I'm back from my last long vacation of the summer just in time to say that the college-hockey season is just over a month away. While I was out, some other antsy college-hockey observers have been gearing up. Here are a few of their writings on Minnesota State and other teams:
Inside College Hockey Online is in the middle of its annual "A to Z" features and tapped Mavericks sophomore Mike Louwerese for its "L" section.
Western College Hockey blog is rating the top freshmen in the WCHA and CCHA and included MSU rookie forward Tyler Pitlick and goaltender Kevin Murdock.
Also, here's an interesting story on ex-Maverick Jon Kalinski and his return from a potentially career-threatening injury -- from the Philadelphia Flyers website.
I'll try to get up to the rink this week to see some of the captains practices and give a report
Monday, August 31, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Will Backes make Olympic team?
I'm betting that he does. Here's a USA Today story on the former MSU All-American. Before Backes' breakout season, I interviewed Brian Burke, who is the U.S.'s general manager, and he loved Backes then.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
CCHA turns down Huntsville
In a somewhat surprising move, the Central Collegiate Hockey Association turned down Alabama-Huntsville's bid to join the league (and replace soon-to-be-departing Nebraska-Omaha). The move seemed like a no-brainer after the WCHA took on Bemidji State and UNO, leaving the CCHA with 11 teams and Huntsville as the only D-I hockey school without a conference following the upcoming season. This certainly puts the future of Chargers hockey in doubt.
The Huntsville Times report can be found here, with some opinon here. More commentary from USCHO.com can be found here.
Since joining the WCHA, Minnesota State has played Huntsville, which, like Mankato, is a former Division II program, regularly, going 6-2-2 against the Chargers since 1999. The Mavericks last played UAH in 2007-08, sweeping a series in Alabama.
The Huntsville Times report can be found here, with some opinon here. More commentary from USCHO.com can be found here.
Since joining the WCHA, Minnesota State has played Huntsville, which, like Mankato, is a former Division II program, regularly, going 6-2-2 against the Chargers since 1999. The Mavericks last played UAH in 2007-08, sweeping a series in Alabama.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
More on the Jutting deal (updated ... again)
No real surprises on the Troy Jutting contract, which The Free Press first reported in March. This has been pretty much in the works since Jutting won WCHA coach of the year in 2008.
Thursday's Free Press' story on the new contract can be found here.
Some details:
Jutting will make $153,246 this year. According to athletic director Kevin Buisman, that figure is no more of a salary increase than Jutting was allowed under the collective bargaining agreement between MnSCU schools and their union employees. Jutting was conscious of MSU's budget issues during negotiations, Buisman said.
Something omitted from The Freep story: The last IFO contract called for around an 11 percent raise for its members, which is about what Jutting got. He was making around $138,550 on his last contract. There is now a wage freeze at the MnSCU schools.
Jutting is the third WCHA coach to be given a contract extension this offseason, following St. Cloud State’s Bob Motzko, who inked a six-year deal through 2014-15, and Minnesota Duluth’s Scott Sandelin, who recently re-upped for two years through 2011-12. According to published reports, Motzko will earn a salary of $167,000, while Sandelin will earn a base salary of $150,000.
Here are the base salaries of WCHA coaches at public schools, according to recent reporting by The Denver Post.
1. Mike Eaves, Wisconsin -- $229,511 in 2008-09 (contract through 2013-14)
2. Don Lucia, Minnesota -- $222,789 in 2007-08 (2011-12)
3. Dave Hakstol, North Dakota -- $210,000 in 2007-08 (2011-12)
4. Bob Motzko, St. Cloud State -- $167,000 in 2008-09 ( 2014-15)
5. Troy Jutting, Minnesota State, -- $153,246 in 2009-10 (2012-13)
6. Scott Sandelin, Minnesota-Duluth -- $150,000 in 2009-10 (2011-12)
7. Jamie Russell, Michigan Tech -- $116,759 in 2008-09 (2011-12)
8. Dave Shyiak, Alaska Anchorage -- $110,000 in 2008-09 (2011-12)
Denver and Colorado College are private schools and do not have to disclose their employees' salaries. However, it is believed that George Gwozdecky and Scott Owens are among the top-five most-compensated coaches in the league, which would put Jutting's salary seventh in the 10-team league.
