US National Teams: U30s & Mrs. Potter, U22s, U18s Part II

[granddaddyscout]

Re: US National Teams: U30s & Mrs. Potter, U22s, U18s Part II

I have to agree, it doesn't seem to make any sense to expand the age group for several of these players. Do they really need to get another look a the ams, Pucci, Stedman, or Shleper. Erikson has been left out of the mix and deserves a good look, but the others have been in the program for the last few national team cycles. The Canadians seem to use everything to prepare for the Olympics while the Americans seem to try and win the meaningless 2nd tier events at all cost.

We can all write on the boards and complain about the decisions, but the true victims are the girls who get to scratch their heads and try to figure out the "why" in all this. Why does a U22 team turn into a U24 team? There's probably a reason that makes perfect sense to whoever has the power at the time, unfortunately neither we, or the girls will ever know. There is a certain comfort in transparency and protocol. I believe our girls play ice hockey and don't figure skate because they like it better that the team with the most goals wins; it doesn't matter what score the Russian judge gives you in the short program. Not only do the girls face the proverbial Russian judge on a regular basis, but they change that guy every couple of months just to make sure no one has any idea what's on the score card. Does anyone really believe that the somehow motivation to be better comes out of a sense of chaos? Beating the Canadians in international competition is not likely until everybody gets on the same page and decision making power has a single direction.

 

[EastFan1]

Re: US National Teams: U30s & Mrs. Potter, U22s, U18s Part II

I think it's cool that the coach gave five of her kids this opportunity. Really shows team loyalty.

 

[hawkeefan]

Re: US National Teams: U30s & Mrs. Potter, U22s, U18s Part II

Loyalty should have no bearing on the selections. How is Carpenter not selected, she was BC's best forward as a 17 year old. How many '94's played in college last season?? never mind leading a team that made it to the Frozen Four. Where did Harvard finish last year??

 

[OnMAA]

Re: US National Teams: U30s & Mrs. Potter, U22s, U18s Part II

The lines for the U22 seem to be much more gray than they are for U18, perhaps because there isn't any world championship riding on it. The only competition seems to be this summer exhibition series and the Meco Cup or whatever it will be called this time, and the rosters for that are senior teams for everyone but Canada. Even the Canadians have used a more "veteran" player from time to time, so the countries must have some working agreement as to when the age restriction can be eased.

My comment earlier was mostly meant TIC. Well aware TC-U22 carried overagers in the past for the MECO/MLP cup where the other teams in the events are National Senior teams. Typically it was done to give those at the fringes of the National roster some good competition/exposure/further evaluation. Not 100% sure, but I always thought the series with the US was a pure U22 team. Not sure either what the motivation was for the US squad to include members from their Senior squad. Some of those selected are difference makers on their National teams, so suspect it was not driven by the need to evaluate further.

For the record, do not have a problem with it, as it makes for good competition in the U22 series, but as another poster indicated, it would be nice to understand the motivation behind it.

 

[ARM]

Re: US National Teams: U30s & Mrs. Potter, U22s, U18s Part II

For the record, do not have a problem with it, as it makes for good competition in the U22 series, but as another poster indicated, it would be nice to understand the motivation behind it.

I'm sure that there is some sort of party-line spin revolving around injuries or the like. There's always an element of truth to that; for example, Kessel is not available at present. But as another pointed out, it would make far more sense to roster someone like Carpenter rather than have the umpteenth appearance of the Lams. USA Hockey should know what they are likely to get from that duo at this point, both good and bad.

 

[YabaDabaDoo]

Re: US National Teams: U30s & Mrs. Potter, U22s, U18s Part II

Carpy gets yet another spanking for snubbing Harvard in the eleventh hour! and if thats not bad enough, Skrupa gets taken "not that she isn't deserving" and both Fields & Carpy don't, so imagine the happy bench at BC for Skrupa when the superstar personalities clash! "It's probably still better to be a big fish in a little pond"

I'm sure that there is some sort of party-line spin revolving around injuries or the like. There's always an element of truth to that; for example, Kessel is not available at present. But as another pointed out, it would make far more sense to roster someone like Carpenter rather than have the umpteenth appearance of the Lams. USA Hockey should know what they are likely to get from that duo at this point, both good and bad.

