The unofficial online home for fans of the Western Michigan University Broncos. Part of Collegiate Sports Nation (CSN).

(03-30-2017 09:48 PM)BroncoPhilly Wrote:  

(03-30-2017 05:30 PM)BroncoHeard Wrote:  

(03-30-2017 01:56 PM)BroncoPhilly Wrote:  I hope I'm wrong, but I was really counting on some of those names coming back next season.

Until we have all the names of the next class we're arguing circle logic.

I would argue the "core" returning nucleus is much better than what is was last year. That returning group will be even better next year.

There is always a bit of unknown about how quickly a freshman is able to make the college transition and what kind of contribution they can/will make in thier first year. But as we saw this year, a freshman group can come in and make a positive impact.

Tiffels, Muir, Allison, Conrad, McGing, Courtnell, McMullin is a pretty solid group of forwards returning. WMU is set in goal with Blacker, NCHC All rookie team goalie. D-core is also set. All of these players will be older, stronger, faster and better from the get go. They just need to get a couple of freshman forwards to step in, which every year, Western has been able to do this.

Great to have talented players coming in, but how fast can they solidify their lines so the 3 players on each line know what the other players are going to do? How long does it take for a line to come together?

Chemistry is part of this and that can start in the offseason. But there is an adjustment period that each player goes through getting used to the team systems and getting comfortable with the play (speed and physicality) at the college level. Some players make this adjustment really quickly, while others take a little more time.

(03-31-2017 07:28 AM)BroncoHeard Wrote:  

(03-30-2017 09:48 PM)BroncoPhilly Wrote:  

(03-30-2017 05:30 PM)BroncoHeard Wrote:  

(03-30-2017 01:56 PM)BroncoPhilly Wrote:  I hope I'm wrong, but I was really counting on some of those names coming back next season.

Until we have all the names of the next class we're arguing circle logic.

I would argue the "core" returning nucleus is much better than what is was last year. That returning group will be even better next year.

There is always a bit of unknown about how quickly a freshman is able to make the college transition and what kind of contribution they can/will make in thier first year. But as we saw this year, a freshman group can come in and make a positive impact.

Tiffels, Muir, Allison, Conrad, McGing, Courtnell, McMullin is a pretty solid group of forwards returning. WMU is set in goal with Blacker, NCHC All rookie team goalie. D-core is also set. All of these players will be older, stronger, faster and better from the get go. They just need to get a couple of freshman forwards to step in, which every year, Western has been able to do this.

Great to have talented players coming in, but how fast can they solidify their lines so the 3 players on each line know what the other players are going to do? How long does it take for a line to come together?

Chemistry is part of this and that can start in the offseason. But there is an adjustment period that each player goes through getting used to the team systems and getting comfortable with the play (speed and physicality) at the college level. Some players make this adjustment really quickly, while others take a little more time.

The team has workouts and practices all summer in KZoo. Should not take long for them to assess lines and build chemistry.

Dienes and McKee (Both seniors sign ECHL contracts)

http://wmubroncos.com/news/2017/3/31/men...-echl.aspx

The ECHL game will be much better for McKee, he will be able to throw his weight around all he wants and also fight. However, I don't think he will ever get out of the ECHL, the Griffins (way too deep in talent) and the redwings....well, you know lol.

(03-31-2017 10:35 AM)Broncodan Wrote:  Dienes and McKee (Both seniors sign ECHL contracts)

http://wmubroncos.com/news/2017/3/31/men...-echl.aspx

The ECHL game will be much better for McKee, he will be able to throw his weight around all he wants and also fight. However, I don't think he will ever get out of the ECHL, the Griffins (way too deep in talent) and the redwings....well, you know lol.

It would not surprise me to see McKee get some time with the Griffen's, even possible the Wings, when there is a need for a little grudge revenge. Mike is world class fighter.

(04-01-2017 10:01 AM)BroncoHeard Wrote:  

(03-31-2017 10:35 AM)Broncodan Wrote:  Dienes and McKee (Both seniors sign ECHL contracts)

http://wmubroncos.com/news/2017/3/31/men...-echl.aspx

The ECHL game will be much better for McKee, he will be able to throw his weight around all he wants and also fight. However, I don't think he will ever get out of the ECHL, the Griffins (way too deep in talent) and the redwings....well, you know lol.

