well said
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RPI 2025 Off-Season: HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Thread starter Ralph Baer
- Start date
ServinisScores
I'm an Implant Engineer
I could have sworn I heard Bucci say they are getting a $600M arena? Is that right? Even if it’s $60M, pretty impressive!
Ralph Baer
Let's Go 'Tute!
They do have 8 NHL draft choices. https://www.collegehockeynews.com/reports/roster/Western-Michigan/57
Sparkee
Blackbear
This article says $300 million. https://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazo...ena-up-for-approval-by-city-of-kalamazoo.html
Wicked Slappaahs
I miss Tie Domi
I heard that as well. The quick search I did showed results for a $300M facility for hoop and hockey. Site work is underway...but they apparently don't yet have final approval for the building according to the article.
Drone photos show $300M arena site progress as construction creeps closer in Kalamazoo
See what the Kalamazoo Event Center site looks like right now from a bird's-eye view.
www.mlive.com
Renderings of Athletics Performance Center and Kalamazoo Events Center Released - Western Michigan University Athletics
KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Renderings of the future home of the Western Michigan Men's & Women's Basketball programs and the WMU Hockey program, the Athletics Performance
wmubroncos.com
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I agree with your conclusion, but where did you hear that WMU has zero NIL? They have an NIL collective and hockey is their most successful sport so it’s hard to believe nothing goes to the team. If nothing else, you can purchase a national championship NIL t-shirt via the link below.
NIL does not have a massive influence in hockey at this point (hence why I agree that an RPI can still be competitive), but it will be interesting to see what happens in the future under the soon to be implemented NIL settlement. Big schools can share up to $20M in revenue per year. Most P4 schools will spend all but a tiny piece of that on FB and BB. But I could see a Minnesota or BC deciding they aren’t going to win in those sports anyway, so why not toss $1M or even more at winning a hockey championship. People like the Pegulas could also put in external NIL money on top of the school’s $ sharing.
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Ralph Baer
Let's Go 'Tute!
Today is 14 April 2025. There are 173 days until RPI's next game.
This is based upon 4 October 2025 for the start of next season.
This is based upon 4 October 2025 for the start of next season.
tanman
New member
I hope possibly being a "factor in the ECAC" is the bare minimum we're shooting for here!
Wicked Slappaahs
I miss Tie Domi
Work will prevent me from attending the 2PM/5PM events today. Hope folks here can report back with what they heard. Thank
Ralph Baer
Let's Go 'Tute!
rvd5star69
hockey
7 goalsGood news. I found this article that talks about him and what Lang thinks about his skills.
AIC Freshman Alfred Lindberg Using Offense To Earn Bigger Role - FloHockey
While the American International Yellow Jackets have missed out on some standings points, Alfred Lindberg is beginning to find some points of his own.www.flohockey.tv
Well, we’ve now lost our top 4 scorers, but, on the other hand, I think they were also our top 4 in penalty minutes (nearly 50% of our total). We are going to have to be a much more disciplined team in every respect while building up the talent level. That is the crawl aspect of the crawl, walk and run plan Coach Lang laid out. There weren’t many returning players in the front row so he will definitely have the freedom to build his own roster. It will take some time, however. Best wishes Coach.
tanman
New member
The presser was pretty good! I was hoping there would be some televised Q&A from the press after the speeches but they just had breakout sessions and ended the live feed. Coach Lang had some pretty encouraging things to say about his expectations for being able to win and support from the administration, which is the main thing I was listening for. It's great that he can do a lot with less, I'd love to see what he can do with more.
Ralph Baer
Let's Go 'Tute!
5 pictures on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/p/DIb_hQMOJYH/?img_index=1
Good press conference, though also wish there had been a televised Q&A to hear more off-the-cuff comments from Lang and the administration.
Semi-paraphrased notes from Lang's remarks below for those who couldn’t join and don’t want to watch the live stream here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuUwVA6iNAs
Pressure is a privilege, that’s good because it means things are expected of you.
Understand significance of hockey on this campus and understand the assignment.
Pillar of family is important, both Lang’s own family, and the wider RPI family of administration, players, students, alumni, local fans moving forward together.
You have to believe a program is set up for success. What does the university support, what are the academics, the resources, and can you win. That starts at the top, with Marty and Kristie’s leadership, and this is a championship-caliber administration.
On academics and resources, this is one of best degrees in the world, and in our business that’s a blessing. Combine that with the Field House, the resources, the best fans in college hockey, amazing alumni and tradition. So, when getting back to [question of] can you win? Believe RPI is a sleeping giant.
Priority is to create a culture of commitment on and off the ice. Of collaboration, moving forward as “we” and “us”. Significant lift ahead, all hands-on deck. And a culture of community, give back to Troy-Albany area.
In terms of hockey, want to have physically tough hockey team. And need to be a mentally tough hockey team. Never let ‘em [opponents] know you’re tired, frustrated, hurt. Need to be the best we can at things that require zero talent. Discipline, how we change, second and third effort. And create a fun environment, not loose but fun, so we can play best hockey late when games mean the most.
To alumni, you are the shareholders of this program and you will be treated as such. Looking forward to creating lasting relationships and learning more about the great history at RPI. We will play hard and make you proud.
To our great fans, so lucky to have best, most loyal, knowledgeable fan base in all of college hockey. Need to be better at home and give you something to cheer about. Make sure the Houston Field House is the best home ice advantage in the ECAC.
