When Tristan Broz is the negative and John Middlestadt is the positive? That really isn't much of a debate.A lot of this discussion revolves around whether you want 4th liners who play all 4 years and accept their role or you risk guys like Broz (pretty sure he was a third liner?) transferring because they think they should get more top 6 and PP opportunities. At which point you're gonna have a lot of turnover there year to year. I don't think that'd be the worst thing ever but if you constantly have disgruntled fourth liners who don't wanna hit anyone or get hit (and I say this as someone who doesn't think physicality is the end all) because they know they're gonna transfer at the end of the year that probably wouldn't be ideal. I suppose it depends on what gets pitched to some of these recruits because they're not dumb and know they can't all get top 6/PP time.
I think we all agree those guys shouldn't be D3 caliber players, I also don't think John Mittlestadt on the fourth line was a problem per se (unlike say Romanko and some of those guys back in the day lol).
I'm not saying that having John Mittlestadt on the team for 4 years is/was a bad thing. I'm saying that you should still bring in Tristan Broz to try and take his spot from him. And if that leads to either wanting to leave, then so be it.
Former Coach Motzko recruited a potential good one.
https://twitter.com/MNHockeyLife/status/2036156493729235304
I actually give a @#$* about the Twins
Looking down from my High Horse
Morality Police
will be interesting to see how the final central scouting rankings look in a couple weeks
The bolded above is a really quick and easy way to say what I have been trying to. Competition for playing time is a good thing.Nevers isn't really the discussion.
He's a part of it!
If you think we're just making a point as a program to go after guys who aren't worth a DI spot, that's silly, very silly.
There isn't a recruit waiting in the wings right now that wouldn't find a home on a DI roster elsewhere.
when we're rostering Harris and don't even fill the forward room roster slots (not to mention Rud and Begley), I think discussing this approach is rather unnecessary.
fill the roster with the best possible talent you can and who is playing on what line will sort itself out.
Worrying about guys getting their feelings hurt because they aren't good enough to win a roster spot doesn't make any sense to me. You're always going to have recruits that fail to live up to the expectations/hopes. That's why you bring in the best possible 14-15 forwards you can get your hands on and let the best 12 play. If the bottom 2 or 3 don't like that, they won't be missed.
It’s not about hurting feelings it’s the fact that if you’re a top 9 skilled forward who’s probably drafted you’re not going to sit on the bench all year waiting for an injury you’ll bolt before Christmas. Then you’re short bodies and scrambling to pull someone from juniors who’s not ready for college hockey yet when you could have just found someone for that role from the get go. These kids are being advised by multiple parties looking for the best possible opportunity for playing time and development to make the NHL. Agents and NHL execs don’t care about an NCAA title and aren’t going to advise their player to commit to an all star team if they think there’s a good chance they’re not going to get any playing time. Any blue blood program could offer 26 drafted players a spot but you would never get 26 of those players to actually show up. Role players exist for a reason and they always will.
The bolded above is a really quick and easy way to say what I have been trying to. Competition for playing time is a good thing.Nevers isn't really the discussion.
He's a part of it!
If you think we're just making a point as a program to go after guys who aren't worth a DI spot, that's silly, very silly.
There isn't a recruit waiting in the wings right now that wouldn't find a home on a DI roster elsewhere.
when we're rostering Harris and don't even fill the forward room roster slots (not to mention Rud and Begley), I think discussing this approach is rather unnecessary.
fill the roster with the best possible talent you can and who is playing on what line will sort itself out.
Worrying about guys getting their feelings hurt because they aren't good enough to win a roster spot doesn't make any sense to me. You're always going to have recruits that fail to live up to the expectations/hopes. That's why you bring in the best possible 14-15 forwards you can get your hands on and let the best 12 play. If the bottom 2 or 3 don't like that, they won't be missed.
