We're really pleased with the recent round of comments to the Matt Eagles recruitment post. So, thanks to you the readers, let's foster the conversation and throw it back to you again.
Is St. Thomas' men's hockey program on the right course with the current recruits to date?
Do you think that being a small liberal arts university handicaps Mike Eagles as a recruiter or can it be an advantage if "sold" correctly?
The Tommies had a less than optimal 2008-09 season, so what holes in the current line up need to be filled, if any? If you think there are holes, what positions and with who should Mike fill them with?
Can St. Thomas compete for the AUS championship this coming season?
Answer how you see fit. There are no right answers and your opinions on this subject make for better reading than mocking each other's spelling ability and favourite team preference. Again, good work with the recent comments.
I do think recruiting is going very well.Mike Eagles no doubt is a good recruiter ,because he is a good coach.I believe that being a small university at times is a good thing.The only position I see needing filled would be at goaltending.Yes They will compete and make the playoffs.
ReplyDeleteI would have stopped all that other stuff,but too much bashing of STU and if I can reply to something I will.I seem to have a thing about spelling mistakes.
OilSlick
Can a liberal Arts program compete for the best recruits???? do your homework........most teams on average have a significant number of candidates who choose Arts,I would guess that around 50% of the make -up of the league would be Arts degree candidates AND a team only needs about 20 of that number.
ReplyDeleteHow far do you want to go back??? ,Bowers,McAllister ,Sands,Weir,Bondy,Gilmore,Hogan,Bissonette,Kucera the list could go on if I had a better memory,Harvey,Wheaton and Marsh of another generation Ive been told were only the best there was. STU FAN
A famous previous Tommies coach once said "you can't make chicken soup out of chicken sh*t!!! and that if Coach Eagles aquires the right ingrediants that NOBODY can or will defeat us..........Eagles coaching has mostly kept us respectable and if he aquires the "right ingrediants",then LOOK OUT BABY,here we come,buy your tickets early. STU FAN
ReplyDeleteYes, absolutely. Goal is settled as long as MacFarlane plays well, and our D is deep. Making our forwards shore out makes perfect sense at this point.
ReplyDeleteYes and no. You can't attract business students here, which hampers, but it can be sold correctly for sure.
We need to decide if MacFarlane is enough to carry us through the year in goal. On D, we need one or two guys to step up and be rocks. Crops and Erick seem like the guys who should do that, and maybe Keith Wynn. We need more leadership out of the back end, and more established roles there. Up front, we need more scoring. That is clear. Adding Beljo, a healthy Dietrich and Eagles, granted they come, help a lot, but we can use even more firepower. None of those guys are first line guys.
They can if the pieces fall together, but I don't see it. I think we'll be a middle of the pack team next year, and we'll find our roles for our players through growing pains in the first half.
On the subject of "Arts only" being a limitation to recruiting,I would like to point out that the 2008/09 AUS champions had 53.846% of its roster registerd in Arts........soooo WHAT'S THE PROBLEM???.........it's a RED HERRING.
ReplyDeleteSTU FAN
Anytime a team that only lost two players (one being the backup goalie by the end of the season) can add two CHL players who averaged a point/game in their final season...I think it is safe to say they are on the right track...although I think they really need to address their defense/goaltending situation if they want to go anywhere...can't be giving up 147 goals again...
ReplyDeleteRe: the arts thing...yes, but that also means 46% of their team was in a non-Arts faculty and would not have considered STU as an option...I think anyone who says being an Arts only school doesn't hurt STU recruiting-wise is silly...it doesn't mean they can't be successful obviously but it means they have to be more agressive
ReplyDeleteIf people bothered to look at STU's academic choices I think they may be surprised. Because of the federation agreement with UNB, STU can offer most options that any other university is going to offer your "typical" hockey player. Sure, maybe not specialities such as engineering but you can streamline courses to be eligible for medicine, accounting, finance etc...
ReplyDeleteAs it stands right now I think we need a big strong first line centre. Jack of PP, PK, and strong in the oppositions end. The fellow I like in the AUS is John Scott Dickson. Someone like that.
