I'd rather they talk about that over the meaningless poll lol. At least KRACH seems to have some predictive value.MN up to 17 in KRACH
We need to just stop talking about the KRACH ratings. It means absolutely nothing because it is not a REAL criteria that is used in any way to determine the NCAA Tournament field. It is basically a meaningless ranking that Adam Wodon over at CNH prefers over everything. So he keeps talking about it over and over and over.
Anything wrong with the rating? Nope. Could it be used? Sure could!
But.... Until it actually gets used to determine the NCAA field, there is zero reason to refer to it with any sort of meaning.
Agreed. I like KRACH as an "advanced metric" kind of starting point for analyzing teams. I do completely understand that it has exactly ZERO value in the NCAA tournament selection. But, it's definitely a better choice than any poll.I'd rather they talk about that over the meaningless poll lol. At least KRACH seems to have some predictive value.MN up to 17 in KRACH
We need to just stop talking about the KRACH ratings. It means absolutely nothing because it is not a REAL criteria that is used in any way to determine the NCAA Tournament field. It is basically a meaningless ranking that Adam Wodon over at CNH prefers over everything. So he keeps talking about it over and over and over.
Anything wrong with the rating? Nope. Could it be used? Sure could!
But.... Until it actually gets used to determine the NCAA field, there is zero reason to refer to it with any sort of meaning.
Ok...so the first half of the season is now over. Second half begins and we still have one open spot on our roster. I'm a little surprised that little has been mentioned about this topic. Am I to believe that this team is going to keep this spot open for the second half as well? Given the lack of depth (especially on the defensive end) of this team...any single injury puts this team in a bad spot and is not sustainable.
Any comments or best guesses as to what we can expect as far on this topic?
I have brought this up multiple times. I also have no idea how it isn't being talked about more. You have a middling team at a blue blood program. Show some effort as a coach/program and bring somebody in.
I agree!! We MUST add a Defensemen at the break. There are too many options to not figure something out. Begley, Rud, Mclaughin are total liabilities out there. You can't play them, and when you go on the road and can't control match-ups it could get really ugly.
It's unfortunate, but in the current state of college hockey you need to cut players like this to be a contender. Can't have 3 wasted roster spots.
I still think they should commit to McLaughlin more in the second half. Easier said than done when he turns the puck over like he does sometimes I know, but at least he has upside.
You are definitely correct but it does provide some context to the NPI rating at this point in the season.
Over the years at seasons end a teams' Pairwise/KRACH rankings are normally within a few spots of each other. NPI is really similar to Pairwise so likely at season's end the Gophers NPI/KRACH rankings will be within a few spots of each other. Normally teams at the top of strength of schedule will be a few spots higher in KRACH than Pairwise/NPI.
At this time due to the amount of data points (game played) it seems fair to say our NPI is likely a little low right now. Like you've said in the past Pairwise/NPI should be taken with a grain a salt until the end of January.
Based on what the rankings are currently (one of which is used and one which is not used) I see us as about #23 and will need to move up about 10 spots (#13) to get an at large spot to the NCAA tournament.
well said and this is exactly the reason I mentioned it. Just a data point and includes sos better at this point in the year
Given we’re now at the bored and stir crazy month in the middle, I’d advise no one go play with the NPI customizer unless you want to get very irritated at how much more optimistic the season would feel with just one really minor tweak.
but in any regard, does make me feel a little more optimistic looking at the numbers that if we sweep ND and split the rest, we’re probably going to be sitting alright heading into the postseason, which is a far cry from how dependent on winning the BTT I thought we may be. Big cluster from about 20-35 so a lot of room to jump up with a good start to 2026
The Gophers move from #28 to #22 by just changing the Gophers tie (shoot out win) against Boston College to a regulation win. The Gophers were up 2-1 with 4.5 minutes left in the 3rd period when the refs ignored blatant hooking and tripping penalties in the slot on the puck carrier. Two different BC players pulled the Gophers player down (I believe it was Hendrickson). BC took the puck and scored a few seconds later to tie the game. If either penalty is called the Gophers are going on the power play with a chance to add to their lead or at least take two minutes off the clock.
