Commentary: High Expectations Will Come With Growing Pains

[BGDrew]

This weekend Chris Bergeron was introduced to the Falcon Hockey Family. After being a Redskin, then a Redhawk for 14 years he has "brought his skills" to what he calls a true hockey town.

One thing's clear: He's a Falcon now.

He was welcomed with open arms and those who had met him for the first time came away impressed and excited for the incoming year. For the first time since the Bring Back the Glory campaign was announced, there is actually high expectations for the Falcon Icers for the 10-11 season. In many ways Bergeron is being seen as a "savior" for the program and the excitement he has grown for not only the team but the program as a whole has gone far past X's and O's.

However, we have to remember that with our "sky's-the-limit" expectations there is likely going to be a great deal of growing pains. Even the BGSU Athletic Department has placed high expectations in the Bergeron hiring naming it the 3rd biggest moment of the year (beating out, among others, the Stroh center groundbreaking and Van de Walle's 500th career win). In fact, this is considered to be the biggest hire of Greg Christopher's reign as the Athletic Director.

We are still returning a team that will be on the low-end of scoring in the CCHA. The Falcons will benefit from two great goaltenders in Eno and Hammond but the loss of Kyle Page will force our blueline to step up big time. There won't be any excuses coming from those in the locker room or offices, but the fans and boosters have to remember we're re-building. Dennis Williams will always be known as the man who brought Falcon Hockey back onto steady ground but the most difficult work begins now as Bergeron will have to re-build a team that has become a doormat over the past 10 years.

However, with the glowing praise he has received from NCAA Champions, Olympic Gold Medalists, and Stanley Cup Champions it's hard not to have our expectations at an all-time high. What he does with this opportunity will not only define himself but also Greg Christopher and the Falcon hockey program. One thing is for certain: there isn't anyone more ready for the challenge.



P.S. We're 80 days away from puck drop.

[MACMAN]

We will continue to take this thing one step at a time, one day, one week, one game one season at a time.
We have the tools in place, and yea with these tools one could expect that we might have just an awesome "unexpected" early success. But to be honest, I just want to see us continue to build from where were last year and I know we will do that.
That is the success I m looking for, GROWTH.

[Falcon Fanatic]

+10000000000000000000000000000!!

Absolutely AWESOME post, Drew!!!

[sum1udontknow]

I am glad to see that some fans realize that success doesn't come overnight. Last year Dennis laid the foundation for this rebuilding stage. Now Coach Bergeron will continue on with it. I as any Falcon hockey fan would love to see a winning season and alot of excitement putting us at the top of the conference. However, if that doesn't happen it is understandable. The only thing I ask of this year is to see continuous improvement as a team on the ice. If this team can go out and battle night after night and compete, I can be happy.

The stage is set and were improving....can't wait for the season!!

[Falcon Fanatic]

I am glad to see that some fans realize that success doesn't come overnight. Last year Dennis laid the foundation for this rebuilding stage. Now Coach Bergeron will continue on with it. I as any Falcon hockey fan would love to see a winning season and alot of excitement putting us at the top of the conference. However, if that doesn't happen it is understandable. The only thing I ask of this year is to see continuous improvement as a team on the ice. If this team can go out and battle night after night and compete, I can be happy.

The stage is set and were improving....can't wait for the season!!

100% agree! Dennis did a fantastic job of getting the ship headed in the right direction. Now Coach Bergeron will move it forward. He is such an intensely focused man that wants championships here. PERIOD!!! How soon that will happen could surprise many, but I too, will be thrilled with continued improvement. Players are going to held accountable on the ice, off the ice, in the classroom, and in the community. They will either be a part of the family or they won't!!

GO FALCON HOCKEY!!!

[falconfan1]

It might take awhile.

But I really like the coaching staff.

And I like the updated arena.

On our way.

Go Falcons!

[rood]

Hey, Drew, what happened to your blog? Are you going to be doing the live feed again this season? I really enjoyed it last season.

[Drago]

I think talking about championships at this point is counterproductive. The hockey team should strive for being competitive in the CCHA on a consistent basis, not once every 5 years. Once the team has established that, then they can focus on contending for championships. Basically we should strive to be what Alaska has been the last few years, competitve in the CCHA, and always near the borderline of getting an NCAA bid. Personally, I think if Coach Bergeron got us to that point, it would be a great job.

