UVM 2015-2016 The New Season

[Jayden_Stoff]

Re: UVM 2015-2016 The New Season

I can't say I'm really concerned with Santa. He does things on the ice that scares me, but he stops the puck and does it well. And I expect him to continue to get better as he gets more time with the goalie coach.

He improved tremendously just from F to So year. Biggest concern for me is as always how many goals we are putting in the net, I worry much less about how many are getting put in our net.

We beat Maine 6 out of 7 games, clearly the better team was last year. I think you'd be more credible if you acknowledged the one time Maine beat UVM last year. I would add dates too.

 

[jcarter7669]

Re: UVM 2015-2016 The New Season

It beats The New Season but lacks personalization imo.

JCarter Do you really think Darrar and Blanliel are ready to step up into the top 2 lines? I am assuming you just mentally slipped on Turk but to me those guys have a lot to prove and really need to be bottom 6 forwards on this team.

Good catch, I totally forgot about Turk... that said I would definitely like to see Turk and Forg back on the same line. They were an amazing shut down line which to me is much more valuable then having him on a scoring line. Blanliel maybe not, I think Darrar can make the step, I'm just not sure who is going to center our wingers. Unless some moves from the wing to the middle, I think that' is UVM's weakest position currently.

Looking back through every box sheet from last season, Darrar and Turk were the two regulars on center, with Blanleil playing 4. So to answer your question Yes I do think Darrar and Turk with be the top 2 centers, I'd just prefer to see Turk used as a shut down guy instead, I think he is more valuable there, my $0.02.

 

[jcarter7669]

Re: UVM 2015-2016 The New Season

I stopped updating it and I'm I lost all concern for credibility January 2009. Someone else will say something worthy of taking it's place soon enough and it will be gone. I suppose I could stop using it until then...

 

[UVM Cat in Texas]

Re: UVM 2015-2016 The New Season

Regarding the new season thread, we've had 3 people chime in with the following choices:

1. UVM Hockey 2015-16: Nat'l Championship, We're Comin to Get Ya!
2. UVM Hockey 2015-16: Go (to Tampa) Cats Go!
3. UVM Hockey 2015-16: Road to the Frozen Four

My vote is still for #1 -- it's cocky, confident and maybe, if we're lucky, it'll get some of our fellow HE fans a little riled (see UML, for example ). I'd like to just go ahead and use it unless people feel strongly otherwise. Please chime in and I'll get the new thread started in the next several days.

 

[Hoser]

Re: UVM 2015-2016 The New Season

Good catch, I totally forgot about Turk... that said I would definitely like to see Turk and Forg back on the same line. They were an amazing shut down line which to me is much more valuable then having him on a scoring line. Blanliel maybe not, I think Darrar can make the step, I'm just not sure who is going to center our wingers. Unless some moves from the wing to the middle, I think that' is UVM's weakest position currently.

Looking back through every box sheet from last season, Darrar and Turk were the two regulars on center, with Blanleil playing 4. So to answer your question Yes I do think Darrar and Turk with be the top 2 centers, I'd just prefer to see Turk used as a shut down guy instead, I think he is more valuable there, my $0.02.

I do not believe that you are going to see Blanleil and maybe even Darrar on the top two lines. Remember, there are some highly touted freshmen coming in like Coughlin, O'Neil and Bowen, all larger bodies who will give the team a different look. I would suggest that at least one, if not two of these players will be on the top two lines by the 5th game, if not at the start. As for scoring goals, other then Shaw and Puskarich, those same three freshmen will be called upon to step up and provide some offensive punch.
If you go on the Wild website, there is a nice video clip of Abramson scoring on Hoffman in a post scrimmage shootout.

 

[UVM Cat in Texas]

Re: UVM 2015-2016 The New Season

As for scoring goals, other then Shaw and Puskarich, those same three freshmen will be called upon to step up and provide some offensive punch.

Agree, but I'm thinking we can count on Privitera and Bradley for a pretty significant offensive contribution too.

 

[CTcatamount]

Re: UVM 2015-2016 The New Season

I definitely agree with the assessment that C is our weakest position. It's a daunting schedule to be integrating the new kids, but if we could get offensive production out of any of them that would be huge. I have to do some homework on the incoming guys (does anyone have a scouting report on them?).

Edit:
Coughlin- 6'3" 185 with better than a point per game in the BCHL. 21 and an Oilers 5th Rd pick.
O'Neil- 6'1" 191 about 1.6 points per game in the BCHL.

http://www.vtcynic.com/new-recruits-bolster-team/ Cynic article with some words from Sneddon on 5 of the new kids.

Kearley- 6'4" 240 D- If he can figure out the speed of the game Muscoby or Phillips will have trouble getting in the lineup when everyone is healthy.

I think Abramson is going to beast it this season. I was really impressed with him after he started dressing last January.

I don't really care about the thread name.

 

[jcarter7669]

Re: UVM 2015-2016 The New Season

Agree, but I'm thinking we can count on Privitera and Bradley for a pretty significant offensive contribution too.

