More sports; RMU Softball takes on the US National Team Thursday

Thought I would steal an update from Andrew over at Colonials Corner:

“Don’t forget, RMU Radio will be broadcasting the US National Team versus the Robert Morris Colonials softball game live from Consol Energy Park in Washington, PA on Thursday at 7pm. You can listen to the broadcast featuring myself and Dan Yost on rmuradio.com”

So, 7pm on Thursday: RMUradio.com Check it out!

Remembering a Student Athlete

I felt it was appropriate to pass along the unfortunate news of former RMU Student Athlete Josh O’Bannon’s passing this morning. This article was written on Colonial’s Corner by Andrew Chiappazzi. Andrew followed the RMU Football team for the past few seasons and knew most of the players well, I felt that I could share what Andrew wrote:

“The Robert Morris family is hurting today. Former Colonials defensive back Josh O’Bannon passed away early this morning. His family has posted information regarding his passing on his Facebook Page. If you are a student at Robert Morris, you can look up his page by searching for “Josh OB” in Facebook.

If you are not a student, here is some of what his sister posted early this morning:

“For those of you that dont know, Josh “OB” Obannon passed away this morning. He was surrounded by his family, friends, and military family. He had been working so hard to join the National Guard. While he was at drill this past weekend, he collapsed on the obstacle course. They brought him to Riverside Hospital. The doctors told us that his muscles were breaking down and that he was serverly dehydrated. When we first saw him arounn 1230pm he was alert, talking and on his way for more treatment in ICU. Everyone rushed to his bedside. Almost 15 hours later, his body couldnt handle all the things that were happening to him. He passed away around 4am this morning.”

As you can imagine, there has already been an outpouring of support and well-wishes from friends of “OB”. He was a tremendous presence on the football field, if not for his talent then definitely for his personality. He was definitely a guy that you got the impression enjoyed every minute of life with a wide smile on his face.

If his family or Robert Morris gives anything out about arrangements or anything and I find out, I’ll pass it along.”

NCAA Coaches concerned, article from "Goon’s World"

I read this piece on “Goon’s World,” a blog dedicated to the Northa Dakota Sioux, on the recent NCAA Coaches meetings on the topic of the concerns of players leaving early to go professional. I think some great points are brought up, it is definitely well worth the read.
Here is the article:

“Here is an on going debate that is proving to be pretty interesting and is worth taking a look at, however, the NCAA coaches should tread lightly and proceed very carefully with this issue. The college coaches do not have a lot to bargin with and could do more damage than good. Honestly, I would rather see my team have a player like Toews or Oshie play two to three year than not have them at all. By having these types of blue chip hockey players might be enough to give my team a chance to win a national title. There also doesn’t need to be any new rules made by the NCAA, unless the NHL is going to compensate the NCAA team they have just taken the player from.
4/24/2008
NCAA coaches are meeting this week in Naples, Florida and NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly and NHLPA Executive Director Paul Kelly are there to listen to their concerns, among them, the increased numbers of underclassmen leaving the college ranks to turn pro.

Prior to the start of the 2006-2007 NHL season, 33 players with college eligibility signed NHL contracts, up from 19 prior to the lockout.

So far this season, 16 players have agreed to NHL deals; the most noteworthy being Kyle Turris, who finished his freshman season in Wisconsin before agreeing to a contract with the Phoenix Coyotes.

Unlike Turris, New York Islanders forward Kyle Okposo made his decision to leave the Minnesota Golden Gophers in December, a move that is still regarded as highly unusual.

The manner in which some NHL teams deal with colleges and college players is also a huge area of concern, specific to unsigned or undrafted unrestricted free agent sophomores who in some cases are hounded to distraction by NHL teams hoping to sign him.

The league and Players’ Association agreed a protocol to discourage this needs to be considered.

Unlike the CHL and the IIHF, the NCAA doesn’t receive financial compensation from the NHL, primarily because the NCAA won’t allow it. However, there was discussion with college coaches on implementing a development fee whereby NHL teams would have to provide compensation to college teams if they pull a player out early.

Because of the salary cap, NHL teams are using young players to keep costs down, while there is also incentive for these players to get into the NHL as quickly as possible to burn through the financial restrictions of the entry-level contract.

It’s unlikely any changes will take effect by next season.”

Source: Goon’s World

Kelly Cup: ECHL Playoffs

I am a little behind in keeping up with the ECHL Playoffs, and our RMU Players who are involved, but here is the current update; Ryan Cruthers and the Utah Grizzles have advanced to the second round.

The 6 seeded Utah Grizzles defeated the 3rd seeded Fresno Falcons in Round 1, 4-2 in a best of 7 series.

Round 2 has Utah matched up against the 2nd seeded Victoria Salmon Kings. The series is currently tied 1-1. Game one went to Utah in a 6-0 win, only to be routed in game two after leading early 1-0, to fall 6-1.

Ryan Cruthers has played in all 8 games, scoring 3 points (1 goal/2 assists) and he is even in +/-.

Game 3 is this Thursday (May 1st) in Utah at 7:05pm.

CHA News to come

Right now the CHA coaches and conference members are in NCAA meetings, no word has come out yet online or from anyone affiliated with the CHA Conference, but we sure do hope to hear some news soon.

I expect further information to become available as early as this coming weekend.

