UCONN 2015-2016: The Hockey East Journey Continues..the Future Looks Bright

[HawkStar12]

Re: UCONN 2015-2016: The Hockey East Journey Continues..the Future Looks Bright

This is nice to see about Tage Thompson: (Via Twitter)
Over The Boards ‏@OTBPuckWatch 2h2 hours ago
97 F Tage Thompson (#UConn) is a legit 6'4+ now, great vision + puck protection. Year w/ NTDP helped in a big way. #Beantown #NHLDraft

This is fantastic. At 17, he may not be done growing. Certainly not physically.

That has me thinking about the strength and conditioning program for UConn. In my estimation, they could have been better last year, proven by being on the wrong side of some lopsided games late in the season. Talent/amount of scholarships factor in, so I guess we will find out the program's effectiveness this year with the addition of higher caliber players. Something to keep an eye on, as players are choosing the college route due to physically maturing off the ice, meaning UConn needs an above average reputation in this area.

 

[FDNY99]

Re: UCONN 2015-2016: The Hockey East Journey Continues..the Future Looks Bright

As far as S&C go...Matt Balis not only is the S&C coach for the football team he also runs the entire S&C program for the athletic department. Considered one of the best S&C coaches in college, I'm not worried about S&C. I'm sure he has also had conversations with Cav about what he needs S&C wise.

This is fantastic. At 17, he may not be done growing. Certainly not physically.

That has me thinking about the strength and conditioning program for UConn. In my estimation, they could have been better last year, proven by being on the wrong side of some lopsided games late in the season. Talent/amount of scholarships factor in, so I guess we will find out the program's effectiveness this year with the addition of higher caliber players. Something to keep an eye on, as players are choosing the college route due to physically maturing off the ice, meaning UConn needs an above average reputation in this area.

 

[RSTuthill]

Re: UCONN 2015-2016: The Hockey East Journey Continues..the Future Looks Bright

Used to be (days of the MAAC and AHA) S&C facilities were spread thin and hockey was not a priority. Their session times were terrible and many days they didn't even have access. Guessing that is no longer the case.

 

[HawkStar12]

Re: UCONN 2015-2016: The Hockey East Journey Continues..the Future Looks Bright

Rumor that Letunov's NCAA approval is not a rubber stamp. Could be Coach Cav's toughest selling job yet, as the NCAA can often be a difficult illogical institution to deal with....

 

[FDNY99]

Re: UCONN 2015-2016: The Hockey East Journey Continues..the Future Looks Bright

Used to be (days of the MAAC and AHA) S&C facilities were spread thin and hockey was not a priority. Their session times were terrible and many days they didn't even have access. Guessing that is no longer the case.

This is one reason why they need t get the new on-campus barn/team facility built. Here is the facility link to Freitas...it shows a weight room but that may be in Gampel (which is now free due to the basketball practice facility having it's own gym):
http://www.uconnhuskies.com/facilities/freitas-ice-forum.html
The S&C Coach for both them men's & women's hockey teams is Maureen Butler (link to her bio below):
http://www.uconnhuskies.com/genrel/butler_maureen01.html

 

[RSTuthill]

Re: UCONN 2015-2016: The Hockey East Journey Continues..the Future Looks Bright

This is a little off topic, but the news out of the Rent yesterday sure sounded dismal. I mean, they've got plenty of size on the OL, how much agility and intellectual capacity does it take to play those positions???

 

[FDNY99]

Re: UCONN 2015-2016: The Hockey East Journey Continues..the Future Looks Bright

This is a little off topic, but the news out of the Rent yesterday sure sounded dismal. I mean, they've got plenty of size on the OL, how much agility and intellectual capacity does it take to play those positions???

