RPI Hockey 2015 - 2016:: Six Flags Over the HFH

[engineerhockeyfan]

Re: RPI Hockey 2015 - 2016:: Six Flags Over the HFH

This is an impresssive list: Darren Puppa, Neil Little, Mike Tamburro, Joel Laing, Nathan Marsters (RIP), Jordan Alford, Mathis Lange, Cam Hackett, Jason Kasdorf....

Even the backups: Scott Prekaski, Tim Carvel, Kevin Kurk....

But for every Joel Laing that you get you get a Bryan Masotta to go with it.

I had the privilege to see all but Puppa in person. And my all time favorite was Joel Laing. The others are all good, and Kazzy and York were/are exceptional, but I will put Laing up against any of them.He was the best in my opinion.

 

[sk8tronthepond]

Re: RPI Hockey 2015 - 2016:: Six Flags Over the HFH

This is an impresssive list: Darren Puppa, Neil Little, Mike Tamburro, Joel Laing, Nathan Marsters (RIP), Jordan Alford, Mathis Lange, Cam Hackett, Jason Kasdorf....

Even the backups: Scott Prekaski, Tim Carvel, Kevin Kurk....

But for every Joel Laing that you get you get a Bryan Masotta to go with it.

I agree with every goalie you have listed here, with the exception of Alford. I thought he was just average at best.

 

[Red Cloud]

Re: RPI Hockey 2015 - 2016:: Six Flags Over the HFH

I agree with every goalie you have listed here, with the exception of Alford. I thought he was just average at best.

Yeah, I probably would have swapped Alford with York, although I think Alford was a bit short-changed with his inability to get into a groove. Seemed like all four years, whenever he had the chance to really step forward and be the top guy, he'd be out of the lineup shortly thereafter.

 

[DrDemento]

Re: RPI Hockey 2015 - 2016:: Six Flags Over the HFH

I had the privilege to see all but Puppa in person. And my all time favorite was Joel Laing. The others are all good, and Kazzy and York were/are exceptional, but I will put Laing up against any of them.He was the best in my opinion.

i go back only as far as Bill Sack (who for at least one year was just superb). I have seen just about every one since. We have truly been blessed with some extremely good ones and of course if you go only by results, Puppa and Laing are the stand outs. But watching each for pure control of the game in their own end, I stick by my pick of Kasdorf. He has not had the chance to put up the numbers of some of the others but from all that i have seen, he exhibits the most control over the game and play in his own end. Given a full 4 years I can only imagine what sort of number he could have put up.

 

[lugnut92]

Re: RPI Hockey 2015 - 2016:: Six Flags Over the HFH

You're all ignoring the pure talent that was Joe Harkenrider. I don't think anyone can compete with his GAA.

 

[jericho]

Re: RPI Hockey 2015 - 2016:: Six Flags Over the HFH

Yeah, I probably would have swapped Alford with York, although I think Alford was a bit short-changed with his inability to get into a groove. Seemed like all four years, whenever he had the chance to really step forward and be the top guy, he'd be out of the lineup shortly thereafter.

D'oh! I shouldn't post when I'm watching Survivor. Yes, Allan York needs to be on the list, I was trying to list every RPI goalie in my lifetime. And yes, I know that York is a glaring mistake, and I left one out on purpose.

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: RPI Hockey 2015 - 2016:: Six Flags Over the HFH

You're all ignoring the pure talent that was Joe Harkenrider. I don't think anyone can compete with his GAA.

Neubert was better.

 

[joecct]

Joe,

Did you get the E-Mail which I sent to you a couple of weeks ago?

No.

 

[ServinisScores]

Re: RPI Hockey 2015 - 2016:: Six Flags Over the HFH

Puppa, Laing, Kasdorf, York. Allen is one of the many who made a terrible decision when he left early.

Don't underestimate Puppa's big game capabilities. 1985 ECAC final he held the team together through some 5-3 shorthanded situations singlehandedly.

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: RPI Hockey 2015 - 2016:: Six Flags Over the HFH

No.

Interesting. I sent it to whatever address you have entered here at USCHO. Does that still work?


Edit: I just sent a similar message through the Clarkson board.

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: RPI Hockey 2015 - 2016:: Six Flags Over the HFH

Puppa, Laing, Kasdorf, York. Allen is one of the many who made a terrible decision when he left early.

Don't underestimate Puppa's big game capabilities. 1985 ECAC final he held the team together through some 5-3 shorthanded situations singlehandedly.

It isn't clear to me that Allen York made a terrible decision to leave early. He has had a pro career, granted mainly in the minors. I would have liked him to stay, of course, but there are others who made worse decisions in that regard.

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: RPI Hockey 2015 - 2016:: Six Flags Over the HFH

It isn't clear to me that Allen York made a terrible decision to leave early. He has had a pro career, granted mainly in the minors. I would have liked him to stay, of course, but there are others who made worse decisions in that regard.

He made it to the NHL in what would have been his senior year, and won games. Doesn't sound too terrible for him to me.

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: RPI Hockey 2015 - 2016:: Six Flags Over the HFH

He made it to the NHL in what would have been his senior year, and won games. Doesn't sound too terrible for him to me.

Just has frequent flyer miles must be worth a lot.

 

[jmhusker]

Re: RPI Hockey 2015 - 2016:: Six Flags Over the HFH

It isn't clear to me that Allen York made a terrible decision to leave early. He has had a pro career, granted mainly in the minors. I would have liked him to stay, of course, but there are others who made worse decisions in that regard.

