I agree.

I was surprised earlier when Deron thought it was the players and that the
coaches can only do so much.  I was actually comforted in Deron's email
because, at least Maine will be getting a large group of new players next
year and if the coaching is good Maine should be alright.

However, my concern is the coaching.  After 1993, Maine Hockey success has
been about players coming to Maine and overachieving.  They were the hardest
working team in Hockey East.  It is the responsibility of the Coaching staff
to ensure this trait continues.

I actually enjoyed going to the games during the probation years more than
this year.  Those teams were not eligible for the post season but they
worked hard and played with more pride and confidence.

That said, I will not give up on this team.

- Frank '92



----- Original Message -----
From: "Jeffrey Hill" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Friday, March 07, 2003 9:46 AM
Subject: Concealed


> Subject:  Re: Same 'ole situation
>
> I wrote a reply to an earlier message today and rescinded it changing my
mind.  Here is what I wrote, now that I have read Deron's last message.
>
> Without directing any blame, fault or disrespect for Tim, consider the
following question.
>
> We as Maine fans are used to a different coaching style than is currently
in place.  Does anyone feel that the more laid back style that is currently
at Maine is part of the problem with leadership?
>
> My personal opinion is that if you play for a fireball, you go 600 mph
with your hair on fire to earn your place.  If you play for a passive style,
you play 50 mph with no "go get 'em umph" and say at the end of every loss,
"we didn't come to play last night", or, "we didn't have the heart tonight".
>
> I think Tim is a great coach on the rink board, but I don't think he can
light the fire.  I really think last years heart was from the players that
skated for Shawn and UMaine, and earned the spot.
>
> Deron said earlier about Nault turning the puck over.  Without bringing up
the dreaded "Shawn would have" program viewed earlier on this same station,
I don't think there are many coaches that would not have benched a player
for their part in numerous turnovers.
>
> Do these guys wear the uniform because they go to school there?  Where is
the "earning" your spot on a roster?  Where is the "pride" that goes with
earning that jersey?  Not just wearing it for a couple of hours on the
weekends and having it laundered at the university laundry mat.
>
> I don't know about the rest of you, and I'm sure I'll be set on fire by
many people on the boards, but this is not the Maine team and program I have
been a fan of for 16 years.  This needs to be turned around right now and
for good.  I don't like where this program is headed.  (and no, I don't
think I'm jumping the gun at what some may call a bad "slump",  this has an
entirely different feel than a slump).
>
> Let the cannons rip.
>
>
> t >>> [log in to unmask] 03/07/03 09:27AM >>>
> This quote is from "captain" Chris Heisten in today's Bangor Daily News
> (Larry Mahoney)
>
> "We let in two soft goals. The team defense wasn't there tonight," said
> Maine senior left wing and captain Chris Heisten. "There's no excuses. You
> have to come to play every night and we didn't."
>
> How many times are we going to hear, "we didn't come to play tonight" or
"we
> weren't ready", etc., etc.
>
> I read a couple different recaps of the game and didn't see much for
quotes
> from Tim Whitehead.  The only thing I did see was he made a wishy washy
> comment about liking the way they played.
>
> Stop being part of the problem.  He needs to light a fire under Maine for
> tonight.
>
> Great coaches get their teams ready to play.  As far as I'm concerned
> Maine's problems have reached epidemic proportions now and the coach can
no
> longer rely on the captains or team leadership, or experience to pull them
> through.  He has to do what he can to make it happen.  If Maine loses
> tonight (or Saturday) and you see quotes that they "weren't ready" or
> "didn't come to play" that will be Tim Whitehead's fault.
>
> -Deron