What's new
USCHO Fan Forum

This is a sample guest message. Register a free account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members through your own private inbox!

  • The USCHO Fan Forum has migrated to a new plaform, xenForo. Most of the function of the forum should work in familiar ways. Please note that you can switch between light and dark modes by clicking on the gear icon in the upper right of the main menu bar. We are hoping that this new platform will prove to be faster and more reliable. Please feel free to explore its features.

>>>>> RIT TIGERS 2013-2014 - Rocking The Ritter One Last Time <<<<<

Status
Not open for further replies.
Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2013-2014 - Rocking The Ritter One Last Time <<<<<

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2013-2014 - Rocking The Ritter One Last Time <<<<<

...and had 36 SOG last night against Canisius, right? The opportunities were there...
Shots don't necessarily = opportunities (or good opportunities, at least)
 
Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2013-2014 - Rocking The Ritter One Last Time <<<<<

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2013-2014 - Rocking The Ritter One Last Time <<<<<

And now look where RIT is, and where AIC is. That just hurts...
Not as much as when we looked back over our shoulders and saw NEUMANN win the D-III National Championship just a few years after RIT left for the greener pastures of D-I hockey with no National Championships in their final 20 seasons of D-III action. That hurt.
 
Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2013-2014 - Rocking The Ritter One Last Time <<<<<

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2013-2014 - Rocking The Ritter One Last Time <<<<<

This is why it is dangerous to get a community attached to a coach. RIT will never replace Coach Wilson unless it is on his terms only. Wayne Wilson has done great things for this hockey program. But everyone has a time and place. I believe his time has expired.
 
Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2013-2014 - Rocking The Ritter One Last Time <<<<<

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2013-2014 - Rocking The Ritter One Last Time <<<<<

So realistically, it will be at least a decade before RIT makes the NCAAs again...

Not as much as when we looked back over our shoulders and saw NEUMANN win the D-III National Championship just a few years after RIT left for the greener pastures of D-I hockey with no National Championships in their final 20 seasons of D-III action. That hurt.
 
Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2013-2014 - Rocking The Ritter One Last Time <<<<<

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2013-2014 - Rocking The Ritter One Last Time <<<<<

So eliteprospects has him listed as a forward... and I thought those numbers were kind of meh, but the western ny hockey prospects site has him listed as a defender, which would make much more sense.

RIT picked up a recruit today. Max Mikowski from the Buffalo Jr Sabres. A forward who has 6 goals and 11 assists in 20 games played. 3rd season with the Junior Sabres in the OJHL. He comes for the 2014-15 campaign.
 
Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2013-2014 - Rocking The Ritter One Last Time <<<<<

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2013-2014 - Rocking The Ritter One Last Time <<<<<

So eliteprospects has him listed as a forward... and I thought those numbers were kind of meh, but the western ny hockey prospects site has him listed as a defender, which would make much more sense.

Buffalo Junior Sabres site has him a forward.

http://buffalo.stats.pointstreak.com/playerpage.html?playerid=5223249&seasonid=11218
 
So eliteprospects has him listed as a forward... and I thought those numbers were kind of meh, but the western ny hockey prospects site has him listed as a defender, which would make much more sense.

The WNY site is the only one that shows him on D. The Sabres website (http://sabres.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=690742) has an interview with Pat Egan, one of the Jr Sabres forwards. In it he's quoted as:

“I think [my game] has been pretty good all year. I’m on a line now with Nolan Sheeran and Max Mikowski, and they have been playing unbelievable,”

Sounds like he's playing forward. He did put up 35pts (17g-18a) last year so it's not like he can't score. At 6'3" and 205lbs, perhaps he's been a role player to this point. Of course he may also "skate like a brick". Perhaps someone in Buffalo can take in a Jr sabres game and check him out.
 
Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2013-2014 - Rocking The Ritter One Last Time <<<<<

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2013-2014 - Rocking The Ritter One Last Time <<<<<

The WNY site is the only one that shows him on D. The Sabres website (http://sabres.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=690742) has an interview with Pat Egan, one of the Jr Sabres forwards. In it he's quoted as:

“I think [my game] has been pretty good all year. I’m on a line now with Nolan Sheeran and Max Mikowski, and they have been playing unbelievable,”

Sounds like he's playing forward. He did put up 35pts (17g-18a) last year so it's not like he can't score. At 6'3" and 205lbs, perhaps he's been a role player to this point. Of course he may also "skate like a brick". Perhaps someone in Buffalo can take in a Jr sabres game and check him out.

If he skates decently and can hit people frequently, I'll take him. We still haven't gotten a true energy line since the departure of Knowles, Cornacchia, and McReynolds.
 
Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2013-2014 - Rocking The Ritter One Last Time <<<<<

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2013-2014 - Rocking The Ritter One Last Time <<<<<

This is why it is dangerous to get a community attached to a coach. RIT will never replace Coach Wilson unless it is on his terms only. Wayne Wilson has done great things for this hockey program. But everyone has a time and place. I believe his time has expired.

In a sport where coaches regularly last decades, this seems dangerously short-sighted.


Powers &8^]
 
Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2013-2014 - Rocking The Ritter One Last Time <<<<<

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2013-2014 - Rocking The Ritter One Last Time <<<<<

Perhaps. But Wilson is not a D1 coach. He wasn't recruited as one. He's done alright, but as the rest of Atlantic Hockey passes us, this teams inability to keep up is much more prominent.

In a sport where coaches regularly last decades, this seems dangerously short-sighted.


Powers &8^]
 
Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2013-2014 - Rocking The Ritter One Last Time <<<<<

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2013-2014 - Rocking The Ritter One Last Time <<<<<

Perhaps. But Wilson is not a D1 coach. He wasn't recruited as one. He's done alright, but as the rest of Atlantic Hockey passes us, this teams inability to keep up is much more prominent.

I was on the selection committee and while this was technically true, he "felt" like a D-I coach during the selection and hiring process. And there is no doubt in my mind that RIT would not have gone Division I without Wilson in place.
 
Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2013-2014 - Rocking The Ritter One Last Time <<<<<

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2013-2014 - Rocking The Ritter One Last Time <<<<<

On the broader question, RIT's timing was great. The AHA was, frankly, not a bonifide D-I league before RIT and Air Force came on board. If you look at the number of scholarships and resources in general that are now being put into programs like Bentley and Holy Cross and yes even Sacred Heart - it's night and day. Several teams, especially in the east, did not have scholarships then. Mercyhurst and Canisius were thrilled to get the balance of power shifted when RIT and Air Force came into the league and spent money on their programs. All the more so when Niagara and RMU came in. Niagara had to drop scholarships and still wants them back. Mercyhurst and RMU and Canisius would all go to 18 if they could.

Anyway, the league is far more competitive then it was from 2007-2010. Teams have caught up and have made recruiting tougher because the compelling reason for going to RIT remains the school and the atmosphere while other schools can offer more money. As an RIT parent I can tell you tuition matters. Unless you are really really smart (for academic $$) or either not well off (for grants) or very well off (to pay your own way) you have to look at the intangibles vs. an athletic scholarship at a place where you have to schlep to a public rink and play in front of 300 people.

I don't know if RIT can hit that sweet spot again where you had guys like Lambert and Pinizzotto recruited during the end of the D-III era and later Brenner and Tanev. That 2010 team was a Juggernaut where DeMikes was the final piece of the puzzle. Look at the fourth liners on that team - Alexin, Matic, etc had 20 points. Mazzei, Murphy, Hartley taking draws. So deep. We had 60 points from Ringwald and Tanev alone. The defense scored 31 goals - this year's team has 2 goals so far from the blueliners. Burt had a career year. Favot and Brenner were great together (Brenner had a better year the next season when he had to carry more of the scoring load). 2010 was magical. It's not going to happen again, at least not in that way. RIT like most teams in the AHA is going to need a perfect storm of a great goalie, great special teams and players either exceeding expectations and/or having career years all at once. It can happen. But don't bet in it doing so more than once a decade.
 
Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2013-2014 - Rocking The Ritter One Last Time <<<<<

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2013-2014 - Rocking The Ritter One Last Time <<<<<

Wow! 6 pts. out of first with 23 conference games remaining. The sky is falling!! RIT might still make the playoffs! Sorry, I can't give up on a season until maybe February or so. And it would take much longer than that to give up on a coach, particularly at the college level.
 
Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2013-2014 - Rocking The Ritter One Last Time <<<<<

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2013-2014 - Rocking The Ritter One Last Time <<<<<

Which should be compelling enough reason to look at leaving the AHA. Suffering through failure in a stronger conference will help the program and the community. Suffering through mediocrity in the AHA will do neither at this point.

RIT like most teams in the AHA is going to need a perfect storm of a great goalie, great special teams and players either exceeding expectations and/or having career years all at once. It can happen. But don't bet in it doing so more than once a decade.
 
Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2013-2014 - Rocking The Ritter One Last Time <<<<<

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2013-2014 - Rocking The Ritter One Last Time <<<<<

I'm not arguing against your basic point, however you do realize that RIT is averaging 31.4 shots on goal per game, and had 36 SOG last night against Canisius, right? The opportunities were there, particularly in the second period but the biscuit wouldn't go in the basket, as they say.

I think this statement shows more of the problems of RIT and not that they are getting chances. Shots, as you know, don’t mean jack. And if they are getting all of these opportunities, then they are just not good at shooting. It's happening for way too long to be "bad luck", so they just must not be good at it.


And we were told prior to last night's game that Garbowsky is out indefinitely.

Ugh. This is not good.


He's [Ruby] not....

yet

Or ever. I know it sound harsh but he’s an average goalie that occasionally gets “hot”.


There is the talent, just do it...

I’m really not so sure about this anymore. At one time I would have agreed with you but now I am wavering. There are a select few on the team that do good talent, but too many are 4 liners.


I'm sorry, but can you point to any signs of progress or improvement over the last 3 seasons? This decrease in performance can be attributed to a lot of things, including coaching, recruitment, or play style, all of which stems from team management. Call me an idiot all you want, but to not consider the faults of the coaching staff and to hold them invulnerable to change is just short sighted.

Even I think it is early to be calling for Wilson’s head, but I do agree that way too many people here have blinders on when it comes to his performance. I think he needs to take a real look at the ability of the players he is bringing in, the style of play, and his own coaching performance. There are certainly places were improvement must be made.


This is why it is dangerous to get a community attached to a coach. RIT will never replace Coach Wilson unless it is on his terms only. Wayne Wilson has done great things for this hockey program. But everyone has a time and place. I believe his time has expired.

Agreed. Getting emotionally attached to any employee is bad for performance of the organization.


If he skates decently and can hit people frequently, I'll take him.

I would prefer he can shoot and score some goals and play disciplined hockey. But at this point I will take anything he can positively bring to the ice.


And there is no doubt in my mind that RIT would not have gone Division I without Wilson in place.

While I certainly appreciate any efforts he made in this area, I’m more interested in his performance going forward.


2010 was magical. It's not going to happen again, at least not in that way. RIT like most teams in the AHA is going to need a perfect storm of a great goalie, great special teams and players either exceeding expectations and/or having career years all at once. It can happen. But don't bet in it doing so more than once a decade.

I think most of us are realistic about 2010 but that doesn’t mean that have a highly competitive AHA team and making the NCAA should happen more than once a decade.



