Union Hockey 2010 Off Season Thread. Albany to A.C.

[ADK11]

Re: Union Hockey 2010 Off Season Thread. Albany to A.C.

There has been discussion on the RPI thread that Seth Appert has received another contract extension taking him through 6 more seasons. I'm not saying he is not deserving but if he warrants that kind of extension, what about Nate Leaman? I'm getting an uneasy feeling about this.

Well there is speculation on the Ohio State thread about Leaman being considered for the opening with the Buckeyes, and with Leaman being from Ohio I guess that makes some sense. However, I would assume that the idea of Union having Nate under contract means that U would have to give permission for Ohio State to talk with him and then release him from his contract if he was picked. This is possible, as U could figure that as league COTY etc. Nate could be too expensive to keep in the long run and Bennett would be available as a replacement that the players already know. However, the admin probably does have some decision in the matter, at least for now. Will be interesting to see who is announced as being in the running..

 

[ADK11]

Re: Union Hockey 2010 Off Season Thread. Albany to A.C.

And an update on next year's freshmen, some of whom are still playing..

Mat Bodie is currently the leading scorer in the playoffs in the BCHL.. including forwards BTW .. with 31 points in 22 games! He is really having a monster playoffs for Powell River and has been a huge reason (along with RIT goalie recruit Josh Watson) for PR being in the league finals. Daniel Carr is also having a big playoffs for PR and is 3rd in scoring with 26 points in 22 games. For anyone interested, Powell and Vernon play game 7 tomorrow night at 10PM EST and can access a video feed of the game on the BCHL website.

Matt Hatch also had a very good playoffs in the BCHL with 13 points in 13 games for Alberni and garnered 4 selections as a top 3 star of the game. It sounds like he plays a very physical game and can make things happen for his teammates.

And in the OJAHL, Mike Ingoldsby finished as the second leading scorer defenseman in the playoffs with 11 points in 17 games as Oakville won the OJAHL championship. Oakville will now move on to elimination games for the RBC cup.

 

[hockeyplayer1015]

Re: Union Hockey 2010 Off Season Thread. Albany to A.C.

Matt Hatch also had a very good playoffs in the BCHL with 13 points in 13 games for Alberni and garnered 4 selections as a top 3 star of the game. It sounds like he plays a very physical game and can make things happen for his teammates.

Grew up with Matt, and he's a north country kid, so physical play is natural for him. He led Massena to a state championship 2 years ago in D-1 High School hockey, and apparently has improved even more out in BC. He's a great kid and should be a classy representative of Union for the next 4 years. Hopefully he'll do well, except against SLU

 

[Wholin1]

Re: Union Hockey 2010 Off Season Thread. Albany to A.C.

Well there is speculation on the Ohio State thread about Leaman being considered for the opening with the Buckeyes, and with Leaman being from Ohio I guess that makes some sense. However, I would assume that the idea of Union having Nate under contract means that U would have to give permission for Ohio State to talk with him and then release him from his contract if he was picked. This is possible, as U could figure that as league COTY etc. Nate could be too expensive to keep in the long run and Bennett would be available as a replacement that the players already know. However, the admin probably does have some decision in the matter, at least for now. Will be interesting to see who is announced as being in the running..

Leaman is definitely in play and if the college doesn't step up I think he will leave. I doubted that he would be at Union for his entire career, but I would have liked to see him remain long enough to lead to the next logical step in the program's progression. He is among the lowest paid coaches in the League and in Division 1, which of course is not sustainable or justifiable. I see this as a Siena/Iowa/McCaffery type moment for Nate, where his stock may not be this high again for a while, and without a commitment from the college he may feel that the best move for his career and for his family would be to make a change now.

The problem is that at least until recently, every step that Union has taken to upgrade, the Administration has gone along kicking and screaming. I think its the D-3 v. D-1 mentality that has never quite been overcome unlike at Clarkson, RPI, SLU, etc., where so far as I know, it was never a similar issue. I do believe however, that Pres. Ainlay is a greater ally of the program and that he and Frank Messa are committed to further progress.

Also, I assume that if Leaman takes another position, and I think Ohio State is definitely in the mix, he would probably offer Rick Bennett a position. Rick might want to consider staying if he could be head coach, but the College would have to act quickly, and they rarely do that. Also, he would likely see the handwriting on the wall or on the glass ceiling, and realize that even as head coach, he would be butting up against the same problems and limitations as far as salary, lack of an automobile, etc.

I think the program could be at another crossroads of sorts. I could be wrong, of course, but only time will tell.

