Maybe it's the new year and the natural time of reflection that it brings. Maybe it's the realization that there are only six more guaranteed home games of Coach Schafer's career. But since my interest in the team spans just slightly before he took over, I've been thinking back about all of the players that have come through Lynah during his thirty seasons. Players that have become NHLers. Players that have scored big goals. Players that have made their mark as grinders. Players that I have gotten to know and players that have gone out of their way to show kindness to my youngster. So who are your favorite players from over Schafer's years? It can be for a singular moment or for a body of work. I'm not looking for a top ten list and I'm not looking for who you think the best players were. Just simply who were your favorites and what did they do to earn that distinction? Thanks for participating.
I'm going to start a separate one about favorite moments.
For me, it was Doug Murray. Those crushing hits by him often changed the game in a big way.
Ben Scrivens here. I think I'm biased because of the non-assuming demeanor of his parents. I met them in Albany because they were sitting near me and I noticed them cheering for Cornell during or right after the National Anthem. I asked his dad if he was related to anyone on the team or some such and when he responded that he was the goalie's father rather than boasting that he was BEN SCRIVEN'S DAD, I felt an instant bond. His Dad got a kick out of my posting the Takedown video, too. But it was great to see Ben's longevity in the NHL. The dedication to play goalie at that level for 9 or 10 years is awesome.
Takedown (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4t-kWLMmuRA)
Topher Scott, Sam Malinski, Matt Galajda, Cam Donaldson, Mitch Carefoot.
I'll take Andy Iles
Mitch Vanderlaan and Greg Miller.
Quote from: martyBen Scrivens here. I think I'm biased because of the non-assuming demeanor of his parents. I met them in Albany because they were sitting near me and I noticed them cheering for Cornell during or right after the National Anthem. I asked his dad if he was related to anyone on the team or some such and when he responded that he was the goalie's father rather than boasting that he was BEN SCRIVEN'S DAD, I felt an instant bond. His Dad got a kick out of my posting the Takedown video, too. But it was great to see Ben's longevity in the NHL. The dedication to play goalie at that level for 9 or 10 years is awesome.
Takedown (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4t-kWLMmuRA)
Holy shit that's fucking amazing
[Quick edit to say, since I only started watching Cornell hockey this year I think I'm automatically disqualified from actually participating in this one, but holy shit that's hysterical.]
Quote from: stereax[Quick edit to say, since I only started watching Cornell hockey this year I think I'm automatically disqualified from actually participating in this one, but holy shit that's hysterical.]
Why would you be disqualified? Plenty of us fell in love with Cornell hockey soon after we witnessed our first game (or during that game, even). Your memory of Cornell hockey may be shorter than most of ours but it is by no means less valid.
Stephen Baby
Colin Greening '10. I was at Lynah for his hat trick in 2008. A smart, hard-nosed player.
Quote from: chimpfoodI'll take Andy Iles
He's not the answer.
Neither was my favorite (Matt Moulson) but I appreciated Jared Seminoff's evolution from a surefire penalty machine to a legitimate shutdown defender. And of course, the Ryan O'Byrne, which is when you lose your stick, pin the nearest guy to the boards, and punch him in the kidneys until you get called for a penalty.
Mike Sancimino. just because it sounded the best when he scored and Authur made the announcement.
He wasn't necessarily my favorite, but I have fond memories of the energy Greg Hornby brought to the ice and the Cornell fan who used to come to his games wearing his jersey and devil ears. If my fading memory serves me correctly, Hornby had a game-winning goal one year down at the Estero tournament, which was a surprise since he was known more for his physical play than for his goal-scoring. But upon checking the stats, I was surprised to see he scored 14 goals over the final three years of his Cornell career.
Quote from: upprdeckMike Sancimino. just because it sounded the best when he scored and Authur made the announcement.
In fact I'm reasonably certain that Mike is the original reason the Faithful repeat the scorers' names after Arthur says them in the first place; it was just such a fun name to yell. I sure don't remember doing it
pre-Sancimino...
Quote from: Chris '03Quote from: chimpfoodI'll take Andy Iles
He's not the answer.
Whats wrong with Iles?
Quote from: BeeeejQuote from: upprdeckMike Sancimino. just because it sounded the best when he scored and Authur made the announcement.
In fact I'm reasonably certain that Mike is the original reason the Faithful repeat the scorers' names after Arthur says them in the first place; it was just such a fun name to yell. I sure don't remember doing it pre-Sancimino...
Was just talking about this with friends — I'm cranky and think this should have stopped when he graduated. Sancimino is very fun to yell with great gusto. Many other names, not so much.
Quote from: chimpfoodQuote from: Chris '03Quote from: chimpfoodI'll take Andy Iles
He's not the answer.
Whats wrong with Iles?
