O'Byrne goes pro

Thought this deserved its own thread with the Sasha thread getting real long.

Ryan O'Byrne signed with the Canadiens.

[www.canadiens.com]

The hits just keep on comming. Guess that "A" wasn't enough to keep him on the hill. Good luck Ryan!

Oh no!! He signed with the Habs twice in two days?

icecoldJB
The hits just keep on comming. Guess that "A" wasn't enough to keep him on the hill. Good luck Ryan!

I couldn't blame for leaving if he played for BU where the letter "A" is scarlet.

I think we should start posting flyers around campus... "WANTED- Hockey Defensemen, Experience Preferred, Inquire at Athletic Office"

I realize this was a joke, but does anyone think a walk-on dman could make the team this year?
We had trouble last year finding enough defensemen to suit up when the team was hit badly by injuries and, realistically, this year will be the same. Who might play back? Would we borrow club players? How does everyone think the team will adapt?

Liz '05
I realize this was a joke, but does anyone think a walk-on dman could make the team this year?
We had trouble last year finding enough defensemen to suit up when the team was hit badly by injuries and, realistically, this year will be the same. Who might play back? Would we borrow club players? How does everyone think the team will adapt?

Or is it even possible that the Devins come this year as one of them is a d-man?

That was the question I forgot - do we have D recruits that we can pull in early a la Dave McKee? And is it wise to bring them?

Way too late to get anyone in for this fall. They are stuck with seven defensemen. There is basically no way the coaching staff would even consider a walk-on.

Yes it is pretty late but would they not consider a walk-on if it was the right walk on based on talent?

It may take a stroke of luck but it's possible that a player who wasn't recruited or who had decided to play another year of juniors or prep could hear about the need for a D man and contact the coaching staff.

J-frosh, on the other hand...

Robb
J-frosh, on the other hand...

Theoretically, if we somehow got a J-frosh, would he use up an entire year of NCAA eligibility by starting to play in January, or would it only be a half-year?

It's got to be way too late to get someone through, but if it could be done there are still good prospects out there. It actually would be an opportunity to swoop in a grab someone who thought they were going to wait.

Academic preparation aside, here's some interesting ones:
Ryan Wagner, Penticton, BCHL. (could Justin Krueger help out?)
Luke Brisebois, Notre Dame, SJHL. (could Blake Gallagher help out...or Sasha?)
Cam Cooper, Tri-City, USHL. Formerly of Holy Angels. (could incoming lax recruit Ryan Hurley, captain of last year's HA's hockey team help out?)
Mike Cornell, Walpole, EJHL. (with that last name?)

There's others as well, but it's so late...it's got to be impossible -- admissions, financial aid, etc.

A kid I'd love to see Cornell steal would be Kevin Quick. He's an '88 from Buffalo who's at Salisbury Prep -- of course I have no idea if he's qualified and truly prepping or if he's finishing his studies. Quick was drafted 78th in this year's draft.

Is it too late to bring Starchiski back?

ithacat
It's got to be way too late to get someone through, but if it could be done there are still good prospects out there. It actually would be an opportunity to swoop in a grab someone who thought they were going to wait.

Academic preparation aside, here's some interesting ones:
Ryan Wagner, Penticton, BCHL. (could Justin Krueger help out?)
Luke Brisebois, Notre Dame, SJHL. (could Blake Gallagher help out...or Sasha?)
Cam Cooper, Tri-City, USHL. Formerly of Holy Angels. (could incoming lax recruit Ryan Hurley, captain of last year's HA's hockey team help out?)
Mike Cornell, Walpole, EJHL. (with that last name?)

Has Brisebois gotten over his injury that caused him to miss most of last season?

Here's an article in today's Ithaca Journal about O'Byrne with quotes from Schafer:

[www.ithacajournal.com]

Don't you think Cornell could get the Devin who is a defenseman to possibly enroll early? He was a senior and did graduate so I am assuming that there aren't any academic issues relating to his spending a year in the BCHL.

May not be ideal given his readiness aftyer playing in a relatively weak Catholic league, but with 7 defenseman on the roster, unless Schafer can get a forward to play some defense, Cornell is really going to be playing with fire next year on the blue line.

bothman
Don't you think Cornell could get the Devin who is a defenseman to possibly enroll early? He was a senior and did graduate so I am assuming that there aren't any academic issues relating to his spending a year in the BCHL.

May not be ideal given his readiness aftyer playing in a relatively weak Catholic league, but with 7 defenseman on the roster, unless Schafer can get a forward to play some defense, Cornell is really going to be playing with fire next year on the blue line.