Depending upon how the rest of the season plays out, and it a miracle happens then great, but I think a long hard look needs to be taken by everyone involved at RIT hockey. The team is not going in the right direction and has not been for a few seasons. Yes, 2010 level was unsustainable but still the program is going in the wrong direction in terms of on ice performance. A turnaround can certainly happen even this season, but it is going to take a lot of hard work.

I think, and yes I am on my soapbox again, but it starts with recruiting. The level of on ice talent is not at the level needed to be highly competitive in the AHA let alone the rest of the NCAA. There are lots of reasons for this, some are valid and some are not, but in my mind it is unacceptable and needs to be fixed.

If us die hard RIT fans here on USCHO are becoming more and more frustrated, I can help but wonder what the average RIT hockey fan or even a casual fan thinks of the current state of the program and how that reflects in the interest of RIT hockey.
 
Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2013-2014 - Rocking The Ritter One Last Time <<<<<

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2013-2014 - Rocking The Ritter One Last Time <<<<<

Which should be compelling enough reason to look at leaving the AHA. Suffering through failure in a stronger conference will help the program and the community. Suffering through mediocrity in the AHA will do neither at this point.

While I agree, it much easier said than done.
 
Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2013-2014 - Rocking The Ritter One Last Time <<<<<

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2013-2014 - Rocking The Ritter One Last Time <<<<<

Wow! 6 pts. out of first with 23 conference games remaining. The sky is falling!! RIT might still make the playoffs! Sorry, I can't give up on a season until maybe February or so. And it would take much longer than that to give up on a coach, particularly at the college level.

The stressful thing is that this so mirrors last year disappointing season and in some cases this team looks like it gotten worst not better. Yes the season is still young.

Now on Coach Wilson, so long as he doesn't have a mental break down we keep him as long as he wants to stay (If he does have a mental break down there always room with the radio guys). He came with plenty of D-I experience, rescued the program when his predecessor left it in pieces the way he exited. You know you have gotten somewhere when people want you fired after a small amount of disappointing results.

I think the focus should not be on blaming the coach, the evidence that the lack of scholarships is more of a legitimate debate.
 
Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2013-2014 - Rocking The Ritter One Last Time <<<<<

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2013-2014 - Rocking The Ritter One Last Time <<<<<

Which should be compelling enough reason to look at leaving the AHA. Suffering through failure in a stronger conference will help the program and the community. Suffering through mediocrity in the AHA will do neither at this point.

No one disagrees with this, but you can't just pick up and move conferences whenever you please. First of all there has to be a conference with an opening, then the conference has to make sense for us (ECAC is pretty much it), then the conference has to want us compared to other teams.

In the meantime we're in the AHA and we have to do all the right things to improve our case for when there is an opening somewhere else.
 
Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2013-2014 - Rocking The Ritter One Last Time <<<<<

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2013-2014 - Rocking The Ritter One Last Time <<<<<

The defense scored 31 goals - this year's team has 2 goals so far from the blueliners.

The defensemen actually scored 42 goals. The top 2 sets of defensemen were clear threats to score from the point. Not only did Ringwald and Tanev score 21 goals combined, but Haltigan and Mazur scored 20 as the 2nd pairing. I think this is HUGE and what is missing from the team lately. Last year, RIT got 28 goals from defensemen. The other thing is that these defensemen score more on cutting to the goal and not shooting as much. Shooting from the point could lead to more rebound and redirections for the forwards.
 
Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2013-2014 - Rocking The Ritter One Last Time <<<<<

Re: >>>>> RIT TIGERS 2013-2014 - Rocking The Ritter One Last Time <<<<<

I'm aware of our situation, and how conferences align, and yes I'm still bitter that Uconn gets to move and we don't.

No one disagrees with this, but you can't just pick up and move conferences whenever you please. First of all there has to be a conference with an opening, then the conference has to make sense for us (ECAC is pretty much it), then the conference has to want us compared to other teams.

In the meantime we're in the AHA and we have to do all the right things to improve our case for when there is an opening somewhere else.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top