>> RIT Tigers 2011-12 Part II: Making Some Noise at the House that Roars <<

[mar7967]

Re: >> RIT Tigers 2011-12 Part II: Making Some Noise at the House that Roars <<

Re: >> RIT Tigers 2011-12 Part II: Making Some Noise at the House that Roars <<

Found this article today: http://www.juniorhockey.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=75092

Anthony Hamburg (6'1", 190 pound forward) is joining RIT next year. He played for Omaha of the USHL for a few years. Last year, He played 7 games with Colgate (which I think uses a year of eligibility) before returning to the USHL. He was drafted by the Minnesota Wild #194 (7th round) in 2009.

 

[RITProf]

Re: >> RIT Tigers 2011-12 Part II: Making Some Noise at the House that Roars <<

Re: >> RIT Tigers 2011-12 Part II: Making Some Noise at the House that Roars <<

Found this article today: http://www.juniorhockey.com/news/news_detail.php?news_id=75092

Anthony Hamburg (6'1", 190 pound forward) is joining RIT next year. He played for Omaha of the USHL for a few years. Last year, He played 7 games with Colgate (which I think uses a year of eligibility) before returning to the USHL. He was drafted by the Minnesota Wild #194 (7th round) in 2009.

RIT's first drafted player???

 

[Tom Naeger]

Re: >> RIT Tigers 2011-12 Part II: Making Some Noise at the House that Roars <<

Re: >> RIT Tigers 2011-12 Part II: Making Some Noise at the House that Roars <<

I know this is beating a dead horse to this crowd, but scholarships are not the biggest factor (perhaps the coach is???) ... Union is exhibit A (and arguably Cornell is exhibit B).

I think what is needed more is a competitive league (top to bottom) with the historical wins and the facilities to allow scheduling of as many home OOC games as away. Scholarships might help to get there, but they are just one of many variables in the equation.

Put it this way, if there was a scholarship option you might have gotten Tyler Mazzei back for a 4th year or maybe just maybe Shane might come back for his 4th year of eligability. I don't know if it was a factor, but I can see why a player would pass on grad school he has to pay for and start his professional career. They would be more tempted to stay a 4th year if they had the option of starting grad school for free or at a discounted price since they would have another year of hockey to play and more education to fall back on. You will still lose players like Tyler Brenner, they are going to go when they have a chance to splash into the AHL. However players like a Mazzei or Madolora I don't think are going to have the same level of interest, Mads probably will wind up in the ECHL next year, who know if he played another year at RIT he may get more AHL interest.

MattS is going to like this part, but I do think its true. Given the recent history of the ECAC I am not sure Union and Cornell are the best examples and I do say that with much respect for their programs. Yes both programs have been and still are good hockey teams. However, I think the last frozen four team I can remember off the top of my head from the ECAC was Cornell in 2003. I may have shorted someone out there, but there are not many. Many in the "elite" conferences refer to the ECAC as the EZAC. While there some regular season results that you can use to argue that, the NCAA Tourament results are very hurtful to the ECAC and the model they use could be suspect...

Given all the options I still like to see RIT in the ECAC, and yes I agree Scholarships are not the biggest thing, but they are pretty big...

 

[Tom Naeger]

Re: >> RIT Tigers 2011-12 Part II: Making Some Noise at the House that Roars <<

Re: >> RIT Tigers 2011-12 Part II: Making Some Noise at the House that Roars <<

RIT's first drafted player???

If he shows up next season he maybe. What I been meaning to look at is if Ruby has entered the draft yet. Considering where he is on Centeral Scouting's top North American goaltending prospect, I would think he would have a chance in the draft...

 

[RIT Winters]

Re: >> RIT Tigers 2011-12 Part II: Making Some Noise at the House that Roars <<

Re: >> RIT Tigers 2011-12 Part II: Making Some Noise at the House that Roars <<

If he shows up next season he maybe. What I been meaning to look at is if Ruby has entered the draft yet. Considering where he is on Centeral Scouting's top North American goaltending prospect, I would think he would have a chance in the draft...

