RPI 2025 Off-Season: HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[DavidNardolillo]

Wasn’t able to watch the game tonight. I just got back and didn’t even look up the score. I knew the presence or absence of this thread would tell me all I needed to know. Ralph is nothing if not fast and dependable.

As for Dave, we’ll know this week. If he makes it to the weekend he’s coming back. I expect an announcement by Tuesday.

RPI started the game well and deservedly took the lead on a nice goal by Tinling. Harvard goalie was sharp and made some nice saves to keep it there. Then the penalty kill and defensive issues resurfaced. It is really disappointing how easily RPI gets pulled out of position on the penalty kill to allow wide-open shots. Another goal was a simple failure to cover a wide open player on a centering pass. The 4th goal was a goaltending error—Geisbrecht was either wrong-footed or got caught in a rut and was really slow to slide over. Allowing 3 goals in 3 minutes in the second killed the game off.

I don’t have any inside knowledge on where Dave Smith stands. It doesn’t appear there will be many objections if the administration decides to go in a different direction.

 

[DavidNardolillo]

I've always felt that RPI could resurrect their program by trying to join Hockey East. They are a natural fit geographically even lesser out of the footprint than UVM or Maine, have the arena size and fanbase and history. The sense that they want to remain locked in with the ECAC and particularly the Ivies holds them back from going there. That supposed perceived prestige is detrimental to the program. Hockey East is a huge step up in play and has room for one more team and Holy Cross or Sacred Heart seem to be the most inspired to try to get there. Even Bentley and Stonehill may be options. Quinnipiac likes being the top dog in the ECAC and does not want to get involved. Maybe if RPI wants to invest in their program they should take a chance and consider this move.

Good points, but I am not sure how receptive Hockey East is to expansion and they seem to have some leverage with a twelfth slot and the number of teams that could slot in there.

 

[DavidNardolillo]

Agree with this and would add the fate of incoming recruits would also depend on a) the pace of hiring a new boss and b) who the new boss would be. If it's May 1st and we don't have a coach, then all bets are off....on many fronts.

I think recruits are automatically released from their end of the commitment if the coach leaves. The expansion of the player pool via the major junior ranks is gong to be a factor here, too. And combine that with the free transfer rules and you might see a new coach have the ability to dramatically turn over the roster.

 

[DavidNardolillo]

Lol what’s wrong Parker executive search didn’t blow you away last time? Instead of listening to alumni and fans etc… they hired these clowns to give them a list of coaches? Makes sense tho McElroy admitted he knows nothing about hockey that’s why he hired a firm that knows nothing about hockey.

The most important player in a search is the decision maker, and not the search firm. Don’t forget that one of the other finalists in the Parker search was Ben Barr.

RPI would get a lot of applicants if the position became open; there are only 60 or so Division I jobs. Unless the school is going to be open to a complete unknown from outside the college or pro ranks, a search firm is just going to be conducting research and various background checks.

 

[DavidNardolillo]

Well this is it I believe the future of RPI hockey as a D1 program hangs in the balance. Make no mistake the currant AD inherited this dumpster fire Lee McElroy ruined this program and I have no idea what's taken place behind the scenes but the outward inaction has been disappointing to say the least if She decides to make a change and let's the Parker Executive Search Group within 1000mi of the fieldhouse its over so I guess we can keep our fingers crossed and hope to God she has the chops to get this done I have my doubts but I will gladly be wrong.

I’m not sure how much autonomy the AD has at a place like RPI. The president may have to sign off on personnel changes, and the board of trustees might need to be involved as well.

I think we’d all like to hear more from the athletic department about hockey in general, the marketing of the program has gotten weaker in recent years, and many fans don’t get to hear basic information about players on the team. But I am not surprised that some of the bigger ticket issues—coach status, HFH renovation/new arena—don’t get much comment from the school or the AD. The only public comments about the coach should come with concrete announcements of action, and the investment needed for HFH likely has a variety of moving parts outside of the AD’s job.

 

[Ralph Baer]

Does anyone know what Will Gilson's status is? CHN says that he was a senior https://www.collegehockeynews.com/reports/roster/Rensselaer/48 although he has only played three years. while USCHO says he was a junior https://www.uscho.com/stats/roster/rensselaer/mens-hockey/2024-2025/. He indeed stated in college in 22-23 https://www.eliteprospects.com/player/424457/will-gilson, but 21-22 could have used up a year of eligibility.

 

[Ralph Baer]

I’m not sure how much autonomy the AD has at a place like RPI. The president may have to sign off on personnel changes, and the board of trustees might need to be involved as well.

