Michelle Amidon named Director of Women's Hockey Operations

[CrazierEddie]

Cliquez Ici (http://www.usahockey.com/usa_hockey/news/main/home/news_amidon_071906//)

A solid decision. She really has the ability to turn the program around after the Ben Smith fiasco.

[PuckChaser]

Who is replacing her at Bowdoin? Heather Ferrell?

[obserbear]

Here is a quote from the Bowdoin press release:
"Amidon has resigned her post at Bowdoin and a search has already begun for her replacement."
I hear a number of qualified individuals are very interested in the position.
I spoke with Heather on Monday and she expressed the opinion that the team would produce another very successful result this upcoming season.
While the Polar Bears have lost the senior leadership of team captains Kelsey Wilcox and Rebecca Selden to graduation, they return nearly all of their balanced scoring and have recruited a large incoming class that includes three talented goaltenders.
Coach Amidon's replacement could possibly have a DIII NCAA title team!

[Hux]

Cliquez Ici (http://www.usahockey.com/usa_hockey/news/main/home/news_amidon_071906//)

A solid decision. She really has the ability to turn the program around after the Ben Smith fiasco.

It will be interesting to see how things progress now that there is someone actually acting as just the GM, and not the GM, Head Coach, Chief Scout etc. It says she will begin her duties on August 15, which is the day before the Women's Development Coaching Workshop, and the U22 camp, open at Lake Placid. I wonder if she will be in attedence?

[soapbox_ranter_211]

I honestly believe the damage has already been done to this program and we will all start to see it dwindle down to nothing within a few years. Oh, there will still be the few diehard fans of the game following along but the people who were kind of on the fence with this sport will have all gone bye bye!

Ben Smith destroyed everything good about this program leading up to and including Turin. Every reason why some people were fans of the game were all stripped away and tossed aside one day in August last year.

That's a true shame as I believe this sport was right on the verge of something big in this country until USA Hockey lost control.

R.I.P. USA Women's Hockey Team

[brookyone]

Every reason why some people were fans of the game were all stripped away and tossed aside one day in August last year.
I would question whether those fans were ever truly a fan of the game, or a true fan of the USA women's hockey team then, now or in the future. If you're a true fan you don't abandon Team USA because they brought home a bronze medal instead of silver or gold in 2006. As a true fan I think one would still be supportive of any future US national team with a roster comprised of players skilled and at this very time dedicating themselves to improving as players...and maybe chasing a dream of wearing red white and blue someday.

[EdSasha]

...R.I.P. USA Women's Hockey Team

Whoa! That's a bit strong, isn't it? I suppose you could be right but I hope you're wrong. Because if you're not, RIP US Women's Hockey Team would mean RIP every other country's women's hockey team, including Canada's. Maybe the U22 team means a rebirth. (Plus more U.S players permitted to sign for NWHL teams - not an ideal situation but better than before).

[hockeytalk]

I, for one, truly believe this is the beginning of "new" things. There are four years for USA hockey to make things right and if things are done in a correct manner, with all the young talent coming up, "and some of the old" there is no reason why the USA can't compete with ANYONE. Start the training now, use more than just 28 kids, and do things the way Canada does them. USA needs to train kids who will be at the peak age to play, some younger, some older and get down to business. None of this one week camp nonsense where in the end they pick all the same players that were around 2 Olympics ago. Get new, hungry blood in there and make it happen.

[CanadianIdol]

I think this is a move in the right direction for USA Hockey. Now they have to mend fences with their all time best player because from what I have been reading their treatment of her has been nothing short of disgraceful.

[brookyone]

Now they have to mend fences with their all time best player because from what I have been reading their treatment of her has been nothing short of disgraceful.
To what end? What role, or in what capacity do people see USA's all time best player being involved in the future of USA Hockey?

[sk8happy]

I honestly believe the damage has already been done to this program and we will all start to see it dwindle down to nothing within a few years. Oh, there will still be the few diehard fans of the game following along but the people who were kind of on the fence with this sport will have all gone bye bye!

Ben Smith destroyed everything good about this program leading up to and including Turin. Every reason why some people were fans of the game were all stripped away and tossed aside one day in August last year.

That's a true shame as I believe this sport was right on the verge of something big in this country until USA Hockey lost control.

R.I.P. USA Women's Hockey Team

I'm not going to disagree because at this point it's all speculation. Either way I'm not inclined to believe that what's happened since Turin has made me any more comfortable that USA Hockey is actually doing anything to move this program forward.
Michelle is a nice person. I have no idea what precisely her role is going to be, but she isn't someone who is inclined to shake things up. I've known her for a number of years, a quality individual for sure. But I'm not really seeing the connection between her background at Bowdoin and re-energizing a demoralized, fragmented program. I don't see the fit and I don't understand the thinking/rational behind this decision.
This program is in bad...bad...bad need of NEW blood. NEW, HIGHLY ACCOMPLISHED BLOOD. What they don't need is more of the same...USA hockey insiders or coaches who are part of the Ben Smith circle.
Like many here, I'd love for nothing more than to see this program turn the page and begin anew. I'm not holding my breath however... from this popcorn stand it looks like more of the same...which doesn't bode well for the sport let alone the Red White and Blue.

[hockeytalk]

I think this is a move in the right direction for USA Hockey. Now they have to mend fences with their all time best player because from what I have been reading their treatment of her has been nothing short of disgraceful.

Who are you talking about, and what treatment has there been?

[Hux]

Who are you talking about, and what treatment has there been?

Principally Cammi Granato, though I think you have to include Shelly Looney as well. The way she was cut from the team last August was not handled with much tact, and Granato has been vitriolic towards USA Hockey since.

[Hux]

I'm not going to disagree because at this point it's all speculation. Either way I'm not inclined to believe that what's happened since Turin has made me any more comfortable that USA Hockey is actually doing anything to move this program forward.
Michelle is a nice person. I have no idea what precisely her role is going to be, but she isn't someone who is inclined to shake things up. I've known her for a number of years, a quality individual for sure. But I'm not really seeing the connection between her background at Bowdoin and re-energizing a demoralized, fragmented program. I don't see the fit and I don't understand the thinking/rational behind this decision.
This program is in bad...bad...bad need of NEW blood. NEW, HIGHLY ACCOMPLISHED BLOOD. What they don't need is more of the same...USA hockey insiders or coaches who are part of the Ben Smith circle.
Like many here, I'd love for nothing more than to see this program turn the page and begin anew. I'm not holding my breath however... from this popcorn stand it looks like more of the same...which doesn't bode well for the sport let alone the Red White and Blue.


Maybe USA Hockey is thinking that taking a more subtle approach to righting the ship will be better than bringing in somone who will make waves and possibly alienate a faction and further throw things in disaray in the process of getting things turned around.