AlphaMikeFoxtrot

https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2025/07/08_College-Hockeys-Drop-the.php Wodon doesn't get much love around here, and it's generally his own fault, but this is worth reading. Among other insights, he addresses something on our minds that isn't getting much attention elsewhere: blue chips late in the recruiting cycle is a whole new world.

College hockey had more D1 caliber skaters than available spots before MJ kids were eligible, even the paper of record addressed it: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/23/sports/hockey/ncaa-college-teams.html U of Illinois, Iowa, Washington and Northwestern are all no brainers. Purdue isn't far from U of IL either. Hate to say it, but it'll probably take some Big 10 nattys to get the wheels moving.

It makes sense for McQueen and Bear after coming off injury years to play another year of MJ, or Cootes or anyone else averaging close to a point a game. But if you're putting up 100 points, you've outgrown it and would be better served in NCAA or Europe like AM34 did.

Ty Farmer signed in Denmark a few days ago. Weatherby was trending on EP at the same time so he likely signed somewhere new in Europe as well.

My thoughts too. Treating a #6 pick like a back up plan can't sit well with him.

Nothing a lawsuit can't fix!

World's tiniest violin 🎻

More on Simpson at dev camp: https://985thesportshub.com/2025/07/07/bruins-cooper-simpson-juniors/

Nauruto's lack of charisma or whatever it takes to connect with recruits is probably what's keeping us in the hunt.

Only twice in the past decade has a non-NCHC team won it all. In that same time NCHC and Big Ten are tied with 2 runners up. Bryn is undoubtedly planting that fact, hopefully it resonates.

Do you mean Owen Berge? Not exactly impressed with his stats, but looks like the team was terrible this year.

He wouldn't share it if there weren't some traction.

In the current era, we should expect to lose a draft pick to the portal on an annual basis. Sometimes they'll be top 9/4. Honestly, in the no year off penalty era, only Boisvert was a big loss.

For every Brodzinski (Johnny, not the others) or Dorwart who somehow jumps from pedestrian numbers in Juniors to being a star in college, there are hundreds of examples to the contrary. Anyone telling Schultz he is ready for college is delusional.

Blurb about Zellers and Simpson having similar development paths and expectations. https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-bruins/2025/07/03/boston-bruins-development-camp-nhl-hockey-james-hagens-zellers-letourneau/

McMahon says Martone is deciding between signing and NCAA. If anyone with a subscription (I only get the email headlines) has more details, please share.

Kierstad's 450k AHL salary is the highest floor I've seen on a two way contract. Good for him.

Was Berry canned before or after Boisvert's frat lawn fracas?

https://triblive.com/sports/carter-sanderson-brady-peddle-go-from-ushl-clark-cup-adversaries-to-penguins-draft-picks/

Gibson Homer attending Kraken dev camp.

https://www.masslive.com/bruins/2025/07/how-bruins-prospect-who-led-ushl-with-44-goals-reacted-to-being-part-of-charlie-coyle-trade.html Boston Media is excited for Zellers.

Boeser re-signs with Vancouver. Wow.

More NIL money allows him to buy a bigger insurance policy hedging future earnings against any potential career ending injuries between now and his ELC expiring. Just a thought. Nolan Patrick hopefully had a policy.

Love love LOVE that hat. Seems like he's got a good head on his shoulders.

Tri City gave up a first round slot in the USHL draft a few years ago to tender him. There was a rumor on here they wouldn't let him "before and after" the HS season so he may not want to play for them. Vancouver is a top 5 hockey city in the world but also insanely expensive. Might come down to the better billet arrangement.