There's quite a few guys who can score. Besides what's been listed, Irwin, Stenerson, and Petruzzili had 0 ~0.5ppg last season as freshman and should take a step forward this year.

 

[CTcatamount]

Re: UVM 2015-2016 The New Season

I agree. I don't understand what they were thinking in setting up this schedule. By Halloween the Tourney will either be out of reach or the team will be in the top 5. Either they think that they have a better team this year then last, which may be, or they don't and are doing a rebuild. The latter is probably not it as the only appearance money they are getting is from Minnesota.

I know this is pulling from back in the thread but this is the type of schedule I prefer us to play. The UNO and UND games are going to give us a huge boost in the PWR against east coast schools... the team obviously needs to take advantage of the opportunity and win some games. It's exciting for us fans, it's exciting for the players, and it sets us up so much better than layups against bottom 20 PWR teams.

I'm so ready for the season to start!

 

[jcarter7669]

Re: UVM 2015-2016 The New Season

I definitely agree with the assessment that C is our weakest position. It's a daunting schedule to be integrating the new kids, but if we could get offensive production out of any of them that would be huge. I have to do some homework on the incoming guys (does anyone have a scouting report on them?).

Edit:
Coughlin- 6'3" 185 with better than a point per game in the BCHL. 21 and an Oilers 5th Rd pick.
O'Neil- 6'1" 191 about 1.6 points per game in the BCHL.

http://www.vtcynic.com/new-recruits-bolster-team/ Cynic article with some words from Sneddon on 5 of the new kids.

Kearley- 6'4" 240 D- If he can figure out the speed of the game Muscoby or Phillips will have trouble getting in the lineup when everyone is healthy.

I think Abramson is going to beast it this season. I was really impressed with him after he started dressing last January.

I don't really care about the thread name.

Here's the official "blurbs" put out on the newcomers...
http://uvmathletics.com/news/2015/8/4/MHOCKEY_0804155953.aspx?path=mhockey

 

[jcarter7669]

Re: UVM 2015-2016 The New Season

A couple of write up for alums heading into the NHL season to pass the time :


Torrey Mitchell
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/25-canadiens-in-25-days-torrey-mitchell/


Conner Brickley
http://www.litterboxcats.com/2015/9/7/9256659/connor-brickley-florida-panthers-top-25-under-25

 

[UVM Cat in Texas]

Re: UVM 2015-2016 The New Season

A couple of write up for alums heading into the NHL season to pass the time :


Torrey Mitchell
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/25-canadiens-in-25-days-torrey-mitchell/


Conner Brickley
http://www.litterboxcats.com/2015/9/7/9256659/connor-brickley-florida-panthers-top-25-under-25

Hmmm, makes me wonder why Brickley was more or less a bust as a college player. Was playing in Sneddon's system keeping him from reaching his potential or was he not doing enough during the off-season to prepare to play his best and play injury free? The article kind of suggests he showed up a new (and different) man for the 2015 rookie camp. Maybe he figured he'd have to get his act together or find himself out of hockey at some point in the not-too-distant future. In any event, glad to see he's having some success and I wish him well.

 

[CTcatamount]

Re: UVM 2015-2016 The New Season

Was playing in Sneddon's system keeping him from reaching his potential or was he not doing enough during the off-season to prepare to play his best and play injury free? The article kind of suggests he showed up a new (and different) man for the 2015 rookie camp.

I think it's hard to blame the kid's off-season training regimen without knowing... there is certainly an element of luck to injuries as well. I feel like because his dad was an NHLer and is still connected to the game (and lets face it I'm a total B's fan and LOVE Brick's analysis and outlook on the game) that he would have been taught how to take care of himself in the offseason. I also doubt that one good offseason would magically lead him to being injury free for an AHL season.

Either way it's true that those injuries kept him from becoming the player he could've in college. Thanks for those updates 7669!

 

[Hoser]

Re: UVM 2015-2016 The New Season

Here's the official "blurbs" put out on the newcomers...
http://uvmathletics.com/news/2015/8/4/MHOCKEY_0804155953.aspx?path=mhockey

I agree that Abramson has an opportunity to be a force this year. Players on the team have indicated that he is up over 230 lbs. and is the fittest guy on the team. For a 6' 4" guy, that is amazing. Hopefully he can translate that size and fitness level into a monster year where he strikes fear into opposing players in the Vermont zone. As for scoring, yes, Bradley, Irwin and J. Privittera could help but we need another couple of 10 goal scorers and I am not sure it is one or more of them. That is why I am hopeful for Coughlin, Bowen and O'Neil as freshmen.

 

[UVM Cat in Texas]

As for scoring, yes, Bradley, Irwin and J. Privittera could help but we need another couple of 10 goal scorers and I am not sure it is one or more of them. That is why I am hopeful for Coughlin, Bowen and O'Neil as freshmen.

Actually, I was thinking more Alexx Privitera. A defenseman, I know, but he did have 26 points last season, good for 3rd on the team.

 

[Hoser]

Re: UVM 2015-2016 The New Season

Actually, I was thinking more Alexx Privitera. A defenseman, I know, but he did have 26 points last season, good for 3rd on the team.