[rood]

Sorry, Drago, but if the coaches and players are striving for mediocre they aren't going to get to great. If you mean we, as fans, then yes I think we will all be thrilled with mediocre in the meantime. It would certainly be an improvement over the recent the past but hoping for greatness is not out of line. We all know it will take some time to get there but we do expect to get there. We aren't Clippers fans.

[MACMAN]

I believeThatwith the players we have right now that are now seasoned as our core for the next two seasons we will be more comptetiti e than some anticipating earlier than expected. Also it will not a series of waves. We will remain co
Petitive and draw talent from the higher levels of leagues where we recruit as a direct result of everything happening with our program. It is to early place well founded predictions Howe ever when taking team success plans the arena the fans and coaches into consideration as well the speed other program
S have gone from our position to success we should expect to see a food year followed be better year anda base repeat of that year followed byin the cCha hunt

[BGDrew]

I'll be starting another blog closer to the season and as long as I'm given a press pass this year I'll be doing the Liveblog's again.

[sum1udontknow]

I believeThatwith the players we have right now that are now seasoned as our core for the next two seasons we will be more comptetiti e than some anticipating earlier than expected. Also it will not a series of waves. We will remain co
Petitive and draw talent from the higher levels of leagues where we recruit as a direct result of everything happening with our program. It is to early place well founded predictions Howe ever when taking team success plans the arena the fans and coaches into consideration as well the speed other program
S have gone from our position to success we should expect to see a food year followed be better year anda base repeat of that year followed byin the cCha hunt

biggest thing I notice and alot of people I believe don't see it is that although programs and traditions can draw players attention, so can coaches. Having a coach the caliber of a Chris Bergeron who has done it at Miami as an assistant is going to draw some bigger talent. Think about any sport when you talk recruiting how much emphasis is put on how the player wanted to play for a certain coach, and how the coach got him there! Bergeron's name and reputation should bring in some higher caliber recruits!

[Falcon Fanatic]

biggest thing I notice and alot of people I believe don't see it is that although programs and traditions can draw players attention, so can coaches. Having a coach the caliber of a Chris Bergeron who has done it at Miami as an assistant is going to draw some bigger talent. Think about any sport when you talk recruiting how much emphasis is put on how the player wanted to play for a certain coach, and how the coach got him there! Bergeron's name and reputation should bring in some higher caliber recruits!

I agree! I have talked with players that are friends with several current players on the Miami team. There are several redskinhawk players that are upset that he left them and came here. These are players that Bergeron recruited, players that went to the Frozen Four the past two years. Looking through the redskinhawk's news archive page, I found the article on Bergeron's hiring at BG. This line from the article is just what you are talking about: "Bergeron was heavily involved in the recruiting process, bringing in six players who would become All-Americans"

FALCON HOCKEY FOREVER!!

[sbkbghockey]

biggest thing I notice and alot of people I believe don't see it is that although programs and traditions can draw players attention, so can coaches. Having a coach the caliber of a Chris Bergeron who has done it at Miami as an assistant is going to draw some bigger talent. Think about any sport when you talk recruiting how much emphasis is put on how the player wanted to play for a certain coach, and how the coach got him there! Bergeron's name and reputation should bring in some higher caliber recruits!

I agree! I have talked with players that are friends with several current players on the Miami team. There are several redskinhawk players that are upset that he left them and came here. These are players that Bergeron recruited, players that went to the Frozen Four the past two years. Looking through the redskinhawk's news archive page, I found the article on Bergeron's hiring at BG. This line from the article is just what you are talking about: "Bergeron was heavily involved in the recruiting process, bringing in six players who would become All-Americans"

FALCON HOCKEY FOREVER!!

I think the program will grow by leaps and bounds within the next 5 years. got a link to that article? (not because i don't believe you, it just sounds like a good read.)

[Falcon Fanatic]

I think the program will grow by leaps and bounds within the next 5 years. got a link to that article? (not because i don't believe you, it just sounds like a good read.)

Here it is. It was in the redskinhawk's news release of Bergeron's hiring at BG:
http://www.muredhawks.com/sports/m-hock ... 10aaa.html