nascar99

I always thought it was possible, since all of these guys went major junior under the old rules, showing that they didn't have a burning desire to go NCAA. NHL teams have almost always signed their high pick major junior guys right away to ELCs, so the old trend continues even with the new rules. We'll see how the hockey world adjusts over time. Getting Reschny and Verhoeff for 2025-26 was an absolute steal by Chyzyk and Jackson, Berry probably doesn't pull in either.

He has not signed his ELC yet, still NCAA eligible

Would be nice for North Dakota to make a statement and grab a high profile OHLer at some point soon. Chyzyk likely working on that as we speak, at least trying to make inroads on recruiting in Ontario

Very interested to see what Roobroeck decides to do going forward. Seems like he's going back to the O to play his DY with Niagara. Going to be a top 5 pick in 2026 barring anything unforeseen happening.

IIRC, Boston University & North Dakota were the 2 finalists. Might have been another team in the race though.

McKamey had a good but unspectacular 15 year old season in the BCHL. Honestly not sure what to expect of him in the Dub this season. A lot of outcomes are on the table, all of which Chyzyk and Jackson will be monitoring for future decisions.

Lawrence is going to be an interesting one to watch. The USHL caught & passed the Q before the rule change, but since the rule change, the Q is getting more talent from New England & NCAA route Canadians from Quebec/Maritimes, while the USHL is losing talent. I would still think the USHL is a better overall league than the Q, but it's pretty close.

Honestly, I'm anticipating the last 2 roster spots will be filled by guys who aren't super exciting. Next big time bat signals will be on or after August 1st when the new recruiting window opens. Very willing to be dead wrong on this, but just the feeling I have.

Would require him to have accelerated and graduate HS early. Not super common, although it's happening a bit more now. Additionally, I expect Lawrence, a Maritimer, to want to go to university on the East Coast and be relatively close to family, hence partially why he committed to Boston University to begin with.

He's going to need to have a dominant year in the Dub to be brought in early. Don't think Jackson would want to rush a guy up a level if he ain't ready

Another CHLer, Aleksei Medvedev, is off the board as he signs his ELC with Vancouver. Pretty risky move here with a CHL goaltender. I guess it is possible that he's Carter Hart or Dustin Wolf and transitions excellently to pro once he enters the A, but my opinion is that he should have gone to the NCAA for two years.

Arizona State adding fairly high profile Minnesota Wild pick out of the Dub, Justin Kipkie.

Less than a month away from the August 1 recruiting window opening up. Very excited. Tons of first time eligible late 2008s and 2009s that we'll all be tracking.

I'd be very surprised if DuPont doesn't end up at one of North Dakota, Denver, or Michigan. I can squint and see one of Boston University or Boston College make a big push for him too though.

Anyone know if Landon DuPont has accelerated his education and is a junior in HS already, or is he still just a normal sophomore and thus commitment eligible on August 1?

Iowa and Illinois should always be the first 2 teams on these lists for expansion. Oregon would be great too in addition to Washington. We just need at least 1 team in Illinois. 5th most men's NCAA players by any US state, no D1 programs, pathetic. If Illinois or Northwestern aren't going to add hockey, would like to see Northern Illinois add it. Easy CCHA addition in their infancy

North Dakota should play Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, and either Boston College or Boston University every season IMHO.

He would be a great option, but there's no indication that he'd be willing to go NCAA

He can commit at any time. All Canadian 2008s were NCAA commitment eligible August 1 2024, but because the old rules were still in effect, Carels and the rest of the CHLers couldn't go the NCAA route and commit at that time. All Canadian 2008s graduate HS in 2026 since the school grade is the birthyear in Canada, January 1-December 31 is the school year grouping for each grade. Federal system, going by birthyear makes it much simpler IMHO.

I don't think it'll hurt his draft stock if he stays in junior (he could have a dominant draft year in the O), but he certainly should play a season or two in the NCAA at some point before turning pro

The first thing to watch this summer is how many Canadian 2009s commit to the NCAA on August 1 & shortly after when they become commitment eligible.

Verhoeff is a bit of a different case because he accelerated his schooling to graduate HS early and play his 17 year old season, his DY in the NCAA. That's a huge, risky jump. Similar to went Hanifin and Werenski left the NTDP after their 16 year old season to play in the NCAA for their DY. The other kids who've dominated junior, have the credits done to play in the NCAA/graduated from HS, should be more than wanting to make the jump to the NCAA. Vast majority of those kids are D+1 & D+2 kids who've been drafted & haven't signed their ELC yet. But pressure to stay home, settle into routine, and just have a guarantee to get points every night, definitely makes it a bit tougher sell for NCAA programs.

O'Reilly signed his ELC last year, thus not NCAA eligible

Martone and McQueen are the only realistic hopes right now for UND. Friedman said Cootes is back to junior, we know Bear is going back to junior. Martin will sign his ELC soon, Nesbitt isn't interested in the NCAA at current time. The QMJHLers are going to be back in the Q or if they go NCAA, it will be a Hockey East school (one of Boston University or Boston College).

Two open spots for State now. Spartans should still be a very good team, but more pressure on some of their youngsters to produce a ton off the bat, plus Stramel will need to be great every night