It’s not about hurting feelings it’s the fact that if you’re a top 9 skilled forward who’s probably drafted you’re not going to sit on the bench all year waiting for an injury you’ll bolt before Christmas. Then you’re short bodies and scrambling to pull someone from juniors who’s not ready for college hockey yet when you could have just found someone for that role from the get go. These kids are being advised by multiple parties looking for the best possible opportunity for playing time and development to make the NHL. Agents and NHL execs don’t care about an NCAA title and aren’t going to advise their player to commit to an all star team if they think there’s a good chance they’re not going to get any playing time. Any blue blood program could offer 26 drafted players a spot but you would never get 26 of those players to actually show up. Role players exist for a reason and they always will.
The issue isn't whether "rostering" a player like Graham Harris is proper. The real issue is that Bob Motzko would send him out on the ice every 4th shift when he was active. Playing the 4th line on a regular basis is an old fashioned notion and one that only high level teams can really contemplate. But a mediocre team like the 25-26 Gophers throwing out the 4th line on a mostly regular basis means your less than competitive team is even more uncompetitive 10+ minutes per game.
Mediocre teams find ways of matching up their better players to keep the maximum talent on the ice at all times. In 2003 the Gophers actually had a couple of decent players on the 4th line (waibold and Fleming) but often double shifted Vanek with them. That is how you matchup and compete.
This is exactly the philosophy that got Graham Harris 10 games this season and Bob Motzko fired.The bolded above is a really quick and easy way to say what I have been trying to. Competition for playing time is a good thing.Nevers isn't really the discussion.
He's a part of it!
If you think we're just making a point as a program to go after guys who aren't worth a DI spot, that's silly, very silly.
There isn't a recruit waiting in the wings right now that wouldn't find a home on a DI roster elsewhere.
when we're rostering Harris and don't even fill the forward room roster slots (not to mention Rud and Begley), I think discussing this approach is rather unnecessary.
fill the roster with the best possible talent you can and who is playing on what line will sort itself out.
Worrying about guys getting their feelings hurt because they aren't good enough to win a roster spot doesn't make any sense to me. You're always going to have recruits that fail to live up to the expectations/hopes. That's why you bring in the best possible 14-15 forwards you can get your hands on and let the best 12 play. If the bottom 2 or 3 don't like that, they won't be missed.
It’s not about hurting feelings it’s the fact that if you’re a top 9 skilled forward who’s probably drafted you’re not going to sit on the bench all year waiting for an injury you’ll bolt before Christmas. Then you’re short bodies and scrambling to pull someone from juniors who’s not ready for college hockey yet when you could have just found someone for that role from the get go. These kids are being advised by multiple parties looking for the best possible opportunity for playing time and development to make the NHL. Agents and NHL execs don’t care about an NCAA title and aren’t going to advise their player to commit to an all star team if they think there’s a good chance they’re not going to get any playing time. Any blue blood program could offer 26 drafted players a spot but you would never get 26 of those players to actually show up. Role players exist for a reason and they always will.
If you have multiple kids ready to bail before Christmas? Then you're a terrible recruiter
If you don't have a line of multiple "Johnny Mittlestadts" ready to step in at any time if you do lose someone? Then you're a terrible recruiter.
If you can't find the next versions of Brody Lamb, Connor Kurth, Jaxon Nelson who are willing to work their way up the lineup? Then you're a terrible recruiter.
If you can't supplement your roster at the University of Minnesota by just taking quality players from the smaller schools? Then you're a terrible recruiter.
Every year the Gophers should just bring in 14 forwards like Logan Cooley along with 9 defensemen like Brock Faber and let them battle it out for playing time. I'm surprised no Gopher coach has ever thought of this. 🤔 😉 😆
can i just settle for guys on the 4th line who will actually check opposing teams other lines?
Cough cough jackson nevers cough cough
Humphreys with four points (2G, 2A) in Kitchener's playoff win over Saginaw. Harper with a goal and an assist in the losing effort.
Katz scored goal #29 and has three games to get #30 to become the 4th Gophers in the last ten years to do so. Rem Pitlick, Ben Meyers, Connor Kurth.
Humphreys with four points (2G, 2A) in Kitchener's playoff win over Saginaw. Harper with a goal and an assist in the losing effort.