I think we’d all like to hear more from the athletic department about hockey in general, the marketing of the program has gotten weaker in recent years, and many fans don’t get to hear basic information about players on the team. But I am not surprised that some of the bigger ticket issues—coach status, HFH renovation/new arena—don’t get much comment from the school or the AD. The only public comments about the coach should come with concrete announcements of action, and the investment needed for HFH likely has a variety of moving parts outside of the AD’s job.

And a lot of parts of the HFH aren't moving correctly.

 

[AspyDad]

The most important player in a search is the decision maker, and not the search firm. Don’t forget that one of the other finalists in the Parker search was Ben Barr.

RPI would get a lot of applicants if the position became open; there are only 60 or so Division I jobs. Unless the school is going to be open to a complete unknown from outside the college or pro ranks, a search firm is just going to be conducting research and various background checks.

This is true about decision maker but Parker did a poor job. Ed Gosek from Oswego State was a candidate that they proffered which was ridiculous. No offense to Ed but he never recruited on D 1 level.

 

[troyboy]

This is true about decision maker but Parker did a poor job. Ed Gosek from Oswego State was a candidate that9 they proffered which was ridiculous. No offense to Ed but he never recruited on

100% Agree

 

[troyboy]

Make no mistake we are where were at because of Lee McElroy and the Parker Search Group and anyone who thinks different is either talking to hear themselves talk or dillusional. We need to eat this 800lb Gorilla 1 bite @a time and we are not going to get anyone to commit to this program especially $$$ until they know whom there investing in so let get a hockey alumni advisory board assembled and find ourselves Coach/Leader to rebuild this program these Alumni are in the hockey community they know who's out there who the family advisors respect who can judge talent etc. We just have to ask them that's what we didn't do last time,do we honestly think Parker has a better sense of what's good for RPI hockey than our ex players ? Not to mention a free chicken dinner to anyone who can name 1 successful D1 hockey coach before or now that Parker recruited. Of course this is all moot if the AD decides to ride out another year and no one should be surprised if that's the case because every day that go's by the further behind the 8 ball we get !

 

[Engineers]

The most important player in a search is the decision maker, and not the search firm. Don’t forget that one of the other finalists in the Parker search was Ben Barr.

RPI would get a lot of applicants if the position became open; there are only 60 or so Division I jobs. Unless the school is going to be open to a complete unknown from outside the college or pro ranks, a search firm is just going to be conducting research and various background checks.

The search firm was a complete waste of money. Ben Barr at that time was next in line for a head coaching job everyone knew that? He’s arguably the best recruiter in the country. Why would you need to spend 200k for Parker to state the obvious? Ed gosek and Dave smith made we’re finalists. That’s not good lol

 

[DavidNardolillo]

This is true about decision maker but Parker did a poor job. Ed Gosek from Oswego State was a candidate that they proffered which was ridiculous. No offense to Ed but he never recruited on D 1 level.

My only point is that Parker put forward Barr, the candidate that many wanted. McElroy/Jackson decided to go in a different direction. If Barr was hired, we wouldn’t really care about Parker.

 

[DavidNardolillo]

The search firm was a complete waste of money. Ben Barr at that time was next in line for a head coaching job everyone knew that? He’s arguably the best recruiter in the country. Why would you need to spend 200k for Parker to state the obvious? Ed gosek and Dave smith made we’re finalists. That’s not good lol

The interesting thing was that Barr didn’t get a head job for another 4 years after this happened. It was reported that he was a finalist at UVM. It all worked out in the end for Barr, and Maine profited from the oversights of others. Lucky for Maine that Ken Ralph was the AD there.

Agree with you that search firms are generally a waste of money for athletics searches, where the most desirable candidates are already visible

 

[troyboy]

My only point is that Parker put forward Barr, the candidate that many wanted. McElroy/Jackson decided to go in a different direction. If Barr was hired, we wouldn’t really care about Parker.

Not 100% sure Barr was on the Parker list my understanding is Barr independently applied for the job but not sure on that sometimes I remember what I want to remember.

 

[tony/troy]

Make no mistake we are where were at because of Lee McElroy and the Parker Search Group and anyone who thinks different is either talking to hear themselves talk or dillusional. We need to eat this 800lb Gorilla 1 bite @a time and we are not going to get anyone to commit to this program especially $$$ until they know whom there investing in so let get a hockey alumni advisory board assembled and find ourselves Coach/Leader to rebuild this program these Alumni are in the hockey community they know who's out there who the family advisors respect who can judge talent etc. We just have to ask them that's what we didn't do last time,do we honestly think Parker has a better sense of what's good for RPI hockey than our ex players ? Not to mention a free chicken dinner to anyone who can name 1 successful D1 hockey coach before or now that Parker recruited. Of course this is all moot if the AD decides to ride out another year and no one should be surprised if that's the case because every day that go's by the further behind the 8 ball we get !