It's a running joke. Someone else can pull up the actual thread, but we had a "Andy Iles is not the answer" post riiight before he went on a record-setting shutout streak and cemented his place in net.
As a fan, I'd have to say my favorite is Jack O'Leary.
Quote from: ugarteAs a fan, I'd have to say my favorite is Jack O'Leary.
This is why I keep coming here.
I was the one who posted that Andy Isle was not the answer to Cornell's goaltending back in the day. I still stand by that assessment !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Quote from: Cop at LynahI was the one who posted that Andy Isle was not the answer to Cornell's goaltending back in the day. I still stand by that assessment !!!!!!!!!!!!!
My biased selections:
Sam Paolini ( we are still in touch on occasion and his name was fun to yell), the McRae twins, Danny Powell (briefly dated him so I had to include him), and Doug Murray (another friend who was always so nice) and of course Stephen Bâby (anyone who has their own chant is a fave)
Quote from: martyBen Scrivens here. I think I'm biased because of the non-assuming demeanor of his parents. I met them in Albany because they were sitting near me and I noticed them cheering for Cornell during or right after the National Anthem. I asked his dad if he was related to anyone on the team or some such and when he responded that he was the goalie's father rather than boasting that he was BEN SCRIVEN'S DAD, I felt an instant bond. His Dad got a kick out of my posting the Takedown video, too. But it was great to see Ben's longevity in the NHL. The dedication to play goalie at that level for 9 or 10 years is awesome.
Takedown (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4t-kWLMmuRA)
I too love Scrivens. I worked in the Appel dining hall throughout my stay ('09), and one weekend morning shift (in what must have been his freshman year), one large embarrassed looking kid f'ed up one of the waffle makers. I knew it was Scrivens, and my demeanor must have given it off, because he thanked me and said I could add him on Facebook or something (please take a moment to consider the difference in such a gracious offer back then vs. now). Never had a doubt he was better than Davenport.
The Appel waffle makers and soft serve will forever be missed
Doug Murray.
Solid Leader. Talented and left it all on the ice as a defenseman on a team that crushed opponents.
https://youtu.be/fRLA9iUXvmU?si=DorC_QmstUqqTwt-
Quote from: MattShafDoug Murray
For his bemused post-game bar appearances alone.
I enjoyed the Vesce-Baby combo. I swear Vesce made the hit and Baby took the penalty on more than 1 occasion! (It's not his fault he's the biggest and the strongest...)
Can Donaldson
Greening is also mine. I have a gameworn Greening jersey that I wear at away games. I've run into his cousin at a few games.
Hornby
Byron Bitz - way overperformed for his talent. Big body that hustled. Never would have guessed he would make the NHL.
.
.
and assuming the Schafer era includes his playing years:
Doug Dadswell - 1986 ECACs at the Boston Garden with back-to-back overtime wins
Pete Natyshak - scrappiest player that you hate to play against
Quote from: nshapiroByron Bitz - way overperformed for his talent. Big body that hustled. Never would have guessed he would make the NHL.
Not only made the NHL, but had the Bruins fans in TD Garden chanting his name in one particularly memorable performance (almost a hat trick):
https://youtube.com/watch?v=tfEfDfJsbgQ
Quote from: nshapiroByron Bitz - way overperformed for his talent. Big body that hustled. Never would have guessed he would make the NHL.
I really appreciated that at one of the neutral site games they played in Rochester I could hear on the ice Topher yelling to "Bitzie" during play. I enjoyed the juxtaposition of the tiny nickname for the hulking player.
I was always partial to Kyle Knopp.
That's awesome.
Back in '07 when we met, my wife had a cat named "Mitts". After we got married, we got a new kitten to join Mitts, so I named him "Bitz".
Quote from: WillQuote from: stereax[Quick edit to say, since I only started watching Cornell hockey this year I think I'm automatically disqualified from actually participating in this one, but holy shit that's hysterical.]
Why would you be disqualified? Plenty of us fell in love with Cornell hockey soon after we witnessed our first game (or during that game, even). Your memory of Cornell hockey may be shorter than most of ours but it is by no means less valid.
I mean... you're right, but it's... I dunno. It doesn't feel like memories of the Schaefer
era, per se. Y'know?
Quote from: stereaxQuote from: WillQuote from: stereax[Quick edit to say, since I only started watching Cornell hockey this year I think I'm automatically disqualified from actually participating in this one, but holy shit that's hysterical.]
Why would you be disqualified? Plenty of us fell in love with Cornell hockey soon after we witnessed our first game (or during that game, even). Your memory of Cornell hockey may be shorter than most of ours but it is by no means less valid.
I mean... you're right, but it's... I dunno. It doesn't feel like memories of the Schaefer era, per se. Y'know?