 

[OldDave]

Re: US National Teams: U30s & Mrs. Potter, U22s, U18s Part II

I'm sure that there is some sort of party-line spin revolving around injuries or the like. There's always an element of truth to that; for example, Kessel is not available at present. But as another pointed out, it would make far more sense to roster someone like Carpenter rather than have the umpteenth appearance of the Lams. USA Hockey should know what they are likely to get from that duo at this point, both good and bad.

Seems to me that there is also a student (as in student-athlete) piece to this. I know a lot of the ladies are in school over the summer so they can take a lighter load during the season. I suspect that some of the invitees turned down the opportunity because of class commitments. Would not be surprised if the lams were invited simply because they could attend by taking classes remotely, as they did during the Olympics.

 

[EastFan1]

Re: US National Teams: U30s & Mrs. Potter, U22s, U18s Part II

The Lams were invited because a whole bunch of elite hockey players blew off their Olympic dreams for summer school and no one was left? That would be news.

 

[rinkrat890890]

Re: US National Teams: U30s & Mrs. Potter, U22s, U18s Part II

Carpy gets yet another spanking for snubbing Harvard in the eleventh hour! and if thats not bad enough, Skrupa gets taken "not that she isn't deserving" and both Fields & Carpy don't, so imagine the happy bench at BC for Skrupa when the superstar personalities clash! "It's probably still better to be a big fish in a little pond"

Carpenter and Fields are very humble personalities and very mature. I am sure the BC bench will be fine.

 

[ARM]

Re: US National Teams: U30s & Mrs. Potter, U22s, U18s Part II

Seems to me that there is also a student (as in student-athlete) piece to this. I know a lot of the ladies are in school over the summer so they can take a lighter load during the season. I suspect that some of the invitees turned down the opportunity because of class commitments. Would not be surprised if the lams were invited simply because they could attend by taking classes remotely, as they did during the Olympics.

While I'm sure that there is some truth to that, they have to deal with the student versus travel component all season long, so I'd expect that UND doesn't offer means of attending remotely unheard of in Boston. There may be some impact of geography, though. For example, on the U18 team, not only are eight from Minnesota, but four are from Illinois, three from Michigan, and one each from Iowa, Indiana, and Missouri. Compared to two selections from New York, one from Connecticut, and only one from Massachusetts. Nobody made the list from California or Colorado. Perhaps the distance involved made it tougher for players from the East and the West to attend. Don't know how the logistics play out, but I'd think that there is something behind it other than Midwest bias.

 

[hawkeefan]

Re: US National Teams: U30s & Mrs. Potter, U22s, U18s Part II

Carpy gets yet another spanking for snubbing Harvard in the eleventh hour! and if thats not bad enough, Skrupa gets taken "not that she isn't deserving" and both Fields & Carpy don't, so imagine the happy bench at BC for Skrupa when the superstar personalities clash! "It's probably still better to be a big fish in a little pond"

If that is the case, SHAME on USA Hockey for allowing it to happen.

 

[Call It]

Re: US National Teams: U30s & Mrs. Potter, U22s, U18s Part II

---

Carpy gets yet another spanking for snubbing Harvard in the eleventh hour! and if thats not bad enough, Skrupa gets taken "not that she isn't deserving" and both Fields & Carpy don't, so imagine the happy bench at BC for Skrupa when the superstar personalities clash! "It's probably still better to be a big fish in a little pond"

She is not the only one to snub Harvard and not make the team! Is Skrupa the best of the 3? She put up some goals.

 

[Call It]

Re: US National Teams: U30s & Mrs. Potter, U22s, U18s Part II

I think it's cool that the coach gave five of her kids this opportunity. Really shows team loyalty.

We might have to show Blind Faith, like we did in 1980 with Coach Brooks. From the movie Miracle, his team build up was very questionable. Same currently with Coach Stone. The point being that Caoch Brooks won Gold and if Stone also wins GOld than she too is a Legend. If she wins Silver than FIRED! I hope she wins Gold, think she will.

