Northeastern 2015-16: Hobey Roy Kenobi and the Freshman Force

[MCWarrior1011]

Re: Northeastern 2015-16: Hobey Roy Kenobi and the Freshman Force

He's playing with Brendan Collier and Sam Kurker. David Quinn basically cut Collier. Kurker played in 12 games at BU, had 1 goal, no assists, and was a fourth line center.

Not basically, he did cut Collier. BU cuts a lot of guys actually. There is a history of it. They even cut guys before they get to the university!!

 

[HHound]

Re: Northeastern 2015-16: Hobey Roy Kenobi and the Freshman Force

Here is my take.

McMurtey and Ruck were great, after that....
Roy is definitely still hurt, wasn't playing with any push at all. Looks like a shell of himself. Their D are terrible, I will be so happy to see Saucerman graduate. He can't skate, williams is slow, Cockerill is slow. I have always liked Darou, have wondered why he hasn't played more. Benning makes bad decisions, like that cross zone pass with 3 mins to go that lead to 60 seconds of attach time for BU. Overall they were not good last night, but some of that you need to credit BU. They are the better team, there speed, strength, and skill made it hard for NU to get anything going. I know the popular think to do here is to blame the coachs, I don't know enough about that to comment. If I had a say though, I think it is time to look at who evaluates the incoming D talent, who is advising Madigan on these guys. I have heard Shea coming next year is the real deal. I really hope so, cause there isn't a D1 dman on the team. You can't say that about the forwards, there is some talent there, they are just so bad on the blue line.

Sam Kurker? Has the GM been fired, or at least the scout that advised on drafting him in the 2nd round. He is brutal, he makes Collier look like speed skater. For some reason these guys just didn't put it together last night, they came out of the game playing well, controlled played for 6-7 minutes then faded and then BU scored and that was it.

Ryan Ruck was outstanding, I know he has been good lately. Freshman goalie making the jump to D1, maybe just needed some time. Glad to see.

I think 6-7 place in HE is where they belong because of there very weak D man. Improve the blue line they will be better. Anyone have any insight in any other incoming Dman for next year.

You make some good points, especially concerning Roy and Kurker. Much more was expected from both of them than they have provided. I don't think Roy is quite right, but I don't know what Kurker's problem is. He has size, strength and reasonable speed. Athletes hit their peaks at different times. He may have peaked out in high school. Not that unusual. He threatened to decommit from bu if they didn't let him come to school without playing juniors. NU had been in his recruiting picture, so bu caved.Big mistake.

I agree that Cockerill and Sauce may be a bit slower than they should be. They try to compensate with their offensive side. Compared with the forwards from BC or bu, most of the Ds in the league appear to be slow. As for the near future, Shea is supposed to be outstanding. We also have LD Jeremy Davies coming in from the Bloomington USHL team. He leads the league in goals by a D and is 4th in scoring among defensemen. More importantly, he is said to be a very sound defender. Logan Day will also be eligible as a sophomore. He transferred in from Providence last fall. I expect that the three coming in will eventually be stronger than the three who are leaving. If they are not, I, too, would question who evaluates the D.

Ruck is growing into a pretty fair D1 Goalie. He is one of the players who has given us more than we expected at the start of the season.. Thank goodness!

 

[Sully75]

Re: Northeastern 2015-16: Hobey Roy Kenobi and the Freshman Force

Jerry et al

I admire your faith in JM & Staff. Unfortunately, they have had 5 years...5 years to build the vision that you have described. The interesting fact is: JM inherited a program that was on the rise AND was armed with the resources to be a winning program. Cronin & staff walked into a bankrupt situation: outdated arena, no player development facility, no S & C coach, bottom-of-the-barrel budgets, no winning records to build off of AND poor players (the best player was Mike Morris & he was concussed out of hockey before he played a game).

JM walked into a newly renovated arena, great facilities, player development resources, good players (a few great ones coming = JG, Gillies, Manson, Karlson) & some successful seasons to build some momentum off of. Whomever walked into the post Crowder position would need a miracle to win within 3 years. It took Cronin & Co 4 years to make the NCAA & HE Final Four with no real super star skaters (Theissen was a great goalie). They were building something (but missed on the goalie to replace Theissen...we all know the failures associated with Rawlings). JM looks like a great guy and is fully invested in NU, but lets face the facts here: Is he & staff building any reliable growth here? I was thrilled when they went on that winning streak, but after careful review, did they beat anyone with a winning record??..(maybe SLU who is not an NCAA team).

