Official 2009-2010 Miami Season Thread

[redhawkman10]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Miami Season Thread

Nobody is saying go wire to wire and keep that #1 all season, thats pretty much impossible in hockey unless you're Maine and do some deep recruiting violations. Needless to say with this talent, we should expect nothing less than a run at Ford Field in April. I know someone mentioned our "youth" on defence... We were younger last season on defence, and look where that got us. 1 Junior, 3 or 4 Sophomores, and 1 or 2 Freshmen on the blue line on any given night. Honestly who did we lose, Roeder is the only mainstay on the blueline and we have 5 other kids with another year under their belts, especially Wideman I'm guaranteeing he brings a lot to the locker room this year with his summer experience. Both our goalies are a year more accustomed to the collegiate level as well. I don't think "youth" is an excuse after how young we were last season.

I dont get why your putting "youth" in quotations. They are young, it is stating a fact. No one is discounting what they did last year, nor the talent that is on this team. But Redeagle said it right, they were inconsistant last year as a young group and I would expect the same this year. Maybe not as much but when you have 6 of 7 starters on your back line underclassmen there are still some concerns. I think it is a far stretch to say that it's Frozen Four or bust. It is extremely hard to get to the frozen four. If this team gets a first round bye in the CCHA playoffs, win a CCHA tournament title, and get to the regional final and lose I wouldnt call that a bust of a season. I would be happy with that.

Yes the bar has been raised now, but there are a lot of people that see what they did last year and have a one track mind. IMO Miami overachieved last year, yes they are in a better position to succeed this year but I dont think a lot of people would be saying frozen four or bust had Miami lost to Denver in the first round. I love this program just as much as the next person and the program continues to get better every year, but in my older age I am becoming more realistic. I do expect good things from this team, but I think some people have too high of expectations and have no room to go up with them only down.

Also goals are different than expectations. A goal is to win a National title this year, but I don't expect it.

 

[redhawk95]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Miami Season Thread

Not to be a buzz kill, but until they prove to me that they just didnt' get hot at the right time last year, I'm still concerned about their lack of consistency night in and out. RHM is right, it will be very difficult to get back to the Frozen Four. But, that doesn't mean we can't be hopeful.

 

[redhawkman10]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Miami Season Thread

Redeagle...RHM...HERE is the motivation that just might get our guys worked up.

The preseason #1/#2 team puts just one player on the preseason all-CCHAteam. Maybe THAT'S the kind of motivation we need.

Camper unanimous...Wideman is HM.

http://www.ccha.com/sports/m-hockey/spec-rel/092909aab.html

Yea that makes zero sense, but those are individual awards. These guys could care less about those, they are team oriented. If thats what it takes, then there is something wrong and I don't think there is anything wrong.

Im guessing here, but you could chalk it up to a lot of young players and the guys on there have proven more over longer periods of time. Plus Miami spreads the scoring around so well with their depth that Camper is the only one that puts up really big numbers.

 

[mcfarljd]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Miami Season Thread

I dont get why your putting "youth" in quotations. They are young, it is stating a fact.

Because they were even younger last year, and look what they were able to acomplish. With the experience they had last season, our Defence is not so young anymore, we're not starting 4 freshmen D every night this season and 1 freshmen goalie, so obviously speaking of youth on the back end as a reason why we may not play so well is shaky.

I think it is a far stretch to say that it's Frozen Four or bust. It is extremely hard to get to the frozen four.

I never said Frozen Four or bust, I said "make a run for Ford Field", which means if nothing else, be close to making it. This team has more talent than that of the multiple BC fiascos, including when we were awfully close to making the F4 in the OT game

Yes the bar has been raised now, but there are a lot of people that see what they did last year and have a one track mind. IMO Miami overachieved last year, yes they are in a better position to succeed this year but I dont think a lot of people would be saying frozen four or bust had Miami lost to Denver in the first round.

I think everyone familiar with the organisation knows that last years run was a year or two earlier than expected, it was supposed to happen this year or next year. That "young" team grew together and learned a lot through last season. We shouldn't see the games that we did last year where we outshot a team 60-10 and still lose, that was the marking of a "young" team. We were lucky to make the tourney, but this year we should be a 1 or 2 seed with a little easier of a route than playing Denver and Duluth in WCHA backwoods.

I love this program just as much as the next person and the program continues to get better every year, but in my older age I am becoming more realistic. I do expect good things from this team, but I think some people have too high of expectations and have no room to go up with them only down.

If you expect us to get better than how do you not expect us to even make the F4? That just sounds like a step back to me.

 

[redeagle]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Miami Season Thread

Boy, I'm thrilled. My man rhm is making all my "let's be cautious/realistic" arguments for me. I can take the afternoon off.

jd, I think the improvement rhm is looking for is in the league playoffs and perhaps some more consistency during the regular season. Miami "overachieved" only in the NCAA last year. Heck before that we had people jumping ship on here (not us, of course).