Wouldn't mind another big winger and a big in your face d-man.
Goal is not settled. MacFarlane played very well, yes. But to become a championship-calibre team, we need an upgrade.
ReplyDeleteAt least one more defenseman. Someone who can move the puck well and be a force in his own end.
The forwards are starting to shape up well, but still need to round out the top line, with a big centre and right winger to play with Beljo. I like the way the 2nd and 3rd lines are looking, and there's plenty of depth for the 4th line.
Recruiting has been promising so far, but there is still work to be done.
Promissing! yes BUT,a goaltending upgrade for sure,another puck moving defenceman + a "Theriault; at least 3 more top 6 forwards of the BIG & mobile variety, we have a 3rd line in Chamberland,Banfield & Praught and any number of combinations for PK & 4th line,the leftovers should give for some interesting competition for ice-time which never hurts. STU FAN
ReplyDeleteThe biggest disadvantage to STU's recruiting is there is no KIN which many gradutaing CHL players are looking for. Also STU players can not get their bachelor in buisness so that also hurts. As far as I'm concerned Beljo and Eagles are top 6 forwards (first or second line depending on whos with them) and detrich is a top 9 guy. For my money 2 more top 6 guys up front, 2 solid top for dmen and an established goalie are what still seperates the tommies from the rest of the contenders
ReplyDeleteAs an ardent AUS fan, would love to see the Tommies become a viable contender again. Only then will the "buzz'' return to the rink when STU and UNB get it on four times a year. A healthy rivalry is good for everybody and that means UNB as well. That stated, Tommies still need leadership back of the blueline, an Anthony Butera type of hell-for-leather guy whose leadership qualities transcend as much as what he does on the ice. They need a couple of impact forwards to mesh in with some of the new guys. Depth is critical for teams looking to succeed in the post-season. MacFarlane seems to be the real deal in goal but you do wonder about his ability to go at it alone. If you remember, Davis was the team MVP two years ago only to falter big time last season, albeit he was playing behind a much weaker unit. Still have concerns about Eagles ability to recruit and whether he's got the personality to really sell the St. Thomas "experience" One thing he does have, he's a quality person who respects his players and treats them as young adults, not as dogs who are there to do his bidding. As for "arts'' being a detriment, I don't see that as any factor early on. Arts is a precursor for a lot of guys who might be interested in more specific studies in the final coupole of years. There's a lot to be said for a small and intimate setting and everything you hear about STU's academics are positive. But it's important to get the word out there and sell, sell, sell. Can Mike do that part of the job?
ReplyDelete"Mike Eagles no doubt is a good recruiter ,because he is a good coach." I'd have to disagree with this comment. Recruiting and coaching are compltely different things. Eagles was "coach" of the year his first year, when he used all of the players that darryl smith recruited. Since then his recruiting has hurt him so much that it hinders him from being a good coach. Yes his son and Barjelo are steps in the right direction, but unless something drastic changes it won't be enough to make them an AUS contender. Will they be more competitive..yes but they are still missing the building blocks. As for being an arts only school, yeh it hurts some but it shouldn't be used as a crutch, STU fan listed earlier some great examples of great players who went to the "arts only" school and also noted is how you can get many degrees at stu. As for all the comparisons between UNB and STU..don't bother..UNB is at a whole different level in everything that is done (run like a pro team) where STU is very much in a rebuilding mode in their program (declining achievments and attendence) so at this point i think the real discussion is..Is Mike Eagles the one to take them out of this state, or is it time for a fresh change and a fresh perspective....Discuss
ReplyDeleteThere should be NO QUESTION regarding Eagles' coaching ability BUT as for recruiting he's NOT GETTING IT DONE,for whatever reason ie lousey salesman???,not enough of the inducement$$ or he picks the wrong guys or a combination of all 3;STU NEVER seems to have enough of the "grade A" bodies as even just one untimely injury(Jeff Bateman) scuttles the year emphasising my point that there is "never enough beef" and the question is Who is responsable for this????? only one guy Mr.Eagles....if STU is to remain "in the game" then we need to get into it as the other AUS teams do.......Eagles coaching has demonstrated long enough his abilities with those of lesser talent BUT IT IS HIGH TIME THAT HE RECRUITS THE GRADE A BEEF AND PAY FOR IT LIKE THE REST OF THE AUS DOES or maybe the exercize for him is to take the continued coaching accolades of doing so well with what he has.........there is no doubt we have some of the best 4th & 5th liners,well Hooray for STU on that one ........WHERE"S THE BEEF????? and a TON wouldn't be too many to add ie 10 x 200lbs..........
