Offseason 2022

[mbenecke]

Well, it’s March 7 and the season is over.

I figured I would start a thread where we can track guys going pro, announcing they’re coming back, transfers in/out, coaching news, and whatnot - with a sprinkle of looking forward to next year, as well.

This feels like a very important summer for the program. Time to get things turned around.

[jpfalcon09]

Very big summer. There's a lot of production leaving the roster again. Barber, Burke, Craggs, Dougherty, Norris, and Schneider accounted for 60% of the goals scored this season. We know Craggs is gone for sure and I doubt any of the rest return. Swankler is the only underclassman forward returning who registered more than ten points. Be curious to see if the staff goes after anyone in the portal. Quinn Emerson, Brett Pfoh, Jaden Grant, and Brodie McDougall are expected to join the program.

On the back end, I believe Chicoine has another year of eligibility and the rest should return. Not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing given how poorly the unit performed. Jack Blake and Dalton Norris will be joining the program.

In net, everyone returns. Getting Rose healthy will be important although I thought Stoever held his own the second half of the year. He simply didn't get much support.

On paper I honestly don't see how things are any better next year. It was evident this season that the team chemistry seemed a bit off and the program never really found any solid footing. Eigner has three more years on his contract so he's obviously not going anywhere either, but I wouldn't be surprised if we see a new assistant coach.

[mbenecke]

I might be way off on this, as I've never played the game and I'm not hardcore enough to be informed on Xs and Os, so this is strictly based on my impression while watching as a fan:

I think we're in solid shape in goal, especially compared to what the rest of the conference appears to be losing. Rose and Stoever is a pretty grant tandem, and we haven't seen anything from Evola yet but I have to imagine he's decent. If we could have one of those guys turn into a game-stealer type, that would be huge.

Swankler is definitely the brightest spot as far as underclassmen forwards go, but it did feel like Spencer Schneider and Ryan O'Hara came on late as well. I also somewhat liked what some of the unexperienced older guys starting showing late, as Pitters and Scardina seemed to gain a little confidence with their first regular playing time. I also liked what I saw from Chrys Collin in the first half, but he was often scratched in the second half of the season. I'm not sure if it was disciplinary or injury-related, but he was aggressive and unafraid out there - something I feel we have lacked in recent years.

Chicoine would be a huge get if we could bring him back, as he was 5th on the team in points and seemed like an overall productive player at a position where we had relatively little of that this year. I also think Eric Parker might be a bright spot among the young blueliners, as he got a ton of time playing in a top 2 pairing role. It feels like having Parker, Lloyd, and possibly Chicoine back, plus adding some talented (hopefully?) youngters could mean some improvement at the position.

[jpfalcon09]

I might be way off on this, as I've never played the game and I'm not hardcore enough to be informed on Xs and Os, so this is strictly based on my impression while watching as a fan:

I think we're in solid shape in goal, especially compared to what the rest of the conference appears to be losing. Rose and Stoever is a pretty grant tandem, and we haven't seen anything from Evola yet but I have to imagine he's decent. If we could have one of those guys turn into a game-stealer type, that would be huge.

Swankler is definitely the brightest spot as far as underclassmen forwards go, but it did feel like Spencer Schneider and Ryan O'Hara came on late as well. I also somewhat liked what some of the unexperienced older guys starting showing late, as Pitters and Scardina seemed to gain a little confidence with their first regular playing time. I also liked what I saw from Chrys Collin in the first half, but he was often scratched in the second half of the season. I'm not sure if it was disciplinary or injury-related, but he was aggressive and unafraid out there - something I feel we have lacked in recent years.

Chicoine would be a huge get if we could bring him back, as he was 5th on the team in points and seemed like an overall productive player at a position where we had relatively little of that this year. I also think Eric Parker might be a bright spot among the young blueliners, as he got a ton of time playing in a top 2 pairing role. It feels like having Parker, Lloyd, and possibly Chicoine back, plus adding some talented (hopefully?) youngters could mean some improvement at the position.

I like Parker's offensive game but he really needs to improve on his skating over the summer.