 

[ADK11]

Re: Union Hockey 2010 Off Season Thread. Albany to A.C.

I was under the impression that by going (finally) to long-term contracts that Union was avoiding having the coach bolt precipitously like Moore & Sneddon did.. though I could be wrong of course. It also seems to me that in general you don't see a lot of head coaches changing schools unless their contracts have expired. Though again, if Leaman really wants the position at OSU and would be unhappy if the admin didn't let him apply, they may see the handwriting and let him go. Also think that if Leaman left, he would petition the admin to have Bennett named as replacement and I would expect Rick to jump at it even if it is a bit of a stepping stone. Doesn't hurt that next year's team should be even better than this season's either

As for the salaries and U's mid-major Sienna-like status, there may be no avoiding it. I know the NCAA had a website a few years ago that showed coaching budgets for sports at different schools, and not surprisingly Union had one of the lowest in D-1 hockey - certainly the lowest in ECAC. The reality is that U will never be able to compete salary wise with the big schools, like say OSU, that rake in millions from football and b-ball. And there may also be Title IX restrictions that you have to pay your women's coaches accordingly. So unless some big donors give a boat-load of money to endow hockey coaching salaries, U may continue to go through coaches every 5-10 years.

 

[Wholin1]

Re: Union Hockey 2010 Off Season Thread. Albany to A.C.

I was under the impression that by going (finally) to long-term contracts that Union was avoiding having the coach bolt precipitously like Moore & Sneddon did.. though I could be wrong of course. It also seems to me that in general you don't see a lot of head coaches changing schools unless their contracts have expired. Though again, if Leaman really wants the position at OSU and would be unhappy if the admin didn't let him apply, they may see the handwriting and let him go. Also think that if Leaman left, he would petition the admin to have Bennett named as replacement and I would expect Rick to jump at it even if it is a bit of a stepping stone. Doesn't hurt that next year's team should be even better than this season's either

As for the salaries and U's mid-major Sienna-like status, there may be no avoiding it. I know the NCAA had a website a few years ago that showed coaching budgets for sports at different schools, and not surprisingly Union had one of the lowest in D-1 hockey - certainly the lowest in ECAC. The reality is that U will never be able to compete salary wise with the big schools, like say OSU, that rake in millions from football and b-ball. And there may also be Title IX restrictions that you have to pay your women's coaches accordingly. So unless some big donors give a boat-load of money to endow hockey coaching salaries, U may continue to go through coaches every 5-10 years.

My understanding is that most of the extended contracts give the coaches the option of looking at other jobs, but I have to admit that I've never read one. I agree that Union could never match numbers with an OSU or similar institutions but I don't see any reason why they can't be competitive at least within the ECAC. BTW, it is my understanding that none of the Union hockey coaches receive a car, though undoubtedly they get a travel allowance. With the number of miles they put on their vehicles in recruiting, I think that's also unfair. I know these are tough times, but Union is not poverty stricken either.

By the way, thanks for the recruit update. It looks like we've got some potential talent on the way.

 

[ADK11]

Re: Union Hockey 2010 Off Season Thread. Albany to A.C.

Forgot to mention, U recruit Tyson Fulton was #187 in NHL central scouting's final rankings of North American skaters. In reality, he probably has only a slight chance of actually being drafted, but is a nice kudo to see for an incoming recruit. Heisenberg still has him as arriving either next fall or '11.

 

[Wicked Slappaahs]

Re: Union Hockey 2010 Off Season Thread. Albany to A.C.

... BTW, it is my understanding that none of the Union hockey coaches receive a car, though undoubtedly they get a travel allowance. With the number of miles they put on their vehicles in recruiting, I think that's also unfair. I know these are tough times, but Union is not poverty stricken either.

By the way, thanks for the recruit update. It looks like we've got some potential talent on the way.

I have to agree with this...I've seen Nate's car. Seriously.

FWIW - many programs have deals set up with dealerships for a vehicle(s) which are loaned (or leased under very favorable terms) in exchange for advertising in game programs, dasher board ads, in-game promotions, etc.

 

[Wicked Slappaahs]

Re: Union Hockey 2010 Off Season Thread. Albany to A.C.

... if Leaman takes another position, and I think Ohio State is definitely in the mix, he would probably offer Rick Bennett a position. Rick might want to consider staying if he could be head coach, but the College would have to act quickly, and they rarely do that. Also, he would likely see the handwriting on the wall or on the glass ceiling, and realize that even as head coach, he would be butting up against the same problems and limitations as far as salary, lack of an automobile, etc...

