Offseason Thread

[pdt1081]

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.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but seems to be a department wide issue, no? The ups and downs throughout the game seem to become more drastic each season. Starting with a few minutes stretch here and there to now becoming entire periods of either really really good, cannot be beat, hockey, or "these guys couldn't even skate with a peewee team." I'm not sure exactly how the department is structured right, but as I've said for years, this program has not been the same since Coach Ward left the Strength and Conditioning Coach position. I don't know if that's a department position or a team position, but that's where this team needs to focus to move forward.

[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.

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.

So you're telling me there's no difference between the players Bergeron wanted to bring in and Ty is bringing in now? Zero, zip, nada? Yes, assistant coaches handle much of the recruiting, but do they make the decisions on who to recruit and the final decisions on who to bring in? Because if I was a head coach, I'd most assuredly want the final say on that since it's my butt on the line. And I cannot imagine any team where the head coach and those doing recruiting are 100 percent in agreement on every player.

[jpfalcon09]

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.

So you're telling me there's no difference between the players Bergeron wanted to bring in and Ty is bringing in now? Zero, zip, nada? Yes, assistant coaches handle much of the recruiting, but do they make the decisions on who to recruit and the final decisions on who to bring in? Because if I was a head coach, I'd most assuredly want the final say on that since it's my butt on the line. And I cannot imagine any team where the head coach and those doing recruiting are 100 percent in agreement on every player.

First off, I think there's a lot of speculation here. The seniors in the portal right now are there to simply kick tires. There are over 200 players looking to transfer (and likely to go up) and there's only 61 D1 programs. Do the math and it means on average each program would have to take on three transfers for everything to work out. It's not going to happen. With half the ECHL not playing and the AHL not playing a full season, these guys are simply hoping for an opportunity to come their way since the pro contracts are few and far between. Does it mean they're guaranteed a spot back at BG if things don't work out? No. Each program is going to have to manage their rosters carefully for the next few years because of this.

I've been told BG hockey has the ability to take on some additional scholarships, as the university is doing in other programs, so we'll see how things work out. Don't be surprised if some players end up back in BG for their extra year if they can't latch on somewhere else, but we can't blame them for looking right now. They're being afforded a free year and anyone in their shoes would be crazy not to take the opportunity if professional prospects aren't there.

As far as recruiting, the head coach no doubt is the one who has final say, and gives direction to the assistants on what type of players they're looking for.

[pdt1081]

First off, I think there's a lot of speculation here. The seniors in the portal right now are there to simply kick tires. There are over 200 players looking to transfer (and likely to go up) and there's only 61 D1 programs. Do the math and it means on average each program would have to take on three transfers for everything to work out. It's not going to happen. With half the ECHL not playing and the AHL not playing a full season, these guys are simply hoping for an opportunity to come their way since the pro contracts are few and far between. Does it mean they're guaranteed a spot back at BG if things don't work out? No. Each program is going to have to manage their rosters carefully for the next few years because of this.

I've been told BG hockey has the ability to take on some additional scholarships, as the university is doing in other programs, so we'll see how things work out. Don't be surprised if some players end up back in BG for their extra year if they can't latch on somewhere else, but we can't blame them for looking right now. They're being afforded a free year and anyone in their shoes would be crazy not to take the opportunity if professional prospects aren't there.

As far as recruiting, the head coach no doubt is the one who has final say, and gives direction to the assistants on what type of players they're looking for.

Just to expand on this. Most every program has multiple current seniors in the portal. For many, there is no "next level," so why not try to get another year of free education. Others would be signing a professional contract of some sort, and very well may towards the end of summer. With so much unknown about next season, they're trying to play it safe. There's a group that have been told by their current coach that it's simply time to move on. Both sides have fulfilled their obligations that came with the LOI. There's also a group that will return to their current team, but possibly with different expectations. Play and work ethic that earned ice time this season, won't next. May even see some transition to the role of a GA Coach. There's also LIU, St Thomas, and rumors of Lindenwood going D1. All the of those teams would love to add some senior level leadership and talent. They could compete quickly.

