The Barr Has Been Raised at UMaine

[amkirby10]

I actually thought Maine looked better v BU than they did against PC. Our boys just got better bounces v PC.

Am I alone?

I didn't see Saturday's game when they scored six goals, so I can't attest to that, but I was very clear in how bad I thought they were for the first two periods on Friday at Agganis. I wasn't very impressed by their play against the Friars either, but they weren't getting blown by everytime a PC player went up ice like they were everytime a Terrier went up ice, and while zone time difference was dramatic, PC didn't have this feeling of inevitability that they would score, especially Saturday. And as others said, winning when you didn't play your best is a noticeable sign of improvement, especially against a better team no less.

 

[amkirby10]

Why would Ostman transfer to BC or Northeastern?....LOL.

He wouldn't, that's just more Drew drivel if you ask me.

 

[Wayuphere]

Hopefully Barr keeps the Penticton kids together next year. Their familiarity with one another might ease some of the adjustment that comes with making the jump to D1 hockey and honestly it's really working for the Vees this season. Their 34-3-0-0 record looks like a misprint.

Get ready for the “Nadeau Show”.
FWIW, I see at the BCHL All Star game skills events, Bradly won the hardest shot competition and Josh won the shot accuracy competition. Meanwhile, they still occupy the top 2 spots in league points. Bradly’s stock is really rising draft wise.

 

[Drew S.]

Why would Ostman transfer to BC or Northeastern?....LOL.

I believe both would be in the market for a goalie. If he is going to graduate this summer he might want a grad degree someplace else. There could be a hundred different reasons one would want to transfer. The better Maine finishes this year the better the odds everyone comes back.

 

[Jackcurtis23]

I believe both would be in the market for a goalie. If he is going to graduate this summer he might want a grad degree someplace else. There could be a hundred different reasons one would want to transfer. The better Maine finishes this year the better the odds everyone comes back.

What gives you the idea that BC and NU will be in the market for a goalie? BC has 2 inbound and 2 on roster with eligibility for next year. Northeastern has 3 eligible on roster, including their NHL draft pick starter returning, as well as an NHL pick coming in from its class.

 

[umhockey91]

I wonder if the University is doing anything different with people lining up outside on Friday and Saturday nights considering the extreme cold in the forecast.

 

[Wayuphere]

They’ll most likely let them in earlier Friday. Expect attendance to take a big hit Friday night.

 

[tylerzx2002]

Get ready for the “Nadeau Show”.
FWIW, I see at the BCHL All Star game skills events, Bradly won the hardest shot competition and Josh won the shot accuracy competition. Meanwhile, they still occupy the top 2 spots in league points. Bradly’s stock is really rising draft wise.

Corey Pronman put out his midseason draft rankings and had him at #29 (was unranked in November). Good chance he'll get taken near the turn of the first/second round.

 

[NorthMike]

They’ll most likely let them in earlier Friday. Expect attendance to take a big hit Friday night.

Yeah, I think we are staying put, not sure I want to drive an hour in -15+wind chill below weather.
Watch it on tv and sit by the woodstove.
But maybe not.

 

[Wayuphere]

Same. I’m doing the wood stove and ear plugs combo-Mannix.

 

[Drew S.]

Yeah, I think we are staying put, not sure I want to drive an hour in -15+wind chill below weather.
Watch it on tv and sit by the woodstove.
But maybe not.

I remember a game about 20 years ago on a Saturday night with like a -20 wind chill. It was not a fun walk back to the car after the game!

 

[MoxieMan21]

The portal sure changes college hockey and complicates things. It will be interesting or frustrating maybe to see how it changes d1 hockey overall.
The upside is for programs like ours if there is truth in wanting success back in the Alfond then its a must to maintain a quality coaching staff and facility. The program is going in that direction but has to stay the course.
Players need to be shown they can improve and be part of success.
Gone are the days of just recruiting good players and living off that, now you have to keep them too.
Change or perish.

I think the transfer portal certainly has changed the whole dynamic of NCAA sports. My curiosity would be how much recruiting goes on trying to steal players that already have homes? I noticed a lot of transfers end up being guys transferring for a fifth year kind of thing and I am sure some kids transfer because the don't play enough or don't get along with coach etc. and reach out themselves to coaches of other teams but what policing is done to prevent coaches from poaching players? There must be rules I am assuming and I just honestly do not know what those rules are. I assume its monitored closely because I cannot fathom they allow coaches to just start picking kids off from other teams.

