Mike Schafer retiring 2025

[Scersk '97]

During every short sample of not great play in the last 30 years casual fans have beaten their chests and bemoaned the drop from the level of play they think we simply are entitled to, ignoring the fact that the only reason the standard is that high is Schafer.  If you remember McCutcheon and Reycroft and TBH even Bertrand, you aren't fantasizing about getting rid of Schafer as an impediment to what Cornell hockey "ought" to be.  There is no ought.  There is only is, and the is of the last 30 years has been a fucking miracle.

"McCutcheon must go! McCutcheon must go!"

Just not right for the college game.

I'm glad we weren't so tough on him as to sour him on the institution and turn away Mark, who was a fine player.

[adamw]

I can't even with this nonsense - so - not gonna feed the troll.

[arugula]

Maybe the numbers don't show it and maybe it's not fair under the circumstances, but I never thought they played very well when Syer had to take over during some of Schafer's medical absences.  Off of that sample size I didn't think he should have been the successor.

This is true.

[arugula]

Maybe the numbers don't show it and maybe it's not fair under the circumstances, but I never thought they played very well when Syer had to take over during some of Schafer's medical absences.  Off of that sample size I didn't think he should have been the successor.

This is true.

At least in the last few years after Mike had his health issues.

[BearLover]

Others have mentioned this already but Syer had a great record taking over for Mike in his absences, until he took over for an extended period when Mike was out with a health issue in 2021-22. During this period the team struggled. I do wonder if that's when Mike made the determination that Syer wasn't ready.

[Swampy]

Others have mentioned this already but Syer had a great record taking over for Mike in his absences, until he took over for an extended period when Mike was out with a health issue in 2021-22. During this period the team struggled. I do wonder if that's when Mike made the determination that Syer wasn't ready.

How did Casey do during this stretch?

[George64]

The university should consider retiring Mike's jersey number, not because of his HOF achievements in the NHL but because of his extraordinary, lifelong contribution to Cornell Hockey.

Mike should also be honored as the Jay R. Bloom '77 Head Coach, Emeritus, upon his retirement.
.

[Tcl123]

Maybe a bronze bust at the entrance of rink for players to touch prior to getting on the ice.

Or give him a statue outside (that should be for harkness or Dryden in my mind however)

[RichH]

Maybe a bronze bust at the entrance of rink for players to touch prior to getting on the ice.

Or give him a statue outside (that should be for harkness or Dryden in my mind however)

Ring (or Wall, given the building geometry) of Honor isn't a difficult concept, folks.

[Jeff Hopkins '82]

Maybe a bronze bust at the entrance of rink for players to touch prior to getting on the ice.

Or give him a statue outside (that should be for harkness or Dryden in my mind however)

Ring (or Wall, given the building geometry) of Honor isn't a difficult concept, folks.

Given the amount of displays in the hallways, I think adding one for Schafer should be a piece of cake.

[VIEWfromK]

How about The Mike Schafer Ice Surface at Lynah Rink?

[Roy 82]

Maybe a bronze bust at the entrance of rink for players to touch prior to getting on the ice.

Or give him a statue outside (that should be for harkness or Dryden in my mind however)

Ring (or Wall, given the building geometry) of Honor isn't a difficult concept, folks.

Given the amount of displays in the hallways, I think adding one for Schafer should be a piece of cake.

Maybe Schafer has gained a few pounds, but I don't think the display should be a piece of cake :-D
Rather it should be a statue of him breaking a stick over his head. Or if it is just a bust then perhaps and interactive one where players can break things over the head for luck.

[Tcl123]

Maybe a bronze bust at the entrance of rink for players to touch prior to getting on the ice.

Or give him a statue outside (that should be for harkness or Dryden in my mind however)

Ring (or Wall, given the building geometry) of Honor isn't a difficult concept, folks.

Given the amount of displays in the hallways, I think adding one for Schafer should be a piece of cake.

Maybe Schafer has gained a few pounds, but I don't think the display should be a piece of cake :-D
Rather it should be a statue of him breaking a stick over his head. Or if it is just a bust then perhaps and interactive one where players can break things over the head for luck.

I really like the last idea.

[Jeff Hopkins '82]

Maybe a bronze bust at the entrance of rink for players to touch prior to getting on the ice.

Or give him a statue outside (that should be for harkness or Dryden in my mind however)

Ring (or Wall, given the building geometry) of Honor isn't a difficult concept, folks.

Given the amount of displays in the hallways, I think adding one for Schafer should be a piece of cake.

Maybe Schafer has gained a few pounds, but I don't think the display should be a piece of cake :-D
Rather it should be a statue of him breaking a stick over his head. Or if it is just a bust then perhaps and interactive one where players can break things over the head for luck.

I really like the last idea.

I like the way you think, Roy.  

And knowing you for as long as I do, that scares me.::cry::

[Trotsky]

One of Schafer's most remarkable statistics.

In playoff games on the road, which, by definition, were all games in which we were the underdog, Schafer's career record is now complete at 10-6-1.  Out of 7 series we advanced 4 times, and took national #1 Q to game 3 in both our Hamden series, coming within 64 seconds of beating them in 2013.