AJS

I don't know if it was mentioned, but Miller was a member of the US Under-17 Men's Select Team for the 5 nations tournament. Which is the team that's picked after the Select 16 Player Development Camp. Looks like he was on the top D-pair all tournament with Minnesota recruit Koster. Basically, the best players not in the Development program (01' year). Played in two games with Cedar Rapids (USHL) in what would have been his Sophomore year PPG in High Performance League (Top Midget League U-16) - One of only 8 players that played 15+ games that was PPG (Only D-man) Since he's such a late '01, when talking his class, I'd say he's one of the elite D-man in the country for the '20 class.

Pinto’s a 3.75 as well Pinto seemed to have a really good year, will be interesting to see how he does in Lincoln (if that’s where he plays), could turn out to be a really nice find.

NZ’s tweet when he committed to Miami mentioned he could play both forward and defense. I think it’s pretty clear, based on the position he played last year, that he’s a converted forward that this past year & moving forward will be a defenseman.

https://www.honeybakedhockey.com/commits His team last year (HoneyBaked) has him as a defenseman Listed as defenseman here as well http://hphl.stats.pointstreak.com/playerpage.html?playerid=10338927&seasonid=17177 It does appear he played defense last year, possibly a converted forward, which is why he’s listed as a Forward in a bunch of places. Definitely appears to be a good player.

Are people posting before they are clicking on the links? I don’t know what’s going on right now.

I’m not arguing it can’t happen, I’m just saying do a quick Google search and you’ll see clearly see he was a Junior this past year.

Definitely, it's just not the case in this situation. I only posted two links, but you won't find any other piece of information (besides Schlossman's article) that would indicate he wasn't a Junior this past season (unless like I said he has to redo his Junior year). Edit: I don't know what the numbers are, you're right they could be either, but my guess is April '01 DOB's slant very, very heavily in the favor of going to be Seniors

I looked into that, because given his age, that wouldn't have made sense. Quick Google search I'm fairly certain he's going to be a Senior (unless he has to redo his Junior year). Think Schoss was incorrect in his article. http://www.wkow.com/story/34404590/2017/02/Wednesday/its-in-the-bloodline-with-edgewood-boys-hockey Sophomore - Feb '17 https://www.wausaudailyherald.com/story/sports/high-school/hockey/2018/03/16/prep-hockey-four-local-players-make-first-team-all-state-boys-squad/430925002/ Junior - Mar '18

I'm jealous, also saw that two of Ohio State's stud forwards are both returning for their senior years. Good for those teams, I know these type of situations are more outliers, but every year, there's a handful of teams that seem to really dodge the "early departure bullet". I know with UND and getting smoked with early departures it's more recent, but would be nice for UND to be one of the handful of outliers one of these years (not holding my breath though).

That was Hughes, he’s not, but it’d be Michigan if he ever plays in college

Things can change obviously, but I don't think I'd trade UND's current 02's (Kleven, Bowen, Kunz, Sanderson) for any other schools Top 4 for that years birth year.

My $.02, I think they've only had one class that I'd consider a miss (will be Junior class). What's hurt UND the past couple years is the outrageous number of players that have left early and signed NHL contracts. Outside of I believe BC & BU, they've pretty much doubled that of any other school. It's tough when you have large freshman classes year after year. When you're talking talent, having that many players (outside of Thompson / Johnson), that all made it to the show to in different extents I'd argue says the exact opposite that recruiting is down. Last years freshman class was widely regarded as Top 5, the '19 & '20 classes are loaded as well. I'll just toss out a name like Luke Reid, who played regularly for Penticton as a Sophomore in HS, was a 2nd round WHL pick. He doesn't get a lot of run right now as far as hype, but will be a big time player once he arrives on campus. The '01's and '02's UND has in the pipeline right now are incredibly talented.

When talking Hoff, Yon & Bowen, Hoff is the one player I think has the chance to improve dramatically. Still like Bowen's game as a 4th line energy guy, Yon is just a flat out miss. I don't understand (especially after being a non-factor in juniors), what kind of role the coaching staff thought he could play. One thing is clear, the coaching staff can't have another forward class like the soon to be junior class. Talk about a weight around the teams neck when you have 4 guys that give you virtually nothing offensively. Puts too much stress on the other classes.

Date when the U-17 NDTP team has been announced the past two years. You would think we'd be hearing sooner than later on next years team. '17-18 - April 24th '16-17 - April 8th

To the best of my knowledge both Schuldt and Tufte are still on the fence deciding if they'll turn pro. Taking into consideration other early departures / graduation losses for both teams, which player leaving would be more detrimental to their respective teams?

The '16 defense was very good obviously, you'd get no argument that the Top 4 that year will most likely be better than the Top 4 next year. I think if you dig into the '16 D-core a little more you have a clear Top 3 (Stecher, LaDue, Poolman), then you have a tier with Ausmus / Thompson and finally Wolanin and Shaw. Stecher was so good that he elevated Ausmus' game to a level that made that pairing very good. When I said 7-man unit, I still think it's possible and probably likely that a Bast, Shaw, Peski & Kierstad (4-7) are stronger than an Ausmus, Thompson, Wolanin & Shaw (4-7) in '16. The Top 3 in '16 probably tip the scales overall. It should be a fun group to watch. What I like so much about Tychonick and JBD is they aren't projects in the sense where they are highly ranked because of size, it's pure skill. Tychonick might be the best skater on the team next year.

This will be as strong of a 7-man unit as I can remember. Poolman (L) - JBD (R) Tychonick (L) - Bast (R) Shaw / Peski / Kierstad

Cole Shepard commits to Harvard

Recent article on JBD, does mention he's coming to UND this fall. http://calgarysun.com/sports/hockey/nhl-scouts-impressed-with-okotoks-oilers-blueliner-jacob-bernard-docker

One is a right and one is a left handed shot, I'm just not sure who is which. I listened to a JBD interview a while back and one of the questions they asked him was about being on a D-pair with Tychonick and how that might continue and UND since ones a R shot and ones a L shot.

Final Central Scouting Rankings (North American Skaters) 33. JBD 36. Tychonick 104. Hain Based purely on draft rankings, JBD and Tychonick would be the 2nd and 3rd ranked incoming D-man in next years class.

Pretty much this, the way he's sky rocketed up the rankings (regardless if he's a first, second or third), there's no way he plays juniors next year (or should he). What a good problem to have for Berry and Company, a strong D-core as is, plus adding two (at worst) third round picks.

Each early departure can have such a big change in the dynamic of the team. Both UMD and SCSU will be good next year, but a Tufte or Schuldt loss would both be considerable blows. Any word on Allison from WMU? Talk about a team that will be dangerous if everyone returns.

Per Jeff Cox: Antonio Stranges (who signed NTDP contract last week) signed with the London Knights, which will open another spot at Forward for next years U-17 team. Weird situation, tough break for Michigan.

One of the UMD recruits (Forward), did turn it down, so there's one additional spot. You'd think we'd be hearing something on the team sooner than later.Youth Hockey Hub reported almost a week ago that three of the Minnesota kids accepted, one declined and one hadn't made up their mind.