Air Force Is Coaches' Pick To Top Atlantic Hockey

USCHO Newsbot · 09-30-2008, 02:20 PM

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Two-time defending conference champion Air Force was picked to finish first in the Atlantic Hockey Preseason Coaches' Poll, released today at the league's Media Day held at the Blue Cross Arena in Rochester, N.Y., site of this year's championships. The Falcons captured seven of the ten first-place votes, accumulating 79 points overall. Mercyhurst, which lost in overtime to ...

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wetmullet · 10-03-2008, 04:27 PM

Do you realize that AIC got 11 pts in the coaches poll which means even their own coach didn't rank them any higher than 9th in the league? Big vote of confidence. AIC should either commit to D1 hockey, which means spend some money and get a new **** coach, or join the D3 level which they would only be an average team at best. Sorry boys, I'd like to see you do better too but the school has not made a commitment to your program.

komey1 · 10-04-2008, 12:51 AM

The coach's don't rank their own teams. So it seems that 3 teams picked them 9th. Not only that, they added a new assistant coach. I think AIC is finally making a commitment to their program. They had a good recruiting class for them. The problem AIC has is that they are so far behind most of the AHA that their improvement does not look as good as it is.

wetmullet · 10-06-2008, 01:43 PM

AIC's potential for improvement a small at best as long as Wright is at the helm. Bova is a good addition and hopefully he is looking to become the head coach. I remember him from his days at NMH where he played with a buddy of mine. But let's be honest, there has been very little, if any, improvement in the program. A lot of it has to do with the campus. If you had a choice of 2 D1 schools to skate at with AIC being one of them, why would you choose AIC? Have you seen the area that school is in and the rink they play in? Not your typical D1 atmosphere. Wrights philosophy is also not conducive to winning games in D1. He wants a European style game played without the contact. The speed thing is fine but you have to play the body too. Let me ask you this. If Wright was at ANY other D1 program, do you think he would have been there for 25 years with a 254-407-49 record?

As far as their recruiting goes, they are always the last team to sign guys. Who do you see as a great new addition? Arcibal? Penny? Selk? Primiani? I hope your right.

Don't get me wrong. I wish those guys all the luck in the world but it is my opinion the school has not committed to the program and Wright is wrong. Look at Quinnipiac and what they have done in the last 4 or 5 years. That is a school that is committed to developing their sports programs.

Good luck Yellow Jackets.

komey1 · 10-08-2008, 09:14 AM

I find it odd that you have made your first two posts about a team that, frankly, hardly anyone cares about in DI. Not only that - you come out blasting them. Did you try out for them and not make it or something?

I don't pretend to know the ins and outs of AIC hockey. I follow RIT. But I do try to keep up on the other AHA teams. I don't know if AIC is always the last to sign players or if they are the last to announce their class or what. All I know is that last year, they were better than the year before, and their record showed it. I would not be surprised of they are a little better than last year this year.

wetmullet · 10-11-2008, 11:48 AM

I'm not blasting the team I'm blasting the school because I feel that they should either commit to the D1 program, go D3 or eliminate it. How would you like to be on a team that is constantly the whipping boy of the league? I hope the guys stand on their heads and win the conference but I don't feel they have been given the tools or the best chance to succeed. I hope Bova is the start of something good but until the puck drops we won't know.

In addition, these were not my first post just a different ID for the season. Why? because I like the new screen name.

Bullitt · 10-13-2008, 01:47 PM

How 'bout this Air Force team? Pretty amazing to have a team this good based on the fact that these players will never have a chance at playing professionally after college. Great coach, disciplined players, hard work and dedication equal a pretty spectacular team. If anyone gets a chance to see them play, I suggest you check 'em out.

wetmullet · 10-13-2008, 02:02 PM

Why wouldn't they have a chance to play pro? Just because of their military commitment? How about David Robinson? He was at Navy yet was able to go pro.

Bullitt · 10-19-2008, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wetmullet

Why wouldn't they have a chance to play pro? Just because of their military commitment? How about David Robinson? He was at Navy yet was able to go pro.

The could have a chance at playing pro, but it's a very tough road to go. They have to serve active duty for a minimum of two years prior to trying to play professionally...which makes it very unlikely. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...2/ai_n25461197