Not playing this whole year probably hurts that though. He wasn't exactly stellar in the very few NCAA starts he got.

 

[Zyklon]

Re: >> RIT Tigers 2011-12 Part II: Making Some Noise at the House that Roars <<

Re: >> RIT Tigers 2011-12 Part II: Making Some Noise at the House that Roars <<

Put it this way, if there was a scholarship option you might have gotten Tyler Mazzei back for a 4th year or maybe just maybe Shane might come back for his 4th year of eligability. I don't know if it was a factor, but I can see why a player would pass on grad school he has to pay for and start his professional career. They would be more tempted to stay a 4th year if they had the option of starting grad school for free or at a discounted price since they would have another year of hockey to play and more education to fall back on. You will still lose players like Tyler Brenner, they are going to go when they have a chance to splash into the AHL. However players like a Mazzei or Madolora I don't think are going to have the same level of interest, Mads probably will wind up in the ECHL next year, who know if he played another year at RIT he may get more AHL interest.

Madolora only had 3 years of eligibility, it isnt his choice.

 

[Tom Naeger]

Re: >> RIT Tigers 2011-12 Part II: Making Some Noise at the House that Roars <<

Re: >> RIT Tigers 2011-12 Part II: Making Some Noise at the House that Roars <<

Not playing this whole year probably hurts that though. He wasn't exactly stellar in the very few NCAA starts he got.

I don't think its going to hurt him that much, he was behind a proven #1 that is next to impossible for him to see much time. I thought he was fine in many of the games he played like Josh Watson was not getting a lot of help. Hope RIT gets a lot of NC games to start the year so both goaltenders get plenty of minutes before hitting league play...

Madolora only had 3 years of eligibility, it isnt his choice.

You sure? I thought I recalled reading during his suspension phase that he had 4 years of eligibility, just had to wait a year for his transcripts to clear, also thought that is what one of the media guys told me. I thought it had to do with just getting his acadamic transcript accepted so unlike playing a year of Major Juniors you do not lose a year of eliability, just have to clear the house... I assume he just was going to finish his degree and move on, so I never really looked into it so you very well may be correct...

 

[MattS]

Re: >> RIT Tigers 2011-12 Part II: Making Some Noise at the House that Roars <<

Re: >> RIT Tigers 2011-12 Part II: Making Some Noise at the House that Roars <<

MattS is going to like this part, but I do think its true. Given the recent history of the ECAC I am not sure Union and Cornell are the best examples and I do say that with much respect for their programs. Yes both programs have been and still are good hockey teams. However, I think the last frozen four team I can remember off the top of my head from the ECAC was Cornell in 2003. I may have shorted someone out there, but there are not many. Many in the "elite" conferences refer to the ECAC as the EZAC. While there some regular season results that you can use to argue that, the NCAA Tourament results are very hurtful to the ECAC and the model they use could be suspect...

Given all the options I still like to see RIT in the ECAC, and yes I agree Scholarships are not the biggest thing, but they are pretty big...

Uh oh...I am going to agree with you for the most part Tom. The ECAC is definitively a step down from the other three big conferences. However, I think its a big step up from the AHA. For right now Union and Cornell are the best of the non-scholarship programs out there. So comparing RIT to them is fair.

You're right about the ECAC history. Cornell in 2003 was the last ECAC Frozen Four team, and Harvard (sucks!) in 1989 was the last ECAC team to win the championship.

I think scholarship are a big deal, maybe not the biggest but definitely big. I think the bigger factor is the ability to recruit the best kind of players available and "selling" them on your program. Playing in front of a fanatical crowd helps too.

 

[MattS]

Re: >> RIT Tigers 2011-12 Part II: Making Some Noise at the House that Roars <<

Re: >> RIT Tigers 2011-12 Part II: Making Some Noise at the House that Roars <<

I don't think its going to hurt him that much, he was behind a proven #1 that is next to impossible for him to see much time.

