Wisconsin Badgers 2015-2016

[Badger Booster]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2015-2016

But whatever you do MJ simply cannot try to recruit more players or he will be accused of hording and be labeled as a really bad guy! /sarcasm

Funny, nobody is accusing the men's program of hoarding talent even though there are 30+ players either currently on or committed for the 2016-2017 roster.

 

[ARM]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2015-2016

Interestingly, UW has only 11 F on the roster for next year and they have 7 D. Maybe MJ is going to spring another F into the fold or maybe have a D play F? UW could flex someone into the 4th line, but there is zero margin for error on the injury front.

Cogan-Pankowski-Norby
Nurse-McKibbon-Clark (Like Clark's speed on this line)
Shaver-Wellhausen-Roque
Johnson-Mauermann-XXXX

Golly, that is a deep roster talent-wise. Only Johnson is a true blood 3rd/4th liner. I feel kinda bad putting Mauermann on the 4th line.

I doubt that Johnson puts his two best centers on the same line.

 

[ne7minder]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2015-2016

Funny, nobody is accusing the men's program of hoarding talent even though there are 30+ players either currently on or committed for the 2016-2017 roster.

Maybe if they won more someone would

Sorry, that was sort of a cheap shot & I try not to kick a team when they are down. Take it as the joke it was intended.

 

[Badger Booster]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2015-2016

Maybe if they won more someone would

Sorry, that was sort of a cheap shot & I try not to kick a team when they are down. Take it as the joke it was intended.

No problem, I was actually the one piling on the UW men's program. Point being that they have all these players and only a few matter at this point. Hopefully that will be changing. Quality over quantity.

 

[Timothy A]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2015-2016

Maybe if they won more someone would

Sorry, that was sort of a cheap shot & I try not to kick a team when they are down. Take it as the joke it was intended.

Point well taken. It's obvious to us UW men's fans that maybe there is a dozen players on the roster that a top 20 team might want. That's all going to change. Get ready to lose, rodents.

I took the season ticket survey. They actually specifically asked about the band, which was cool. I took every opportunity to say I want the band at every home game. I didn't have any other complaints other than it would be nice to be able to buy a regular bottle of water for a couple bucks. I did mention that it would be nice to allow signs and banners to allow the fans to express themselves more. Too PC.

 

[pensrule]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2015-2016

Interestingly, UW has only 11 F on the roster for next year and they have 7 D. Maybe MJ is going to spring another F into the fold or maybe have a D play F? UW could flex someone into the 4th line, but there is zero margin for error on the injury front.

Cogan-Pankowski-Norby
Nurse-McKibbon-Clark (Like Clark's speed on this line)
Shaver-Wellhausen-Roque
Johnson-Mauermann-XXXX

Golly, that is a deep roster talent-wise. Only Johnson is a true blood 3rd/4th liner. I feel kinda bad putting Mauermann on the 4th line.

A couple of things.. I believe that the Badgers WILL go into the season with 11 forwards. I think it is much easier to convert a defenseman into a 4th line center if need be.. They are not going to bring in another forward just for the sake of having another body up front. Anyone recruited this late in the game probably wouldn't be the type of player talent wise that a Wisconsin, Minnesota, BC, or any other top school would have on the roster anyway.. I also am of the belief that you probably don't need more than 2 extra forwards anyway. The fourth line in women's hockey is much different than the fourth line in men's hockey. Because it's not as physical, teams don't need a "grind line" to use up minutes.. If you watched most of the Womens Badger games this past season then you noticed that the coaches really only played the fourth line when the team was well ahead, or at the beginning of the game during the first rotation of the lines. Harding would occasionally center the third line after a penalty kill or a power play but, Doner and Johnson rarely saw the ice--especially over the last 4-5 weeks of the season. Every one of the top 9 forwards (with the exception of Jones) was a member of either the USA U-18 or Canadian U-18 teams at some point of their lives/careers at the very least! This trend will continue as the top schools (like it or not) will pick who they want off these teams.. Also there is no way that the coaches will move Clark to play wing on a different line.. That line (Pankowski, Clark, Cogen) will remain in tact. The third line (Wellhausen, Sowchuck, Shaver) may have been the teams best over the last 4 weeks of the season. My guess is that Abby Roque will come in and be the center on that line replacing the graduating senior Sowchuck. Incoming Freshman Presley Norby will likely come in and play wing with McKibbon and Nurse on the second line.. Mauermann is a fast and speedy player that the coaches can plug into any of the 3 lines for a shot of energy at anytime in a game.. Johnson will probably still be the odd player out but, if anyone of the top 9-10 forwards get injured, she is a more than capable player.. This team will be very deep up front talent wise.. all 3 lines are capable of scoring on every shift.. This will be an even better team up front than this past season! Here are what I think the lines may look like for the 2016-2017 season:

Cogen-Clark-Pankowski
Nurse-McKibbon-Norby
Wellhausen-Roque-Shaver
Johnson-Mauermann

 

[ne7minder]

Point well taken. It's obvious to us UW men's fans that maybe there is a dozen players on the roster that a top 20 team might want. That's all going to change. Get ready to lose, rodents.

