Latest / College Hockey Mouth / Episode 20: Derek Lodermeier | Jacksonville University Head Coach

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Episode 20: Derek Lodermeier | Jacksonville University Head Coach · College Hockey Mouth

• speaker-0: Welcome back everyone to College Hockey Mouth, the College Hockey South podcast, episode 20, and we are back into the fold of the regular season, the second half, and the push for the playoffs begin now. And I'm Devin Sarah joined alongside my co-host Gavin Coker. Tonight just the duo for us is our friend Danny Bohm and the rest of CHS staff are over in France right now, currently on the Europe trip, which is going pretty well for them at the last time we recorded this one ⁓ and one or in the thick of ⁓ playing Strasbourg, but Gavin, what's been going on in your world this past weekend? speaker-1: You know ⁓ not too much. I the semester kind of crept up on me quick. I didn't realize we were already back into school. I start classes again tomorrow. So I'm ⁓ I'm not too happy about that personally. I I could go with a little longer break, came up quick, but that means there's hockey this weekend. So I'm super excited for that. speaker-0: I am too. I think I've enjoyed for the first time hockey at this part of the year. Really enjoyed it. ⁓ the Red Wings, both our teams are neck and neck at the top of the Atlantic and ⁓ I've got some cool gigs coming up. I secured a part time deal with some US PHL games this weekend and I'm back going with Florida Atlantic on Sunday, so pretty excited for that. But Enough about us. We've got one of our most special guests. I know we always say it, but this one especially we've been looking forward to. He is a former captain and all time games play leader for the Jacksonville Iceman and the ECHL and is currently the head coach of the first year Jacksonville ACHA ACDC hockey team. Please welcome to College Hockey Mouth Derek Lodermeyer. speaker-2: What's up guys? Thanks for having me on. speaker-0: Thank you for joining us. You are, I think, the second or third coach we've talked to. And ⁓ we were talking before the show about what a treat Bob Joyce was in a conversation that went longer than expected. And we have a lot we can get to with you, Derek. Obviously, a lot of lore in your own playing career. But going back to kind of the start of things, we want to ask you just about growing up. ⁓ you're from the state of hockey, as they call it, in Minnesota. ⁓ you know, tell us about what led you ⁓ to where you are today growing up and eventually getting to pro hockey. speaker-2: Yeah. Yeah. grew up in Minnesota. Obviously got ⁓ to play youth hockey growing up there and then got to the high school level, which is I'm sure you guys know ⁓ Minnesota High School hockey's pretty pretty good route for a lot of guys. So got to do that. Never made the big big tournament, got close, but yeah, did that for three seasons and then ⁓ I I always played hockey and baseball, so then I had to kind of pick one my senior year of high school there and ultimately chose chose the hockey route and ended up going to play juniors and yeah, kind of was all over North America through juniors college and ⁓ ended up down in Florida with playing for the I for the Iceman and the ECHL. speaker-0: You had an extensive time around junior hockey. The high school prepared you obviously and one of the stops that, you know, our producer Gavin went in this toolbox with was your time with the Sioux Eagles, who are now the New Jersey Titans and the the Nall. You know, what was that experience like and what made you switch lanes to play in that league and use that as a stepping stone to N C double A? Yeah. speaker-2: Yeah, yeah, that was that was where I played my first year out of high school there and ⁓ yeah, it was interesting. I didn't really know what to expect. ⁓ obviously wanted to play make the U SHL and just fell short of that, so I ended up in the North American league there and obviously it's a great league and it's grown tremendously over the years. ⁓ yeah, I was up in S Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and the U P there and there was Minnesota gets a lot of snow, but that place gets even more more snow. So it was It was cool. We had a g we had a great group of guys. It was a great first year of juniors, learned a lot from the older guys and ⁓ yeah, it's great it's a great league, like I said. It's and it's growing tremendously. And yeah, from there from there it kind of changed paths and ended up out in Alberta in the Alberta junior hockey league with with the Brooks Bandits who have had a had a ton of suc success in the last decade or so. played with some a lot of good players there. They obviously moved a lot of guys on to the division one ranks and division three ranks there and yeah, I played with g guys like Cale McCarr and ⁓ Jeff Mullat who's who's everyday player for the LA Kings now. So ⁓ that was that was I spent two years there. It was a great experience. I loved it. It was small town Alberta and it was awesome. speaker-1: Awesome. Yeah, and one of the things is you guys won a championship and you mentioned Kill McCarr Jeff Mullot being on that team, but you were the captain of that team. You let ⁓ in points that season and you let ⁓ in points in the playoffs. How is that competition different from what you saw on the knoll? speaker-2: ⁓ it it wasn't i the competition wasn't too different. I think it was just like the I would say the depth the depth of that league was a little deeper at the time. ⁓ and playing in Brooks we had I think that year we had I wanna say seventeen or eighteen guys committed to division one school. So it was I I don't even remember how many games we lost, but it was it was not that many. So we had we had a great team and that obviously made the stats look a little better and ⁓ Yeah, I think McCarr was sixteen or seventeen at the time and probably one of the best players out there at that young age too. So yeah, that was that was a that was a fun year. I had a blast that season. speaker-0: Such a treat. Every time you hear ⁓ you know, a former, you know, defenseman Norris trophy winner and and now a Stanley Cup champion, I think it stands out in the sheet. But, you know, you your respect is you've been a leader everywhere you've gone in captaincies and college and obviously juniors and high school. So where do you think those experiences led you to eventually coaching and what are things that you learn in your time there that you preach to your younger guys over in Jacksonville? speaker-2: Yeah, yeah, luckily and it was an honor to be to wear a letter at at ⁓ you know, all these levels. I kinda crossed paths with and ⁓ I yeah, I definitely try to use that getting into coaching now and I was always kind of a quiet leader and just kinda led by example most of the time. But when I when I would speak up, you know, obviously I meant it and I think guys guys knew that. So that's kinda how I have coached thus far too and ⁓ you know, when you do say something it's meaningful and other kids will listen and goes a long way. So just