AJS

Final day of pool play, quarterfinals start tomorrow. Looks like all teams with UND recruits will be moving onto the knock out rounds. 03 Blake - 03 Blue Army - 1G 2A 3Pts (5GP) '04 Singleton - 04 Western Canada Selects - 3G 5A 8Pts (5GP) Ausmus - 04 Minnesota Blades - 2G 5A 7pts (5GP) Spicer - 04 Minnesota Blades - 4A 4pt (4PG) Notes: Maddox Fleming leading scorer during pool play (04 Minnesota Blades) - 4G 9A - 13 Pts Howard Issac 11 Points (UMD Recruit) Jimmy Clark 8 points (UND target) Singleton lead his team in scoring

03 Blake - 03 Blue Army - 0 points (3GP) '04 Singleton - 04 Western Canada Selects - 2G 2A 4Pts (3GP) Ausmus - 04 Minnesota Blades - 1G 5A 6pts (3GP) Spicer - 04 Minnesota Blades - 1A 1pt (2PG) Notes: Maddox Fleming leads the '04 Blades and the Tournament with 11 points (3G 8A) Jimmy Clark (has been talked about here) -- second on Blades with 7 points Leading scorer for 04 Western Canada Selects currently has 5 points

It's all about birth year, so the upcoming U-17 the youngest a player could be is Dec, 31, 2003. Year they turn 16 I believe.

World Selects Invitational - '03 and '04 Divisions started yesterday in Philadelphia. I believe the only recruits of those birth years that aren't taking part are Panzer ('04) and James ('03). '03 Blake - 03 Blue Army - 0 points (1GP) '04 Singleton - 04 Western Canada Selects - 1G 1A 2Pts (1GP) Ausmus - 04 Minnesota Blades - 2A 2pts (1GP) Spicer - 04 Minnesota Blades - Didn't appear to play in Game 1, but is on the roster

Looking at a few dates from the past seasons: Colton Poolman named Captain on May 9th of last year Austin Poganski named Captain April 11th, 2017 2018/19 Freshman Class named May 30th of last year 2017/18 Freshman Class named June 22nd, 2017 Poolman will clearly be the Captain again, but we should find out the Alternates in the next couple weeks. Still have a ways to go for the official incoming freshman list.

They’ve really improved their graphics this year!

Bowden Singleton goes 43rd in the WHL Bantam Draft to the Vancouver Giants. You would think the UND coaching staff would have to be really pleased with that. That's a pretty significant drop for a guy that was a Top 10/15 lock a week ago, prior to his commitment. A couple Michigan commits still went in the 1st round, you would think that wouldn't be a great sign.

Great get by the coaching staff! As far as WHL Bantam Draft hype, this reminds me of Ethan Bowen. What's everyone's feelings about the new recruiting rules that are starting tomorrow? I was kind of on the fence at first, but the more I think about it, the more I'm on board. Not only on board, but I really can't find any negative aspects. It's going to be so nice for everyone involved (schools and players) to not be in such a rush, give everyone time to really think it over. My original hesitation was over the Major Juniors, but Ryan Kennedy (THN) had a great point. This will weed out the players that just commit looking to deter certain teams from drafting them. Every commitment that takes place going forward will feel stronger (that could just be me). From a selfish standpoint, does anyone else think this new rule will ultimately help the UND's / Minnesota's / Denvers of the college hockey world? It basically gives everyone an extra year (or two) to watch players develop. Of course, there will still be misses, but the more time and information everyone has the better. There will be less risk involved and a higher chance of that player to succeed. To be honest, I'm surprised the majority of schools would want this. Right now, the earlier recruiting means more misses for the big schools and a chance for the others to wait and pick up players that are more developed. Won't be that easy anymore.

Correct, NTDP goes by birth year, once your birth year "graduates" from the U-18's, you're done with the program. I've always found it odd that they go by birth year instead of a date that more coincides with that players grade (i.e. Aug 1st). Does anyone know the reasoning for this decision? I'm guessing it specifically is tied to certain tournaments (thinking U-18) that they don't want players to age out of.

