Offseason Thread

[jpfalcon09]

There's a rumor out there that Notre Dame might have some COVID issues at their regional in Albany.

Of course that would happen, with them really not deserving to be in in the first place.

Confirmed. They're out.

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

From the perspective of this fanboy, it feels like a malaise has fallen over the program. Not sure if this is in any way accurate or more a reflection on my perspectives on the end-of-season collapse and the prospect of having to replace an assistant coach and 50% of our scoring next year. I really felt that this season was our opportunity to make waves before the pending rebuild (we don't reload like Mankato) and I'd bought into the "We're #5 in the nation!" hype.

Does Hastings fail to make the NCAA's with this team? What about Serratore? Potulny? I'll leave Shawhan out of this list as that answer is obvious. Don't get me wrong, I'm not breaking bad on Ty and am fully behind him, but is the ending to this season something he can grow from? Will recruiting be impacted? Can we be competitive next year and going forward?

Apologies for the doom and gloom. I'm just so morose right now.

[mbenecke]

Michigan had to withdraw from the NCAA tournament 3 hours before puck drop due to COVID issues, so Duluth advances.

[jpfalcon09]

Quickly becoming a joke of a tournament.

[jpfalcon09]

From the perspective of this fanboy, it feels like a malaise has fallen over the program. Not sure if this is in any way accurate or more a reflection on my perspectives on the end-of-season collapse and the prospect of having to replace an assistant coach and 50% of our scoring next year. I really felt that this season was our opportunity to make waves before the pending rebuild (we don't reload like Mankato) and I'd bought into the "We're #5 in the nation!" hype.

Does Hastings fail to make the NCAA's with this team? What about Serratore? Potulny? I'll leave Shawhan out of this list as that answer is obvious. Don't get me wrong, I'm not breaking bad on Ty and am fully behind him, but is the ending to this season something he can grow from? Will recruiting be impacted? Can we be competitive next year and going forward?

Apologies for the doom and gloom. I'm just so morose right now.

Recruiting will probably be impacted by a couple things. One, how many seniors stick around and how much scholarship money is available, and two, how many players renege on their commitment with Maco leaving.

The program hit its ceiling in 2019 by backing into the tournament after blowing the WCHA title game, and then went on to choke away the UMD game which they had total control of. Win both those games and I think we're having a different conversation today, and I think BG is a tournament team again this year.

There's definitely a culture issue within the program that has led to late season swoons and the mindset that it's OK to lose to lesser competition. I hope much of that ends with the senior group heading out. Yes, they were a special group of guys and elevated the program, but they also fell short in some big moments that really could have further propelled Bowling Green hockey.

[Critical Thinker]

I don't think it's the current group of guys. The program almost always has problems going from fall to spring semester. Here are the regular season records from each season going back to 2014-15 (the year we missed by the tournament by 1 spot).

2020: 9-1-0........2021: 10-8-0
2019: 12-7-1......2020: 7-5-3
2018: 13-3-3......2019: 7-6-2
2017: 8-6-6........2018: 12-4-0
2016: 10-11-2....2017: 7-6-0
2015: 11-4-5......2016: 9-8-1
2014: 11-3-2......2015: 10-7-3

[mbenecke]

BG guys now in the portal:

Connor Ford
Max Johnson
Eric Dop
Justin Wells
Carson Musser
Tim Theocharidis

[jpfalcon09]

BG guys now in the portal:

Connor Ford
Max Johnson
Eric Dop
Justin Wells
Carson Musser
Tim Theocharidis

Five of the six would be gone anyways. Wonder if Theo is graduating early.

Most likely a numbers game - big incoming class and not enough scholarship money.

[jbakerifm]

BG guys now in the portal:

Connor Ford
Max Johnson
Eric Dop
Justin Wells
Carson Musser
Tim Theocharidis

That's fine. They didn't exactly lead the team anywhere and haven't won anything, other than the over celebrated tournament bid that they backed into and then blew their shot in. I am usually a big fan of the upper classmen but I'm ready to see some eager new guys coming in. Often heard left the program better than they found it. These guys did not. They maintained winning slightly above average amount of games, losing against poor teams, and mid season collapses. Not much to celebrate there.

[jbakerifm]

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.

https://www.usahockeyntdp.com/currentroster

If you are good enough they will come look. The most scouts I've ever seen came to bg to watch a guy playing for bemidiji (Zach whitecloud I think). There are also scouts at every one of our home games (they use the same stairs as my seats). BG is convenient for scouts to get to compared to the UP, minnesota schools. Exposure is not that big an issue at bg.

[jpfalcon09]

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.

https://www.usahockeyntdp.com/currentroster

If you are good enough they will come look. The most scouts I've ever seen came to bg to watch a guy playing for bemidiji (Zach whitecloud I think). There are also scouts at every one of our home games (they use the same stairs as my seats). BG is convenient for scouts to get to compared to the UP, minnesota schools. Exposure is not that big an issue at bg.

Of course. But BG is never going to attract top talent. That was my point.

[jpfalcon09]

I can confirm Theo is also a grad transfer.

[TommyG]

I think there needs to be some urgency with the program...the majority of the turnaround of the program can be traced to being forced into the WCHA. Bergeron was able to recruit well enough to gain momentum against mostly inferior competition. Nationally the team was given a level of respect because it was winning games.
The way the last two years have gone I think there should be some concern that the program doesn’t start finishing in 5th and 6th place in a mediocre league. That would kill recruiting and take away a good portion of the community fan base. Next year is a big year for the program...if the team and department start throwing out the “we’re young”excuse, watch out...you may see the team nosedive.

[Falconwriter]

The upper classmen were not recruited under this head coach...it's time to begin seeing what the players can do that he has decided to bring in.

[BGDrew]

The upper classmen were not recruited under this head coach...it's time to begin seeing what the players can do that he has decided to bring in.

Uhhh...what? Assistant coaches handle most of the recruiting. Eigner had a big hand in recruiting a lot of these players when he was under Bergeron.