WISCONSIN Hockey Vol. 22 - Let's not have another cheesy thread title... Wait, What?

[sweatpants]

Re: WISCONSIN Hockey Vol. 22 - Let's not have another cheesy thread title... Wait, W

Gee...a player who played for Eaves under his first season at UW and was subsequently cut from the program. Can't imagine why his Eaves stories aren't pillow mints and roses.

Heard the same story from other UW players. I bartended at Amy's Cafe during Eaves first few years and lots of hockey players would go there and play cards. Heard lots of things. And quit lying Chuck err Andy, Heisler was never cut, he quit on his own accord because he didn't want to go through all that again as a walk-on.

 

[sweatpants]

Re: WISCONSIN Hockey Vol. 22 - Let's not have another cheesy thread title... Wait, W

Did he really do that?

Least he didn't wipe and show it to them like Bobby Knight.


I've considered using that one. Squirts sure can be short on focus at times.

The exact story is that in between periods Eaves was ****ed off for lack of effort. He decides to take off all his clothes and stand face to face with every player in dead silence one by one. Even the goalies and players in dress clothes weren't spared. He then put his clothes back on, left, and never came back. He wasn't seen in the locker room until the next practice.

 

[Badger Booster]

Re: WISCONSIN Hockey Vol. 22 - Let's not have another cheesy thread title... Wait, W

The exact story is that in between periods Eaves was ****ed off for lack of effort. He decides to take off all his clothes and stand face to face with every player in dead silence one by one. Even the goalies and players in dress clothes weren't spared. He then put his clothes back on, left, and never came back. He wasn't seen in the locker room until the next practice.

So, did the team play better after that or not?

 

[Almington]

Wow, now the '06 national title is somehow diminished and Eaves is a "nut-job." Apparently any success they've had under his watch is in spite of him and any failure they've had is all his fault.

I'm not saying he should be getting a contract extension, but some of this is getting over the top.

I think Eaves absolutely deserves credit for turning around the program and building the team that was capable of winning the national title and was arguably the best team that season (to this day I wonder what would have happened if Elliott had not hurt his knee).

While Eaves absolutely deserves credit for the turnaround, the fact that the turnaround was not sustained also falls on Eaves.

My question is: Did Eaves leverage his experience with USA hockey and the NTDP to bring in a bunch of recruits who knew his system and who he knew would fit into his system and once that dried up has he been unable to bring in the same type of secondary scorers needed to be successful at this level either because of the perception of uw's style of play, the rigid system that the team runs, or Eaves overall personality and is that likely to change while the head coach remains the same?

After the results of the last two seasons and the start to this season I think that is a very fair question to ask.

 

[solovsfett]

Re: WISCONSIN Hockey Vol. 22 - Let's not have another cheesy thread title... Wait, W

I think Eaves absolutely deserves credit for turning around the program and building the team that was capable of winning the national title and was arguably the best team that season (to this day I wonder what would have happened if Elliott had not hurt his knee).

While Eaves absolutely deserves credit for the turnaround, the fact that the turnaround was not sustained also falls on Eaves.

My question is: Did Eaves leverage his experience with USA hockey and the NTDP to bring in a bunch of recruits who knew his system and who he knew would fit into his system and once that dried up has he been unable to bring in the same type of secondary scorers needed to be successful at this level either because of the perception of uw's style of play, the rigid system that the team runs, or Eaves overall personality and is that likely to change while the head coach remains the same?

After the results of the last two seasons and the start to this season I think that is a very fair question to ask.

you may have just knocked it out of the park. we'll never be privy to most of the information but man your description really rings true...to me at least

as for that story about the naked locker room situation...jesus, well on one hand I hope it's not true and that Heisler was a disgruntled ***** like Leavitt and a few others along the way. it would make sense to me, why would guys like McDonagh and Justin Schultz stay as long as they did if Eaves was bat****? that's sort of tough to believe...then again once you're there under scholarship your choices are play it out, leave and sit out a year or turn pro

then again, if it were true.....I'd say it's disgusting behavior (I don't care about Bobby Knight or Mike Singletary previously doing the same things in front of their respective teams) and he should be fired for it to be honest.

 

[Gurtholfin]

Re: WISCONSIN Hockey Vol. 22 - Let's not have another cheesy thread title... Wait, W

I think Eaves absolutely deserves credit for turning around the program and building the team that was capable of winning the national title and was arguably the best team that season (to this day I wonder what would have happened if Elliott had not hurt his knee).

