LSSU Lakers 2016 off-season thread

[Bill]

Re: LSSU Lakers 2016 off-season thread

Thanks Bill. No obvious Rock Stars but it looks like a well rounded class that builds on what we have. Should see more improvement next year.

There may also be a slight possibility that Ian Johnston could be with the Lakers next season, but I think the coaches prefer he play another season of Juniors and get stronger.

On another note, Austin McKay has signed to play in the ECHL with Brampton: http://www.lssulakers.com/sports/m-h...ckay-inks-deal

[sm2pk]

Re: LSSU Lakers 2016 off-season thread

Good article on Quinnipiac and how they have been able to become a national challenger over time . It is on the USCHO opening page . The things they did make a lot of sense.

[Bill]

Re: LSSU Lakers 2016 off-season thread

Buddy Robinson got his first NHL goal tonight in an Otttawa 3-1 win over Florida. It was the game winner.

Video of goal: https://www.nhl.com/video/robinsons-...962/c-43328403

[LSSULaker889294]

Re: LSSU Lakers 2016 off-season thread

Buddy Robinson got his first NHL goal tonight in an Otttawa 3-1 win over Florida. It was the game winner.

Video of goal: https://www.nhl.com/video/robinsons-...962/c-43328403

Thanks for sharing Bill. Congratulations to Buddy!

Also go Quinnipiac in the National Championship game Saturday.

[jsmithe]

Re: LSSU Lakers 2016 off-season thread

Onward and upward goes Pete Spratte: http://lssulakers.com/sports/m-hocke...atte-pensacola

[sm2pk]

Re: LSSU Lakers 2016 off-season thread

I heard Sault High has a couple of brothers playing who are six four . Has anyone seen them play and are they college material down the road ?

[LSSULaker889294]

Re: LSSU Lakers 2016 off-season thread

Buddy Robinson got his first NHL assist today in the Senators season finale. He played 3 NHL games and finished with 1 goal 1 assist and 2 points. Not too shabby!

[Bill]

Re: LSSU Lakers 2016 off-season thread

For those keeping track of future Lakers, a few of our commits that were still playing AAA Midget hockey this season have signed tenders to play in the NAHL next season. Dustin Manz and Chase Pilawski have both signed tenders with Aston, and Jaden Anderson has signed a tender with Odessa.

[Bill]

Re: LSSU Lakers 2016 off-season thread

We have a new commitment for 2017-18. Goalie Garrett Nieto from Wenatchee of the BCHL. He will be a replacement for Gordie Defiel. He was named to the BCHL All Rookie team this season.

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player...gueid=&season=

[Bill]

Re: LSSU Lakers 2016 off-season thread

And more Laker hockey news just out. Alex Globke has signed with the Grand Rapids Griffins: http://www.lssulakers.com/sports/m-h...20160413qjhhly

[PerkyforPrez]

Re: LSSU Lakers 2016 off-season thread

And more Laker hockey news just out. Alex Globke has signed with the Grand Rapids Griffins: http://www.lssulakers.com/sports/m-h...20160413qjhhly

This doesn't surprise me too much. The best of luck to you Alex.

[LSSULaker889294]

Re: LSSU Lakers 2016 off-season thread

Nebraska Omaha released their schedule today. The Lakers play in Omaha December 30-31 with the Saturday game being at 5pm.

[LakerBaker]

Re: LSSU Lakers 2016 off-season thread

Congrats to Alex, a great kid, and a really good move for him. Senior night is going to be brief next season.

With the softball program being cut at LSSU, I wonder what this means for the overall state of athletics, specifically the hockey budget, and the talk about D3?

[pbr]

Re: LSSU Lakers 2016 off-season thread

Congrats to Alex, a great kid, and a really good move for him. Senior night is going to be brief next season.

With the softball program being cut at LSSU, I wonder what this means for the overall state of athletics, specifically the hockey budget, and the talk about D3?

Winning and playing an entertaining brand will cure a lot. Tech had the same problems not long ago and look where they're at now. Filling the rink and selling a lot of beer will take care of budget problems. There's nothing better going on in the American Soo, so might as well enjoy some Laker hockey.

[LakerBaker]

Winning and playing an entertaining brand will cure a lot. Tech had the same problems not long ago and look where they're at now. Filling the rink and selling a lot of beer will take care of budget problems. There's nothing better going on in the American Soo, so might as well enjoy some Laker hockey.

Lake Superior State University will reduce the number of varsity athletic offerings from 15 to 14 varsity sports, with the elimination of women’s softball, effective at the end of the 2015‐16 academic year.

The decision to reduce the athletics portfolio, which was formally announced Friday, came after intense review of the University’s long-term structural deficit by a committee of LSSU administrators. A campus-wide directive was issued for departments to conduct strategic reviews of their programs, seek areas for potential savings and increased efficiencies, and to identify programs that have the highest potential growth.

“There was no easy decision,” said LSSU Director of Athletics Kristin Dunbar. “I never imagined we’d have to consider cutting sports. Since I’ve been the athletic director at the University, it’s been one of my priorities to add sports and help bring students to LSSU.”

With approximately 212 student‐athletes participating in the 15 varsity sports offered at LSSU to start the 2015‐16 academic year, through restructuring and a re-allocation of scholarships, the athletic department has set a goal to host 205 varsity student‐athletes in 2016‐17. The restructuring will also see a decrease in scholarships in regards to certain men’s programs, while increasing scholarships for the remaining women’s teams to ensure Title IX compliance.

The University will continue to honor current athletics financial aid agreements and scholarships for up to a total of four years for members of the softball team who wish to continue their education at Lake Superior State. LSSU has also begun the process of granting permission to coaches from other institutions to contact student-athletes about future opportunities.

The timing of the decision, with remaining games left on the season, was announced in order to provide student‐athletes with as much time as possible to fully consider their plans for the 2016‐17 academic year.

LSSU prides itself in continuing to deliver a wide array of athletic programs for a public institution of its size.

“LSSU values its athletic programs and knows that athletics help to build institutional identity, helps to recruit diverse students, and provides leadership and growth opportunities for its students,” LSSU President Tom Pleger said. “That said, we need to evaluate all of our programs to make certain that they are the right size for our institution and meet demand given our resources. These types of decisions are always difficult and LSSU used a committee to make recommendations for these changes.”

“LSSU is a great institution but right now we are feeling the impact of a declining enrollment and state support over the last decade,” continued Dunbar. “The athletic department has been requested to do its part and help with the University’s deficit. We are all in this together.”