RPI Hockey 2018 - 2019 Part II: We're Just Gonna Complain, Don't Bother Reading

[jmhusker]

Re: RPI Hockey 2018 - 2019 Part II: We're Just Gonna Complain, Don't Bother Reading

I am neither for or against this administration. I did not attend RPI, but my two kids did and both are doing quite well. So I have high regard for the Institute. They both had a great experience at RPI and that was in part do to the professors and in my daughter's
case, the diving coach. I am not sure what affect the administration had on their experience.
I'm just tired of hearing you gripe about Shirley. (Even if it is justified).

Well said. I must say that anytime I speak to a parent with a kid there now I hear all positives. So... some of this discontent does seem disconnected to me ... from 200 miles away.

 

[engineerhockeyfan]

Re: RPI Hockey 2018 - 2019 Part II: We're Just Gonna Complain, Don't Bother Reading

With all due respect, Mike McMahon's tweet talked about how a school's admin commitment is important to having a winning hockey program. That's very topical and prescient.Hope all is well!

All is well thank you, and I hope you are well also.
While I respect his opinion on the schools commitment to hockey, I would like to know what he is talking about. What would he like the administration to do?
Do they not provide scholarships for the hockey teams. Have they not upgraded parts of HFH? Have they gotten in the way of recruiting?
It seems to me, that we just have not had very good coaching or recruiting for that matter.
In 1993 when I started following RPI hockey, they were ranked 5th in the nation going into the season. They underachieved that year.
In 94/95, they were ECAC champs, playing with Buddy Powers players under Fridgen.
Fridgen continued to have really good teams for the remainder of the 90s and early 2000s. And he got nowhere with them. Seth came in with high hopes and what seemed like a good system. He had one great recruiting class and one good year.
Up to now, we have had nothing but underachieving coaches.
You can blame anyone you want, but the blame goes to the leadership in the locker room.
I am encouraged by what I see Smith doing, but if he can't recruit a scorer or two, we will continue at the bottom of the ECAC, and that is not on the schools administration. JMO

 

[sk8tronthepond]

Re: RPI Hockey 2018 - 2019 Part II: We're Just Gonna Complain, Don't Bother Reading

In 1993 when I started following RPI hockey, they were ranked 5th in the nation going into the season. They underachieved that year.
In 94/95, they were ECAC champs, playing with Buddy Powers players under Fridgen.
Fridgen continued to have really good teams for the remainder of the 90s and early 2000s. And he got nowhere with them.Seth came in with high hopes and what seemed like a good system. He had one great recruiting class and one good year.

If I'm not mistaken, Fridgen recruited Buddy's players, similar to Bennett winning with his players after replacing Leaman. For the amount of financial support received, up until Appert, the coaches did a tremendous job with what they had to work with ... Addesa most notably. The recruiting parameters changed when the almighty Shirley entered the picture. By the way, seems like you like her ... and you may be on your own Island in that regard. So you want to blame coaches and recruiting???

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: RPI Hockey 2018 - 2019 Part II: We're Just Gonna Complain, Don't Bother Reading

I am neither for or against this administration. I did not attend RPI, but my two kids did and both are doing quite well. So I have high regard for the Institute. They both had a great experience at RPI and that was in part do to the professors and in my daughter's
case, the diving coach. I am not sure what affect the administration had on their experience.
I'm just tired of hearing you gripe about Shirley. (Even if it is justified).

I hear that Cornell has a good diving coach.

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: RPI Hockey 2018 - 2019 Part II: We're Just Gonna Complain, Don't Bother Reading

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Only two freshmen in <a href="https://twitter.com/NCAAIceHockey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NCAAIceHockey</a> have more assists in the second half than Ottoville Leppanen's nine.</p>— RPI Men's Hockey (@RPI_Hockey) <a href="https://twitter.com/RPI_Hockey/status/1096442222671740930?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 15, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: RPI Hockey 2018 - 2019 Part II: We're Just Gonna Complain, Don't Bother Reading

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Emil Ohrvall (Waterloo Black Hawks) has committed to the University of Michigan for 2019-2020. <a href="https://twitter.com/umichhockey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@umichhockey</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/ohrwall_98?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ohrwall_98</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/BlckHawksHockey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BlckHawksHockey</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/USHL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USHL</a> <br><br>Watch Emil the season in the <a href="https://twitter.com/USHL?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@USHL</a> on <a href="https://twitter.com/MyHockeyTV?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MyHockeyTV</a> - <a href="https://t.co/9o2xSTjBuy">https://t.co/9o2xSTjBuy</a></p>— Hockey Commitments (@HockeyCommits) <a href="https://twitter.com/HockeyCommits/status/1096457244579893248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 15, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Super excited to announce my commitment to University of Michigan! Can’t wait for the future <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GoBlue?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#GoBlue</a></p>— Emil Öhrwall (@ohrwall_98) <a href="https://twitter.com/ohrwall_98/status/1096453786120404993?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 15, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

He'll get to wear an ugly helmet.

