I believe Ohio State already filled their position with an asst coachJonOn Sat, Apr 27, 2013 at 10:38 AM, Bob Woodbury <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Thank you. I really appreciate this. I don't find the negativity in the post others do, such as throwing coach Whitehead under the bus. In my mind, he is strongly professing his great desire to be the team's head coach. I like the post. He would not be my first choice, however. I think Gwoz and the administration could come to a financial understanding. The difference between the two base salaries isn't that big. I have followed the WCHA closely ever since the interlocking schedules many years ago. Duluth is a second home to me and for the past several years, I have live blogged UMD men's hockey every Friday and Saturday night with Kevin Pates of the Duluth News Tribune. I read the Duluth paper on line every day and Pates provides links to other WCHA writers and columnists. No one has ever had anything bad to say about George and Pates calls him "one of the good guys." His record speaks for itself. In my very humble opinion, and I attended Maine hockey games when they were played outdoors next to the river, George Gwozdecki should be our first choice. Which doesn't mean Maine is his first choice. But I believe the only other job he might consider, and with his resume he can afford to be picky, is Ohio State. Just a humble opinion, probably laced with a little naivete. And hope.On Apr 27, 2013, at 10:16 AM, John wrote:Bob's message was in the first offseason thread. They've moved on to the second already.I wanted to reach out to all of the Black Bear supporters and fans in order to connect and address all of the concerns you have about Maine Hockey. Without a doubt, our program means the world to many people across our state and I take immense pride that I have been able to compete in a Maine Jersey and Coach some tremendous players the past 5 years. With every ounce of my being, I will bring back the energy and electricity to Alfond Arena that has been missing... once again it will be the absolute best place in the country to watch a hockey game.
Our players will be held accountable to preform at their absolute best every time they step on the ice, as Coach Walsh held me accountable each and every shift. You will see, a high tempo, hard nosed physical team who can play with discipline and charisma. I understand that there is an assumed connection with Coach Whitehead, but our coaching concepts and philosophies differ. If my position becomes permanent, I would implement the culture and brotherhood necessary to instill the passion our players and fans are desperate to see.
We are all a family... And I plan to initiate a grass roots effort to do whatever is necessary to make each and every one of you feel a part of this team. This connection has been lost and our players need your support. We have to do this together, let’s bring back Maine Hockey to where it needs to be.
Feel free to call or email me with any questions or comments, I would love your input and feedback, it will help me re-connect this program to our community and our great state. (207-581-1166) [log in to unmask]
Sincerely, Bob Corkum.
On Sat, Apr 27, 2013 at 10:07 AM, Bob Woodbury <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
I've searched USCHO and haven't been able to find Corkum's letter. There has been no link to it on this thread. Could someone please send me in the right direction? I'd like to read it.On Apr 26, 2013, at 9:37 PM, Wayne Smith wrote:Thanks for the kind words, Bob. I was hoping to meet you in Pittsburgh. Sorry I didn't recognize you. The past two Frozen Fours have been most enjoyable meeting many friends from around Clegg hockey and spending enjoyable hours with my high school senior son, Ben.
I think the release of Whitehead at this time has been inadvertently poor timing. Montgomery, though not my favorite, would have been a great candidate; I'm happy he'll have a great chance to show his stuff at DU.
When I first read Corkum's letter, I was surprised that he knew and could express every problem the Maine Internet crazies (their label!) had with Whitehead. When I reread it, I realized while it was a great call to arms, it was, as someone said here, throwing his boss under the bus. I asked the opinion of a couple of people I trust. When they described the letter and UMaine complicity as "outrageous" and "outlandish", the outrageous term stuck with me and that's why I used it.
So I'm hopeful someone on the search committee has better connections and ideas than us, and can find an individual to build the program in all respects to bring it to where we all want it.
Cheers, Wayne
On Apr 26, 2013 1:18 PM, "John" <[log in to unmask]> wrote:Corkum posted his message on USCHO (or had Laura do it incognito) and Laura posted it on Facebook. I'm guessing - and this is only a guess - that Laura tried unsuccessfully to talk him out of it. Some of Corkum's message was exactly what the fan base wanted to hear, but it wasn't very professional. Aside from looking like a campaign message, he unceremoniously threw Tim under the bus. Again, the fan base may have eaten that up but from a professional standpoint, that was a huge mistake. It now feels like a coup has taken place in Orono whether that is what happened or not. If the school removes the interim tag it feels more like a fait accompli than solid coaching hire. If the school shocks everyone and picks someone else (please don't let it be Cronin!) Corkum is going to have a hell of a time getting a new job with that message hanging over his head. What head coach is going to want a guy who publicly campaigns for a job by blaming everything on his old boss?At this point I would go for Gwozdecky even if it costs the school more money. Look at it as an investment and realize all the return he can give you in terms of ticket sales, merchandise and the like. The school already admitted that it needs all those things to pay Whitehead so make the bold choice and get the revenue train rolling. There's also the rumor that wherever he ends up is where some of his recruits, currently committed to Denver, will end up. But in the end, I think we get Corkum. Whether it is a good choice or not, it feels horrible.JohnOn Fri, Apr 26, 2013 at 8:28 AM, Fitta, Robert <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Was Corkum's facebook post the same message I saw on USCHO?