ReplyDeleteSTU FAN
Fans of STU, I understand that Mike Eagles was quite a pitcher in his baseball days,his best pitch being a "lowball",a lowballer if you will,hey maybe that's the problemo????
ReplyDeleteCRAZY HORSE
dollars have something to do with this no question... if more $ gets thrown around than more players will show up but again as far as recruiting for this season is concerned he's off to a good start hopefully more will follow
ReplyDeleteIt's not always about the money. Luke Lynes turned down a better package at Dal to come to UNB for a chance to win and move to the next level. How is UNB getting those guys from Alberta? They think they have a better development path at UNB than playing for Alberta.
ReplyDeleteBtw, STU won't have to worry about Kevin Henderson next year as he just signed an entry-level contract with the San Jose Sharks (meaning he'll probably be in the AHL next season).
Do you think for a minute that UNB is not "set" financially? The infrastructure that UNB has in place to run and promote their hockey program is not free. How many UNB staffers where in Thunder Bay for nationals? The program is very well funded and this is shown, subtly or point blank, to prospective recruits. This isn't meant to be a negative post and it should be said that UNB has built things up to the current level but good players want to be "looked after". If the Tigers were better this year would it have made a difference to Lynes, if what you say is true?
ReplyDeleteWhat I said is true about Lynes ... just ask Tom Coolen who Luke was playing for in Amarillo before Christmas.
ReplyDeleteGardiner MacDougall makes lemons from lemonade. The early-to-pro move of Darryl Boyce became a selling point to future recruits considering UNB or going to the Coast. Mike could and should make similar use of the success story of Bowers. MacDougall also asks recruits if their goal is to play for a national championship and/or make the AHL. He wants and sells the idea of dreaming big. It is not for everyone. Yes, success breeds success and winning attracts winners, but UNB only had one national championship when MacDougall took over, and their hockey schools didn't make any money. He built up the schools, and dared to dream big when scheduling exhibition games and gambled on bringing in NCAA teams. UNB has the best attendance in the AUS, so of course some of that money can be used to grow the hockey program (although all gate receipts go into the Varsity Athletics budget to be dispersed). So yes, they can find the money to send lots of support staff to Nationals. UNB is hosting after Lakehead, so it also makes sense to send people to learn from other organizing committees.
So what's my point? It is not all about the money, but if you put a good product on the ice and draw fans (right now STU is last in attendance in the AUS) you get more resources to improve your program. Yes, STU ends up looking like the Brewers trying to compete with the Red Sox (the Bears are the Yankees ...), but that's life.
Finally I do think the academic programs at STU are a challenge for recruiting. STU needs to play up the learning environment at school, and the opportunities (major in Economics at STU while minoring in Business through UNB for business-minded students). STU has a good education program, snd you have to gets a Bachelor's at STU or UNB now before getting doing Education.
Finally, you can start at STU and finish your fifth year at UNB while doing your MBA! :-)
Sorry, couldn't resist ...
Who's keeping score?
ReplyDeleteGiven the totality of acknowledgement regarding the "thin" talent pool of last years team and the need for upgrades,WHERE ARE THEY? have we lost another recruit for next year as a result of Coach Eagle$ sales pitch to a rumoured visitor from Ontario last week?
It's later than we think and when the shopping list is as long as STU's is for next year,just what is the delay?
Maybe the Atheletic Director has to have a stern conversation with the Mens Hockey coach about "getting more beef on board"....STU is not the only school looking for replacement parts and the present inadequate numbers speak for theselves:
Tyler Dietrich-a walk on/transfer from last year.
