"The Lake Show" - LSSU Laker Hockey

[Mogerfan]

Re: "The Lake Show" - LSSU Laker Hockey

Here is a little tidbit from the process; The renovation originally was to be a retro project, like Conseco Fieldhouse in Indy, modern amenities but an "old school" feel. Some of our consultants said "you know who thinks thats a good idea? Old farts like you!" (us at the table). That is why the renovation is so modern in the approach. It is built to excite the student athletes of today, and tomorrow..this is the ipod generation, and the flashy, high tech approach is what can differentiate LSSU from other arenas and team facilities. The "old barn" feel of Taffy-Abel combined with the "new school" team facilities are a solid mix.

I must be old then...

I sent in my whopping $20 donation this morning from the LSSU website. I designated it for the hockey team, though I'm sure my $20 will become part of the "hockey budget", and some other spreadsheet will be adjusted to take $20 out of the hockey budget and put it somewhere else.

I think the new facilities and new personnel will help recruiting, but we'll still need more $$$ in the recruiting budget if we want more high end recruits. I don't think think we have the money to bring kids in for visits if we aren't 80-90% sure that they'll commit. So unless there is money in the budget to take a few risks on high end recruits, then those guys will never see our shiny new facilities until they come wearing a Visitors uniform.

 

[AnchorsAway]

Re: "The Lake Show" - LSSU Laker Hockey

Lets set the record straight, since you brought it up. We have never said LSSU can't get the best players. The Laker coach has said he can't get the best players and that's why he doesn't even try recruiting the Tier 1 US league (USHL). Instead they focus their time combing the Tier 2 Canadian leagues.

We've had this discussion on these message boards before. I've screamed it until I'm Laker Blue in the face. If BG can recruit great USHL talent to go play in the middle of an Ohio cornfield, with shoddy hockey facilities & a subpar rink, why do the Lakers think they can't??

If a new facility on campus gives the coach some confidence that he can start recruiting from the USHL, then I'm all for it. But the current facilities shouldn't be used as an excuse as to why they're not, because they're far from being the worst in the conference.

Could not agree more, I believe I've made feelings clear on this topic as well (as I'm sure Bill can attest to, we've had more than one conversation on here about it) and I realize we have a very small recruiting budget, and if in many years where we need major numbers to sign than so be it if the staff doesn't see it fit to take a risk at some solid USHL talent; but with next years incoming class finalized or very close to it (I'd need to refer to Bill on that one) before this season even began, why would we not spend the money and go after a goalie or 2 from the USHL since we desperately need at least one new solid goalie on the roster next year to serve as BMW's backup (especially if he were to get injured )?

On our old, recently expired thread i did some research (I believe my post was around December or January) and discovered there were 7 or 8 USHL goalies who were either clear-cut starters on their teams or getting about 50% of the starts this season who were unsigned at that time, kids ranging from 89's to 92's.....I see no reason why one of the staff wasn't pounding the pavement (in a rare year where you can afford to spend a lot of the recruiting budget on a project like this) and spending some time in those netminder's ears..I mean obviously LSSU isn't as prestigious as hockey school as it once was, but on the flipside how many schools are going to be able to offer a guaranteed backup position as a freshmen and (as it stands right now) a virtually guaranteed starting job as a sophomore at a school that plays in one of the top 2 or 3 hockey conferences in the nation?? My guess is not very many, and I don't see why the staff fails to realize that.

 

[sm2pk]

Re: "The Lake Show" - LSSU Laker Hockey

Now we have 7 months to debate what went wrong and what needs to be done and as for me,Roque really needs to find recruits who can score. You look at their last 12 games and the offense and the power play finished the season in January. We are back to square one with the finish this team had. No power play,no offense,and no help for Wilson who was playing good hockey. If the recruits coming in have no better luck at finding the back of the net,next season will be a bottom of the pack finish as well.

 

[Bill]

Re: "The Lake Show" - LSSU Laker Hockey

The Lakers philosophy for recruiting USHL kids is that we won't generally go after 3rd and 4th line players in the USHL just so we can say we have more USHL kids on the roster. If we can get some occasional 1st and 2nd line USHL kids, fine, the coaches will make an effort to do that. But as has been pointed out, the key problem is the size of the recruiting budget. I don't think the coaches are willing to spend a lot of recruiting money chasing down more 1st and 2nd line USHL kids unless they feel they have a good shot at getting them. We just can't afford to lose too many recruiting battles there. Just having USHL kids on your roster doesn't guarantee success. Look at Western and BG as examples of that.

I think we were looking at a USHL goalie last Fall. I don't know for sure which kid it was or what team he played for. I have a suspicion about who it was, but if I'm right about that, the kid played strong out of the gate last Fall and then became inconsistent, and I think that we backed off as a result.

As for next season, I think recruiting is done except for finding one more goalie. I don't know what kind of flexibility we have left in terms of recruiting money for next season, but it could be that we don't have much scholarship money left and if that's the case we could be looking at bringing in a recruited walk-on type goalie (unless we can find a higher end kid that doesn't need much scholy help for next season).