trying to use those l leadership qualities, transferring them into the the coaching side of things. And ⁓ I think it's worked pretty well th so far. speaker-1: Yeah, and you've obviously played up north most of the time playing hockey, and then you end up in Jacksonville. What was your time with the team like? Obviously you played a lot of games considering you're the all time leader and games played there, but what is it like seeing hockey grow also in Jacksonville? speaker-2: Yeah, it's but it's been awesome. ⁓ ended up you know, my family and I, my wife and I ended up, you know, living committing to live down here full time and we love it here. And ⁓ yeah, my first year was was ⁓ twenty twenty with the Iceman and was kinda in the midst of COVID. We they had a season down here, so I was lucky enough to to play that year. ⁓ but even then we've within the last you know five years it's it's grown tremendously down here. I think the youth hockey I wanna say there was maybe two or three teams that that first year I was here and I now I think there's just under twenty teams, which is awesome to see. They got a brand new f practice facility that has two sheets of ice that the Icemen practice out of. They they have all the youth hockey, that's where ⁓ Jacksonville, that's where we play. There's a few other club teams that ⁓ that play out of there too. So ⁓ having that facility is huge for for the community. And yeah, it's just it's it's it's great. You can't beat the weather and Getting to have the option to play hockey to cool off every once in a while is is great. speaker-0: Community First Igaloo is one of the busiest ranks I've seen out of Florida because Florida State plays there, you guys, Florida, numerous youth teams. It hosted what was AAU nationals, right? Everything has come out of that rank, you know. I guess led you to finding the ACHA ranks, becoming a coach, but more so getting involved in the growth and development level of hockey in Duval County in Greater Florida. speaker-2: Yeah, yeah. I had I actually had retired from the Iceman I guess two seasons ago now and I ended up coming back around Christmas time. They sucked me back in. So I I ended up playing about half a season. ⁓ and then I I retired for good this this past off season. And I had I had been doing some coaching just in the summer at at the community first igloo there and a few of the kids that I worked with were, you know, prep school and junior players that were in the area. ⁓ and one of the kids that I had worked with for for two summers. He he was playing in the NA three and it just didn't work out and he ended up ⁓ his family lives in Jacksonville now, so he ended up coming back home and started taking classes at J U and kinda got the itch to to play hockey again and it was really all him that that started the program up ⁓ this past summer. ⁓ he put a lot of work in and ⁓ probably obviously wouldn't be here without without the work he did. So he had asked me just from me working with them in the summers if I had any any interest in coaching and wasn't really on my radar at the time coming ⁓ into retirement there and ⁓ I said, yeah, why not? Like didn't really know what to expect ⁓ with the brand new program and didn't know a whole lot about about Jacksonville University, but ⁓ it's been a blast. We've we got a great group of kids and I was I was shocked we had a full roster of twenty kids that were at the at the school that had interest to play. So we got a full full roster, which is great. And yeah, it's just blowing my expectations away. It's been absolute blast working with these kids and, you know, trying to teach them some of the things I've learned over the years. And, you know, they're teaching me things too of keeping me younger, I should say. The college the college life. But no, it's it's been a blast. speaker-1: Yeah, and you guys have got a great roster in your first year, but what's your favorite part of having an athlete and hockey player like Michael Gugliata to lead that young group as the cap? speaker-2: Yeah, yeah. He's a he's a tremendous kid. Sometimes I think he's an old man, but he's very mature and he does ⁓ he does a lot of things right on the ice and off the ice. ⁓ and like I said, he's the one that that started this all. He put a ton of work in to to get the ball rolling and ⁓ I kinda just let him take the reins on it and I just said I'd help him if wherever he needed being. ⁓ yeah, we here we are and we're playing hockey and the kids are having a blast. I'm having a blast, their staff. Her staff loves it and it's been a great fit. speaker-0: I'm sure it's been quite a privilege for ⁓ you and Tim Boyson and the rest of that group to see Michael take charge of it. I I saw a news interview he did where he talked about a lot of what went into recruiting kids and making a lot of his friends. Right out of the gate, you guys were really solid. Five hundred at this point in the year, but you started ⁓ I think it was one of your first four or five games. ⁓ what did it take to get to that point from your standpoint ⁓ as a as a group of collegiate kids and a club? But Also getting you to have a system and play the way that you guys want to as we head into the second speaker-2: semester. Yeah, it was it was tough, honestly. 'Cause we hadn't it just kind of got all thrown together over the summer and then next thing you know, August, you know, mid August we're we're practicing, but we only practice once a week. So it's hard to kind of get everything in and an hour of ice and we've made it work. And like I said, the the group of kids is, you know, top notch. They've they've been, you know, nothing but a pleasure to work with. So they they've they've been super supportive and you know, it's kinda it's just a different app atmosphere, a different aspect compared to, you know, juniors or even high school hockey. So it's it's a lot of learning as we go for for myself and for the staff and the players as well. But ⁓ like I've said, yeah, tremendous group of kids to work with and they've they've all kind of dialed it in and put it a hundred percent in. And I think that's what makes it work in the end. speaker-1: And you talked about learning how to coach the group. Do you think your play style blends into your coaching style or are they two different sides of the same sp speaker-2: Yeah, I w I would say so. It's kinda hard to like steer away from that, especially coming right out of playing. And yeah, as a as a player I just kinda I was able to, you know, play power play, do penalty kill, you know, play in all situations and ⁓ you know, be be responsible forward, you know, in the in the D zone and but also able to produce, like I said. So ⁓ I just try to give try to give all the kids the tools to, you know, you know, some kids have strengths at at certain certain positions or certain roles and so trying to find those specific roles for everyone and put ⁓ in the right spots at the right time. And I think we've been able to to do that pretty well for the most part. speaker-0: I must say the depth that your group shows ⁓ has been terrific