Prospective Recruits

[nascar99]

10 minutes ago, sioux24/7 said:

If social media following means anything, think we are in an uphill battle for Martone against Michigan. 

He's followed Michigan for months. They were the early favorite before Penn State & just signing pro entered the conversation. I'd be he goes to Michigan before I'd bet on him going to North Dakota.

[AlphaMikeFoxtrot]

14 minutes ago, nascar99 said:

He's followed Michigan for months. They were the early favorite before Penn State & just signing pro entered the conversation. I'd be he goes to Michigan before I'd bet on him going to North Dakota.

Nauruto's lack of charisma or whatever it takes to connect with recruits is probably what's keeping us in the hunt.

[cberkas]

1 hour ago, tnt said:

Yes, Schlossman especially can vouch for that after picking Western Michigan to finish 7th in the NCHC last year.

I had them top 3, not sure why he had them so low

[siouxfaninseattle]

4 minutes ago, cberkas said:

I had them top 3, not sure why he had them so low

Didn't they have about 14 new players?

[siouxforce19]

7 minutes ago, siouxfaninseattle said:

Didn't they have about 14 new players?

I know they had a lot of turnover- I think they replaced their top line for the third year (?) in a row and generally one would think at some point that wouldn’t always work but so far they’ve been able to make it work. 

[beastandco]

40 minutes ago, AlphaMikeFoxtrot said:

Nauruto's lack of charisma or whatever it takes to connect with recruits is probably what's keeping us in the hunt.

It’s seems like Michigan has been tied to all of these guys but they haven’t been able to close. McKenna was considered a Michigan lock back in April. Nobody had Penn State in the mix on McKenna until a few weeks ago. Things can change fast. He still most likely ends up in the Big Ten, but UND being mentioned this late is a good sign.

Michigan already has a pretty full top 6 and if Martone ended up there, it would crack me up to see Perron on the third line.

[InHeavenThereIsNoBeer]

10 hours ago, beastandco said:

It’s seems like Michigan has been tied to all of these guys but they haven’t been able to close. McKenna was considered a Michigan lock back in April. Nobody had Penn State in the mix on McKenna until a few weeks ago. Things can change fast. He still most likely ends up in the Big Ten, but UND being mentioned this late is a good sign.

Michigan already has a pretty full top 6 and if Martone ended up there, it would crack me up to see Perron on the third line.

It wouldn't surprise me honestly, doesn't like to play defense.

[nascar99]

Kindel is now off the prospective recruits board, he signs his ELC. Very interested to see how he develops versus Reschny. Is stat padding in junior to maintain confidence or putting up solid, but unspectacular production against older competition in the NCAA better for overall development.

 

[scpa0305]

26 minutes ago, nascar99 said:

Kindel is now off the prospective recruits board, he signs his ELC. Very interested to see how he develops versus Reschny. Is stat padding in junior to maintain confidence or putting up solid, but unspectacular production against older competition in the NCAA better for overall development.

 

It’s definitely the latter from my angle….but the difference, only time will tell. I mean, this just changed and many of the very best nhl players went from the CHL leagues to the NHL. He probably just doesn’t feel like going  to class.

[brianvf]

Sign this kid up.  Seems like he'd be a perfect fit for that 1st line RW to fill the empty spot.

https://www.broadstreethockey.com/post/philadelphia-flyers-news-prospect-porter-martone-to-have-conversation-about-playing-in-ncaa/

https://www.broadstreethockey.com/post/what-we-learned-watching-porter-martone/

Quote

Overall, when it comes to Martone, the playmaking and passing ability is immediately evident. His innate nature to just be hyper-aware of where every single player is on the ice — both the defensive coverage and where his teammates are and if they are able to get a scoring opportunity — is just on another planet. While his raw tools aren’t overwhelmingly flashy, as in, he isn’t some speedster or unleash a cannon of a shot, his hockey brain takes him so far and it will be what makes him a very good hockey player in the future.

 

[beastandco]

7 minutes ago, brianvf said:

Sign this kid up.  Seems like he'd be a perfect fit for that 1st line RW to fill the empty spot.

https://www.broadstreethockey.com/post/philadelphia-flyers-news-prospect-porter-martone-to-have-conversation-about-playing-in-ncaa/

https://www.broadstreethockey.com/post/what-we-learned-watching-porter-martone/

 

It looks like Martone is our only realistic option at this point out of the first round picks. The Flyers want him to play NCAA. 