I think it'd be tough to get Mike to enroll a year early (I am pretty sure they're both already admitted, so that's not an issue), leaving Joe stranded in British Columbia If we could bring them both early maybe it'd work, but we're already overbooked at forward for next year. I guess that's the problem with recruiting twins.

That said, Bitz played some defense last year when we were hit hard w/ injuries, I could see him moving to the blueline either on spot duty or maybe for the year.

bothman
Don't you think Cornell could get the Devin who is a defenseman to possibly enroll early? He was a senior and did graduate so I am assuming that there aren't any academic issues relating to his spending a year in the BCHL.

May not be ideal given his readiness aftyer playing in a relatively weak Catholic league, but with 7 defenseman on the roster, unless Schafer can get a forward to play some defense, Cornell is really going to be playing with fire next year on the blue line.

I didn't want to say it here, but since you have chimed in, perhaps Cornell could get Chris Huxley to change his mind again.

ursaminor
I didn't want to say it here, but since you have chimed in, perhaps Cornell could get Chris Huxley to change his mind again.

He belongs at Harvard.

Possibly, but as a puck-moving defenseman, I don't think Chris would subscribe to Cornell's clutch and grab style of play.....

ursaminor
Has Brisebois gotten over his injury that caused him to miss most of last season?

I think he played in all their playoff games.

bothman
Possibly, but as a puck-moving defenseman, I don't think Chris would subscribe to Cornell's clutch and grab style of play.....

Do you want to look pretty or win some NCAA games?

ithacat

bothman
Possibly, but as a puck-moving defenseman, I don't think Chris would subscribe to Cornell's clutch and grab style of play.....

Do you want to look pretty or win some NCAA games?

"Some?"

At Cornell's level, it's unlikely there are players of this caliber lurking on campus. It does happen; one of the top ten football teams (top twenty) last year, the placekicker was a walk-on.

You run out of defensemen, a big forward drops back, and that's that. Bitz already knows about playing the point when it's 6-on-5.

If I read not too much into Schafer's quote in the Journal about O'Byrne being the most-ready-for-the-pros player he's seen this year, he's saying maybe Pokulok or McKee shouldn't have jumped? Or that if they jumped, it's easy to see why Ryan did, too.

All of a sudden, I think the Final Four is going to be a challenge. Maybe the ECAC Final Four in Albany?

Some of us said the MVP of every Cornell team the last couple years is the coach. Now we'll see.

[Q]All of a sudden, I think the Final Four is going to be a challenge. Maybe the ECAC Final Four in Albany? [/Q]

The (ahem) Frozen Four is always a challenge. Every single year for every team ever. It was a challenge in 2003... you remember that 2 OT game against BC, right?

This year, Albany will be a challenge. A conference bye could be a challenge. Our team could certainly come together very well, or it could also be a rebuilding/maturing year.

I wouldn't be surprised if we were among the tops in the ECAC. I also wouldn't be suprised if we were hosting games the first post-season weekend. It'd probably be better for the ECAC if it were the latter.

DeltaOne81
[Q]All of a sudden, I think the Final Four is going to be a challenge. Maybe the ECAC Final Four in Albany? [/Q]

The (ahem) Frozen Four is always a challenge. Every single year for every team ever. It was a challenge in 2003... you remember that 2 OT game against BC, right?

This year, Albany will be a challenge. A conference bye could be a challenge. Our team could certainly come together very well, or it could also be a rebuilding/maturing year.

I wouldn't be surprised if we were among the tops in the ECAC. I also wouldn't be suprised if we were hosting games the first post-season weekend. It'd probably be better for the ECAC if it were the latter.

So far, no one on eLynah has been reduced to saying, "I hear the basketball team is going to be competitive." That's right up there with "She's got a great personality" or "I hear he earns a comfortable living."

billhoward

DeltaOne81
[Q]All of a sudden, I think the Final Four is going to be a challenge. Maybe the ECAC Final Four in Albany? [/Q]

The (ahem) Frozen Four is always a challenge. Every single year for every team ever. It was a challenge in 2003... you remember that 2 OT game against BC, right?

This year, Albany will be a challenge. A conference bye could be a challenge. Our team could certainly come together very well, or it could also be a rebuilding/maturing year.

I wouldn't be surprised if we were among the tops in the ECAC. I also wouldn't be suprised if we were hosting games the first post-season weekend. It'd probably be better for the ECAC if it were the latter.