and I'm especially impressed by the Polini Brothers, Nick Naumov. I saw him play against Florida Atlantic and lit it up. Such a good, you know, small roster, but you guys make the most of who you got. And I'd be remiss if I didn't ask you what your favorite moment was or, you know, one of the favorite games you've had in this young season so far with an ACDC team that is playing really above what people expect. speaker-2: Yeah, yeah, definitely. We had ⁓ like yeah, going into the once the game started there, we we didn't really know what to expect and you know, a lot of the kids were just excited to play hockey. You know, some of the kids that are, you know, sophomores to to seniors thought, you know, they were just going to school, they were done with hockey, so they were like they were super grateful to be playing playing again. And I would I would say one of one of my favorite memories ⁓ so far this season was probably our first game against ⁓ Saint Leo. And they they had a shorter bench, but we had I think we scored I don't even know, I think it like four or five goals in the first and then just kind of poured it on there and you know, the kids were having a blast and you know, we had a couple hundred students in the stands there and it was it was a college atmosphere in my opinion and it was it was a blast. So that that was a lot of fun and we had another another one a few months ago now, I guess, but it was against UNF University of North Florida. So they're they're also in Jacksonville, so it's kind of a a rival amongst the two schools and I guess now we're making it a rival in hockey too. So I think we played them twice. We split on the weekend, but the Friday night game I think it was a high scoring game. It was like nine to eight and ⁓ just back and forth and good crowd again and it was a it was a lot of fun. And those kids were playing hard and it was it was just it was fun to watch and be a part of that one. speaker-0: You're really giving these guys a great experiences and your upcoming schedule bodes more of that. Your guys are gonna play in about two weeks time at ⁓ ViStar Veterans Memorial Arena. How special is that f do you think for your guys to go play somewhere else besides community first and in a barn that you know very well? speaker-2: Yeah, yeah. No, I was glad we were able to get that on our schedule this season. And obviously that's you know, we're the Iceman play, so they're they were super supportive of getting us in there for that game. So yeah, the guys are guys are super excited for that one and the university too. I think they're gonna have a lot of ⁓ faculty and staff that'll show up for that one and hopefully a lot of students, you know, come pouring in the doors there too. So it'll it'll be exciting. It's a it's a nice venue, it's a nice nice arena. So The kids are definitely excited for that one. speaker-1: And you guys have a busy weekend, coming off almost a three month break. I know you guys had some games scheduled in October and November that kinda got postponed rescheduled, but what are you looking for in the team in the second half of the season? speaker-2: Yeah, yeah. It's like I said before, it's kinda tricky with we did have some games that we had to get rescheduled kind of before break, but the way J U does it is it's kinda round Thanksgiving time, they do their finals and then they're off through the new year. So yeah, we haven't we haven't been on the ice together for, you know, f you know, f five, five and a half weeks here. So ⁓ yeah, we'll practice later this week and then we play play at h at home or at the Igloo against UNF again, ⁓ which is always ⁓ a good rival game, so that'll be a fun one and then head down to play Miami for two games on Saturday and Sunday. So those are obviously some big points for the CHS standings there. So it'll be it'll be interesting to see how the how the legs are come, you know, Sunday. But yeah, we'll make week due and it'll be a it'll be a fun weekend for sure. And then ⁓ yeah, we're able to s reschedule ⁓ two games for the following week ⁓ against US F so another another good ⁓ league opponent that'll be a good test for us. ⁓ and then we have yeah, then we have another we have the game at five star the following weekend, which will be a a good experience for everyone. And then we I think we wrap around wrap up ⁓ January with a home and home against Embry Riddle. So it'll be good to see them and play two games against them. So it'll be a busy month for sure and get a little break there before before that playoff weekend, which we're we're hoping to be a part of. I speaker-0: It's such a long time between the first semester and second semester. It's almost like starting a new season. ⁓ you know, do you ever worry about, you know, some of the weight the guys put on from the Christmas and Thanksgiving parties or ⁓ you you keep those guys in shape with a conditioning regimen? speaker-2: Yeah, yeah, we'll see. I mean they're obviously on their own. Most of ⁓ like if not all of them, went went back home for the holidays and so yeah, hoping they hoping they got on the ice or went on a went on a run or something at least a few times. But yeah, we'll see. It'll it'll be interesting to play. I I mean I've I've done it probably too many times, but playing three games in three days is never easy. But coming out of break that'll be it'll be tough, but hopefully we can steal a couple games. speaker-1: Yeah, and one of the things that always ⁓ plagues these club hockey teams is practice. So is it difficult to get to ice time? 'Cause you know, we mentioned it you have UF not that far, University of North Florida. How hard is it to get ice time for practices? speaker-2: Yeah, it's tough. Like I said, there's two rinks there, but ⁓ yeah, there's four four club teams there. I mean I guess f f five if you count both the UF's teams that are all looking for practice. They got the youth hockey during these winter months that kinda runs through the evening. So it's it's yeah, it's bare not a lot of selection for ice times there. So we're we got the late slate on on Tuesday nights and make it work, but it we could use a different another another sheet of ice down here, I would say. speaker-0: I don't think we've touched on it yet, but like what is that relationship with Jacksonville University? Like not typically what people expected. I I personally did not even know that, you know, your program was developing this. ⁓ as you mentioned, like it came together pretty quick in the summer. So like how does the school see you guys and what's the relationship you have with the the ⁓ club body there? speaker-2: Yeah, yeah, no, the school's been super supportive. We've had the the school president out ⁓ to a few games. Did a ceremonial puck drop at one of the games ⁓ before break. And then just kind of working with the club sports there at the university. They've been they've been awesome. The school's ⁓ helped us out in, you know, a bunch of different ways, making it making it work for for the team and for the kids. Yeah, I couldn't I mean, without their support