December 22, 2007
Players React to Lucia Criticism
by Adam Wodon/Managing Editor
Don Lucia may not have needed dozens of colleagues and former players rallying to his defense from Garth Snow's hare-brained comments, but it certainly can't hurt.
Lucia said he felt "stung" by Snow's accusations, reported in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune on Thursday, in the aftermath of Snow having signed Kyle Okposo to a pro deal in the middle of the college season. That was rankling enough, but Snow, the New York Islanders' general manager, added fuel to the fire when he defended his move by saying that the Minnesota program was poor at developing players, and that's why Okposo had to leave and the Islanders had to get him out of there.
Others were soon quick to rally to Lucia's defense. And not just administrators, although the comments of Minnesota athletic director Joel Maturi (a member of the NCAA men's ice hockey committee) and WCHA commissioner Bruce McLeod were, indeed, harshly critical of Snow. But also Lucia's own former players.
"That was the farthest from the truth," said former Gopher defenseman Chris Harrington about the two-time national champion coach. "I never heard from one person that said they got worse as a player, that's for sure."
Also See:
• Questions Remain in Okposo Decision
Harrington played four years at Minnesota, and now is in his second season of pro hockey with the Toronto Marlies of the AHL.
"(I improved) ten-fold (at Minnesota)," Harrington said. "Between (Lucia) and (assistant coach Mike) Guentzel, they're the two best, easily, that I've ever had coaching me."
Grant Potulny, who Lucia brought to Minnesota by way of North Dakota, a then-taboo move, concurred with Harrington.
"When you look at guys who have been first-round picks and have developed, like Thomas Vanek, (Keith) Ballard, (Paul) Martin — I can't imagine that Kyle thinks he's not developing there," said Potulny, who played four years with Minnesota and scored the winning goal in the 2002 NCAA championship game. "I guess he has to do what's right for him. Maybe that is what's best for him.
"The four years there, I didn't only improve as a hockey player, (Lucia) teaches you how to be a man. Pro hockey is tough. It has a lot of ups and downs. There's a lot of guys that come out that aren't prepared mentally. I think the coaching staff there is amazing."
Those words were echoed by Harrington.
"That's probably an easy excuse to leave," Harrington said of Okposo's decision. "Some guys think, 'Well, I'm too good to play college anymore, I want to play professional now,' so you say, 'I'm not getting better, the coaches aren't making me better.'
"But that's the farthest from the truth. Not only on the ice, but off the ice. (The Minnesota coaches) make you more accountable, a more well-rounded person. ... If you're going to college, you're there to develop not only as a hockey player but as a person. And that's where Lucia and his staff do a better job than anyone in the country in that. It's the best program to be in because they prepare you academically and socially."
Ryan Potulny, who was playing against older brother Grant in an AHL game Friday night in Philadelphia, also chimed in.
"The University of Minnesota was great for me. I feel like I made great strides when I was there. The staff was great to me," said Ryan Potulny, who left Minnesota after three seasons, following the 2006 NCAAs. "I feel like I got better, and the strength coach is great. I loved playing there.
"Some players just don't fit with some coaches. The player and the coach just don't get along. There's no one reason why — it's not the player's fault, it's not the coach's fault. It just happens and it's part of hockey."
Ryan Potulny said he still speaks with some players on the team, and that he'd never heard anything bad about Okposo.
"Every one of the guys said he's a good team guy, team player," Ryan Potulny said. "Kind of a quiet guy, but no one had anything bad to say about him. He just made a decision for his career. You just have to move on and hopefully he has a great career in the NHL too."
Harrington said he skated with Okposo a couple of times during the summer, and also saw no indications of this.
"I've never heard one bad thing about him. Obviously, he's skilled. After skating with him a couple times, he's a pretty good player," Harrington said. "He's pretty quiet, pretty polite, I didn't talk to him a lot. But I didn't get the impression that he was disappointed or not happy about having to come back.
The latest word in this twisted saga is that Okposo wanted to leave in the summer, but the Islanders wanted him to play in the Major Junior WHL, for Everett, which holds his rights. Okposo balked at that. What changed is that the Islanders were finally willing to assign Okposo to their AHL affiliate in Bridgeport (Conn.).
But having it all happen in mid-season was sordid for all parties.
"You've got to persevere. You've got to hang in there, and just the fact that it isn't working out, you know, you've got to kind of make the commitment to stay," said Minnesota Wild general manager Doug Risebrough to the St. Paul Pioneer Press on Friday. "I don't think it's the right message. Those decisions should all be done in the summer, and whatever decision you make, you stick with it, persevere with it, good or bad."
Said Harrington, "I guess if he didn't wanted to be there, he should've left. There are players who are at Minnesota who don't even get to play who could play on a lot of other teams. Why not give them an opportunity? To be there just because you think you have to, that's not right.
"I lose respect for people who say that the coaching staff there does a bad job developing players because that's just a terrible comment they're making. They need to be in the program to say something like that, because it's definitely not true."
For his part, Lucia has taken the high road. Although he did speak openly for the first time to the Pioneer Press on Friday.
"I don't think he's ever seen our team play and certainly never watched us in practice," Lucia said of Snow in the article, not mentioning him by name. "So, probably you should do that before you sit back and be critical. Just like I would never be critical of his job as general manager; I know he's got a difficult job."
coach lucia my cousin plays for north dakota (tj oshie) but i am a true gopher fan
thru and thru i've followed the gophers for as long as i can remember i think you are a great coach right up there with herbie and wooger keep your head up nobody believes what that ediot SNOW thinks
Dec 22 2007, 6:44 pm by sarge, north st paul
I guess when it comes to preparing a kid academically, Lucia missed the boat with Carman.
