When will Halderson quit relying on the U name?

[brookyone]

U.S. National Team

U-18s

GOALTENDERS
Alyssa Grogan Eagan, Minn.
Rebecca Ruegsegger Lakewood, Colo.

DEFENSEMEN
Megan Bozek Buffalo Grove, Ill.
Ann-Marie Elvin Boston, Mass.
Ashley Holmes Miltona, Minn.
Anne Schleper St. Cloud, Minn.
Kelly Seeler Eden Prairie, Minn.
Kelly Wild Mendota Heights, Minn.
Pamela Zgoda Cheektowaga, N.Y.

FORWARDS
Brooke Ammerman River Vale, N.J.
Kate Bacon Chanhassen, Minn.
Alley Bero Akwesasne, N.Y.
Ashley Cottrell Sterling Heights, Mich.
Brianna Decker Dousman, Wis.
Sarah Erickson LaPorte, Minn.
Mary Restuccia Chester Springs, Pa.
Lauren Smith Burnsville, Minn.
Corey Stearns Falmouth, Mass.
Allison Szlosek Bedford, Mass.
Kimberly Theut Harrison Twp., Mich.
Danielle Welch Hastings, Minn.

[puckmaniac]

Media -
Your view of recruiting "parts" for a hockey team is too simplistic. You can't equate car parts to living human beings with hearts, brains, emotions, and unique physical skills. I'm sure every coach in the country would love it if it were that easy. I get your point about team chemistry, but that's my point also - it's not that easy to predict. That's one of the things that make team sports so interesting!

[Media]

Ahhh Mr Maniac review the first word in my request to Brooky, CONSIDER is it POSSIBLE That such exceptional elite players maynot gel as anticipated . To your point, we dont know what will happen , Why all the hype of a great recruiting class if we dont know. Past performance
Your only as good as your last game in D1 . Too many chefs spoil the batter and t Ithink there are a lot of new chefs in that kichenIMO.

[brookyone]

Ahhh Mr Maniac review the first word in my request to Brooky, CONSIDER is it POSSIBLE That such exceptional elite players maynot gel as anticipated . To your point, we dont know what will happen , Why all the hype of a great recruiting class if we dont know. Past performance
Your only as good as your last game in D1 . Too many chefs spoil the batter and t Ithink there are a lot of new chefs in that kichenIMO.

Why all the hype? Perhaps it's just me, but I consider that a somewhat strange question. What fan, or persons who follow collegiate hockey, in this case the Gophers, isn't encouraged by, excited about and enthusiastic regarding the successful recruitment of highly talented players to the team they follow? Since you ask "Why all the hype" about an unknown, or unpredictable future...well, since your failure to gel theory is equally unknown and unpredictible, I'll ask why inject your personal dose of pessimism into the discussion? No one excited about a very strong class of recruits should be hyped, but at the same time, it's acceptable to be the voice of doom? I don't quite understand that attitude. Do you want the staff to recruit less talented players?

I don't believe too many coaching staffs are going to follow a philosophy of not recruiting top talent...and as much of it as possible to obtain their desired results. Everyone knows recruiting is a little bit of a crap shoot and contains potential pitfalls...nothing new or unknown there. That's the chance a coach takes every step on the recruiting path.

The Gopher class is an excellent group of players and a pretty good job on the part of the Minnesota staff...which was a significant part of my original point...made to those who have been condemning, and or questioning Gopher recruiting recently, particularly with regards to Minnesota talent.

Maybe next your gonna tell us it was a mistake to recruit Wendell AND Darwitz.

Edit: While we're at it, we should ask Mark Johnson what in the world was he thinking when he recruited Knight, Deluce & Ammerman.

[Hux]

Edit: While we're at it, we should ask Mark Johnson what in the world was he thinking when he recruited Knight, Deluce & Ammerman.

Ah, something along the lines of "Gotta beat the Gophers, gotta beat the Gophers!"

[Media]