The Gophers move from #28 to #22 by just changing the Gophers tie (shoot out win) against Boston College to a regulation win. The Gophers were up 2-1 with 4.5 minutes left in the 3rd period when the refs ignored blatant hooking and tripping penalties in the slot on the puck carrier. Two different BC players pulled the Gophers player down (I believe it was Hendrickson). BC took the puck and scored a few seconds later to tie the game. If either penalty is called the Gophers are going on the power play with a chance to added to their lead or at least take two minutes off the clock.
this was included in my ways to become irritated ha
Given we’re now at the bored and stir crazy month in the middle, I’d advise no one go play with the NPI customizer unless you want to get very irritated at how much more optimistic the season would feel with just one really minor tweak.
but in any regard, does make me feel a little more optimistic looking at the numbers that if we sweep ND and split the rest, we’re probably going to be sitting alright heading into the postseason, which is a far cry from how dependent on winning the BTT I thought we may be. Big cluster from about 20-35 so a lot of room to jump up with a good start to 2026
As crazy as this would have sounded a month ago I see a clear path to the NCAA tournament with this team still. Go 4-4 in January and you’re firmly in the top 16 NPI. Even 3-5 and you’re right on the bubble.
Just splitting the majority of our series the rest of the way will platoon us ahead of the CCHA and ECAC teams who’ll beat each other up.
Given we’re now at the bored and stir crazy month in the middle, I’d advise no one go play with the NPI customizer unless you want to get very irritated at how much more optimistic the season would feel with just one really minor tweak.
but in any regard, does make me feel a little more optimistic looking at the numbers that if we sweep ND and split the rest, we’re probably going to be sitting alright heading into the postseason, which is a far cry from how dependent on winning the BTT I thought we may be. Big cluster from about 20-35 so a lot of room to jump up with a good start to 2026
As crazy as this would have sounded a month ago I see a clear path to the NCAA tournament with this team still. Go 4-4 in January and you’re firmly in the top 16 NPI. Even 3-5 and you’re right on the bubble.
Just splitting the majority of our series the rest of the way will platoon us ahead of the CCHA and ECAC teams who’ll beat each other up.
split everything and sweep ND and yeah they'll likely be a winning their first round game away from being in pending how many autobids get in
*edited
The Big Ten conference tournament has switched to single elimination. Hockey East made a similar switch in 2022.
The Big Ten conference tournament has switched to single elimination. Hockey East made a similar switch in 2022.
I’d guess that this change helps to protect at-large teams from taking unnecessary damage in the NPI, because (1) the better team wins & advances most of the time; (2) bad losses hurt more than good wins help, so (3) if you’re gonna take an upset L as a bubble team, probably best to just cut it off at 1 bad L instead of compounding the damage for no real benefit to the lower seed.
Like, I bet we manage to hang on to our 1 seed with just 1 instead of 2 Ls vs. ND, last B1G tourney
The Big Ten conference tournament has switched to single elimination. Hockey East made a similar switch in 2022.
I’d guess that this change helps to protect at-large teams from taking unnecessary damage in the NPI, because (1) the better team wins & advances most of the time;
I'd wager less frequently in a one and done format.
The Big Ten conference tournament has switched to single elimination. Hockey East made a similar switch in 2022.
I’d guess that this change helps to protect at-large teams from taking unnecessary damage in the NPI, because (1) the better team wins & advances most of the time; (2) bad losses hurt more than good wins help, so (3) if you’re gonna take an upset L as a bubble team, probably best to just cut it off at 1 bad L instead of compounding the damage for no real benefit to the lower seed.
Like, I bet we manage to hang on to our 1 seed with just 1 instead of 2 Ls vs. ND, last B1G tourney
i ran that last year and we wouldn't have as we also would've lost the one extra win. would've been just short by like .0005 or something like that IIRC because of WMU beating who they beat on the way to winning the NCHC tourney. obviously could add to this with saying they only get one win over SCSU and would've changed things more.
either way, really helps add to the possibility of an autobid running the table if you only have to win 3 games rather than 4 as a dog
The Big Ten conference tournament has switched to single elimination. Hockey East made a similar switch in 2022.
I’d guess that this change helps to protect at-large teams from taking unnecessary damage in the NPI, because (1) the better team wins & advances most of the time;
I'd wager less frequently in a one and done format.
think OP is more saying, they win 60% of the time in the 1 and done (or so) and picking up 2 wins vs one bad loss actually comes out nearer to a net loss for the advancing team and losing 2 can really tank you.
they did change home/road weighting for postseason games though so the hit is actually quite a bit smaller this year
The Big Ten conference tournament has switched to single elimination. Hockey East made a similar switch in 2022.