 

[UCONN FAN]

Re: US National Teams: U30s & Mrs. Potter, U22s, U18s Part II

Carpy gets yet another spanking for snubbing Harvard in the eleventh hour! and if thats not bad enough, Skrupa gets taken "not that she isn't deserving" and both Fields & Carpy don't, so imagine the happy bench at BC for Skrupa when the superstar personalities clash! "It's probably still better to be a big fish in a little pond"

Wow really? Well if I assume your statement to be true, wouldn't that mean that Katie Stone is petty and vindictive and not a profesional? That she is more concerned about sticking it to a player who chose to attend a different school than fielding the best possible team? I'm sure Katie has never changed her mind about a player at the 11th hour. That doesn't say a lot about your former coach! For the record I don't believe any of that to be true about Katie. Maybe I respect her more as a hockey coach than you do?
As far Emily and Alex go they are both mature driven players and they will use this as motivation for their next chance at the U-22 team. These 2 players are not the pouty type. I am sure they are both happy for their future teammate and in no way will THESE 2 players hold this against Skrupa. However it may be on their minds on Feb 5th!

 

[ARM]

Re: US National Teams: U30s & Mrs. Potter, U22s, U18s Part II

We might have to show Blind Faith, like we did in 1980 with Coach Brooks. From the movie Miracle, his team build up was very questionable. Same currently with Coach Stone. The point being that Caoch Brooks won Gold and if Stone also wins GOld than she too is a Legend. If she wins Silver than FIRED! I hope she wins Gold, think she will.

I don't think there is that much of a connection between a U22 team in the summer of 2012 and the Olympic team in 2014. Although, the same type of decisions seem to go into the senior national team, which has been heavy on current Harvard players, none of whom are yet impact players at the international level.

 

[Call It]

Re: US National Teams: U30s & Mrs. Potter, U22s, U18s Part II

I don't think there is that much of a connection between a U22 team in the summer of 2012 and the Olympic team in 2014. Although, the same type of decisions seem to go into the senior national team, which has been heavy on current Harvard players, none of whom are yet impact players at the international level.

On a lighter note, how about The U24 team?

 

[Stick Boy]

Re: US National Teams: U30s & Mrs. Potter, U22s, U18s Part II

Carpenter is good and was ready - saw here at the Beantown and she skated really well - big surprise.
Weighing in on the coach and selection process: although there will always be shocking selections or non-selections I can tell you that 1) the coaches follow program guidelines and a tight selection process as set out by the governing body; 2) the Head Coach doesn't make the selections alone but can/will make the final decision if staff if undecided; 3) if there are players of equal or similar ability head coaches/staff will select the player(s) that they have gone to battle with and trust 4) I am only guessing but before the roster was finalized likely 5-6 people agreed to it before written in stone (no pun intended). I don't know Ms. Stone nor have I ever observed her coaching or a team of hers playing but I know these decisions are made as a team.

 

[WCHFan]

Re: US National Teams: U30s & Mrs. Potter, U22s, U18s Part II

My opinion... NO ONE over age should play at 22. EVER. This shouldn't be only about winning. I'd rather lose with under 22 than win or lose with over 22

My opinion...I feel if we only picked under 22 level girls we would still compete.

My opinion... NO college coaches should be allowed to coach these tournaments or pick teams. Of course recommend but not pick.

And yes, I'm sure the coach doesn't pick the team wink wink. Of course she has help but seriously. We can't find a quality non college coach?? Would someone complain about favoritism with a non college coach? Of course but it would be more understood.

 

[D2D]

Re: US National Teams: U30s & Mrs. Potter, U22s, U18s Part II

Series previews as posted on the Youth Hockey Hub:

USA Hockey Women’s Preview (2012 U22 and U18 games with Canada)

http://youthhockeyhub.com/usa-hockey-womens-preview-2012-u22-and-u18-games-with-canada/

 

[D2D]

Re: US National Teams: U30s & Mrs. Potter, U22s, U18s Part II

Gigi Marvin: Still seeking new heights

http://www.startribune.com/sports/gophers/166346556.html