A landmark season with several more firsts, including a Cleary Cup and an NCAA appearance, has drawn to an end, albeit a disappointing one. Still there is plenty of reason for optimism with loads of returning talent and hopefully our coaching staff remains intact and our goalie stays put. New recruits are on their way to Schenectady and the OOC schedule is in the works. In any event it should make for an interesting 6 months until 2011-2012 kicks off.
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Union Hockey 2011 Off Season Thread-"Union, We've Paid Our Dues"
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Union Hockey 2011 Off Season Thread-"Union, We've Paid Our Dues"
Last edited by Wholin1; 03-29-2011, 06:02 PM. -
Re: Union Hockey 2011 Off Season Thread-"Union, We've Paid Our Dues"
OK, that didn't take long. Nate Leaman is a finalist for the Spencer Penrose award as national coach of the year, per Ken Schott. http://cms.dailygazette.com/weblogs/...penrose-award/
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Re: Union Hockey 2011 Off Season Thread-"Union, We've Paid Our Dues"
Originally posted by Wholin1 View PostOK, that didn't take long. Nate Leaman is a finalist for the Spencer Penrose award as national coach of the year, per Ken Schott. http://cms.dailygazette.com/weblogs/...penrose-award/Last edited by UMDBulldogHockeyIsKing; 03-29-2011, 07:10 PM.Bulldog Hockey: 2011 National Champions! Finally!!!
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Re: Union Hockey 2011 Off Season Thread-"Union, We've Paid Our Dues"
Originally posted by UMDBulldogHockeyIsKing View PostI'd say Leaman would be the favorite if it weren't for Blashill at WMU. Should be a close race between the two. EDIT: Or not. Should be Leaman all the way.
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Re: Union Hockey 2011 Off Season Thread-"Union, We've Paid Our Dues"
Originally posted by Wholin1 View PostI'm wondering when the actual voting takes place i.e. before or after the tournaments and who votes . BTW, good luck to tUMD next week.Bulldog Hockey: 2011 National Champions! Finally!!!
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Re: Union Hockey 2011 Off Season Thread-"Union, We've Paid Our Dues"
It's nice that Nate is again receiving recognition for his coaching prowess, but I just wonder how you can give a guy a national COY award when he failed to lead a team into the post season? In keeping with the long standing Union style, they plain folded. Now if the award(s) are based on regular season only, then he is deserving, but if the awards are for the complete body of work...find another candidate. Don't get me wrong, I am a Leaman fan...he does more with less, has continually improved his team and is making Union a team which is noticed on a national basis, but the end result it is a very incomplete product. In sports, as in life, to be a success you need to be able to finish. Controlling play is great, but if you don't score, you don't win. Having the best regular season record is great, but it only gives you seeding in a tournament...you are not the Champ. When the time arrives to show your stuff, such as tournament time, you must perform. Without that performance, your team is the loser and someone else the winner. Leaman has consistently lead teams into the post season that have failed miserably. He hasn't figured how to perform on the big stage yet, and is still trying to figure out the right "launch code." I know this is a brutal review, but we need to have an honest perspective on this. We rant and rave, jump up and down, and say what a great job he is doing when the team is on a tear. So it is only right that we give him the same "credit" for the team's monumental collapse. In the days leading up to the playoff games we spoke of Nate needing to have the team focused, hungry, aggressive, and willing to go the extra mile, and he failed to deliver this.
I am a Union fan...proud when they win and ready to crow, upset when disparaging comments are thrown our way, on the edge of my seat for every minute of play, but when the team fails to perform to their ability, I will point it out and not try to sugar coat it.
At this point in his career, Nate is a great regular season coach and a horrible second season coach. Things ARE moving in the right direction, but there is a big step to take to get to the next level for this team. When the time comes for this to happen with Leaman...and it will... we will know that it is not a fluke or a flash in the pan, but instead the result of years of hard work and preparation.
With that, I have to say that Nate is a flawed coach...but he is our flawed coach and I'm glad he is.