Once Nebraska-Omaha and Bemidji State join the league, that salary likely will rank eighth as Dean Blais signed a $250,000/year contract with UNO. Not sure what Tom Serratore is making at BSU right now.
Finally (before I go on vacation), check out this blog post from March to see where Minnesota State stood against other teams in the conference over the last two seasons (Jutting's last contract). In Thursday's story, Buisman talked about how Jutting's teams have performed despite MSU's lack of resources compared to other programs in the WCHA. These numbers could be used to back that up but also show where the Mavericks have come up short -- the postseason.
Thursday's Free Press' story on the new contract can be found here.
Some details:
Jutting will make $153,246 this year. According to athletic director Kevin Buisman, that figure is no more of a salary increase than Jutting was allowed under the collective bargaining agreement between MnSCU schools and their union employees. Jutting was conscious of MSU's budget issues during negotiations, Buisman said.
Something omitted from The Freep story: The last IFO contract called for around an 11 percent raise for its members, which is about what Jutting got. He was making around $138,550 on his last contract. There is now a wage freeze at the MnSCU schools.
Jutting is the third WCHA coach to be given a contract extension this offseason, following St. Cloud State’s Bob Motzko, who inked a six-year deal through 2014-15, and Minnesota Duluth’s Scott Sandelin, who recently re-upped for two years through 2011-12. According to published reports, Motzko will earn a salary of $167,000, while Sandelin will earn a base salary of $150,000.
Here are the base salaries of WCHA coaches at public schools, according to recent reporting by The Denver Post.
1. Mike Eaves, Wisconsin -- $229,511 in 2008-09 (contract through 2013-14)
2. Don Lucia, Minnesota -- $222,789 in 2007-08 (2011-12)
3. Dave Hakstol, North Dakota -- $210,000 in 2007-08 (2011-12)
4. Bob Motzko, St. Cloud State -- $167,000 in 2008-09 ( 2014-15)
5. Troy Jutting, Minnesota State, -- $153,246 in 2009-10 (2012-13)
6. Scott Sandelin, Minnesota-Duluth -- $150,000 in 2009-10 (2011-12)
7. Jamie Russell, Michigan Tech -- $116,759 in 2008-09 (2011-12)
8. Dave Shyiak, Alaska Anchorage -- $110,000 in 2008-09 (2011-12)
Denver and Colorado College are private schools and do not have to disclose their employees' salaries. However, it is believed that George Gwozdecky and Scott Owens are among the top-five most-compensated coaches in the league, which would put Jutting's salary seventh in the 10-team league.
Once Nebraska-Omaha and Bemidji State join the league, that salary likely will rank eighth as Dean Blais signed a $250,000/year contract with UNO. Not sure what Tom Serratore is making at BSU right now.
Finally (before I go on vacation), check out this blog post from March to see where Minnesota State stood against other teams in the conference over the last two seasons (Jutting's last contract). In Thursday's story, Buisman talked about how Jutting's teams have performed despite MSU's lack of resources compared to other programs in the WCHA. These numbers could be used to back that up but also show where the Mavericks have come up short -- the postseason.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Jutting contract announced
MSU finally announced Wednesday that it has re-signed men's hockey coach Troy Jutting to a four-year contract extension. Here is MSU's release:
Minnesota State, Jutting Reach Agreement on Contract Extension;
Maverick Men’s Hockey Coach Will Head Into 2009-10 With New Deal in Place
Mankato, Minn. — Minnesota State University, Mankato officials have announced that Troy Jutting, head coach of the Maverick men’s hockey program, has reached an agreement on a four-year contract extension (effective July 1, 2009).
“As the composition of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association changes and we look ahead to league expansion, we are proud to have Coach Jutting back at the helm,” said Kevin Buisman, Minnesota State’s Director of Athletics. “Troy is a veteran coach who understands what it takes to be successful at this level. Our staff does a great job in terms of skill development, as evidenced by the number of players who have moved on from here to the professional ranks recently and that in turn has ratcheted up the quality of new talent we have coming in each year. Off the ice and in the classroom, these young men have generally been great ambassadors for the program. Attendance and interest continues to grow and we look forward to an exciting future with Coach Jutting behind the bench.”