IMO there have been 3 players in the history of RPI that left early and were justified in doing so: Puppa, Oates and Pirri. Given the way today's NHL works, unless you are a 1st round talent, it just makes no sense to leave early. Goalies don't always hit their prime until they are lates 20's and even in their 30's. So why rush? Skaters (F, D, C) seem to be given a limited window in which to show promise and perform. Knowing that, why wouldn't you wait until you are 22 or so and have a chance to start the clock ticking as a more mature adult - stronger, faster, etc? I realize that some guys signed entry level deals and get an immediate bonus but that money is typically not life changing (unless a skater is from an extremely poor family that needs help... not that common). And that same money will be there for players that stay on and mature.

Sure there is injury risk for staying... but unless you are a can't miss kid (Larkin and Eichel), it seems the degree is worth more than a one time 6 digit bonus.

There are other extenuating circumstances to think of that might justify it of course but I'm speaking only to those who leave for hockey career reasons.

 

[jericho]

Re: RPI Hockey 2015 - 2016:: Six Flags Over the HFH

IMO there have been 3 players in the history of RPI that left early and were justified in doing so: Puppa, Oates and Pirri. Given the way today's NHL works, unless you are a 1st round talent, it just makes no sense to leave early. Goalies don't always hit their prime until they are lates 20's and even in their 30's. So why rush? Skaters (F, D, C) seem to be given a limited window in which to show promise and perform. Knowing that, why wouldn't you wait until you are 22 or so and have a chance to start the clock ticking as a more mature adult - stronger, faster, etc? I realize that some guys signed entry level deals and get an immediate bonus but that money is typically not life changing (unless a skater is from an extremely poor family that needs help... not that common). And that same money will be there for players that stay on and mature.

Sure there is injury risk for staying... but unless you are a can't miss kid (Larkin and Eichel), it seems the degree is worth more than a one time 6 digit bonus.

There are other extenuating circumstances to think of that might justify it of course but I'm speaking only to those who leave for hockey career reasons.

I'd add Brad Tapper to the list. He was ready. Worked his way up from third in scoring to the team lead by the time he left, led the nation in shorthanded goals, in the top ten in other statistical categories. Had he stayed, he probably would have been a Hobey finalist. Losing him hurt RPI a lot, but I felt that he had the tools for the next level. He had a moderately successful career in the NHL and AHL, and we all weren't surprised when he left early.

 

[jmhusker]

Re: RPI Hockey 2015 - 2016:: Six Flags Over the HFH

I'd add Brad Tapper to the list. He was ready. Worked his way up from third in scoring to the team lead by the time he left, led the nation in shorthanded goals, in the top ten in other statistical categories. Had he stayed, he probably would have been a Hobey finalist. Losing him hurt RPI a lot, but I felt that he had the tools for the next level. He had a moderately successful career in the NHL and AHL, and we all weren't surprised when he left early.

I agree... make that 4. Too bad his career was side tracked by extenuating circumstances. He was ready.

 

[DrDemento]

Re: RPI Hockey 2015 - 2016:: Six Flags Over the HFH

I agree... make that 4. Too bad his career was side tracked by extenuating circumstances. He was ready.

JM: The deals offered to him (he was courted by 7 separate organizations) were just far too good to turn down. As you mentioned, staying that one extra year would not have garnered him any better offers than he got and if he got injured in that 4th year, well, it all disappears. He has done quite well in the hockey world with 3 separate cups with his name on them and a fairly good career in Europe. And his coaching career seems to be on the upswing. Could not happen to a nicer family. The boy i felt left to early around that time was Mark Cavosie. I am not familiar with the financials of that but it would have had to be substantial for me to make that jump. I suppose much of it also depends on the academics and how much a degree is worth to a boy. If the only reason you come to Troy is for hockey, then leaving is not such a difficult decision. But if you are also looking, as most boys should, at a career outside of hockey, then you need to get as close to reaching a degree as you can so if you do not make the grade in hockey, it is not a difficult thing to finish.

 

[lugnut92]

Re: RPI Hockey 2015 - 2016:: Six Flags Over the HFH

Is the break over yet? I want to see where our season goes!

 

[DrDemento]

Re: RPI Hockey 2015 - 2016:: Six Flags Over the HFH

It isn't clear to me that Allen York made a terrible decision to leave early. He has had a pro career, granted mainly in the minors. I would have liked him to stay, of course, but there are others who made worse decisions in that regard.

My thoughts are fairly simple about all the boys who leave. if they get any decent shot at the NHL, it was worth leaving as that is truly what you strive for. Leaving and floating in the lower minor leagues just makes very little sense to me unless you had absolutely no desire for an academic degree in the first place. The economic difference etween the levels of play become significant and that last step is a giant leap.

 

[DrDemento]

Re: RPI Hockey 2015 - 2016:: Six Flags Over the HFH

I'd add Brad Tapper to the list. He was ready. Worked his way up from third in scoring to the team lead by the time he left, led the nation in shorthanded goals, in the top ten in other statistical categories. Had he stayed, he probably would have been a Hobey finalist. Losing him hurt RPI a lot, but I felt that he had the tools for the next level. He had a moderately successful career in the NHL and AHL, and we all weren't surprised when he left early.

I was close to the situation and can tell you that it was not an easy decision but the money offered was just impossible to turn down. His NHL career was shortened by a catastrophic series of concussions which, after a prolonged recovery time, necessitated his playing in a much less physical style (hence the move over to Europe).