RPI 2025 Off-Season: Help Is On the Way

[sezenack]

Elias isn't coming either btw. Don't know where he's headed or other details beyond that though

 

[Ralph Baer]

Elias isn't coming either btw. Don't know where he's headed or other details beyond that though

The message about Henneberry going to MC stated that they were still looking for a D-man, so it could be there also.

 

[Engineers]

Elias isn't coming either btw. Don't know where he's headed or other details beyond that though

Is lang done with the roster then? Or will he look for another forward and dman?

 

[Wicked Slappaahs]

Now that we lost Henneberry, maybe Merrimack (or some other team) is looking to add Elias. Perhaps that’s why the roster was taken off the website.

Not saying he wasn't worth anything, just not worth the amount Merrimack gave him. He's a good player

Completely subjective. In their minds he was worth the investment, whatever the amount was or wasn't. So, if RPI had given him the same supposed amount, you'd object as well ?

 

[sezenack]

Completely subjective. In their minds he was worth the investment, whatever the amount was or wasn't. So, if RPI had given him the same supposed amount, you'd object as well ?

Totally fair to say this. I would object to the amount for sure and say that it is not optimal to give him that when it's more than some of the top OHL recruits got, such as Pano Fimis. If we did have NIL, my guess is it would not be much, and we would have to use it as efficiently as possible. Likely he got it due to some level of desperation from Merrimack like someone alluded to before. Ultimately, they decided he was worth it and the options are much more limited at this time of year. I don't think it'll work out for them, and they'll probably continue to be a bottom hockey east team. But as I said before, good for him; while it's extremely annoying to lose him, I can't really blame him for it. Unlike what I felt with Fontaine and McDonald haha

 

[rpi82]

Completely subjective. In their minds he was worth the investment, whatever the amount was or wasn't. So, if RPI had given him the same supposed amount, you'd object as well ?

Since RPI didn't opt in (not even sure D3 schools had that option), all NIL would have to come from non-school sources. In other words, "if RPI had given him..." was not even an option. Do we even have an external NIL collective? My guess is no and I doubt Matt Murley wants to spend his life as a permanent fundraiser chasing an annual team payroll. Frankly, if that's the case I'm not disappointed. We offer an RPI education. We are not going to compete by outbidding schools for players. The entire system is irrational when you have schools like Merrimack, that have ADs that are already major money sinks sharing "revenue" (certainly not the losses) because a system built for Alabama's FB team or Duke's basketball team will be used by some in hockey. The Merrimacks of the world, and even some of the big schools, are going to find that unsustainable.

If Merrimack wants to pay money that they undoubtedly need for academic and student programs to semi-professional players just so they can fight for 8th or 9th in HE good luck to them (translated by my Schadenfreudian streak as really saying, "screw Merrimack"). I looked at their government stats and more than 20% of their first year students are taking out an average of $25K in private loans (for most that's on top of about $5K in federal loans that the vast majority of students are taking annually). That's pushing kids to have well over $100K in debt at graduation for an education that may or may not get them a decent job (the last Merrimack grad I met was working as an entry level employee of our local Enterprise Rent-a-Car branch) but almost universally doesn't come close to justifying that kind of debt. That's if they graduate at all, since only about 70% do and I'll bet the deeply in debt are at greatest risk. Frankly, I see that entire process as almost criminal. An ethical school, particularly a faith-based one, should be counseling kids to pursue educational alternatives before taking on so much debt. Instead, they are taking advantage of the naivety and lack of financial knowledge of 18 year olds to keep their education business going.

BTW, If someone asks re: RPI's stats the equivalent is about 9% drawing that level of debt. Frankly, I'm not proud of that either but at least RPI graduates make significantly more and the graduation rates are higher (about 85%).

 

[Ralph Baer]

Today is 25 July 2025. There are 72 days until RPI's next game.


This is based upon 5 October 2025 for the start of next season.

 

[Wicked Slappaahs]

Since RPI didn't opt in (not even sure D3 schools had that option), all NIL would have to come from non-school sources. In other words, "if RPI had given him..." was not even an option. Do we even have an external NIL collective? My guess is no and I doubt Matt Murley wants to spend his life as a permanent fundraiser chasing an annual team payroll. Frankly, if that's the case I'm not disappointed. We offer an RPI education. We are not going to compete by outbidding schools for players. The entire system is irrational when you have schools like Merrimack, that have ADs that are already major money sinks sharing "revenue" (certainly not the losses) because a system built for Alabama's FB team or Duke's basketball team will be used by some in hockey. The Merrimacks of the world, and even some of the big schools, are going to find that unsustainable.

If Merrimack wants to pay money that they undoubtedly need for academic and student programs to semi-professional players just so they can fight for 8th or 9th in HE good luck to them (translated by my Schadenfreudian streak as really saying, "screw Merrimack"). I looked at their government stats and more than 20% of their first year students are taking out an average of $25K in private loans (for most that's on top of about $5K in federal loans that the vast majority of students are taking annually). That's pushing kids to have well over $100K in debt at graduation for an education that may or may not get them a decent job (the last Merrimack grad I met was working as an entry level employee of our local Enterprise Rent-a-Car branch) but almost universally doesn't come close to justifying that kind of debt. That's if they graduate at all, since only about 70% do and I'll bet the deeply in debt are at greatest risk. Frankly, I see that entire process as almost criminal. An ethical school, particularly a faith-based one, should be counseling kids to pursue educational alternatives before taking on so much debt. Instead, they are taking advantage of the naivety and lack of financial knowledge of 18 year olds to keep their education business going.

BTW, If someone asks re: RPI's stats the equivalent is about 9% drawing that level of debt. Frankly, I'm not proud of that either but at least RPI graduates make significantly more and the graduation rates are higher (about 85%).

