I think stoever came hot at the right time and the team got confidence from that, be great if bowns and stoever stay , rumours were that bowns can't accept being #2 , if he wants #1 he must stay and fight for his place as did stoever the last 6 weeks or so , having a brit in the duo is a big advantage to us , so see what happens in the signing stakes .
The Club are at the stage where 'succession planning' to replace aging players is something that needs consideration and action.
Our favorites are going to be retiring, if not now then in a couple of years.
I'm sure they know will have been told that new players to succeed them will be sought, signed and integrated over time....that is common practice in any business that can plan well for the future.
As for Christian Stoever's outstanding performance over the last 6 weeks of the season... PT did exactly what any professional coach would do. He selected the goalie performing well and stuck with it for consistency. It worked....secured no#2 position in the League, won the Playoffs. All goalies know the selection situation in those circumstances. No room for sentiment.
Our favorites are going to be retiring, if not now then in a couple of years.
I'm sure they know will have been told that new players to succeed them will be sought, signed and integrated over time....that is common practice in any business that can plan well for the future.
As for Christian Stoever's outstanding performance over the last 6 weeks of the season... PT did exactly what any professional coach would do. He selected the goalie performing well and stuck with it for consistency. It worked....secured no#2 position in the League, won the Playoffs. All goalies know the selection situation in those circumstances. No room for sentiment.
i would have thought that coming to the end of one's career, he would be happy to be no 2, as he will still be involved at the top of the sport, he's still going to get game time after all. Also, can the body take being 1st choice? More likely a 50/50 split next season, mind you it could come down to wages, and go for an upcoming GB goalkeeper for less money?
And CS's hot streak at the end of the season came on the back of being pulled after going down 4-0 in the first period at Coventry, a game in which BB then didn't let anything in. In the post-game interview PT was clear that it was just to wake the team up, not because CS was at fault, but he clearly managed it in a way that didn't dent Stoever's confidence at all.
No inside knowledge, but I'd expect both NMs to continue next year on a nominal 50:50 split.
No inside knowledge, but I'd expect both NMs to continue next year on a nominal 50:50 split.
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You won't get many bigger Bownsy fans than me. I thought he had an excellent season for us, was close to being MVP for us and assumed that Stoever was getting games towards the end of season to allow Bowns to rest and be back for the Playoffs.
I'll admit I was shocked when Stoever played in that first game. Huge call by Thommo. But it proved to be the correct call. Stoever was outstanding and a key reason we won the playoffs.
I said previously I'd like to see Stoever back and that I expected Bownsy to start as our #1. I'd still love to see both netminders back, but clearly Bowns isn't going to be the number 1. I would imagine that both netminders (if both return) will be told that they start the season as equals and they are fighting to get that #1 spot by the end of the season.
From what Thommo said on the podcast it sounds like Bowns is definitely back for at least another season and I really do hope Stoever is too.
I'll admit I was shocked when Stoever played in that first game. Huge call by Thommo. But it proved to be the correct call. Stoever was outstanding and a key reason we won the playoffs.
I said previously I'd like to see Stoever back and that I expected Bownsy to start as our #1. I'd still love to see both netminders back, but clearly Bowns isn't going to be the number 1. I would imagine that both netminders (if both return) will be told that they start the season as equals and they are fighting to get that #1 spot by the end of the season.
From what Thommo said on the podcast it sounds like Bowns is definitely back for at least another season and I really do hope Stoever is too.
It will be great news if Bownsey is back...his experience and achievements speak for themselves and we are lucky to have him on our roster.
But the Club must surely be thinking about succession planning now, integrating and playing 2 goalies almost equally so that the final transition to the new No#1 , longterm goalie will be seamless. I hope this is the Club's intention with Christian Stoever.
But the Club must surely be thinking about succession planning now, integrating and playing 2 goalies almost equally so that the final transition to the new No#1 , longterm goalie will be seamless. I hope this is the Club's intention with Christian Stoever.