One thing I forgot to mention is the power play needs a major overhaul. The umbrella setup with a lack of any slot or net front presence is really irritating to watch. There's too much time spent passing the puck back and forth on the perimeter rather than trying to throw it at the net and create some havoc.

[pdt1081]

Craggs and Norris are the only two that have exhausted eligibility. Brodie McDougall is now showing as committed to York University (it's all over his Twitter, unless there's two players with the same name). As of now, it looks like 6 incoming freshman. Can't help but think St Jean won't be returning, either. I don't know the scholarship situation there so it may be a non-factor whether he sticks around or not. I doubt the transfer portal will be as active as last season. The top players available last season (BG's 100 point scorers, for example) will most likely sign pro contracts.

The seniors accounting for the majority of offense should come as no surprise, as they log the majority of minutes. Right or wrong, BG has become a "seniority" based team. What we've seen from the freshman, when not just shoved down to the fourth line, shows promise. O'Hara and Krieger each had a goal in the win. Wozney (yes -18) had 2 assists, and Parker added an assist on the weekend as well.

I look for Ty to try and bring at least 2 seniors back next season. Only 1 of next year's seniors has been consistently in the lineup every season. That obviously excludes Rose. Daly has been in and out since freshman year, and until the holiday tournament this season, Pitters was very sporadic.

Keeping Scardina and Collin healthy will provide a decent up front Jr presence along with Fyten. They showed promise as freshman. Sophomore slump, concussions, (maybe some penalty trouble for Collin) and they dropped off as a whole this season. If Malmstrom can find his game here (was in Bruins prospect camp last season) could be a very good class overall.

The Evola situation will be interesting, considering BG just picked up a verbal from another goaltender, which is most likely Rose's replacement. From the pressers after he joined the team, he's not on scholarship. I wouldn't be shocked to see him in the portal, with the coaches actively trying to help him land somewhere. Wish he could have gotten into one game to get some D1 game film. I would have been tempted to pull Stoever after one of his dumbass, swing the stick below the goal line and take yourself out of position moves like the goal that was waved off last night (not saying I'd have done it last night).

[pdt1081]

One thing I forgot to mention is the power play needs a major overhaul. The umbrella setup with a lack of any slot or net front presence is really irritating to watch. There's too much time spent passing the puck back and forth on the perimeter rather than trying to throw it at the net and create some havoc.

You probably don't remember the Jerry York powerplay from the early 90s. Pass, pass, pass, pass, dump out and chase, spend 30 seconds behind your own goal, then pass pass, pass, pass, etc. Always looking for the perfect shot.

[notkithughes]

When I look at this team, I see many of flaws already mentioned regarding offensive and defensive strategies and tactics. One area that hasn't been discussed is the shortcomings we have related to current, 8 member, junior class. 7 have been here the entire time and one (Coyle) came in via transfer. However, only one (Lloyd) can be considered a regular contributor for three years. Rose started the year as the #1 goalie, but other than those two, this class has not developed at all. You can typically find their names in the "scratch" list.
In all fairness, this was the transition class between Berge and Eigner but the inability to develop this class, along with the departures of so many seniors last year via the portal, is a major reason we are where we are. I don't know what the offseason holds, but matriculating this class to seniors isn't going to solve our leadership and talent shortcomings. Perhaps Eigner can persuade a few of them to find happiness elsewhere and find better players via the portal. I still argue the departures of Theo and Cullen were the deepest cuts last offseason.

[mbenecke]

When I look at this team, I see many of flaws already mentioned regarding offensive and defensive strategies and tactics. One area that hasn't been discussed is the shortcomings we have related to current, 8 member, junior class. 7 have been here the entire time and one (Coyle) came in via transfer. However, only one (Lloyd) can be considered a regular contributor for three years. Rose started the year as the #1 goalie, but other than those two, this class has not developed at all. You can typically find their names in the "scratch" list.
In all fairness, this was the transition class between Berge and Eigner but the inability to develop this class, along with the departures of so many seniors last year via the portal, is a major reason we are where we are. I don't know what the offseason holds, but matriculating this class to seniors isn't going to solve our leadership and talent shortcomings. Perhaps Eigner can persuade a few of them to find happiness elsewhere and find better players via the portal. I still argue the departures of Theo and Cullen were the deepest cuts last offseason.