I’d guess that this change helps to protect at-large teams from taking unnecessary damage in the NPI, because (1) the better team wins & advances most of the time;
I'd wager less frequently in a one and done format.
think OP is more saying, they win 60% of the time in the 1 and done (or so)
Could be. I took him as saying that the better team is more likely to win and advance to the next round in a single elim vs. in a series, whereas I think upsets are more likely in a single game series, and the math afterwards notwithstanding.
The Big Ten conference tournament has switched to single elimination. Hockey East made a similar switch in 2022.
I’d guess that this change helps to protect at-large teams from taking unnecessary damage in the NPI, because (1) the better team wins & advances most of the time;
I'd wager less frequently in a one and done format.
think OP is more saying, they win 60% of the time in the 1 and done (or so)
Could be. I took him as saying that the better team is more likely to win and advance to the next round in a single elim vs. in a series, whereas I think upsets are more likely in a single game series, and the math afterwards notwithstanding.
i mean yes you’d be def correct an underdog is more likely to win one game than 2 against a better opponent. Don’t know how one could argue they wouldn’t be
Looking at the current strength of schedule ranking against the NPI seems point to Minnesota not being in such a bad place at the break. Every team in the top team (apart from the BADDDgers) is in a very similar or much worse state. So, I think if they can put a few wins together their NPI should rise dramatically in a short time (at least to the point where they might get into the bubble area).
Strength of Schedule Ranking versus (NPI Ranking)
1 (28) Minnesota 8-10-1
2 (35) Arizona State 8-9-1
3 (38) Omaha 6-10-0
4 (30) Ohio State 6-10-0
5 (24) St. Cloud State 8-10-0
6 (53). Notre Dame 4-11-1
7 (47). Alaska 4-10-1
8 (61). Northern Michigan 1-19-0
9 (4). Wisconsin 12-2-2
10 (42). Clarkson 7-11-0
Looking at the current strength of schedule ranking against the NPI seems point to Minnesota not being in such a bad place at the break. Every team in the top team (apart from the BADDDgers) is in a very similar or much worse state. So, I think if they can put a few wins together their NPI should rise dramatically in a short time (at least to the point where they might get into the bubble area).
Strength of Schedule Ranking versus (NPI Ranking)
1 (28) Minnesota 8-10-1
2 (35) Arizona State 8-9-1
3 (38) Omaha 6-10-0
4 (30) Ohio State 6-10-0
5 (24) St. Cloud State 8-10-0
6 (53). Notre Dame 4-11-1
7 (47). Alaska 4-10-1
8 (61). Northern Michigan 1-19-0
9 (4). Wisconsin 12-2-2
10 (42). Clarkson 7-11-0
right you are. simple, straightforward way to look at it for the 2nd half is sweep ND and OSU and average a split the rest of the way and they will make the tournament. Easier said than done but their SOS will be very good due to the B10 (and that we haven't even played 2 of the top 3 B10 teams in Mich, MSU). Anything better than that in any weekend series and you will move further to the good. Doing above and they'll probably end up a 3 in my best guess.
If they somehow won 4 of the first 6, they'd be inside the cutline already in all likelihood. Going .500 they go up to the upper teens. Going 2-4 they'll still go up a couple slots
The crazy thing is the Gophers have played the toughest schedule so far and now get to the play the toughest stretch/month of their season.
at #8 Penn State (2)
vs. #1 Michigan (2)
at #5 Michigan State (2)
vs. #3 Wisconsin (2)
By the end of January, the Gophers will have played 7 of the current top 8 NPI teams everybody but Dartmouth who likely will drop as they play more conference games (they are 59 of 63 in strength of schedule which has helped they jump out to an 11-1 record)
The Gophers have already played
at #4 North Dakota (2)
vs. #7 Mn-Duluth (2)
at #3 Wisconsin (2)
vs. #8 Penn State (2)
at #6 Denver (1)
February/March includes
at #1 Michigan (2)
vs. #5 Michigan State (2)
For the regular season overall, the Gophers will play 21 of their 35 games (60 %) against teams currently top 8 in NPI.
