COMMITTED UND Recruits

[SIOUXELEVENS]

Optimism

[AJS]

5 minutes ago, siouxfaninseattle said:

I'm a little confused about next season's incoming recruits. It seems like there is a lot of optimism about them yet the scouting reports don't have anyone projected as higher than a third round pick. Can someone enlighten me?

Blake (2nd in USHL in points) and McLaughlin (7th in USHL in points) were both drafted last year. Two drafted '03's that are in the Top 10 in the USHL is a great start. That's a solid 1/2 start to a class. Strinden (17th in USHL points) mid-'02, played in the Bio-Steel All-American game. Most likely will be drafted by all accounts this summer. James (35th in USHL points), highest rated recruit (potential 3rd rounder). Spicer, who's having a solid year with the NTDP. 

Reason for optimism. No first rounders or even second, but this is a class where all 5 Forwards are likely to be drafted is impressive. They are all currently performing very well. Taking Spicer out as the NTDP's schedule is unique, having your 4 other forward recruits all be in the Top 40 in the USHL is impressive. 

Side note: Livanavage (33rd in points) as a d-man and Perron ('05) is 31st in points. 

UND has 15% of the Top 40 scorers in the USHL as recruits. That's impressive.

[siouxfaninseattle]

5 minutes ago, AJS said:

Blake (2nd in USHL in points) and McLaughlin (7th in USHL in points) were both drafted last year. Two drafted '03's that are in the Top 10 in the USHL is a great start. That's a solid 1/2 start to a class. Strinden (17th in USHL points) mid-'02, played in the Bio-Steel All-American game. Most likely will be drafted by all accounts this summer. James (35th in USHL points), highest rated recruit (potential 3rd rounder). Spicer, who's having a solid year with the NTDP. 

Reason for optimism. No first rounders or even second, but this is a class where all 5 Forwards are likely to be drafted is impressive. They are all currently performing very well. Taking Spicer out as the NTDP's schedule is unique, having your 4 other forward recruits all be in the Top 40 in the USHL is impressive. 

Side note: Livanavage (33rd in points) as a d-man and Perron ('05) is 31st in points. 

UND has 15% of the Top 40 scorers in the USHL as recruits. That's impressive.

Thanks! That makes it much clearer.

[stoneySIOUX]

36 minutes ago, AJS said:

Blake (2nd in USHL in points) and McLaughlin (7th in USHL in points) were both drafted last year. Two drafted '03's that are in the Top 10 in the USHL is a great start. That's a solid 1/2 start to a class. Strinden (17th in USHL points) mid-'02, played in the Bio-Steel All-American game. Most likely will be drafted by all accounts this summer. James (35th in USHL points), highest rated recruit (potential 3rd rounder). Spicer, who's having a solid year with the NTDP. 

Reason for optimism. No first rounders or even second, but this is a class where all 5 Forwards are likely to be drafted is impressive. They are all currently performing very well. Taking Spicer out as the NTDP's schedule is unique, having your 4 other forward recruits all be in the Top 40 in the USHL is impressive. 

Side note: Livanavage (33rd in points) as a d-man and Perron ('05) is 31st in points. 

UND has 15% of the Top 40 scorers in the USHL as recruits. That's impressive

And for some additional wow... Perron is 16. 

[FightingSU]

Why can’t UND with the Ralph and all the programs history and success, even somewhat recent(2016), consistently land a top recruiting class like we used to? Seriously? I just feel like there is zero excuse to be getting out recruited by Mankato or ND or Ohio State or many many other even smaller programs or similar programs. I feel like we lose these recruiting battles. Why? Why are less and less 5 star recruits wanting to come to ND?

Other than selling living in a bigger/more fun city or area than grand forks, what do they really have over ND hockey as a program??

[tnt]

5 minutes ago, FightingSU said:

Why can’t UND with the Ralph and all the programs history and success, even somewhat recent(2016), consistently land a top recruiting class like we used to? Seriously? I just feel like there is zero excuse to be getting out recruited by Mankato or ND or Ohio State or many many other even smaller programs or similar programs. I feel like we lose these recruiting battles. Why? Why are less and less 5 star recruits wanting to come to ND?

Other than selling living in a bigger/more fun city or area than grand forks, what do they really have over ND hockey as a program??

Mankato has traditionally taken older players from the BCHL, so please name the huge recruits they have reeled in that were considered 5 star.