Desnoyers is looking to make Utah but will either go to his junior team or BC. Maybe he doesn’t go to BC if Hagens returns as well? He models his game after Toews, maybe he’ll model his career path as well. 
 

I have not seen anything on McQueen going to college or returning to juniors. He could be an option.

Zonnon follows a bunch of college teams on instagram, including UND, but he was traded in the QMJHL about a month ago so it looks like he’s returning and playing with Carbonneau, if he doesn’t sign with BC.

All of the other first round picks that are forwards are returning to juniors, I believe.

If UND is unable to get lucky on these remaining guys, they will have to find a uncommitted player from a previous draft class, bring in one of their committed guys early, or look to see if there are any guys that want to come in from the 2026 draft. 

 

[petey23]

3 hours ago, beastandco said:

It looks like Martone is our only realistic option at this point out of the first round picks. The Flyers want him to play NCAA. 

Desnoyers is looking to make Utah but will either go to his junior team or BC. Maybe he doesn’t go to BC if Hagens returns as well? He models his game after Toews, maybe he’ll model his career path as well. 
 

I have not seen anything on McQueen going to college or returning to juniors. He could be an option.

Zonnon follows a bunch of college teams on instagram, including UND, but he was traded in the QMJHL about a month ago so it looks like he’s returning and playing with Carbonneau, if he doesn’t sign with BC.

All of the other first round picks that are forwards are returning to juniors, I believe.

If UND is unable to get lucky on these remaining guys, they will have to find a uncommitted player from a previous draft class, bring in one of their committed guys early, or look to see if there are any guys that want to come in from the 2026 draft. 

 

The price for Martone probably just went up as Sparty just cleared some payroll.....not by choice.

[scpa0305]

14 minutes ago, petey23 said:

The price for Martone probably just went up as Sparty just cleared some payroll.....not by choice.

That’s what I was thinking. I would assume they’ll now be in play.

[atxsioux]

Just a thought but if the recruitment for Martone has slowed this past month by MSU and they come running in last second after they missed on McKenna and lost a winger, not too sure how keen his agent will be to listen to them. I think it's safe to assume UND's staff has been pressing a little more so we'd have that in our favor. 

UND (Reschny) along with Penn State (Smith) are the only 2 teams so far to recently 100% land a 1st round 2025 CHL commit in the recent months so I'm going to put trust in Bryn and Co to have a good pitch. 

Also if they add Martone Penn state would likely have to tell Aiden Fink to kick rocks and move down to the 2nd line so curious if Gadowsky wants to rock the boat that much in his locker room.

[nascar99]

Martone and McQueen are the only realistic hopes right now for UND. Friedman said Cootes is back to junior, we know Bear is going back to junior. Martin will sign his ELC soon, Nesbitt isn't interested in the NCAA at current time.

The QMJHLers are going to be back in the Q or if they go NCAA, it will be a Hockey East school (one of Boston University or Boston College).

[atxsioux]

Speaking of Howard, the lightning got back Sam O Reilly from Edmonton (32nd pick in 2024) He is still unsigned and from some comments he seems to be on a longer development path. (seeing UND snatch a player from London would be pretty hilarious)

[nascar99]

1 minute ago, atxsioux said:

Speaking of Howard, the lightning got back Sam O Reilly from Edmonton (32nd pick in 2024) He is still unsigned and from some comments he seems to be on a longer development path. (seeing UND snatch a player from London would be pretty hilarious)

O'Reilly signed his ELC last year, thus not NCAA eligible

 

[siouxforce19]

11 minutes ago, nascar99 said:

Martone and McQueen are the only realistic hopes right now for UND. Friedman said Cootes is back to junior, we know Bear is going back to junior. Martin will sign his ELC soon, Nesbitt isn't interested in the NCAA at current time.

The QMJHLers are going to be back in the Q or if they go NCAA, it will be a Hockey East school (one of Boston University or Boston College).

McQueen is good buddies with Zakreski. Should definitely reach out to gauge interest if we have not already done so. 

[AlphaMikeFoxtrot]

11 minutes ago, nascar99 said:

O'Reilly signed his ELC last year, thus not NCAA eligible

 

Nothing a lawsuit can't fix!