Not a good season to have a slump. Still hopeful for a decent second half. Still cheering them on.The crazy thing is the Gophers have played the toughest schedule so far and now get to the play the toughest stretch/month of their season.
at #8 Penn State (2)
vs. #1 Michigan (2)
at #5 Michigan State (2)
vs. #3 Wisconsin (2)
By the end of January, the Gophers will have played 7 of the current top 8 NPI teams everybody but Dartmouth who likely will drop as they play more conference games (they are 59 of 63 in strength of schedule which has helped they jump out to an 11-1 record)
The Gophers have already played
at #4 North Dakota (2)
vs. #7 Mn-Duluth (2)
at #3 Wisconsin (2)
vs. #8 Penn State (2)
at #6 Denver (1)
February/March includes
at #1 Michigan (2)
vs. #5 Michigan State (2)
For the regular season overall, the Gophers will play 21 of their 35 games (60 %) against teams currently top 8 in NPI.
The Big Ten conference tournament has switched to single elimination. Hockey East made a similar switch in 2022.
I’d guess that this change helps to protect at-large teams from taking unnecessary damage in the NPI, because (1) the better team wins & advances most of the time;
I'd wager less frequently in a one and done format.
think OP is more saying, they win 60% of the time in the 1 and done (or so) and picking up 2 wins vs one bad loss actually comes out nearer to a net loss for the advancing team and losing 2 can really tank you.
they did change home/road weighting for postseason games though so the hit is actually quite a bit smaller this year
yes, this is what I meant. Even though 1st-round upsets are relatively more likely now- in the aggregate, better / higher-seeded teams generally win, more often than not. (The #4/5 matchup may behave differently, I’m not sure how close the 4/5 teams tend to finish in the standings). Then if a given team doesn’t / can't win their 1st round playoff matchup, after having started in at-large territory, there’s not much point to doubling the NPI damage of a first round loss and potentially knocking a #12, #13 team down to #15 or worse with 2 bad Ls. Especially when ~1/2 of your conference’s teams must lose in the first round of conference playoffs.
Also, I don’t think 3 Ws vs. 4 Ws for the B1G tourney autobid even makes that much of a difference for teams coming in below #15ish, who need that autobid to make the NCAAs. Most years, a team in that position needs to defeat a top-10 team, then 2 top-5s, all away games. Statistically it’s an almost impossible task for a team in the #15, #20, etc. range.
Lastly, the NPI tweaks to home/road weighting have started to really annoy me. Just another small-school whinge (e.g. “B1G only wants to play [AHA/ECAC cupcakes] at home!! Wahhh!!!”) that they’ve hard-coded in now at everyone’s expense. Sorry to Adam Wodon, but nobody actually wants Minnesota or Michigan or whoever traveling to LIU or Colgate etc. and playing in those decrepit crappy barns to sell 1.5k tickets. It’s better for them and the sport as a whole to keep subsidizing those teams as buy games for B1G to fill OOC slates.
I suppose they needed to get the tourney down to 2 weeks instead of 3 so that makes sense. I'd rather have a best of three series to start it but this way works as far as the logistics of hosting a home game on short notice.
Congrats to John Mittelstadt on his engagement!
Javon Moore breaks down his GWG vs Denver.
https://twitter.com/i/status/2001719943629287606
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For those who missed the Mittelstadt's feature on BTN.
https://twitter.com/B1GHockey/status/2001784213021036669
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Ok...so the first half of the season is now over. Second half begins and we still have one open spot on our roster. I'm a little surprised that little has been mentioned about this topic. Am I to believe that this team is going to keep this spot open for the second half as well? Given the lack of depth (especially on the defensive end) of this team...any single injury puts this team in a bad spot and is not sustainable.
Any comments or best guesses as to what we can expect as far on this topic?
I have brought this up multiple times. I also have no idea how it isn't being talked about more. You have a middling team at a blue blood program. Show some effort as a coach/program and bring somebody in.
Boston College is showing some effort:
https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2025/12/18_Eagles-Expected-To-Add-Oscar.php
Ok...so the first half of the season is now over. Second half begins and we still have one open spot on our roster. I'm a little surprised that little has been mentioned about this topic. Am I to believe that this team is going to keep this spot open for the second half as well? Given the lack of depth (especially on the defensive end) of this team...any single injury puts this team in a bad spot and is not sustainable.
Any comments or best guesses as to what we can expect as far on this topic?
