The turnover has been a weird (and maybe disturbing) trend at Laurier. In the 7 seasons under Greg Puhalski (including 2016/17's listed roster), the Hawks have never had fewer than 10 first-year-eligible players in any season. The first-year/senior balance on this team is alarming in Puhalski's tenure, especially when compared to his predecessor, Kelly Nobes. To wit:
2010-2017 (Puhalski)
- avg. 11.4 first-year players per season
- avg. 3.7 4th/5th-year players per season
- 71-83-13 overall record
2006-2010 (Nobes)
- avg. 6.25 first-year players per season
- avg 6 4th/5th-year players per season
- 77-26-9 overall record
I have no idea why these numbers are the way they are, and it could be strictly circumstantial - there are a number of factors that could contribute to this kind of roster split. But over 7 years, one starts to wonder if the circumstance becomes a trend.
That is something I have noticed (and no surprise they have the highest average number of 1st year players), but have never actually run the numbers.
If I would argue one year, it would be that last year (10 first year eligible players), as 3 of them were walk-on players to fill out the roster (one suited up for 2 games to avoid playing with 5 defencemen), and 1 was a 4th string goaltender who did not dress (even as a backup) for any games. Each non-graduating player from 2014-2015 was back for 2015-2016 except one (and I believe it was academic related). That said, it still leaves 6 of the past 7.
Laurier has historically run with a high number on their roster after having played part of a season with an intramural goaltender when their 2 starters went down, and playing with 13 skaters a few years ago.
The number I always tend to look at is number of non-graduating players who do not return. In that sense, Laurier has seen some improvement since the beginning of Puhalski's tenure (last year only 1, this year 5). However, I bet those numbers (as they would be highly correlated with the number of first year players) would be virtually identical to the league wide averages you posted (and Laurier would again have the highest turnover).
Both you and Miami raise some interesting points. Nobes had some recruiting success at the end of his tenure on the blueline (Sinfield, Shepley, Gauthier, Magistrale, Van De Bospoort) with significant major junior experience, but never had the quality I was seeing from Western or Lakehead (especially up front) at the time. Despite this, his record speaks for itself, and in his second-last season (2008-2009) the team had 22 wins. Puhalski has definitely brought in his share of good players. Since I started following (2006-2007 which happened to be Nobes' first year), Laurier has had 5 players who posted 50 or more points in the CHL (Craig Voakes, Zach Lorentz, Derek Schoenmakers, Andrew Fritsch and Brandon Robinson). 3 of them are on Laurier's team this year. Retention has been the issue. I have always posted that player retention is as important as player recruitment. Nobes had a lot of guys (especially up front) from Jr. A or Jr. B who were not necessarily big names, and while some of these players may not have been impact players right away, players improve over time in this league (and as they get older). Losing players after only a year or two hurts, the team misses alot of untapped potential of having the breakout guys who really excel in their 3rd/4th years while also providing leadership. Last year Laurier made the playoffs for the first time in 3 years and were overwhelmed by Western despite playing them close only a few weeks before. Laurier had 3 players on the roster who had played an OUA playoff game before. I really think that hurt them.