It must have as he has dropped off the rankings 2012 mid-term rankings. But maybe he is too old to be listed now? I'm not sure.

 

[TigerFan86-87]

Re: >> RIT Tigers 2011-12 Part II: Making Some Noise at the House that Roars <<

Re: >> RIT Tigers 2011-12 Part II: Making Some Noise at the House that Roars <<

I think scholarship are a big deal, maybe not the biggest but definitely big.

Especially not too big of a deal if RIT were to move up to ECAC, theoretically to replace RPI. If that happened, 8 out of 12 teams would be completely non-scholarship. So certainly not a competitive disadvantage.

 

[Tom Naeger]

Re: >> RIT Tigers 2011-12 Part II: Making Some Noise at the House that Roars <<

Re: >> RIT Tigers 2011-12 Part II: Making Some Noise at the House that Roars <<

Uh oh...I am going to agree with you for the most part Tom. The ECAC is definitively a step down from the other three big conferences. However, I think its a big step up from the AHA. For right now Union and Cornell are the best of the non-scholarship programs out there. So comparing RIT to them is fair.

You're right about the ECAC history. Cornell in 2003 was the last ECAC Frozen Four team, and Harvard (sucks!) in 1989 was the last ECAC team to win the championship.

I think scholarship are a big deal, maybe not the biggest but definitely big. I think the bigger factor is the ability to recruit the best kind of players available and "selling" them on your program. Playing in front of a fanatical crowd helps too.

I think the only way to settle this is to meet at a bar, start doing shots and insulting each other till one or both pass out!

I'm dissiapointed because RIT is not living up to expectations, not because the other teams are getting votes when they rightfully deserve them. I hold the tigers to high standards, just like we all should, and they have been letting us down this season. No they're not doing awful, but AHA has grown stronger this year and it seems the tigers are being left behind. This is not what I expect from a program that's looking to grow.

Only thing I am very disappointed at is that we have played double digit amount of games against Niagara and not defeated them yet. As much credit that I give to Wayne Wilson, I think it�s a fair question now of why Dave Burkholder owns you. It is mindboggling that RIT has not defeated Niagara and Friday�s effort was downright embarrassing. I was much happier with the effort on Saturday night.

All though I think RIT is fine where they ended up. The only team that did not finish in the top 4 that has a decent chance to win two games at the Ritter in the quarter finals is Robert Morris. They scare me a heck of a lot more than Holy Cross or Bentley, and if both those teams win we will not see RMU in the quarters. By taking 3 points this weekend, Niagara reward maybe getting RMU in the quarter finals as Wayne said �Yippie��.

The Blue Cross games should be barn burners. RIT in pod record is a little disappointing, but given that 3 games where very early and 2 during the Mads suspension episode. I think it�s a little miss leading. Bottom line for this season make it to Blue Cross and there should be at least 3 if not 4 teams from the West and all very able to beat each other any night. RIT will have as good of a chance of anyone at winning it.

Overall I do not see this program going in decline at all as much as not moving forward as fast as it was. You can only shock the world and go to the Frozen Four that early once. I do feel that RIT�s success has caught up with them a little. As mention before, if you add a Tyler Brenner and/or Chris Tanev to this team and you can imagine the difference. Recruiting Classes have gotten better and better. And next year�s class is looking even better. This program is in fine shape, only problem is that Wayne and company has set the bar very high.

What kind of holding things down is that last Hockey Easy Spot. If Hockey East takes RPI or Quinnipac than it seems inevitable that RIT will be in the ECAC after next year. If we all woke up and saw that, I think the program would seem a little brighter to some people.

