Vermont 2014 Offseason : Another Step Forward

[Jayden_Stoff]

Re: Vermont 2014 Offseason : Another Step Forward

I beleive Senkbeil was a kid who was pretty highly regarded for a time (ranked by Central Scouting, etc) but had a tough year or two in the USHL. He ended up walking on at UND and making the team..played D one year but his second year they had a lot of forwards injured and moved him to forward. I think they wanted to keep him up front but he wanted to play D...so he transferred to UVM to get back on the blue line. Not positive I have all the facts straight but I think that's right.

Brett Bruno was another UND xFer. I heard he had an injury and was sort of brushed aside. UVM helped him recover / gave him an opportunity to play again and with his brother. His last year he was a valuable part of the team. He was faster then ever. Remember that game where he won something crazy like 24 out or 27 faceoffs!? I don't get the feeling UND provides much player development. Seems like they recruit like nobody's business and then sit people that 'aren't getting it done'. Thoughts? I don't have much to go on, but I expect Dan to push for ice time. What do people make of him getting moved to forward...? Practice only or game playing time too? Were they trying to make him into the team goon? Does he have puck skills like a forward so it made sense or was he a liability on D? I give him a ton of credit for sitting out a year, that's gotta suck. I hope he makes and impact.

 

[catmandoo]

Re: Vermont 2014 Offseason : Another Step Forward

Brett Bruno was another UND xFer. I heard he had an injury and was sort of brushed aside. UVM helped him recover / gave him an opportunity to play again and with his brother. His last year he was a valuable part of the team. He was faster then ever. Remember that game where he won something crazy like 24 out or 27 faceoffs!? I don't get the feeling UND provides much player development. Seems like they recruit like nobody's business and then sit people that 'aren't getting it done'. Thoughts? I don't have much to go on, but I expect Dan to push for ice time. What do people make of him getting moved to forward...? Practice only or game playing time too? Were they trying to make him into the team goon? Does he have puck skills like a forward so it made sense or was he a liability on D? I give him a ton of credit for sitting out a year, that's gotta suck. I hope he makes and impact.

You mean like Sneddon is doing now?

 

[Jayden_Stoff]

Re: Vermont 2014 Offseason : Another Step Forward

You mean like Sneddon is doing now?

What? We have 15 NHL drafts on the team?

 

[newuvmarena]

Re: Vermont 2014 Offseason : Another Step Forward

Does anyone have any info on a new rink? I did see that they are in the design phase but I think they've been there for the last 15 years! I went to UML rink for the playoffs, what a nice facility would love something like that up here!

 

[BTV802]

Re: Vermont 2014 Offseason : Another Step Forward

Kevin Patrick named one of the assistants for the 2015 US National Junior Team. Seems like a good guy from pre-game talks in the Bostwick room and hopefully this is an opportunity to develop some relationships that can maybe help the staff take recruiting to the next level.

http://uvmathletics.com/news/2014/4/9/MHOCKEY_0409143510.aspx

 

[Catamount93]

Re: Vermont 2014 Offseason : Another Step Forward

Here are the links to info on new arena that I'm aware of:

http://www.uvm.edu/~cpm/?Page=mpec.html

https://alumni.uvm.edu/foundation/mpec/

 

[BTV802]

Re: Vermont 2014 Offseason : Another Step Forward

Here are the links to info on new arena that I'm aware of:

http://www.uvm.edu/~cpm/?Page=mpec.html

https://alumni.uvm.edu/foundation/mpec/

Can we get this with the new arena?

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...um=referral&utm_campaign=programming-national

All the really baked kids in the student sections would get their minds blown.

 

[GreenCat]

JCarter I think you are eating your words on Union eh? Also how is a no scholarship school kicking our ***** as well as their coach that left there and went to Providence? Everyone is giving Catmandoo crap for his negativity about Sneddon just because we had a single decent season in the last 5 years. He may be a great guy but I am not sure he is the guy to bring this program to the next level.

