2024-25 University of North Dakota Hockey Season

[scpa0305]

24 minutes ago, brianvf said:

Projection based on current info:

Forward (15):
GR - Jamernik
SR - Berg, Kunz, Schmaltz, Montgomery
JR - McLaughlin, James, Strinden
SO - Perron
FR - Swanson, Boisvert, Croal, Littler
2X - Portal

Defense (8):
JR - Zmolek
SO - Livanavage, Wiebe, Komzak, MacDonald
FR - Jubenvill, Strathmann, Emery

Goalie (3):
SR - Semptimphelter
JR - Johnson
SO - Hedquist

Sounds like the Blake news is imminent and potentially already done.
With that news, we're looking like we might need 1-3 forwards to add (depends on if Littler, Klee, or both/neither are ready).  I'd guess that one of those two will come this fall and we'd grab two out of the portal.  Hopefully Wilkie or another faceoff specialist can be added, which would allow Berry to put OMac on the wing.

Losing Blake will be tough, as it seemed like so much of the offense went thru him at times this year.  He'll need to clean up his giveaways/turnovers and add some strength to succeed at the next level.

I expect big jumps from a few forwards...guys like James, OMac, and Perron have the skill...another year will be huge.  Steady progression from guys like Jammer, Berg, Kunz, and Strinden as well.

With Wilkie added, and another coming I would think, I actually like this roster. We’ll be good next year. D core is young but I like it. Many of those skill guys will make a jump…especially Perron. Swanson/Boisvert will be nice. BTW, Blake will be just fine.

[brianvf]

Projection based on current info:

Forward (15):
GR - Jamernik
SR - Berg, Kunz, Schmaltz, Wilkie
JR - McLaughlin, James, Strinden, Montgomery
SO - Perron
FR - Swanson, Boisvert, Croal, Littler
X - Portal

Defense (8):
JR - Zmolek
SO - Livanavage, Wiebe, Komzak, MacDonald
FR - Jubenvill, Strathmann, Emery

Goalie (3):
SR - Semptimphelter
JR - Johnson
SO - Hedquist

Wilkie added, huge news with Blake news coming soon.
Makes for a lot of experience up front.  Six players will use up their eligibility next season.  But our D-corps is very talented and young...should be set on the back end for a few seasons now.   

[siouxforce19]

2 minutes ago, brianvf said:

Projection based on current info:

Forward (15):
GR - Jamernik
SR - Berg, Kunz, Schmaltz, Montgomery, Wilkie
JR - McLaughlin, James, Strinden
SO - Perron
FR - Swanson, Boisvert, Croal, Littler
X - Portal

Defense (8):
JR - Zmolek
SO - Livanavage, Wiebe, Komzak, MacDonald
FR - Jubenvill, Strathmann, Emery

Goalie (3):
SR - Semptimphelter
JR - Johnson
SO - Hedquist

Wilkie added, huge news with Blake news coming soon.
Makes for a lot of experience up front.  Seven players will use up their eligibility next season.  But our D-corps is very talented and young...should be set on the back end for a few seasons now.   

Sorry to nitpick… 

But I think Montgomery should be listed with the juniors. He’s currently listed as a redshirt sophomore. 
 

 

[brianvf]

1 minute ago, siouxforce19 said:

Sorry to nitpick… 

But I think Montgomery should be listed with the juniors. He’s currently listed as a redshirt sophomore.

Ah good call, forgot he redshirted last season with his injury.
I blame CHN which has him listed as a junior this year. 

[cowboys5xsbs]

[I Ranger]

9 hours ago, scpa0305 said:

With Wilkie added, and another coming I would think, I actually like this roster. We’ll be good next year. D core is young but I like it. Many of those skill guys will make a jump…especially Perron. Swanson/Boisvert will be nice. BTW, Blake will be just fine.

As has been mentioned in another thread, if we could get Whitelaw to kind of even out our forward classes I'd really like the forward group. He would be a nice replacement for Blake. 

[The Sicatoka]

Assume Blake gone, and I'm not 100% sold on both Croal and Littler coming ... I see 12 for sure forwards:

Jamernik, Berg, Kunz, Schmaltz, Wilkie
McLaughlin, James, Strinden, Montgomery
Perron
Swanson, Boisvert 

Likely options? Yes, Croal, Littler. 
Nicety? Someone of Perron's class to flatten the rotation 

But I see needing three forwards. 

[AJS]

2 minutes ago, The Sicatoka said:

Assume Blake gone, and I'm not 100% sold on both Croal and Littler coming ... I see 12 for sure forwards:

Jamernik, Berg, Kunz, Schmaltz, Wilkie
McLaughlin, James, Strinden, Montgomery
Perron
Swanson, Boisvert 

Likely options? Yes, Croal, Littler. 
Nicety? Someone of Perron's class to flatten the rotation 

But I see needing three forwards. 

