Quinnipiac Bobcats 2021-22 - Let's get this party started!

[MarkEagleUSA]

Maybe I'm wrong but I thought grad students (transfers or not) are not eligible for scholarships.

Seems a lot of top tier talent has already been gobbled up by other schools so this isnt just Rand doing it. It's going to occur for another 4 years since everyone got and extra year of eligibility due to Covid.

Isn't the coaches job to put the best team he can on the ice?

 

[Lynah Rink]

Maybe I'm wrong but I thought grad students (transfers or not) are not eligible for scholarships.

Seems a lot of top tier talent has already been gobbled up by other schools so this isnt just Rand doing it. It's going to occur for another 4 years since everyone got and extra year of eligibility due to Covid.

Isn't the coaches job to put the best team he can on the ice?

I'm not sure on graduate transfer scholarship eligibility--that is an interesting question to which I can't find a quick answer from Googling. But if they're not eligible, that would mean all graduate transfers are paying full tuition?

As far as what a coach's job is--I would think a coach holds an obligation to his players to enable them to learn and develop, academically and athletically, at the school to which they committed, rather than kicking them off scholarship after a year or two. This isn't the NHL where winning is everything.

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

I'm not sure on graduate transfer scholarship eligibility--that is an interesting question to which I can't find a quick answer from Googling. But if they're not eligible, that would mean all graduate transfers are paying full tuition?

That's my understanding.

As far as what a coach's job is--I would think a coach holds an obligation to his players to enable them to learn and develop, academically and athletically, at the school to which they committed, rather than kicking them off scholarship after a year or two. This isn't the NHL where winning is everything.

Scholarships are only good for 1 year. Nobody is promised anything beyond that.

I know there's been a few players at QU over the years that were told their services weren't needed by the team but their scholly's were still awarded. Say what you want about Rand but he is extremely high on academics.

 

[QUFan]

It would be interesting to do a comparison against other schools. I quickly skimmed the transfer portal for number of non-seniors in the portal (whether committed to transfer to another school or uncommitted as of now) from each ECAC school:
Harvard--0
Princeton--0
Dartmouth--0
Yale--0
Brown--0
Cornell--1
St. Lawrence--1
Clarkson--1
Colgate--2
RPI (coaching uncertainty)--2
Union (coaching change)--4
Quinnipiac--5

Honestly I don’t think one year, especially a Covid impact year is a good assessment. Obviously Rand is doing what he can to be successful. Additionally, with the exception of Smilanic(who wasn’t exactly the next Gretzky), few if any of QUs recruits or even players have had NHL prospect pre NCAA. Yes should they question Rand’s tactics during recruitment, sure. But they aren’t turning down Minnesota, Denver, Michigan Notre Dame or NoDak to come to Hamden. Given the choice of come to QU and possibly get Ice time and a chance to play in the NCAAs or come to Bentley, SHU, etc and have plenty of time to study for spring finals, which would you choose?


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[QUFan]

That's my understanding.


Scholarships are only good for 1 year. Nobody is promised anything beyond that.

I know there's been a few players at QU over the years that were told their services weren't needed by the team but their scholly's were still awarded. Say what you want about Rand but he is extremely high on academics.

The other thing is athletic scholarships can be split in half. Additionally, athletes are eligible for the same academic scholarships as the regular student body. QU has a history of some pretty High GPAs and smart players. Jonnsan is a Dr now, Anas graduated in 3 years, the Cliftons have Engineering degrees. Peca got his MBA while in NHL. It’s possible some are getting academic scholarships as well. Union (prior) and the Ivies did that as well.


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[BigAl]

I can promise you there won't be many tears if (when?) Quinnipiac leaves the ECAC for Hockey East. I am all for strengthening the ECAC, but you can't deny Rand does things quite a bit differently over at Quinnipiac as compared to the other ECAC schools. Quinnipiac sees a large number of kids transferring into and out of the program every year, way more than the other ECAC schools (notwithstanding years where a program is undergoing a coaching change such as Union this season). Just today it was announced that Union's second leading scorer, Collin Graf, will be transferring to Quinnipiac.

