There’s still not a lot news for UMass hockey at this point in the summer, however players started rolling into Amherst this past weekend so hopefully we’ll start seeing more coming out of the team soon. In the meantime, here’s some relevant news from around the web.
First off, it appears that Joe Manno, who decommitted from UMass in the past month or so, is now committed to go to Northeastern according to his Twitter account. Don’t get too excited yet Husky fans, as he’s still planning on attending training camp for the Sea Dogs of the QMJHL. Remember when committed actually meant, well, committed?
Matty V of the Gazette says that the goaltender position will be key for the hockey team this season. Yep, can’t argue with that.
Mike McMahon of the Eagle Tribune asks if outdoor games have jumped the shark. I agree that with each one that takes place the uniqueness of an outdoor hockey game lessens. He also asks what happens when someone puts together an outdoor college game and no one shows up. Well, Mike, it already happened. However, while these games will likely begin to fade at some point when the novelty wears off, as a fan of a team who will hopefully play in one of these games this season, I’m psyched. It’s a pretty big deal every year when the UMass baseball team is given a chance to play on the hallowed grounds of Fenway. To have the hockey team do the same will be another great memory of mine in following the program. Now if they could just make it official.
There are no specific UMass mentions (other than as a Five College) but this article on the New England prep league from the New England Hockey Journal is an interesting read.
Fear The Triangle - UMass Hockey Blog 
Lester
/ August 16, 2011Rocks,
Joseph Manno is committed to Northeastern University and will not be attending the Sea Dogs camp. Something needs to be clarified when you speak of “commitment.” Manno never welched on his commitment to UMass, instead it was UMass that did not fight hard enough to clear his NCAA eligibility issues. One thing is for sure, Manno’s integrity is intact. He is proud to be a Husky. At least a Canadian player is not following in many of the US players’ footsteps who have de-committed and flown the coop to Major Junior.
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rocks22
/ August 16, 2011As recently as last Friday the Sea Dogs had Manno attending training camp. If that’s untrue, maybe you should address your concerns to them.
As for my commitment comment, I stick by it regarding college recruits in general.
Also, you previously had stated that Providence had fixed the clearinghouse issues. But Manno is at Northeastern. If UMass had cleared them up, who says Manno wouldn’t still jump to another school or major junior? It didn’t seem to help Providence.
Manno had long been flirting with SJ, much like Zack Phillips did a few years back.
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Lester
/ August 16, 2011Rocks,
Obviously, you must understand that if you belong to a Major Junior team there is always a chance that you will be attending training camp. Providence did the leg work but was unable to come up with an interesting package. UMass only got back into the picture because they knew other schools were interested, but by then, it was too late. If Manno attended South Kent this year it was not with the intention to go back to the “Q” but play in NCAA. The “Q” was always a last resort. Again, Manno was jerked around but it all worked out in the end.
Zack who?
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rocks22
/ August 16, 2011Honestly, I have little interest in drawing out this Manno situation, especially with the freshman hockey class about to hit campus. He was going to go to UMass, instead he’s going to NU. I’m at least happy he’s going the college route. I hope it’s a good choice for him.
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bittym87
/ August 16, 2011Of course, when I called one of the games for WMUA my senior year, the baseball Beanpot was on the somewhat less hallowed grounds of Brockton High School.
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rocks22
/ August 16, 2011I believe the opening games are always in Brockton or Lynn.
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bittym87
/ August 21, 2011Usually. That particular year they played the whole thing in Brockton, though. The game I called was the consolation game between UMass and Harvard…BU and BC played for the title immediately afterward.
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blindspots88
/ September 10, 2011Ah, I remember that game fondly. Me texting in jokes and you and your Hary Cary impression
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