Croal is a for sure forward.

[The Sicatoka]

4 minutes ago, AJS said:

Croal is a for sure forward.

Under the assumptions of Croal and no Blake, that's 13 F. Still need 2. 

[AJS]

8 minutes ago, The Sicatoka said:

Under the assumptions of Croal and no Blake, that's 13 F. Still need 2. 

Ideally for me, you get two very different types of players. One being a true depth guy, the other being as high-end as you can get. Neither being a SR. Ideally, the depth guy would be a SO, the high-end either a SO or JR. Why I emphasis true depth guy. Someone that will not be taking minutes from a more talented (high upside) FR. That gives you two (14F / 15F) depth forwards. Let the other 13 battle it out. 

[AlphaMikeFoxtrot]

Croal ages out, Littler does not. 

[Kevin G]

On faceoffs...

Last season, the four main FO guys for UND were, in descending order by frequency:

1. Cam Berg: 394-310 (56.0%). 704 total draws.
2. Owen McLaughlin: 194-255 (43.2%). 449 total draws.
3. Louis Jamernik: 249-181 (57.9%).  430 total draws.
4. Jake Schmaltz: 144-157 (47.8%). 301 total draws.

For RIT last season, Carter Wilkie was 566-478 (54.2%) for 1,044 total draws. That's about equal to UND's top two FO guys combined.

In 2022-23, Wilkie took 858 draws (53.3%); and in 2021-22, 639 draws (54.1%). That's 2,541 career draws. So, if nothing else, Wilkie has a lot of practice.

[The Sicatoka]

If Berg, Louis V, and Wilkie can hold those win percentages it'd keep OMac and Jake off the dot. 

[Kevin G]

Does anyone know if Boisvert or Croal typically play center or wing?

[The Sicatoka]

8 minutes ago, Kevin G said:

Does anyone know if Boisvert or Croal typically play center or wing?

NHL scouting reports call Boisvert a "centre".  

[scpa0305]

Berg signing? I would have some thoughts there 

[Blackheart]

3 hours ago, The Sicatoka said:

NHL scouting reports call Boisvert a "centre".  

Those reports coming out of Quebec?

[The Sicatoka]

2 minutes ago, Blackheart said:

Those reports coming out of Quebec?

Oui. 

[The Sicatoka]

1 hour ago, scpa0305 said:

Berg signing? I would have some thoughts there 

IABS until The Schloss weighs in. 

[tnt]

31 minutes ago, SiouxFanSince1990 said:

Would be the biggest mistake of his life. I just don’t see his game translating well to the NHL. Has a year to prove me wrong.

So if another year isn’t going to make a difference in development, why not start getting paid in the AHL or another league before deciding if you would want to go to Europe or something.  Even those scenarios pay pretty well compared to what the average guy makes.

[hockeytherapy13]

2 hours ago, SiouxFanSince1990 said:

Would be the biggest mistake of his life. I just don’t see his game translating well to the NHL. Has a year to prove me wrong.

I actually think he may be a better fit for pro hockey than Blake is at this current point due to his physical capabilities 

[scpa0305]

1 minute ago, hockeytherapy13 said:

I actually think he may be a better fit for pro hockey than Blake is at this current point due to his physical capabilities 

He doesn’t play with pace at the college level…pro hockey will be tough for him currently. Had a nice shot though. To me, I can see why Blake would sign. I can rationalize it. If Berg signs, that would make absolutely zero sense. Basically means he doesn’t want to do school anymore. 

[siouxweet]

For those who want Berry gone.  John Calipari has a blueprint of how this can happen.  After feeling not appreciated leave for a lesser job(Calipari going to Arkansas, Berry goes to Bemidji to coach their women's program? )

[The Sicatoka]

6 minutes ago, siouxweet said:

For those who want Berry gone.  John Calipari has a blueprint of how this can happen.  After feeling not appreciated leave for a lesser job(Calipari going to Arkansas, Berry goes to Bemidji to coach their women's program? )

Calipari has his buddy the CEO of Tyson lined up to fund NIL.
Calipari is going for (I'd love to say chicken feed given the Tyson tie in but) greener like money pastures. 

Not the same. 

[siouxweet]

13 minutes ago, The Sicatoka said:

Calipari has his buddy the CEO of Tyson lined up to fund NIL.
Calipari is going for (I'd love to say chicken feed given the Tyson tie in but) greener like money pastures. 

Not the same. 

I was being facetious.