Grand Rapids 09-10 Outlook

[TheHockeyDJ]

Thoughts on what this team might look like next year?

[southernmnscout]

I am willing to bet they will have some orange, black and white on the jerseys again next year??

Why are you thinking about next year when the best two weeks of the year are upon us as we speak??

[Indians forever]

I am willing to bet they will have some orange, black and white on the jerseys again next year??

Why are you thinking about next year when the best two weeks of the year are upon us as we speak??

Probably because Rapids is out of the playoffs!!

[EREmpireStrikesBack]

Sad...

[GR3343]

Thoughts on what this team might look like next year?

Know it's way early. A lot depends on the off season conditioning of the players. One weakness that will need to be addressed is the overall strength of the players. Hopefully they'll all get in the weight room and take it seriously. They all have ability, but up with the big boys they'll have to get stronger physically. Their season mirrored most of their careers. So-so as 1st year Pee Wees, strong 2nd year. So-so as 1st year bantams, strong 2nd year. Hope to see the trend continue but at this level, ability will only get you through the easy ones. Strength and committment is where it's at and they'll have to find it together to be successful.

[TheHockeyDJ]

Thoughts on what this team might look like next year?

Know it's way early. A lot depends on the off season conditioning of the players. One weakness that will need to be addressed is the overall strength of the players. Hopefully they'll all get in the weight room and take it seriously. They all have ability, but up with the big boys they'll have to get stronger physically. Their season mirrored most of their careers. So-so as 1st year Pee Wees, strong 2nd year. So-so as 1st year bantams, strong 2nd year. Hope to see the trend continue but at this level, ability will only get you through the easy ones. Strength and committment is where it's at and they'll have to find it together to be successful.

This is exactly the kind of summary I was looking for, Thank you. And yes, I know it is early, however hate to admit I've been looking forward to next year for a while, just too much youth on this years team. Lets hope they do like you say and hit the weights hard and get back to a top 20 team again.

[Indians forever]

It will come!!! If not next year then maybe the Next couple coming up. I think Rapids fans will need some patience. You never know it could come sooner then later!!

[EREmpireStrikesBack]

[218er]

Does Rapids have any studs coming up in the youth program? They'll need some Patrick White's, Joe Stejkal's, etc.... to get back to the tourney. The Peewee A team placed 2nd in state last year... is that age group progressing?

[TheHockeyDJ]

I think they need players to hit the weight room, and goalies to become dedicated students of their position in the offseason. If I were a goalie I'd go to as many goalie camps as I could, read books/watch videos on the position. Just a thought, but I would think doing something like tae-bo every day would really help hand and foot quickness.

But yes, asking about potential studs in the youth programs is a good question and something I've been wondering myself is there a Patrick White/Joe Stejskal type elite talent coming up?

[anotherGRhockeyguy]

There may be one to watch for, coming up from bantams. Nick Korbitz(sp?) big kid, great shot, decent hands, knows how to score, not eaxactly a "stud" but hes really the only one with a legit shot of making the team as a regular from bantams, and yes the peewees did get 2nd i believe but they still have a few years before they will be making a difference on the varsity team.

I dont think anyone should be nearly as worried about the goaltending as to whether or not this team next year will actually play as a team or a bunch of individuals which has been a problem in past years for this group of kids

[norcon]

There may be one to watch for, coming up from bantams. Nick Korbitz(sp?) big kid, great shot, decent hands, knows how to score, not eaxactly a "stud" but hes really the only one with a legit shot of making the team as a regular from bantams, and yes the peewees did get 2nd i believe but they still have a few years before they will be making a difference on the varsity team.

I dont think anyone should be nearly as worried about the goaltending as to whether or not this team next year will actually play as a team or a bunch of individuals which has been a problem in past years for this group of kids

I'll agree with you on this one, but I believe a big part of the problem is the coaching this group has had coming up. Most of the coaches this group played for had very little interest in developing kids who were maybe not as talented or as physically mature. They relied heavily on a handful of their so-called star players and as a result, have never had the depth to compete with the states better programs. This seems to be a common trend in GR the last number of years. I do think Coach LaRoque will get the best out of this group and they may surprise a few people.

[218er]

I thought and heard that GR has the best youth coaches in the State. Is ther a specific coach that hasn't been good Norcon???

Jeff Neilsen, John Rohloff, Grant Bischoff... to name a few. Those sound pretty darn good to me.

[Nonamer]

They are indeed. Great guys - great coaches.

[anotherGRhockeyguy]

This is Jeff Neilsen, John Rohloff, and Grant Bischoff first year coaching bantam As the current group of kids we are talking about had Scot Klienendorst and Mark Dick almost their whole youth career and Trent Klatt in bantams along with the other two mentioned and they certainly did favor the superstars which in my opinion has caused some minor problems.

Just my opinion though

[anotherGRhockeyguy]

What the team might look like next year, hope its not to early start

Forwards
John Skrbec-Pat Moore-Dustin Schulte
A.J. Merrit-Matt How-Mickey Mendoza
Duston Perron-Jace Luoma-Ryan Dumm
Luke Green-Grady Anderson-Adam Mahoney

Others with a shot are-Nick Korbitz, Dylan Basham, Christian Pearson, Travis Underwood, Nate Mondry

D pairings
Zach Dick-Kyle Kleinendorst
Charlie Roy-Adam Glorvigen
Billy Bocnuk- ? Between Logan Tatter, Cody Williams, and Jordan Stejskal

In Goal
Dom DeGuiseppi
Aaron Foss
Ryan Larson
Patrick Flaherty

[east hockey]

Dom DeGuiseppi; that has to be one of the all-time best names.

Lee

[norcon]

I thought and heard that GR has the best youth coaches in the State. Is ther a specific coach that hasn't been good Norcon???

Jeff Neilsen, John Rohloff, Grant Bischoff... to name a few. Those sound pretty darn good to me.

First of all, I don't feel it's necessary to mention names. People who've been around the program know what's been going on. They can agree or disagree. It is just an opinion. None of the above mentioned coached what will be most of next year's varsity team. Alot of these guys were gifted players and I'm sure have good knowledge of the game, but does that guarantee them to be the best coaches? Coaching has alot more to do with knowing how to communicate and motivate your players to get the best of their potential. Regardless, I think all coaches deserve alot of credit for the time and effort they put in. It's easy for the rest of us to sit up in the stands, thinking we all know more than the guys behind the bench.

[PuckTime]

My lineup for the start of next year:

Forwards:
Skrbec - Moore - How
Schulte - Perron - Mendoza
G. Anderson - Dumm - Green
- Luoma, Mahoney... with some time.

Defense:
Dick - Merritt
Kleinendorst - Roy
Glorvigen - ??

Goalies will be toss up, but I would like to see
Deguiseppi and Foss up there.