Continuing in the spirit of our "Hot Button Issues" post, once again we offer a place for you to comment, cry, complain, encourage or otherwise emote on the state of the Tommies. The text link at the top of the page, below the logo, will remain until opening night for easy access back to this post.
Reflections on 2008-2009? Comments on recruiting? Predictions for 2009-2010? It all goes here.
Saturday, 30 May 2009
Wednesday, 27 May 2009
Tommies to face NCAA's Northeastern, Sacred Heart in preseason action
For the first time since 2006, the St. Thomas Tommies will venture to New England for a pair of preseason tilts against NCAA Division 1 competition October 3rd and 4th.
First up for the Tommies on Saturday, October 3rd (8pm AST) will be a matchup that the hockey historians among us will enjoy, as the Green and Gold venture into Boston's venerable Matthews Arena for a game against the Northeastern University Huskies. The Huskies are coming off a strong 2008 campaign which saw them compile an impressive 18-6-3 record, good for a 2nd place finish in the always tough Hockey East conference behind eventual NCAA champion Boston University. The Huskies were tossed from tournament play by the Cornell Big Red.
Matthews Arena is a hockey traditionalists' dream. It stands as the world's oldest hockey arena - a week after the Tommies' trip, the ol' barn will celebrate 100 years since construction began. Matthews is the original home to the Boston Bruins, as well as the WHA's New England Whalers and the NBA's Boston Celtics, and has hosted such legendary sports figures as Gene Tunney, Jack Dempsey, Joe Louis and Babe Ruth. The "Babe" was even known to strap on the blades for an occasional game of shinny while pitching for the Red Sox. Much more on the Matthews Arena's history can be found here.
After tangling with the Huskies, the Tommies will head to Fairfield, Connecticut to faceoff against the Sacred Heart University Pioneers of the Atlantic Hockey Association on Sunday, October 4th (3pm AST). The game will mark the 60th anniversary of a game between St. Thomas University - still located in Chatham - and Sacred Heart that ended in a 4-4 tie during the 1949-50 season. (Ed. Note: It has been brought to our attention that Sacred Heart University of Fairfield, Conn. has not been in existence long enough to have participated in the previously mentioned game. We have no reason to question the veracity of the original source, but the reference was obviously to a different Sacred Heart. We apologize for the error, and welcome any enlightment of the Sacred Heart of 1949-50). The Pioneers finished a challenging 2008 - 09 season with a 11-23-4 record and were eliminated in the Atlantic Hockey Association quarterfinals by Air Force. Sacred Heart is the second largest Catholic university in New England.
This trip should prove to be more than just another couple of hockey games for STU players. This is a team-building opportunity as the Tommies test themselves against a different brand of competition and the potential opportunity to showcase their talents to New England area pro scouts. The players should also enjoy the attractions and history of Boston, and the beauty of the New England region.
First up for the Tommies on Saturday, October 3rd (8pm AST) will be a matchup that the hockey historians among us will enjoy, as the Green and Gold venture into Boston's venerable Matthews Arena for a game against the Northeastern University Huskies. The Huskies are coming off a strong 2008 campaign which saw them compile an impressive 18-6-3 record, good for a 2nd place finish in the always tough Hockey East conference behind eventual NCAA champion Boston University. The Huskies were tossed from tournament play by the Cornell Big Red.Matthews Arena is a hockey traditionalists' dream. It stands as the world's oldest hockey arena - a week after the Tommies' trip, the ol' barn will celebrate 100 years since construction began. Matthews is the original home to the Boston Bruins, as well as the WHA's New England Whalers and the NBA's Boston Celtics, and has hosted such legendary sports figures as Gene Tunney, Jack Dempsey, Joe Louis and Babe Ruth. The "Babe" was even known to strap on the blades for an occasional game of shinny while pitching for the Red Sox. Much more on the Matthews Arena's history can be found here.