I have brought this up multiple times. I also have no idea how it isn't being talked about more. You have a middling team at a blue blood program. Show some effort as a coach/program and bring somebody in.
Boston College is showing some effort:
https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2025/12/18_Eagles-Expected-To-Add-Oscar.php
what the hell… can’t believe that a player of that caliber (projected) was still available.
Really hope that Bob put out some feelers to this guy’s “advisor”, but kinda doubt it as it’s not our M.O. to bring guys in for their actual draft year. Maybe Sampo could’ve sold him on Minnesota, who knows, all those guys likely know each other.
There was a lot of questions about his eligibility and his path so far. Not losing sleep over this one, but some will question Bob. Enjoy the Christmas break.
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As I and a few others have said...we are now officially at the break and we have an extra spot on the roster to fill. Come on now...let's fill it with some extra D at the bare minimum. I find it very difficult to believe there is not a single player that we cannot find to fill that open position that has a passion and skill to play for the M.
Those freaking out about hemming need to go read the story that led to this saga. This wasn’t some good recruiting by bc that led to this option occurring
Those freaking out about hemming need to go read the story that led to this saga. This wasn’t some good recruiting by bc that led to this option occurring
Not freaking out. Just pointing it out. It seems very very odd that we haven’t filled our roster.
@upnorthkid I see one coaching staff doing whatever it takes to make their team better and I see the other one being lazy as usual.
Those freaking out about hemming need to go read the story that led to this saga. This wasn’t some good recruiting by bc that led to this option occurring
can you please share a link to said story? Thanks!
Here is one article about it.
https://lonestartoleijonat.substack.com/p/ohl-finns-in-focus-oscar-hemmings
After being drafted 54th overall in the 2025 OHL Import Draft by the Kitchener Rangers, a dispute between his home club and the Rangers snowballed into a contract saga that is still ongoing.
In simple terms, Kiekko-Espoo blocked Hemming's move from the SM-sarja junior league in Finland to the OHL in Canada. So when Hemming had no place to play to start 2025, both player and agent made a last-ditch effort to join the Sheerwood Park Crusaders in the BCHL at the junior A level. That's when the IIHF got involved.
Per Josh Brown of the Waterloo Region Record, Hemming faced a three-year ban from IIHF events if he were to play in the BCHL in any capacity this season. Because the NCAA is exempt from IIHF contract disputes, Hemming made the move to Boston College, which just happened to have an opening at the forward position.
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The Reddit thread is far more honest about it
https://www.reddit.com/r/hockey/comments/1owao4g/kitchener_rangers_prospect_oscar_hemming_changes/
If you find yourself in the same company as Bonin-lite you might want to reconsider the narrative.
Those freaking out about hemming need to go read the story that led to this saga. This wasn’t some good recruiting by bc that led to this option occurring
yeah, I just read thru some of the recent news about this kid. Situation strikes me as being similar to like, those NCAA football guys who team-hop every single year and try to negotiate their next grossly overvalued NIL deal on public social media.
That whole argument of “players should have absolute freedom from any obligation to their own, current team/program” is like catnip for casual fans and especially the mainstream sports media, they eat that crap up. So grating at this point.
If you find yourself in the same company as Bonin-lite you might want to reconsider the narrative.
People are allowed to have an opinion. We need help on D, we have an open spot. Sounds like a good narrative to me.
If you don’t like change you will hate extinction.
Those freaking out about hemming need to go read the story that led to this saga. This wasn’t some good recruiting by bc that led to this option occurring
yeah, I just read thru some of the recent news about this kid. Situation strikes me as being similar to like, those NCAA football guys who team-hop every single year and try to negotiate their next grossly overvalued NIL deal on public social media.
That whole argument of “players should have absolute freedom from any obligation to their own, current team/program” is like catnip for casual fans and especially the mainstream sports media, they eat that crap up. So grating at this point.
If the NHL “development fee” wasn’t in play here I don’t think this would be an issue. He’s projected to go in the 1st or 2nd round in the upcoming draft. If he goes in the first, his junior team gets 35K, after that it’s 20K.
The kicker in this is the OHL team he signed for is willing to forfeit the fee to the Finnish club. Sounds like spite. You’re right it’s about money but I don’t think junior contracts for 16-17 year olds is the same as what college kids are doing in the NIL space.
