Obviously a tough loss for the Gophers. Minnesota fans were hoping to get a boost to their lineup after the World Juniors with Mike Carman returning to the lineup, but instead, Carman's return, at best, cancels out the loss of Okposo.
TSN commentator/hockey journalism god Bob McKenzie gave a little explanation on Okposo's departure on the USCHO message board:
My understanding of why he didn't go pro over the summer is that the Islanders didn't think he was ready and weren't that interested in signing him.
"Fairly basic explanation. The kid wanted to turn pro, and probably should have turned pro, in the summer. He saw E.J. in St. Louis and Toews in Chicago and it's my understanding he thought that's where he should be, that's where his heart was. For whatever reason, he didn't go. I don't know if the Islanders thought it was better for him to stay another year or what, but something made him stay.
His relatively poor play this season, I think, had both the kid and the Islanders concerned about his development. Not sure whether his heart wasn't in it at Minnesota but the kid obviously isn't playing up to his own standards. I am sure the Isles were pushing for this move and by all accounts they didn't have to push too hard.
Now, when he returns from the WJC, he could end up in one or more of three places. If the Isles choose to, they can give him a shot on the big club. If not, or after a trial period, they can send him to the AHL or to the WHL with Everett. I suppose those determinations will be made once they see how he fares at the WJC and they will go from there.
I probably don't have that much more insight than anyone else other than the fact that the kid apparently really wanted to turn pro in the summer, but opted not to for some reason."
69 comments:
Here's a clue....Don Lucia. That is all anyone needs to know as to why Okposo is leaving. Lucia is slowing ruining a once proud program that now even Minnesota boys are reluctant to commit to. As stated by others and is slowing coming to the forefront, Lucia is a lousy recruiter and bashes heads with players. The only reason he gets any talent is due to the Minnesota name, and now he has ruined that. If Lucia was in Mankato, he would have worse luck recruiting than Troy. Get used to it Gophs fans...as long as Lucia is in da house, we will be a mediocre hockey team.
Well, there is an opening in NY now that bone head Simon is suspended for 30 games. Okposo has a ton of talent but has actually regressed under Lucia. He needs to get out quickly and find that spark again. I predict he will eventually be a 1 or 2 line forward for the Isles.
#9 on the WJ team looked real sharp last night with a nice goal.
Good leadership and coaching usually means good players and results. Minnie is having a very subpar season.
And if Jutting was in Minneapolis he'd sweeping out the arena, not coaching.
Can't recruit?
Ryan Potulny, Kessel, Goligoski, Wheeler, Vannelli, Guyer, Briggs, Tallackson, Vanek, Riddle, Ballard, Paul Martin and Grant Potulny are all Lucia recruits.
This year is a down year for one main reason, too many 4 year players. The other seasons all had players who were biding time before signing a contract. Let Okposo go, he wasn't doing much anyway. He's self centered & not a team player, let someone worthy of a Gopher scholarship take his place.
Mulletman is right on with his comments...
What has Lucia done lately???? I will ask the same question next year. Times are a changing. Name the big recruits he has signed the last 2 years? Sure he had decent recruits, but now the hockey player is more street smart about Don Lucia. I bet Okposo would agree.
Or ask Tyler Hirsch... Kessel... O'Brien... Gologoski... I don't think they have exactly glowing praise for Mr. Don Lucia.
Jordan Schroder or however you spell it will be the best college recruit coming in next year.... If you want to say he butts heads with player, I might listen to that, but to say he can't recruit is crazy... he gets the best of the best.... Aaron Ness for next year isn't too bad either... the two previous seasons before this year he had the #1 ranked classes....he can't recruit huh? Pleaaasssssssse, don't say things that are so asinign, come on people.
Gologoski was a three-year player and an All-American. To blame Lucia for his departure, says nothing the Coach Lucia and everything about what a complete idiot you are. Kessel left and went right to the NHL. I realize there is much hatred for the Gophers, but couldn't you at least try to find examples which make you look like less of a moron.