probably wouldn't be as as successful as as we have been thus far. So can't thank them enough. They've been awesome and looking forward to working with them moving forward here to kind of grow this, you know, hopefully into something even more special than it already is. So speaker-0: I was just thinking like ACDC is a a good place to start. It's sort of a new initiative by ACHA and not too many teams. Do you guys eventually have ambitions to go into that ⁓ three group even higher? You know, like what's the outlook for J U as a hockey program now? speaker-2: Yeah, yeah. No, I think I think moving up's definitely a possibility. I mean I couldn't tell you a specific timeline on that, but ⁓ I think the school itself ⁓ sees, you know, some potential in in the program and ⁓ sees a future with it. So yeah, we'll see where it goes. ⁓ but you know, we'll finish off finish off this season. So it'll go by quick this month and ⁓ you know, hopefully we can make a run in that that playoff tournament at the end of February. But yeah, the the school, like I said, has been super supportive and I think they definitely wanna, you know, invest some some ⁓ more time into this and and growing the program for sure. So it's exciting. speaker-1: And you touched on the playoffs. What is the mindset getting ready for the playoffs? You know, you mentioned that two games against Miami, which are valuable points. They're kind of sitting on that cusp of making it in. What are you trying to drill into your guys heading up for that in their first year and what's already been a super successful season? Yeah. speaker-2: Yeah, yeah, no, it's like I've touched on before, like nobody really know what to expect going into this year and you know, after kind of this first half of the season being right in the thick of it, standings wise, I think, you know, there's it's a competitive group, so they they definitely I mean they they want they want a championship to be quite frank with you and I don't think it's too far out of reach. So yeah, those those ⁓ those league games ⁓ this month will be super important at a secure spot and there's a lot of good lot of good teams in the in the AC D C. So I and it's pr it's pretty even. I don't think there's a a top dog or, you know, bottom of the barrel team. So I think, you know, whoever gets in could make a run that weekend and, you know, hoist the trophy at the end of the weekend. So yeah, we're just trying to, you know, want to get as high of high of a seat as possible. But I think like I said, anyone that then can find their way into that weekend has a chance at it. speaker-0: Hey, just last thing for you, Derek. I I think you've clearly shown the seriousness and the drive to make Jacksonville a better program. You know, for you personally, ⁓ you know, what do you think is the value in club hockey now in the state of Florida as a whole? You know, where do you as a former pro, you know, see the league going as a whole and the skill level increasing to that at a point, what do you see the skill level getting to as we progress the league? speaker-2: Yeah. No, it's been it's been super cool to see. Like I like I said, I didn't know what to expect going getting signing up for this. So just coaching, being on the bench for some of these games and seeing some of these players, ⁓ you know, at on our team and, you know, on other schools, it's I was like, wow, this is this is way more, you know, competitive and legit than I thought. So, ⁓ there's a lot of good players down here in Florida and there's I mean, I'll be honest, some of these schools I didn't even know existed and you know, they have hockey programs, so it's It's cool. It's cool to see it ⁓ just my time in Florida these past five years, like seeing the game grow from, you know, Jacksonville all the way down to, you know, Miami, Fort Lauderdale and you know, on the other side there, Fort Myers. It's been it's been growing rapidly and it's it's cool to see and I think ⁓ just hockey and especially, you know, college hockey, club hockey in the south, ⁓ is growing at a rapid pace and it'll be interesting to see kinda how far they can go with it. And you know, some of these bigger schools and some some of these schools with a lot of funding I think, you know, can can make some waves ⁓ moving forward here. So I it's exciting to see and I mean I know if looking back at it, like going to school, ⁓ you know, there's a lot of ⁓ division ones growing too, but like if you could go to play hockey in the South, it's it's hard to say no to that. speaker-0: You know, I I don't know how far your your network reaches, Derek, but ⁓ you Matthew Kachuk talked about ⁓ trying to get the funds going for for a Miami program. You know, maybe you want to slip up some of your alumni from the pros and and get a Jacksonville thing going. But ⁓ you know, regardless, it's been awesome to see your progression, man. Really thank you for coming on. ⁓ great conversation. And ⁓ we look forward to seeing Jacksonville grow this year and the rest of the years in College Hockey South. So take care and appreciate your time. speaker-2: Hi. Yeah, thanks for having me on guys. This was awesome and yeah, excited to see the the growth in the in the league. speaker-0: Thanks a lot to Derek Lodermeier for coming on the pod and Gavin. Fun conversation with another coach. I almost was remiss when we went off air. We did not talk to him about some of the ECHL news that we heard about the strikes and stuff. He's probably got some interesting points about that. Can you imagine if the ACHA got to a level where like the players could strike? I don't even know what that would look like. speaker-1: Yeah, y you know, I I'm not even a hundred percent sure either. Like one, I feel like half of the world would stop because at least most of my world would stop because that's what I pay attention to. Like yeah, I've got classes and stuff, but I I'm locked in on college hockey. So if all of that just stopped because they went on strike, what would I do with myself? I would hope it would be short like the ⁓ ECHL one where it's like, ⁓ they're going on strike and two days, three days later they're good to go. speaker-0: You know what would be worth a strike is if players had to go against each other in conference play during their holiday break. Now I think that would be strike worthy. I don't hate the fact that players get a month to a month and a half off because that's Thanksgiving, that's Christmas. You know, when you're in school and you're in the throves of finals, it is kind of hell. And all you want to do is go to your local bar, go to your local hometown basement and chill with the boys and not play hockey and not do it. At least l At least at the ACHA level. So I think that'd be only thing that's strikeworthy. You know, jokes aside, what a job he's done there in Jacksonville. One of the nicest sweater kits, one of the coolest stories, I think, in college hockey. And we give him a lot of love on the pod. Proud of what Derek Lowenmeyer's building, building over there, Coach Boydston and the rest of that crew. Great things are on