The Norris Center project will be a great asset to the Lakers program, but increasing the size of the recruiting budget is just as much of a key to seeing more improvement in the Lakers.

On a side note, I was in Jim Fallis territory last night but didn't run into him.

 

[LSSULaker889294]

Re: "The Lake Show" - LSSU Laker Hockey

According to the 2010-2011 schedules thread on here, the Lakers will play in the Denver Cup Thanksgiving weekend. It will have us, Air Force, Clarkson and of course Denver in it.

I wonder when they'll announce coach Roque's new contract?

 

[Bill]

Re: "The Lake Show" - LSSU Laker Hockey

On another topic, I was wondering what the chances were that JR would bring in both Ravn and Kalpalka on scholarship next year, then bring in Marble as the walk on the next year. At some point he said that Edmudson had "significant" scholarship money this year, so he would have $$$ from both senior goalies to pass on to two freshmen. Just a thought.

Probably depends upon: (1) If they have enough scholarship money available for next season to offer both Kapalka and Ravn decent chunks, or one of them can get by for a season without a lot of scholarship help. (2) If Ravn is still in the picture. (3) If Marble shows next season he can play well enough (in Juniors) to come in the following year as a projected #3 goalie; I don't think he has done that yet.

Pretty quite on here. I was gone on vacation for a week and thought I'd see a little more activity when I got back, although I did get a chance to post from a hotel one night.

 

[EupNews]

Re: "The Lake Show" - LSSU Laker Hockey

Looking for some information on the Lakers recruiting class for 2010, any way someone could get me a list? either post here or email me at news@eupnews.com

Thanks!

 

[Bill]

Re: "The Lake Show" - LSSU Laker Hockey

Looking for some information on the Lakers recruiting class for 2010, any way someone could get me a list? either post here or email me at news@eupnews.com

Thanks!

Use this link and scroll down to Lake Superior:

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=rZN-GJH1Q0NQeXIJG47g-ug&gid=1

A couple of comments about the list. I highly doubt we'll see Tyler Marble playing for the Lakers before the 2011-12 season. I also suspect that Kelin Ainsworth won't play for the Lakers until 2011-12. We should see the rest of the guys next season. The Lakers also still need to bring in one more goalie for next season.

 

[sm2pk]

Re: "The Lake Show" - LSSU Laker Hockey

Bless Michigans heart. A seventh place finish and they have a good chance to win the NCAAs this year. When you watch teams like MI and Miami, the Lakers seem like they are years away from competing with that level of play. Lake State needs 3 years of solid recruiting to see a turn around and sometimes you wonder if that is ever going to happen.

 

[Bill]

Re: "The Lake Show" - LSSU Laker Hockey

Bless Michigans heart. A seventh place finish and they have a good chance to win the NCAAs this year. When you watch teams like MI and Miami, the Lakers seem like they are years away from competing with that level of play. Lake State needs 3 years of solid recruiting to see a turn around and sometimes you wonder if that is ever going to happen.

Well, Michigan finally put it together at the end of the season and started playing like they had been predicted to in the pre-season polls. And the end of the season is the best time to be playing well. That's kind of what the Lakers did in 92.

The Lakers will have quite a few new faces next season. Let's hope at least a couple of them turn out to be really good players for the Lakers, to the extent that they can help raise the Lakers at least a few places in the standings next season.

 

[PerkyforPrez]

Re: "The Lake Show" - LSSU Laker Hockey

I second that Bill, Campbell, Lain and crew better be able to contribute early on.

 

[Bill]

Re: "The Lake Show" - LSSU Laker Hockey

I second that Bill, Campbell, Lain and crew better be able to contribute early on.

I've heard some good things about Radke also, although you never know how well these kids that are good players in Juniors will perform at the college level.

Any Lakers fans plan on taking in any regional action? I may go down to the Midwest regional in Fort Wayne next weekend.

 

[PerkyforPrez]

Re: "The Lake Show" - LSSU Laker Hockey

No NCAA hockey for me Bill but i still plan on going to see Jean, Radke and Ainsworth play either in Alpena on the 27th or one of their home playoff games.

 

[Bill]

Re: "The Lake Show" - LSSU Laker Hockey

No NCAA hockey for me Bill but i still plan on going to see Jean, Radke and Ainsworth play either in Alpena on the 27th or one of their home playoff games.

It's hard to know what to expect from Jean next season when he's in a Laker uniform. He's a big kid with a lot of upside potential, but he has been plagued by injuries and illness the past season plus.

 

[3dognight]

Re: "The Lake Show" - LSSU Laker Hockey

I had Tix for Ft Wayne but I will NEVER go to a site with SCum there (yeah, I have an attitude) but through a ticket trade I will be in Minneapolis instead. The Coliseum is a great hockey venue that I would recommend...no bad seats, lots of parking, plenty of reasonable hotels in the area.

