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Well, next week the infamous media poll should come out. I wish the NCHC would do a separate coaches poll, as I expect a WCHA (old) media bias favoring ND, DU, SCSU & UMD landing WMU in the bottom third.

Lots of question marks with so many of the teams in the NCHC this year, as several teams lost a lot. Half could be starting freshmen goal tenders

Here is how I see it going in, trying to take in consideration all the teams ? :

1) DU
2) Omaha
3) ND
4) WMU
5) SCSU
6) UMD
7) CC
8) Miami

But, I really have high expectations for the Broncos this year, seeing them finishing at the very least in the top third. Other that SCSU-140 and DU-138, Western-135 returns more scoring than any of the others teams in the NCHC and the most experienced/deepest d-core, 7 totaling 448 gams. Our biggest ? Is goal tending. Assuming one of them steps in and can play at .925 % or sub 2.5 GAA level, the Broncos could be in the hunt for thier first NCHC title and a National Tournment bid

Let the discussion begin and GO BRONCOS!!

I mean, do we really have a reason to be ranked any higher than 6? We were historically awful last year.

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(09-14-2016 11:16 AM)SilentStryk09 Wrote:  I mean, do we really have a reason to be ranked any higher than 6? We were historically awful last year.

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Like I said, goal tending is our biggest question mark, as will be Miami, Duluth and SCSU. Even Omaha and ND has some question marks there.

Last year there were several games where the Broncos where the better team, out playing thier opponent, but the difference in the out come was goal tending. Sometime ours wasn't good enough and a few games theirs was so off the charts good, stealing a game

If you set aside the goal tending, jut look at and compare what each team lost and what each team is returning. I think we are a top third team.

Yeah, but even though we return "scorers" from last year, we struggled to score as it is. Did we pick up any freshman that will contribute this year? If not, I don't see us finishing better than we finished last year, but hopefully they can prove us wrong. I am looking forward to hockey season though :)

Also, Miami dead last?? I highly doubt it unless I am missing something

(09-14-2016 12:41 PM)Broncodan Wrote:  Yeah, but even though we return "scorers" from last year, we struggled to score as it is. Did we pick up any freshman that will contribute this year? If not, I don't see us finishing better than we finished last year, but hopefully they can prove us wrong. I am looking forward to hockey season though :)

On paper, it's appears there is another strong freshman recruiting class, with perhaps an opportunity for several to become regulars in the line up this year. The 64 million dollar question of all freshman is, how quickly will they adapt to the college level? There is an adjustment period they all go through and some take longer than others.

WMU also has in the past played a real structured game, which for some freshman, takes a while to understand and adapt to. I don't see the Broncos changing their style of play, especially with some of the question marks in goal comming in and with all the experienced veterans returning.

That being said, with the addition of another strong freshman class, up front and on the blue line, on paper we are a more talented/deeper team. I actually could see 3 really talent offensive lines, which is a rarity in college hockey. But I think we will end up seeing a shut down line, two offensive scoring lines and 4th energy line who can offensivly contribute or a defensively sound 4th line who won't give up goals.

In all, I think we are a much better team, on paper that is....

(09-14-2016 12:42 PM)Broncodan Wrote:  Also, Miami dead last?? I highly doubt it unless I am missing something

They lost a lot. Both goalies, gone. 3 of thier top 4 d, gone. They have the least experience d-core returning of the 8 team. 3 of thier top 4 scorers, who account for the majority of the teams scoring, gone. They return the least amount of scoring of the 8 teams in the conference-78, even less than CC-98.

They were not a very deep team last year and I don't think they have a strong freshman class comming in.
14 freshman, 7 so, 3 JR and 3 Sr. They got the most holes of all 8 teams to fill and could realisticly finsh dead last, on paper that is

It is hard to fathom Miami not being in the hunt, but I have to accept your rationale. I hope your evaluations are correct. Almost anything will be an improvement over last year. We need the ghost of John Saunders to watch over us and provide an extra spark.

Having skilled scorers doesn't mean a thing. We have/had plenty of those guys and they get strangled in this system. How many points did Iccopelli(sp) have last year? He a top scorer in the USHL. Molino only had 14 goals. Murray chokes the life our of the scorers.

I see these guys 6th at best.

(09-15-2016 11:28 AM)DudeReally Wrote:  Having skilled scorers doesn't mean a thing. We have/had plenty of those guys and they get strangled in this system. How many points did Iccopelli(sp) have last year? He a top scorer in the USHL. Molino only had 14 goals. Murray chokes the life our of the scorers.

I see these guys 6th at best.

2nd place. All comes together this year.