One thing I have learned is that you just don't know. There are so many variables: sophomore slumps, chemistry, injuries, etc. Would anyone have expected MSU's season last year? Or for that matter, Miami's finish? Be honest. Maybe it is age, but remember these words: I, for one, will not be surprised by anything.

 

[mcfarljd]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Miami Season Thread

We obviously overachieved in the sense that our regular season lapses didn't correlate to our post season near success. But as this team, albeit young, is still a year older, I'm saying we won't see the poor performances like we did last year against some teams (Army, Clarkson, most the NMU games). That team was uninspired at best, the team at the end of the year was a completely different being, and with the heartbreak I think its safe to say that they will be building off of last years momentum. Either way, any news on Vogelhuber?

 

[redhawkman10]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Miami Season Thread

We obviously overachieved in the sense that our regular season lapses didn't correlate to our post season near success. But as this team, albeit young, is still a year older, I'm saying we won't see the poor performances like we did last year against some teams (Army, Clarkson, most the NMU games). That team was uninspired at best, the team at the end of the year was a completely different being, and with the heartbreak I think its safe to say that they will be building off of last years momentum. Either way, any news on Vogelhuber?

ok I will play devils advocate. If last year's team played uninspired last year during those games, with 85% of the team back why will they not play uninspired in some games this year?

Yes they are a year older so instead of being 18 they are 19, still a teenager and teenagers are unpredictable at time. Outside of the great postseason run this team played in spurts. So redeagle confirmed my point, im looking for more consistant play from this team. To me it doesnt matter if you have 1 year under your belt, when you have 6 of your 7 starting back line guys underclassmen there are still reasons for concerns. They are still getting better every day, now they may not be jumpy in big situations but mistakes will still happen because they just aren't as seasoned yet.

Now with all of that said, I think this is a really really good team and one that I think can make the frozen four and possibly win a National Tournament, but I don't expect it. Which goes back to my point about the difference between goals and expectations.

I just think that we need to lower the bar of expectations a little, the higher the bar the more room there is for dissapointment. Now for me my expectations are a bye in the CCHA playoffs, a CCHA tournament title, and atleast one NCAA tournament win.

 

[redhawk95]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Miami Season Thread

Media and coaches polls both have us picked to finish 3rd in the league. Perhaps that's the team motivation they need. Less respect from the local writers and coaches than the national.

http://www.ccha.com/wolverines_take_the_top_spot_in_preseason_polls.aspx

 

[MiamiRedhawks2008]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Miami Season Thread

Media and coaches polls both have us picked to finish 3rd in the league. Perhaps that's the team motivation they need. Less respect from the local writers and coaches than the national.

http://www.ccha.com/wolverines_take_the_top_spot_in_preseason_polls.aspx

That was my first thought.

In terms of the F4 discussion though, I have to go with RHM. It is extremely difficult to make the F4. If we don't make the NCAA's I would agree it would not be a successful season. But losing in the Regional finals is not a horrible year.

The piece of hardware that I really want to see though is the CCHA Tournament Championship. It's something that we have never won (i don't think) and I am always dissapointed when we don't every year. Thoughts?

 

[redhawkman10]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Miami Season Thread

Media and coaches polls both have us picked to finish 3rd in the league. Perhaps that's the team motivation they need. Less respect from the local writers and coaches than the national.

http://www.ccha.com/wolverines_take_the_top_spot_in_preseason_polls.aspx

THANK YOU!!!!

Honestly best news this team could of gotten is to be picked by both the coaches and media 3rd. This for me is more of a slap in the face than certain players not getting choosen in the CCHA all teams.

I think Coach blasi was extremely happy that this happened to his team. For me this has more of an affect on a younger team than veteran team. This should motivate them like you said, IMO, it is a slap in the face. With the talent both Notre dame and Michigan lost and what Miami has coming back it makes you scratch your head, but majority of the media is from up north so what do you expect.

I think that you are seeing the media and coaches have questions about the consistancy of this team as well, and something that they will just have to come out and prove everyone wrong. It's called preseason for a reason, they come out and win early the questions will go out the window. Just something these guys are going to have to deal with with all year and something only they can control.

We will soon find out what they are all about, but with all the talent they have IF they can continue the run and play up to their potential consistantly the sky is the limit.

 

[redhawkman10]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Miami Season Thread

INCH has ranked the recruiting classes and the top players for the upcoming season.

Curtis McKenzie was the 16th ranked forward, ahead of reily smith.

and that is it, their class wasn't in the top 15 either....while Notre Dame was the top class.