Recruiting is very different for hockey. There's players that verbal 3 or more years before they show up on campus. I think Cepis verballed at age 13 or something like that. I remember Rich Meloche's file crossing my desk when he was 15. We were receiving letters from some kids anywhere between 12 and 21 years old. Trying to get coaches to come look at them. (This was back in 2000). It's not like other sports where a coach spends his summer recruiting for next season. They're already recruiting for 2 to 4 years down the road. Incoming freshman are between 18 and 21 years old. The connections the kids make during recruiting have a lot to do with their movement through the junior leagues. That's not just the junior teams managing themselves.

[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.

So you're telling me there's no difference between the players Bergeron wanted to bring in and Ty is bringing in now? Zero, zip, nada? Yes, assistant coaches handle much of the recruiting, but do they make the decisions on who to recruit and the final decisions on who to bring in? Because if I was a head coach, I'd most assuredly want the final say on that since it's my butt on the line. And I cannot imagine any team where the head coach and those doing recruiting are 100 percent in agreement on every player.

When we talked to Bergeron about his recruiting philosophy he did have certain qualities they looked for in players, but the actual recruiting process was largely left up to the assistants to decide who to target. Berge would act as a mediator if it came to coin flips in terms of who to offer vs. who not to, but he believed in giving his assistants the autonomy to target players.

This isn’t football where you have a staff of dozens to send out to recruit. You’ve got three total coaches who have to recruit and that means delegating.

[jpfalcon09]

No surprise but Kruse and Wright have also entered the portal.

[Falconwriter]

First off, I think there's a lot of speculation here. The seniors in the portal right now are there to simply kick tires. There are over 200 players looking to transfer (and likely to go up) and there's only 61 D1 programs. Do the math and it means on average each program would have to take on three transfers for everything to work out. It's not going to happen. With half the ECHL not playing and the AHL not playing a full season, these guys are simply hoping for an opportunity to come their way since the pro contracts are few and far between. Does it mean they're guaranteed a spot back at BG if things don't work out? No. Each program is going to have to manage their rosters carefully for the next few years because of this.

I've been told BG hockey has the ability to take on some additional scholarships, as the university is doing in other programs, so we'll see how things work out. Don't be surprised if some players end up back in BG for their extra year if they can't latch on somewhere else, but we can't blame them for looking right now. They're being afforded a free year and anyone in their shoes would be crazy not to take the opportunity if professional prospects aren't there.

As far as recruiting, the head coach no doubt is the one who has final say, and gives direction to the assistants on what type of players they're looking for.

Just to expand on this. Most every program has multiple current seniors in the portal. For many, there is no "next level," so why not try to get another year of free education. Others would be signing a professional contract of some sort, and very well may towards the end of summer. With so much unknown about next season, they're trying to play it safe. There's a group that have been told by their current coach that it's simply time to move on. Both sides have fulfilled their obligations that came with the LOI. There's also a group that will return to their current team, but possibly with different expectations. Play and work ethic that earned ice time this season, won't next. May even see some transition to the role of a GA Coach. There's also LIU, St Thomas, and rumors of Lindenwood going D1. All the of those teams would love to add some senior level leadership and talent. They could compete quickly.

Recruiting is very different for hockey. There's players that verbal 3 or more years before they show up on campus. I think Cepis verballed at age 13 or something like that. I remember Rich Meloche's file crossing my desk when he was 15. We were receiving letters from some kids anywhere between 12 and 21 years old. Trying to get coaches to come look at them. (This was back in 2000). It's not like other sports where a coach spends his summer recruiting for next season. They're already recruiting for 2 to 4 years down the road. Incoming freshman are between 18 and 21 years old. The connections the kids make during recruiting have a lot to do with their movement through the junior leagues. That's not just the junior teams managing themselves.