the horizon, and we've got some more to talk about them in this pod and more coming up. So with a little bit of a lighter week, let's get Into the swing of things with our news. As you probably know right now at the time of this recording, the college hockey south All-Stars are perusing through France. And they just wrapped up yesterday or two days ago a series a game in Ruin. And they are now taking on Strasbourg. Some more games to happen. We'll recap more of that when we get to next week's episode. But just know the boys are doing pretty well out there. And, you know, Gavin, we'd be remiss if we didn't mention real quick a guy that you saw Put on some highlight real stuff. Yeah. speaker-1: If I mean if you're not looking at the socials, you have to. There are some highlight reel goals. I mean, you got Ethan DeMumbrum with a shootout goal. I they posted that at the end of the first game. That was lights out for me. But you know, I'm a big fan of Will Marshall. And he had a shot where he popped the bottle. It looked like at least speaker-0: know you're a fan of Will Marshall. You know I can't him. I can't tell if it if you know Will Marshall is like your Wayne Gretzi or your Leon Dreisidal. The reason I say that is is sometimes he looks like a power forward and other times he looks like he's playing against plumbers. And the way he's in playing right now, he looks like he's playing against plumbers. No disrespect to any of the players internationally. Yeah, great stuff out there in Europe. speaker-1: Yeah, it it's been so fun to watch. Shout out to the team out there, graphics team, photographers. I mean the jersey reveal was insane. Like I said, just go check out College Hockey South Instagram because there's so much great content coming out. And if you're not tuned into that, then I don't know I don't know where you're at or where you've been, but you that's where you need to be right now. speaker-0: Some of those rinks they're playing in look so modern too. ⁓ the game in Strasbourg, the the video screen is curved. It looks like ⁓ a mini version of what was Amelia Arenas, where like the the panels are coming out. I mentioned that 'cause you're a lightning fan, obviously. Great stuff. So so wild to see and great experience for all of those guys. And we'll break it down more on next week's episode. But as for the games going on in the States, some good ones and Our first one to get to, a team that we just talked about the last time we left off in the regular season, Wardergolf Coast, still within the top twenty-five. They're gonna take on a perennial nationals team that has made the last two seasons in Saint Vincent, hosting two games out at Hertz Arena on Friday and Saturday. Saint Vincent right now has not lost a game in regulation. They have eleven wins in college hockey east and they're bidding for twelve and thirteen. Now, if you don't know anything about the Northeast, this is with teams like Kent State, Duquesne, Pittsburgh, Johnstown. And right now their goal differential is plus sixty. So they can put it in the back of the net. Now, Gavin, we know the Eagles had a high scoring affair against Colorado Mesa, allowed a comeback style fashion and a game that had a ton of special team points. So, you know, what do you look at in Florida Gulf Coast seeing what happened to them in these big swings the last time they played? speaker-1: Yeah, I think we mentioned it when we talked to Nathan Walker. They they can play a strong defensive game and you just mentioned the goal differential for Saint Vincent plus sixty is ridiculous. Oklahoma State putting up twenty five on some teams. Florida Gulf Coast, this is a big opportunity for a rankings boost. I mean St. Vincent being fourteen and Florida Gulf Coast just cracking the top twenty five, setting it twenty four. I think they need to get back to that defense that Nathan Walker talked about and Give up honestly, they St. Vincent, their goal would be to shut them out. Don't let their goal differential go up at all. In fact, send it down a couple. So I think Florida Gulf Coast has a good opportunity to one secure some playoff positioning early in this second semester where every point is important for every team. And it's just this will be a good one to watch. And Florida Gulf Coast loves having people come and play at Hertz Arenas. speaker-0: You know, one thing that stands out when you look at the the the leaderboard for Vincent is their power play goals are spread even. Their top three scores total nine on this team in the if you look at the bottom half of their forwards, they all have double digit almost ⁓ power play goals and I collectively. And I think for them, the goaltending has to match up. I St. Vincent has two of the best goaltenders in division three, Owen Burmeister and Vinny at a Amato Amatucci, that's a tough one to to crack there. Amatucci and him both have a collective point nine five zero save percentage. And when you're looking at teams that want to judge goaltenders, you look at the save percentage more. That is a stat that jumps off the board. And I think that, you know, Jeff Wasco, BJ Ricardi one of the best in the conference. We we released a graphic last week with all of the stat leaders. He's still a top performing goaltender. They've got to get some more help out of him. But it starts defensively with them and trying to bounce back after they allowed a lot of power play goals. We'll just say it that way. Like I I think they were up five two one point, and like Colorado Mesa like rattle ⁓ rattled them off like three or four in a row. Love Nathan Walker and that team. Would like to see them batting down the hatches and play their style of hockey against a really good Saint Vincent team, number fourteen in the country. And you can catch those games from Hertz Arena on Black Dog Hockey at six PM Eastern on Friday and eight thirty PM Eastern on Saturday. Moving things along, talking about one of the AC D C teams. We just talked to Derek Lodemeyer. Jacksonville was back in action against Miami ACDC. Very important game for their standings. You know, Miami is just outside of the playoff picture, top six go to the playoffs. Jacksonville is one of those teams in at five hundred. You know, when you hear about the things that Derek Lodemeyer said in the leadership, Gavin, what does it look like for Jacksonville to start that has made them so good? And then for Miami, what's at stake for them? In trying to get in the playoffs. Yeah. speaker-1: This is a big series for both teams. Miami is sitting at seven, and we and we know top six for the AC DC go to the playoffs. So big series early in the year, and they're gonna play ⁓ twice. So both of those games are big. And then Jacksonville sitting at five. It's not a far stretch to drop out of the playoffs still at this point. I have full faith in this Jacksonville team. They're really good. Connor Rose, the Polini brothers, Gugliata, all those guys have what it takes to Propel them into the playoffs and Coach Lodermeier mentioned it. It's getting hot once you get to the playoffs. You get there and any of these AC D