It would not surprise me to see McKee get some time with the Griffen's, even possible the Wings, when there is a need for a little grudge revenge. Mike is world class fighter.

I can see him being GR's enforcer in a few years. But, I don't think he'll be a NHL player.

Watched the Vancouver game last night Griffen got about 8-9 mins of ice time and looked pretty good not out of place at all , announcers have lots of good things to say about him.

http://www.sbncollegehockey.com/2017/4/3...plete-list

(04-03-2017 10:33 AM)Sup Wrote:  http://www.sbncollegehockey.com/2017/4/3...plete-list

Look at all those UM players in that list. And they got spanked by MSU how many times this season?

All this says to me is Red Berenson did less with more talent this season than any other NCAA Ice Hockey Coach in the nation.

(04-03-2017 10:33 AM)Sup Wrote:  http://www.sbncollegehockey.com/2017/4/3...plete-list

I think this is where we will still have growing pains. Hopefully, for a short period of time. We aren't used to losing players early. We aren't at the Kentucky level (or more like North Dakota or Boston University) of simply replacing all your one and done's with the next batch. We are in the right place to start having more of those players and I think we will get there, we just have to change our mindset. We are going to have things happen like guys leaving after a year or two or even a first round pick who ends up never stepping on campus like last year. We are starting to see the impact on recruiting where these losses don't hurt as much.

The thing about recruiting at the college level that is different then all other levels of hockey is that all others use a draft system. You pick players and if they become good enough they make their way onto the team. In college if you commit a player he is automatically on your team in a few years. Not all players continue to develop some peak early others that were not that good early become really good later.It is not an easy job to recruit the top 20 or so players have many options and we don't win many of those ones with some good planning {recruiting} hopefully we can be lucky enough to get some of those later developers. Time will tell? Look what is happening at UMass Ben Barr's team, they are cutting 10 or so players from there team

(04-13-2017 03:00 PM)Sup Wrote:  The thing about recruiting at the college level that is different then all other levels of hockey is that all others use a draft system. You pick players and if they become good enough they make their way onto the team. In college if you commit a player he is automatically on your team in a few years. Not all players continue to develop some peak early others that were not that good early become really good later.It is not an easy job to recruit the top 20 or so players have many options and we don't win many of those ones with some good planning {recruiting} hopefully we can be lucky enough to get some of those later developers. Time will tell? Look what is happening at UMass Ben Barr's team, they are cutting 10 or so players from there team

Not entirely true Sup, especially at WMU. There have been plenty of players committed to that never make it to the team. Their commitment is taken away or the scholarship dollars are reduced so far from what was promised, that some players opt to not even come. There have also been players that have been dismissed, cut if you will, or re-assigned to different positions with the team if they feel they are no longer useful on the ice.

it is a slippery slope they are riding and yes there were two players that were not on full scolarships last year that were moved on and it was mutual agreement cause they were not getting played and at a D3 school they would and the dollars they were paying here would be similar to the D3 school. The problem with this the schools reputation takes a hit when this happens. ie I am the advisor of a boy that has a full scolarship to say WMU got it two years ago and has not developed quite like they had hoped. So they drop the scolarship this all but insures WMU will never get another boy that this advisior represents plus that advisior will try and blackball the university. Now i realize not all players have advisiors agents etc... but the schools that use this practice are burning them selves. Two schools that were after my son have done this in the past and were told they don't live up to their scolarships so they were off the list, by his advisior. Have been told by the last two WMU recruiters that they have and are eating some of the scolarships they have just to protect WMU reputations.It happens but you could miss out on some other players that you really want later if it happens to often. Recruiting is a tough job.