Game 2 today
Elsewhere
Kvasnicka's Penticton (WHL) off to a 2-0 lead in their 1st round series winning 3-2 and 4-1. Kvasnicka with 3 points and leads them in scoring
Will be curious to see if Casey gets the net for MH as their other goalie was not great last time out
Attended the Kitchener/Saginaw playoff game tonight. Harper played heavy minutes and was smooth and poised with the puck. Excellent skater. He skated right with Sam O’Reilly (1st round pick of TB, 20 years old), on a couple of chases. Had a PP assist.
Humphreys is fast and skilled. He didn’t stand out but Kitchener was much older than Saginaw and had so much talent with 12 NHL draft picks and multiple 1st round picks. Had a nice pass in OT to setup the winning goal.
Came away hoping we retain both.
Best player on the ice was Saginaw’s 6’ 4” silky smooth Russian goalie Stephan Shurygin. ‘07. Not sure how but came directly from Russia this year.
Attended the Kitchener/Saginaw playoff game tonight. Harper played heavy minutes and was smooth and poised with the puck. Excellent skater. He skated right with Sam O’Reilly (1st round pick of TB, 20 years old), on a couple of chases. Had a PP assist.
Humphreys is fast and skilled. He didn’t stand out but Kitchener was much older than Saginaw and had so much talent with 12 NHL draft picks and multiple 1st round picks. Had a nice pass in OT to setup the winning goal.
Came away hoping we retain both.
Best player on the ice was Saginaw’s 6’ 4” silky smooth Russian goalie Stephan Shurygin. ‘07. Not sure how but came directly from Russia this year.
How was Harper in the dzone? How did he handle physicality?
Expecting assistants to be announced today. Vegoe mentioned something about Gordon and Miller’s contracts running until April 1st. Maybe they needed to wait for those to expire first 🤷♂️
Expecting assistants to be announced today. Vegoe mentioned something about Gordon and Miller’s contracts running until April 1st. Maybe they needed to wait for those to expire first 🤷♂️
Poderzay staying on as goalie coach?
If the rumors of Martin, Laylin and Gordon as assistants are true, then they would be eliminating the goalie coach position.
It may have nothing to do with Poderzay but we haven’t seen a goalie come here and really improve outside of Close so personally I’m ok with not having that position coach. Doesn’t seem like many schools are using a spot on a goalie coach as well.
Kvasnicka with a goal and assist as Penticton goes up 3-0 in their series.
All star teams for the WHL came out. Bummer Kvasnicka didn't make it but would assume he'd be on the 2nd team if they had one
Kvasnicka with a goal and assist as Penticton goes up 3-0 in their series.
All star teams for the WHL came out. Bummer Kvasnicka didn't make it but would assume he'd be on the 2nd team if they had one
They have a second team, he was named to it.
https://twitter.com/thewhl/status/2039067906114527590?s=61&t=-_wGA13cAbVi0rBpXZvfNA
Kvasnicka with a goal and assist as Penticton goes up 3-0 in their series.
All star teams for the WHL came out. Bummer Kvasnicka didn't make it but would assume he'd be on the 2nd team if they had one
He made this one, not sure if there’s a different one you’re talking about though.
https://twitter.com/thewhl/status/2039067906114527590?s=46
Thanks all. Missed the 2nd team tweet. pretty good company with the other 2 a 1st and 2nd round forward
Attended the Kitchener/Saginaw playoff game tonight. Harper played heavy minutes and was smooth and poised with the puck. Excellent skater. He skated right with Sam O’Reilly (1st round pick of TB, 20 years old), on a couple of chases. Had a PP assist.
Humphreys is fast and skilled. He didn’t stand out but Kitchener was much older than Saginaw and had so much talent with 12 NHL draft picks and multiple 1st round picks. Had a nice pass in OT to setup the winning goal.
Came away hoping we retain both.
Best player on the ice was Saginaw’s 6’ 4” silky smooth Russian goalie Stephan Shurygin. ‘07. Not sure how but came directly from Russia this year.
How was Harper in the dzone? How did he handle physicality?