Makes you wonder how Rand is running things. Each program is allotted 18 scholarships. With all the players returning for a fifth year, as well as the players transferring in, how are there enough scholarships to support the underclassmen? There's no question teams are using the transfer portal more than ever before--this is not limited to just Quinnipiac. What Rand seems to be doing, however, is not only using the portal to "plug holes," but instead to upgrade every position possible, even if it means telling players, "sorry, no scholarship for you next year, find somewhere else to play." Quinnipiac has been very successful doing things Rand's way--I just hope the kids who commit to Quinnipiac know what they're signing up for.

its a wildly short term reaction to say “makes you question how Rand is running things” Prior to Fortunato a couple years back, I’m not sure Rand has ever taken a transfer or at the very most has taken maybe a handful in his entire Quinnipiac tenor (JST was one now that I think of it). Point is Rand is adapting to the new age of hockey, which I appreciate about him. Sure Rand doesn’t run the program as exactly the same as the rest of the ECAC but maybe that’s the reason we’ve had the run we’ve had. I don’t think any coach wants to rely on the portal but it’s an effective way to avoid a down year (worked pretty well this year). We didn’t necessarily need transfers this offseason with many seniors returning, but we’ll take ‘em and think it makes us the overwhelming favorite in the ECAC next year and immediately heightens my expectations for next year (I want redemption, check where the season ends ).

so we await Bonjo decision, which at this point seems likely to him staying, if not QUAlum2004 will tell us who will be brought in instead.

As for the scholarships, yes 18 gets divided up but academic scholarships are available which is why it’s very important to recruit high end classroom guys to help spread the money more effectively. You take a guy with a 3.8 GPA over a 3.3 if all else is relatively similar.

 

[QUAlum2004]

Quinnipiac is also getting Jake Johnson former RPI defenseman out of the transfer portal.

 

[Lynah Rink]

its a wildly short term reaction to say “makes you question how Rand is running things” Prior to Fortunato a couple years back, I’m not sure Rand has ever taken a transfer or at the very most has taken maybe a handful in his entire Quinnipiac tenor (JST was one now that I think of it). Point is Rand is adapting to the new age of hockey, which I appreciate about him. Sure Rand doesn’t run the program as exactly the same as the rest of the ECAC but maybe that’s the reason we’ve had the run we’ve had. I don’t think any coach wants to rely on the portal but it’s an effective way to avoid a down year (worked pretty well this year). We didn’t necessarily need transfers this offseason with many seniors returning, but we’ll take ‘em and think it makes us the overwhelming favorite in the ECAC next year and immediately heightens my expectations for next year (I want redemption, check where the season ends ).

For what it's worth, prior to COVID I noticed an abnormally large number of players transferring out of Quinnipiac--abnormally large by ECAC standards, at least. It was speculated that maybe Rand was bringing in bigger classes than other schools and telling those at the bottom of the pack that their scholarships would not be renewed the following season, prompting them to transfer. A difference in philosophy from other ECAC schools, for sure: I would think most coaches would try to develop and win with the players they have rather than kick them off of scholarship and bring in transfers. Can't say it isn't a successful strategy, to the extent we define success by winning hockey games.

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

For what it's worth, prior to COVID I noticed an abnormally large number of players transferring out of Quinnipiac--abnormally large by ECAC standards, at least. It was speculated that maybe Rand was bringing in bigger classes than other schools and telling those at the bottom of the pack that their scholarships would not be renewed the following season, prompting them to transfer. A difference in philosophy from other ECAC schools, for sure: I would think most coaches would try to develop and win with the players they have rather than kick them off of scholarship and bring in transfers. Can't say it isn't a successful strategy, to the extent we define success by winning hockey games.

You're assuming all those players were getting scholarship money. Not sure about recent years, but 8-10 years ago I was told you could count on one hand the number of full scholly's QU had overall. Most were 50% or less, something I would imagine is close to normal in D-I as a whole.

