saintpaulhockey wrote:I think the Gophers need to get more gritty players. I like Hanson becuase he's tough and can score, I love Schroeder because he is Schroeder but Matson?
I actually think Taylor Matson is a good two way player. I think you'll find him to a more well rounded player after a year in the USHL than what you remember when he was at Holy Angels. I am sure it has been a learning experience for him this year as he is on the worst team in the league and he doesn't have much to work with.
I am not sure I agree with your grit comment with the current team. Decreased depth (compared to what they are accustomed to) and youth have probably been their biggest shortcomings this year. Physical play has not been bad. They actually were the more physical team against North Dakota a couple of weekends ago and people always try to make it seem like the Sioux have a gritty team.
Hockeyguy_27 wrote:Tony Lucia is a marginal player
I guess that is why he got scholarship offers from UNH, CC, and Notre Dame too. All very good programs in their own right.
Agreed.
I don't think he is a top line player, but he definitely adds some size and grit to the team. I think he is an adequate 2nd or 3rd liner on the team, not really a waste of a scholarship.
Elk River AA State Champions- 2001 Boys & 2004 Girls
saintpaulhockey wrote:I think the Gophers need to get more gritty players. I like Hanson becuase he's tough and can score, I love Schroeder because he is Schroeder but Matson? He is not a phemoninal player, his potential lies as a third line guy with checking duties but from what I have seen he is very disinterested in doing that. I think they need to get more guys like Troy Riddle or Grant Potulny and less that are like Kessel and Wheeler. Sure Wheeler and Kessel are amazing talents but they aren't the kinda guys that win national championships. It seems like every year we just pick the most skilled guys/
I think Lucia looks a mixture of talent types for his program. You need skill guys, finese guys, grit guys and some size. Shake it all up and you got yourself a good team.
Hockeyguy_27 wrote:Tony Lucia is a marginal player
I guess that is why he got scholarship offers from UNH, CC, and Notre Dame too. All very good programs in their own right.
Does Tony Lucia receive scholarship money? Or, does he get schooling paid for because his dad is a U of M employee/coach?
Breakout, it is my understanding that Tony's schooling is paid for because Don is a U of M employee. No scholarship money being spent on the kid, which makes it a pretty good deal for the U. Blog, let me know if my statement here is incorrect.
Gopher Blog wrote:
I guess that is why he got scholarship offers from UNH, CC, and Notre Dame too. All very good programs in their own right.
Does Tony Lucia receive scholarship money? Or, does he get schooling paid for because his dad is a U of M employee/coach?
Breakout, it is my understanding that Tony's schooling is paid for because Don is a U of M employee. No scholarship money being spent on the kid, which makes it a pretty good deal for the U. Blog, let me know if my statement here is incorrect.
I don't think he is a top line player, but he definitely adds some size and grit to the team. I think he is an adequate 2nd or 3rd liner on the team, not really a waste of a scholarship.
I don't think Tony is a waste of a scholarship--if he is even getting one--rather he is a marginal WCHA player who seems to get a lot more PP time than someone of his marginal talent should have--in my humble opinion.
LetsPlayHockey22 wrote:Tony Lucia might not be they guy who gets the pretty goal, but he works his tail off, and will be a great 4-year player.
He is definitely a hard working kid. This isn't a case where he didn't have other good college options so his dad bailed him out. CC, UNH, and Notre Dame are all currently sitting in the top 10 of the college rankings and they all offered him a scholarship.
I believe (though don't know 100%) that he doesn't take up a scholarship.
He will likely be a lower line player once the depth gets boosted back up next season.
It seems obvious to me that the Gophers continue to sign very good MN players. You never know how some kids will develop; to look at the success, or lack thereof, of a 23 year old doesn't translate into whether or not the guy was a good recruit (although it is part of the scouting skill to see that kind of potential). Still, I think the Gophs are doing pretty well on retaining great MN players.
As for the guys lost to other programs, isn't it possible they simply didn't want to stay home? Madison is a great town, offering some things that Minneapolis doesn't. For some kids, that atmosphere might be more appealing. Other kids might connect better with other coaches or players from ND or CC. Let's be realistic, palying for the Gopher's just might not be everyone's dream (I know, blasphemous).
And some of MN's "best" have not panned out very well at these other schools either. Gorowsky for instance - the guy is still benched half the time (although when I watch him play, I think he's a pretty solid passer, takes the body well - maybe I just don't know the game well enough).