After tangling with the Huskies, the Tommies will head to Fairfield, Connecticut to faceoff against the Sacred Heart University Pioneers of the Atlantic Hockey Association on Sunday, October 4th (3pm AST). The game will mark the 60th anniversary of a game between St. Thomas University - still located in Chatham - and Sacred Heart that ended in a 4-4 tie during the 1949-50 season. (Ed. Note: It has been brought to our attention that Sacred Heart University of Fairfield, Conn. has not been in existence long enough to have participated in the previously mentioned game. We have no reason to question the veracity of the original source, but the reference was obviously to a different Sacred Heart. We apologize for the error, and welcome any enlightment of the Sacred Heart of 1949-50). The Pioneers finished a challenging 2008 - 09 season with a 11-23-4 record and were eliminated in the Atlantic Hockey Association quarterfinals by Air Force. Sacred Heart is the second largest Catholic university in New England.This trip should prove to be more than just another couple of hockey games for STU players. This is a team-building opportunity as the Tommies test themselves against a different brand of competition and the potential opportunity to showcase their talents to New England area pro scouts. The players should also enjoy the attractions and history of Boston, and the beauty of the New England region.
Wednesday, 20 May 2009
Tommies hockey schools ready to roll
Call it what you will, gender equality - progressive thinking - good marketing, but St. Thomas University is moving in the right direction with the creation of men's and women's hockey school programs this summer.
This isn't meant to politicize the issue but I know that Mike Power would be pleased with the addition of the Lady's school at STU. Let's be honest, a men's hockey school is not a new concept for Fredericton but a high level women's school is something that has been non-existent for far too long. Kudos to Peter Murphy and Mike Eagles.
For more information: St. Thomas hockey schools - Full information
This isn't meant to politicize the issue but I know that Mike Power would be pleased with the addition of the Lady's school at STU. Let's be honest, a men's hockey school is not a new concept for Fredericton but a high level women's school is something that has been non-existent for far too long. Kudos to Peter Murphy and Mike Eagles.
St. Thomas University will be an all girls' school July 13-17.For the men.
That's when Tommies' women's hockey coach Peter Murphy will run the first all-female hockey school in New Brunswick. It's part of STU's 'Next Step' program, with the instructional components based on Murphy's eight years of experience with Hockey New Brunswick's high performance program.
STU's first venture into the hockey school business takes place the week before,Entire DG Article: Gender equality for STU hockey school
July 6-10 when Mike Eagles and friends conduct the STU Tommies Summer Hockey School.
Eagles and his assistant coach with the men's hockey team, Brad Shepard, will lead the STU Tommies Hockey School out of the Lady Beaverbrook Rink.
For more information: St. Thomas hockey schools - Full information
New play-off format for AUS Women's hockey
At the recent annual meeting of AUS Athletic Directors the following proposal was accepted for Women's hockey.
Tommies Coach Peter Murphy had this to say about the announcement.
The AUS women's hockey playoff format will now move to a 4-day championshipThis move will see the play-off format move from a one game winner take all concept in the quarter and semi-finals to a format consistent with nationals. Ultimately the goal would be to have a best of three play-off series to determine the women's champion.
beginning next season and the format will be similar to that of the CIS Women's
Hockey Championship. The top six teams following regular season play will qualify and be separated into two pools of three teams. Each team will now play two round robin games with the top teams in each pool playing for the championship. The 2010 Subway AUS Women's Hockey Championship will be hosted by the Université de Moncton, Feb. 25-28, 2010. AUS Story
Tommies Coach Peter Murphy had this to say about the announcement.
We all agree it is better than a "one and done" scenario. It also prepares you a little for what you will face at Nationals. That being said, the playoff series format would be preferred. I do not know if it would pass through all schools though. I think that if we are going to really grow the Women's side of the AUS [hockey] and create a fan base for ourselves, we have to do a few things and one of them is to go to series. Our biggest impediment to that is we have to have our winner declared so early because Nationals are early in March. If they were pushed back we could easily move to series format.
Monday, 11 May 2009
Sports community mourns Power
We add our voice in offering our condolences to the Power family, our friends at the Daily Gleaner and to all of Mike's friends in the sports community.
Daily Gleaner - Sports community mourns Power
Daily Gleaner - Sports community mourns Power