Also, several players over the years that weren't getting ice time or had nagging minor injuries decided to see if there were greener pastures elsewhere. They all didn't feel the wrath of Rand. There's been a handfull of players over the last 15 years that left the team but stayed in school to complete their education. QU has consistently been near the top of the ECAC academic standings as well. While Rand may not be "developing" hockey players, he's certainly making sure they're prepared for life in the real world by virtue of their degrees.

 

[Lynah Rink]

You're assuming all those players were getting scholarship money. Not sure about recent years, but 8-10 years ago I was told you could count on one hand the number of full scholly's QU had overall. Most were 50% or less, something I would imagine is close to normal in D-I as a whole.

Also, several players over the years that weren't getting ice time or had nagging minor injuries decided to see if there were greener pastures elsewhere. They all didn't feel the wrath of Rand. There's been a handfull of players over the last 15 years that left the team but stayed in school to complete their education. QU has consistently been near the top of the ECAC academic standings as well. While Rand may not be "developing" hockey players, he's certainly making sure they're prepared for life in the real world by virtue of their degrees.

Well, going forward it will be interesting to see whether this strategy costs Quinnipiac and similar schools in the long run. This year it was evident that Quinnipiac's roster had far more experience than almost all of its ECAC opponents, most of whose players had played at least two fewer seasons than the average Quinnipiac player thanks to COVID and/or not allowing grad transfers. Next year this strategy will probably benefit Quinnipiac too. But there is only finite playing time, there are only so many spots on the PP unit and top lines. If Quinnipiac continues to pluck players from the portal and bring back players for their fifth year at the expense of developing young players, that's less time for these young players play and develop. And I would hope Quinnipiac's competitors, such as Cornell, are smart enough to communicate to potential recruits that the coaching staff will support and develop them for the long haul, without keeping one eye on the transfer portal with the purpose of bringing in some senior from Ferris State to take their roster spot.

 

[BigAl]

Well, going forward it will be interesting to see whether this strategy costs Quinnipiac and similar schools in the long run. This year it was evident that Quinnipiac's roster had far more experience than almost all of its ECAC opponents, most of whose players had played at least two fewer seasons than the average Quinnipiac player thanks to COVID and/or not allowing grad transfers. Next year this strategy will probably benefit Quinnipiac too. But there is only finite playing time, there are only so many spots on the PP unit and top lines. If Quinnipiac continues to pluck players from the portal and bring back players for their fifth year at the expense of developing young players, that's less time for these young players play and develop. And I would hope Quinnipiac's competitors, such as Cornell, are smart enough to communicate to potential recruits that the coaching staff will support and develop them for the long haul, without keeping one eye on the transfer portal with the purpose of bringing in some senior from Ferris State to take their roster spot.

I get your point but Rand has a long list of young players that were passed on by everyone else that he helped develop into great hockey players who still make money playing the game 4-6 years after graduation. Quinnipiac doesn’t win the recruiting battle in the ECAC, ever. But they continuously win Clearys, so that’s an easy selling point from the QU staff compared to say the Cornell staff saying “you’ll get passed over by the transfer portal”.

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

I've got one word on Rand's player development that should quiet the critics... Metsa.

Hands down the biggest and best transformation I've seen in the last 15 years.

There's been several others along the way but what Metsa was able to accomplish is mind boggling.

 

[QUAlum2004]

Jack Babbage transfers to New Hampshire

 

[QU/UM]

I've got one word on Rand's player development that should quiet the critics... Metsa.

Hands down the biggest and best transformation I've seen in the last 15 years.

There's been several others along the way but what Metsa was able to accomplish is mind boggling.

Speaking of Metsa.....first team all-USCHO. Nice!!

https://www.uscho.com/2022/04/12/us...teams-for-2021-22-mens-college-hockey-season/

USCHO.com announces trio of all-USCHO teams for 2021-22 men’s college hockey season

On the heels of a successful 2021-22 college hockey season, USCHO.com has announced its three all-USCHO teams, as voted on by our staff.

All-USCHO First Team
F Ben Myers, Minnesota
F Bobby Brink, Denver
F Bobby Trivigno, UMass
D Jake Sanderson, North Dakota
D Zach Metsa, Quinnipiac
G Dryden McKay, Minnesota State

Perets is 3rd team.