 

[jcarter7669]

Re: Vermont 2014 Offseason : Another Step Forward

JCarter I think you are eating your words on Union eh? Also how is a no scholarship school kicking our ***** as well as their coach that left there and went to Providence? Everyone is giving Catmandoo crap for his negativity about Sneddon just because we had a single decent season in the last 5 years. He may be a great guy but I am not sure he is the guy to bring this program to the next level.

Wrong, but not eating my words... I said HE was top to bottom better then the ECAC. Union has a great team and they showed it, and they ECAC has some good teams, but a few good teams doesn't mean a strong league. Most of the rest of what I said was simply to get under the nerves of the Union fans, which is far easier then I anticipated.

I'll admit I am surprised they took down BC, but then again BC has been off and on the past month or so and were not the same team they were through the first 90% of their schedule. But credit to Union, their defensmen are very offensive minded and it's like watching 60 minutes of power play. But I still think that HE is the better league top to bottom.

As far as a no scholarship program... lets say their is no 'athletic scholarships.' They give out plenty of money for various other reasons... That said, yes they don't guarantee a player a scholarship. Then again they have the prestige of an IVY to throw out as a bone.

As for Sneddon, I don't think he is the guy that is going to carry the program to sustained success. But he has significantly improved the program and is making some progress in elevating the program. Before Sneddon, most fans were happy to go far in the ECAC tourney, now we are dissatisfied if we aren't making the NCAA tourney. I would like to know what you consider a "good season" though. A trip to the NCAA's ??? that's happened 3 times now since Sneddon took over... matching or nearly matching the history of the program. 18+ win ??? Making the Garden ??

Like I said, I am not sure Sneddon is the guy to make Vermont a Minnesota, I'm not sure there is a guy who can do that, but he has taken this program to a higher level then Gilligan. He has changed the expectations the fans have. Can he take it to the next tier, who knows. I'm not sure whose out there that would replace him though and do any better job. It's not like we are going to lure York away from BC and even if UVM did, I wouldn't expect UVM to be come BC any sooner then 8-10 years at best... The top tier programs have a legacy that is built upon success. UVM doesn't have that, but they are moving there. 3 NCAA appearances in 7 seasons is moving towards that, but you can't build a legacy in a few seasons and that's what it takes to be in that top tier, especially in HE where there is so much competition for recruits.

I'm also far from convinced that Union or Providence are going to have any sustained success... look no further then when Denheney came on the scene for Merrimack... got lucky with Cannata and De Costa and had a few good season... everyone was singing his praises and boom... back in the cellar. Providence has been much improved but that has coincided with Gilles, and PC has been as good as Gilles has been, when he is gone will PC still be vying for a top 4 spot... doubtful. Union has some great players, time will tell if they can sustain the success they have seen the past 3 years.

 

[catmandoo]

Re: Vermont 2014 Offseason : Another Step Forward

Wrong, but not eating my words... I said HE was top to bottom better then the ECAC. Union has a great team and they showed it, and they ECAC has some good teams, but a few good teams doesn't mean a strong league. Most of the rest of what I said was simply to get under the nerves of the Union fans, which is far easier then I anticipated.

I'll admit I am surprised they took down BC, but then again BC has been off and on the past month or so and were not the same team they were through the first 90% of their schedule. But credit to Union, their defensmen are very offensive minded and it's like watching 60 minutes of power play. But I still think that HE is the better league top to bottom.

As far as a no scholarship program... lets say their is no 'athletic scholarships.' They give out plenty of money for various other reasons... That said, yes they don't guarantee a player a scholarship. Then again they have the prestige of an IVY to throw out as a bone.

As for Sneddon, I don't think he is the guy that is going to carry the program to sustained success. But he has significantly improved the program and is making some progress in elevating the program. Before Sneddon, most fans were happy to go far in the ECAC tourney, now we are dissatisfied if we aren't making the NCAA tourney. I would like to know what you consider a "good season" though. A trip to the NCAA's ??? that's happened 3 times now since Sneddon took over... matching or nearly matching the history of the program. 18+ win ??? Making the Garden ??