I took the season ticket survey. They actually specifically asked about the band, which was cool. I took every opportunity to say I want the band at every home game. I didn't have any other complaints other than it would be nice to be able to buy a regular bottle of water for a couple bucks. I did mention that it would be nice to allow signs and banners to allow the fans to express themselves more. Too PC.

I hope they take the band suggestion seriously. The atmosphere at LaBahn is great but the band adds so much. The players deserve the hoopla!

Not so big a fan of the signs. I get what you are going for but would hate to sit behind people holding up signs during the game - and you know some people would.

BTW I hear a lot of talk but am not seeing a lot of championship banners to back it up. Everyone should be prepared to lose just not willing to do so. Everyone should be willing to win but may not be able to do so.

 

[Badger Booster]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2015-2016

I took the season ticket survey. They actually specifically asked about the band, which was cool. I took every opportunity to say I want the band at every home game. I didn't have any other complaints other than it would be nice to be able to buy a regular bottle of water for a couple bucks. I did mention that it would be nice to allow signs and banners to allow the fans to express themselves more. Too PC.

I echoed some of the same thoughts. They know the band is a big positive at the games, I think they need more written proof to UW Band leadership to show that they are wanted there by the masses.

The major addition/improvement I'm requesting is getting a video board on the other side of the arena. It's crazy that almost a quarter of the crowd can't see video content.

 

[ne7minder]

I echoed some of the same thoughts. They know the band is a big positive at the games, I think they need more written proof to UW Band leadership to show that they are wanted there by the masses.

The major addition/improvement I'm requesting is getting a video board on the other side of the arena. It's crazy that almost a quarter of the crowd can't see video content.

Serious question: do the women have a booster club? Video boards are expensive. We raise a lot of money for stuff like that at Ridder.

 

[Badger Booster]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2015-2016

Serious question: do the women have a booster club? Video boards are expensive. We raise a lot of money for stuff like that at Ridder.

No and I don't think the UW wants to see one created. In general, they favor a centralized fund-raising model (Badger Fund). The minimum contribution to officially be recogized as a donor is $50. You can designate the sport it goes to or just into the general fund. I always choose women's hockey for my donation, but I don't know what specifically that goes to besides the general operations of the program.

The only booster clubs the UW acknowledges is the Varsity GridIron Club and Badger Basketball Boosters as they have been around for quite some time. Honestly, I feel like the UW would like to absorb them also if they wouldn't get too much blowback about it.

 

[pokechecker]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2015-2016

The major addition/improvement I'm requesting is getting a video board on the other side of the arena. It's crazy that almost a quarter of the crowd can't see video content.

I am going to suggest another set of toilets

while the window above the opponents net is cool, it would have been nice if they had complete seats around the rink, I don't know how many seats that would be, but it would have to put capacity close to 3000

 

[Badger Booster]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2015-2016

I am going to suggest another set of toilets

For reference, go to the restrooms on the east side of LaBahn (same side as the band). It's almost twice as big as the other side, at least in the men's room. I've never had to wait more than a minute on that side.

 

[Timothy A]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2015-2016

The major addition/improvement I'm requesting is getting a video board on the other side of the arena. It's crazy that almost a quarter of the crowd can't see video content.

DuH! I forgot that! The resolution on the current one is bad too, but getting a 2nd one is more important than a better single one.

 

[Timothy A]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2015-2016

I doubt that Johnson puts his two best centers on the same line.

Clark did play wing with Canada this last week. Actually if you switch Clark to C and McKibbon to wing that may help spring Nurse even more. Or move McKibbon to the 3rd line and put a speedy Fr with Clark and Nurse. Speed kills.

D playing F to fill the 12th forward spot.....If Rolfes does not come back from her undisclosed injury, that leaves UW with 6 D, so if one would shift to F that only leaves 5 D.

