nascar99

Now kids can go CHL to NCAA. Jackson Smith can play another year in the Dub and then go to North Dakota or Denver in 2026-27. That's the best of both worlds. CHL owners/GMs have to get used to the fact that they can't "own" their players like property any longer.

Understandable. And the "meet us half way" solution is keeping most of the CHLers in junior through their 18 year old season, but then head to the NCAA for their 19 year old season. Porter Martone has nothing left to prove in the O. Ben Kindel, Jackson Smith, and Cole Reschny might benefit from spending their 18 year old season back in the Dub, but they most definitely should play a year or two in the NCAA at some point before pro.

I think McKenna expressed some interest in UND at that time

They're going to have to get used to the fact that the development pyramid has changed and the NCAA is above the CHL now

Byron Ritchie (Ryder's dad) stated in an article written by The Province (British Columbia publication) that McKenna hasn't made any visits to any universities and they haven't talked about the realistic possibility of going to the NCAA in 2025-26. They're waiting until the season ends, which could be a few more weeks as Medicine Hat is in the Dub Final (very good chance they win & get to the Memorial Cup). Ex-Canuck Byron Ritchie helping Gavin McKenna decide on WHL/NCAA route | The Province From what everyone has said, it would seem that Ryder Ritchie and Gavin McKenna will be a package deal if they go to the NCAA. With Ritchie being a Minnesota Wild pick, I think they're 100% supportive of him going to the NCAA for a couple years instead of being rushed into the A at age 20. The Iowa Wild are such a mess right now & if the Wild can delay Ritchie's pro ETA while they sort things out in Des Moines, the better.

Interested to see how Miami does with an 80%+ new roster

Dennis Williams will build Bowling Green back into a top end team in the CCHA very soon. Whether or not it works in Year 1 of CHLers being eligible, we'll see, but it will happen.

Dane & Bryn better be on the phone with James Patrick about getting Reschny to Grand Forks

That was someone I would have wanted.

I think he sees the writing on the wall that he's a MAC QB at best for football and he's an early 2nd round pick if he commits to hockey.

Mason West not being interested in the (essentially) hometown Goofers is very good for us. Kind surprising tbh, wonder if that is indicative of where they're going with Motzko steering the ship. Or maybe he just wants to go further away from home for university.

Would guess Hobie's advisor is making calls to see who would be interested if he actually enters the portal, try to find the right fit

High end Dub forward options that could come in this season: Roger McQueen (2006, bad back) Carter Bear (2006, Achilles cut, likely out for 1st half of 2025-26 season) Lynden Lakovic (2006) Ben Kindel (2007) Cole Reschny (2007) Cameron Schmidt (2007) Braeden Cootes (2007) Nathan Behm (2007)

It's such an odd combination of names, but it could work and be a lot better than I expect. More veteran culture guys + young guys with a year more experience under their belt could be pivotal

Isaac Gordon to UND!

Do we think the CHL is going to rip up the Standard Player Agreement and only give you education money if you go to USports, as they don't want to give kids more money who are going to the NCAA?

Most of the NTDP commit before they ever play their exhibitions against NCAA teams. You need to be recruiting these guys HARD & consistent throughout their minor hockey careers, developing solid relationships with their minor hockey coaches. With Chyzyk being extremely familiar with the player pool & likely having solid relationships with minor hockey coaches (as well as high school coaches in Minnesota), the high end player recruiting woes should diminish a bit. Of course, getting players who are from east of Lake Michigan will always be tough: these guys will always prefer Michigan, Michigan State, Boston University, Boston College, and others out east.

Yeah I don't get why UND never plays Michigan during the regular season. Not sure if there was a Cold War type hatred between Berenson and Blais/Hakstol, but always puzzles me.

I'm interested to see who else they have on their schedule for 2025-26.

Should go in the top 25 of the 2025 Draft

I remember his name coming up in 2021 & 2022 when he was tearing up the BCHL in his 18 and 19 year old seasons as a fringe NHL Draft late round target. Seems like he took off last year for Clarkson, would be a nice addition.