 

[Lynah Rink]

Maybe I'm wrong but I thought grad students (transfers or not) are not eligible for scholarships.

This article suggests grad students are in fact eligible for scholarships, and that the current seniors are transferring because a scholarship is no longer available for them at their current school: https://www.therinklive.com/mens-div...t-their-choice

Which brings me back to my original point: it seems Rand's strategy is to bring in transfers and keep players around for their fifth year at the expense of the underclassmen. And while prior to last year Quinnipiac had not traditionally gotten many transfers, it has for some time had a higher than normal number of players transferring out. Next year, Quinnipiac will have only two juniors on its roster out of a class of seven players who originally matriculated. I cannot claim to have any inside information as to how Rand is running things. And frankly you all have been pretty polite towards a rival fan who basically registered on this forum to complain about Quinnipiac's roster-building philosophy. But I do stand by my original point that something feels amiss to me about how things are being run down in Hamden.

 

[QUAlum2004]

This article suggests grad students are in fact eligible for scholarships, and that the current seniors are transferring because a scholarship is no longer available for them at their current school: https://www.therinklive.com/mens-div...t-their-choice

Which brings me back to my original point: it seems Rand's strategy is to bring in transfers and keep players around for their fifth year at the expense of the underclassmen. And while prior to last year Quinnipiac had not traditionally gotten many transfers, it has for some time had a higher than normal number of players transferring out. Next year, Quinnipiac will have only two juniors on its roster out of a class of seven players who originally matriculated. I cannot claim to have any inside information as to how Rand is running things. And frankly you all have been pretty polite towards a rival fan who basically registered on this forum to complain about Quinnipiac's roster-building philosophy. But I do stand by my original point that something feels amiss to me about how things are being run down in Hamden.

It translates to wins and tournament appearances. As long as they do that I don’t care how they build the thing except I would like to see a few more higher end players come into the program.

 

[QUFan]

It translates to wins and tournament appearances. As long as they do that I don’t care how they build the thing except I would like to see a few more higher end players come into the program.

I also stand by my original point. He’s not losing Blue chip high draft choice types. He took a shot on them when others wouldn’t. Some pan out, some don’t. His roster has 3-4 draft choices any given year and most are 5+ round guys. Smilanic was the highest draft choice ever(3rd rd) and didn’t pan out. You could blame Coaching, but Denver had him in their own back yard and took a pass. Players are aware of the chance they take coming to QU. Ivies don’t offer athletic scholarships , they just reduce entrance requirements for athletes and give them academic scholarships which are guaranteed provided you maintain a certain GPA. My point is every coach uses the tools available to them at their institution to put a winner on the ice. Union just started giving athletic scholarships but I sat next to a dad a couple years ago on a road trip to Schenectady, and he told me he only had to pay for his son’s books. If Rand felt he had the talent coming in, he wouldn’t have transfers. Kids that stay get good grades, and graduate. Harvard loses players early almost yearly that go pro. The NCAA rightfully gave kids an extra year with Covid, but I think allowing non grad transfers to not have to sit a year turned into a free agent market. A player that is a 5/6 D man that might be a 50% healthy scratch can now go somewhere and become a 1-4D nightly with no penalty. Any Coach that doesn’t use the rule book to their full advantage won’t be coaching for long. Q has had 1 down year, 17-18 in the last two decades. I think the players also bear some accountability. Buy into a program or move on. Rand wins with a system. It requires talent and buy in. Against the top 3 Rand was 1-5-1, correct. Yet finished in first place. So that means the other teams couldn’t beat who they should’ve beaten. Most of the losses were 1 goal, with the exception of empty netters. It will be interesting to see how the Covid dance pans out for the next few years. My guess is it will have far reaching impact. What I mean is you’ll see a lot of programs push kids in JRs to 20 or 21. That will mean fewer JRs and fewer spots all the way down the chain. I honestly don’t expect most programs to suffer much.


