Northeastern Huskies Offseason (Discipline: let's find it)

[Ryecheers]

Re: Northeastern Huskies Offseason (Discipline: let's find it)

The problem as I see it is that Madigan is probably great at selling NU, but cannot sell himself as a coach or a developer of talent since he does not have that piece. Sebastian did, so that helped, but with Sebastian leaving, Madigan is now going to have to have a really good season, no not making the playoffs for instance, to prove he has the chops behind the bench.

It would also help him to find an assistant who can help there. As for recruiting, the guy has been a scout for a long time, so identifying talent should not be an issue. Getting them to come, until he proves he can win behind the bench will be an issue.

Do you recognize the names McGillis, Shields Lupo, Aube, Bouchard, LaPlante? JM was able to recruit and develop this type of talent to NU when the program and the school wasn't one tenth of what it is today. The guy has had the job for less than a week and you are already criticizing him. I can't imagine what you'll have to say if the team loses two in a row!

 

[WDR357]

Re: Northeastern Huskies Offseason (Discipline: let's find it)

We don't have any choice but to give Madigan a chance. However, I don't think a learning curve is appropriate for this level of hockey. Either you can be an effective head cocach at this level or one should be an assistant in some capacity. If I'm giving my $$ to the program and then paying for tix to the games, going to some of the road games, then I expect the team to be prepared. Yes, there is still some significant talent on the team thankfully but a Gaudreau de-commit would really hurt since Haar, Oleksiak and Kovacs are gone. Thank goodness for the Manson pick-up. Made me breath a sigh of relief. The team still really needs an additional d-man. Hey, Rawlings always seems to do best when he sees over 40 shots a game!!!

As for the BCHL, very solid league, certainly a bit better than the EJHL and plenty of good players come from there. As Hoky mentioned a few of them, you could add in Bigos, Noonan, House and a few others from HE last year who played in the BCHL. I can think of another former Husky who played goal for us a couple years ago and seemed to work out ok coming from the BCHL.

I'd be very dissapointed to see LaPlante go. Solid AC and was one of my favorite players when he was playing. Was nice to have him associated with the team the last few years.

 

[WDR357]

Re: Northeastern Huskies Offseason (Discipline: let's find it)

Do you recognize the names McGillis, Shields Lupo, Aube, Bouchard, LaPlante? JM was able to recruit and develop this type of talent to NU when the program and the school wasn't one tenth of what it is today. The guy has had the job for less than a week and you are already criticizing him. I can't imagine what you'll have to say if the team loses two in a row!

That 94 team was an offensive powerhouse. Shields was probably the only player I can remember who had almost McEachern type speed and was certainly as fast or faster than most of BU's 94/95 team.

 

[GoNU5]

Re: Northeastern Huskies Offseason (Discipline: let's find it)

It seems that LaPlante is as good as gone even though i really haven't heard much of anything. If so, best of luck, maybe he uses this to get toward a head coaching gig and then comes back to coach NU when Madigan retires.

As for AC's now, I'm sure Madigan has at least one person in mind (he already must have been thinking of someone before LaPlante's departure was apparent), so it's a matter of finding that second person. I'm hoping he finds someone with some coaching experience, someone from the USHL or BCHL would be great since they've seen players and have been in the game, poaching someone from the NCAA ranks seems unlikely at this point.

 

[Huskies01]

Re: Northeastern Huskies Offseason (Discipline: let's find it)

Do you recognize the names McGillis, Shields Lupo, Aube, Bouchard, LaPlante? JM was able to recruit and develop this type of talent to NU when the program and the school wasn't one tenth of what it is today. The guy has had the job for less than a week and you are already criticizing him. I can't imagine what you'll have to say if the team loses two in a row!

Do you think some 17 year old playing in the USHL cares about those names? McGillis would be the only one to stand out, and was he even in the NHL last year?

Point is, I am sure JM can find talent, the problem is going to be convincing them he can get them to the next level. Cronin could do that after what he had accomplished here the last few seasons. Same way York and Parker, and the guy at UNH can. JM cannot pull out the NU Media guy and show all the wins he has coached as a head guy, here, there, or anywhere.

Helping to build good teams 18-25 years ago is nice, but all the players he is going after, where not even born yet. Its not going to get him very far.

