Not a lot of talk about the HS guys.
Lamb (JR) looks like he'll finish the regular season first in goals and goals per game with 34-28-62 in 18GP. Third in points per game behind probably-future-Bulldog Plante (SO) and Kukkonen (SR). With the forward backlog, I'd actually be fine with him staying his senior year with his friends then a year or two of juniors.
L Mittelstadt (SR) - 8-14-22 in 18GP
Williams (SR) - 1-12-13 in 18GP. I still don't think he's going to be a Gopher.
[media] https://twitter.com/sfstampede/status/1371978973643673604 [/media]
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
[media] https://twitter.com/USAHockeyNTDP/status/1372579540325830656 [/media]
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
[media] https://twitter.com/evegoe/status/1372575390535970822 [/media]
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
Five Michigan players. It should be a battle between the Gophers and them next season.
Five Michigan players. It should be a battle between the Gophers and them next season.
It’ll be interesting to see how many of Bordeleau, Johnson, Beniers, Brisson, Powers, York, and Beecher return next year.
I’m assuming York will be gone, and I would bet at least two of Bordeleau/Johnson/Beniers/Powers leave. It doesn’t seem like many top ten picks play more than one year of college hockey, but off the top of my head I’m not sure how many of those prior highly-touted guys were drafted after their freshman seasons like the latter three of those guys will be.
I did realize Lucius was as big as he is. I had it in my head that he was small, not sure why.
Would Broz be a senior in high school this year or is he a year removed?
He would be/is a senior
The good thing about Broz is he got 2 years of pretty good USHL years under his belt and will be 19 in October when (If) he comes on campus this fall.
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
I did realize Lucius was as big as he is. I had it in my head that he was small, not sure why.
Would Broz be a senior in high school this year or is he a year removed?
The younger Lucius was very small up until the last year or so it seems, but he's currently listed at 5-11, 176, about the same as his older brother. The infamous-ish picture that came out when they both committed showed Chaz several inches taller than Cruz.
Broz, Kurth, and Knies will be playing in this game that will be shown on the Weds before the FF on NHL Network
[media] https://twitter.com/USHL/status/1372639012956037121 [/media]
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
I did realize Lucius was as big as he is. I had it in my head that he was small, not sure why.
Probably thinking back to the pics of he and his brother committing to the U as toddlers. 
Thanks, the picture could be what I was remembering. Definitely some highly skilled kids coming.
The Hockey News Ryan Kennedy breaks down USHL prospects game. Here are a couple notes on future Gophers
https://www.si.com/hockey/news/need-to-know-the-all-american-prospects-game
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
Knies feels like a Reedy type to me. Star in his 11th grade year looking like a first rounder and falls off the draft board down to 3rd-5th round territory. If that means he's a 4 year player like Reedy I think that's fine because Lucius/Broz/Huglen/Pitlick could be guys putting up a big chunk of points while he gets up to the speed of the college game.
In the clips Huglen looks like the USHL is a joke for him... It's crazy. Very interested to see how he looks in college.
Thanks, the picture could be what I was remembering. Definitely some highly skilled kids coming.
In all fairness I believe Cruz was a peewee.
Knies feels like a Reedy type to me. Star in his 11th grade year looking like a first rounder and falls off the draft board down to 3rd-5th round territory. If that means he's a 4 year player like Reedy I think that's fine because Lucius/Broz/Huglen/Pitlick could be guys putting up a big chunk of points while he gets up to the speed of the college game.
In the clips Huglen looks like the USHL is a joke for him... It's crazy. Very interested to see how he looks in college.
Most years I think you’re right. With USHL being only one of a few leagues playing I imagine scouts are at more games. Knies has been much better than production indicates. I bet he goes in 2nd round. I asked Pronman in last mailbag who we would take first Knies or Broz and he said Knies. He’s big, skilled, great puck protection, vision, does need to shoot more, especially since his line mates can’t finish
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0h4HMm9T9VX1jWdzMCU5jf?si=zMPwScvhQUqyWD-A5W0Qxg&nd=1
I love any time Ryan Hardy shares his thoughts on player development. One of the best right now.
Knies has missed the last 2 games for Tri City. Have not seen any reason for his absence. They play again tonight, so will see if he is back in the lineup.
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
They were very clear it wasn't covid when he was out earlier... so ??♂️
I love any time Ryan Hardy shares his thoughts on player development. One of the best right now.