Jutting, who is entering his tenth season at the MSU men’s hockey helm, has crafted a 142-162-44 won-loss record as head coach of the Mavericks. A two-time Western Collegiate Hockey Association Coach of the Year (2002-03 and 2007-08), Jutting has had three players earn All-America honors and nine players earn All-WCHA honors during his tenure. A total of 90 players have garnered WCHA All- Academic recognition under Jutting and two of them (Steven Johns in 2004-05 and Joel Hanson in 2007-08) have been named WCHA Student-Athlete of the Year. Of the 38 former Mavericks who have played professional hockey in the last nine years, Tim Jackman, Grant Stevenson, David Backes, Steven Wagner and Jon Kalinski have become the first players from the program to play in the National Hockey League.
Financial terms of the agreement were not released.
Minnesota State, Jutting Reach Agreement on Contract Extension;
Maverick Men’s Hockey Coach Will Head Into 2009-10 With New Deal in Place
Mankato, Minn. — Minnesota State University, Mankato officials have announced that Troy Jutting, head coach of the Maverick men’s hockey program, has reached an agreement on a four-year contract extension (effective July 1, 2009).
“As the composition of the Western Collegiate Hockey Association changes and we look ahead to league expansion, we are proud to have Coach Jutting back at the helm,” said Kevin Buisman, Minnesota State’s Director of Athletics. “Troy is a veteran coach who understands what it takes to be successful at this level. Our staff does a great job in terms of skill development, as evidenced by the number of players who have moved on from here to the professional ranks recently and that in turn has ratcheted up the quality of new talent we have coming in each year. Off the ice and in the classroom, these young men have generally been great ambassadors for the program. Attendance and interest continues to grow and we look forward to an exciting future with Coach Jutting behind the bench.”
Jutting, who is entering his tenth season at the MSU men’s hockey helm, has crafted a 142-162-44 won-loss record as head coach of the Mavericks. A two-time Western Collegiate Hockey Association Coach of the Year (2002-03 and 2007-08), Jutting has had three players earn All-America honors and nine players earn All-WCHA honors during his tenure. A total of 90 players have garnered WCHA All- Academic recognition under Jutting and two of them (Steven Johns in 2004-05 and Joel Hanson in 2007-08) have been named WCHA Student-Athlete of the Year. Of the 38 former Mavericks who have played professional hockey in the last nine years, Tim Jackman, Grant Stevenson, David Backes, Steven Wagner and Jon Kalinski have become the first players from the program to play in the National Hockey League.
Financial terms of the agreement were not released.
Pro updates
Free Press photo by John CrossI talked to ex-Maverick and current New York Islanders forward Tim Jackman (pictured above) last week. The first MSU player to be drafted and play in the National Hockey League, it's taken him awhile to settle in at the major-league level. Here's the story from Tuesday's Free Press.
Meanwhile, another former MSU player, defenseman Steve Wagner, re-upped with the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday.
Monday, July 20, 2009
By the numbers
Minnesota State put out its preseason prospectus this week and there are a few things of interest.
Here are the freshmen and their jersey numbers:
7-Tyler Pitlick, forward
16-Tyler Elbrecht, defenseman
17-Evan Mosey, defenseman
25-Eriah Hayes, forward
29-Eli Zuck, forward
30-Phil Cook, goaltender
35-Kevin Murdock, goaltender
Another newcomer, forward Mike Dorr, who will be eligible to play in January after transferring from Minnesota, will wear No. 18.
Four veteran players are changing numbers this season. Goalie Austin Lee will wear No. 1, James Gaulrapp is switching to 13, Andrew Sackrison is changing to 21 and Tyler Thompson will wear 23.
It appears defenseman Baylor Dieter is no longer on the team. He played in 11 games last year as a freshman, mostly at the end of the year after Channing Boe went down with a broken leg, and was named the team's most-improved player.
The Mavericks have just seven defensemen listed on their roster and 18 forwards. I'll be curious to see if coach Troy Jutting switches one of the forwards to D. Late last season, freshman Joe Schiller practiced with the defensemen.
The Mavericks roster will represent eight states/provinces, including Minnesota (19 players), Alberta (Galiardi, Mouillierat), Illinois (Cook, Mosey), Alaska (Zuck), British Columbia (Irwin), Florida (Murdock), Michigan (Harrison) and Missouri (Elbrecht). ... The Mavericks also have recruits for 2010 from Arizona (Danny Heath) and Oklahoma (Josh Berge).
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