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Wisconsin Women's Hockey 2023-2024
- Thread starter robertearle
- Start date
This link - Agape Ranch (agaperanchwi.com) - is to the web site for Agape Ranch – the project initiated by Mark Johnson’s wife and which he has mentioned in the context of his retirement. It lists a tentative start date of the Spring of 2025 which would be around the end of the 2024-2025 season. The list of intended services is extensive, and likely to require a fairly substantial level of staffing if it even is moderately successful. It seems reasonable to expect a substantial amount of time from multiple individuals will be needed to prepare for the formal launch and, during the first several months it is operating, there likely will be a number of kinks to smooth out.
Given his stated commitment to devote time to assist with the effort and the projected start date of the spring of 2025, it seems fair to ask how this may affect his retirement. Unless his commitment to Agape is only modest, handling the added demands during a hockey season at the same time likely would be extremely difficult for anyone. Not necessarily impossible, but the level of demand for his involvement with Agape could make the balancing of time management tricky.
Regardless of when he retires, there also are questions about how any announcement might impact the team roster. First of all, there is the matter of how returning players react to the selection – do they like the choice and stay or do they look to transfer. The same applies to incoming recruits – do they remain committed or look to switch elsewhere. Plus, there is the impending 2026 Olympics which could complicate matters for the 2025-2026 further given the US Olympics team’s penchant for raiding college rosters. And the situation might be made more complicated if Canada were to follow a similar path with Murphy and Vesuvio and Czechia with Sapovalavova. As a further note, Lopusanova’s arrival on campus for the 26-27 season also could be delayed a year if Slovakia decides to interrupt her senior year at BK and draft her for the 2026 Olympics. Not to be forgotten, a potential wildcard is the man also has 5 children and 8 grandchildren he may want to spend more time with.
So, It seems the issue of MJ’s retirement is about to become more of a topic a discussion with his family and for the UW, other coaches who may be interested in the position, current and future players and fans.
Given his stated commitment to devote time to assist with the effort and the projected start date of the spring of 2025, it seems fair to ask how this may affect his retirement. Unless his commitment to Agape is only modest, handling the added demands during a hockey season at the same time likely would be extremely difficult for anyone. Not necessarily impossible, but the level of demand for his involvement with Agape could make the balancing of time management tricky.
Regardless of when he retires, there also are questions about how any announcement might impact the team roster. First of all, there is the matter of how returning players react to the selection – do they like the choice and stay or do they look to transfer. The same applies to incoming recruits – do they remain committed or look to switch elsewhere. Plus, there is the impending 2026 Olympics which could complicate matters for the 2025-2026 further given the US Olympics team’s penchant for raiding college rosters. And the situation might be made more complicated if Canada were to follow a similar path with Murphy and Vesuvio and Czechia with Sapovalavova. As a further note, Lopusanova’s arrival on campus for the 26-27 season also could be delayed a year if Slovakia decides to interrupt her senior year at BK and draft her for the 2026 Olympics. Not to be forgotten, a potential wildcard is the man also has 5 children and 8 grandchildren he may want to spend more time with.
So, It seems the issue of MJ’s retirement is about to become more of a topic a discussion with his family and for the UW, other coaches who may be interested in the position, current and future players and fans.
eastcoastgopher
Member
European teams don't do Olympic residency. And it sounds like that will stop on the North American side as well given the emergence of the PWHL.
Timothy A
Let's go RED!
This would be awesome.
Timothy A
Let's go RED!
I had a dream last night that Eden was at an amusement park and one of the activities was to scale a giant tall pile of dirt (100 ft tall or taller) and ring the bell when you got to the top. She stepped on a nail doing this and was out for the rest of the season. This no hockey period is brutal. Now back to your regularly scheduled programming.
Who would have guessed that one could be looking forward to an exhibition game featuring the Beavers this weekend? (Nothing against the Beavers, of course. They have my favorite team logo). {insert Beaver logo here}
Timothy A
Let's go RED!
My sons played youth hockey in this town called Beaver Dam and they are called the Golden Beavers. We have a common bond.
This is either a cause for concern or a cause for celebration.
Timothy A
Let's go RED!
The problem with this country is we focus too much on what makes us different instead of celebrating what makes us united. Yes we despise each other hockey-wise (and probably all sports), but we are Americans darn it and we like Beavers. I also very much appreciate the sacrifice of the 1st Minnesota Regiment on day 2 of the Battle of Gettysburg. Their actions very well could have saved the Union Army from a crushing defeat and saved Lincoln's presidency.
That settles it. Here is to a new era of peaceful coexistence between Gopher and Badger fans. Salute!!
Timothy A
Let's go RED!
I hope the Vikings do real well for you this week. Bring home the W.
Timothy A
Let's go RED!
It sure must be. I'm 10 years away from traveling the upper Midwest like you.
Timothy A
Let's go RED!
Don't know a thing about Merrimack......6-10-2; They haven't played anyone of significance other than Clarkson early in the season, lost 3-0 5-0. Lost to BC 3-0 3-2, just lost to UConn 2-1 in OT outshot 37-26. So goalie with a .913 save percentage, 2.37 gaa. PP is 10%; PK is 75.4%. 2 leading scorers are Grad Transfers. 3rd leading scorer is a Jr. D. Most importantly it's located in North Andover MA, kinda looks like a suburb of Lawrence MA.
BadgerPete
Active member
Venusio is captaining Canada, so it's a meeting of future Badgers when captains talk before USA-Canada.
Timothy A
Let's go RED!
Captain America vs Captain Canada. The future looks pretty decent for UW.
I watched the PWHL game between Boston and MN last night on Bally Sports. The game was played at the U Mass – Lowell Tsongas Center which seats 6500 for hockey, and it appeared to be close to being sold out and the fans were enthusiastic.
It was very entertaining – classic hockey featuring lots of speed and skills, none of the physical chippiness that is standard in men’s hockey. The men should take notice of the lack of a single instance of high sticking, for me an all too frequent infraction in men’s hockey. Perhaps they could ask for lessons on how to avoid it.
Bally will be airing PWHL games throughout their season, something they should be commended for. The league also has strong support from the NHL and several investors with major holdings in other sports as well. This league got a late start this season, so teams will have only 24 regular season games, I believe followed by a championship playoff ala the Stanley Cup. I prefer their style of play and will be watching their games whenever they are available. Hopefully they can start earlier next season and play a more robust schedule.
Building a new league definitely will be challenging and require patience. But perhaps it is worth remembering that the NHL initially had only 6 teams for years also.
It was very entertaining – classic hockey featuring lots of speed and skills, none of the physical chippiness that is standard in men’s hockey. The men should take notice of the lack of a single instance of high sticking, for me an all too frequent infraction in men’s hockey. Perhaps they could ask for lessons on how to avoid it.
Bally will be airing PWHL games throughout their season, something they should be commended for. The league also has strong support from the NHL and several investors with major holdings in other sports as well. This league got a late start this season, so teams will have only 24 regular season games, I believe followed by a championship playoff ala the Stanley Cup. I prefer their style of play and will be watching their games whenever they are available. Hopefully they can start earlier next season and play a more robust schedule.
Building a new league definitely will be challenging and require patience. But perhaps it is worth remembering that the NHL initially had only 6 teams for years also.