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In your estimation, how many WHL & OHL forwards who are 3rd round or higher caliber players who will want to play in the NCAA next year? I'm talking guys who are high scorers & difference-makers. Emphasis on 3rd rd or higher WHL/OHL forwards who will be on an NCAA team in 25-26.

EP has Bergeson playing at Augustana in 26-27. Hearing anything on who the remaining 1-2 Fs will be who will round out next year's roster?

Congrats to Smaby, but calling him a colossal get may be premature at this point considering that he hasn't demonstrated himself yet in coaching D1 hockey. Perhaps in due time, though. That description might be more appropriate for someone like Herter who has a proven track record of success at this level; there are no question marks with him. But if you're calling him colossal in terms of having a high potential to help bring this program to another level, then that's certainly a possibility. Him being connected well to the USHL, NTDP & TC should certainly help UND's recruiting in those areas.

Good point. These top CHLers who get drafted before their first NCAA game are high reward; but they're also high cost & high risk. Can imagine the hole it would leave in a team's top 6 or top 2 if their expected recruit suddenly bolts. The Jasper Weatherby Effect.

You're probably right, but a new HC already knows what kinds of systems he wants to run & it's a possibility he already knows the candidate who best complements that vision/style.

Ss.com's inside source claims it's all a foregone conclusion & that the new associate will soon be crowned. If that is indeed how it plays out, that UND wanted Smaby all along, what a massive waste of time & resources for all the other candidates. Just name him already instead of all this posturing.

That sounds like a good estimation, then add a guy who can give you 20g, 20a (at least) & you're very solidly in that range & probably higher. Going to hang my hat on the premise that a high scorer is what this team needs to be a legitimate contender next year. A guy who can be a difference-maker & flip close games in UND's favor.

I think the really good players, the guys who will be millionaires in a couple of years, are more concerned about fine-tuning their game before heading to the NHL than choosing a school that can give them $100k more in NIL money.

Agreed. Seems like UND is structured a little like Mankato was last year: a heavy, older team that was solid defensively & had good goaltending. But they lacked an elite scorer & never made it past the first round of regionals.

I think most people here are nuanced enough to know the intricacies of modern-day recruiting. It's not like UND has the stature of a team in the AHA. The fact that UND has a long history of being a feeder program for the NHL is but 1 of many baits that it can use to lure a top talent. If there are 15 high-profile CHLers going the NCAA route, don't see why UND couldn't land at least 1 of them.

So hypothetically if there are 15 high-profile CHL guys who are targeted for the first 3 rounds who will play in the NCAA, you're saying UND won't get any of them? I find that a little odd. Disturbing also.

Yes. My point is why any other high-profile CHLers aren't coming in according to you. Go all out for McKenna, & if that doesn't pan out, don't even pursue guys like Reschny or others. Don't understand the logic of only going after one high-end CHL guy & not others.

Decent as in 1st-3rd round NHL kind of decent. Was it because the coaching staff wasn't interested or didn't have any luck?

Please elaborate. Is it because UND wasn't interested or they didn't have any luck? Kind of odd that UND would be in the running for McKenna & not pursue anyone else from the CHL if he fell through.

Was wondering what it means then when a player signs with a collective. How did you hear about this? UND has only 2 forward positions open. Would think that they'd be at least trying to land a high-scoring CHL player for 1 of them.