Ahh Brooky not unlike the countless thousands who live and die with the Maroon and Gold you too are blinded by hesteria that encompasses rodent land. But thats really ok because it adds to the fun ofthe game for all . First let me say I appreciate your well thought out comments on this board and I clearly believe you are in know of womens ice hockey in general. My emotions often run high when talk of MInnesota occurs because they are under such a spotlite all the time. Great this great that, Even your comments on Windell and Darwitz draw on the past. The banners are in the past . In reality what a third place finish last year?
In reality the difference in that program and others is made of two things, past success and marketing. Those two things have have been the mainstay in both mens and womens programs for sometime. They may very well be a national champion this year, or a complete flop. My only reason for the car part scenario was to indicate that a great recruiting class (which it is)is not a guarrantee for anything. I have nothing but respect for the coaching staff just know that their are other schools with potentially equal or better recruiting classes. But its only the Rodent fans who run theirs up the flag pole at every chance. Each and every D-1 athelete pays a price not seen by the public in school and in life, Yes every girl that plays hockey for the most part wants to be a gopher, but in reality because their are a few chosen each year to be one, many others get pushed by the wayside by people OH she's just going here , or oh she's she just going there. Reality is these girls are not that far behind the select few chosen for the Rodents if they are behind at all. You Brooky of all people know that recruiting is based on Need. You get the best available for the need you have. Beyond that its the opinion of the coaches which are best. Bottom line their are other teams, Just not as much HYPE LOL

[brookyone]

Ahh Brooky not unlike the countless thousands who live and die with the Maroon and Gold you too are blinded by hesteria that encompasses rodent land. But thats really ok because it adds to the fun ofthe game for all . First let me say I appreciate your well thought out comments on this board and I clearly believe you are in know of womens ice hockey in general. My emotions often run high when talk of MInnesota occurs because they are under such a spotlite all the time. Great this great that, Even your comments on Windell and Darwitz draw on the past. The banners are in the past . In reality what a third place finish last year?
In reality the difference in that program and others is made of two things, past success and marketing. Those two things have have been the mainstay in both mens and womens programs for sometime. They may very well be a national champion this year, or a complete flop. My only reason for the car part scenario was to indicate that a great recruiting class (which it is)is not a guarrantee for anything. I have nothing but respect for the coaching staff just know that their are other schools with potentially equal or better recruiting classes. But its only the Rodent fans who run theirs up the flag pole at every chance. Each and every D-1 athelete pays a price not seen by the public in school and in life, Yes every girl that plays hockey for the most part wants to be a gopher, but in reality because their are a few chosen each year to be one, many others get pushed by the wayside by people OH she's just going here , or oh she's she just going there. Reality is these girls are not that far behind the select few chosen for the Rodents if they are behind at all. You Brooky of all people know that recruiting is based on Need. You get the best available for the need you have. Beyond that its the opinion of the coaches which are best. Bottom line their are other teams, Just not as much HYPE LOL

Don't read the women's college hockey board much do you...not at all from the sound of it. Gopher fans are about the most low key fans there are in comparison to many others. It really sounds to me like you just have some personal bone with Minnesota and Minnesota fans. Your use of "Rodents" bears that out rather clearly IMO. lol

The thread starts with complaints about Gopher recruiting in state...with no followup comment from you by BTW. Then when a completely fair and warranted rebutle occurs due to solid Gopher recruiting within the state (which was the point), you show up and speak of completely speculative and baseless claims of potential failure of those recruits. Everybody knows a great recruiting class doesn't gaurantee success. Not exactly a stunning revelation. Does that mean they should not recruit great talent?

I guess the Gopher staff can't win...either way...lose recruits...land recruits...there failing or doing something wrong.

I can say I'm glad you're not involved in recruiting...at least I hope not. lol

[Media]

LOL Brooky the only thing I find disapointing in your replys to this are the POOR Gophers cant win. :roll:Not unexpected . LOL Its the same empathetic sniveling heard across the state when someone just doesnt acknowlodge that the rodents dont really walk on water and are supceptible to the same failings as any other club. Do they have great players you bet, Should they have great players you bet. The playing field is not even. and before you say it, no whine just fact. Other than ND which rink would you want to play at ? Only point I tried and perhaps failed to make is that you are not a complete failure in hockey if you dont play for the rodents Witness the chanting at mens game Vs other Minnesota wcha schools, Gopher rejects. Poor Gophers I think not! LOL
Anyway , I know you are a great hockey person and appreciate your comments and suspect your knowlodge base is fairand honest and I do respect your opinions.. IMO you just defend a team that has every advantage, some created by them, some by tax payers. Recruiting great players is easy if you have an unlimited list of applicants and artisan money. Not a bit critical of the players or coaches, I just think any coach in the league would do an equal or maybe better job given the same resources. That was my only point in this whole thing. but the replys were examples of the euphoria when some one dare say" The king has no clothes" oh yeah Gopher fans low key come on even you know thats a far reach!

