Offseason Thread

[mbenecke]

It was announced today that Maco Balkovec is leaving, so it’s finally official that there is an opening on the coaching staff.

Here’s hoping Eigner makes a quality hire.

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

UND's SiouxSports.com has Ford going to a Nacho team that is not Miami. Speculation is it's Western.

I know his brother committed to Miami, not sure if he starts with them this year or next.

[pdt1081]

Rico has been announced as the new HC at St. Thomas.

That's one way to shank a hire. St Thomas has the chance to be very good right out of the gate. 200 plus players in the transfer portal, most of whom would be available right away. It would be very easy to get the classes fairly balanced with good talent. Rico had lots of trouble recruiting his last couple seasons at Miami. That was two years ago. Most of the players in the portal know what was happening at Miami. Recruiting circles are fairly small in hockey. May be a tough sell for him to recruit again so quickly.

[mbenecke]

Eric Dop is heading to Boston College.

He’ll have a shot to play right away.

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

Eric Dop is heading to Boston College.

He’ll have a shot to play right away.

Maybe one of those phone calls Eigs mentioned in his Zoom interview with Strack? He knows the BC coach...

[mbenecke]

Brandon Kruse is also heading to Boston College.

[jpfalcon09]

Good for them. I'll always root for Jerry so not too upset about this move.

[unfalconbelievable]

With all these transfers out, I would hope that were getting some quality players to fill in for these vacancies.

[mbenecke]

With all these transfers out, I would hope that were getting some quality players to fill in for these vacancies.

There are currently 14 players slated to come in as freshmen this fall, after only 10 graduated this season. And these are all (minus Theo) guys that would've been graduated and gone in a normal year anyway, so this isn't really roster attrition that they needed to "worry" about. Would've loved to have some of these experienced guys back, but the only reason that was an option in the first place was through a free, extra COVID year.

[jpfalcon09]

With all these transfers out, I would hope that were getting some quality players to fill in for these vacancies.

Jury is out on quality. There's a lot of potential though.

Program is poised to take a step back in 2021-22. BG will return to playing a traditional schedule with non-conference games against the usual suspects. CCHA is going to be more balanced as well without the likes of UAH, UAF, and UAA. The extra covid year is going to have a negative impact on smaller programs like BG for the next few years, and the one free transfer year rule being proposed is likely going to also have a negative impact.

[pdt1081]

With all these transfers out, I would hope that were getting some quality players to fill in for these vacancies.

What's missing is consistent scoring from a natural goal scorer. Yes, 4 seniors had over 100 points each, but none of them were actual natural goal scorers. One on one with the Goalie and they're either putting it in his gut or putting it wide. Rauhauser developed into a player that could pick a corner and put it there without a screen or tip. That was definitely lacking this season, along with toughness. A bunch of players gingerly skating around afraid to get hit, and unable to snipe isn't going to lead to a lot of success. When they fought back, they were able to create openings for themselves to put pucks into wide open nets.

[mbenecke]

Will Cullen is in the transfer portal.

He’s the 9th grad transfer from BG to do so.

[jpfalcon09]

Will Cullen is in the transfer portal.

He’s the 9th grad transfer from BG to do so.

Figured he was next, was hearing chatter about it.

Hope all these guys have success whenever they land.

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

We’re going to have the same “reload” issue in four years.

[mbenecke]

Max Johnson has committed to Wisconsin.

It sounds as though Connor Ford is making his way to North Dakota.