It was a hypothetical in our discussion of a players perceived worth or value. I am aware of RPI's current NIL situation or lack thereof.

 

[CornellFan13]

Can someone please put a more concrete number to these rumors? How much NIL are we talking about here? I echo others' skepticism that Merrimack has much of anything to offer.

 

[DavidNardolillo]

I would think I guy like Matt Murley would be an excellent "GM" for the hockey NIL effort. My two cents.

Don't disagree, but he's probably going to have to drop his relationship with DraftKings to take on a role like that.

 

[ServinisScores]

Have you

One really must wonder how little money these guys are letting guide their future. Unless Merrimack, a small school without a deep endowment that's trying to run a full D1 athletic department on D3 level fan support, has a particularly wealthy hockey sugar daddy, how NIL much could they offer the kid? They are undoubtedly desperate as their "offense" last season made ours look robust. Their top goal scorer had 9 (incredibly with 0 assists) and then decided to transfer. Maybe they successfully scrambled to find Henneberry some last minute money as I believe they opted in to the House settlement. We'll see if it was worth it. In any case, I have a few players every year that I have a schadenfreudian rooting interest against. He may be a candidate.

been to a Merrimack game lately? It’s a minimum 5x more entertaining than anything going on at the HFH. And they get good crowds too.

 

[rpi82]

Have you

been to a Merrimack game lately? It’s a minimum 5x more entertaining than anything going on at the HFH. And they get good crowds too.

The last time I was there was for a Northeastern game a season or two prior to the pandemic. Perhaps my view was based on only having a mild rooting interest (my Dad and one of my kids are Husky alums), but I wasn’t impressed that they didn’t fill their small rink for a local opponent that I seem to remember was ranked at the time. Prior to that I hadn’t been there for several decades when I saw them play our boys. If you say it’s become a great game experience I’ll believe you, but I can virtually guarantee that my referring to their AD as a money sink is still true. Paying players in that scenario just makes questionable economics worse.

 

[Wicked Slappaahs]

Have you

been to a Merrimack game lately? It’s a minimum 5x more entertaining than anything going on at the HFH. And they get good crowds too.

Exactly!

 

[Wicked Slappaahs]

The last time I was there was for a Northeastern game a season or two prior to the pandemic. Perhaps my view was based on only having a mild rooting interest (my Dad and one of my kids are Husky alums), but I wasn’t impressed that they didn’t fill their small rink for a local opponent that I seem to remember was ranked at the time. Prior to that I hadn’t been there for several decades when I saw them play our boys. If you say it’s become a great game experience I’ll believe you, but I can virtually guarantee that my referring to their AD as a money sink is still true. Paying players in that scenario just makes questionable economics worse.

Again, it's about perspective and opinion. What you're alluding to is Mack hiring TCU 's Joe Foley. If you read his CV, his experience is exactly what you'd be looking for if
a) you were bringing an athletic department fully into D1 and b) living in a world where NIL became a reality. Also, he's a Mass. native so he understands the region, history and sports landscape.

"As TCU Athletics' chief development officer, Foley oversaw all aspects of major giving, annual giving, stewardship, alumni relations and marketing programs through the Frog Club."

Seems to me this exactly the person you'd hire for the role. I can think of at least one school located in the capital region who could use someone with his background, as they are lacking in ALL of those categories.

 

[ServinisScores]

Ok

The last time I was there was for a Northeastern game a season or two prior to the pandemic. Perhaps my view was based on only having a mild rooting interest (my Dad and one of my kids are Husky alums), but I wasn’t impressed that they didn’t fill their small rink for a local opponent that I seem to remember was ranked at the time. Prior to that I hadn’t been there for several decades when I saw them play our boys. If you say it’s become a great game experience I’ll believe you, but I can virtually guarantee that my referring to their AD as a money sink is still true. Paying players in that scenario just makes questionable economics worse.

i guess that’s what I’ve tried to opine earlier, just not nearly as effective as you. It’s a money sink, sure, but for a player exiting the Q, Merrimack can offer a better game experience, better league, better exposure, and better environment (as a native Trojan, this hurts, especially since Merrimack is not a great campus).

And for those players who put education first, RPI can’t equate to the Ivies. Again, hate to say it, but it’s true. RPI’s standing has dropped in the real world.

The deck is stacked against the Institute, I think they are trying to reclaim their identity, but as the only D1 sport in today’s environment, they are looking a little like a unicorn, in a space where the unique characteristics are not in RPI’s favor.

 

[rpi82]

Again, it's about perspective and opinion. What you're alluding to is Mack hiring TCU 's Joe Foley. If you read his CV, his experience is exactly what you'd be looking for if
a) you were bringing an athletic department fully into D1 and b) living in a world where NIL became a reality. Also, he's a Mass. native so he understands the region, history and sports landscape.

"As TCU Athletics' chief development officer, Foley oversaw all aspects of major giving, annual giving, stewardship, alumni relations and marketing programs through the Frog Club."

Seems to me this exactly the person you'd hire for the role. I can think of at least one school located in the capital region who could use someone with his background, as they are lacking in ALL of those categories.

Actually when I referred to AD I meant Athletic Department, not Athletic Director. But I would agree with you that we need someone with strong fund raising skills in order to even maintain our program and facilities.

 

[Engineers]

Have you

been to a Merrimack game lately? It’s a minimum 5x more entertaining than anything going on at the HFH. And they get good crowds too.

I’m sure it is. That’s what happens when we’re coming off 8 years of the absolute worst coach in RPI history. Lang is the right man for the job. Lawler is a glorified community rink.