Let’s make it official: Colonials add the Class of 2012

RMU Head Coach Derek Schooley has announced his newest class added to the Colonial family today, the Class of 2012.  This is Coach Schooley’s largest recruiting class since the inaugural season here at RMU.

From the RMU Press Release
“Moon Township, Pa. – July 22, 2008 – Head coach Derek Schooley of the Robert Morris University men’s hockey team has announced the addition of 12 student-athletes to his team as part of the Class of 2012. The group of 12 incoming recruits will join three transfers from Wayne State University and 14 returnees for the 2008-09 season.

The 12 recruits from Colorado, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Missouri and Ontario, Canada bring a wealth of experience from several Junior “A” hockey leagues.  “My assistant coaches Chris Kostopoulos & Joe Tuset did an excellent job bringing in quality players and strong student-athletes,” said Schooley. “This class has a lot to live up to in replacing our 14 graduating seniors as not only hockey players but as people in the Robert Morris community. We feel they are up to the challenge of that and will continue the building of the Robert Morris hockey program.”

Four of the incoming freshmen are from Pennsylvania, including local players Furman South, Ron Cramer and Josh Jones of western Pennsylvania. The class of 2012 includes eight forwards, three defensemen and a single goalie.  “We feel that we have added some elements to our team that we may not have had in the past,” said assistant coach Tuset. “The staff here at Robert Morris is very excited about our incoming class and we look forward to seeing what this group of talented young men can do for our program.”

Robert Morris will open its 2008-09 season by hosting Ryerson for an exhibition game Sunday, Oct. 5, at the Island Sports Center.  Regular season action will begin Oct. 11 when the Colonials travel to Merrimack. The first home series will take place Oct. 17-18, when Ferris State comes to town for a pair.”

Here is the official list:  RMU Class of 2012

Video Sports Streaming hitting the market

This was in the USA Today on the 26th, the article is not focused on hockey at all, but I thought it was interesting to see where the market of television and internet have began to become one unit.

Through the contract with NBC, the NFL has agreed to stream the weekly NBC games, live online on nbcsports.com and nfl.com.  Even though the article is short and sweet, this is a land-mark agreement that has been made between a professional sports industry and their outlet who brings it to its fans.

This is only the begginning of more online streaming content, on a more national level.  We as college hockey fans have already seen a few places where we can watch our favorite teams (even if it is the coaches camera), but as the popularity increases for mainstream sports, this will begin to have a trickledown effect as the market grows.

Check out the USA Today Article here: NFL to stream NBC games in real time

RMU Hockey Camp

RMU will be holding a Hockey Camp led by head coach Derek Schooley, the 2008 Colonial Hockey Camp (July 21-25) aims to provide campers with top notch instruction in all aspects of the game. Players will be broken down into three age groups to learn the basic fundamentals of hockey, while playing in a small game type setting. Along with current RMU players, campers will benefit from the instruction of the entire Colonial coaching staff at the Island Sports Center in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Camp highlights include two hours of on-ice instruction per day and a one hour small game session.  Additionally, the players will be instructed in special skill development sessions in an atmosphere that stresses good sportsmanship.

For additional information and registration, please contact Derek Schooley at (412) 397-4477 or email at schooley@rmu.edu.

rmuhockeycamp

Viewing RMU Games, TV & Internet information

I have noticed a few people have posted comments concerning the broadcasts of RMU Hockey this year (whether online or on television).  I know that RMU-TV and MCA-TV are still attempting to cover a few games, not on a live basis, no schedule has been set, but there will be a valid attempt.

As for any potential FSN broadcasts, it is highly doubtful that FSN Pittsburgh will cover any of the games this season, unless there is enough attention being gathered by the community of Pittsburgh.  As we saw last year, FSN Atlantic covered the Friday game against Wisconsin, which could be viewed via Comcast, if you pay the extra $7 a month for the sports package (I do not know about other carriers).

