Michigan Tech 2015 off-season I: Building on what we've learned...

[mtu_huskies]

Re: Michigan Tech 2015 off-season I: Building on what we've learned...

I think a couple Harvard players recently got denied for their 5th year. Any idea if we'll know about Jimmy Davis sometime soon?

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: Michigan Tech 2015 off-season I: Building on what we've learned...

Michigan Tech has named Alex Petan and Cliff Watson as co-captains for this coming season.
Mike Neville and Shane Hanna have been name alternates.

As for the NHL draft. It will be interesting to see if L'Esperance will be drafted. He is one of 4 current Huskies that is still draft eligible for 2015 along with Matt Roy, Evan Anderson and Alex Gillies. Based on everything I've seen and heard. Matt Roy seems to be the most likely of this group to be drafted.
Every committed recruit is eligible for the 2015 draft except Jagger Williamson (currently 16 yo) and Jake Jackson (already drafted).
Of those, it doesn't sound like its very likely any of them get drafted this year. Redmond, Hannoun, and Kauppila are the only recruits with 2015 as their last year of eligibility for the draft.

[FadeToBlack&Gold]

Re: Michigan Tech 2015 off-season I: Building on what we've learned...

I would take a flier on L'Esperance in the 6th or 7th round. Decent chance a team like Winnipeg or San Jose, who have probably seen him when watching Phillips/Watson, would do so.

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: Michigan Tech 2015 off-season I: Building on what we've learned...

Matt Roy was selected in the 7th round (194) by the LA Kings. Pretty cool to see Michigan Tech on the bottom line on NHL network. Too bad they listed him as a LW.

[redwing61]

Re: Michigan Tech 2015 off-season I: Building on what we've learned...

Matt Roy was selected in the 7th round (194) by the LA Kings. Pretty cool to see Michigan Tech on the bottom line on NHL network. Too bad they listed him as a LW.

First player drafted from Michigan Tech since David Weninger in 1996.

[huskyfan]

Re: Michigan Tech 2015 off-season I: Building on what we've learned...

Matt Roy was selected in the 7th round (194) by the LA Kings. Pretty cool to see Michigan Tech on the bottom line on NHL network. Too bad they listed him as a LW.

he sure looked good last year.

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: Michigan Tech 2015 off-season I: Building on what we've learned...

I just broke the news on twitter. Michigan Tech will be looking for a new assistant because Bill Muckalt will be announced as the next Head Coach of the Tri-City Storm later today.

[eye4talent]

Re: Michigan Tech 2015 off-season I: Building on what we've learned...

I just broke the news on twitter. Michigan Tech will be looking for a new assistant because Bill Muckalt will be announced as the next Head Coach of the Tri-City Storm later today.

Big loss for the Huskies. Good guy and great recruiter who helped rebuild the program. Players loved him. Congrats to Billy.

[JohnsonsJerseys]

Re: Michigan Tech 2015 off-season I: Building on what we've learned...

$h!t.
Well, coaches are much like players when your program looks good to outsiders - you get better talent coming in, but they might depart early or get plucked for promotions too.
Bummer,
Ryan J

[geezer]

Re: Michigan Tech 2015 off-season I: Building on what we've learned...

Depending on his replacement, I'm going to hold out hope that this will be a good thing in the long run as we begin to flood the USHL with agents devoted to furthering the work of Mel.

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: Michigan Tech 2015 off-season I: Building on what we've learned...

Depending on his replacement, I'm going to hold out hope that this will be a good thing in the long run as we begin to flood the USHL with agents devoted to furthering the work of Mel.

Yes, the replacement will be key because it seems evident that having former assistants in charge in the USHL can only help.

[JohnsonsJerseys]

Re: Michigan Tech 2015 off-season I: Building on what we've learned...

Two years, two coaches lost to head coaching job promotions. Another gold star on Mel's resume if you ask me as it looks like he is developing more than the players on the roster.

Although I don't have the slightest clue who will fill this role, I will be interested to see who we are able to get. I think Muckalt had a unique mix of background that could appeal to potential players.
- Played for Pearson at Michigan
- Was highly successful in college, got him all the way to the NHL
- Had NHL experience to share with players
- Passion for the game
- Coached other junior teams
I wonder if Tech's NCAA appearance last season might be enough to land us a good "lead assistant" rather than Mel having to develop one. Maybe a current lead assistant from a smaller program? Someone from a Canadian junior team staff? The Huskies currently have a pretty good batch of talent waiting in the wings, but that can dry up real quick... just ask the Badgers.

Anyone want to start throwing out names?
Ryan J

[eye4talent]

Re: Michigan Tech 2015 off-season I: Building on what we've learned...

I wonder if Tech's NCAA appearance last season might be enough to land us a good "lead assistant" rather than Mel having to develop one. Maybe a current lead assistant from a smaller program? Someone from a Canadian junior team staff? The Huskies currently have a pretty good batch of talent waiting in the wings, but that can dry up real quick... just ask the Badgers.
Ryan J

They already have a good "lead assistant" in Joe Shawhan. I'm sure there will be plenty of qualified candidates applying.

[manurespreader]

Re: Michigan Tech 2015 off-season I: Building on what we've learned...

As a program, when you help out the assistants by doing what you can to get them a promotion and a raise, other people notice. It's the right thing to do. Good luck to Coach Bill, I will especially miss the come on over mentality.
Kind of the opposite of some programs I can name isn't it.

[huskyfan]

Re: Michigan Tech 2015 off-season I: Building on what we've learned...

WAH!!!!!!!

he will be missed. but good luck for him, he will do well.