 

[ARM]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2015-2016

Clark did play wing with Canada this last week. Actually if you switch Clark to C and McKibbon to wing that may help spring Nurse even more. Or move McKibbon to the 3rd line and put a speedy Fr with Clark and Nurse. Speed kills.

Either Clark or McKibbon could play wing; that's not the problem. Not every wing makes a good center. Centers usually are expected to play more of a defensive role, especially in the D zone. I haven't seen that Johnson likes to sacrifice defense to look for a bit more offensive potential. IMO, Clark is ahead of Pankowski defensively.

 

[pokechecker]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2015-2016

Either Clark or McKibbon could play wing; that's not the problem. Not every wing makes a good center. Centers usually are expected to play more of a defensive role, especially in the D zone. I haven't seen that Johnson likes to sacrifice defense to look for a bit more offensive potential. IMO, Clark is ahead of Pankowski defensively.

The other job Centers do is faceoffs, and McKibbon has been WI’s best statistically. IMO, this was one of the benefits to moving Piazza down to the 3rd line for MN, split apart your best players taking faceoffs onto different lines.

 

[Badger Booster]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2015-2016

I would be surprised if they initially break up the Cogan-Clark-Pankowski top line. Nurse and McKibbon have played together forever and don't see McKibbon being shifted to wing. Biggest question is who plays that 3rd line center. Full disclosure, I have no idea the exact positions of the incoming forwards. The thought of moving a D-men up is nice and everything, but who would it be? Plus as mentioned, Rolfes' health is up in the air so it's not like they have a bunch of extra defensemen wasting away on the bench or healthy scratches.

Unless there is a concern for overload for the 17-18 roster, I really don't understand why a 12th forward wouldn't (or maybe couldn't) be added. A Rachel Jones-type player that came in totally under the radar and ended up a solid role player.

True, the 4th line doesn't play much, especially in the premier games. But over the course of the season, it helps in easing the minutes of the top lines and provides personnel options if/when others get banged up or are off playing in international tournaments.

Ultimately, I trust the process and the roster they will open up with, but it is interesting looking from the outside in.

 

[Badger Booster]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2015-2016

http://www.uwbadgers.com/news/2016/4/5/womens-hockey-rigsby-backstops-us-to-world-championship-gold.aspx

Was really cool watching all the current and former Badgers playing in the Worlds. There is no doubt my interest in international hockey is higher because of it.

The speed and intensity of when US & Canada play is just fascinating. Something I really need to see live at some point. Maybe one of these tournaments will be held in Wisconsin one day, because apparently the state isn't getting a WCHA/NCAA championship tourney any time soon.

 

[pensrule]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2015-2016

I would be surprised if they initially break up the Cogan-Clark-Pankowski top line. Nurse and McKibbon have played together forever and don't see McKibbon being shifted to wing. Biggest question is who plays that 3rd line center. Full disclosure, I have no idea the exact positions of the incoming forwards. The thought of moving a D-men up is nice and everything, but who would it be? Plus as mentioned, Rolfes' health is up in the air so it's not like they have a bunch of extra defensemen wasting away on the bench or healthy scratches.

Unless there is a concern for overload for the 17-18 roster, I really don't understand why a 12th forward wouldn't (or maybe couldn't) be added. A Rachel Jones-type player that came in totally under the radar and ended up a solid role player.

True, the 4th line doesn't play much, especially in the premier games. But over the course of the season, it helps in easing the minutes of the top lines and provides personnel options if/when others get banged up or are off playing in international tournaments.

Ultimately, I trust the process and the roster they will open up with, but it is interesting looking from the outside in.

I think Abby Roque will be slotted in as the third line center. That is her natural position and she has experience playing with both Wellhausen and Shaver. 2 years ago she was on the same line with Wellhausen on the USA U-18 team at the Worlds in Budapest and she played with Shaver the following year at the 2015 U-18 Worlds.. I saw her play a bit this past season and she is a very similar player to Sowchuck. Very solid, responsible player that will fit in great with those 2 speedy wings. Seems to be a good fit!

 

[Badger Booster]

Re: Wisconsin Badgers 2015-2016

I think Abby Roque will be slotted in as the third line center. That is her natural position and she has experience playing with both Wellhausen and Shaver. 2 years ago she was on the same line with Wellhausen on the USA U-18 team at the Worlds in Budapest and she played with Shaver the following year at the 2015 U-18 Worlds.. I saw her play a bit this past season and she is a very similar player to Sowchuck. Very solid, responsible player that will fit in great with those 2 speedy wings. Seems to be a good fit!

Thanks for that info. Definitely sounds like that is the most logical line pairings.