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Severe Ronaldstorm Warning: the Michigan Tech 2010-11 Season Thread, Part the Second

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  • Re: Severe Ronaldstorm Warning: the Michigan Tech 2010-11 Season Thread, Part the Sec

    Someone going to start the CC thread?

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    • Re: Severe Ronaldstorm Warning: the Michigan Tech 2010-11 Season Thread, Part the Sec

      Originally posted by Yager View Post
      Someone going to start the CC thread?
      I was just thinking about it, but I don't really have anything witty for a title.

      Comment


      • Re: Severe Ronaldstorm Warning: the Michigan Tech 2010-11 Season Thread, Part the Sec

        Check out gwoz's comments in the DU thread vis a vis getting the puck deep, the forecheck, setting up behind the net, and the system he used. Sounds an awful lot like the trap to me. Pretty interesting.
        MTU: Three time NCAA champions.

        It never get's easier, you just go faster. -Greg Lemond

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        • Re: Severe Ronaldstorm Warning: the Michigan Tech 2010-11 Season Thread, Part the Sec

          Originally posted by manurespreader View Post
          Check out gwoz's comments in the DU thread vis a vis getting the puck deep, the forecheck, setting up behind the net, and the system he used. Sounds an awful lot like the trap to me. Pretty interesting.
          Based on what I've seen of them in previous years, DU traps a lot when they have a lead in the third period. Nothing wrong with that, in fact it has become SOP for a number of teams (Tech included, back when we had late leads to protect ).

          Comment


          • Re: Severe Ronaldstorm Warning: the Michigan Tech 2010-11 Season Thread, Part the Sec

            Originally posted by FadeToBlack&Gold View Post
            Based on what I've seen of them in previous years, DU traps a lot when they have a lead in the third period. Nothing wrong with that, in fact it has become SOP for a number of teams (Tech included, back when we had late leads to protect ).
            Agreed, Except they switched to it early in the second period with a 1 goal lead I believe. He also talked about dump and chase which they did successfully. In this case maybe the difference was the power play, but still interesting comments. Maybe the way to defeat teams like DU is to run the torpedo like the swiss.
            MTU: Three time NCAA champions.

            It never get's easier, you just go faster. -Greg Lemond

            Comment


            • Re: Severe Ronaldstorm Warning: the Michigan Tech 2010-11 Season Thread, Part the Sec

              This newest recruit, Khaira, seems like an interesting kid. He's doing well int he BCHL and pretty young for the league. Here's a blurb about playing for Tech.

              Rookie Commits to Michigan Tech

              PRINCE GEORGE, BC – The Prince George Spruce Kings Junior ‘A’ hockey club of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) are extremely excited to announce that Jujhar Khaira (pron: jah_jar care-ah) has committed to a four year scholarship at Michigan Tech University and their NCAA Division I hockey program.

              A sixteen year old rookie in the BCHL, Jujhar Khaira was identified by the Prince George Spruce Kings through their scouting network. Khaira is fifth on team scoring with 7 goals and 15 assists which places him among the top five rookies in the league. Eligible for the NHL Draft in 2012, Jujhar Khaira is focused on the game and his education. A grade 11 student, Khaira earned a spot on the Principal’s List with a 94% grade average.

              Michigan Tech is a NCAA Division I school that prides itself in its engineering programs and is a nationally ranked school for engineering bachelor degrees awarded. Founded in 1951, the Michigan Tech Huskies have a history steeped in tradition and success including 36 NCAA championships. The Huskies play in the Western Collegiate Hockey Association (WCHA) against some of the top ranked hockey schools.

              “Jujhar’s success this year is a testament to his work ethic and passion for the game of hockey and to his commitment to his educational goals,” said Spruce Kings President, Darcy Buryn. “It is further proof that players can thrive and will get noticed in the Spruce Kings program.”

              The Khaira family and the Prince George Spruce Kings would like to acknowledge the significant efforts of Ed Dempsey for his role in assisting Jujhar to attain this scholarship.

              (Nathan can be reached at fourniern@students.nescom.edu)
              Also, here's an article from Oct. about him playing in the BCHL. It also says how to pronounce Jujhar Khaira's name, Judge-ar Care-ah. Link

              Comment


              • Re: Severe Ronaldstorm Warning: the Michigan Tech 2010-11 Season Thread, Part the Sec

                I wanted a quick distraction before bed, so I decided to look into the history of Tech hockey and see if it would be justified to change coaches at this point. Note that the last time I saw this hockey team, they were flying high and undefeated. They haven't won since. Welcome back to Tech hockey, at least it will likely look familiar this weekend when I actually make it to a game again.