Wayne I have a feeling you are about to be disappointed. I think it is either Corkum or Cronin. By some of your earlier posts it did not sound like you were a huge Montgomery person either so curious who your favorite was or is?
By the way I walked past you inside the Consol and only realized it after you and I had gone another 20 feet away from one another so did not conduct a chase to introduce and say hello.
You joked, and said it was an inside joke, but whomever it is better be an upgrade or we have gone seriously downhill quickly. After being a Tim supporter for years seeing the glaring holes in the soph., jr., and senior classes last year from a recruiting standpoint finally confirmed we needed a change. I am not a Cronin the person fan, but he did seem to have things going in the right direction at NU and had recruited Gaudreau and Gillis to go to NU, no small feat! Loved Corkum as a player at Maine and the NHL and he has been a solid soldier until his campaign, could be a good head coach, but does he have the ability to run the entire organization. It is evident that one of Tim's problems was he was uncomfortable handing things off to others and thus rubbed many the wrong way with his management style.
Only time will tell, but the hour glass is quickly running out on this search committee. And having been involved in a search committee before you can find all the candidates you want so long as you find the candidate that is already wanted by the group doing the hiring. Personally I would take Gwodzecky let him get things on track and have someone inline to replace him in 5 years.
Bob Fitta '83
From: Wayne Smith <[log in to unmask]>
Reply-To: The Maine Hockey Discussion List <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Fri, 26 Apr 2013 01:06:25 -0400
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: Coach search
What John said!
Also, while Pellerin years ago wanted to return to UMaine to coach someday, I've heard his interest is NHL now. If Cronin was to get an interview, I'd be very disappointed ... probably enough to not want to be seen as a fan of the team. While some Maine fans have praised Corkum for his Facebook post (via the SID!), I found it ... outrageous for a candidate to say and very disappointing since it was via the Athletic office. Bad show all around.
Gwozdecky may be limited to the states of Alaska and Maine if he's looking for a college head coaching job. I suspect DU let him go because his retirement payments would have been a huge increase going forward. So even if Gwozdecky's base salary requirements weren't that great, I suspect they'll be impossible for UMaine to swallow.
So, barring other good candidates appearing, we'll be left with one that has not appeared to fill in the weaker points of Whiteheads coaching, and when Whitehead was fired, hasn't acted in a classy manner. Boy, am I pessimistic :-(
Cheers, Wayne
On Thu, Apr 25, 2013 at 6:51 PM, John <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
I don't feel the list is legit. If the school, or someone close to the committee, leaked this list, I assume Tremblay (and perhaps Gendron) is a head fake while the committee takes a closer look at Gwozdecky. In the end, I think the job is still Corkum's.--
On Thu, Apr 25, 2013 at 6:44 PM, DERON TREADWELL <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
Why is Gwozdecky not on this list?
I hear Tremblay is out.
Also hear another Maine kid has gone elsewhere, Winkler to Northeastern.
On Wed, Apr 24, 2013 at 5:15 PM, Anthony DelMonaco <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
There was talk on the Maine Hockey Facebook group of Red Gendron, Sean Tremblay, Pellerin and Corkum being the search committees "final four". Not sure if there is any truth to that but seems like a good bunch to choose from.
Tony
From: Wayne Smith <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Wednesday, April 24, 2013 5:07 PM
Subject: Coach search
Hi all,Is there any word on the search process? Anyone know of people that have applied or being looked at besides Corkum?At least some think we'll have an interim head coach for some time.Anyone want to start a petition to hire Whitehead? ;-) (Sorry, inside joke)Cheers, Wayne
"Victory? Victory you say? President Obama, not victory. The shroud of the dark side has fallen. Begun the Age of Austerity has."
--
"Victory? Victory you say? President Obama, not victory. The shroud of the dark side has fallen. Begun the Age of Austerity has."--
"Victory? Victory you say? President Obama, not victory. The shroud of the dark side has fallen. Begun the Age of Austerity has."