The Official Thread of the Mercyhurst Lakers

[RStarr]

They are loaded, but they aren't the only team. There are about a half dozen teams that have a bunch of players with experience on various national teams, either senior or U-22. All of the meetings between such programs will be huge in sorting out the rankings (MC vs. UMD, UW vs. UNH, etc.)




I agree. I mentioned earlier, as did some others, that the Lakers have seven players headlining Canada’s u22 team. However, UW also placed five girls on the USA u22 team and sent another player to HockeyCanada. And like ARM notes, 5 girls from BC (although it should have been at least 6 IMAO), 4 girls from UM, 2 girls from UNH, and 2 girls from SCSU. There is no denying the talent that MC possesses … but I wouldn’t mark them as the clear number one nor the definitive team to beat this season. They have a lot to prove schedule wise, as well as making it to a frozen four (and/or beyond…). I am looking forward to the non-conference match ups helping rank these teams as well. What is clear is that women’s D1 hockey is getting increasingly more competitive each year and while I love the Badgers (awww, Bucky….) I would also be very much happy to see a few championships won outside of the WCHA. Watching teams like MC develop to such high caliber is always a good time. I can hardly wait for the season to start!!!:D

[RStarr]

Next Level (http://www.cstv.com/sports/w-hockey/cs-w-hockey-body.html)...

...The Final Scoring (http://slog.cstv.com/rinkrat/2007/08/the_final_scoring.html)

[RStarr]

5 questions for Valerie Chouinard (http://www.hockeycanada.ca/2/5/5/2/0/index1.shtml)

[MICZamboni]

Mercyhurst today announced their choice of assistant captains for the year to help Captain Stephanie Jones:

Women's Hockey Names Assistant Captains
Ayearst, Payne, and Agosta to work with Stephanie Jones


Sept. 13, 2007


Erie, Pa. - Mercyhurst head coach Michael Sisti announced today that senior Danielle Ayearst, junior Natalie Payne, and sophomore Meghan Agosta have been named the team's assistant captains for 2007-08. The trio will help senior Stephanie Jones, who was chosen team captain in the spring.

Ayearst has played in all 111 games in her first three years and has accumulated six goals and 33 assists. She is an overall +60. She was named to the College Hockey America (CHA) All-Academic Team last season.

Payne, likewise, hasn't missed a game in her first two years. In 74 contests, the Mississauga, Ontario, native has totaled six goals and 29 helpers. She was a 2006-07 First Team CHA choice and is +40 in her career.

Simply put, Agosta rewrote the Mercyhurst record book in her first season. Among her exploits: Patty Kazmaier Award Final 3; first freshman ever to make it that far in voting...RBK Hockey/AHCA Women's Division I First Team All-American...selected to play for Team Canada at Women's World Championship in Winnipeg, Alberta...first nationally in goals-per-game (1.09), game-winning goals (11), and points-per-game by a rookie (2.11 - second overall); T-1 nationally in shorthanded goals (6), T-2 in power play goals (16), 5th in assists-per-game (1.03)...All-USCHO First Team, Rookie Team, and Rookie of the Year...set team one-season marks for goals (38), points (74), game-winning goals (11), and shorthanded goals (6)...USCHO.com Offensive POTW in late January...CHA Rookie and Player of the Year...First Team CHA All-Rookie and All-Conference...CHA Easton Three-Star Award-Winner...CHA Tournament MVP...led CHA in points, goals, and power play goals...tied for conference lead in shorthanded goals...third in CHA in assists....three-time CHA Offensive Player of the Week and seven-time Rookie of the Week...set Mercyhurst records with 13-game goal-scoring streak and 16-game point-scoring streak...had at least one point in 31 of 35 games played...23 multiple point games and nine multiple-goal games...four-goal and five-point game (season bests) at Yale January 26...hat trick against UConn January 20...member of Canada's Under-22 Team at the 2007 European Air Canada Cup. Agosta was a +35 in her first year.

Jones, chosen the Lakers' sixth team captain in history, will follow in the footsteps of the following:
1. C. J. Ireland; 4-year captain from 1999 to 2003
2. Lyndsay Barch and Chrissy Yule; 2003-04 co-captains
3. Chrissy Yule; 2004-05
4. Samantha Shirley; 2005-06
5. Julia Colizza; 2006-07


Jones is a three-time member of Canada's Under-22 Team. She played in all 35 games last season and finished 5th on the team in scoring with 16 goals and 19 assists. Jones notched the first goal of the game, the Lakers' first-ever power play goal in the NCAA Playoffs, against Minnesota Duluth in March. She tied for 20th in Division I with four game-winning goals. Jones had eight multiple-point games and one multiple-goal game. She finished 8th in College Hockey America (CHA) in points, T-2nd in game-winning goals, T-4 in goals, and T-9th in assists. She also was a member of the CHA All Academic Team.