                When Coach MacInnes left this program after the 1981-82 season, the Michigan Tech hockey program was 175 games over .500 for its history. They were +5 the next year under Jim Nahrgang, so the program peaked at 180 games over .500 in the spring of 1983. In Nahrgang's second season, the losing started, and it hasn't stopped since, with very few exceptions. A turning point was met, and the momentum has lasted 28 seasons and counting. Seven coaches resided behind the bench at the MacInnes Student Ice Arena during this abysmal period.

                In 27+ seasons, Michigan Tech has gone from a program that was 180 games over the break-even mark, to a program that now resides 154 games below. That is an average of -12.25 games per season. They have ranged from historically awful to just barely mediocre during that span.

                Where does Russell stack up in the putrid mess? Well, as many of you guess, he is not at the bottom of the list.

                Watters averaged a -17.4 games per year in his tenure (I gave him the entire year he was fired).
                Boxer was a -12.6 average in five seasons with the Huskies.
                Sertich was -17 average, but he only was here two seasons to stop the bleeding and did the best with what he had.
                Brown averaged -9 over 2 seasons.
                Mancini had by far the most success during this run, only averaging a -4.25 in four seasons.

                Coach Russell has been at the helm for a number of seasons now, and he is coming in at -14.4 games per year during his tenure. Not late 1990's awful, but still nowhere near this program needs to be.

                Now, one would say, "there have been bad years, but look at 2006-07, we were over .500!". True. That was a fun year. And the next year was fun as well, despite it being a -6. However, I would also bring to your attention that Tim Watters had a 17-20-3 year in his tenure, which is pretty near .500 for Tech at the time. So what does that tell you? Herb Boxer eked out a break-even year surrounded by large losing seasons. Mancini was on to things, but those things ended up being outside of Tech. I guess the point here is that there have been coaches in the last 27+ seasons that have seemed to be turning the corner, only for the losing to return with vengeance. Every time this program looks to have a bright future, it turns out to be an aberration and the trend continues.

                Coach Russell has been the continuation of the trend, not really breaking it. It really felt like a change in the culture of this team was occurring at times during his tenure, but it always ends up being derailed. It must be noted, Michigan Tech does not have the depth to weather a bout of injuries or dismissals/suspensions and expect to be able to go out and win. But even so, the first 5 games of this season felt like a culture change, and now just a few short weeks later we are on a 6 game losing streak. The type of losing streak that we have become accustomed to in the last 27 seasons.

                I don't know exactly what I am trying to say. This program is not where it was when Russell took over, and tangible improvements have been seen. But it hasn't been enough to get this team back to the level we would expect (mid-pack WCHA).

                Unfortunately for Michigan Tech, there is no slam-dunk coaching option with ties to the program to bring in. This isn't like Michigan football, where Harbaugh is waiting in the wings to get out of coaching an apathetic Pac10 school to get to his alma mater and bring it back to glory. Unless I am missing somebody, who is Michigan Tech's Harbaugh? Is there really any coach that could come here and take us out of the basement, and then decide to stay here for a while?

                I seem to have lost myself in my train of thought. I still haven't figured out whether or not a change is needed in the coaching staff. Even with 7+ years of data to work from, I can't decide whether the noticeable improvements highlight hope for the future, or just mark the continuation of the natural fluctuations of Michigan Tech hockey for the last 3 decades. Was 2006-07 the aberration, or the promise of things that may come?

                Maybe we are suffering from the Curse of the CCHA? Things started to go downhill when we left for "the other conference", and even though we came back, we have never been the same. The historically inept teams have their curse, could this one be ours?
                Last edited by MTUHatTrick84; 11-29-2010, 01:01 AM.
                Philbert
                ---------------
                Michigan Tech Hockey: _______?.

                Formerly, and soon to be again, retired member of The Huskies Pep Band.
                GO HUSKIES, I am still waiting for Tech to win it all!

