>>> RIT Tigers Offseason: Looking forward to more in 2019-20 <<<

[blazer777]

The best?

You have got to be kidding me. At some point, results have to matter.

Really, do you honestly believe that?

 

[blazer777]

But then again I have no clue on how these things work.

Please stop stealing material from my LinkedIn profile!

 

[pdt1081]

I think to keep continuity with the program, recruiting, etc., it would be to the benefit of BGSU to act with expedience. Whether it’s Wayne or someone else I don’t think we will be waiting long. But then again I have no clue on how these things work. If I had to venture a guess I’d say before the end of May. Anybody else have thoughts about the hiring process and timeline?

BG's athletic director said it could take up to 6 weeks. We're hoping by the end of this week, next week at the latest.

 

[Downstate_RIT_Fan]

BG's athletic director said it could take up to 6 weeks. We're hoping by the end of this week, next week at the latest.

Thank you for this, earlier definitely seems better than later.

 

[Downstate_RIT_Fan]

Please stop stealing material from my LinkedIn profile!

You and me both, Blaze. I’ve changed mine to read: Jack of all trades, master of none.

 

[jflory81]

Re: >>> RIT Tigers Offseason: Looking forward to more in 2019-20 <<<

Re: >>> RIT Tigers Offseason: Looking forward to more in 2019-20 <<<

Interesting comment I saw in the U of Illinois thread: apparently DiGregorio was on the USCHO podcast yesterday, and stated that Atlantic Hockey is "aggressively pursuing a 12th member". No detail as to who that would be, but worth mentioning.

 

[Downstate_RIT_Fan]

Interesting comment I saw in the U of Illinois thread: apparently DiGregorio was on the USCHO podcast yesterday, and stated that Atlantic Hockey is "aggressively pursuing a 12th member". No detail as to who that would be, but worth mentioning.

I wonder if he is alluding to an existing D1 school or a school considering a move to D1 hockey?

 

[Ed Trefzger]

Re: >>> RIT Tigers Offseason: Looking forward to more in 2019-20 <<<

Re: >>> RIT Tigers Offseason: Looking forward to more in 2019-20 <<<

Interesting comment I saw in the U of Illinois thread: apparently DiGregorio was on the USCHO podcast yesterday, and stated that Atlantic Hockey is "aggressively pursuing a 12th member". No detail as to who that would be, but worth mentioning.

That’s exactly what he said. He can’t mention any names, at least publicly.

Every commissioner we’ve talked to on the podcast is very pro expansion. Big Ten is hoping Illinois’ feasibility study leads to an 8th team. NCHC is very pro new teams, especially on west coast.

 

[Tom Naeger]

Re: >>> RIT Tigers Offseason: Looking forward to more in 2019-20 <<<

Re: >>> RIT Tigers Offseason: Looking forward to more in 2019-20 <<<

The best?

You have got to be kidding me. At some point, results have to matter.

Results?

Erik Brown - 70 Goals and 45 Assists, you might want to look where he finished on the D-I Career Scoring list for RIT...

Gabriel Valenzuela - 38 Goals 66 Assists

Abbott Girduckis - 30 Goals 63 Assists

Three guys in a class like that is special.

Liam Kerins first two seasons was 25 Goals and 18 Assists. Sadly the wheels came off for him his Junior year. It was nice to see him have a great year in the SPHL that earned him a promotion to the ECHL.

Give me another class? 2012 comes to mind, but remember that Tyler Brenner did not return for his senior year.

I know that you guys see nothing but Wins and Losses, but you forget that there are 22 other guys on this team. Also the quality of the other teams in the league have greatly improved...

 

[Tom Naeger]

Re: >>> RIT Tigers Offseason: Looking forward to more in 2019-20 <<<

Re: >>> RIT Tigers Offseason: Looking forward to more in 2019-20 <<<

That’s exactly what he said. He can’t mention any names, at least publicly.

