A few musings from a new member...

[lurkering]

Hi, all-

In the past few weeks, I have been all agog to see how the Lynah Faithful would react to the success or disappointment of this enigmatic team. I feel compelled to offer a few observations (though it is probably against my better judgment, yet I digress...) of topics that have been brought up or those that might nip in the bud, with an unnecessarily verbose presentation. These are things I feel to be true, but obviously my opinions are going to differ with many of you, though please, just as I have offered up my sentiment, I hope that you will do the same. In addition, it goes without saying that my first post will naturally be met with dubiety of what I, of all people, have to offer. I feel I offer a comprehensive look of what is going on immediately in the program and in the nation. Why should you believe me? I guess you will just have to trust me... ;-) I must stress that I will not claim something I have opined to be fact, as generating speculation is not my motive, nor will I vice-versa. Although I cannot claim to offer you anything of importance if posters continue the gradual deteoration of common respect for fellow forum members, what with the ever-present cynicism growing by the minute.

With all that being completely uncalled for, let's talk CU hockey...

-Tony Romano is an impressive young man, with a great passion for the game. He respects the demands of both Scottie and Coach Schafer with great exactitude. Tony's father is a tremendous Cornell Hockey fan, but also a very kind, respectful man, with high hopes for both Cornell and Tony. As for Tony's future prospects, I cannot begin to speculate what route he may take, or, for that matter, what routes he may even be considering, with any accuracy. I can say that Tony loves the university, especially it's concomitant factors such as his teammates and coaches.

-Much has been discussed in the past about what status Cornell has on the recruiting trail, and rightfully so. Though at the same time, Cornell's ora with prospective players is completely subjective with the individual recruit. For some, the scholarship (or lack thereof) poses a significant issue. For others, the combination of a perennial top 15 University and hockey team is incomparable. Kyle Okposo committed early in his high school career, but not before contacting Cornell to express their interest in the program. Cornell made his top 5, but ultimately Kyle grew up in Minneapolis and was going to stay there. The same goes for TJ Oshie of UND, except he was a tougher player to peg out of the Minnesota High School league. Cornell catches the eye of top talent, and the coaching staff are great recruiters (Romano wanted to commit on his visit), so it eventually just comes down to what fits each kid.

Many players nowadays look for the facilities to be an important stipulation, with the Ralph, Magness, Xcel center, and others reigning supreme on the landscape of college hockey. Each has the bells and whistles that can blind a recruit's judgment, but Cornell took great strides with the new locker room and training rooms to go with the already top-notch Athletes S & C facility. Cornell would rank in the top 5 of the WCHA in those categories, with only the immaculate Ralph, the World Arena, and Xcel preceding it.

As far as fan support or game atmosphere goes, you, Lynah Faithful, should be very proud. Cornell bests the "big-time" schools like Wisky, Denver, CC, and Boston College. The only schools I saw with comparable support this year were UNH and North Dakota, though keep in mind that the Ralph holds many times over the amount of fans to achieve such a high level of support. This does not go unnoticed by recruits, trust me...

-This team is not without great talent, strength, or the intangibles to be a supremely successful team in the coming years. In talking to a highly respected GDI scout recently, he stated that Troy Davenport "is really top-notch" and has drawn the attention of Ian Clarke at the Pro Camp run by GDI. An interesting comment by this scout stated that one cause of Troy's up-and-down play might be due to the fact that he came from Des Moines, a team that gave up 30 or more shots a game, and now he is making a transition to a great defensive team that allows in the 20s. This can take away from a goalie's rhythm and concentration, something that he will be more comfortable with as he matures. The team has offensive talent in Gallagher, Greening, Romano, Milo, and Barlow, as well as obvious grit in players like Kennedy and Mugford. This tandem should prove to be very successful as both classes mature with the goalies. I would not worry about the talent level of the team, as Cornell would actually fit in the top 10-15 of college hockey in bringing in good talent, except much of it goes unheralded due to the Canadian dominance and Brent and Scottie's eye for picking out the diamonds in the rough and talent that fits the program. Think David McKee...

-The staff is hot on the '08 trail right now, much moreso than what has been reported, though what has been is promising. Garman's coach proclaims that he is better at this stage than LeNeveu, which are pretty tall words, but his words nonetheless. Any reports on Grimshaw leaning or liking certain schools more than others can be taken with a grain of salt... right now. What remains true about him is that he a GREAT kid, the type of student-athlete Cornell and other players want in the program. Very bright kid that wants a great education in addition to great hockey. There are other kids looking to make contact with the staff that possess high-skill levels and other ECAC options... all I can really divulge.


The Lynah faithful are an integral part of this program, and it absolutely is noticed by the recruits and existing players. When I first talked to David McKee about Cornell, he told me of the fanatical fans they had, and in talking to Carl (David's Dad) recently, he mentioned that David has a large part of him that wishes he returned for his senior year. That does not happen to a high-profile college player without an incredible fanbase and overall appreciation for the program. I ask that you please remain hopeful for seasons to come and optimistic for what they will bring, because how you conduct yourselves does not go undetected by the eyes of those who matter. I can promise you that...

My greatest desire is to have provided some comfort for those who have lost some faith in the program, not to have rubbed any posters the wrong way. I apologize ahead of time, as I am sure I still managed to do just that. I tend to be oblivious like that. ;-)

Have a great off-season, maybe indulge in some basketball or lax, but above all else...