C teams can go and win it. And so for Jacksonville, it's winning these two games. And honestly, I think Jacksonville wins these two games and they secure themselves in the playoffs. I don't see them dropping out if they can sweep this weekend. So doors open for Miami, but Jacksonville can easily slam that door shut. speaker-0: Part of a three-game weekend set. Imagine you just took three months off, basically an entire offseason comparative to the NHL, and you've got to come back and play three games in three nights. That's what they're gonna do, first against North Florida, and then Miami on the road. That's a tough crack to get back on your feet. You feel like if they get through this, they're almost guaranteed a playoff spot in my mind. So, you know, that's that's important for them. And a Miami side, look, like they've been a A weird team. They haven't played the most games. They've had some guys moving up from that M3 team back down to ACDC. And you know, 1-5-0-1-1 is not a great record. They have opportunities though as we get into the last final stretch of the season. Like they'll take on UNF and Jacksonville. Must wins in both to get in. ⁓ fun series and a lot at stake. And that's what I I love is like we joked. off air that like we've been so analytical and like what does it mean and what's the stakes in this conference and like this is the kind of stuff that we just like dig our heels and are like yes and like it has stakes. Realistically two programs that are in similar spots. I'm just excited to watch Jacksonville continue to play and and shock people and you know with a professional coach like Derek Lodermeyer, you know, build that program up and and Michael Gugliata, I want to see him get another hat trick. So should be fun. Two games of Jacksonville's three Coming up this weekend on the road. We've got a little exhibition with Miami's ⁓ three team then with FAU M2, which you know, I don't know how they're gonna do this. You can expect some Miami guys to play their own three game weekend, I I bet. FAU M2, like when the season started, Gav, we were thinking like they might be the third team in line behind Florida and Tampa with you know, all r due respect, like Tampa walloped them. But FAU last we saw them swept Florida. ⁓ they took the season series and you know, two teams that are gonna be lobbying for their playoff spots, like it's a tune up for both for both. speaker-1: Yeah, these are two teams where they've got to get their footing. I mean, one, you have to wonder we mentioned it, Rocco Bruno's over in France right now. Is he gonna come back? Is he gonna play either of these games? I mean, I doubt it. I can't imagine playing four games international, coming back and playing a two game homestand. I mean, Rocco Bruno, he's talked about offseason prep. I wouldn't be surprised. Dude's a gamer, loves playing. But Miami is one of those teams where bold prediction from last week where they could make the playoffs. And like you said, exhibition, these games don't matter for rankings. But if Miami can go and win one of these games, you gotta feel pretty good about where you're at going into your second half of your season. speaker-0: I mean, j just look at it this way, like you're gonna come back from France if you're Rocco and those guys, and you're gonna feel like you just played a pro level schedule, like playing four games, five games, and then you're right back into it, like in the States. pretty tall task. I I don't know if he's gonna play for sure. I know on on Miami side, they're gonna be ready to go because they didn't have any guys go international. They've don't have many games left that are ⁓ three. Like they're in an important spot and and I think they've really taken The worst turn when the, you know, when the season or the first semester ended. I mean, they had some real tough performance against USF and then, you know, lost in overtime against UCF, which has been a a problem. They cannot find a way to win an overtime game, unfortunately. At least for them, they're gonna get a game that doesn't matter and get some of their legs going. Not the worst stats for them. Elliot Astulian is still a perennial goal scorer. Like he leads that team almost two points per game. Ryan Y has been a pleasant And steady presence for them offensively. And then, you know, Christopher Michelini on that blue line is really good with Max Mensimer. So you have to imagine if you Miami's gonna have a chance in this. And last time they played this FAU team, it was not good. It was it was double digit points for or goals for FAU against Miami that just was, you know, at times helpless talking about that fourteen nothing loss. I'm sorry. I don't like to put teams on blast and save with the finalists. It was that bad. ⁓ it was brutal, but They they've got stuff to to compete with and ⁓ always fun to see a game out of Baptist ⁓ iceplex, which is now the home of you know the Florida Panthers practice facility. ⁓ should be good. I'll be on the call for it. Excited to watch that. So so Matthew Kachuk, ⁓ a couple weeks ago was talking about the potential of taking Miami to N C double A and trying to support that kind of move. Well, Miami won an ⁓ three national championship two years ago in AAU. ⁓ they they I mean have a great coaching staff there and and a lot of, you know, big school support. So like, hey, is it feasible we could see Miami be like a NCAA move at some point? Like, where the heck do you build that ring? speaker-1: Yeah, I don't know. I mean, I could see if I we mentioned it. I want to see NHL players getting behind schools and repping these club hockey programs and building them. I think Miami is totally a spot where they could do it. You know, they've got success of football and we're seeing hockey grow down south. Panthers playing great hockey. And so having a guy like Techuk endorse it, you know, I think maybe for a little bit you just play at Iceplex and but ultimately I don't know. I don't know where you could build it, but Miami could easily become maybe they're selling out ⁓ Sunrise, where the Panthers play now. Amhert Bank. Maybe maybe they play there every once in a while and they sell that out. I don't know. Hockey's becoming such a big sport in the South, and Miami's already I mean, I honestly think hockey's a better sport than college football, and people can debate me on that. But I'll say that every day of the week and I'll stand by it. So yeah, I I think they could realistically sell out Amhert Bank and You g you talk about NIL money, they could sign whoever they want. Miami's gets so much money, there's no reason that with NIL that you're not signing the Gavin McKinnas down to come play hockey in the South. Cause you could be cold and it can be thirty degrees and you just get into a thirty degree rink, or it could be sunny in eighty five and you get into a sixty degree rink. And people want to talk about the winter classic not being successful. Well, if you weren't there, then it probably wasn't. But I mean, I don't want my beer freezing when I'm out of speaker-0: Didn't I get ⁓ my god, did you see