Every commissioner we’ve talked to on the podcast is very pro expansion. Big Ten is hoping Illinois’ feasibility study leads to an 8th team. NCHC is very pro new teams, especially on west coast.

Would be nice as we've been hearing about that for years and I really think this unbalance schedule does have an effect.

Little rant, why the heck is Niagara and Canisius hosting the Frozen Four with the Basketball Conference they are in???? At this point I feel like the two Bob's meeting with Tom in Office Space...

 

[Haaafs]

Re: >>> RIT Tigers Offseason: Looking forward to more in 2019-20 <<<

Re: >>> RIT Tigers Offseason: Looking forward to more in 2019-20 <<<

Steve Pinizzotto will not return to the Kölner Haie of the DEL next season. Injured for much of the year, he played in only 17 games totaling 3 goals, 3 assists, and 34 PIM. Between the injury problems and the fact that he's turning 35 in a couple of weeks, it will be interesting to see if he decides to hang up the skates.

 

[Haaafs]

Re: >>> RIT Tigers Offseason: Looking forward to more in 2019-20 <<<

Re: >>> RIT Tigers Offseason: Looking forward to more in 2019-20 <<<

Myles Powell has been called back up to the Amerks. He's been crushing it with Cincinnati in the ECHL with 31 goals and 35 assists in 57 games. Hopefully he gets some playing time in the AHL playoffs.

 

[Downstate_RIT_Fan]

Myles Powell has been called back up to the Amerks. He's been crushing it with Cincinnati in the ECHL with 31 goals and 35 assists in 57 games. Hopefully he gets some playing time in the AHL playoffs.

Myles needs to get on the scoresheet with the Amerks. I think once the ice is broken the goals will start to come. He reminds me of how Garbo did with the Colorado Eagles. If the AHL doesn’t work out I hope he heads to Europe where many of our Tigers are playing.

 

[TigerFan86-87]

Re: >>> RIT Tigers Offseason: Looking forward to more in 2019-20 <<<

Re: >>> RIT Tigers Offseason: Looking forward to more in 2019-20 <<<

Results?

Erik Brown - 70 Goals and 45 Assists, you might want to look where he finished on the D-I Career Scoring list for RIT...

Gabriel Valenzuela - 38 Goals 66 Assists

Abbott Girduckis - 30 Goals 63 Assists

Three guys in a class like that is special.

Liam Kerins first two seasons was 25 Goals and 18 Assists. Sadly the wheels came off for him his Junior year. It was nice to see him have a great year in the SPHL that earned him a promotion to the ECHL.

Give me another class? 2012 comes to mind, but remember that Tyler Brenner did not return for his senior year.

I know that you guys see nothing but Wins and Losses, but you forget that there are 22 other guys on this team. Also the quality of the other teams in the league have greatly improved...

Not to be too much of a smart-a**, but do you understand how sports works? How often a team wins is basically the ONLY measure of how successful they are.
The team's top two line players could all get 100+ points in their careers and it would mean absolutely NOTHING if they don't win any games (not likely, but nonetheless...).

But more seriously, my post indicating that this class was one of the two "worst" was merely in response to the stats posted regarding each class' records. Based on that list posted, this class was among the two worst classes as a matter of fact, not debate.
If you'd like to judge classes based on their individual point totals, that's fine. It just wasn't what this particular thread was in reference to.

 

[TigerFan86-87]

Re: >>> RIT Tigers Offseason: Looking forward to more in 2019-20 <<<

Re: >>> RIT Tigers Offseason: Looking forward to more in 2019-20 <<<

Little rant, why the heck is Niagara and Canisius hosting the Frozen Four with the Basketball Conference they are in???? At this point I feel like the two Bob's meeting with Tom in Office Space...

Because they put in a successful partnership bid to host, that's why.
Why did Navy host in 2009? They don't have D-I hockey either.