Where are all these highly regarded recruits this year???? The gophers aren't even going to make it to the post season. Probably a good thing since they would just be embarrassed again. Some of you Gophs fans can sit and be proud of the last couple of recruiting classes, but there are younger teams with better player in the WCHA right now. So much for Lucia the great recruiter.
you people are soo high... if your classes is ranked, 1 and than 1 and than 9... how many teams wouldnt take that... and next year it will be top three.... you clowns saying he can't recruit don't know jack.
The answer to the questions will come. Be patient. Let's see where the Gophers finish this year. And then let's see where they finish next year. Results people. As a gopher fan I am VERY concerned about our team. It appears the new recruits have not played very well thus far, but let's see how they improve the 2nd half of the season
Remember.....recruiting in Minnesota should be very simple. It's not Alaska. Lucia should have a step up on every team in the WCHA. Sadly that appears to no longer be the case.
In the last five years, the man has recruited 19 players that were drafted in the top three rounds of an NHL draft. Including nine first round picks. Six of those 1st round picks happened the last two drafts. Lousy recruiting? I am almost embarrassed for mulletman after how stupid he made himself look by making that remark.
Most of the upcoming Gopher recruits could have picked a number of different top college programs. Guys like Ness, Schroeder, Lofquist, and so on. You don't land these quality of players if you are incapable of connecting with recruits and their parents.
If you are going to criticize an individual, I would recommend trying to use a valid argument. I know the Gopher haters relish moments like today but try to use your head a little bit before you go off an make yourself look like a complete fool.
One question....if Don Lucia was in Duluth...would he have been able to recruit the same players....HELL NO. Players go to Minnesota because they want to, not because of Don Lucia...However players do NOT go to Minnesota because of Don Lucia.
And what have those highly touted recruits brought you? Wasn't the last National Championship won with some of Woog's recruits and Vanek(Motko recruited him). Recruiting at Minnesota should not be that tough of a job. Don't most of these kids contact Don and express their interest in the program? Also, when kids like Johnson, Kessel, Okposo, etc., are recruited, they all say how much they want to wear the "M". Doesn't look like that M holds that much mystique anymore.
I think we all realize that the landscape of college hockey is changing. I hope it does keep kids from choosing the college route, but I have to believe that coaches are getting frustrated having to retool their teams so often.
For those that think nothing has changed about the gopher hockey program...they are badly mistaken. Even Lucia will tell you he is finding it harder to recruit. Gophers need a new energetic coach. Change is sometimes necessary and not a bad thing. Lucia has become too complacent in his job and he needs a new challenge as well. The same thing happened under Mason. We don't need to go through a number of mediocre years like we did under Glen Mason before a change is made. Lucia probably has the easier hockey coaching job on this planet. There is no excuse for the Gophers to be anything but ranked in the top 5 every year. Minnesota puts out the most division 1 hockey recruits year in and year out. If Lucia can't get these guys.....time for a change. And if he does get these guys and can't win with the talent....then that speaks volumes about Lucia as a coach, not a recruiter. It is funny hearing how people say his recruiting classes are always ranked highly, yet last time I checked...the gophers were ranked where??? Do the math.
Hill sucks at recruiting too.
Here is the answer...
The best U20 team has been the Canadian's, were do most of the players come from??? THE CHL....
What is the best option for development??
I'm surprised nobody's said "Gopher's didn't want him" yet...
Mullet Man- Wow are you a amazing man of knowing nothing. I can not believe that I am writing this but as a former junior A coach, I had to put my two cents in here. First of all, Don Lucia has one two National Championships back to back. Second, him and his staff get pretty much most of the top recruits in the country. I mean it is usually either them or North Dakota, I will throw in Wisconsin as well. How has he ruined the MN name? He ruined the name cause he wins? Do you think every player in this world sees eye to eye with a coach. Sometimes some players have to play a role that they might not like cause it is the best for the team. Now I do not know if there was any differences between Kyle and Don but I do know Don was doing his best to put people in a position to win hockey games. Now we talk about recruiting...lets look at next years crop and the following year of kids coming in.