Sisti thinks the quartet will do just fine: "We are excited for another season to begin. After losing another great group of players, people, and leaders, it's essential that our 2007-08 team has people who can step into key leadership roles. Joining our captain, Stephanie Jones, will be assistant captains, senior Danielle Ayearst,junior Natalie Payne, and sophomore Meghan Agosta. We expect leadership and maturity from all of our players on this team. Since we have eight newcomers, this group of captains will be entrusted with keeping everyone focused on our goals. We feel the four are more than capable of handling these responsibilities."

The Lakers, 32-2-3 last season, open play Friday night, September 28, with a 7pm exhibition game against the Vaughn Flames at the Ice Center.

[DC78-82]

Mercyhurst today announced their choice of assistant captains for the year to help Captain Stephanie Jones:

Women's Hockey Names Assistant Captains
Ayearst, Payne, and Agosta to work with Stephanie Jones


Sept. 13, 2007


Erie, Pa. - Mercyhurst head coach Michael Sisti announced today that senior Danielle Ayearst, junior Natalie Payne, and sophomore Meghan Agosta have been named the team's assistant captains for 2007-08. .

I am of the opinion that having a leadership comprised of 2-3 different classes is very positive for team continuity and dynamics. Good job MC.:cool:

[RStarr]

Still No word on Mel Rothon? She is not listed on the 07-08 roster. I'm guessing its pretty safe to say she will not be a Laker (at least this season). She is a talented player...Does anyone have any info regarding her?

[quixote]

Still No word on Mel Rothon? She is not listed on the 07-08 roster. I'm guessing its pretty safe to say she will not be a Laker (at least this season). She is a talented player...Does anyone have any info regarding her?

I'll see what I can find out. Haven't really heard anything.

[quixote]

I'll see what I can find out. Haven't really heard anything.

I was told that Mel Rothon has not been among the new folks working with the team. Doesn't look like she will be at MC, at least not this semester.

[Trillium]

Still No word on Mel Rothon? She is not listed on the 07-08 roster. I'm guessing its pretty safe to say she will not be a Laker (at least this season). She is a talented player...Does anyone have any info regarding her?

Unfortunately she was unable to get through clearinghouse. This was told by her to a mutual friend of ours.

[MICZamboni]

Unfortunately she was unable to get through clearinghouse. This was told by her to a mutual friend of ours.

Yes, this is true. Maybe she should look at going Div.III, perhaps an up and coming program like Neumann.

[EdSasha]

Yes, this is true. Maybe she should look at going Div.III, perhaps an up and coming program like Neumann.

Very highly skilled player with great game sense. She's played NWHL successfully for the past two seasons even though she's only just achieved university age. I'm not sure she's suited to university life, however, although I may be dead wrong about that. DIII would drive her crazy, I suspect - no offense to DIII schools or teams. My guess is she'll continue her career on a Senior AAA team - NWHL or equivalent, while the NWHL owners decide what they want to do.

She was a standout on the Junior Aeros team prior to playing for Durham/Etobicoke in the NWHL. Won two Canadian championship gold medals with the Ontario Under 18 team.

I think, with her on the team, Mercyhurst would have been unstoppable this season - that's how good I think she is.

[RStarr]

Very highly skilled player with great game sense. She's played NWHL successfully for the past two seasons even though she's only just achieved university age. I'm not sure she's suited to university life, however, although I may be dead wrong about that. DIII would drive her crazy, I suspect - no offense to DIII schools or teams. My guess is she'll continue her career on a Senior AAA team - NWHL or equivalent, while the NWHL owners decide what they want to do.

She was a standout on the Junior Aeros team prior to playing for Durham/Etobicoke in the NWHL. Won two Canadian championship gold medals with the Ontario Under 18 team.

I think, with her on the team, Mercyhurst would have been unstoppable this season - that's how good I think she is.
Absolutely agreed! She is (was) one of the top blue line recruits coming in this season IMO. Mercyhurst's loss will be someone else's gain...

This isn't the first player we have seen this season who has not been able to pass the clearinghouse. Probably not the best thread for this discussion but can anyone clarify more about the obstacles that one faces when trying to get through the clearinghouse? It cant be grades alone. And as good as she is its got to be more than just money too (unless the Hurst ran out after they paid Sisti ;) ).

[quixote]

Absolutely agreed! She is (was) one of the top blue line recruits coming in this season IMO. Mercyhurst's loss will be someone else's gain...

This isn't the first player we have seen this season who has not been able to pass the clearinghouse. Probably not the best thread for this discussion but can anyone clarify more about the obstacles that one faces when trying to get through the clearinghouse? It cant be grades alone. And as good as she is its got to be more than just money too (unless the Hurst ran out after they paid Sisti ;) ).

The clearing house requires a list of "college prep" type classes as well as gpa. She may not have finished all she needed in each area. I don't know this but she may be working on some now. What follows is from the Clearinghouse web site.