That partnership was the same that hosted in Buffalo in 2003, but who knows why the MAAC would be still be interested in hosting anything related to hockey. Apparently they did. Three of their schools still play the sport at a high level, even if it is not under their banner. Just conjecture, but maybe because NU and CC are such relatively small schools with (I'm guessing) limited resources for such a thing, they needed a partner to pull it off and the MAAC was willing to help out. Who knows why the AHA either wouldn't help or weren't asked. That would have been a bit more logical.

And... MAAC is not just a basketball conference. It's all sports (hockey notwithstanding), best I can tell.

 

[TigerFan86-87]

Re: >>> RIT Tigers Offseason: Looking forward to more in 2019-20 <<<

Re: >>> RIT Tigers Offseason: Looking forward to more in 2019-20 <<<

I wonder if he is alluding to an existing D1 school or a school considering a move to D1 hockey?

I would be shocked if there were any other D-I hockey programs that would look to move INTO the AHA. That's like going into the boss' office and asking to be demoted. It's not a downgrade to D-III, but it is a step down nonetheless. They don't really have the "cost containment" angle to sell anymore, but maybe if there is a bottom feeder in the WCHA that is having trouble keeping competitive due to finances and exorbitant travel costs, then maybe...

 

[jflory81]

Re: >>> RIT Tigers Offseason: Looking forward to more in 2019-20 <<<

Re: >>> RIT Tigers Offseason: Looking forward to more in 2019-20 <<<

Results?

Erik Brown - 70 Goals and 45 Assists, you might want to look where he finished on the D-I Career Scoring list for RIT...

Gabriel Valenzuela - 38 Goals 66 Assists

Abbott Girduckis - 30 Goals 63 Assists

Three guys in a class like that is special.

Liam Kerins first two seasons was 25 Goals and 18 Assists. Sadly the wheels came off for him his Junior year. It was nice to see him have a great year in the SPHL that earned him a promotion to the ECHL.

Give me another class? 2012 comes to mind, but remember that Tyler Brenner did not return for his senior year.

I know that you guys see nothing but Wins and Losses, but you forget that there are 22 other guys on this team. Also the quality of the other teams in the league have greatly improved...

There's more to hockey than scoring, and frankly the fact that the class is so small is a detriment to it (Mark Logan and Christian Short are the other two members). The trio showed this year that they aren't quite great top line players - they were outplayed at even strength by their opposition overall, who tended to use their own top line against them. Their numbers are up there because they came into a team that was lacking in scoring, and needed those roles filled right away, as opposed to guys like Favot and Garbowsky who spent time in their first couple of years on the lower lines behind already established scorers. (Favot still managed to put up numbers despite that in his sophomore year) But in terms of elite numbers on a season to season basis, Erik Brown's junior year is really the only one that qualifies to that level, and Girduckis is the only one of the trio who I'd place in the upper tier of two way players (his senior season was probably the best season any of the 3 overall had).

I've been thinking about a top 20 or 25 list of players in RIT's D-1 era, and I have a hard time putting any of the members in this class in the top 10 overall. Clearly ahead of them are (in no particular order) Burt, Ringwald, Madalora, Favot, Garbowsky, Brenner, Lambert, and Tanev. Then comes guys who are around the same tier as Brown and Girduckis: Haltigan, Powell, Saracino, Kuqali, Noyes, McGowan, Ruby, McReynolds (ultimate heart and soul player), J. Mitchell, DeMichiel...probably forgetting a couple here. I purposely stayed away from most of the early era guys I didn't have the privilege to watch consistently - but I suspect a couple of those guys would belong near the top as well (Raymond spent two years in the AHL after graduating, Pinner got a cup of coffee in the NHL, there's a couple of other guys who could be in the discussion as well)

But anyway, you asked for a class, and I would say the 2011 class is certainly up there - Brenner did graduate in 2011, so he belongs in this class: (Brenner, Favot, Mike Janda, Sean Murphy, Jan Ropponen). Brenner and Favot pretty much carry this class, but I'd take 2 legit elite tier players over this year's class. I would also take Garbowski's senior class in 2015 (Garbowski, McGowan, Thompson, Brad Reid, Jordan Ruby).