[hockeywild7]

I have a hard time understanding why the gophers have this great unfair advantage recruiting. Does this pertain to hockey only? Seems to me they are at a great disadvantage when it comes to recruiting athletes in most sports. The one advantage I think they do have in hockey is tradition. They dont get anymore money to recruit then other coaches. I would say the 3 best facilities in the country might be Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin. But if its all about facilities North Dakota sure hasnt proved this theory right as they might have the best arena in the country. Sounds like sour grapes to me. As Brooky says recruiting isnt an exact science. No matter how nice your facilities or great your coaching staff is, sometimes kids choose schools for other reasons. Women athletes usually have a completely different agenda when it comes to picking a school than most male athletes do so its hard to compare.

[brookyone]

LOL Brooky the only thing I find disapointing in your replys to this are the POOR Gophers cant win. :roll:Not unexpected . LOL Its the same empathetic sniveling heard across the state when someone just doesnt acknowlodge that the rodents dont really walk on water and are supceptible to the same failings as any other club. Do they have great players you bet, Should they have great players you bet. The playing field is not even. and before you say it, no whine just fact. Other than ND which rink would you want to play at ? Only point I tried and perhaps failed to make is that you are not a complete failure in hockey if you dont play for the rodents Witness the chanting at mens game Vs other Minnesota wcha schools, Gopher rejects. Poor Gophers I think not! LOL
Anyway , I know you are a great hockey person and appreciate your comments and suspect your knowlodge base is fairand honest and I do respect your opinions.. IMO you just defend a team that has every advantage, some created by them, some by tax payers. Recruiting great players is easy if you have an unlimited list of applicants and artisan money. Not a bit critical of the players or coaches, I just think any coach in the league would do an equal or maybe better job given the same resources. That was my only point in this whole thing. but the replys were examples of the euphoria when some one dare say" The king has no clothes" oh yeah Gopher fans low key come on even you know thats a far reach!

I'm really beginning to think you have some reading comprehension difficulties. What's apparent in post after post of yours is an inherent, constant bitterness regarding the University of Minnesota hockey program and it's fans. As I noted earlier, the thread began and originated with complaints being voiced regarding Gopher recruiting failures in the eyes of some. You remind me a great deal of every UMD women's hockey fan I've ever had the displeasure of knowing through hockey forum posts. Always spewing the unfair advantage BS...and yes, it is whining. Getting back to the origin of this thread, (try reading the thread title and read the initial posts) I offered a response to indicate an opposing opinion...with FACTS to include the members of the 2008 recruit class, which in my opinion strongly refutes an opinion or comment that "Coach Halldorson relies on the U name" when it comes to recruiting. Frankly I never did give that theory any credence. I think it's completely inaccurate and dead wrong. You then, with those comprehension difficulties, interpret my response as "running up the flag" or some such bizarre observation...a convenient misintepretation to facilitate your anti Gopher swill. BTW, if a Gopher fan...or any hockey fan wants to speak admiringly about a group of recruits and the job done by the staff...what's the problem with that? What's your problem with that? Are you in charge of dictating proper fan level of apprecitiation? You say only Gopher fans do this...that's flat out a major load of bull doody. Read the college hockey forum and find out for yourself. You probably don't want to do that because it will interfere with that incorrect observation of yours, that only Gopher fans do this. Fans of many other programs are regularly, routinely far more celebratory and in your face regarding their team and recruits. A couple particular fan bases frequently declare themselves the obvious NCAA title winner or sure fire FF entrant by November or December. We also see threads started in this very forum to congratulate top players commitments to many teams, with accompanying enthusiasm and excitement. I think it's a nice gesture, but what I'm wondering is why I've never seen you bad mouth any of those posters for "running 'em up the flag" as you do when it concerns Gopher players. Getting back to that personal little hint of specific animosity and bitterness when Minnesota is the subject. Hmmm...something to SERIOUSLY consider. lol

Only point I tried and perhaps failed to make is that you are not a complete failure in hockey if you dont play for the rodents Witness the chanting at mens game Vs other Minnesota wcha schools, Gopher rejects. Poor Gophers I think not! LOL

This is another strange one. Who, in this thread, ever claimed, posted or implied a player is a failure if they don't play for Minnesota? See, this gets back to the inherent bitterness on your part...a complete invention of something that wasn't even said so you can go off on the Gopher program. I'm not talking about or addressing anything regarding the men's program. Again, just a convenient invention by you to spew your sour grapes. Got nothing to do with the topic in this thread. How 'bout another "poor Gophers"?? Who ever said that? If I want to post a counterpoint which very clearly, factually refutes a previously expressed comment (indictment) you imply this translates to "poor Gophers", well, that's another odd and incorrect intepretation.