Also, this is important, I was informed that RMU Hockey will be carried by Jumptv.com, but most likely through this portal of CollegeSportsDirect.com.  There is a Robert Morris section under the College Sports Direct listing, nothing is avaiable yet.  Robert Morris has an exclusive contract as a partner for RMU Hockey with the Xos Network, which is owned by Jumptv (article on purchasing).  We all have become commonly familiar with the B2networks and their coverage of the CHA Tournament, so I just wanted to clear that up.  Eventually rmucolonials.com will attempt to carry their own streams (either by pulling in Jumptv’s or making their own) of RMU Hockey as well as other sports, through “ROMO TV.”

I cannot find the email in which RMU Assistant Athletic Direct Marty Galosi informed me of the pricing with Jumptv, but I do vaguely recall (this is not a quoted price) that an entire full-season package is $60-$65, and per game would be $6.

I am looking into purchasing my own package for the full-season, in order to give updates on every game.  However, I am not set on this, as my work schedule may not allow it, but I would be able to listen to a majority of the online radio broadcasts.

More Colonials Updates

From Capitals Camp:
I’ve been meaning to post some more updates on some more Colonials news that has been happening lately.  Matt Krug has been mentioned a few times in the Washington Capital message boards in his play down at their camp.  It sounds like Matt is doing very well.  The only problem is, some people on the message board have gotten the Colonals confused with Robert Morris College out of Chicago.  Not to be mean or anything, but if you checked their roster, or even googled “Matt Krug,” you would know he does not play in Chicago.  I have been attempting to post on the message board, but I am awaiting approval to do so.

Here is the link: Saturday’s Scrimmage

From Thrashers Camp:
As for Cody Crichton, who is currently in Atlanta at the Thrashers’ prospect camp, I came across this:
“who was it that made that sick move 45 seconds in?” (followed by)
“I believe it was Cody Crichton #68″
So that was cool to see.
A young lady was apparently a fan of Cody, fan enough to get her picture taken with him and post it: Cody and Friend. Hopefully he got her number.

Here is a link: Atlanta Thrashers Board

From the Chiefs:
Former Colonials Joey Olson and Joel Gasper, have both signed on with the Johnstown Chiefs, back on June 24th.  I’m a little late on the info, but it’s not like the information jumps out at you.  This will be Olson’s second year with the Chiefs, his first full season, as he only played in 39 regular season games, putting up great numbers (30 points – 15g/15a), numbers we did not see in his time at Robert Morris, so it is great to see Joey performing well at the next level.  Joel spent 9 games in Johnstown after finishing up at Robert Morris last spring, so this will be his first full rookie season in the ECHL.

You can read it here: Johnstownchiefs.com

2008-2009 RMU Men’s Schedule

The RMU Men’s Hockey Schedule is now out, take a look:

2008-2009 Robert Morris University Men’s Ice Hockey Schedule

October
5 (Sun) RYERSON (ex) Pittsburgh, Pa. 4:05 p.m.
11 (Sat) @ Merrimack North Andover, Mass. 7:00 p.m.
17 (Fri) FERRIS STATE Pittsburgh, Pa. 7:35 p.m.
18 (Sat) FERRIS STATE Pittsburgh, Pa.. 7:35 p.m.
24-25 (Fri/Sat) Governors Cup Albany, NY 4:05p.m
31 (Fri) ALABAMA-HUNTSVILLE* Pittsburgh, Pa. 7:35 p.m.
November
1 (Sat) ALABAMA-HUNTSVILLE* Pittsburgh, Pa. 7:35 p.m.
7(Fri) @ St. Cloud State St. Cloud, Minn. 7:07 p.m.
8(Sat.) @ St. Cloud State St. Cloud, Minn. 7:07 p.m.
14 (Fri) OHIO STATE # Pittsburgh, Pa.- Mellon Arena 8:00 p.m.
21 (Fri) @ Lake Superior State Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. 7:05 p.m.
22(Sat) @ Lake Superior State Sault Ste. Marie, Mich. 5:05 p.m.
December
5 (Fri) NIAGARA* Pittsburgh, Pa 7:05 p.m.
6 (Sat) v. Ohio State Cleveland, OH 7:05 p.m.
13 (Sat) @ Niagara* Niagara, N.Y. 7:05 p.m.
January
3 (Fri) AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL Pittsburgh, Pa. 7:35 p.m.
4 (Sat) AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL Pittsburgh, Pa. 4:05 p.m.
9 (Fri) @ Alabama-Huntsville * Huntsville, AL 7:00 p.m.
10 (Sat) @ Alabama-Huntsville * Huntsville, AL 3:00 p.m.
23 (Fri) @ Quinnipiac Northford, Conn. 7:00 p.m.
24 (Sat) @ Quinnipiac Northford, Conn. 7:00 p.m.
26 (Mon) @ Princeton Princeton, N.J. 7:00 p.m.
30 (Fri) BEMIDJI STATE* Pittsburgh, Pa. 7:35 p.m.
31 (Sat) BEMIDJI STATE* Pittsburgh, Pa. 7:35 p.m.
February
6(Fri) @ Niagara * Niagara, N.Y.. 7:05 p.m.
7 (Sat) @ Niagara * Niagara, N.Y. 7:05 p.m.
14 (Sat) BEMIDJI STATE * Pittsburgh, Pa. 7:35 p.m.
15 (Sun) BEMIDJI STATE * Pittsburgh, Pa. TBA
20 (Fri) @ Alabama-Huntsville * Huntsville, AL 7:00 p.m.
21 (Sat) @ Alabama-Huntsville * Huntsville, AL 3:00 p.m.
27 (Fri) NIAGARA * Pittsburgh, Pa 7:35p.m.
28 (Sat) NIAGARA* Pittsburgh, Pa 7:35p.m.
March
6 (Fri) @ Bemidji State * Bemidji, Minn. 7:35 p.m.
7 (Sat) @ Bemidji State * Bemidji, Minn. 7:35 p.m.
13-14 CHA Championships TBA TBA

RMU Colonials.com

RMU’s Matt Krug to participate in Capitals prospect camp

Centre Ice has learned that RMU Senior defencemen Matt Krug (transfer from Wayne State) is attending the Washington Capitals prospect and development camp this year.  Last summer, Krug attended the Atlanta Thrashers camp, as current Colonials recruit Cody Crichton will be participating in this week.

Krug was a late add to the roster for the Capitals camp, but it has been confirmed here: Washingtoncapitals.com in this message board that Matt is participating in the Group B of the camp.

Colonials recruit to attend Atlanta Thrashers Prospect Developing Camp

Colonials recruit, Cody Crichton, who is slated to attend RMU in the fall, will be participating in the Atlanta Thrashers Prospect Developing Camp from July 8-13.  The camp is designed for young prospects to gain further knowledge of on-ice and off-ice prescence.  Cody will be practicing with numerous prospects of the NHL, including former Penguin prospect Angelo Esposito (who was recently aquired by the Atlanta Thrashers through the Marian Hossa trade).

To read more on the Camp: Atlanta Thrashers News

Former Colonials receive qualifying offers in ECHL

Three former Colonials from last year’s club all received qualifying offers to play in the ECHL next season.  Ryan Cruthers (Utah Grizzles), Chris Kaufman (Bakersfield Condors) and Sean Berkstresser (Wheeling Nailers) each recieved an offer by their respective teams, which allows each of these teams to hold their rights until August 1st.  After the August 1st deadline, any player who received a qualifying offer will be allowed to be signed by any team in the ECHL.

There had been rumors swirling that both the Bridgeport Soundtigers and Hershey Bears were interested in signing Ryan Cruthers, but no action was made in bringing Ryan to either of those clubs.

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