepped up for the Cats. Kesti should be back next season, and Ludwig should continue to build on a solid freshman season. There were scouts at Saturday's game and Ludwig was on their radar.

Daugherty is coming in next season, 30 points in 40+ games in the USHL. Seckel will be back from an ACL injury.

We are adding another big DMan. Jake Baker. 6'6 215 lbs. 23 points in 32 games as well.

Full Recruiting list here

I'll also add that if Olver and Gussy stayed, this team would be in the Top 3 of the CCHA and returning to the NCAAs this season.

 

[AnchorsAway]

Re: NMU Wildcats 2010-2011 Season Thread

I'll go on record and say Im not sold about this team next season either. Most of the offense from this season is returning from all indications. The biggest loss is Hanson, but his production from this past season wasnt above and beyond. Offense returns Florek (Bruins 5th round pick) Tyler Gron and Chewy. Higby and Viger could have break out seasons next year, and really need to step up to fill that gap left by Fox, and Hanson leaving.

As for the defense, it did improve drastically as the season went on. Follmer, moved to forward and really solidified a top line. McCauley had a great season on D, and Epp really stepped up for the Cats. Kesti should be back next season, and Ludwig should continue to build on a solid freshman season. There were scouts at Saturday's game and Ludwig was on their radar.

Daugherty is coming in next season, 30 points in 40+ games in the USHL. Seckel will be back from an ACL injury.

We are adding another big DMan. Jake Baker. 6'6 215 lbs. 23 points in 32 games as well.

Full Recruiting list here

I'll also add that if Olver and Gussy stayed, this team would be in the Top 3 of the CCHA and returning to the NCAAs this season.

I'd buy that top 3 and NCAA prediction if Olver and the swede had stayed...sounds like your blueline is going to get some firepower coming in from the USHL, thats got to be exciting...on another note I know Seckel very well and I can tell you that he is chomping at the bit to get back on the ice, don't be surprised if he turns a lot of heads next season.

 

[alfablue]

Re: NMU Wildcats 2010-2011 Season Thread

The one thing I have to say- the party at the RenCen will not be the same....

Very sorry to see your season end like that.

 

[davyd83]

Re: NMU Wildcats 2010-2011 Season Thread

I have no doubt that the Cats will be back in 20+ win territory next season.

 

[aparch]

Re: NMU Wildcats 2010-2011 Season Thread

the party at the RenCen will not be the same....

It won't be the same, the Ren will actually have beer available. They won't be drank dry by NMU fans.

Although, I did hear that NMU fans are still welcome to party if a former assistant coach makes it to the Joe...

 

[NMUCatChat]

Re: NMU Wildcats 2010-2011 Season Thread

BGSU recap, postgame with Walt Kyle, Mike Maltese, and Reid Ellingson.

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Next week Tyler Gron will be the in-studio guest on the final episode of Cat Chat.

 

[aparch]

Re: NMU Wildcats 2010-2011 Season Thread

I can't bring myself to start the offseason thread, just yet at least. I especially didn't want to lead off with this tid-bit of information:

http://blogs.denverpost.com/sports/2011/03/08/big-10-hockey-conference-ok-by-me/16229/

Right now, I like the look of ours. What I mean my “ours” is a hypothetical, Western-based power league consisting of DU, CC, North Dakota, Miami (Ohio), Notre Dame and Nebraska-Omaha, and maybe the other ‘Sota schools — Minnesota-Duluth, St. Cloud State, Minnesota State and Bemidji State. If it’s only a six-team loop — preferrable to guarantee home-and-away series against every league member, a key for building rivalries – I’ll take our six teams over the Big 10 boys.

NCAA coaches meeting in Florida will be interesting next month...

 

[WildcatGoal]

Re: NMU Wildcats 2010-2011 Season Thread

It is hard to believe NMU is out of the playoffs, just not used to that idea this time of the year. That is a credit to Walt and the players that have been apart of this program for the last 8-10 years. I think NMU has some players that have the ability to grow and allow NMU to bounce back next year. Gron will need to continue to grow, Cherny and Florek needs to get into that 15 goal area. We have a ton of soon to be sophomore, redshirt freshmen and freshmen that have the ability to score 8-10 goals. Go Cats, work on this offseason!

 

[AnchorsAway]

Re: NMU Wildcats 2010-2011 Season Thread

I can't bring myself to start the offseason thread, just yet at least. I especially didn't want to lead off with this tid-bit of information:

http://blogs.denverpost.com/sports/2011/03/08/big-10-hockey-conference-ok-by-me/16229/




NCAA coaches meeting in Florida will be interesting next month...

The proposed conference in that article looks good on paper but I don't see ND and Miami chomping at the bit to join a conference with all of those long travel times, being in a conference that tough would also limit their likelihood of being as successful, winning conference titles, NCAA bids, etc.

For the sake of conversation, if the BTHC did come to fruition it would leave NMU, LSSU, FSU, WMU, BG, Miami, ND, and UAF hanging from the CCHA and NoDak, Denver, CC, Mankato, UMD, UNO, UAA, BSU, and MTU hanging from the WCHA

The most possible scenario in my opinion would be that those two conferences stay as is, with the CCHA possibly looking at picking up UAH (which I think they should have done already)

In a perfect world I'd like to see MTU come to our conference in a "trade" for UAA...I know there are rivalries and such but it always seemed odd to me that all 3 U.P. teams are not in the same conference and that the two Alaska teams are in different conferences...