Like I said, I am not sure Sneddon is the guy to make Vermont a Minnesota, I'm not sure there is a guy who can do that, but he has taken this program to a higher level then Gilligan. He has changed the expectations the fans have. Can he take it to the next tier, who knows. I'm not sure whose out there that would replace him though and do any better job. It's not like we are going to lure York away from BC and even if UVM did, I wouldn't expect UVM to be come BC any sooner then 8-10 years at best... The top tier programs have a legacy that is built upon success. UVM doesn't have that, but they are moving there. 3 NCAA appearances in 7 seasons is moving towards that, but you can't build a legacy in a few seasons and that's what it takes to be in that top tier, especially in HE where there is so much competition for recruits.

I'm also far from convinced that Union or Providence are going to have any sustained success... look no further then when Denheney came on the scene for Merrimack... got lucky with Cannata and De Costa and had a few good season... everyone was singing his praises and boom... back in the cellar. Providence has been much improved but that has coincided with Gilles, and PC has been as good as Gilles has been, when he is gone will PC still be vying for a top 4 spot... doubtful. Union has some great players, time will tell if they can sustain the success they have seen the past 3 years.

I would completely agree with you on your comments that the program has been elevated in stature since Sneddon got here. Alot of that has to do with being a member of HE and alot of that has to do with his benefiting from some recruiting prior to his arrival with the class of 2011 and Victor Stallberg. The reality is that he has cycled thru players since like nobody's business and weather anyone on here wants to admit it or not that is a sign of a poor coach. People come on here and try and blame it on his prior assistants recruiting or other reasons...bla, bla, bla. The buck stops with Sneddon and I'm not sure why everyone wants to give him such an easy out. We pay him alot to do this. I know for a fact there was a period of time where many of the recruits he was bringing in he had never seen play. Excess turnover is never good in any business. Everyone here wants to cast it off as "bad apples" or "recruiting mistakes", but that is just not applicable in most of these situations. Do your really think Sneddon is going to spin it as "player x left because I did a terrible job coaching him"? Blaming it on recruiting mistake like he has is basically him admitting he is not that good at what he is hired to do. As a cold reminder, Milo helped us get to the Frozen Four and trust me we all loved him at the time. Establishing a freshman class and sticking with them thru the 4 years of development is what you hire a good P.Scoach to do, I think other coaches do that way better than Sneddon and the proof is in the pudding. Brickley is a second round pick and had to play thru his senior year before getting signed to a "trial" contract. He was a prolific player compared to his peers in the USHL thus the second round pick and dramatically underperformed here compared to all of our expectation when he came in. Paliotta may be a recent brite spot but I would argue that he would have signed this year had he had better development. Obviously our gain though and I am happy for that.

Successful year? Yes we did and thank god for McCarthy sticking it out after a tough road of injuries. Beyond Paliotta and the Puskarich surprise, I feel I can name more players that plateaued in development this year than made encouraging steps forward. Go back and check everyone's comments on Walls and Patyn from last year and ask yourself if your opinion of them changed this year. Again I am trying to keep things in perspective.

I think alot of your feedback on me being negative is probably correct and I will try and minimize it going forward because of my love for the program but I think most of everything I have ever said has been objective or well thought out. Sorry if I have offended anyone not my intentions at all but its not a bad thing to hear the other side either.

P.S. Cant really have a great year without a good powerplay...right Peter?

 

[jcarter7669]

Re: Vermont 2014 Offseason : Another Step Forward

I would completely agree with you on your comments that the program has been elevated in stature since Sneddon got here. Alot of that has to do with being a member of HE and alot of that has to do with his benefiting from some recruiting prior to his arrival with the class of 2011 and Victor Stallberg.

Have to say I am a bit confused by this remark? Sneddon came in 2003? Everyone in the class of 2011 was recruited by Sneddon?

 

[coots]

Re: Vermont 2014 Offseason : Another Step Forward

All very valid points on the coaching style. Brickley and Fallon are good examples also of players who were loved one season then forgotten the next. These players are supposed to be developing into future pros instead they are forced to change their style whether by Sneddon or by the assistants, regardless, if they are to reach the next level then their styles for which they were recruited need to be developed not suppressed. Very few players walk off a college team onto an NHL team, and fewer will do it after being held back or changed into someone elses version of a pro. If the NHL wanted these coaches to determine players abilities I am sure they would be coaching there.