If heading to the Fort check out the Komet Kuarters pro shop and for an Indiana treat hit the Steak & Shake for a solid diner meal (GREAT burgers, fries, shakes)

I have been to several Frozen Fours...not so excited about Ford Field however.

Several announcements on the project web site pending in the next few weeks on topics near & dear to this board... so check in on occasion.

 

[sm2pk]

Re: "The Lake Show" - LSSU Laker Hockey

Vermont with an 8th place finish in a 10 team league and 3 wins over 500 on the season was a shock to me getting in. Alaska somewhat shocked me as well beating out Ferris and even MI State . Always a mystery why some get in and others don't. I undertsand the power ratings but not sure if I always agree .

 

[Back check]

Re: "The Lake Show" - LSSU Laker Hockey

Probably depends upon: (1) If they have enough scholarship money available for next season to offer both Kapalka and Ravn decent chunks, or one of them can get by for a season without a lot of scholarship help. (2) If Ravn is still in the picture. (3) If Marble shows next season he can play well enough (in Juniors) to come in the following year as a projected #3 goalie; I don't think he has done that yet.

If LSSU can get both Ravn and Kapalka in the fold, that is a pretty good tandem to have as back-ups to BMW. Did LSSU commit scholarship $$ to Marble - an earlier post implied they did as Coach Roque was afraid they would lose him if they didn't sign him early?

 

[Bill]

Re: "The Lake Show" - LSSU Laker Hockey

Probably depends upon: (1) If they have enough scholarship money available for next season to offer both Kapalka and Ravn decent chunks, or one of them can get by for a season without a lot of scholarship help. (2) If Ravn is still in the picture. (3) If Marble shows next season he can play well enough (in Juniors) to come in the following year as a projected #3 goalie; I don't think he has done that yet.

If LSSU can get both Ravn and Kapalka in the fold, that is a pretty good tandem to have as back-ups to BMW. Did LSSU commit scholarship $$ to Marble - an earlier post implied they did as Coach Roque was afraid they would lose him if they didn't sign him early?

I don't know, but tend to doubt they would have committed much if anything to Marble. At the point he committed, he was a young kid with no Junior experience whatsoever. Even now, he hasn't shown he can play regularly at the Junior A level. LSSU has a pretty small recruiting budget; I could be wrong, but I just don't think they would have promised much (if anything) to Marble based upon where he was in his development. There is a connection between Roque and Marble's dad and evidently that is why he committed to LSSU. But I haven't seen or heard anything that leads me to believe he is ready to become a Laker yet. As far as I know, Marble is still affiliated with Traverse City of the NAHL. But I don't think he has played in any games for TC since before the holidays and his numbers then weren't very good. Personally, I thought Ravn had perhaps dropped out of the picture, but someone posted on here a while back that they think he is still in the mix. So I guess it's a wait and see who the 3rd Lakers goalie will be for next season.

 

[Bill]

Re: "The Lake Show" - LSSU Laker Hockey

I had Tix for Ft Wayne but I will NEVER go to a site with SCum there (yeah, I have an attitude) but through a ticket trade I will be in Minneapolis instead. The Coliseum is a great hockey venue that I would recommend...no bad seats, lots of parking, plenty of reasonable hotels in the area.

If heading to the Fort check out the Komet Kuarters pro shop and for an Indiana treat hit the Steak & Shake for a solid diner meal (GREAT burgers, fries, shakes)

I have been to several Frozen Fours...not so excited about Ford Field however.

Several announcements on the project web site pending in the next few weeks on topics near & dear to this board... so check in on occasion.

I really dislike the idea of the Frozen Four being at Ford Field. I am planning on going, but then I usually go to the Frozen Four. This is the first time I really am not looking forward to it all that much. But I do love watching college hockey. I'm hoping Michigan gets beat at Fort Wayne because if they make it to the Frozen Four that could increase the Ford Field attendance significantly and cause the NCAA to think about trying such a football field atrocity again sometime in the future.

I'm familiar with Steak & Shakes.

 

[Proud2baLaker]

Re: "The Lake Show" - LSSU Laker Hockey

If anyone is making the trip to Fort Wayne there are local restaraunts that are much better than steak and shake.

Across the street from the Coliseum is a place called Casa Mare. Excellent Italian food. There are actually other Casa restaurants in Fort Wayne all owned by the same family. There is a place called Casa Grille on the north side of town with a big wood fire hearth style oven that has pizzas and other italian. There are 2 other Casa restaurants in town but they have the same basic menu as Casa Mare.

Also lots of other great restaurants on or near Coliseum Blvd. A few others that are farther away from the Coliseum but worth the drive:

Askausa - Japanese and Sushi
Trolley Bar - Steaks and Seafood with a very good salad bar
Oyster Bar, Chappelles, Paulas On Main - Seafood restaurants
Mad Anthony Brewing Company

and of course many others.