He was on Craig Custance podcast too, didn’t listen yet
Knies back in the lineup tonight.
Charlie Strobel pots his first USHL goal.
[media] https://twitter.com/USAHockeyNTDP/status/1373062739569033220 [/media]
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Chaz Lucius with a 4 point game tonight (1G 3A) vs Youngstown.
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Lucius stays hot. Hat trick and 1 assist tonight
[media] https://twitter.com/USAHockeyNTDP/status/1374528261162594314 [/media]
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
[media] https://twitter.com/USAHockeyNTDP/status/1374768585629962244 [/media]
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
Are all the Lucius brothers similarly highly-regarded? For a casual recruiting observer, can someone give us a quick rundown of the recruits we're excited about?
The two most hyped in terms of top end NHL potential right now are the older Lucius and Chesley.
https://twitter.com/brennanboynton/status/1377059401727680524?s=21
Looks to be the top goalie in the USHL on a good Fargo team. Champlin Park HS grad
So hopefully we are rolling with LaFontaine, Boynton and the Closer next year.
Goalies are always a wild card but Boynton has a lot of junior experience which seems fairly pivotal for the position. LaFontaine coming back still could be the difference between good and great.
Really excited with this get. I'm sure it helped that he plays with 3 other Gopher recruits in Fargo. He will be 21 when he starts the year, which I like for goalies to have some seasoning unless they are the next Adam Wilcox. Plus, he is Bob's guy, and won't be riding the pine as often as Moe did.
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
Here is my perspective on where things are at right now.
The new goalie is going to be on ther roster next year, he's got two years of juniors and was the top high school goalie before getting that extra experience. If LaFontaine were to decide to leave, then they're going to need to find a third goalie. I'd think the transfer market is where they might look if that happens. Dylan St. Cyr from Notre Dame and Matthew Galajda from Cornell are in the portal as well. Moe and Motzko just didn't mix. The list of recent players in the portal courtsey of [mention]NorthernGopher218[/mention] -- Thanks!
https://www.gopherpucklive.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=22&t=13388&p=977067#p977065
I think the forwards coming in for sure so far are Lucius and Knies who are going to be drafted in the first round and at least by the third round. Broz and Pitlick are two drafted forwards coming that are having great seasons in the USHL. Huglen is probably the next one coming as Motzko did have him 'penciled' in as a recruit before the injury setback -- he hasn't signed an NLI yet though, so I think it's been TBD on what officially will happen with the seniors and Ranta.
The next tier of commits like Strobel, Pinoniemi, Braccini and Warner are guys I think get pushed out a year unless there are surprise departures. If Motzko is ever going to get the roster older, then recruits like these and him have to be on the same page. You could always see one of those players decide they don't want to wait and go elsewhere--although with all those options in the portal it's a weird time to find a spot. Commits expected to come in later include Snuggerud, Kurth, John Mittelstadt, Miller and Lamb.
On defense it's not really clear what's going on with Nick Williams--he could be finding a new home or still have to prove himself in the USHL. Keep in mind he committed under Lucia. The two talent defensive players in the pipleline are Ryan Chesley and Luke Mittelstadt--both are going to be drafted type players, but I don't think either one is ready to step into college if someone unexpectedly leaves.
The pandemic has really impacted the recruiting of defensemen. Motzko and Raboin like to take older players at that position especially and see how they play in person in juniors before offering them. This year the coaches haven't been able to evaluate in person, so this is a challenge. My speculation is that if they do have to fill a gap there, then the transfer market is the best option. There are experienced older guys in the portal that would probably be excited to play at Minnesota.
Motzko said when he first took the job that to get older, they were going to have to get younger. This is a key year for them to stay on the path to getting older. If there are any suprises, then they cannot do what the previous staff did and just grab the next guy in the pipeline.
I'm sure we'll break all of this down on the podcast tonight.
Yeah I was thinking the transfer portal would be one of the best places to get goalies. Whereas you're probably looking at low end depth players for F/D in the transfer portal there are some experienced goalies in there who could provide average or better goaltending like the ones you mention above.
We have a lot of ‘01 forwards that will run out of junior eligibility and need to come in 2022.