 

[TigerFan86-87]

Re: >> RIT Tigers 2011-12 Part II: Making Some Noise at the House that Roars <<

Re: >> RIT Tigers 2011-12 Part II: Making Some Noise at the House that Roars <<

RIT's first drafted player???

http://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=6973
Bill Gall was drafted in the 5th round (# 104) by Philadelphia in 1987, then played at RIT from 1987-1991. I don't know if he was the only one, but I remember him because at the time I was a relatively new RIT fan and was excited that there was an NHL drafted player coming to play for the Tigers. Then we all found out how he ended up here. While a good D-III player, he didn't exactly light it up like one might have expected from a draft pick.

 

[TigerFan86-87]

Re: >> RIT Tigers 2011-12 Part II: Making Some Noise at the House that Roars <<

Re: >> RIT Tigers 2011-12 Part II: Making Some Noise at the House that Roars <<

If Hockey East takes RPI or Quinnipac than it seems inevitable that RIT will be in the ECAC after next year.

... OR HEA could go and take UConn or Holy Cross. Then RIT will essentially be "stuck" where they are for the foreseeable future. One little bright light (for some of you, anyways) may be the opening in AHA for Alabama-Huntsville to join and the possibility of road trips to Alabama in the winter time.

 

[TigerFan86-87]

Re: >> RIT Tigers 2011-12 Part II: Making Some Noise at the House that Roars <<

Re: >> RIT Tigers 2011-12 Part II: Making Some Noise at the House that Roars <<

It must have as he has dropped off the rankings 2012 mid-term rankings. But maybe he is too old to be listed now? I'm not sure.

I don't know this, but are players removed from CSS rankings once they are beyond draft age? I don't even know how old he is, just speculating as to a reason.

 

[MattS]

Re: >> RIT Tigers 2011-12 Part II: Making Some Noise at the House that Roars <<

Re: >> RIT Tigers 2011-12 Part II: Making Some Noise at the House that Roars <<

I think the only way to settle this is to meet at a bar, start doing shots and insulting each other till one or both pass out!

Well I suppose I could have one or two drinks!

Only thing I am very disappointed at is that we have played double digit amount of games against Niagara and not defeated them yet. As much credit that I give to Wayne Wilson, I think it�s a fair question now of why Dave Burkholder owns you.

Got to agree with you on this one. Certainly is strange.

Overall I do not see this program going in decline at all as much as not moving forward as fast as it was.

I tend to agree here too. I like what the freshman class has shown. I feel like the freshman are a fair indicator on how Wilson and Co. have parlayed the FF run into recruits as they are the first to really be recruited after it. The incoming class will tell even more.

What kind of holding things down is that last Hockey Easy Spot. If Hockey East takes RPI or Quinnipac than it seems inevitable that RIT will be in the ECAC after next year. If we all woke up and saw that, I think the program would seem a little brighter to some people.

I think it comes down to if UConn wants to put money into their program. If they get a large rink on campus or at least plans for one and a committment to improve the program then they will get the HE spot. Otherwise I think it will be RPI. If RPI goes then I think RIT is a natural fit and will be asked to join the ECAC. Personally I am hoping for RIT to join the ECAC on several levels.

I don't know this, but are players removed from CSS rankings once they are beyond draft age? I don't even know how old he is, just speculating as to a reason.

I do know a player can only be listed by Central Scouting for 2 years depending upon the players age. There is some weirdness about when a players birthday is and when they list them. So it is quite possible that Ruby is too old to be ranked by Central Scouting.

 

[komey1]

Re: >> RIT Tigers 2011-12 Part II: Making Some Noise at the House that Roars <<

Re: >> RIT Tigers 2011-12 Part II: Making Some Noise at the House that Roars <<

... OR HEA could go and take UConn or Holy Cross. Then RIT will essentially be "stuck" where they are for the foreseeable future. One little bright light (for some of you, anyways) may be the opening in AHA for Alabama-Huntsville to join and the possibility of road trips to Alabama in the winter time.

I don't see being in the AHA as a terrible thing. It's an easier road to the NCAA tournament at this time. The competition, while getting better, is still not nearly on par with the ECAC. There is nothing wrong with being able to put up championship banners all the time.

