ECAC Early and Grad Departures 2024

[BearLover]

I am hoping Ayrton Martino of Clarkson signs a pro deal. Third round draft pick of Dallas and one of Clarkson's leading scorers each of his three college seasons. You'd think he would be a good candidate to sign a pro deal, but maybe the Stars don't have the space. Given Clarkson's season ended weeks ago, I guess he'll unfortunately be back.

Of course, if you root for a strong ECAC, you would prefer that Martino return for his senior season. Preferring a strong ECAC would also mean rooting for Colin Graf to stay, for Macklin Celebrini to transfer for Harvard for his sophomore season, etc.

[BearLover]

Let's assume, as has generally been the case the past few seasons, that (1) Cornell doesn't gain anybody from the portal, (2) Cornell doesn't lose anyone to the portal, (3) the blue bloods/top power conference schools and Quinnipiac are clear net winners from the portal and (4) most of the rest of the NCAA are clear net losers from the portal.

How does this impact:
1. Our odds of winning the ECAC championship
2. Our odds of making the NCAAs
3. Our odds of winning once we get to the NCAAs

And, how does your answer change after the fifth year of eligibility goes away after next season?

[Dafatone]

As someone who has anxiety about whether or not bad things HAVE happened, anxiety about whether or not bad things WILL happen sounds exhausting.

Also, we got Seger through the portal, so it can work for us. But we don't exactly have a lot of room for newcomers unless something changes for the worse.

[Jeff Hopkins '82]

Let's assume, as has generally been the case the past few seasons, that (1) Cornell doesn't gain anybody from the portal, (2) Cornell doesn't lose anyone to the portal, (3) the blue bloods/top power conference schools and Quinnipiac are clear net winners from the portal and (4) most of the rest of the NCAA are clear net losers from the portal.

How does this impact:
1. Our odds of winning the ECAC championship
2. Our odds of making the NCAAs
3. Our odds of winning once we get to the NCAAs

And, how does your answer change after the fifth year of eligibility goes away after next season?

Please show your work.

[CU2007]

I am hoping Ayrton Martino of Clarkson signs a pro deal. Third round draft pick of Dallas and one of Clarkson's leading scorers each of his three college seasons. You'd think he would be a good candidate to sign a pro deal, but maybe the Stars don't have the space. Given Clarkson's season ended weeks ago, I guess he'll unfortunately be back.

Of course, if you root for a strong ECAC, you would prefer that Martino return for his senior season. Preferring a strong ECAC would also mean rooting for Colin Graf to stay, for Macklin Celebrini to transfer for Harvard for his sophomore season, etc.

I gave a wry smile at the Celebrini comment. Love your work BL. Truly a dog with a bone.

[marty]

As someone who has anxiety about whether or not bad things HAVE happened, anxiety about whether or not bad things WILL happen sounds exhausting.

Also, we got Seger through the portal, so it can work for us. But we don't exactly have a lot of room for newcomers unless something changes for the worse.

We'll if anyone is looking for a better coach or a better engineering program.  But Bennet is gone and Seger was a one off.

[scoop85]

One of the Colgate players in the portal is Ryan MGuire, Pierre's son. Ryan had a productive sophomore year and I'm surprised he's looking for greener pastures. I imagine he'll have plenty of suitors.

McGuire's going to Northeastern.

[Swampy]

One of the Colgate players in the portal is Ryan MGuire, Pierre's son. Ryan had a productive sophomore year and I'm surprised he's looking for greener pastures. I imagine he'll have plenty of suitors.

McGuire's going to Northeastern.

This may be another way a weak ECAC affects the landscape. Players looking for greener pastures may be attracted by the alleged superiority of HE.

[Troyfan]

Players who have entered the portal:

Code Select Expand


4 Brown
2 Clarkson
6 Colgate
0 Cornell
2 Dartmouth
2 Harvard
5 Princeton
1 Quinnipiac
6 RPI
6 St. Lawrence
3 Union
4 Yale



NMU has 11 guys in the portal.  Stonehill has 12.

That has to be encouraging for Cornell, that on a roster where there are more good players than playing time, they all want to stay (if I understand portal business correctly).  Other programs might have to spend some time looking in their mirrors!

I look at this that evidence that Coach Schaefer is doing a good job off the ice as well as on it.  He's not inducing, overselling, or exaggerating Cornell or the hockey program but presenting them honestly and the young men are indeed finding the experience as he described it or better.

Still, it would  have been nice if Malone and Tupker had stuck around.

[Trotsky]

Of course, if you root for a strong ECAC, you would prefer that Martino return for his senior season. Preferring a strong ECAC would also mean rooting for Colin Graf to stay, for Macklin Celebrini to transfer for Harvard for his sophomore season, etc.

Players going pro is a tremendous sign of strength.  I hope all our opponents get kneecapped by early flight.

[BearLover]

Players who have entered the portal:

Code Select Expand


4 Brown
2 Clarkson
6 Colgate
0 Cornell
2 Dartmouth
2 Harvard
5 Princeton
1 Quinnipiac
6 RPI
6 St. Lawrence
3 Union
4 Yale



NMU has 11 guys in the portal.  Stonehill has 12.

That has to be encouraging for Cornell, that on a roster where there are more good players than playing time, they all want to stay (if I understand portal business correctly).  Other programs might have to spend some time looking in their mirrors!

I look at this that evidence that Coach Schaefer is doing a good job off the ice as well as on it.  He's not inducing, overselling, or exaggerating Cornell or the hockey program but presenting them honestly and the young men are indeed finding the experience as he described it or better.

Still, it would  have been nice if Malone and Tupker had stuck around.

I agree. It's evidence of an honestly run program, plus evidence that the players value the Cornell degree. In the world of the transfer portal, if your school provides a valuable four-year degree, that's a benefit.

And I agree that if we had Malone and Tupker, we'd still be playing.

[arugula]

Would the Ivy have allowed Malone and Tupker to play?  I don't think so as they were playing as grad students.

[George64]

I agree. It's evidence of an honestly run program, plus evidence that the players value the Cornell degree. In the world of the transfer portal, if your school provides a valuable four-year degree, that's a benefit.

And I agree that if we had Malone and Tupker, we'd still be playing.

I agree, but Malone and Tupker both graduated.  They didn't just bolt for greener pastures.  What prevented them from using their remaining year of eligibility was the Ivy prohibition against grad students playing.  Will this issue go away now that the Covid cohorts are no longer around, or will schools use this as a way to "redshirt" better student-athletes?

[BearLover]

I agree. It's evidence of an honestly run program, plus evidence that the players value the Cornell degree. In the world of the transfer portal, if your school provides a valuable four-year degree, that's a benefit.

And I agree that if we had Malone and Tupker, we'd still be playing.

I agree, but Malone and Tupker both graduated.  They didn't just bolt for greener pastures.  What prevented them from using their remaining year of eligibility was the Ivy prohibition against grad students playing.  Will this issue go away now that the Covid cohorts are no longer around, or will schools use this as a way to "redshirt" better student-athletes?

Yes, to be clear, the only one at fault here is the Ivy League.

[upprdeck]

Of course nothing stops a kid who isn't going to really play much as a FR from taking a semester off to not be on schedule and getting 5 yrs to play 4.  the LAX guys can do it because the sport doesn't really go across semesters.  A discussion that other sports do by RS without the grad restriction the Ivies have.