UMass Lowell Offseason 2014: Brave New World

[Patman]

You're right, I was being too politically correct. I didn't like his game before that hit, and I like it even less now.

Looks like Rinaldo might be getting off light... Which once again shows that embarrassing the NHL is a far bigger crime than the action itself (ignoring Avery's stunt which I believe was more about the Stars not wanting his problems anymore.)

These guys can spin it "oh my gosh" as much as they like. How can you not know you're going to crack the head. If it was about making a check you wouldn't look away.

Same old song and dance from this league.

 

[UMLFan]

Re: UMass Lowell Offseason 2014: Brave New World

Will they be able to out-recruit BC? Probably not -- but I'll bet they'll win the occasional recruiting battle with them. (BU's another story -- I really believe that program will see a couple more less-than-stellar years as a result of the coaching turnover).

Neither of those schools will lose a recruiting battle to Lowell. Just not going to happen.

 

[jcarter7669]

Re: UMass Lowell Offseason 2014: Brave New World

Neither of those schools will lose a recruiting battle to Lowell. Just not going to happen.

I wouldn't rule it out, maybe BC but given the current struggles of BU and UML's recent success I don't think it's unreasonable for Lowell to pick up a few here and there out form under BU.

 

[UMLFan]

Re: UMass Lowell Offseason 2014: Brave New World

I wouldn't rule it out, maybe BC but given the current struggles of BU and UML's recent success I don't think it's unreasonable for Lowell to pick up a few here and there out form under BU.

Their history means a lot. Even after a horrendous year (for them), they have 4 NDPT recruits. And I don't expect BU to be down long.

 

[Catamount93]

Re: UMass Lowell Offseason 2014: Brave New World

I think you guys have a lot to look forward to, but I'd agree with the statement that BC and BU aren't losing recruiting battles to Lowell (or UVM) going forward. They lose to each other, and maybe Minnesota. That's pretty much it and won't change. The talent is already rolling back in at BU...we'll see about the environmnent on the ice, but they will out recruit anyone and that goes for the future as well.

 

[Patman]

Their history means a lot. Even after a horrendous year (for them), they have 4 NDPT recruits. And I don't expect BU to be down long.

I agree, unfortunately. Look at all the players Maine continued to get by reputation alone. Takes a long time for a reputation to fade.

On the other hand I think we can go into the corner on occasion and come out with the puck. Let's start winning battles against Maine and UNH. Both schools until proven otherwise are living off vapors of the past. We just won two league titles and three NCAA appearances.

Right now we've got the goods and until Maine completes its turnaround (assuming it does) I think we ought to be battling them.

 

[WisemanFromUmass-Lowell]

Re: UMass Lowell Offseason 2014: Brave New World

Their history means a lot. Even after a horrendous year (for them), they have 4 NDPT recruits. And I don't expect BU to be down long.

Difference in opinion but I think history means way more to fans than it does to recruits. Especially today's kids. I think it's the coach that makes the most difference, followed by things like school, location, facility, current success of the program (not necessarily in any order). It's why good college coaches (in any sport) are successful wherever they go - kids want to play for them.

 

[CleggyofUML]

Looks like Rinaldo might be getting off light... Which once again shows that embarrassing the NHL is a far bigger crime than the action itself (ignoring Avery's stunt which I believe was more about the Stars not wanting his problems anymore.)

These guys can spin it "oh my gosh" as much as they like. How can you not know you're going to crack the head. If it was about making a check you wouldn't look away.

Same old song and dance from this league.

Well he is having a hearing. I didn't hear if it was in person or over the phone, but I hope he gets suspended for a few games at least. Especially since Chad received a concussion from that hit. The NHL needs to crack down on things like this.

 

[leswp1]

Re: UMass Lowell Offseason 2014: Brave New World

I may be in the minority here but perhaps, as a long-timer, I have a bit of a different perspective.

In short, I see these current departures as a blip in the screen. Very different from years past from when the team has made a run and then lost a key player or few (Morris, Roloson, etc.) In those years, I never had any sort of confidence level that the program could hit another "high point" anytime soon after. I thought those years were lucky anomalies. I feel completely different now. I feel the school is very invested in the program (and those of us that remember President Hogan remember how bad it used to be), they have a facility and a program that they have now learned how to market properly, an excellent coach who is an alum and now some success. I think this becomes far more sustainable than many of you think. I think this is now an environment where people will want to play. Will they be able to out-recruit BC? Probably not -- but I'll bet they'll win the occasional recruiting battle with them. (BU's another story -- I really believe that program will see a couple more less-than-stellar years as a result of the coaching turnover).