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Re: Union Hockey 2011 Off Season Thread-"Union, We've Paid Our Dues"
Originally posted by OsecnUC View PostDon't get me wrong, I am a Leaman fan...he does more with less, has continually improved his team and is making Union a team which is noticed on a national basis, but the end result it is a very incomplete product. In sports, as in life, to be a success you need to be able to finish. Controlling play is great, but if you don't score, you don't win.
Originally posted by OsecnUC View PostAt this point in his career, Nate is a great regular season coach and a horrible second season coach.
I agree with you that you need to put up or shut up in the post-season. On the other hand, based on Union's recent history and what they've accomplished, I don't think you can fault Leaman for anything right now. He did exactly what he needed to do, and things just didn't break your way in Bridgeport. Considering all the other recent ECAC failures, it looks bad, but if you look really hard at what your team did this year - including its performance in Bridgeport - you should feel very good. Heck, look what happened to BC.
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Re: Union Hockey 2011 Off Season Thread-"Union, We've Paid Our Dues"
Originally posted by TimU View PostConsidering all the other recent ECAC failures, it looks bad, but if you look really hard at what your team did this year - including its performance in Bridgeport - you should feel very good. Heck, look what happened to BC.Last edited by OsecnUC; 03-30-2011, 01:33 PM.
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Re: Union Hockey 2011 Off Season Thread-"Union, We've Paid Our Dues"
We still have only one playoff series win in our history and IIRC, zero OT wins. I think OT games are a microcosm of the playoffs and teams that are smart, aggressive and going for the kill IMO often come out on top, of course good or great goaltending doesn't hurt either. Still you have to walk before you can run and regular season success does not necessarily lead to postseason success, it certainly hasn't in Union's case. I think Leaman is still growing on the job and has a job to finish here which he is totally capable of doing if given the chance. Of course his first obligation is to his family and doing what he thinks is best for them, so if he feels compelled to leave, I don't have standing to argue with that and will wish him the best. I hope however that he and the college can find a way for him to do both so that he can take the program to the next level. I also have a tremendous amount of respect for Rick Bennett and Ben Barr for that matter, and would like to see them stay put as well.
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Re: Union Hockey 2011 Off Season Thread-"Union, We've Paid Our Dues"
Originally posted by TimU View PostI agree with you that you need to put up or shut up in the post-season. On the other hand, based on Union's recent history and what they've accomplished, I don't think you can fault Leaman for anything right now. He did exactly what he needed to do, and things just didn't break your way in Bridgeport. Considering all the other recent ECAC failures, it looks bad, but if you look really hard at what your team did this year - including its performance in Bridgeport - you should feel very good. Heck, look what happened to BC.
All in all Union had a great year... nothing at all to be ashamed of or worry about for that matter. When I started folowwing the Bobcats back in 06-07, Union was a team nobody worried about. I wouldn't say you were a doormat back then, but it was close. Now Union is one of the most respected teams in the league. That's a great foundation and the future still looks bright.
Now, if you come out and tank next season, then you can start hurling stones at the coaching staff!Quinnipiac Bobcats
2023 National Champions
ECAC Regular Season Champions: 2012-13, 2014-15, 2015-16, 2018-19, 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24
ECAC Tournament Champions: 2016
East Regional: 2013 (Champions), 2014, 2016 (Champions), 2023 (Champions), 2024
Northeast Regional:
West Regional: 2015, 2021
Midwest Regional: 2019, 2022
Frozen Four: 2013, 2016, 2023 (Champions)
Pass complete. Lipkin has a man in front! Shot... SCORE!!!
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Re: Union Hockey 2011 Off Season Thread-"Union, We've Paid Our Dues"
Originally posted by Wholin1 View Postso if he feels compelled to leave, I don't have standing to argue with that and will wish him the best.