The end of this is actually very true, and something I don’t think we consider enough.

Cullen and Theocharidis would’ve been 2 of our top 3 defensemen this year, so they were massive and also unexpected losses. Had they been around this year, things would’ve been significantly different, and we wouldn’t have seen near as many young guys forced into positions they weren’t ready for.

[jpfalcon09]

When I look at this team, I see many of flaws already mentioned regarding offensive and defensive strategies and tactics. One area that hasn't been discussed is the shortcomings we have related to current, 8 member, junior class. 7 have been here the entire time and one (Coyle) came in via transfer. However, only one (Lloyd) can be considered a regular contributor for three years. Rose started the year as the #1 goalie, but other than those two, this class has not developed at all. You can typically find their names in the "scratch" list.
In all fairness, this was the transition class between Berge and Eigner but the inability to develop this class, along with the departures of so many seniors last year via the portal, is a major reason we are where we are. I don't know what the offseason holds, but matriculating this class to seniors isn't going to solve our leadership and talent shortcomings. Perhaps Eigner can persuade a few of them to find happiness elsewhere and find better players via the portal. I still argue the departures of Theo and Cullen were the deepest cuts last offseason.

The end of this is actually very true, and something I don’t think we consider enough.

Cullen and Theocharidis would’ve been 2 of our top 3 defensemen this year, so they were massive and also unexpected losses. Had they been around this year, things would’ve been significantly different, and we wouldn’t have seen near as many young guys forced into positions they weren’t ready for.

For sure. Puck moving defensemen are a hot commodity. Theo leaving was a bigger surprise than Cullen, and Will wound up going pro anyways. A lot of the offensive shortcomings this season were a direct result with not having many guys on the back end who can skate the puck up ice, or make that good outlet pass to generate chances off the rush. It became a dump and chase mentality with the puck more often that not getting kicked out to the point for low percentage shots.

Great point about that first class under Ty too. If I remember, a couple kids that Berge recruited obviously dropped their commitment to BG and followed him to Miami. I still think the last couple classes are lacking in individual talent which is what this program is in desperate need of if they want to challenge for the league championship.

[TalonsUpPuckDown]

Dylan Moulton and Chase Pletzke followed Berge, Barry, and Jimmy down south to experience life in the Nacho basement. But, since that league has more cashola than ours does, their basement is a lot nicer than ours (theirs is finished with a pool table and bar, the CCHA's is unfinished with a concrete floor, but the WCHA's was actually a crawl with a dirt floor so we're moving up in the world). Based on their numbers not sure they would have moved the needle for us this season.

Code: Select all

Dylan Moulton, D						
Season	GP	G	A	TP	PIM	+/-
2020-21	15	1	0	1	6	-3
2021-22	34	3	7	10	18	-12
						
Chase Pletzke, C						
Season	GP	G	A	TP	PIM	+/-
2019-20	28	6	8	14	14	-5
2020-21	21	2	1	3	2	-10
2021-22	29	6	0	6	10	-14

[mbenecke]

Ben Wozney named CCHA Rookie of the Week to end the year for these Falcons.

[rood]

Chicoine signs with the Maine Mariners (ECHL).

[mbenecke]

Chicoine signs with the Maine Mariners (ECHL).

That’s a gut punch, but I’m happy for him. He’ll do well in the pros.

[pdt1081]

Chicoine signs with the Maine Mariners (ECHL).

That’s a gut punch, but I’m happy for him. He’ll do well in the pros.

Even though I was holding out hope he'd come back, can't say I'm surprised. He, Burke, and Norris are all enrolled in BG's one year MBA program. A mechanical engineering degree and an MBA, all within 4 years. That's an impressive feat itself. Then remember there's no official athletic scholarships in D3, and it's reasonable to understand wanting to go make money instead of hanging in college, taking bs classes for another year.

[jpfalcon09]

I can't imagine wanting to play a 6th year of college hockey. Good for Gabe to land the next step of his career.