Re: UMass Lowell 2014-2015 Season: The March to March Thread II
Did anyone ask a question on recruiting?
Yeah, a couple questions were asked that had to do with recruiting. I'll do my best to paraphrase the question/answer (it was really early, I was still half asleep)
1.
Question about getting top local recruits like Eichel. Guy mentioned how packed the BU game was, and what having every game like that could do. Bazin said that Eichel wouldn't even return their call. Noted that Eichel was good for the league - he brought attendance up everywhere he played, and that's good. He went on to say that they're not going to get the top guys, and that he's okay with that. They're focused on the older, mature kids who are looking to play good hockey and get a great education. He said they'd love to get more kids from Chelmsford and Billerica, but that they're going to find their guys wherever they are. He pointed out Olli, who hails from northern Finland. A big city, but remote. Said Olli missed his flight and it took two days to get the next one.
2.
Question about next year's class. Lowell has (listed) 2 D and 5 F coming in, and only 2 D and 1 F outgoing. Asked about roster attrition. Bazin said that they sit down with each player and discuss their standing on the team. He said if a kid thinks he's a top 9 guy, and the coaches think he's a 12-15 guy, then they have to have a conversation.
3.
Question about recruiting for 2016 and beyond. Bazin didn't really give any solid answers. He did say that lots of teams have recruits for the next few years because they're recruiting high school sophomores. and that the earlier recruiting is why we're seeing so many teams having recruits for 2016, 2017 and even 2018.
That was really it for recruiting. Other tidbits that were asked about included the practice arena (no firm timetable, Bazin didn't seem optimistic that it would be done within the next four years), scholarships (Bazin said there are only about 5 guys will full rides, the rest of the 18 scholarships are split up), Notre Dame possibly leaving Hockey East (he's heard the rumors, he doesn't get into all that. Hockey East will thrive regardless) and the goalie situation (praised Boyle's effort this year. Said that they don't need him to be another Carr or Hellebuyck, just be better than the guy across the ice. Said he's brought a lot to the team in a position where they were depleted).
It was a fun event. Props to the hockey department for running it.
and the Cats will no doubt maybe possibly eek out a sweep, or Lowell will, or they will split...