You realize we won the title that year. Even went into the NCAA's as the 1 seed. The Gophers never beat us with Elliott.

What's "arguable" about it?

We were hands down the best team.

 

[Almington]

You realize we won the title that year. Even went into the NCAA's as the 1 seed. The Gophers never beat us with Elliott.

What's "arguable" about it?

We were hands down the best team.

Didn't win the WCHA regular season title and didn't win the WCHA playoff title.

You want to be the undisputed best team, sweep all three.

 

[Hammy]

Re: WISCONSIN Hockey Vol. 22 - Let's not have another cheesy thread title... Wait, W

And didn't that same kid take another look at UW later down the line when his first option didn't work out?

Wrong player but ironic that his circumstances were pretty close. Forgot about that though.

 

[Chuck Schwartz]

Re: WISCONSIN Hockey Vol. 22 - Let's not have another cheesy thread title... Wait, W

Didn't win the WCHA regular season title and didn't win the WCHA playoff title.

You want to be the undisputed best team, sweep all three.

FWIW, there's no doubt in my mind that UW wins the regular season title that year if Elliott doesn't hurt his knee. Wisconsin was just 2-5 in league games that season when Connolly had to fill in. UW was 20-3-2 in games Elliott started in the WCHA that season, and 2 of those 3 losses came in the weekend immediately returning off his injury.

 

[mnstate0fhockey]

Didn't win the WCHA regular season title and didn't win the WCHA playoff title.

You want to be the undisputed best team, sweep all three.

Those are some pretty lofty goals there Herb.

 

[Almington]

FWIW, there's no doubt in my mind that UW wins the regular season title that year if Elliott doesn't hurt his knee. Wisconsin was just 2-5 in league games that season when Connolly had to fill in. UW was 20-3-2 in games Elliott started in the WCHA that season, and 2 of those 3 losses came in the weekend immediately returning off his injury.

Isnt the backup goaltender part of the team? Shouldn't the best team be able to overcome the adversity of injuries?

Who knows how NCAAs playout if Elliott had played nearly every ge that season.

I believe that UW was the best team that season, but given the results when Elliott was injured and the fact that they didnt win the Final Five WITH Elliott in net it can be argued that they were not the best team, just had the best goaltender.

 

[burd]

Re: WISCONSIN Hockey Vol. 22 - Let's not have another cheesy thread title... Wait, W

Of the three main powers in the WCHA, I think Eaves has the hardest job. You would think UW would be an easy place to recruit to, and I'm sure it is, but one thing JDubbs was probably right about is that most of those home-growns grow up wanting to play for the gophers. They've bought into the team before they get there. UND recruits make an obvious sacrifice to attend UND, but once there it's all hockey--outside of an occasional lawn mower party. Hakstol has an easier job developing those kids once they get there than he would in Madison, IMO.

Of couse that doesn't explain York's run of success at BC, but I think he stands apart at this point in his career.

 

[Almington]

Of the three main powers in the WCHA, I think Eaves has the hardest job. You would think UW would be an easy place to recruit to, and I'm sure it is, but one thing JDubbs was probably right about is that most of those home-growns grow up wanting to play for the gophers. They've bought into the team before they get there. UND recruits make an obvious sacrifice to attend UND, but once there it's all hockey--outside of an occasional lawn mower party. Hakstol has an easier job developing those kids once they get there than he would in Madison, IMO.

Of couse that doesn't explain York's run of success at BC, but I think he stands apart at this point in his career.

Why does Hakstol have an easier development path at UND? Is it just fewer distractions and a more committed administration or something else?

What about Gwozdecky at DU, Bearinson at Michigan, what Jeff Jackson has done turning around Notre Dame, what Blasi has done at Miami?

York has a factory at BC and he knows exactly what pieces to put in and how to built a balanced team that can compete year in and year out. It's a formula that took him years to develop and perfect at bowling green and clarkson and then adjust it to his specific situation at BC and the changing landscape. That's what has made York one of the greatest college hockey coaches of all time.

 

[MadCityRich]

Re: WISCONSIN Hockey Vol. 22 - Let's not have another cheesy thread title... Wait, W

I didn't see this mentioned....now that Maryland and Rutgers are in the B1G, their hockey teams will add 2 more teams to the conference. Wait, what?

 

[ExileOnDaytonStreet]

Re: WISCONSIN Hockey Vol. 22 - Let's not have another cheesy thread title... Wait, W

You know, considering our massive identity crisis right now, it's nice to see that we haven't sprouted any "Fire Mike Eaves" threads yet.

