UCONN 2015-2016: The Hockey East Journey Continues..the Future Looks Bright

[FDNY99]

Re: UCONN 2015-2016: The Hockey East Journey Continues..the Future Looks Bright

(Y) This is gonna be fun!!

Dick I thought you would like these comments from Letunov:

ManthonyCourant 8:40pm via Twitter Web Client
Maxim Letunov with a little charisma when talking about UConn: "I heard they struggled on the power player last year. Not next year."

ManthonyCourant 8:42pm via Twitter Web Client
Maxim Letunov: "When I committed to BU, UConn wasn’t even in picture. But it’s great program because coaches have done a lot last 2 years.”

ManthonyCourant 8:43pm via Twitter Web Client
Maxim Letunov on UConn: "It's a program doing great things. I'll just be glad to be part of the team. I'm just really excited."

[HawkStar12]

Re: UCONN 2015-2016: The Hockey East Journey Continues..the Future Looks Bright

The benefits of having Cav not have a full HE roster and adding 5 scholarships this season. What ever..I'll take it. Letunov and Masonius are 2 HUGE adds to the roster late in the recruiting game. It will be interesting to see how Cav fills out the lines with the new kids this season.

I think it's a combination of having the extra scholarships, as well as Cav's relationships with player's advisers, NHL personnel and people close to the players. To get these caliber players, there is someone they trust telling them that UConn's program is on the rise. Can't wait until 10/3/2015!

[HawkStar12]

Re: UCONN 2015-2016: The Hockey East Journey Continues..the Future Looks Bright

Dick I thought you would like these comments from Letunov:

ManthonyCourant 8:40pm via Twitter Web Client
Maxim Letunov with a little charisma when talking about UConn: "I heard they struggled on the power player last year. Not next year."

ManthonyCourant 8:42pm via Twitter Web Client
Maxim Letunov: "When I committed to BU, UConn wasn’t even in picture. But it’s great program because coaches have done a lot last 2 years.”

ManthonyCourant 8:43pm via Twitter Web Client
Maxim Letunov on UConn: "It's a program doing great things. I'll just be glad to be part of the team. I'm just really excited."

The second quote really captures where the program was, where it is and where it is headed. Let's hope this perception permeates throughout all of junior hockey. The next one I'd like to see is CT's own, Chad Krys!

[DLG]

Re: UCONN 2015-2016: The Hockey East Journey Continues..the Future Looks Bright

I don't quite understand how these guys could get into UConn while being rejected by the UNH and bu admissions guardians. Are the latter schools trying to prove that they have tough academic standards for hockey players? Or is UConn more "flexible" than I have believed they were? I'd like to think that each of these athletes had "baggage" (clearinghouse problems etc.) that UConn was better able to handle. Any thoughts?

Hopefully these guys blend in well, and that your program can be competitive throughout the season (except against the other Huskies, of course).

UConn has plenty of experience in this area with top notch basketball recruits who are marginal

[FDNY99]

Re: UCONN 2015-2016: The Hockey East Journey Continues..the Future Looks Bright

Agreed!!!

[FDNY99]

Re: UCONN 2015-2016: The Hockey East Journey Continues..the Future Looks Bright

I think it's a combination of having the extra scholarships, as well as Cav's relationships with player's advisers, NHL personnel and people close to the players. To get these caliber players, there is someone they trust telling them that UConn's program is on the rise. Can't wait until 10/3/2015!

This clip from MSG Beginnings on Brian Boyle is tell tale Hawkstar12 about your comment on Cav's rep and relationships:
https://youtu.be/JRPBdAX9g_g?t=12m40s

[FDNY99]

Re: UCONN 2015-2016: The Hockey East Journey Continues..the Future Looks Bright

Some more good news:
A season ticket base of about 1,500 last season is already up to about 2,000. Next season, WTIC-1080 is expected to broadcast all of UConn's home games, and Cavanaugh will hold a weekly "Coach's Show" at Dave & Buster's in Manchester.
Full article here:
http://www.courant.com/sports/hc-uco...803-story.html

[FDNY99]

Re: UCONN 2015-2016: The Hockey East Journey Continues..the Future Looks Bright

http://www.uconnhuskies.com/sports/m...ml?wappref=std
Season ticket sales total is now at 2219.