Nick Leddy-LD 10/31/2007 Eden Prairie 5'11 170 3-20-91 (2009 or 2010) 2007 USA U17 Team
Nathan Condon-LC 10/27/2007 Wausau, WI 6'1 185 5-29-90 -2009
Ryan Walters-LC 10/10/2007 St.Thomas Academy 6'0 175 7-30-91 (2010) 2007 USA U17 Team; 2006 USA U-17 Team B
Josh Birkholz-RC 8/30/2007 Blake School 6' 170 3-28-91 (2009) 2007 USA U17 Team
Jake Youso-LC 4/13/2007 Green Bay (USHL) 6' 171 6-8-90 (2009) 2007 USA U18 Team; 2006 USA U-17 Team B
Aaron Ness-LD 3/20/2007 Roseau 5'9 165 5-18-90 2007 USA U18 Team; 2006 USA U-17 Team B
Mike Dorr-RC 2/21/2007 Des Moines (USHL) 5'10 175 12-28-88 26-7-9-16-37
Seth Helgeson-D 11/29/2006 Faribault 6'4 185 10-8-90 -2009
Jake Hansen-C 11/22/2006 Sioux Falls (USHL) 6'1 170 8-21-89 2007 NHL Draft #68 Columbus
Brandon Martell-D 11/13/2006 Tri-City (USHL) 6'2 195 12-15-88
Grant Scott-RW/D 11/1/2006 USNDPT U18 Team 6'4 200 1-7-90
Nico Sacchetti-RW 10/20/2006 Omaha (USHL) 5'11 180 8-21-89 2007 NHL Draft # 50 Dallas 2006 USA U-18 Team
Sam Lofquist-D 10/14/2006 USNDPT U18 Team 5'11 155 3-15-90 2006 USA U-17 Team W
Jordan Schroeder-RC 7/26/2006 USNDPT U18 Team 5'7 155 9-29-90 -2009
§Taylor Matson-RW 2/20/2006 Des Moines (USHL) 5'10 160 9-16-88 10-1-2-3-6 2007 NHL Draft #176 Vancouver 2005 USA U-18 Team
Every player on this list is considered a blue chip athlete according to Red Line Report. You also have three kids on this list that are NHL draft picks!! So if you are going to post on here, please have your facts right and say something that is intellegent. Troy Jutting has a .461 winning percentage, him and his staff, along with Kevin Busieman the atletic director should all be fired for letting this go as long as it has. It all comes down to selling your program, along with selling yourself to make the kid want to come there and feel wanted. Obviosly the Mankato staff has failed to get this done. Last, most of the people that are posting on here are all Gopher haters cause they hate to see them win all the time. My advice to all the other schools is to get your rear end out there and win the recruiting battles and stop whinning cause a program is successful year after year. You know who you all are, you either are a gopher lover or hater, there is no in between.
"And what have those highly touted recruits brought you?"
What have similar highly touted recruits brought to North Dakota since the start of the 2000 season? The Sioux have had a boat load of talented recruits (like Minnesota) come through their program and they have managed two WCHA titles, one WCHA playoff title, and ZERO NCAA titles since the start of 2000. Is that success when you have had names like Parise, Toews, Zajac, Stafford, Duncan, and others? Why are they a .500 team in the WCHA this year with the talent they returned that could have gone pro? Maybe there is a performance problem in Grand Forks? Where is the accountability for Hakstol? Have the standards dropped at UND where the measure of success is simply getting to a Frozen Four but not winning any league or NCAA titles?
What about Wisconsin? Eaves had the "#1 recruiting class" for this year and look where his team sits. Does that mean he can't coach talent? In fact, other than the one NCAA title (in which UW didn't even leave Wisconsin for one game), Eaves has not won ONE other trophy (WCHA or NCAA) since he began. Should we call into question his ability to get high quality results?
Motzko? LOL, if he was so great, why do we see a regression now that he has more of his own guys on his team? He was getting better results when he had more Dahl players on his team than when he has more of his own guys. Now he has a couple of talented one way forwards (but little else), a defense that has no stud players, and a goalie prone to soft goals. Is this what we call a great recruiter in St. Cloud? All this recruiting ability has gotten him is closer to the cellar of the WCHA than he was with Dahl players. Plus, he isn't exactly losing many guys to the pros like UMN, UND, or other schools do so he doesn't have that excuse to fall back on.
Shall we continue?
The point is you ought to recognize that by ripping a highly successful coach with mostly baseless attacks, you only make even less accomplished coaches look worse.