 

[canada1]

Re: Northeastern Huskies Offseason (Discipline: let's find it)

GoNus...Ryecheers...Satanic Huskie...and even Hokydad...I enjoy your posts! However, since Kovacs has moved on, I am only a "lurker" on this site....from an outside point of view...I feel really bad for NU. There was much excitement in the Kovacs family when Cronin was HC, and then Albie...who with Cronin... recruited Kovacs, left too...and then time passed like crazy...but there was always the hope that Sebastien would be named HC....Madigan I'm sure is a very "good" guy but not in anyone's opinion an experienced or proper HC for a rising program. (Check out various other sites regarding this) And now LaPlante leaves....absolutely no continuity from what was becoming a strong program! Haar, Oleksiak, Kovacs...probably Gaudreau...gone! Who's next? Rawlings? Saponari? It's all so unfortunate! I know...Ryecheers and GoNus...you are trying to put this in the best and most positive light you can as loyal NU fans. But I am sorry....as an outsider....in my opinion only...the NU program has been gutted...even though I absolutely wish it the best! Can fault be laid...at Cronin who left probably for several reasons....the NHL and the interference of Roby? Only maybe and unfairly! At Roby...who seemed to ignore every other possible qualified and experienced applicant...especially LaPlante and even Carlson from CR. You bet at least as regards Roby! Heck....Western Michigan went after the services of a certified NHL-level head coach. Even lowly Michigan Tech swiped Pearson from U of M. And there were I'm sure....many others! I hope I'm wrong....but I predict a disappointing season for NU...and boy...Madigan better find some qualified assistants or it really is going to have no chance! You loyal NU fans....yell at me if you like...but deep down where you don't want to think about it....most of you have to be somewhat in agreement with me. Again, HOPE I AM ABSOLUTELY WRONG!!!!

 

[Split-N]

Re: Northeastern Huskies Offseason (Discipline: let's find it)

It seems that LaPlante is as good as gone even though i really haven't heard much of anything. If so, best of luck, maybe he uses this to get toward a head coaching gig and then comes back to coach NU when Madigan retires.

As for AC's now, I'm sure Madigan has at least one person in mind (he already must have been thinking of someone before LaPlante's departure was apparent), so it's a matter of finding that second person. I'm hoping he finds someone with some coaching experience, someone from the USHL or BCHL would be great since they've seen players and have been in the game, poaching someone from the NCAA ranks seems unlikely at this point.

Sebastien's apparently imminent departure leaves me deeply saddened but not especially surprised and certainly not stunned. Most of us are alums who have been out in the world for a few years (or more) and know the realities of managing and advancing one's chosen career. Hockey is Sebastien's chosen career and it stands to reason that he wasn't going to remain a college assistant for the rest of his career. Since he didn't get the head job at NU, taking an AHL assistant job makes perfect sense, burnishes his resume, and punches a ticket that will help get him a HC job somewhere, sometime. Maybe even at NU if the AD slot opens and JM moves up. I hate to see him go but I wish him all the best.

One thing I know about the hockey world is that there are always plenty of highly qualified people--veterans as well as up-and-comers--to fill vacancies that occur at every conceivable level. Northeastern isn't a college hockey backwater anymore so I don't think JM will have much of a problem finding a pool of bright, talented, and ambitous candidates.

Frankly, I'm more worried about the relatively late date than I am about finding quality ACs to pick up where Seb and Albie left off.

 

[SkinsFan09]

Re: Northeastern Huskies Offseason (Discipline: let's find it)

The whining is annoying...Sounds like a 10 year old complaining about not getting to go to Chuck E Cheese anymore. We haven't even played a game yet and we are already "doomed." We have plenty of talent coming back and Haar has been replaced with a higher draft pick who apparently isn't full of himself for being 3 picks higher than Stephen Hawking. Madigan is a smart guy. Those of us who've actually met him know that. Hopefully he swayed Gaudreau yesterday although I think he'll end up at BC.

In 1972, Northeastern hired a coach who had zero college basketball experience. By his leave in 1986 the school had one of the best NCAA BB players of all-time, 5 NCAA Tournament appearances and three first round upsets.

My own Redskins hired a certain guy in 1981 who had only been a coordinator. By 1992 he was and still is the only coach to win three Superbowl titles with three different QB's.

You have to give people a chance. No guarantees but it always starts somewhere.

 

[northeastern]

Re: Northeastern Huskies Offseason (Discipline: let's find it)

Time (or lack thereof).. that's what the 800 pound Gorilla here is..

Blaise MacDonald just landed an asst gig at UMass Amherst under Toot. I know he'd have rather stayed in the Boston area. Candidates like that (with HE experience), would have been a great asset to Madigan. Just as LapLante was (is).

It's going to be tight.. going to be crazy.. but certainly not the end of the world. Cronin's timing was a killer.. much as he did not like Roby, i really wished he'd have kept the kids in mind & left sooner (if that's what he intended) all along. Goodluck to him.

When Madigan figures this one out.. and i am confident he will.. the season opener, any jitters opening month.. will be cakewalk. He'll probably be in mid-season form (mentally speaking).. in the 1st month itself..with all the issues he would have tackled by then.