[FDNY99]

Re: UCONN 2015-2016: The Hockey East Journey Continues..the Future Looks Bright

This is nice to see about Tage Thompson: (Via Twitter)
Over The Boards @OTBPuckWatch 2h2 hours ago
97 F Tage Thompson (#UConn) is a legit 6'4+ now, great vision + puck protection. Year w/ NTDP helped in a big way. #Beantown #NHLDraft

[FDNY99]

Re: UCONN 2015-2016: The Hockey East Journey Continues..the Future Looks Bright

More from Twitter on Tage Thompson from Benton Classic:
Jeff Cox @JeffCoxSports 3h3 hours ago
'98 LC John DeRoche (Quinnipiac), '97 RC Tage Thompson (UConn) and '96 RW Tim Allen were standouts in first game of Beantown Classic.

[HawkStar12]

Re: UCONN 2015-2016: The Hockey East Journey Continues..the Future Looks Bright

This is nice to see about Tage Thompson: (Via Twitter)
Over The Boards @OTBPuckWatch 2h2 hours ago
97 F Tage Thompson (#UConn) is a legit 6'4+ now, great vision + puck protection. Year w/ NTDP helped in a big way. #Beantown #NHLDraft

This is fantastic. At 17, he may not be done growing. Certainly not physically.

That has me thinking about the strength and conditioning program for UConn. In my estimation, they could have been better last year, proven by being on the wrong side of some lopsided games late in the season. Talent/amount of scholarships factor in, so I guess we will find out the program's effectiveness this year with the addition of higher caliber players. Something to keep an eye on, as players are choosing the college route due to physically maturing off the ice, meaning UConn needs an above average reputation in this area.

[FDNY99]

Re: UCONN 2015-2016: The Hockey East Journey Continues..the Future Looks Bright

As far as S&C go...Matt Balis not only is the S&C coach for the football team he also runs the entire S&C program for the athletic department. Considered one of the best S&C coaches in college, I'm not worried about S&C. I'm sure he has also had conversations with Cav about what he needs S&C wise.

This is fantastic. At 17, he may not be done growing. Certainly not physically.

That has me thinking about the strength and conditioning program for UConn. In my estimation, they could have been better last year, proven by being on the wrong side of some lopsided games late in the season. Talent/amount of scholarships factor in, so I guess we will find out the program's effectiveness this year with the addition of higher caliber players. Something to keep an eye on, as players are choosing the college route due to physically maturing off the ice, meaning UConn needs an above average reputation in this area.

[RSTuthill]

Re: UCONN 2015-2016: The Hockey East Journey Continues..the Future Looks Bright

Used to be (days of the MAAC and AHA) S&C facilities were spread thin and hockey was not a priority. Their session times were terrible and many days they didn't even have access. Guessing that is no longer the case.

[HawkStar12]

Re: UCONN 2015-2016: The Hockey East Journey Continues..the Future Looks Bright

Rumor that Letunov's NCAA approval is not a rubber stamp. Could be Coach Cav's toughest selling job yet, as the NCAA can often be a difficult illogical institution to deal with....

[FDNY99]

Re: UCONN 2015-2016: The Hockey East Journey Continues..the Future Looks Bright

Used to be (days of the MAAC and AHA) S&C facilities were spread thin and hockey was not a priority. Their session times were terrible and many days they didn't even have access. Guessing that is no longer the case.

This is one reason why they need t get the new on-campus barn/team facility built. Here is the facility link to Freitas...it shows a weight room but that may be in Gampel (which is now free due to the basketball practice facility having it's own gym):
http://www.uconnhuskies.com/faciliti...ice-forum.html
The S&C Coach for both them men's & women's hockey teams is Maureen Butler (link to her bio below):
http://www.uconnhuskies.com/genrel/b...maureen01.html