DU Hosts Media DayHighlights from two time NCAA Coach of the Year George Gwozdecky at DU's Media Day. Students of "Gwozspeak" weren't disappointed, as it was harder than ever to get through the clutter and find out what he was really thinks about the team...
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On this season's challenges and the losses from last year's team... "We have some great challenges ahead of us, but I don't think any are overwhelming. We lost seven terrific seniors. That senior class won more games than any other senior class in the history of the Pioneer hockey program. A number of them are playing professional hockey and at the minor league level and one has moved on to a successful business career in the community, but all will missed for their contribution not only on the ice but the leadership they provided. As you know, we also lost our captain-to-be Brett Skinner.
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dg's Translation: Dude, we are loaded with some of the best recruits we have ever landed. If Skinner hadn't bailed, this season would be a cakewalk.
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So with eight guys who played on a regular basis departing, that leaves a lot of room for the younger guys and people who played more of a supplementary role last year to move up to a more primary role. Our challenges--new leadership. Our co-captains Matt (Carle) and Gabe (Gauthier) are here today with us and together they form a great tandem to lead our team. It's a new position for both of these guys and it will take time for them to become comfortable in their new responsibilities--to develop this team and the chemistry that we've had success with in the past. We have a lot of confidence in these two young men and I know they'll do a terrific job."
So with eight guys who played on a regular basis departing, that leaves a lot of room for the younger guys and people who played more of a supplementary role last year to move up to a more primary role. Our challenges--new leadership. Our co-captains Matt (Carle) and Gabe (Gauthier) are here today with us and together they form a great tandem to lead our team. It's a new position for both of these guys and it will take time for them to become comfortable in their new responsibilities--to develop this team and the chemistry that we've had success with in the past. We have a lot of confidence in these two young men and I know they'll do a terrific job."
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dg's Translation: Caldwell & Laatsch brought home the hardware. Gauthier & Carle had BETTER do the same.
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On retaining the coaching staff... "Anytime you have the success as our program has, you're bound to lose people. And we have lost people; to graduation and players, as I mentioned, Brett Skinner, but we have managed to keep our coaching staff intact. And I can't tell you how pleased I am and how grateful I am to our coaching staff--Steve Miller, Seth Appert and David Tenzer to be back with us. They've coached an awful long time and have recruited some great players. To keep that continuity with our staff is extremely important for the kind of team we have this year."
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dg's Translation: I can't believe the knuckleheads that are running any of the hockey programs around the country didn't scoop these guys up. What do you expect from a bunch of bozo's that picked DU to finish 6th in the WCHA last year? (sighs) Oh well, their loss is our gain.
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