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Quinnipiac Bobcats 2023 Off-Season: The View from the Top

Liveatjrl said:
Right, I counted 2 for the CT ice to get 13 nonconf games so that's 35 games total not counting the exhibition game. They don't have any exemption games. The only thing I can possibly think of is the game v Yale at CT ice will actually be a conf game instead of a nonconf game?
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I believe you're allowed to play in-season tournaments that count above the 34. It's an incentive to get teams to do in-season tournaments. So that would be CT Ice. CT Ice will almost certainly not be a conference game; neither team will want to give up one of the biggest gates of the year.
 
ZYanksRule said:
I believe you're allowed to play in-season tournaments that count above the 34. It's an incentive to get teams to do in-season tournaments. So that would be CT Ice. CT Ice will almost certainly not be a conference game; neither team will want to give up one of the biggest gates of the year.
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Hmm interesting because that doesn't apply to Beanpot or other tournaments. The exemptions are Alaska, HOF game, or icebreaker tournaments. Something just doesn't add up here to me. At least we haven't seen QU or other teams break the game limit in previous years.
 
I posted the entire exemption list on the 23-24 Schedules thread (p. 8 post #111). Clearly there is only room for 12 OOC games so the Yale CT Ice game must be a conference game. If you read the release closely it states to begin the third paragraph "The matchup with the Eagles starts a 12-game non-conference slate". They go on to list 11 and mention about CT Ice being released later. I think you can infer from that it has to be a conference game.
 
Regardless of whether the Yale game is NC or ECAC, the OOC schedule is somewhat better this year than last. I'm sure some of the weakness is fulfilling obligations from prior commitments (Maine, HC, LIU). Next year should open an opportunity for some NCHC teams with them adding ASU. That's 9 teams and hopefully a few free weekends they can travel to or host the Bobcats. Hopeful this also helps recruiting. Still don't get how UConn grabs top tier (1st round talent) with their mediocre success history. I could look it up, but have they made the NCAA's in the last 20-30 years, or ever? They play a tough schedule in HEA, but they haven't had any success doing it. Maybe Rand is just looking for system guys. Lipkin, Graf, Quilly, etc are all High end kids, maybe they shine even brighter this year and end up with NHL deals. Hopefully the trophy case starts to turn some heads. I really can't wait for October.
 
The QU and Yale game originally scheduled for 2/24 will instead be played at CT Ice on 1/26 as a conference game. This explains everything now!
 
Liveatjrl said:
The QU and Yale game originally scheduled for 2/24 will instead be played at CT Ice on 1/26 as a conference game. This explains everything now!
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Was that our home game or theirs? Sure hope it was theirs -- Yale is the biggest game of the year and I'd hate to have a year without it on campus. Especially this year with the momentum the team is going to have.
 
I was at a concert on Long Island last night, had multiple people comment on my QU championship t-shirt. Our fanbase is wild now. I remember when it was friends and family at the NIP. Gonna be really hard to get tickets this upcoming season.
 
QUFan said:
Regardless of whether the Yale game is NC or ECAC, the OOC schedule is somewhat better this year than last. I'm sure some of the weakness is fulfilling obligations from prior commitments (Maine, HC, LIU). Next year should open an opportunity for some NCHC teams with them adding ASU. That's 9 teams and hopefully a few free weekends they can travel to or host the Bobcats. Hopeful this also helps recruiting. Still don't get how UConn grabs top tier (1st round talent) with their mediocre success history. I could look it up, but have they made the NCAA's in the last 20-30 years, or ever? They play a tough schedule in HEA, but they haven't had any success doing it. Maybe Rand is just looking for system guys. Lipkin, Graf, Quilly, etc are all High end kids, maybe they shine even brighter this year and end up with NHL deals. Hopefully the trophy case starts to turn some heads. I really can't wait for October.
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We’ll see about the schedule diversifying. Western teams do not like to play us (we didn’t do ourselves any favors in that regard this year ;)) and Rand has repeatedly said they won’t go unless the Western team commits to coming to Hamden. Wonder if the Western team thinking changes, I would think yes.

As far as the high end kids go, we’ve proven we can do it without them, this time last year I would’ve said we have to bend on fit a smidge for talent. Now I don’t believe that, and Rand has outwardly said they tried it and it didn’t work (99.9% chance he’s speaking of Smilinac). Now it’s about competing for the handful of high end guys who fit what Rand wants to do. It all gets easier with a natty to show on the recruiting trip. But make no mistake, NIL is here and it’s going to need to be utilized to bring in kids AND keep kids. Feels like we are a smidge ahead of the game in that regard, which is encouraging!
 
Big day today with the August 1st recruiting period opening. I want to see if the National Championship pays off with some higher end players that still fit in with the hockey characteristics they look for but are guys that are sure fire NHL draft picks within the first few rounds.
 
BigAl said:
We’ll see about the schedule diversifying. Western teams do not like to play us (we didn’t do ourselves any favors in that regard this year ;)) and Rand has repeatedly said they won’t go unless the Western team commits to coming to Hamden. Wonder if the Western team thinking changes, I would think yes.

As far as the high end kids go, we’ve proven we can do it without them, this time last year I would’ve said we have to bend on fit a smidge for talent. Now I don’t believe that, and Rand has outwardly said they tried it and it didn’t work (99.9% chance he’s speaking of Smilinac). Now it’s about competing for the handful of high end guys who fit what Rand wants to do. It all gets easier with a natty to show on the recruiting trip. But make no mistake, NIL is here and it’s going to need to be utilized to bring in kids AND keep kids. Feels like we are a smidge ahead of the game in that regard, which is encouraging!
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I'm not sure about higher end 18 year old kids. Where I think we can most benefit (and have already started to) is in the transfer portal. QU has to be a very attractive to rising juniors and seniors who are playing at programs who may not be winning, but the player sees an opportunity to contribute to a high end program.
 
QU/UM said:
I'm not sure about higher end 18 year old kids. Where I think we can most benefit (and have already started to) is in the transfer portal. QU has to be a very attractive to rising juniors and seniors who are playing at programs who may not be winning, but the player sees an opportunity to contribute to a high end program.
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You are correct, no doubt. I still would like to see some more 3-5th round kids, I don’t think top two rounds is our sweet spot. But instead of some 7th rounders (btw we have a great track record of 7th round guys have fantastic college careers) adding some 4/5th and still getting those 7th rounders who give us 3 or 4 (7 years in Minnesota fans minds) great years
 
If you're a QU alum looking for tickets to the banner raising, they hid a link for tickets in the Alumni Weekend email that went out this morning. Click through to register, then you'll find a link for tickets on that page.

Only SRO tickets are currently available.
 
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