As a Rentschler Field day 1 season ticket holder here is my take on it: Diaco inherited a OL with 1 kid who had significant starting experience. That right here is a HUGE obstacle to over come...then add to that HORRENDOUS coaching by George DeLeone (who along with Pasqualoni should be prosecuted for stealing state funds for the jobs they did) and a basically nonexistent S&C program under the guy(s) Pasqualoni replaced Jerry Martin with and there you have it..reciepe for disaster. I think it will get better...it's already better than it was last yr according to Desmond Conner from the Hartford Courant. The biggest hurdle they have right now is replacing Ryan Crozier at center...but it will get done. This program has made the turn from where it was...this year they need to win 4-5 games and not get blown off the field in any games they play. That will put them on the right track. You never know though...lightening can always be caught in a bottle.
Hopefully we get sone info soon on the hockey team...they should be at school shortly. I am interested to see who they put as play-by-play and color for the games on WTIC...and who will do Cav's show.

 

[RSTuthill]

Re: UCONN 2015-2016: The Hockey East Journey Continues..the Future Looks Bright

Well, in the past, Dez has been overly optimistic. So when I read the accounts of Saturday's scrimmage it left me depressed. I am definitely NOT a Diaco fan. He seems like a bull****ter spitting out one buzzword phrase after another who does not know how to handle himself. But I am open to being convinced otherwise. If he would just shut his mouth and win some games that would go a long way. UConn has almost always outsized their opponents. So what the heck has been the problem on the OL? At least the QB position looks like it is on the verge of solution. We shall see.

 

[FDNY99]

Re: UCONN 2015-2016: The Hockey East Journey Continues..the Future Looks Bright

Well, in the past, Dez has been overly optimistic. So when I read the accounts of Saturday's scrimmage it left me depressed. I am definitely NOT a Diaco fan. He seems like a bull****ter spitting out one buzzword phrase after another who does not know how to handle himself. But I am open to being convinced otherwise. If he would just shut his mouth and win some games that would go a long way. UConn has almost always outsized their opponents. So what the heck has been the problem on the OL? At least the QB position looks like it is on the verge of solution. We shall see.

They held a bbq event for season ticket holders in June at the Burton/Schenkman football complex. The entire program was there, and the facility was open for a tour. They had a lot of cool stuff to do, and there was a lot of interaction with the fans. The BEST part about it...that interaction wasn't forced. The kids were playing all the tailgate games they had set-up with young fans, talked freely about the program with the adults. This program is going in the right direction. I had the opportunity to talk with the director of S&C Matt Balis, probably one of it not the best S&C guy in college football He shed some light into the rebuild project, while not trashing the former administration which I thought was classy. The kids love the staff and they say they care about them like never before. That says a lot to me...every kid had a smile on their face. My personal opinion...when Dioaco got here and started to peel back the layers he found a program that Pasqualoni had driven directly into a tree and totaled it. A ground up rebuild so to say. As for the OL...I think ti was a mix of failure at the recruiting front mixed with a HUGE failure in the weight room, and a HUGE failure on DeLeone's part to develop kids. That kind of stuff is going to take a few years to work out. Sounds like a it is also going to take some time for the new center to get his timing down...that could be the biggest injury loss of the season...and the season hasn't even started. I'm looking for 4-5 wins this season....and not getting blown out in any game they play. Now...this ice hockey team of our's should be back on campus soon and getting at it. I'm looking forward to seeing the new kids on the ice. Thompson had a really good showing in Boston last week.

 

[RSTuthill]

Re: UCONN 2015-2016: The Hockey East Journey Continues..the Future Looks Bright

Pasquoloni did a ground up rebuild. Everyone that comes in does a ground up rebuild. That is part of the problem. None of these coaches know how to manage the transition.

 

[FDNY99]

Re: UCONN 2015-2016: The Hockey East Journey Continues..the Future Looks Bright

Pasquoloni did a ground up rebuild. Everyone that comes in does a ground up rebuild. That is part of the problem. None of these coaches know how to manage the transition.

Pasqualoni did a top down demolition...destroyed that program in 2.3 seasons. The program he inherited was a perennial bowl game attendee who had just played in the Fiesta Bowl. This program was a well functioning car that was smashed had on square into a tree and destroyed by Pasqualoni and his good buddy George DeLeone! This transition was bad...if you know anyone in the athletic dept...just ask them about the state of the football program when Pasqualoni was fired.....

