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UCONN Hockey 2012-13: Hockey East Here We Come

Re: UCONN Hockey 2012-13: Hockey East Here We Come

My story with quotes on the hiring. http://sbn.to/12jiVW4

Whatever you think of the hiring, as a neutral observer, I will promise you that UConn got one classy individual as its new hockey coach.

It is a prerequisite if you want to work for the Boston College Hockey program, dignity and class , gotta have it. York wouldn't have anyone around if they didnt exhibit these qualities. Its just the way it is
 
Re: UCONN Hockey 2012-13: Hockey East Here We Come

In the perfect world, this could play out like the Yale transformation. Bring in a good recruiting Coach, improve the facility and player's. I am really looking forward to the UCONN programs progression. Good luck to the new Coach.
 
Don't think you guys quite understand. We just had two years of HCPP in FB and are about to get a third. Same justifications are being used in FB as you guys are using here. If we get a repeat of that experience, it will be TOTALLY unacceptable. Figure out how to most effectively utilize the current personnel. No moving backward this year. At least one more win in the AHA tournament. That is NOT unrealistic. Full stop.

Except we could tell immediately PP was a dodo. They justified PP on how much he knew the HS scene in the area... All well and good in that it sounds nice to local alumni but other than that, what? Choosing PP was a coward's choice and lacks the imagination needed at the big time.

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At this stage it is not the what but the how. Finishing in a bad spot isn't a terrible thing if the team is on board.

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Dobbs, clearly I'm out of the loop... I'd downplay expectations near term and make sure the long term looks good but that's just me. I know the near term is important but a lot can happen. What's your take.
 
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Re: UCONN Hockey 2012-13: Hockey East Here We Come

"major hockey power"

"competing for titles"

how about you guys just worry about building/fielding a competitive team in HE.

exactly, i don't think you guys understand the jump to he you're about to take, especially in light of the present facilities.
 
Re: UCONN Hockey 2012-13: Hockey East Here We Come

Just watched the press conference online, great first impression. His statement about comparing his affection towards BC similar to his affection for Bowdoin College or his High School really made sense. You learn and develop a passion for the places you've been, but you also move on and apply those past experiences towards conquering new challenges. I also liked his reference to the seniors of next years team. With all of the HE talk, let's not forget about winning an AHA title next year. That's the goal. Can't remember the last time I have been this excited for UConn Hockey.
+1
 
Re: UCONN Hockey 2012-13: Hockey East Here We Come

I have to say I was impressed with the press conference. Cav said and did all the right things, even to the point of talking about winning AHA next season to set the right standard.

claver, we actually have watched hockey before. We do get that it is a big jump. But Quinnipiac made a similar one and did fine. And yes, I get that the ECAC isn't Hockey East, but you do get that they played for a national championship, right? within 5 years we'll have facilities which I'll assure you will be comparable to anyone's, too. As someone said yesterday, we didn't make this move to earn participation medals.
 
Re: UCONN Hockey 2012-13: Hockey East Here We Come

Sure you guys are gonna be awesome in hockey. You're also going to get into the B1G. Sure sure sure.
 
Re: UCONN Hockey 2012-13: Hockey East Here We Come

Dobbs, clearly I'm out of the loop... I'd downplay expectations near term and make sure the long term looks good but that's just me. I know the near term is important but a lot can happen. What's your take.

My take is: we need all the confidence we can get going into what is absolutely going to be a tough five years, and a tough AND frustrating next five. And personally, it will be a lot easier to stomach a possible ten years of single-digit win totals with a high-level performance this year when the odds aren't particularly stacked against us as they will when we first start HE play.
 
Re: UCONN Hockey 2012-13: Hockey East Here We Come

Wow! claver and Nick both saying its impossible. I guess you boys are getting antsy.
 
Re: UCONN Hockey 2012-13: Hockey East Here We Come

When Ned Harkness resurrected a dormant Union program, the Dutchmen went 19-4 their first year and 21-3 their second.
Yup, but he was playing in a league that gave no scholarships and even prohibited recruiting. NESCAC kicked Union out after that, so we can draw our own conclusions about how he achieved those results. While I would love to have that happen at UConn (that W-L record that is), I doubt that Coach C will have quite those advantages to work with :);)
 
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Re: UCONN Hockey 2012-13: Hockey East Here We Come

I was told that Mike Cavanaugh is hiring his own personel and that Dave Berard and Rich McKenna have been relieved of their duties. McKenna was certainly a sitting duck and does not have the resume as a former player or coach, but Berard is somewhat disappointing. I can see where Cavanaugh is coming from letting him go though. He needs the locker room to buy into him, not constantly look to Berard and potentially create a divide. Also, it has been well noted that Berard did not succeed during his last stint in hockey east as a recruiter.
 
Re: UCONN Hockey 2012-13: Hockey East Here We Come

I was told that Mike Cavanaugh is hiring his own personel and that Dave Berard and Rich McKenna have been relieved of their duties. McKenna was certainly a sitting duck and does not have the resume as a former player or coach, but Berard is somewhat disappointing. I can see where Cavanaugh is coming from letting him go though. He needs the locker room to buy into him, not constantly look to Berard and potentially create a divide. Also, it has been well noted that Berard did not succeed during his last stint in hockey east as a recruiter.

Frankly, I could have just as easily seen Berard quitting of his own volition. We hired Cavanaugh in part because we knew he could be our long-term guy; how long would Berard have wanted to sit second chair knowing that first chair might never open up for him?
 
Re: UCONN Hockey 2012-13: Hockey East Here We Come

Frankly, I could have just as easily seen Berard quitting of his own volition. We hired Cavanaugh in part because we knew he could be our long-term guy; how long would Berard have wanted to sit second chair knowing that first chair might never open up for him?

I frankly would have been shocked if Berard stayed for that reason. And also because it could lead to lots of second guessing if Cavanaugh has a rough start, or it doesn't work out for some other reason. And if you've been the head guy its probalby tough to take a back seat at the same place. As for McKenna, I could have seen him being the one who stayed if Cav had been interested in maintaining some continuity. Young guy pretty much learning the position as the 2nd assistant. I don't worry all that much about where he played in college...after all we just hired a head coach who played at Bowdoin. McKenna was a pretty typical AHA assistant, young and inexperienced, but I'm not sure he was ready for Hockey East just yet. Or will ever be. But I get that Cav wants to bring in his own guys for this.
 
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