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: RPI Hockey 2018 - 2019 Part II: We're Just Gonna Complain, Don't Bother Reading

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Pride Night at RPI Hockey Game, Feb 16th, 2019 at 7:00 PM<br><br>We will be performing at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Men's Hockey Game on Feb 16th, 2019 at 7:00 PM. Houston Field House Ice Rink, 1900 Peoples Ave, Troy, NY 12180... <a href="https://t.co/SPI9HWtM3I">https://t.co/SPI9HWtM3I</a></p>— AlbanyGayMen'sChorus (@albanygmc) <a href="https://twitter.com/albanygmc/status/1096459320731099136?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 15, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: RPI Hockey 2018 - 2019 Part II: We're Just Gonna Complain, Don't Bother Reading

Probably bought a new ice resurfacing machine.

Close.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">New hot coffee machine in the HFH! Come by the B Lot entrance. Let the pigeons loose <a href="https://t.co/inbphL6Mco">pic.twitter.com/inbphL6Mco</a></p>— Houston Field House (@RPI_HFH) <a href="https://twitter.com/RPI_HFH/status/1096462726342369280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 15, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Wicked Slappaahs]

Close.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">New hot coffee machine in the HFH! Come by the B Lot entrance. Let the pigeons loose <a href="https://t.co/inbphL6Mco">pic.twitter.com/inbphL6Mco</a></p>— Houston Field House (@RPI_HFH) <a href="https://twitter.com/RPI_HFH/status/1096462726342369280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 15, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Really, really sad that this amounts to news at HFH. Par for the course. I suppose asking to make Dunkin Donuts coffee (yes I still refer to the donut and always will ) available is too much to ask ? They're only a prominent dasher advertiser and on ice sponsor ...

 

[Wicked Slappaahs]

Close.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">New hot coffee machine in the HFH! Come by the B Lot entrance. Let the pigeons loose <a href="https://t.co/inbphL6Mco">pic.twitter.com/inbphL6Mco</a></p>— Houston Field House (@RPI_HFH) <a href="https://twitter.com/RPI_HFH/status/1096462726342369280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 15, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

I guess we should consider this important addition as the ballyhooed HFH renovations for 2018-2019.

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: RPI Hockey 2018 - 2019 Part II: We're Just Gonna Complain, Don't Bother Reading

Really, really sad that this amounts to news at HFH. Par for the course. I suppose asking to make Dunkin Donuts coffee (yes I still refer to the donut and always will ) available is too much to ask ? They're only a prominent dasher advertiser and on ice sponsor ...

Even more news.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I’ve been secretly working really hard lately, and I’m excited to finally show off some new skills tonight at the <a href="https://twitter.com/RPI_Hockey?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RPI_Hockey</a> game tonight!</p>— Puckman (@RPI_Puckman) <a href="https://twitter.com/RPI_Puckman/status/1096458069872128000?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 15, 2019</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[AspyDad]

Re: RPI Hockey 2018 - 2019 Part II: We're Just Gonna Complain, Don't Bother Reading

I guess we should consider this important addition as the ballyhooed HFH renovations for 2018-2019.

+1 well said, pls send my best to your bro

 

[AspyDad]

Re: RPI Hockey 2018 - 2019 Part II: We're Just Gonna Complain, Don't Bother Reading

Emil was an incredible loss for this program. He is tearing it up at Waterloo

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: RPI Hockey 2018 - 2019 Part II: We're Just Gonna Complain, Don't Bother Reading

Really, really sad that this amounts to news at HFH. Par for the course. I suppose asking to make Dunkin Donuts coffee (yes I still refer to the donut and always will ) available is too much to ask ? They're only a prominent dasher advertiser and on ice sponsor ...

This one always pours right, can operate during open skates and other practice sessions, don't need to have the kids around to man it... I can see why they picked it.

But yeah, either Dunkin' or Stewart's (normally I'd say Tim Horton's but that's wishful thinking) with a branding deal would be a good thing. I still think local brewers (whether micro or farm) should have a tap room behind the east end goal with the pep band above, but again, wishful thinking.

 

[engineerhockeyfan]

Re: RPI Hockey 2018 - 2019 Part II: We're Just Gonna Complain, Don't Bother Reading

If I'm not mistaken, Fridgen recruited Buddy's players, similar to Bennett winning with his players after replacing Leaman. For the amount of financial support received, up until Appert, the coaches did a tremendous job with what they had to work with ... Addesa most notably. The recruiting parameters changed when the almighty Shirley entered the picture. By the way, seems like you like her ... and you may be on your own Island in that regard. So you want to blame coaches and recruiting???

You are wrong, I have no opinion on Shirley at all.
What recruiting parameters changed? Did she indicate who or where we could recruit?

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: RPI Hockey 2018 - 2019 Part II: We're Just Gonna Complain, Don't Bother Reading

You are wrong, I have no opinion on Shirley at all.
What recruiting parameters changed? Did she indicate who or where we could recruit?