 

[FDNY99]

Re: UCONN 2015-2016: The Hockey East Journey Continues..the Future Looks Bright

Just saw on twitter (both Will Moran and Mike Anthony) that Max Letunov has been declared eligible and will skate this season for the Huskies!!!!! This is a HUGE add to the roster!! Add Max to take Thompson who Jeff Cox rated as his #1 prospect at the recently completed Beantown Classic, and you get some offense desperately needed from last year. Joe Masonius is also going to be a HUGE add on the blueline as a QB on the PP and a puck moving d-man.

 

[HawkStar12]

Re: UCONN 2015-2016: The Hockey East Journey Continues..the Future Looks Bright

Just saw on twitter (both Will Moran and Mike Anthony) that Max Letunov has been declared eligible and will skate this season for the Huskies!!!!! This is a HUGE add to the roster!! Add Max to take Thompson who Jeff Cox rated as his #1 prospect at the recently completed Beantown Classic, and you get some offense desperately needed from last year. Joe Masonius is also going to be a HUGE add on the blueline as a QB on the PP and a puck moving d-man.

Wow, what an offseason.

 

[FDNY99]

Re: UCONN 2015-2016: The Hockey East Journey Continues..the Future Looks Bright

It's official UCONN announces Letunov added to incoming freshman class:
http://www.uconnhuskies.com/sports/m-hockey/spec-rel/081915aaa.html

 

[mookie1995]

Re: UCONN 2015-2016: The Hockey East Journey Continues..the Future Looks Bright

Can y'all start scheduling weekend games? Mookie really wants to come down for a Saturday night game in Hartford but BU keeps getting scheduled for Tuesday.

C'mon already!!!

 

[FDNY99]

Re: UCONN 2015-2016: The Hockey East Journey Continues..the Future Looks Bright

Can y'all start scheduling weekend games? Mookie really wants to come down for a Saturday night game in Hartford but BU keeps getting scheduled for Tuesday.

C'mon already!!!

Hopefully that gets solved when the on-campus barn gets built. Trust me..I'm NOT a fan of them either.

 

[FDNY99]

Re: UCONN 2015-2016: The Hockey East Journey Continues..the Future Looks Bright

The roster is set for the season...26 man roster broken down to the following: 15 Forwards; 8 Defensemen; 3 Goalies
Roster is VERY young: 7 Freshman (5 forwards; 2 Defenseman); 11 Sophomores (6 Forwards; 3 Defenseman; 2 Goalies)

It will be interesting to see how Cav integrates the freshman into the roster...and how the kids respond on the ice. There wasn't a lot of scoring last year, so hopefully kids like Letunov and Thompson can help that. There was also not a true QB on the pp last season, with Ojantakanen kind of playing that position. Joe Masonius's numbers in the USHL with the USNDTP last season indicate that he should be able to slide into that spot. Seagull, Drake, Gendron, Letunov and Thompson will be the next of hopefully many UCONN kids in the NHL (Todd Kryeiger was the first)....Masonius could also be in this conversation.
This team will go the way Robbie Nichols goes; you could see the impact Andrew Raycroft had on Robbie's game last season. It will be interesting to see how much his game has improved from last season. If Nichols plays like the Nichols between the pipes last year, UCONN will have a chance to win every time they step on the ice.
The Sophomore class will define this team; it was the first class recruited for HE competition. Spencer Naas has to avoid a Sophomore slump...It is important that Ronan, Ojantakanen, Wight, Schwartz, and Golonka take that next step offensively. Pratt (an Alt Capt), Drake and Austin also have to take the next step and improve on their play from last year, Austin and Masonius could be the top PP D pair.
The Junior class is Cav's first class at UCONN....he basically inherited this class of Berard's recruits, outside of Richardson who he knew from BC. There is some talent here...BUT it's time for them to step up and follow the lead of Robbie Nichols...put in the hard work to get the results. Segalla, Kunnas and Richardson are talented and HE level players...but they collectively need to crank it up. Hopefully going to Pittsburgh's development camp this summer helps Segalla. The prize of this group is Nichols...one of the best goalies in HE last year. He carried this team on his back last year when goals were hard to come by...keeping them in all but a few games. If he continues to improve his game under goalie coach and former NHL Rookie of the Year Andrew Raycroft the sky is the limit for him.
The Senior Class is small with Huson, Pauly (Alt Capt.), Kirtland (Captain) and Ferriss. This group showed their grit last yr, and must continue to show leadership and scoring again this year. Their leadership is key to helping the Freshman and Sophomore class grow and reach their potential.
What is a reasonable expectation for this team in 2015-2016: To build on last year's season and strive for home ice advantage in the first round of the HE playoffs. This program will be judged on long term steady success, not flash in the pan success.