For those who are wondering....my top 5 Tigers of all time:
5. Cameron Burt - BURT BRINGS THE HURT! *ahem*. This spot was a really hard debate for me between Burt, Madolora, and Tyler Brenner. Burt and Brenner are the only two Tigers to put up 100 points in their first 3 seasons at the school at the D-1 level. Ultimately, it was Burt's 4th year at RIT as well as his selflessness in agreeing to shift to defense amidst an injury plagued season that pushes him over Brenner, IMO, and Madalora fails to make the top 5 in part due to something somewhat out of his control: the lack of postseason success. (Losing 1-0 to Air Force was far from Madalora's fault). Ultimately Burt did end up in the AHL for a handful of games, but has since gone overseas and still is active in Europe.

4. Chris Tanev - Undeniably the most talented player to ever put on an RIT sweater - Tanev was simply a better skater than everyone else on the ice, and thought the game at a higher level. Produced both offensively and defensively at this level, before becoming an extremely reliable puck moving stay at home defenseman at the NHL level.

3. Andrew Favot - The playmaker of the Favot/Brenner duo, Favot always played much bigger than his size. The 2010-11 line of Lynch/Favot/Brenner was probably RIT's 2nd best offensive line of all time, only behind the MGM line. Favot averaged more than a point per game over a three year span despite not seeing much PP time as a sophomore, and was much better in the defensive zone than you would think for a player of his size and stature. Unfortunately it's difficult at the next level for small guys who don't fly to even get a look, so Favot's post RIT playing days did not last very long.

2. Matt Garbowsky - His senior season was simply the most dominant offensive season RIT has ever seen, and it came packaged with a dominant two way game that allowed RIT's top line to dictate play every time it stepped out onto the ice no matter the opponent. Certainly disappointing that his junior year was cut short by injury, but the highs of his senior season more than make up for it. Personally, I think he got a bum deal from the Sabres organization before getting shipped off to Colorado where he would captain the ECHL's best team for two consecutive seasons before going overseas.

1. Dan Ringwald - Easily the most accomplished defenseman to stay all 4 years - his pairing with Tanev in his senior year was almost certainly one of the top 5 pairings in all of college hockey that year. Scored tons of points with the Tigers, but was by no means a liability in the defensive end. Probably the best PP QB to man the point at RIT during the D-1 era. Made it to the AHL where he played about half a season with one of the then AHL's best teams before heading overseas.

 

[Tom Naeger]

Re: >>> RIT Tigers Offseason: Looking forward to more in 2019-20 <<<

Re: >>> RIT Tigers Offseason: Looking forward to more in 2019-20 <<<

Who knows why the AHA either wouldn't help or weren't asked. That would have been a bit more logical.

And... MAAC is not just a basketball conference. It's all sports (hockey notwithstanding), best I can tell.

That AHA not being involved was the context clues I purposely was leaving behind.

Yes the MAC is more than just Basketball, that was me just getting the frustration of Canisius and Niagara caring more about Basketball off my chest.

Thank you for using the Naeger Translator...

 

[Tom Naeger]

Re: >>> RIT Tigers Offseason: Looking forward to more in 2019-20 <<<

Re: >>> RIT Tigers Offseason: Looking forward to more in 2019-20 <<<

There's more to hockey than scoring, and frankly the fact that the class is so small is a detriment to it (Mark Logan and Christian Short are the other two members). The trio showed this year that they aren't quite great top line players - they were outplayed at even strength by their opposition overall, who tended to use their own top line against them. Their numbers are up there because they came into a team that was lacking in scoring, and needed those roles filled right away, as opposed to guys like Favot and Garbowsky who spent time in their first couple of years on the lower lines behind already established scorers. (Favot still managed to put up numbers despite that in his sophomore year) But in terms of elite numbers on a season to season basis, Erik Brown's junior year is really the only one that qualifies to that level, and Girduckis is the only one of the trio who I'd place in the upper tier of two way players (his senior season was probably the best season any of the 3 overall had).