YouTube review time
Quote from: stereaxQuote from: WillQuote from: stereax[Quick edit to say, since I only started watching Cornell hockey this year I think I'm automatically disqualified from actually participating in this one, but holy shit that's hysterical.]
Why would you be disqualified? Plenty of us fell in love with Cornell hockey soon after we witnessed our first game (or during that game, even). Your memory of Cornell hockey may be shorter than most of ours but it is by no means less valid.
I mean... you're right, but it's... I dunno. It doesn't feel like memories of the Schaefer era, per se. Y'know?
you're like the new year's baby on the casey jones era
Quote from: ugarteQuote from: stereaxQuote from: WillQuote from: stereax[Quick edit to say, since I only started watching Cornell hockey this year I think I'm automatically disqualified from actually participating in this one, but holy shit that's hysterical.]
Why would you be disqualified? Plenty of us fell in love with Cornell hockey soon after we witnessed our first game (or during that game, even). Your memory of Cornell hockey may be shorter than most of ours but it is by no means less valid.
I mean... you're right, but it's... I dunno. It doesn't feel like memories of the Schaefer era, per se. Y'know?
you're like the new year's baby on the casey jones era
HAHAHA for real though!! Man I can't wait :D
Quote from: abmarksQuote from: stereaxQuote from: WillQuote from: stereax[Quick edit to say, since I only started watching Cornell hockey this year I think I'm automatically disqualified from actually participating in this one, but holy shit that's hysterical.]
Why would you be disqualified? Plenty of us fell in love with Cornell hockey soon after we witnessed our first game (or during that game, even). Your memory of Cornell hockey may be shorter than most of ours but it is by no means less valid.
I mean... you're right, but it's... I dunno. It doesn't feel like memories of the Schaefer era, per se. Y'know?
YouTube review time
Some watch this channel. ::crazy:: (https://youtu.be/D5urGsfFUYI?si=nEaK_sq-YYx3QfTj)
Kyle Knopp. He was fun to watch and always seemed to be hustling.
Appropriate to this thread, Jimmy Rayhill's TOI this weekend:
Fri 13:14
Sat 8:46
He is 0x1 on faceoffs, has 1 shot, and has a +/1 of 0.
My all-Schafer team, purely for the feels, not talent.
F Topher Scott
F Mitch Carefoot
F Mitch Vanderlaan
F Jack O'Leary
F Cole Bardreau
F Greg Hornby
F Cam Donaldson
F Kyle Knopp
F Teemu Tiitenen
F Dan Svoboda
F Shane Palahicky
F Kryztoff Wieckowski
D Matt Nuttle
D Jeff Burgoyne
D Sam Malinski
D Brian McMeekin
D Jared Seminoff
D Justin Krueger
G Hayden Stewart
G Omar Kanji
Omar!
Ryan Vesce. IMHO, the most underrated player of the era. Overshadowed by all the love for Baby, but I've always thought Vesce was the key contributor.
Quote from: martyQuote from: abmarksQuote from: stereaxQuote from: WillQuote from: stereax[Quick edit to say, since I only started watching Cornell hockey this year I think I'm automatically disqualified from actually participating in this one, but holy shit that's hysterical.]
Why would you be disqualified? Plenty of us fell in love with Cornell hockey soon after we witnessed our first game (or during that game, even). Your memory of Cornell hockey may be shorter than most of ours but it is by no means less valid.
I mean... you're right, but it's... I dunno. It doesn't feel like memories of the Schaefer era, per se. Y'know?
YouTube review time
Some watch this channel. ::crazy:: (https://youtu.be/D5urGsfFUYI?si=nEaK_sq-YYx3QfTj)
Will have to check it out when I have a minute :)
Quote from: martyQuote from: abmarksQuote from: stereaxQuote from: WillQuote from: stereax[Quick edit to say, since I only started watching Cornell hockey this year I think I'm automatically disqualified from actually participating in this one, but holy shit that's hysterical.]
Why would you be disqualified? Plenty of us fell in love with Cornell hockey soon after we witnessed our first game (or during that game, even). Your memory of Cornell hockey may be shorter than most of ours but it is by no means less valid.
I mean... you're right, but it's... I dunno. It doesn't feel like memories of the Schaefer era, per se. Y'know?
YouTube review time
Some watch this channel. ::crazy:: (https://youtu.be/D5urGsfFUYI?si=nEaK_sq-YYx3QfTj)
Castagna made that play when he was only 18, his freshman year.
Matt Moulson
...and I am surprised no one mentioned him at all. One of Cornell's all time greats, both at the University and in the NHL.
Quote from: The RancorMatt Moulson
...and I am surprised no one mentioned him at all. One of Cornell's all time greats, both at the University and in the NHL.
Still my play by play name when playing NHL online with friends.
Quote from: Cop at LynahStephen Baby
Totally agree. He was All-Everything when he played.