[stoneySIOUX]

7 minutes ago, FightingSU said:

Why can’t UND with the Ralph and all the programs history and success, even somewhat recent(2016), consistently land a top recruiting class like we used to? Seriously? I just feel like there is zero excuse to be getting out recruited by Mankato or ND or Ohio State or many many other even smaller programs or similar programs. I feel like we lose these recruiting battles. Why? Why are less and less 5 star recruits wanting to come to ND?

Other than selling living in a bigger/more fun city or area than grand forks, what do they really have over ND hockey as a program??

Well, we aren't, so, there's that lol. Sorry man, but our pipeline is excellent right now. Just because we didn't get a guy that someone on the hockey board wanted doesn't mean we don't have a solid pipeline. 

[AJS]

Here's my Cade Littler confusion. Seems like a nice player, over PPG as a mid-04 in the BCHL. Did UND offer? From what I've gathered, his Mid-Term Central Scouting Ranking of 198 would not fly with so many on this board. This place is getting worse and worse over the years. 

[stoneySIOUX]

1 minute ago, AJS said:

Here's my Cade Littler confusion. Seems like a nice player, over PPG as a mid-04 in the BCHL. Did UND offer? From what I've gathered, his Mid-Term Central Scouting Ranking of 198 would not fly with so many on this board. This place is getting worse and worse over the years. 

I was just about to say the same! I just saw his ranking and I am very confused why anyone would be overly upset about not getting him. Especially as an 04.

[tnt]

12 minutes ago, stoneySIOUX said:

I was just about to say the same! I just saw his ranking and I am very confused why anyone would be overly upset about not getting him. Especially as an 04.

But when your whole life revolves around finding something to complain about, that's what you do!  

[stoneySIOUX]

8 minutes ago, tnt said:

But when your whole life revolves around finding something to complain about, that's what you do!

I mean, I do complain a lot lol 

Currently I complain a lot on here about how other people complain a lot on here. It's pretty meta.

[tnt]

50 minutes ago, stoneySIOUX said:

I mean, I do complain a lot lol 

Currently I complain a lot on here about how other people complain a lot on here. It's pretty meta.

To be clear, I was talking about the people whining about losing recruits, not you.

[stoneySIOUX]

20 minutes ago, tnt said:

To be clear, I was talking about the people whining about losing recruits, not you.

Oh, I know you were! I was just being silly

[scpa0305]

On 1/25/2022 at 10:03 AM, stoneySIOUX said:

Totally fair and he's due some, no doubt. With that said, is it real and honest criticism or just frustration with this season? I think this team is product of us losing 14 players (think of that number) from a loaded team and replacing with that we had to work with at the time. For me, I don't know how I can pin that on Berry.

From what I heard about Morrow, I still peg that choice as a good call and I don't care if he wins a Hobey. He didn't sound like he would fit in here. To each, their own. Hindsight is 20/20 on Rizzo, at this point. Seems like a miss there. We absolutely have not moved away from recruiting the top players and we're still very much in on Cooley and have guys like Perron in our pipeline. 

Just wanted to respond here…sounds like Morrow himself is a great kid. Needs work in his own zone but he’s a good kid. The red flags had nothing to do with him.

 

also, love the optimism but I’ll believe the Cooley comment when I see it haha

[stoneySIOUX]

15 minutes ago, scpa0305 said:

Just wanted to respond here…sounds like Morrow himself is a great kid. Needs work in his own zone but he’s a good kid. The red flags had nothing to do with him.

 

also, love the optimism but I’ll believe the Cooley comment when I see it haha

Totally agree on Cooley, but last time I heard was that we're still very, very much in on him.

The red flags weren't just about off ice stuff. I am not going to bury a kid on a public forum. I just won't do it. But, I stand by what I say about him being not a good fit for UND. 

[AJS]

I know Puck Preps has filled this void to an extent, but talking about Cooley, I cannot find anything on him. You would think that one reporter would ask him his plans for next year, if he's still thinking the college route. Does he have a Top 3, Top 5. Its odd how little information there is.

[brianvf]

Quote

Owen McLaughlin with his first USHL hat trick tonight for Sioux City. He had a 4-point night and now has 19 in the last 9 games. Linemate Dylan James with a goal and three points.

McLaughlin is tearing it up since his commitment.

[AJS]

4 hours ago, brianvf said:

McLaughlin is tearing it up since his commitment.

3 more points tonight. He’s now in that Tier 1 of USHL points leaders. Dylan James with 2 points as well, he now has 32 points in 34 games.