If you think recruiting great players is easy for anybody in the women's game today, that just indicates your lack of knowledge. The competition, particularly for the Minnesota player is fierce. Are some excellent players from Minnesota going to want to play for the Gophers? Sure they are. That's a good thing. You probably somehow interpret that as some sort of fault. hockeywild7 is 100% correct about the tradition being a factor for some. Local kids may want to play for and attend the University of Minnesota of their own volition...for you, that represents an unfair advantage.

Not a bit critical of the players or coaches, I just think any coach in the league would do an equal or maybe better job given the same resources. That was my only point in this whole thing.

Another doosy...who cares? Now you create a totally hypothetical set of circumstances to take your shots at the U and staff? Maybe so...I repeat, who cares? What's the point of this assertion? Rhetorical question...I know the answer.

Keep

[Bensonmum]

I must be crazy to jump in the middle of this without asbestos underpants, but here goes. First of all I'm a bona fide Gopher fan, and not a Bulldog fan in disguise. Remember this thread started by questioning the recruiting class of '06, and more specifically the in-state class, which everyone agrees was probably the best in the state's history. And the Gophers didn't do well at all--their in-state recruits were Maunu, Zebro, and Horton. The goalie, Krause, played exactly one period. The players they didn't get may as well have been the NCAA All-Freshman team: Roberts and Thunstrom were outstanding, Hogan, McDonald and Jones were very good. But still, we'll never really know if Halldorson tried her best to recruit these girls. If she did, and they went elsewhere for various reasons (the lure of going out east, getting to attend a private university, playing at home (Roberts)) we can't really blame her. If, however, she was casting her attention far from home (east and north) and she neglected the Minnesota kids, then there is a problem. Thus the title of the thread. All good programs need to take care of their backyard first and foremost--up until 2006, every Ms Hockey attended the U, which is a symbolic victory if nothing else. Now the last two did not. Early in this thread, Brooky admitted there was a problem and also observed that we won't know the reasons behind it:

I don't know if Coach Halldorson is being "outworked" by other coaches, but I agree other coaches are having better luck recruiting the top talent from the state out of the last few classes. I'm certainly ready for that trend to end. There are other factors involved in some of the players decisions though, and their choosing to go elsewhere doesn't necessarily translate to Halldorson having not made a big effort to recruit them. Bottom line, I can agree that recently, the U staff isn't getting the job done within the state.

However, I don't think we can complain about the '07 recruits (except there are only 2 from Minnesota). May and Rasmussen are definitely blue chippers. Rasmussen might make up for Zebro. And it was quite a coup to steal the Lamoreaux twins from ND for next year. So maybe this 'trend' is ending.
And by the way, if it's true that the Gophers are getting Seeler, Sarah Erickson, and Grogan along with the twins (are these official yet?), then this class has the potential to be one of the best in the team's history.

[Gopher Blog]

Brooky,

you are wasting your time in this situation. It is one thing to debate somebody with an even handed approach and can fairly see both sides of the coin (even with a bias). But it is pretty much a waste of time to debate with somebody that is clearly making statements (mainly) out of a dislike for a team and seems pretty incapable of having a balanced view.

My bet is if you switched the variables around and placed the very same situation on this other poster's favorite team, he would be "hyping" things no less than any other typical fan. It is unlikely he would give the same critical "car part" analogy with his favorite team. Fans that act as this individual has on this thread rarely see things with any remote sense of balance.

Just a friendly word of advice from somebody who follows the men's side of the hockey equation.

[puckmaniac]

This is the same guy who runs the Northern Skills Fest Girls' Hockey Camp and is trying to get hired as an agent for H.S. players (to help them get recruited for college?) I wouldn't let me daughter near him with the negative attitude.

[finance_gal]

I guess Laura Halderson decided it was time to quit , she resigned today. even though she wasn't in the national spotlight like some other womens coaches I always felt she did a good job for the Gophers.

[brookyone]

I guess Laura Halderson decided it was time to quit , she resigned today. even though she wasn't in the national spotlight like some other womens coaches I always felt she did a good job for the Gophers.

I would agree. Built GWH into a very strong program from the ground up IMO. Best of luck to coach H in the future.

[DANCINHOCKEYDAD]

Who is going to replace Halderson now that she has quit?

[brookyone]

Who is going to replace Halderson now that she has quit?

Brad Frost, who was named "Associate Head Coach" prior to last season...or maybe during...I can't quite recall, has been assigned the head coaching duties for the 2007-2008 season. according to AD Maturi, they won't begin a search for, or hire a permanent replacement until after the 2007-2008 season. That leaves Brad Frost and Laura Slominski (Slomo) for now. I'd think they need to hire another assistant for the coming season tho. I'd also think this a pretty attractive position for potential D-I women's hockey coaches.