What is funny is everyone is so upset about Okposo leaving because they are wondering where the scoring is going to come from. Well isn't it going to come from all of the wonderful recruits Lucia has on his roster. What a joke. Don't tell me with a straight face Lucia is a great recruiter when the team has a lousy blue line and no scoring. And look at their record. Some Gopher backers must be wearing maroon and gold beer goggles.
Hey Mr. What is Funny
Check out who they have lost to the pros early the last few years. Maybe you'll have your answer. You can't expect to lose that much and not feel its effects for a season even if you have very good recruits coming in. Whether Michigan, Minnesota, BC, North Dakota or any other school, if you take that many hits in a short period of time, it will take a year to replenish.
coaches are coaching for the short term.they bring in what they view as top players knowing they may leave after 1maybe 2 seasons. the articles on Turris say Eaves promised him four years of paid education even if he stayed 1.This situation is a produce of coaches not caring about kids and using them and in turn now getting used.why all the fuss about someone leaving how about outrage about the recruits they bring in promise everything and don't play like the Pohl situation. coaches created these situations so any whining about these kids moving by programs like these shouldn't be tolerated.
"and ZERO NCAA titles since the start of 2000." You know, except that NCAA title that they won since the start of 2000... Our recruits have brought alot to our program, elevated it even further nationally, and I am willing to suffer with 1 NCAA title and 4 frozen fours this decade. I would like more, but there are 2 more titles to win this decade.
an addendum to Eaves...he has in fact won a little event on the international stage that has been awefully hard for team USA to accomplish, namely a U20 WJC.
Michigan and North Dakota are all better than the Gophs even with their losses. You can sit and defend Lucia all you want while watching the gophers stay home for the playoffs. And next year...it will be the same thing.
How much fun will the Final Five be this year without all the tool Gopher fans. I am sure they will all be huddled around Puffy at the Liffy, chanting Kumbya and professing that next years class is the greatest class to ever put on the M.
Remember....In Minnesota you don't recruit, you have to turn away players. Up until recently anyways. And there lies the problem with Lucia. He is now forced to compete with other teams for the best recruits. If he is a great recruiter, I would expect him to lock up the number 1-5 Minnesota boys every year.
This could happen with any top recruit. What happens if Lammy gets hurt? The Rodents will regroup and make the playoffs.
Sorry folks...Don Lucia is along for the ride. He has the most coveted job in all of college hockey yet he fails to live up to expectations. You can list all of these wonderful recruits and complain about players leaving the program early, but it IS Lucia's job to manage that. Instead he makes sure his son has a spot on the team, has his daughter do some TV work, and gets his endorsements. Meanwhile the team is faultering badly. At least now Lucia has a built in excuse as to why his team sucks terribly this year........
I didn't know Lucia ran the HR department for Fox Sports Net. Wow, he sure can multi task.
"Michigan and North Dakota are all better than the Gophs even with their losses."
This season they are. But not in many recent seasons and we don't know about the future when pro departures will hit UND and Michigan hard.
Michigan has had its butt handed to it for a number of years now by WCHA teams like the Gophers. They look good this year though. North Dakota has had less success than their rival in recent years when it comes to winning hardware. Even this year, North Dakota barely has a better record and they managed to keep most of their talent from last year. Maybe they are underachieving in Grand Forks. When they returned Oshie, Duncan, Chorney, and Finley, their fans made it seem like their team was going to roll over everybody. So far, they have barely rolled themselves into an above .500 record.
Hey, how about this....Thanks for the memories Kyle, and good luck in the NHL. Stay healthy and prosper.
Gotta love the haters
Haters? Most of the criticism seems to be coming from gopher fans.
When is the last time a Gopher player left the U of Minnesota a better player than when he entered the program....as a Gopher fan I feel Lucia does a poor job of developing players to their full ability. Recruiting at Minnesota is like shooting fish in a barrel. End of story.
When is the last time a Gopher player left the U of Minnesota a better player than when he entered the program....as a Gopher fan I feel Lucia does a poor job of developing players to their full ability. Recruiting at Minnesota is like shooting fish in a barrel. End of story.
