RPI 2010-11: Houston, We've had a Facelift!

[Wicked Slappaahs]

Re: RPI 2010-11: Houston, We've had a Facelift!

I'd like to be optimistic, but I just can't see RPI going 5-1 through this set of opponents.

I'm not into predictions, but if they can manage a split at CC, 5-1 is within reason.

 

[Wicked Slappaahs]

Re: RPI 2010-11: Houston, We've had a Facelift!

I would note one final time for the new thread and for the record, that UNB is gonna be a handful. Their roster has something like 16 kids who are 6'0 200 or bigger...and nearly that many are 22-23+ yrs. old. Its only an exhibition, but the boys best have their chinstraps tightened.

 

[DrDemento]

Re: RPI 2010-11: Houston, We've had a Facelift!

I would note one final time for the new thread and for the record, that UNB is gonna be a handful. Their roster has something like 16 kids who are 6'0 200 or bigger...and nearly that many are 22-23+ yrs. old. Its only an exhibition, but the boys best have their chinstraps tightened.

I saw the sizes on their roster also. This is a mature, big, tough team. Years ago we faced Canadian teams like this. It was always a struggle (see Toronto in the Xmas Tourney of 1984). This is a good test and a slam bang way to start the schedule. This team has already played a few games (they are 5-0) and is obviously ready. I am not worried about the score-just want to avoid any early season injuries.

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: RPI 2010-11: Houston, We've had a Facelift!

Has anyone used B2 yet this year (for football as an example)? If so, has it improved at all from last season. I am wondering if it is worth paying for, especially after seeing the quality that RPI-TV could produce directly.

 

[DrDemento]

Re: RPI 2010-11: Houston, We've had a Facelift!

Has anyone used B2 yet this year (for football as an example)? If so, has it improved at all from last season. I am wondering if it is worth paying for, especially after seeing the quality that RPI-TV could produce directly.

I was thinking of using it possible tomorrow for the football game. I have been so disgusted with their coverage in the past though that I am just not sure of trying it again.

 

[FreddyFoyle]

Re: RPI 2010-11: Houston, We've had a Facelift!

I saw the sizes on their roster also. This is a mature, big, tough team. Years ago we faced Canadian teams like this. It was always a struggle (see Toronto in the Xmas Tourney of 1984). This is a good test and a slam bang way to start the schedule. This team has already played a few games (they are 5-0) and is obviously ready. I am not worried about the score-just want to avoid any early season injuries.

It is interesting you mention that Toronto team. After the early 1960's, UNB was not a national contender again until 1983-84. That season UNB, then known as the Red Devils, played UofT in the CIAU (now CIS) regional championship, a two-game format played in Fredericton. UNB gave everything they had, made it close, but lost the first game, and had nothing in the next game. The Mike Keenan coached Varsity Blues then advanced to an easy victory at the University Cup. That Toronto team was a very good team.

UNB then wasn't back at Nationals again until 1997, where they won the silver. They won their first championship the next year, and have been a perennial national contender ever since, winning the University Cup again in 2007 and 2009.

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: RPI 2010-11: Houston, We've had a Facelift!

It is interesting you mention that Toronto team. After the early 1960's, UNB was not a national contender again until 1983-84. That season UNB, then known as the Red Devils, played UofT in the CIAU (now CIS) regional championship, a two-game format played in Fredericton. UNB gave everything they had, made it close, but lost the first game, and had nothing in the next game. The Mike Keenan coached Varsity Blues then advanced to an easy victory at the University Cup. That Toronto team was a very good team.

UNB then wasn't back at Nationals again until 1997, where they won the silver. They won their first championship the next year, and have been a perennial national contender ever since, winning the University Cup again in 2007 and 2009.

I just looked at my program for the 1984 Holiday Tourney. That was the 84-85 season, and Keenan was no longer coaching Toronto. As DrD said, Toronto gave RPI fits, outshooting the Oates-Carter-Servinis... team. The game was tied 2-2 until late in the second period.

 

[FreddyFoyle]

Re: RPI 2010-11: Houston, We've had a Facelift!

I saw the sizes on their roster also. This is a mature, big, tough team. Years ago we faced Canadian teams like this. It was always a struggle (see Toronto in the Xmas Tourney of 1984). This is a good test and a slam bang way to start the schedule. This team has already played a few games (they are 5-0) and is obviously ready. I am not worried about the score-just want to avoid any early season injuries.

If it is any consolation, UNB is a pretty disciplined team, and each year is one of the least penalized teams in their conference.

UNB plays a puck possession / puck pursuit game. About the only time they dump the puck in might be on a line change. The defence loves to jump in on the rush, and sometimes can be badly out of position if the puck gets turned over in the neutral zone. The D is not overly physical, but #3 Jonathan Harty will go out of his way to make an open ice hit, which creates lots of room if he misses his guy. They are one of the quickest CIS teams, which probably makes them comparable to a Div I team with just average speed.

