UNB Reds Thread (Part5)

[UNB Bruins Fan]

That is where I’m at as well…

Have UNB fans been spoiled? Yes. Do we have high expectations? Yes. But just because they have had a ton of success in the last 15 years shouldn’t mean I can’t hope for it to continue.

Look, I get if some people might shake their head when they see some of us saying how the season was a letdown despite a 21-3 record and an AUS Championship. But the whole point of this site is to discuss and give opinions on our teams and the league…and if that is how some people might feel, should we just not post?

 

[cishockeyfan]

The rise of UNB Hockey started in the 90s. After the ugly late 80's seasons, Mike Johnston started the ball rolling. The Danny Grant, Todd Sparks, Derek Cormier era took it to a new level but they couldn't compete with the powerhouses such as Acadia.

Big turning point was Mike Kelly, his recruits and installing that relentless work ethic UNB has seem to have ever since. The schools First National Championship in 98 (should have been their second in a row, if not for a hot Guelph goalie and early game boot to Bill Wright).

But all the stars aligned with some Luck when Gardiner was hired after the brief Tom Coolen era. If you remember Murray Nystrom was hired to be the UNB coach and he later backed out and they settled for an unknown guy named G-Mac. Theirs no way UNB would be the program they are today if that didn't happen.

We lucked upon a guy who was determined to Live and breath the hockey program, its his life. the entire thing from game day down to the hugely successful VReds prospects program. And it was the right place for Gardiner, Fredericton a big sports town, without a Major Junior team, no longer a AHL or even pro hockey town. the 90s established the roots of UNB being a strong Hockey program, but Gardiner developed it into something relentless, had all the tools in place to make that happen, the awarding of the University Cup to Fredericton in 03/04. Everything aligned perfectly

 

[cishockeyfan]

If your outside of Fredericton, you can say whatever you want about Gardiner MacDougall, he very and too often doesn't win coach of the year solely cause of his own success and the programs expectations. Hes a legend, the guy would make a amazing QMJHL General manager or Major junior Hockey GM, but really he has no reason to leave, total Job security here. I'm sure over the years Gardiner has had to been approached for job offers elsewhere.

 

[AUS Fan]

"...you've filled in admirably for the UNB hate. Always looking to throw in those lil Jabs of spoiled UNB fans, how much UNB is Hated, Through Red Glasses, Hints of cheating without actually saying it."

WOW.

I spent a lifetime with Gards in Turin (seems like it was a lifetime, but only 2 weeks) and got to know him better than I did when he was an asst with the AUS team for the TC tuneup games.

Him and I would walk to and from the rink every practice day, we would do video together and we would scout other teams. During this time we obviously talked a lot and he said some things that I would never comment on here. I also got to know the UNB players who were there and was somewhat instrumental in getting Sinclair as a co-captain for the team.

I've always liked and respected the Red Army, but that does not take away from my chance to chirp the UNB fanboys on this Board. I stand by my spoiled comments because they are true. Objective people can see that but fanboys can't.

I'll leave with one last suggestion and that is to see a Dermatologist about your thin skin issue.

 

[cishockeyfan]

"...you've filled in admirably for the UNB hate. Always looking to throw in those lil Jabs of spoiled UNB fans, how much UNB is Hated, Through Red Glasses, Hints of cheating without actually saying it."

WOW.

I spent a lifetime with Gards in Turin (seems like it was a lifetime, but only 2 weeks) and got to know him better than I did when he was an asst with the AUS team for the TC tuneup games.

Him and I would walk to and from the rink every practice day, we would do video together and we would scout other teams. During this time we obviously talked a lot and he said some things that I would never comment on here. I also got to know the UNB players who were there and was somewhat instrumental in getting Sinclair as a co-captain for the team.

I've always liked and respected the Red Army, but that does not take away from my chance to chirp the UNB fanboys on this Board. I stand by my spoiled comments because they are true. Objective people can see that but fanboys can't.

I'll leave with one last suggestion and that is to see a Dermatologist about your thin skin issue.

Dude, I get it, I have full respect for you. But as far as thin skin goes maybe the other way around? youve chirps for years but I just said one thing today and you couldn't take a chirp back?

Anyways don't take it the wrong way as you did, its all fun and games you can chirp on UNB comment anytime and you do. But maybe a chirp back all in good fun and hockey chat wont hurt too much???

looking forward to the next season

 

[UNB Bruins Fan]

I wonder if either F - Brett Budgell or D - Noah Laaouan from the Charlottetown Islanders might be potential targets? They would have both played with Casey a couple years ago + Kevin Henderson being one of their coaches can’t hurt.

 

[FreddyFoyle]

G Sam Richard to UNB is now official.
REDS Recruit Richard

 

[dm8895]

I wonder if either F - Brett Budgell or D - Noah Laaouan from the Charlottetown Islanders might be potential targets? They would have both played with Casey a couple years ago + Kevin Henderson being one of their coaches can’t hurt.

hypothetically if all rumoured guys are on campus in the fall , the biggest need would be a Dman.
Assuming something unforeseen I UNB should have McCormick , Landry, MacDougall , Hall and Gagne if they decide to use him on D.
I would assume McQuade gets a really fair shot at a position as a 7-8 guy with the cap being increased.
So Carroll is the question mark, he hasn’t signed in the coast yet which is a good sign , I want to say earlier this year someone said he might be back for another year of school but I’m not sure if I’m getting my conversations confused because I also talked with the MacDougalls (Ross variety)at the rink lol.
Regardless a defence man who can skate and take away some difficult minutes from Hall would be nice . I don’t think he every panned out as the McIvor/Mahon/Wright etc that we thought he would be, but as a 5-6 guy I think he gives them the obvious bite and he doesn’t have to play against the other teams too 6 forwards as much . I’ve spent the last few years thinking i disliked him but I’ve realized he’s a nice piece to have when he’s not playing PK etc .