As for adding a player. I don’t see a superstar coming in and getting the team over the hump. Nor do I see a recruit coming in early. I think this is the team we got.
If you find yourself in the same company as Bonin-lite you might want to reconsider the narrative.
People are allowed to have an opinion. We need help on D, we have an open spot. Sounds like a good narrative to me.
If you don’t like change you will hate extinction.
Didn't actually have you in mind with that comment and I have no issue with change whatsoever.
As I and a few others have said...we are now officially at the break and we have an extra spot on the roster to fill. Come on now...let's fill it with some extra D at the bare minimum. I find it very difficult to believe there is not a single player that we cannot find to fill that open position that has a passion and skill to play for the M.
Who though? I don’t think I’ve seen many players mentioned by anybody so far. Levi Harper is exactly what this team desperately needs right now but he’s already going to be one of the youngest players in college hockey next year so I doubt he comes in even though he could probably run the gopher pp right now. Philips and Grimes are just more left shot bottom pairing d men that this team has plenty of and are much better off getting top minutes in the USHL. I’m not saying there’s none out there but realistically how many defensemen are playing in juniors right now who are actually ready to step in and contribute and make this team better who haven’t also signed an NLI to another team? All the Gopher recruits with even a chance to come in next year signed one, almost all other teams do the same.
As I and a few others have said...we are now officially at the break and we have an extra spot on the roster to fill. Come on now...let's fill it with some extra D at the bare minimum. I find it very difficult to believe there is not a single player that we cannot find to fill that open position that has a passion and skill to play for the M.
Who though? I don’t think I’ve seen many players mentioned by anybody so far. Levi Harper is exactly what this team desperately needs right now but he’s already going to be one of the youngest players in college hockey next year so I doubt he comes in even though he could probably run the gopher pp right now. Philips and Grimes are just more left shot bottom pairing d men that this team has plenty of and are much better off getting top minutes in the USHL. I’m not saying there’s none out there but realistically how many defensemen are playing in juniors right now who are actually ready to step in and contribute and make this team better who haven’t also signed an NLI to another team? All the Gopher recruits with even a chance to come in next year signed one, almost all other teams do the same.
https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2025/12/21_Colorado-College-Adding-Former.php
Maybe Chesley wants another go, lol…
As I and a few others have said...we are now officially at the break and we have an extra spot on the roster to fill. Come on now...let's fill it with some extra D at the bare minimum. I find it very difficult to believe there is not a single player that we cannot find to fill that open position that has a passion and skill to play for the M.
Who though? I don’t think I’ve seen many players mentioned by anybody so far. Levi Harper is exactly what this team desperately needs right now but he’s already going to be one of the youngest players in college hockey next year so I doubt he comes in even though he could probably run the gopher pp right now. Philips and Grimes are just more left shot bottom pairing d men that this team has plenty of and are much better off getting top minutes in the USHL. I’m not saying there’s none out there but realistically how many defensemen are playing in juniors right now who are actually ready to step in and contribute and make this team better who haven’t also signed an NLI to another team? All the Gopher recruits with even a chance to come in next year signed one, almost all other teams do the same.
https://www.collegehockeynews.com/news/2025/12/21_Colorado-College-Adding-Former.php
Bryce Pickford, should know of him from Casey
Xavier Villeneuve
Carson Carels
I have no clue. I think the point is some of us would like to see more effort in the changing landscape opposed to “we’ll see how it pans out.”
https://twitter.com/GopherHockey/status/2003208930521178151
I actually give a @#$* about the Twins
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🤷♂️
https://twitter.com/mariucci_guy/status/2003227978436694298?s=46&t=AvtsG2WfNuGRyXzbYJqB7g
I was going to post this myself. There should be a phone call made to see potential interest from him (or another unhappy player that turned pro too early).
I am not an expert on this, but Kurth signed a 2 year, entry level contract with Tampa. It appears to be a 2 way deal, that if he is in the NHL he gets $870,000 and $82,500 if in the minors. So, I would guess Tampa has control over him. I think the "pro" players who are signing to play college are players who are playing on minor league deals, so that may be the difference. The CC player that is coming in was drafted by the Sabres, but they didn't sign him and was bouncing around the minors.
IMHO, it is one thing to start recruiting CHL players, but I am 100% against signing any player who played in the ECHL or AHL. If this means we miss out on a good AHL or ECHL player, so be it.
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