Kyle Okposo leaving the Gophers mid season reveals a distinct lack of character on his part. He has, in a very selfish way stabbed his former coaches and teammates in the back.
The selection criteria for Team USA places a strong emphasis on character and team committment. I think that it would be quite justifiable for USA hockey to put Okposo on a flight back to New York so that he can commence with his pro career. By putting himself in such a position he has clearly shifted the focus of the US team to him, to the detriment of the team.
Does anyone think that he has elavated himself among his teammates there? How does he look Flynn, Carman and Fairchild in the eye? Do his current teammates trust that Okposo will put out 100%? Or will he just be there for his own self aggrandizement?
Okposo is a physically gifted player with a lot to learn, quite lacking in hockey sense. He also appears to have an overly inflated opinion of himself. Recent personal comparisons being Joe Sakic and Jerome Ingilia. Right...
As for the critisism of Coach Lucia, that too is a bunch of bull. His record speaks for itself, all of the keyboard jockies poor mouthing Coach Lucia really reveal their stupidity than add anything insightful to the discussion. And his kid is good enough to play in ANY program in the country.
Still plenty of hockey left to be played this season. The Gophers will be fine without Okposo. This will be a far bigger motivating factor that a demoralizing one.
See you all at the Final 5.
Lucia should just leave MN or be fired!
The inter web is full of idiots.
rr, your description of Okposo as a player and a person must be the reason the Islanders took him 6th overall in the draft. NOT! Take a deep breath and cheer your team on, let it go for your own health.
The Isles GM that drafted him lasted 40 days there. go figure.
He has a so so rep, as stated as being the "I" in team. we'll see in 2 weeks or so, when WJC finish. He is the Kane, Mueller, and EJ of that team........or should be!
3:45
My description of Okposo is in fact spot on. He demonstated his selfishness in the manner he chose to do what he did. I had no illusions about him being a four year player. I figured he would be around a couple of seasons at most. No problem. By bailing the way he did shows a lack of character. He called Coach Lucia on the phone and e-mailed his former teammates. He waited until he was able to do it in the way that would be the least uncomfortable way for himself. Didn't have the stones to do it to their faces in a team setting. What a guy.
Apparently you hadn't seen him play much this year or last year even. Way too much meandering around with the puck through the nuetral zone, getting checked off the puck then falling down. Never seen a guy miss the net high and wide as he did this season. Did very little in terms of setting up any teamates either. One assist in league play so far.
Did it occur to you that on occasion pro teams make mistakes when drafting players? When the Islanders drafted Okposo, Ted Nolan name properly and seemed at the choice. It seemed as though he didn't even know who the hell he just drafted. The look on his face was "what did I just say"?
Time will tell, but the belief that simply because he was drafted #7 automatically means he is a great player isn't necessarily so.
A player has to continually prove themselves every time they step onto the ice. Okposo didn't do that on a consistant basis and in that regard I'm somewhat mystified that he is viewed as such a great player. He was pretty good at times but as far as players that have played for the Gophers he doesn't rate too high. The numbers speak for themselves.
I'll be fine, I'm looking forward to the rest of the season and I think that anyone that is writing off the Gophers will be proven wrong.
"When is the last time a Gopher player left the U of Minnesota a better player than when he entered the program."
Of the many dumb things said in this thread, this may be the dumbest. You ought to be embarrassed if you really are a Gopher fan. Do you really believe Goligoski, Johnson, Wheeler, Potulny, Irmen, Vanek, Ballard, Martin, Pohl, and Leopold didn't improve?
The choice Kyle made is on Kyle. He made a commitment and chose not to honor it. End of story.
This has Jack Johnson written all over it. all for himself, and not the team. JMFJ left his team for the Avs and didn't even come home with them after last spring. The easy way out. He is a bust so far for the worst team in Pro hockey the La La Kings. Take the money and run, cuzz had KO finished the second half with bad numbers, his cap signing slaary would wither away.