I was so disappointed watching that game last night. BU has more talent, but BU is very well coached too. They have an identity. I remember watching the BU v NU series from 2008-09 season when BU had at least 8 NHL'ers (Shattenkirk, Strait, Gilroy, Yip, Wilson, Gryba etc). NU had.....Vitale & Theissen. It was a great Beanpot final (NU gave up 3 shorthanded goals) and the two teams tied in the home and home a few weeks later. NU lost the HE Championship to BU when NU lost to BC on the last game of the regular season. NU didn't have close to the talent BU had, but they almost won the league over one of the best BU teams ever (they won the NCAA that year). Last night, the gap between BU & NU was the size of the Grand Canyon, both with regard to talent & coaching.

Keep the faith

 

[northeastern]

Re: Northeastern 2015-16: Hobey Roy Kenobi and the Freshman Force

Jerry, as you are a new poster, I'll fill you in about "Northeastern" (The poster, not the U.) "Northeastern" has had a major braid across his arse where Jim Madigan is concerned for several years. IHHO JM can do nothing right and should be using his sales skills to raise $ for the U. - anything that will keep him away from the team. The fact that he kept the team together after a miserable start, and that they had won 7 of their last 8 games is an aberration to his way of thinking. When the team wins, he goes relatively quiet. When they lose, he goes relatively ballistic and points his keyboard at the coaching staff and their perceived (by him) shortcomings. Perhaps he thinks we should win every game!

He wants to see Madigan fired and seems to think that he can effect change by whining to the other posters on this board. He has yet to learn that if you want to make a sale, you should make your pitch to a decision maker. He should put in a call to Roby and have a chat - unless he hates him, too.

Hope you feel better now..
i have talked to Roby once. The hockey.. its like a foreign language for him (for you cheerleaders as well).. like i said.. far as legit hockey at NU is concerned.. its dead.
In the same timeframe (thank god).. Providence, Lowell, Q (list goes on) have gotten their act together.

Just because you keep blowing smoke.. does not make the situation any better.
As I've said.. it is what it is. Don't let the ever increasing empty seats at Matthews get in your way either. Keep up the good work.
Program is on the way up & in great shape.

 

[scorer]

Re: Northeastern 2015-16: Hobey Roy Kenobi and the Freshman Force

This is Madigan’s fifth season which to me means no excuses for not accomplishing something significant. My fear is that he is following too closely in the results footsteps of Bruce Crowder who whose contract was extended to 9 years even though he never accomplished anything big like a Beanpot, an NCAA bid, or winning even one playoff series to advance to the HE semi-finals. There will be no Beanpot and most likely no NCAA bid or bye for the first round of the HE playoffs for the Huskies in 2016.

However, this there is still a chance to achieve at least a 2nd tier accomplishment i.e., a preliminary playoff round series win (even if against another lowly finishing HE team). If he can do that, then I see that as at least a minimal reason to have hope for next year.

However, if Madigan goes 0 for 5 seasons, I think it would not be inappropriate for the AD to start looking ahead for a new coach even though he still has another 2 years to go on his contract. But do I have any confidence in the NU that give Crowder a 9 year contact, and Madigan a 7 year contact, or in the NU President and AD to do right by the hockey team -- absolutely not. Like it or not it is either Madigan or bust!

 

[northeastern]

When the team wins, he goes relatively quiet. .

..and this isn't just a stretch..its just flat out false.
Sure you did your homework?.
Even with your writing skills.. this one.. bad.

I cheer the team.. the kids.. always.

 

[nufan2001]

Re: Northeastern 2015-16: Hobey Roy Kenobi and the Freshman Force

I like having Jim as the coach, he is an alumni and is very respected in the hockey community. Believe me he is, especially in the college and pro areas. This is tough job, you have BU and BC as neighbors and you are the little brother. No coach has been able to change that, maybe if when Mike Babcock decided he wants to coach college someday he can change that but that is the reality of it. NU needs to recruit kids that improve while they are here and became good college players, one guy on this team I would point to is McMurtry. He has improved 10 fold, I think ZAR has progressed as a player, I think Nolan is improving. Jim will level the playing field here, I believe that, this will be a very respectable program that will win more than it loses. There will be beanpots and NCAA appearances. 5 years in, I am a little disappointed in where they are, but I still think he will succeed.

Being a respected alum isn't going to win hockey games. 5 years in and the program is worse than it was before. How long do you want to wait for success? 20 years?

