Union College: 2015-2016

[Dutchman]

While the College Hockey season is not over yet, the NCAA tournament has still not played out, the season is over for the Dutchmen and the season is over for the ECAC. I have started a new thread. Tried to "keep it simple". All good things must come to an end and our leagues string of successful appearances and winning records in the FF has come to an end as well.

Year ECAC record in the NCAAs
2000 1-2
2001 0-1
2002 0-1
2003 2-2
2004 1-3
2005 1-3
2006 1-2
2007 0-2
2008 1-2
2009 1-3
2010 1-2
2011 1-3
2012 3-2 F4 (1)
2013 8-2 F4 (2) - National Champs
2014 4-2 F4 (1) - National Champs
2015 0-3
2016 ?

Many of this years ECAC teams are very young and very talented and have strong recruiting classes. The future looks bright for many teams.

 

[Dutchman]

Re: Union College: 2015-2016

Our National Championship team excelled in both Offense and Defense. We struggled to replace the great defensive talent we had but retained a lot of the offensive talent. We are returning the defense intact with the addition of one recruit. Its going to be great to see how all of our players develop.

Forwards
Scarfo - Vecchione - Foo
Ammirato - Wilkins - Hynes
DiPauli - Lichtenwald - Pontarelli
Krug - Roy - Cruice
Defense
Bassard - DeSimone
Light - Taylor
Gingras - Henry
Goalie
Alex

We add to these two goalies, 1 defensemen and 4 forwards.

 

[Dutchman]

Re: Union College: 2015-2016

TENTATIVE!!!
BU, UConn, Maine(2), Michigan, UNH,
RPI at TU, at Dartmouth Tourney (2)
3 unknown. A lot of home games in October. I believe every weekend with Oct 30/31 tentatively scheduled for the RPI home and home.

Great series these past two years with St. Cloud 2-1-1
I wonder what other tournaments we are in next year?

 

[hockeyplayer1015]

Re: Union College: 2015-2016

You forgot to note Cornell's 2003 Frozen Four.

 

[Dutchman]

Re: Union College: 2015-2016

You forgot to note Cornell's 2003 Frozen Four.

Excellent catch ... I stand corrected.
In 2003 Harvard and Cornell both entered the tournament. Harvard lost to BU in the first game (Regional) ... 0-1 and Cornell defeated Minn State (5-3) and BC (2-1 OT) but lost in the semi's to UNH 3-2.

Year ECAC record in the NCAAs
2000 1-2
2001 0-1
2002 0-1
2003 2-2 F4 (1)
2004 1-3
2005 1-3
2006 1-2
2007 0-2
2008 1-2
2009 1-3
2010 1-2
2011 1-3
2012 3-2 F4 (1)
2013 8-2 F4 (2) - National Champs
2014 4-2 F4 (1) - National Champs
2015 0-3
2016 ?

 

[Dutchman]

Re: Union College: 2015-2016

2014-2015 Inter-Conference Records
Conference vs. AHA vs. Big Ten vs. ECAC vs. HEA vs. NCHC vs. WCHA Total
Atlantic Hockey ----- 1-9-2 5-18-0 2-15-0 2-5-0 3-4-2 13-51-4 (.221)
Big Ten 9-1-2 ----- 5-2-0 12-13-2 2-15-0 9-12-3 37-43-7 (.466)
ECAC 18-5-0 2-5-0 ----- 19-25-5 6-15-2 1-3-2 46-53-9 (.468)
Hockey East 15-2-0 13-12-2 25-19-5 ----- 9-8-1 3-3-1 65-44-9 (.589)
NCHC 5-2-0 15-2-0 15-6-2 8-9-1 ----- 15-8-1 58-27-4 (.674)
WCHA 4-3-2 12-9-3 3-1-2 3-3-1 8-15-1 ----- 30-31-9 (.493)

Our leagues out of conference record was not good. I think we had the best non-conf in the league. The ECAC had a losing record against every other conference except the AHA. With our 0-3 its back to the EZAC.

 

[QUAlum2004]

Re: Union College: 2015-2016

Don't forget st Lawrence ff appearance in 2000.

 

[Dutchman]

Re: Union College: 2015-2016

Don't forget st Lawrence ff appearance in 2000.

