Screwed Again

Unsurprisingly, the hockey gods have again conspired to deny the Michigan Tech Huskies a highly-touted recruit, this time via the temptations of post-lockout NHL rookie contracts.

So if this is true (and there's no reason to believe it's not), Jake Hauswirth, the son of Michigan Tech alumni and owner of some nice USHL stats (28-24-52, +16), will be off to the minor leagues without ever setting foot in Houghton.

Frankly, this irks even more than the CPZ debacle, because up until this wonderful little news announcement, Jake had given just about every indication that he was planning to attend MTU. As I said, his parents are even alums. In his case, it did not sound like academics would be a problem as they ultimately were for Zabotel. So I get the feeling that the Capitals simply convinced him and his family that because he is 21 and has already impressed Caps scouts, they're willing to gamble on a contract right now to lock him up, get him developing in the minors, and have him for as long as possible before he becomes a free agent.

Really, I can't blame the guy for taking the money, but assuming I'm correct, this is yet another unfortunate case of the post-lockout NHL screwing college hockey out of potentially good players. Now, it's happening before some of these guys even make it to campus.

I'll tell you one thing though - that's the last time I will take the word of any recruit regarding enrollment until I actually see them in a Husky sweater. I definitely feel like we were being led on here, and it disappoints me greatly.

On a team as starved for offense as Tech is, my expectations for the next couple of seasons just dipped a notch.

Michigan Tech Players Recognized on All-WCHA Hottie Teams

That's right, Tech fans. Some of our very own guys were honored on the RWD's prestigious All-WCHA All-Hottie Teams. Although these awards mean less because UW's Podge Turnbull totally got SNUBBED! Seriously... how can you possibly snub THIS:

YUM!! Makes NO SENSE if you ask me! But sadly, no one asked me. :(

Anyway! If you're curious to see who got what and on what team they were placed, you might want to go HERE. Now.

Here are the Tech guys that received honors: Coach Russell, Robby Nolan, Geoff Kinrade, Malcolm Gwilliam, Jordan Baker and Drew Dobson. And in speaking with RWD, she also wanted to honor Bennett Royer and Alex Lord... but there was just no room. So with the power vested in me (which is essentially none), I place them on the honorable mention list! Along with Brett Olson and Alex Gagne. Yep, I just did that.

ANYWAY, our very own Robby Nolan received a lifetime achievement award for being honored EVERY SINGLE YEAR of the All-Hottie teams. Congratulations to him!

Minnesota Series Recap!

Better late than never, right? :)

So I've been busy! What else is new, right? Well, I think you all deserve a recap of Gopher weekend... senior weekend at Michigan Tech. If you remember back to 6-7 March of 2009, the Gophers came to town to try and clinch home ice. Sadly, they succeeded, but it came only with the help of UAA and MSUM taking more points than expected from UMD and SCSU.

Oh, before I go on... I'm just going to tell you that I lied. I will not be recapping the whole series against the Gophers, but just Friday night. What else matters?

What a crazy game that was! At one point, one-WCHA-win Michigan Tech was up 4-1 against Minnesota. It was like it wasn't even real. Reality did set in a while later though... as UMN quickly came back and tied it up... Stoa had two goals within 16 seconds of each other. But man... the goaltending for UMN that night was WEAK. Really weak! Tech had 4 goals on some 13 shots. In the second period, our first three shots on goal all went in!! Like I said... crazy! But alas, it didn't last long.

So along comes the third period. We're tied, but Tech pulls away by a goal. This goal was also Drew Dobson's hat trick goal. HOW ABOUT THAT! There is very little that feels as good as a Michigan Tech hat trick goal.

Eventually Patrick White scores the equalizer. Dammit. Then we have ourselves some OT.

Now, forgive me for not having much faith in my team. If you lived through a season like I just did though, you would understand. The guys NEED to believe in themselves. I do not, however. I've had my heartbroken enough this past season. No need to get my hopes high just to have them crushed....again.

Well somehow... with about 2 minutes left in the extra session, Deron Cousens pulled through and got the job done. It was just a regular season win. It was just 2 useless points in a lost cause (our standings in the WCHA). IT WAS JUST AWESOME!!!

The celebration the guys had was as if they'd won the whole shabang. And boy did they need that! And boy did they DESERVE that! It had been a rough season. Finally there is something to celebrate!

Seeing the guys THAT HAPPY made me even happier. Seeing the Gophers that UPSET was the icing on the cake. :)

You know, after the season from hell, it's moments like these that just make it all worth it. Makes it all so very worth it.

And to finish off the rest of the season: The next night sucked against the Gophers and then we played at #1 UND... lost a couple there... BUT! I went to Red Pepper three times within 24 hours... so it was all good!