                Comment


                • Re: Severe Ronaldstorm Warning: the Michigan Tech 2010-11 Season Thread, Part the Sec

                  Well put.
                  It's hard to say that the coach is the problem when basically every one of them has had the same result. Some obviously were better coaches than others. I think the answer lies elsewhere.
                  I have a good friend who is one of the top soccer coaches in the US. I chatted with him this week about recruiting and about the system we use in the US to find players. To make a long story short, the teams not at the very top, and those don't stay there long, well those teams can really only compete by a couple of things. (and this was oriented to NCAA soccer, and MLS soccer)
                  1. they have to have top quality coaching, first and foremost. By that I mean the kids love playing there, they learn a lot, and they respect the program and it's direction. I think we have that. 2. He said you have to work really hard at recruiting and get a little lucky at times. We have been unlucky lately losing recruits, but maybe that is changing. 3. He said over time the program and the coach will get a reputation with the better lower level coaches,( like little Caesar's here in Detroit).
                  I never brought up MTU, just recruiting in general, but I think once there is a quality program, changing the coach is just not the answer.
                  Hell look at the dissatisfaction coming out of st cloud or mankato, or UML. Getting top talent to come to a small school that's not easily gotten to is a challenge. I don't think the situation is the same as the MacInnes years.I think it's much more competitive.
                  Bottom line, there has to be other things we can do to help the program get better. If I knew what, I'd be doing it. I suspect a lot of this revolves around money as usual though.
                  MTU: Three time NCAA champions.

                  It never get's easier, you just go faster. -Greg Lemond

                  Comment


                  • Re: Severe Ronaldstorm Warning: the Michigan Tech 2010-11 Season Thread, Part the Sec

                    Another thing to keep in mind is that just any "great coach", may not be a great coach for the college game. I look at Davis Payne for example. Obviously he has paid his dues and has been a great coach at every level and now holds the reins for the St Louis Blues. However, that does not necessarily mean that even he could step behind the Tech bench and create a winner. Dealing with the college game vs professionals is a whole 'nother world. Scott White would be another good example. He wasn't seen as the future for MTU, but clearly he has a great hockey mind as he has had a steady stream of promotions in pro hockey as well. Just look at how coaches bounce between the NFL and NCAA football. Some pull off the change and win, others fall flat on their faces.

                    As I mentioned in a previous post, I really don't think the coaching is the only, or the largest, problem. Even wth John McI back behind the bench, I don't think it turns Tech into a 20+ win team. Talent factors in there as well. There is a reason that the top teams usually win, they are just more talented. Hustle and attitute will get you a win here and there, but more likely a bunch of lazy, self-centered, first round NHL draft picks biding their time in college before their big payday will still win 70% of the time or more because they have the talent.

                    Ryan J
                    Preserving Michigan Tech's Hockey History
                    https://www.johnsonsjerseys.net
                    Originally posted by geezer
                    Tech has the best of everything, even the best jersey nerd.
                    Originally posted by manurespreader
                    ...I really enjoyed listening to Ryan Johnson. He sounded intelligent.

                    Comment


                    • Re: Severe Ronaldstorm Warning: the Michigan Tech 2010-11 Season Thread, Part the Sec

                      PRINCE GEORGE, BC – The Prince George Spruce Kings Junior ‘A’ hockey club of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) are extremely excited to announce that Jujhar Khaira (pron: jah_jar care-ah) has committed to a four year scholarship at Michigan Tech University and their NCAA Division I hockey program.

                      I'm calling it right now, his nickname in the 'room is going to be "Binks"...
                      Ryan J

                      *****http://images2.makefive.com/images/entertainment/movies/best-star-wars-character/jar-jar-binks-7.jpg******
                      Preserving Michigan Tech's Hockey History
                      https://www.johnsonsjerseys.net
                      Originally posted by geezer
                      Tech has the best of everything, even the best jersey nerd.
                      Originally posted by manurespreader
                      ...I really enjoyed listening to Ryan Johnson. He sounded intelligent.

                      Comment


                      • Re: Severe Ronaldstorm Warning: the Michigan Tech 2010-11 Season Thread, Part the Sec

                        It all goes back to money. The big schools have it, and we don't.

                        A school like St. Lawrence which is even smaller than Tech, has stuck with Joe Marsh for over 25 years and through a number of bad/mediocre years, but he's also delivered a couple Frozen Four appearances and eight trips to the tourney. Obviously, coaching in the ECAC versus the WCHA is different (due to the type of schools who make up the ECAC membership, it's a much more cyclical conference), and Russell will be the first to agree with you on that. However, I say this because I think our AD has studied a number of other programs, and feels that coaching stability is one of the most important things in the current NCAA hockey world. With all the additional competition for recruits, all the extra money now in the sport (The FF is big enough to fill an NHL barn no matter where they hold it), and the new NHL CBA, it's now very difficult for a small school to remain competitive more than 2-3 years at a time.