 

[nufan2001]

Re: Northeastern 2015-16: Hobey Roy Kenobi and the Freshman Force

Joe Meloni in 2011 for College Hockey News:

"There exists little doubt at Northeastern about Jim Madigan as a man, a positive representative for the university or an experienced hockey mind. As a successful Division I hockey coach, though, the doubt is very real."

 

[brassbonanza]

Re: Northeastern 2015-16: Hobey Roy Kenobi and the Freshman Force

Joe Meloni in 2011 for College Hockey News:

"There exists little doubt at Northeastern about Jim Madigan as a man, a positive representative for the university or an experienced hockey mind. As a successful Division I hockey coach, though, the doubt is very real."

Tends to happen when you hire a guy as your head coach who hasn't coached in 18 years.

 

[PPGuru]

Re: Northeastern 2015-16: Hobey Roy Kenobi and the Freshman Force

Alright, the argument can be posed that the talent on Madigan's first practice was comparable to the talent at Cronin's first practice. Five years into each guys reign, who had recruited a better team? Which team was better coached? Which coach put his talent in a system better suited to their strengths? (This isn't me saying the answer at this moment is firing Madigan immediately, either.) Still, I have questions about last night and things going forward. Late in the game, losing 2-0. How about shortening the bench or rearranging the lines a tad? Move KRoy up to play with the Stevens brothers, drop Reese back with McMurtry and Gaudette. Or vice versa. Drop Sikura. Instead nothing until Ruck was pulled. Dressing 7D, 11F. I know we're challenged depth wise. We started two Dmen last night that are both -6? (I know that +/_ stat isn't be all, end all but it says something. Also -6= Sikura and KRoy) If a 7th Dman is better than the 8th-13th F, why roll those forwards out there at all? After BU got the empty netter to go up 3-1, why did Ruck go back into the net? There were forty seconds left. Is losing 4-1 worse than losing 3-1? That was virtual surrender. As for remarks about the Dmen being slow, I don't mind being a half step slow. But the never ending misplays with the puck by Saucerman and Benning are much worse crimes in my opinion. Williams and Cockerill aren't any quicker but they are smarter with the puck. Looking forward, it seems like there are some good recruits in the pipeline (yes, I know, we've said that before). New England Hockey Journal rated Jamie Armstrong and Matt Filipe as the second and third best NE kids in this years draft class. Someone posted above about Shea and Davies. I don't know Davies. I have questions about Shea. If he is really THAT good, being the son of a BC star player, why didn't BC offer him? Also next year we're counting on Day and Pecararo? All of a sudden we're going to start hitting grand slams on these transfers now? On the flip side of that, if Roby did can Madigan now, all these commits would have their recruiting re-opened. Who would be the new Coach? Would that new Coach be worse off than either Cronin or Madigan on Day One? What a mess.

 

[Happy Husky]

Re: Northeastern 2015-16: Hobey Roy Kenobi and the Freshman Force

still need time to mourn this grievous loss,the players deserve better than this.I also feel bad for all the other NU fans here,who,even though may differ on opinions in major ways still love the school and teams.wishing everyone here peace and rest.And yes in response to another post earlier from "northeastern" God has really blessed NU in many excellent ways.

 

[brassbonanza]

Re: Northeastern 2015-16: Hobey Roy Kenobi and the Freshman Force

After BU got the empty netter to go up 3-1, why did Ruck go back into the net? There were forty seconds left. Is losing 4-1 worse than losing 3-1? That was virtual surrender.

My friends and I were also puzzled by this. Two goals in 40-ish seconds is certainly not unheard of. At least make it seem to your squad like you're trying to give them a chance to win. BU is far more likely to hold possession in the final seconds than take a wild shot at an open net. Like you said, surrender.

 

[nufan2001]

Re: Northeastern 2015-16: Hobey Roy Kenobi and the Freshman Force

4th place seems like a lock. Harvard has talent. Northeastern may be blown away into fourth place. Something that hasn't been mentioned yet.

 

[Sully75]

Re: Northeastern 2015-16: Hobey Roy Kenobi and the Freshman Force

PP Guru

No comparison regarding Cronin's 1st practice compared to Madigan's.... I can't get past that opening "pose" to read any credibility to the rest of your post. Cronin had horrible team & no resources. JM had a good team and great resources. To not acknowledge that fact washes away any comparison to JM job at NU over 5 years....

i only identify with your last line: what a mess. Cronin could coach & his staff recruited better players every year. I believe NU can win like UML & PC have done recently (and NU did 6 years ago). It starts w great goaltending ( build the team from the goalie out) and solid D. They have a goalie... Now go get some high end D. Whether it is Cronin or JM.... If u don't have a goalie... You have no chance. If you have a goalie & strong D....(and good coaching). You can win.

