Bye-bye Ben

[George64]

Nice comments from former players:

"Ben is a phenomenal coach and an even better person. His attention to detail and enthusiastic personality are infectious, and helped establish a winning culture during my time with him at Cornell. He genuinely cares for his players, staff and community, and I know he'll continue to positively impact their lives at Princeton, just as he has mine." —
Morgan Barron, Winnipeg Jets

"Benny is easily the most detailed coach I've had. There are so many little details that he taught me throughout my four years under his wing that made my transition to professional hockey much easier. The importance of stick detail, gaps, and communication are what he focused on the most. He allowed me to use my skill to make plays while also teaching me when to make the simple play. A lot of Cornell's success is a credit to Benny. He did a great job teaching us the systems and getting us to play smart and structured hockey. It was easy to see how much he cared about us and wanted to win. We are lucky to have played for him as he's made us all better players and people." —
Sam Malinski, Colorado Avalanche

"I had the privilege of being coached by Ben Syer for the entirety of my college career, and the passion he brings to the rink every day along with his acute attention to detail creates a culture that breeds success and character. He invests in his student-athletes and cares about their development as players and as people. We are all extremely excited for Benny to embark on this new chapter of his career and can't wait to see the incredible impact he will have on Princeton's historic program." —
Jeff Malott, Manitoba Moose

[Trotsky]

jesus christ shut up about this already

-- DJT

[Trotsky]

Just because Ben went to Princeton doesn't mean he can't still wind up replacing Mike.

(That should be good for another few months, ugarte...)

[adamw]

Adam-any insight into how this will affect Cornell's recruiting?

No great insights. I'm sure they will be fine. Mike Schafer knows what he's doing.

[David Harding]

Where do new assistant coaches come from?  Assistants or graduate assistants elsewhere?  Prep school coaches?  Would coaching in the USHL be a step up or a step down?  Minor league pros?  Europe?

[jtwcornell91]

Just because Ben went to Princeton doesn't mean he can't still wind up replacing Mike.

I keep thinking of this, with Bob Gaudet as a precedent (although the situation is slightly different since Dartmouth was also Gaudet's alma mater).

[upprdeck]

Think about it though.  If he does well, why does he want to come back to a job at Cornell when Princeton has so many things going for it to help a coach?  How old will he be in 2-3-4 yrs anyway to want to take over another program??

[BearLover]

Think about it though.  If he does well, why does he want to come back to a job at Cornell when Princeton has so many things going for it to help a coach?  How old will he be in 2-3-4 yrs anyway to want to take over another program??

Because Cornell can compete at the national level? Also, why assume Schafer is retiring in 2-4 years?

Syer is 49.

[upprdeck]

If he doesn't compete you think Cornell would have him as first choice to come back?

[Swampy]

The Cornell website still has Ben as Associate HC. But unless he can be Cornell's AHC and Princeton's HC at once, I suppose this has to be updated.

Does anyone know for sure that Flanagan is being promoted or what other coaching changes for Cornell Men's Hockey are afoot?

Also, since Ben oversaw recruiting, have any recruits coming in 2024 changed their minds? What about those lined up for 2025 or 2026?

On a more analytical level, it would be edifying to compare the quality of recruits, at both Cornell & Princeton, over say the past 3 years vs 2024 to 2028. Heisenberg's spreadsheet might be a good starting point.

[RichH]

Also, since Ben oversaw recruiting, have any recruits coming in 2024 changed their minds? What about those lined up for 2025 or 2026?

My guess is that recruits are typically sold on the program and the head coach, not the recruiter/associate coach.

I seem to remember that Casey was also the lead on the recruiting effort, so we already have a sample of this exact scenario.

[Trotsky]

Also, since Ben oversaw recruiting, have any recruits coming in 2024 changed their minds? What about those lined up for 2025 or 2026?

My guess is that recruits are typically sold on the program and the head coach, not the recruiter/associate coach.

I seem to remember that Casey was also the lead on the recruiting effort, so we already have a sample of this exact scenario.

It may be some recruiters are great at finding prospects, though.  You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.

[Troyfan]

Who's taking his place?

[RichH]

Also, since Ben oversaw recruiting, have any recruits coming in 2024 changed their minds? What about those lined up for 2025 or 2026?

My guess is that recruits are typically sold on the program and the head coach, not the recruiter/associate coach.

I seem to remember that Casey was also the lead on the recruiting effort, so we already have a sample of this exact scenario.

It may be some recruiters are great at finding prospects, though.  You miss 100% of the shots you don't take.

Well, of course, that's an obvious change. Ben's Rolodex is going with him.

I was responding to the question of whether any recruits already committed have/might change their minds to follow the bald guy who recruited them to another school. I see that as unlikely.