RMU Men’s Team Awards

Here are the Team Awards for the 2007-2008 Men’s Team:

MVP- Ryan Cruthers
Defensive Player of the Year- Chris Kaufman ***
Offensive Player of the Year- Ryan Cruthers
Freshman of the Year- Nathan Longpre & Denny Urban
Most Inspirational Player- Joel Gasper***
Student AThlete of the Year- Joel Gasper**
Most Improved Player- Branden Gay

* number of years winning award

Plus Gasper will won the scholar athlete award from the athletic department as well as named the Cubic (Sp) award winner as outstanding senior

RMU Radio Guest Host from 3-5pm Today

Change of plans from what I earlier posted about being a guest on “andrew and dan in the afternoon”…Dan is out sick, so I get to guest host. 3pm-5pm…you better listen.

Listen Live: Rmuradio.com

RMU Men Non-Conference Schedule

We’ve discussed the non-conference schedule for next season briefly, but let’s go ahead and take a more in depth look at the games Robert Morris will be playing outside of the CHA next year:

Ferris State (CCHA) @ Island Sports Center (2 games)
-This will be the first time these two teams will have met
-’07-’08 Overall Record: 18-16-5
-Non-Conf Record: 6-4-1
-Away Record: 2-4-0
-Leading Scorer: Jr #8 Cody Chupp – 30pts – 11g-19a
-Powerplay: 19%
-Penalty Kill: 85%

Quinnipiac (ECAC) on the road (2 games)
-Record of 6-1-1, lifetime against RMU
-Defeated RMU last season on Dec 7 & 8 with scores of 4-2, 5-1.
-’07-’08 Overall Record: 20-15-4
-10 Seniors graduated from last year’s squad (two of their top three leading scorers,
Nelson and Bates)

Lake Superior State (CCHA) on the road (2 games)
-Record of 2-0 Lifetime against RMU, both wins came in November of 2005 (3-0, 4-3)
-Overall Record: 10-20-7
-Non-Conf Record: 3-5-1
-4 of their top 5 scores return to this year’s team, but non went over 30 points on the season.

American International (Atlantic) @ Island Sports Center (2 games)
-Record of 0-2 Lifetime against RMU, losses came this season (2-10, 3-6)
-Overall Record: 8-23-5
-Non-Conf Record: 0-6-2
-7 seniors graduated from last year’s roster

Ohio State (CCHA) home and home, Includes Showcase at Mellon Arena (2 games)
-Record of 0-1-1 Lifetime against RMU, both games played last season (t-5-5, l-4-3)
-Overall Record:10-25-4
-Non-Conf Record: 5-7-1
-Last year’s roster was made up of 16 underclassmen, 8 seniors graduated
-Second Leading Scorer: #26 Peter Boyd returns as a Sophomore (24 points in 41 games)

Princeton (Ivy) on the road (1 game)
-Record of 2-1 Lifetime against RMU, won last season’s match 5-2
-Overall Record: 21-14-0, an 11 win increase since ‘05-’06
-Non Conf Record: 7-6-0
-Top 3 Leading Scores return: #6 Lee Junbinville, #16 Brett Wilson, #27 Cam MacIntyre
-Top Goaltender returns: #32 Zane Kalemba: S% of .916 and GAA of 2.38-
19 wins in 30 starts – 5 shutouts

St Cloud State (WCHA) on the road (2 games)
-Record of 2-0 Lifetime against RMU, both games played in ‘05-’06 (7-0,6-2…former Penguin Prospect Joe Jensen was the dagger against RMU in both games)
-Overall Record: 19-16-5
-Non-Conf Record: 7-4-1
-Top 3 Leading Scores return (all underclassmen): #19 Ryan Lasch – 53pts in 40 games,
#9 Garrett Roe-45pts in 39 games,#12 Andreas Nodl-44pts in 40 games
(draft rights owned by Philadelphia Flyers)
last meeting didn’t turn out well, this one might not either

Lefty McFadden Tournament (Dayton, OH)
Opponents not scheduled yet, will most likely open the season
Last Year’s tournament:
Friday, Oct. 12
Notre Dame vs. Wisconsin – 5:05 p.m.
Ohio State vs. Mercyhurst – 8:05 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 13
Consolation Game – 4:35 p.m.
Championship Game – 7:35 p.m.
E.J. Nutter Center, Dayton, Ohio

Ryerson @ Island Sports Center (exhibition)
-RMU won last year’s meeting 8-5 for the season opener
-Outshot 47-17
-RMU saw 13 powerplays, but only converterd on 3

Team USA 18 Development Team (exhibition) on the road (1 game)
-Record of 1-2-1 Lifetime against RMU
-A great game is always played, gives RMU a chance to play against excellent talent, as well as a great chance for the RMU Coaching Staff a chance to build a relationship with the development team, where one day RMU could be pulling directly from this group of young prospects.

Kyle Frieday transfers to Adrian D-III

Rumors were swirling for awhile, but I don’t like to post information regarding players that may not yet be true. A fan on a message board had posted the official link to transfers to Division III schools, Kyle Frieday has been officially added to that list.

Frieday appeared in 13 games this past season for the Colonials, putting up 6 points (1 goal and 5 assists). He appeared in 35 career games, with 17 total points (4 goals and 13 assists).

Here is the link that shows his transfer status: Adrian

As for an update on the College Hockey America Conference and the automatic bid situation, no word has come out yet. One thing is certain, the CHA will continue to exist no matter what.

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