[jk]

On 1/23/2022 at 9:33 AM, AJS said:

Yes. The new transfer rule helps out here, because it opens more players up to the possibility since nobody has to sit out. To me the most obvious player is Ness. He fits the bill. Two years in the system and things are not clicking. Change of scenery would be best for both parties. This is where things will get interesting and I think the way the rest of the year plays out will determine if Berry is almost forced to really shake things up. Budy seems like the next logical choice. He's not a Top 6 Forward (which was what he was brought in to be). Third, Albrecht. He was brought in kind of that emergency forward role. To me local wins out, Montgomery can backfill that roll. You can't have two "emergency" forwards on a team. 

We discussed this a few weeks ago, it's harsh. Wish it worked out, but if Berry is going to do what's best for the team, Ness / Budy / Albrecht would hit the transfer portal at the end of the year. I realize that not everything is based on points (those 3 have 3 combined points 44 combined games this year), but they aren't defensive specialists either. This would allow the 5 Forwards that signed NLI's to come in / plus an additional spot for a transfer. 

The forward group at the bottom is a complete mess this year. 

Gotta say, Ness, Albrecht and Portz might have been the team's best line all weekend.  A real positive sign for the next couple months. 

[brianvf]

5 minutes ago, jk said:

Gotta say, Ness, Albrecht and Portz might have been the team's best line all weekend.  A real positive sign for the next couple months. 

Albrecht almost with that highlight reel goal in the 3rd. 

[AJS]

9 hours ago, jk said:

Gotta say, Ness, Albrecht and Portz might have been the team's best line all weekend.  A real positive sign for the next couple months. 

Completely agree.

[scpa0305]

On 1/27/2022 at 1:16 PM, AJS said:

I know Puck Preps has filled this void to an extent, but talking about Cooley, I cannot find anything on him. You would think that one reporter would ask him his plans for next year, if he's still thinking the college route. Does he have a Top 3, Top 5. Its odd how little information there is.

Agreed, I’ve heard there’s a chance he may take the Matthews route and play over in the Swiss league for a year.

[AJS]

On 1/4/2022 at 1:42 PM, AJS said:

I'll update every month or so.

Five I know that signed their NLI.

Blake (03) - Chicago: 13-31-44 (29GP) *2nd USHL in points* / +12

McLaughlin (03) - Sioux City: 13-17-30 (27GP) *Tied 12th in points* / +4

Strinden (02) - Muskegon - 13-12-25 (28GP) *Tied 25th in points* / +11

James (03) - Sioux City: 7-15-22 (27GP) *Tied 33rd in points* / +6

Spicer (04) - NTDP: 8-10-18 (28GP) /+7

 

For Defense one is really sticking out.

Livanavage (04) - Chicago: 2-23-25 (29 GP) *Tied 25th in points (4th for D-man)* 

One note, the three ahead of him and really any d-man in the Top 60 is at least a year and a half older. 

 

 

 

 

Through January.

Blake (03) - Chicago: 18-33-51 (35GP) *2nd USHL in points* / +14

McLaughlin (03) - Sioux City: 19-27-46 (35GP) *Tied 6th in points* / +10

Strinden (02) - Muskegon: 17-20-37 (37GP) *16th in points* / +22

James (03) - Sioux City: 12-20-32 (34GP) *Tied 25th in points* / +11

Spicer (04) - NTDP: 11-12-23 (33GP) / +6

 

Very good numbers from that group. 

 

 

[scpa0305]

On 1/31/2022 at 4:52 PM, AJS said:

Through January.

Blake (03) - Chicago: 18-33-51 (35GP) *2nd USHL in points* / +14

McLaughlin (03) - Sioux City: 19-27-46 (35GP) *Tied 6th in points* / +10

Strinden (02) - Muskegon: 17-20-37 (37GP) *16th in points* / +22

James (03) - Sioux City: 12-20-32 (34GP) *Tied 25th in points* / +11

Spicer (04) - NTDP: 11-12-23 (33GP) / +6

 

Very good numbers from that group. 

 

 

Our USHL guys are doing great, which is awesome because that league is much tougher night in and night out than the Canadian jr leagues. A bit worried about our  Canuck commits, they’re trailing off hard right now. I’d say wiebe and singleton would be 7th round flyers at best right now. Hopefully they turn it around a bit.

[scpa0305]

Just saw a tweet about how crazy Morrow and Rizzo’s advanced offensive metrics are. Beyond frustrated every time I see this kind of stuff. Both should be on the squad.