I would completely agree with you on your comments that the program has been elevated in stature since Sneddon got here. Alot of that has to do with being a member of HE and alot of that has to do with his benefiting from some recruiting prior to his arrival with the class of 2011 and Victor Stallberg. The reality is that he has cycled thru players since like nobody's business and weather anyone on here wants to admit it or not that is a sign of a poor coach. People come on here and try and blame it on his prior assistants recruiting or other reasons...bla, bla, bla. The buck stops with Sneddon and I'm not sure why everyone wants to give him such an easy out. We pay him alot to do this. I know for a fact there was a period of time where many of the recruits he was bringing in he had never seen play. Excess turnover is never good in any business. Everyone here wants to cast it off as "bad apples" or "recruiting mistakes", but that is just not applicable in most of these situations. Do your really think Sneddon is going to spin it as "player x left because I did a terrible job coaching him"? Blaming it on recruiting mistake like he has is basically him admitting he is not that good at what he is hired to do. As a cold reminder, Milo helped us get to the Frozen Four and trust me we all loved him at the time. Establishing a freshman class and sticking with them thru the 4 years of development is what you hire a good P.Scoach to do, I think other coaches do that way better than Sneddon and the proof is in the pudding. Brickley is a second round pick and had to play thru his senior year before getting signed to a "trial" contract. He was a prolific player compared to his peers in the USHL thus the second round pick and dramatically underperformed here compared to all of our expectation when he came in. Paliotta may be a recent brite spot but I would argue that he would have signed this year had he had better development. Obviously our gain though and I am happy for that.

Successful year? Yes we did and thank god for McCarthy sticking it out after a tough road of injuries. Beyond Paliotta and the Puskarich surprise, I feel I can name more players that plateaued in development this year than made encouraging steps forward. Go back and check everyone's comments on Walls and Patyn from last year and ask yourself if your opinion of them changed this year. Again I am trying to keep things in perspective.

I think alot of your feedback on me being negative is probably correct and I will try and minimize it going forward because of my love for the program but I think most of everything I have ever said has been objective or well thought out. Sorry if I have offended anyone not my intentions at all but its not a bad thing to hear the other side either.

P.S. Cant really have a great year without a good powerplay...right Peter?

 

[snwbrdr]

All very valid points on the coaching style. Brickley and Fallon are good examples also of players who were loved one season then forgotten the next. These players are supposed to be developing into future pros instead they are forced to change their style whether by Sneddon or by the assistants, regardless, if they are to reach the next level then their styles for which they were recruited need to be developed not suppressed. Very few players walk off a college team onto an NHL team, and fewer will do it after being held back or changed into someone elses version of a pro. If the NHL wanted these coaches to determine players abilities I am sure they would be coaching there.

The negativity amazes me. Mccarthy stayed. Do you think it was because he did not like the coach? Palliotta is going to stay. Puskarich is an incredible sniper. Uvm stunk before sneddon showed up. We now have 3 tourney bids in 6 years. I do think the rink and micheletto held them back. They are on a nice trend up. Couple players left, happens to every program.
Dont claim to be a fan of the program and go bashing its leadership. Im sure they have room for u on the maine thread.

 

[NCAAfan500]

Re: Vermont 2014 Offseason : Another Step Forward

Couple players left, happens to every program.
Dont claim to be a fan of the program and go bashing its leadership. Im sure they have room for u on the maine thread.

Maine is certainly on the upward trend, And Maine certainly has more of a history than Maple Syrup U over the past 20 years +?

 

[UVM Cat in Texas]

Maine is certainly on the upward trend, And Maine certainly has more of a history than Maple Syrup U over the past 20 years +?

All true, but I think his point was that you guys are constantly complaining about the coach/administration. Your threads are 90% bellyaching about those things.