Yes, indeed Q. You have that right !!! St. Lawrence and Colgate made it that year. St. Lawrence defeated BU 3-2 in OT but lost to BC 4-2 in the semi's


Year ECAC record in the NCAAs
2000 1-2 F4 (1)
2001 0-1
2002 0-1
2003 2-2 F4 (1)
2004 1-3
2005 1-3
2006 1-2
2007 0-2
2008 1-2
2009 1-3
2010 1-2
2011 1-3
2012 3-2 F4 (1)
2013 8-2 F4 (2) - National Champs
2014 4-2 F4 (1) - National Champs
2015 0-3
2016 ?[/QUOTE]

 

[JakeMalloy]

Re: Union College: 2015-2016

Yes, indeed Q. You have that right !!! St. Lawrence and Colgate made it that year. St. Lawrence defeated BU 3-2 in OT but lost to BC 4-2 in the semi's


Year ECAC record in the NCAAs
2000 1-2 F4 (1)
2001 0-1
2002 0-1
2003 2-2 F4 (1)
2004 1-3
2005 1-3
2006 1-2
2007 0-2
2008 1-2
2009 1-3
2010 1-2
2011 1-3
2012 3-2 F4 (1)
2013 8-2 F4 (2) - National Champs
2014 4-2 F4 (1) - National Champs
2015 0-3
2016 ?

[/QUOTE]

I probably didnt follow the team as closely as most on this board but it seems to me the issues were:

a. VERY inconsistent offense (despite two 50 point seasons the team when games when scoring was impossible)

b. Poor goaltending (we had a national championship goalie going into his senior year - on paper should have been a Hobey finalist. In reality, he had to be pulled from a number of games).

c. Way too many leads blown in the final few minutes - the most obvious being the two goal lead vs. Q in the ECAC's but it happened often.

To me the most important issue is finding a solid goaltender, some defensemen who can move the puck up and out of our own end, and a couple of guys willing to do the dirty work to score ala Daniel Carr.

 

[Vaportrail]

Re: Union College: 2015-2016


I probably didnt follow the team as closely as most on this board but it seems to me the issues were:

a. VERY inconsistent offense (despite two 50 point seasons the team when games when scoring was impossible)

b. Poor goaltending (we had a national championship goalie going into his senior year - on paper should have been a Hobey finalist. In reality, he had to be pulled from a number of games).

c. Way too many leads blown in the final few minutes - the most obvious being the two goal lead vs. Q in the ECAC's but it happened often.

To me the most important issue is finding a solid goaltender, some defensemen who can move the puck up and out of our own end, and a couple of guys willing to do the dirty work to score ala Daniel Carr.[/QUOTE]



Agree with a. and c., disagree with b. I thought goaltending was good with a few exceptions. Several forwards underperformed, and I expect those coming back will be better next year. Returning defensemen also had poor years - though Taylor was good most of the way. I expect the coaches would admit they didn't do their best work this year: like some players, they appeared to suffer a hangover, stuck too long with players not able to fill the roles asked of them, and too often didn't hold players accountable.

On a positive note, Sakellaropoulos was generally good and may be better if his role is better defined in the future. The freshman class was good and got a lot of ice in important situations: PP, PK, end of game. While Scarfo and Foo look to be the most likely scoring difference-makers, all of the freshman forwards contributed. Defensively, not many classes include three freshman who all play first-unit specialty teams. If this next class is near as good, the future will be bright.

 

[aweise]

Re: Union College: 2015-2016

Agree with a. and c., disagree with b. I thought goaltending was good with a few exceptions. Several forwards underperformed, and I expect those coming back will be better next year. Returning defensemen also had poor years - though Taylor was good most of the way. I expect the coaches would admit they didn't do their best work this year: like some players, they appeared to suffer a hangover, stuck too long with players not able to fill the roles asked of them, and too often didn't hold players accountable.

Rick Bennett admitted that he didn't do the best job that he could have. Outside of the Novak, Cruice, & Wilkins suspensions early in the year, I also don't remember him benching a top-notch player because they were not performing (as he and even Leaman were known to do). At the same time, maybe they couldn't afford to due to the lack of depth on this roster.

