LSSU Lakers

[Bill]

I kinda like to see different teams make it to the Frozen Four, just for variety. For the Midwest Regional, I'd like to see anyone except Minnesota take it. Not that I have anything against Minnesota; it's just that I'd like to see someone else from the Midwest go to the Frozen Four this year. Even UMD, on the other end of Lake Superior, would be fine with me. Sure ND or MSU would be nice also, but I don't see them putting two good games together against the Minnesota schools. Now if they could each put a good game together on Saturday and pull off the upsets, then one of them would make it. Still, on paper, I see Minnesota as the big favorite. They're defending champs and have most everyone back from last year.

I'm looking forward to attending the games in Grand Rapids this weekend, and the Frozen Four in Boston two more weeks down the line. Regardless of who makes it to Boston, it'll be a good time.

[sm3pk]

any takers..Niagra and holy Cross

[Bill]

Hahaha...Not that I would mind seeing a Cinderalla team in the championship game, but I don't see either of those two getting hot for the three straight games needed to get to the championship game.

[sm3pk]

Just playing around Bill.Not sure who it is going to be with the 16 teams in now and not just 12.

[Proud2baLaker]

Recently saw another thread that asked what people thought the top ten players on their teams were. Some people were posting top ten current and top ten of all time. I'm just curious who other Laker fans would consider the top ten current players and the top ten all time players.

For me I cant pick out ten for the current players off the top of my head but I can think of a few I would put in there. Namely Jakaitis, Cheesemen, Osman, Campbell, Scoran, and one of the Adameks but I can remember which one.

For all time top ten. Gotta think Weight, Rolston, Dowd, Maddely, Vermette, Battaglia and Hoffort would be on there.

What do you guys think?

[Bill]

I generally stay away from "top" whatever of all time threads, because it's hard to compare players and teams of different eras, and just about every "top" whatever thread is dominated by recent players and teams because the board is dominated by younger (in relative terms) posters, from a numbers perspective, and they aren't usually familiar with players and teams from farther back.

I don't see any point in naming the top 10 current players on a team becasue that's pretty much naming half the team.

You've hit some of the obvious top Lakers, but again there aren't any old era players in your list.

So let me just throw out some names of some of the better Laker players from different eras. Because I didn't follow the Lakers much during the mid to late 70s through the mid 80s, I don't have many guys in here from that time. Perhaps some other Lakers posters can add to it.

Early Ron Mason/Rick Comley coached era (and the start of the Rick Yeo era): Randy McArthur, Tom Davies, Bill Slewidge, Pat Timms, Jim Wiley, Rick Comley, Jim Booth, Archie Orazietti, Julio Francella, Kim Gellert, Gene Motuszas, Terry Thompson. I could throw John Flesch in here also, although he only was at Lake State for one season before signing with the old Minnesota North Stars.

Rick Yeo/Bill Selman, early Frank era: Steve Mulholland, Bob Ciotti, Monty Beauchamp, Jamie McDonald, Steve Sherman, Jim Roque.

Later Frank (1st time) and Jeff Jackson era: Aside from those already mentioned, Clayton Beddoes, Sean Tallaire, Wayne Strachan, Mark Astley, Keith Aldridge, Steve Barnes, Kord Cernich, Mike DeCarle, Jeff Jablonski, Anthony Palumbo, Kurt Miller, Karl Johnston, Pete Staubber, Mike Morin, Sandy Moger, Michael Smith, Dan Keczmer, Mike Mateucci, John Grahme, Joe Blaznek.

And there are others, who other Laker posters will likely add in.

[Proud2baLaker]

I agree Bill.....It was more of a curiosity thing I guess.....and a hopefull conversation starter. I think I would have added some older players if I had one of those Laker guides handy but I dont. So I dont know the stats of any of the older players. Although it can be said that stats dont determine everything. Also... I hate seeing our thread go lower than the first page.

[Bill]

Yah, I didn't go strictly on stats either. If you look solely at that, you tend to leave out defensemen, especially those that are good "defensive" defensemen.