So long story short: I really like where this program is and feel more confident about the success of the SYSTEM that's been created than I ever have......

This. Been around as long as Wiseman and I don't think the aura of success for the 'big' programs is like it was yrs ago. The culture that assumed the big programs were Godlike and preordained isn't gone but it isn't but it sure isn't what it used to be. The parity lately means any program is vulnerable on every given night, not just a fluke.

I agree BU is in for an interesting time with the coach change. Kid could chose BU and spend all their yrs of eligibility waiting for them to rebuild. At some point Jerry will need to retire too. It seems to me kids are a bit more flexible in how they think about what is best going to develop them and some of the advantage 'they' used to hold is diminished. IMHO I don't think all kids assume going to BU/BC is automatically the best choice for everyone.

Of course I am regularly told I know nothing about hockey so

 

[BostonSoccerDad]

Re: UMass Lowell Offseason 2014: Brave New World

Neither of those schools will lose a recruiting battle to Lowell. Just not going to happen.

I think it could happen. At least now there is a possibility where several years ago there was no chance. Here is how it could happen... let's say a recruit has been given offers to play at 3 schools: BC, BU, UML. Because of the coaching situation - BU may be ruled out. Now it is down to BC vs Lowell. BC may seem the outright obvious choice - stellar program that has national name recognition and is regularly playing in the NCAA tourney. They also have a great campus located on the outskirts of Boston. But Lowell has an established coach who is every bit as good, and maybe some day thought of as better than Coach York. The campus and facilities - while not the same as BC - are at least respectable. But it all comes down to the potential opportunity for the kid being recruited. If he sees himself as being far down on the BC depth chart... but higher up on the Lowell depth chart with a chance to make some noise... he could very well select Lowell. Big fish in a small pond vs small fish in a big pond.

 

[UMLFan]

Re: UMass Lowell Offseason 2014: Brave New World

Big fish in a small pond vs small fish in a big pond.

Yes, all these things could happen, but I would seriously doubt they will. Not anytime soon.

BU's already reloading. Having arguably the top player in the country coming in will NOT hurt their recruiting going forward (think back to Marty Reasoner at BC). Yes, we have made some noise and we're probably more well-thought of than anytime before. But at the end of the day, kids like Liam Coughlin (decommit from UMass) still chooses to go to BU because that's the school he grew up loving. Playing in the Beanpot means a ton to these local kids, BTW. A lot more than I think we give it credit for (see NU's recruiting classes for the future, some major talent).

We have some very good things going for us. We're making in-roads into recruits that I doubt would have looked at us before. But we're still not recruiting anywhere near the level of the big programs (BU, BC, UND, Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Michigan, etc). We can beat those teams on the ice, but beating them in a recruits house is very very different.

If you haven't seen the recruiting classes for the big-name programs, check it out. It's pretty sick (especially BC's right now with at least 6 NDTP recruits committed).

At the end of the day, there's still a reason that the major programs in college sports stay major programs. And no, it's not always the coaching staff. See USC in football the last couple of years, even with down years, the big names out there are still very interested in playing for that school.

There's nothing wrong with dreaming big. But we're a while away from that. Hell, we've pretty much heard Bazin say it himself in regards to recruiting.

 

[Patman]

Re: UMass Lowell Offseason 2014: Brave New World

http://www.lowellsun.com/obituaries/ci_25508920/comedian-john-pinette-50-dies-at-pa-hotel

Pinette, Comedian, ULowell alum dead at 50

 

[BostonSoccerDad]

Re: UMass Lowell Offseason 2014: Brave New World

http://www.lowellsun.com/obituaries/ci_25508920/comedian-john-pinette-50-dies-at-pa-hotel

Pinette, Comedian, ULowell alum dead at 50

Yup - good guy lived over in Bogus way back when I was in school. Saw him a couple of times doing standup and he was very funny. I remember having my jaw drop to the floor when watching him on the Seinfeld finale... something like "holy crap I know that guy!!!" That was the only memorable thing about that episode. John was also an alum of Malden Catholic. RIP.