the the level of hate that got on social all right? So look, they played out of Lone Depot Park. If you know anything about where the Marlins play, it's got a lot of controversy because that's where the Orange Bowl was. And fans of South Florida teams hate that place because they believe it's like sacred ground. Now I'm not saying it's cursed, but you know, the Panthers didn't look very good against New York, the Rangers, and we know the Marlins have almost never been good besides those two World Series they got. So like like You know, I don't know if you want to build a rank so close to the Orange Bowl. You know what I want to see? So we got St. Thomas coming, and they've the university's been a a low key supporter and sponsor with the Panthers. I want to see at Emirant Bank Arena, Miami versus St. Thomas, and Matt Kachuk is in attendance for it. He said he wants to get to an ACHA event. I think with the right funding and the right push, it could happen. So Tomello, I don't know if you listen to this. I don't even know if you take what I say serious. All I'm saying is in a hypothetical world, I would have the Hurricanes play there and have Kachuk have some of the Panthers come out to watch it and just see what Austillion and company can do ⁓ against the new program. But we'll digress. ⁓ Miami taking on Florida Atlantic ⁓ this weekend and from Baptist Health Iceplex on Sunday. So be sure to stay tuned for that and ⁓ whatever comes for them the rest of the year. Moving things along, still talking about M3 Gavin, some games that really do matter. I don't know if we've really talked about this team at all. And I feel really bad about it because they have been one of the contenders slowly but surely somehow. Vanderbilt, which was starting really poor, I think they were two and seven, is gonna take on Indiana ⁓ three, a very c comparable matchup. This one matters though, why for Van D fans? speaker-1: You know, I I went on a little bit of a rant last week and Danny had to check me because I like I said, I was looking at the rankings and I was wondering how you can be ⁓ and four and be where they are. ⁓ But they are tenth in the playoff rankings. So this is a one off against Indiana. But if you're Vanderbilt, this has to kind of feel like a must win because there are plenty of teams that play lighter schedules in the second half of their season and could easily knock Vanderbilt and some of these bubble squads right out of the playoffs and have them sitting at home in February when we're at the Panthers Iced in. Like there's a number of schools that I would love to see there. Vandy's one of them, you know, we you mentioned it. We don't really talk about them too much. I'd love to see them there, but they have to want to see themselves there as well. Cause there are so many teams on the bubble that, like I said, light schedules aren't playing too tough of teams and can go win games and knock Vandy right out of the playoffs. speaker-0: And what you're talking about too is like Indiana is I think you mentioned it, like forty ninth in the country. And and why that matters i is Vandy's around that range where, you know, Ethan Hahn has been a a great leader for them, but they don't ha score the most goals. And like when they're gonna go up against a Tennessee team that has played better and they're gonna finish the year with Clemson has been a huge surprise and basic locked for the playoffs at this point, like there isn't much room to to to error because you've got teams like Lynn right on their their tail. ⁓ you know, Alabama's right around that range. There's no guarantee that they make the playoffs at this point. So they've got to really step up. ⁓ you know, Brendan Plaga's come on for them on that blue line. Jack O'Hare, I I hear a lot about, no pun intended, like they're better. So this is a a real opportunity for them. They're gonna have two games over at the Ford Ice and Antioch and against an Indiana team that has struggled against their own. They play in a tough Indiana collegiate Hoos. What is it? Indiana Collegiate Hooser Conference. Whatever. They play against Purdue, who's always at nationals, and they really have their number. Unlike football, though, you know, Kurtz Signetti and Indiana have been really the story. I did not want to go there with football, but we did. Indiana's got twofold here. They're going to take on Vanderbilt and the number one team in the country, MTSU. Story of the year. Perennial contender for nationals. You know, Gavin, when you've taken this much time off, but they've got their all-stars playing over in Europe, you know, what does it mean for MTSU to start the second semester off the right way and get ready for their playoff push? speaker-1: Yeah, I mean this is something Danny's mentioned where a team can peak weight way too early. And I don't think MTSU's done that by any means. I I think this is a good game for them. I don't know if Lyndon Palmer, the Mumbrum, all those guys over in Europe are gonna come back and play this one. So it's kind of a next man up situation too against Indiana where the guys gotta be ready. And I I believe this MTSU team is deep enough and I feel like this is a tune up game. And even if Lyndon Palmer and those guys don't play and MTSU goes and and wins by quite a few goals, a six, seven goal differential, I think they show why they're that number one team. And those guys come back and they see that win, they're even more recharged because they know the team is that deep without them. So there's no reason that come February they don't go in the playoffs and walk out with the trophy. speaker-0: I almost get the sense that with how little games they have left in that playoff, it's almost for certain in my mind that they make nationals. It's how they get there that matters to me. If they have a tough time with teams that they really should beat, if they really want to be that nationals team, then it shows they've got work to do. I almost wouldn't mind though seeing MTSU have some adversity and have to fight through it. They're gonna face it at nationals. You have to in a five game tournament. There will be more to talk about as we get closer to that point in March. Right now, where they're at, I think it's the same as we've said all year that they are that legit and they do have all-star talent and they are deep. Now it's time for that depth to show up for them and continue to ride the horse that has been the number one white lightning blue raiders all season long. speaker-1: Yeah, and I and I just wanna confront some things. You know, every time the rankings come out, I see, ⁓ they're glazing hockey in the south because they're new. No, this MTSU team is legit. They've got the guys. They will show you that they've got the guys. There are some of these northern programs that I don't even feel like could touch MTSU. And and that's a bold statement, but I'm tired of the ⁓ they're just getting in the rankings because they're they're new. No, this MTSU squad will show you why they are where they are. They They've played other teams and they've gone out and done a great