jpfalcon09 wrote: ↑Tue Mar 23, 2021 2:06 pm
Some news today:
Eric Dop is in the transfer portal for his fifth year, so Zack Rose will likely be your starting goaltender next season.
Maco Balkovec is also leaving the program to take a job in BC.
I wonder if Dop felt Rose breathing down his neck and knew he needed to get out in order to play a bunch next season. Sad to see the kid go, but I wish him nothing but the best moving forward.
Maco leaving surprises me a little bit. Whoever we hire in his place needs to fix our special teams units, particularly the PP.
From what I was told, Dop is looking for more exposure via a Big Ten or NCHC school. We'll see if he gets his wish.
My first thought was reuniting with Coach Bergeron in Oxford or heading to Ohio State to play in his native Columbus. I guess we'll see - nothing wrong with doing what's best for you and taking advantage of the extra year.
Spratt worked his magic on Miami’s freshman goaltender. He’s one of the best in the Nachos. If Dop heads to Oxford he’s at best #2 and a long way from #1.
Where did he get a fifth year? He backed up Bednard for 2 years and was the #1 for 2 years. Did his freshman year not count or something?
Edit: Duh. I forgot about this being the COVID no eligibility year.
TalonsUpPuckDown wrote: ↑Tue Mar 23, 2021 7:40 pm
Where did he get a fifth year? He backed up Bednard for 2 years and was the #1 for 2 years. Did his freshman year not count or something?
TalonsUpPuckDown wrote: ↑Tue Mar 23, 2021 7:40 pm
Where did he get a fifth year? He backed up Bednard for 2 years and was the #1 for 2 years. Did his freshman year not count or something?
TalonsUpPuckDown wrote: ↑Tue Mar 23, 2021 7:40 pm
Where did he get a fifth year? He backed up Bednard for 2 years and was the #1 for 2 years. Did his freshman year not count or something?
COVID, I assume.
Yep. Brain fart on my part.
Gould could stick around for a 6th year if he really wanted to.
It's tough seeing this news. Max was a fan favorite here, and we definitely could use his talent and experience with this young group coming in.
I want to see him succeed, but if he wanted to play an extra season, I really would've liked for it to be in the orange and brown.
Realize in a normal year, most of these guys would be signing professional contracts. But with half the ECHL shutdown, and an extra year of eligibility, why not see if you can go somewhere else? If things get close to normal by fall, most will sign somewhere before taking the ice at another school.
It's tough seeing this news. Max was a fan favorite here, and we definitely could use his talent and experience with this young group coming in.
I want to see him succeed, but if he wanted to play an extra season, I really would've liked for it to be in the orange and brown.
Realize in a normal year, most of these guys would be signing professional contracts. But with half the ECHL shutdown, and an extra year of eligibility, why not see if you can go somewhere else? If things get close to normal by fall, most will sign somewhere before taking the ice at another school.
RIght, I realize that they normally would be gone, but still would have liked to see them pick BG for their extra year of eligibility. I'm sure there's a lot more to it that I don't know...but I'm hoping it is just a scholarship issue and not something else.
Our last conference tournament title was in 1987. Our last regular season conference title was in 1988. Our last NCAA tournament appearance was in 2019.
Tough mountains to climb, but we have to do it in order to take the next step as a program.
Just out of curiosity, with there being so few D-1 college hockey programs, would it truly make a difference in what conference you play in as far as exposure to professional scouts? It seems like talent scouts find the talent regardless of where they play. Plenty of BG people (and other WCHA schools) have signed contracts with NHL teams in recent years that I wouldn't necessarily think that going to play at Wisconsin or wherever would really increase your professional chances and exposure.
BG '10
Attended more games than any responsible student should have.
BillyLP wrote: ↑Thu Mar 25, 2021 11:06 am
Just out of curiosity, with there being so few D-1 college hockey programs, would it truly make a difference in what conference you play in as far as exposure to professional scouts? It seems like talent scouts find the talent regardless of where they play. Plenty of BG people (and other WCHA schools) have signed contracts with NHL teams in recent years that I wouldn't necessarily think that going to play at Wisconsin or wherever would really increase your professional chances and exposure.
Sometimes a desired advanced degree isn't available at BG (and there's a feeling among some that one shouldn't get a bachelor's and masters at the same school), some may want to try to get closer to home, some may hope to get in at Arizona or Huntsville for the climate.
All is for the best in this best of all possible worlds.
BillyLP wrote: ↑Thu Mar 25, 2021 11:06 am
Just out of curiosity, with there being so few D-1 college hockey programs, would it truly make a difference in what conference you play in as far as exposure to professional scouts? It seems like talent scouts find the talent regardless of where they play. Plenty of BG people (and other WCHA schools) have signed contracts with NHL teams in recent years that I wouldn't necessarily think that going to play at Wisconsin or wherever would really increase your professional chances and exposure.
I look at college hockey as two-tiers. Top tier is Hockey East, Big Ten, and NCHC. You've got traditional powers in those conferences (No Dak, Michigan, Boston College, etc.) who typically play a competitive conference schedule every year. They're also the schools that attract the best players because of coaches and their overall history. Second tier is ECAC, WCHA (now CCHA), and Atlantic Hockey. You've got a few programs in each league that standout each year, but the overall quality of play isn't as good because lesser skilled players.
I always say this - go check out the USNDT roster and look at where these guys are going to play college hockey.
