When the Gophers started practicing this week, half of last season's coaching staff was elsewhere.
The shake up is part of a series of moves that see both of last year's hires, Corey Millen and Ben Gordon, move on to other jobs. Millen's stint as an undergraduate assistant ended when he stopped being an undergraduate. Gordon, Director of Operations, went back to the USHL to coach.
And that doesn't include assistant coach Grant Potulny moving up in the coaching world by becoming the third head coach in Northern Michigan history.
Gordon's job remains to be filled, but only head coach Don Lucia, associate coach Mike Guentzel and volunteer goalie coach Justin Johnson are back from 2016-17. Newcomer Scott Bell fills in Potulny's role.
Based on the rest of the conference Minnesota's turnover fits right in the Big Ten.
Showing posts with label Grant Potulny. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Grant Potulny. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 13, 2017
Monday, April 17, 2017
Grant Potulny to be named Northern Michigan head coach
Minnesota assistant Grant Potulny is heading to the Upper Peninsula become the next head coach of Northern Michigan.
Northern Michigan has scheduled a press conference for 10 am ET/9 am CT Tuesday morning (April 18, 2017) to announce its third head coach in program history. The Wildcats fired Walt Kyle last month after 15 seasons behind the bench.
At just 37 years old Potulny will be the youngest head coach in the WCHA.
Northern Michigan has scheduled a press conference for 10 am ET/9 am CT Tuesday morning (April 18, 2017) to announce its third head coach in program history. The Wildcats fired Walt Kyle last month after 15 seasons behind the bench.
At just 37 years old Potulny will be the youngest head coach in the WCHA.
Tuesday, January 17, 2017
Leftovers From The Michigan Series
No, this wasn't the same Michigan team.
That much was apparent early and often during Minnesota's 5-2 and 4-2 wins over the Wolverines to extend its winning streak to six games.
(You can read both of my game stories in the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Friday here. Saturday here.)
Michigan's goals Friday came off of two turnovers in the defensive zone (the second being about as easy of a giveaway that Leon Bristedt could have given up to Brendan Warren). The offensive juggernaut from last season had barely any offense this time around.
By the time head coach Red Berenson spoke Friday he said what we all knew.
"We have to be better defensively as a group. We're not a gifted team. We're not last year's team. We're not going to lead the country in scoring," said Berenson, who has seen it all in a 30+ year coaching career with the Wolverines. "In fact it's hard for us to score. How many games have we scored three goals? "
Lose as many dynamic players as Berenson's team has over the past two seasons and trying to replace becomes a steeper and steeper task. (It's something Minnesota fans can relate to after the string of one-and-dones from 2004-2007.) Not every class contains a Dylan Larkin or Kyle Connor. Getting an upperclassmen resurgence from Zach Hyman or Tyler Motte takes time.
This year, however, the Wolverines - without top freshman forward Will Lockwood last weekend - have gone back to square one. Michigan led the nation in goals per game a season ago. Without the CCM line and Zach Werenski the shooting gallery is gone in Ann Arbor. Only three teams in the country have a worse Corsi close (42.5%) than the Wolverines.
Minnesota focused on shot suppression this weekend, holding Michigan to 42 shots in 2 games. Putting the pressure on the Wolverines defense and goaltending, the road team was more conservative and Minnesota controlled possession almost at will.
"Too many shots. Too many chances. We weren't good enough with the puck or without the puck," said Berenson after Friday's loss.
Berenson, for what it's worth, did have praise for the Gophers.
"They're as good of a team as any team in the country on any given night," he said.
Five more leftover thoughts after the jump:
That much was apparent early and often during Minnesota's 5-2 and 4-2 wins over the Wolverines to extend its winning streak to six games.
(You can read both of my game stories in the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Friday here. Saturday here.)
Michigan's goals Friday came off of two turnovers in the defensive zone (the second being about as easy of a giveaway that Leon Bristedt could have given up to Brendan Warren). The offensive juggernaut from last season had barely any offense this time around.
By the time head coach Red Berenson spoke Friday he said what we all knew.
"We have to be better defensively as a group. We're not a gifted team. We're not last year's team. We're not going to lead the country in scoring," said Berenson, who has seen it all in a 30+ year coaching career with the Wolverines. "In fact it's hard for us to score. How many games have we scored three goals? "
Lose as many dynamic players as Berenson's team has over the past two seasons and trying to replace becomes a steeper and steeper task. (It's something Minnesota fans can relate to after the string of one-and-dones from 2004-2007.) Not every class contains a Dylan Larkin or Kyle Connor. Getting an upperclassmen resurgence from Zach Hyman or Tyler Motte takes time.
This year, however, the Wolverines - without top freshman forward Will Lockwood last weekend - have gone back to square one. Michigan led the nation in goals per game a season ago. Without the CCM line and Zach Werenski the shooting gallery is gone in Ann Arbor. Only three teams in the country have a worse Corsi close (42.5%) than the Wolverines.
Minnesota focused on shot suppression this weekend, holding Michigan to 42 shots in 2 games. Putting the pressure on the Wolverines defense and goaltending, the road team was more conservative and Minnesota controlled possession almost at will.
"Too many shots. Too many chances. We weren't good enough with the puck or without the puck," said Berenson after Friday's loss.
Berenson, for what it's worth, did have praise for the Gophers.
"They're as good of a team as any team in the country on any given night," he said.
Five more leftover thoughts after the jump:
Friday, January 13, 2017
Ryan Lindgren on WJC Gold + More (SBN College Hockey)
Minnesota's Ryan Lindgren wins a WJC gold medal, loses ten pounds to illness
By: Nate Wells
(A longer version of this post originally appeared at SB Nation College Hockey)
The cost of Team USA basking in gold medal victory for Ryan Lindgren was more than the 137 texts his assistant coach received.
Lindgren celebrated the victory in the locker room with his teammates, however, he was unable to play in the gold medal game against Canada due to an illness that eventually caused him to lose ten pounds and eventually spend a couple days in the hospital. The University of Minnesota freshman defenseman said he first felt the effects the night prior to Team USA’s semifinal win over Russia.
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