So far, no one on eLynah has been reduced to saying, "I hear the basketball team is going to be competitive." That's right up there with "She's got a great personality" or "I hear he earns a comfortable living."

Well, I say "look at 2004". With those losses, we still came is 2nd in the regaular season. Part of it was the weak ECAC that year, but the other part is Schafer just has a good system.

Alright guys, I'm not worried one bit!
We're gonna beat union in the ECAC final this year and then sweep the NCAA tournament shutting out every single opponent.

Oat
Alright guys, I'm not worried one bit!
We're gonna beat union in the ECAC final this year and then sweep the NCAA tournament shutting out every single opponent.

Oddly, the most unlikely thing in this prediction is Union making it to the ECAC finals.

As others have said, there are not DI caliber defensemen just walking around campus. The best undergraduate hockey player at Cornell who is not on the team is well below the worst player on the team. Even if for some ridiculous reason they took one, he would never come close to dressing unless there was an emergency injury situation.
Bottom line, the blueline is in serious trouble.

Can Schafer play?

Schafer is out recruiting for another defenseman as I write this. I would not bet against him in securing a defenseman for this season. There is not a more dedicated/detrmined coach than Mike, and knowing what the need is, I'm sure he will find a solution soon.

Cop at Lynah
Schafer is out recruiting for another defenseman as I write this. I would not bet against him in securing a defenseman for this season. There is not a more dedicated/detrmined coach than Mike, and knowing what the need is, I'm sure he will find a solution soon.

Our motto is, as always, In Schafer We Trust.

I say we clone Topher. Who's up for a "Let's clone Topher" chant at the red/white game?

A-ron
I say we clone Topher. Who's up for a "Let's clone Topher" chant at the red/white game?

But what is something goes wrong and we end up with a mini-Topher!

DisplacedCornellian

A-ron
I say we clone Topher. Who's up for a "Let's clone Topher" chant at the red/white game?

But what is something goes wrong and we end up with a mini-Topher!

Then you put mini-Topher on offense and move Topher back to the blueline. Defense fits his personality better anyway.

ugarte

DisplacedCornellian

A-ron
I say we clone Topher. Who's up for a "Let's clone Topher" chant at the red/white game?

But what is something goes wrong and we end up with a mini-Topher!

Then you put mini-Topher on offense and move Topher back to the blueline. Defense fits his personality better anyway.

I thought you were going to say put the mini-Topher on the shoulders of the regular Topher, wrap a jersey around the whole thing, and then put it on the blue line.

jtwcornell91
I thought you were going to say put the mini-Topher on the shoulders of the regular Topher, wrap a jersey around the whole thing, and then put it on the blue line.

Then his jersey wouldn't be down to his knees! Still some arm length issues, but I say the fact that the double-Topher would finally fit in the jersey makes the cloning worth it

Saturday's Ithaca Journal has an interview and discussion
[www.theithacajournal.com]

[q]...He went from being a favorite whipping boy of the Cornell hockey bloggers to one of the most respected, and dependable, members of the team in his three years on East Hill...[/q]

David Harding
Saturday's Ithaca Journal has an interview and discussion
[www.theithacajournal.com]

[q]...He went from being a favorite whipping boy of the Cornell hockey bloggers to one of the most respected, and dependable, members of the team in his three years on East Hill...[/q]

I can't deny it.

When he was bad, he was really really bad.

When he was good though, I could barely control myself.

A-ron
I say we clone Topher. Who's up for a "Let's clone Topher" chant at the red/white game?

He already was. There just wasn't enough material to make two full-size ones.

[q]As others have said, there are not DI caliber defensemen just walking around campus. The best undergraduate hockey player at Cornell who is not on the team is well below the worst player on the team. Even if for some ridiculous reason they took one, he would never come close to dressing unless there was an emergency injury situation.
Bottom line, the blueline is in serious trouble.[/q]

I think you might be supprised. As most people can affirm Sam Paolini certainly turned out to be worthy of a d1 spot.

duffs4
[q]As others have said, there are not DI caliber defensemen just walking around campus. The best undergraduate hockey player at Cornell who is not on the team is well below the worst player on the team. Even if for some ridiculous reason they took one, he would never come close to dressing unless there was an emergency injury situation.
Bottom line, the blueline is in serious trouble.[/q]

I think you might be supprised. As most people can affirm Sam Paolini certainly turned out to be worthy of a d1 spot.

Paolini was a recruited walk-on. He didn't just show up at school and try out for the team. He had offers from other schools. There aren't DI guys just hanging around campus hoping to walk-on.