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[ICECAT1811]

For what it's worth, prior to COVID I noticed an abnormally large number of players transferring out of Quinnipiac--abnormally large by ECAC standards, at least. It was speculated that maybe Rand was bringing in bigger classes than other schools and telling those at the bottom of the pack that their scholarships would not be renewed the following season, prompting them to transfer. A difference in philosophy from other ECAC schools, for sure: I would think most coaches would try to develop and win with the players they have rather than kick them off of scholarship and bring in transfers. Can't say it isn't a successful strategy, to the extent we define success by winning hockey games.

Listen to this clown….”define hockey’s success by winning hockey games”. What’s your definition? Getting no penalties called against your team? Lol go pick up your participation trophy down the hall…”no one would cry if Q went to HE” do you even hear how ridiculous you sound?! the conference is turning into Atlantic hockey and losing its best program will help it. IF you knew ANYTHING about our program we are successful BECAUSE of player development over 4 years. Why don’t you go troll over at a school with 27 NHL draft picks who can’t even make the NCAA tournament…..you complain we get graduate transfers….lol….you cry and whine cause no one wants to go to your school….Andy Bernard

 

[ICECAT1811]

This article suggests grad students are in fact eligible for scholarships, and that the current seniors are transferring because a scholarship is no longer available for them at their current school: https://www.therinklive.com/mens-div...t-their-choice

Which brings me back to my original point: it seems Rand's strategy is to bring in transfers and keep players around for their fifth year at the expense of the underclassmen. And while prior to last year Quinnipiac had not traditionally gotten many transfers, it has for some time had a higher than normal number of players transferring out. Next year, Quinnipiac will have only two juniors on its roster out of a class of seven players who originally matriculated. I cannot claim to have any inside information as to how Rand is running things. And frankly you all have been pretty polite towards a rival fan who basically registered on this forum to complain about Quinnipiac's roster-building philosophy. But I do stand by my original point that something feels amiss to me about how things are being run down in Hamden.

You mean being the the best team in the ECAC over the past decade? Do you feel “amiss” about how we’re successful and kids graduate? Do you feel concerned about it? We are expected to make the NCAA tournament every year and when we don’t…. it is very disappointing… you dance in the streets of Ithaca when you qualify. Guess what paper salesman….we don’t give two hoots about your ugly red sweater team or what you think…..you wonder why we don’t troll on your board? Because we don’t care about you

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

This article suggests grad students are in fact eligible for scholarships, and that the current seniors are transferring because a scholarship is no longer available for them at their current school: https://www.therinklive.com/mens-div...t-their-choice

Which brings me back to my original point: it seems Rand's strategy is to bring in transfers and keep players around for their fifth year at the expense of the underclassmen. And while prior to last year Quinnipiac had not traditionally gotten many transfers, it has for some time had a higher than normal number of players transferring out. Next year, Quinnipiac will have only two juniors on its roster out of a class of seven players who originally matriculated. I cannot claim to have any inside information as to how Rand is running things. And frankly you all have been pretty polite towards a rival fan who basically registered on this forum to complain about Quinnipiac's roster-building philosophy. But I do stand by my original point that something feels amiss to me about how things are being run down in Hamden.

Rand keeping 5th years is brand new (for next season). He's never done it before.

Most, if not all of the kids that have left the program weren't getting much game time (some none at all). I'm pretty certain that happens in most other programs. 28-30 kids fighting for 21 lineup spots leaves a few out in the cold. Did Cornell consistently play every one of their kids this past season?

We've had senior classes of 2 and 3 before. It's the nature of the college game. No team has 4 balanced classes each and every year. The portal muddied that up even more.

All I can say is Rand's formula seems to be working. Yeah, he hasn't one the big one yet, but I'm sure he will before he's done. The rest of the ECAC "hates" us because of our success. I think we make the ECAC a better league overall.

Say what you want, I'll take this model over anything else out there. One thing was blatantly obvious this year: the eastern teams as a whole aren't quite at the level of the western ones. It appears Rand is trying to help that along by building a team that can compete with anyone. I, for one, want to be along on that ride.