Head coaching openings are too rare for somone like Bennett to ignore. IF, Nate were to bolt, I'd have to think Bennett would be interested in applying for the U job. If you have an AC who isn't interested in becoming an HC, chances are you've got the wrong guy.

Also, you're forgetting Nate's wife. She's a high powered Harvard-schooled attorney. You'll recall that when Nate was first hired, she stayed in Boston for a while practicing with a major law firm...until finally landing at another big firm with a satellite office in the capital region. My point is, Nate might be from Ohio, but the Mrs. ain't...and she already left one great gig for her man. Simply stated: "...If mamma ain't happy, ain't NOBODY happy."

Gawd, I give you guys all this free insight and I'm not even a U fan.

 

[Wholin1]

Re: Union Hockey 2010 Off Season Thread. Albany to A.C.

Also, you're forgetting Nate's wife. She's a high powered Harvard-schooled attorney. You'll recall that when Nate was first hired, she stayed in Boston for a while practicing with a major law firm...until finally landing at another big firm with a satellite office in the capital region. My point is, Nate might be from Ohio, but the Mrs. ain't...and she already left one great gig for her man. Simply stated: "...If mamma ain't happy, ain't NOBODY happy."

Gawd, I give you guys all this free insight and I'm not even a U fan.

Actually, I think Alice went to Dartmouth then to Duke Law, but the point is well taken and truth be told had occurred to me.

 

[Hockey10130]

Re: Union Hockey 2010 Off Season Thread. Albany to A.C.

Anyone know the 2010-2011 schedule or any details on their non conference games.

 

[Union93]

Re: Union Hockey 2010 Off Season Thread. Albany to A.C.

Anyone know the 2010-2011 schedule or any details on their non conference games.

Just read that RIT is paying a visit to Schenectady next season. No clue if that is accurate or not, but I have been wondering why the two teams haven't played each other during the past couple of seasons.

 

[Ralph Baer]

Re: Union Hockey 2010 Off Season Thread. Albany to A.C.

Just read that RIT is paying a visit to Schenectady next season. No clue if that is accurate or not, but I have been wondering why the two teams haven't played each other during the past couple of seasons.

They are at RPI on 10/22, so it could be 10/23.

 

[Wicked Slappaahs]

Re: Union Hockey 2010 Off Season Thread. Albany to A.C.

Actually, I think Alice went to Dartmouth then to Duke Law, but the point is well taken and truth be told had occurred to me.

I'll stand corrected on Alice's education - I do know she left a top shelf law firm in Boston.

BTW, doesn't Nate's contract expire this year? If OSU is in fact interested in him, this might make things a bit more interesting.

 

[Wholin1]

Re: Union Hockey 2010 Off Season Thread. Albany to A.C.

I'll stand corrected on Alice's education - I do know she left a top shelf law firm in Boston.

BTW, doesn't Nate's contract expire this year? If OSU is in fact interested in him, this might make things a bit more interesting.

His contract was previously extended through 2011-12. I'm sure Alice would have put an escape clause in there for him to earn her 10%.

 

[Wholin1]

Re: Union Hockey 2010 Off Season Thread. Albany to A.C.

New recruit on Heisenberg just showed up. Colin Stevens, Goalie with Jr. Bruins, listed for 2012. Expect some insight from ADK.

 

[Dutchfan]

Re: Union Hockey 2010 Off Season Thread. Albany to A.C.

This is great news, Colin is a huge get for us. Kudos to the staff for their hard work on the recruiting trail.

 

[Wicked Slappaahs]

Re: Union Hockey 2010 Off Season Thread. Albany to A.C.

New recruit on Heisenberg just showed up. Colin Stevens, Goalie with Jr. Bruins, listed for 2012. Expect some insight from ADK.

Now the question is, if Nate jumps to OSU, will Colin follow?? ... A la Fran MacCaffrey and Basabe?

 

[Wicked Slappaahs]

Re: Union Hockey 2010 Off Season Thread. Albany to A.C.

This is great news, Colin is a huge get for us. Kudos to the staff for their hard work on the recruiting trail.

Not sure how hard Nate had to work for Colin, Nisky kid who was coached by Tatar, no?

 

[Wholin1]

Re: Union Hockey 2010 Off Season Thread. Albany to A.C.

Not sure how hard Nate had to work for Colin, Nisky kid who was coached by Tatar, no?

Looks like it.

http://theworldofjuniorhockey.blogspot.com/2009/12/colin-stevens-called-up-to-ntdp.html