Gopher's losing the state's best recrutis?

[newsguy35]

When Lucia first arrived, I liked the mix of players he was getting. Guys like Potulny would never have been recruited by Woog--regardless of where they were from. The Gophers need a lot of immediate help defensively and I'm not overly thrilled with the players we've recently lost to Wisconsin and North Dakota but like some of you have said--you can't get them all.

The only thing I have a concern about is recruiting players 2 years in advance. Schroeder was recruited before going to the U-18NDT if I remember right... Eventually that will catch up to him and the Gophs. I am excited to see what he does within the next year and if he can keep all the talent playing "TEAM" hockey.

[bubulater]

National Championships at Minnesota:
Wooger: 0
Lucia: 2

Weren't some of Woog's recruits still around and instrumental to winning at least one of those titles? can someone help me out with names here if there are any

[Gopher Blog]

Weren't some of Woog's recruits still around and instrumental to winning at least one of those titles? can someone help me out with names here if there are any

The 2002 team had one class that was recruited by Woog (Pohl, Leopold). The rest of the team was Lucia's guys (Riddle, Koalska, Potulny, Martin, Ballard, etc.).

2003 was essentially all Lucia players.

[newsguy35]

Weren't some of Woog's recruits still around and instrumental to winning at least one of those titles? can someone help me out with names here if there are any

The 2002 team had one class that was recruited by Woog (Pohl, Leopold). The rest of the team was Lucia's guys (Riddle, Koalska, Potulny, Martin, Ballard, etc.).

2003 was essentially all Lucia players.

I could be wrong but I thought Koalska and Paul Martin were Woogs as well... Either way both were pretty good in their own right with different philosophies.

[Iceburg]

I could be wrong but I thought Koalska and Paul Martin were Woogs as well... Either way both were pretty good in their own right with different philosophies.

Koalska and Martin were part of Lucia's first class

[my2cents]

Maybe part of the problem is that the U seems to commit to more players at a very young age. These tend to be out of the same mold as high profile scorers. Maybe they miss out on some of the late bloomers and some of the grittier guys that keep progressing instead of peaking early.

[Gopher Blog]

Maybe part of the problem is that the U seems to commit to more players at a very young age. These tend to be out of the same mold as high profile scorers. Maybe they miss out on some of the late bloomers and some of the grittier guys that keep progressing instead of peaking early.

Early commits are happening well beyond the Gopher program. Look at UW, UND, Michigan, etc. They are all getting some commitments from young players. It is a part of the recruiting game. I am sure they don't want to do that but it is one of those things where if you don't do it, you can lose out on some talented players because some other program will try to snap them up early.

[eastsidehockey]

The Gophers need a lot of immediate help defensively and I'm not overly thrilled with the players we've recently lost to Wisconsin and North Dakota but like some of you have said--you can't get them all.

Do you think this is a philosophy problem Lucia has? Not putting enough emphasis on D? Just wondering/asking.

[fkahckyprofessor20]

Good, now get rid of Sandelin, build a new rink in Duluth and send all them recruits up this way.

[newsguy35]

The Gophers need a lot of immediate help defensively and I'm not overly thrilled with the players we've recently lost to Wisconsin and North Dakota but like some of you have said--you can't get them all.

Do you think this is a philosophy problem Lucia has? Not putting enough emphasis on D? Just wondering/asking.

I dont think that is the problem. I think it is the talent that is being brought in are not used to passing and playing a team mold. By no means did I feel like Okposo or Kessel were team players and their actions such as leaving early have shown that. The way the 2 went about leaving for the NHL was immature and not of a team concept. Perhaps Lucia can find some guys who know what a team is and find some leadership. I also feel like the senior class has been weak in that area, LEADERSHIP.

[zinovy08]

The U always seems to recruit the same kind of players every year. The soft, fast finesse players. Leddy from EP is a great example of this. He is an extremely talents and fast play who would rather stick handle that hit someone. The U has always brought in and recruited those types of players and they probably will continue to do so with hockey trying to help the skilled forwards by changing rules (interference, holding, etc.)

You might have a point about not recruiting grit, however, I think the U is defintely lacking skill.