#7 Hunter Tremblay was the CIS MVP (Canadian version of Hobey Baker) last season - a gritty skilled forward who is fun to watch (but not good enough for the NHL ...). #10 Daine Todd is a slippery forward; #9 Dion Campbell is a powerful drive-the-net player (and a Junior A player from Saskatchewan who somehow couldn't get a NCAA scholarship). #19 Jordan Clendenning is a bull in a china shop coming off two knee surgeries #32 captain Kyle Bailey is the hardest worker on the team and finally #4 Luke Gallant is arguably the best d-man in the CIS this season (and once played with Sidney Crosby for Team Nova Scotia at the Canada Winter Games ...)

 

[FreddyFoyle]

Re: RPI 2010-11: Houston, We've had a Facelift!

I just looked at my program for the 1984 Holiday Tourney. That was the 84-85 season, and Keenan was no longer coaching Toronto. As DrD said, Toronto gave RPI fits, outshooting the Oates-Carter-Servinis... team. The game was tied 2-2 until late in the second period.

UNB played two exhibition games against that 1984-85 Toronto team, coached by Tom Watts. Lost 5-4 and 8-3. Yea, they were good.

Toronto really declined after that, and became a so-so to bad team in a soft division in a weak conference. UNB didn't play them again until an exhibition game last December -- Toronto was completely outclassed in losing 5-1, although they did work hard.

I'm afraid that this weekend Toronto might lose by double digits to BC and BU.

 

[Wicked Slappaahs]

Re: RPI 2010-11: Houston, We've had a Facelift!

If it is any consolation, UNB is a pretty disciplined team, and each year is one of the least penalized teams in their conference.

UNB plays a puck possession / puck pursuit game. About the only time they dump the puck in might be on a line change. The defence loves to jump in on the rush, and sometimes can be badly out of position if the puck gets turned over in the neutral zone. The D is not overly physical, but #3 Jonathan Harty will go out of his way to make an open ice hit, which creates lots of room if he misses his guy. They are one of the quickest CIS teams, which probably makes them comparable to a Div I team with just average speed.

#7 Hunter Tremblay was the CIS MVP (Canadian version of Hobey Baker) last season - a gritty skilled forward who is fun to watch (but not good enough for the NHL ...). #10 Daine Todd is a slippery forward; #9 Dion Campbell is a powerful drive-the-net player (and a Junior A player from Saskatchewan who somehow couldn't get a NCAA scholarship). #19 Jordan Clendenning is a bull in a china shop coming off two knee surgeries #32 captain Kyle Bailey is the hardest worker on the team and finally #4 Luke Gallant is arguably the best d-man in the CIS this season (and once played with Sidney Crosby for Team Nova Scotia at the Canada Winter Games ...)

Thanks for the info on the Devils...err rr...Varsity. Will you be making the trip? Sounds like it should be a fun game as RPI plays a similar up tempo style, with the D looking to jump into the mix on offense. While they'll be in the middle of long road trip, UNB will have a bit of an advantage in having some games under their belts.

Question: What are the academic demands on players from UNB and similar schools?...i.e. are their limits as to who they can enroll academically or will the school give the coach pretty loose reigns?

 

[FreddyFoyle]

Re: RPI 2010-11: Houston, We've had a Facelift!

Thanks for the info on the Devils...err rr...Varsity. Will you be making the trip? Sounds like it should be a fun game as RPI plays a similar up tempo style, with the D looking to jump into the mix on offense. While they'll be in the middle of long road trip, UNB will have a bit of an advantage in having some games under their belts.

Question: What are the academic demands on players from UNB and similar schools?...i.e. are their limits as to who they can enroll academically or will the school give the coach pretty loose reigns?

Unfortunately I won't be making the trip. Canadian Thanksgiving is next weekend, and I'll be using time and money visiting family in Toronto.

All student-athletes in the CIS have to be full-time students, which at UNB means at least four courses per term (semester). The average non-athlete takes five courses per term. They have to be enrolled in a degree program after their first year. In the CIS you have five years eligibility, so some student-athletes stretch a four-year degree program over five years to ease the course load. You can't take one course in your last year just to play and use your last year of eligibility -- you have to be in a full-time degree program.

If you can get into school, you can play ... your first year. The bar isn't lowered for entering athletes. But don't forget, all CIS schools are provincially funded institutions ("state" schools in your parlance). Some programs at some schools are hard to get into (e.g. most everything at McGill, Kiniseology at UNB, etc.) Student-athletes have to earn (pass) 18 credit hours during the year in order to play the next season. They are permitted to go to summer school to pick up missing credits. However, if you are already on Academic Probation the Registrar might give you a "Dean's Holiday" (i.e. flunk you out) before you have a chance to repeat courses in the summer ...

With the growth of the value of the education packages from the CHL, the trend now is for hockey players to graduate in four years. Most of them have earned four years of scholarships from their Major Junior teams, so they want to make the most of that opportunity before heading off to play minor pro hockey in the States or in Europe. Many will take courses in the summer just to stay on track. The only two fifth-year players with UNB are both in five-year programs - Education.

Btw, there is one Engineering student playing for UNB. Matt Fillier is in his second year of Geodesy and Geomatics.

 

[Wicked Slappaahs]

Re: RPI 2010-11: Houston, We've had a Facelift!