LET'S GO RED!

[BMac]

Boy, that's the nicest post I've read here.

Thanks!

[The Rancor]

Fantastic post! Welcome to the Elf!!

[Dpperk29]

Bravo!

very nice post, you summed up everything my limited exposure to cornell had me thinking in a clear well thought out manner.

-Devin
LGT

[profudge]

Thank you "lurkering"  a thoughtful and "positive' commentary!   I agree with you.   I am alreadylooking forward to the next couple of years  and wish all of the Big Red and elf folks a wonderful spring and summer!

[Trotsky]

[quote profudge]I am already looking forward to the next couple of years[/quote]Me too.  The outlook for next year is as positive as the outlook for this year was daunting.  The core of this team was the two underclasses.


There are still questions of senior leadership, but Topher is a firey competitor.  If the recruiting class ended without additions there would be serious problems with defensive depth, but Garrow still has time -- hey, he's free to travel early this year... ::whistle::

If we added no new offensive threats we would still have a very solid group, and an offseason on the skating treadmill has worked wonders with former players (think of the "before" and "after" shots of Mark McCutcheon), and with high profile guys like Riley Nash still under consideration, Garrow may not be done there, either.

SLU loses Rank, Taylor and Bagnall.
Clarkson loses nobody of importance.
Dartmouth loses Glass and Lovejoy.
Quinnipiac loses only Cashman, though that's a big loss.

The league as a whole will be stronger, but Cornell will challenge for home ice again, and with break out years from the kids might be right back on top of the conference again.

[redhair34]

[quote Trotsky]
Clarkson loses nobody of importance.
[/quote]

I'd be surprised if they didn't lose at least one member of their outstanding Junior class to the pros.

[Dpperk29]

and saying Michael Grenzy, Brodie Rutherglen, Mike Sullivan, Max Kolu, and Kyle McNulty aren't important is an understatement. I can think of atleast 2 times this year when each one of them stepped up in some way shape or form and changed the course of a game.

we might not be losing the ones that you see on the scoresheet every night, but we are losing some incredibly vaulable players.

[Chris '03]

[quote Dpperk29]

[CCT] might not be losing the ones that you see on the scoresheet every night, but we are losing some incredibly vaulable players.[/quote]

Good! :-P

[Beeeej]

[quote lurkering]not to have rubbed any posters the wrong way. I apologize ahead of time, as I am sure I still managed to do just that.[/quote]

Other than using some big words that don't mean what you think they mean, not at all.  :-)  Your insight is welcome here.

[Trotsky]

[quote Dpperk29]and saying Michael Grenzy, Brodie Rutherglen, Mike Sullivan, Max Kolu, and Kyle McNulty aren't important is an understatement.[/quote]No offense intended to those guys, but I am thinking of the very top-tier conference players, here.  Cornell, after all, loses Bitz (second on the team in scoring and captain), McCutcheon (at times, seemingly the only guy on the ice with a natural touch, and the only bright spot on the pp), Carefoot (excellent two-way player) and Glover (steady, quiet, anchoring Dman).  These too are the kind of valuable players you don't win championships without.  However, they are "replaceable" in the sense that there are guys who always seem to develop and fill these slots.

OTOH, guys like Bagnall, Rank, and Cashman you don't replace.  When they leave, you are immeasurably poorer.  Dodge is a guy like that.  If he and a few friends decide to defect, Clarkson may be looking at the kind of season Cornell just endured.

[ugarte]

[quote Trotsky]OTOH, guys like Moulson, McKee, O'Byrne, Pokulok you don't replace.  When they leave, you are immeasurably poorer.[/quote]

In light of the ALL-CAPS thread, FYP.

[MINIteam8s]

Thank you for providing these details from your inside / outside perspective.  By that I mean...the inside (exceptional) access to information and (required) sensitivity for what should be shared online...combined with an outsider's objective, comparative perspective on Cornell vs. other programs.

It's easy for us Faithful to obsess...ECAC, coaching, recruits, leadership, the CU system, etc., etc., etc...to see the world through our CU carnelian-colored lens. Obsessing will make the next seven months more fun.  Your "few musings" will help keep me grounded!

Thanks much for your insights.

[Josh '99]

[quote Dpperk29]and saying Michael Grenzy, Brodie Rutherglen, Mike Sullivan, Max Kolu, and Kyle McNulty aren't important is an understatement. I can think of atleast 2 times this year when each one of them stepped up in some way shape or form and changed the course of a game.

we might not be losing the ones that you see on the scoresheet every night, but we are losing some incredibly vaulable players.[/quote]This sounds a bit like comments some Cornell fans made in 2005 when it was said that that year's senior class (Knoepfli, Iggulden, Varteressian, Cook, Downs) wasn't going to be a huge loss with the strong rising senior class returning (Moulson, Hynes, Pegoraro, Abbott, Abbott, Gleed).  Now, obviously Clarkson's rising senior class is REALLY deep, but even so, I believe the parallel stands.

[Josh '99]

[quote lurkering]Hi, all-

**snip**

LET'S GO RED![/quote]That (if reproduced in its entirety, of course) was better than anything I've ever posted here.  B-]