[Bill]

If any Laker fans are in Grand Rapids tomorrow and/or Sunday for the Midwest Regional, I'll be up in Section 222 with my Laker jacket on (if it isn't too warm). Stop by and say Hi.

[Sugarisland]

Bill, I'll look you up. I've got tics waiting for me....not sure where though. I know a few from the Sault will be there.

[eddo]

i still haven't gotten my 50 dollars..

[sm3pk]

Looks like out of 5 teams in this year from CCHA,Mi is only one doing us proud.

[eddo]

and that just hurts..

[Bill]

At both Midwest games today, it looked like someone slipped ND and then MSU some sleeping pills after the first periods. Both teams played pretty good first periods and then seemed to disappear.

[Proud2baLaker]

Not sure if anyone knew but Tim Krueckl was drafted as the 11th pick in the first round of a UHL amateur draft recently. He was selected by the Fort Wayne Komets (a team I happen to be a huge fan of since I grew up only 20 minutes from there). He has played in 4 games and has 1 assist and is -1. He also has 2 shots on goal. I think the Komets like him. Hes played everygame since being drafted and has gotten a nice amount of ice time and has been on a line with their leading scorer. His assist came on a game winning goal on Saturday. The Komets are also first in the league at the moment and are defending Colonial Cup champs. I'd say Krueckl got on a pretty good team.

I also heard Branham is playing somewhere in the ECHL at the moment but I dont have any information on that. Does any one else?

[Lakerblue]

Already over-confident.

The Lakers are just one slight nudge away . . . I can feel it.

Won't it be great to go to the NCAA games and watch our Lakers next year.

I say this after hearing Bob Norton whine throughout the weekend about LSSU pulverizing BU in '94, and Maine being forced to change goalies in '93 (a brilliant and gutsy Shawn Walsh move, BTW), and UW's goon act in '92 . . .

[Mogerfan]

Originally posted by Proud2baLaker

I also heard Branham is playing somewhere in the ECHL at the moment but I dont have any information on that. Does any one else?

Interesting post. Thanks!
I noticed Krueckl didn't have nearly the stats of the other six players that they drafted in later rounds from other CCHA schools. They must have liked the 6'3'', 205 part of his game.

Looks like Branham will be playing in the ECHL in Texas. Found it on Google.

http://www.inthecrease.com/leaguestory.cfm?TT=ECHLTEX&ArticleID=03252004071231ECHLTEX&League=ECHL

[jnacc]

Any new info about incoming recruits for next year? I know they have three signed so far but I expected to hear of more being brought on by now.

[Bill]

I haven't heard any specific names other than the three. Supposedly there is fourth recruit lined up, but I haven't heard the name (or position) yet. The Spring signing period should be starting sometime within the next couple of weeks, so we likely will hear more then, once they have them actually signed and not just verbal commitments.

Lakerblue, Yes it would be nice if we could be watching the Lakers in Columbus next year, but I suspect we may have to wait somewhat longer yet. They need one or two nudges in the form a blue chipper or two, even if they are diamonds in the rough type of guys. It would be nice to get a Clayton Beddoes or Sean Tallaire or Wayne Strachan type forward like we had back in the last championship year of 94. And a Mark Astley or Keith Aldridge type of defenseman.

I haven't decided who I'm going to be cheering on in Boston next week. I'm leaning towards UMD, and why not since they are at the other end of our Lake.

[Proud2baLaker]

When I was making my predictions at the beginning of the tournament I had a gutsy feeling about UMD. They looked like a team that would surprise. I could see them winning it all. I'll root for them or B.C.


As for Krueckl, myself and another fan speculated it was either they liked his style of play, his numbers before he was a Laker, a combination of both, or maybe something else who knows. Whatever it is Im excited. I hope he continues to play there into the next season so I can see him while Im home for various breaks. Gonna have to make sure I wear a Laker jersey if I do get the chance to see him. I was looking at the Komets website and noticed the attendance as well. Krueckl is definetly playing in front of a larger crowd. Avg Attendance is over 7,000. And with the playoffs coming the place will be packed with a maximum capacity of over 11,000. I know that I'm going to try and get some playoff tickets.



Yep Branham in the ECHL apparently playing for the same team his brother was once on. Interesting.