He held his own but he didn’t deliver any hits. He won most battles on the wall that I could see.
If the rumors of Martin, Laylin and Gordon as assistants are true
They are true.
I like that staff plus Cullen.
What happens with Poderzay? He was an assistant coach.
I am the official Iowa Hawkeye football fan of GPL!
Does Cullen have a college degree? He left school after two years and I never heard anything about him going back, though it's certainly feasible that he could have.
Does Cullen have a college degree? He left school after two years and I never heard anything about him going back, though it's certainly feasible that he could have.
He does not. Finishing his degree at the U while serving the player development role is something people have thrown out as an option if he wants to become a full-fledged assistant at some point.
It may have been discussed before, but is the degree requirement a UofM thing, or does that come from the B1G or the NCAA?
It may have been discussed before, but is the degree requirement a UofM thing, or does that come from the B1G or the NCAA?
I’m fairly certain UofM, because Wisconsin hired Granato who hadn’t yet completed his degree and gave him 1 year in the job to do so
It may have nothing to do with Poderzay but we haven’t seen a goalie come here and really improve outside of Close
Souliere and LaFontaine both had career-best years here
It may have nothing to do with Poderzay but we haven’t seen a goalie come here and really improve outside of Close
Souliere and LaFontaine both had career-best years here
Fair, but that doesn’t seem like enough value to take up one of the three assistant spots. It seems other programs do just fine not having a paid goalie coach.
What happens with Poderzay? He was an assistant coach.
I heard they're going to try and keep him involved. It just will not be as one of the four paid coaching positions.
Does Cullen have a college degree? He left school after two years and I never heard anything about him going back, though it's certainly feasible that he could have.
He does not. Finishing his degree at the U while serving the player development role is something people have thrown out as an option if he wants to become a full-fledged assistant at some point.
Since he only burned two years at SCSU, this is a perfect test case with extreme facts to see how far the NCAA will go in allowing pros to come back and play. I am sure Cullen would enjoy skating on a line with his boys. The leadership benefits are undeniable. I bet he would even walk on. Whether the credits would transfer is likely the biggest question.
It may have nothing to do with Poderzay but we haven’t seen a goalie come here and really improve outside of Close
Souliere and LaFontaine both had career-best years here
Fair, but that doesn’t seem like enough value to take up one of the three assistant spots. It seems other programs do just fine not having a paid goalie coach.
Well, 3 of the 4 Frozen Four teams have former goalies on their staff as one of the 3 assistants. The Whioux does not. I'm sure they do more than coach goalies, as I'm sure Pod's did as well. I would not mind Larson keeping him, but it is a numbers game and he has the right to fill out his staff as he wishes.
I actually give a @#$* about the Twins
Looking down from my High Horse
Morality Police
Updates
Casey got a game for Med Hat in the playoffs and was 1st star with 28 saves on 30 shots in a 4-2 win. Now up 3-1
Penticton lost. Kvasnicka with 1 point on the night. Still up 3-1
Humphreys and Harper face off in game 4 tonight
It may have nothing to do with Poderzay but we haven’t seen a goalie come here and really improve outside of Close
Souliere and LaFontaine both had career-best years here
Fair, but that doesn’t seem like enough value to take up one of the three assistant spots. It seems other programs do just fine not having a paid goalie coach.
Well, 3 of the 4 Frozen Four teams have former goalies on their staff as one of the 3 assistants. The Whioux does not. I'm sure they do more than coach goalies, as I'm sure Pod's did as well. I would not mind Larson keeping him, but it is a numbers game and he has the right to fill out his staff as he wishes.
Whioux have goalie Lamoureux as director of hockey ops
It may have nothing to do with Poderzay but we haven’t seen a goalie come here and really improve outside of Close
Souliere and LaFontaine both had career-best years here
Fair, but that doesn’t seem like enough value to take up one of the three assistant spots. It seems other programs do just fine not having a paid goalie coach.