NU Hockey.. do have we a Captain Sully? I sure hope so & will support the program through it all! Let's go Huskies

 

[Split-N]

Re: Northeastern Huskies Offseason (Discipline: let's find it)

The whining is annoying...Sounds like a 10 year old complaining about not getting to go to Chuck E Cheese anymore. We haven't even played a game yet and we are already "doomed." We have plenty of talent coming back and Haar has been replaced with a higher draft pick who apparently isn't full of himself for being 3 picks higher than Stephen Hawking. Madigan is a smart guy. Those of us who've actually met him know that. Hopefully he swayed Gaudreau yesterday although I think he'll end up at BC.

In 1972, Northeastern hired a coach who had zero college basketball experience. By his leave in 1986 the school had one of the best NCAA BB players of all-time, 5 NCAA Tournament appearances and three first round upsets.

My own Redskins hired a certain guy in 1981 who had only been a coordinator. By 1992 he was and still is the only coach to win three Superbowl titles with three different QB's.

You have to give people a chance. No guarantees but it always starts somewhere.

Out of the mouths of babes. +1. And that 'skins hire you mentioned had a certain amount of success on the NASCAR circuit also.

 

[Hokydad]

Re: Northeastern Huskies Offseason (Discipline: let's find it)

Jim Fahey......

 

[SkinsFan09]

Re: Northeastern Huskies Offseason (Discipline: let's find it)

He's the new asst. coach?

 

[fahey4prez]

Re: Northeastern Huskies Offseason (Discipline: let's find it)

Jim Fahey......

Wow...that would be a really interesting hire (plus it would give some meaning to my user name again! ). I loved watching Jim play in college. If they go with Jim, I hope the other assistant is somebody that has extensive experience in college hockey.

 

[coloradohusky]

Re: Northeastern Huskies Offseason (Discipline: let's find it)

Congratulations to Jim Madigan and Mr Roby for making this decision. I led the "Draft Madigan" campaign 6 years ago. Madigan wanted to finish what he started at the Business School and did not put his name in the ring for consideration. I have a great deal of respect for the decision he made 6 years ago. But. I'm very excited he decided to return to coaching now. This is a brilliant choice by the University on several fronts. First, let me say that from what I've heard pretty much every person posting on this board would have been considered for the job (save a few) if they had the people calling the U that Jim had. Reads like a "who's who" of hockey. Beyond impressive the people who think Madigan is the right choice for the job. Second, recruiting is not just about skating and shooting anymore. I remember reading an interview done with the Dir of Am scouting for the Hurricanes. They now take evaluation to the 13-14th derivative. Parents, coaches,teammates,employers,teachers, even ex girlfriends get interviewed to make sure a team is not just getting a good hockey player, but a good person as well. Player assessment is one of the most important jobs of an NHL organization. Madigan knows that systems don't win Championships. Players do. And again, it's not just the talent that wins the battles every shift. Coaches tend to put a lot of emphasis on systems. Justifies their existence. Getting the most out of players consistently is what will win the hardware. I'm not knocking Cronin. I'm very thankful for how he turned the Program around and I wish him the best. But, there are other "styles" that can bring out the very best in a student athlete that Madigan brings to the table. In addition to being able to identify the "x" factor when recruiting. Not many parents asked for Lou Holtz's playing stats when he came calling. Third, college coaching is evolving. Coaches need to be x's and o's, motivators, assessors of talent. But they also need to be able to "run" their sport like a business. Marketing,fundraising, are big parts in today's coaching. As well as being a strong part of the University as a whole. Madigan certainly brings those qualifications to the job as well. As far as Sebatien goes, I hope he stays. He has a great opportunity to learn from someone who really does posess the entire skill set to be a Big Time D1 coach. They'd make an excellent team in my opinion.

 

[slurpees]

Re: Northeastern Huskies Offseason (Discipline: let's find it)

In 1972, Northeastern hired a coach who had zero college basketball experience. By his leave in 1986 the school had one of the best NCAA BB players of all-time, 5 NCAA Tournament appearances and three first round upsets.

To be fair, when UConn hired Calhoun, he was considered a relative unknown. Outside of Reggie Lewis, he was not really a known name on the NCAA landscape, and there was skepticism on the hire among many in CT. Mind you, UConn was not even a very big program back then, and only had marginal success. Of course, he turned out to be the single greatest hire in the history of the university, and probably all of the Big East.

 

[Hokydad]

Re: Northeastern Huskies Offseason (Discipline: let's find it)

To be fair, when UConn hired Calhoun, he was considered a relative unknown. Outside of Reggie Lewis, he was not really a known name on the NCAA landscape, and there was skepticism on the hire among many in CT. Mind you, UConn was not even a very big program back then, and only had marginal success. Of course, he turned out to be the single greatest hire in the history of the university, and probably all of the Big East.

