atxsioux

Counterpoint - 10 freshmen on the 2015-2016 team hahah

Looks like he's off to Wenatchee for next year which makes sense. 1 year of JRs likely before heading to college.

This may have already been shared but hopefully next years style of play has a lot of these elements. Excited about Smaby as well. Definitely seems like a no excuses type guy

Bear going to Detroit and Cootes going to Van are nice NCAA friendly destinations

Boston is a pretty ncaa friendly school so I’d guess they guide him to go back for 1 more year. Seems like it would be best for him

Agreed that for the most part we'll be after WHL guys. Did see on Insta that Bryn is following Ethan Procyszyn with the Battalion in the OHL. (Anahiem 3rd rounder - 2024) Based on watching his highlights he definitely seems like a fit for the staff. So to echo above wouldn't be shocked if they are in on Brady Martin since he seems like a great fit as well.

Duluth or St cloud get my vote for DFL

The CHL is almost quietly admitting defeat in the past month - more specifically the WHL in this case. They are willing to sign prospects even if they will be leaving in the future to the NCAA. (IE, McKamey, O' Neil, Jundt, and that's just for UND's case, then throw in Carter Casey and others) Would love to see Schultz or Simpson somehow end up at Everett to become buds with Bear and Dupont hah.

I think it’s a tough ask for the hockey talent in Minnesota to keep up with the CHL and majority of US on an annual basis. That’s where the gophers seem that they have to change their philosophy on Canadian players in recruiting In the future with the added CHL depth I don’t think it’s out of the question that most of your blue bloods will have 1st / 2nd round players filling up the majority of your top 6 forwards and 3 of your top 6.

Guessing based on recent history which teams in the 1st round would lean towards having kids play NCAA. Something to watch and root for on draft day. (if anyone has heard differently on any teams feel free to comment) 6. Philadelphia Flyers 7. Boston Bruins 12. New York Rangers 13. Detroit Red Wings 14. Columbus Blue Jackets 19. St. Louis Blues 20. Columbus Blue Jackets (from Minnesota Wild) 21. Ottawa Senators 22. Philadelphia Flyers (from Colorado Avalanche) 26. Nashville Predators (from Vegas Golden Knights via San Jose Sharks) 27. Washington Capitals 28. Winnipeg Jets 29. Carolina Hurricanes 30. San Jose Sharks (from Dallas Stars) 31. Philadelphia Flyers (from Edmonton Oilers)

I think some of the lack of buzz could be due to players, agents, and teams are wanting to keep the NCAA mentions to a minimum out of respect to help keep the heat off players. Once they are drafted it does help spin the narrative to say "this is what my NHL team thinks is best for me". (also players could be leaning on the college side but do want that final confirmation from the team that drafts them - that's what Chris Peters with flo hockey had heard at the combine as well) If Bryn and team had heard these players were not able to come to college they would've already went after some older CHL/USHL players / maybe brought in 1 future commit that they thought was most ready. Players will be in forks in July for summer skates so it would be odd for Bryn and Co to be slow playing that announcement for players that could've already announced.

Think hockey Canada has their hand forced by a few factors and will have to abandon that thinking for WJC selection. Their best player for upcoming WJC will very likely be playing NCAA + they've lost in the quarters 2 years in a row. Politics go out the window when you need to put a winning team on the ice to get your arse out of the jackpot hahah.

If you go strictly off of wheelers top 50 list it works out to below 38% not committed to NCAAs yet (CHL players) 18% not committed to NCAAs yet (Overseas players) 44% playing NCAA / committed to NCAA school (this part could be way off hah, I'm assuming he didn't ask this to players already committed or playing?) So very quick math but 20% (or 10 players) considering the NCAA have yet to commit (which most of us are assuming at this point will be after the draft) And holy if it does end up being close to that 20% thats alot of players committing - could be recruiting chaos after the draft.

Listening to it as we speak so I can share haha

Good interview on Jeff Marek's pod with Dupont (starts at 38 minute mark). Really mature kid for his age it seems. (Very safe to say that he watches college hockey in his spare time - one of his favorite D-Men to watch was Buium)

He'd be a nice ambassador to have on hand during some recruiting visits. Doesn't hurt that he's 3 hours away now hahah

Pandolfo on the surface at least seems like a pretty solid coach. Funny enough that he’s had a similar start to Hak with his coaching career based on the frozen four results. Pretty crazy if he doesn’t end up considering BU imo

St Thomas getting a new assistant coach?

Curious if Roobroeck is an option UND could be working on as well.... He's 10 days short of being 2025 draft eligible so he'd be 18 when he's suiting up for college.

Hopefully Bryn has already narrowed down his list from those above players. (for what its worth some prospect pods did mention Schmidt and Lakovic have had some character concerns so they may have already been crossed off the list) Seems like alot of recruits are waiting on being drafted, will chat with their NHL team, then decide to commit to a college so it might be a couple of weeks of waiting. Brady Martin being a farm kid might be in our favor. We have to be the only hockey school with 2 hundred foot bars sponsored by Betaseed and Dekalb

A little off topic but speaking of Seattle if you get a chance get to climate pledge for a game. The renovation is awesome, love how the building is so sunk into the ground

Feel like our backend is pretty set on the left side for this coming year. Feel like NIL maybe played a role for him to not go to Denver or Michigan though or even BC/BU. Will be interesting to see how his Penn State experience goes.

(This is just a vibe) but I have a weird feeling that Michigan might not even be in the list of 4-5 teams. I think there is a little stink on their program currently with Naurato possibly. Just a guess but we’ll see.

Pod linked - below. McKenna talk is at around the 44:00 mark with what Cam Robinson heard from talking with his agent. No clue why they are slow playing the decision but thats apparently what him and his camp are doing.

The main reason by far for him leaving the CHL is to best prepare for the NHL (get stronger + develop). Maybe not fair because ASU is a new program, but they have very little history in showing players they've developed. Compared to your blue bloods of UND, BU, BC, Michigan, MSU it's not even close. (this is why i think alot of people are skeptical about Penn State allegedly being the "favorite"). 10 years from now, maybe ASU may have some more ground to stand on in a recruiting battle.