(04-14-2017 01:25 PM)Sup Wrote:  it is a slippery slope they are riding and yes there were two players that were not on full scolarships last year that were moved on and it was mutual agreement cause they were not getting played and at a D3 school they would and the dollars they were paying here would be similar to the D3 school. The problem with this the schools reputation takes a hit when this happens. ie I am the advisor of a boy that has a full scolarship to say WMU got it two years ago and has not developed quite like they had hoped. So they drop the scolarship this all but insures WMU will never get another boy that this advisior represents plus that advisior will try and blackball the university. Now i realize not all players have advisiors agents etc... but the schools that use this practice are burning them selves. Two schools that were after my son have done this in the past and were told they don't live up to their scolarships so they were off the list, by his advisior. Have been told by the last two WMU recruiters that they have and are eating some of the scolarships they have just to protect WMU reputations.It happens but you could miss out on some other players that you really want later if it happens to often. Recruiting is a tough job.

It really boils down to, how do you commit to a 14 year old, sometimes even younger player? Who knows what is going to happen to that kid over the next 4-7 years before the enter D1 hockey. If the kid doesn't develop to the school liking, they typically get strung along and miss other opportunities. I personally know several WMU recruits, that were strung along, dropped or had their dollars cut, that struggled to find places to play at the last minute.

yup i totally agree with this and it sucks for the ones who intentions are good. they seem to keep commiting them younger and younger did their not use to be rules restricting the age minimum

(04-14-2017 08:30 PM)Sup Wrote:  they seem to keep commiting them younger and younger did their not use to be rules restricting the age minimum

This issue is being driven by Major Junior, who is in a competitive situation for the same talent pool in which NCAA teams draw from. Major junior drafts players rights at 15, yet the scouting/recruiting begins long before that.

(04-14-2017 02:58 PM)DudeReally Wrote:  

(04-14-2017 01:25 PM)Sup Wrote:  it is a slippery slope they are riding and yes there were two players that were not on full scolarships last year that were moved on and it was mutual agreement cause they were not getting played and at a D3 school they would and the dollars they were paying here would be similar to the D3 school. The problem with this the schools reputation takes a hit when this happens. ie I am the advisor of a boy that has a full scolarship to say WMU got it two years ago and has not developed quite like they had hoped. So they drop the scolarship this all but insures WMU will never get another boy that this advisior represents plus that advisior will try and blackball the university. Now i realize not all players have advisiors agents etc... but the schools that use this practice are burning them selves. Two schools that were after my son have done this in the past and were told they don't live up to their scolarships so they were off the list, by his advisior. Have been told by the last two WMU recruiters that they have and are eating some of the scolarships they have just to protect WMU reputations.It happens but you could miss out on some other players that you really want later if it happens to often. Recruiting is a tough job.

It really boils down to, how do you commit to a 14 year old, sometimes even younger player? Who knows what is going to happen to that kid over the next 4-7 years before the enter D1 hockey. If the kid doesn't develop to the school liking, they typically get strung along and miss other opportunities. I personally know several WMU recruits, that were strung along, dropped or had their dollars cut, that struggled to find places to play at the last minute.

And who's responsibility is it for a player to continue to develope to the level of a NCAA freshman who can contribute? When said player does not develope as everyone expected, do you think it is still the University responseability to bring that player in, provide them scholarship money to be a healthy scratch night in and night out, year after year?

Do you not think there is no dialog from the University to the verbally committed recruit as to where they are developmentally and what they need to do? I personally watch a "highly recruited" top talent recruit who made a verbal commitment to a top University, get pulled to the side during the USHL Fall Festival and get bitched out by the college coach about his play that weekend and the player was told if they did not change in those areas, the school would not be bring him in. And these types situations happen at EVERY UNIVERISTY and is not just a WMU thing.....

Don't get me wrong, I do not like the NCAA rules regarding verbal agreements and feel other schools should still be able to still recruit these verbally committed players. I also do not like the NLI, as this is just a one way contract only protecting the Univeristy and penalizing the student athlete.

I know a local kid who was offered a full ride by WMU at age 14. He's a great kid and fantastic hockey player, but how does one possess the maturity at that age to make a decision like that at least 4 years out from arriving on campus? He's now 17, playing prep school hockey in MN and has committed elsewhere where it could still conceivably be 4 years before he arrives.

Just saw in print that Jamie Rome out of the Bchl has committed to Wmu for the 18/19 season he is a 6'2' 197lbs 1998 product of Calgary Alberta had pretty decent numbers this year for Victoria

http://www.sbncollegehockey.com/2017/4/1...na-coyotes

http://www.ushl.com/news_article/show/78...id=2650688