                        Comment


                        • Re: Severe Ronaldstorm Warning: the Michigan Tech 2010-11 Season Thread, Part the Sec

                          Originally posted by JohnsonsJerseys View Post
                          PRINCE GEORGE, BC – The Prince George Spruce Kings Junior ‘A’ hockey club of the British Columbia Hockey League (BCHL) are extremely excited to announce that Jujhar Khaira (pron: jah_jar care-ah) has committed to a four year scholarship at Michigan Tech University and their NCAA Division I hockey program.

                          I'm calling it right now, his nickname in the 'room is going to be "Binks"...
                          Ryan J

                          *****http://images2.makefive.com/images/entertainment/movies/best-star-wars-character/jar-jar-binks-7.jpg******
                          Too late :

                          Originally posted by Beer Pong Horn View Post
                          I'm already declaring that we need to call him The Judge.
                          Though, I think it'll depend on how well he plays
                          Augsburg College: Wait, there's another D-3 school whose name starts with "A"?

                          Originally posted by The Darkness:
                          I don't see you asking Beer Pong Horn if he practices a religion from the beer continent.


                          Originally posted by bigblue_dl:
                          Wow. Tech fans are such a-holes. I think I saw Beer Pong Horn kick a blind puppy once.


                          Boosh Factor (6-27-12): Summer Vacation

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                          • Re: Severe Ronaldstorm Warning: the Michigan Tech 2010-11 Season Thread, Part the Sec

                            I will call him "The Dot - AntiSioux"
                            Having a clear conscience just means you have a bad memory or you had a boring weekend.

                            RIP - Kirby

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                            • Re: Severe Ronaldstorm Warning: the Michigan Tech 2010-11 Season Thread, Part the Sec

                              Go to 1:17 and check out a nice slow-mo punch.

                              ******* width="640" height="385">****** name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/985bd9nTDGA?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0">****** name="allowFullScreen" value="true">****** name="allowscriptaccess" value="always">****** src="http://www.youtube.com/v/985bd9nTDGA?fs=1&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385">

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                              • Re: Severe Ronaldstorm Warning: the Michigan Tech 2010-11 Season Thread, Part the Sec

                                I will admit, I am not very good at recognizing talent and which players have what it takes to succeed on the NHL level. But, it feels good to flip on SportsCenter, and see former Michigan Tech Husky Chris Conner as part of the Pittsburgh Penguin highlight package.

                                And it got me thinking about this roster we have now. We haven't had a explosive/elusive/fast puck-handling scorer like Conner since he graduated. We haven't, it seems to me, had a player at the caliber of Colin Murphy, who was excellent at the set-up and a great team leader. Don't get me wrong, we have had solid players, but these two stood out in ways that made opposing teams specifically game plan against that line. No matter what else was going on with the team, we were going to roll Conner-Murphy-Desmet out there and they were going to produce.

                                It feels like Tech has many players that can score, but nobody that stands out as the guy who just makes things happen on the ice. There is something to be said for balanced scoring, and the opposition never knowing where the next lamp lighter is going to come from. But, there is also something to be gained from the sniper or the magician, the type of player who you know is coming over the boards for that final shift when the team is down by one and it is all on the line. Tech is a team right now of system players that can make a play, but no true playmaker. I am not saying that this is a bad thing, just an observation.

                                So back to the NHL. Which player on our current roster do you feel has the best chance of making it to the pros? Is there any? As I previously admitted, I have absolutely zero scouting ability and thus I can't pick. There are a few young players near the top of Tech's statistic sheet that have good size and have shown potential this season, which hopefully grows into something over the next few years.

                                But really, I am asking those with more hockey knowledge out there, do we currently have a player that is going to develop into the go-to guy? Do we have the player that is going to get some time on the NHL-level? Two separate questions, both spawned by very rare hockey coverage on SportsCenter.
                                Philbert
                                ---------------
                                Michigan Tech Hockey: _______?.

                                Formerly, and soon to be again, retired member of The Huskies Pep Band.
                                GO HUSKIES, I am still waiting for Tech to win it all!

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