Prospective Recruits

[yzerman19]

The hard part though is being really good at 13-15 is what sets you up for that 16-20.  If you look at the NTDP and the list Schloss put out all these kids were dominant at 13-15.

[scpa0305]

41 minutes ago, yzerman19 said:

The hard part though is being really good at 13-15 is what sets you up for that 16-20.  If you look at the NTDP and the list Schloss put out all these kids were dominant at 13-15.

For sure…but to your previous message…those guys are the 1%, probably more like .5%. I’m assuming several of those guys will be very good NHL players at some point. There will be another crop that comes up at some point, it’s anyone’s guess at who those guys will be. Time will tell. For example, Jackson Blake wasn’t in that equation as he was too immature physically, but a lot of folks saw what was coming given his skill. He was 1-2 years behind physically from those early guys. It’s a moving target, but again I agree with your point.

[yzerman19]

Here's a recipe that I have seen work:  kid loves hockey at a young age, loves watching it, turns things into hockey sticks and just plays.  Don't start organized hockey too early (I have seen 3 year olds in Mites)...start them in skating lessons (can definitely be with figure skaters).  Move to a learn to play hockey model at 5 or 6 where it isn't organized, but they are introducing some hockey. Keep watching hockey. At 6 they can start Mite hockey...they should definitely be focused on other sports too and athleticism, the program should be about the on ice agility, balance, and coordination.  If the kid is showing the desire, more advanced skating and camps and private lessons can become part of it.  Kid has to be loving it.  If they don't want to go to the rink, you can't make them.  At 7 they will start showing if they truly love going to the rink to get better.  If they do, then you might have a player.  The biggest thing is that wheel of success. The better they feel, the more they will want to do it, the more they do it, the better they will get.  Then the better they will feel...

[yzerman19]

These kids all obviously loved playing, have good athletic genes, had some great support and were given opportunities to keep getting better.  The higher up the ladder it becomes all about athleticism, skating, and hockey IQ.

[I Ranger]

On 7/21/2026 at 10:48 AM, nascar99 said:

2026 Top 30 Americans August 1 List from Schloss!!

 

With the new recruiting landscape, I'm much more interested in seeing the Canadian list than the American. I will be curious to see who is on that list and feel like that may have some of our more main targets. 

[yzerman19]

Americans in 2010 are better than Canadians in 2010.  
 

honestly it's not really close. Covid hurt Canada hockey more than USA Hockey

[scpa0305]

38 minutes ago, yzerman19 said:

Americans in 2010 are better than Canadians in 2010.  
 

honestly it's not really close. Covid hurt Canada hockey more than USA Hockey

Agreed. 2011s too.

[I Ranger]

18 hours ago, yzerman19 said:

Americans in 2010 are better than Canadians in 2010.  
 

honestly it's not really close. Covid hurt Canada hockey more than USA Hockey

Ah interesting and good to know. I'm curious to see how we attack this class then. I wonder if there is a clear target like last when Fitzhenry was obviously that? Like I've mentioned before, I would imagine Daley would be that with every big dog after him. Hopefully we have a realistic shot but wonder if he goes back east. Also as others have mentioned, Thompson seems to be the obvious target. With Canadians being behind the American class, I would imagine this might be a wait and see approach with that group and maybe some of those prospects pop this year like the Ruck's did last year. 

[yzerman19]

Not that there aren't some good players up in Canada, there certainly are a few excellent players, and they happen to be western Canadian kids which is right in our recruiting wheelhouse

[yzerman19]

I'm thinking we want to get 3 out of this list of high end guys that aren't long shots:  Maddox Schultz, Liam Pue, RJ Thompson, Reid Nicol, Carter Morris, Nash Roed.  

[yzerman19]

I ran an AI model that generated this list of Americans at the top:

Revised Top 10 U.S. Board

Tier 1

1. Drew Daley (D) — Grade: A

Why #1

Daley scores at or near the top in every major bucket.

• Elite evidence against older competition
• Premium defense position
• Excellent skating
• Strong offensive production context
• High-end processing
• Strong physical projection
• Excellent validation

There are very few weaknesses in his profile.

Projection: Top-pair NHL defenseman.

---

2. Joey Cullen (C) — Grade: A

The highest offensive ceiling in the class.

• elite offensive production
• elite consistency
• outstanding skill evaluation
• improving pro-style details
• legitimate success against older competition

His ceiling remains the highest among U.S. forwards.

Projection: Dynamic first-line NHL center.

---

3. RJ Thompson (C) — Grade: A

Thompson has perhaps the strongest demonstrated evidence in the class.

He grades exceptionally in:

• consistency
• older competition impact
• skating
• adaptability
• transition
• pro-style center habits

He is no longer simply productive—his game projects extremely well.

