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

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

With Jerry D'Amigo's move to the pro ranks today he joins Harvard's Leblanc and Cornell's Nash in leaving school early this off season. I guess somehow this may be addition by subtraction for Union as some of its toughest foes lose top talent. It may be, but I think it's kind of upsetting for college hockey fans to see the top players going pro in such great numbers. Money still talks and it's not hard to understand from the players' perspective but it doesn't mean we have to like it. :(
 
Re: Union Hockey 2010 Off Season Thread. Albany to A.C.

Got my season ticket application today. :cool: My wife is annoyed, by the sure sign that summer is drawing to a close. :( Discounts apply if ordered before Sept. 1st.
 
Re: Union Hockey 2010 Off Season Thread. Albany to A.C.

In case any Union fans are feeling happy about other teams in the league losing players early to the pros, this article should give a little pause.

http://sachem.patch.com/articles/keith-kinkaid-dreaming-nhl-big

I don't think its any exaggeration to say that if Kinkaid has a big year this season he will most likely be gone. He's certainly been garnering interest from the pros in the last two off-seasons.

Its just a fact of life these days that top players with potential will get signed. Overall, I'm not happy that players like Nash & D'Amigo are leaving the ECAC, as it hurts U's (& the rest of the leagues) strength of schedule and potential for making the NCAAs, but also can't blame the players for reaching for their dreams of making it to the show..
 
Re: Union Hockey 2010 Off Season Thread. Albany to A.C.

ADK11 said:
In case any Union fans are feeling happy about other teams in the league losing players early to the pros, this article should give a little pause.

http://sachem.patch.com/articles/keith-kinkaid-dreaming-nhl-big

I don't think its any exaggeration to say that if Kinkaid has a big year this season he will most likely be gone. He's certainly been garnering interest from the pros in the last two off-seasons.

Its just a fact of life these days that top players with potential will get signed. Overall, I'm not happy that players like Nash & D'Amigo are leaving the ECAC, as it hurts U's (& the rest of the leagues) strength of schedule and potential for making the NCAAs, but also can't blame the players for reaching for their dreams of making it to the show..
Click to expand...

this is exactly what your future goalie (C.S.) told me 2 mos. ago during "stick & puck" at the Knick. arena in Troy
 
Re: Union Hockey 2010 Off Season Thread. Albany to A.C.

Wholin1 said:
Got my season ticket application today. :cool: My wife is annoyed, by the sure sign that summer is drawing to a close. :( Discounts apply if ordered before Sept. 1st.
Click to expand...

Hmm....haven't yet received mine...and you're the second who has told me they got theirs already. I feel jilted. :(
 
Re: Union Hockey 2010 Off Season Thread. Albany to A.C.

Just got back from vacation and read about the Pirri defection to the pros. I really don't take any joy in that as I can well remember how I felt when Union lost its only recent or maybe only ever defection to the pros in TJ Fox after his sophomore year. I also think this situation is a real problem for NCAA hockey in general.

Although Union has few if any NHL caliber prospects with the possible exception of Keith Kinkaid, are we better of with players / recruits who are more likely to be around to acclimate to the system and develop as players and stay for 4 years--or with the 1, 2 or 3 year and done blue chippers? With the scholarship situation being what it is, this could be a largely moot question anyway, but I just thought I'd throw it out there for possible discussion.
 
Re: Union Hockey 2010 Off Season Thread. Albany to A.C.

Wholin1 said:
Although Union has few if any NHL caliber prospects with the possible exception of Keith Kinkaid, are we better of with players / recruits who are more likely to be around to acclimate to the system and develop as players and stay for 4 years--or with the 1, 2 or 3 year and done blue chippers? With the scholarship situation being what it is, this could be a largely moot question anyway, but I just thought I'd throw it out there for possible discussion.
Click to expand...

As a fan I'd rather have players stay all 4 years even if they aren't as elite. It's fun to see them play/develop throughout their college career.
 
Re: Union Hockey 2010 Off Season Thread. Albany to A.C.

Wholin1 said:
Although Union has few if any NHL caliber prospects with the possible exception of Keith Kinkaid, are we better of with players / recruits who are more likely to be around to acclimate to the system and develop as players and stay for 4 years--or with the 1, 2 or 3 year and done blue chippers? With the scholarship situation being what it is, this could be a largely moot question anyway, but I just thought I'd throw it out there for possible discussion.
Click to expand...
Even the top programs are having a hard time dealing with this, as it's getting harder and harder to stockpile blue-chip talent at the college level. The RPI situation is the perfect storm situation where 2 blue-chip players suddenly left just weeks before classes begin, leaving Appert & co. no time to bring in even one top recruit to replace them. The only way to combat this is to stockpile young recruits and accelerate their admission if a player leaves early. Not only is this a risky tactic, its one that Union obviously can't pull off without schollies.. not to mention that U still is not exactly a household name for true blue-chippers.

The flip side is that this leaves a pool of older recruits that either developed later or got missed because the big programs didn't have scholarships available (because they lined up a bunch of 15 & 16 year olds years in advance). I'm happy if Union can mostly recruit from this older group and attract say 1 or 2 aquamarine-chip younger players every year or so. If one or two players leave early every now & then it won't be the end of the world, but overall U needs kids that will stick around for 4 years.
 
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Re: Union Hockey 2010 Off Season Thread. Albany to A.C.

Wholin1 said:
Charlie Vasaturo, new recruit on Heisenberg.

http://www.bchl.bc.ca/leagues/roste...3&leagueID=2393&playerID=565907&teamID=267280
Click to expand...
This is a nice get and a kid I was wondering if U was interested in. Charlie is a BIG defenseman (6-3, over 200#) and looks to be very strong judging by the video on the UH Blog. Played at Lawrenceville and Avon in NE Preps prior to going to the BCHL last season. Was rated a "B" prospect by NHL Central Scouting in 2008/09 and is reportedly very physical and a strong skater with decent offensive skills.

He is a late '90 DOB, so will show up in Schenectady as a 20-year old and will turn 21 in December '11. This probably confirms that Gostisbehere will come in '12, given that only Matheson graduates after this season.
 
Re: Union Hockey 2010 Off Season Thread. Albany to A.C.

2010-2011 roster, headshots, and quickfacts are up on the Union athletics site. Every non-graduating player from last year's team are along with all the announced freshman.
 
Re: Union Hockey 2010 Off Season Thread. Albany to A.C.

Here is Ken Schott's blog on the ECAC Media day coaches and media preseason polls. Both pick Union for 3rd.

http://dailygazette.com/weblogs/sch...picked-third-rpi-fourth-and-fifth-in-ecac-ho/

Trying to predict this league is always a futile effort but it really gets the juices flowing for the first drop of the puck.

So where does Dutchland stand in terms of the upcoming season? Has Union lost too much on offense, will the veteran's step up, will the freshmen pick up the slack and contribute right away, will Kinkaid put it all together or will goalkeeping be a tandem effort? Please discuss.
 
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