Dec 22 2007, 6:45 pm by Bucky, Madison
May be Okposo didn't want to go to school anymore. If I would have had the option to leave college and play professional sports, I would have left in a second. I hated, hated college.
Dec 22 2007, 7:58 pm by Louis, Winona
Please don't use Chris Harrington as an example of an improved player...unless you're counting traffic cones as defensemen these days.
Dec 23 2007, 7:48 pm by John, Mpls.
Snow should worry about his own job, he is the GM that signed Rick D. to a 15 yr contract. Lucia has been with the U for 9 seasons and has won 2 national championships and has put numerous players in the NHL. If Snow knew what he was doing he would not be in last place. I believe the Gophers will be a better team this season with Kyle departing sense he did not want to be there anyway.
Dec 25 2007, 1:10 pm by dan Minnetonka
I think if you are going to interview players maybe interview players who will actually play in the NHL...not th AHL 4-lifers.
This isn't the first time an NHL team(Calgary) has accused Lucia of this and if he stays it definitely won't be the last.
Dec 26 2007, 9:36 am by Andy, Sioux Falls
Not sure what difference that makes, Andy, but in any event, Ryan Potulny has been in the NHL, and will probably be there for good soon enough.
Dec 26 2007, 10:35 am by CHN Editor
Lucia's job is to be the best he can for the University of Minnesota. He shouldnt pay anymore attention to any single player or their development. Look what happend to Dan Monson when he brought Kris Humphres in. He told him he was the guy and he was going to get him to the NBA. Kris went for 23 and 12 but the team was horrible...thats the wrong way to coach an amateur sport...Garth Snow is a tool, he is way out of his league being GM and this is a lesson he is going to learn. Take the high road and say we were struggling and want Kyle to be in our system...say it was Kyle decision...but dont blame one of the top 5 coaches in college hockey for a lack of development. Garth Snow reaks of not knowing what he is doing, he got flustered and tried to cover his own butt. However, he has made good decisions (DiPietro contract). Wish Kyle all the luck in the world, still cheer for him everytiem he is on the ice, tFuck Garth Snow.
Dec 26 2007, 11:46 am by Dude, MPLS
Chris Harrington is a Great example of development. He was 170lb dman who could barely carry his jock in the WCHA as a freshman and DEVELOPED into a solid AHLer. Not everyone is gifted enough to play in the show. John, you must have never played any hockey in your life. you're prolly a member of the Band who watches it and thinks he knows what the hell is going on...
Dec 26 2007, 11:48 am by Kramer, MPLS
WELL said Kramer. Unless you have played at the highest level, which I have, you really don't know what it is all about. Not to mention the fact that there is some very good money in the "A". And some players just don't get a chance due to the depth of the parent club's roster. Trust me, there are quite a few players in the "A" that should be in the NHL.....
Dec 31 2007, 8:20 pm by Shane, Beezy Point
Snow is a tool. Lucia's job is to do what is best for the team, not individual development. Individual development will come about as a result of his coaching ability.
Jan 7 2008, 7:39 am by jon seattle
I was watching the UND/MN game and there was a particular scene that has stuck in my mind. It showed Lucia pulling, pushing, and yelling at Stu Bickel. I've never seen the head coach of a team do that. It looked like he was coming unglued or something. That made me wonder if he had a lack of control of his team.
Jan 11 2008, 11:58 am by Paul, Grand Forks
Hello folks, as much as I love college hockey (Plattsburgh State Cardinals) and as a NY Islanders season ticket holder, I believe that Okposo SHOULD HAVE FINISH the year at UofMinn and then turn pro. It’s a fact of life that college hockey players leave early and it's not the end of the world.
But I also see Garth Snow point, he sees his ONLY blue chipper’s development back sliding. Okposo should have been more open to playing center. Coach Lucia’s record speaks for it self and could coach my team any day.
Despite the jokes about my Islanders, Gath Snow and Islanders owner Charles Wang, they have a better record and are in a playoff spot unlike the fat cat NY Ranger$$$er with Snow as GM.
Jan 12 2008, 11:55 am by Ed, Marine Park, NYC
There is no denying Lucia is a good coach. I am a hard core Sioux fan, but you can't take away the accolades a man has earned. If Lucia was such a poor coach or the program was so poor, I am sure Wayne Gretzky would have asked Wheeler and Ballard to choose a different school or go a different route to develope before entering the NHL. Snow made a fool of himself and I think the best thing he can do is say sorry. One more thing Lucia was holding Bickle back as he was ready to fight and the good coach he is, he knew loosing Bickel for the rest of the game and possibly more would have been very very costly to his program.
Jan 13 2008, 6:18 am by down low GF ND
When is Lucia going to realize Jeff Lazy I mean Frazee is a has been. Its obvious to me that he is the 3rd string goalie. The season doens't look to bright for the gophs. I think Solie has earned the chance to play more than one game. Kangas and Solie should be splitting the rest of the season and ride the hot one come play offs.
Jan 13 2008, 6:21 am by down low GF ND
Snow is most likely still pouting about a certain game played between the Gophs and Maine a few years back at the X.
Jan 24 2008, 2:17 pm by Screw Snow, Eagan
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