The interesting thing was that Barr didn’t get a head job for another 4 years after this happened. It was reported that he was a finalist at UVM. It all worked out in the end for Barr, and Maine profited from the oversights of others. Lucky for Maine that Ken Ralph was the AD there.

Agree with you that search firms are generally a waste of money for athletics searches, where the most desirable candidates are already visible

Totally agree we are where we are because of handpicked puppets and search firms that are indeed not only a waste of money for just about anything but also a waste of time.

Always thought search firms served about the same general purpose as Starbucks, only a lot more expensive. That particular purpose was defined best by one Tom Hanks in You Got Mail. It applies just as much here. It goes as follows:

"The whole purpose of places like Starbucks is for people with no decision-making ability whatsoever to make six decisions just to buy one cup of coffee. Short, tall, light, dark, caf, decaf, low-fat, non-fat, etc. So people who don’t know what the hell they’re doing or who on earth they are can, for only $2.95, get not just a cup of coffee but an absolutely defining sense of self.”

The other two decisions, or the etc,' must have been cappuccino or espresso. Regardless, it must be a whole lot more than $2.95 these days.

 

[MikeMidd]

I've always felt that RPI could resurrect their program by trying to join Hockey East. They are a natural fit geographically even lesser out of the footprint than UVM or Maine, have the arena size and fanbase and history. The sense that they want to remain locked in with the ECAC and particularly the Ivies holds them back from going there. That supposed perceived prestige is detrimental to the program. Hockey East is a huge step up in play and has room for one more team and Holy Cross or Sacred Heart seem to be the most inspired to try to get there. Even Bentley and Stonehill may be options. Quinnipiac likes being the top dog in the ECAC and does not want to get involved. Maybe if RPI wants to invest in their program they should take a chance and consider this move.

Others may disagree, but I think moving to Hockey East would make things worse not better.

RPI's academic expectations are much more in line with the ECAC universities than Hockey East ones. Beyond the perceived prestige, it arguably means recruiting is on a more even playing field - lower name recognition for RPI compared to the Ivies, different type of student, but more reasonable that competing against schools with a very different academic and admissions profile.

And I struggle to see a move to Hockey East leading to an upgrade in program resources or revenue, given where we are now. I don't think you could be competitive without it - but I'm not convinced it would suddenly drive greater fundraising or that the school is itching to put more money into the program as it stands.

As a first step, would be great to just address the head coach position and get back to being competitive in the ECAC.

 

[DavidNardolillo]

Not 100% sure Barr was on the Parker list my understanding is Barr independently applied for the job but not sure on that sometimes I remember what I want to remember.

Insane if true.

 

[Wicked Slappaahs]

I've always felt that RPI could resurrect their program by trying to join Hockey East. They are a natural fit geographically even lesser out of the footprint than UVM or Maine, have the arena size and fanbase and history. The sense that they want to remain locked in with the ECAC and particularly the Ivies holds them back from going there. That supposed perceived prestige is detrimental to the program. Hockey East is a huge step up in play and has room for one more team and Holy Cross or Sacred Heart seem to be the most inspired to try to get there. Even Bentley and Stonehill may be options. Quinnipiac likes being the top dog in the ECAC and does not want to get involved. Maybe if RPI wants to invest in their program they should take a chance and consider this move.

A guy named Mike Addesa had this very strong sentiment 35 + years ago and pleaded for the move. Being a Boston guy, he knew full well what it would do for recruiting and the program as whole. The gowns wanted NO part of it.

 

[Wicked Slappaahs]

Just throwing this out there for discussion purposes only. What about Peter MacArthur with the Adirondack Thunder? Played at BU, so the connection with Dr. Bowers is there, and bonus, he’s from the area so presumably he knows what recruiting to it would be like. Would being a HC at a DI college team like RPI be a step up from the ECHL though?

Absolutely should be on the list. For those outside the area, MacArthur's AC is a guy named Mike Bergin. I listen to him every week on his radio spot with Wyland....he is a hockey through...and his passion for teaching the game is evident.

 

[Wicked Slappaahs]

Lang is a solid choice. You’re probably right with Kirk but if he takes the interview I think we have a good shot. Bill riga would be another one. He’s built holy cross into a very good team. Idk I certainly hope we hear some of these names and others.

I believe Riga was on the short list of candidate's during RPI's last search.