[q]Paolini was a recruited walk-on[/q]

Sounds like an oxymoron to me. Stranger things have happened.

calgARI '07

duffs4

Paolini was a recruited walk-on. He didn't just show up at school and try out for the team. He had offers from other schools. There aren't DI guys just hanging around campus hoping to walk-on.

Does your opinion refer only to the cornell campus or all D1 programs in general?

duffs4
[q]Paolini was a recruited walk-on[/q]

Sounds like an oxymoron to me. Stranger things have happened.

It isn't as uncommon as it sounds. Players are told that there isn't a spot on the team but they will be given a chance to earn the spot if they come to the school. It is a weird bargain for the players but some choose to trade certain PT at a small program for a shot at a better one. I'd like to think that the fallback position if you don't make the team is an Ivy League degree would make Cornell an easier sell for that deal but I'd guess that most people would rather have guaranteed ice time and, in most situations, a free education.

ugarte

duffs4
[q]Paolini was a recruited walk-on[/q]

Sounds like an oxymoron to me. Stranger things have happened.

It isn't as uncommon as it sounds. Players are told that there isn't a spot on the team but they will be given a chance to earn the spot if they come to the school. It is a weird bargain for the players but some choose to trade certain PT at a small program for a shot at a better one. I'd like to think that the fallback position if you don't make the team is an Ivy League degree would make Cornell an easier sell for that deal but I'd guess that most people would rather have guaranteed ice time and, in most situations, a free education.

You'd think it happens more often at a place like Cornell where recruited players aren't getting scholarships either.

[Q]There aren't DI guys just hanging around campus hoping to walk-on.[/Q]


I don't necessarily agree with that... there are some guys (maybe not thinking pro-sports before college) who have significant talent, but just haven't played in highly recruited junior leagues or were not interested in going to college for sports. It happens in football all the time. Wayne Chrebet, as a completely random example, was a complete walk-on for Hofstra football, then went undrafted to the NY Jets. Doesn't happen very often... but it definitely happens.

Sigh. This year's losses to the pros and graduation are starting to rival those of 2003. Good thing the NC schedule is easy this year. Good way for the freshmen to get their feet wet with the heavy load of responsibility they will have.

Steve M
Sigh. This year's losses to the pros and graduation are starting to rival those of 2003. Good thing the NC schedule is easy this year. Good way for the freshmen to get their feet wet with the heavy load of responsibility they will have.

Something happen to the icemaking plant during renovations? This is how rumors get started.

Anybody care to take a shot at the 06-07 blueline pairings?

Seminoff-Glover for the first pair i would think

I think that the pairings may be:

Glover - Seminoff
Krantz - Davenport
Krueger - Nash

I think that the odd man out is Salmela right now but if he plays then its Davenport. The freshman both play a lot right away.

I think switch Davenport with Salmela at this point.

Do you think he'll use two freshman at the point at the same time? My guess he'll start them with an upperclassman for a while and once they get the system down, then maybe pair them up.

At least this isn't just happening to Cornell, Kessel just signed with the Bruins.

I really thought with that year of experience he was ready to finally lead the Gophers to victory over Holy Cross

Going from the Gophers to the Bruins is a demotion.

Trotsky
Going from the Gophers to the Bruins is a demotion.

Lucrative, however.

Maybe now that Sinden is gone we will be able to start a new era.

At least I can hope so.

Al DeFlorio

Trotsky
Going from the Gophers to the Bruins is a demotion.

Lucrative, however.

Who knows how much Minnesota pays?

Trotsky

Al DeFlorio

Trotsky
Going from the Gophers to the Bruins is a demotion.

Lucrative, however.

Who knows how much Minnesota pays?

True. For a Kessel, a full ride--at least.

Al DeFlorio

Trotsky

Al DeFlorio

Trotsky
Going from the Gophers to the Bruins is a demotion.

Lucrative, however.

Who knows how much Minnesota pays?

True. For a Kessel, a full ride--at least.

Plus free getting in to a bar underage along with free drinks there!

Trotsky

Al DeFlorio

Trotsky
Going from the Gophers to the Bruins is a demotion.

Lucrative, however.

Who knows how much Minnesota pays?

I hear Kessel was getting $500+k from the Gophers and that the program will soon be suspended indefinitely for violations of NC$$ rules. Well, not really. But it would be a fun rumor.

KeithK
I hear Kessel was getting $500+k from the Gophers and that the program will soon be suspended indefinitely for violations of NC$$ rules.

I'll PM you for details.

not as long as the Jacobs family owns the franchise.