[AlphaMikeFoxtrot]

33 minutes ago, atxsioux said:

Just a thought but if the recruitment for Martone has slowed this past month by MSU and they come running in last second after they missed on McKenna and lost a winger, not too sure how keen his agent will be to listen to them. I think it's safe to assume UND's staff has been pressing a little more so we'd have that in our favor. 

UND (Reschny) along with Penn State (Smith) are the only 2 teams so far to recently 100% land a 1st round 2025 CHL commit in the recent months so I'm going to put trust in Bryn and Co to have a good pitch. 

Also if they add Martone Penn state would likely have to tell Aiden Fink to kick rocks and move down to the 2nd line so curious if Gadowsky wants to rock the boat that much in his locker room.

My thoughts too. Treating a #6 pick like a back up plan can't sit well with him.

[beastandco]

30 minutes ago, atxsioux said:

Just a thought but if the recruitment for Martone has slowed this past month by MSU and they come running in last second after they missed on McKenna and lost a winger, not too sure how keen his agent will be to listen to them. I think it's safe to assume UND's staff has been pressing a little more so we'd have that in our favor. 

UND (Reschny) along with Penn State (Smith) are the only 2 teams so far to recently 100% land a 1st round 2025 CHL commit in the recent months so I'm going to put trust in Bryn and Co to have a good pitch. 

Also if they add Martone Penn state would likely have to tell Aiden Fink to kick rocks and move down to the 2nd line so curious if Gadowsky wants to rock the boat that much in his locker room.

I think it all depends on what Martone AND the Flyers want. Judging by the rumors flying around these past couple of months, Martone wants to play at a Big Ten school. If UND is in the equation, they have just entered the conversation which could be a good thing. The Flyers could have UND as their targeted school for him. He would be “the guy” while still playing with elite players. Also, Grand Forks doesn’t have as much outside distractions and he can really focus on his development. I don’t remember seeing anything about Martone to UND before he went to development camp last week. 
 

The Flyers could be sold on UND and it could be just getting Martone to like the idea. It’s just a thought.

[beastandco]

40 minutes ago, nascar99 said:

Martone and McQueen are the only realistic hopes right now for UND. Friedman said Cootes is back to junior, we know Bear is going back to junior. Martin will sign his ELC soon, Nesbitt isn't interested in the NCAA at current time.

The QMJHLers are going to be back in the Q or if they go NCAA, it will be a Hockey East school (one of Boston University or Boston College).

Cam Robinson just tweeted about 5 minutes ago that he previously heard McQueen was going back to the WHL. 
 

He also said that he expects Michigan State to be super aggressive on undecided CHL draft pick, particularly Martone. 
 

It kind of seems like Martone is the only guy that will come to college and he could still could go pro.

[atxsioux]

40 minutes ago, nascar99 said:

O'Reilly signed his ELC last year, thus not NCAA eligible

 

Ya apparently elite prospects never updated to reflect haha

[cberkas]

ASU with pair of commitments Henry Chmiel and Luke Wilfley 

[SJHovey]

I think what we're seeing a bit of is a "wait and see" response by many of the CHLers.  They want to see how things work out for kids like Reschny, etc...  I don't think we can underestimate the pressure that is being put on these Canadian kids to stay home and play major junior hockey.  Plus, the known is always more comfortable than the unknown.

I know the message that is being pushed up north is "don't make this mistake.  Don't jump at the early money (NIL) which is only going to cost you a lot more money because of your slowed development.  Playing massive numbers of games in major juniors is the tried and true method of landing in the NHL."

That will no doubt gain some traction with some kids, especially before we have a chance to see how things work out.  And I think North Dakota is going to play a big role in this during the coming year.

Verhoef is coming in, anticipated to be maybe the second or third overall pick next year.  If we bring him along slowly, as I expect we will, and if he maybe spends a big chunk of the year playing bottom pair or middle pair minutes (with this group, something that is entirely plausible), will his draft stock slip?  If he drops down to the 5-10 range in the draft, how many people up north are going to point to him and say, "see, if he had stayed in major juniors, he'd have been the second overall pick."

It'll be interesting.

I suspect that Bryn and the group are out prowling around looking for perhaps a couple of older kids to round out the roster this year.