I've been thinking about a top 20 or 25 list of players in RIT's D-1 era, and I have a hard time putting any of the members in this class in the top 10 overall. Clearly ahead of them are (in no particular order) Burt, Ringwald, Madalora, Favot, Garbowsky, Brenner, Lambert, and Tanev. Then comes guys who are around the same tier as Brown and Girduckis: Haltigan, Powell, Saracino, Kuqali, Noyes, McGowan, Ruby, McReynolds (ultimate heart and soul player), J. Mitchell, DeMichiel...probably forgetting a couple here. I purposely stayed away from most of the early era guys I didn't have the privilege to watch consistently - but I suspect a couple of those guys would belong near the top as well (Raymond spent two years in the AHL after graduating, Pinner got a cup of coffee in the NHL, there's a couple of other guys who could be in the discussion as well)

But anyway, you asked for a class, and I would say the 2011 class is certainly up there - Brenner did graduate in 2011, so he belongs in this class: (Brenner, Favot, Mike Janda, Sean Murphy, Jan Ropponen). Brenner and Favot pretty much carry this class, but I'd take 2 legit elite tier players over this year's class. I would also take Garbowski's senior class in 2015 (Garbowski, McGowan, Thompson, Brad Reid, Jordan Ruby).

For those who are wondering....my top 5 Tigers of all time:
5. Cameron Burt - BURT BRINGS THE HURT! *ahem*. This spot was a really hard debate for me between Burt, Madolora, and Tyler Brenner. Burt and Brenner are the only two Tigers to put up 100 points in their first 3 seasons at the school at the D-1 level. Ultimately, it was Burt's 4th year at RIT as well as his selflessness in agreeing to shift to defense amidst an injury plagued season that pushes him over Brenner, IMO, and Madalora fails to make the top 5 in part due to something somewhat out of his control: the lack of postseason success. (Losing 1-0 to Air Force was far from Madalora's fault). Ultimately Burt did end up in the AHL for a handful of games, but has since gone overseas and still is active in Europe.

4. Chris Tanev - Undeniably the most talented player to ever put on an RIT sweater - Tanev was simply a better skater than everyone else on the ice, and thought the game at a higher level. Produced both offensively and defensively at this level, before becoming an extremely reliable puck moving stay at home defenseman at the NHL level.

3. Andrew Favot - The playmaker of the Favot/Brenner duo, Favot always played much bigger than his size. The 2010-11 line of Lynch/Favot/Brenner was probably RIT's 2nd best offensive line of all time, only behind the MGM line. Favot averaged more than a point per game over a three year span despite not seeing much PP time as a sophomore, and was much better in the defensive zone than you would think for a player of his size and stature. Unfortunately it's difficult at the next level for small guys who don't fly to even get a look, so Favot's post RIT playing days did not last very long.

2. Matt Garbowsky - His senior season was simply the most dominant offensive season RIT has ever seen, and it came packaged with a dominant two way game that allowed RIT's top line to dictate play every time it stepped out onto the ice no matter the opponent. Certainly disappointing that his junior year was cut short by injury, but the highs of his senior season more than make up for it. Personally, I think he got a bum deal from the Sabres organization before getting shipped off to Colorado where he would captain the ECHL's best team for two consecutive seasons before going overseas.

1. Dan Ringwald - Easily the most accomplished defenseman to stay all 4 years - his pairing with Tanev in his senior year was almost certainly one of the top 5 pairings in all of college hockey that year. Scored tons of points with the Tigers, but was by no means a liability in the defensive end. Probably the best PP QB to man the point at RIT during the D-1 era. Made it to the AHL where he played about half a season with one of the then AHL's best teams before heading overseas.

