UMaine Black Bears, 2016 2017 season thread

[BoSox3066]

Re: UMaine Black Bears, 2016 2017 season thread

I really don't see any good teams in Hockey East other than BU

Lol its the best conference in the country I think there's more than one "good team" even none of them are North of the NH state liquor store these days

 

[Drew S.]

Re: UMaine Black Bears, 2016 2017 season thread

Lol its the best conference in the country I think there's more than one "good team" even none of them are North of the NH state liquor store these days

Disagree with this. It certainly was for a long period of time, but I think those days have come to an end at least for now. Some of that is obviously because of Maine, but UNH has been pretty weak and BU between appearances in the national championship game wasn't anything special. It looks like BU is getting back to their best and at the same time BC is declining. Providence looks promising, but Leaman has had all of his success with basically the same group and until he has success with a team that is completely his I won't be 100% sold. UML has absolutely turned into a solid program, but I still think they are a ways from where Maine and UNH used to be. I would put the NCHC ahead of Hockey East and the EZAC and Big Ten aren't that far behind. If/when Wisconsin(this is already happening) and Michigan get their act together the Big Ten could be the best conference in the country.

Who else would you say is good this year? Northeastern certainly has a great chance to be, but with their inconsistency I think its hard to give them that title going into the season. UML I expect to be solid again, I would guess they are top four in hockey east and make the NCAA tourney, but in my mind solid and good are two completely different things. Providence and BC will undoubtedly have some very good players, but I'm not sure how good either will be as a team.

 

[walrus]

Re: UMaine Black Bears, 2016 2017 season thread

Disagree with this. It certainly was for a long period of time, but I think those days have come to an end at least for now. Some of that is obviously because of Maine, but UNH has been pretty weak and BU between appearances in the national championship game wasn't anything special. It looks like BU is getting back to their best and at the same time BC is declining. Providence looks promising, but Leaman has had all of his success with basically the same group and until he has success with a team that is completely his I won't be 100% sold. UML has absolutely turned into a solid program, but I still think they are a ways from where Maine and UNH used to be. I would put the NCHC ahead of Hockey East and the EZAC and Big Ten aren't that far behind. If/when Wisconsin(this is already happening) and Michigan get their act together the Big Ten could be the best conference in the country.

Who else would you say is good this year? Northeastern certainly has a great chance to be, but with their inconsistency I think its hard to give them that title going into the season. UML I expect to be solid again, I would guess they are top four in hockey east and make the NCAA tourney, but in my mind solid and good are two completely different things. Providence and BC will undoubtedly have some very good players, but I'm not sure how good either will be as a team.

BU is going to be good, BC is going to be good, Lowell is going to be good, PC is going to be good, Notre Dame is going to be good, iffy on NU but I'll bet they are going to be good. Maine and UNH aren't

 

[Maine Event]

I was about to say the same thing after checking out the roster also on goblackbears.com

Oliver Herner has been added to the team roster and will wear #6

 

[Maine Event]

Re: UMaine Black Bears, 2016 2017 season thread

In addition, Peter Housakos has also been added and will wear #24

 

[walrus]

Oliver Herner has been added to the team roster and will wear #6

Nice, hopefully he helps this team get out of the cellar

 

[Ma#1ne Hky]

Re: UMaine Black Bears, 2016 2017 season thread

OK so, Herner in/ Housakos in/ Hoglund 2nd semester/ Where does that leave Canon Pieper who is also listed on the Roster.? Is he able to play at the start of the season or is he like Hoglund and able to play during the 2nd semester or.....?

 

[BoSox3066]

Re: UMaine Black Bears, 2016 2017 season thread

Hockey East will have 4-5 NCAA tourney teams and teams that make the tourney are "good" ergo Hockey East has more than 1 "good" team.

 

[NorthMike]

Anyone know how Vesey, Gibson, and Robbins are looking after the summer. Hopefully they have gained a good incremental step in improvement. They could be key players this year.

 

[MarkEagleUSA]

Re: UMaine Black Bears, 2016 2017 season thread

Where does that leave Canon Pieper who is also listed on the Roster.? Is he able to play at the start of the season or is he like Hoglund and able to play during the 2nd semester or.....?

I would guess Pieper falls under the standard NCAA tranfer rules: must sit for one year but can workout and practice with the team.

 

[DoubleA]

Re: UMaine Black Bears, 2016 2017 season thread

Anyone know how Vesey, Gibson, and Robbins are looking after the summer. Hopefully they have gained a good incremental step in improvement. They could be key players this year.

I will guess that they will come back in very good to excellent shape and with positive mental attitudes. It is reported that McGovern has come back in much better shape than Sept 2015. With all the pruning done since the end of last season, it seems to me that the atmosphere will be very competitive (for playing time) among the returning veterans and the 10 or 11 freshmen. This is a very different team roster-wise than '15-'16. I doubt the team will be worse. I think it will be much better. This will be a pivotal year for Red & the staff. And I certainly think that having Alfie as goalie coach will be a material difference.