(09-15-2016 11:28 AM)DudeReally Wrote:  Having skilled scorers doesn't mean a thing. We have/had plenty of those guys and they get strangled in this system. How many points did Iccopelli(sp) have last year? He a top scorer in the USHL. Molino only had 14 goals. Murray chokes the life our of the scorers.

Molino-2015/16 as a Fr was very good, NCHC 4th best in points, (2 pts shy of 3rd best) and 5th in goals.

Tiffels-2014/15 as a Fr was similar, NCHC 4th best in points (1 pt shy of 3rd best) and 3rd in goals

Neither of these players are being strangled in our system, so much for your theory....

Iacopelli did have a big 2013-14 year in the USHL with 68 points and a record 41 goals, but his production dropped off signifantly In 2014-15 with 37 points. Not sure, why that was.

Like I said earlier, all freshman go through an adjustment period. He's got a big shot, that is clear, but he may just need more time before he comes into his own. Krygier was is coach both of those years in the USHL, so maybe he will also be able to help Iacopelli get on track

6th. Finish over Colorado College and Miami.

(09-15-2016 05:10 PM)Broncofever2 Wrote:  

(09-15-2016 11:28 AM)DudeReally Wrote:  Having skilled scorers doesn't mean a thing. We have/had plenty of those guys and they get strangled in this system. How many points did Iccopelli(sp) have last year? He a top scorer in the USHL. Molino only had 14 goals. Murray chokes the life our of the scorers.

Molino-2015/16 as a Fr was very good, NCHC 4th best in points, (2 pts shy of 3rd best) and 5th in goals.

Tiffels-2014/15 as a Fr was similar, NCHC 4th best in points (1 pt shy of 3rd best) and 3rd in goals

Neither of these players are being strangled in our system, so much for your theory....

Iacopelli did have a big 2013-14 year in the USHL with 68 points and a record 41 goals, but his production dropped off signifantly In 2014-15 with 37 points. Not sure, why that was.

Like I said earlier, all freshman go through an adjustment period. He's got a big shot, that is clear, but he may just need more time before he comes into his own. Krygier was is coach both of those years in the USHL, so maybe he will also be able to help Iacopelli get on track

My theory doesn't hold up? lol. So Tiffels has a good Freshman seeason, no adjustment needed for him, and then Sophomore year what happened? Iacopelli, has a soft freshman year, he needs time to adjust, but is going to rebound in his sophomore year?

As for Krygier, how much input do you think these Asst Coaches have under Murray? Ask the guys that have left in the last 3 years. If you think it's much of anything, you don't know too much about what goes on in that locker room. I am not slamming Krygier, don't know the guy, but that locker room is a dictatorship, so I don't have much confidence in there being any changes to our offensive approach.

Would love to see the Bronco's do well for the players.

Dude, once again, you go off on one of your Murray rants and just end up inserting your foot into your mouth.

In this thread/post, you dismiss the successful Bronco recruiting efforts of our skilled offensive players as being irrelevant, because in your mind, Murray's system chokes the life out of our scorers, using Iacopelli freshman stats as an example.

Yet I give you two different examples of two different fresheman over the last couple of years who have not only been successful, but excelled in the same system and were also leaders in the toughest conference in country.

At the same time, certainly not to call out a player, but I site as an similar example, Iacopelli's drop of offensive production in the USHL from 68 points one year to 37 points. Was it the system that help him score 68 points leading the USHL or was it the same system/coach that choked the life out of his productivity the following year?

The reality is, there are so many variables than can go into a players offensive productivity year to year (too many to mention) and it's not just the system or coach.

As for assistance coaches, you defiantly are slamming thier judgement (and Murray's) to become part of our Bronco program. Don't you think that before accepting the position any coach would do thier due diligence? Do you really think Krygier, who played over 600 NHL games, played on multiple US national teams, successful "head coach" at the USHL level guiding them to the Clark Cup , would accept a position where he has no say? Same with Murray, as do you really think he believes Krygier has nothing to offer our program and won't allow him to contribute?

You really don't get it....

FOURTH ANNUAL NCHC MEDIA DAY SET FOR SEPT. 22 AT TARGET CENTER

http://www.nchchockey.com/news_article/s..._id=767342

"Leading up to Media Day, NCHC preseason accolades will be announced. On Tuesday, Sept. 20 the NCHC Preseason All-Conference Team will be released while the following day (Sept. 21) the Preseason Poll will be revealed. The NCHC Preseason Poll will first be unveiled on Twitter with @TheNCHC counting the teams down from eight to one, allowing fans to follow along."

