brianvf

Some of the U18 NTDP guys play an extra year of juniors after their U18 year...but a lot of the top guys go straight to NCAA. Guys like Berchild (DU) and Plante (UMD) both are going straight to NCAA this fall. And neither of those two are expected to be drafted in the first round, let alone the top 10-15 like Fitzhenry is currently projected. If Fitzhenry has a good U18 year, I would guess he'll be at UND for 27/28 season. And an added bonus is that would give us an extra year of him in a UND sweater too...

Brad's article on Fitzhenry was updated with quotes from Nolan and his old Shattuck coach. This sounds awesome too: One scout told the Herald he's a Zach Parise-style winger, who scores around the net and plays in all situations. Another said he has a release comparable to Brock Boeser or Will Zellers.

Updated Committed Recruits as of 6/18: Removed Heil, Lindberg, MacKenzie, Simpson, A Schultz, B Schultz...as all will be on campus this fall Added a monster pickup in Fitzhenry! Forwards Sanderson (USHL Muskegon) - '07 Jundt (WHL Calgary) - '08 Williams (WHL Saskatoon) - '08 DeMars (WHL Penticton) - '09 Fitzhenry (U18 NTDP) - '09 Grubb (WHL Brandon) - '09 McKamey (WHL Victoria) - '09 Defensemen Klimpke (WHL Saskatoon) - '07 Penner (USHL Fargo) - '08 Scott (U18 NTDP) - '09 Thoreson (U18 NTDP) - '09 Goalies None Looking ahead to 27-28 season: F - Magnussen, Mainoski, Menghini for sure gone...Reschny, Zellers possible to depart D - Everyone eligible to return...Carels, Emery, Verhoeff possible to depart

Agreed. Massive get for the coaching staff. UMN fans really wanted him. For next year, I'm guessing Williams & Fitzhenry come in for sure. Sanderson prob too due to his age. McKamey...we'll see how this season goes for him. If he takes off, I could see him coming in 27/28...if not, wouldn't be shocked to see him the following fall instead. Plenty of room still for the Ruck's. That'd be one hell of a forward recruiting class.

Sounds like it was down to UND and UMN. Great recruiting battle win for the good guys!

That's a big one. Great to see, nice work Bryn! Keep it rolling!

Oh man. I thought he wasn’t doing that anymore? Must be a nice one.

Interesting to hear who and why top prospects vote for when asked who the most skilled and most underrated players in this draft class are: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7345526/2026/06/16/2026-nhl-draft-prospects-survey-talented-underrated/?source=emp_shared_article&unlocked_article_code=1.qlA.1poQ.ONnLEN16x-Xh On Preston: Carels got some love too: Ruck twins mentioned as well:

Yeah we don't need MSU picking up someone like Mathis Preston at this stage. Speaking of...has anyone heard if he plans to return to the Dub for another year? Haven't heard much on him possibly going NCAA or not.

Kid is gonna be a stud at UND.

Cam Johnson just keeps rolling in the Coast. Wins the ECHL playoff MVP for the 3rd time.

I feel like Schloss doesn't just mention players like that without a little bit of intel. Especially with the rumors that they already visited campus. Hopefully UND is able to snag them for next season!

I'm guessing the only "right" situation for him would be a guaranteed NHL roster spot this fall. If he signs and isn't ready to join the NHL club right away, he'd just be sent back to Prince George. My thinking is that any NHL team is gonna be pretty happy with him getting better against NCAA competition for at least a year. He hasn't even turned 18yo yet. There's not many players like Schaefer that are NHL-ready at that age.

I still don't think there's anything to worry about with that.

I feel like he's totally a sleeper on next year's roster. Not many mentions of him in our incoming recruiting class by people outside of ss.com and UND people...but I feel like he's gonna make an immediate impact, especially given his age, WHL experience, and how good he already looked in last year's WJC for Canada. I don't think there's an incoming NCHC rookie dman I'd want over him aside from maybe just Carels (also coming ) and Rudolph. Guys like Lin will get more hype but I think MacKenzie is more NCAA-ready.

Verhoeff and MacKenzie high up in quite a few of the testing results at the combine. Carels isn't participating due to an injury in the WHL playoffs...he'll be good to go for season though.

Nice. It's what the entire hockey world wanted.

Ah yes brain fart on my end. Mathed it wrong.

Kind of expected, but looks like the Ruck twins heading back to MH for another year in the Dub. Wouldn't be surprised to see them playing NCAA hockey in their D+1 year though.

Sharks taking both Verhoeff and Carels out for a dinner/meeting. Might be taking a D at number 2. https://www.grandforksherald.com/sports/und-hockey/could-keaton-verhoeff-or-carson-carels-be-on-san-joses-radar-at-no-2

UMD, UND, and DU should finish 1-3 in the league. UND and DU with the stacked defense...UMD with the stacked offense. Will be some good battles.

Insane on DU. I still like our forward group and depth better than theirs, but UND and DU both will have some of the best d-corps in the entire nation. -Rudolph, Lin, Fiddler, MacBeath, Jamieson vs. -Carels, MacKenzie, Verhoeff, Emery, Laurila, Lindberg UND has the edge on both high end skill and overall depth IMO, but those are both insane groups.

Confirmed that Heise and Pridham are both heading to DU this fall.

I like how we're grabbing pairs from each team. Last year two off Victoria. This year two off Prince George. Next year two from Saskatoon...and maybe two from Medicine Hat too?