Re: St. Lawrence University: Big Time, Old Time Hockey 2014-15
I believe that the Union Board of Trustees, about 7 or so years ago, adopted a policy where "free rides" were/are made available to academically gifted students residing in a foreign country. A quick check of Union's current roster shows nearly ten players from Canada. Much as this would ruffle the feathers of our old buddies John McCardell and Roger Hull, I'm left to wonder if some or all of the Canadian players are from well-to-do families and nonetheless got "free rides" anyways. The timing of Union's rise to prominence corresponds with my belief. So, when ESPN says Union doesn't give scholarships, I think otherwise. If my belief is true, a D-3 "playup" school sure got creative and the results of late bear that out.
Although we offer scholarships for hockey, I question whether SLU should consider a similar "foreign" policy. Adoption of such might improve our recruiting talent-wise for those not offered a hockey scholarship, and thereby bring more balance throughout our 26 or so person roster. I know that Spaceman is looking for low or no cost ideas, but wanted to throw this out for discussion. Would a "foreign" scholarship policy for the entire student body be of benefit to SLU? I think it would bring more diversity to SLU and would also benefit our hockey programs.
Brian, I don't think this is the case at all. What is behind Union's rise to prominence is the same thing that was behind our rise in the late 80's....recruiting. In the late 80's when Joe was recruiting the classes of 88 and 89 which were truly the most dominating classes with five All-American's and Bakes being a sure fire sixth one if not injured, was just working his *** off to find and get great talent in. It's the same at Union. I have gone to a bunch of junior games in New England and very frequently I would see a smattering of assistant coaches at the games and then I would see Union / Providence head coach Nate Leaman there on Sunday's after weekend games, there on weekdays. I think their success is in large part due to him working his butt off and having an eye what to recruit for. His ability to get guys like Ghost, Carr, Bodie, etc. is a tribute to him. Ghost came out of prep and I don't know that very many people went after him but I'm sure they all wish they did now. What remains to be seen is if Union can stay on top with Bennett as the head coach. I think they will be good, but will drop off. That is the normal cycle in the ECAC where you see teams dominate for 2-4 years and then fade and get replaced by someone else.
Obviously, recruiting suffered at SLU in Joe's last two years with his health and Carvy / Hurley having to coach the team. Also, I think Bob Prier went after a different type of player than Carvy would. Bob P likes size a lot more. I don't know yet how to characterize Carvy's prototypical player but there seems to be an emphasis on puck moving, skilled defensemen and speedy, skilled forwards. I also think goaltending is a big factor and we really have not had a lights out goalie since Gusty. We have had guys that were good and stole big games, but a really consistent winner the game alone goalie...its been a while. Ackley was probably closest and he stole some games such as UNH and, I think, Wisco. You know it its also pure BS that we lost guys like Sexton and Nick Lappin to Clarkson and Brown. I can't explain their bad judgement!
Carvy's first class was last year. That was a very good class. There are 7-8 more coming in next year and Lough, Horn, Gluchowski, Hayton, Purmal are all going to be impact players. Last year was frustrating. We won big games. We had talent. I think the team lacked chemistry and I think there were a couple of guys who deserve the blame and they are gone. I am very optimistic about what I think our staff will be able to do. You won't find classier guys anywhere than Carvy, Hurley and Mayo. It's a tough landscape....you have schools like Yale and Harvard (although Harvard has had a rash of de-commits) that are doing an exceptional job recruiting. Q-Suck has got some key guys lined up such as Petruzulli and Smith, but at the same time, I strongly question Peckernold's ability to keep guys playing for him and some other dynamics. Right now, we have to solve Colgate who has put together a solid squad too.
I think it is time to be patient. There is coaching talent. The fact we had the #1 PP in the nation pretty much all year last year without a single drafted player on the roster is a tribute to coaching. Granted Greg Carey was a unique player thanks to his scoring ability, but what made the PP work was every bit as much a tribute to Bayreuther, Baker and Wick and Sweetman on the 2nd unit.
I was there with Carvy and Hurley. Carvy has an enormous brain and he knows how to sell Canton. Hurley is such a hard-worker and classy guy and has Joe Marsh like integrity. I am encouraged. Last season ****ed me off, but I think it was probably a learning experience for Carvy about how to deal with a certain type of player who is selfish and destroys chemistry. I think the process is there for us to improve and there are a lot of promising signs.
Finally, on Union, I really have no idea about their academic backgrounds, etc. I just think they worked hard at recruiting, found a few diamonds in the rough, and Bennett knows how to coach. They are effective in every zone, solid in every position, and are very well coached. I hope they slay both teams in Philly and keep the trophy with the newly emergent ECAC.
