Subject: Canada Senior NT Discussion

With the National Team elections looming, I would like to shed some light on my plan for the team over the next two seasons.

The primary goal: To win the season 12 InterContinental Cup (ICC)

The secondary goals:
a) To generate experience and chemistry for our future stars that will represent Canada in the World Cup in 4 seasons.
b) To qualify for the ICC early and with ease by performing well in the upcoming season.
c) To make it to the semi-finals in the upcoming PPM Cup.

Team selection:

Season 11 will include players that have experience and chemistry with the National Team that will give us depth to 'help us now' in our quest to achieve an ICC berth. Some of these players may be on the decline but will be of benefit to the National Team in the short term. The decliners will be cut loose following the PPM Cup.

If things go according to plan, we will see some turnover next season. The 22 best for season 12 will remain, but the rest of the squad will only include players that can help the NT in the future. We can use these players in friendlies to build up their skills.

I won't commit to a full 35 man roster. We'll leave some spots open for 'special circumstance' players.

The two year plan:

Season one is win often and win big in qualifying. Season two will be to conserve energy and build experience leading up to the ICC.

The management team:

If elected, I will call upon slavko74, canucks357, and skipman6 for their support. I would also like to add a 'tactician' to the team. This person will focus on analyzing our own team as well as our opponents and help to determine appropriate tactics for upcoming games. I will expand my knowledge in this department, as I believe it is our biggest opportunity for improvement with this team.

Final thoughts:

This upcoming week, I encourage you to vote. If you have an interest in this team, please post and PM often. I'm open to feedback, suggestions, and criticism. I'm committed to success for our National Teams both now and in the future.

Thanks, Neill (TMO)

You have my support like always.

Might be early for that, but do we still have database for NT players? Or may I suggest Johnathon Carroll as RM? He wouldn't be a starter, but he compares to Graham Hallinan ...

We gonna need somebody to replace Hallinan and Carroll would be a good choise but I am sure TMO knows it better.

Gerard Loewen

Great plan! The Canucks should hire you - they have a moron running that team.

Hello what with him? Connor Duncan postimg.org/image/4zxx38i...

He doesn't compare to Todd and Hines. Low XP and horrible CL path kill the deal IMHO...

Agreed. Good GK now. But won't play on the NT *and* will be passed soon by other Canadian GKs from the U20/U17 teams.

Nothing too exciting but I'll just give a quick update on the roster.

I have 17 players that will be relied upon heavily for the upcoming season, they are:

F) Frenette, Kenny, Howard
CM) Vernon, Tery, Malcolm
SM) Gable, Koyle, Martin
CD) Lai, Bordon, Chagnon
SD) Gagne, Breton, Roberge
GK) Todd, Hines

I feel this group has the top collection of skill, experience, and chemistry at the present time. Is everyone in agreement that these our Canada's best at their positions?

Over the next couple days, I will look to add/retain one goalie and two at each position to fill the roster up to 28 players. There appears to be a lot of competition for these remaining spots. My primary criteria for these spots will be whether or not the new player has the ability to surpass one of the above players on the NT depth chart over the next four seasons.

These 5 will be cut tonight:

Hallinan - lowest OR on the team
Izzet - down to 2/6
Hustwick - trains half as well as #4 @ #5
Lowery - now at 3/6, won't be moving up the ladder
Goodman - player build somewhat week

OK, five players have been cut and the roster is down to 28. 28 players is what I want to start the season with. Right now we have 11 bubble players on the team. Coming up, I'll identify those players and their possible replacements. I welcome your thoughts on this very important part of the selection process. Finalizing the roster will be done on the weekend.


note: (CL,OR,Exp)


Goalie)
Right now we have Rod MacNeil (4/6,1212,86) as our third stringer. Connor Duncan (3/6,1328,42) provides an improvement right now, but his CL prevents him from ever moving up to backup. 20 year old Pat Salmon (5/6,1305,21) is eligible next season, I think he's a future #1.
Pat Fontaine was also considered.

My view: Salmon replaces MacNeil next season.

Agreed, even if MacNeil is mine

Defense)


CD) Harvey Patry (4/6,1324,53) andEthan Arsenault (5/6,1279,53) are solid but not spectacular. Top 20 year old Lucas Grebe (5/6,1351,31) will bounce one these guys next season. Tommy McRorie (4/6,1290,24) may do the same. Kody Graham (3/6,1342,64) has been knocking on the door for an eternity.

My view: Arsenault draws the short straw and we finally put the Canadian Flag beside Graham's name. Grebe will replace Graham next season, and a decision on Patry and McRorie gets made next season.

SD) 22 year old's, Deon Monington (4/6,1347,51) and Allan McDermott (4/6,1320,73) don't have anyone breathing down their necks.

My view: Both remain on the team.

Hopefully Skipman will get Grebe some more EXP.