Medic @TheDoggPound thinks that the XL Center is the end all be all and that all UConn sports should compete with in a 20 minute drive home for him. He has no real clue what is needed facility wise to bring in talent and develop that talent.
I would say that the only true "high profile" recruits on this team are Letunov and Huska. You can stretch it to include Thompson and Masonius only because USA hockey deemed them good enough to play for the USNTDP in the USHL. I don't consider that a "bunch"
I brought this up in a post back in the beginning of the season...the Jr class had to step up and provide scoring for this team to take the next step. They didn't.....in reality they are a good group but 3rd line/3rd pair D seems to be their ceiling. My point being...would they be first line/first pair D kids in the AHA? IMHO not..they would be maybe 2nd at best. Which brings us to the S&C issue again. What's the one way you can over come a more talented team...be in better shape that they are and bring it the entire game.
I would say that wins over BU. Lowell, Vermont, St. Cloud, and winning the Arizona tournament are a huge improvement over the AHA seasons. Yes, many expected UConn to be in a higher position than they are now with the talent on the squad and there have surely been some bad losses, but to say the program has not progressed since the Marshall AHA days is categorically false. Every HE team has seasons with bad losses where they've underperformed. Heck, my guys were supposed to beat down the whole world yet we got swept by Merrimack, lost at home to UConn, eeked out a close win over a brtual UMass team, and got pasted in the Beanpot final. Ebbs and flows happen, it's important to take stock of the overall progress both on and off the ice. Fan interest is way up, wins against top teams are up, and recruiting is up. UConn is competing well against other HE schools and has exceeded expectations on the ice in its first three years. The program is not that doormat many thought it would be, and has established itself as a contender in the league night in and night out. Cav has built a good foundation considering the resources he's been given and the program is undoubtedly in a better position than it was five years ago.
That's fair. The difference is it's happening on a much different platform against vastly different competition, so saying Cav is doing just the same as Marshall still is comparing apples and oranges.
The only one who could sniff the AHL right now would be Thompson. I think he's definitely a candidate to go pro, but the other two I don't see leaving to sign at all.
LMFAO...nice try there sport...too bad I actually speak using proper english. The main issue with this year's team is S&C plain and simple. As for your understanding of what is needed on campus to continue the upward trajectory of the program...well that's up for debate!
