University of Vermont off-season thread, ( Let the Zemgus Girgensons Era Begin! )

[jcarter7669]

Top 10 ranked by league by the CSS, Girgensons on the list...

http://www.nhl.com/ice/blogpost.htm?id=8063

[hoosierpuck]

Newbie here ... please tell me a bit about the school, the program and the coaching philosophy. My fave USHL player has committed to VT for next year and he's a bit of a wild-child so I'm worried he won't 'color in the lines' and could possibly lose what's probably his last-chance at a ride.

Thanks!

[HOCKEYGUY23]

Newbie here ... please tell me a bit about the school, the program and the coaching philosophy. My fave USHL player has committed to VT for next year and he's a bit of a wild-child so I'm worried he won't 'color in the lines' and could possibly lose what's probably his last-chance at a ride.

Thanks!

I can tell you this, the school won't tolerate much in the way of "coloring outside the lines." Your player was made well aware of this fact when he committed to UVM. If he does what he is supposed to do, he will be very productive and a top six player. Next year's team should be a strong team, even after a dismal season like this, they will be strong. Coach is going to preach, according to all reports, finish checks,sacrafice for team and doing all the little things right. Next year is extremely important for the program and the coach to rebound. I admit I am a little biased, but UVM is a great play to watch and be a college hockey player.

[snwbrdr]

I presume you are refering to Fallon

Neither the school nor Coach will tolerate any behavioral BS. Based on his alleged history of behaviour I was shocked to see Coach Sneddon recruit him. Based on recent history - his and the UVM programs - I fully expect him to get tossed off the team before too long. However, if he is a good teammate, student and model citizen he could have a very good three year career at UVM. The program should get back to respectability over the next few seasons.

[hoosierpuck]

I presume you are refering to Fallon

Neither the school nor Coach will tolerate any behavioral BS. Based on his alleged history of behaviour I was shocked to see Coach Sneddon recruit him. Based on recent history - his and the UVM programs - I fully expect him to get tossed off the team before too long. However, if he is a good teammate, student and model citizen he could have a very good three year career at UVM. The program should get back to respectability over the next few seasons.

Thanks both of you for the insights. I think he's definitely come into his own on the ice this season - always able to dig out the puck, turn on the wheels and set up a scoring opportunity ... I've seen him evolve during the course of the season to a pretty consistent winner in the faceoff circle too. Off the ice, I do know he was taking classes at the local community college although I obviously don't have the skinny on what he was taking or how seriously he was taking it.

I see alot of potential in him - I guess it's one of those things where as a grown up you want to shake 'em until they realize the opportunity they've got and how easy it can be to NOT f* it up if they'd just do what they're supposed to. I hope VT is good for him, and vice versa.

[Martin St. Louis Fan]

He definitely will be "under the microscope" Being a top scorer is not going to keep him on this team. The team has lost a couple top scorers ( Milo and Stacey) due to off ice stuff. If he keeps his nose clean and puts the put in the net he will be popular with the fans. I sure hope he has put his problems behind him, but the college environment does provide temptations, and Coach Sneddon is not gonna put his job on the line by keeping a "punk" on the team.

[snwbrdr]

Well, the coach already kind of put his reputation on the line by recruiting Fallon. Clearly given recent episodes the coach thinks the kid is going to bring a cleaned up act to Burlington. I'm always somewhat skeptical of someone changing but we can hope..... We surely need the talent he seems to have.

Where do you all see us finishing next year? Have to think 6th would be top end of the possible range unless a goalie steps up above average. We got outscored horribly last year, just improving a lot would still have us losing a lot of close games.....

Of course we can expect to be pegged last in every fan, coach, or media poll until they drop the puck in October. You don't finish last by a mile and get any credit.

[Martin St. Louis Fan]

This is true, but I am beginning to wonder what type of influence the AD has on such matters.
I thought I knew Kevin pretty well, but some things that have transpired make me wonder a bit.

[Cat lover]

Maybe the pressure to win is making for some gamlbes you might not have seen two years ago

[UVM Cat in Texas]

Regarding Fallon, I have to believe Sneddon and the rest of the coaching staff did their due diligence to ensure they won't have another Justin Milo situation on their hands. That said, I also have to believe Fallon was very contrite and said all the right things in order to be given another shot. Fact is, no one knows what's gonna happen until he arrives on campus and becomes part of the team.

Where do you all see us finishing next year? Have to think 6th would be top end of the possible range unless a goalie steps up above average. We got outscored horribly last year, just improving a lot would still have us losing a lot of close games.....

That sounds about right. We should be able to make a run at home ice and eventually settle in around 5th or 6th. Of course, I'm also hoping that we get a perfect storm of positive events (we're certainly due) and end up doing something really special.

The whole Zemgus Girgenson thing makes me really nervous. I've got my fingers crossed that he finds his way to Burlington....

[boblav1]

From the Vermont Cynic: Administrators consider new athletic facility.

[UVM Cat in Texas]

From the Vermont Cynic: Administrators consider new athletic facility.

Thanks for the link. Unfortunately, it doesn't sound much different from things that have been said in the past. It's "9th on the list of new building projects"?!?!?! "Some students have questioned whether it's an effective use of school money"?!?!?! What the heck??? I'm not holding my breath and wouldn't be surprised if it didn't happen in the next 10 years.

[Martin St. Louis Fan]

More good news from the ALum:

http://www.providencejournal.com/spo...2.1995f76.html

[jcarter7669]

I think Girgenson will be here and be around for a few years. He seems to be steadfast in his commitment to UVM and his former line mate Gaudreau obviously had tremendous success. Krieder who was drafted in a similar spot as where ZG is predicted to go stuck around for 3 years developed and is moving on with a good shot at jumping right on the ice for the blueshirts. I would be surprised if he doesn't show up.

[VermontfaninNY]

Man it would have been nice to have Gaudreau. I think like what most people expect out of Girgenson, he would have turned a great deal of this season around.

[SCSU Euro]

So there have been multiple reports (some are saying we're supposed to be playing RPI instead but I am hearing those are false) about if we're in the Catamount Cup this year, but those who are saying we're playing say we play Union and then Princeton. Isn't it an actual tournament? What I mean is, don't the winners of the first two games play in the finals and the losers play the 3rd place game?

[UVM Cat in Texas]

So there have been multiple reports (some are saying we're supposed to be playing RPI instead but I am hearing those are false) about if we're in the Catamount Cup this year, but those who are saying we're playing say we play Union and then Princeton. Isn't it an actual tournament? What I mean is, don't the winners of the first two games play in the finals and the losers play the 3rd place game?

No, I'm pretty sure the match-ups are predetermined, regardless of the results. Someone can correct me if I'm wrong.....

[SCSU Euro]

Lamesauce, first to get stuck in a tournament that isn't even a real tournament, then we don't even get to play the host and the team of the three I would most want to play?

[UVM Cat in Texas]

Lamesauce, first to get stuck in a tournament that isn't even a real tournament, then we don't even get to play the host and the team of the three I would most want to play?

Based on how we've played the last couple of seasons, I'm guessing you're all fired up to play us in order to pad your record. Seriously though, you guys will be playing Union in the second game. It's an opportunity to play a Frozen Four team. What's wrong with that?

[SCSU Euro]

We've already played the infamous #26 Onion lately... They tied us and threw a ticker tape parade for it. We've played Princeton recently too