Jadran Beljo - a late arrival from last years eligables.
Matt Eagles-well I hope so,a no brainer.
The count is between 1 & 3,a good start but pretty meager given the state of affairs Coach Eagles finds his team.
Team 08/09 did not have the services of a Ton of talent lost for one reason or other and were not replaced by the recruited crop ,it was a very bad recruiting year and we cannot afford another one.......NO EXCUSES ,GET IT DONE SOONER THAN LATER.
STU FAN
Proof in the pudding says; most of the STU fans are not students. It will be intereting once they move to the new arena. Prices will go up if the team wins. Hockey at STU is a good old boys club anyway. Always has been always will be. The only people that really care are the Athletic Director/Coach/money people at STU. It is really not much more than a Prep school.
ReplyDeleteMike Eagles has the personality of dry white toast. That is the issue.
ReplyDelete"Mike Eagles has the personality of dry white toast. That is the issue."
ReplyDeletethats if you dont know him. Mike has a very inside sense of humour and you can get him to laugh and joke around quite a bit.
~Tommies Video Guy~
WHY HASN'T STU landed any addittional recruits????
ReplyDeleteAnswer: Coach/Recruiter continues to use methods already proven to be not working..........that is just stupid and what do you call not learning from your mistakes???
Answer: Incompetantly stupid is what I call it.
The mens hockey program is destined for continued "failure" if something isn't done ASAP about "failing recruiting practices";last years recruits did not equall lost personel and it's looking like very little is being done to improve the product for next year.........
STU FAN
How do you know they haven't added anyone? Just because nothing has been announced doesn't mean anything....we don't usually here anything until July/August...calm down...
ReplyDelete"WHY HASN'T STU landed any addittional recruits????
ReplyDeleteAnswer: Coach/Recruiter continues to use methods already proven to be not working..........that is just stupid and what do you call not learning from your mistakes???
Answer: Incompetantly stupid is what I call it.
The mens hockey program is destined for continued "failure" if something isn't done ASAP about "failing recruiting practices";last years recruits did not equall lost personel and it's looking like very little is being done to improve the product for next year........."
dude, just give up. 1)There are still hockey seasons to be played and they dont want tp announce anything until they are over. 2) its only May 5th. We have been spolied with 3 recruits in april.
3) You dont know anything about hockey STU related. 4)You try being a recruiter and see how you try at it.
~Tommies Video Guy~
"hereing"(sic),anything until July/August probaly has meant that we are late and the good ones have already landed........ELSEWHERE,and I am sure that recruiting is difficult,more difficult for some than other$,if you get my drift.
ReplyDeleteSTU FAN
No players..especially CHL players...usually commit until after the Memorial Cup...most players are still playing and probably haven't even thought about next year yet....besides, even if players are announced right now that doesn't mean anything until they are on campus/going to classes in the fall...how many times have we seen players say they are going somewhere only to change their mind...
ReplyDeleteSTU FAN, like the guy said above me, players dont usually committ after the memorial cup. Besides, some teams havent recruited anyone except for Dal and STU and made it public. Just because YOU want players now, dosent mean that there wont be good players come august. Look at Bryan Main, he was recruited in september!!
ReplyDelete~Tommies Video Guy~
TIMING IS EVERYTHING- "There is a tide in the affairs of men,which taken at the flood leads on to fortune" ( a fine Liberal Arts institution would have exposed you to this Shakspeareian quote)
ReplyDelete97% of all who play at the Major Junior A level DO NOT realize their hockey aspirations and "recruiters" cannot be early enough in identifying and securing those candidates.
I believe that there is only 4 teams left trying for a berth at the Mem CUP..........all other players are fair game and "he who hesitates is lost"........lets not invent more excuses as to why we are not successful and get on with the recruiting job ASAP.
STU FAN
THE REALITY IS:
ReplyDeleteThe team consists presently of:
2 back-up goalies
4 top 4 d-men
1 5 0r 6 th d-men
2 7 or 8th d-men (in the stands most nights.