 

[umhockey91]

Maine has 3 things going for it right now that would seemingly limit transfers to those who aren't seeing playing time or have personality conflicts....

1. Ben Barr
2. Upward trajectory
3. Upcoming Alfond/Walsh Center renovations

 

[BlackBearFan19]

I think the transfer portal certainly has changed the whole dynamic of NCAA sports. My curiosity would be how much recruiting goes on trying to steal players that already have homes? I noticed a lot of transfers end up being guys transferring for a fifth year kind of thing and I am sure some kids transfer because the don't play enough or don't get along with coach etc. and reach out themselves to coaches of other teams but what policing is done to prevent coaches from poaching players? There must be rules I am assuming and I just honestly do not know what those rules are. I assume its monitored closely because I cannot fathom they allow coaches to just start picking kids off from other teams.

You hear about that stuff going on in college football but I can’t imagine it’s too prevalent in hockey. The money and boosters just aren’t there for most programs.

The portal has been pretty kind to Maine so far and that’s a testament to Barr. The players we’ve lost were either graduate transfers or were guys who probably weren’t going to see the ice.

I wouldn’t be surprised if we landed a high level transfer this summer.

 

[NorthMike]

I remember a game about 20 years ago on a Saturday night with like a -20 wind chill. It was not a fun walk back to the car after the game!

It is something to remember!
But Im thinking already have alot of those types.

 

[NorthMike]

I think the transfer portal certainly has changed the whole dynamic of NCAA sports. My curiosity would be how much recruiting goes on trying to steal players that already have homes? I noticed a lot of transfers end up being guys transferring for a fifth year kind of thing and I am sure some kids transfer because the don't play enough or don't get along with coach etc. and reach out themselves to coaches of other teams but what policing is done to prevent coaches from poaching players? There must be rules I am assuming and I just honestly do not know what those rules are. I assume its monitored closely because I cannot fathom they allow coaches to just start picking kids off from other teams.

No idea about the poaching, Id suspect for now not alot but that could change. Coaching staffs already have plenty to do, but now with the 4th paid coach and thought I heard the director of hockey operations can recruit might provide time for poaching. The risk it seems is that good players thinking there are better opportunities elsewhere than what they have, more exposure, better coaching etc. But probably not something to get too uptight over in the near future.

 

[Sean Pickett]

I remember a game about 20 years ago on a Saturday night with like a -20 wind chill. It was not a fun walk back to the car after the game!

I have no idea if it was the same game, but I remember driving to Orono for 4+ hours to attend a BU game and it was one of those nights.

Sean

 

[Drew S.]

I have no idea if it was the same game, but I remember driving to Orono for 4+ hours to attend a BU game and it was one of those nights.

Sean

I think the game you are remembering was in 2001 and the game I’m thinking of was 2003 or 2004. I don’t really remember the game you’re thinking of but do remember that being a tough winter.

 

[MoxieMan21]

Maine has 3 things going for it right now that would seemingly limit transfers to those who aren't seeing playing time or have personality conflicts....

1. Ben Barr
2. Upward trajectory
3. Upcoming Alfond/Walsh Center renovations

Agreed. Barr is a big one, he has a good reputation and kids know who he is and when he starts talking being part of Natty's in a few places that gets their attention. Clearly on upward trajectory and need to maintain that and keep taking steps forward. The renovations is a huge recruitment tool. I am not sure how many kids make their decisions based on those things, but as a kid I think the "cool" factor comes into play quite a bit. With all those three things trending in a good direction we should see an improvement in caliber of recruit. My biggest fear is not knowing if this is a pit stop for Benny or he has a long term vision.

As for this weekend. I am thinking a split would be a good weekend. Merrimack has cooled off considerably and doesn't have a great record post Christmas break. It looked like they were going to run away with Hockey East in November and December but going 3-6-1 and losses to Vermont, Brown and Tie against Yale they haven't been great. BU is what it is. Better team, they should beat Maine in all reality but I am hoping for a competitive game. Maine has been good at home, they are coming off a sweep and BU is looking ahead to Monday in the Beanpot so Maine has a few good things going for them and a chance to steal one.

 

[NorthMike]

Maine has 3 things going for it right now that would seemingly limit transfers to those who aren't seeing playing time or have personality conflicts....

1. Ben Barr
2. Upward trajectory
3. Upcoming Alfond/Walsh Center renovations

Big downside though: significant budget cuts due to decreasing enrollment system wide are in the works. Sports will feel the pain.
A few steps ahead and some backwards.