I think that's the reason why Okposo left. He didn't have anyone on the team with a skill level high enough to play with. He was getting frustrated playing with guys that can't catch a pass, create, or finish. The only guy on the team with enough skill to play with him is Wheeler and he only shows up to play every fourth game. Barribal is maybe another.

I find it very interesting that once Lucia returned to an "All Minnesota" lineup, the U takes a dive. Where are the Vaneks, Potultny's, Kessels on this team. He needs to go out-state and find a couple high-end players, maybe the British Columbia Junior Hockey League.

You take the non-Minnesotan's out of the lineup in 2002 and 2003 and you take away those National Championships. Potultny and Vanek were necessary to those National Championships and guess what? They weren't Minnesotans.

That "All Minnesota Lineup" is stupid and elitist.

[hockeygod]

The problem with the gophers is the same problem eveeryone has, not enough plumbers, everyone plays like Gretzky, coaches scream at the kids to get in front of the net, They preach getting goals but there's not many kids left that can play the puck along the boards or in the corners, cover the open man and backcheck like there's no tommorrow. Every championship team from NHL down to mites has had a group of people that would out work anyone on the ice. We have raised a group of floaters who know what to do when they get the puck but don't appreciate what goes into getting the puck to them.

[newsguy35]

The U always seems to recruit the same kind of players every year. The soft, fast finesse players. Leddy from EP is a great example of this. He is an extremely talents and fast play who would rather stick handle that hit someone. The U has always brought in and recruited those types of players and they probably will continue to do so with hockey trying to help the skilled forwards by changing rules (interference, holding, etc.)

You might have a point about not recruiting grit, however, I think the U is defintely lacking skill.

I think that's the reason why Okposo left. He didn't have anyone on the team with a skill level high enough to play with. He was getting frustrated playing with guys that can't catch a pass, create, or finish. The only guy on the team with enough skill to play with him is Wheeler and he only shows up to play every fourth game. Barribal is maybe another.

I find it very interesting that once Lucia returned to an "All Minnesota" lineup, the U takes a dive. Where are the Vaneks, Potultny's, Kessels on this team. He needs to go out-state and find a couple high-end players, maybe the British Columbia Junior Hockey League.

You take the non-Minnesotan's out of the lineup in 2002 and 2003 and you take away those National Championships. Potultny and Vanek were necessary to those National Championships and guess what? They weren't Minnesotans.

That "All Minnesota Lineup" is stupid and elitist.

That has to be the most ignorant comment I have read in this topic so far. The MN boys (Leopold, Koalska etc...) were very instrumental in starting this programs dynasty in the early 2000's. Do we need some more skilled players, yes. Do we need to get the pretty boys who just attempt to skate around everyone such as Kessel and Okposo, NO! I loved watching them but they didnt know how to pass or play as a team. Lucia should go to other places to scout but to say that we need to pick up guys like Okposo and Kessel is incorrect. We had a TEAM in the earlier years, now we have a bunch of individual talent and no pride in the maroon and gold...

[Gopher Blog]

That "All Minnesota Lineup" is stupid and elitist.

And it is ending again. They have a few non-MN kids in the pipeline the next few years. There will probably be a few more added in at some point after that.

[zinovy08]

The U always seems to recruit the same kind of players every year. The soft, fast finesse players. Leddy from EP is a great example of this. He is an extremely talents and fast play who would rather stick handle that hit someone. The U has always brought in and recruited those types of players and they probably will continue to do so with hockey trying to help the skilled forwards by changing rules (interference, holding, etc.)

You might have a point about not recruiting grit, however, I think the U is defintely lacking skill.

I think that's the reason why Okposo left. He didn't have anyone on the team with a skill level high enough to play with. He was getting frustrated playing with guys that can't catch a pass, create, or finish. The only guy on the team with enough skill to play with him is Wheeler and he only shows up to play every fourth game. Barribal is maybe another.

I find it very interesting that once Lucia returned to an "All Minnesota" lineup, the U takes a dive. Where are the Vaneks, Potultny's, Kessels on this team. He needs to go out-state and find a couple high-end players, maybe the British Columbia Junior Hockey League.