Projection: First-line or high-end second-line NHL center.

---

Tier 2

4. Will LoSauro (F) — Grade: A-

One of the safest forward projections.

Excellent balance of:

• skating
• production
• consistency
• projectability
• role certainty

Very few weaknesses.

---

5. Mason Schemenauer (D) — Grade: A-

Large mobile defenseman.

Excellent combination of:

• structure
• skating
• survivability
• defense scarcity
• older competition success

One of the biggest risers.

---

6. Chase Schulberger (D) — Grade: A-

The revised model rewards his physical projection much more heavily.

He possesses:

• NHL frame
• mobility
• reach
• survivability
• projectable role certainty

Exactly the profile NHL organizations covet.

---

7. Carter Morris (F) — Grade: B+ / A-

The biggest reason Morris remains here is that his demonstrated evidence is outstanding.

He consistently impacts older competition while maintaining offensive effectiveness.

---

Tier 3

8. Henry Meier (F) — Grade: B+

One of the more underrated players in the class.

Strong pace, good consistency, and proven ability to contribute in stronger environments.

---

9. Maverick McKinnon (F) — Grade: B+

McKinnon moves ahead of many in this model.

Why?

• Better demonstrated impact
• Stronger offensive evidence
• Proven effectiveness against older competition
• Better validation of current play

Although his projected size caps his ceiling somewhat, he has earned his ranking through performance.

---

10. Cameron Evans (F) — Grade: B+

Evans makes the Top 10 because his offensive skill and skating are exceptional.

The model still discounts him for:

• smaller physical projection
• less evidence against older competition

But those penalties are no longer enough to offset his high-end skill package.

Just outside the Top 10

11. Brooks Suter (D) — B+
12. Easton Dozark (D) — B+
13. Griffin Carver (D) — B+
14. Jack Queally (F) — B+
15. Sam Lee (F) — B+

[atxsioux]

Based on Drew Daley's insta follows it seems like he's going to entertain both East coast + Western blue bloods. Not always the case with NY area kids so a bit of an exception

[yzerman19]

AI is kinda fun

[AJS]

Is there a school that's a bigger pain in the ass these days than Michigan State when it comes to opponent recruiting? They seem to cast an incredibly wide net. In the mix on any top kid. I mention this, because up until recently, the IG story would have told me that UND was the favorite for Carter Morris. undhockeyrecruit followed him, UND was the only school that he followed up until recently. The recently, of course, Michigan State. 

[yzerman19]

They have an elite coach that prospects want to play for

 

[beastandco]

1 hour ago, yzerman19 said:

I'm thinking we want to get 3 out of this list of high end guys that aren't long shots:  Maddox Schultz, Liam Pue, RJ Thompson, Reid Nicol, Carter Morris, Nash Roed.  

Gopher fans on X seem to think Thompson is likely going to UND. It feels like UND is targeting Thompson, Morris, and Ellingson for the higher end American forwards and then waiting out the higher end Canadians once they make the jump.

[brianvf]

1 hour ago, yzerman19 said:

I'm thinking we want to get 3 out of this list of high end guys that aren't long shots:  Maddox Schultz, Liam Pue, RJ Thompson, Reid Nicol, Carter Morris, Nash Roed.  

I’m thinking that’s do-able. 

[nascar99]

1 hour ago, AJS said:

Is there a school that's a bigger pain in the ass these days than Michigan State when it comes to opponent recruiting? They seem to cast an incredibly wide net. In the mix on any top kid. I mention this, because up until recently, the IG story would have told me that UND was the favorite for Carter Morris. undhockeyrecruit followed him, UND was the only school that he followed up until recently. The recently, of course, Michigan State. 

Denver and Michigan recruit all over as well

[atxsioux]

2 hours ago, AJS said:

Is there a school that's a bigger pain in the ass these days than Michigan State when it comes to opponent recruiting? They seem to cast an incredibly wide net. In the mix on any top kid. I mention this, because up until recently, the IG story would have told me that UND was the favorite for Carter Morris. undhockeyrecruit followed him, UND was the only school that he followed up until recently. The recently, of course, Michigan State. 

Their head athletic trainer Will Morlock seems to be a big sell for them recruiting wise at least at the surface. (it seems to maybe be a bit overblown hype but who knows maybe he is that good of a trainer?)

 

Nightingale has seemed to target the "project" type player alot recently so those types are flowing there now because a player like them just did. (IE Stramel, Mason West, Cayden Lindstrom come to mind) Personally I'm not as bummed out about missing out on those player types. Don't get as much bang for your buck it seems when they play there for 2/3 years but you only get a truly productive player for 1/2 years.