If you plan to enter college in 2008 or after, you will need to present 16 core courses in the following breakdown:

4 years of English
3 years of mathematics (Algebra I or higher)
2 years of natural/physical science (one must be a lab science)
1 year of additional English, math or science
2 years of social studies
4 years of additional core courses (from any area listed above, or from foreign language, nondoctrinal religion or philosophy)

[The Prof]

[QUOTE=Librarian;3314471]Very highly skilled player with great game sense. She's played NWHL successfully for the past two seasons even though she's only just achieved university age. I'm not sure she's suited to university life, however, although I may be dead wrong about that. DIII would drive her crazy, I suspect - no offense to DIII schools or teams. My guess is she'll continue her career on a Senior AAA team - NWHL or equivalent, while the NWHL owners decide what they want to do.

Will never clear the ClearingHouse requirements. Did not take any University Level courses in high school so will not ever make it past the requirements. Why Mercyhurst went through this process given this fact says much about the programme in my opinion. These are universities after all or has Mercyhurst become a degree mill? As for DIII that would be out of the question academically as well.

The Prof

[MICZamboni]

These are universities after all or has Mercyhurst become a degree mill?



OUCH!!!!

I am sure there is more to it.

[The Prof]

OUCH!!!!

I am sure there is more to it.

Actually there is not. To meet the Clearing House requirements Canadians must take U Courses that fit the requirements for admission to Canadian and US schools. These are University Prep courses. The young lady in question did not take any of these courses in high school and that is about it. Unless they can get her in as a "Mature Student", is there any such thing in the US? Then it just will not happen. As for SAT scores well....

I really question who put her through this whole process? I imagine Dad had some influence but he just doesn't get it that these are schools after all. Have I "Spoke" too much? When it comes education I hope not.

The Prof.

[MICZamboni]

Actually there is not. To meet the Clearing House requirements Canadians must take U Courses that fit the requirements for admission to Canadian and US schools. These are University Prep courses. The young lady in question did not take any of these courses in high school and that is about it. Unless they can get her in as a "Mature Student", is there any such thing in the US? Then it just will not happen. As for SAT scores well....

I really question who put her through this whole process? I imagine Dad had some influence but he just doesn't get it that these are schools after all. Have I "Spoke" too much? When it comes education I hope not.

The Prof.

When I said there must be more to it I meant there must be a reason why the process was started and maybe it was "started" by her dad not that there must be more to the Clearinghouse.

[Trillium]

When I said there must be more to it I meant there must be a reason why the process was started and maybe it was "started" by her dad not that there must be more to the Clearinghouse.

I don't think you can place all the accountability for starting the process on her family. Mercyhurst followed through and signed an NLI. Every school that showed serious interest in my daughter asked for a transcript early on. It is quite clear based on a transcript whether or not you will have the required courses. If, as is alleged, this girl took all "C" vs "U" courses, it looks like Mercyhurst then failed in doing their due diligence from the beginning.

The consequences for this girl are very unfortunate regardless of the circumstances. I wish parents would realize that if they funnelled more money into tutors instead of fancy home arenas and hockey schools, their children would be far better served in the end. They don't call them "student athletes" for nothing.

[Jonesy]

I don't think you can place all the accountability for starting the process on her family. Mercyhurst followed through and signed an NLI. Every school that showed serious interest in my daughter asked for a transcript early on. It is quite clear based on a transcript whether or not you will have the required courses. If, as is alleged, this girl took all "C" vs "U" courses, it looks like Mercyhurst then failed in doing their due diligence from the beginning.

The consequences for this girl are very unfortunate regardless of the circumstances. I wish parents would realize that if they funnelled more money into tutors instead of fancy home arenas and hockey schools, their children would be far better served in the end. They don't call them "student athletes" for nothing.

To quote the parent "Marks don't matter. If the coach wants you bad enough they will get you in." This whole situation definitely came about because of the parent. The fact that Mercyhurst doesn't check out the basics early in the process is also a problem. You would think that they would want to be sure about this sort of thing long before getting to the NLI.

[EdSasha]

I don't think you can place all the accountability for starting the process on her family. Mercyhurst followed through and signed an NLI. Every school that showed serious interest in my daughter asked for a transcript early on. It is quite clear based on a transcript whether or not you will have the required courses. If, as is alleged, this girl took all "C" vs "U" courses, it looks like Mercyhurst then failed in doing their due diligence from the beginning.

The consequences for this girl are very unfortunate regardless of the circumstances. I wish parents would realize that if they funnelled more money into tutors instead of fancy home arenas and hockey schools, their children would be far better served in the end. They don't call them "student athletes" for nothing.

Agreed, Trillium, I knew more than I let on in my previous post, hoping that it wouldn't develop further. As you say, "the consequences for this girl are very unfortunate..," which is good enough reason, I think, for the subject to be dropped here. Perhaps, rather than continue to discuss it on this anonymous forum, anyone sufficiently agitated should instead take steps to get Mercyhurst officially sanctioned for allowing this situation to develop in the first place.