Recruiting parameters have changed. However, it has nothing to do with the administration, and neither who nor where. Rather, how. In previous years, you'd have to travel all over the continent on tips to get lucky in finding good players. Now, all you have to do is get a subscription to junior league casts to screen players you're looking for, and then if the file comes back they're free, request travel budget and work some magic. Higher rate of return.

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: RPI Hockey 2018 - 2019 Part II: We're Just Gonna Complain, Don't Bother Reading

Emil was an incredible loss for this program. He is tearing it up at Waterloo

What's done is done. He's a good hockey player and I saw a lot of potential out of him in the year he was with us, but that doesn't mean he was right for Coach Smith's vision for the team, especially considering he was benched for a good chunk of the late season. I'd say what we have today is very competitive, and I'm looking forward to this weekend's contests.

 

[25+years]

Re: RPI Hockey 2018 - 2019 Part II: We're Just Gonna Complain, Don't Bother Reading

I have been a season ticket holder for over 27 years. There have been a few good years, no real great years. Many good and a few great players in that time. Chase Polachek being among the latter. And the conversation always comes down to Why? Why can't we get and remain in the upper tier of ECAC teams and, at least, play in the occasional NCAA tournament. I think pointing the finger at SLJ or SA or DF or whomever is easy. I think there are many aspects to this. Losing is not attractive to good players. One change in my tenure is the larger percentage of NCAA players in the NHL. So if you stand a better chance of going pro, where are you going to play college? It matters so much more now than ever. Look at the number of teams in the same boat as RPI: Brown, Princeton, Dartmouth, Colgate maybe. And each conference has teams like this. Oh they have the odd good year, but primarily all are bottom six dwellers. All due to their University presidents or AD's? Or Coaches (some have multi decade coaches). When 90% of these players are BMgt students, I doubt academics plays a huge role here. So the real challenge is to get a few really good players to pick RPI over another school. Winning records, playing with other good players, playing for a coach that will help you become better and make the pros, or playing for a coach who can take a so so group of players and teach them how to be a winning team on a regular basis are all good reasons to pick a particular school. I thought Weber would help with the pro part. But ultimately when we are talking about bowling or coffee machines is not a good sign. This is a better team. I think we are 1 or 2 pieces away from 4th, 5th , or 6th place. The real problem is getting there consistently to make the occasional run at the top.

 

[FlagDUDE08]

Re: RPI Hockey 2018 - 2019 Part II: We're Just Gonna Complain, Don't Bother Reading

I have been a season ticket holder for over 27 years. There have been a few good years, no real great years. Many good and a few great players in that time. Chase Polachek being among the latter. And the conversation always comes down to Why? Why can't we get and remain in the upper tier of ECAC teams and, at least, play in the occasional NCAA tournament. I think pointing the finger at SLJ or SA or DF or whomever is easy. I think there are many aspects to this. Losing is not attractive to good players. One change in my tenure is the larger percentage of NCAA players in the NHL. So if you stand a better chance of going pro, where are you going to play college? It matters so much more now than ever. Look at the number of teams in the same boat as RPI: Brown, Princeton, Dartmouth, Colgate maybe. And each conference has teams like this. Oh they have the odd good year, but primarily all are bottom six dwellers. All due to their University presidents or AD's? Or Coaches (some have multi decade coaches). When 90% of these players are BMgt students, I doubt academics plays a huge role here. So the real challenge is to get a few really good players to pick RPI over another school. Winning records, playing with other good players, playing for a coach that will help you become better and make the pros, or playing for a coach who can take a so so group of players and teach them how to be a winning team on a regular basis are all good reasons to pick a particular school. I thought Weber would help with the pro part. But ultimately when we are talking about bowling or coffee machines is not a good sign. This is a better team. I think we are 1 or 2 pieces away from 4th, 5th , or 6th place. The real problem is getting there consistently to make the occasional run at the top.

Truth. What we all want to see from RPI. Now for the $64,000 question: What are the one or two pieces, and how will the staff be able to extract that from any student that walks through that door? You can come with all the skill in the world, but unless you can properly apply it, as well as raise your overall game while not sacrificing what you brought to the table to begin with, the potential goes by the wayside.

 

[25+years]

Truth. What we all want to see from RPI. Now for the $64,000 question: What are the one or two pieces, and how will the staff be able to extract that from any student that walks through that door? You can come with all the skill in the world, but unless you can properly apply it, as well as raise your overall game while not sacrificing what you brought to the table to begin with, the potential goes by the wayside.

Agreed. If the player is considered good, he has been in other teams with other coaches and done well. Playing both ends of the ice well AND using the skill that draws recruiters to you is what the coaching brings to the table. It is still to be determined if DS can bring the group of players he recruits to the next level or is he like the coaches before him who could not. And remember the coaches aren’t the only ones recruiting. Good players are recruiting coaches as well. Because good players have options of where they play. What we ant is a few to want to come here.