Twitter Takeover Schedule
11:30 a.m. – Western Michigan’s Sheldon Dries (Sr., F) - #NCHCAskSheldon

Facebook LIVE Schedule
2:00 p.m. – Western Michigan: Sheldon Dries/Coach Andy Murray - #NCHCAskCoachMurray

I wonder which WMU area writer will be submitting thier poll?

Anyone know who this might be?

(09-16-2016 02:47 PM)Broncofever2 Wrote:  Dude, once again, you go off on one of your Murray rants and just end up inserting your foot into your mouth.

In this thread/post, you dismiss the successful Bronco recruiting efforts of our skilled offensive players as being irrelevant, because in your mind, Murray's system chokes the life out of our scorers, using Iacopelli freshman stats as an example.

Yet I give you two different examples of two different fresheman over the last couple of years who have not only been successful, but excelled in the same system and were also leaders in the toughest conference in country.

At the same time, certainly not to call out a player, but I site as an similar example, Iacopelli's drop of offensive production in the USHL from 68 points one year to 37 points. Was it the system that help him score 68 points leading the USHL or was it the same system/coach that choked the life out of his productivity the following year?

The reality is, there are so many variables than can go into a players offensive productivity year to year (too many to mention) and it's not just the system or coach.

As for assistance coaches, you defiantly are slamming thier judgement (and Murray's) to become part of our Bronco program. Don't you think that before accepting the position any coach would do thier due diligence? Do you really think Krygier, who played over 600 NHL games, played on multiple US national teams, successful "head coach" at the USHL level guiding them to the Clark Cup , would accept a position where he has no say? Same with Murray, as do you really think he believes Krygier has nothing to offer our program and won't allow him to contribute?

You really don't get it....

We could debate this forever BF2. My opinion comes from what I have seen from this program under this coach. We are not moving forward. We can recruit "better" players but if they do not or cannot play for the coach it makes no difference. As for Krygier, again I do not know him and have no beef with him, but look at the people that have had the job before. Fresch & Facca couldn't wait to leave. I know you are going to say they left for better jobs, but have you ever met and talked to them? Ben Barr, left... do you know why? Shiayk (sp), great guy, but had some issues finding work after his incident in Alaska, and Krygier, only time will tell. Did Krygier interview any where else before choosing the Bronco's? While playing for your father would be tough, Krygier's kids are committed to Wisconsin and WMU was never in the mix for them.

Trust me, Murray runs the show, there is no input allowed from anyone. I think the guy is bad for the program as a whole and until they win not much will change my opinion.

The season starts soon and I hope for the Bronco Nation I am wrong. I would be happy to eat crow if I am!!

Dude-

Bronco hockey is moving forward as evident with some of the "Murray recruits" who are now arriving on campus. I'm really looking forward to seeing this freshman class, as I think they got some really good ones whom could contribute this season, along with the maturity of the sophomore, juniors classes, led by a strong/deep senior class

Yes, I have spoken with 2 of the 3 past assistant coaches. Almost all assistant/associate coaches aspire to advance thier carrier, so it's never surprising when one leaves. I've seen Ferchweiler's positive contributions to the program, along with Facca, Barr and Shyiak thumb prints.

Since you seem to be so much in the know about the Krygiers, you tell us who else he interviewed with?

Obviously, Murray runs the show and always holds the TRUMP card (shameless political plug). The guy is a perfectionist, detailed oriented HC, expecting the same out of his staff and players. Murray is always publicly positively promoting WMU, the hockey program and NCHC. No doubt in my mind he is the hardest working guy in the program. But you are delirious to think that Murray allows no input as I can see it on the ice.

I look forward to seeing Krygier's contributions. Go Bronco's!

Nice to have some informed balance to the Dude's rants here. Thanks Fever. Dude was getting me all down.

(09-19-2016 11:04 AM)Moomba Wrote:  Nice to have some informed balance to the Dude's rants here. Thanks Fever. Dude was getting me all down.

I love all of the "informed" people on this board saying I must be wrong (it is my opinion and that is what this board is for). No one wants to look at all the things that have happened in his tenure to players who played, committed and of course the on ice performance, which is the most important.

The last several years, the income classes have been Murray recruits and the results have been less than expected. What's going to change? BF, wants to be excited about the freshman class, that's cool, but will they be allowed to contribute/play this year? If they by chance don't contribute, will the excuse be, "well they are freshman they have to develop." You can't have it both ways, if they do well, then Murray is a genius, if they don't well, they need to develop.

I want nothing more than this program to be successful, especially for the players, students, alumni and fans of Bronco Hockey. I do not believe the Andy Murray is the right guy.

The puck drops soon and time will tell who is right, in the debate of the direction of the program. I hope I am wrong. As I said, I will gladly eat crow if he turns this ship around.