2023 Early Departures & Portal Transfers

[stoneySIOUX]

Just now, hockeytherapy13 said:

So far it’s been a net gain. I’ll take Connor Ford, Zach Driscoll, and Chris Jandric over Johnny Tychonick any day. I’m bummed to see Costantini leave and wish we could have developed Brent Johnson more. Hellsten, Budy, Bast are all very replaceable. But so far it’s been a net gain. Time will tell with the newbies but I’m excited about what we’ve grabbed from the portal this year. Give me another decent RHD and we will be looking okay.

Just got one. A good one, too 

[hockeytherapy13]

1 minute ago, The Sicatoka said:

Big, experienced RH D used to playing with and covering for exuberant youthful defensemen who may make coverage mistakes. ... CHECK! 

Seriously it seems like the staff is checking every box in a big way. Our 3 portals guys plus Livanavage could make for a great top 4 next year. Get them here early this summer to get some chemistry rolling. Good stuff 

[The Sicatoka]

Just now, SiouxFanSince1990 said:

Looks like Benoit and Komzak will be fighting for ice time.

I'd say this (Pehrson) is a signal Strathmann is staying USHL one more season. 

Go find a 7/8 RHD that has some experience and be done. 

[SuhakiYeahYeah]

I know we've all got our thoughts on the portal and the situation with all the recruiting pipelines and loyalty, but you can't argue, bubs is hitting some home runs with this year's transfers!

[siouxforce19]

15 minutes ago, hockeytherapy13 said:

Seriously it seems like the staff is checking every box in a big way. Our 3 portals guys plus Livanavage could make for a great top 4 next year. Get them here early this summer to get some chemistry rolling. Good stuff 

Guessing it’ll be Abram Wiebe in the top 4 instead of Livanavage. But I expect both to be regulars. 

[AlphaMikeFoxtrot]

Pehrson also has a Gopher alum dad (baseball). Don't have time to link them at the moment, but Michigan Daily has some articles praising his play.

[The Sicatoka]

I see

• two rocks (Pyke, Pehrson)
• a step right in guy with one question -- will the hip hold up
• four freshmen most teams would beg for

Find an insurance policy eighth guy and I'll sleep pretty well for the first time in a couple weeks. 

[CMSioux]

No blue sky thoughts here until I hear from the real talent evaluation experts on this site. 

[dden3]

Yea let’s see how many of these guys for our culture!

[dden3]

Just now, dden3 said:

Yea let’s see how many of these guys for our culture!

Fit our culture

[AJS]

13 minutes ago, The Sicatoka said:

I see

• two rocks (Pyke, Pehrson)
• a step right in guy with one question -- will the hip hold up
• four freshmen most teams would beg for

Find an insurance policy eighth guy and I'll sleep pretty well for the first time in a couple weeks. 

Isn't the understanding that Komzak is that 8th guy? I would choose Strathmann first, but if the agreement is to go back, swing for the fences for the last portal addition. We're no longer in make-or-break territory but adding another high-ender with experience would really solidify things. Especially if he was a RH shot. 

[siouxforce19]

2 minutes ago, AJS said:

Isn't the understanding that Komzak is that 8th guy? I would choose Strathmann first, but if the agreement is to go back, swing for the fences for the last portal addition. We're no longer in make-or-break territory but adding another high-ender with experience would really solidify things. Especially if he was a RH shot. 

They said Komzak is the projected 8th D when he committed. 
 

I think if it’s not Strathmann, I’d try to find another underclassmen in the portal to balance out the classes a bit more. 

[The Sicatoka]

As happy as I am about Pehrson/Pyke/Zmolek I want to make sure the freshmen get time to grow and take over later. 

[SIOUXELEVENS]

4 minutes ago, SiouxFanSince1990 said:

Pluck a 25 year old Canadian from the deep woods of Canada.

Yessssssss!!!!!!!!

[The Sicatoka]

3 minutes ago, SiouxFanSince1990 said:

Pluck a 25 year old Canadian from the deep woods of Canada.

That's Komzak, but he'll be 21 in the fall.

How about instead a Coloradan who'll be 24 and his brother is in the forward pipeline? 

[tnt]

54 minutes ago, SiouxFanSince1990 said:

Looks like Benoit and Komzak will be fighting for ice time.

You never know.  Many thought that Sidorski would be sitting a lot, and that Johnson would be in the lineup every day.   It seems there are surprises like that every year. 

[brianvf]

As long as Strathmann is A-OK with doing one more year of juniors, I'd hope that the last dman spot is filled with just a depth add (only plays in case of injury).
The flip side of getting all these great dman portal additions is that you don't want another Johnson/Bast situation where a couple freshmen enter the portal next season because they didn't get enough playing time this year.

That said...I think Berry really worked wonders on this portal "season".
Going from having no returning goalies (other than Johnson) and no returning dmen...this is really turning into a solid team for next season already.

[The Sicatoka]

Just now, brianvf said:

Going from having no returning goalies (other than Johnson) and no returning dmen...this is really turning into a solid team for next season already.

I told someone "eight D, three G, and we kept just one of eleven" and the "one" is the third string goalie. 

They. Didn't. Believe. Me.   

[The Sicatoka]

Warren (BC) looks like he's backfilling Pehrson's spot at Michigan. Now I'm curious. 

[franchise]

Blake Pietila is returning to Michigan Tech for his 5th yr

[brianvf]

24 minutes ago, The Sicatoka said:

Warren (BC) looks like he's backfilling Pehrson's spot at Michigan. Now I'm curious. 

Yeah that's weird, just swapping a 5th year for a 5th year.

[AJS]

Just now, brianvf said:

Yeah that's weird, just swapping a 5th year for a 5th year.

Completely different players. Warren steps into the Luke Hughes spot. 

[tnt]

1 hour ago, SuhakiYeahYeah said:

I know we've all got our thoughts on the portal and the situation with all the recruiting pipelines and loyalty, but you can't argue, bubs is hitting some home runs with this year's transfers!

On paper that is certainly the case.  As we all know, the chemistry of the team next year and how they come together will tell the tale.  

[stoneySIOUX]

52 minutes ago, The Sicatoka said:

I told someone "eight D, three G, and we kept just one of eleven" and the "one" is the third string goalie. 

They. Didn't. Believe. Me.   

In my defense, you didn't really believe yourself with all this 1% chance talk hahaha 

[stoneySIOUX]

29 minutes ago, franchise said:

Blake Pietila is returning to Michigan Tech for his 5th yr

I swear that guy has been playing since the 2000s lolol