To our student athletes, no blurred lines here – expect to win.
Nine years ago, I inherited program with similar situation. 11 last place finishes, 15 straight losing seasons, but able to build a top notch program with a simple blueprint of bringing in great people, coaching to highest standard, holding accountable to that standard, coach them with love.
We will be in a crawl-walk-run phase of RPI hockey but can think big, dream big, and take small steps.
Of note from Schmidt and Bowers, they talked about:
Notable are Lang's character, competitiveness, and pride in the product he puts on the ice and how his players show up in the community. Believe he brings the the competitive excellence and experience that will bring RPI to the top of the ECAC. Understands the tradition of RPI hockey, the two national titles, the legendary names [some of whom were there - would love to know who!], and the role of Troy in making the program what it is. Learned it's how he leads, cares deeply about players, building a team starts with building trust, discipline and respect. He already has student athletes buzzing about next season. Joining a community that will show up and make the Field House a great environment, with a full Houston Field House and fans bragging about RPI hockey. Cannot wait to see him elevate RPI hockey to the next level in ECAC hockey.
So now what? Well, certainly the talk was of ambition, culture, respect for the hockey community, engagement with alums, and more. Think that's all spot-on and hopefully creates a sense of optimism for everyone.
Lang also recognizes that there's a challenge ahead, that we are rebuilding something and that it won't happen overnight. I actually find that somewhat reassuring - this won't be solved in one recruiting class, one wave of CHL recruits, one season. It'll take time to do it properly, to the standard that RPI holds for itself.
They clearly believe they've found the best person and best coach to get the program moving upward. Let's go Red.
Semi-paraphrased notes from Lang's remarks below for those who couldn’t join and don’t want to watch the live stream here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuUwVA6iNAs
Pressure is a privilege, that’s good because it means things are expected of you.
Understand significance of hockey on this campus and understand the assignment.
Pillar of family is important, both Lang’s own family, and the wider RPI family of administration, players, students, alumni, local fans moving forward together.
You have to believe a program is set up for success. What does the university support, what are the academics, the resources, and can you win. That starts at the top, with Marty and Kristie’s leadership, and this is a championship-caliber administration.
On academics and resources, this is one of best degrees in the world, and in our business that’s a blessing. Combine that with the Field House, the resources, the best fans in college hockey, amazing alumni and tradition. So, when getting back to [question of] can you win? Believe RPI is a sleeping giant.
Priority is to create a culture of commitment on and off the ice. Of collaboration, moving forward as “we” and “us”. Significant lift ahead, all hands-on deck. And a culture of community, give back to Troy-Albany area.
In terms of hockey, want to have physically tough hockey team. And need to be a mentally tough hockey team. Never let ‘em [opponents] know you’re tired, frustrated, hurt. Need to be the best we can at things that require zero talent. Discipline, how we change, second and third effort. And create a fun environment, not loose but fun, so we can play best hockey late when games mean the most.
To alumni, you are the shareholders of this program and you will be treated as such. Looking forward to creating lasting relationships and learning more about the great history at RPI. We will play hard and make you proud.
To our great fans, so lucky to have best, most loyal, knowledgeable fan base in all of college hockey. Need to be better at home and give you something to cheer about. Make sure the Houston Field House is the best home ice advantage in the ECAC.
To our student athletes, no blurred lines here – expect to win.
Nine years ago, I inherited program with similar situation. 11 last place finishes, 15 straight losing seasons, but able to build a top notch program with a simple blueprint of bringing in great people, coaching to highest standard, holding accountable to that standard, coach them with love.
We will be in a crawl-walk-run phase of RPI hockey but can think big, dream big, and take small steps.
Of note from Schmidt and Bowers, they talked about:
Notable are Lang's character, competitiveness, and pride in the product he puts on the ice and how his players show up in the community. Believe he brings the the competitive excellence and experience that will bring RPI to the top of the ECAC. Understands the tradition of RPI hockey, the two national titles, the legendary names [some of whom were there - would love to know who!], and the role of Troy in making the program what it is. Learned it's how he leads, cares deeply about players, building a team starts with building trust, discipline and respect. He already has student athletes buzzing about next season. Joining a community that will show up and make the Field House a great environment, with a full Houston Field House and fans bragging about RPI hockey. Cannot wait to see him elevate RPI hockey to the next level in ECAC hockey.
So now what? Well, certainly the talk was of ambition, culture, respect for the hockey community, engagement with alums, and more. Think that's all spot-on and hopefully creates a sense of optimism for everyone.
Lang also recognizes that there's a challenge ahead, that we are rebuilding something and that it won't happen overnight. I actually find that somewhat reassuring - this won't be solved in one recruiting class, one wave of CHL recruits, one season. It'll take time to do it properly, to the standard that RPI holds for itself.
They clearly believe they've found the best person and best coach to get the program moving upward. Let's go Red.
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I can`t make the Q & A tonight but if someone gets a chance to ask the following questions I wouId be very grateful. Are the recruits that Smith has lined up still coming and is RPI going to participate in the New NCAA revenue sharing and go up to a full 26 scholarship and if not this coming year but perhaps a little down the road.TYIA
Excellent points on caron and Hotson being double edged swords with scoring goals and then taking penalties that nulified them. I think Hotson will thrive if he gets a good set up man as a center. Caron always struck me as a little lazy five on five He was a power play threat with a wicked shot from where Ovie made his money.I think his overall game and work ethic will need improvement to be an impact player at OSU.