I thought the goaltending was questionable at best for the longest time. Colin was certainly not playing to his championship form and Sak didn't step up and take the job away from him. Who knows why, but the recent run of excellent goalies leads me to believe that either Sak isn't as top-flight as Kinkaid/Grosenick/Stevens or he just mentally wasn't there at times. That said, he did show some flashes of brilliance, so I'm cautiously optimistic for him to take the job in October.

On a positive note, Sakellaropoulos was generally good and may be better if his role is better defined in the future. The freshman class was good and got a lot of ice in important situations: PP, PK, end of game. While Scarfo and Foo look to be the most likely scoring difference-makers, all of the freshman forwards contributed. Defensively, not many classes include three freshman who all play first-unit specialty teams. If this next class is near as good, the future will be bright.

Maybe Sak just needs to be told "You're the man" and run with it.

I could definitely see improvement in the freshmen by the time February rolled around - a bit too late, of course, but guys like Scarfo, Foo, Brassard, & Desimone give me hope. Foo started like a ball of fire, but cooled off in December and never really re-gained the scoring touch until late February. Perhaps the line shuffling had something to do with that. Either way, I think he's the real deal. He just needs to build some strength and be able to fight off the defenders like Ciampini could.

 

[Saints#1]

Re: Union College: 2015-2016

Yes, indeed Q. You have that right !!! St. Lawrence and Colgate made it that year. St. Lawrence defeated BU 3-2 in OT but lost to BC 4-2 in the semi's.

[/QUOTE]

Ahhhh yes famous 4OT game. I remember it just like it was yesterday ... Thanks for the memories!

 

[rdf8585]

Re: Union College: 2015-2016

Goaltending will be the biggest issue going into next season. I think Sak is a fine no. 2, which makes him a valuable guy to have. But I'm not sold on him as a no. 1 at this time. His save percentage through two seasons is under .900, which sticks out like a sore thumb. Maybe the comparisons aren't fair, but I wouldn't put him in the same class as Kinkaid, Grosenick, or Stevens.

 

[Dutchman]

Re: Union College: 2015-2016

Goaltending will be the biggest issue going into next season

Can anyone do a rundown of what we have for freshmen for next year? I think we have 2 goal tenders? How does the freshmen class look?

 

[rdf8585]

Re: Union College: 2015-2016

Can anyone do a rundown of what we have for freshmen for next year? I think we have 2 goal tenders? How does the freshmen class look?

Tentatively coming in:

G Joe Young
G Jake Kupsky

F Brendan Taylor
F Cole Maier
F Brett Supinski
F Sebastian Vidmar
F Mark Dufour

D Greg Campbell

Those 8 look to replace the 7 seniors and Shier.

 

[rdf8585]

Re: Union College: 2015-2016

Dutchmen connections abound in upcoming Frozen Four semi between Providence and UNO → http://bitly.com/1HfdYSz

 

[UnionFan4Life]

Re: Union College: 2015-2016

Tentatively coming in:

G Joe Young
G Jake Kupsky

F Brendan Taylor
F Cole Maier
F Brett Supinski
F Sebastian Vidmar
F Mark Dufour

D Greg Campbell

Those 8 look to replace the 7 seniors and Shier.

I think Maier and Supinski will be studs, only read good things about Joe Young as well. Jake Kupsky, a Wisconsin native, is 6'5'' 210 lbs and put up impressive stats. Alex will have to work very hard over the offseason because we have two talented freshman coming in. Goalie will be an interesting position battle next year.

"Kupsky walks into a winning program that has a history of developing Midwest goaltenders and getting them to the NHL. Troy Grosenick from Brookfield, Wisconsin had 39 career collegiate wins and a .925 save percentage as a Dutchmen. He won his first NHL game with the San Jose Sharks this year. Also, former Union hockey star and NAHL goalie Keith Kincaid plays for the New Jersey Devils organization."
http://nahl.com/news/story.cfm?id=12894

 

[ADK11]

Re: Union College: 2015-2016

Tentatively coming in:

G Joe Young
G Jake Kupsky

F Brendan Taylor
F Cole Maier
F Brett Supinski
F Sebastian Vidmar
F Mark Dufour

D Greg Campbell

Those 8 look to replace the 7 seniors and Shier.