 

[Ma#1ne Hky]

Re: UMaine Black Bears, 2016 2017 season thread

I will guess that they will come back in very good to excellent shape and with positive mental attitudes. It is reported that McGovern has come back in much better shape than Sept 2015. With all the pruning done since the end of last season, it seems to me that the atmosphere will be very competitive (for playing time) among the returning veterans and the 10 or 11 freshmen. This is a very different team roster-wise than '15-'16. I doubt the team will be worse. I think it will be much better. This will be a pivotal year for Red & the staff. And I certainly think that having Alfie as goalie coach will be a material difference.

I do like the IDEA of having Alfie Michaud back in helping out the goaltending, he has stated he will be @ Maine during practices more....a more hands on approach can't hurt(imo)....goaltending has to be much improved for this team to move forward.

 

[walrus]

Re: UMaine Black Bears, 2016 2017 season thread

. This will be a pivotal year for Red & the staff. And I certainly think that having Alfie as goalie coach will be a material difference.

+1 on this. Its time for Red to move this team forward and having Alfie around will help, not just with the goalies but also keeping fans happy. Very personable guy.

 

[NorthMike]

+1 on this. Its time for Red to move this team forward and having Alfie around will help, not just with the goalies but also keeping fans happy. Very personable guy.

Looking forward to seeing them on the ice in two weeks to see how the freshman and a few others look.
Might even go to the exhibition game, even though its 20 bucks for the cheap seats.

 

[Pucknut]

Re: UMaine Black Bears, 2016 2017 season thread

Looking forward to seeing them on the ice in two weeks to see how the freshman and a few others look.
Might even go to the exhibition game, even though its 20 bucks for the cheap seats.

Do it, if you stayed home watching football and drinking a 30-pack that would cover the cost.

 

[BBDiehard14]

Re: UMaine Black Bears, 2016 2017 season thread

With a game on Sunday, kind of odd to see this thread buried on Page 2. It'll be interesting to see who is on what line on Sunday, even though it's only an exhibition

 

[walrus]

Re: UMaine Black Bears, 2016 2017 season thread

With a game on Sunday, kind of odd to see this thread buried on Page 2. It'll be interesting to see who is on what line on Sunday, even though it's only an exhibition

Thats what happens when you win 8 games in your last season. You can tell a few things, who came back in shape? Who has some speed and possibly who has some hands.

 

[Drew S.]

Re: UMaine Black Bears, 2016 2017 season thread

Thats what happens when you win 8 games in your last season. You can tell a few things, who came back in shape? Who has some speed and possibly who has some hands.

Also, it would be interesting to know if there are any guys who are injured. Other than the story on goaltending it doesn't seem like Larry has written very much.

 

[NorthMike]

Re: UMaine Black Bears, 2016 2017 season thread

Also, it would be interesting to know if there are any guys who are injured. Other than the story on goaltending it doesn't seem like Larry has written very much.

First few games might give some initial glimpse into what the future may hold, it will be interesting.
Have the coaches hit the ice yet with the team?

Looking to the day hopefully not too far off when the blackbears can break back into the top 20 polling!!!


Preseason USCHO.com Division I Men's Poll

September 26, 2016

Team (First Place Votes) Record Points Last Poll
1 North Dakota (43) 34- 6-4 993 1
2 Quinnipiac ( 1) 32- 4-7 856 2
3 Denver 25-10-6 848 4
4 Boston University ( 5) 21-13-5 774 14
5 Boston College ( 1) 28- 8-5 641 3
6 Minnesota-Duluth 19-16-5 621 9
7 St. Cloud State 31- 9-1 569 5
8 Massachusetts-Lowell 26-10-5 535 7
9 Notre Dame 19-11-7 502 13
10 Providence 27- 7-4 476 7
11 Michigan 25- 8-5 470 6
12 Harvard 19-11-4 422 10
13 Minnesota 20-17-0 404 NR
14 Bowling Green 22-14-6 370 NR
15 Northeastern 22-15-5 361 12
16 St. Lawrence 19-14-4 336 18
17 Michigan Tech 23- 9-5 285 16
18 Yale 19- 9-4 283 11
19 Minnesota State 21-13-7 153 17
20 Ferris State 20-15-6 126 15
Others receiving votes: Cornell 92, Nebraska-Omaha 85, Penn State 63, Clarkson 62, Rochester Institute of Technology 62, Ohio State 33, Air Force 17, Vermont 16, Miami 11, Wisconsin 10, Dartmouth 6, Robert Morris 6, Michigan State 5.


Read more: http://www.uscho.com/rankings/#ixzz4LThTzPe5

 

[AMC]

Re: UMaine Black Bears, 2016 2017 season thread

Hockey East coaches' poll is out, Maine picked last: http://hockeyeastonline.com/men/pres1617/201609/sep26mcp.php

2016-2017 HOCKEY EAST PRESEASON COACHES POLL
Team (1st Place Votes) Pts.
1. Boston University (10) 130
2. Northeastern (1) 108
Notre Dame 108
4. UMass Lowell (1) 105
5. Providence 98
6. Boston College 91
7. UConn 63
8. Vermont 57
9. Merrimack 53
10. New Hampshire 49
11. Massachusetts 32
12. Maine 30