Just so you know, college football and basketball do the same thing (try to get recruits interested at a younger age); they are always recruiting for different classes, not just the one that's next to come on campus. Bigger schools, especially, are typically working three classes at the same time in football, and I'm pretty sure basketball isn't that much different in most ways. And with the early signing periods now, getting several classes lined up means you can sign them on sooner, and not have to worry as much about last minute signings.

[jpfalcon09]

So, current roster looks like this. It's pretty thin. I haven't included Craggs or Gould. Plenty of opportunities for incoming freshmen to earn playing time. Obviously those in the portal could return if they don't latch on somewhere else, but I anticipate most of them moving on.

Forwards (10)

Alex Barber
Chris Collin
Taylor Schneider
Adam Conquest
Evan Dougherty
Ethan Scardina
Trevor St-Jean
Seth Fyten
Adam Pitters
Chase Danol

Defense (6)

Will Cullen
Garrett Daly
Cam Babiak
TJ Lloyd
Max Coyle
Anton Malmstrom

Goalie (1)

Zack Rose

[rood]

What does anybody know about Stoever? Those USHL stats aren't pretty or is this going to be another Chris Nell-type surprise?

[pdt1081]

Just so you know, college football and basketball do the same thing (try to get recruits interested at a younger age); they are always recruiting for different classes, not just the one that's next to come on campus. Bigger schools, especially, are typically working three classes at the same time in football, and I'm pretty sure basketball isn't that much different in most ways. And with the early signing periods now, getting several classes lined up means you can sign them on sooner, and not have to worry as much about last minute signings.

The biggest difference is the junior leagues. Players can play there up until their 21st birthday without losing NCAA eligibility. Some players can be asked to play there another year to make room on the roster. Others would rather go elsewhere to play college sooner. Also, they are not just being recruited by colleges. The OHL is also recruiting players.

[jpfalcon09]

Strack had a conversation with Eigner today. I'll post the link once it's available.

EDIT - https://youtu.be/KsLY6HxwSYc

[mbenecke]

Strack had a conversation with Eigner today. I'll post the link once it's available.

EDIT - https://youtu.be/KsLY6HxwSYc

It was a good talk. Made me feel a little more comfortable with the situation. Guys are in the portal for different reasons - and some may be back next year, depending on the numbers and other opportunities out there.

It sounds like Sam Craggs is returning next year, from what Coach Eigner said. It’ll be nice to have another veteran forward in the lineup next season.

[jpfalcon09]

Strack had a conversation with Eigner today. I'll post the link once it's available.

EDIT - https://youtu.be/KsLY6HxwSYc

It was a good talk. Made me feel a little more comfortable with the situation. Guys are in the portal for different reasons - and some may be back next year, depending on the numbers and other opportunities out there.

It sounds like Sam Craggs is returning next year, from what Coach Eigner said. It’ll be nice to have another veteran forward in the lineup next season.

For sure. I think confirmed what most of us were thinking. Still can't help to think though if all this noise about the portal for the seniors was a distraction for them late in the year.

I guess now we wait and see where the dust settles.

To add - Mike McMahon did report this evening that Kruse and Wright are getting interest from a top NCHC program.

[pdt1081]

To add - Mike McMahon did report this evening that Kruse and Wright are getting interest from a top NCHC program.

I'm not up on all the NHL draft rules, but doesn't Las Vegas need to sign Kruse before next season starts or he becomes a free agent? I know there is a deadline.

[jpfalcon09]

To add - Mike McMahon did report this evening that Kruse and Wright are getting interest from a top NCHC program.

I'm not up on all the NHL draft rules, but doesn't Las Vegas need to sign Kruse before next season starts or he becomes a free agent? I know there is a deadline.

I believe he needs to sign by some point in August or he becomes a free agent. I'd be shocked if Vegas doesn't offer him something before then, but Brandon can also risk it and play an extra year and sign with whomever he wants.