My 2-cents on the recruits:
- Vidmar was leading scorer in the NAHL and is built like a tank - very much a power forward but a nice set of hands and good skill set. His team had 3-4 other players from Sweden and they very much seemed on the same wave length, so would expect could have a transition to the college game. NAHL is also not particularly known for forwards.
- Maier is slightly smaller than Vidmar and has similarities to Scarfo. He had a good year in the BCHL at slightly more than a point a game, though would say he's not quite where Scarfo was his last season in BC. He will need to bring more intensity and physicality, but could have a nice high end. Looks pretty good at faceoffs too.
- Supinski was 2nd leading scorer in BCHL and reminds me a bit of Wayne Simpson when he was a freshmen. Has a nice overall skill set but doesn't light it up in any one aspect. Always in the right spot, quick to the puck and finds a way to get open for shots. Is average size not real big and is not clear how well his game will translate in the more physical college game, but he made the jump from NE Prep to BC with no problem.
- Taylor had numbers in BC similar to Maier (they were teammates BTW) and looks like a real good all around player. Team captain and seems to raise his game when the going gets toughest. He may end up more of an energy player at U but could crack top 6 eventually.
- Dufour's numbers in USPHL (formerly the EJHL) were not that great, but he is good size and reportedly some speed, so likely a potential 4th liner/role player.
- Campbell was a good offensive d-man in the OJHL and is pretty poised with the puck. Not real big for a d-man, but should be able to hold his own defensively. Reminds me a bit of Brock Matheson though may have more offensive potential.
- The two goalies really don't have eye popping numbers. Both are big and Kupsky is huge at like 6-5. Young had the 5th best save percent in USPHL but was not real consistent. Kupsky barely had a 91 save percent in NAHL, which tells me he may not be the most athletic kid.

Overall, I'm hoping that a couple of the forwards can help right away and make an impact on the top 3 lines. If they do, then with Vecks, Wilkins, Scarfo, Foo & Pontarelli there could be the basis for 3 lines that could score on any given night - a definite weakness on this past season's team. On the blueline, I would expect Campbell to get a good shot at finding a spot as 5th or 6th defenseman. In goal, my take is that Young may challenge Alex a bit for playing time but that Kupsky is probably 3rd string.

 

[AnthonySaxe]

Re: Union College: 2015-2016

Lord, when will you people stop with the Sak narrative? He was a late desperation recruit and has looked like it ever since he arrived. He's not athletic, very unaware, and lacks poise. Generally good? What? He was 6 points under .900. Let's all stop that. If one of the freshman aren't any good, we're in big trouble in goal.

Freshman class leaves me unexcited, again.

Vidmar may be fine, but shot at an unsustainable rate in the NAHL and played well above his head from a points perspective.

Supinski looks like a guy who just gets it done, but as ADK11 stated, no aspect of his game really stands out. But the points are there, so whatever he's doing, its working.

Taylor and Maier are tough to get a read on. Both look like they could be solid top 9 players, but I don't expect major contributions from either as a freshman.

Dufour. Man, the hype on this guy when we got him. He's been a dud in the USPHL, so, uh, yea. Don't expect much.

Campbell is an unknown. I haven't seen him play at all, but he has good numbers, is reported pretty intelligent.

The goalies..........are large. That's about all anyone can say about them at this point. Neither one is a top goalie in their respective weak leagues.

Recruiting is a huge issue. We should have been raking in talent after the National Title, but instead, we have really struggled. Last year's class was Scarfo, Foo, Brassard, and a bunch of filler. We'll see if this year is the same, but it's not looking like the most exciting class ever. We lost Kevin O'Neil, a local kid from Albany Academy, to Yale today. That's pretty sad. Lost another prep school kid to Princeton last week, where hockey careers go to die. I don't know why we were so afraid of losing Dumais as we were last season. In my view, he (and Tapp) have been a massive disappointment in terms of recruiting. I don't know who's fault it is, but for a team with so much national success in the last 5 years, we haven't done a good job restocking the cupboard.

 

[rdf8585]

Re: Union College: 2015-2016

We should have been raking in talent after the National Title, but instead, we have really struggled.

I will say I was surprised the national title didn't have much of an immediate effect on recruiting.... Union won the national title last April, but didn't pick up any commitments until November, seven months later. I thought with all the buzz around a national title, there would have been a few commitments last spring/summer. That's just me though.

There was at least one guy in that stretch that Union lost out on, defenseman Brandon Fortunato, who ended up going to BU in May. He would have been a really nice get.