According to who??

High school Jim Calhoun began his coaching career at Lyme-Old Lyme High School in Old Lyme, Connecticut in 1965 after accepting a sixth grade teaching position in that town over the summer. After finishing 1–17 that season, Calhoun returned to Massachusetts after deciding not to complete the necessary certification paperwork to renew his teaching contract (he was certified in Mass. and working in Conn. only on a temporary certificate). After one season at Westport (Mass.) High, he accepted a position at Dedham High School and began building a very strong program. He completed a 20–1 season in 1971.

In 1972 he helped his Dedham High School team have a perfect season (18–0) and win the Massachusetts High school Bay State Championship.

Northeastern
Calhoun was recruited by Northeastern University in Boston to serve as their new head coach. He took the position in October 1971, and quickly built Northeastern into the dominant power in the ECAC North Atlantic Conference. He also transitioned the team from Division II to Division I.

The team advanced to the Division I tournament 4 times under Calhoun. During his final three seasons, Northeastern achieved automatic bids to the NCAA tournament and had a 72–19 record. He received six regional Coach of the Year accolades at Northeastern and remains the institution's all-time winningest coach (245–138).

Former Boston Celtics captain Reggie Lewis, who played for Calhoun at Northeastern, was a first-round pick in the 1987 NBA Draft.

 

[Split-N]

Re: Northeastern Huskies Offseason (Discipline: let's find it)

To be fair, when UConn hired Calhoun, he was considered a relative unknown. Outside of Reggie Lewis, he was not really a known name on the NCAA landscape, and there was skepticism on the hire among many in CT. Mind you, UConn was not even a very big program back then, and only had marginal success. Of course, he turned out to be the single greatest hire in the history of the university, and probably all of the Big East.

With all due respect, your assertion that Calhoun was relatively unknown when he was hired at UConn is simply not true. I was living in Virginia in those days and Calhoun's name came up frequently on ESPN and the national hoops press as a rising star, especially after one of his NU teams came within a rim-out of advancing to the Sweet Sixteen. I also recall seeing him being interviewed live during a Final Four telecast (not sure which year) while he was still at NU. Perhaps some UConn followers didn't recognize the name but the UConn AD at the time certainly did.

 

[LTsatch]

Re: Northeastern Huskies Offseason (Discipline: let's find it)

With all due respect, your assertion that Calhoun was relatively unknown when he was hired at UConn is simply not true. I was living in Virginia in those days and Calhoun's name came up frequently on ESPN and the national hoops press as a rising star, especially after one of his NU teams came within a rim-out of advancing to the Sweet Sixteen. I also recall seeing him being interviewed live during a Final Four telecast (not sure which year) while he was still at NU. Perhaps some UConn followers didn't recognize the name but the UConn AD at the time certainly did.

And we are **** glad that the AD did! Now lets ramp up some UCONN hockey!

 

[FiveHole12]

Re: Northeastern Huskies Offseason (Discipline: let's find it)

According to who??

High school Jim Calhoun began his coaching career at Lyme-Old Lyme High School in Old Lyme, Connecticut in 1965 after accepting a sixth grade teaching position in that town over the summer. After finishing 1–17 that season, Calhoun returned to Massachusetts after deciding not to complete the necessary certification paperwork to renew his teaching contract (he was certified in Mass. and working in Conn. only on a temporary certificate). After one season at Westport (Mass.) High, he accepted a position at Dedham High School and began building a very strong program. He completed a 20–1 season in 1971.

In 1972 he helped his Dedham High School team have a perfect season (18–0) and win the Massachusetts High school Bay State Championship.

Northeastern
Calhoun was recruited by Northeastern University in Boston to serve as their new head coach. He took the position in October 1971, and quickly built Northeastern into the dominant power in the ECAC North Atlantic Conference. He also transitioned the team from Division II to Division I.

The team advanced to the Division I tournament 4 times under Calhoun. During his final three seasons, Northeastern achieved automatic bids to the NCAA tournament and had a 72–19 record. He received six regional Coach of the Year accolades at Northeastern and remains the institution's all-time winningest coach (245–138).

Former Boston Celtics captain Reggie Lewis, who played for Calhoun at Northeastern, was a first-round pick in the 1987 NBA Draft.

He started at NU in 1971 and led Dedham High to an undefeated season in 1972?
No wonder he was well known... he was omnipresent.

 

[northeastern]

Re: Northeastern Huskies Offseason (Discipline: let's find it)

He started at NU in 1971 and led Dedham High to an undefeated season in 1972?
No wonder he was well known... he was omnipresent.

... not only that, he also ate steak every single meal while at NU, ..sometimes he even forgot to kill the cow