Vesce and he were 1 & 2 in points for the 3 years they played together, Vesce was a year later.
But Baby was always out there whenever needed, in any situation, Offense, Defense, PP or PK. He'd be the first skater out in any situation. Except when he was in the Box. After-all there is a reason the band still plays his song, and why the fans still know his name. (Even if they know nothing about him.)
If I was drafting a fantasy team, he'd be #2, right behind Lodboa.
Quote from: Jim HylaQuote from: Cop at LynahStephen Baby
Totally agree. He was All-Everything when he played.
Vesce and he were 1 & 2 in points for the 3 years they played together, Vesce was a year later.
But Baby was always out there whenever needed, in any situation, Offense, Defense, PP or PK. He'd be the first skater out in any situation. Except when he was in the Box. After-all there is a reason the band still plays his song, and why the fans still know his name. (Even if they know nothing about him.)
If I was drafting a fantasy team, he'd be #2, right behind Lodboa.
I'm only correcting Jim because I know he'd correct me :) ... they only played 2 years together - Vesce was 2000-04 - Moulson was 2002-06
but they were indeed both great to watch.
Quote from: adamwQuote from: Jim HylaQuote from: Cop at LynahStephen Baby
Totally agree. He was All-Everything when he played.
Vesce and he were 1 & 2 in points for the 3 years they played together, Vesce was a year later.
But Baby was always out there whenever needed, in any situation, Offense, Defense, PP or PK. He'd be the first skater out in any situation. Except when he was in the Box. After-all there is a reason the band still plays his song, and why the fans still know his name. (Even if they know nothing about him.)
If I was drafting a fantasy team, he'd be #2, right behind Lodboa.
I'm only correcting Jim because I know he'd correct me :) ... they only played 2 years together - Vesce was 2000-04 - Moulson was 2002-06
but they were indeed both great to watch.
Except I was referring to Baby.::screwy::
Baby had a unique ability to show up in clutch situations.
David LeNeveu was incredible to watch, even though Ben Scrivens was even more lovable.
Quote from: TrotskyMy all-Schafer team, purely for the feels, not talent.
F Topher Scott
F Mitch Carefoot
F Mitch Vanderlaan
F Jack O'Leary
F Cole Bardreau
F Greg Hornby
F Cam Donaldson
F Kyle Knopp
F Teemu Tiitenen
F Dan Svoboda
F Shane Palahicky
F Kryztoff Wieckowski
D Matt Nuttle
D Jeff Burgoyne
D Sam Malinski
D Brian McMeekin
D Jared Seminoff
D Justin Krueger
G Hayden Stewart
G Omar Kanji
This I can do, since one isn't enough:
F Colin Greening
F Brad Chartrand
F Matt Moulson
F Mitch Vanderlaan
F Ryan Vesce
F Mike Iggulden
F Jeff Oates
F Matt Cooney
F Mitch Carefoot
F Greg Hornby
F Cam Abbott
F Geoff Lopatka
XF Jon Castagna
D Mark McRae
D Doug Murray
D Steve Wilson
D Jeremy Downs
D Dan Dufresne
D Michael Suda
XD Jason Kendall
G Ben Scrivens
G Dave LeNeveu
G Eddy Skazyk
The forwards are 1st line, 2nd line, etc., as are the D.
Castagna is coming off the bench to sneak down the slot, and Kendall is coming off the bench to start a fight.
I am yet agog regarding the defensive talent on that 2003 team. I mean, I had to leave Charlie Cook off to fit in others! There has never been a more perfect pairing than Murray and McRae, in my opinion.
On the goalies, no question that LeNeveu was better technically, but Scrivens is the goalie that can steal a game. So could Eddy!
Quote from: Jim HylaQuote from: adamwQuote from: Jim HylaQuote from: Cop at LynahStephen Baby
Totally agree. He was All-Everything when he played.
Vesce and he were 1 & 2 in points for the 3 years they played together, Vesce was a year later.
But Baby was always out there whenever needed, in any situation, Offense, Defense, PP or PK. He'd be the first skater out in any situation. Except when he was in the Box. After-all there is a reason the band still plays his song, and why the fans still know his name. (Even if they know nothing about him.)
If I was drafting a fantasy team, he'd be #2, right behind Lodboa.
I'm only correcting Jim because I know he'd correct me :) ... they only played 2 years together - Vesce was 2000-04 - Moulson was 2002-06
but they were indeed both great to watch.
Except I was referring to Baby.::screwy::
oh - you're right again :) sorry.
I drove through Vaudreuil-Dorion, PQ earlier tonight. The hometown of Sasha Pokulok. I really enjoyed the way he brought the puck up the ice. It was fun watching him those two seasons through his ups and downs. I wish he had stuck around to finish his development. I can't blame him though for trying to capitalize on his draft status.