job. It's not just CHS, who has competitors in MTSU. They just have built a great roster. They're well coached and they've got two great goalies. They're on they're both on the stat sheet for a reason. Those two guys are amazing and they have a great goalie tent tandem. It reminds me of ⁓ Boston when they had Old Mark and Swayman. Like you weren't touching those guys. That's just how good these two goalies are in this whole team is for MTSU. speaker-0: You it's so funny to me when the glaze comments come from teams in like the Middle South, Omaha and Nebraska, especially. Like I've seen some of those guys start to get on there and chirp and they're having a great season. I think they've won at one point like thirteen or fourteen in a row in the macho. But that conference has changed a ton and to be honest, the strength of opponents hasn't been as ⁓ great for them. The Michigan schools are just in a bloodbath. The MCHC conference, Mission Collegiate Hockey. Conference is like anyone's game. And those teams just keep taking themselves out of the running by beating each other. So, like, you know, I I I don't know. I mean, look, like you go to nationals, you're gonna really find out. But I I agree. I don't know if Middle Tennessee is what some would say, like getting glazed. They're just honestly being a good team by beating teams by a lot and big goal differentials and just dominating their way on the ice. So, you know, we might glaze them on the pod, some say. 'Cause I feel like it's them and USF and Tampa, but like that's who it is. And until you prove it otherwise, that's what it will be. So big stuff and what a great episode. I love talking to Derek Lodermeyer. We're gonna have more next week, Gavin. What you got coming up though? What can fans expect from you as we get back in? Are you are you calling some games? What do we got with Florida South? speaker-1: Yeah, you know, Florida Southern's not back in action until next week. They've got a a home and home against your ⁓ Florida Atlantic. So they'll travel up to Lakeland Ice. I'll be on the call for that one. And we'll get to send it right back down to you for the other call. It'll be good. So yeah, I'm excited. There's a there's a lot going on in January. There's so much hockey. If you're not tuned into the last two months leading up to the playoffs for CHS, like I said, ⁓ earlier, I where are you guys? Like you guys gotta be watching hockey. There's so much at stake for so many teams and the playoffs are gonna be electric. I mean, like Kyle said two weeks ago, five hours without a game, that's that sounds like a perfect five day week for me. You know, I love hockey that much. So five di even five hours without hockey sounds brutal. speaker-0: Well, you know, the the invitation is open. B being calling Florida Atlantic Games, you calling Florida Southern Games, if you wanna make the trip. I gotta ask you though, you know, that that puck collection you got behind you is growing slowly but surely. Are you running out of space? Like is there only four rows there of of pucks? Where what's going on? speaker-1: So I've got well you can here, I'll turn the computer 'cause I've got two of them actually. speaker-0: ⁓ you got two case. I haven't even seen this guy. Holy map. speaker-1: So We almost filled this one. So these ones over here, wait, sorry, over here are special pucks. And then these ones here are like game pucks. And I've got some AAU national ones. I got the CHS one up top here. Those are more like those are my prize pucks. Every time we go to a game we get one. Me and my fiance. So those are what those are. The other ones are just like Star Wars Night, ⁓ mental health sign pucks, things like that. Just just cool like collector edition pucks that we've seen. We're like, ⁓ we want one of those. So speaker-0: So at some point are you gonna have to turn your setup and build a third row to show it off? Because you've already got the the beach one, you've got the playoffs, you've got nationals, it's growing by the day. speaker-1: I I think I think so. Cause if they make a CHS playoffs puck, I think that's the step. Eventually, you know, like you see those plexiglass walls that people do with their floors? I'm gonna have a hockey room one day and my whole wall is just gonna be plexiglass pucks. And I think that's just that's the goal one day. It's just to have so many pucks I can plexiglas a floor or a wall. speaker-0: Every real hockey fan has something that makes them the real hockey fan. And I think that can be your thing. In my case, it would be as many beer posters with Red Wings players on as I can find, especially the ones that had like the Stanley Cup on the side, if you know Bud Light had a bunch of them. I'm curious to see where we get to in this. I will I will personally put it out there to everyone that listens. to get you a puck when we have playoffs in February because I want to see this collection finished. And the invitation, like I said, is open if you want to get a puck from Florida Atlantic. So you know, you might have to fight her for it, but I I'll I'll find one for you if I can do it. So we'll support speaker-1: Here. Hey man. ⁓ hey, any puck to the collections and addition, so I'm here for it. Like I said, it's one of my prized possessions. There's a reason it's up on the wall. speaker-0: Just don't get hit by one 'cause I know you have that upper balcony over there in Lakeland and you've had a flying saucer you want. But you do have a netting there. speaker-1: Yeah, there's luckily they've got the netting. But I did get a puck one time. I was at a game and I you know, everyone it's so funny when you go to games with people in my school because maybe they're just like not used to hockey and the puck comes flying at the the glass and they scream and I just stand there and I'm like, this is normal. Well, one time puck comes flying over the netting and it lands in the netting and they're like, How are we gonna get it? And I just reach up and grab this puck. It hasn't it has no label on it, no like Florida Southern. It's just a black puck, but I know when I got it, so it's it's not in there, but it's sitting somewhere in here where I'm recording this. speaker-0: You know what? That becomes a chew toy for that shihtsu you've got back there. What's his name? speaker-1: Yeah, it does. Archer. Archer Well, his name's Sterling, but we call him Archer, so speaker-0: Well, you know what? We've had a hoot and a holler. I need a dollar. And ⁓ I'm sure you'll you'll you'll get yours as well this week. ⁓ action resumes. I'll be out at Baptist Health Iceplex on Sunday. Got some US PHL games to call on Friday, so excited about that. We're back into it, man. This is the push for the playoffs twenty twenty six. It's here. And ⁓ happy new year to everybody listening as well since we're back. Gavin, appreciate your time. Good luck to all the CHS European All-Stars. Safe Travel is back by the time you hear this. And appreciate all of you listening. This has been episode 20 of College Hockey Mouth, a sit-down with Derek Lodemeyer. See you all soon and talk to you later.