Unfortunately I won't be making the trip. Canadian Thanksgiving is next weekend, and I'll be using time and money visiting family in Toronto.

All student-athletes in the CIS have to be full-time students, which at UNB means at least four courses per term (semester). The average non-athlete takes five courses per term. They have to be enrolled in a degree program after their first year. In the CIS you have five years eligibility, so some student-athletes stretch a four-year degree program over five years to ease the course load. You can't take one course in your last year just to play and use your last year of eligibility -- you have to be in a full-time degree program.

If you can get into school, you can play ... your first year. The bar isn't lowered for entering athletes. But don't forget, all CIS schools are provincially funded institutions ("state" schools in your parlance). Some programs at some schools are hard to get into (e.g. most everything at McGill, Kiniseology at UNB, etc.) Student-athletes have to earn (pass) 18 credit hours during the year in order to play the next season. They are permitted to go to summer school to pick up missing credits. However, if you are already on Academic Probation the Registrar might give you a "Dean's Holiday" (i.e. flunk you out) before you have a chance to repeat courses in the summer ...

With the growth of the value of the education packages from the CHL, the trend now is for hockey players to graduate in four years. Most of them have earned four years of scholarships from their Major Junior teams, so they want to make the most of that opportunity before heading off to play minor pro hockey in the States or in Europe. Many will take courses in the summer just to stay on track. The only two fifth-year players with UNB are both in five-year programs - Education.

Btw, there is one Engineering student playing for UNB. Matt Fillier is in his second year of Geodesy and Geomatics.

Very interesting. Thanks for the insight.

 

[FreddyFoyle]

Re: RPI 2010-11: Houston, We've had a Facelift!

Very interesting. Thanks for the insight.

I should add (brag?) that ten players from UNB's 2009-10 hockey team were named Academic All-Canadians this week, a team record. You need to have a 3.5 GPA (80% or better average) to be an All-Canadian.

 

[Wicked Slappaahs]

Re: RPI 2010-11: Houston, We've had a Facelift!

I should add (brag?) that ten players from UNB's 2009-10 hockey team were named Academic All-Canadians this week, a team record. You need to have a 3.5 GPA (80% or better average) to be an All-Canadian.

Brag away...we're fond of student athletes around here...we've got a few dozen of our own !

 

[fishcore12]

Re: RPI 2010-11: Houston, We've had a Facelift!

I should add (brag?) that ten players from UNB's 2009-10 hockey team were named Academic All-Canadians this week, a team record. You need to have a 3.5 GPA (80% or better average) to be an All-Canadian.

Nerds Just kidding. Like WS said brag away.

 

[DrDemento]

Re: RPI 2010-11: Houston, We've had a Facelift!

I just looked at my program for the 1984 Holiday Tourney. That was the 84-85 season, and Keenan was no longer coaching Toronto. As DrD said, Toronto gave RPI fits, outshooting the Oates-Carter-Servinis... team. The game was tied 2-2 until late in the second period.

Thanks for backing me up-I was going totally by memory. What I also remember about that game was the freaky weather-the temperature in Troy shot up to over 70 degrees in december. They had trouble keeping the ice frozen and the fog on the ice was horrible. The play was stopped several times and players just skated around to dissipate the fog. Toronto was a powerhouse but RPI had obviously its best team ever and just kept forcing the play especially in the third period. That game was a really good test for a team that was just beginning to know how good they really were.

 

[GoDanGo]

Re: RPI 2010-11: Houston, We've had a Facelift!

Maybe this would be a question better suited for the CC thread, but do we know the start time of next Friday's game for sure? RPI's site says 9 eastern, but both CC and collegehockeystats say 7:37 MT (9:37 in Troy).

I'm driving from western MA (no WRPI coverage) to northern NY (no WRPI coverage) that night, but I'm tempted to purposely leave late so that I'm driving through WRPI's broadcast coverage area while the game's on...

 

[burgie12]

Re: RPI 2010-11: Houston, We've had a Facelift!

Maybe this would be a question better suited for the CC thread, but do we know the start time of next Friday's game for sure? RPI's site says 9 eastern, but both CC and collegehockeystats say 7:37 MT (9:37 in Troy).

I'm driving from western MA (no WRPI coverage) to northern NY (no WRPI coverage) that night, but I'm tempted to purposely leave late so that I'm driving through WRPI's broadcast coverage area while the game's on...

Collegehockeystats.net says 7:37 on Friday and 7:07 on Saturday. Since CHS always shows in the home team's time zone, I'm going to go with 9:37 ET puck drop for Friday.

 

[fishcore12]

Re: RPI 2010-11: Houston, We've had a Facelift!

Collegehockeystats.net says 7:37 on Friday and 7:07 on Saturday. Since CHS always shows in the home team's time zone, I'm going to go with 9:37 ET puck drop for Friday.

Does the 7:37 and 7:07 starts mean a chance for these games to be on TV? I would assume Fox College Sports would have them if they were.

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: RPI 2010-11: Houston, We've had a Facelift!

Alls I know is that we'll have some fun late times on here. I remember being here at 1AM for the Alaska game. Halfway decent crowd.