3 top 6 forwards (need 3 more)
7 3rd liners (can only dress 3)
4 In the stands guys who would only dress after the 2nd sinking of the Titanic.
CRAZY HORSE
"TIMING IS EVERYTHING- "There is a tide in the affairs of men,which taken at the flood leads on to fortune" ( a fine Liberal Arts institution would have exposed you to this Shakspeareian quote)
ReplyDelete97% of all who play at the Major Junior A level DO NOT realize their hockey aspirations and "recruiters" cannot be early enough in identifying and securing those candidates.
I believe that there is only 4 teams left trying for a berth at the Mem CUP..........all other players are fair game and "he who hesitates is lost"........lets not invent more excuses as to why we are not successful and get on with the recruiting job ASAP."
There is no need to break out quotes to prove your point. Your point in reality is you dont know what your talking about. We only lost 2 guys FOR SURE next year or were you not there for that final home game this past season? We have some good addittions and we were winning going into the home stretch. Plus, there are other leagues and other university conferences that are going for the same players. Mike travels over the xmas break to places to get initial recruits, the players grades have to transfer over to STU, and players want to actually come to university instead of making 500 bucks a week in the ECHL. Its their decision to come to school. Its not an excuse, its fact. Next time try not to use quotes from Shakespeare to try to make yourself sound smart
~Tommies Video Guy~
ps. Not EVERYONE takes english at STU and learns Shakespeare.
You can't base the entire season on the Tommies last 8 games. They had 2 legit wins, one against X and the other against Moncton. The game against Acadia was a farce as the axemen went to sleep in the third period. Two wins against the Tigers is nothing to sing about. The win against PEI was meaningless to them.
ReplyDeleteIf Tommies fans are happy with competing for a playoff spot, good for you. If you want to compete for a AUS championship you better get more than what you have now. There is more apathy amongst STU fans right now than there has ever been. Start filling the hole, not dig it deeper.
Good luck.
To -Tommies Video Guy , You are so full of "oderiferous effluvia" that your eyes are brown...
ReplyDeleteSTU Fan
wow, what a horrible insult...i am hurt from the inside, i hate my life now!!! bud, grow a set and learn that insulting people on the internet dosent make you smart or tough.
ReplyDeleteHow old are you? like 12? And it took you a whole day to think of those two words?
~Tommies Video Guy~
Eagles and Beljo are a step in right direction but STU has a long ways to go to be an upper-echelon program.
ReplyDeleteIt takes solid recruiting year-after-year, getting character players into the program, and everyone buying into the same songsheet.
STU has had a very very lean recruiting years, has had trouble landing the "bleed-for-you, five-year guys" and like every team has experienced some chemistry issues.
Eagles can coach, but you need to be able to recruit, market and sell to create a winning program.
Best of luck.
tommies video guy is a the policeman of this site, all fear video goon.
ReplyDeleteCAN STU COMPETE FOR AUS CHAMPIOSHIP??
ReplyDeleteNot without some recruitment follow up and not just talk and no results.........by anybody's standards at least 1/3 of last years team had NO BUSINESS dressing in the green and gold.......hard working BUT "out of their League" and there is a strong possability that next years version won't be much better,if at all..........the A/D better ask his Mens hockey coach/recruiter to give his head a shake!!!!! and get the job done!
STU FAN
so STU FAN, your asking Eagles to ask himself to give his head a shake. Do you have any clue what your talking about. And who didnt deserve to be in a jersey last year. What did you expect, a bunch of 4th years. We miss the playoffs once and its time to blow it up. When you know about hockey, give me a shout.
ReplyDelete~Tommies Video Guy~
The additions so far are nice, yes. But more needs to be done. We still need 2 top line forwards, maybe 3 total to fill out the top 9. We've got plenty of fourth liners. We need at least one more defenseman, and a goalie. Macfarlane did well, but we need a good tandem to share the load. Is there anybody out there? So far Eagles, Beljo, Dietrich... not there yet! Yes, we're better than last year, but not near good enough to make any kind of playoff noise. What do we want, mediocrity or success?
ReplyDelete