You take the non-Minnesotan's out of the lineup in 2002 and 2003 and you take away those National Championships. Potultny and Vanek were necessary to those National Championships and guess what? They weren't Minnesotans.

That "All Minnesota Lineup" is stupid and elitist.

That has to be the most ignorant comment I have read in this topic so far. The MN boys (Leopold, Koalska etc...) were very instrumental in starting this programs dynasty in the early 2000's. Do we need some more skilled players, yes. Do we need to get the pretty boys who just attempt to skate around everyone such as Kessel and Okposo, NO! I loved watching them but they didnt know how to pass or play as a team. Lucia should go to other places to scout but to say that we need to pick up guys like Okposo and Kessel is incorrect. We had a TEAM in the earlier years, now we have a bunch of individual talent and no pride in the maroon and gold...

Once again....take Potultny and Vanek off those teams and you don't have two NCAA Championships. Who was the Frozen Four MVP and scored most of the critical goals in 2002? Potultny. Who was the Frozen Four MVP and scored most of the critical goals in 2003? Vanek.

Sorry....No NCAA banners are hanging if non-Minnesotans aren't on the roster.

Who on this team besides Okposo and Wheeler and maybe Barribal and Fairchild are highly skilled? I've been watching all year and I see a bunch of guys who can't finish because they're not skilled enough.

Okposo just got tired of feeding his linemates, only to have the pass bounce off their sticks.

What's really ignorant is you saying Kessel was a puck hog? Let's see.....who had the most assists on the Gophers that season? Oh...that's right? Kessel.

I get so tired of you idiots trying to rip our best players. It's typical Minnesotan to try and bring a successful person down.....(How dare he be better than us?) Last year, you people were ripping Erik Johnson, the year before Kessel, the year before Vanek (yes...he couldn't play defense and was lazy...that's why he led the NHL in +/- last year). It never ends with you people.....and guess what? You're ALWAYS WRONG!!

[newsguy35]

You might have a point about not recruiting grit, however, I think the U is defintely lacking skill.

I think that's the reason why Okposo left. He didn't have anyone on the team with a skill level high enough to play with. He was getting frustrated playing with guys that can't catch a pass, create, or finish. The only guy on the team with enough skill to play with him is Wheeler and he only shows up to play every fourth game. Barribal is maybe another.

I find it very interesting that once Lucia returned to an "All Minnesota" lineup, the U takes a dive. Where are the Vaneks, Potultny's, Kessels on this team. He needs to go out-state and find a couple high-end players, maybe the British Columbia Junior Hockey League.

You take the non-Minnesotan's out of the lineup in 2002 and 2003 and you take away those National Championships. Potultny and Vanek were necessary to those National Championships and guess what? They weren't Minnesotans.

That "All Minnesota Lineup" is stupid and elitist.

That has to be the most ignorant comment I have read in this topic so far. The MN boys (Leopold, Koalska etc...) were very instrumental in starting this programs dynasty in the early 2000's. Do we need some more skilled players, yes. Do we need to get the pretty boys who just attempt to skate around everyone such as Kessel and Okposo, NO! I loved watching them but they didnt know how to pass or play as a team. Lucia should go to other places to scout but to say that we need to pick up guys like Okposo and Kessel is incorrect. We had a TEAM in the earlier years, now we have a bunch of individual talent and no pride in the maroon and gold...

Once again....take Potultny and Vanek off those teams and you don't have a two NCAA Championships.

Who on this team besides Okposo and Wheeler and maybe Barribal and Fairchild are highly skilled? I've been watching all year and I see a bunch of guys who can't finish because they're not skilled enough.

Okposo just got tired of feeding his linemates, only to have the pass bounce of their sticks.

What's really ignorant is you saying Kessel was a puck hog? Let's see.....who had the most assists on the Gophers that season? Oh...that's right? Kessel.

I get so tired of you idiots trying to rip our best players. It's typical Minnesotan to try and bring a successful person down.....(How dare he be better than us?) Last year, you people were ripping Erik Johnson, the year before Kessel, the year before Vanek (yes...he couldn't play defense and was lazy...that's why he led the NHL in +/- last year). It never ends with you people.....and guess what? You're ALWAYS WRONG!!