Well, 3 of the 4 Frozen Four teams have former goalies on their staff as one of the 3 assistants. The Whioux does not. I'm sure they do more than coach goalies, as I'm sure Pod's did as well. I would not mind Larson keeping him, but it is a numbers game and he has the right to fill out his staff as he wishes.
Whioux have goalie Lamoureux as director of hockey ops
So technically 4 for 4.
I actually give a @#$* about the Twins
Looking down from my High Horse
Morality Police
I'll never understand the lack of priority for goalie coaching, given it is the most important single position on the ice.
(The best PK is a locked in goalie. Full disclosure: Goalie Dad.) 😉
I never had a goalie coach in high school per se but for a while I did have the rink manager (who played some kind of canadian junior hockey, IDK his story other than he was a character) shoot on me while the rest of the team did drills that didn't pertain to me. I improved significantly because of it but I think some other team figured this out though and suddenly he wasn't allow at practice anymore, and then my performance dipped. Either way you need someone to challenge the goalies and work with them specifically, it's a unique position that has completely different needs and requirements than the rest of the team.I'll never understand the lack of priority for goalie coaching, given it is the most important single position on the ice.
(The best PK is a locked in goalie. Full disclosure: Goalie Dad.) 😉
IDK if the Gophers need a paid coach for it but it is obvious that the team usually doesn't allocate scholarships or coaching to it and generally the goaltending of this team isn't elite, especially when compared to the rest of the NCAA tourney field. Close, LaFontaine, and Souliere were all good goalies but they were more a product of the elite D units in front of them. Wilcox was the last one I felt was elite, Di Pasquo definitely has days where he is. Whether that's due to coaching or other factors IDK but it's something to consider.
Updates
Humphreys and Harper face off in game 4 tonight
Humphreys with a pair of goals and an assist as Kitchener sweeps Saginaw.
Now we wait for the Levi Harper thank you Saginaw post
Now we wait for the Levi Harper thank you Saginaw post
I have never seen him play but is he that good that we would bring him in for his senior year of high school?
Now we wait for the Levi Harper thank you Saginaw post
I have never seen him play but is he that good that we would bring him in for his senior year of high school?
I’ve said from the start that I want him to play another year in Saginaw but he is incredibly talented, a projected first round pick. They could shelter him at 5 on 5 and let him run the country’s best power play. Would be a pretty sweet gig for him.
Now we wait for the Levi Harper thank you Saginaw post
I have never seen him play but is he that good that we would bring him in for his senior year of high school?
he brings something we don’t currently have rostered on defense. Type of guy you do whatever he feels is best for his development but one that as projected would be pretty surprising that you’d get more than years post his draft so you will not exhaust his eligibility if he came in
One persons opinion on Matthew Grimes.
https://twitter.com/FutureGophers/status/2040080833667592323
I actually give a @#$* about the Twins
Looking down from my High Horse
Morality Police
One persons opinion on Matthew Grimes.
https://twitter.com/FutureGophers/status/2040080833667592323
great to see his growth and hopefully he can get himself selected here as a re-entry
The bar is admittedly...low. But I have a lot of enthusiasm the blue line should be much improved next year. Whipple is ascending. Grimes - while no savior - can play top six minutes. Harper could thrive in a sheltered, PP role. Expecting Rombach to take a step forward and log reliable minutes. Add a transfer or two and you're a long ways from 2025-2026's unit.
Grimes is an excellent example of growth while in the USHL. He played 49 games at SF as a 16 year old and scored only 9 points. This is his 3rd year there and has 35 points and is a plus 33. He will step on campus as a 19 year old that has played over 160 games of junior hockey and was an assistant captain. He is no Faber or LaCombe, but will be a solid player for the Gophers.
I actually give a @#$* about the Twins
Looking down from my High Horse
Morality Police
Geiger with a nice assist on this goal. Think he will end up getting drafted pretty high next year. You can see the potential with the skating and puck skills for a defenseman his size.
https://twitter.com/usahockeyntdp/status/2040582891608977453?s=61&t=-_wGA13cAbVi0rBpXZvfNA
Yeah he was always a little raw coming out of single A high school but all the ingredients are there.