Braccini
Mittlestadt
Pinoniemi
Strobel
Warner
That doesn’t include Pitlick and Huglen who I think will come next fall. It’s going to be tough to fit all of those guys in when you have Miller, Lucius, Kurth, Snuggerud and Lamb who all have the potential of pushing to come in as well.
I'm not expecting Warner to ever make it here.
I'm not expecting Warner to ever make it here.
I generally agree but I could see his friendship with bob’s son coming into play.
We have a lot of ‘01 forwards that will run out of junior eligibility and need to come in 2022.
Braccini
Mittlestadt
Pinoniemi
Strobel
Warner
That doesn’t include Pitlick and Huglen who I think will come next fall. It’s going to be tough to fit all of those guys in when you have Miller, Lucius, Kurth, Snuggerud and Lamb who all have the potential of pushing to come in as well.
I think for 21-22 teams are allowed four overage 2001-born players, so still time if they're okay with it.
"Teams cannot carry more than five 20-year-olds on their active roster at a time, which must be reduced to four by the third weekend of the regular season."
We have a lot of ‘01 forwards that will run out of junior eligibility and need to come in 2022.
Braccini
Mittlestadt
Pinoniemi
Strobel
Warner
That doesn’t include Pitlick and Huglen who I think will come next fall. It’s going to be tough to fit all of those guys in when you have Miller, Lucius, Kurth, Snuggerud and Lamb who all have the potential of pushing to come in as well.
I think for 21-22 teams are allowed four overage 2001-born players, so still time if they're okay with it.
"Teams cannot carry more than five 20-year-olds on their active roster at a time, which must be reduced to four by the third weekend of the regular season."
Yes, I should have clarified better. Could be a lot of forwards aging out of juniors after the 2021-2022 season meaning lots of ‘01s having to come in 2022-2023.
[media] https://twitter.com/USAHockeyNTDP/status/1377424916832784386 [/media]
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
Do we know why Huglen hasn't signed NLI? Is it scholarship thing or seeing how his health plays out? He sure looks like he could bring some skill to line-up. Funny considering the conversation on podcast about going 1-1. Huglen definitely does that, but is successful much more than most guys. His hands remind me a bit of Tyler Madden.
I think Broz will help the PP quite a bit, might struggle with the heavy teams 5x5. His vision is very impressive though.
Hopefully Ranta and others stay and we don't need to go to transfer portal. Lot's of names, but not guys that could actually play for us. Ben Copeland and Colin Theisen are probably only forwards. Dylan St Cyr if we need to replace Laffer. Not sure how I feel about Galajda. Played behind a very defensive team so maybe not as good as numbers would suggest, also taking a full year off is a bit scary.
[media] https://twitter.com/LetsPlay_Hockey/status/1378088375631118337 [/media]
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
Knies hitting his stride lately in the USHL. Might make a case for a late first round selection.
Knies hitting his stride lately in the USHL. Might make a case for a late first round selection.
Will be interesting to see if Knies or Broz is taken earlier. I'm expecting both to go in the second round, but wouldn't be surprised if one slipped to the third.
Just a reminder, that on Weds night at 7pm the All American prospects hockey game will be shown on NHL Network.
Gopher recruits on the rosters are--
Chaz Lucius-- Team blue
Tristan Broz-- Team white
Matthew Knies -- Team white
Connor Kurth -- Team white
[media] https://twitter.com/usahockey/status/1379201431392108552 [/media]
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
Just a reminder, that on Weds night at 7pm the All American prospects hockey game will be shown on NHL Network.
Gopher recruits on the rosters are--
Chaz Lucius-- Team blue
Tristan Broz-- Team white
Matthew Knies -- Team white
Connor Kurth -- Team white
[media] https://twitter.com/usahockey/status/1379201431392108552 [/media]br>
The B1G dominates that list for total representatives. I won't attempt to extrapolate that further since it's a fairly isolated situation, but from the outside it at least looks like talent is flowing into the conference on a competitive scale.
Lines for tonights All American prospects game.
[media] https://twitter.com/usahockey/status/1379909547226062848 [/media]
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[media] https://twitter.com/usahockey/status/1379950382273552387 [/media]
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.
Sonia the blue team from USNDT and white from various other teams?
Sonia the blue team from USNDT and white from various other teams?
Yes. Team white is made up of players from USHL teams and blue is USNDT program
I'm 50% factual and 50% sarcastic. When you get to know me, you will know which is which.