 

[Drummer]

The schedule is pretty favourable for UNB.

- don't have to play on Wednesday night to start the season
- only have one(1) Wednesday game (1st half ) and they play at home
- four game home stand vs NS in November is a bonus (get points early)
- four game road stand vs NS in January will be tough, but I don't think they will need the points by then)
- nice wrap-up vs ACD/SMU and PEI at home and a quick trip to Moncton for game 30.

They start the season, end the first half, start the second half and end the season vs PEI/UdM (bookend both halves of the season vs the same two teams). Interesting. They've started and ended the season vs PEI/UdM a few times, but not both halves in the same season.

So - pretty good overall

 

[FreddyFoyle]

So UNB gets the back to back weekends at home in the first half to make up for the back to backs on the road last season.

UNB needs bodies in all positions. At least goaltending is now filled. Urgent need for goal scorers; finishers.

Casey was a real disappointment this season. He needs to hit the gym and gain some strength, or maybe it is a technical thing, so he is not knocked off the puck so easily. He will be challenged for ice time unless he improves. The rest of the newbies fit the UNB forecheck scheme, but just had trouble finishing. Minor issue.

Definitely need a new power play quarterback.

Didn't see enough of McQuade to really evaluate him. He certainly has a good bloodline. Carroll really improved this season. Finally. More confident play and earned his ice time.

 

[freddy123]

MacDougall will be coaching the Sea Dogs for the Memorial Cup and then returning to UNB.

 

[UNB Bruins Fan]

MacDougall will be coaching the Sea Dogs for the Memorial Cup and then returning to UNB.

Well that’s certainly something I never saw coming…

Can’t help but think this is potentially good news in terms of recruiting future Sea Dog players.

 

[AUS Fan]

MacDougall will be coaching the Sea Dogs for the Memorial Cup and then returning to UNB.

Great short term solution for an immediate problem. Gards has the knowledge and experience to do well. It will depend on the players buying in to his game plan. His coaching style is not quite "conventional", but effective.
As one AUS coach told me, it's also good to showcase the CIS coaching ranks.

 

[FreddyFoyle]

Will be interesting if Gardiner has success Saint John. They might want to keep him for next season. Gardiner would be entitled to take a one-year 'sabbatical' from UNB if Sea Dogs were after him, and then return to the Reds.

 

[Drummer]

Will be interesting if Gardiner has success Saint John. They might want to keep him for next season. Gardiner would be entitled to take a one-year 'sabbatical' from UNB if Sea Dogs were after him, and then return to the Reds.

I don't know if the 'Sabbatical' is allowed now that he's no longer a Faculty member. At least that was my impression over the past decade that the coaches have been migrated to 'staff' rather than' faculty' since many of them no longer teach courses. As a result - they are not afforded sabbaticals.

Mike Johnson was the last coach to take a 'leave' and he never came back.

 

[AUS Fan]

Let's not be too quick with the "Sea Dogs will hire Gards for next season" talk. He hasn't done anything yet in the league, but I have full confidence that he will. Also, they will be looking for a full time coach, I'm sure.
IF they do hire him for a year and he wins the league and the Mem Cup next year, do they say "thanks for coming out. We've hired Bob Mongrain".
I know everyone like to speculate, but let this play out for a bit. The team is a month away from it's next game. A lot can happen in that time.

 

[FreddyFoyle]

I don't know if the 'Sabbatical' is allowed now that he's no longer a Faculty member. At least that was my impression over the past decade that the coaches have been migrated to 'staff' rather than' faculty' since many of them no longer teach courses. As a result - they are not afforded sabbaticals.

Mike Johnson was the last coach to take a 'leave' and he never came back.

Some university staff can get one-year leave of absence to learn/work at another related job, such as coaches. It is like a sabbatical in that their job is kept open for them to return to, but not paid like academic sabbatical. Didn't think folks were going to interpret it literally; I probably should have put quote marks for 'sabbatical'. Lol.

 

[hkyNS]

Great short term solution for an immediate problem. Gards has the knowledge and experience to do well. It will depend on the players buying in to his game plan. His coaching style is not quite "conventional", but effective.
As one AUS coach told me, it's also good to showcase the CIS coaching ranks.

What makes his style unconventional?

 

[UNB Bruins Fan]

I wonder how much this will affect UNB’s recruiting this summer…obviously he is going to be hyper focused on SJ for the next month.

 

[hockeyinsiderusports]

Unb basically done. They like add RS F and 1 D

 

[hkyNS]

Unb basically done. They like add RS F and 1 D

I bet the Asst coaches can recruit 1 F and 1 D

 

[AUS Fan]

What makes his style unconventional?

Lots of things that fans don't see. Nothing "bad" but he is different.

I'm not going to say anything because he's been successful.

 

[hkyNS]

either way I think its a big risk to change your coach right before the mem cup.

 

[AUS Fan]

either way I think its a big risk to change your coach right before the mem cup.

Sea Dogs have a good team and lost in 1st round. Players underperformed and that reflects on the coach. Gards will shake them up OR they'll all quit.

 

[dm8895]

What makes his style unconventional?

He has some interesting approaches to motivating and having guys buy in for starters, he creates games within the game (ex: we will win the last 10 minutes of every game for the next 2 months) to keep players motivated, he's a quirky dude and I've seen him bag skate the team and yell through an entire practice after a blowout win over Dal 4-5 years ago.He definitely keeps guys on their toes and despite the Ned Flanders look , he is one intense S.O.B who is obsessed with winning. It obviously runs much deeper than this, I'd love to read a book some day on some of his coaching philosophy. He's a good guy though and when the group is bought in, players love playing for him.