 

[jcarter7669]

Re: Vermont 2014 Offseason : Another Step Forward

Brickley and Fallon are good examples also of players who were loved one season then forgotten the next.

Brickley was hindered by injuries and refs not letting him play physical, which was one of his key attributes when he was drafted and recruited.

Fallon had his best year yet, this year. I personally think it was a mistake to take him off the first line myself, but it's hard to argue with the results of that first line. Either way the kid has developed, as has McCarthy, as has Paliotta...

You can't say guys don't develop under Sneddon, while some don't some do. Not everyone is going to develop under his system, that maybe a recruiting issue but that appears to me to have been rectified. I agree very much with snwbrdr in that Michelleto did some damage to this program in recruiting and that takes a few seasons to work itself out.

I think the assistants have done a great job recruiting, this years class shows that. Also the PK was far and away better. The PP is still dreadful, but that's really the only glaring weakness I see. We took a big step forward and Sneddon has taken several big steps forward. Sure there was 3 steps back the last 3 seasons, but again I think a whole lot of that was the guys being brought in under Michelleto and Gasparini. Them moving to UMass may have been the best thing for the program.

 

[johnk]

Re: Vermont 2014 Offseason : Another Step Forward

Brickley was hindered by injuries and refs not letting him play physical, which was one of his key attributes when he was drafted and recruited.

Fallon had his best year yet, this year. I personally think it was a mistake to take him off the first line myself, but it's hard to argue with the results of that first line. Either way the kid has developed, as has McCarthy, as has Paliotta...

You can't say guys don't develop under Sneddon, while some don't some do. Not everyone is going to develop under his system, that maybe a recruiting issue but that appears to me to have been rectified. I agree very much with snwbrdr in that Michelleto did some damage to this program in recruiting and that takes a few seasons to work itself out.

I think the assistants have done a great job recruiting, this years class shows that. Also the PK was far and away better. The PP is still dreadful, but that's really the only glaring weakness I see. We took a big step forward and Sneddon has taken several big steps forward. Sure there was 3 steps back the last 3 seasons, but again I think a whole lot of that was the guys being brought in under Michelleto and Gasparini. Them moving to UMass may have been the best thing for the program.

Hey forget about all of this. What time do all the great Hockey East teams play today? Didn't see it on the schedule. ****ing dope!

Edit: Needed to spread rep around or I would have just put it on this turds rep. Not meant for the good and mentally stable Vermont and HE fans.

 

[GreenCat]

All true, but I think his point was that you guys are constantly complaining about the coach/administration. Your threads are 90% bellyaching about those things.

Maine is complaining because they went from a great coach in Walsh to a Sneddonesk coach in Whitehead. I didn't see Maine fans complaining about Walsh and they seem happy so far with Red.

I will give Sneddon and his staff one more season to show their metal...

 

[UVM Cat in Texas]

Maine is complaining because they went from a great coach in Walsh to a Sneddonesk coach in Whitehead. I didn't see Maine fans complaining about Walsh and they seem happy so far with Red.

I will give Sneddon and his staff one more season to show their metal...

I think there have been some grumblings about Red among the fan base. And there's been A LOT of whining about the school administration.

Sneddon's got the team on the right track. As others have said, the recruiting sucked w/ the former assistants. Having them go to UMass was indeed a blessing in disguise.

 

[jcarter7669]

Re: Vermont 2014 Offseason : Another Step Forward

Hey forget about all of this. What time do all the great Hockey East teams play today? Didn't see it on the schedule. ****ing dope!

Edit: Needed to spread rep around or I would have just put it on this turds rep. Not meant for the good and mentally stable Vermont and HE fans.

LMAO ... It's like you think your opinion actually matters. Too predictable you of all Union fans would be on here this morning. LOL... you make trolling too easy ... too easy.

Anyways ... lots of big departures for HE this year, it will be interesting to see how teams shake out over the summer. Lowell definitely takes at least one step back. BC takes a step back but they were so far ahead one step back still keeps them out in front. I think next year is going to be an interesting one...

Wish today's Calgary game was on TV, be interesting to see how Johnny Hockey's handles the NHL.