Not sure what you mean by "you people" but I have never drug Erik Johnson down. There are players on the team that are very skilled but they are a young team with some TEAM problems. Just after leaving the U, Kessel called out Lucia and mentioned he was leaving because Lucia was moving him from center to wing and didnt play him as much as he wanted to be played... Team player right there. Is he skilled, YES. Is he a team player, NO.

This isnt even a fight about MN verse other states. Its about their recruits and the style they play or whether its a team game or not... Take a chill pill before the left arm goes numb...

[Ed37]

That "All Minnesota Lineup" is stupid and elitist.

And it is ending again. They have a few non-MN kids in the pipeline the next few years. There will probably be a few more added in at some point after that.

It's already ended. Mike Carman is from Georgia.

[newsguy35]

That "All Minnesota Lineup" is stupid and elitist.

And it is ending again. They have a few non-MN kids in the pipeline the next few years. There will probably be a few more added in at some point after that.

It's already ended. Mike Carman is from Georgia.

Mike Carmen is from Apple Valley, MN and played his youth hockey for Eastview. He then open enrolled to AHA for HS... I am not sure where you got your information but I know he is a Minnesotan as I have a brother who played with him all the way up the youth ranks...

[Ed37]

And it is ending again. They have a few non-MN kids in the pipeline the next few years. There will probably be a few more added in at some point after that.

It's already ended. Mike Carman is from Georgia.

Mike Carmen is from Apple Valley, MN and played his youth hockey for Eastview. He then open enrolled to AHA for HS... I am not sure where you got your information but I know he is a Minnesotan as I have a brother who played with him all the way up the youth ranks...

He did play youth hockey in AP but I hate to break it to you, he is a transplant from Georgia.

[watchdog]

hockey god- you hit the nail on the head in my opinion. everyone talks about the kid that hangs out by the blue line and can make a move or two scoring goals. however the well rounded players that do all the work get little credit. watching the rams play this year i look at the landman kid and think why dont the gophers put that digger on the ice to compliment some of their high profile scoreing types. its not like these players cant score themselves plus they do all the little things that ultimatly spells success. also one big problem i was complaining about on another thread how about getting a decent goalie for once. every game atleast one soft goal finds its way in some consistancey at that position would be a big help.

[defense]

I also heard that old Woog would be hard pressed to go outside the metro..any truth??????I know that he offered a certain Matt Cullen half of a scholarship, St.Cloud was very happy to get his services for a full one.
I think the difference is Lucia is open to "others" even within Minnesota but also outside the state....if he thinks the player is right, he'll get him..

[Iceburg]

I also heard that old Woog would be hard pressed to go outside the metro..any truth??????

It's true, Woog never once went out of the metro for any players. Occasionally he might go as far north as Elk River for a player like Larry Olimb, Robb Stauber, Ryan Kraft, John Brill, Wyatt Smith or Ken Gernander. Or maybe down to Lakeville for a Doug Zmolek or a Steve DeBus. But never any farther.

[SEMinnHockeyNut]

I knew that. So your contention is that Woog made a mistake by not going after Notterman right out of high school?

I never said that...perhaps Leimbek needed some time in juniors?
If you look at it closely, one guy had a fall birthday (the Sioux player) and one guy had a birthday after the New Year (the Gopher). Guess which one was given more press because he made select teams?
They were line-mates and both were great players in high school - the cream of the crop in my opinion. However, one guy got all the press, one guy showed up with his hard hat and lunch pail. One guy hardly played in college, the other one was a beast and won a NCAA title.
Maybe Woog neede both guys in time eh?????

Another problem Woog had was taking the younger brother of a guy he had - case in point the Trebil family....one was good...one was a Division III player.

[Iceburg]

I won't argue your last point

[dralr]

Woog carried Danny Woog for years- what other D1 team would have done that? And what kind of talent was kept off the roster to make the opening? And the coach had him out on the pwer play- In my eyes this certainly wasn't in the best interest of the program.