That said, yes I would love to see RIT go to the ECAC. I think over time that would help the program grow. They would have a number of non-conference games to play the AHA teams you want to play - and the prestige of playing the Ivies.

 

[RITProf]

Re: >> RIT Tigers 2011-12 Part II: Making Some Noise at the House that Roars <<

Re: >> RIT Tigers 2011-12 Part II: Making Some Noise at the House that Roars <<

- and the prestige of playing the Ivies.

I think you meant to say "of beating the Ivies."

 

[TigerFan86-87]

Re: >> RIT Tigers 2011-12 Part II: Making Some Noise at the House that Roars <<

Re: >> RIT Tigers 2011-12 Part II: Making Some Noise at the House that Roars <<

- and the prestige of playing the Ivies.

huh???
If there is all that much prestige in playing Ivies, why did the HEA break off and leave them behind 27 years ago? (note: I don't really need to hear the story of exactly why HEA and ECAC parted ways, I'm just saying...). They are extremely prestigious institutions of higher learning, but athletically hold very little cache these days. The hockey schools most would be proud of playing against (i.e. prestige) regularly are the B1G schools, BC, Notre Dame, North Dakota, and the like.

 

[XCTiger]

Re: >> RIT Tigers 2011-12 Part II: Making Some Noise at the House that Roars <<

Re: >> RIT Tigers 2011-12 Part II: Making Some Noise at the House that Roars <<

Checking on Tiger Alum:

Andrew Favot - after knocking around the ECHL the early part of the season with Utah and Reading for 30 games total, he played 18 games (4g - 8a) with the Missouri Mavericks of the CHL, and was waived yesterday.

Tyler Brenner - Started out the season with Toronto in the AHL, but was seeing minimal ice time. Finally sent down to Reading in the CHL in early January. Just missed being reunited with Favot, when Andrew was released 2 days earlier. Looked like he was doing well with Reading (17gm - 3g - 6a and a +2 rating). Was even nominated for ECHL POW honors, then disappeared from the roster in mid February. Can't find any transactions or mention of him after 2/12.

Dan Ringwald - Bounced back and forth between Stockton of the ECHL and Oklahoma City in the AHL for the early part of the season. Looks like he's finally sticking in the AHL as OKC signed him to a contract on 2/8. Over 30 games he's got 1g - 6a and a +8 rating.

Chris Tanev - Not much happening here, looks like his post Tigers career is floundering as he's been called back for the Canucks playoff run. Just think how much better he'd be doing had he stuck it out with RIT for another season or two.

 

[TigerFan86-87]

Re: >> RIT Tigers 2011-12 Part II: Making Some Noise at the House that Roars <<

Re: >> RIT Tigers 2011-12 Part II: Making Some Noise at the House that Roars <<

I don't see being in the AHA as a terrible thing.

I never said it was. I put the word stuck in quotes for a reason. That is because everyone has a different view of RIT's membership in this league.
Many speak constantly about when (and not if) RIT will be moving on up as though that has been their plan all along. This may be the case, but there has been no public acknowledgement or statement indicating this. These folks consider AHA a stepping stone that RIT can't leave behind fast enough.
There are others that are perfectly happy to be in the least nationally competitive league endlessly because then RIT can be the proverbial "Big fish in a little pond" and have a much easier road to the NCAA's. Unfortunately, the death of the CHA has made that less true. AHA is still weak, but the addition of two more programs that can regularly compete with and beat RIT (in addition to AFA and Mercyhurst) has made the odds of making the tournament a bit steeper.
Then there are those that hope RIT will move up, but are willing to put up with having a legitimate shot at the NCAA's every year in the mean-time. These folks are more about RIT not moving up until the program is elevated to D-II or D-I and they are allowed to offer scholarships and improve recruiting and everything else to the point where national competitiveness is a reality rather than a shot in the dark.