When I evaluate a class I look at the overall stats and awards of each individual in that class. That's all they can really control, record and banners that are hang also depend on the other 3 classes. Now if you want to include your other points, I actually think you may some good arguments, but that again is why I said it was arguable. To act like this class didn't accomplish anything is ridiculous and also doesn't reflect where these guys did finish among other players. BTW, I will miss Mark Logan, you always need a guy like him in a class. Obviously I wish something worked out a little better for Short on the ice, he is a great guy. I'm still think one of the few mistakes the coaches made was how they managed him his Sophomore year and things might have gone differently for him, but it's moot at this point.

I agree with much of your comments on other players, thing is when you start putting them together in the respective class and comparing to this year class you see how special it was to have the numbers they did. I consider Brenner 2012 as I more go with when the guys come in together than when they leave cause guys do leave early. And we always try and rate Freshman classes at the start as it is. So I would put 2012 in the argument.

Don't get me started on +/- I got some dirty looks and still am dealing with some blow back when I pointed out how particularly horrible the numbers were in a past year. Amazing how upset some people get over pointing out a negative stat.......

Anyway I will say that was one of the two main reasons I say them go down to Niagara and what I believe are the two biggest areas that need to be improved next year.

1) Faster and more mobile Defense. Big key to beat RIT this year was pressure their defense when trying to break out. When Niagara did that they turned the game from a game I thought RIT was carrying the play to a even game the rest of the way. I don't think RIT was able to skate a puck out of their zone for the last two periods and was almost all stretch passes out of the zone.

2) Top line needs to produce more points than the other teams top line. I thought this years actually carried play more often than not, but left too many chances out there.

Other question for next season who is going to be scoring, there one or two candidates that come to mind. I have not run the numbers yet, but the small class leaving did do a lot of producing. There is the talent I think to cover that and maybe improve, but there will be pressure on some guys, how will they react????

 

[Haaafs]

Re: >>> RIT Tigers Offseason: Looking forward to more in 2019-20 <<<

Re: >>> RIT Tigers Offseason: Looking forward to more in 2019-20 <<<

1) Faster and more mobile Defense. Big key to beat RIT this year was pressure their defense when trying to break out. When Niagara did that they turned the game from a game I thought RIT was carrying the play to a even game the rest of the way. I don't think RIT was able to skate a puck out of their zone for the last two periods and was almost all stretch passes out of the zone.

2) Top line needs to produce more points than the other teams top line. I thought this years actually carried play more often than not, but left too many chances out there.

Other question for next season who is going to be scoring, there one or two candidates that come to mind. I have not run the numbers yet, but the small class leaving did do a lot of producing. There is the talent I think to cover that and maybe improve, but there will be pressure on some guys, how will they react????

Every time a team pressured them in the defensive zone, it was a huge problem and very frustrating to watch. It was such a problem every single game. I couldn't understand why every team didn't forecheck hard every time. Most of the time it turned into a dangerous turnover or a weak up-for-grabs flip into the neutral zone. This simply has to improve if they want to be competitive.

As for the scorers for next year, I see a few guys that I expect to step up. #1 for me is Alden Dupuis. I really like the way he plays. I know you mentioned +/- is a controversial stat (and it is)... But Dupuis is a +26 over the past 2 years, which is absolutely insane. The next highest on the team over the past 2 seasons is Jordan Peacock with a +6. I think we'll see a break-out for him next year.

The freshmen line also showed promise off and on, especially later in the season. I know Wayne is a big fan of Calverley and thinks he has a lot of potential. I agree. He seems to have a natural instinct in the offensive zone and good puck handling skills. I was a bit disappointed by Petrucci. Coming off a year where he had 52 goals and 48 assists in 54 games in juniors, I was really hoping that some of that would transition into college. Obviously you can't read too much into juniors stats, but I feel like scoring almost a goal a game at any level has to be an indicator of some sort of scoring instinct. Let's hope something clicks for him and he starts producing next year.