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Re: Union Hockey 2011 Off Season Thread-"Union, We've Paid Our Dues"
Originally posted by OsecnUC View PostSince you are our recognized knowledgable source (deservidly so, I might add) what was Nate's most recent deal? Not the dollars but the term. Was he extended through 2015?
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Re: Union Hockey 2011 Off Season Thread-"Union, We've Paid Our Dues"
[QUOTE=OsecnUC;5107443]I'm willing to see this through and hope that he has the guts to stay here and finish what he has started.QUOTE]
There is so much I want to address in your 2 posts, but because of my lack of cut/past knowledge with these posts I will stick with this one. Just because you write checks does not make you an expert on coaching a team, although some feel they should have a say in a lot of things that happens within a program. "He has the guts" is your best line....you almost sound like a trustee that can't afford to pay Coach Leaman what he is worth................. "you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink."? Coach has done everything he can do from a coaching perspective to prepare his team, and put them in a position to win.
Let's look back at the game they were winning 2-0 going into the 3rd. Fluke goal over Keith's shoulder, a between the leg deflection by Bourdon on the second goal, then a real nice play on the third.....those are Coach's fault?
Then to the next game, up 3-2 with three minutes left.....Brisebois scores on a bad angle deflection to tie it....then in OT, Keith off his angle.....these are Coach's fault?
There comes a time when PLAYERS need to step up and perform to their level of ability, and unfortunately, that did not happen to win it for them vs Colgate or UMD. How do you explain 0-9 on the PP when they were clicking at 31%? It comes down to execution....and players execute....coaches give guidance as to where you can expose and execute.
You are correct in that the story is not complete, but please....you would not have a story to write if it were not for Coach Leaman. By the way, do most check writers call all coaches by their first name.....have some respect!!!!!Like a turkey at Thanksgiving, I'm stuffed
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Re: Union Hockey 2011 Off Season Thread-"Union, We've Paid Our Dues"
No doubt the players need to take ownership of their playoff performance, but I think the real point is well taken and that is that by and large U's playoff record is not great and still a work in progress. On the otherhand a team that does almost everything right during the regular season doesn't just forget how to bring it's "A" game, does it? I think also Hockeymascot may have missed Ocean's point about writing checks. I assumed he was referring to the financial commitment most recruits and their families must make when they sign on for $50K / year. The fact that they buy into the program and that U is getting the quality recruits that they are in the face of such a financial commitment, is a credit to the coaching staff and their belief in Union as an institution.
As far as the Colgate series is concerned, I think the point was that after winning the first game we had them by the throat and let them get away. We should have crushed them and moved on and not been in a position where a bounce here or there or a fluke goal scuttled the series. I know it's a lot easier to say than do...just saying is all.
I do agree that the Trustees or whoever is in charge of such decisions needs to take a look at this coach and all that he has done, all of the recognition that he has brought to the institution, the quality of individuals who have won multiple student athlete of the year awards, etc., and ask "Nate, what is it going to take to keep you here?" Who knows, maybe that is the discussion that is going now while UMass Lowell, Providence Penn State or others are wooing him, if they are. I don't even know if this is going on right now, but I'd say it's a safe guess that it is. If Union let's him go without a fight, I will be peeved. I will also say that I'm getting a bit annoyed with the process and hope we don't have to go through this on an annual basis. It's a distraction to the program, can't help recruiting and I'm guessing the players themselves find it pretty upsetting and at least this fan can do without it.
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Re: Union Hockey 2011 Off Season Thread-"Union, We've Paid Our Dues"
Thanks wholin1, I always have had a tough time reading between the lines. Having said that, I think Ocean's comments are directed toward Coach Leaman and the fact that he has not taken them to "the promised land". As far as the process to keep Coach Leaman is concerned, Union needs to step up to the plate. Union has had the experience now of competing on the National stage with the big boys. If you want to continue to compete with the big boys, the internal structure needs to simulate the resources it takes to compete with the big boys......a financial commitment I am not sure Union is willing to make.Like a turkey at Thanksgiving, I'm stuffed
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