He is a gifted offensive player for sure but benefitted mightily from playing with Paliotta last year both in full strength situations and on the pp as well, where they played probably 1 1/2 minutes of every pp. Paliotta had an oustanding year and A. Priv picked up a lot of assists from him. I am hoping that Abramson, Phillips, Hamilton or the freshman Lee will step up and be a pp force. Abramson certainly has a hard shot and Phillips and Hamilton are good skaters.

 

[jcarter7669]

Re: UVM 2015-2016 The New Season

As for scoring, yes, Bradley, Irwin and J. Privittera could help but we need another couple of 10 goal scorers and I am not sure it is one or more of them.

They scored 6, 8 and 6 goals respectively last year as freshman playing limited minutes on the 3rd and 4th lines mostly. I'd be really disappointed if at least 2 of them don't hit the 10 goal mark.

 

[Jayden_Stoff]

Re: UVM 2015-2016 The New Season

I think it's hard to blame the kid's off-season training regimen without knowing... there is certainly an element of luck to injuries as well. I feel like because his dad was an NHLer and is still connected to the game (and lets face it I'm a total B's fan and LOVE Brick's analysis and outlook on the game) that he would have been taught how to take care of himself in the offseason. I also doubt that one good offseason would magically lead him to being injury free for an AHL season.

Either way it's true that those injuries kept him from becoming the player he could've in college. Thanks for those updates 7669!

I have wondered the same thing. Injuries was def a factor but that can't explain it all. Some people would argue that his style of play didn't jive with college refs but that doesn't explain the lack of scoring when he did play. I'm happy for Brick having success at the next level but this is troubling as a college / UVM fan. Consider specifically the offencive production, Brick blew up in the AHL when a lot of college guys struggle to make it. I understand the argument that he is a physical player but you don't score goals by hitting guys. The argument that he gets more respect because he creams people, doubt it. Overall what bugs me most is the Brickley story is perhaps the most legit criticism of the UVM coaching staff. He has enough success to get drafted 2nd round before college, people question if he was a bust due to college, then in the AHL he's doing well. How are you supposed to interpret that other than UVM not knowing how to exploit his skill?

 

[jcarter7669]

Re: UVM 2015-2016 The New Season

I have wondered the same thing. Injuries was def a factor but that can't explain it all. Some people would argue that his style of play didn't jive with college refs but that doesn't explain the lack of scoring when he did play. I'm happy for Brick having success at the next level but this is troubling as a college / UVM fan. Consider specifically the offencive production, Brick blew up in the AHL when a lot of college guys struggle to make it. I understand the argument that he is a physical player but you don't score goals by hitting guys. The argument that he gets more respect because he creams people, doubt it. Overall what bugs me most is the Brickley story is perhaps the most legit criticism of the UVM coaching staff. He has enough success to get drafted 2nd round before college, people question if he was a bust due to college, then in the AHL he's doing well. How are you supposed to interpret that other than UVM not knowing how to exploit his skill?

Hitting doesn't score goals and at that level creaming people doesn't get you the puck either. But I still am of the opinion it's how he plays that led to his lack of offensive production. Finishing checks, hitting people hard, and giving 100% every shift was/is Brickley's game and that is not allowed in HE. You can't score if you are in the penalty box, nor can you score if you game is to literally knock people off the puck to get possession nor are you going to score a lot if you are now afraid to play the game as you know it. On the other hand if you can cream someone on the boards and take the puck when the drop, you now have possession, when you get the freedom to play your game you gain confidence and that does lead to more goals. Brickley just didn't fit...10 years ago when you could wreck people on open ice and refs realized there are "legal" big hits he would have done much much better.

Look at Wahls, he lost minutes his whole career until he moved. That's not the coaches not knowing how to use his skills (if anything they excel with defensmen), he just couldn't stay on the ice long enough to contribute. You can't be heading to the penalty box every other shift.

I don't think Brickley was at fault nor the coaching staff, but there was high hopes for him that never came about because he was hamstrung his entire career.

 

[Vermont Ref]

Re: UVM 2015-2016 The New Season

I think it's hard to blame the kid's off-season training regimen without knowing... there is certainly an element of luck to injuries as well. I feel like because his dad was an NHLer and is still connected to the game (and lets face it I'm a total B's fan and LOVE Brick's analysis and outlook on the game) that he would have been taught how to take care of himself in the offseason. I also doubt that one good offseason would magically lead him to being injury free for an AHL season.

Either way it's true that those injuries kept him from becoming the player he could've in college. Thanks for those updates 7669!

Connor's father did not play in the NHL, his cousin Andy did. Brickley could have been a good college hockey player if he understood the college game. He was way over the top with his checking and deserved every penalty he got - many would have been penalties 10 years ago too. He seemed more interested in being a macho hitter than a scorer. I had always hoped he would have figured that out and adjusted his style, bu the didn't learn. He cost us several games at times when we needed the win. I'm happy for him if he is now finding his place, but I was glad to see him off the Gut ice for the teams sake. I'm optimistic for a great season this year.