>>> glenn auerbach <[log in to unmask]
>>> 08/28/96 11:10am
>>>  I am intrigued by this thread.  NMU clearly needs to fill out the
 
This thread touches on a recruiting philosophy that I personally favor ...
and would implement if the choice was mine.
 
I like large freshman classes ... but not just every four years or so. I think
they're wise every year or two. First, I must add here that when I see a
freshman class of 13, I don't see all of those players being part of the
squad in their senior year. In fact I see at best  6 of them actually skating
as seniors. If they don't contend for starting positions then they get cut.
As a general rule, my top line or two would be upperclassmen and the
entire rest of the club would be freshman and sophomores. This doesn't
mean that an underclassman couldn't be a starter, but it does mean that I
would never, ever have a junior/senior beyond my second line, fourth
defenseman or backup goalie ... especially third string goalies. The value
of using these squad positions for developing potential starters is just too
much to waste. Ideally, this scenario would graduate 2-4 starters each
year, but would have the upper echelon of prior classes to fill those
positions. The general idea would be to have a club that contended year
in and year out ... regardless of graduating seniors.
 
   The club would always be young in totality but experience and age
would permeate the high profile roles. Potential starters would have the
oppurtunity to practice and occasionally play with veteran players who
have excelled and survived a highly competitive and developmental
program.
 
   My best scenario would be a first line of three seniors who've
demonstrated the ability to work well with eachother and have had a
good two years to develope as a line. The second line would be three
sophomores who are in the process of becoming what the first line is.
They are the "first line" of next year which might also have another junior
line as the second line. But, I'd try hard to never have two senior lines.
 
I'm sure you get my idea here.
 
Make any sense?
 
- Paul.
 
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