Now in all likelihood if this all came to fruition, and the two group of conference teams left hanging stayed together like I referenced above, both the CCHA and WCHA would try to poach schools from other conferences but that would involve any number of teams, and is thus difficult to comment on.

In any case I don't see that writer's proposed conference happening...

 

[NoClu]

Re: NMU Wildcats 2010-2011 Season Thread

Personally, I miss youze guys.

 

[RaceBoarder]

Re: NMU Wildcats 2010-2011 Season Thread

Well, learning about this weekend was a kick in the cherries

I guess this is what happens when we all embrace the underdog for the month of March... Let's go FALCONS!!!

 

[NMU8405]

Re: NMU Wildcats 2010-2011 Season Thread

The proposed conference in that article looks good on paper but I don't see ND and Miami chomping at the bit to join a conference with all of those long travel times, being in a conference that tough would also limit their likelihood of being as successful, winning conference titles, NCAA bids, etc.

For the sake of conversation, if the BTHC did come to fruition it would leave NMU, LSSU, FSU, WMU, BG, Miami, ND, and UAF hanging from the CCHA and NoDak, Denver, CC, Mankato, UMD, UNO, UAA, BSU, and MTU hanging from the WCHA

We'll look at the biggest names on the table not in the big ten first. Miami and Notre Dame. Miami is not invited to the Big Ten. To them, they are a "MAC" school. Notre Dame on the other hand has long been sought after by the Big Ten. However, I can see them using hockey as leverage for all sports. If they want in for hockey, they are all in for everything.

The draw for schools such as NMU, LSSU, Ferris are playing Michigan and State at home. If the Big Ten happens, you can forget about Michigan traveling to any of these schools. Its been said in numerous other fourms that Ferris and Lake State have talked about dissolving hockey if they can not draw those teams at home. That leaves, Miami, Bowling Green, Western, NMU, Alaska.

The WCHA has been on record in saying they are content with a 10 team league and will not seek to replace Wisconsin and Minnesota.

If the "Anti Big Ten" comes about NMU will be on the outside looking in. This is years away, but reinforcements may be on the way when more teams can move up to D-1.

 

[aparch]

Re: NMU Wildcats 2010-2011 Season Thread

If the "Anti Big Ten" comes about NMU will be on the outside looking in. This is years away, but reinforcements may be on the way when more teams can move up to D-1.

Penn's arena is a year ahead of construction schedule, they're already pushing up the timeline to be a part of Division 1, and have announced that they don't wish to "put down roots in a current league only to uproot them in a few years."


This no longer is a "in five years when the Big10 decides to pull out of the CCHA/WCHA," this suddenly became a "in two years when the Big10 forms..."

 

[NMU8405]

Re: NMU Wildcats 2010-2011 Season Thread

Penn's arena is a year ahead of construction schedule, they're already pushing up the timeline to be a part of Division 1, and have announced that they don't wish to "put down roots in a current league only to uproot them in a few years."


This no longer is a "in five years when the Big10 decides to pull out of the CCHA/WCHA," this suddenly became a "in two years when the Big10 forms..."

Not to sound insensitive here, but with the current state of our A.D. and Northern's dept. overall, there is no way they are doing anything to stay ahead of this. This is the moment where we have to be pro-active.

 

[Laker Dude]

Re: NMU Wildcats 2010-2011 Season Thread

The draw for schools such as NMU, LSSU, Ferris are playing Michigan and State at home. If the Big Ten happens, you can forget about Michigan traveling to any of these schools. Its been said in numerous other fourms that Ferris and Lake State have talked about dissolving hockey if they can not draw those teams at home. That leaves, Miami, Bowling Green, Western, NMU, Alaska.

I could be wrong, but I think back in August or September LSSU stated that it would continue the hockey program through at least 2022.

 

[LSSULaker889294]

Re: NMU Wildcats 2010-2011 Season Thread

I could be wrong, but I think back in August or September LSSU stated that it would continue the hockey program through at least 2022.

You are correct Laker Dude. Also the donors aren't going to waste $5.6 million go to waste for the Norris Center project if they think LSSU hockey will fold.

http://www.norriscenterproject.com/index.cfm

 

[davyd83]

Re: NMU Wildcats 2010-2011 Season Thread

Not to sound insensitive here, but with the current state of our A.D. and Northern's dept. overall, there is no way they are doing anything to stay ahead of this. This is the moment where we have to be pro-active.

How should they be proactive? I am pretty certain that there are a number of scenarios being discussed.

 

[WildcatGoal]

Re: NMU Wildcats 2010-2011 Season Thread

With all of this talk about leagues, does anyone have ideas about what the NMU schedule would look like next year?

 

[davyd83]

Re: NMU Wildcats 2010-2011 Season Thread

With all of this talk about leagues, does anyone have ideas about what the NMU schedule would look like next year?

Any league changes will not occur for at least another two years. NMU will have a 28 game CCHA schedule, with non conference matches against Tech, Wisconsin and St Cloud next year.