2008 Woodie Awards
Ice hockey on brink of dynasty
Mike Zoller
Issue date: 10/23/07 Section: Sports
In sports when a team dominates the competition year after year, the fans and media tend to refer to that team as a dynasty.
The Chicago Bulls and Dallas Cowboys were teams in the 1990s that earned this title. The Bulls won six NBA titles, while the Cowboys won three Super Bowls.
Today, the NFL's New England Patriots are quickly being considered a dynasty team by many sports writers, as they have already captured three Super Bowls since the turn of the millennium and seem to be headed for another one this year.
At the same time, however, the term dynasty is thrown around too loosely and even pre-maturely. While some called the University of Southern California's football team a dynasty, I say they were overrated. The University of Florida Gators, much to the delight of the Ohio State University fans, are not anywhere close to becoming a dynasty as their run of NCAA titles ended last season.
But now there is a new team that I believe is fighting for dynasty status. And while this team has a little work to do before they can be considered a dynasty, the Miami University RedHawk's ice hockey team is well on their way.
But why should a hockey team from the small town of Oxford, Ohio even be considered a dynasty?
First you have to look at what makes a dynasty. To me there are four main criteria that decide if a team truly is a dynasty.
First off, a team needs to have a head coach committed to the team for a long time. Right now Enrico Blasi isn't going anywhere until at least the 2016-17 season. This long-term contract solidifies his place in Miami hockey, he knows that this is his team; his team to mold and shape into a championship team.
The second thing a team needs to become a dynasty is a home arena they are truly proud of. While the Cowboys had Dallas Stadium, the 'Hawks have the new Goggin Ice Center. In just its second year, Goggin is the home for the future of Miami hockey. Making Goggin a feared place to play for visitors will be critical for the opponents of the Red and White.
The Chicago Bulls and Dallas Cowboys were teams in the 1990s that earned this title. The Bulls won six NBA titles, while the Cowboys won three Super Bowls.
Today, the NFL's New England Patriots are quickly being considered a dynasty team by many sports writers, as they have already captured three Super Bowls since the turn of the millennium and seem to be headed for another one this year.
At the same time, however, the term dynasty is thrown around too loosely and even pre-maturely. While some called the University of Southern California's football team a dynasty, I say they were overrated. The University of Florida Gators, much to the delight of the Ohio State University fans, are not anywhere close to becoming a dynasty as their run of NCAA titles ended last season.
But now there is a new team that I believe is fighting for dynasty status. And while this team has a little work to do before they can be considered a dynasty, the Miami University RedHawk's ice hockey team is well on their way.
But why should a hockey team from the small town of Oxford, Ohio even be considered a dynasty?
First you have to look at what makes a dynasty. To me there are four main criteria that decide if a team truly is a dynasty.
First off, a team needs to have a head coach committed to the team for a long time. Right now Enrico Blasi isn't going anywhere until at least the 2016-17 season. This long-term contract solidifies his place in Miami hockey, he knows that this is his team; his team to mold and shape into a championship team.
The second thing a team needs to become a dynasty is a home arena they are truly proud of. While the Cowboys had Dallas Stadium, the 'Hawks have the new Goggin Ice Center. In just its second year, Goggin is the home for the future of Miami hockey. Making Goggin a feared place to play for visitors will be critical for the opponents of the Red and White.
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 18
Chris H
posted 10/24/07 @ 9:21 AM EST
Try winning a national championship, or even getting to a Frozen Four, before using the word "dynasty" in the same sentence as Miami. At least your hockey program is better than your journalism one . (Continued…)
Dan
posted 10/24/07 @ 3:10 PM EST
Are you serious? Brink of a dynasty? Best ever in college hockey? Did you realize that this story would be in the University wire section on a college hockey website when you wrote this? You just made yourself a laughinstock. (Continued…)
John Doe
posted 10/28/07 @ 9:04 PM EST
I think maybe you should have done a little bit of fact checking when you wrote this article. If so you would have known that Coach Blasi actully doesn't do ANY of the recruiting for the team. (Continued…)
Brad
posted 10/30/07 @ 4:04 PM EST
Please don't let this kid write any more sports articles. I'm a Miami alum, but to refer to our hockey team as a dynasty is blasphemy. Have we ever even made the Frozen Four?
John Q Reader
posted 10/31/07 @ 9:35 PM EST
Just because you want something to exist, doesn't mean that it does, or ever will. Your four points collapse upon themselves. I especially like the one about how a head coach is so crucial, when you previously were referring to the Dallas Cowboys of the 90's being a dynasty. (Continued…)
Matt
posted 11/07/07 @ 4:49 AM EST
It's Texas Stadium, not Dallas Stadium...
Eric
posted 2/09/08 @ 9:34 PM EST
Miami has had two good seasons, but has yet to win (or even look very competative in) an NCAA tournament game. You might want to win a few NCAA tourny games over a period of decades (like Minnesota, Michigan, North Dakota, Boston College, Maine, etc) before you start even thinking about the word "dynasty". (Continued…)
M J
posted 2/12/08 @ 1:09 AM EST
hahaha wow, this is probably the worst article I've ever read, if not the funniest. I can't even believe the words dynasty and miami hockey have anything in common as you have yet to reach a frozen four. (Continued…)
Satan
posted 2/14/08 @ 2:30 AM EST
You're a worthless human being. You should probably just kill yourself.
Ap
posted 2/14/08 @ 1:16 PM EST
I love Miami hockey, but it is by no means anywhere close to being a dynasty. Win 10 CCHA titles in a row, add a few Frozen Fours and a couple of national titles, and you might have an argument. (Continued…)
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