I didn't see this mentioned....now that Maryland and Rutgers are in the B1G, their hockey teams will add 2 more teams to the conference. Wait, what?

Nyuk nyuk.

 

[Chuck Schwartz]

Re: WISCONSIN Hockey Vol. 22 - Let's not have another cheesy thread title... Wait, W

Bag's tweets that Zulinick was hurt in practice today and it didn't look good.

Things just keep getting better.

 

[Gurtholfin]

Re: WISCONSIN Hockey Vol. 22 - Let's not have another cheesy thread title... Wait, W

Didn't win the WCHA regular season title and didn't win the WCHA playoff title.

You want to be the undisputed best team, sweep all three.

Sorry, calling MAJOR BS on this.

The Badgers won every elimination game that actually mattered. They also won the 3rd place game against Minnesota that clinched the #1 overall seed.

They were the national champs and no one else has any legitimate claim.

Pretty sure that the Gophers would gladly trade the MacNaughton and the Sioux would gladly trade the Broadmoor for what we got.

 

[Gurtholfin]

Re: WISCONSIN Hockey Vol. 22 - Let's not have another cheesy thread title... Wait, W

Isnt the backup goaltender part of the team? Shouldn't the best team be able to overcome the adversity of injuries?

Who knows how NCAAs playout if Elliott had played nearly every ge that season.

I believe that UW was the best team that season, but given the results when Elliott was injured and the fact that they didnt win the Final Five WITH Elliott in net it can be argued that they were not the best team, just had the best goaltender.

The Badgers were the best team that year pretty much from start to finish with a hiccup in the middle. Who was better that year? You can only argue that they weren't the best if you can make the case for someone else.

Best team of all time? Of course not. Best team of 05-06? Without a doubt.

 

[solovsfett]

Re: WISCONSIN Hockey Vol. 22 - Let's not have another cheesy thread title... Wait, W

so Zulinick is injured (injury not disclosed yet afaik)...Zengerle out another month, and Kerdiles out 2 more weeks.

While these injuries and ncaa suspension are uncontrollable ("control what you can control") what I'd REALLY like to know is how long does Eaves get after this season?

when they go 5 of 7 years out of the NCAA's how much leeway does he get? they'll have 1 year left to make hay with an upperclassmen roster and then the massive turnover and the effing "youth" excuse again for 2 consecutive seasons. will they need to go 7 of 10 seasons out of the NCAA's in order for Alvarez to get off his *** and fire him?

I guess what I'm saying is I'm off the Eaves bandwagon. I was on-board hardcore from year 1 through year 7. year 7 I began to have some questions but still had faith. the last 4 years (including this season) I've lost confidence that he can get this team where they need to be, a year in and year out contender.


Enrico Blasi, please consider how beautiful Madison is...thanks

 

[Timothy A]

Re: WISCONSIN Hockey Vol. 22 - Let's not have another cheesy thread title... Wait, W

What has constantly amazed me is that players at UW just don't seem to show much offensive improvement over their time at UW. They may make incromental improvements from year to year, but never seem to have that "breakout" season where they can become an offensive threat. Since once they leave UW they start RACKING up the points in the ECHL and AHL it's clear that they are improving, implying that it is the system that UW wants to run that is the problem.

This is a huge factor. F's just don't get better offensively under Eaves. The balance between grinders and scorers is also out of wack. You can't bring in 1 F scorer per year and expect to be any good. UW never ends up with more than 3 scorers on the team at any one time as one usually leaves early per year. Eaves' teams have always been scoring challanged, that is really his downfall. He's landing very good to excellent D, hit and miss on G, and mostly miss on F.

This So F class is pretty much doing nothing, but they weren't a really highly rated bunch either.

Only 3 Canadians on the team as well, and 2 are on the 2nd line and 1 is the "starting" goalie.

Eaves personality & recruiting....not everyone clicks with everyone, that's life. Kerdiles seems like he's just about give his left nut to play for Eaves, Kessel wanted no part of UW. Eaves' own kids did not want to play for Sauer.

2006....There's no way to expect Cons to play as well as Elliott while he was filling in, or then he'd be the starter or they would have been splitting time. Even when Cons was the starter the next year he wasn't nearly as good as Elliott.

For what it's worth, the schedule now through mid January isn't "tough", they could get to .500 by then. Which is sucky, but trending positively.