 

[BostonSoccerDad]

Re: UMass Lowell Offseason 2014: Brave New World

Yes, all these things could happen, but I would seriously doubt they will. Not anytime soon.

True, this would be an exception case, not the Norm. (pun fully intended).

 

[Middle Street]

Re: UMass Lowell Offseason 2014: Brave New World

But Lowell has an established coach who is every bit as good, and maybe some day thought of as better than Coach York.

York is probably the greatest NCAA hockey coach of all time. Norm has a long, long way to go before being on that level. That said, he's young and off to a good start.

 

[jcarter7669]

Re: UMass Lowell Offseason 2014: Brave New World

Their history means a lot. Even after a horrendous year (for them), they have 4 NDPT recruits. And I don't expect BU to be down long.

Their history doesn't mean all that much, unless as a negative. These kids want to go to BC or BU, but more importantly with the top tier recruits they want to play for Jack Parker or Jerry York or whoever is going to win. Parker is gone, and BU can live off it's rep for a few years, but bottom of the league in 3-4 years and you are going to see it in their recruiting.

They may have some good recruits coming in, but remember coaches aren't picking kids up the year before they come to school, alot of these kids committed 2-3-4 years out. Quinn has 2 more bad seasons and you will start to see the effect.

But for example, you have a kid that is being recruited by BU, UNH, UML and there is a pretty decent shot he is choosing UML. If it's BC, BU, and UML... well kids are going to go to BC, no doubt. Sooner then later York is going to hang it up, and that will hurt too. Kids want to play for the coach that is going to get them the exposure to win... and to develop into a NHL player. The BC/BU/NU/UML etc has less to do then with who is behind the bench. IMO

 

[Nick Papagiorgio]

Re: UMass Lowell Offseason 2014: Brave New World

I think it could happen. At least now there is a possibility where several years ago there was no chance. Here is how it could happen... let's say a recruit has been given offers to play at 3 schools: BC, BU, UML. Because of the coaching situation - BU may be ruled out. Now it is down to BC vs Lowell. BC may seem the outright obvious choice - stellar program that has national name recognition and is regularly playing in the NCAA tourney. They also have a great campus located on the outskirts of Boston. But Lowell has an established coach who is every bit as good,

This whole fantasy was hilarious but when I got here I had to stop. Seriously.

 

[WisemanFromUmass-Lowell]

Re: UMass Lowell Offseason 2014: Brave New World

Playing in the Beanpot means a ton to these local kids, BTW. A lot more than I think we give it credit for (see NU's recruiting classes for the future, some major talent).

This is a good point and what I think *will* keep BU in the game. And where history DOES matter (he says, contradicting himself from an earlier post). I think if BU didn't have the BP to hang on too, they could have some lean years (by THEIR usual standards). But what I also think is that NU could be the recipient of this. The Beanpot has obviously not really helped them much nor did having some good coaches (I was one who thought for sure that Bruce Crowder leaving for NU would turn that program around). But I wonder if BU's current teetering might have a positive impact on NU's recruiting (given the allure of the BP). Who knows. I grew up here (didn't play hockey though) and still don't quite get the allure of that tournament......

 

[Patman]

This is a good point and what I think *will* keep BU in the game. And where history DOES matter (he says, contradicting himself from an earlier post). I think if BU didn't have the BP to hang on too, they could have some lean years (by THEIR usual standards). But what I also think is that NU could be the recipient of this. The Beanpot has obviously not really helped them much nor did having some good coaches (I was one who thought for sure that Bruce Crowder leaving for NU would turn that program around). But I wonder if BU's current teetering might have a positive impact on NU's recruiting (given the allure of the BP). Who knows. I grew up here (didn't play hockey though) and still don't quite get the allure of that tournament......

You know, I agree... But if you are a hockey kid and your in that culture... Maybe one of your coaches played for them back in the day, or so and so's cousin plays for them, etc. all of the sudden a few degrees of separation puts you on the bandwagon. You all want to be a part of the action.

 

[BostonSoccerDad]

This whole fantasy was hilarious but when I got here I had to stop. Seriously.

Yes - it is a fantasy - that's what you do in the offseason on boards like this. But are you saying that Bazin is not even in the same conversation as York? Bazin has built a program and inherited much less than York. I am not trying to sell York short - but I think he has a much easier job than Bazin. Bazin has many more years to really prove himself truly worthy - but **** he is off to a good start. I will stop now because this is getting off the main topic of this thread.