2026 TBRW Awards

[pjd8]

I thought about Syer for the Oates, but felt it really should go to a player.

Had there been anybody who truly stood out for me.  And somebody may make a great case.

It went to Brent Brekke two years ago, so precedent has been set.

Quite frankly, I think Ben Syer is going to be out biggest obstacle in the ECAC for years to come, and by extension at the national tournament as well, since we'll have to overcome Princeton to get there.

I was willing to say the loss in Hobey Baker Rink was an aberration of them playing in front of their fans for senior night, but then they did it again at Placid. And Syer knows our program from the inside. This could become quite the rivalry if he can maintain the trajectory he's established with the team. And I think he can.

[stereax]

I thought about Syer for the Oates, but felt it really should go to a player.

Had there been anybody who truly stood out for me.  And somebody may make a great case.

It went to Brent Brekke two years ago, so precedent has been set.

Quite frankly, I think Ben Syer is going to be out biggest obstacle in the ECAC for years to come, and by extension at the national tournament as well, since we'll have to overcome Princeton to get there.

I was willing to say the loss in Hobey Baker Rink was an aberration of them playing in front of their fans for senior night, but then they did it again at Placid. And Syer knows our program from the inside. This could become quite the rivalry if he can maintain the trajectory he's established with the team. And I think he can.

Hey, I'm all for more Ivies being competitive. Would love another fun rivalry.

I also really appreciate that Princeton plays relatively clean hockey, all things considered. Not crimebaggery like some ECAC opponents. Makes it more of a match of skill, which is more fun.

I voted for Arthur Smith in part because of that - and in part, because I mentioned it many times during the ECAC final, that man deserved better than that OTL. Splendid player, gave it his all both nights in Placid.

[Bluelightning]

Natyshak: O'Brien
Macfarlane: Major
Gage: Keoppel
Shippel: Castagna...given 110% effort every shift I've seen in 3 years. As scrappy as they come
Schafer: Walsh
Oates: Syer
Dadswell: Ryan
Nieuwendyk: Castagna

[Jim Hyla]

Natyshak - O'Brien
MacFarlane - Castagna
Gage - O'Brien
Shippel - Kraft
Schafer - Walsh
Oates - Syer
Dadswell - Cournoyer
Nieuwendyk - Cournoyer

Many will have disputes with the last two, but when you get named as ECAC GOTY it's hard not to list him.

Sure we had a good back up, but does anyone think that we'd have gotten as far without him?

[stereax]

Natyshak - O'Brien
MacFarlane - Castagna
Gage - O'Brien
Shippel - Kraft
Schafer - Walsh
Oates - Syer
Dadswell - Cournoyer
Nieuwendyk - Cournoyer

Many will have disputes with the last two, but when you get named as ECAC GOTY it's hard not to list him.

Sure we had a good back up, but does anyone think that we'd have gotten as far without him?

I think Courns is super valid for Dadswell and imo it's either him or XV. Nieuwendyk is a surprise but you're not wrong - Keopple is great but Courns when on his game is another level.

[Trotsky]

Broken link.

Fuck, really?

Look for Chip.

[Trotsky]

I thought about Syer for the Oates, but felt it really should go to a player.

Had there been anybody who truly stood out for me.  And somebody may make a great case.

It went to Brent Brekke two years ago, so precedent has been set.

Quite frankly, I think Ben Syer is going to be out biggest obstacle in the ECAC for years to come, and by extension at the national tournament as well, since we'll have to overcome Princeton to get there.

I was willing to say the loss in Hobey Baker Rink was an aberration of them playing in front of their fans for senior night, but then they did it again at Placid. And Syer knows our program from the inside. This could become quite the rivalry if he can maintain the trajectory he's established with the team. And I think he can.

Syer had a flawless game plan against us in Placid and his staff got Princeton to execute it.

I used to think Syer would replace Pecknold after the inevitable auto-erotic asphyxiation tragedy, but now that Cashman will obviously get Q my plan is Casey coaches us to the national title in the next 5 years and then when he retires Syer takes the gig.  We can stock the ECAC as our coaching development hatchery, the way some F1 teams have a junior team they ostensibly compete against which they raid when they find a tasty salmon.

[George64]

While it's nice to have the Norton Award for the top-scoring defenseman, you should add an award for the best defensive defenseman (Ratushny Award?) and, while you're at it, best defensive forward.

[stereax]

if we're putting in award requests can I ask for one for most memorable play?

[Snowball]

[George64]

Nice interview with Jon Castagna from before Lake Placid.  Definitely worth watching.  Hope he comes back for his senior year, but he has to do what's best for his professional future.

[RichH]

Nice interview with Jon Castagna from before Lake Placid.  Definitely worth watching.  Hope he comes back for his senior year, but he has to do what's best for his professional future.

No, he has to do what some fans on a message board want.

[stereax]

Nice interview with Jon Castagna from before Lake Placid.  Definitely worth watching.  Hope he comes back for his senior year, but he has to do what's best for his professional future.

No, he has to do what some fans on a message board want.

Exactlyyyy

No but being for real, I think we'd all love to have him back for his senior year, but he's gotta make the decision that's best for him, whether that's going pro now or not. And that's not an easy decision, much as some of us like to think it is. Obviously you want to have one last ride with the Big Red, but there's a cost to that too and it isn't insignificant.

In either case, I know he's gonna make us proud, whether that's at Lynah next year or the Saddledome.