 

[JerryP66]

Re: Northeastern 2015-16: Hobey Roy Kenobi and the Freshman Force

I've heard these arguments before, I think Cronin and staff were better recruiters than this staff. Which is why I posed the question about maybe evaluating that person. The head assistant is in charge of recruiting. Like I said I am not going to get into this argument. But look back at the 6 season Cronin was here, they had 1 good season, and they had the best goalie in the country. The won nothing, lost in Beanpot, lost in HE semi's and lost in first round of NCAA in a game they were heavily favored in. I feel like if a Madigan team gave up 3 SH goals in the beanpoit final and lost by 3 there would be a blood in the water. Cronin's final season here didn't they start like 1-10 with loses to Bently? They came on strong and beat BU in the Qtrs but that team greatly under achieved. Look at the last 20 years, there have been like 3 good season. The Cronin years have been greatly glorified, I was very disappointed when he left, he regrets leaving cause he looks at his time here as nothing accomplished.

 

[Split-N]

Re: Northeastern 2015-16: Hobey Roy Kenobi and the Freshman Force

4th place seems like a lock. Harvard has talent. Northeastern may be blown away into fourth place. Something that hasn't been mentioned yet.

Don't be surprised if both teams treat the game as a glorified practice session and play the backup goaltenders and scrubs. Harvard is 7th in the PWR and its remaining schedule is not particularly overwhelming, so it's not likely to get significantly hurt by a loss. NU doesn't need to worry about PWR. If you're a betting man, you'd do well to keep your money in your wallet.

 

[PPGuru]

Re: Northeastern 2015-16: Hobey Roy Kenobi and the Freshman Force

Sully75 I don't get your comment. Cronin did inherit a terrible team. Your own remarks about goaltending (Rawlings was terrible) makes an argument for Madigan having a terrible team too. I posed that 'first day of practice' to take the off ice boondoggle (losing Gaudreau, Gillies, coach suspensions, etc.) out of the conversation. Because you didn't like that part the rest has no credibility? What part of the rest would you refute? Coaching? In-game adjustments? Not pulling the Goalie down 3-1 after pulling him when it was 2-0? I don't think any of that is debatable.

 

[brassbonanza]

Re: Northeastern 2015-16: Hobey Roy Kenobi and the Freshman Force

they had the best goalie in the country. The won nothing, lost in Beanpot, lost in HE semi's and lost in first round of NCAA in a game they were heavily favored in.

He was not the best goalie in the country, the Hobey Hat Trick nomination notwithstanding. Theissen choked in just about every big game in which he played that year.

 

[beanstalk]

Re: Northeastern 2015-16: Hobey Roy Kenobi and the Freshman Force

Don't be surprised if both teams treat the game as a glorified practice session and play the backup goaltenders and scrubs. Harvard is 7th in the PWR and its remaining schedule is not particularly overwhelming, so it's not likely to get significantly hurt by a loss. NU doesn't need to worry about PWR. If you're a betting man, you'd do well to keep your money in your wallet.

The consolation game against Colgate in the Belfast Tourney meant nothing and he went with the same exact lineup as in the Lowell game, other than the goalie. An admirable coach would have played some of the other players who traveled thousands of miles with the team. Actually, 95% of the college coaches in the country would have done that. But not JM. I doubt he will change now. Perhaps he goes with D. Roy in net and jumbles up the 4th line. However, he is completely numb to the idea of doing something that will benefit the "scrubs," as you have called them (and I would argue that a few of them are better than the regulars). He does not rotate players in and out of the lineup. That is why Cotton left, as he should have.

 

[JerryP66]

Re: Northeastern 2015-16: Hobey Roy Kenobi and the Freshman Force

The consolation game against Colgate in the Belfast Tourney meant nothing and he went with the same exact lineup as in the Lowell game, other than the goalie. An admirable coach would have played some of the other players who traveled thousands of miles with the team. Actually, 95% of the college coaches in the country would have done that. But not JM. I doubt he will change now. Perhaps he goes with D. Roy in net and jumbles up the 4th line. However, he is completely numb to the idea of doing something that will benefit the "scrubs," as you have called them (and I would argue that a few of them are better than the regulars). He does not rotate players in and out of the lineup. That is why Cotton left, as he should have.

I completley disagree, they traveled cause they are on the team. This is D1 College, if everyone needs to play then play club. They needed to win games, he went with his best lineup. THis is crazy.