 

[redeagle]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Miami Season Thread

Not much respect again for Miami's incoming class. Miami must have some pretty good coaches considering how their classes are ranked. They are either coaching them up or seeing things others are not. This year's junior class was #7 a few years ago, but other than that, not much mention over the last six years. Amazing Miami has won all those games over that period.

rhm, McKenzie may be a little more ready right now for the next level, but both those guys are young. Should be interesting, or at least I hope it is.

 

[redhawkman10]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Miami Season Thread

Not much respect again for Miami's incoming class. Miami must have some pretty good coaches considering how their classes are ranked. They are either coaching them up or seeing things others are not. This year's junior class was #7 a few years ago, but other than that, not much mention over the last six years. Amazing Miami has won all those games over that period.

rhm, McKenzie may be a little more ready right now for the next level, but both those guys are young. Should be interesting, or at least I hope it is.

I think it's more of the fact this coaching staff does a great job of finding those guys with tremendous potential and then they get it out of them. Not to mention they have a great system and everyone buys into it.

 

[redhawk95]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Miami Season Thread

As Kurt Russell said as Herb Brooks in "Miracle," "I'm not looking for the best players, Craig, I'm looking for the right ones."

Young men of character, skill, heart and who are interested in being student-athletes that will embrace "The Brotherhood." That seems to be the Miami way. Really, that's the case in all sports at Mother Miami.

 

[redhawkman10]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Miami Season Thread

As Kurt Russell said as Herb Brooks in "Miracle," "I'm not looking for the best players, Craig, I'm looking for the right ones."

Young men of character, skill, heart and who are interested in being student-athletes that will embrace "The Brotherhood." That seems to be the Miami way. Really, that's the case in all sports at Mother Miami.

It may be the way in other sports as well, but hockey gets all that and really good players lol.

Thing that amazes me is that Miami isn't getting just a bunch of role players but they're not getting the top junior players. They seem to get the bottom of the top tier talent. Guys that are really good players but not players people are drooling over. These guys come in and buy into the system and this coaching staff is able to get everything out of these players and over their time here they turn into great players.

For example, not many teams were going after Pat Cannone because they had questions about him. Miami wanted him, brought him in and he was an after thought in that class. Now, IMO, he is the best all around player in that junior class and will be a highly sought after undrafted free agent when his time at Miami is done. Same with Tommy Wingles, not a lot of teams going after him hard and he came to Miami progressed and has turned into a wonderful player. There are countless players you can say this about, but it is what makes this a great program because now more of the top tier players are noticing this and saying they want to be a part of it as well.

 

[redeagle]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Miami Season Thread

Nice post rhm.

 

[mcfarljd]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Miami Season Thread

ok I will play devils advocate. If last year's team played uninspired last year during those games, with 85% of the team back why will they not play uninspired in some games this year?

That's the thing, we aren't young like we were last year. The astonishing thing about hockey is, the more experience you get at a level, the better you tend to become at playing at that level. If you honestly don't think that this team will be better than last years how much faith do you necessarily have in our coaching staff to teach them?

 

[RedhawkBandMan]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Miami Season Thread

48 HOURS until puck drop against Windsor!

Love & Honor!

 

[muredhawks2008]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Miami Season Thread

My Washington Capitals are acting as a good primer for the Miami's season opener. They are currently abusing Boston 4-1.

I love this time of year!!!!

 

[redhawkman10]

Re: Official 2009-2010 Miami Season Thread

That's the thing, we aren't young like we were last year. The astonishing thing about hockey is, the more experience you get at a level, the better you tend to become at playing at that level. If you honestly don't think that this team will be better than last years how much faith do you necessarily have in our coaching staff to teach them?

jd- read my last posts carefully. And choose your words carefully, some aren't children and have been around longer.

I will repeat myself for you so you can understand what I am saying. There is a reason it is called underclassmen and upperclassmen. There are still 6 of 7 players playing on the back line that are underclassmen which would mean they are still young. They will have more experience than last year and won't be shelled shocked in big games but there is still a lot of improving for them to do. There is a reason the coaches around the league picked them 3rd. They need to play more consistantly when they do that you can remove the youth lable. They played inconsistant last year, we dont know what they will do this year. I said I believe they will be better than last year but I still think there will be some stumbles along the way because they still are young. It's a fact, 4 sophmores on D, 1 freshman on D, and a sophmore goaltender. They are still young no matter how you look at it.

I may be a fan of this program but I can be objective and take the blinders off to call a spade a spade. Im not saying they won't be good, I believe they will be. But for some reason because they made a great run and its a year later you want to tout this team as developed and prime to make a run. And maybe they will, but when you look at the whole body of work last year there were just as many down points as there were good points. The fact Miami was able to bounce back in the tournament and make the run they did shows a lot of character but you expect a team coached by Rico to have character.

So before you put words in my mouth, read carefully. I have said all along I think they will be better, but im not ready to put them on a pedistool like you and crown them champs. You said it yourself that they played uninspired at times so until we see that change what other body of work do we have to go off of?