 

[RSTuthill]

Re: UCONN 2015-2016: The Hockey East Journey Continues..the Future Looks Bright

.... Letunov and Thompson will be the first of hopefully many UCONN kids in the NHL.
.... The Junior class is Cav's first class at UCONN....he basically inherited this class of Berard's recruits, outside of Richardson who he knew from BC.

Very nice analysis. Yeah, I saw the piece that announced Letunov for the 2015-2016 season. Although it did not specifically say he had been cleared, it certainly implied that.

Not to be too much of a stickler, but whoever is the next Husky to play in the NHL, he will be the second. Todd Krygier had an 11 year career in the NHL.

And in defense of Berard, just a little, he did not know what he could offer until very late in the recruiting cycle. That certainly did not help.

 

[FDNY99]

Re: UCONN 2015-2016: The Hockey East Journey Continues..the Future Looks Bright

Thanks Dick...I appreciate it.
Here is the official release from UCONN on Letunov: http://www.uconnhuskies.com/sports/m-hockey/spec-rel/081915aaa.html
I totally forgot about Krygier...don't know how as I watched him play many a game a a kid at the old open air rink on campus...then at the CC as a Whaler. I'm gonna correct that now. If you look at the group as a whole I think Berard did a good job...they have been a HUGE part of last year's team. Segalla and Kunnas just need to take that next step development wise. In reference to Berard...from the beginning when the finalists were named I thought it would come down to Cav or Gwodecky. I thought Berard did a GREAT job taking over for Marshall at mid-season but that he was going to have to pull a rabbit out of his hat to beat the other 2 for the job. IMHO I think Warde Manuel hired the right guy for the job...and Berard landed square on his feet as HC at Holy Cross.

Very nice analysis. Yeah, I saw the piece that announced Letunov for the 2015-2016 season. Although it did not specifically say he had been cleared, it certainly implied that.

Not to be too much of a stickler, but whoever is the next Husky to play in the NHL, he will be the second. Todd Krygier had an 11 year career in the NHL.

And in defense of Berard, just a little, he did not know what he could offer until very late in the recruiting cycle. That certainly did not help.

 

[HawkStar12]

Re: UCONN 2015-2016: The Hockey East Journey Continues..the Future Looks Bright

The roster is set for the season...26 man roster broken down to the following: 15 Forwards; 8 Defensemen; 3 Goalies
Roster is VERY young: 7 Freshman (5 forwards; 2 Defenseman); 11 Sophomores (6 Forwards; 3 Defenseman; 2 Goalies)

This team will go the way Robbie Nichols goes; you could see the impact Andrew Raycroft had on Robbie's game last season. It will be interesting to see how much his game has improved from last season. If Nichols plays like the Nichols between the pipes last year, UCONN will have a chance to win every time they step on the ice.

The prize of this group is Nichols...one of the best goalies in HE last year. He carried this team on his back last year when goals were hard to come by...keeping them in all but a few games. If he continues to improve his game under goalie coach and former NHL Rookie of the Year Andrew Raycroft the sky is the limit for him.

Hiring Raycroft was the biggest offseason move Cav made last year. Robbie Nichols was the MVP, and needs to be again for them to be successful, and Andrew Raycroft was a major reason for his success. A subtle offseason hire that paid dividends.