Felt like I'd be cheating since we already know who's most likely coming in. For departures: Yon Johnson

@stoneySIOUX Question re Rizzo, you use words like peaked and leveled off. I'm with your assessment for the most part, but I'm not really following those two words. As a guy looking strictly at stats, he went from .78 PPG as a 16 year old to 1.08 PPG as a 17 year old. Nothing crazy, but a pretty modest progression I'd say. For the record as long as this was a mutual decision, with Michaud coming in, I actually really like him going back to play another year. I think this will end up being best for everyone involved. Next year's class, given the size is so crucial. Having Rizzo / Bast as +1 guys (from HS) would be a fantastic start. Two guys that most expected to be here next year at the beginning of the year.

I'd like to see this topic gain some traction. I'm really interested to get everyone's opinion, knowing what we know how (I think we all have a pretty good feeling at who's coming in), how this roster is going to shake out. Players who are eligible next year (not counting Stratton), the new players will be Michaud (SR), Pinto, Blaisdell, Caulfield, Albrecht and Frisch. Incoming: 5 Forwards / 1 Defenseman Departures: 3 Forwards / 1 Defenseman We're locked in at Goalie and Defense, but what's going to happen at forward? Do people feel UND will carry more Forwards than they do normally? Or will we see a couple players (depth guys), not be on the team next year?

At this point you would almost have to assume that he didn't. I'll never understand the timing of a decision like this, I mean why now? The most logical outcome would be him just signing with Buffalo. Would be a huge pick-up for whoever gets him, if he doesn't sign with Buffalo. This is the type of thing where I'd love to know the "Top 5".

Per Schlossman's daily column, it sounds like Duluth will only be losing Tufte and Anderson early. Looking at Seniors leaving / early departures, plus a few big time additions (Denver - Brink, WMU - Attard, UND - Pinto, Blaisdell), but not knowing each teams (outside of UNDs) recruiting classes very well, a couple quick thoughts. The Top 5 in the NCHC is going to be really tough. I don't think we'll see a runaway winner like St. Cloud this past year and I do think the favorites will be Denver and Duluth, but I wouldn't feel confident picking the pre-season standings. The same Top 5 will finish in the Top 5, but who knows the order. I also think overall, the Top 5 will be more solid. The 6-8 teams will finish the same as this year in some type of order. Also, the difference between the Top 5 and Bottom 3 will be wider.

Agreed he was still over (slightly) a PPG during the regular season and a PPG during playoffs. Sounds like it's a moot point at this point, but would have still preferred Rizzo over Caulfied next year. The "Top 6" talent is going to improve this year, but feel Rizzo could really contribute to that potential depth. I have only 7 players Michaud, Kawaguchi, Mismash, Pinto, Blaisdell -- Adams, Weatherby that fit. With injuries / two of them being true freshman / two unproven scorers, the more options the better. Edit: That being said, it'll be really nice having Rizzo as one of the cornerstone pieces to that 2020 class.

Pinto is on fire, 8 points (3G 5A) in 3 playoff games.

That's a big one, fantastic hockey player. Let's go back to my list: Shepard Tufte Anderson or Perunovich Samberg or Wolff (Staying) Two down

Anyone else starting to get the feeling like Duluth is going to lose nowhere close to the number most hoped for? I originally thought 4 would go, it's just been way too quiet for my liking.

@Brett0909 when was the last time you remember UND having a great power play? Last year was rock bottom, absolutely, but I’m also not going to pretend that it was ever rolling under Hakstol. It’s something for over a decade plus I’ve never been able to figure out.

Ethan Frisch interview, really well spoken kid.

Pinto with 4 points in his first playoff game, 1 G 3 A.

I'm really with this line of thinking. I would have preferred Rizzo over Caulfield next year, with only one of them coming in, but that doesn't appear to be how it'll shake out.

It still might happen, but Anderson to LA might have been a little premature by their writer. Matt Wellen (Duluth sports writer), talked with Anderson after the LA Kings guy tweet and Anderson said he was still deciding.

I agree about the rosters of 25 not working out the last couple years, emphasis on last year. IMO it's much more about the construction of the 25 man roster and not the number itself. Too many guys who play the same type of role (i.e. that of a 4th line player).

This. Very interested to see how it's going to play out. They are +2 right now.