Ever think that maybe Okposo just couldn't stand Lucia anymore, saw an opportunity to bolt, and did so. If Okposo respected Lucia I'm sure he would have waited 3 months before leaving. Perhaps it is really Lucia that lacks class and Okposo want out. I can't blame Okposo. Lucia drove Hirsch crazy with his criticism and I bet Okposo wanted no more.
hmmm..Eric Johnson played better earlier in the year last year. Blake Wheeler's progress has been disappointing. Okposo has regressed and played his best hockey early last year. And the whole gopher team regressed last year. As I see it, Lucia certainly has not made these players better....not by a longshot. And perhaps the Islanders know that and wanted Okposo to bolt. And then we have O'brien. Why did he leave. Again...it was Don Lucia.
Befor we all bash Don Lucia (and I'm NOT a Gopher fan) and his recruiting, lets remember where he was before the U. That would be Colorado College...check out the CC records the last few years he wass there. Last I remembered he wa winning McNaughton Cups for CC< and UM was looking up at CC regularly in the standings. I'd say he is a pretty decent recruiter.
Geez...how many years ago was that. That was when he was hungry and had to actually recruit to get players rather than just sitting back and rejecting resumes. Look at his record this year and I will go our on a limb and predict they will not finish in the top 3 of the WCHA next year either. It is time for a change. He can go back to CC.
Anon at 7:42 AM:
Your ripping of Motzko is laughable. Just because SCSU is currently sitting in a lower position that the last couple years really has no basis on bad recruiting prowess. If you cared to look up any of the recruits he has lined up for the next couple years, you would in fact say that those are some pretty decent players. To name his recruits: Nodl, Lasch, Roe, Aaron Marvin, Bobby Goepfert...coming in: Festler and Hanowski (Little Falls), LeBlanc(Hermantown), Ravndalen(Warroad), Kieffer(Stillwater), Michael Lee and Nick Oliver(Roseau), Jordy Christian(Moorhead). By the way, Dahl's late recruits are/were not very good classes at all, as not much success under Motzko can be attributed to Dahl recruits, with the exception of Andrew Gordon. Motzko has done a very good job of lining up good HS talent to come play at SCSU. Your short-sighted mid-season standings analysis really hass nothing to do with recruiting.
St. Cloud will surprise some teams this year. I like the talent they have on their team. And it sure it tougher to recruit talent to come to St. Cloud than it is to recruit at Minnesota.
Anon at 8:28:
Thank you. You made my point in about 10 sentences less than I did. Right on the money.
i like pie
Winning the WCHA regular season and tournament last year is regression?
Wheeler has been the Gopher's best player this seasonand has actually started playing physically this season.
O'Brien left because his father didn't like how much playing time his 17 year-old son was getting.
Johnson is the NHL as a 19 year-old. What else what was supposed to happen with Erik that didn't?
Again you are an idiot distorting information to make a nonexistent point.
And what is the Gophs record this year. Yes sports fans.....that is regression. Wake me up when Lucia wins a national championship.
All of these folks leaving the Gopher program yet none of this is Lucia's fault. You guys been eating rodent poison?
Of all you people bashing TDon, how many of you have ever coached before?? and I'm not talking about coaching a bunch of 4th graders either. Okposo made a choice to benefit his future, that has nothing to do with TDon.
I don't think Lucia is a bad coach, but he has been playing games with recruits the last few years.....like he did with Niskanen, who didn't go for the mind games and went to UMD.
All collge jobs are hard, the Gophers do have built in advantages, but they also have the highest expectations and the most pressure of any D1 team.......I would think twice about sending my kid there, sure it is great when they are winning, but it must really suck when they are average.
H O L Y C R O S S !!!!!
anonymous=chicken
i like chicken and waffles
4four4 = anonymous
Isles GM says Lucia's coaching HURT Okposo. Enuf said
Looks like an NHL GM agrees with mulletman. At least some gopher fans are honest enough to realize that there are issues with Lucia developing players.
Yeah Niskanen must have loved Sandelin since he left after his Sophomore season.
NHL GM = truthful. Thanks I think that will come in handy in the future.
"wake up when don lucia wins a national championship" he already has , and last year when wisconsin had a bad year most people wernt going on about how they were regressing, they just had one bad year. which is probly the same thing thats going on with the gophers, everyone has to have a bad year once and a while even the Minnesota's, North Dakota, wisconsin, michigan etc...its just how it is, no one can be good EVERY year.
Fair-weather fans...gotta love 'em!
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